Cushion body

Abstract

To provide a cushion body which can be attached to an object in a better appearance.SOLUTION: A cushion body 10 is used by attaching to a shell S of a seat 1 and includes a tabular base material 11 coupled to the shell S through a hook-and-loop fastener 14A, 14B, a pad material 12 provided on the base material 11, and an outer covering material 13 covering the pad material 12. The base material 11 includes a pad supporting part 11A which abuts on the shell S and supports the pad material 12 from the backside, an outer peripheral edge part 11B where a terminal part 13B of the outer covering material 13 is overlapped, and a recessed part 11C which is recessed in a direction separated from the shell S, and where the hook-and-loop fastener 14A, 14B is arranged inside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cushion body, and more particularly to a cushion body that is attached to an object when in use. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a seat equipped with a shell-type support structure that envelops and supports the body of a seated occupant. The seat has a shell made of fiber-reinforced plastic and a cushion body provided on the seating surface of the shell. The cushion body is made of, for example, a padding material covered with a skin material, and is attached to the seating surface of the shell with a fastener such as a hook-and-loop fastener. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4491272 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a configuration in which a hook-and-loop fastener is interposed between the cushion body and the shell, the thickness of the hook-and-loop fastener tends to form a gap between the cushion body and the shell, which can lead to a deterioration in appearance. Therefore, the present invention provides a cushion body that can be attached to an object in a more attractive manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] As a means for solving the above problems, the cushion body of the present invention is a cushion body that is attached to an object for use, and includes a plate-shaped base material that is connected to the object via a connecting member, a pad material provided on the base material, and a skin material that covers the pad material. The base material has a pad support portion that abuts against the object to support the back of the pad material, an outer peripheral edge portion with which an end portion of the skin material is engaged in an overlapping manner, and a recess that is recessed in a direction away from the object and has a connecting member disposed inside.

[0006] Here, the state in which the terminal portion of the skin material is "engaged in an overlapping manner" with the outer peripheral edge portion of the base material refers to a state in which the terminal portion of the skin material is directly overlapped and engaged on either the front or back surface of the outer peripheral edge portion of the base material, or a state in which the terminal portion of the skin material is stretched with a pad material sandwiched between them so as to compress the pad material into a tapered shape and overlapped and engaged on the back surface of the outer peripheral edge portion of the base material.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the connecting member for connecting to the object is arranged in the recess of the base material, so the cushion body can be attached to the object in a manner that prevents gaps from forming between the cushion body and the object. Furthermore, since the base material is configured so that the pad support portion that supports the back of the pad material abuts against the object, even when pressure is applied from the front side, the peripheral edge is less likely to bend up from the object. These configurations allow the cushion body to be attached to the object in an attractive manner.

[0008] The cushion body of the present invention may further be configured as follows: The outer peripheral edge of the base material extends obliquely toward the object so as to gradually narrow the gap between them. According to the above configuration, the cushion body can be provided so that the thickness of the peripheral edge gradually decreases relative to the object. Furthermore, since the outer peripheral edge of the base material has a bent shape, the bending rigidity and torsional rigidity of the base material are appropriately increased, making it possible to prevent the outer peripheral edge of the base material from warping up from the object.

[0009] The cushion body of the present invention may further be configured as follows: The outer peripheral edge of the base material is pressed against the object by the bonding force of the bonding member. With this configuration, the peripheral edge of the cushion body can be attached to the object in a more attractive manner, with no gaps formed between them, by closely adhering the cushion body to the object.

[0010] The cushion body of the present invention may further be configured as follows: the outer peripheral edge of the base material forms the outer wall of the recess. With this configuration, the recess of the base material can be rationally combined with the outer peripheral edge extending obliquely. Furthermore, the bonding force of the bonding member arranged in the recess can appropriately pull the outer peripheral edge of the base material into the object.

[0011] The cushion body of the present invention may further be configured as follows: The cushion body further has an outstitch portion for sewing an end portion of the cover material to the outer peripheral edge of the base material in an overlapping manner. With this configuration, the end portion of the cover material can be fixed to the outer peripheral edge of the base material in an attractive manner.

[0012] The cushion body of the present invention may further be configured as follows: the terminal portion of the cover material has a folded portion that is folded back onto the side that is overlapped onto the outer peripheral edge of the base material, and is sewn to the outer peripheral edge of the base material by an outstitch portion, either directly overlapping the folded portion or indirectly overlapping the outer peripheral edge of the base material with the folded portion sandwiched between the folded portion and the outer peripheral edge of the base material. With this configuration, the terminal portion of the cover material can be finished in an attractive shape with the cut surfaces not exposed to the outside.

[0013] The cushion body of the present invention may further be configured as follows: The cushion body further includes a planar decorative member sandwiched between the outer peripheral edge of the base material and the terminal end of the cover material overlaid on the outer peripheral edge, and co-sewn to these at the outstitch portion. According to the above configuration, the addition of the decorative member can improve the appearance of the periphery of the cushion body. Furthermore, this decorative member can be provided rationally between the terminal end of the cover material and the outer peripheral edge of the base material.

[0014] The cushion body of the present invention may further be configured as follows: the decorative member has a decorative folded portion that is folded back so as to sandwich the outer peripheral edge of the base material, and is sewn to the outer peripheral edge of the base material by an outstitch portion in an indirect two-ply manner, sandwiching the outer peripheral edge of the base material between the decorative folded portion and the decorative member. With this configuration, the end face of the outer peripheral edge of the base material is wrapped by the decorative member, allowing the periphery of the cushion body to be finished in a more attractive appearance.

[0015] The cushion body of the present invention may also be configured as follows: the object is a panel-shaped shell that supports a seated occupant; the connecting members are male and female hook-and-loop fasteners that are separately arranged on the shell and in the recess of the base material, and the base material is connected to the object so that it can be attached and detached by connecting the male and female hook-and-loop fasteners together; and with the above configuration, the cushion body can be provided in an attractive shape with little gap between the shell and the shell, and little difference in level between the periphery and the shell. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a cushion body according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing the initial contact state before the hook-and-loop fastener is fastened. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a cushion body according to a second embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a cushion body according to a third embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] First Embodiment (Schematic configuration of cushion body 10) First, the configuration of a cushion body 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. In the following description, when directions such as front, back, up, down, left, and right are indicated, they refer to the directions shown in the respective figures.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, the cushion body 10 according to this embodiment is configured as a seat cushion that is attached to an automobile seat 1 and softly supports the weight of a seated occupant. The seat 1 is configured as a so-called bucket seat, and is configured to have a high holding ability that can deeply wrap around and securely hold the buttocks, lower back, and shoulders of the seated occupant.

[0020] Specifically, the seat 1 comprises a seat back 2 that supports the back of the seated occupant, and a seat cushion 3 that supports the buttocks of the seated occupant. The basic framework of the seat back 2 and the seat cushion 3 is formed by a single panel-like shell S that is molded into a concave curved surface. The shell S is made of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) using carbon fiber or glass fiber.

[0021] The shell S is bent so that the left and right edges rise towards the occupant in both the portion constituting the seat back 2 and the portion constituting the seat cushion 3. As a result, the shell S covers the buttocks, thighs, lower back, shoulders, flanks, and other parts of the body of the occupant, and is able to properly maintain the body position of the occupant against the lateral G-forces transmitted from the vehicle without the occupant having to brace themselves. The shell S is also configured to support the occupant's buttocks by allowing them to sink deep into it, thereby maintaining the angle of the occupant's pelvis and spine in an optimal state.

[0022] A plurality of cushion bodies 10 are provided in the form of floating islands at various locations on the seating surface of the shell S. Specifically, each cushion body 10 is detachably attached to the seating surface of the shell S with hook-and-loop fasteners 14A and 14B (see FIGS. 2 and 3) described below. Here, the shell S corresponds to the "object" of the present invention, and the hook-and-loop fasteners 14A and 14B correspond to the "connecting member" of the present invention.

[0023] Each cushion body 10 has a thin cushion structure with a pad thickness of about 10 mm. This allows each cushion body 10 to transmit vehicle behavior to the seat occupant with good response and accuracy. Therefore, when the seat 1 is applied to a driver's seat, the vehicle behavior can be properly transmitted to the driver.

[0024] The cushion bodies 10 are distributed and arranged only in necessary locations on the shell S where cushioning is desired. Specifically, each cushion body 10 is divided into floating islands: portions that support the back, waist, buttocks, and thighs of the seated person of the shell S, and portions that rise from the left and right edges of these portions and cover the sides of the seated person's shoulders, flanks, waist, buttocks, and thighs. The cushion bodies 10 are arranged spaced apart from each other on the seating surface of the shell S, and the seating surface of the shell S is exposed to the outside between the cushion bodies.

[0025] In this way, by distributing the cushion bodies 10 only in necessary locations on the shell S, it is possible to minimize the amount of urethane used and appropriately suppress weight increase. In addition, the surface of the high-performance shell S made of fiber-reinforced plastic, which is the seating surface, is exposed to the outside between the cushion bodies 10, thereby improving the appearance of the seat 1.

[0026] (Configuration of each part of the cushion body 10) Next, the specific configuration of each cushion body 10 will be described in detail. Note that each cushion body 10 has a shape corresponding to the respective position where it is provided on the shell S, but the basic structure of each is the same. Therefore, the configuration of the cushion body 10 indicated by line II-II in Figure 1 will be described in detail below as a representative example.

[0027] 2 and 3, the cushion body 10 has a plate-shaped base material 11, a padding material 12 provided on the base material 11, and a skin material 13 covering the padding material 12. The cushion body 10 is detachably connected to the shell S by connecting male and female hook-and-loop fasteners 14A, 14B provided between the rear surface of the base material 11 and the seating surface of the shell S.

[0028] (Base material 11) The base material 11 is made of a resin molded product obtained by hot pressing polypropylene (PP) resin into a generally flat plate shape. The base material 11 is molded to a shape that fits the seating surface of the shell S on which it is to be installed. The base material 11 has a pad support portion 11A that is set in face-to-face contact with the seating surface of the shell S and supports the back of the pad material 12. The base material 11 also has an outer peripheral edge portion 11B along the entire circumferential direction of its outer periphery where an end portion 13B of the cover material 13 is sewn together in an overlapping manner using a binding process.

[0029] In addition, recesses 11C recessed in a direction away from the seating surface of shell S are continuously formed in base material 11 along the outer peripheral edge of the base material 11, the recesses 11C being recessed in a direction away from the seating surface of shell S. Recesses 11C are recessed in a generally trapezoidal cross section, with the outer peripheral edge portion 11B described above as the outer wall portion.

[0030] The outer peripheral edge portion 11B is an inclined plate that extends obliquely outward in a bent shape from the outer peripheral edge of the top plate portion of the recessed bottom of the recess 11C toward the seating surface of the shell S. In other words, the outer peripheral edge portion 11B is shaped to extend obliquely toward the seating surface of the shell S so that the gap between them gradually narrows.

[0031] The inner wall 11D of the recess 11C is also an inclined plate that extends obliquely inward in a bent shape from the inner peripheral edge of the top plate portion of the recessed bottom of the recess 11C toward the seating surface of the shell S. The inner wall 11D is connected at the end of its oblique extension to the pad support portion 11A that abuts against the shell S.

[0032] 3, in the initial state where pad support portion 11A of base material 11 is in contact with the seating surface of shell S, outer peripheral edge portion 11B of base material 11 is set in a state where its tip is either weakly in contact with the seating surface of shell S or slightly floating above the seating surface of shell S. However, as shown in FIG. 2, outer peripheral edge portion 11B of base material 11 is set in a state where its tip is firmly pressed against the seating surface of shell S because male hook-and-loop fasteners 14A provided on the back surface of the top plate portion of recessed portion 11C (described later) are pressed against and connected to female hook-and-loop fasteners 14B provided at corresponding positions on the seating surface of shell S.

[0033] As a result, the outer peripheral edge 11B of the base material 11 is maintained in a state where no gap is formed between it and the seating surface of the shell S. The outer peripheral edge 11B of the base material 11 has the above-mentioned bent shape over the entire circumferential area, thereby increasing the bending rigidity and torsional rigidity. The bend angle of the outer peripheral edge 11B of the base material 11 from the top plate portion of the recessed bottom of the recess 11C is set to be approximately the same over the entire circumferential area.

[0034] Due to the bending of the outer peripheral edge portion 11B of the base material 11, the thickness of the cushion body 10 is formed so that its peripheral edge gradually decreases toward the shell S. Furthermore, the base material 11 has an inner wall portion 11D of the recess 11C also formed so as to bend obliquely from the top plate portion of the recess 11C toward the shell S, thereby reducing the step between the top plate portion of the recess 11C and the pad support portion 11A. This reduces the deterioration of sitting comfort that would otherwise be caused by the step in the base material 11, which would cause the seated person to feel a foreign body sensation through the pad material 12.

[0035] (Base material 11) The padding 12 is made of a plate-like slab urethane with a constant thickness (pad thickness). The padding 12 is formed in a plate shape that follows the outer periphery of the base material 11 and has an outer diameter slightly smaller than that of the base material 11.

[0036] The pad material 12 is set on the base material 11 so as to overlap the entire areas of the pad support portion 11A, the inner wall portion 11D of the recess 11C, and the top plate portion of the recess 11C. Specifically, the pad material 12 is set so that its outer circumferential edge is aligned with the outer circumferential edge of the top plate portion of the recess 11C of the base material 11 over the entire circumferential direction. In other words, the pad material 12 does not ride on the outer circumferential edge portion 11B of the base material 11, but is set so as to overlap the area from the pad support portion 11A of the base material 11 to the top plate portion of the recess 11C, and is configured to be supported in a planar manner from the back side by these.

[0037] (Skin material 13) The upholstery material 13 is made of synthetic leather. The upholstery material 13 is formed in a shape that follows the outer periphery of the base material 11 and has an outer diameter that is slightly larger than that of the base material 11. The upholstery material 13 has a covering portion 13A that covers the entire surface of the padding material 12 set on the base material 11, and an outer peripheral terminal portion 13B that is sewn to the outer peripheral edge portion 11B of the base material 11 by binding processing in an overlapping state over the entire circumferential area.

[0038] Terminal portion 13B of skin material 13 is configured to include a portion that is superimposed on the surface of outer peripheral edge portion 11B of base material 11, and a folded-back portion 13C that is folded back to the back side of outer peripheral edge portion 11B of base material 11 and superimposed on the back surface of outer peripheral edge portion 11B. First, the portion of terminal portion 13B of skin material 13 that is superimposed on the surface of outer peripheral edge portion 11B of base material 11 is adhered to the surface of outer peripheral edge portion 11B with an adhesive (adhesive layer A).

[0039] Next, terminal portion 13B of skin 13 is folded back so that folded-back portion 13C is superimposed on the back surface of outer peripheral edge 11B of base material 11. As a result, terminal portion 13B of skin 13 is in an indirect double-layered state, with the portion superimposed on the front surface of outer peripheral edge 11B of base material 11 and folded-back portion 13C on the back side sandwiching outer peripheral edge 11B of base material 11. In this state, terminal portion 13B of skin 13 is sewn together with folded-back portion 13C in an overlapping manner to sandwich outer peripheral edge 11B of base material 11 with outstitch portion T sewn with a sewing thread running along the inner periphery of outer peripheral edge 11B.

[0040] The outstitch portion T is formed endlessly over the entire circumferential direction along the outer peripheral edge portion 11B of the base material 11. By sewing as described above, the cut surface of the terminal portion 13B of the skin material 13 is turned to the back side of the base material 11 and is concealed between the shell S in an attractive manner. Furthermore, the terminal portion 13B of the skin material 13 wraps around the outer peripheral edge portion 11B of the base material 11, thereby covering the end face of the outer peripheral edge portion 11B in an attractive manner so that it is not exposed to the outside.

[0041] The end portion 13B of the skin material 13 is sewn in an overlapping manner to the outer peripheral edge portion 11B of the base material 11 by the outstitch portion T, and the tension presses the outer peripheral edge portion of the pad material 12 onto the top plate portion of the recess 11C of the base material 11. As a result, the thickness of the outer peripheral edge portion of the pad material 12 is finished in a shape that tapers off toward the outer peripheral edge.

[0042] As a result, the cushion body 10 has a shape in which the step formed at the outstitch portion T between the outer peripheral edge portion of the covering portion 13A of the cover material 13 that encases the padding 12 and the terminal portion 13B of the cover material 13 that is sewn in an overlapping manner onto the outer peripheral edge portion 11B of the base material 11 is reduced. Also, the cushion body 10 has a shape in which the thickness of the outer peripheral edge gradually decreases toward the shell S due to the bending of the outer peripheral edge portion 11B of the base material 11.

[0043] (Velcro fasteners 14A, 14B) As shown in Fig. 3, hook and loop fasteners 14A, 14B are a combination of male hook and loop fastener 14A provided on the back surface of the top panel portion of recess 11C of base material 11 and female hook and loop fastener 14B provided at a corresponding position on the seating surface of shell S. Male hook and loop fastener 14A has a configuration in which countless hook-shaped raised fibers are densely formed on the surface opposite female hook and loop fastener 14B. Female hook and loop fastener 14B has a configuration in which countless loop-shaped raised fibers are densely formed on the surface opposite male hook and loop fastener 14A.

[0044] When the user presses the hook-and-loop fasteners 14A, 14B together so that their male and female surfaces meet, the raised naps of the male and female fasteners intertwine and are joined together. When the user applies force to separate the hook-and-loop fasteners 14A, 14B from each other, the entanglement of the raised naps of the male and female fasteners is released and the fasteners are separated from each other. Thus, the hook-and-loop fasteners 14A, 14B can be easily fastened and detached by the user applying force to press or separate the fasteners from each other.

[0045] Male hook-and-loop fastener 14A is sewn in an overlapping manner to the underside of the top panel portion of recess 11C of base material 11. Female hook-and-loop fastener 14B is surface-bonded to the corresponding position on the seating surface of shell S with an adhesive. Each hook-and-loop fastener 14A, 14B is configured with a thickness that allows them to be spaced apart without being pressed against each other in the initial state when pad support portion 11A of base material 11 is placed on the seating surface of shell S, as shown in Figure 3.

[0046] 2, when the user applies force from the initial contact state to the top panel portion of recess 11C of base material 11 onto shell S, hook-and-loop fasteners 14A, 14B are pressed together and integrally joined together, accompanied by deflection of outer peripheral edge 11B and inner wall 11D of base material 11. As a result, the tip of outer peripheral edge 11B of base material 11 is set in a state where it is pressed firmly against the seating surface of shell S.

[0047] Note that each of the hook and loop fasteners 14A, 14B may be configured so that either side is male or female. The hook and loop fastener 14A may be attached to the top panel portion of the recess 11C of the base material 11 by sewing, bonding with an adhesive, or ultrasonic welding. Similarly, the hook and loop fastener 14B may be attached to the seating surface of the shell S by bonding with an adhesive or ultrasonic welding. Each of the hook and loop fasteners 14A, 14B is formed from a synthetic fiber such as nylon resin or polyester resin.

[0048] The cushion body 10 is configured to be detachable from the shell S via the hook-and-loop fasteners 14A and 14B, and can therefore be easily replaced with one having different specifications, such as hardness, pad thickness, and cover material 13 design, depending on the physique and preferences of the seat occupant. Furthermore, even if the cushion body 10 is damaged due to aging or the like, it can be easily removed from the seat 1 and replaced with another cushion body. Furthermore, the cushion body 10 can be attached to the shell S with a simple configuration, without drilling holes in the hard shell S made of fiber-reinforced plastic.

[0049] Furthermore, because the hook-and-loop fasteners 14A, 14B are joined to each other within the recess 11C of the base material 11 and are positioned within the recess 11C, the base material 11 can be attached to the shell S without floating above the seating surface. As a result, the pad support portion 11A of the base material 11 can be placed in appropriate face-to-face contact with the seating surface of the shell S, and even when pressure is applied from the front side of the cushion body 10, the base material 11 does not bend in a way that causes the outer peripheral edge portion 11B to warp up from above the shell S. Therefore, the cushion body 10 can be attached to the seating surface of the shell S in an attractive manner.

[0050] To summarize the above, the cushion body 10 according to this embodiment has the following configuration: Note that the reference numerals in parentheses below correspond to the respective components shown in the above embodiment.

[0051] That is, the cushion body (10) is a cushion body (10) that is attached to the object (S) when used, and includes a plate-shaped base material (11) that is connected to the object (S) via connecting members (14A, 14B), a padding material (12) that is provided on the base material (11), and a skin material (13) that covers the padding material (12). The base material (11) includes a pad support portion (11A) that abuts against the object (S) to support the padding material (12), an outer peripheral edge portion (11B) with which an end portion (13B) of the skin material (13) is engaged in an overlapping manner, and a recess (11C) that is recessed in a direction away from the object (S), and in which the connecting members (14A, 14B) are arranged.

[0052] According to the above configuration, the connecting members (14A, 14B) for connecting to the object (S) are arranged in the recess (11C) of the base material (11), so that the cushion body (10) can be attached to the object (S) in a manner that prevents gaps from forming between the cushion body (10) and the object (S). Furthermore, since the base material (11) is configured such that the pad support portion (11A) that supports the pad material (12) from behind contacts the object (S), the peripheral edge is less likely to bend upward from the object (S) even when pressure is applied from the front side. These configurations allow the cushion body (10) to be attached to the object (S) in an attractive manner.

[0053] Furthermore, the outer peripheral edge portion (11B) of the substrate (11) extends obliquely toward the object (S) so as to gradually narrow the gap between them. According to the above configuration, the cushion body (10) can be provided so that the thickness of the peripheral edge gradually decreases relative to the object (S). Furthermore, since the outer peripheral edge portion (11B) of the substrate (11) has a bent shape, the bending rigidity and torsional rigidity of the substrate (11) are appropriately increased, making it possible to prevent the outer peripheral edge portion (11B) of the substrate (11) from warping up from the object (S).

[0054] In addition, the outer peripheral edge portion (11B) of the base material (11) is pressed against the object (S) by the bonding force of the bonding members (14A, 14B). According to the above configuration, the peripheral edge of the cushion body (10) can be attached to the object (S) in a more attractive state by closely contacting the object (S) with no gap formed therebetween.

[0055] Furthermore, the outer peripheral edge portion (11B) of the substrate (11) forms the outer wall portion of the recessed portion (11C). According to the above configuration, the recessed portion (11C) of the substrate (11) can be rationally combined with the obliquely extending outer peripheral edge portion (11B). Furthermore, the bonding force of the bonding members (14A, 14B) arranged in the recessed portion (11C) allows the outer peripheral edge portion (11B) of the substrate (11) to be appropriately pulled into the object (S).

[0056] The cushion body 10 further has an outstitch portion T for sewing the terminal portion 13B of the cover material 13 to the outer peripheral edge portion 11B of the base material 11 in an overlapping manner. According to the above configuration, the terminal portion 13B of the cover material 13 can be fixed to the outer peripheral edge portion 11B of the base material 11 in an attractive manner.

[0057] In addition, the end portion (13B) of the skin material (13) has a folded portion (13C) folded back onto the side where it is overlapped onto the outer peripheral edge portion (11B) of the base material (11), and is sewn to the outer peripheral edge portion (11B) of the base material (11) by an outstitch portion (T) in an indirect two-ply manner, with the outer peripheral edge portion (11B) of the base material (11) sandwiched between the folded portion (13C) and the end portion (13B). According to the above configuration, the end portion (13B) of the skin material (13) can be finished in an attractive shape with the cut surface not exposed to the outside.

[0058] The object (S) is a panel-shaped shell (S) that supports a seated person. The connecting members (14A, 14B) are male and female hook-and-loop fasteners (14A, 14B) separately arranged on the shell (S) and in a recess (11C) of the base material (11), and the base material (11) is connected to the object (S) so that it can be detachably attached to the object (S) by connecting the male and female hook-and-loop fasteners (14A, 14B) together. According to the above configuration, the cushion body (10) can be provided in an attractive shape with little gap between the shell (S) and little difference in level between the periphery and the shell (S).

[0059] Second Embodiment Next, the configuration of a cushion body 10 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The cushion body 10 according to this embodiment further includes a strip-shaped decorative member 15 that is sandwiched between an end portion 13B of the skin material 13 and an outer peripheral edge portion 11B of the base material 11.

[0060] The decorative member 15 is a belt-shaped member made of synthetic leather that is endlessly provided over the entire circumferential direction along the outer peripheral edge 11B of the base material 11. The decorative member 15 has a width that is wider than the extension width of the outer peripheral edge 11B of the base material 11. The decorative member 15 is configured to have a painted end portion 15A along its outer peripheral edge that is painted in a color different from that of the skin material 13.

[0061] The decorative member 15 is sandwiched between the terminal portion 13B of the skin 13 and the outer peripheral edge 11B of the base material 11 as follows. First, the terminal portion 13B of the skin 13 is folded back at the folded portion 13C to form a direct double layer, and the two layers are bonded together with an adhesive (adhesive layer A). Next, the terminal portion 13B of the skin 13, which has been double layered, is set against the outer peripheral edge 11B of the base material 11, with the decorative member 15 sandwiched between them. The terminal portion 13B of the skin 13 and the decorative member 15, which have been double layered, are then sewn together onto the outer peripheral edge 11B of the base material 11 by an outstitch T.

[0062] By the above procedure, the decorative member 15 is provided in a state where it is sandwiched between the terminal portion 13B of the skin material 13 and the outer peripheral edge portion 11B of the base material 11. The terminal portion 13B of the skin material 13 is provided in a state where it extends outward from the outer peripheral edge portion 11B of the base material 11. The decorative member 15 is also provided in a state where it extends outward from the terminal portion 13B of the skin material 13. As a result, the painted terminal portion 15A provided along the outer peripheral edge of the decorative member 15 is provided in a form where it is exposed to the outside along the outer peripheral edge of the cushion body 10.

[0063] In this way, the cushion body 10 according to this embodiment is configured such that the terminal portion 13B of the skin material 13 is sewn onto the outer peripheral edge portion 11B of the base material 11 in an overlapping manner via the decorative member 15. Note that the configuration other than the above is substantially the same as that of the cushion body 10 shown in the first embodiment. Therefore, the configuration other than the above is denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the cushion body 10 shown in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0064] To summarize the above, the cushion body 10 according to this embodiment has the following configuration: Note that the reference numerals in parentheses below correspond to the respective components shown in the above embodiment.

[0065] That is, the end portion (13B) of the skin material (13) has a folded portion (13C) that is folded back onto the side where it is overlapped onto the outer peripheral edge portion (11B) of the base material (11), and is sewn to the outer peripheral edge portion (11B) of the base material (11) by an outstitch portion (T) with the folded portion (13C) directly overlapping each other. According to the above configuration, the end portion (13B) of the skin material (13) can be finished in an attractive shape with the cut surface not exposed to the outside.

[0066] The cushion body (10) further includes a planar decorative member (15) sandwiched between the outer peripheral edge portion (11B) of the base material (11) and the terminal portion (13B) of the skin material (13) superimposed on the outer peripheral edge portion (11B) and sewn together with them at the outstitch portion (T). According to the above configuration, the addition of the decorative member (15) can improve the appearance of the periphery of the cushion body (10). The decorative member (15) can be provided rationally between the terminal portion (13B) of the skin material (13) and the outer peripheral edge portion (11B) of the base material (11).

[0067] Third Embodiment Next, the configuration of a cushion body 10 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The cushion body 10 according to this embodiment has a different configuration from that shown in the second embodiment in that the decorative member 16 has a decorative folded portion 16A that is folded back to the back side so as to sandwich the outer peripheral edge portion 11B of the base material 11 therebetween.

[0068] The decorative member 16 is indirectly overlapped in two layers, with the outer peripheral edge 11B of the base material 11 sandwiched between the decorative folded portion 16A and the outer peripheral edge 11B of the base material 11, and is sewn together with the double-layered terminal portion 13B of the skin material 13 by the outstitch portion T. The decorative member 16 in this embodiment has a configuration in which the entire surface is painted in a color different from that of the skin material 13.

[0069] As described above, by sewing the decorative member 16 so as to encase the outer peripheral edge portion 11B of the base material 11, the end face of the outer peripheral edge portion 11B of the base material 11 is encased so as not to be exposed to the outside, thereby making it possible to finish the periphery of the cushion body 10 in a more attractive appearance. The configuration other than the above is substantially the same as that of the cushion body 10 shown in the second embodiment.

[0070] To summarize the above, the cushion body 10 according to this embodiment has the following configuration: Note that the reference numerals in parentheses below correspond to the respective components shown in the above embodiment.

[0071] That is, the cushion body (10) further includes a planar decorative member (16) that is sandwiched between the outer peripheral edge portion (11B) of the base material (11) and the terminal portion (13B) of the skin material (13) that is overlaid on this outer peripheral edge portion (11B) and is sewn together with these at the outstitch portion (T). According to the above configuration, the addition of the decorative member (16) can give the peripheral edge of the cushion body (10) a more attractive finish. Furthermore, this decorative member (16) can be rationally provided between the terminal portion (13B) of the skin material (13) and the outer peripheral edge portion (11B) of the base material (11).

[0072] The decorative member (16) has a decorative folded portion (16A) that is folded back so as to sandwich the outer peripheral edge portion (11B) of the base material (11) therebetween, and is sewn to the outer peripheral edge portion (11B) of the base material (11) by the outstitch portion (T) in an indirect two-ply manner in which the outer peripheral edge portion (11B) of the base material (11) is sandwiched between the decorative folded portion (16A) and the decorative member (16). According to the above configuration, the end face of the outer peripheral edge portion (11B) of the base material (11) is wrapped by the decorative member (16), so that the periphery of the cushion body (10) can be finished in a more attractive appearance.

[0073] Other Embodiments Although the present invention has been described above using three embodiments, the present invention can be embodied in various forms as described below in addition to the above embodiments.

[0074] 1. The cushion body of the present invention may be applied to seats of types other than bucket seats for automobiles. The cushion body may also be applied to seats installed in vehicles other than automobiles, such as trains, or seats installed in vehicles other than automobiles, such as airplanes and ships. The cushion body may also be applied to seats other than vehicles, such as spectator seats and massage seats installed in various facilities, such as sports facilities, theaters, concert halls, and event venues.

[0075] Furthermore, the cushion body is not limited to seats, but may also be applied to interior surfaces such as ceiling surfaces, door trims, and armrests of vehicles and conveyances such as automobiles, furnishings including furniture and other daily necessities, and indoor and outdoor wall surfaces.

[0076] 2. The connecting member may be a fastener such as a male or female hook-and-loop fastener, double-sided tape coated with adhesive, or a retainer clip. The connecting member may be one that protrudes from the base material and is connected to a hole or protrusion in the object, or one that protrudes from the object and is connected to a hole or protrusion in the base material. The connecting member may also be a separate fastener that is not part of either the base material or the object, but is connected across a hole or protrusion formed in both.

[0077] 3. The skin material and decorative member may be made of synthetic leather, natural leather, or fabric. The skin material and decorative member may be made of the same or different materials. The state in which the terminal portion of the skin material is "overlapped and engaged" with the outer peripheral edge of the base material includes a state in which the terminal portion of the skin material is directly overlapped and engaged with either the front or back surface of the outer peripheral edge of the base material, as well as a state in which the terminal portion of the skin material is stretched with a padding material sandwiched between them, compressing the padding into a tapered shape, and overlapped and engaged with the back surface of the outer peripheral edge of the base material.

[0078] For example, the decorative member may be eliminated from the configuration shown in the second embodiment (FIG. 4), and the terminal portion of the covering material, which is folded back in two layers, may be directly overlapped and sewn onto the surface of the outer peripheral edge of the base material. Alternatively, the covering material may be configured so that the terminal portion is not folded back but is directly overlapped and sewn onto the surface of the outer peripheral edge of the base material, so that the end face of the terminal portion is exposed to the outside when the cushion body is attached to the target object. Methods for engaging the terminal portion of the covering material with the outer peripheral edge of the base material include stitching with an outstitch, stitching with an institch, bonding with an adhesive, or fastening by hooking with a fastener such as a J hook.

[0079] 4. The outer peripheral edge of the substrate may extend diagonally toward the object so that the gap between them gradually narrows, or may extend parallel to the object. Also, the outer peripheral edge of the substrate may extend diagonally straight toward the object, or may extend in a curved shape toward the object.

[0080] 5. The decorative member may be configured to be decorated with stitching in addition to painting. The decorative member may also be configured not to be decorated with painting or stitching. The decoration such as painting or stitching applied to the decorative member may be applied to at least a portion of the portion that is exposed to the outside when the cushion body is attached to the object, and the specific form is not particularly limited. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1 sheet 2 seat backs 3 seat cushions S Shell (object) 10 Cushion body 11 Base material 11A Pad support 11B Outer edge 11C Recess 11D Inner wall 12 Pad material 13 Skin material 13A Covering part 13B Terminal 13C Folded part 14A Hook and loop fasteners (connecting members) 14B hook-and-loop fastener (connecting member) T outstitch part A Adhesive layer 15 Decorative materials 15A Terminal Painting 16 Decorative materials 16A Decorative folded part

Claims

1. A cushion body that is attached to an object and used, a plate-shaped base material connected to the object via a connecting member; a pad material provided on the base material; a skin material that covers the pad material, The base material has a pad support portion that abuts against the object and supports the pad material from behind, an outer peripheral edge portion with which the terminal portion of the skin material is engaged in an overlapping manner, and a recess that is recessed in a direction away from the object at a position away from the pad support portion, and the connecting member is arranged inside the recess, and the cushion body is configured to be more rigid than the pad material, and the pad support portion is brought into contact with the object by connecting the connecting member.

2. The cushion body according to claim 1, A cushion body in which the outer peripheral edge portion of the base material extends obliquely toward the object so as to gradually narrow the gap therebetween.

3. The cushion body according to claim 2, The cushion body is provided in a state in which the outer peripheral edge portion of the base material is pressed against the object by the bonding force of the bonding member.

4. The cushion body according to claim 2 or 3, The cushion body has the outer peripheral edge of the base material forming an outer wall of the recess.

5. The cushion body according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The cushion body further includes an outstitch portion that sews the terminal portion of the cover material to the outer peripheral edge portion of the base material in an overlapping manner.

6. The cushion body according to claim 5, The terminal portion of the skin material has a folded portion that is folded back to the side where it is overlapped onto the outer peripheral edge portion of the base material, and the cushion body is sewn to the outer peripheral edge portion of the base material by the outstitch portion in a direct two-ply manner with the folded portion or in an indirect two-ply manner in which the outer peripheral edge portion of the base material is sandwiched between the folded portion and the cushion body.

7. The cushion body according to claim 5 or 6, The cushion body further includes a planar decorative member that is sandwiched between the outer peripheral edge portion of the base material and the terminal portion of the skin material that is overlaid on the outer peripheral edge portion, and is sewn together with these by the outstitch portion.

8. The cushion body according to claim 7, The decorative member has a decorative fold portion that is folded over to sandwich the outer peripheral edge portion of the base material, and the cushion body is sewn to the outer peripheral edge portion of the base material by the outstitch portion in an indirect two-layer configuration in which the outer peripheral edge portion of the base material is sandwiched between the decorative fold portion and the cushion body.

9. The cushion body according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the object is a panel-like shell that supports a seated person, The connecting member is a male and female hook-and-loop fastener that is separately arranged in the shell and the recess of the base material, and the cushion body connects the base material to the object so that it can be attached and detached by connecting the male and female hook-and-loop fasteners together.

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