Seat cover

Abstract

To provide a seat cover which is excellent in design at corners of a seat cushion or a seat back, and hardly causes breakage in shape of the corners.SOLUTION: In a cushion cover 10, a seam allowance 12d of a stile 12 and a seam allowance 11d of a top plate 11 are sewn together by a first sewing line 13 to be integrated. A plurality of decorative stitches 15 are formed on the stile 12 at a position where the stile 12 intersects with the first sewing line 13 before the stile 12 is sewn together with the top plate 11 by the first sewing line 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat cover. More specifically, it relates to a seat cover having out-stitches that can improve the appearance of the corner part.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a seat of a vehicle such as an automobile, an out-stitch, which is a decorative stitch, is applied to a seat cover that covers the surface, and this out-stitch may be arranged at a corner part that is the boundary between the top plate part and the gusset part of the seat cushion or the seat back. The seat cushion 100 shown in FIG. 7 has a cushion cover 110 that is a skin material covering the surface. The cushion cover 110 has a top plate part 111 covering the seating surface and a gusset part 112 covering the side surface. In the first prior art shown in FIG. 8, between the top plate part 111 and the gusset part 112 in the seat width direction, the seam allowance 111a of the top plate part 111 and the seam allowance 112a of the gusset part 112 are sewn together by an in-stitch 113, which is a stitch that does not appear on the appearance in a state where the surfaces are aligned. Then, with the sewn seam allowances 111a and 112a abutted against the back surface side 111b of the top plate part 111, the top plate part 111 is sewn with an out-stitch 114. The thus formed cushion cover 110 is put on a cushion pad 120 made of a foamed resin elastomer.

[0003] Furthermore, in the second conventional technology shown in Figure 9, the top plate portion 111 and the frame portion 112 in the width direction of the seat are sewn together by an inside stitch 113, with the seam allowance 111a of the top plate portion 111, the seam allowance 112a of the frame portion 112, and the fin portion 115b of the rigid piping 115. At this time, the end of the piping 115 opposite to the head portion 115a of the fin portion 115b is overlapped so that it coincides with the outer ends of the seam allowances 111a and 112a. Then, with the sewn seam allowances 111a, 112a and piping 115 in contact with the back side 111b of the top plate portion 111, they are sewn to the top plate portion 111 with an outside stitch 114. The cushion cover 110 thus completed is placed over the cushion pad 120 made of foamed resin elastic material. Patent Document 1 discloses a seat cover in which the seam allowance 111a of the top plate portion 111 and the seam allowance 112a of the gusset portion 112 are sewn together by an inside stitch and there is no outside stitch. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-287780 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] In the first prior art described above, the rigidity of the corner portion 121 of the cushion pad 120 is not very high, so when a force is applied to pull the frame portion 112 of the covered cushion cover 110 in the opposite direction to the top plate portion 111, the shape of the corner portion of the seat cushion 100 is easily distorted, which has the problem of negatively affecting the appearance. In the second prior art, the rigidity of the piping 115 can suppress the problem of the corner portion of the seat cushion 100 being easily distorted when a force is applied to pull the frame portion 112 in the opposite direction to the top plate portion 111, but this has the problem of increasing the number of parts. Furthermore, in the first prior art, the second prior art, and the prior art described in Patent Document 1, there is also the problem that the outstitching is monotonous or absent, resulting in a lack of design appeal.

[0006] In view of these problems, the object of the present invention is to provide a seat cover that is aesthetically pleasing in the corner portion of the seat cushion or seat back, and that is resistant to deformation of the corner portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The first invention of the present invention is a seat cover which is the surface material of a seat cushion or seat back, wherein a first seam allowance which is the seam allowance of a first cover piece and a second seam allowance which is the seam allowance of a second cover piece are sewn together along a first suture line to form a single unit, characterized in that a plurality of stitches are provided on the design surface of at least one of the first cover piece or the second cover piece at positions that cross the first suture line.

[0008] According to the first invention, the rigidity of the cover piece near the first seam is increased by the formation of multiple stitches that cross the first seam between the first cover piece and the second cover piece. When the seat cover is placed over the cushion body with the area near the first seam aligned with the corner of the cushion body, deformation of the corner of the seat cushion or seat back can be suppressed. Furthermore, when multiple stitches cross the first seam, a repulsive force is applied to the multiple stitches due to the restriction of the seam allowance, which can more effectively suppress deformation of the corner. In addition, the design can be enhanced by allowing for various variations in the multiple stitches. Note that "crossing" includes both stitches that straddle the first seam and stitches that start from the first seam, and "design surface" refers to the surface that is visible externally.

[0009] The second invention of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first invention described above, the first seam allowance and the second seam allowance are sewn together and then brought into contact with the back side of the second cover piece, and are sewn to the second cover piece along the second seam line.

[0010] According to the second invention, since a second suture line is formed in addition to the first suture line and multiple stitches, the rigidity near the first and second cover pieces is increased, and deformation of the corner portion of the seat cushion or seat back can be suppressed. Furthermore, the addition of a second suture line that is visible from the outside can further enhance the design.

[0011] The third invention of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first invention or the second invention, the lengths of the plurality of stitches extending from the first suture line are the same.

[0012] According to the third invention, uniform rigidity can be obtained along the direction in which the first suture extends, and deformation of the corner portion of the seat cushion or seat back can be suppressed.

[0013] The fourth invention of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first invention or the second invention, multiple colored threads are used for the threads constituting the multiple stitches.

[0014] According to the fourth invention, the appearance of multiple stitches can be varied, increasing the design appeal.

[0015] The fifth invention of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first invention or the second invention described above, the plurality of stitches are formed in a continuous manner.

[0016] According to the fifth invention, the rigidity can be further increased along the direction in which the first suture extends, and deformation of the corner portion of the seat cushion or seat back can be further suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a seat cushion covered with a seat cover according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II arrow in Figure 1. Only the portion of the decorative stitching 15 that is visible externally is shown. [Figure 3] This figure illustrates the process for manufacturing the seat cover of the above embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure illustrates the process for manufacturing the seat cover of the above embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure illustrates the process for manufacturing the seat cover of the above embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure illustrates the multiple stitches in the seat cover of the above embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of a seat cushion covered with a conventional seat cover. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line of arrow VIII-VIII in Figure 7. [Figure 9] This diagram corresponds to Figure 8, which illustrates other conventional seat covers. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] Based on FIGS. 1 to 6, a cushion cover 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the description of directions is based on the up-down, front-back, left-right directions indicated by arrows in each figure. The up-down, front-back, left-right directions are the up-down, front-back, left-right directions based on the seated person when the seat cushion 1 covered with the cushion cover 10 is mounted on an automobile. The left-right direction corresponds to the seat width direction. Here, the cushion cover 10 corresponds to the "seat cover" in the claims.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a seat cushion 1, which is a seating portion in an automobile seat, is constituted by covering a cushion pad 20, which is a cushion body placed on a cushion frame (not shown) forming a skeleton, with a cushion cover 10 which is a skin material. The cushion pad 20 is a foam molded body of a urethane resin, and its outer shape forms the outer shape of the seat cushion 1.

[0020] The cushion cover 10 has a top plate portion 11 covering the seating surface and a gusset portion 12 covering the front, rear, left, and right side surfaces. Both the top plate portion 11 and the gusset portion 12 are formed by sewing and joining a plurality of pieces. Each piece is formed by cutting a planar body in which a fabric on the surface side and a thin tricot knit back base fabric on the back side are joined in a layered manner with a urethane slab pad sandwiched therebetween into a predetermined shape. As shown in FIG. 2, the surface layer 11a of the top plate portion 11 and the surface layer 12a of the gusset portion 12 are fabrics, the back surface layer 11b of the top plate portion 11 and the back surface layer 12b of the gusset portion 12 are back base fabrics, and the intermediate layer 11c of the top plate portion 11 and the intermediate layer 12c of the gusset portion 12 are urethane slab pads. Here, the gusset portion 12 and the top plate portion 11 respectively correspond to the "first cover piece" and the "second cover piece" in the claims.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, when the seat cushion 1 is viewed from the outside, a second stitch line 14 is formed on the right side of the top plate portion 11, parallel to the boundary line 16 between the left side of the top plate portion 11 and the upper side of the left frame portion 12, extending in the front-to-back direction. In addition, on the lower left side of the boundary line 16 in the left frame portion 12, multiple straight decorative stitches 15 are formed at equal intervals in the front-to-back direction, extending diagonally downward to the left. For example, the dimension of each decorative stitch 15 extending downward to the left from the boundary line 16 can be set to about 10 mm, and the dimension in the front-to-back direction between each decorative stitch 15 can be set to about 5 mm, but is not limited to these dimensions. The appearance of the upper left corner of the seat cushion 1 is highly decorative and aesthetically pleasing due to the presence of the second stitch line 14 and each decorative stitch 15. Here, the decorative stitch 15 corresponds to the "stitch" in the claims.

[0022] The sewing procedure for the portion of the cushion cover 10 corresponding to the upper left corner of the seat cushion 1 will now be described. First, as shown in Figure 3, multiple decorative stitches 15 are formed on the upper part of the left frame portion 12. Each decorative stitch 15 is formed such that one end crosses the first planned stitch line 13a, which is the position where the first stitch line 13, which will later be sewn to the left side of the top plate portion 11, will be formed. Each decorative stitch 15 is then connected at one end by a connecting stitch 15a that extends parallel to the first planned stitch line 13a. As a result, when multiple decorative stitches 15 are formed on the upper part of the left frame portion 12, each decorative stitch 15 becomes one with the connecting stitch 15a, forming a comb-like shape.

[0023] Next, as shown in Figure 4, the left seam allowance 11d of the top plate portion 11 and the upper seam allowance 12d of the left frame portion 12, which is adorned with decorative stitches 15, are joined together by sewing along the first seam line 13 with the surface layers 11a and 12a facing each other. Here, the first seam line 13 is a seam line that does not appear to the outside when the cushion cover 10 is placed over the cushion pad 20 to form the seat cushion 1, and is what is known as an in-stitch. Here, the seam allowance 12d and the seam allowance 11d correspond to the "first seam allowance" and the "second seam allowance" in the claims, respectively.

[0024] Finally, as shown in Figure 5, the top plate portion 11 is folded back at the inner edge of the seam allowance 11d so that the back layer 11b of the seam allowance 11d and the back layer 11b of the folded main body portion are face-to-face. In this state, the seam allowances 11d and 12d sewn together by the first seam line 13 are sewn to the main body portion of the top plate portion 11 with the second seam line 14. The second seam line 14 is parallel to the first seam line 13 and is positioned between the first seam line 13 and the outer edges of the seam allowances 11d and 12d. Here, the second seam line 14 is the seam line that appears on the outside when the cushion cover 10 is placed over the cushion pad 20 to form the seat cushion 1, and is what is called an outstitch.

[0025] When the completed cushion cover 10 is placed over the cushion pad 20, aligning the boundary line 16 with the upper left corner portion 21, it will be in the state shown in Figure 2. The upper left corner portion 21 of the cushion pad 20 is pressed against the seam allowances 11d and 12d, forming a recessed area 22.

[0026] As shown in Figure 6, the multiple decorative stitches 15 can take various forms to enhance their aesthetic appeal. For example, (a) to (d) are groups in which each decorative stitch 15 extends perpendicularly to the first planned suture line 13a, indicated by the dashed line. (a) is a case where each decorative stitch 15 extends the same length vertically and the spacing between each decorative stitch 15 is also the same. (b) is a case where the lengths of each decorative stitch 15 are arranged alternately in long and short directions, and the spacing between each decorative stitch 15 is the same. (c) is a case where three decorative stitches 15 extending the same length are arranged at short intervals and then spaced at long intervals. (d) is a case where three decorative stitches 15 extending different lengths are arranged at short intervals and then spaced at long intervals. (e) to (h) are groups in which each decorative stitch 15 extends diagonally to the first planned suture line 13a, indicated by the dashed line. (e) is a configuration in which each decorative stitch 15 extends diagonally by the same distance and the distance between each decorative stitch 15 is also the same. (f) is a configuration in which each decorative stitch 15 is arranged in a zigzag pattern at a short pitch relative to the first planned suture line 13a. (g) is a configuration in which each decorative stitch 15 is arranged in a zigzag pattern at a long pitch relative to the first planned suture line 13a. (h) is a combination of two configurations in which each decorative stitch 15 is arranged in a zigzag pattern at a long pitch relative to the first planned suture line 13a. (i) is a configuration in which the color of the thread constituting each decorative stitch 15 in (a) or (b) is changed for each stitch.

[0027] As described above, this embodiment provides the following effects. Multiple decorative stitches 15 are formed across the first seam line 13, which is the connecting part between the top plate portion 11 and the frame portion 12, thereby increasing the rigidity near the first seam line 13. As a result, when the cushion cover 10 is placed over the cushion pad 20 with the vicinity of the first seam line 13 aligned with the upper left corner portion 21 of the cushion pad 20, deformation of the corner portion 21 of the seat cushion 1 can be suppressed even when a downward pulling force is applied to the frame portion 12. In addition, when multiple decorative stitches 15 cross the first seam line 13, a repulsive force is applied to the multiple decorative stitches 15 due to the restriction of the seam allowances 11d and 12d, which can more effectively suppress deformation of the corner portion 21. Furthermore, the multiple decorative stitches 15 can add various variations to the appearance of the seat cushion 1, thereby increasing its design appeal.

[0028] Furthermore, since a second suture line 14 is formed in addition to the first suture line 13 and multiple decorative stitches 15, the rigidity near the first suture line 13 is further increased, and even when a downward pulling force is applied to the frame portion 12, deformation of the corner portion of the seat cushion 1 can be further suppressed. In addition, the addition of the second suture line 14, which is visible from the outside, further enhances the design.

[0029] Furthermore, since each decorative stitch 15 has the same length extending from the first suture line 13, uniform rigidity is obtained along the direction in which the first suture line 13 extends, and deformation of the corner portion 21 of the seat cushion 1 can be suppressed. In addition, since each decorative stitch 15 is connected by a connecting stitch 15a at one end, the rigidity can be further increased along the direction in which the first suture line 13 extends, further suppressing deformation of the corner portion 21 of the seat cushion 1. Moreover, by changing the color of the thread that makes up each decorative stitch 15, the appearance of each decorative stitch 15 can be changed, further increasing its design appeal, and by changing the thickness of the thread that makes up each decorative stitch 15, the sense of rigidity can be increased.

[0030] Although specific embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to their appearance and configuration, and various modifications, additions, and deletions are possible without altering the essence of the invention. For example, in the above embodiments, the present invention was applied to a seat cushion 1 in an automobile seat, but it is not limited to this, and can also be applied to a seat back, or to seats in vehicles other than automobiles, such as airplanes, ships, and railway vehicles. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0031] 1 seat cushion 10 Cushion Covers (Seat Covers) 11d Seam allowance (second seam allowance) 11. Top panel (second cover piece) 12d Seam allowance (first seam allowance) 12. Frame section (first cover piece) 13 1st suture line 13a First planned suture line 14 Second suture line 15 Decorative stitches (stitches) 20 cushion pads 21 Corner Section

Claims

1. A seat cover, which is the outer covering material for a seat cushion or seat back, wherein a first seam allowance, which is the seam allowance of a first cover piece, and a second seam allowance, which is the seam allowance of a second cover piece, are sewn together along a first suture line to form a single unit, A seat cover having a plurality of stitches provided on the design surface of at least one of the first cover piece or the second cover piece, at positions that cross the first seam line.

2. The seat cover according to claim 1, wherein the first seam allowance and the second seam allowance are sewn together and then in contact with the back side of the second cover piece, and are sewn to the second cover piece along a second seam line.

3. A seat cover according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the lengths of the multiple stitches extending from the first seam line are the same.

4. A seat cover according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein multiple colors of thread are used to constitute the multiple stitches.

5. A seat cover according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the plurality of stitches are formed in a continuous manner.

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