Seating structure

Abstract

To provide a seating structure capable of raising a seating support part on which a user sits to a standing position that makes it easier for the user to stand up, and suppressing the user's feeling of fear from being evoked when raising.SOLUTION: A pair of right / left seat frame rods 12 across which a seating seat part 31 spans are divided into a front rod part 41 fixed to a base frame 11, and a rear rod part 42 to be converted into a seating position and a standing position. A position conversion mechanism 51 is configured to hold the rear rod part 42 into a backward tilting attitude or a horizontal attitude in the seating position and the standing position, and to raise and lower it in the seating position and the standing position via an intermediate attitude that is not tilted forward from the horizontal attitude and tilted backward from a seating-position attitude. This configuration allows the user to stably sit on a seat main part 34 that spans across the right / left rear rod parts 42, and can suppress the user's feeling of fear from being evoked when raising and lowering.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0004]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seating structure that allows a user to easily sit down and a seated user to easily stand up.

Background Art

[0002] For example, wheelchairs are used by the elderly, disabled persons with lower limb disabilities, etc. Therefore, when sitting down or standing up, they need to use the strength of their arms or rely on the assistance of caregivers. Therefore, it has been difficult for those with weak arm strength to sit on or stand up from a wheelchair without the help of a caregiver. To solve such problems, for example, in Patent Document 1, a seat portion is constituted by a front seat portion rotatably supported on a main body frame and a rear seat portion connected to the front seat portion by a hinge, and the rear seat portion is moved up and down by a gas spring, thereby converting the seat portion into a substantially horizontal seating position and a standing-up position inclined forward compared to the seating position. According to such a conventional configuration, by setting the seat portion to the standing-up position, it becomes easier to sit on and stand up from the seat portion. Therefore, even in a situation where the help of a caregiver cannot be obtained, it is possible to sit down and stand up relatively easily.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] This invention proposes a seating structure that can stabilize the posture of a user seated on the seat when the seat rises from the seating position, thereby suppressing the user from experiencing feelings of fear. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first invention of the present invention is a seating structure comprising a base frame and a seating support portion provided on the base frame for supporting the buttocks of a user, characterized in that the seating structure comprises a lifting drive means for raising and lowering the seating support portion between a predetermined seating position and a standing position located above the seating position, a lifting operation means for driving the lifting drive means, and a position changing mechanism that maintains the seating support portion in a horizontal or reclined position at the seating position and the standing position, respectively, and changes the position of the seating support portion between the seating position and the standing position via an intermediate position that is not tilted forward from the horizontal position but tilted backward compared to the position of the seating position, by driving the lifting drive means. Herein, the seating structure of the first invention can be applied to any structure that allows a user to sit, such as a wheelchair, a chair with casters, a chair or sofa installed in a predetermined location, a car seat, a theater seat, etc.

[0007] In this configuration, by positioning the seating support in the raised position, it becomes easier for the user seated on the seating support to stand up, and also easier for the user to sit on the seating support. Furthermore, since the seating support does not tilt forward when changing positions between the seated position and the raised position, and tilts backward from the seated position to an intermediate posture before rising to the raised position, the user can remain stably seated on the seating support between the seated position and the raised position. As a result, it is possible to suppress the feeling of fear that the user may experience while the seating support is changing positions, and the user can perform the operation of raising and lowering the seating support with confidence.

[0008] The second invention of the present invention relates to a seating structure comprising a base frame, a pair of left and right seat frame rods arranged side by side at a predetermined distance in the left-right direction on the base frame and oriented in the front-rear direction, and a seating seat portion supported by the left and right seat frame rods and supporting the buttocks of the user, wherein the left and right seat frame rods are each composed of a front rod portion and a rear rod portion separated front and rear, and the seating seat portion is supported by at least the rear rod portion, the front rod portion is fixed to the base frame, and the rear rod portion is provided so as to be able to change position between a seating position located directly behind the front rod portion and a rising position located in front of and above the seating position, and the rear rod portion is raised and lowered between the seating position and the rising position The seating structure is characterized by comprising: a lifting drive means; a lifting operation means for driving the lifting drive means; and a position change mechanism that maintains the rear rod in a horizontal or backward-tilted position at the seating position and the standing position, respectively, and changes the position of the rear rod between the seating position and the standing position via an intermediate position that does not tilt forward from the horizontal position but tilts backward compared to the seating position, by driving the lifting drive means. Herein, the seating structure of the second invention can be applied to various chairs and sofas, similar to the first invention described above.

[0009] In this configuration, the seat portion is supported by the rear rod of the seat frame rod, so the seat portion rises along with the movement of the rear rod. Therefore, by positioning the rear rod of the seat frame rod in the raised position, it becomes easier for the user seated on the seat portion to stand up, and also easier for the user to sit on the seat portion. Furthermore, since the rear rod does not tilt forward between the seated position and the raised position, and the rear rod tilts backward from the seated position to an intermediate position before rising to the raised position, the user can remain stably seated on the seat portion between the seated position and the raised position. This suppresses the feeling of fear that the user may experience while raising and lowering the seat portion, and the user can perform the operation of raising and lowering the seat portion with confidence.

[0010] In the seating structure of the present invention described above, the proposed configuration includes a seating portion comprising: a seat main portion connected to the rear rods of the left and right seat frame rods and extending across the left and right rear rods; a seat tilting portion extending forward from the seat main portion and not connected to the left and right seat frame rods; and a seat front fixing portion extending from the seat tilting portion and connected to the front rods of the left and right seat frame rods and extending across the left and right front rods.

[0011] In this configuration, when the rear rod of the seat frame is raised, the main seat portion of the seating seat rises along with the rear rod, while the front seat fixing portion connected to the front rod remains fixed in place, causing the seat tilting portion to tilt forward. As a result, the thighs of the user seated on the main seat portion of the seating seat tilt forward in accordance with the seat tilting portion of the seating seat (the user's knees extend), making it easier to stand up at the standing position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the seating structure of the first invention, the user can remain stably seated on the seating support while the seating support moves up and down between the seating position and the standing position, thus suppressing the feeling of fear that the user may experience when the support moves up and down.

[0013] According to the seating structure of the second invention, the user can remain stably seated on the seating seat supported by the rear rod of the seat frame rod while the rear rod of the seat frame rod moves up and down between the seating position and the standing position, thereby suppressing the feeling of fear that the user may experience when the seat moves up and down. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a side view of wheelchair 1 in this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a side view of wheelchair 1, with some parts omitted. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram showing the process by which the rear rod portion 42 of the seat frame rod portion 12 changes from the seated position to the standing position. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram showing the process that follows from Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram showing the process that follows from Figure 4. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram, continuing from Figure 5, showing the state in which the rear rod portion 42 is in the raised position. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram showing the process by which the seating support part 105 of wheelchair 101 changes from the seated position to the standing position. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram showing the process that follows from Figure 7. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] A wheelchair 1, an embodiment of the seating structure according to the present invention, will be described in detail below. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the wheelchair 1 of this embodiment includes a main frame 2 made of metal pipes or FRP pipes. The main frame 2 includes a base frame section 11 that supports the left and right main wheels 3, a pair of left and right seat frame rods 12 supported by the base frame section 11, and a pair of left and right backrest frame sections 14 connected to the left and right seat frame rods 12. Each of these frame sections 11 to 14 is mainly made of metal pipes or FRP pipes.

[0016] The base frame portion 11 includes a pair of left and right base side frame portions 21 and a plurality of base connecting rod portions 22 to 26 that are spanned between the left and right base side frame portions 21, and the left and right base side frame portions 21 are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval in the left - right direction by the base connecting rod portions 22 to 26. The base side frame portion 21 is formed by integrally fixing an upper frame portion 21a, a lower frame portion 21b, a front frame portion 21c, and a rear frame portion 21d, and the main wheel 3 is disposed on the rear frame portion 21d via a bearing portion (not shown). And a front leg frame portion 15 to which a caster 5 and a footrest portion 8 are attached is connected to the front frame portion 21c. Also, the above - mentioned base connecting rod portions 22 to 26 are spanned between the left and right front frame portions 21 at intervals in the vertical direction.

[0017] The above - mentioned seat frame rod portions 12 are supported by the left and right base side frame portions 21, and the left and right seat frame rod portions 12 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the left - right direction. And a seating seat portion 31 is spanned between the left and right seat frame rod portions 12. Similarly, the left and right backrest frame portions 14 respectively connected to each seat frame rod portion 12 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the left - right direction, and a back seat portion (not shown) is spanned between the left and right backrest frame portions 14. A backrest portion (not shown) for supporting the user's back is constituted by this back seat portion. Operation handles 9 operated by an assistant are respectively attached to the left and right backrest frame portions 14. Also, an armrest portion 19 is supported by the backrest frame portion 14 and the seat frame rod portion 12. Incidentally, since the above - mentioned seat frame rod portion 12 and the seating seat portion 31 relate to the main part of the present invention, details will be described later.

[0018] Furthermore, in the wheelchair 1 of this embodiment, an anti - tipping portion 17 is provided below the footrest portion 8 so as to be vertically telescopic. According to this anti - tipping portion 17, when the user accidentally stands up on the footrest portion 8, it can prevent the user from tipping forward. Incidentally, the anti - tipping portion 17 can be positioned at a desired height position and the distance from the floor can be adjusted as appropriate.

[0019] The main part of the present invention will be described. The left and right seat frame rod portions 12 described above are respectively composed of a front rod portion 41 and a rear rod portion 42 separated in the front-rear direction. The front rod portion 41 is integrally provided on the front leg frame portion 15 and is fixed to the upper part of the front frame portion 21c of the base side frame portion 21. On the other hand, the rear rod portion 42 is attached to the base side frame portion 21 via a position conversion mechanism 51, and the position conversion mechanism 51 enables the rear rod portion 42 to be positionally converted between a seating position (see FIG. 2) in which it is substantially in a straight line in the front-rear direction and a standing position (see FIG. 6) located above the front side of the seating position. Here, when the rear rod portion 42 is in the seating position, the rear rod portion 42 and the front rod portion 41 are separated from each other at a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction. In addition, since the backrest frame portion 14 is connected to the rear portion of the rear rod portion 42, the backrest frame portion 14 moves integrally with the rear rod portion 42.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, a seating seat portion 31 is provided on the left and right seat frame rod portions 12, and both side edges of the seating seat portion 31 are respectively fixed to the left and right front rod portions 41 and rear rod portions 42. Here, the seating seat portion 31 has a rectangular shape in plan view, and its front portion is folded back in the left-right direction, and both side edges of the folded-back portion are respectively fixed to the left and right front rod portions 41 by a plurality of screws (not shown). And both side edges of the seating seat portion 31 are respectively fixed to at least the front end portion and the rear end portion of the rear rod portion 42 by screws (not shown). Such a seating seat portion 31 is composed of a seat front fixing portion 32 fixed to and provided on the left and right front rod portions 41 respectively, a seat tilting portion 33 not fixed to the front rod portion 41, and a seat main portion 34 fixed to and provided on the left and right rear rod portions 42 respectively, and the seat front fixing portion 32, the seat tilting portion 33, and the seat main portion 34 are connected integrally in the front-rear direction. And the seating seat portion 31 is configured such that the front-rear length of the seat main portion 34 is longer than that of the seat front fixing portion 32 and the seat tilting portion 33, and the seat main portion 34 supports the buttocks of the user sitting on the wheelchair 1.

[0021] The aforementioned position changing mechanism 51 comprises a first fixing portion 52, a second fixing portion 53, a first link member 54, and a second link member 55. The first fixing portion 52 is formed in a substantially U-shape when viewed from the front, and both ends are fixed to the front ends of the left and right rear rod portions 42, respectively, and protrude downward from the rear rod portions 42. Similarly, the second fixing portion 53 is formed in a substantially U-shape when viewed from the front, and both ends are fixed to the rear ends of the left and right rear rod portions 42, respectively, and protrude downward from the rear rod portions 42. The second fixing portion 53 protrudes lower than the first fixing portion 52. The first link member 54 has one end rotatably connected to the lower part of the first fixing portion 52, and the other end rotatably connected to the base connecting rod portion 22 of the base frame portion 11. The second link member 55 has one end rotatably connected to the lower part of the second fixing portion 53, and the other end rotatably connected to the base connecting rod portion 23 of the base frame portion 11. The second link member 55 is longer than the first link member 54.

[0022] With this position changing mechanism 51, the rear rod portion 42 of the seat frame rod portion 12 is held in a predetermined reclined position at the seating position and in a horizontal position at the standing position. When changing position between the seating position and the standing position, the rear rod portion 42 is set to an intermediate position (hereinafter referred to as the reclined position) between the seating position and the standing position, which is more reclined than the reclined position at the seating position. That is, when the position changing mechanism 51 changes the position of the rear rod portion 42 from the seating position to the standing position, the rear rod portion 42 is gradually reclined from the reclined position at the seating position to the intermediate position, and then the angle of reclining is gradually reduced from the intermediate position to the horizontal position at the standing position. Conversely, when changing position from the standing position to the seated position, the rear rod 42 is gradually tilted backward from the horizontal position of the standing position to the intermediate position, and then the angle of backward tilt is gradually reduced from the intermediate position to the backward tilted position of the seated position. In this way, the position changing mechanism 51 moves the rear rod 42 up and down between the seated position and the standing position, and changes the posture of the rear rod 42 from the backward tilted position of the seated position to the horizontal position of the standing position via the intermediate position without tilting the rear rod 42 forward from the horizontal.

[0023] Furthermore, when the position of the rear rod portion 42 is changed by the position change mechanism 51, the rear rod portion 42 is raised and lowered in an arc shape centered on the front seat fixing portion 32 so that the distance between the front end of the rear rod portion 42 and the front seat fixing portion 32 fixed to the front rod portion 41 (corresponding to the front-rear length of the seat tilting portion 33) is kept substantially constant. As a result, the seat tilting portion 33 of the seating seat portion 31 tilts in accordance with the position change of the rear rod portion 42 (see Figures 3-6).

[0024] In this embodiment, the rear rod portion 42 in the seated position is set to be tilted backward by approximately 2.5 degrees relative to the horizontal, and the intermediate position is set to be tilted backward by approximately 4 degrees relative to the horizontal. The front rod portion 41 of the seat frame rod portion 12 is tilted backward in the same way as the rear rod portion 42 in the seated position (tilted backward by approximately 2.5 degrees relative to the horizontal).

[0025] Furthermore, the main frame 2 is equipped with an actuator 61 that raises and lowers the rear rod portion 42 of the seat frame rod portion 12 between the seated position and the standing position. One end of this actuator 61 is rotatably connected to the lower part of the front frame portion 21c of the base frame portion 11 (below the base connecting rod portion 23), and the other end is rotatably connected to a support portion 56 fixed to the rear rod portion 42 via the first fixing portion 52 and the second fixing portion 53. Here, the actuator 61 is an electrically operated actuator that extends and retracts in the longitudinal direction, and a generally known configuration can be applied. The actuator 61 is driven to extend and retract by the operation of the lifting and lowering operation portion 62, and in conjunction with this extension and retraction drive, the rear rod portion 42 is raised and lowered between the seated position and the standing position. This lifting and lowering unit 62 can be operated by the user or an assistant, and can be suspended from the suspension part 20 provided on the backrest frame part 14 or the armrest part 19. In this embodiment, the wheelchair 1 is fitted with a battery (not shown) that supplies power to the actuator 61.

[0026] The following describes how the position of the rear rod 42 of the seat frame rod 12 is changed between a seated position and a standing position by extending and retracting the actuator 61. As shown in Figures 2 and 3(A), when the rear rod 42 of the seat frame rod 12 is in the seating position, the rear rod 42 is held in the aforementioned reclined position (a position tilted backward by approximately 2.5 degrees). Furthermore, since the front rod 41 and the rear rod 42 of the seat frame rod 12 are aligned in a nearly straight line, the seating seat portion 31 that spans between them is maintained in the same reclined position as the seat frame rod 12.

[0027] When the lifting operation unit 62 is operated, the actuator 61 is driven to extend, and as shown in Figures 3(A) to (B), the rear rod 42 moves upward from the seating position. Here, the extension drive of the actuator 61 is converted by the position conversion mechanism 51, and the rear rod 42 moves diagonally forward while tilting further backward than the backward tilted position of the seating position. Then, the seating seat 31 moves upward with the seat main part 34 fixed to the rear rod 42 tilting backward in accordance with the rear rod 42, while the seat tilting part 33 between the seat front fixing part 32 fixed to the front rod 41 and the seat main part 34 gradually tilts forward.

[0028] As the actuator 61 is further extended, as shown in Figure 4(A), the rear rod portion 42 tilts backward and moves diagonally forward to the intermediate position (a position tilted backward by approximately 4 degrees). In this embodiment, the intermediate position of the rear rod portion 42 is the position in which the rear rod portion 42 is tilted backward the most. In the seat portion 31, the main seat portion 34 tilts backward the most in accordance with the intermediate position of the rear rod portion 42, while the seat tilting portion 33 tilts further forward.

[0029] As the actuator 61 is further extended, the rear rod 42 moves diagonally forward, as shown in Figure 4(B), eliminating the backward tilt compared to the intermediate position (in other words, the angle of backward tilt gradually decreases). This upward movement of the rear rod 42 is caused by the extension drive of the actuator 61 being converted by the position conversion mechanism 51. In addition, the seat main part 34 of the seat 31 moves along with the rear rod 42, while the seat tilting part 33 tilts further forward.

[0030] Subsequently, the actuator 61 extends, causing the rear rod 42 to rise diagonally forward while eliminating its backward tilt, as shown in Figures 5(A) and 5(B). Then, as shown in Figure 6, when the rear rod 42 is repositioned to the upright position, the actuator 61 stops moving. In this upright position, the rear rod 42 is in a horizontal position, and the main seat portion 34 of the seating seat portion 31 is also in a horizontal position in accordance with the rear rod 42. In this way, the rear rod 42 changes its posture from a backward tilted position to an intermediate position and then to a horizontal position during the process from the seating position to the upright position, and does not tilt further forward than the horizontal position. This change in posture is caused by the position change mechanism 51, as described above. Also, in the upright position, the seat tilting portion 33 of the seating seat portion 31 is in its most forward-tilted state.

[0031] When returning the rear rod 42 from the raised position to the seated position, the actuator 61 is shortened by operating the lifting operation unit 62, causing the rear rod 42 to descend. This descent of the rear rod 42 is the reverse movement of the lifting movement described above.

[0032] As described above, the wheelchair 1 of this embodiment is designed so that the rear rod portion 42 of the seat frame rod portion 12 can be repositioned between a seated position and a standing position. Therefore, when the user sits on the seat main portion 34 of the seated seat portion 31 which is extended across the rear rod portion 42, the user can sit stably in the seated position, and by repositioning to the standing position, the user can easily sit on and stand up from the seat main portion 34. Here, since the rear rod portion 42 is in a reclined position in the seated position, the seat main portion 34 of the seated seat portion 31 also adopts a reclined position in accordance with the rear rod portion 42, resulting in extremely high stability when the user is seated. Furthermore, when the rear rod portion 42 changes position from the seated position to the standing position, it does not tilt forward, but changes from the reclined position to a horizontal position via the intermediate position, so that the user seated on the seat main portion 34 can remain seated stably. This helps to prevent the user from feeling fear when rising to the standing position. Furthermore, when rising to the standing position, the seat tilting part 33 of the seating seat part 31 tilts forward, allowing the user's thighs to tilt forward while seated on the main seat part 34. This makes it easier for the user to stand up at the standing position and to sit down at the standing position. In addition, when the user is lowered to the seating position after sitting down at the standing position, the main seat part 34 tilts backward along the rear rod part 42, providing stability while seated and giving the user a sense of security.

[0033] In this embodiment, wheelchair 1 corresponds to the seating structure according to the present invention. Actuator 61 corresponds to the lifting drive means according to the present invention, and lifting operation unit 62 corresponds to the lifting operation means according to the present invention. Furthermore, the seat main part 34 of the seating seat part 31 corresponds to the seating support part according to the present invention.

[0034] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the dimensions and shapes of each part in the embodiments described above can be changed as appropriate.

[0035] In the embodiment, the rear rod of the seat frame is tilted backward at the seated position and horizontal at the standing position. However, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the rear rod may be horizontal at both the seated and standing positions, and the position may be changed between the seated and standing positions via an intermediate position that is tilted backward. Alternatively, the rear rod may be tilted backward at both the seated and standing positions, and the position may be changed via an intermediate position that is tilted further backward than the seated position. Here, the angle of tilt may be the same or different at the seated and standing positions. Furthermore, the rear rod may be horizontal at the seated position and tilted backward at the standing position. In this case, the position may be changed via an intermediate position that is tilted further backward than the tilted position at the standing position, or the tilt may be gradually increased from the seated position to the standing position.

[0036] In the embodiment, the position changing mechanism is composed of a first fixing part 52, a second fixing part 53, a first link member 54, and a second link member 55. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and can be modified as appropriate, as long as it is a configuration that changes the posture of the rear rod of the seat frame rod between the seated position and the standing position, similar to the embodiment.

[0037] The configuration of this embodiment involves using an electric actuator to raise and lower the rear rod of the seat frame rod, but it is not limited to this configuration, and it is also possible to use a gas spring or air cylinder instead of an electric actuator.

[0038] Furthermore, as an alternative embodiment, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the wheelchair 101 comprises a pair of left and right seat frame rods 102 positioned opposite each other at a predetermined distance in the left-right direction, and a seating seat portion 103 spanning the left and right seat frame rods 102. The seating seat portion 103 constitutes a seating support portion 105 that supports the user's buttocks. It also includes a position changing mechanism 51 and an actuator 61 similar to those in the embodiment, and the extension and retraction drive of the actuator 61 is converted by the position changing mechanism 51 into the raising and lowering of the seat frame rods 102 and a change in posture. In this alternative configuration, the seating support portion 105 is raised and lowered integrally with the seat frame rods 102, and the seating support portion 105 is repositioned between a seated position and a standing position by the drive of the actuator 61. In the seated position, as shown in Figure 7(A), the seat frame rod 102 and the seat support 105 are in a reclined position, and in the standing position, as shown in Figure 8, the seat frame rod 102 and the seat support 105 are in a reclined position. Then, as shown in Figures 7-8, the seat frame rod 102 and the seat support 105 are repositioned by the position changing mechanism 51 to move between the seated position and the standing position without tilting forward, and via an intermediate position (Figure 7(B)) that is more reclined than the reclined position of the seated position. Even in this alternative configuration, the user can sit stably in the seated position, and it is easy to stand up and sit down in the standing position. Furthermore, because the seat support 105 does not tilt forward when changing position from the seated position to the standing position, it is possible to suppress the feeling of fear that the user may experience. This alternative example has the same configuration as the embodiment, except for the differences in the seat frame rod portion 102 and the seat portion 103, and uses the same reference numerals. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 1,101 Wheelchair (seating structure) 2. Main frame 3 Main wheels 5 Caster 8 Footrest section 9. Operating handle 11. Base frame section 12,102 Seat frame rod 14. Backrest frame 15 Front leg frame 17. Anti-tip section 19. Armrest 20 Hanging part 21 Base side frame section 21a Upper frame section 21b Lower frame section 21c Front frame section 21d Rear frame section 22-26 Base connecting rod 31,103 Seating area 32 Front seat fixing part 33. Seat tilting mechanism 34. Main part of the seat (seat support part) 41 Front rod 42 Posterior rod 51 Position change mechanism 52 First consolidation part 53 Second consolidation part 54 First link member 55 Second link member 56 Support part 61 Actuator 62 Lifting and lowering control unit 105 Seat support section

Claims

[Claim 1] Base frame section, The base frame portion is arranged in parallel at a predetermined distance in the left-right direction, with a pair of left and right rods that are aligned in the front-rear direction, A seating support section is stretched across the left and right rods and supports the user's buttocks. In a seating structure equipped with, A lifting drive means for raising and lowering the seating support portion in conjunction with the left and right rod portions between a predetermined seating position and a raised position located above the seating position, A lifting operation means for driving the lifting drive means, A position change mechanism that maintains the seat support in a horizontal or reclined position at the seating position and in a horizontal position at the standing position, and that changes the position of the seat support between the seating position and the standing position via an intermediate position that is not tilted forward from the horizontal position but tilted backward compared to the seating position, by the drive of the lifting drive means. A seating structure characterized by having the following features.

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