U.S. patent application number 11/797946 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-06 for seat structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to NISSAN MOTOR CO.,LTD.. Invention is credited to Toshihisa Ikai, Kiyoyuki Makino, Mitsugu Udagawa.
Application Number | 20070278842 11/797946 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38323882 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070278842 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ikai; Toshihisa ; et
al. |
December 6, 2007 |
Seat structure
Abstract
A seat structure includes a board that has a portion rolled up
on a periphery of the board. The portion rolled up has a closed
cross section with a generally polygonal cross sectional
profile.
Inventors: |
Ikai; Toshihisa;
(Hiratsuka-shi, JP) ; Udagawa; Mitsugu;
(Yamoto-shi, JP) ; Makino; Kiyoyuki; (Ebina-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER LLP;SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Assignee: |
NISSAN MOTOR CO.,LTD.
|
Family ID: |
38323882 |
Appl. No.: |
11/797946 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/452.14 ;
297/452.2; 297/452.26; 297/452.65 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/682 20130101;
B60N 2/686 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/452.14 ;
297/452.2; 297/452.26; 297/452.65 |
International
Class: |
A47C 7/18 20060101
A47C007/18; A47C 7/02 20060101 A47C007/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 18, 2006 |
JP |
2006-139006 |
May 18, 2006 |
JP |
2006-139251 |
Claims
1. A seat structure comprising: a board that has a portion rolled
up on a periphery of the board, said portion rolled up having a
closed cross section with a generally polygonal cross sectional
profile.
2. The seat structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a
peripheral installed to said portion rolled up.
3. The seat structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein said
peripheral includes an accessory.
4. The seat structure as claimed in claim 3, further comprising: an
installation member having a shape along said portion rolled up and
installing said accessory to said portion rolled up.
5. The seat structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein said
installation member is a U bolt surrounding said portion rolled
up.
6. The seat structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein said portion
rolled up are formed beforehand to swell out so that it swells out
further into engagement with said U bolt when compressed by said U
bolt upon tightening said U bolt.
7. The seat structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein said accessory
includes a front movement check bracket, said front movement check
bracket including a slope section.
8. The seat structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein said accessory
includes a hook, a tether belt anchor, a belt guide, a front leg
and a rear leg.
9. The seat structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein said
peripheral includes a pad formed with a groove receiving said
portion rolled up.
10. The seat structure as claimed in claim 9, wherein said portion
rolled up includes an inner peripheral wall portion and an outer
peripheral wall portion, at least one of which is perpendicular to
a flat portion of said board.
11. The seat structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein said
polygonal cross sectional profile is a rectangular cross sectional
profile.
12. The seat structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein said portion
rolled up results from repeating bending said board to form sides
of said generally polygonal cross sectional profile one after
another.
13. The seat structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein said portion
rolled up is on whole the periphery of said board.
14. The seat structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein said portion
rolled up includes an upper contour section formed with a headrest
holder.
15. The seat structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein said portion
rolled up includes a contour section having end faces formed by V
character cuts into said board from its edge.
16. The seat structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein said portion
rolled up includes parallel contour sections having end faces, the
end faces of one contour section being located in two planes that
are out of two planes in which the end faces of the other contour
section are located.
17. The seat structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein said portion
rolled up is covered with cover members at corner portions of said
board.
18. The seat structure as claimed in claim 17, wherein each of said
cover members has an arc side on its outside corner.
Description
RELATED CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority from
Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-139006, filed May 18, 2006,
the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety, and it also claims the benefit of priority from Japanese
Patent Application No. 2006-139251, filed May 18, 2006, the
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a seat structure having a
seat cushion and a seat back, at least one of which has a framework
in the form of a board that has, as a frame, a portion rolled up on
a periphery of the board.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] There is known from Japanese Registered Utility Model No.
2602770, a seatback, which is used in a seat, in particular, a
vehicle's seat, having a framework in the form of a board. The
board has a frame formed by bending and rolling up edge portions
into a ringed pipe by a curling process.
[0006] In the above-mentioned conventional seat structure, an
accessory attached to the seat such as a buckle of a seat belt or a
buckle of a leg portion will be installed to a seat cushion.
However, it is difficult to install the accessory to the board
directly from a point of hardness and strength. Therefore, the
accessory will be installed to the portion rolled up into the
ringed pipe.
[0007] Because, with this known seat structure, the portion rolled
up defines a closed cross section with circular cross sectional
profile, if the accessory is installed to the portion rolled up,
the accessory turns easily by external force and the like.
[0008] In the before-mentioned conventional seat structure, a pad
formed with a cushion is implemented on one surface of the board.
On implementing the pad, a groove of the pad receives the portion
rolled up into the ringed pipe.
[0009] Because, with this known seat structure, the portion rolled
up has a circular cross sectional profile, when the pad tends to
slip on the board due to a lateral acceleration during cornering of
a vehicle, for example, the groove of the pad easily runs onto the
portion rolled up, permitting a slippage between the pad and the
board. On this account, the pad slips sidewise and rubs against the
board, causing abnormal noise to occur, providing a seat of low
value.
[0010] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to
provide a seat structure that restrains outbreak of relative
movement of a peripheral, including such accessory and pad, to a
framework.
[0011] In specific, an object of the present invention is to
provide a seat structure that surely maintains an initial
installation state of a peripheral such as an accessory by
preventing the accessory from moving from the initial installation
position.
[0012] In specific, an object of the present invention is to
provide a seat structure that restrains outbreak of abnormal noise
by preventing slippage of a pad.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there
is provided a seat structure comprising a board that has a portion
rolled up on a periphery of the board, said portion rolled up
having a closed cross section with a generally polygonal cross
sectional profile.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a seat
structure.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a pad and a
board.
[0016] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3G illustrate processes to form a portion
rolled up of a board.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of a board with a portion
rolled up unfolded.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a front leg bracket
installed to a board.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a section through FIG. 5 along the line VI-VI.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a rear leg bracket installed
to a board.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a section through FIG. 7 along the line
VIII-VIII.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a section similar to FIG. 8 illustrating
installation of a tether belt anchor.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a combination of two sections through FIG. 11
along two appropriate lines to illustrate installation of a belt
guide and a belt in contact with the belt guide.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the installation of the
belt guide and actual arrangement of the belt with the belt
guide.
[0025] FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion
rolled up of a board.
[0026] FIG. 13 is a section similar to FIG. 8 illustrating
installation a leg bracket to the portion rolled up shown in FIG.
12.
[0027] FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the seat structure shown in
FIG. 1 without the pads.
[0028] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the relationship of end
faces of each of contour sections of a portion rolled up.
[0029] FIG. 16 is an exploded view a headrest holder.
[0030] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a modified seat
structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
First Embodiment
[0031] Referring to the accompanying drawings, there is a
description of a seat structure, exemplifying, for a vehicle seat,
a rear bench seat for a minivan to be concrete.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, the rear bench seat is designated at 1.
The rear bench seat 1 includes a seat cushion 2 and a seat back 3.
The seat cushion 2 and seat back 3 are connected to each other via
a hinge H. The seat cushion 2 is supported on a vehicle floor via
legs L. When not in use, the rear bench seat 1 is folded and can be
stored on a back side of a front seat, not illustrated.
[0033] The legs L include a pair of right and left front legs Lf,
and a rear leg Lr. The front legs Lf are installed to a front, with
respect to the vehicle longitudinal line, portion of the seat
cushion 2 at laterally spaced right and left sites. At a point
between an upper end and a lower end of each of the front legs Lf,
it is possible to bend the front legs Lf. The rear leg Lr is in the
form of U character and installed to a rear, with respect to the
vehicle longitudinal line, portion of the seat cushion 2. At upper
ends of the U character, the rear leg Lr is pivotable to the rear
portion of the seat cushion 2.
[0034] The seat cushion 2 includes a pad 4 and a board 6 as a
framework, while, the seat back 3 includes a pad 5 and a board 7 as
a framework. The pad 4 will be implemented on one surface of the
board 6, while the pad 5 will be implemented on one surface of the
board 7. The board 6 has, as a frame, a portion rolled up 10 on the
periphery. On implementing the pad 4, a groove 4a of the pad 4
receives the portion rolled up 10. The board 7 has, as a frame, a
portion rolled up 11 on the periphery. On implementing the pad 5, a
groove 5a of the pad 5 receives the portion rolled up 11.
[0035] The seat cushion 2 is formed in the shape of a generally
rectangle that is lengthened in width to make a seat for 2 to 3
people. The portion rolled up 10 is formed by bending and rolling
up all the edge portions of the board 6 that is made of a material,
which is easily bent, such as aluminum alloy. In addition, the
board 6 is raised in surface hardness by giving embossing
appropriately.
[0036] On the other hand, the pad 4 for the seat cushion 2 has a
predetermined thickness over the whole plan view contour of the
board 6 that is formed with the portion rolled up 10. The lower
surface of the pad 4 is formed with the groove 4a that is
ringed.
[0037] Like the seat cushion 2, the seat back 3 is formed in the
shape of a generally rectangle that is lengthened in width. The
portion rolled up 11 is formed by bending and rolling up all the
edge portions of the board 7 that is made of a material, which is
easily bent, such as aluminum alloy. In addition, the board 7 is
raised in surface hardness by giving embossing appropriately.
[0038] On the other hand, the pad 5 for the seat back 3 has a
predetermined thickness over the whole plan view contour of the
board 7 that is formed with the portion rolled up 11. The lower
surface of the pad 5 is formed with the groove 5a that is
ringed.
[0039] By fitting the portion rolled up 10 into the groove 4a as
shown in FIG. 2, the pad 4 is implemented to the surface of the
board 6 for the seat cushion 2. Likewise, by fitting the portion
rolled up 11 into the groove 5a as shown in FIG. 2, the pad 5 is
implemented to the surface of the board 7 for the seat back 3.
[0040] As is readily seen from FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the portion rolled
up 10 for the seat cushion 2 extends over the whole plan view
contour of the board 6, and includes a front contour section 10F,
two side contour sections 10S and 10S, and a rear contour section
10R. In a similar manner, the portion rolled up 11 for the seat
back 3 extends over the whole front elevation contour of the board
7, and includes an upper contour section 11U, two side contour
sections 11S and 11S and a lower contour section 11L.
[0041] In order to round off corners of the board 6 for the seat
cushion 2, the portion rolled up 10 also includes four slanting
contour sections 10I, a first one 10I slanting for and
interconnecting the front contour section 10F and the adjacent side
contour section 10S on the right, a second one 10I slanting for and
interconnecting this side contour section 10S on the right and the
adjacent rear contour section 10R, a third one 10I slanting for and
interconnecting the rear contour section 10R and the adjacent side
contour section 10S on the left, and a fourth one 10I slanting for
and interconnecting this side contour section 10S on the left and
the front contour section 10F. In a similar manner, in order to
round off corners of the board 7 for the seat back 3, the portion
rolled up 11 also includes four slanting contour sections 11I, a
first one 11I slanting for and interconnecting the upper contour
section 10U and the adjacent side contour section 11S on the right,
a second one 11I slanting for and interconnecting this side contour
section 11S on the right and the adjacent lower contour section
11L, a third one 11I slanting for and interconnecting the lower
contour section 11L and the adjacent side contour section 11S on
the left, and a fourth one 11I slanting for and interconnecting
this side contour section 11S on the left and the upper contour
section 11U.
[0042] The front legs Lf are installed to the front contour section
10F via front brackets 81. On the other hand, the rear leg Lr is
installed to the rear contour section 10R via a rear bracket
21.
[0043] As best seen in FIG. 2, the portion rolled up 10 defines a
closed cross section having a generally polygonal cross sectional
profile, and the portion rolled up 11 defines a closed cross
section having a generally polygonal cross sectional profile. In
the present embodiment, the cross sectional profile of each of the
cross sections of the portions rolled up 10 and 11 is rectangular
as an example of the generally polygonal cross sectional profile
without any intention to limit the invention to the rectangular
cross sectional profile. With the portion rolled up 10 having a
generally polygonal cross sectional profile and the portion rolled
up 11 having a generally polygonal cross sectional profile, the
seat structure 1 can restrain outbreak of abnormal noise by
preventing slippage of each of pads 4 and 5 when the pads 4 and 5
tend to slip on the boards 6 and 7 due to a lateral acceleration
during, for example, cornering of a vehicle.
[0044] FIG. 4 shows the portion rolled up 10 and the portion rolled
up 11 unfolded. Each of these portions rolled up 10 and 11 results
by bending the board 6 or 7 to form sides of a rectangular cross
section one after another at every one of predetermined inward
lines from the outer extremity. Each of such predetermined inward
lines is illustrated by a broken line in FIG. 4.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 2, the portion rolled up 10 has a
peripheral wall including an inner peripheral wall portion 10a, an
outer peripheral wall portion 10b, and a surface peripheral wall
portion 10c interconnecting the inner and outer peripheral wall
portions 10a and 10b. The portion rolled up 11 has a peripheral
wall including an inner peripheral wall portion 11a, an outer
peripheral wall portion 11b, and a surface peripheral wall portion
11c interconnecting the inner and outer peripheral wall portions
11a and 11b. FIG. 4 shows the inner, outer and surface peripheral
wall portions 10a, 10b and 10c when the portion rolled up 10 is
unfolded or the inner, outer and surface peripheral wall portions
11a, 11b and 11c when the portion rolled up 11 is unfolded. In FIG.
4, at the illustrated broken lines, the outer, surface and inner
peripheral wall portions 10b (or 11b), 10c (or 11c) and 10a (or
11a) are connected one after another.
[0046] Referring continuously to FIG. 4, for the seat cushion 2,
the board 6 is formed with generally V character cuts Vc, one
between the area portion which will form each of slanting contour
sections 10I and the adjacent area portion which will form the
adjacent one of side contour sections 10S, another between the area
portion which will form each of slanting contour sections 101 and
the adjacent area portion which will form the adjacent one of the
front and rear contour sections 10F and 10R. For the seat back 3,
the board 7 is formed with generally V character cuts Vc, one
between the area portion which will form each of slanting contour
sections 11I and the adjacent area portion which will form the
adjacent one of side contour sections 11S, another between the area
portion which will form each of slanting contour sections 11I and
the adjacent area portion which will form the adjacent one of the
upper and lower contour sections 11U and 11L. For those two of the
V character cuts Vc which interpose between them one of the side,
front and rear contour sections 10S, 10F and 10R of the portion
rolled up 10, the edges of these two V character cuts Vc form
longitudinal ends of the one contour section 10S or 10F or 10R of
the portion rolled up 10. For those two of the V character cuts Vc
which interpose between them one of the side, upper and lower
contour sections 11S, 11U and 11L of the portion rolled up 11, the
edges of these two V character cuts Vc form longitudinal ends of
the one contour section 11S or 11U or 11L of the portion rolled up
11.
[0047] Here, referring to FIG. 3A to FIG. 3G, formation processes
for the side contour section 10S, for example, are described for
understanding of formation processes for each of portions rolled up
10 and 11. First, in process shown in FIG. 3A, the board 6 is bent
to give an edge 10w for welding. In process shown in FIG. 3B, with
a fixture jig T interposing a predetermined line that will become a
side line of the inner peripheral wall portion 10a, the board 6 is
bent through an angle of 90 degrees about this predetermined line
to form the inner peripheral wall portion 10a. In process shown in
FIG. 3C, the fixture jig T is moved to interpose a predetermined
line that will become a side line of the surface peripheral wall
portion 10c. In process shown in FIG. 3D, the board 6 is bent
through an angle of 90 degrees about this predetermined line
interposed by the fixture jig T. In FIG. 3E, the fixture jig T is
moved to interpose a predetermined line that will become a side
line of the outer peripheral wall portion 10b. In process shown in
FIG. 3F, the board 6 begins to be bent, and, in process shown in
FIG. 3G, the board 6 is bent through an angle of 90 degrees to form
the outer peripheral wall portion 10b. In this stage, the side
contour section 10S defines a cross section having a rectangular
cross sectional profile, and the edge 10w is spot welded to the
board 6 at Ws.
[0048] These forming processes are equally applicable to formation
of each of the front contour section 10F, rear contour section 10R,
and slanting contour sections 10I of the board 6 for the seat
cushion 2. These forming processes are equally applicable to
formation of each of the upper contour section 11U, side contour
sections 11S, slanting contour sections 11I, and lower contour
section 11L.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, upon installing each of the
front legs Lf to the front contour section 10F of the board 6 for
the seat cushion 2 via a front bracket 81, the front bracket 81 is
installed to the front contour section 10F via a pair of front U
bolts 22, each as an installation member of shape along outside
shape of the front contour section 10F.
[0050] In addition, referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, upon installing
each of open ends of the U character of the rear leg Lr to the rear
contour section 10R of the board 6 for the seat cushion 2 via a
rear bracket 21, the rear bracket 21 is installed to the rear
contour section 10R via a pair of rear U bolts 23, each as an
installation member of shape along outside shape of the rear
contour section 10R.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 5, the front bracket 81, which is a
rectangular flat board, is connected to the upper end of the
associated front leg Lf. As shown in FIG. 6, the front bracket 81
is arranged on the lower peripheral wall portion of the front
contour section 10F, and each of the front U bolts 22 extends over
the surface peripheral wall portion 10c of the front contour
section 10F with its bottom end screw portions penetrating through
the part of the front bracket 81 which projects beyond the outer
peripheral wall portion 10b of the front contour section 10F and
through the part of the front bracket 81 which projects beyond the
inner peripheral wall portion 10a of the front contour section 10F,
and the bottom end screw portions are tightened with nuts 22a
upwards.
[0052] Then, a positioning pin 24, which projects from the central
part of the upper surface of the front bracket 81 of the front leg
Lf, is fit in a positioning hole 25, which is drilled through the
lower peripheral wall portion of the front contour section 10F.
[0053] On the other hand, referring to FIG. 7, there is shown one
of the rear brackets 21 that support shafts, not illustrated,
carried by the upper open ends of the rear leg Lr. The rear bracket
21 is bent downwards at right and left end portions with a central
rectangular flat board 21b left as it is. Two shaft supporting
sections 21a, which hang down from one and the opposite ends of the
central rectangular flat board 21b, are formed with holes receiving
the associated one of the shafts carried by the rear leg Lr. As
shown in FIG. 8, the central rectangular flat board 21b is arranged
on the lower peripheral wall portion of the rear contour section
10R, and each of the rear U bolts 23 extends over the surface
peripheral wall portion 10c of the rear contour section 10R with
its bottom end screw portions penetrating through the part of the
rear bracket 21 which projects beyond the outer peripheral wall
portion 10b of the rear contour section 10R and through the part of
the rear bracket 21 which projects beyond the inner peripheral wall
portion 10a of the rear contour section 10R, and the bottom end
screw portions are tightened with nuts 23a upwards.
[0054] Then, a positioning pin 26, which projects from the central
part of the upper surface of the central rectangular flat board 21b
of the rear bracket 21, is fit in a positioning hole 27, which is
drilled through the lower peripheral wall portion of the rear
contour section 10R.
[0055] In addition, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a front movement
check bracket 30, which servers as an accessory member arranged to
prevent a vehicle occupant from slipping to front, is installed to
the front contour section 10F by the front U bolts 22 upon
installing the front legs Lf to the front contour section 10F via
these front U bolts 22.
[0056] In other words, the front movement check bracket 30 includes
an installation section 31, which is bent in the shape of an
inverted U character to cover the outer peripheral wall portion
10b, the surface peripheral wall portion 10c, and the inner
peripheral wall portion 10a of the front contour section 10F, an
extension section 32, which extends from the rear and lower part of
the installation section 31 to rear along the board 6, and a slope
section 33, which results from bending the rear end portion of the
extension section 32 upwardly and to the front. The upper end
portion of the slope section 33 is arranged above and near the
inner peripheral wall portion 10a.
[0057] The front movement check bracket 30 associated with each of
front legs Lf can prevent knees of a vehicle occupant from
colliding with a front obstacle, for example, the back face of the
front seat in the present embodiment, or alleviate shocks at the
time of collision by letting the slope section 33 prevent hips from
slipping under a lap belt and dragging to move forwardly when the
inertia acts on the vehicle occupant wearing a seat belt during
frontal end collision of the vehicle.
[0058] Therefore, this front movement check function is obtained
with a relatively simple constitution at a low price because the
front movement check bracket 30 is fixed to the front contour
section 10F when the front bracket 81 of each of the front legs Lf
is installed to the front contour section 10F by covering the front
contour section 10F with the installation section 31 of the front
movement check bracket 30, installing the front U bolts 22 to the
installation section 31, and tightening the front U bolts 22 with
the nuts 22a.
[0059] In addition, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, hooks 40 used
for ISOFIX child seats are installed to the rear contour section
10R upon installing the rear legs Lr to the rear contour section
10R via the rear U bolts 23. ISOFIX stands for "International
Standards Organization FIX" and provides an international standard
for installing child seats into vehicles. A safety base, not
illustrated, is fixed to the hooks 40, and a main body of a child
seat is fixed to this safety base.
[0060] The hooks 40 are protruding portions of the rear brackets
21, respectively. As readily seen from FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the hook
40 is a protruding portion from the central rectangular flat board
21b beyond a line defining a rear edge of the central rectangular
flat board 21b. The hook 40 results from bending this protruding
portion at the line defining the rear edge of the central
rectangular flat board 21b through an angle of 90 degrees to form
an upright wall 41. The upright wall 41 extends upwardly along the
outer peripheral wall portion 10b of the rear contour section 10R.
The protruding portion extends beyond the upper edge of the outer
peripheral wall portion 10b. At a line slightly higher than the
upper edge of the outer peripheral wall portion 10b, the protruding
portion is bent forwardly to form a slope section 42. The slope
section 42 is formed with an opening 43. From the
above-description, it will be appreciated that each of the hooks 40
includes the upright wall 41 and the slope section 42 formed with
the opening 43.
[0061] Therefore, the hooks 40 are installed to the rear contour
section 10R upon installing the rear brackets 21 of the rear leg Lr
to the rear contour section 10R via the rear U bolts 23.
[0062] According to the present embodiment of seat structure, the
framework of the seat cushion 2 and the framework of the seat back
3 are made from the boards 6 and 7, respectively. The board 6 is
formed with the portion rolled up 10 on the periphery, and the
board 7 the portion rolled up 11 on the periphery. The portion
rolled up 10 serves as a frame and secures the required strength as
the framework of the seat cushion 2. The portion rolled up 11
serves as a frame and secures the required strength as the
framework of the seat back 3. Accordingly, a reduction in weight,
an improvement in production efficiency, and a reduction in cost
are achieved in rear bench seats 1.
[0063] In the present embodiment, accessories such as the front
legs Lf and the rear leg Lr are installed to the portion rolled up
10 that has a cross section with a rectangular cross sectional
profile as one example of the generally polygonal cross sectional
profile. The portion rolled up 10 includes the front contour
section 10F and the rear contour section 10R. The front legs Lf are
installed to the front contour section 10F, while the rear leg Lr
is installed to the rear contour section 10R.
[0064] Then, the front legs Lf are installed to the front contour
section 10F by fixing the front brackets 81 to the front contour
section 10F via the front U bolts 22. Because each of the front U
bolts 22 is shaped along the outside shape of the front contour
section 10F, each of the front legs Lf is prevented from turning
with respect to the front contour section 10F.
[0065] In addition, the rear leg Lr is installed to the rear
contour section 10R by fixing the rear brackets 21 to the rear
contour section 10R via the rear U bolts 23. Because each of the
rear U bolts 23 is shaped along the outside shape of the rear
contour section 10R, the rear leg Lr is prevented from turning with
respect to the rear contour section 10R.
[0066] Therefore, it is possible to install the front legs Lf and
rear leg Lr to the front contour section 10F and the rear contour
section 10R without welding these legs Lf and Lr to the portion
roll up 10. It is no longer necessary to provide the portion roll
up 10 with reinforced portions for welding. And, it is easy to
install the front legs Lf and the rear leg Lr to the portion roll
up 10 via the front U bolts 22 and the rear U bolts 23.
Accordingly, an improvement in installation work and a reduction in
weight are achieved.
[0067] In addition, in the present embodiment, accessories in the
form of the front movement check brackets 30 are installed to the
front contour section 10F, and accessories in the form of the hooks
40 are installed to the rear contour section 10R. The front
movement check brackets 30 are fixed to the front contour section
10F together with the front legs Lf via the front U bolts 22. And,
the hooks 40 are protruding portions of the rear leg Lr that is
fixed to the rear contour section 10R via the rear U bolts 23.
Thus, the front movement check brackets 30 and the hooks 40 are
fixed to and prevented from turning with respect to the front
contour section 10F and the rear contour section 10R. Therefore, it
is no longer necessary to welding the front movement check brackets
30 and the hooks 40 to the front contour section 10F and the rear
contour section 10R.
[0068] Because the hooks 40 are unified with the rear brackets 21
of the rear leg Lr, the rear leg Lr standing on the vehicle floor
supports excessive moment occurring when the movement of the child
seat to the front acts on the hooks 40. Thus, it is no longer
necessary to excessively reinforce the rear contour section 10R and
the rear brackets 21.
[0069] In addition, the front brackets 81 and the rear brackets 21
are positioned easily relative to the front contour section 10F and
the rear contour section 10R by fitting the positioning pins 24 and
26 into the positioning holes 25 and 27. Because the positioning
pins 24 and 26 and the positioning holes 25 and 27 support moment
acting on the front brackets 81 and the rear brackets 21, the
function to prevent the front legs Lf and the rear leg Lr from
turning is improved.
Second Embodiment
[0070] There is description on second embodiment of a seat
structure. This embodiment is substantially the same as the first
embodiment except the provision of an accessory in the form of a
tether belt anchor. FIG. 9 is a cross section similar to FIG. 8,
but illustrates an installation of a tether belt anchor. Like
reference numerals are used to designate like parts, sections and
portions throughout FIG. 1 to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9.
[0071] The second embodiment illustrates the case in which an
accessory in the form of a tether belt anchor 50 for a tether belt
of an ISOFIX child seat is installed to a rear contour section 10R.
A rear bracket 21 of a rear leg Lr and the tether belt anchor 50
are tightened together by rear U bolts 23.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 9, the tether belt anchor 50 includes an
installation section 51, which is bent to form a back 51a, a top
51b, and a bottom 51c covering an outer peripheral wall portion
10b, a surface peripheral wall portion 10c, and a back peripheral
wall portion 10e of the rear contour section 10R, and an anchor
section 52, which protrudes from an upper end of a central portion
of the back 51a upwardly and to the front. The rear bracket 21 of
the rear leg Lr and the both end portions of the installation
section 51 are tightened together by the rear U bolts 23.
[0073] The anchor section 52 has a fitting 54 connecting an
installation belt 53 of a buckle for selectively engagement with a
tongue of a tether belt.
[0074] In the present embodiment, the tether belt anchor 50 is
installed using the rear U bolts 23, each being of the shape along
the outside shape of the rear contour section 10R. The tether belt
anchor 50 is fixed to and prevented from turning with respect to
the rear contour section 10R because the rear contour section 10R
has a cross section with a rectangular cross sectional profile.
Therefore, it is no longer necessary to weld the tether belt anchor
50 to the rear contour section 10R.
Third Embodiment
[0075] There is description on third embodiment of a seat
structure. This embodiment is substantially the same as the first
embodiment except the provision of an accessory in the form of a
belt guide 61. FIG. 10 is a cross section similar to FIG. 8, but
illustrates an installation of the belt guide 61. FIG. 11 is a
perspective view illustrating the installation of the belt guide
61. Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts,
sections and portions throughout FIG. 1 to FIG. 8 and FIG. 10 and
FIG. 11.
[0076] The present embodiment of seat structure comprises an
accessory in the form of the belt guide 61. Referring to FIG. 10
and FIG. 11, the reference numeral 60 indicates an installation
belt extending from a safety base, not illustrated, for a child
seat when this belt 60 is plugged into an anchor, not illustrated,
installed to a lower part of a rear leg Lr. The belt guide 61 is
installed to that area portion of a rear contour section 10R of a
board for a seat cushion 2 which the belt 60 contacts with.
[0077] This belt guide 61 is bent in the shape of an inverted U
character to cover an outer peripheral wall portion 10b, a surface
peripheral wall portion 10c, and an inner peripheral wall portion
10a of the rear contour section 10R. The belt guide 61 is put to
cover the rear contour section 10R from the surface peripheral wall
portion 10c and tightened together with a rear bracket 21 of a rear
leg Lr by rear U bolts 23.
[0078] Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the rear corner portion 61C of
the belt guide 61 which is contacted by the belt 60 has an arc side
R together with the corner portion of the rear contour section
10R.
[0079] In the present embodiment, the belt guide 61 is installed
using the rear U bolts 23, each being of the shape along the
outside shape of the rear contour section 10R. The belt guide 61 is
fixed without welding it to the rear contour section 10R. With this
belt guide 61, an input via the area the belt 60 contacts with the
rear contour section 10R is alleviated and the rear contour section
10R is reinforced.
Fourth Embodiment
[0080] Referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, there is description on
fourth embodiment of seat structure. This embodiment is
substantially the same as the first embodiment. Like reference
numerals are used to designate like parts, sections and portions
throughout FIG. 1 to FIG. 8 and FIG. 12 and FIG. 13.
[0081] In the first embodiment, the front leg Lf and the rear leg
Lr are fixed to the portion rolled up 10 (the front contour section
10F, the rear contour section 10R) via the rear U bolts 23. In
contrast, in the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, an inner
peripheral wall portion 10a and an outer peripheral wall portion
10b, via which the portion rolled up 10 is to contact with the
associated U bolt 22 or 23, are formed to swell out beforehand. As
shown in FIG. 13, when the portion rolled up 10 is tightened by U
bolts 22 or 23 and compressed as indicated by a big arrow X, the
inner and outer peripheral wall portions 10a and 10b swell out
further into firm engagement with the inside of the U bolts 22 or
23 as indicated by two small arrows Y, causing outbreak of
reaction.
[0082] According to the third embodiment, tightening of the U bolts
22 or 23 adheres the inner and outer peripheral wall portions 10a
and 10b to the inside of the U bolts 22 or 23, thereby increasing
coupling force between the front and rear brackets 81, 21 and the
portion rolled up 10 and increasing the fixed force of the front
leg Lf and rear leg Lr.
[0083] In addition, because the inner and outer peripheral wall
portions 10a and 10b of the portion rolled up 10 are pressed into
firm engagement with the U bolts 22 or 23, the fixed power of the
front movement check brackets 30 (see FIG. 5), the hooks 40 (see
FIG. 7), the tether anchors 50 (see FIG. 9), and the belt guide 61
(see FIG. 11) may be increased.
Fifth Embodiment
[0084] Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 and FIG. 14 to FIG. 16, there
is description on fifth embodiment of seat structure. This
embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment. Like
reference numerals are used to designate like parts, sections and
portions throughout FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 and FIG. 14 to FIG. 16.
[0085] Referring to FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, a portion
rolled up 10 and a portion rolled up 11 have a cross section with a
polygonal cross sectional profile. It is desired that the cross
sectional profiles of these portions rolled up 10 and 11 be chosen
so that at least one of an inner peripheral wall portion 10a or 11a
and an outer peripheral wall portion 10b or 11b may be generally
perpendicular to a flat portion of a board 6 or 7. In this
embodiment, all of the inner and outer peripheral wall portions
10a, 11a, 10b, and 11b are generally perpendicular to the flat
portions of the boards 6 and 7.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 15, in the board 6 for the seat cushion 2,
the front contour section 10F and the rear contour section 10R are
in parallel and opposed to each other, and two side contour
sections 10S and 10S are in parallel and opposed to each other. In
order to prevent the board 6 from being twisted, two planes in
which end faces 10d of the front contour section 10F are located
are out of (do not overlap with) two planes in which end faces 10d
of the rear contour section 10R are located as shown by the phantom
lines. Moreover, two planes in which end faces 10d of the side
contour section 10S on the right are located are out of (do not
overlap with) two planes in which end faces 10d of the side contour
section 10S on the left are located as shown by the phantom
lines.
[0087] The same applies in the board 7. In the board 7 for the seat
back 3, the upper contour section 11U and the lower contour section
11L are in parallel and opposed to each other, and two side contour
sections 11S and 11S are in parallel and opposed to each other. In
order to prevent the board 7 from being twisted, two planes in
which end faces 11d of the upper contour section 11U are located
are out of (do not overlap with) two planes in which end faces 11d
of the lower contour section 11L are located as shown by the
phantom lines. Moreover, two planes in which end faces 11d of the
side contour section 11S on the right are located are out of (do
not overlap with) two planes in which end faces 11d of the side
contour section 11S on the left are located as shown by the phantom
lines.
[0088] In addition, referring to FIG. 14, each of corners of the
portion rolled up 11 of the board 7 for the seat back 3, that is,
each of the slanting contour sections 11I of the portion rolled up
11, in this embodiment, is covered with a cover member 12.
[0089] As shown in FIG. 14, the cover member 12 has a cross section
with an L character cross sectional profile to cover a surface
peripheral wall portion 11c and an outer peripheral wall portion
11b. The cover member 12 includes a central section 12C and two end
sections 12E. The central section 12C covers the slanting contour
section 11I. When the slanting contour section 11I is disposed
between the upper contour section 11U and the side contour section
11S one of the end sections 12E covers the seam (corner) between
the upper contour section 11U and the slanting contour section 11I,
and the other end section 12E covers the seam (corner) between the
slanting contour section 11I and the side contour section 11S. When
the slanting contour section 11I is disposed between the side
contour section 11S and the lower contour section 11L, one of the
end sections 12E covers the seam (corner) between the side contour
section 11S and the slanting contour section 11I, and the other end
section 12E covers the seam (corner) between the slanting contour
section 11I and the lower contour section 11L. In this way,
exposure of the seams is prevented.
[0090] In this embodiment, outside corners 12K of each cover member
12 have an arc side, for example, an arc side having a diameter
greater than or equal to 5 mm. Of course, each of slanting contour
sections 10I of the board 6 for the seat cushion 2 may be covered
with a cover member of the similar construction.
[0091] Referring to FIG. 14 to FIG. 16, the upper contour section
11U of the board 7 for the seat back 3 is formed with headrest
holders 28 for mounting headrests 20.
[0092] In other words, as shown in FIG. 14, the headrest 20 has a
pair of stays 29. As shown in FIG. 16, the headrest holder 28 has
installation holes 28a drilled through the outer and inner
peripheral wall portions 11b and 11a of the upper contour section
11U and holder main bodies 28b fitted into the installation holes
28a for insertion and locking of the stays 29.
[0093] According to the present embodiment of seat structure, the
framework of the seat cushion 2 and the framework of the seat back
3 are made from the boards 6 and 7, respectively. The board 6 is
formed with the portion rolled up 10 on the periphery, and the
board 7 the portion rolled up 11 on the periphery. The portion
rolled up 10 serves as a frame and secures the required strength as
the framework of the seat cushion 2. The portion rolled up 11
serves as a frame and secures the required strength as the
framework of the seat back 3. Accordingly, a reduction in weight,
an improvement in production efficiency, and a reduction in cost
are achieved in rear bench seats 1.
[0094] Because, with this embodiment, the portion rolled up 10 or
11 has a polygonal cross sectional profile, when the pad 4 or 5
tends to slip on the board 6 or 7, the groove 4a or 5a of the pad 4
or 5 raises its firm engagement with the peripheral wall portions
(10b, 10c and 10a; or 11b, 11c and 11a) of the portion rolled up 10
or 11, preventing a slippage between the pad 4 or 5 and the board 6
or 7. On this account, the pad 4 or 5 is prevented from slipping
sidewise and rubbing against the board, controlling outbreak of
abnormal noise, providing a seat of high value.
[0095] Then, the cross sectional profiles of these portions rolled
up 10 and 11 are chosen so that at least one of an inner peripheral
wall portion 10a or 11a and an outer peripheral wall portion 10b or
11b may be generally perpendicular to a flat portion of the board 6
or 7. Engagement between the grooves 4a, 5a and the portions rolled
up 10, 11 are further raised in degree.
[0096] In this embodiment, all of the inner and outer peripheral
wall portions 10a, 11a, 10b, and 11b are generally perpendicular to
the flat portions of the boards 6 and 7. Thus, the inner and outer
peripheral wall portions 10a and 10b of the portion rolled up 10
and the inner and outer peripheral wall portions 11a and 11b of the
portion rolled up 11 surely retain the grooves 4a and 5a. Outbreak
of abnormal noise is controlled by surely preventing sidewise slip
of the pads 4 and 5. It is no longer necessary to arrange separate
means for restraining movement of the pads 4 and 5, such as
pasting, making a reduction in cost possible.
[0097] Each of these portions rolled up 10 and 11 results by
bending the board 6 or 7 to form sides of a rectangular cross
section one after another at every one of predetermined inward
lines from the outer extremity. Welding work needed if they are
separately formed is not needed, improving time and work for
forming the portions rolled up 10 and 11. Required hardness and
strength are secured without changing the thickness of the portions
rolled up 10 and 11, making it possible to provide a structure that
is light in weight but high in hardness and strength.
[0098] Hardness and strength of the seat back 3 and seat cushion 2
are raised because the portion rolled up 11 is formed over the
whole periphery of the board 7 and the portion rolled up 10 is
formed over the whole periphery of the board 6.
[0099] The upper edge of the portion roll up 11 (the upper contour
section 11U) is formed with the headrest holder 28 for the headrest
20. Installing the headrest 20 by making a good use of the portion
rolled up 11 simplifies the frame structure of the seat back 3.
[0100] External appearance of the portions rolled up 10 and 11 is
improved because all of the contour sections of the portions rolled
up 10 and 11 connect smoothly one after another without any overlap
doe to the provision of generally V character cuts Vc. For the seat
cushion 2, the board 6 is formed with generally V character cuts
Vc, one between the area portion which will form each of slanting
contour sections 10I and the adjacent area portion which will form
the adjacent one of side contour sections 10S, another between the
area portion which will form each of slanting contour sections 10I
and the adjacent area portion which will form the adjacent one of
the front and rear contour sections 10F and 10R. For the seat back
3, the board 7 is formed with generally V character cuts Vc, one
between the area portion which will form each of slanting contour
sections 11I and the adjacent area portion which will form the
adjacent one of side contour sections 11S another between the area
portion which will form each of slanting contour sections 11I and
the adjacent area portion which will form the adjacent one of the
upper and lower contour sections 11U and 11L.
[0101] As described before in connection with FIG. 15, the board 6
is prevented from being twisted by locating two planes in which end
faces 10d of the front contour section 10F are out of two planes in
which end faces 10d of the rear contour section 10R are located.
The board 7 is prevented from being twisted by locating two planes
in which end faces 11d of the upper contour section 11U are out of
two planes in which end faces 11d of the lower contour section 11L
are located.
[0102] Furthermore, those sections of the portion rolled up 10 or
11 which correspond to the corners of the board 6 or 7 are covered
with the cover members 12. In particular, in the present
embodiment, the cover members 12 cover the slanting contour
sections 111 of the board 7 for the seat back 3, and gaps, each
between the two adjacent contour sections of the portion rolled up
11, raising hardness of the corners of the board 7, eliminating
catches by the gaps. The same technical effect is given by covering
the slanting contour sections 101 of the board 6 for the seat
cushion 2.
[0103] Furthermore, outside corners 12K of each cover member 12 has
an arc side, eliminating catches by providing smooth outside
surface.
[0104] In the preceding embodiments, the portion rolled up 10 or 11
has a common cross sectional area and profile. Cross sectional area
may be increased gradually in the shape of a taper toward the part
that big hardness is demanded. For example, cross sectional area of
both of the side contour sections 10S or 11S may be increased
gradually in the shape of a taper toward the hinge portion H.
Sixth Embodiment
[0105] Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 and FIG. 17, there is
description on sixth embodiment of seat structure. This embodiment
is substantially the same as the fifth embodiment. Like reference
numerals are used to designate like parts, sections and portions
throughout FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, FIG. 14 to FIG. 16, and FIG. 17. FIG.
17 is a perspective view of a seat structure with the pads 4, 5
removed to illustrate a frame structure.
[0106] In FIG. 17, the reference numeral 1A indicates a rear bench
seat. The rear bench seat 1A is substantially the same as the rear
bench seats 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 and FIG. 14 to FIG.
16. Thus, a board 6 of a seat cushion 2 includes a portion rolled
up 10A, and a board 7 of a seat back 3 includes a portion rolled up
11A.
[0107] The present embodiment is different from the fifth
embodiment in that the portion rolled up 10A is not arranged at the
whole periphery of the board 6 of the seat cushion 2, and the
portion rolled up 11A is not arranged at the whole periphery of the
board 7 of the seat back 3. In other words, the portion rolled up
10A is not arranged on the rear section of the periphery or the
side of a hinge H, and the portion rolled up 11A is not arranged on
the lower section of the periphery or the side of the hinge H. The
portion rolled up 10A is not ringed, but it is in the shape of U
character opening at the rear section of the periphery of the board
6 of the seat cushion 2. The portion rolled 11A is not ringed, but
it is in the shape of U character opening at the lower section of
the periphery of the board 7 of the seat back 3.
[0108] In other words, the portion rolled up 10A of the seat
cushion 2 excludes a rear contour section 10R shown in FIG. 1 and
FIG. 14, but it includes a front contour section 10F, two side
contour sections 10S and two slanting contour sections 10I, which
are connected one after another to make the shape of U character
opening at the rear section of the periphery of the board 6. The
portion rolled up 11A of the seat back 3 excludes a lower contour
section 11L shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 14, but it includes an upper
contour section 11U, two side contour sections 11S and two slanting
contour sections 11I, which are connected one after another to make
the shape of U character opening at the lower section of the
periphery of the board 7. In addition, the boards 6 and 7 are
raised in surface hardness by giving embossing appropriately.
[0109] As best seen in FIG. 17, the side contour sections 10S of
the seat cushion 2 are connected via the two hinges H to the side
contour sections 11S of the seat back 3.
[0110] In the present embodiment, the portion rolled up 10A of the
seat cushion 2 and the portion rolled up 11A of the seat back 3
would be left separated if the hinges H were not regarded as power
transmitting devices. But, the hinges H are power transmitting
devices between the side contour sections 10S of the seat cushion 2
and the side contour sections 11S of the seat back 3. The open side
of the portion rolled up 10A of the seat cushion 2 is supported via
the hinges H by the portion rolled up 11A of the seat back 3, and
at the same time, the open side of the portion rolled up 11A of the
seat back 3 is supported via the hinges H by the portion rolled up
10A of the seat cushion 2. Therefore, without any considerable drop
in hardness, any input of load to the seat cushion 2 and seat back
3 can be supported. Not only this technical effect but a reduction
in weight of the rear bench seat 1A is another technical
effect.
[0111] Of course, in the present embodiment, in a similar manner to
the preceding embodiments, grooves 4a and 5a of pads 4 and 5 cover
the portions rolled up 10A and 11A (see FIG. 2), and the portions
rolled up 10A and 11A have a rectangular cross sectional profile.
The portions rolled up 10A and 11A may be formed in the same manner
described and illustrated in FIG. 3A to FIG. 3G.
[0112] The above explanation is one example. It is, therefore, not
intended that the present invention is limited to the above
description. For example, the present invention is applicable to a
seat for one people and seats are not limited to vehicle seats even
though, in the preceding description, bench seats for a plurality
of people are illustrated.
[0113] In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed
typical preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention and,
although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic
and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation,
the scope of the invention being set forth in the following
claims.
* * * * *