Structural unit having net member incorporated therein, seat and method for treating end section of net member

• US 6,485,103 B1
• Filed: 07/21/2000
• Issued: 11/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd. (Delta Kogyo Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd. (Delta Kogyo Company Limited)
• Inventors: Yamada, Toshihiko, Ogura, Yumi, Fujita, Etsunori, Chizuka, Kazuyoshi, Oshimo, Hiroki
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): EDELL, JOSEPH F
• Application Number:
  US09/620,829
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 297/452.38, 297/452.56, 297/452.64, 297/218.3, 156/73.6, 156/93, 156/148, 156/309.6
• US Class Current: 297/452.56
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 23/26 Frames therefor; Connecting the springs to the frame
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 23/28 Tensioning devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/006 Use of three-dimensional fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/023 connecting upholstery to frames, e.g. by hooks, clips, snap fasteners, clamping means or the like

Abstract

A structural unit having a net member incorporated therein capable of preventing local application of undue force to the net member, to thereby increase reliability of the net member. An end section of a net member of a three-dimensional structure is treated so as to be reduced in cushioning characteristics and increased in hardness as compared with a portion of the net member positioned inside the end section. A frame constituting a part of the structural unit is provided with an end holding member so that an insertion port of an insertion gap of the end holding member is arranged in a particular direction or posture, resulting in the end section being readily held in the holding member by merely inserting the end section in the insertion gap. The end section is entirely inserted into the insertion gap, so that application of load to the end section may be carried out in a two-dimensional manner rather than a spot-like manner. This prevents local application of load to the net member, to thereby keep the net member from damage thereto.

Claims

1. A structural unit comprising:

a net member of a three-dimensional structure constituted by a front mesh layer, a rear mesh layer and a plurality of piles arranged between said front mesh layer and said rear mesh layer so as to connect said front mesh layer and rear mesh layer to each other therethrough;

said net member being formed on a periphery thereof with an end section; and

an end holding member for supporting said end section of said net member therein;

said end holding member including a holding element formed therein with an insertion gap into which said end section of said net member is inserted;

said end section of said net member being treated so that at least a part thereof has a net structure increased in density and rigidity as compared with a portion of said net member positioned inside said end section, resulting in being held in said end holding member due to insertion thereof into said insertion gap of said end holding member;

wherein said end section is treated so as to be reduced in thickness by heat welding, so that said net structure is increased in density and rigidity; and

wherein said end section is subject to said heat welding after said end section is previously knitted so as to increase density of said net structure.

2. A structural unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said insertion gap of said end holding member has an insertion port arranged in a posture which permits said end section of said net member to be inserted into said insertion gap therethrough while keeping said end section inwardly folded.

3. A structural unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said end section treated so that said net structure is increased in density and rigidity is formed on at least one surface thereof with a projection;

said holding element is provided thereon with a pawl in a manner to project into said insertion gap of said end holding member; and

said end section is inserted into said insertion gap so that said projection is positioned deeply beyond said pawl in said insertion gap, resulting in being held in said insertion gap.

4. A structural unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said heat welding is carried out by vibration welding.

5. A seat constituted by a structural unit as defined in claim 1.

6. A method for treating an end section of a net member, comprising the steps of:

reducing a thickness of an end section formed on a periphery of a net member of a three-dimensional structure by heat welding so as to hold said end section in an end holding member, resulting in a net structure of said end section being increased in density and rigidity as compared with a portion of said net member positioned inside said end section;

said net member being constituted by a front mesh layer, a rear mesh layer and a plurality of piles arranged between said front mesh layer and said rear mesh layer so as to connect said front mesh layer and rear mesh layer to each other therethrough; and

wherein said end section is subject to said heat welding after said end section is previously knitted so as to increase density of said net structure.

7. A method as defined in claim 6, wherein said end section is formed thereon with a projection in a manner to project in a thickness direction thereof during said heat welding of said end section.

8. A method as defined in claim 6, wherein said heat welding is carried out by vibration welding.