A seat pad (10) is formed from a foamed molded body. A passenger contact surface (11) which, in a plan view of the seat pad (10), is formed in the shape of a rectangle that is long in the lengthwise direction (X) and short in the widthwise direction (Y), is provided. The passenger contact surface (10) comprises a main pressure-receiving area (11a) with which the buttocks or the waist of a passenger come into contact, and a subsidiary pressure-receiving area (11b) that is adjacent to the main pressure-receiving area (11a) in the lengthwise direction (X). The passenger contact surface (11) is provided with partitioning grooves (15) that extend in the lengthwise direction (X) and that are arranged across the main pressure-receiving area (11a) and the subsidiary pressure-receiving area (11b). The partitioning grooves (15) are arranged so as to lie parallel to each other in the widthwise direction (Y). Additional grooves (16) are formed on the bottom surfaces of the partitioning grooves (15). In the partitioning grooves (15), the average volume, which is the ratio of the volume of the additional grooves (16) per unit area of the bottom surfaces of the partitioning grooves (15), is smaller in a first section (15a) located in the main pressure-receiving area (11a) than in a second section (15b) located in the subsidiary pressure-receiving area (11b).

A vehicle seat core material includes a molded article that includes thermoplastic resin expanded beads. The molded article has a substantially rectangular shape in a top view, and has a front side and a rear side opposite the front side. The molded article has an average density (Z) of 20 kg/m.sup.3 to 50 kg/m.sup.3. The molded article includes, on the rear side of the molded article, a rear thin portion having a thickness of 10 mm to 40 mm, the thickness of the rear thin portion being smaller than an average thickness of the molded article. A ratio (Y/Z) of a density (Y) of the rear thin portion to the average density (Z) of the molded article is 1.05 to 3. The rear thin portion of the molded article has a fusion rate of 70% or more.

A vehicle seat core material includes a molded article that includes thermoplastic resin expanded beads. The molded article has a substantially rectangular shape in a top view, and has a front side and a rear side opposite the front side. The molded article has an average density (Z) of 20 kg/m.sup.3 to 50 kg/m.sup.3. The molded article includes, on the rear side of the molded article, a rear thin portion having a thickness of 10 mm to 40 mm, the thickness of the rear thin portion being smaller than an average thickness of the molded article. A ratio (Y/Z) of a density (Y) of the rear thin portion to the average density (Z) of the molded article is 1.05 to 3. The rear thin portion of the molded article has a fusion rate of 70% or more.

An adequate mechanical stiffness and strength are afforded to a tumble seat or a vehicle seat having a latch mechanism provided in a rear end of the seat cushion. A cushion frame (F1) of the seat includes a side frame (5) extending in a fore and aft direction, and the side frame includes a first member (10) comprising a channel member having an open side facing sideways and a second member (11) attached to the first member so as to form a closed cross section jointly with the first member, and extending downward further than the first member. A latch mechanism is positioned under the first member and attached to the second member.

An adequate mechanical stiffness and strength are afforded to a tumble seat or a vehicle seat having a latch mechanism provided in a rear end of the seat cushion. A cushion frame (F1) of the seat includes a side frame (5) extending in a fore and aft direction, and the side frame includes a first member (10) comprising a channel member having an open side facing sideways and a second member (11) attached to the first member so as to form a closed cross section jointly with the first member, and extending downward further than the first member. A latch mechanism is positioned under the first member and attached to the second member.

The present invention relates to a suspension arrangement (20, 120) for a seat comprising a plurality of elongate suspension members (21, 22, 121, 122) of a glass fibre filled plastic. Each elongate suspension member (21, 22, 121, 122) of the plurality of elongate suspension members includes in a longitudinal direction thereof a first end (23, 25, 123, 125) and an opposing second end (24, 26, 124, 126). The elongate suspension member (21, 22, 121, 122) has a meandered shape in the longitudinal direction. The present invention relates furthermore to a method for producing an elongate suspension member (21, 22, 121, 122).

A seat back structure includes a seat back panel, a cushion member disposed on a seating surface side of the seat back panel, and an intermediate member inserted into a space between the panel and the cushion member. The panel is comprised of a metal plate member and formed with an embossed portion protruding at the seating surface side, and a bead portion protruding at an opposite side from the embossed portion at a position surrounding the embossed portion. The intermediate member has a lower specific gravity than the cushion member and a higher hardness than the cushion member. The intermediate member is formed with a contacting portion contacting the embossed portion and a concaved portion denting toward the cushion member at a position corresponding to the bead portion. A space is formed between the concaved portion and the panel, at a position adjacent to the contacting portion.

A vehicle seat including: a seat frame forming a framework of the vehicle seat; and a wire connected to the seat frame and to which an axial force in an axial direction thereof is configured to be applied, wherein a bent portion or a diameter-enlarged portion is provided to at least one end portion of the wire, wherein a flat part of the seat frame is provided with a locking portion into which the bent portion or the diameter-enlarged portion is inserted and which is configured to receive the axial force in an in-plane direction, and wherein a separation preventing member is attached to the flat part and prevents the wire from being separated from the flat part in a state where the bent portion or the diameter-enlarged portion is inserted into the locking portion.

A vehicle seat including: a seat frame forming a framework of the vehicle seat; and a wire connected to the seat frame and to which an axial force in an axial direction thereof is configured to be applied, wherein a bent portion or a diameter-enlarged portion is provided to at least one end portion of the wire, wherein a flat part of the seat frame is provided with a locking portion into which the bent portion or the diameter-enlarged portion is inserted and which is configured to receive the axial force in an in-plane direction, and wherein a separation preventing member is attached to the flat part and prevents the wire from being separated from the flat part in a state where the bent portion or the diameter-enlarged portion is inserted into the locking portion.

An internal support system for a cushion, mattress or the like, for supporting the body of a user, the internal support system including: a main portion having a body facing side that substantially opposes a base side; and a support portion located at least partly within the main portion, the support portion including a core portion and at least one peripheral portion which extends laterally from the core portion, wherein the height of the core portion is greater than the height of the at least one peripheral portion, the height being that as determined in the direction from the base side to the body facing side of the main portion, wherein the support portion is more resistant to deformation than the main portion.