Abstract: An elastically deformable braided string whose intermediate part excluding both end areas can deform elastically in the direction of axis under an external pulling force, wherein the intermediate part is divided into/constituted by multiple areas having different tensile moduli in the direction of axis. The above elastically deformable braided string can be applied for various purposes.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a seat cushion comprises a second air cell section that is located on the rear side of a seat surface and a third air cell section that is located rearward of the second air cell section. The second air cell section and the third air cell section are adjacent to each other and have a common boundary extending diagonally in the front-rear direction of the seat surface such that the ischial region of a user fits in the boundary.

Abstract: A elastically deformable string includes an outer layer and a core material placed inside the outer layer, wherein the outer layer has knob parts that are constituted by loosely woven outer layer yarns and elastically deformable, and link parts that are constituted by densely woven outer layer yarns and have a smaller diameter than the knob parts, wherein the loosely woven outer layer yarns are woven more loosely than are the densely woven outer layer using same yarns, and the core material is constituted by a stretchable string and placed inside the knob parts in a slackened and/or meandering state. The elastically deformable string is suitable for shoes, for example, as a shoelace which does not require knots.

Abstract: An elastically deformable braided string whose intermediate part excluding both end areas can deform elastically in the direction of axis under an external pulling force, wherein the intermediate part is divided into/constituted by multiple areas having different tensile moduli in the direction of axis. The above elastically deformable braided string can be applied for various purposes.

Abstract: A string includes an outer layer and a core material placed inside the outer layer, wherein: the outer layer comprises knob parts that are constituted by outer layer yarns woven loosely, and link parts that are constituted by outer layer yarns woven densely and also having a smaller diameter than the knob parts, wherein the knob parts of the outer layer are elastically deformable; and the core material is constituted by a stretchable string and placed inside the knob parts in a slackened and/or meandering state. The above string features an elastically deformable string that does not require knots, is to allow the string, after it has been deformed, to restore its original shape by stronger elastic forces.

Abstract: In the conventional lace with knobby portions having elastic rubber core, there is difference in degree of stretch between both ends and core of the knobby portion. Therefore, there are a portion that is subjected to heavy stretching force and a portion that is subjected to no stretching force, and when large strain is accumulated at the boundary between the portions subjected to different stretching forces and the strain reaches the limit, the lace ruptures. In order to solve the above problem, we provide a lace provided with tubular lace body of elastic material, comprising knobby portions repeatedly placed at intervals, of which diameter vary depending on tension on the knobby portion in an axial direction.

Abstract: In the conventional lace with knobby portions having elastic rubber core, there is difference in degree of stretch between both ends and core of the knobby portion. Therefore, there are a portion that is subjected to heavy stretching force and a portion that is subjected to no stretching force, and when large strain is accumulated at the boundary between the portions subjected to different stretching forces and the strain reaches the limit, the lace ruptures. In order to solve the above problem, we provide a lace provided with tubular lace body of elastic material, comprising knobby portions repeatedly placed at intervals, of which diameter vary depending on tension on the knobby portion in an axial direction.

Abstract: In an air mattress (1) including a plurality of levels of air mattress layers (5, 7) which are vertically stacked, in each of the levels of air mattress layers (5, 7), flexible hollow air cells (43, 23) each extending along the width of the air mattress (1) are arranged in parallel with each other in the longitudinal direction of the air mattress (1), air cells (43, 23) in each of the upper air mattress layer (7) and the lower air mattress layer (5) are divided into a plurality of groups such that the air cells (43, 23) are expanded or contracted in units of the groups by supplying or discharging air to/from these air cells (43, 23).

Abstract: In an air mattress (1) including a plurality of levels of air mattress layers (5, 7) which are vertically stacked, in each of the levels of air mattress layers (5, 7), flexible hollow air cells (43, 23) each extending along the width of the air mattress (1) are arranged in parallel with each other in the longitudinal direction of the air mattress (1), air cells (43, 23) in each of the upper air mattress layer (7) and the lower air mattress layer (5) are divided into a plurality of groups such that the air cells (43, 23) are expanded or contracted in units of the groups by supplying or discharging air to/from these air cells (43, 23).

Abstract: The pressure of air to be fed into each of air cells (51-54) of an air mattress body (50) is selected by an air pressure selector (12) based on body information entered through an entry control panel (20), thereby adjusting the mattress hardness. Meanwhile, an operating mode selector switch (17) selects one of a rest mode and a pressure switch mode as an operating mode of the air mattress body (50).