Shieldless hook and loop fastener

• US 20030197414A1
• Filed: 04/19/2002
• Published: 10/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intier Automotive, Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Intier Automotive, Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Fleuchaus, Kurt, Pekrul, Hugh C.
• Granted Patent: US 6,842,950 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/452.61
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/02 Seat parts adaptation of seats to mounting in tubular chairs A47C5/06; such parts not restricted to chairs A47C23/00; removable upholstered units or cushions A47C27/00
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 33/16 using magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/27 including readily dissociable fastener having numerous, protruding, unitary filaments randomly interlocking with, and simultaneously moving towards, mating structure [e.g., hook-loop type fastener]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2717 with distinct structure for sealing securement joint
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24017 Hook or barb
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24174 including sheet or component perpendicular to plane of web or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24182 Inward from edge of web or sheet

Abstract

A fastener secures a trim cover to a foam pad. The fastener is positionable within a mold trench, which extends between a plurality of ends having stepped regions. The fastener includes a base having a mold surface and a foam surface opposite to the mold surface. The base extends between a plurality of base ends and longitudinal sides. The fastener also includes a plurality of trim cover attachment members extending outwardly from the mold surface for securing the trim cover thereto. In addition, the fastener includes a plurality of sealing flats that sealingly engage each of the stepped regions to prevent foam from flowing past the stepped regions and onto the plurality of trim cover attachment members on the mold surface.

Claims

1. A fastener for securing a trim cover to a foam pad, said fastener positionable within a mold trench of a mold for receiving foam, the mold trench defining a trench depth and extending between a plurality of ends having stepped regions defining a step depth more shallow than the trench depth, said fastener comprising:

a base having a mold surface and a foam surface opposite thereto, said base extending between a plurality of base ends and longitudinal sides;

a plurality of trim cover attachment members extending outwardly from said mold surface for securing the trim cover thereto; and

a plurality of sealing flats sealingly engaging each of the stepped regions to prevent foam from flowing therepast, each of said plurality of sealing flats fixedly secured to each of said plurality of base ends.

2. A fastener as set forth in claim 1 including a plurality of sealing arms defining a length and extending along each of said plurality of longitudinal sides, said plurality of sealing arms engaging the mold trench to secure said fastener within the mold trench and to seal the mold trench from the foam.

3. A fastener as set forth in claim 2 wherein each of said plurality of sealing arms extends along each of said plurality of sealing flats.

4. A fastener as set forth in claim 3 including a plurality of anchors fixedly secured to each of said plurality of sealing arms and extending out therefrom, said plurality of anchors securing said fastener to the foam pad.

5. A fastener as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said plurality of anchors extends continuously along each of said plurality of sealing arms over said length thereof.

6. A fastener as set forth in claim 5 wherein each of said plurality of anchors extends along each of said plurality of sealing flats.

7. A fastener as set forth in claim 6 wherein each of said plurality of sealing flats is magnetized.

8. A fastener as set forth in claim 7 wherein each of said plurality of sealing flats includes a magnetic flat that is magnetically susceptible.

9. A fastener as set forth in claim 8 including a resin bead secured to said foam surface and extending along said plurality of longitudinal sides.

10. A fastener as set forth in claim 9 wherein said plurality of trim cover attachment members includes hooks.

11. A fastener as set forth in claim 9 wherein said plurality of trim cover attachment members includes loops.

12. A seat cushion assembly for a motor vehicle, said seat cushion assembly comprising:

a foam pad having a seating surface and a support surface;

a channel formed within said seating surface of said foam pad; and

a fastener bonded to said foam pad within said channel, said fastener including a base having a mold surface extending away from said foam pad and a foam surface opposite thereto, said base extending between longitudinal sides and a plurality of ends, said fastener including a plurality of sealing flats each fixedly secured to each of said plurality of ends.

13. A seat cushion assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said fastener includes sealing arms extending along each of said longitudinal sides.

14. A seat cushion assembly as set forth in claim 13 including a trim cover for covering said foam pad.

15. A seat cushion assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said fastener includes a plurality of trim cover attachment members extending out therefrom for securing said trim cover to said foam pad.

16. A seat cushion assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein each of said plurality of sealing arms extends along each of said plurality of sealing flats.

17. A seat cushion assembly as set forth in claim 16 including a plurality of anchors fixedly secured to each of said sealing arms and extending out therefrom, said plurality of anchors securing said fastener to said foam pad.

18. A seat cushion assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein each of said plurality of anchors extends continuously along each of said sealing arms over said length thereof.

19. A seat cushion assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein each of said plurality of anchors extends along each of said plurality of sealing flats.

20. A seat cushion assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein said plurality of trim cover attachment members includes hooks.

21. A seat cushion assembly as set forth in claim 20 wherein said plurality of trim cover attachment members includes loops.

22. A method for forming a seat cushion assembly using a trim cover, foam, a foam pad, a mold having a mold trench extending between a plurality of ends having stepped regions, a fastener having a base extending between longitudinal sides and base ends, and defining a mold surface and a foam surface, a plurality of trim cover attachment members, and sealing flats formed at the base ends, the method comprising the steps of:

applying the fastener within the mold trench so that each of the sealing flats rests upon each of the stepped regions;

filling the mold with the foam; and

curing the foam to form the foam pad with the fastener bonded thereto.

23. A method as set forth in claim 22 including the step of covering the foam pad using the trim cover.

24. A method as set forth in claim 23 including the step of securing the trim cover to the foam pad by engaging the trim cover with the plurality of trim cover attachment members.