DEEP-GROOVE FASTENER

• US 20030204939A1
• Filed: 05/03/2002
• Published: 11/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: YKK Corporation of America (YKK Corporation)
• Original Assignee: YKK Corporation of America (YKK Corporation)
• Inventors: Pfeil, Joel William, Graham, Craig Jay, Fujisawa, Nobuo, Coronel, Wolfgang Eduardo
• Granted Patent: US 6,668,429 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 24/303
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/023 connecting upholstery to frames, e.g. by hooks, clips, snap fasteners, clamping means or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/309 Plastic type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/32 having magnetic fastener

Abstract

The invention is a deep-groove fastener which securely retains a seat cover within the groove of a deeply contoured seat bun. The fastener comprises an elongated body generally concave in cross section and having an interior cavity. A plurality of notched ridges are located on the surface of the interior cavity. The notched ridges serve as fastening elements for engaging loop or other material attached to the underside of a seat cover. Anchor elements are located on the exterior, non-cavity surface of the main body, to aid in anchoring the invention within a foam seat bun. The main body additionally comprises two flange-like sealing legs having a relatively flat bottom surface, to seal the sides of the invention against fouling during the seat bun molding process. Magnetically attractable particles are incorporated into the sealing legs, to hold the invention securely to a magnetized seat bun forming mold.

Claims

1. A fastener for use in forming a foamed seat cushion, comprising:

(a) an elongated main body having an exterior surface and a substantially concave shape defining an interior cavity, and

(b) a plurality of fastening elements located on a surface of said interior cavity, and

(c) two legs located on opposing sides of said interior cavity,

whereby said foam seat cushion can be secured to an object.

2. The fastener of claim 1, wherein said fastening elements comprise ridges extending along the length of said main body.

3. The fastener of claim 2, wherein said ridges have spaced notches disposed along their length.

4. The fastener of claim 1, wherein at least one anchoring element, for use in securing said fastener within said foamed seat cushion, is located on said exterior surface of said main body.

5. The fastener of claim 1, wherein said fastener additionally comprises means for releasably securing said fastener to a seat cushion forming mold.

6. The fastener of claim 5, wherein said releasably securing means comprise magnetically attractable particles incorporated into said fastener.

7. The fastener of claim 6, wherein said magnetically attractable particles are incorporated into said sealing legs of said fastener.

8. A fastener for use in molding into an object, comprising:

(a) an elongated main body having an exterior surface and an interior cavity, and

(b) a plurality of fastening ridges located on a surface of said interior cavity and extending along the length of said main body,

whereby said object can be fastened to a second object.

9. The fastener of claim 8, wherein said fastener additionally comprises two sealing legs located on opposing sides of said interior cavity.

10. The fastener of claim 8, wherein said fastening ridges have spaced notches disposed along their length.

11. The fastener of claim 8, wherein at least one anchoring element, for use in securing said fastener within a foamed seat cushion, is located on said exterior surface of said main body.

12. The fastener of claim 8, wherein said fastener additionally comprises means for releasably securing said fastener to a seat cushion forming mold.

13. The fastener of claim 12, wherein said releasably securing means comprise magnetically attractable particles incorporated into said fastener.

14. The fastener of claim 13, wherein said magnetically attractable particles are incorporated into two sealing legs of said fastener.

15. A fastener for use in molding into an object, comprising:

(a) a main body having an exterior surface and a substantially concave shape defining an interior cavity, and

(b) a plurality of notched ridges located on a surface of said interior cavity,

whereby said notched ridges on said interior cavity can be fastened to corresponding engaging elements on a second object.

16. The fastener of claim 15, wherein said fastener additionally comprises two sealing legs located on opposing sides of said interior cavity.

17. The fastener of claim 15, wherein at least one anchoring element, for use in securing said fastener within a foamed seat cushion, is located on said exterior surface of said main body.

18. The fastener of claim 15, wherein said fastener additionally comprises means for releasably securing said fastener to a seat cushion forming mold.

19. The fastener of claim 18, wherein said releasably securing means comprise magnetically attractable particles incorporated into said fastener.

20. The fastener of claim 19, wherein said magnetically attractable particles are incorporated into two sealing legs of said fastener.