FESTOONED TRIM CLIP SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ATTACHING FESTOONED CLIPS TO A SUBSTRATE

• US 20080258523A1
• Filed: 04/19/2007
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hope Global
• Original Assignee: Hope Global
• Inventors: Scott, Timothy E. T., Santin, Andrew W., Rossi, Pasquale, Jones, David F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,091,184 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/218.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5825 by hooks, staples, clips, snap fasteners or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/309 Plastic type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/344 Resilient type clasp
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3443 Spring biased jaw
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3444 Circular work engageable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44017 with specific mounting means for attaching to rigid or semirigid supporting structure or structure-to-be-secured
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

This invention provides a single or multi-ganged clip that can be grouped into a festooned arrangement. That is, a plurality of clips are arranged together into a discrete assembly along a line of extension so that a human or automated handler can retrieve a grouping, separate one-clip-at-a-time from the grouping, and apply the separated clip to a mold cavity or other assembly structure. Each clip can include a base with opposing ends aligned in the direction of extension and transverse to an elongation direction for a connecting segment (if any) between ganged clip members. In an illustrative embodiment, these base ends include opposing male and female connectors. In this embodiment the male connector is a cylinder with an axis that extends transverse to the direction of elongation and the female connector defines a conforming cylindrical inner diameter, which allows it to nest over the male cylinder. A gap opening is provided at the far edge of the female connector to provide clearance for the base that connects the male cylinder to the clip member base end. This gap can be sized to allow a predetermined range of angular rotation of the male connector within the female connector. Clips can be stored as discrete groupings that are stacked in a container, or paid out in a continuous grouping from a spool.

Claims

11-1. The clip assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein the clip material comprises polycarbonate.

12. A clip adapted to be secured into an upholstery substrate constructed from a foam compound comprising:

a clip base and a clip leg assembly that extends from the base constructed and arranged to springingly engage a predetermined structure; and

wherein at least the clip base is composed of a polycarbonate compound in a formulation that chemically reacts with the foam in a liquid state and that permanently adheres to the foam in a cured state.

13. The clip as set forth in claim 12 wherein the predetermined structure comprises an upholstery listing bead.

14. The clip as set forth in claim 12 wherein the foam is a compound selected from a group comprising one of MDI-based foams and TDI-based foams.

15. A method for assembling clips for attachment to a foam cushion substrate comprising the steps of:

providing a grouping of a plurality of removably interconnected clips in a assembly and handling the assembly to remove one of the clips therefrom;

locating the removed clip in predetermined assembly position in a mold cavity; and

applying liquid foam to secure the clip into the cushion substrate subsequent to curing of the liquid foam.

16. The method as set forth in claim 15 wherein the step of providing comprises providing clips that each include a plurality of ganged clip members interconnected by respective connecting segments therebetween and the step of handling includes detaching the clip members from each other.

17. The method as set forth in claim 16 wherein the step of detaching includes forcibly pulling a connector of one of the clip members into a disengaged orientation with respect to a previously interconnected connector of another of the clip members.

18. The method as set forth in claim 16 wherein the step of providing includes feeding the plurality of removably interconnected clips from a spool wound with the clips.

19. The method as set forth in claim 15 wherein the step of providing includes feeding the plurality of removably interconnected clips from a spool wound with the clips.

20. The method as set forth in claim 15 wherein the step of providing includes stacking a plurality of groupings of a plurality of removably interconnected clips in a compartment of a box with an opening adapted to remove discrete groupings for detachment of individual clips therefrom.