APPARATUS FOR SECURING A TRIM COVER WITH A FOAM PAD AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME

• US 20090007407A1
• Filed: 09/19/2008
• Published: 01/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Zapalski, Brian, Szura, James, Hamilton, Don, Hamilton, Larry
• Granted Patent: US 7,937,815 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/91.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5825 by hooks, staples, clips, snap fasteners or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/48 Upholstered article making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/481 Method
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49833 Punching, piercing or reaming part by surface of second part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49895 Associating parts by use of aligning means [e.g., use of a drift pin or a "fixture"]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49902 by manipulating aligning means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49998 Work holding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53 Means to assemble or disassemble
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53383 and means to fasten work parts together
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53417 Means to fasten work parts together
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53961 with work-holder for assembly

Abstract

An apparatus for securing a trim cover to a foam pad includes a base and a platform coupled thereto that defines a working surface for supporting the foam pad thereon. A plurality of actuators project from the working surface. Each actuator is capable of movement away from and toward the working surface and includes a pair of retaining fingers capable of movement between an open and closed position. In use, the retaining fingers grasp a first connecting member on the trim cover and move the first connecting member toward the working surface as the actuators are moved toward the working surface so as to engage the first connecting member with a second connecting member in the foam pad thereby securing the trim cover to the foam pad.

Claims

1. A method of securing a trim cover to a foam pad, comprising:

positioning the trim cover relative to the foam pad so that a first connecting member coupled to the trim cover aligns with a second connecting member coupled to the foam pad;

securing the first connecting member to a movable actuator; and

moving the actuator to couple the first connecting member with the second connecting member and thereby secure the trim cover to the foam pad.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

positioning the foam pad on a working surface so that the actuator aligns with a bore formed through the foam pad.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

moving the actuator through the bore in the foam pad to secure the first connecting member to the actuator.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein securing the first connecting member to the actuator comprises:

moving a pair of retaining fingers on the actuator to a closed position to capture the first connecting member to the actuator.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

releasing the first connecting member from the actuator after the first and second connecting members are coupled.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein releasing the first connecting member from the actuator comprises:

moving a pair of retaining fingers on the actuator to an open position to release the first connecting member from the actuator.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

limiting movement of the second connecting member during movement of the actuator to couple the first and second connecting members.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

positioning the foam pad on a working surface so that a support coupled to the working surface is positioned in a blind bore in the foam pad that is adjacent the second connecting member.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

adjusting the height of the support to limit movement of the second connecting member.

10. A method of securing a trim cover to a foam pad, comprising:

positioning the foam pad on a working surface so that a movable actuator aligns with a bore formed through the foam pad;

positioning the trim cover relative to the foam pad so that a first connecting member coupled to the trim cover aligns with a second connecting member coupled to the foam pad;

moving the actuator in a first direction away from the working surface and through the bore in the foam pad;

securing the first connecting member to the actuator by moving a pair of retaining fingers on the actuator to a closed position to capture the first connecting member to the actuator;

moving the actuator in a second direction toward the working surface;

coupling the first connecting member to the second connecting member; and

releasing the first connecting member from the actuator by moving the pair of retaining fingers to an open position.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

limiting movement of the second connecting member as the actuator moves the first connecting member in the second direction toward the working surface.

12. A method of securing a trim cover having a first connecting member to a foam pad having a second connecting member using a movable actuator, the method comprising:

positioning the trim cover relative to the foam pad so that the first connecting member aligns with the second connecting member; and

moving the actuator to couple the first connecting member with the second connecting member and thereby secure the trim cover to the foam pad.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein moving the actuator to couple the first connecting member with the second connecting member further comprises:

(i) moving the actuator in a first direction;

(ii) engaging the first connecting member with the actuator;

(iii) moving the actuator in a second direction to engage the first connecting member with the second connecting member; and

(iv) releasing the first connecting member from the actuator.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein steps (i)-(iv) are executed in a timed sequence.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

activating a switch prior to each of steps (i)-(iv).

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

limiting movement of the second connecting member as the actuator moves in the second direction to couple the first and second connecting members.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein engaging the first connecting member with the actuator includes closing a pair of retaining fingers to capture the first connecting member to the actuator.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein releasing the first connecting member from the actuator includes opening a pair of retaining fingers to release the first connecting member from the actuator.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein moving the actuator in a first direction includes moving the actuator through a bore formed in the foam pad.