SECURING SEAT TRIM COVERS TO FOAM CUSHIONS

• US 20150130255A1
• Filed: 10/28/2014
• Published: 05/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Velcro IP Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Velcro Industries BV (Chartwell Industries Ltd)
• Inventors: Kheil, Victor Horst, Cowley, Earl Lorne
• Granted Patent: US 9,315,134 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/452.58
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5825 by hooks, staples, clips, snap fasteners or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5891 characterised by the manufacturing process; manufacturing seat coverings not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/70 Upholstery springs ; Upholstery
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/72 Attachment or adjustment thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49959 Nonresilient fastener

Abstract

A seat trim cover includes a flexible web and a plurality of molded clips spaced-apart at predetermined intervals along a distal edge of the web. Each of the clips includes a base attached to the web and one or more latch elements extending from the base to a point beyond the distal edge of the web. The latch elements of each clip are configured to clasp a cushion retainer when forced into engagement with the retainer.

Claims

1. A method of securing a seat trim cover to a foam cushion, the method comprising:

placing a flexible seat trim cover adjacent a foam bun having a foam body outlined by a contoured outer surface, the foam bun carrying an elongated cushion retainer; and

forcing each of a plurality of clips spaced-apart at predetermined intervals along a distal edge of a web of the seat trim cover into engagement with the cushion retainer, thereby simultaneously fastening and aligning the seat trim cover to the foam bun,

wherein each of the plurality of clips comprises;

an opposing set of one or more latch elements located on either side of the web, the opposing sets of latch elements being positioned offset from one another along a length of the distal edge of the web.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the opposing sets of latch elements are offset from one another by a distance less than the predetermined intervals between the clips.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the cushion retainer is embedded in the foam bun beneath a floor of an elongated trench defined in the foam body, such that forcing the clips into engagement with the retainer comprises pushing the latch elements beyond the floor of the trench.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the clip comprises two bases, each base secured to and extending from a respective side of the web and carrying at least one of the latch elements.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the bases are offset from one another along the length of the web.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the bases are offset from one another by a distance in a direction perpendicular to the distal edge of the web.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the bases are positioned in a non-overlapping manner with respect to a plane of the web, such that forcing the clips into engagement with the retainer comprises inducing a twist in the web.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein a first of the latch elements comprises:

a base attached to a first side of the web;

a neck extending from the base to beyond the distal edge of the web; and

a head protruding from the neck toward a second side of the web.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the head comprises a tapered cam surface at its distal edge, such as to help align the latch element and laterally deflect the latch element under pressure against the retainer.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the web further comprises a listing bead reinforcing the distal edge of the web, the listing bead comprising solidified resin material over-molded along the distal edge of the web between spaced apart clips.

11. A method of securing a seat trim cover to a foam cushion, the method comprising:

placing a flexible seat trim cover adjacent a foam bun having a foam body outlined by a contoured outer surface, the foam bun carrying an elongated cushion retainer; and

forcing each of a plurality of clips spaced-apart at predetermined intervals along a distal edge of a web of the cover into engagement with the with the cushion retainer, thereby simultaneously fastening and aligning the seat trim cover to the foam bun,

wherein each of the plurality of clips comprises;

a first set of one or more latch elements extending contiguously from one or more bases attached to a first side of the web; and

a second set of one or more latch elements extending contiguously from one or more bases attached to a second side of the web,

wherein the one or more bases attached to the first side of the web are spaced-apart on the web from the one or more bases attached to the second side of the web, forming a non-overlapping arrangement.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more bases attached the first side of the web are spaced-apart on the web from the one or more bases attached to the second side of the web by a distance along the length of the web.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the distance is less than the predetermined intervals between the clips.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the cushion retainer is embedded in the foam bun beneath a floor of an elongated trench defined in the foam body, such that forcing the clips into engagement with the retainer comprises pushing the latch elements beyond the floor of the trench.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the retainer is secured within an elongated trench defined in the foam body and comprises a longitudinally continuous rail with a bulbous distal edge, and wherein forcing the clips into engagement with the retainer comprises forcing the latch elements over the bulbous distal edge of the rail.

16. A covered foam cushion, comprising:

a foam bun having a foam body and a contoured surface outlining the foam body;

an elongated cushion retainer permanently secured to the foam bun; and

a seat trim cover secured to at least a portion of the foam bun and comprising;

a flexible web; and

a plurality of clips spaced-apart at predetermined intervals along a distal edge of the web, each of the clips comprising;

an opposing set of one or more latch elements located on either side of the web, the opposing sets of latch elements being positioned offset from one another along a length of the distal edge of the web,

wherein the latch elements of each clip clasp the cushion retainer at discrete sections along its length.

17. The cushion of claim 16, wherein the opposing sets of latch elements are offset from one another by a distance less than the predetermined intervals between the clips.

18. The cushion of claim 16, wherein each of the clips comprises two bases, each base secured to and extending from a respective side of the web and carrying at least one of the latch elements, and wherein the bases are offset from one another along the length of the web.

19. The cushion of claim 16, further comprising a listing bead reinforcing the distal edge of the web, the listing bead comprising solidified resin material over-molded along the distal edge of the web between spaced apart clips.

20. The cushion of claim 16, wherein at least one of the latch elements defines a hole having an edge from which an angled flap of the latch element extends across a plane of the web.