Device for connecting the edge region of a covering material for vehicle seat upholstery to a mounting

• US 5,826,312 A
• Filed: 10/28/1997
• Issued: 10/27/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Nolte, Ralf, Schroder, Wilhelm, Pluta, Wolfgang
• Primary Examiner(s): Brittain, James R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SANDY, ROBERT JOHN
• Application Number:
  US08/959,510
• Time in Patent Office: 364 Days
• Field of Search: 24/601.2, 24/570, 24/532, 24/531, 24/458, 24/30.5 P, 24/265 A, 24/265 EC, 24/265 C, 24/67 P, 24/72.5, 24/72.7, 24/343, 297/218.3, 297/218.5
• US Class Current: 24/601.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5825 by hooks, staples, clips, snap fasteners or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 45/008 plastics
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 45/024 and having means biasing the closing member about the pivot
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/0692 joining flexible sheets to other sheets or plates or to strips or bars tent fastenings E04H15/64; coping elements for swimming pools with fixing means for sealing foil E04H4/142; greenhouses of flexible synthetic material A01G9/1407; end or aperture-closing arrangements or devices for sacks or bags B65D33/16
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44026 for cooperating with aperture in supporting structure or structure-to-be-secured
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44658 with specific means for mounting to flaccid supporting structure or structure-to-be-secured

Abstract

A device is disclosed for connecting the edge region of a covering material (2) for vehicle seat upholstery to a mounting (3). Due to the fact that, according to the invention, a central piece (4), on one side of which means (5, 6) for making a connection with the mounting (3) are provided, one articulated zone (11) each along two opposite edges of the central piece (4), two side pieces (9, 10), which are pivotally connected to the central piece (4) via one or other articulated zone (11) and form arms of a clip which may be laid on one or the other side of the edge region, which is to be grasped, of the covering material (2), at least one spring-like snap-in element (12), which protrudes from the surface of the one arm (9'"'"') facing the other arm (10'"'"') and is capable of penetrating the covering material (2) and engaging in a snap-in aperture (13) of the other arm, a device is created by means of which the necessary connection between the covering material (2) and the mounting (3) can be realized at a more favorable cost.

Claims

1. A device for connecting the edge region of a covering material for vehicle seat upholstery to a mounting, comprising:

a) a central piece on one side of which means provided for making a connection with the mounting,

b) an articulated zone along each of two opposite edges of the central piece,

c) two side pieces which are pivotally connected with the central piece via one or the other articulated zone and form arms of a clip which can be laid on the one or other side of the edge region of the covering material, which is to be grasped, and

d) at least one spring-like snap-in element, which protrudes form the surface of the one arm facing the other arm and is capable of penetrating the covering material and engaging in a snap-in aperture of the other arm.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the articulated zones are each formed by one integral hinge or living hinge.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the central piece and the two side pieces each have the form of a plate.

4. The device according to claim 3 wherein the two side pieces each have a first section adjoining the articulated zone and a second section at an angle to the first section, and in that the two second sections lie parallel to one another in the position grasping the covering material, while the two first sections enclose an angle with one another.

5. The device according to claim 4 wherein the angle enclosed by the two first sections opens towards the central piece.

6. The device according to claim 1 wherein the spring-like snap-in element has the form of a tooth catch, a free end section of the tooth catch which, forming the tooth catch, has a cross-sectional profile tapering wedge-like towards the free end thereof.

7. The device according to claim 6 wherein two tooth catches, configured the same but laterally reversed, are arranged beside one another with teeth pointing away from each other and in the latched state grip behind facing edges of the snap-in aperture in the other arm.

8. The device according to claim 1 wherein on at least one of the sides, facing one another, of the two arms, clasping elements are provided in the region coming into contact with the covering material.

9. The device according to claim 8 wherein the clasping elements are formed by projecting points or teeth.

10. The device according to claim 8 wherein there is associated with each clasping element a depression in the other arm.

11. The device according to claim 1 wherein the means for making a connection with the mounting comprises at least one hook and a finger protruding from the central piece, the hook and the finger cooperating to form a gap.

12. The device according to claim 11 wherein the finger delimits with the hook a wedge-shaped slot tapering towards the central piece.

13. The device according to claim 1 wherein the device comprises plastic and is integrally configured as one piece.