Seat cover retainer apparatus and method of using same

• US 5,964,017 A
• Filed: 12/31/1997
• Issued: 10/12/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Clifford D. Roberts
• Original Assignee: Clifford D. Roberts
• Inventors: Roberts, Clifford D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hughes, S. Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Preta, John
• Application Number:
  US09/001,835
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 29/91.1, 29/91.2, 29/91.5, 29/453, 5/402, 5/403, 5/404, 5/406, 24/577, 24/297, 24/453, 297/452.6, 297/452.59, 297/452.62, 297/218.2, 297/218.1
• US Class Current: 29/91.1
• 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 29/481 Method
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/484 with means to insert guide pin or fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/486 Cover stretching

Abstract

A retainer apparatus for attaching a seat cover to a foam cushion, wherein the retainer apparatus has a base component embedded in the foam cushion and an anchor component connected with the seat cover, wherein further the connection of the anchor component to the seat cover is facilitated by its being selectively reconfigured for that purpose. The base component has a plurality of engagement apertures formed therein. The anchor component includes a bifurcated pedestal and a plurality of rams upstanding therefrom. Each ram has a barbed head for being anchoringly engaged with a respective engagement aperture. Each of the heads has a living hinge at its tip which serves to enable the anchor component to be reconfigured between an open configuration, used when attaching the seat cover to the bifurcated pedestal, and a closed configuration, used when the rams are inserted into the engagement apertures. Preferably, a selectively releasable snap fit is provided at each head for holding the anchor component in the closed configuration.

Claims

1. A method for affixing a seat cover to a foam cushion using a retainer apparatus comprising a base body having a plurality of engagement apertures formed therein and an anchor component having a plurality of barbed heads connected to a bifurcated pedestal having a first pedestal member and a second pedestal member, wherein the barbed heads each have a living hinge joining the first pedestal member to the second pedestal member, the living hinge of each barbed head being bendable between an open position by which the first and second pedestals are mutually separated and a closed configuration by which the first and second pedestals are mutually adjacent, said method comprising the steps of:

forming a foam cushion, wherein the base body is located affixedly within the foam cushion;

bending the living hinge of the barbed heads to the open position;

attaching a first portion of the seat cover to the first pedestal member;

attaching a second portion of the seat cover to the second pedestal member;

bending the living hinge of the barbed heads to the closed position;

placing the seat cover selectable upon the foam cushion;

forcing the barbed heads through respective engagement apertures to thereby cause the barbed heads to barbingly engage the base body to thereby affix the seat cover to the foam cushion.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

forming a selected groove in the foam cushion, wherein the base body is located affixedly within the foam cushion such that the engagement apertures are aligned with the selected groove.