Method and apparatus for attaching accessories to load-bearing fabric

• US 7,021,718 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2002
• Issued: 04/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dahti, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dahti, Inc.
• Inventors: Coffield, Timothy P., Krstov, Tanja
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GARRETT, ERIKA P
• Application Number:
  US10/307,632
• Publication Number:
  US 20040104615A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,219 Days
• Field of Search: 246/14, 246/15, 246/18, 246/971, 297/218.1, 297/218.5, 297/452.6, 297/452.59, 383/63, 211/87.01, 211/59.1, 211/85.2
• US Class Current: 297/452.59
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/026 passing through the upholstery, e.g. upholstery nails or buttons
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/481 Method
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49833 Punching, piercing or reaming part by surface of second part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49904 Assembling a subassembly, then assembling with a second subassembly
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49948 Multipart cooperating fastener [e.g., bolt and nut]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4995 Nonthreaded
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49952 At least one part is nonmetallic

Abstract

An apparatus for attaching an item to load-bearing fabric including male and female strips that snap together on opposite sides of the fabric. The male strip is attached to the item to be secured to the fabric, and includes male prongs that are pushed through the weave of the load-bearing fabric. The female strip preferably defines a series of receptacles that snap onto the male strip. The male and female strips are elongated strips formed from a molded thermoplastic or other formable material. In a preferred embodiment, the male prongs include barbs and the receptacles include angled fingers that act as a snap, such that the barbs of the male prongs can easily be pressed through the fingers, but are retained once in place.

Claims

1. A device for attaching an accessory to a load-bearing fabric, comprising:

a load-bearing fabric having interwoven strands, an elastomeric monofilament extending in at least one direction, a first side and an opposed second side;

a first strip including at least one prong, wherein said prong includes a stem and a barb near the end of said stem, said barb forming a ridge on said prong and tapering to a point, said first strip disposed on said first side of said fabric, said prong extending between interwoven stands of said fabric and protruding beyond said second side;

a second strip including at least one receptacle, wherein said receptacle defines an opening in said second strip, said receptacle including angled snap fingers that contact said ridge of said barbs to retain said prong, said second strip disposed on said second side of said fabric, said prong being securely retained within said receptacle; and

an accessory attached to at least one of said first strip and said second strip.

2. The attachment device of claim 1, wherein the load-bearing fabric is supported over an opening by a peripheral frame.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein at least one of said first strip and said second strip is slitted to provide improved flexibility.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said accessory is a seat bolster.

5. A two-piece attachment device, comprising:

first and second elongated strips;

a woven fabric including interwoven strands;

an accessory conventionally attached to one of said elongated strips; and

means for connecting said first and second strips together by forcing one of said strips between said interwoven stands of said fabric, entrapping said fabric, wherein said connecting means includes at least one prong on said first strip and at least one opposing prong receptacle on said second strip, such that said prong may be pushed between said interwoven strands of said woven fabric and into said receptacle, wherein said prong on said first strip includes a stem and a barb a the end of said stem, said barb tapering to a point, wherein said receptacle defines an opening on said second strip, such that said prong may be pushed into said receptacle, said receptacle retaining said prong wherein said receptacle includes flexible angled fingers, such that said barbs can be pushed through said fingers, said fingers flexing to receive said tapered point of said barbs, said fingers then flexing back to rest under said ridge of said barbs to retain said prong.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said woven fabric is a load-bearing fabric supported over an area by a peripheral frame, said fabric provided with elastomeric monofilaments that add a degree of elasticity to said fabric.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said accessory is a seat bolster that provides cushioned support, said bolster conventionally attached to one of said strips.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein said bolster is attached to one of said strips, and wherein the other of said strips is attached to said load-bearing fabric.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein one of said first strip and said second strip is molded in place on said load-bearing fabric and the other of said first strip and said second strip is attached to said bolster.

8. A two-piece attachment device, comprising:

first and second elongated strips;

a woven fabric, wherein said woven fabric is a load-bearing fabric supported over an area by a peripheral frame, said fabric provided with elastomeric monofi laments that add a degree of elasticity to said fabric;

an accessory conventionally attached to one of said elongated strips, wherein said accessory is a seat bolster that provides cushioned support, wherein said bolster has first and second edges, such that said first edge is conventionally attached to said first strip and said second edge is conventionally attached to said second strip, said bolster wrapping around said peripheral frame such that when said barbs are pushed through said fingers the bolster is held tight against said fabric and said frame; and

means for connecting said first and second strips together entrapping said fabric.