Extruded flexible self-locking trim cover assembly retention clip and method for using same

• US 7,287,305 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2003
• Issued: 10/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intier Automotive, Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Intier Automotive, Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bednarski, Matthew M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lavinder; Jack W.
• Application Number:
  US10/391,974
• Publication Number:
  US 20030213105A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,687 Days
• Field of Search: 246/012, 242/97, 245/986, 245/46, 524/7, 540/8, 280/730.2, 280/728.3, 297/210.2, 297/452.2, 297/452.13, 297/218.3, 297/218.4, 297/218.5
• US Class Current: 24/297
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5825 by hooks, staples, clips, snap fasteners or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/30 Trim molding fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/309 Plastic type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44026 for cooperating with aperture in supporting structure or structure-to-be-secured

Abstract

A clip for retaining a trim cover assembly against a foam pad of a vehicle seat including a base having a hook end and a lock end. The base also includes a flange extending out therefrom. The hook end defines a hook, which secures the trim cover assembly to the clip. The lock end includes a lock and a lock hook. The foam pad includes a pair of inner foam pad walls that define a trench, through which the clip initially passes before contacting the foam pad. The clip is inserted into the foam pad so that the lock end passes completely through the foam pad to an underlying “B” surface. The lock hook is then rotated relative to the base until the lock hook engages the flange. The clip is firmly anchored within the foam pad by the lock end, which has a width greater than the trench.

Claims

1. A clip for retaining a trim cover assembly against a foam pad of a vehicle seat, said clip comprising:

a hook end and a lock end, said hook end defining a longitudinal axis extending between opposite first and second ends and said lock end defining a longitudinal length;

said hook end comprising a fixed flange projecting outwardly from said hook end defining said first end and extending generally transverse to said longitudinal axis thereof, a hook fixedly secured to said hook end and defining said second end thereof for receiving and retaining a portion of the trim cover thereagainst, and a retention arm fixedly secured to said hook end and spaced longitudinally between said hook and said flange for capturing and retaining the trim cover within said hook end between said hook and said retention arm; and

said lock end comprising a lock pivotally secured to said first end of said hook end by a living hinge for selective movement between an unlocked position wherein said longitudinal length of said lock end is generally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said hook end and a locked position wherein said longitudinal length of said lock end is generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said hook end, said lock including a lock hook for engaging said flange of said hook end when said lock is moved from said unlocked position to said locked position after said clip is inserted into the foam pad of the vehicle seat to prevent movement of said clip away from the foam pad.

2. A clip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lock includes a bottom wall having a length defining said longitudinal length of said lock end and a depth such that said length is substantially greater than said depth such that upon movement of said lock to said locked position, said length of said bottom wall abuts the foam pad to retain said clip within the foam pad.

3. A clip as set forth in claim 2 wherein said clip is formed by extrusion tooling.