Apparatus for securing a trim cover with a foam pad and method of using the same

• US 7,430,793 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2005
• Issued: 10/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Zapalski, Brian, Szura, James, Hamilton, Don, Hamilton, Larry
• Primary Examiner(s): Omgba; Essama
• Application Number:
  US11/161,149
• Publication Number:
  US 20070017080A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,170 Days
• Field of Search: 294/32, 294/64, 294/68, 295/59, 297/11, 297/83, 297/87, 297/95, 292/811, 29/911, 29/91, 29/915, 269/296, 269/37
• US Class Current: 29/91
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5825 by hooks, staples, clips, snap fasteners or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/48 Upholstered article making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/481 Method
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49833 Punching, piercing or reaming part by surface of second part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49895 Associating parts by use of aligning means [e.g., use of a drift pin or a "fixture"]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49902 by manipulating aligning means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49998 Work holding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53 Means to assemble or disassemble
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53383 and means to fasten work parts together
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53417 Means to fasten work parts together
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53961 with work-holder for assembly

Abstract

An apparatus for securing a trim cover to a foam pad includes a base and a platform coupled thereto that defines a working surface for supporting the foam pad thereon. A plurality of actuators project from the working surface. Each actuator is capable of movement away from and toward the working surface and includes a pair of retaining fingers capable of movement between an open and closed position. In use, the retaining fingers grasp a first connecting member on the trim cover and move the first connecting member toward the working surface as the actuators are moved toward the working surface so as to engage the first connecting member with a second connecting member in the foam pad thereby securing the trim cover to the foam pad.

Claims

1. An apparatus for securing a trim cover having a first connecting member to a foam pad having a second connecting member, the apparatus comprising:

a base;

a platform defining a working surface and coupled to said base, said platform adapted to support the foam pad thereon;

a plurality of actuators projecting from said working surface and adapted to project through apertures in the foam pad, each said actuator capable of movement away from and toward said working surface and including a pair of retaining fingers at one end thereof movable between an open position and a closed position,

wherein said retaining fingers are adapted to grasp the first connecting member on the trim cover and move the first connecting member toward said working surface as said actuators move toward said working surface so as to engage the first connecting member with the second connecting member and thereby secure the trim cover to the foam pad; and

a plurality of supports projecting from said working surface and adapted to support the second connecting member during engagement of the first connecting member to the second connecting member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said platform is pivotally coupled with said base so as to selectively change an angle said platform forms with said base.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said actuators are linear actuators capable of movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to said working surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said actuators are pneumatic actuators.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a controller for controlling the movement of said actuators away from and toward said working surface in a timed sequence.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said controller controls the movement of said retaining fingers between the open and closed positions in a timed sequence.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each said support is adjustable so as to selectively change the height of said support with respect to the working surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each said support is adjacent an associated actuator.