System for attaching trim covers to a flexible substrate
First Claim
1. A system for securing a trim cover bead to a flexible substrate comprising:
- a base adapted to adhere to the substrate material and including a keyhole; and
a clip projection having a pair of legs with top barbs that form a cavity for trapping the bead when it is forcibly passed between the barbs, the clip projection including a key that removably mounts to the keyhole;
a cap constructed and arranged to be mounted over the keyhole on a side of the base opposite the clip projection so as to prevent the flexible substrate material from interfering with the keyhole; and
wherein the keyhole is surrounded by a recess on a side of the base opposite a side that faces the clip projection and wherein the recess is constructed and arranged to removably receive the cap that covers the recess to resist infiltration of the substrate material in a liquid state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention provides a system and method for attaching a trim cover to a flexible/resilient substrate, typically constructed from foam, which includes a plurality of clips that each has a base molded into the substrate. The bases each include a central “key-hole” slot that receives a corresponding key formed on a stem at a bottom of a clip projection. The clip projection defines a cavity for receiving a trim cover bead through a gap formed between a pair of legs that extend from the bottom. The stem has a length that is approximately the thickness of the slot. By passing the key through the slot and rotating the key to a locked position, the clip projection may be removably mounted to the substrate for repair or replacement as needed. The base may be constructed from a material that adheres effectively to the substrate, while the clip projection may be constructed from a material that exhibits high elasticity and wear-resistance. A cradle that includes a pair of upright posts that each confront a leg may be provided to progressively support the legs so as to prevent single point stresses from forming in the legs.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for securing a trim cover bead to a flexible substrate comprising:
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a base adapted to adhere to the substrate material and including a keyhole; and a clip projection having a pair of legs with top barbs that form a cavity for trapping the bead when it is forcibly passed between the barbs, the clip projection including a key that removably mounts to the keyhole; a cap constructed and arranged to be mounted over the keyhole on a side of the base opposite the clip projection so as to prevent the flexible substrate material from interfering with the keyhole; and wherein the keyhole is surrounded by a recess on a side of the base opposite a side that faces the clip projection and wherein the recess is constructed and arranged to removably receive the cap that covers the recess to resist infiltration of the substrate material in a liquid state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for securing a trim cover bead to a flexible substrate comprising:
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a base adapted to adhere to substrate material and including a keyhole; a clip projection having a pair of legs with top barbs that form a cavity for trapping the bead when it is forcibly passed between the barbs, the clip projection including a key that removably mounts to the keyhole; and wherein the base includes a first detent on a first end for removably engaging a first U-shaped clamp on a first end of a first elongated, flexible connector, the connector including a second end having a second U-shaped clamp. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. the clip projection includes a key that removably mounts to the keyhole has been deleted between lines eleven and twelve.
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13. A system for securing a trim cover bead to a flexible substrate comprising:
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a base adapted to adhere to the substrate material and including a keyhole; and a clip projection having a pair of legs with top barbs that form a cavity for trapping the bead when it is forcibly passed between the barbs, the clip projection including a key that removably mounts to the keyhole; and the base includes a plurality of holes formed theretbrough on an enlarged surface area so as to limit side-to-side shear of the base when the base is mounted in the substrate.
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14. A system for securing a trim cover bead to a flexible substrate comprising:
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a base adapted to adhere to the substrate material and including a keyhole; a clip projection having a pair of legs with top barbs that form a cavity for trapping the bead when it is forcibly passed between the barbs, the clip projection including a key that removably mounts to the keyhole; and wherein the key is attached to a fusible link that is constructed and arranged to yield in response to a predetermined force applied thereto so as to provide a safety mechanism for release of the clip projection from the base.
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15. A system for securing a trim cover bead to a flexible substrate comprising:
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a base constructed from a first material adapted to adhere to the substrate material; a clip projection having a pair of legs with top barbs that forms a cavity for trapping the bead when it is forcibly passed between the barbs, the clip projection being constructed from a second material that includes enhanced mechanical strength with respect to the first material, the clip projection being joined to the base; a cap constructed and arranged to be mounted over a keyhole in the base on a side of the base opposite the clip projection so as to prevent the flexible substrate material from interfering with the keyhole; and wherein the keyhole is surrounded by a recess on a side of the base opposite a side that faces the clip projection and wherein the recess is constructed and arranged to removably receive the cap that covers the recess to resist infiltration of the substrate material in a liquid state. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A system for securing a trim cover bead to a flexible substrate comprising:
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a base constructed from a first material adapted to adhere to the substrate material; a clip projection having a pair of legs with top barbs that forms a cavity for trapping the bead when it is forcibly passed between the barbs, the clip projection being constructed from a second material that includes enhanced mechanical strength with respect to the first material, the clip projection being joined to the base; and wherein the base includes a socket on at least one edge thereof having a pair of upright walls with shoulders that define inwardly offset abutments and a connector having an end constructed and arranged for insertion into the socket and including a pair of spring-loaded tabs that allow a passage through the shoulders and thereafter become engaged with the abutments to restrict pullout of the ends
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Specification