Cover attachment device

• US 7,559,100 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2004
• Issued: 07/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Proprietect LP
• Original Assignee: Woodbridge Foam Corporation
• Inventors: Hack, Michael, Marenne, Philippe, Heinl, Georg, Pedde, Burkhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Grosz; Alexander
• Application Number:
  US10/922,163
• Publication Number:
  US 20050150090A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,789 Days
• Field of Search: 540/7, 540/4, 540/3, 540/5, 565/3, 297/218.2, 297/218.3, 297/228.13, 297/218.5, 297/452.56, 244/60, 244/62, 245/841, 24D/IG.50, 24D/IG.37, 24D/IG.38
• US Class Current: 5/407
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5825 by hooks, staples, clips, snap fasteners or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/0692 joining flexible sheets to other sheets or plates or to strips or bars tent fastenings E04H15/64; coping elements for swimming pools with fixing means for sealing foil E04H4/142; greenhouses of flexible synthetic material A01G9/1407; end or aperture-closing arrangements or devices for sacks or bags B65D33/16
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 24/37 Third member consists of unitary elongated element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 24/38 Each mating member having similarly shaped, sized, and operated interlocking face
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 24/50 including member having elongated, resilient, interlocking face with identical, parallel cross-sections throughout its length
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45152 Each mating member having similarly shaped, sized, and operated interlocking or intermeshable face
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45969 Hook-shaped projection member passing through cavity

Abstract

There is described an attachment system for attaching a plurality of elements to a resilient body, preferably for attachment of a trim cover to a foam element. The system comprising a first element having attached thereto a first attachment portion and a second element having attached thereto a second attachment portion, the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion being releasably engageable with the resilient body.

Claims

1. An attachment system for attaching a plurality of elements to a resilient body, the system comprising:

a first element having attached thereto a first attachment portion, the first attachment portion having a top and a bottom which define a vertical direction, the first attachment portion top being coupled to the first element; and

a second element having attached thereto a second attachment portion, the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion being (i) separate, and (ii) releasably engageable with respect to each other in said vertical direction, said first attachment portion being releasably engageable with the resilient body in said vertical direction while said second attachment portion remains engaged with the resilient body.

2. The attachment system defined in claim 1, wherein the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion are configured to be releasable with respect to one another when the first attachment portion is released from the resilient body.

3. The attachment system defined in claim 1, wherein the first attachment portion comprises a first proximal portion for engagement with the resilient body and a first distal portion for engagement with the second attachment portion.

4. The attachment system defined in claim 1, wherein the second attachment portion comprises a second proximally projecting portion for engagement with the resilient body and a second distally projecting portion for engagement with the first attachment portion.

5. The attachment system defined in claim 1, wherein the first attachment portion comprises a first proximally projecting portion for engagement with the resilient body and a first distally projecting portion for engagement with the second attachment portion;

and wherein the second attachment portion comprises a second proximally projecting portion for engagement with the resilient body and a second distally projecting portion for engagement with the first attachment portion.

6. The attachment system defined in claim 5, wherein the first distally projecting portion and the second distally projecting portion have a substantially complementary shape.

7. The attachment system defined in claim 5, wherein the first distally projecting portion comprises a female portion and the second distally projecting portion comprises a male portion for engagement with the female portion.

8. The attachment system defined in claim 1, wherein the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion are releasably engageable with respect to one another to define, in cross-section, a substantially arrowhead shape.

9. The attachment system defined in claim 1, wherein the first attachment portion comprises a polymer material.

10. The attachment system defined in claim 1, wherein the second attachment portion comprises a polymer material.

11. The attachment system defined in claim 1, wherein the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion each comprise a polymer material.

12. The attachment system defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first element and the second element comprises a cover portion the for the resilient body.

13. The attachment system defined in claim 1, wherein the first element comprises a first cover portion and the second element comprises a second cover portion.

14. The attachment system defined in claim 13, wherein the first cover portion comprises a material selected from the group consisting of leather, cloth, vinyl, and combinations thereof.

15. The attachment system defined in claim 13, wherein the second cover portion comprises a material selected from the group consisting of leather, cloth, vinyl and combinations thereof.

16. The attachment system defined in claim 13, wherein the first cover portion and the second cover portion are comprised of the same material.

17. The attachment system defined in claim 13, wherein the first cover portion and the second cover portion are comprised of a different material.

18. The attachment system defined in claim 13, wherein the first cover portion is attached to the first attachment portion by a first connection material.

19. The attachment system defined in claim 18, wherein the first connection material comprises a flexible material.

20. The attachment system defined in claim 19, wherein the flexible material comprises a woven material.

21. The attachment system defined in claim 20, wherein the woven material comprises a fibrous material.

22. The attachment system defined in claim 20, wherein the woven material comprises a felt material.

23. The attachment system defined in claim 19, wherein the flexible material comprises a non-woven material.

24. The attachment system defined in claim 23, wherein non-woven material comprises a polymer material.

25. The attachment system defined in claim 13, wherein the second cover portion is attached to the second attachment portion by a second connection material.

26. The attachment system defined in claim 25, wherein the second connection material comprises a flexible material.

27. A resilient device comprising a resilient body and the attachment system defined in claim 1, secured with respect to the resilient body.

28. The resilient device defined in claim 27, wherein the resilient body is selected from the group comprising a foam, a fibrous matrix and mixtures thereof.

29. The resilient device defined in claim 27, wherein the resilient body comprises an isocyanate-based foam.

30. The resilient device defined in claim 27, wherein the resilient body comprises a polyurethane foam.

31. The resilient device defined in claim 27, wherein the resilient body comprises an attachment device for receiving the attachment system.

32. The resilient device defined in claim 31, wherein at least a portion of the attachment device is molded into a surface of the resilient body.

33. The resilient device defined in claim 27, wherein the first attachment portion is releasably engaged to the second attachment portion.

34. The resilient device defined in claim 27, wherein the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion are each engaged to the attachment device.

35. The resilient device defined in claim 27, wherein at least one of the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion are releasably engaged to the attachment device.

36. The resilient device defined in claim 27, wherein the attachment device comprises a plurality of attachment portions.

37. The resilient device defined in claim 36, wherein the plurality of attachment portions are interconnected to one another by at least one connecting portion.

38. The resilient device defined in claim 37, wherein the connecting portion is flexible in at least two independent planes.

39. The resilient device defined in claim 36, wherein the plurality of attachment portions are independent of one another.

40. The resilient device defined in claim 36, wherein each cover attachment portion comprises a female attachment portion attached to a base portion.

41. The resilient device defined in claim 40, wherein the base portion has a larger surface area than a surface area of the female attachment portion attached thereto.

42. The resilient device defined in claim 40, wherein the female attachment portion comprises a clip portion.

43. The resilient device defined in claim 42, wherein the clip portion comprises a substantially U-shaped cross-section.

44. The resilient device defined in claim 43, wherein the substantially U-shaped cross-section comprises a pair of generally upstanding walls defining a locking region therebetween for receiving the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion of the cover material.

45. The resilient device defined in claim 44, wherein a distal portion of each of the upstanding walls comprises a locking portion for engaging the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion of the cover material.

46. A vehicular seat element comprising the resilient device defined in claim 27.

47. The attachment system defined in claim 1, wherein the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion are configured such that a release tool manipulated between the attachment portions will cause the release of said first attachment portion with respect to both the second attachment portion and the resilient body.

48. The resilient device defined in claim 1, wherein the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion are configured such that a release tool manipulated between the attachment portions will cause the release of said first attachment portion with respect to both the second attachment portion and the attachment device.

49. A resilient device comprising:

a resilient body;

a cover attachment device secured to the resilient body; and

a cover material secured to the attachment device, the cover material comprising (i) a first cover portion having attached thereto a first attachment portion, and (ii) a second cover portion having attached thereto a second attachment portion, each of the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion being engaged to the cover attachment device, the first attachment portion being releasable with respect to both the attachment device and the second attachment portion with substantially the same motion.

50. The resilient device defined in claim 49, wherein the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion are releasably engageable with respect to one another in a vertical direction of the first attachment portion.

51. The resilient device defined in claim 49, wherein the first attachment portion comprises a first proximally projecting portion for engagement with the resilient body and a first distally projecting portion for engagement with the second attachment portion.

52. The resilient device defined in claim 49, wherein the second attachment portion comprises a second proximally projecting portion for engagement with the resilient body and a second distally projecting portion for engagement with the first attachment portion.

53. The resilient device defined in claim 49, wherein the first attachment portion comprises a first proximally projecting portion for engagement with the resilient body and a first distally projecting portion for engagement with the second attachment portion;

and wherein the second attachment portion comprises a second proximally projecting portion for engagement with the resilient body and a second distally projecting portion for engagement with the first attachment portion.

54. The resilient device defined in claim 53, wherein the first distally projecting portion and the second distally projecting portion have a substantially complementary shape.

55. The resilient device defined in claim 53, wherein the first distally projecting portion comprises a female portion and the second distally projecting portion comprises a male portion for engagement with the female portion.

56. The resilient device defined in claim 49, wherein the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion are releasably engageable to define, in cross-section, a substantially arrowhead shape.

57. The resilient device defined in claim 49, wherein the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion each are constructed from a polymer material.

58. The resilient device defined in claim 49, wherein the first cover portion and the second cover portion each comprises a material selected from the group consisting of leather, cloth, vinyl, and combinations thereof.

59. The resilient device defined in claim 49, wherein the first cover portion is attached to the first attachment portion by a first connection material and the second cover portion is attached to the second attachment portion by a second connection material.

60. The resilient device defined in claim 59, wherein the first connection material and the second connection material each comprises a flexible material.

61. The resilient device defined in claim 60, wherein the flexible material comprises a woven material.

62. The resilient device defined in claim 61, wherein the woven material comprises a fibrous material.

63. The resilient device defined in claim 61, wherein the woven material comprises a felt material.

64. The resilient device defined in claim 60, wherein the flexible material comprises a non-woven material.

65. The resilient device defined in claim 64, wherein non-woven material comprises a polymer material.

66. The resilient device defined in claim 49, wherein the resilient body is selected from the group consisting of a foam, a fibrous matrix, and mixtures thereof.

67. The resilient device defined in claim 66, wherein the resilient body comprises an isocyanate-based foam.

68. The resilient device defined in claim 66, wherein the resilient body comprises a polyurethane foam.

69. The resilient device defined in claim 49, wherein at least a portion of the cover attachment device is molded into a surface of the resilient body.

70. The resilient device defined in claim 49, wherein the first attachment portion is releasably engaged to the second attachment portion.

71. The resilient device defined in claim 49, wherein the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion are each engaged to the attachment device.

72. The resilient device defined in claim 49, wherein at least one of the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion are releasably engaged to the attachment device.

73. The resilient device defined in claim 49, wherein the cover attachment device comprises a plurality of attachment portions.

74. The resilient device defined in claim 73, wherein the plurality of attachment portions are interconnected to one another by at least one connecting portion.

75. The resilient device defined in claim 74, wherein the connecting portion is flexible in at least two independent planes.

76. The resilient device defined in claim 73, wherein the plurality of attachment portions are independent of one another.

77. The resilient device defined in claim 73, wherein each cover attachment portion comprises a female attachment portion attached to a base portion.

78. The resilient device defined in claim 77, wherein the base portion has a larger surface area than a surface area of the female attachment portion attached thereto.

79. The resilient device defined in claim 77, wherein the female attachment portion comprises a clip portion.

80. The resilient device defined in claim 79, wherein the clip portion comprises a substantially U-shaped cross-section.

81. The resilient device defined in claim 80, wherein U-shaped cross-section comprises a pair of generally upstanding walls defining a locking region therebetween for receiving the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion of the cover material.

82. The resilient device defined in claim 81, wherein a distal portion of each of the upstanding walls comprises a locking portion for engaging the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion of the cover material.

83. A vehicular seat element comprising the resilient device defined in claim 49.