U.S. patent application number 14/909560 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-23 for crip and cord.
The applicant listed for this patent is YKK CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Yoshitomo Iyoda, Shinsuke Saiga, Tetsuya Yoshino.
Application Number | 20160174719 14/909560 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52585750 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160174719 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Saiga; Shinsuke ; et
al. |
June 23, 2016 |
Crip and Cord
Abstract
A clip has an engagement portion including: a first arm with a
first claw at the top end side; a second arm with a second claw at
the top end side; and a bottom provided at the respective base end
sides of the first arm and the second arm. Projections of the first
claw and the second claw defines a left-right width of a mouth. A
third claw projects into the retaining space at a position closer
to the base end of the first arm, and a fourth claw is provided
which projects into the retaining space at a position closer to the
base end of the second arm. The third claw is narrower than the
first claw in their widths along a front-back direction orthogonal
to the depth direction of the retaining space extending from the
mouth to the bottom and the left-right width direction of the
mouth.
Inventors: |
Saiga; Shinsuke; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Yoshino; Tetsuya; (Tokyo, JP) ; Iyoda;
Yoshitomo; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
YKK CORPORATION |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
52585750 |
Appl. No.: |
14/909560 |
Filed: |
August 27, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
August 27, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2013/072846 |
371 Date: |
February 2, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/531 ;
24/591.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/58 20130101; F16B
2/22 20130101; A47C 31/023 20130101; B60N 2/5825 20130101; B68G
7/12 20130101; A47C 7/24 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47C 7/24 20060101
A47C007/24; F16B 2/22 20060101 F16B002/22 |
Claims
1. A clip comprising: an engagement portion comprising: a first arm
that is provided with a first claw at the top end side of the first
arm; a second arm that is provided with a second claw at the top
end side of the second arm, the first claw of the first arm
projecting toward the second arm, and the second claw of the second
arm projecting toward the first arm; and a bottom that is provided
at the respective base end sides of the first arm and the second
arm, wherein the first claw and the second claw face each other at
least partially, the respective projections of the first claw and
the second claw defining a left-right width of a mouth for allowing
insertion of an engaged portion into a retaining space of the
engagement portion, wherein the first arm further comprises a third
claw projecting into the retaining space at a position closer to
the base end of the first arm than the first claw, and the second
arm further comprises a forth claw projecting into the retaining
space at a position closer to the base end of the second arm than
the second claw, and wherein the third claw and the forth claw are
narrower than the first claw and the second claw respectively in
their widths along a front-back direction that is orthogonal to the
depth direction of the retaining space extending from the mouth to
the bottom and the left-right width direction of the mouth.
2. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the first arm and the
second arm each has the front-back width in the front-back
direction, and wherein the third claw and the forth claw are
provided at the center of the front-back width of the first arm and
the second arm respectively.
3. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the third claw and the
forth claw face one another, and the interspace between the third
claw and the forth claw becomes narrower as being away from the
first claw and the second claw.
4. The clip according to claim 1, wherein a first protrusion is
provided at the facing surface of the first arm facing the second
arm, the first protrusion protruding at a deeper level than the
third claw in the depth direction of the retaining space, and a
second protrusion is provided at the facing surface of the second
arm facing the first arm, the second protrusion protruding at a
deeper level than the forth claw in the depth direction of the
retaining space.
5. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the first arm and the
second arm are at least partially tapered, the first arm and the
second arm being arranged closer at the bottom side of the
engagement portion and being more distanced at the mouth side.
6. The clip according to claim 1, further comprising: a hook that
is configured to retain a linear member and is coupled to the
engagement portion.
7. The clip according to claim 6, further comprising: a jig
engagement portion to which a jig for manipulating the clip
engages, the jig engagement portion including: a coupled base
coupled to the hook; and an outer wall extending from the coupled
base while forming an interspace between the hook and the outer
wall.
8. A cord comprising: a molded resin portion including an engaged
portion that is to be grasped by the engagement portion of the clip
according to claim 1; and a tape at which the molded resin portion
is provided along at least one side edge of the tape, wherein the
engaged portion comprises: a first contact surface with which the
first claw can be in contact; and a second contact surface with
which the second claw can in contact, wherein a first groove is
formed at the first contact surface and a second groove is formed
at the second contact surface, and wherein the third claw can
contact the bottom surface of the first groove and the forth claw
can contact the bottom surface of the second groove.
9. The cord according to claim 8, wherein the bottom surface of the
first groove is smaller than the first contact surface, and the
bottom surface of the second groove is smaller than the second
contact surface.
10. The cord according to claim 9, wherein the engaged portion
comprises a flange that projects from a surface of the tape and
forms an interspace between the flange and at least one of the
first contact surface and the second contact surface.
11. The cord according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of first
grooves and a plurality of second grooves are provided at the
engaged portion at a predetermined interval at the both sides of
the tape.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a clip and a cord.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Patent literature 1 discloses a clip used for stretching and
attaching a cover member to a cushion and so on. As shown in FIG. 3
of the same literature, a guide bar 13 is coupled to a side of a
chuck 11, thereby enough flection of the guide bar 13 can be
ensured. Such sufficient flection of the guide bar 13 may allow the
wire to be more easily introduced into the hook 12 as
understandable from FIGS. 6 and 7 of the same literature. Moreover,
the hook 12 is coupled to a bottom side of the chuck 11 so that
linear application of load to the clip 10 may be secured at a
situation shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 and so on.
[0003] Patent literature 2 discloses a structure of a cord to be
grasped by clips. As shown in FIG. 1 of the same literature, the
block portions are coupled together by a joint 71 so that the
longitudinal flexibility of the cord 8 shown in FIG. 1 may be
secured.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0004] [PTL 1] International Publication No. 2012/017986
[0005] [PTL 2] International Publication No. 2013/069114
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0006] Molded resin portion of the cord may be surely grasped by
engagement portion of the clip so that disengagement of the molded
resin portion from the engagement portion may be prevented.
However, simply narrowing the interspace between a pair of arms
configuring the engagement portion might possibly deteriorate
easier insertion of the molded resin portion into the engagement
portion, for example.
[0007] The present inventor has newly discovered a technical
problem; the disengagement of the engaged portion from the
engagement portion of clip can be prevented without greatly
deteriorating the insertion easiness of the engaged portion into
the engagement portion.
Solution to Problem
[0008] A clip according to one aspect of the present invention may
be a clip (400) comprising: an engagement portion (405) comprising:
a first arm (410) that is provided with a first claw (441) at the
top end side of the first arm (410); a second arm (420) that is
provided with a second claw (442) at the top end side of the second
arm (420); and a bottom (406) that is provided at the respective
base end sides of the first arm (410) and the second arm (420). The
first claw (441) of the first arm (410) projects toward the second
arm (420). The second claw (442) of the second arm (420) projects
toward the first arm (410). The first claw (441) and the second
claw (442) face each other at least partially. The respective
projections of the first claw (441) and the second claw (442)
defines a left-right width (W450) of a mouth (450) for allowing
insertion of an engaged portion (350) into a retaining space (430)
of the engagement portion (405). The first arm (410) further
comprises a third claw (443) projecting into the retaining space
(430) at a position closer to the base end of the first arm (410)
than the first claw (441). The second arm (420) further comprises a
forth claw (444) projecting into the retaining space (430) at a
position closer to the base end of the second arm (420) than the
second claw (442). The third claw (443) and the forth claw (444)
are narrower than the first claw (441) and the second claw (442)
respectively in their widths along a front-back direction that is
orthogonal to the depth direction of the retaining space (430)
extending from the mouth (450) to the bottom (406) and the
left-right width direction of the mouth (450).
[0009] Preferably, the first arm (410) and the second arm (420)
each may have the front-back width in the front-back direction, and
the third claw (443) and the forth claw (444) may be provided at
the center of the front-back width of the first arm (410) and the
second arm (420) respectively.
[0010] Preferably, the third claw (443) and the forth claw (444)
may face one another, and the interspace between the third claw
(443) and the forth claw (444) may become narrower as being away
from the first claw (441) and the second claw (442).
[0011] Preferably, a first protrusion (461) may be provided at the
facing surface of the first arm (410) facing the second arm (420),
the first protrusion (461) protruding at a deeper level than the
third claw (443) in the depth direction of the retaining space
(430), and a second protrusion (462) may be provided at the facing
surface of the second arm (420) facing the first arm (410), the
second protrusion (462) protruding at a deeper level than the forth
claw (444) in the depth direction of the retaining space (430).
[0012] Preferably, the first arm (410) and the second arm (420) may
be at least partially tapered, the first arm (410) and the second
arm (420) being arranged closer at the bottom (406) side of the
engagement portion (405) and being more distanced at the mouth
(405) side.
[0013] Preferably, the clip may further comprise a hook (470) that
is configured to retain a linear member (120) and is coupled to the
engagement portion (405).
[0014] Preferably, the clip may further comprise a jig engagement
portion (480) to which a jig for manipulating the clip (400)
engages, the jig engagement portion (480) including: a coupled base
(481) coupled to the hook (470); and an outer wall (482) extending
from the coupled base (481) while forming an interspace between the
hook (470) and the outer wall (482).
[0015] A cord according to another aspect of the present embodiment
may be a cord (300) comprising: a molded resin portion (320)
including an engaged portion (350) that is to be grasped by the
engagement portion (405) of the clip (400) according to any one of
above paragraphs; and a tape (310) at which the molded resin
portion (320) is provided along at least one side edge of the tape
(310), wherein the engaged portion (350) comprises: a first contact
surface (331) with which the first claw (441) can be in contact;
and a second contact surface (332) with which the second claw (442)
can in contact, wherein a first groove (341) is formed at the first
contact surface (331) and a second groove (342) is formed at the
second contact surface (332), and wherein the third claw (443) can
contact the bottom surface of the first groove (341) and the forth
claw (444) can contact the bottom surface of the second groove
(324).
[0016] Preferably, the bottom surface of the first groove (341) may
be smaller than the first contact surface (331), and the bottom
surface of the second groove (324) may be smaller than the second
contact surface (332).
[0017] Preferably, the engaged portion (350) may comprise a flange
(370) that projects from a surface of the tape (310) and forms an
interspace between the flange (370) and at least one of the first
contact surface (331) and the second contact surface (332).
[0018] Preferably, a plurality of first grooves (341) and a
plurality of second grooves (342) may be provided at the engaged
portion (350) at a predetermined interval at the both sides of the
tape (310).
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0019] According to the present invention, the disengagement of the
engaged portion from the engagement portion of clip can be
sufficiently prevented without deteriorating the insertion easiness
of the engaged portion into the engagement portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view that illustrates a
situation where a cord sewn to a cover member is hung, via a clip,
to a wire in a groove of a cushion member. A situation is
schematically shown where the cover member is pulled via the clip
toward the wire at deeper level of the groove of the cushion member
so that the cover member is stretched over the cushion member.
Here, the clip and the cord are related to a first embodiment of
the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a clip according to the
first embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a side view of a clip according to the first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a partial side view of a clip according to the
first embodiment of the present invention, particularly showing the
engagement portion of the clip.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a clip according to
the first embodiment of the present invention, showing a section
thereof where a first arm is viewed from a symmetry plane between
the first and second arms shown in FIG. 4.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a side view of a cord according to the first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a cord according to the first
embodiment of the present invention, showing a section taken along
an alternate long and short dash line of VII-VII in FIG. 6.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a sectional perspective view showing a situation
where the molded resin portion of the cord shown in a dotted line
is grasped by the engagement portion shown in a solid line.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a section of the molded resin
portion and the engagement portion taken along an alternate long
and short dashed line of IX-IX in FIG. 8.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating a process through
which the molded resin portion of the cord is fitted into the clip
according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a situation where the
molded resin portion of the cord has been fitted into the clip
according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a situation where the
molded resin portion of the cord has been fitted into the clip
according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention
will be described with reference to drawings. Respective
embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and the skilled person
could properly combine them without requiring excess descriptions
and could understand the synergic effect by such combination.
Overlapping descriptions among embodiments will basically omitted.
Referenced drawings are mainly for illustrating the invention and
may be simplified in an appropriate manner.
[0033] For the sake of descriptions, terms indicating directions
may be referred on the basis of an illustrated situation in FIG. 1.
A front-back direction may be identical to an extending direction
of a wire positioned at a deeper level in a groove of the cushion
member, or may be identical to the extending direction of a
side-edge of the cover member, or may be identical to an extending
direction of the side-edge of the tape of the cord. Based on the
following descriptions, the front-back direction may be recognized
as a direction perpendicular to a depth direction of a retaining
space extending from a mouth to a bottom and to a right-left width
direction of the mouth between first and second claws. The depth
direction of the retaining space of the engagement portion of the
clip may be identical to an insertion direction of the engaged
portion into the retaining space.
[0034] An up-down direction may be identical to the depth direction
of the groove in the cushion member, or may be identical to a
direction perpendicular to a surface of the cover member stretched
over the cushion member, or may be identical to the suspension
direction of the cord sewn to the cover member. Outward and inward
may be related to left-right direction that is perpendicular to the
front-back direction and the up-down direction where, on the basis
of the groove of the cushion member, the inward being recognized as
a direction directed to internal of the groove and the outward
being recognized as a direction directed away from the groove. With
respect to the left-right direction, on the basis of the retaining
space of the engagement portion, internal may be recognized as a
direction directed to internal of the retaining space, and the
outward may be recognized as a direction directed away from the
retaining space. Furthermore, those terms may be used in a
different manner than those described above.
[0035] Manners how the clip and the cord are utilized should not be
limited to those disclosed in FIG. 1 and so on, and they may be
used differently. In this case, it would be not deniable that the
above terms indicating directions defined based on FIG. 1 would
possibly be not appropriate to be used as defined. However, the
skilled person would understand that those terms indicating
directions are solely for the sake of convenience, i.e.
non-substantial, and would understand that those can be redefined
based on the whole or the part of the appended drawings
herewith.
First Embodiment
[0036] The first embodiment will be described with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 12. FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view that
illustrates a situation where a cord sewn to a cover member is
hung, via a clip, to a wire in a groove of a cushion member. A
situation is schematically shown where the cover member is pulled
via the clip toward the wire at deeper level of the groove of the
cushion member so that the cover member is stretched over the
cushion member. Here, the clip and the cord are related to a first
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view
of a clip. FIG. 3 is a side view of a clip. FIG. 4 is a partial
side view of a clip, particularly showing the engagement portion of
the clip. FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a clip, showing a
section thereof where a first arm is viewed from a symmetry plane
between the first and second arms shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a side
view of a cord. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a cord, showing a
section taken along an alternate long and short dash line of
VII-VII in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a sectional perspective view showing a
situation where the molded resin portion of the cord shown in a
dotted line is grasped by the engagement portion shown in a solid
line. FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a section of the molded resin
portion and the engagement portion taken along an alternate long
and short dashed line of IX-IX in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a schematic
view illustrating a process through which the molded resin portion
of the cord is fitted into the clip. FIGS. 11 and 12 are schematic
views showing a situation where the molded resin portion of the
cord has been fitted into the clip.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, an elongated groove 110 in front-back
direction is formed at a surface 105 of a thick rebounding cushion
member 100 with multiple pores. A wire 120 of twisted metal wire
and so on is laid at a deeper level in the groove 110, and the wire
120 is being stretched without being slackened. The wire 120 may be
curved or bent in some embodiments.
[0038] It would be preferable to cover the cushion member 100 with
the stretched cover member 200 from a view-point of enhanced
protection and appearance of the cushion member 100. Especially,
the stretched cover member 100 on the cushion member 100 may
preferably be provided with no wrinkle and no slack. The cover
member 200 may be a sheet made of artificial leather or natural
leather or fabric and having flexibility and softness, and may be
able to flexibly cover not only a flat surface but also a curved
surface of the cushion member 100.
[0039] The cover member 200 may be hung, via the cord 300 and clip
400, to the wire 120 in the cushion member 100. Accordingly, the
cover member 200 is pulled deeper and deeper in the groove 110 of
the cushion member 100 and the cover member 200 is stretched over
the surface of the cushion member 100. Within the illustration of
FIG. 1, the cover member 200 has an overlapped part 203 in which a
pair of discrete sheets 201, 202 are overlapped and fixed by sewing
and so on. The bottom end 205 of the overlapped part 203 is fixed
to a tape 310 of the cord 300 by sewing and so on. A cover member
200 of a single sheet can alternatively be fixed to the tape 310 of
the cord 300 along its one side.
[0040] The cord 300 includes the tape 310 of a flexible sheet, and
a molded resin portion 320 integrally provided to the tape 310. The
tape 310 may typically be a fabric sheet, but it can be a resin
sheet and so on having a predetermined thickness. The molded resin
portion 320 may typically be integrally provided to the tape 310 by
using a mold and so on. The molded resin portion 320 may be
continuous along the front-back direction, but it can be split at
predetermined interval along the front-back direction or it can be
thinned at predetermined interval along the front-back
direction.
[0041] Various manners for fixing the cord 300 and the cover member
200 may be adoptable. Typically, the top end part of the tape 310
and the bottom end part of the overlapped part 203 of the cover
member 200 may be piled and sewn together continuously or
intermittently along the front-back direction. Preferably, sewing
may be utilized than gluing, as fixed state should be maintained
against strong tensile force, not necessarily limited thereto
though.
[0042] The cover member 200 may be attached to and stretched over
the cushion member 100 as follows, for example. Firstly, the tape
310 of the cord 300 is fixed to the overlapped part 203 of the
cover member 200 by sewing and so on. Next, the molded resin
portion 320 provided at the bottom end of the cord 300 is grasped
by the engagement portion 405 of the clip 400. While the clip 400
is attached to the cord 300, the clip 400 is inserted into the
groove 110 of the cushion member 100, and the clip 400 catches the
wire 120 and holds the wire 120 by its hook 470 inside. Relevant
descriptions are presented in Patent literatures 1 and 2 regarding
this procedure, and those disclosures of Patent literatures 1 and 2
are herein incorporated by reference.
[0043] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the clip 400 includes the
engagement portion 405, the hook 470, a jig engagement portion 480,
and a hook closure 490. The clip 400 may typically be a molded
resin piece shaped by a mold and so on, but not limited thereto. It
may be made of metal or it may be a composite article of metal and
resin. The clip 400 may be produced using 3D printers. However,
injection molding may be preferable in light of production cost,
production time and so on.
[0044] The engagement portion 405 may be a portion provided with a
retaining space 430 for retaining the molded resin portion 320 of
the cord 300 between the first arm 410 and the second arm 420 which
are provided to face one another. The first arm 410 and the second
arm 420 are arranged in a tapered manner where the bottom side is
narrowed and the top side is widened. That is, they are closely
arranged at the below-explained bottom 406 side and they are more
distanced at the below-explained mouth 450 side. Accordingly,
pivoting of each arm allowing the increase in the interspace of the
first arm 410 and the second arm may be suitably ensured. It should
be noted that the number of arms configuring the engagement portion
405 is arbitrary, and one or both of the first arm 410 and the
second arm 420 can be divided into plural arms.
[0045] A first claw 441 is provided at the top end of the first arm
410. A second claw 442 is provided at the top end of the second arm
420. The first claw 441 projects toward the second claw 442, and
the second claw 442 projects toward the first claw 441. The first
arm 410 and the second arm 420 project by the same extent, and the
first claw 441 and the second claw 442 are opposed. The front-back
dimensions of the first arm 410 and the first claw 441 are
identical, and the front-back dimension of the second arm 420 and
the second claw 442 are identical. The mouth 450 is defined between
the respective tips of the first claw 441 and the second claw 442,
thereby allowing the insertion of the molded resin portion 320 into
the retaining space 430 which is partially closed by the first claw
441 and the second claw 442 from above. The mouth 450 has a
left-right width W450 defined by the respective projections of the
first claw 441 and the second claw 442. The mouth 450 extends along
the front-back direction which is perpendicular to both of the
left-right width direction of the mouth 450 and the depth direction
of the retaining space 430 extending from the mouth 450 toward the
bottom 406. The depth direction of the retaining space 430
extending from the mouth 450 to the bottom 406 is identical to the
insertion direction of the engaged portion 350 into the retaining
space 430.
[0046] Specifically, the mouth 450 may be an elongated slit in the
front-back direction, is greater than the left-right dimension of
the engagement portion 405, and has front and back open ends.
Moreover, it can be said that the front-back dimensions of the
first claw 441 and the second claw 442 defining the mouth 450 are
greater than the left-right dimension of the engagement portion
405. It should be noted that the projecting direction of the first
claw 441 from the first arm 410 and the projecting direction of the
second claw 442 from the second arm 420 are identical to a
direction extending from the tip of the first claw 441 to the tip
of the second claw 442 or an opposite direction thereof.
[0047] More specifically, the first arm 410 has a base end coupled
to the bottom 406 of the engagement portion 405, the first arm 410
extending and sloping upward and outward from the base end, then
being inwardly bent at its top end. This inward bending at the top
end of the first arm 410 forms the first claw 441. The second arm
420 is similarly configured as the first arm 410, and the inward
bending at the top end of the second arm 420 forms the second claw
442. The first claw 441 may be provided at the top side of the
first arm 410 in a different manner than the inward bending of the
top end of the first arm 410. Similarly, the second claw 442 may be
provided at the top side of the second arm 420 in a different
manner than the inward bending of the top end of the second arm
420.
[0048] The bottom 406 may be configured to be a flat plate, but not
limited thereto. The engagement portion 405 may be configured in
V-shape by coupling the base end of the first arm 410 and the base
end of the second arm 420. In this case, the coupled portion
between the base ends of the first and second arms 410, 420
configures the bottom 406. The bottom 406 where the base ends of
the first and second arms 410, 420 couple may be recognized as a
base portion of the engagement portion 405.
[0049] The dimensions of the first claw 441 and the second claw 442
in their projecting direction are formed to be relatively smaller
than the dimensions of the first arm 410 and the second arm 420
extending along the up-down direction shown in FIG. 1, thereby the
first arm 410 and the second arm 420 are easily deformable.
[0050] The retaining space 430 are surrounded by the first arm 410,
the second arm 420, and the bottom 406. The retaining space 430 is
defined from above by the first claw 441 at the top end of the
first arm 410 and the second claw 442 at the top end of the second
arm 420, and is open at the mouth 450 between the first claw 441 at
the top end of the first arm 410 and the second claw 442 at the top
end of the second arm 420. The retaining space 430 extends in an
orthogonal direction to the paper face of FIG. 3, i.e. the
front-back direction defined in this specification, and is open at
its both ends in this direction. It should be noted that, in
accordance with such a manner of the retaining space 430, said
direction orthogonal to the paper face of FIG. 3 may be referred to
as penetrating direction. The penetrating direction is equal to the
front-back direction stated in this specification. The penetrating
direction is orthogonal to the projecting direction of the
above-described first claw 441 from the first arm 410 and the
projecting direction of the second claw 442 from the second arm
420, and also is orthogonal to the insertion direction of the
engaged portion 350 into the retaining space 430.
[0051] As specifically illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, a third
claw 443 is provided at the first arm 410, the a forth claw 444 is
provided at the second arm 420. The third claw 443 projects into
the retaining space 430 below the first claw 441. In other words,
the third claw 443 projects into the retaining space 430 at a
deeper level than the first claw 441 in the depth direction of the
retaining space 430 which is equal to the insertion direction of
the molded resin portion 320 via the mouth 450. The fourth claw 444
projects into the retaining space 430 below the second claw 442. In
other words, the forth claw 444 projects into the retaining space
430 at a deeper level than the second claw 442 in the depth
direction of the retaining space 430.
[0052] According to such a configuration, the third claw 443 and
the forth claw 444 can surely prevent the molded resin portion 320
from coming off from the engagement portion 450 despite that the
first arm 410 and the second arm 420 are configured not to greatly
deteriorate the insertion easiness of the molded resin portion 320
into the engagement portion 405.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 4, the interspace W445 between the third
claw 443 and the forth claw 444 may preferably be narrower as being
away from the first claw 441 and the second claw 442. As shown in
FIG. 4, the interspace between the first claw 441 and the second
claw 442 is equal to the left-right width W450 of the mouth 450. In
contrast, the interspace W445 between the third claw 443 and the
forth claw 444 is maximum at directly below the first claw 441 and
the second claw 442, and becomes gradually narrower as being away
from the first claw 441 and the second claw 442. With such a
manner, it may be avoided that the third claw 443 and the forth
claw 444 greatly disturb the insertion of the molded resin portion
320 into the engagement portion 405.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 4, the tip of the forth claw 444 is
inwardly positioned by a spacing W449 relative to the tip of the
second claw 442. The same applies to the interrelation between the
first claw 441 and the third claw 443. The inner end of the third
claw 443 is inwardly positioned by a spacing W449 relative to the
inner end of the first claw 441. Satisfying this condition may
expectedly bring an enhanced ability for preventing the
disengagement of the molded resin portion 320 from the engagement
portion 405. For example, it is assumed that the molded resin
portion 320 was pulled toward upward left oblique side when FIG. 4
is viewed in front. At this moment, the molded resin portion 320 is
particularly disturbed by the fourth claw 444 and a leftward
rotational force is given to the molded resin portion 320 when FIG.
4 is viewed in front, thereby disengagement of the molded resin
portion 320 from the engagement portion 405 is prevented. It should
be noted that a position of the tip of the above-described claws
may be referred to as a position of inward end of the claws.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the third claw 443 and the
forth claw 444 are configured narrower in the front-back direction
relative to the first claw 441 and the second claw 442. More
specifically, the respective front-back widths of the third claw
443 and the forth claw 444 are sufficiently narrower than the
respective front-back widths of the first claw 441 and the second
claw 442. More particularly, the first claw 441 and the second claw
442 extend in the front-back direction in an elongated manner. In
contrast, the third claw 443 and the forth claw 444 are plates,
more particularly flat-plates, still further thin-flat-plates,
which have a thickness defined by a pair of surfaces orthogonal to
the front-back direction.
[0056] With such a configuration, when the engagement portion 405
of the clip 400 is attached to the molded resin portion 320 of the
cord 300, even the cord 300 was bent or twisted or a pulling force
was applied to the cord 300 in the front-back direction, the
disengagement of the molded resin portion 320 from the engagement
portion 405 is preferably prevented by the third claw 443 and the
forth claw 444 which are narrower in the front-back direction than
the first claw 441 and the second claw 442. Furthermore, according
to such a configuration, the contact area of the third claw 443 and
the forth claw 444 against the molded resin portion 320 is
minimized, thereby avoiding that the insertion of the molded resin
portion 320 into the engagement portion 405 is greatly disturbed by
the third claw 443 and the forth claw 444.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 5, the third claw 443 according to the
present example has a front surface 4431 and a back surface 4432
which are both orthogonal to the front-back direction. The same
holds true to the forth claw 444 facing the third claw 443. The
front surface 4431 and the back surface 4432 of the third claw 443
are counteract surfaces which counteract the movement of the clip
400 in the front-back direction. The displacement in the front-back
direction of the molded resin portion 320 of the above-described
cord 300 may be suitably prevented by the counteract surfaces of
the third claw 443 and the counteract surfaces of the forth claw
444. The third claw 443 and the forth claw 444 may be arbitrarily
arranged and possibly, may be integrally coupled to the first claw
441 and the second claw 442 respectively.
[0058] The clip 400 may be pulled and fixed between the cord 300
and the wire 120 and, under this situation, the possible
displacement of the clip 400 along the wire 120 may be marginal.
Suppressing the front-back displacement of the molded resin portion
320 of the cord 300 may expectedly contribute to a reliable
maintenance of the initial state of the cover member 200 stretched
over the cushion member 100.
[0059] Preferably, the third claw 443 and the forth claw 444 may be
positioned, respectively, at the center of the first arm 410 and
the second arm 420 in their front-back width, not necessarily
limited thereto through. According to such a configuration,
positioning each the third claw 443 and the forth claw 444 to the
groove 340 at the molded resin portion 320 may be sensuously
facilitated.
[0060] The inner surface 415 of the first arm 410 at the retaining
space 430 side may have a frontward region 4151 positioned
frontward of the front surface 4431 of the third claw 443 and a
backward region 4152 positioned backward of the back surface 4432
of the third claw 443. The same holds true to the inner surface 425
of the second arm 420 at the retaining space 430 side, and it may
have a frontward region positioned frontward of the front surface
of the forth claw 444 and a backward region positioned backward of
the back surface of the forth claw 444. Owing to both of the front
and back surfaces each of the third claw 443 and the forth claw
444, when the clip 400 being engaged with the cord 300, the clip
400 can endure a force which serves to disengage the clip 400 from
the cord 300, thereby enhancing the sustainability of the engaged
state. Here, the center in the front-back width may indicate that
the dimension in the front-back direction frontwardly extending
from the front surface 4431 of the third claw 443 is substantially
equal to the dimension in the front-back direction backwardly
extending from the back surface 4432. Similarly for the second arm
420, it may indicate that the dimension in the front-back direction
frontwardly extending from the front surface of the forth claw 444
is substantially equal to the dimension in the front-back direction
backwardly extending from the back surface of the forth claw
444.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 5, the third claw 443 is provided at the
center in the front-back width W410 of the first arm 410. The
front-back width W413 of the third claw 443 may be less than the
front-back width W410 of the first arm 410, and may preferably be
within 1/2 to 1/20 of the front-back width W410. The same holds
true to the forth claw 444 facing the third claw 443. In this
example, the front- back width W410 of the first arm 410 is equal
to the front-back width of the engagement portion 405.
[0062] Particularly, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the inner
surface 415 of the first arm 410 facing the second arm 420 is
provided with a first protrusion 461 protruding at a deeper level
than the third claw 443 in the depth direction of the retaining
space 430. Similarly, the inner surface 425 of the second arm 420
facing the first arm 410 is provided with a second protrusion 462
protruding at a deeper level than the forth claw 444 in the depth
direction of the retaining space 430. According to such a
configuration, the first protrusion 461 and the second protrusion
462 narrow the retaining space 430 at a deeper level, ensuring an
enhanced sandwiching securement of the molded resin portion 320 by
the engagement portion 405. The inner surfaces 415, 425 may be
referred to as a facing surface. The dimensions in the front-back
direction of the first protrusion 461 and the second protrusion 462
may be greater than the dimensions in the front-back direction of
the third claw 443 and the forth claw 444, and further may be less
than the dimensions in the front-back direction of the first arm
410 and the second arm 420.
[0063] It may be preferable that the molded resin portion 320 is
shaped to be downwardly narrowed such that the easier insertion
into the engagement portion 405 may be secured. This feature may be
more evident when the third claw 443 and the forth claw 444 are
provided at the engagement portion 405. However, this tapered shape
of the molded resin portion 320 may possibly create a gap between
the molded resin portion 320 and each of the first arm 410 and the
second arm 420. In this embodiment, in light of this problem, the
first protrusion 461 and the second protrusion 462 are provided
directly below the third claw 443 and the forth claw 444 in
particular, allowing the molded resin portion 320 is to be pressed
by the surrounding portions. This may accordingly contribute to
strengthen the holding by the engagement portion 405 of the molded
resin portion 320.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 5, the front-back width W461 of the first
protrusion 461 may preferably be greater than the front-back width
W413 of the third claw. In this case, the first protrusion 461 can
inwardly push the molded resin portion 320 at a wider area. The
same holds true to the second protrusion 462 facing the first
protrusion 461. From a view point of ensuring the easier insertion
of the molded resin portion 320 into the engagement portion 405,
the front-back width W461 of the first protrusion 461 may
preferably be less than the front-back width W410 of the first arm
410.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 5, a projection 465 may be provided at the
bottom 406 of the engagement portion 405 which projects into the
retaining space 430 between the first arm 410 and the second arm
420. According to such a configuration, the molded resin portion
320 may be upwardly pushed inside the retaining space 430 by the
projection 465, surely ensuring the sandwiching of the molded resin
portion 320 from above and below in corporation with each claw. The
projection 465 may preferably be provided at the bottom surface 407
of the bottom 406 between the first protrusion 461 and the second
protrusion 462.
[0066] As will be understood from above, the retaining space 430
below the third claw 443 and the forth claw 444 is reduced by the
first protrusion 461, the projection 465, and the second protrusion
462 on three sides, thereby ensuring sufficient holding of the
molded resin portion 320 by the engagement portion 405.
[0067] The hook 470 may be a substantially J-shaped portion coupled
to the engagement portion 405, and may be configured to be able to
hold the wire 120 within the hook 470. The hook 470 may include a
hook wall 471 coupled to the bottom surface of the bottom 406 of
the engagement portion 405, and an arcuate portion 472 coupled to
the bottom end of the hook wall 471. The hook wall 471 linearly
downwardly extends from the bottom surface of the bottom 406 of the
engagement portion 405. The arcuate portion 472 consists of a
curved portion in an arc from the bottom end of the hook wall 471
and a sloped portion from the bottom end of the hook wall 471
toward the tip of the arcuate portion 472. The curved concave at
the arcuate portion 472 faces the engagement portion 405.
[0068] The jig engagement portion 480 may be a portion to which a
jig for manipulating the clip 400 can be engaged and, in particular
it is provided outward of the hook 470 and defines a
jig-insertion-space 485 with the hook 470 therebetween. In this
example, the jig engagement portion 480 includes a coupled base 481
coupled to the arcuate portion 472 of the hook 470, and an outer
wall 482 extending from the coupled base 481 to reach to the
engagement portion 405 while defining a spacing in corporation with
the hook wall 471 of the hook 470 and the engagement portion 405.
The coupled base 481 downwardly and outwardly extends at a slant
from the arcuate portion 472 of the hook 470. The outer wall 482
rises from the outer end of the coupled base 481 and linearly
upwardly extends.
[0069] The base end of the jig engagement portion 480 is coupled to
the arcuate portion 472 of the hook 470, deepening the depth of the
jig-insertion-space 485 and hopefully ensuring the sufficient
pivoting of the outer wall 482. As shown in FIG. 3, the tip 489 of
the outer wall 482 sits next to the middle height in the up and
down direction of the outer surface of the second arm 420 so that a
jig-insertion-mouth 486 is formed between the outer surface of the
second arm 420 and the tip 489 of the outer wall 482.
[0070] The outer wall 482 extends to form a uniform spacing across
the outer surface of the hook wall 471 and the outer surface of the
second arm 420 of the engagement portion 405. The second arm 420 is
slightly outwardly tilted and is slant relative to the hook wall
471. Accordingly, the outer wall 482 is provided with a bent
portion 483 next to the coupled position between the hook wall 471
and the second arm 420. The bent portion 483 is bent such that its
convex faces the hook 470 side and the engagement portion 405 side.
The bent portion 483 secures a sufficient spacing between the
second arm 420 and the outer wall 482, thereby easier insertion of
jigs into the jig-insertion-space 485 may be ensured. Furthermore,
an outwardly protruding reinforcement protrusion 484 may be
provided at the outer surface of the bent portion 483 so that
reinforcement of the bent portion 483 can be ensured. Jigs fitted
into the jig engagement portion 480 may, for example, be a flathead
screw driver, but other types of jigs may be utilized.
[0071] The hook closure 490 may be configured to close the hook 470
and is positioned outward of the hook 470. In the present example,
the opening of the hook 470 faces away from the jig engagement
portion 480, and thus the hook closure 490 is oppositely arranged
relative to the jig engagement portion 480. In other words, the
hook 470 may be sandwiched by the hook closure 490 and the jig
engagement portion 480.
[0072] The hook closure 490 may include a base 491, a closure wall
492, and a guide wall 493. The base 491 is a portion which is
coupled to an outer surface of the first arm 410 of the engagement
portion 405 and is downwardly curved. The closure wall 492 is a
portion downwardly extending close to the opening of the hook 470.
The guide wall 493 is a portion which downwardly extending and
passing the tip end 479 of the hook 470 in order to ensure the
easiness of grasping the wire 210.
[0073] The closure wall 492 and the guide wall 493 are coupled and
bent outwardly so that a bent portion 494 is provided at this
coupled portion. The convex of the coupled portion 494 faces the
hook 470 side. The inner surface around the bent portion 494 is
provided with a disengagement-preventing-protrusion 495 which is
protruded to project toward the hook-internal space 475 of the hook
470. The wire 120 which has been entered into the hook-internal
space 475 may be prevented by the
disengagement-preventing-protrusion 495 from coming off out of
hook.
[0074] The inner surface of the guide wall 493, i.e. the surface of
the guide wall 493 at the hook 470 side may serve as a first guide
surface 46 and guide the wire 120 external of the hook 470 into the
hook 470. The second guide surface 47 may be configured by the
coupled portion of the arcuate portion 472 of the hook 470 and the
coupled base 481 of the jig engagement portion 480. The first guide
surface 46 and the second guide surface 47 are oriented to mutually
get closer toward the entrance for the wire between the hook 470
and the hook closure 490, thereby suitably guiding the wire 120
external of the hook 470 into the hook 470.
[0075] Here, references will be made particularly to FIGS. 6 to 9
in order to describe the cord 300. The cord 300 may be formed such
that the molded resin portion 320 is integrally coupled to both
surfaces of the bottom end of the flat thin tape 310. The molded
resin portion 320 may be shaped by a mold and so on to be suitable
for the insertion into the engagement portion 405 and to be
suitably retained in the engagement portion 405. Corresponding to
the third claw 443 and the forth claw 444 provided at the
engagement portion 405 as discussed above, the molded resin portion
320 is provided with grooves 340 which are provided at a
predetermined interval at both sides of the tape 310 and to which
each third claw 443 and forth claw 444 is insertable.
[0076] The molded resin portion 320 according to the present
example includes an engaged portion 350, a middle connecting
portion 360, and a flange 370, which are provided on both paired
main surfaces of the tape 310 and are configured symmetrically when
the tape 310 is taken as a symmetry plane. The engaged portion 350
to be grasped by the engagement portion 405 may be a substantially
upside-down triangle portion in section and includes a bottom
portion 351 and a top portion 352. The bottom portion 351 is held
between the third claw 443 and the bottom 406 and is held between
the forth claw 444 and the bottom 406. The top portion 352 is
integrally formed above onto the bottom portion 351. The integrated
portion of the bottom portion 351 and the top portion 352 is held
between the first claw 441 and the bottom 406 and between the
second claw 442 and the bottom 406.
[0077] The top portion 352 of the engaged portion 350 may be
provided with a paired top surfaces 330 which extend in parallel in
the front-back direction at both sides of the tape 310. A plurality
of grooves 340 are provided at each top surface 330 with a
predetermined interval along the front-back direction along one
side edge of the tape 310. The groove 340 is provided for
accommodating the third claw 443 or the forth claw 444.
[0078] Referring to FIG. 7, the top portion 352 of the engaged
portion 350 includes a first contact surface 331 with which the
first claw 441 of the first arm 410 can be in contact, and a second
contact surface 332 with which the second claw 442 of the second
arm 420 can be in contact. A first groove 341 is formed at the
first contact surface 331 and a second groove 342 is formed at the
second contact surface 332. The third claw 443 can contact the
bottom surface of the first groove 341, and the forth claw 444 can
contact the bottom surface of the second groove 342.
[0079] The middle connecting portion 360 may be configured to
occlude the mouth 450 between the first claw 441 and the second
claw 442 of the engagement portion 405. The flange 370 is coupled
via the middle connecting portion 360 to the engaged portion 350.
The flange 370 is projected from the main surface of the tape 310,
and forms a spacing between the flange 370 and the engaged portion
350. The flange 370 is a portion with which a jig can engage for
lowering the cord 300 toward the wire 120 located in the groove 110
of the cushion member 100.
[0080] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, at one side of the tape 310, the
arrangement interval of grooves 340 provided at the engaged portion
350 is narrower than the front-back width of the engagement portion
405. Accordingly, the engagement portion 405 of the clip 400 can be
positioned at an arbitrary position in the elongated engaged
portion 350 in the front-back direction. Preferably, three or more
grooves 340 may be provided at one side of the tape 310 within the
front-back width of the engagement portion 405, and similarly three
or more grooves 340 may be arranged at the other side of the tape
310.
[0081] A number of grooves 340 may be provided at the molded resin
portion 320 at the both sides of the tape 310 so that any
enhancement of flexibility of the molded resin portion 320 may be
envisaged. In both sides of the tape 310, the respective grooves
340 at one side exist symmetrically to the respective grooves 340
at the other side when the tape 310 is taken as a symmetry plane so
that geometric uniformity may be ensured. If the third claw 443 and
the forth claw 444 were arranged asymmetrically or not to be faced
one another, the respective arrangement manner of the grooves 340
at both sides of the tape 310 may be shifted in the front-back
direction.
[0082] References are now made to FIGS. 10 to 12 in order to
describe the insertion of the engaged portion 350 of the molded
resin portion 320 into the engagement portion 405. As shown in FIG.
10, the engaged portion 350 is configured to be narrower toward its
bottom end side, and thus it can be inserted into the mouth 450
between the first claw 441 and the second claw 442 without any
difficulty. The middle portion of the engaged portion 350 of the
molded resin portion 320 in up and down direction may have a
matched width with the left-right width W450 of the mouth 450, and
the engaged portion 350 is required to be pushed into the
engagement portion 405 in order to further lower the molded resin
portion 320. The engaged portion 350 of the molded resin portion
320 may preferably be made of an elastic material and may
elastically deform in response to an applied force when passing
through the mouth 450.
[0083] When the molded resin portion 320 is pushed between the
first arm 410 and the second arm 420 downwardly toward the bottom
406 via the mouth 450, the external surface of the engaged portion
350 of the molded resin portion 320 contacts the first arm 410 and
the second arm 420, the outwardly pushed first arm 410 by the
engaged portion 350 pivots around its base end clockwise when FIG.
10 is viewed in front, and similarly the second arm 420 pivots
around its base end counterclockwise when FIG. 10 is viewed in
front. As discussed above, the first arm 410 and the second arm 420
are close at the bottom 406 side and more distanced at the mouth
450 side. Accordingly, such respective arm pivoting in the opposite
direction will be suitably ensured. Finally, the first arm 410 and
the second arm 420 elastically recover to their original positions,
and accordingly engage with and sandwich the engaged portion 350 of
the molded resin portion 320 which has been inserted into the
retaining space 430 through the mouth 450.
[0084] During the course of downward pushing of the molded resin
portion 320, the engaged portion 350 of the molded resin portion
320 touches the third claw 443 and the forth claw 444. As discussed
above, the interspace between the third claw 443 and the forth claw
444 is upwardly widened so that descending of the molded resin
portion 320 is not greatly disturbed by the third claw 443 and the
forth claw 444. Further, each of the third claw 443 and the forth
claw 444 is a plate having a defined thickness by the pair of main
surfaces orthogonal to the front-back direction. Accordingly, the
contact area between the third claw 443 and the engaged portion 350
may be minimized, and similarly the contact area between the forth
claw 444 and the engaged portion 350 may be minimized, thus
descending of the molded resin portion 320 being not greatly
disturbed.
[0085] Being subjected to an applied force to the molded resin
portion 320 to pass through the mouth 450 between the first claw
441 and the second claw 442, the bottom portion 351 of the engaged
portion 350 may pass through the interspace between the third claw
443 and the forth claw 444; may displace further downward from the
third claw 443 and the forth claw 444; and may finally hit the
bottom 406 or the projection 465.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 11, the engaged portion 350 is sandwiched
between the first claw 441 and the bottom 406, and is sandwiched
between the second claw 442 and the bottom 406, thereby the engaged
portion 350 is sufficiently retained by the engagement portion 405.
There is a clearance between the first arm 410 and the bottom
portion 351 of the engaged portion 350. Similarly, there is a
clearance between the second arm 420 and the bottom portion 351 of
the engaged portion 350.
[0087] As shown in FIG. 12, the bottom portion 351 of the engaged
portion 350 is sandwiched between the third claw 443 and the bottom
406, and is sandwiched between the second claw 442 and the bottom
406, thereby the engaged portion 350 being sufficiently retained by
the engagement portion 405. The first protrusion 461 decreases the
clearance between the first arm 410 and the bottom portion 351 of
the engaged portion 350. Similarly, the second protrusion 462
decreases the clearance between the second arm 420 and the bottom
portion 351 of the engaged portion 350.
[0088] In view of the above descriptions, the skilled person could
add various modifications to the respective embodiments. The
reference numbers introduced in Claims are just for a reference,
and should not be referenced in order to narrowly construe claims.
The molded resin portion can be replaced by a metal block.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0089] 400 Clip
[0090] 405 Engagement portion
[0091] 410 First arm
[0092] 420 Second arm
[0093] 430 Retaining space
[0094] 441 First claw
[0095] 442 Second claw
[0096] 443 Third claw
[0097] 444 Forth claw
[0098] 450 Mouth
[0099] 470 Hook
[0100] 480 Jig engagement portion
[0101] 490 Hook closure
* * * * *