Sheet fasteners

Abstract

This invention relates to a sheet fastener for securing a pair of sheet edges, comprising a first member and a second member. The first member includes a first fixing portion configured to engage a first edge of the pair of sheet edges, and a support continuous with the first fixing portion. The support defines a first recess and includes a protrusion and a support portion defining an opening to the first recess. The second member includes a second fixing portion configured to engage a second edge of the pair of sheet edges, and a head continuous with the second fixing portion. The head includes a leading edge opposite the second fixing portion and a head surface extending from the second fixing portion to the leading edge. The head is insertable into the first recess, thereby maintaining contact between a portion of the head surface and the protrusion of the support.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a sheet fastener for securing overlapping edges of covering material. Background Technology

[0002] Sheet fasteners are typically used to secure overlapping edges of cover materials. For example, automotive seats may include cover materials that overlap cushioning material to form seat surfaces, backrests, headrest surfaces, armrest surfaces, etc. However, the use of sheet fasteners is not limited to automobiles or seats, but can be used in a variety of other products with cover materials, including but not limited to seats for trains, aircraft, ships, schools or offices, cushioning areas for sports equipment, furniture (such as sofas or beds), etc. Existing sheet fasteners can be difficult for installers to assemble and may require a long installation time. Furthermore, existing sheet fasteners cannot accommodate different cover materials with varying thicknesses, and they may have reduced bond strength depending on the thickness of the cover material. Reduced bond strength may make the sheet fasteners visible after installation, which may be undesirable in various products. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The terms “invention,” “this invention,” “the invention,” and “the present invention” as used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all the subject matter of this patent and the following patent claims. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the following patent claims. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not by the summary of the invention. The summary of the invention is a high-level overview of various embodiments of the invention and introduces some concepts further described in the following description of embodiments. The summary of the invention is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to define the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood with reference to the appropriate portions of this patent specification, any or all of the drawings, and each claim.

[0004] According to some embodiments, a sheet fastener for securing a pair of sheet edges includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes a first fixing portion and a bracket continuous with the first fixing portion. In various embodiments, the first fixing portion is configured to engage a first edge of the pair of sheet edges. In some embodiments, the bracket defines a first recess and includes a protrusion and a support portion, the protrusion and support portion defining an opening to the first recess. The second member includes a second fixing portion and a head continuous with the second fixing portion. In various embodiments, the second fixing portion is configured to engage a second edge of the pair of sheet edges. The head includes a leading edge opposite the second fixing portion and a head surface extending from the second fixing portion to the leading edge. In various embodiments, the head is insertable into a first recess of the bracket, thereby keeping a portion of the head surface in contact with a protrusion of the bracket. In some embodiments, the first recess includes a non-planar recessed surface. In various embodiments, the first member may include a stepped portion between the first fixing portion and the bracket, thereby offsetting the bracket relative to the first fixing portion. In some embodiments, the head is insertable into a first recess of the bracket, thereby keeping a portion of the head surface near the leading edge and a portion of the head surface near the second fixing portion in contact with the recessed surface. In some embodiments, the leading edge may be offset below the plane defined by the fixed surface of the second fixed portion, thereby defining a defined vertical gap between the plane and the leading edge.

[0005] The various embodiments described in this disclosure may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages that are not necessarily explicitly disclosed herein, but will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. All such systems, methods, features, and advantages are to be included in this disclosure and protected by the appended claims. Attached Figure Description

[0006] The features and components in the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of this disclosure. For consistency and clarity, corresponding features and components in each figure may be designated using appropriate reference characters.

[0007] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the covering material whose overlapping edges are fastened by sheet fasteners having a first member and a second member according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0008] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Side view of the sheet fastener.

[0009] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Another side view of the sheet fastener.

[0010] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A side view of the second component of the sheet fastener.

[0011] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A side view of a sheet fastener, with the second component in a temporary position relative to the first component.

[0012] Figure 6 According to embodiments of this disclosure Figure 1 A side view of the covering material and sheet fasteners, showing the overall thickness of the joint area including overlapping edges.

[0013] Figure 7 According to embodiments of this disclosure Figure 1 A side view of the covering material and sheet fasteners, showing the thickness of the gap between the overlapping edges joined by the sheet fasteners.

[0014] Figure 8 It includes Figure 1 A bottom view of the seat headrest covered with material.

[0015] Figure 9 This is a side view of another sheet fastener including a first component and a second component, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 10 This is a side view of another sheet fastener including a first component and a second component, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention has been specifically described herein to satisfy legal requirements, but such description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in combination with other existing or future techniques. This description should not be construed as implying any particular order or arrangement between the steps or elements unless the order of the steps or the arrangement of the elements is explicitly described. Directional references such as “up,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “front,” and “back” specifically refer to the orientation of a component and direction as shown and described in a single figure (or multiple figures).

[0018] This document describes a sheet fastener for securing a pair of sheet edges. The sheet fastener includes a first member and a second member assembleable with the first member. The first member includes a first retaining portion engageable with one of the sheet edges and a support continuous with the first retaining portion. The support defines a first recess including a protrusion and a support portion. In various embodiments, the protrusion and support portion define an opening to the first recess. The second member includes a second retaining portion engageable with the other sheet edge and a head continuous with the second retaining portion. In some embodiments, the head includes a leading edge opposite the second retaining portion and a head surface extending from the second retaining portion to the leading edge. The head of the second member can be inserted into the first recess of the support, thereby maintaining contact between a portion of the head surface and the protrusion of the support. A pair of sheet edges are secured by connecting the first and second members.

[0019] Figures 1 to 7 Sheet fasteners 100 according to various embodiments are shown. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the sheet fastener 100 can fasten a pair of sheet edges 102A and 102B of the cover material 104 along the joint 106. It should be understood that the sheet fastener 100 can be used to connect any pair of sheet edges, and the sheet edges do not necessarily have to be edges of the same cover material.

[0020] like Figures 2 to 5 As shown, the sheet fastener 100 includes a first component 108 and a second component 110. The first component 108 and the second component 110 may each be continuous components and may be manufactured from various suitable materials and various suitable molding techniques. As a non-limiting example, the first component 108 and the second component 110 may each be a synthetic resin material formed as needed by extrusion molding, injection molding, or other suitable techniques.

[0021] The first component 108 includes a first fixing portion 112 and a bracket 114 continuous with the first fixing portion 112. In various embodiments, the first fixing portion 112 includes an end portion 116 of the first component 108, and the bracket 114 is disposed opposite to the end portion 116. The first fixing portion 112 includes a first fixing surface 118 to which a sheet edge (e.g., sheet edge 102A) may be fixed by various suitable mechanisms or techniques. In a non-limiting example, the sheet edge may be sewn to the first fixing surface 118. In various embodiments, the first fixing surface 118 extends in a first plane 120.

[0022] The support 114 of the first member 108 defines a first recess 122 and includes a connecting portion 124, a support portion 126, and a protrusion 128. The support portion 126 extends from the connecting portion 124 and surrounds the first recess 122, and includes a support portion edge 130. The protrusion 128 extends from the connecting portion 124 toward the support portion edge 130 in a direction opposite to that of the support portion 126. In some embodiments, the protrusion 128 may be continuous with and / or otherwise connected to a first recess surface 136 of the first recess 122, and in some embodiments, the protrusion 128 may selectively extend from a non-planar portion of the first recess surface 136. The protrusion 128 may have various suitable shapes or profiles as needed, and Figures 1 to 7 The arcuate shape of the protrusion 128 shown should not be considered a limitation of this disclosure. The protrusion 128 includes a protruding edge 132, and the supporting edge 130 and the protruding edge 132 together define an opening leading to the first recess 122. The first recess 122 includes a first recess surface 136. Optionally, the first recess surface 136 may be non-planar. As a non-limiting example, the first recess surface 136 may be arcuate. Figures 1 to 7 In one embodiment, the first recessed surface 136 is substantially C-shaped. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the first recessed surface 136 may be planar. In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the first recess 122 has a center 131, which can be an axis, and the axis can be along the length of the first recess 122 (e.g., in...). Figure 2 (Extending in the direction of entering and leaving the page). It is understood that in some embodiments, the shape or contour of the first recess 122 may not be a perfect circle and may have various shapes or contours as needed. In some embodiments, only a sub-portion of the first recess surface 136 may be arcuate. Similarly, as discussed below, the shape of the head 142 of the second member 110 may be a perfect circle or may have other desired shapes. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first recess surface 136 is arcuate, and at least a portion of the head 142 is arcuate. In some embodiments, if a portion of the arcuate portion of the head 142 and the first recess surface 136 form a perfect circle, then the centers of the head 142 and the first recess 122 may match.

[0023] Optionally, the first member 108 includes a stepped portion 138, which is between and continuous with the first fixed portion 112 and the bracket 114. In some aspects, the stepped portion 138 may offset the connecting portion 124 of the bracket 114 (and thus the bracket 114 itself), thereby causing the connecting portion 124 to be higher or lower than the first plane 120. Figures 1 to 7In some embodiments, the stepped portion 138 offsets the connecting portion 124 over the first plane 120. In some embodiments, the stepped portion 138 allows the sheet fastener 100 to correspond to sheet edges of various thicknesses, and / or minimizes the gap between the fastened sheet edges while maintaining sufficient engagement strength. In various embodiments, the operation of engaging the first member 108 with the second member 110 is also improved because the second member 110 can engage with the first member 108 even if the sheet is thick.

[0024] like Figure 4 As shown, the second member 110 includes a second fixing portion 140 and a head 142. In various embodiments, the second fixing portion 140 includes an end portion 144 of the second member 110, and the head 142 is disposed opposite to the end portion 144. Similar to the first fixing portion 112, the second fixing portion 140 includes a second fixing surface 146, to which a sheet edge (e.g., sheet edge 102B) can be secured by various suitable mechanisms or techniques. In a non-limiting example, the sheet edge may be sewn onto the second fixing surface 146. Figure 2 As shown, in various embodiments, the second fixed surface 146 extends in the second plane 148.

[0025] The head 142 of the second member 110 includes a head edge 150 and defines a second recess 152. The head edge 150 and a portion of the second fixing portion 140 connected to the head 142 together define an opening leading to the second recess 152. In some respects, and as in Figure 2 and Figure 4 As best illustrated below, the head edge 150 is offset relative to the second plane 148, thereby defining a vertical gap 156 between the second plane 148 and the head edge 150. As discussed in detail below, in various embodiments, the gap 156 between the head edge 150 and the second plane 148 allows the head 142 to be deeply inserted into the first recess 122 and improves the stability of the second member 110 in a temporary position.

[0026] like Figure 4As shown, for example, head 142 includes an outer surface 158, and second recess 152 includes a second recess surface 160. In some aspects, outer surface 158 and / or second recess surface 160 may be non-planar surfaces; however, in other embodiments, at least a portion of outer surface 158 and / or second recess surface 160 may be planar. Similar to first recess surface 136, it is understood that head 142 is not necessarily a perfect circle, and head 142 may have various shapes or contours as needed. In some cases, at least a portion of head 142 is arcuate, and at least a portion of first recess surface 136 is arcuate. In embodiments where both head 142 and first recess surface 136 are perfect circles, their respective centers may be aligned with second member 110 assembled with first member 108. In some embodiments, the curvature of outer surface 158 may be complementary to the curvature of first recess surface 136. In such an embodiment, the complementary curvature of the outer surface 158 and the first recessed surface 136 can improve the contact between the first member 108 and the second member 110 and can facilitate rotational movement of the second member 110 relative to the first member 108.

[0027] In various embodiments, the second member 110 may further include a protrusion 162 extending from the second fixing portion 140 between the end portion 144 and the head 142. In some embodiments, for example, as shown in the figure... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, when the second component 110 is fully assembled with the first component 108, a portion of the protrusion 128 of the support 114 of the first component 108 can be received between the protrusion 162 and the head 142 of the second component 110.

[0028] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 5 The second component 110 can be positioned in a temporary position relative to the first component 108. Figure 5 ) and the location of complete assembly ( Figure 3 In the temporary position, the head 142 is partially positioned within the first recess 122 of the bracket 114. (As shown) Figure 5As shown, in the temporary position, the head edge 150 may contact the first recess surface 136, the support portion edge 130 of the bracket 114 is located within the second recess 152 and contacts the second recess surface 160 of the head 142, while the raised edge 132 contacts the outer surface 158 of the head 142. In some embodiments, the gap 156 between the head edge 150 and the second plane 148 may facilitate the initial insertion of the head 142 into the first recess 122 and into the temporary position. The gap 156 allows the head 142 to be deeply inserted into the first recess 122 in the temporary position, providing more support for the second member 110 in the temporary position compared to conventional sheet fasteners. In various embodiments, the gap 156 may also minimize the angle 164 between the first plane 120 and the second plane 148 in the temporary position compared to conventional sheet fasteners. In some cases, the angle 164 may be less than about 50°, and in a non-limiting example, the angle 164 may be less than about 26°. In other embodiments, angle 164 may be greater than 50°, or may be at other angles less than or equal to about 50° as needed. In various embodiments, gap 156 may also facilitate the movement of the second member 110 from a temporary position to a fully assembled position.

[0029] In the fully assembled position, the head 142 is completely within the first recess 122. For example... Figure 3 As shown, in the fully assembled position, at least the protrusion 128 remains in contact with the head 142. In various embodiments, when the head 142 is in the fully assembled position, the first recessed surface 136 may remain in contact with the outer surface 158 of the head 142. In some embodiments, the head 142 and the protrusion 128 may remain in contact when the head edge 150 is in contact with the first recessed surface 136 in the fully assembled position and / or in a temporary position. In some aspects, the contact maintained between the protrusion 128 and the head 142 in the fully assembled position may secure the second member 110 relative to the first member 108 and may improve the engagement strength of the sheet fastener 100. In various embodiments, the contact between the protrusion 128 and the head 142 may also maintain the axis of rotation of the second member 110 relative to the first member 108. In some embodiments, the axis of rotation may be the center 131 of the first recess 122, and the second member 110 may rotate about the center 131 of the first recess 122 of the first member 108. In other embodiments, the axis of rotation need not be the center 131 of the first recess 122. In various embodiments, in the fully assembled position, the raised edge 132 may be between the head 142 and the protrusion 162, although it need not depend on the rotational position of the second member 110 relative to the first member 108. In some embodiments, the support portion edge 130 of the bracket 114 may contact the second fixing portion 140 and / or a portion of the head 142. For example, in Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment, the edge 130 of the support portion contacts the portion of the second fixing portion 140 near the head 142. In other embodiments, such as Figure 10 As shown, the edge 130 of the support portion can simultaneously contact the head 142 and the second fixing portion 140. Figure 10 In some embodiments, the support portion edge 130 may include a groove 1033 that can accommodate the transition between the second fixing portion 140 and the head 142, although in other embodiments, the support portion edge 130 may have various suitable profiles or shapes as needed. In other embodiments, the support portion edge 130 may only contact the head 142. In various respects, this contact between the support portion edge 130 and the second fixing portion 140 can limit the rotation of the second member 110 relative to the first member 108 to maintain a stable connection.

[0030] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 The sheet fastener 100 in the fully engaged position can reduce the seam 106 ( Figure 6 The thickness 166 and the reduced gap 168 between the fastened edges 102A and 102B Figure 7 The thickness of the seam 106 provides an improved appearance for the edges 102A and 102B joined by the sheet fastener 100. In a non-limiting example, the thickness 166 of the seam 106 is approximately 12 mm, although this is not necessarily the case in other examples. In a non-limiting example, the thickness of the gap 168 is approximately 2 mm, although this is not necessarily the case in other examples.

[0031] Figure 8 An example of a headrest 801 is shown, which has a seam 806 in the covering material 804 that is substantially similar to the seam 106 in the covering material 104 and is formed by a sheet fastener (not visible) similar to the sheet fastener 100.

[0032] Figure 9 An example of a sheet fastener 900 is shown, which is substantially similar to the sheet fastener 100 except that the stepped portion 938 of the first member 908 has a different shape and is more square compared to the stepped portion 138 of the first member 108 of the sheet fastener 100.

[0033] Figure 10 An example of a sheet fastener 1000 is shown, which is substantially similar to the sheet fastener 100 except that the support portion edge 130 of the first member 108 is configured to contact the head 142 and the second fixing portion 140 of the second member 110 and includes a groove 1033.

[0034] Back Figures 1 to 7 The method of securing the pairs of edges 102A and 102B with sheet fastener 100 may include securing sheet edge 102A to a first fixing surface 118 and sheet edge 102B to a second fixing surface 146. The head 142 of the second member 110 moves toward the support 114 of the first member 108, with the head edge 150 inserting into the first recess 122 and contacting the first recess surface 136, thereby placing the second member 110 in a temporary position. In some aspects, inserting the head edge 150 into the first recess 122 will insert the support portion edge 130 into the second recess 152 to contact the second recess surface 160. In various embodiments, in the temporary position, edges 102A and 102B can be adjusted as needed before applying tension to edges 102A and 102B. As some non-limiting examples, when the sheet fastener 100 and edges 102A and 102B are in a temporary position, creases, sagging, etc. on edges 102A and 102B can be removed.

[0035] The second member 110 can rotate relative to the first member 108, thereby bringing the second fixing portion 140 closer to the first fixing portion 112. In various embodiments, the second member 110 can rotate relative to the first member 108 about a rotation axis, which may be the center 131 of the first recess 122. Rotation of the second member 110 can further insert the head 142 of the second member 110 into the first recess 122. When the second fixing portion 140 is brought closer to the first fixing portion 112, the rotation of the second member 110 applies tension to the sheet edge 102B. In various embodiments, during the rotation of the second member 110, the protrusion 128 may selectively remain in contact with the head 142.

[0036] Due to the rotation of the second member 110, the second member 110 moves from a temporary position to a fully assembled position. In the fully assembled position, the protrusion 128 can maintain contact with the head 142, and the outer surface 158 of the head 142 can also contact the first recess surface 136 in addition to the protrusion 128 (e.g., in the position opposite to the protrusion 128). In the fully assembled position, the support portion edge 130 can contact the second fixing portion 140, the head 142, or both the second fixing portion 140 and the head 142. In various embodiments, in the fully assembled position, the contact between the support portion edge 130 and the second fixing portion 140, the head 142, or both the second fixing portion 140 and the head 142 can limit the rotation of the second member 110 relative to the first member 108 to maintain a stable connection. Therefore, the first member 108 and the second member 110 are reliably connected, thereby securing the edges 102A and 102B as they approach each other.

[0037] The aspects described above are merely possible embodiments, provided only for a clear understanding of the principles of this disclosure. Many variations and modifications can be made to the above embodiments without materially departing from the spirit and principles of this disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure, and all possible combinations of individual aspects, elements, or steps are intended to be supported by this disclosure. Furthermore, although specific terminology is used herein and in the following claims, it is used only in a general and descriptive sense and is not intended to limit the described invention or the following claims.

Claims

1. A sheet fastener for securing a pair of sheet edges, characterized in that, The sheet fastener includes a first component and a second component. The first component includes: A first fixing portion is configured to engage with a first edge of the pair of sheet edges; and The bracket is continuous with the first fixed portion. The second component includes: The second fixing portion is configured to engage with the second edge of the pair of sheet edges; and A head, continuous with the second fixing portion, and including a leading edge opposite the second fixing portion and a head surface extending from the second fixing portion to the leading edge. The bracket defines a first recess and includes a connecting portion, a protrusion, and a supporting portion, the protrusion and the supporting portion defining an opening leading to the first recess. The head of the second member can be inserted into the first recess of the bracket, thereby keeping a portion of the surface of the head in contact with the protrusion of the bracket. The first fixing surface of the first fixing portion extends in the first plane. The support portion of the bracket extends from the connecting portion, and the protrusion of the bracket extends from the connecting portion in a direction opposite to the support portion. The first component includes a stepped portion located between the first fixed portion and the bracket, the stepped portion being continuous with both the first fixed portion and the bracket. The stepped portion is offset from the connecting portion of the bracket, thus offsetting the bracket so that the connecting portion is higher or lower than the first plane.

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