Cover material fastening clamp and cover material fastening structure

Abstract

Reference material fastening clamp (40), comprising: a clamping device (50) provided with a retaining groove (59) for holding a holding body (30) fastened to a reference material (3); a hook (60) designed to be engaged with a wire (20) to be arranged in a groove (2A) of a cushion material (2); and an engagement opening (41) defined between the tensioning device (50) and a front end (63) of the hook (60), wherein the engagement opening (41) has an opening size (W) in a range of 50% to 80% of a width (W3) of the retaining groove (59), wherein the clamping device (50) comprises: a base portion (51); a first holding part (52A) and a second holding part (52B) extending in a first direction from the base portion (51); and a locking projection (70) projecting toward the front end (63) of the hook (60), wherein the first holding part (52A) and the second holding part (52B) each have claws (57) which protrude toward each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the hook (60) has a base end (62) continuous with the second holding part (52B) of the clamping device (50), wherein the locking projection (70) is continuous with the first holding part (52A) of the clamping device (50), and when a dimension from a base end to a front end of an inner engaging surface (571) of each of the claws (57) in the second direction is a dimension L1, a dimension from the inner engaging surface of each of the claws (57) to a bottom (511) of the base portion (51) in the first direction is a dimension L2, a dimension from the bottom (511) of the base portion (51) to an end surface (71) of the locking projection (70) in the first direction is a dimension L3, and a dimension of a space between a peripheral surface of the wire (20) engaged with the hook (60) and an arc surface (72) of the locking projection (70) is a dimension L4, the dimension L1, the dimension L2 and the dimension L3 are set such that a dimension obtained by dividing the dimension L2 by the dimension L3 and multiplying the obtained value by the dimension L1 is set larger than the dimension L4.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover material fixing clamp and a cover material fixing structure used for fixing a cover material covering a surface of a car seat, a chair used in a room, and the like. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Typically, in the seat, chair, or the like described above, a cushion material or soft padding, the surface of which is covered with a covering material, is often used in an area that is touched by a human body (e.g., a seat surface and a backrest). Various structures are used to attach such a covering material.

[0003] For example, there is a known cover material fixing structure including a linear body (wire) arranged in a groove of a cushion pad main body (cushion material), a clamp engaging with the cover material fixing structure, and a fastener attached to a back surface of the cover material, which engages with the clamp, thereby fixing the cover material from the back surface (see Patent Literature 1 to 3). A cover material fixing clamp is also disclosed in Patent Literature 4 and Patent Literature 5.

[0004] Patent Literature 1 discloses a clamp including a base, elastically deformable right and left extension portions extending from a first side of the base, and an elastically deformable hook-shaped second extension portion extending from a second side of the base in a direction opposite to the extension direction of the right and left extension portions. In the clamp, the wire is engaged with the second extension portion, and a fastener is engaged with the right and left first extension portions, thereby securing the reference material to the wire.

[0005] Patent Literature 2 discloses a clamp having a locking claw base (base), a pair of elastically deformable locking claws extending from a first side of the locking claw base, and a hook extending from a second side of the locking claw base opposite the first side in a direction opposite to the pair of locking claws. In this clamp, a locking end member (locking tool) attached to the reference material engages the pair of locking claws, and the hook engages the wire to secure the reference material to the wire.

[0006] Patent Literature 3 discloses a clamp comprising: a clamp defined by a bottom and a pair of right and left holding parts extending from the bottom; a hook part extending from the clamp; and a guide part extending from the clamp toward an opening of the hook to oppose the hook. In this clamp, a hanging part (locking instrument) provided on a hanging fabric (cover material) is engaged with the right and left holding parts of the pair, and the guide part is pressed against the wire to engage the wire with the hook part, thereby fastening the hanging fabric. CITATION LISTPATENT LITERATURE Patent literature 1 JP 2011-45424 A Patent Literature 2 International Publication WO 2016 / 178275 Patent literature 3 JP 6020320 B Patent literature 4 US 2018 / 0 236 915 A1 Patent literature 5 DE 10 2015 015 700 A1. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] The clamps of Patent Documents 1 to 3, whose entire width and the like are configured in a right-left direction depending on a width of the locking tool attached to the reference material, are designed to be engaged with a wire having a diameter of 20% to 35% of the width of the locking tool attached to the reference material (or a width of a retaining groove in which the locking tool of the clamp is locked). Accordingly, when a wire diameter larger than a typical diameter is required to improve the strength of the wire, the above-mentioned clamps cannot be properly engaged with the large-diameter wire.For a wire whose diameter is such that the terminal cannot be engaged, the reference material is fixed to a cushion pad body with a metallic ring instead of the terminal, resulting in poor practicability of the connection process.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a reference material fixing clamp and a reference material fixing structure which can meet the requirements of increasing a diameter of a wire. MEANS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, a cover material fastening clamp comprises: a clamp provided with a retaining groove for holding a holding body fastened to a cover material; a hook configured to be engaged with a wire to be arranged in a groove of a cushion material; and an engagement opening defined between the clamp and a front end of the hook, the engagement opening having an opening size in a range of 50% to 80% of a width of the retaining groove.

[0010] The reference material fixing clamp according to the above aspect of the invention can meet the requirement of increasing the diameter of the wire.

[0011] In the reference material fastening clamp according to the above-mentioned aspect, the clamp comprises: a base portion; a first holding part and a second holding part extending in a first direction from the base portion; and a locking projection projecting toward the front end of the hook, wherein the first holding part and the second holding part each have claws projecting toward each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the hook has a base end continuous with the second holding part of the clamp, the locking projection is continuous with the first holding part of the clamp, and when a dimension from a base end to a front end of an inner engaging surface of each of the claws in the second direction is a dimension L1, a dimension from the inner engaging surface of each of the claws to a bottom of the base portion in the first direction is a dimension L2,a dimension from the bottom of the base portion to an end surface of the locking projection in the first direction is a dimension L3, and a dimension of a space between a peripheral surface of the wire engaged with the hook and an arc surface of the locking projection is a dimension L4, the dimension L1, the dimension L2, and the dimension L3 are set such that a dimension obtained by dividing the dimension L2 by the dimension L3 and multiplying the obtained value by the dimension L1 is set larger than the dimension L4.

[0012] The dimensions L1 to L3 of the reference material fixing clamp of the above-mentioned aspect of the invention are set as described above. Accordingly, in the reference material fixing clamp of the above-mentioned aspect of the invention, for example, when the holding body fixed to the reference material is held by the jig, and the wire whose diameter is larger than a dimension of an engagement opening between the hook and the locking projection is engaged with the hook, and a pulling force is applied from the jig to the holding body to expand a space between the holding parts outward in the second direction, a force for moving the locking projection toward the wire is generated, so that the locking projection prevents the wire from falling off.Meanwhile, since the locking projection is in contact with the wire, the holding parts are prevented from moving outward in the second direction, so that a force for holding the holding body in the clamping device can be maintained.

[0013] In the reference material fixing clamp according to the above aspect, a thickness of the base portion may be smaller than a thickness at a base end of the first holding part and the second holding part.

[0014] With this arrangement, the base portion having a small thickness elastically deforms when the retaining body is inserted between the first retaining part and the second retaining part, so that the retaining body is easily inserted. Furthermore, in a state where the wire is engaged with the hook, even if an attempt is made to pull the retaining body out from between the first retaining part and the second retaining part, the locking protrusion in pressure contact with the wire can prevent the first retaining part from moving outward.

[0015] In the reference material fixing clamp according to the above aspect, the base end of the hook may be spaced apart from the locking projection in the second direction, and the base portion may have a concave portion recessed toward the clamping device at a portion of the base portion between the base end of the hook and the locking projection.

[0016] In this arrangement, due to a small thickness of the area of ​​the base portion in which the concave portion is formed, the area is easily elastically deformed, and finally, the elastic deformation of the area allows the holding body to be easily inserted between the holding parts of the pair and allows the force to move the locking projection toward the wire to be generated.

[0017] In the reference material fixing clamp according to the above aspect, the thickness at the base end of the first holding part and the second holding part may be larger than the thickness of the base portion.

[0018] With this arrangement, the base portion is more easily elastically deformed than the base end of the first holding part and the second holding part. Accordingly, the strength of the holding parts is improved to increase the holding force for the holding body, and the base portion is elastically deformed when an attempt is made to pull the holding body out of the clamp, so that the locking projection generates the moving force toward the wire to prevent the wire from falling off.

[0019] In the upholstery fixing clamp according to the above aspect, a thickness of the first holding part and the second holding part may be larger at least in a half region from the base end in the first direction than in a region near a front end with respect to the half region.

[0020] With this arrangement, the first holding part and the second holding part can provide improved strength in a region near the base end while still having elasticity in a region near the front end, the elasticity being sufficient so that the holding body can be inserted between the first holding part and the second holding part. Accordingly, the holding force of the clamping device for the holding body can be improved while the holding body is insertable between the first holding part and the second holding part.

[0021] In the reference material fixing clamp according to the above aspect, the thickness of the first holding part and the second holding part can be gradually reduced from the base end to the front end.

[0022] With this arrangement, the first holding part and the second holding part can provide improved strength in a region near the base end while still having elasticity in the region near the front end. The elasticity is sufficient so that the holding body can be inserted between the first holding part and the second holding part. Furthermore, the first holding part and the second holding part can be prevented from being locally elastically deformed.

[0023] In an exemplary reference material fastening clamp not belonging to the invention, the clamp may comprise: a base portion; and a first holding part and a second holding part that extend in a first direction from the base portion and that face each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction; the hook may be continuous with the second holding part of the clamp and have a groove forming surface that defines an engaging groove in which the wire is received; and the clamp may further comprise: an outer side surface on the first holding part; a wire receiving surface continuous with the outer side surface and the groove forming surface; and the front end of the hook may be arranged near the second holding part with respect to the outer side surface on the first holding part of the clamp.

[0024] In the reference material fastening clamp according to the above example, the wire is to be inserted into the engagement opening while the entire reference material fastening clamp is inclined with respect to the insertion direction in which the reference material fastening clamp is inserted into the groove of the cushion material, since the engagement opening into which the wire is inserted is defined between the wire receiving surface and the front end of the hook.For example, since the front end of the hook is arranged near the second holding part with respect to the outer side surface of the first holding part of the jig, the reference material fixing clamp can receive the wire on the wire receiving surface of the jig without being greatly inclined with respect to the insertion direction, whereby the wire can be smoothly inserted into the engagement hole between the front end of the hook and the wire receiving surface, and can thereby be easily engaged with the hook.

[0025] Since the wire can be received on the wire receiving surface as described above, even when the wire whose diameter is larger than a dimension of a space between the front end of the hook and the wire receiving surface is engaged with the hook, the wire can be brought into contact with the front end of the hook and the wire receiving surface to be easily inserted into the engagement hole.

[0026] In the exemplary reference material fixing clip not belonging to the invention, the hook may have a guide surface continuous with the front end, and the guide surface may be inclined from a side near the second holding part to a side near the first holding part with respect to the second direction to approach the wire receiving surface.

[0027] With this arrangement, since the guide surface continuous with the front end of the hook is inclined as described above, by inserting the reference material fixing clamp into the groove of the cushion material and sliding the reference material fixing clamp with the guide surface kept in contact with the wire, the wire can be guided toward the engaging hole while the reference material fixing clamp is inclined.

[0028] In the exemplary reference material fastening clamp not belonging to the invention, the hook may be continuous with the second holding part.

[0029] In this arrangement, since the hook is continuous with the second holding part, the engaging groove formed by the groove forming surface formed continuously with the wire receiving surface of the jig is made large, whereby the wire having a larger diameter can be engaged with the hook.

[0030] Further, the front end of the hook may be arranged closer to the second holding part while the engaging groove is formed in a predetermined size, so that an inclination angle of the reference material fixing clamp with respect to the insertion direction for engaging the hook and the wire can be reduced.

[0031] In the exemplary reference material fixing clamp not belonging to the invention, one end of the guide surface may be arranged near the second holding part with respect to an imaginary line along the first direction passing through a center between the first holding part and the second holding part in the second direction.

[0032] With this arrangement, for example, compared to a case where the end of the hook is close to the first holding part with respect to the imaginary line, the guide surface can be made longer in its inclination direction. Accordingly, even if the reference material fixing clamp is misaligned in the right / left direction orthogonal to the insertion direction in which the reference material fixing clamp is inserted into the groove of the cushion material, the guide surface can be brought into contact with the wire over a wide area.

[0033] In the exemplary reference material fastening clip not belonging to the invention, at least a portion of the wire receiving surface located near the first holding part with respect to the front end of the hook in the second direction may be inclined from a side on the first holding part to a side on the second holding part with respect to the second direction to approach the front end of the hook.

[0034] With this arrangement, for example, compared with a case where the wire receiving surface region is formed along the second direction, a flat region in which the reference material fixing clamp is projected onto the wire when the reference material fixing clamp is inclined with respect to the insertion direction can be made wide, so that the wire can be stably received at this flat region.

[0035] In another exemplary reference material fastening clamp not belonging to the invention, the clamp may include: a base portion; and a first holding part and a second holding part that extend from the base portion in a first direction and that face each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction; the front end of the hook and / or the clamp may include a narrow projection that projects toward the facing clamp and / or the facing front end and defines an engagement opening, and a width of the narrow projection in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction may be smaller than a width of the hook and / or the clamp in the third direction.

[0036] In this arrangement, the engagement opening is defined by the narrow protrusion formed at the front end of the hook and / or the clamping device and the other of the front end and the clamping device, or by the narrow protrusion formed at both the front end and the clamping device. Thus, when the wire is inserted into the engagement opening, a contact area of ​​the terminal that is to be contacted with the wire can be reduced, thereby improving the wire insertion capability.

[0037] In the further exemplary reference material fastening clip not belonging to the invention, a tapered surface that tapers the hook toward the front end may be formed at a region near the front end of each of opposite sides of the hook.

[0038] In this arrangement, since both tapered surfaces taper the front end of the hook, an insertion force of the wire into the engaging opening can be reduced.

[0039] In the further exemplary reference material fixing clip not belonging to the invention, the narrow protrusion may be formed at the front end of the hook, and a width of the narrow protrusion in the third direction may be in a range of 18% to 70% of a maximum width of the hook in the third direction.

[0040] With this arrangement, the above-described suitability for inserting the wire can be improved, and the wire is prevented from falling off in a suitable manner.

[0041] In the further exemplary reference material fixing clamp not belonging to the invention, the narrow projection may have a leading end surface inclined toward an outside of the engaging opening to be away from the clamping device.

[0042] With this arrangement, the wire can be guided into the engaging hole through the guide end surface immediately before being inserted into the engaging hole, so that the wire insertion capability can be improved.

[0043] A cover material fixing structure comprises: a holding body to be fixed to a cover material; a wire to be arranged in a groove of the cushion material; and the cover material fixing clamp according to the above aspect for holding the holding body and engaging with the wire.

[0044] The reference material fixing structure according to the above aspect of the invention can have the above-described functions and effects of the reference material fixing clamp.

[0045] According to the above aspects of the invention, a reference material fixing clamp and a reference material fixing structure can be provided which can meet the requirements for increasing a diameter of a wire. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a reference material fixing structure according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a clamp of the reference material fixing structure according to the first exemplary embodiment. Fig. 3 is an end view of the clamp of the reference material fastening structure according to the first exemplary embodiment. Fig. 4 is an end view of the clamp in motion of the reference material fastening structure according to the first exemplary embodiment. Fig. 5 explanatory shows an assembling process of the reference material fixing structure according to the first exemplary embodiment. Fig. 6 explanatory shows how a reference material is fixed by the reference material fixing structure according to the first exemplary embodiment. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a clamp of a reference material fixing structure according to a second example not belonging to the invention. Fig. 8 is an end view of the clamp of the reference material fixing structure according to the second example. Fig. 9 explanatory shows an assembling process of the clamp of the reference material fixing structure according to the second example. Fig. 10 is an end view of a clamp of a first modification of the invention. Fig. 11 is an end view of a clamp of a second modification of the invention. Fig. 12 is an end view of a clamp of a third modification of the second example. Fig. 13 explanatory shows an assembly process of the clamp of the third modification. Fig. 14 is an end view of a clamp of a fourth modification of the second example. Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a clamp of a fifth modification not belonging to the invention. Fig. 16 is an end view of a clamp of the fifth modification. Fig. 17 is a side view of a clamp of the fifth modification. Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a clamp of a sixth modification not belonging to the invention. Fig. 19 is an end view of the clamp of the sixth modification. Fig. 20 shows the terminal of the sixth modification. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)First exemplary embodiment

[0046] A first exemplary embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0047] As it is in Fig. 1, a cover material fastening structure 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment is for fastening a cover material 3 covering a surface of a cushion material 2 of a seat in a vehicle such as an automobile. The cover material fastening structure 10 includes: a cross-sectionally circular wire 20 (linear body) disposed in a groove 2A formed in the cushion material 2; a holding body 30 fixed to a back surface of the cover material 3; and a cover material fastening clamp 40 (hereinafter referred to as the "clamp") configured to be engaged with the wire 20 and to hold the holding body 30.

[0048] In the following description, a length direction of the clamp 40 (third direction (the same direction as a length direction of the holding body 30)) is defined as an X-axis direction, a right / left direction (second direction) of the clamp 40 is defined as a Y-axis direction, and a vertical direction (first direction) of the clamp 40 is defined as a Z-axis direction. The X-, Y-, and Z-axis directions are perpendicular to each other.

[0049] The cushion material 2 is a synthetic resin urethane foam material (e.g., expanded polyurethane) molded into a seat shape. In the exemplary embodiment, a diameter of the wire 20 is defined in a range of 60% to 100% of a width of the holding body 30 in the Y-axis direction (or a width W3 of a retaining groove 59 for holding the holding body 30 of the clamp 40 in the Y-axis direction). The cover material 3 is made of a synthetic resin woven fabric sheet or the like.

[0050] As it is in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the clamp 40 includes: a clamp 50 configured to hold the holding body 30; an elastically deformable hook 60 configured to be engaged with the wire 20; and a locking projection 70 defining an engagement opening 41 with a front end 63 of the hook 60, the engagement opening 41 having an opening size W. The opening size W (minimum opening size) of the engagement opening 41 is set in a range of 50% to 80% of the width W3 (maximum width) of the retaining groove 59 in the Y-axis direction (65% in the exemplary embodiment).

[0051] The clamping device 50 includes: a base portion 51; and a first holding part 52A and a second holding part 52B which are elastically deformable and which extend upward in the Z-axis direction from the base portion 51 and which face each other with a gap in the Y-axis direction.

[0052] The base portion 51 has a bottom 511 continuous with an inner side surface 54 (described later) of the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B, and an arc surface 512 continuous with a groove formation surface 61 (described later) of the hook 60. A central position of the base portion 51 in the Y-axis direction is set to a thickness T1 (thickness in the Z-axis direction). The thickness T1 is defined to be smaller than a thickness T2 in the Y-axis direction at the base end 56 of the first holding part 52A. A dimension of the base end 56 in the Y-axis direction is also defined as the thickness T2.

[0053] The first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B are continuous with respective sides of the base portion 51 in the Y-axis direction. The first holding part 52A has an outer side surface 53 and an inner side surface 54. The inner side surface 54 is provided with an inner surface 541 along the Z-axis direction and with an inclined inner surface 542 that is closer to the base portion 51 than the inner surface 541. An end 543 of the inclined inner surface 542, which is located near the front end 55 of the first holding part 52A, is continuous with the inner surface 541. An end 544 of the inclined inner surface 542, which is located near the base portion 51, is continuous with the bottom 511 of the base portion 51, described later.Furthermore, the first holding part 52A has a claw 57 that projects from the front end 55 toward the second holding part 52B in the Y-axis direction and has an inner engagement surface 571 that is continuous with the inner surface 541.

[0054] The inclined inner surface 542 is inclined with respect to the Z-axis direction so that the end 544 is closer to the second holding part 52B than the end 543. Accordingly, a thickness of a portion of the first holding part 52A in the Y-axis direction where the inclined inner surface 542 is formed is gradually reduced from the base end 56 toward the front end 55 of the first holding part 52A.

[0055] In the exemplary embodiment, the inclined inner surface 542 is formed over at least half of a region (sometimes referred to herein as "at least half the region") of the first holding part 52A along the Z-axis direction. Accordingly, a thickness of the first holding part 52A in the at least half region from the base end 56 in the Z-axis direction is greater than a thickness of the first holding part 52A in a region near the front end 55 with respect to the at least half region. The above-described thickness T2 of the first holding part 52A, which is the maximum thickness at the base end 56 in the exemplary embodiment, is set to a dimension at least twice as large as the thickness T1 at the base portion 51.

[0056] Since the second holding part 52B is configured in the same manner as the first holding part 52A and is arranged opposite to the first holding part 52A in the left / right direction, components of the second holding part 52B are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first holding part 52A.

[0057] The claws 57 of the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B protrude so as to approach each other in the Y-axis direction and define a retaining opening 58 between the claws 57 through which the holding body 30 is inserted.

[0058] The bottom 511 of the base portion 51, the inner side surfaces 54 of the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B, and the inner engagement surfaces 571 of the claws 57 define the retaining groove 59 in which the holding body 30 is placed.

[0059] The hook 60 with the groove-forming surface 61 is curved in the exemplary embodiment. A base end 62 of the hook 60 is continuous with the base end 56 of the second holding part 52B, while the front end 63 of the hook 60 with the locking projection 70 defines the engagement opening 41.

[0060] The locking projection 70 is spaced apart in the Y-axis direction from the base end 62 of the hook 60. The locking projection 70 is continuous with the base end 56 of the first holding part 52A, while projecting from the base end 56 in the Z-axis direction toward the front end 63 of the hook. The locking projection 70 has an end surface 71; and an arc surface 72 continuous with the end surface 71 and the arc surface 512 of the base portion 51.

[0061] In the hook 60, the engagement groove 65 in which the wire 20 is to be arranged is formed by the groove-forming surface 61 and the arc surfaces 72, 512. In the exemplary embodiment, a diameter of the engagement groove 65 is set slightly larger than a diameter of the wire 20.

[0062] The above-mentioned clamp 40 is configured to satisfy the following formula (1), where a dimension of the inner engaging surface 571 of the claw 57 in the Y-axis direction is a dimension L1, a dimension from the inner engaging surface 571 of the claw 57 in the Z-axis direction to the bottom 511 of the base portion 51 is a dimension L2, a dimension of a combination of the base portion 51 and the locking projection 70 in the Z-axis direction (ie, a dimension from the bottom 511 of the base portion 51 to the end surface 71 of the locking projection 70 in the Z-axis direction) is a dimension L3, and a dimension of a space between a circumferential surface of the wire 20 engaged with the hook 60 and the arc surface 72 of the locking projection 70 is a dimension L4.In particular, the dimension L1, the dimension L2 and the dimension L3 are set so that a dimension obtained by dividing the dimension L2 by the dimension L3 and multiplying the obtained value by the dimension L1 is larger than the dimension L4. Numerical Formula 1 L4 <L2L3×L1

[0063] Since the dimensions of the clamp 40 are set as described above, for example, when a tensile force in the Z-axis direction is applied to the holding body 30 as shown in Fig. 4, and the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B are spaced apart from each other in the Y-axis direction to be opened while elastically deforming, the locking projection 70 allows the wire 20 to be brought into contact with the wire 20, thereby preventing the first holding part 52A from moving outward. The holding body 30 is thus prevented from being pulled out. At the same time, the locking projection 70 is in contact with the peripheral surface of the wire 20 and prevents the wire 20 from being pulled out. Assembly process in the first exemplary embodiment

[0064] An assembly process of the reference material fixing structure 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment will be described below.

[0065] First, the holding body 30 fixed to the reference material 3 is inserted into the retaining hole 58 of the clamp 40 to be disposed in the retaining groove 59 while engaging with the inner engaging surface 571 of the claw 57 to be prevented from falling off.

[0066] Next, the clamp 40 is inserted in the Z-axis direction into the groove 2A of the cushion material 2 to be engaged with the wire 20. Specifically, the clamp 40 is engaged with the wire as follows. First, as shown in Fig. 5, the terminal is inserted into the groove 2A while being inclined with respect to the Z-axis direction (a terminal insertion direction), and the front end 63 of the hook 60 and the locking projection 70 are brought into contact with the peripheral surface of the wire 20. Subsequently, while the terminal 40 is pressed against the wire 20 and the hook 60 is elastically deformed to widen the engaging hole 41, the wire 20 is pressed through the engaging hole 41 into the engaging groove 65 to enter a Fig. 6 shown state. In the state shown in Fig. 6, the wire 20 is surrounded by the groove forming surface 61 and the arc surfaces 72, 512 so that the wire 20 engages with the hook 60. Advantages of the first exemplary embodiment

[0067] (1) In the first exemplary embodiment, the opening size W of the engaging hole 41 is set to 50% to 80% of the width W3 of the retaining groove 59. With this structure, a large-sized wire 20 whose diameter is, for example, 60% to 100% of the width W3 of the retaining groove 59 can be engaged.

[0068] In addition, the opening size W set smaller than the diameter of the wire 20 provides a click feeling when the wire 20 is pressed into the engaging groove 65 and also prevents the wire 20 from being released from the engaging groove 65.

[0069] (2) In the first exemplary embodiment, when the dimension of the claw 57 in the Y-axis direction is dimension L1, the dimension from the claw 57 in the Z-axis direction to the base portion 51 is dimension L2, the dimension of the combination of the base portion 51 and the locking projection 70 in the Z-axis direction is dimension L3, and the dimension of the space between the wire 20 engaged with the hook 60 and the locking projection 70 is dimension L4, the dimension L1, the dimension L2, and the dimension L3 are set such that the dimension obtained by dividing the dimension L2 by the dimension L3 and multiplying the obtained value by the dimension L1 is larger than the dimension L4.

[0070] Accordingly, a tensile force is applied from the clamp 50 to the holding body 30 to push the first holding part 52A outward in the Y-axis direction, thereby generating a moving force on the locking projection 70 toward the wire 20, so that the locking projection 70 can prevent the wire 20 from falling off. At the same time, since the locking projection 70 is in contact with the wire 20, the first holding part 52A can be prevented from being pushed outward in the Y-axis direction, so that a holding force of the clamp 50 for the holding body 30 can be maintained. In the first exemplary embodiment described above, the clamp 40 can be suitably engaged with the wire 20, which may have a diameter of even about 4 mm, which is larger than a diameter of a typical metal wire (approximately 2 mm).

[0071] (3) The thickness T1 of the base portion 51 is defined smaller than the thickness T2 at the base end 56 of the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B.

[0072] Due to the elastic deformation of the base portion 51 having the small thickness T1 in this arrangement, easy insertion of the holding body 30 between the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B is enabled. Furthermore, in the state where the wire 20 is engaged with the hook 60, even when the holding body 30 is to be pulled out from between the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B, the locking projection 70 in pressure contact with the wire 20 can prevent the first holding part 52A from being pushed outward.

[0073] (4) The thickness T2 at the base end 56 of the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B is defined to be larger than the thickness T1 of the base portion 51.

[0074] This arrangement enables easier elastic deformation of the base portion 51 compared to the base end 56 of the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B. Accordingly, the strength of the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B is improved to improve the holding force for the holding body 30, and the base portion 51 is elastically deformed when the holding body 30 is to be pulled out from the jig 50, so that a force is generated to move the locking projection 70 toward the wire 20 to prevent the wire 20 from falling off.

[0075] (5) Each of the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B is defined with a greater thickness in the at least half area from the base end 56 in the Z-axis direction than in an area near the front end 63 with respect to the at least half area.

[0076] With this arrangement, the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B can provide improved strength in a region near the base end 56, while still providing sufficient elasticity to allow the holding body 30 to be inserted between the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B in a region near the front end 55. Accordingly, the holding force of the clamping device 50 for the holding body 30 can be improved while the holding body 30 is insertable between the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B.

[0077] (6) The thickness of the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B is gradually reduced from the base end 56 toward the front end 55.

[0078] With this arrangement, the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B can provide improved strength in a region near the base end 56 while still having elasticity sufficient to allow the holding body 30 to be inserted between the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B. Furthermore, the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B can be prevented from being locally elastically deformed. Second example not part of the invention

[0079] A second example not belonging to the invention is described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0080] As it is in the Fig. 7 and Fig. As shown in FIG. 8, a reference material fixing structure 10B according to the second example includes the wire 20, the holding body 30B, and a clamp 40B (reference material fixing clamp). The wire 20 and the holding body 30B are approximately the same as those of the first example embodiment.

[0081] The clamp 40B includes a chuck 50B configured to hold the holding body 30B; and an elastically deformable hook 60B configured to engage the wire 20. The chuck 50B includes a base portion 51B; and a first holding part 521A and a second holding part 521B extending upward in the Z-axis direction from the base portion 51B and facing each other in the Y-axis direction. The base portion 51B, the first holding part 521A, and the second holding part 521B define the retaining groove 59. The hook 60B extends downward from the later-described first holding part 521A of the chuck 50B and is bent to define a groove-forming surface 61B.

[0082] The base portion 51B has the bottom 511 which is continuous with the inner side surface 54 of both the first holding part 521A and the second holding part 521B.

[0083] The first holding part 521A and the second holding part 521B are continuous with respective sides of the base portion 51B in the Y-axis direction. The inner side surface 54 of the first holding part 521A and the second holding part 521B has the above-described inner surface 541 and the inclined inner surface 542. The claws 57 are formed at the respective front ends 55 of the first holding part 521A and the second holding part 521B to define the retaining opening 58 therebetween. The thickness at the base end of the first holding part 521A and the second holding part 521B is set to be at least twice as large as the thickness of the base portion 51 in the Z-axis direction.

[0084] The clamping device 50B has a wire receiving surface 501 formed by the base portion 51B and the first holding part 521A, the wire receiving surface 501 being continuous with the groove forming surface 61B and the outer side surface 53 of the first holding part 521A, and the wire receiving surface 501 and the front end 63 of the hook 60B define the engagement opening 41. The opening size W of the engagement opening 41 is set in a range of 50% to 80% of the width W3 of the retaining groove 59, and in the example, to 65%. The wire receiving surface 501 is inclined from a side on the first holding part 521A to a side on the second holding part 521B with respect to the Y-axis direction to approach the front end 63 of the hook 60B. The wire receiving surface 501 is in Fig. 8 tilted upwards to the right.

[0085] The hook 60B is continuous with the second holding part 521B. A width W2 of the hook 60B in the Y-axis direction is defined by a dimension D smaller than a maximum width W1 of the clamp 40B in the Y-axis direction. The front end 63 of the hook 60B is positioned closer to the second holding part 521B by the dimension D relative to the outer side surface 53 of the first holding part 521A in the Y-axis direction. The hook 60B has a guide surface 64 that is continuous with the front end 63.

[0086] The guide surface 64 is inclined from a side near the second holding part 521B to a side near the first holding part 521A with respect to the Y-axis direction (an imaginary line H along the Y-axis direction) to approach the wire receiving surface 501. An end (a contact point with the imaginary line H) of the guide surface 64 opposite to the front end 63 of the hook 60B is located near the second holding part 521B with respect to an imaginary line C along the Z-axis direction passing through a center between the first holding part 521A and the second holding part 521B in the Y-axis direction.

[0087] An angle at which an imaginary inclination line 64B along the guide surface 64 intersects the imaginary line H is defined as an inclination angle θ. The inclination angle θ is set in a range of 20 degrees to 50 degrees to guide the wire 20 to the engaging hole 41, and preferably, it is from 25 degrees to 45 degrees, and more preferably, from 30 degrees to 40 degrees. In the example, the inclination angle θ is set to 35 degrees. Assembly process in the second example

[0088] An assembly process of the reference material fixing structure 10B according to the second example will be described below.

[0089] First, in the same manner as in the first exemplary embodiment, the holding body 30B is inserted into the retaining hole 58 of the clamp 40B to be placed in the retaining groove 59 while engaging with the claw 57 to prevent it from falling off. Next, the clamp 40B is inserted into the groove 2A of the cushion material 2 (see the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6) to engage the hook 60B of the wire 20. Specifically, the hook 60B is engaged with the wire 20 as follows. As shown in Fig. As shown in Fig. 9, the clamp 40B is first inserted into the groove 2A, and thereby the hook 60B is brought into contact with the wire 20. While the clamp 40B is inclined with respect to the insertion direction, the wire 20 is guided along the guide surface 64 to the engaging opening 41. The wire 20 thus guided is brought into contact with the wire receiving surface 501 and the front end 63 of the hook 60B. The wire 20 is pressed into the engaging groove 65 while the hook 60B is elastically deformed, thereby being disposed in the engaging groove 65. The wire 20 is thus engaged with the hook 60B. In a state where the wire 20 is engaged with the hook 60B, an axis center O of the wire 20 with respect to the imaginary line C in the Y-axis direction is located near the second holding part 521B, as shown in Fig. 8. It should be noted that the illustration of the holding body 30B in Fig. 9 is omitted. Advantages of the second example

[0090] (1) In the second example, the opening size W of the engaging hole 41 is also set in a range of 50% to 80% of the width W3 of the retaining groove 59, as in the first example. This arrangement can meet the requirement for increasing the diameter of the wire 20 and providing the effect of a click feeling and the effect of preventing falling off.

[0091] (2) Since the engaging hole 41 into which the wire 20 is inserted is defined between the wire receiving surface 501 and the front end 63 of the hook 60B, the wire 20 is to be inserted into the engaging hole 41 while the entire clamp 40B is inclined with respect to the insertion direction (Z-axis direction) in which the clamp 40B is inserted into the groove 2A of the cushion material 2. Since the front end 63 of the hook 60B in the clamp 40B is arranged close to the second holding part 521B with respect to the outer side surface 53 of the first holding part 521A, the clamp 40B can receive the wire 20 on the wire receiving surface 501 of the clamp 50B without being significantly inclined with respect to the insertion direction (Z-axis direction), whereby the wire 20 can be smoothly inserted into the engagement hole 41 between the front end 63 of the hook 60B and the wire receiving surface 501, and can be easily engaged with the hook 60B.

[0092] In the second example, the wire 20, whose diameter is larger than a diameter of a space between the front end 63 of the hook 60B and the wire receiving surface 501, is engaged with the hook 60B. Even in this case, the wire 20 can be brought into contact with the front end 63 of the hook 60B and the wire receiving surface 501 to be easily inserted into the engaging hole 41 in the same manner as described above.

[0093] (3) The hook 60B has the guide surface 64 continuous with the front end 63. The guide surface 64 is inclined from a side near the second holding part 521B to a side near the first holding part 521A with respect to the Y-axis direction to approach the wire receiving surface 501.

[0094] In this example, by inserting the clamp 40B into the groove 2A of the cushion material 2 and by sliding the clamp 40B with the guide surface 64 in contact with the wire 20, the wire 20 can be guided toward the engagement opening 41 while the clamp 40B is inclined.

[0095] (4) The hook 60B is continuous with the second holding part 521B. With this arrangement, the engaging groove 65, which is continuous with the groove forming surface 61B formed with the wire receiving surface 501, can be enlarged, so that the wire 20 with a larger diameter can be engaged with the hook 60B.

[0096] Further, the front end 63 of the hook 60B can be closer to the second holding part 521B while the engaging groove 65 is formed in a predetermined size, so that an inclination angle of the clamp 40B with respect to the insertion direction for engaging the hook 60B with the wire 20 can be made smaller.

[0097] (5) The end of the guide surface 64 opposite to the front end 63 of the hook 60B is located near the second holding part 521B with respect to the imaginary line C along the Z-axis direction passing through the center between the first holding part 521A and the second holding part 521B in the Y-axis direction.

[0098] With this arrangement, for example, compared to a case where the end of the hook 60B is close to the first holding part 521A with respect to the imaginary line C, the guide surface 64 can be formed longer in its inclination direction. Accordingly, even if the terminal 40B is misaligned in the right-left direction (Y-axis direction) orthogonal to the insertion direction in which the terminal 40B is inserted into the groove 2A of the cushion material 2, the guide surface 64 can be brought into contact with the wire 20 over a wide range.

[0099] (6) The wire receiving surface 501 is inclined from a side on the first holding part 521A to a side on the second holding part 521B with respect to the Y-axis direction to approach the front end 63 of the hook 60B.

[0100] With this arrangement, for example, compared with a case where the wire receiving surface 501 is formed along the Y-axis direction, an area in which the terminal 40B is projected onto the wire 20 when the terminal 40B is inclined with respect to the insertion direction can be made wide, so that the wire 20 can be stably received on this area. Variation(s)

[0101] The terminals 40 and 40B of the first exemplary embodiment and the second example engage the wire 20 whose diameter is larger than the opening size W of the engagement opening 41. However, in some embodiments, for example, the terminals 40 and 40B engage a wire having a diameter of approximately 2 mm, which is smaller than the opening size W.

[0102] Although in the first exemplary embodiment, the thickness T1 of the base portion 51 of the clamping device 50 is defined to be smaller than the thickness T2 at the base end 56 of the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B, in some embodiments, the thickness T1 is greater than or equal to the thickness T2. Although the thickness T2 is defined to be at least twice as large as the thickness T1, the thickness T2 may be less than twice as large as the thickness T1. Note that the thickness T2 in the second example may also be set as described above.

[0103] Both the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B may be configured differently in the at least half area from the base end 56 to the front end 55, in which they are defined to be larger than the thickness of both the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B in a region near the front end 55 with respect to the at least half area in the first embodiment. For example, the thickness of both the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B may be larger in almost a half area from the base end 56 to the front end 55 than in a region near the front end 55 with respect to the almost half area. Note that the thickness of both the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B of the second example can also be set in the same manner as described above.

[0104] The thickness of the portion of the first holding part 52A provided with the inclined inner surface 542, which in the first exemplary embodiment gradually decreases from the base end 56 to the front end 55 of the first holding part 52A, may be formed constant.

[0105] The end of the guide surface 64 opposite the front end 63 of the hook 60B, which is near the second holding part 521B with respect to the imaginary line C passing along the Z-axis direction through the center between the first holding part 521A and the second holding part 521B in the Y-axis direction in the second example, may be arranged at any position (e.g., on the imaginary line C or near the first holding part 521A with respect to the imaginary line C).

[0106] In the second example, the wire receiving surface 501 is inclined from one side of the first holding part 521A to one side of the second holding part 521B with respect to the Y-axis direction to approach the front end 63 of the hook 60B. However, the wire receiving surface 501 is not limited to this arrangement, but may, for example, extend parallel to the Y-axis direction.

[0107] In the first exemplary embodiment, a space is formed between the locking projection 70 of the terminal 40 and the wire 20, as shown in Fig. 3, so that the dimension L4 of the space between the locking projection 70 and the wire 20 is greater than zero. However, for example, in some embodiments, the dimension L4 is zero by equating the diameter of the wire 20 and the diameter of the engagement groove 65, as shown in the Fig. This is the case with the first modification shown in Figure 10.

[0108] The base portion 51 provided with the arc surface 512 in the first exemplary embodiment is not limited to this arrangement, but is provided, for example, in a Fig. 11 is provided with a concave portion 514 which is recessed at a region of the base portion 51 between the base end 62 of the hook 60 and the locking projection 70 towards the clamping device 50.

[0109] The presence of the concave portion 514 reduces the thickness of the region of the base portion 51 where the concave portion 514 is formed in the Z-axis direction, so that the region is easily elastically deformed, and finally, the elastic deformation of the region enables the holding body 30 to be easily inserted between the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B and enables the generation of the force for moving the locking projection 70 toward the wire 20.

[0110] In the second example, the entire wire receiving surface 501 of the clamping device 50B is inclined upwards to the right, as shown in Fig. 8. However, the wire receiving surface is not limited to this arrangement. For example, in some examples, a wire receiving surface 502 is formed partially inclined to the upper right, as shown in the Fig. This is the case with the third modification of the second example shown in Figure 12.

[0111] A part 502A of the wire receiving surface 502, which is arranged near the outer side surface 53 of the first holding part 521A with respect to the front end 63 of the hook 60B in the Y-axis direction, is in Fig. 12, from a side of the first holding part 521A toward the second holding part 521B, it is inclined upwardly to the right in the Y-axis direction to approach the front end 63 of the hook 60B. In contrast, a part 502B of the wire receiving surface 502, which is located near the second holding part 521B in the Y-axis direction with respect to the front end 63 of the hook 60B, is inclined from a side of the second holding part 521B toward the first holding part 521A in the Y-axis direction to approach the front end 63 of the hook 60B. In this arrangement, the wire receiving surface 502 has a curved shape.

[0112] Since the part 502B and the part 502A of the wire receiving surface 502 are inclined in opposite directions as described above, the engaging groove 65 can be formed with a predetermined space corresponding to a wire 20 having a large diameter without increasing the vertical dimension of the terminal 40B.

[0113] Furthermore, in the third modification, the end of the guide surface 64 opposite the front end 63 of the hook 60B is positioned significantly closer to the second holding part 521B with respect to the imaginary line C than that of the second example. Accordingly, the guide surface 64 is formed longer, so that the wire 20 is easily brought into contact with the guide surface 64.

[0114] The terminal 40B of the third modification is, as shown in Fig. 13, is engaged with the wire 20.

[0115] First, the hook 60B is brought into contact with the wire 20, and the wire 20 is guided along the guide surface 64 toward the engaging hole 41 while the clamp 40B is tilted with respect to the insertion direction. Then, this thus-guided wire 20 is brought into contact with the portion 502A of the wire receiving surface 502 and the front end 63 of the hook 60B. The wire 20 is pressed into the engaging groove 65 while the hook 60B is elastically deformed, thereby being received in the engaging groove 65. The hook 60B is thus engaged with the wire 20.

[0116] In the second example, the entire wire receiving surface 501 of the clamping device 50B is inclined upwards to the right, as shown in Fig. 8. Furthermore, in the third modification, the wire receiving surface 502 is partially inclined upwards to the right. However, the wire receiving surface is not limited to these arrangements. For example, in some examples, a wire receiving surface 503 is formed inclined downwards to the right, as shown in the embodiment shown in Fig. This is the case with the fourth modification shown in Figure 14.

[0117] In the first exemplary embodiment and the second example and the first to fourth modifications, the front end 63 of the hook 60, 60B is formed with the maximum width in the X-axis direction of the hook 60, 60B. However, the front end 63 is not limited to this arrangement. For example, in some embodiments, a narrow protrusion 80 with a width 81 in the X-axis direction that is smaller than the maximum width 82 of the hook 60B in the X-axis direction is formed on the front end 63 of the hook 60, 60B, as shown in the Fig. 15 to 17, which is not part of the invention. Fig. 15 to 17 show the narrow protrusion 80 formed on the terminal 40B according to the fourth modification for illustrative purposes. The narrow protrusion 80 protrudes toward the base portion 51B of the clamp 50B. With this arrangement, when the wire 20 is inserted into the engaging hole 41 defined by the narrow protrusion 80 and the base portion 51B, a contact area of ​​the terminal 40B to be brought into contact with the wire 20 can be reduced, thus improving the wire insertion capability.

[0118] The width 81 of the narrow protrusion 80 in the X-axis direction is in a range of 18% to 70% of the maximum width 82 of the hook 60B, preferably 18% to 45%. Since the width 81 of the narrow protrusion 80 is not excessively narrow in this arrangement, while the above-described wire insertion capability can be improved, the wire 20 can be suitably prevented from falling off.

[0119] Further, the narrow projection 80 is provided with a guide end surface 83 inclined toward an outside of the engaging hole 41 so as to be away from the base portion 51B. With this arrangement, the wire 20 can be guided into the engaging hole 41 through the guide end surface 83 immediately before being inserted into the engaging hole 41, so that the wire insertion ability can be improved.

[0120] In addition, a tapered surface 601, which tapers the hook 60B toward the front end 63, is formed at a portion near the front end 63 of each of the opposite sides of the hook 60B in the X-axis direction. A width between the ends of the tapered surfaces 601 in the X-axis direction is smaller than the maximum width 82 and larger than the width 81. With this arrangement, an insertion force of the wire 20 into the engaging hole 41 can be reduced.

[0121] For example, if the maximum width 82 of the hook 60B is defined as 8 mm and the opening size W of the engagement hole 41 is defined as 3.1 mm, the width of the narrow protrusion 80 may be 3 mm, and the width between the ends of the tapered surfaces 601 in the X-axis direction may be 5.5 mm. The width of the narrow protrusion 80 may be set in a range from 1.5 mm to 5.5 mm. If the width of the narrow protrusion 80 is set to 5.5 mm, the width of the narrow protrusion 80 is equal to the width between the ends of the tapered surface 601 in the X-axis direction.

[0122] When the narrow protrusion 80 is formed on the front end 63 of the hook 60B as described above, a narrow rib may be formed on the base portion 51B, and a surface of the rib facing the hook 60B may be a wire receiving surface. The narrow protrusion 80 may be further formed on the wire receiving surface. A protruding end of the narrow protrusion 80 may be tapered.

[0123] Alternatively, the narrow protrusion 80 may be formed on the base portion 51B instead of or in addition to the front end 63 of the hook 60B. In this case, the width 81 of the narrow protrusion 80 is set smaller than the maximum width 82 of the base portion 51B, and it may be in a range of 18% to 70%, preferably 18% to 45% of the maximum width 82, as described above. Alternatively, when the narrow protrusion 80 is formed on both the front end 63 of the hook 60B and the base portion 51B, the narrow protrusions 80 on the hook 60B and the base portion 51B may be set to approximately 25% of the maximum width 82 of the hook 60B and the base portion 51B, and / or they may be offset from each other at different positions in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, the narrow projections 80 described above may have tapered projecting ends.

[0124] The terminal 40B provided with the narrow projection 80 according to the fourth modification is described as the fifth modification, which is shown for the purpose of explanation in the Fig. 15 and Fig. 16. However, the narrow protrusion 80 may be formed on any clamp, for example, the clamp according to the first exemplary embodiment and the second example, and the clamp according to the first to the third modifications. In the clamp 40 according to the first exemplary embodiment and the first and second modifications, the narrow protrusion 80 may be formed by reducing the width 84 of the locking protrusion 70 in the X-axis direction and / or by changing its shape.

[0125] These arrangements can also provide the same functions and effects as those described above.

[0126] A hollow portion formed as needed in the terminal 40B of the second example and the third and fourth modifications may be omitted.

[0127] The vertical dimension of the engagement groove 65 in the Z-axis direction is Fig. 8 is set slightly larger than the diameter of the wire 20, but it is not limited thereto. For example, in some embodiments, the vertical dimension of the engagement groove 65 is approximately a dimension C1 larger than the diameter R of the wire 20 (a predetermined diameter of the wire 20 to be engaged with the engagement groove 65), as in the sixth modification in FIGS. Fig. 18 to 20. Here, the dimension C1 is approximately 25% of the maximum length of the engaging groove 65 in the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, a wire receiving surface 504 of the terminal 40B according to the sixth modification is formed parallel to the Y-axis direction.

[0128] For example, when a wire having a diameter R of approximately 4 mm is used as the wire 20 to be engaged, and if the vertical dimension of the engagement groove 65 is small, a urethane foam possibly remaining on a peripheral surface of the wire 20 may be brought into contact with the groove forming surface 61B and the wire receiving surface 504 (see Fig. 19) and enlarges the engagement groove 65 to increase the opening size W, which may cause the wire 20 to fall off. However, in the sixth modification, since the vertical dimension of the engagement groove 65 is large as described above, even if the urethane foam remains on the peripheral surface of the wire 20, a space 651 can be ensured between the wire 20 and the wire receiving surface 504 (see Fig. 19). This space can prevent the engagement groove 65 from being enlarged by, for example, the urethane foam remaining on the peripheral surface of the wire 20, thereby increasing the opening size W, thereby firmly maintaining the engagement state of the wire 20.

[0129] The clamp 40B according to the sixth modification has a retaining barb surface 66 formed on the front end 63 of the hook 60B. The retaining barb surface 66, which is continuous with the groove forming surface 61B of the engaging groove 65, protrudes from the engaging groove 65 in the Z-axis direction toward the retaining groove 59. With this arrangement, even when the wire 20 is moved in the Y-axis direction toward the engaging opening 41, the wire 20 is prevented from falling by being brought into contact with the retaining barb surface 66, as shown in FIG. Fig. 20 is shown.

[0130] An insertion guide surface 67 inclined with respect to the Y-axis direction is formed on the retaining barb surface 66 and the guide surface 64. A width of the insertion guide surface 67 (a dimension between the retaining barb surface 66 and the guide surface 64) is set to 2 mm as long as possible, whereby the wire 20 is easily guided into the engaging hole 41.

[0131] A part of the groove formation surface 61B continuous with the retaining barb surface 66 is defined as an inclined surface 652 slightly inclined upward with respect to the Y-axis direction from a side of the second holding part 521B toward the first holding part 521A. The presence of the inclined surface 652 allows a long length in the Z-axis direction at an innermost portion of the engaging groove 65, and allows the wire 20 inserted into the engaging groove 65 to be guided to the innermost portion by the inclined surface 652, and the dimension C1 is sufficiently achieved. Further, since the presence of the inclined surface 652 makes it difficult for the wire 20 to move toward the retaining barb surface 66, the wire holding force 20 can be improved.

[0132] The terminal 40B according to the sixth modification has a retaining projection 68 projecting downward from the wire receiving surface 504. In the sixth modification, the opening size W of the engaging opening 41 is formed as a dimension between one end of the retaining projection 68 and a portion continuous with the retaining barb surface 66 and the insertion guide surface 67. As shown in Fig. 18, the retaining protrusion 68 has a smaller width than a width of the wire receiving surface 504 in the X-axis direction and is formed substantially at the center of the wire receiving surface 504 in the X-axis direction. By forming the retaining protrusion 68 with a narrow width in this way, the insertability of the wire 20 is improved compared to a case where the retaining protrusion 68 is formed over the entire wire receiving surface 504. In addition, a click feeling can be generated when the wire 20 is fully inserted into the engaging groove 65 from the engaging opening 41, so that the complete insertion can be easily recognized even when the insertion of the wire 20 cannot be visually observed.A surface extending from the retaining protrusion 68 to the first holding part 521A is defined as an inclined guide surface 505 that slopes upward from a side of the second holding part 521B toward the first holding part 521A with respect to the Y-axis direction. An angle at which the imaginary extension of the inclined guide surface 505 and the insertion guide surface 67 intersect is made as large as possible, for example, approximately 52 degrees, thereby facilitating the guiding of the wire 20 into the engaging hole 41.

[0133] The retaining projection 68 (specifically, its tip) is arranged near the first holding part 521A (outside of the engaging opening 41) by a difference D1 in the Y-axis direction relative to the retaining barb surface 66. The difference D1 is, for example, approximately from 0.7 mm to 1.4 mm. As a result, the wire 20, as shown in Fig. 20, even if the wire 20 in contact with the retaining barb surface 66 is further moved beyond the retaining barb surface 66 to be outside the engaging opening 41, it is prevented from falling by the retaining projection 68 in contact with the wire 20. Since the first prevention of falling can be performed by the retaining barb surface 66 and the second prevention of falling can be performed by the retaining projection 68, the wire 20 can be more easily prevented from falling.

[0134] Further, the second holding part 521B has an outer side surface 522 which is inclined downward to the left with respect to the Z-axis direction, as shown in Fig. 19. Meanwhile, the retaining projection 68 is outside (on the right side in Fig. 19) of the engagement opening 41. Accordingly, the direction in which the wire 20 is pressed into the engagement opening is diagonally top left, as shown in Fig. 19, during which the outer side surface 522 of the second holding part 521B can be pressed diagonally downward right, so that the wire 20 can be easily inserted into the engaging groove 65.

[0135] In the clamp 40 of the first exemplary embodiment related to the invention, as described above, the dimensions L1 to L4 are set to satisfy the relationship of formula (1). However, the clamp may have dimensions set outside this relationship. Even with this clamp, while the holding body 30 is unlikely to fall off the retaining groove 59 because the thickness of the first holding part 52A and the second holding part 52B is large, the base portion 51 can be easily elastically deformed due to its small thickness to bring the locking projection 70 into contact with the wire 20, so that the wire 20 can be prevented from falling off. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 10, 10B Reference material fixing structure, 2 cushion material, 20 wire, 2A gutter, 3 Reference material, 30, 30B holding body, 40, 40B Reference material fixing clamp, 41 access opening, 50, 50B clamping device, 501, 502, 503, 504 wire receiving surface, 502A, 502B part, 505 inclined guide surface, 51, 51B base section, 511 floor, 512, 72 arch surface, 514 concave section, 52A, 52B, 521A, 521B holding part, 522 outer side surface, 53 outer side surface, 54 inner side surface, 542 sloping inner surface, 55, 63 front end, 56, 62 base end, 57 claw, 571 inner engagement surface, 58 Retaining opening, 59 retention valley, 60, 60B hook, 61, 61 B channel formation surface, 64 guide surface, 64B imaginary oblique line, 65 access channel, 651 room, 652 sloping surface, 66 Retaining barb surface, 67 insertion guide surface, 68 retaining projection, 70 locking projection, 71 final surface, 80 narrow projection, 83 leading end surface, C, H imaginary line, C1, D, L1 to L4 dimensions, D1 difference, O axis center, T1, T2 thickness, W opening size, W1, 82 maximum width, W2, W3, 81, 84 width, R diameter, θ angle of inclination.

Claims

[1] Reference material fastening clamp (40), comprising: a clamping device (50) provided with a retaining groove (59) for holding a holding body (30) fastened to a reference material (3); a hook (60) designed to be engaged with a wire (20) to be arranged in a groove (2A) of a cushion material (2); and an engagement opening (41) defined between the tensioning device (50) and a front end (63) of the hook (60), wherein the engagement opening (41) has an opening size (W) in a range of 50% to 80% of a width (W3) of the retaining groove (59), wherein the clamping device (50) comprises: a base portion (51); a first holding part (52A) and a second holding part (52B) extending in a first direction from the base portion (51); and a locking projection (70) projecting toward the front end (63) of the hook (60), wherein the first holding part (52A) and the second holding part (52B) each have claws (57) which protrude toward each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the hook (60) has a base end (62) continuous with the second holding part (52B) of the clamping device (50), wherein the locking projection (70) is continuous with the first holding part (52A) of the clamping device (50), and when a dimension from a base end to a front end of an inner engaging surface (571) of each of the claws (57) in the second direction is a dimension L1, a dimension from the inner engaging surface of each of the claws (57) to a bottom (511) of the base portion (51) in the first direction is a dimension L2, a dimension from the bottom (511) of the base portion (51) to an end surface (71) of the locking projection (70) in the first direction is a dimension L3, and a dimension of a space between a peripheral surface of the wire (20) engaged with the hook (60) and an arc surface (72) of the locking projection (70) is a dimension L4, the dimension L1, the dimension L2 and the dimension L3 are set such that a dimension obtained by dividing the dimension L2 by the dimension L3 and multiplying the obtained value by the dimension L1 is set larger than the dimension L4. [2] The reference material fixing clamp according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the base portion (51) is smaller than a thickness at a base end (56) of the first holding part (52A) and the second holding part (52B). [3] Reference material fixing clamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base end (62) of the hook (60) is spaced from the locking projection (70) in the second direction, and the base portion (51) has a concave portion (514) which is recessed towards the clamping device (50) at a region of the base portion (51) between the base end (62) of the hook (60) and the locking projection (70). [4] The reference material fixing clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a thickness of the first holding part (52A) and the second holding part (52B) is larger at least in a half area from the base end (56) in the first direction than in an area near a front end (55) with respect to the half area. [5] A reference material fixing clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the thickness of the first holding part (52A) and the second holding part (52B) is gradually reduced from the base end (56) to the front end (55). [6] Reference material fastening structure, comprising: a holding body (30) to be fastened to a reference material (3); a wire (20) to be arranged in a groove (2A) of a cushion material (2); and the reference material fastening clamp (40) according to one of claims 1 to 5 for holding the holding body (30) and for engaging the wire (20).

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