Upholstery fixing

Abstract

A device 701 for installation on the surface of an upholstered product (e.g. in an automobile) has a substantially rigid linking member 171 having first and second ends, the first end having a second

Description

The cabins of automobiles and particularly cars have evolved into a space that fulfils multiple roles for the occupants. While a primary function of a vehicle cabin is allowing the user to control the vehicle, the comfort of the drivers and passengers is of constant importance and the upholstered parts of a car interior provide the primary means of comfort in an automobile, particularly with regard to the seats thereof. Similarly the tolerance to wear through use of upholstered items and the aesthetic appeal of such items are also of great importance to vehicle users. Vehicle fittings, furniture and equipment are under constant development in order to cater to these needs and desires. The passenger compartment may be equipped with various items of equipment and amenities for the use and comfort of the passenger or passengers that might be upholstered, which might include seats, headrests, backrests, and armrests. Upholstered items typically comprise and contain padding within the fabric or leather envelope of the upholstered item (i.e. compressible material bounded and contained within the envelope, wherein the padding is compressible but is biased to return to its original, expanded volume as defined by the size of the envelope.) Often the padding and / or envelope ( coverj are attached or linked to a more rigid substructure of the upholstered item. The form of an upholstered item is generally defined by the shape of sections of material making up the upholstery envelope and the position of seams joining these sections together. A further influence on the form of the upholstery item are fixtures linked to the coverthat pull the cover inward against the bias of the internal padding such as buttons. Known methods of pulling the cover inward is to secure ligatures or other linking structures between fixtures on the upholstery cover and the substructure and place them under tension. This has typically been achieved by the use of cable ties (zip ties _ or other adjustable ligatures to generate tension therein and so secure upholstery fixtures against the upholstery envelope and to the upholstered item. Accordingly, typically placing and setting the length and tension of such ligatures has required a skilled worker to adapt the length and tension of the ligature by hand in order that an upholstery item has the desired form. Traditionally, the course of sewn seams in upholstered items meet or intercept, as shown in Fig 2. Accordingly, a normal seam would be constructed from multiple pieces of material (an example of which is shown in Fig. 4). However, seams are areas of weakness in upholstered products and furthermore, present areas of the upholstered item with potential for greater wear. In contrast, continuous areas of material unbroken by seams may be less susceptible to wear. However, a technical characteristic of finishing the seam before the edge of the panel, and thus before intersecting the seam adjoining the edge of the panel, is that an excess of the material is left when the seam is formed. This is because to achieve the effect described above and shown in Figure 1, the pattern piece has to be cut to be a single piece of material with a cut or slit with an end terminating within the piece of material. An example of this pattern is illustrated in Fig. 3. In contrast, an upholstered item with intersecting seams would be constructed from multiple pieces, as shown in Fig. 4. When such a shortened seam (as illustrated in Fig. 3) is sewn then material is lost in the seam selvedge (or selvage), as illustrated in Figure 5. Accordingly, any material above,, i.e. ahead of the course of the seam and beyond its terminus, has not lost material to the selvedge. This has the consequence of leaving an excess of material atthe terminus ofthe seam in an amount that is difficult to control and can be unsightly. An example ofthe effect of such excess material is shown in Figure 6. Here the excess material causes the material around the terminus of the seam to protrude, that is causing a non-smooth contour in this area of the upholstered product Such protrusions and folds in the material ofthe upholstery can cause areas where the upholstered product will wear preferentially during normal use. Such areas that are susceptible to wear have the disadvantage of significantly reducing the useful lifespan ofthe upholstered item. In addition, such protrusions and folds in the material ofthe upholstery can cause the seam in the material to be weaker. Furthermore, such a protruding seam is less comfortable fora user to sit on when the upholstered item is a chair or similar piece of furniture. A further benefit of fewer seams in an upholstered item is the desirable aesthetic appeal of such a product. Such a product is said to have a cleaner and uncluttered look, which upholstery designers would like to use. In contrast a shortened seam with excess material, as described above, does not yield the neat and clean look desired by many upholstery makers, designers and users. Therefore, it is an object of the invention to accommodate the need to produce upholstered items wherein the covers thereof have seams that finish before their intersecting with a secondary seam and wherein the seams are of improved form. Diagrams of examples of this desired sewing pattern are shown in Figs 1B, 2B and 3. Accordingly, it is a further object of the invention to provide means to control the amount of excess material formed by the pleat at the terminus and to hide or obscure the terminus of such a seam. It is a further object of the invention that this means should be reliably and preferably simply installed. An attendant need and object of the invention is that the means should be sufficiently reliable that workers who are less highly trained or skilled in upholstery can achieve the result of hiding or obscuring the terminus of such a seam and controlling the amount of excess material formed by the pleat. Accordingly, the invention provides a device for installation on the surface of an upholstered product comprising: a first, substantially rigid, linking member having firstand second ends, wherein the first end has a second member attached thereto for contacting the surface of an upholstered product wherein the second end comprises means for connecting the device to a cooperating apparatus or structure within, or attached to, the upholstered product. Thus, the invention provides a solution for control the amount of excess material formed by the pleat at the terminus through providing means to secure the position of the terminus of the seam by installation of a device of the invention. In addition, the device of the invention may be used as a base fora fixture that hides or obscures the terminus of such a seam. The second member contacts the surface of the upholstered product but the other side of the second member may provide a platform for attaching upholstery fixtures such as buttons and piping end caps and thus their being located at the terminus of such seams. An example of the use of a device of the invention is shown in Fig 7. By the use of such a device the number of seams and the length of seam portions can be reduced with the attendant advantage of a better wearing upholstered item. The second member of the device of the invention, as illustrated in Figure 7, also provides a platform for mounting upholstery fixtures thereon. Contacting in this context means touching and or abutting against the surface of another object. Thus, preferably the contacting is against an exterior surface of the upholstered product. Preferably the linking member is elongate. Preferably the linking member is substantially flat and planar. Thus, advantageously the device can be produced by means of an extruded profile that is cut to the appropriate length. That is the device may have a consistent or effectively invariant cross section. Alternatively, the product may be produced directly in such a form. The device and / or subsections or components thereof may be made by extrusion, moulding, casting, machining and / or 3D printing (i.e. a selective additive manufacturing process). Preferably the device or components thereof are made of plastics material or metal. The metal is preferably selected from steel, aluminium, titanium or an alloy. The plastics material is preferably selected from polypropylene, polyethylene and acrylic. Preferably the 3D printing is by means of selective laser sintering (SLS). Most preferably this is by SLS of a metal powder. Thus the invention also provides an upholstered item comprising a device of tine invention. The upholstered item may be a piece of furniture. Preferably the upholstered item is suitable for an automobile. More preferably the upholstered item is for installation in an automobile. Most preferably the upholstered item a seat, headrest, backrest or armrests. Most preferably the upholstered item is a seat. Preferably the upholstery fixing is an end piece for protecting the end of a section of piping for mounting on an upholstered item. Thus, the upholstery fixing may be substantially cylindrical or bullet shaped such that it is sealed at one end and with a substantially circular opening at the opposite end. Shaping two dimensional leather or material into piping, which has a three dimensional, substantially cylindrical, form may comprise forming the leather into a roll. In addition, at least one end of the rolled embroidered leather may be secured from unravelling by applying an end piece or cap on or over the end, preferably both ends of a section of piping may be secured in this or an equivalent manner. Securing the piping in this way has the advantage of preventing damage to the more delicate ends of the piping. The cap can be on the end of the piping and / or extend around the end of the piping. In addition, the device, and thus the cap attached thereto, may have an eye, hook, clip or other means for fixing the piping to seals or other areas of the car interior. The fixing or cap for protecting the end of a section of piping may be made of: plastics material; rubber material, preferably a hard rubber compound; elastomer material; composites material, e.g. resin-bonded carbon fibre; metal, e.g. steel, aluminium, titanium or brass; or silicone material. Alternatively, or in addition the structure of the fixing may be made of one of the aforementioned materials and then covered with a further material, preferably a material listed above. Accordingly, the fixture may be made out of metal and covered with an insulating material, such as plastics material. Alternatively, a plastics material upholstery fixing may be covered by a tfiin layer of metal or other reflective material. For example, plastics material covered with a chrome-effect brass effect orgold effect layer or aesthetic equivalent. Embodiments wherein the outer surface of the fixing is an insulator are advantageous because of the experience of the user coming into contact with them when ambient temperature conditions are hotter or colder than a comfortable temperature. This is because the fixing will be the same temperature as ambient conditions and a fixing made with a conductor on the outside will be perceived as very hot or very cold when the temperature is more extreme. This might cause the user discomfort when they are in contact with the fixing. In contrast if the outer layer of the fixing is made of an insulator, then, under similar extreme temperature conditions, the user in contact with the fixing will not perceive the temperature to be excessively cold or hot. This potential problem is exacerbated by the use of such fixing in the cabin of an automobile, especially when the vehicle is not in use, where the greenhouse effect within the vehicle cabin causes very high temperatures to be accumulated. S imilarly, the problem is also exacerbated under cold conditions in an unheated vehicle cabin. Alternatively, the upholstery fixing may have a planar shape or domed shape. Preferably the shape is rounded and most preferably the shape is circular. Thus the shape may have the form of a or button, dome or mushroom. The outer surface of the shape may be separately and / or independently upholstered. Accordingly, a device of the invention may serve as both a means for fixing the material of an upholstered product in position and as a base for decorative embellishment and / or functional adaptation of an upholstered product and / or the seams thereof. The invention also provides a cooperating apparatus that serves as a foundation or linking point for joining, linking or securing a device of the invention that is for affixing on the surface of an upholstered product, wherein the cooperating apparatus comprises means for connecting the apparatus to the device of the invention and means for securing the apparatus to or within an upholstered product. Accordingly, the invention also provides a device for cooperating with the device of the invention for installation on the surface of an upholstered product. The foundation or anchor apparatus may be installed within or on the opposing side of the upholstered product from the location of the device of the invention that is for affixing on the surface of an upholstered product. Cooperating pairs of device and apparatus of the invention are preferably of defined dimensions for securing an upholstered surface of a product in a defined position with respect to the substructure of the upholstered product. Thus, preferably, fixing the device to the upholstered object generates tension in linking member of the device the by compressing the filling of the upholstered object thatthen bears against the second member. Preferably this force bearing against the second member is applied to the underside of the second member, i.e. the part of the second member in contact with the exterior envelope of the upholstered surface. Therefore, the use of devices and apparatus of the invention in cooperating pairs means that they can be installed in an upholstered item in a more predictable and reliable manner than methods used hitherto, e.g. the use of adjustable ligatures such as cable ties. Thus, the use of devices and apparatus of the invention, and methods of the invention may allow the cover of upholstered products to be pulled down to a regulated depth. Correspondingly, the upholstered product may be compressed by a regulated amount. Thus, the extent of variation in the product during installation may be alleviated or minimised. Thus, the quality and consistency of manufacture of the resulting product may be better assured. Accordingly, less specialist knowledge, skill and / or fewer specialist tools are required for the upholstery and installation process. Consequently, the rate of installation of upholstery fixtures might be increased and / or a less-skilled worker might be employed to enact this process. The anchor or foundation apparatus may comprise one or more elongate members on a surface of the upholstered product opposite or removed from to the location of the second member. Alternatively, the anchor or foundation apparatus may comprise one or more elongate members thatare partially or wholly contained within the upholstered product. Preferably the elongate members are made of metal. Most preferably the elongate members are wires. Preferably the metal is steel or aluminium. Alternatively, the elongate members may be made of plastics or composite material (such as fibreglass (resin-reinforced glass fibre) or carbon fibre composite material). Thus the anchor or foundation apparatus may forma structure comprising one or more elongate members. The second end of the device of the invention that is for affixing on the surface of an upholstered product may have means attached thereto for connecting the device to a co-operating apparatus or structure within, or attached to, the upholstered product. Accordingly, the means attached to the second end of the device may be a hook, catch, or clasp for linking the device of an invention to an elongate member (as illustrated in Figure 9b). The hook, catch, or clasp may additionally have memberthat acts as a movable barrier or gate that can move across the open part of the hook, catch, or clasp once the elongate member has been admitted to the interior space of the hook, catch, or clasp in order to block the elongate portion from leaving the interior space. Preferably the position of the gate is biased such the that the gate defaults to a closed position but may be temporarily displaced to allow passage of the elongate memberthrough the gate. The anchor or foundation device may be one cooperating part of a socketand plug (or male-and-female) combination of interacting apparatuses. In this way (i) a cooperating socket or plug is attached to the second end of the device of the invention that is for affixing on the surface of an upholstered product and (ii) a co-operating socket or plug is comprised in the anchor or foundation apparatus. Accordingly, engagement of the co-operating socketand plug combination allows them to be linked. Preferably the linking occurs upon engagement of the socketand plug together, most preferably the linking is automatic upon engagement of the socketand plug together. Preferably the linking is irreversible or effectively so. Preferably the anchor or foundation apparatus comprises such a socket and this cooperates with a plug attached to the second end of the device of the invention that is for installation on the surface of an upholstered product. The plug’socket pairs may have compatible or co-operating surfaces or subassemblies. Thus, when the cooperating plug and socket surfaces are engaged together, they may act to prevent withdrawal of the socket from the plug. Accordingly, for one such co-operating pair of components or subassemblies, the socket component may have a cavity with one or more teeth or a ratchet surface arranged therein. The cooperating plug component may have pawls or hooks mounted thereon that are biased towards a position away from the plug component. In this way, when the plug is installed in the socket the pawls engage with tiie inner walls of the socket and the ratchet surface or teeth thereon. Alternatively, the arrangement of the cooperating surfaces may be reversed such that the plug comprises a ratchet surface and the pawls are comprised in the socket. Accordingly, the socket may comprise one or more teeth arranged to cooperate with one or more teeth comprised in the plug such that when the plug is installed in the socket the teeth of the socket and the teeth of the plug engage act to prevent withdrawal of the socket from the plug. Preferably the plug comprises a probe section that projects into the cavity of the plug section when socket and plug are engaged together. Most preferably the pawls or hooks are mounted or part of the probe section. The cavity may be enclosed or may have one or more portals in the cavity walls. Various other plug'socket assemblies comprising cooperating socket components or subassemblies and plug components or subassemblies are suitable for use in the context of the present invention. These include combinations of these subassemblies bearing: one or more ratchet surfaces on one subassembly that is contacted by pawls on the other subassembly, preferably wherein the pawls are biased or set to engage with the ratchet surface; one or more teeth on one subassembly that is contacted by one or more teeth on the other subassembly; hooks or barbs on one subassembly that are contacted by compatible locking surface or apertures on the other subassembly. The subassembly may comprise a tapered or curved surface to act as a cam to temporarily displace a biased portion of the socket from its default position to allow it past before the biasing means returns the biased portion into position and fixes tine device and apparatus together in an effectively irreversible manner. The biasing means may be a spring pushing a member towards a default position. Alternatively, the biasing means may be from the resilience of the material the device is named from. For example, the resilience and flexibility of some plastics or metal materials means that flexible arms bearing teeth, hooks or pawls are biased towards a default position by virtue of the resilience of the plastics material they are made or moulded from. Preferably the apparatus comprises a butterfly clip. The anchor or foundation apparatus may additionally have components attached thereto for installation of the anchor or foundation apparatus in a particular position in the upholstered product. Preferably the anchor or foundation apparatus will have means for securing the apparatus in position with respect to the upholstery product The securing means may be additional portions projecting from the apparatus suitable for inclusion in a filling or padding product suitable for use in upholstery, such as a foam. Inclusion of the apparatus in the upholstery filling product may mean that tine apparatus is held in position with respect to other portions of the upholstered product. Alternatively the securing means may be suitable for attaching the apparatus to the surface or inside surface of the upholstered product. The apparatus may be attached to a fixed substructure within the upholstered product and or to the envelope or cover of the upholstered product. The additional projections may have the form of flat projections of material (wings J. The wings may be substantially laminar. Alternatively, or in addition the additional projections may be bent, creased, curved, corrugated or otherwise shaped. Such forms provide greater surface area for improved adhesion if the apparatus is secured in position with an adhesive. The additional projections may be perforated with one or more holes therethrough. This has the advantage of providing points for fixation oftfie apparatus to by way of fasteners such as screws. Additionally, such perforations provide greater surface area for improved adhesion if the apparatus is secured in position with an adhesive. In addition, the anchor or foundation apparatus may be moulded into the material of a larger product then the material being moulded may transit the projections during the moulding process and then secured the apparatus in position once the material has cured, cooled, or otherwise set. Preferably the anchor or foundation apparatus is installed within the upholstered product. Most preferably, the anchor or foundation apparatus is incorporated within the upholstered product during manufacture. Thus the invention also provides an upholstered item comprising an anchor or foundation apparatus as described herein. Preferably the upholstered item comprises a multiplicity of anchor or foundation apparatuses as described herein. Preferably the anchor or foundation apparatus is installed on a surface of the upholstered product. Most preferably the anchor or foundation apparatus is installed at one end of a channel, tunnel, passage or portal through the upholstered item wherein the otfier end of the channel, tunnel, passage or portal through tine upholstered item emerges on the surface of the upholstered item. Most preferably the channel, tunnel, passage or portal joins opposite sides of the upholstered item. A tunnel is defined as a portal having open ends and wholly enclosed sides. Necessarily and object may travel through the tunnel. A channel is defined in similar terms at a tunnel except tfiat the sides are not wholly enclosed. Thus, a channel has a space in the longitudinal wall and preferably that space runs continuously from one end of the channel to the other. Accordingly, a channel will often have a 'll .shaped profile. The upholstered item may also comprise channels opening on a surface of the item and running through the material of the item to an anchor or foundation apparatus installed within or on the upholstered item. The invention also provides a product comprising an anchor or foundation apparatus as described herein wherein the apparatus is yet to be linked to a device of the invention, i.e. wherein the product is an intermediate in the process of manufacture of an upholstered item. The invention also provides a product comprising a device of the invention as described herein wherein the apparatus is yet to be linked an anchor or foundation apparatus as described herein, i.e. wherein the product is an intermediate in the process of manufacture of an upholstered item. The upholstered item may be an item of furniture. The upholstered item may be an automotive part and may be within the cabin of an automobile. Preferably the upholstered item is a seat. Most preferably the seat is for an automobile. The invention also provides a method of upholstering a product comprising installing a device as described herein on the surface of an upholstered product, comprising tiie steps of: locating the second member in contact with the surface of the upholstered product such that the first, linking member, projects towards a co-operating apparatus or structure within or attached to, the upholstered product, engaging the means for connecting the device to a co-operating apparatus or structure within, or attached to, the upholstered product with the co-operating apparatus. The method may include the step of forming a seam in a piece of material wherein the two sides of the seam are formed from the edges formed by cutting the piece of material from a point on the edge thereof to terminate at a point set away from the edge of the material (e.g. as illustrated in Figure 1B). Alternatively, the method may include the step of forming a seam in a piece of material wherein the two sides of the seam are formed from taking a triangular- orV-shaped piece of material from the edge of the material with the triangle or V terminating at the vertex of the cut-out shape ata point set away from the edge of the material (e.g. as illustrated in Figure 2B). The seam is then formed by joining the two cut edges. Preferably the joining of the seams is by sewing the edges together. Most preferably the edges are sewn together using a sewing machine. The method may include the engaging step causing the device and apparatus to be fixed together temporarily or permanently. The method may include the action of pressing the cooperating device and apparatus together such that elements of the cooperating device and / or apparatus as described herein resiliently deform during this process and then, during engagementor upon full engagement, revert towards their previous form to link the device and apparatus together. Preferably, this constitutes a iclick engagement“or :click fit“ The method may include the step of locating the second member of the device in contact with the surface of the upholstered productsuch thatthe first, linking member, projects towards a co-operating apparatus or structure within or attached to the upholstered product via a channel, tunnel, passage or portal in the upholstered product. The method may include the additional steps of: compressing the upholstered product before installation of the device of the invention; and relieving the compressing force so that the first, linking member of the device is under tension. Thus, the filling of the upholstered product may be compressed. Accordingly, the first, linking member of the device of the invention may be shorter than the length of the channel, tunnel, passage or portal in tiie upholstered product in which it is installed. Thus, when the device is installed, it maintains the compression of the upholstered product. This has the advantage of pulling the excess material created by the foreshortening of the seam into an indentation in the upholstered product yielded by such compression. This is a particular advantage when a seam in the upholstered product is designed to lie in a recess, e.g. a scalloped recess. A further advantage of pulling the cover of the upholstery product into such a recess or scallop is that creasing in the cover is dissipated and / or fullness in the cover is reduced or removed. Examples and Description of the Drawings The invention is now illustrated in the following specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings showing: Figure 1 diagrammatically illustrates two different designs of seams (depicted as solid lines) for an upholstered product. Fig. 1A shows the previously known seam design, wherein the :perpendicular“seam 101 intersects with the rhorizontarseam 103. Fig. 1B shows the desired seam design that the products of the invention are intended for use with, wherein the :perpendicular“seam 105 does not intersect with the ihorizontal” seam 107. Figure 2 diagrammatically illustrates the sections of material to produce the seams of Fig. 1. Fig. 2A shows the three pieces of material (201, 203, 205) needed to produce the pattern of seams shown in Fig. 1A. Fig. 2B shows the two pieces of material (207, 209) needed to produce the pattern of seams shown in Fig. 1B. Figure 3 shows a piece of material 209 that contributes to the pattern of seams shown in Figure 1B. The selvedge of the piece of material 209 is shown on the left edge of the slit in the material running from the edge of the material to the terminus of the slit within the material. Figure 4 is a photograph showing the undesirable crease due to an excess of material in the pleat that can be formed when the amount of material included in the seam of Figs. 1B is not controlled. Figure 5 is a photograph showing a device of the invention 501 installed in an upholstery product 503. Figure 6A is a photograph of a device of the invention 601 showing: a first, linking member 603; a second member 605 attached thereto with surfaces 607 for contacting the surface of an upholstered product a hook 609 for connecting the device to a wire or co-operating apparatus or structure within, or attached to, the upholstered product. Figure 6B shows the device of the invention shown in Figure 6A with an illustrative dotted line wherein the portion of the device above the line is visible on the surface of the finished upholstered productand the portion of the device below the line is invisible when installed in the product. Figure 7 is a diagram of an isometric view of a device of the invention 701 secured via connecting means 703 to an apparatus of the invention 707. Here the connecting means comprises a barbed profile 705 that is secured by a butterfly clip 709 wherein the wings of the butterfly clip 711 fit in the hollow of the barbs 713. The connecting means also comprises a curved cam surface 715 such that pressure on the butterfly clip 709 by the cam surface causes the biased arms of the butterfly clip 717 to be temporarily displaced to allow the barbed section 705 to pass into the central space of the butterfly clip 719 and be fixed therein. Figure 8 is a photograph depicting a front perspective view of an apparatus of the invention 707 as illustrated in Figure 7 with a butterfly clip 709. The apparatus is also equipped with perforated projections 901 extending from the base of the apparatus for holding the apparatus 707 in position within or with respect to an upholstered product. Figure 9 is a diagram of an isometric view of a device of the invention 151 secured via connecting means 153 to an elongate member 157 (a wire in this case). Here the connecting means comprises a hook 155 wherein the entrance to the interior of the hook 159 is covered by a projecting finger of material 111 that is biased to cover the hook entrance 159. The finger of material projects beyond the entrance to the hook and this further projecting portion is curved away from the hook. Thus, the curved exterior of the hook and the curve of the projection combine to provide two sides of a coinciding curved cam surface 115 such that pressure of the wire on the projecting finger 111 causes the biased finger to be temporarily displaced to allow the wire 157 to pass into the interior of the hook 159 and be held therein. Figure 10 is a diagram of the installation of a device of the invention 701 in an apparatus of the invention 707 in side view. The arrow shows the path of the device 701 to be secured by apparatus 707 with the first linking member of the device 171 projecting from tbe finishing fixing 173 attached to the second member of the device through a portal 181 through the leather cover of the upholstery 183 into a passage 175 through the upholstery filling 177 extending to the location of the apparatus 707. The end of a section of piping 179 is secured by the finishing fixing 173. Examples Example 1 Co-Operating Subassemblies for Linking Together in 1he Context of Upholstered Products Two subassemblies are produced so that they may link cooperatively in order to link the surface of an upholstered product to a foundation or securing member within or beneath the upholstered product. T o this end, in this example, an apparatus is attached to the structure of the automobile seat that has a butterfly clip made of resilient plastics material with two arms having hooks projecting inward towards the empty cavity between the two arms of the butterfly clip. A co-operating subassembly is also provided comprising a first member from which projects a rectangular piece of plastics material that terminates in a barbed profile. The barbed profile has barbs that project approximately towards the first member and distally, the outer surface of the projection is contoured to present a profile that acts as a cam surface when the barbed profile is brought into contact with the wings of the butterfly clip and then pushed therein to temporarily move tine resilient arms of the butterfly clip aside in order to move the profile into the cavity of the butterfly clip wherein the barbs of the profile engage with the hooks of the butterfly clip to retain / secure the two subassemblies together. Attached are the first member is a hollow bullet-shaped plastics material piece with an open base. The hollow bullet-shaped piece is suitable for accommodating and securing the end of a section of leather upholstery piping. Example 2 Installation ofthe devices and apparatus described herein in the context of upholstered products An upholstered product is prepared having a cover and a resilient or semi-resilient filling contained within the cover that is capable of being compressed and produces an appreciable restoring force in returning to its previous volume when the compressing force is released. The cover is attached to the structure of an automobile seat that similarly contains the upholstery filling. An apparatus is attached to the structure ofthe automobile seat that has a butterfly clip made of resilient plastics material with two arms having hooks projecting inward towards the empty cavity between the two arms ofthe butterfly clip. The apparatus is located at the bottom of a channel formed in the upholstery product wherein the other terminus ofthe channel opens onto the surface ofthe upholstered product. A length of leather piping is secured at the end with a cylindrical hollow plastic fitting into which the end ofthe length of leather piping projects and is secured therein. The hollow plastic fitting is attached to a first member from which projects a rectangular piece of plastics material that terminates in a barbed profile. The barbed profile has barbs that project approximately towards the first member and distally, the outer surface ofthe projection is contoured to present a profile that acts as a cam surface when the barbed profile is brought into contact with the wings ofthe butterfly clip and then pushed therein to temporarily move the resilient arms ofthe butterfly clip aside in order to move the profile into the cavity ofthe butterfly clip wherein the barbs ofthe profile engage with the hooks of the butterfly clip to retain / secure tiie two subassemblies together. Accordingly, the subassembly to which the leather piping is fixed or is to be affixed is pushed through the channel in the upholstered product to engage with the apparatus atthe otherterminus of the channel and be secured therein. In so doing the underside of the first member contacts the outer envelope of the upholstery product compresses the filling therein. Once the subassemblies secured together then the restoring force of the upholstered refilling places the rectangular linking section under tension and pulls the coverofthe upholstered product towards the apparatus located atthe bottom of the channel formed in the upholstered product. Thus the invention provides an apparatus comprising two cooperating subassemblies of the invention for producing upholstered items wherein the covers thereof have seams that finish before their intersecting with a secondary seam and wherein the seams are of improved form (Diagrams of examples of this desired sewing pattern are shown in Figs 1B, 2B and 3). Accordingly, the invention also provides means to control the amount of excess material formed by the pleatatthe terminus ofsuch a seamand to hide or obscure the terminus of such a seam. The invention further provides methods whereby the products of the invention may be reliably and / or simply installed to the extent that the means and method of installation are sufficiently reliable that workers who are less highly trained or skilled in upholstery can reliably produce a product of the quality desired according to the requirements and constraints set out herein. The invention also provides products for use in automobiles, especially motorcars. 08 01 25

Claims

1. A device for installation on the surface of an upholstered product comprising:a first, substantially rigid, linking member having first and second ends,5 wherein the first end has a second member attached thereto for contacting the surface of an upholstered product,wherein the second end comprises means for connecting the device to a cooperating apparatus or structure within, or attached to, the upholstered product, wherein the second member has an upholstery fixture attached thereto,10 wherein the upholstery fixture is an end piece for protecting the end of a section of piping for mounting on an upholstered item, andwherein the upholstery fixture is a piping end cap.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the upholstery fixture is wholly or partially 15 made of: plastics material; rubber material, preferably a hard rubber compound; elastomer material; and / or composites material.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the upholstery fixture is made out of metal and covered with an insulating material.

204. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the means comprised in the second end for connecting the device to a co-operating apparatus or structure within, or attached to, the upholstered product is an eye, hook, or clip.25 5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the linking member is elongate.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the linking member is substantially flat and planar.30 7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device has a longitudinallyconsistent cross section.

8. A cooperating apparatus for connecting to a device of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cooperating apparatus comprises:08 01 25(a) means for connecting the apparatus to the device of claim 1; and (b) means for securing the apparatus to or within an upholstered product.

9. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the connecting means is 5 a socket or plug for connection with a cooperating plug or socket, respectively.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the socket comprises one or more teeth arranged to cooperate with one or more teeth comprised in the plug such that when the plug is installed in the socket the teeth of the socket and the teeth of the 10 plug engage act to prevent withdrawal of the plug from the socket.11 .A product comprising a device of any of claims 1 to 7 connected with a cooperating apparatus of any of claims 8 to 10.15 12. An upholstered product comprising a device of any of claims 1 to 7.

13. An upholstered product comprising an apparatus of any of claims 8 to 10.

14. An upholstered product comprising a device of any of claims 1 to 7 connected to 20 an apparatus of any of claims 8 to 10.

15. An upholstered product according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the upholstered item has a portal or channel therethrough for accommodating the connecting means of a device of any of claims 1 to 7 and / or an apparatus of any 25 of claims 8 to 10.

16. An upholstered product according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the product is an item of piece of furniture.30 17. An upholstered product according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the product isfor use in an automobile.

18. An upholstered product according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the product is for installation in an automobile.08 01 2519. An upholstered product according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the product is a seat, headrest, backrest or armrest.5 20. An upholstered product according to claim 19, wherein the product is a seat.

21. A method of producing an upholstered product comprising installing a device of any of claims 1 to 7 on the surface of an upholstered product, comprising the steps of:10 (a) locating the second member of the device in contact with the surface ofthe upholstered product such that the first, linking member, projects towards a co-operating apparatus of any of claims 8 to 10 that is within or attached to, the upholstered product; and(b) engaging the means for connecting the device to the co-operating15 apparatus or structure within, or attached to, the upholstered productwith the co-operating apparatus.

22. A method of producing an upholstered product according to claim 21, comprising the additional steps of:20 (a) compressing the upholstered product before installation of the device ofany of claims 1 to 7; and(b) relieving the compressing force so that the first, linking member of the device is under tension.

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