Clip, skin material attachment tool, and clip connection body

Abstract

To provide a clip capable of reducing a sense of a foreign matter.SOLUTION: A clip 5 includes: a first guide part 51 and a second guide part 52 that guide an engagement part 44 of a suspender 4 to a gap G between the first guide part 51 and the second guide part 52, at least one of the first guide part 51 and the second guide part 52 being capable of engaging with the engagement part 44 inserted to the gap G; and a connection part 53 that connects the first guide part 51 and the second guide part 52. Each of the first guide part 51 and the second guide part 52 is installed in a bottom surface 213 of a groove 21 of a cushioning material 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a clip for attaching a cover material to a cushion material, a cover material attachment tool, and a clip connector. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in seats and chairs, cushioning material has been placed on the seat surface, backrest, and other parts that come into contact with the human body, and the surface of the cushioning material is covered with a skin material. A skin material attachment tool is known as a means for attaching the skin material to the cushioning material. For example, the upholstery attachment device in Patent Document 1 includes a clip installed in a groove in the cushioning material and suspenders attached to the upholstery material, and the upholstery material can be attached to the cushioning material by engaging the suspenders with the clip. This clip has a base installed on the bottom surface of the groove, a pair of legs erected from the base, and a pair of guide parts protruding from the pair of legs on sides that are closer to each other. The suspenders are guided by the pair of guide parts and are accommodated in the space between the pair of legs, thereby engaging with the clip. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-69417 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, since the clip of the cover material attachment tool in Patent Document 1 is configured to include the storage space for the suspenders, it is difficult to reduce the dimension of the clip in the depth direction of the groove in the cushion material. Therefore, when the groove in the cushion material is shallow, it is difficult to position the clip and the suspenders that are engaged with the clip sufficiently away from the opening of the groove, which may cause a foreign body sensation in the cushion material.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a clip, a cover material attachment tool, and a clip connecting body that can reduce the foreign body sensation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (First aspect) A first aspect of the present invention is a clip installed in a groove of a cushioning material, guiding suspenders attached to an upholstery material into the gap between them, and comprising first and second guide portions, at least one of which is engageable with a locking portion of a suspender inserted through the gap, and a connecting portion connecting the first guide portion and the second guide portion, each of the first guide portion and the second guide portion being installed on a bottom surface of the groove. In this configuration, there is no need to form a space for suspenders inside the clip, and the dimensions of the clip in the depth direction of the groove in the cushioning material can be reduced. Therefore, even if the groove in the cushioning material is shallow, the clip and the suspenders that are engaged with the clip can be positioned sufficiently away from the opening of the groove. As a result, the foreign body sensation of the clip and the suspenders in the cushioning material can be reduced.

[0007] (Second aspect) In the first aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the gap between the first guide portion and the second guide portion exposes a bottom surface of the groove. In this configuration, the dimension of the clip in the depth direction of the groove in the cushioning material can be suitably reduced.

[0008] (Third aspect) In the first or second aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the first guide portion has an elastically deformable tongue portion on the bottom side of the groove, and the tongue portion forms a tip surface that faces the edge portion of the second guide portion through the gap. In this configuration, when the locking parts of the suspenders are inserted through the gap between the first guide part and the second guide part, the tongue part is pushed by the suspenders and elastically expands the gap, making it easy to insert the locking parts through. Also, after the locking parts pass through the gap between the first guide part and the second guide part, the tongue part returns to its original shape, pressing the suspenders towards the second guide part, making it easy to engage the locking parts with the second guide part.

[0009] (Fourth aspect) In the third aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that a dimension of the tip surface of the tongue portion in the depth direction of the groove is larger than a dimension of the edge portion of the second guide portion in the depth direction of the groove. In this configuration, after the engagement portion of the suspenders passes through the gap between the first guide portion and the second guide portion, the tip surface of the tongue can suitably press the suspenders toward the second guide portion.

[0010] (Fifth aspect) In any of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, it is preferable that the connecting portion has a pair of bridge portions crossing the gap between the first guide portion and the second guide portion, and that the first guide portion, the second guide portion and the pair of bridge portions define a through hole in the depth direction of the groove. In such a configuration, the gap between the first guide portion and the second guide portion is formed as a through hole, so that the gap can be prevented from widening unintentionally, and the engagement state of the suspenders with the clip can be maintained in an optimal manner.

[0011] (Sixth aspect) It is preferable that the upholstery material fastening clip according to any of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention further comprises a first leg portion connected to the first guide portion and extending toward an opening side of the groove, a second leg portion connected to the second guide portion and extending toward the opening side of the groove, a first claw portion protruding from a tip of the first leg toward the second leg portion, and a second claw portion protruding from a tip of the second leg toward the first leg portion. In this configuration, when the cushioning material is molded, the first claw portion and the second claw portion can grip the trench corresponding to the groove. This makes it easy to assemble the clip into the trench. In other words, it makes it easy to install the clip on the cushioning material.

[0012] (Seventh aspect) A seventh aspect of the present invention provides an upholstery material attachment device comprising: a clip according to any one of the first to sixth aspects; and suspenders attached to the upholstery material, wherein the suspenders comprise a main body portion capable of passing through the gap between the first guide portion and the second guide portion; and the locking portion protruding from the main body portion in the width direction of the groove and capable of engaging with at least one of the first guide portion and the second guide portion. As described above, this configuration can reduce the foreign body sensation of the clips and suspenders on the cushioning material.

[0013] (Eighth aspect) In a seventh aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the locking portion protrudes from the main body portion to one side in a width direction of the groove, and is inserted between the second guide portion and the bottom surface of the groove. In this configuration, the engagement of the locking portion with the second guide portion can be released by tilting the suspenders and pulling them out of the clips, which makes it easier to repair the covering material.

[0014] (Ninth aspect) In the seventh or eighth aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the suspenders further have a protruding portion that protrudes from the main body portion and is capable of abutting against the clip from the opening side of the groove. In this configuration, the suspenders are prevented from being inserted too far into the clips, thereby preventing damage to the cushioning material.

[0015] (Tenth aspect) A clip connection body according to a tenth aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of clips as described in any one of the first to sixth aspects and arranged in an arbitrary direction, and a clip connection portion that connects the plurality of clips to each other. With this configuration as well, the same effects as those of the first aspect can be obtained.

[0016] (Eleventh aspect) An upholstery material attachment device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention comprises the clip connector of the tenth aspect and a suspender connector attached to the upholstery material, the suspender connector comprising a plurality of the suspenders corresponding to the respective plurality of clips. With this configuration as well, the same effects as those of the first aspect can be obtained. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a skin material attachment tool according to a first embodiment of the present invention is installed on a cushion material. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the skin material attaching tool of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the clip according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the upholstery material attaching tool of the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] A cross-sectional view taken along line VV in Figure 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a trench into which the clip of the first embodiment is assembled when the cushioning material is molded. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the clip of the first embodiment is assembled into a trench. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the clip according to the first embodiment is assembled into a trench in a mold; [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method for attaching an upholstery material using the upholstery material attaching tool of the first embodiment, showing a state before suspenders are inserted into clips. [Figure 10]FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the method for attaching an upholstery material using the upholstery material attaching tool of the first embodiment, showing a state in which suspenders are being inserted into clips. [Figure 11] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a skin material attaching tool according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a clip of a cover material attaching tool according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the upholstery material attachment tool of the third embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 5. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a suspender according to a modified example of the third embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a skin material attaching tool according to a modified example of the first embodiment, the skin material attaching tool being attached to a cushion material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in Fig. 1, an upholstery material attaching tool 1 according to this embodiment is used to attach an upholstery material 3 to a cushion material 2 for a vehicle seat or the like. This upholstery material attaching tool 1 includes suspenders 4 attached to the upholstery material 3 and clips 5 installed in grooves 21 of the cushion material 2, and the upholstery material 3 can be attached to the cushion material 2 by engaging the suspenders 4 with the clips 5.

[0019] The cushion material 2 is a synthetic resin urethane foam material such as polyurethane foam molded into the shape of a seat. A groove 21 in which a clip 5 is installed is formed in the cushion material 2. The groove 21 extends along an arbitrary direction on the surface of the cushion material 2 while forming an opening in the surface of the cushion material 2. In addition, the cushion material 2 is formed by the groove 21 with a first side wall surface 211 and a second side wall surface 212 facing each other, and a bottom surface 213. The covering material 3 is a sheet, for example a synthetic resin fabric sheet, that covers the surface of the cushion material 2. Edge portions 31 of the covering material 3 are attached to the suspenders 4 by sewing or the like.

[0020] The configuration of the skin material attachment tool 1 will be described with reference to Figs. In the following description of the configuration of the upholstery material attaching tool 1, the three axial directions XYZ are used based on the state in which the suspenders 4 are engaged with the clips 5 (see FIG. 1). For example, the length direction of the upholstery material attaching tool 1 is defined as the X direction, the left-right direction of the upholstery material attaching tool 1 as the Y direction, and the up-down direction of the upholstery material attaching tool 1 as the Z direction. In addition, in the state in which the upholstery material 3 is attached to the cushion material 2 by the upholstery material attaching tool 1 (see FIG. 1), the X direction corresponds to the length direction of the groove 21 of the cushion material 2, the Y direction corresponds to the width direction of the groove 21, and the Z direction corresponds to the depth direction of the groove 21. For convenience of description, the direction toward one side (upward) in the Z direction is defined as the +Z direction, and the direction toward the other side (downward) in the Z direction is defined as the -Z direction, and the groove 21 is assumed to open in the cushion material 2 in the +Z direction.

[0021] The suspenders 4 are molded products made of a thermoplastic resin such as polypropylene, and are suspended from the edge portion 31 of the skin material 3. Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the suspenders 4 include an attachment portion 41 to which the edge portion 31 of the skin material 3 is attached, an inclined portion 42 connected to an end portion on the +Z side of the attachment portion 41, a main body portion 43 connected to an end portion on the -Z side of the attachment portion 41, a locking portion 44 and a protruding portion 45 protruding from the main body portion 43 to one side in the Y direction (for example, the -Y side), and a jig hook portion 46 protruding from the main body portion 43 to the other side in the Y direction (for example, the +Y side).

[0022] The mounting portion 41 has a plate shape disposed along the XZ plane. The edge portions 31 of the two skin materials 3 are overlapped on the +Y side surface of the mounting portion 41, and the mounting portion 41 and the edge portions 31 of the skin materials 3 are sewn together. The inclined portion 42 extends from the attachment portion 41 in a direction inclined with respect to the Z direction, and has an inclined surface 421 facing the +Y side and the +Z side. The inclined portion 42 is elastically deformable by receiving a pressure applied to the surface of the cushion material 2 at the inclined surface 421.

[0023] The main body 43 has a plate shape disposed along the XZ plane. The Y direction dimension of the main body 43 is larger than the Y direction dimension of the attachment portion 41. Therefore, the attachment portion 41, together with the jig hook portion 46, forms a pressing surface 431 facing the +Z direction on the +Y side of the main body 43.

[0024] Locking portion 44 protrudes to the -Y side from the tip of main body 43 on the -Z side. Locking portion 44 forms engagement surface 441 facing the +Z side and guided surface 442 facing the -Z side. Guided surface 442 is inclined with respect to the Y direction so as to approach the +Z side as it approaches the -Y side. The protruding portion 45 protrudes to the -Y side from a position on the +Z side of the locking portion 44 in the main body portion 43. A distance is provided between the locking portion 44 and the protruding portion 45 in the Z direction that is equal to or greater than the Z direction dimension of a second guide portion 52 (or a first guide portion 51) of the clip 5 described later.

[0025] The jig hook portion 46 has an arm piece 461 that protrudes to the +Y side from the base end portion on the +Z side of the main body portion 43, and a hook piece 462 that extends while curving to the -Z side from the arm piece 461. A jig for removing the suspenders 4 from the clips 5 can be inserted into the space formed between the hook piece 462 and the main body portion 43.

[0026] The clip 5 is a molded product made of a thermoplastic resin such as polypropylene. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 5, the clip 5 includes a main body 50 installed on a bottom surface 213 of the groove 21 of the cushion material 2, a first fixing part 55A connected to one side in the Y direction (+Y side) of the main body 50 and fixed in a state where it is inserted into a first side wall surface 211 of the groove 21, and a second fixing part 55B connected to the other side in the Y direction (-Y side) of the main body 50 and fixed in a state where it is inserted into a second side wall surface 212 of the groove 21.

[0027] The main body portion 50 has a plate shape with a concave shape recessed toward the -Z side formed along the X direction, and is placed on the bottom surface 213 of the groove 21 of the cushion material 2 and abuts against the bottom surface 213. Specifically, the main body portion 50 includes a first guide portion 51 and a second guide portion 52 arranged with a gap G in the Y direction therebetween, and a connecting portion 53 connecting the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52.

[0028] 3, the first guide portion 51 has a base portion 510 connected to the first fixed portion 55A, and a tongue portion 513 protruding from the base portion 510 toward the gap G. In other words, the first guide portion 51 has a pair of slits 512 formed at different positions in the X direction, a portion of the first guide portion 51 between the pair of slits 512 forms the tongue portion 513, and the other portion forms the base portion 510. Moreover, the first guide portion 51 has a guide surface 511 that spreads from the base portion 510 to a part of the tongue portion 513. This guide surface 511 is inclined with respect to the Z direction and the Y direction so as to face the +Z side and the -Y side.

[0029] The tongue portion 513 is elastically deformable in the Z direction by being pressed in the Z direction. The tongue portion 513 is formed with a tip surface 513F that faces the gap G in the Y direction. The tip surface 513F faces an edge portion 522 of the second guide portion 52 on the gap G side. It is preferable that the Z direction dimension T1 of the tip surface 513F is larger on the -Z side than the Z direction dimension T2 of the edge portion 522 of the second guide portion 52 (see FIG. 9).

[0030] 2, the second guide portion 52 has a plate shape connected to the second fixed portion 55B. The second guide portion 52 has an edge portion 522 facing inward in the Y direction with respect to the gap G, and the edge portion 522 faces a tip surface 513F of the tongue portion 513 with the gap G interposed therebetween. Further, the second guide portion 52 has a guide surface 521 that is inclined with respect to the Z direction and the Y direction so as to face the +Z side and the +Y side. Here, the guide surface 511 of the first guide part 51 and the guide surface 521 of the second guide part 52 face each other in the Y direction and have a tapered shape that approaches each other toward the -Z side. These guide surfaces 511, 521 can guide the suspenders 4 close to the clip 5 into the gap G.

[0031] Furthermore, when the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52 are placed on the bottom surface 213 of the groove 21, the gap G between the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52 exposes the bottom surface 213 of the groove 21. To be precise, the gap G between the first guide part 51 and the second guide part 52 extends to the range where the first guide part 51 and the second guide part 52 face each other, including the range where the guide surfaces 511, 521 face each other. However, the gap G in this embodiment refers to the gap between the inner end of the first guide part 51 in the Y direction and the inner end of the second guide part 52 in the Y direction, and refers to the space that penetrates the clip 5 in the up-down direction.

[0032] The connecting portion 53 has a pair of bridge portions 531A, 531B that cross the gap G between the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52. Specifically, the pair of bridge portions 531A, 531B are disposed with a gap between them in the X direction, and connect between the base portion 510 of the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52, respectively.

[0033] 4, the first guide portion 51, the second guide portion 52, and the pair of bridge portions 531A, 531B define a through hole 501 that penetrates the main body portion 50 in the Z direction. In other words, the gap G between the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52, and the pair of slits 512 in the first guide portion 51 together form the through hole 501.

[0034] 1, the first fixing portion 55A includes a first base portion 551A, a first leg portion 552A extending from the first base portion 551A toward the +Z side, and a first claw portion 553A protruding from the tip of the first leg portion 552A toward the -Y side. Here, the first guide portion 51 extends from the middle portion of the first leg portion 552A toward the -Y side.

[0035] The second fixing portion 55B includes a second base portion 551B, a second leg portion 552B extending from the second base portion 551B toward the +Z side, and a second claw portion 553B protruding from the tip of the second leg portion 552B toward the +Y side. Here, the second guide portion 52 extends from the middle portion of the second leg portion 552B toward the +Y side.

[0036] Each of the first fixing portion 55A and the second fixing portion 55B is substantially embedded in the cushion material 2 and has a function of fixing the clip 5 to the cushion material 2. Specifically, in the first fixing portion 55A, the first base portion 551A, the +Y side of the first leg portion 552A, and the +Z side of the first claw portion 553A are covered by the cushion material 2. Similarly, in the second fixing portion 55B, the second base portion 551B, the -Y side of the second leg portion 552B, and the +Z side of the second claw portion 553B are covered by the cushion material 2.

[0037] In the upholstery material attaching tool 1 described above, the main body 43 of the suspender 4 is configured to be able to pass through the gap G of the clip 5 (i.e., able to pass through the through hole 501). Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, it is preferable that the Y-direction dimension W1 of the main body 43 is equal to the minimum Y-direction dimension W2 of the gap G in the clip 5 (specifically, the Y-direction dimension W2 of the gap G between the tongue portion 513 and the second guide portion 52). It is also preferable that the X-direction dimension D1 of the main body 43 is greater than the X-direction dimension D2 of the tongue portion 513 and smaller than the X-direction dimension D3 of the through hole 501.

[0038] Furthermore, in the upholstery material attachment tool 1, the suspenders 4 are configured so that the locking portions 44 can engage with the second guide portions 52 with the main bodies 43 inserted through the through holes 501 of the clips 5. Specifically, it is preferable that the maximum Y-direction dimension W3 of the main bodies 43 and the locking portions 44 of the suspenders 4 is larger than the minimum Y-direction dimension W2 of the gap G in the clips 5.

[0039] (Placement of clip 5) An example of a method for installing the clip 5 of this embodiment on the cushion material 2 will be briefly described with reference to Fig. 6 to Fig. 8. For the sake of simplicity, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show a portion of the trench 6 that corresponds to one clip 5 among the trenches 6 installed in the mold 7 of the cushion material 2. Fig. 8 also shows schematic cross sections of the mold 7 of the cushion material 2 and the trench 6.

[0040] First, a trench 6 is prepared as shown in Fig. 6. Here, the trench 6 is a mold for forming the groove 21 of the cushion material 2, and is disposed at a position corresponding to the groove 21. The trench 6 also has a main body 61, a pair of recesses 62 formed in the main body 61, and a protrusion 63 protruding from between the pair of recesses 62 in the depth direction of the groove 21. In addition, in the pair of recesses 62, step portions 621 are formed which extend in the length direction of groove 21 and form a step in the depth direction of groove 21. In addition, protrusion 63 has a shape corresponding to the shape of through hole 501 of clip 5. Specifically, protrusion 63 has a pair of first protrusions 631 which correspond to the pair of slits 512 of clip 5, and a second protrusion 632 which corresponds to the range of through hole 501 of clip 5 other than the pair of slits 512.

[0041] Next, the clip 5 is set in the trench 6 placed in the mold 7 of the cushion material 2. At this time, as shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, the first leg portion 552A and the second leg portion 552B of the clip 5 are fitted into the pair of recesses 62 of the trench 6, respectively, and the first claw portion 553A and the second claw portion 553B of the clip 5 grip the body portion 61 of the trench 6 and engage with the step portions 621 in the recesses 62. As a result, the clip 5 is held in the trench 6. Furthermore, when the clip 5 is set, the protrusion 63 of the trench 6 is inserted into the through hole 501 of the clip 5. Here, while the protrusion 63 of the trench 6 is inserted into the through hole 501 of the clip 5, the protrusion 63 closes the through hole 501.

[0042] Next, the material of the cushion material 2 is injected into the mold 7 of the cushion material 2 and foamed and solidified to form the cushion material 2. As a result, the first fixing portion 55A and the second fixing portion 55B of the clip 5 are embedded in the cushion material 2 and fixed to the cushion material 2. Note that the material of the cushion material 2 does not enter the through hole 501 of the clip 5 because the protruding portion 63 of the trench 6 is present.

[0043] Thereafter, the trench 6 and the mold 7 are removed from the cushion material 2. At this time, the area where the trench 6 existed in the mold 7 of the cushion material 2 appears as a groove 21, and the clip 5 is placed in the groove 21. Furthermore, the through-hole 501 of the clip 5 where the protrusion 63 of the trench 6 existed is formed as a space where the cushion material 2 does not exist.

[0044] (How to attach the cover material) The method for attaching a skin material using the skin material attaching tool 1 of this embodiment will be described with further reference to Figures 1, 9, and 10. In Figures 9 and 10, for the sake of simplicity, the skin material 3 is omitted, and the basic outline of the groove 21 of the cushion material 2 is shown by a two-dot chain line.

[0045] First, the worker prepares the suspenders 4 with the covering material 3 attached and the cushion material 2 with the clip 5 set in the groove 21, and places the covering material 3 so as to cover the cushion material 2. Then, any pressing means (a worker or an automatic machine, etc.) inserts the suspenders 4 into the groove 21 of the cushion material 2, and applies pressing force in the -Z direction to the pressing surface 431 of the suspenders 4.

[0046] 9, when the suspenders 4 are inserted into the grooves 21, the posture of the suspenders 4 may be tilted in the Z direction, or the position of the suspenders 4 may be shifted from the center of the clip 5 in the Y direction. In such a case, the insertion tip 4P of the suspenders 4 (the tip of the locking portion 44 or the main body portion 43) is pressed against the guide surface 511 or the guide surface 521 of the clip 5, and is guided toward the center of the clip 5 in the Y direction, i.e., into the gap G between the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52.

[0047] 10, when pressure is continuously applied to the pressing surface 431 of the suspenders 4, the insertion tip 4P of the suspenders 4 passes through the gap G while elastically deforming the tongue portion 513 of the clip 5 in the -Z direction. At this time, the cushioning material 2 may be elastically deformed together with the tongue portion 513.

[0048] When the locking portion 44 of the suspenders 4 passes through the gap G, the tongue portion 513 of the clip 5 returns to its original shape. At this time, the tip surface 513F of the tongue portion 513 presses the main body portion 43 in the -Y direction. As a result, the locking portion 44 of the suspenders 4 enters the -Z side of the edge portion 522 of the second guide portion 52 while elastically deforming the cushioning material 2. As a result, the locking portion 44 engages with the second guide portion 52 in the Z direction. In addition, when the locking portion 44 passes through the gap G, the pressure of the tongue portion 513 creates a clicking sensation in the clip 5. 1, the suspenders 4 are secured to the clips 5. This allows the covering material 3 to be attached to the cushioning material 2.

[0049] When any pressing means presses the suspenders 4, the protruding portion 45 of the suspenders 4 may abut against the second guide portion 52 from the +Z side. This makes it possible to prevent the suspenders 4 from being pressed excessively into the clips 5. In addition, the above explanation describes the case where the locking portion 44 of the suspenders 4 engages with the second guide portion 52, but when the suspenders 4 are positioned inverted in the Y direction, the locking portion 44 of the suspenders 4 may also engage with the tongue portion 513 of the first guide portion 51.

[0050] (How to remove) In the upholstery material attachment tool 1 of this embodiment, the suspenders 4 can be removed from the clips 5 by using an arbitrary tool. For example, by hooking the tool onto the jig hook portion 46 of the suspenders 4 and tilting the suspenders 4 to the -Y side, the locking portion 44 can be inserted into the gap G, and the suspenders 4 can be pulled out of the clips 5.

[0051] (Effects of this embodiment) In this embodiment, as described above, each of the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52 of the clip 5 is installed on the bottom surface 213 of the groove 21 of the cushion material 2, and the locking portion 44 of the suspenders 4, which passes through the gap G between the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52, engages with the second guide portion 52. In this configuration, there is no need to form a space for accommodating the suspenders 4 inside the clip 5, and the dimension of the clip 5 in the depth direction (Z direction) of the groove 21 of the cushion material 2 can be reduced. Therefore, even if the groove 21 of the cushion material 2 is shallow, the clip 5 and the suspenders 4 engaged with the clip 5 can be disposed sufficiently away from the opening of the groove 21. As a result, the foreign body sensation of the clip 5 and the suspenders 4 in the cushion material 2 can be reduced. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the clips 5 and the suspenders 4 engaged with the clips 5 can be positioned sufficiently away from the opening of the groove 21, thereby improving the external appearance of the cushioning material 2 to which the cover material 3 is attached.

[0052] In this embodiment, the gap G between the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52 exposes the bottom surface 213 of the groove 21 of the cushion material 2. In this configuration, the dimension of the clip 5 in the depth direction (Z direction) of the groove 21 of the cushion material 2 can be suitably reduced.

[0053] In this embodiment, the first guide portion 51 has an elastically deformable tongue portion 513 on the bottom surface 213 side (-Z side) of the groove 21 of the cushion material 2, and the tongue portion 513 forms a tip surface 513F that faces the edge portion 522 of the second guide portion 52 via the gap G. In this configuration, when the locking portion 44 of the suspenders 4 is inserted through the gap G between the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52, the tongue portion 513 is pushed by the suspenders 4 and becomes elastic, widening the gap G and facilitating the insertion of the locking portion 44. In addition, after the locking portion 44 passes through the gap G, the tongue portion 513 returns to its original shape, pressing the suspenders 4 towards the second guide portion 52, making it easy to engage the locking portion 44 with the second guide portion 52. In addition, a clicking sensation is generated in the clip 5, improving the feeling of insertion.

[0054] In this embodiment, the Z-direction dimension T1 of the tip surface 513F of the tongue portion 513 is larger than the Z-direction dimension T2 of the edge portion 522 of the second guide portion 52. In such a configuration, after the locking portion 44 of the suspenders 4 passes through the gap G between the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52, the tip surface 513F of the tongue portion 513 can suitably press the suspenders 4 toward the second guide portion 52.

[0055] In this embodiment, the connecting portion 53 has a pair of bridge portions 531A, 531B that cross the gap G between the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52, and the first guide portion 51, the second guide portion 52 and the pair of bridge portions 531A, 531B define a through hole 501 that penetrates the clip 5 in the Z direction. In such a configuration, the gap G between the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52 is formed as a through hole 501, thereby preventing the gap G from widening unintentionally and enabling the engagement state of the suspenders 4 with the clips 5 to be maintained in an optimal state.

[0056] The clip 5 of this embodiment further includes a first leg portion 552A connected to the first guide portion 51 and extending toward the opening side of the groove 21 in the cushion material 2, a second leg portion 552B connected to the second guide portion 52 and extending toward the opening side of the groove 21 in the cushion material 2, a first claw portion 553A protruding from the tip of the first leg portion 552A toward the second leg portion 552B, and a second claw portion 553B protruding from the tip of the second leg portion 552B toward the first leg portion 552A. In this configuration, when the cushion material 2 is formed, the first claw portion 553A and the second claw portion 553B can grip the trench 6 corresponding to the groove 21. This makes it easy to assemble the clip 5 into the trench 6. In other words, it makes it easy to install the clip 5 on the cushion material 2.

[0057] The upholstery material attachment tool 1 of this embodiment includes the above-mentioned clip 5 and suspenders 4 attached to the upholstery material 3, and the suspenders 4 include a main body portion 43 that can be inserted through the gap G between the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52, and a locking portion 44 that protrudes from the main body portion 43 to one side in the width direction of the groove 21 and can engage with the second guide portion 52. This locking portion 44 is inserted between the second guide portion 52 and the bottom surface 213 of the groove 21. In this configuration, as described above, the foreign body sensation of the clips 5 and the suspenders 4 on the cushioning material 2 can be reduced. Furthermore, the engagement of the locking portion 44 with the second guide portion 52 can be released by tilting the suspenders 4 and pulling them out of the clips 5. This makes it easy to repair the covering material 3.

[0058] In this embodiment, the suspenders 4 further have a protruding portion 45 that protrudes from the main body portion 43 and is capable of abutting against the clip 5 from the opening side of the groove 21. In this configuration, the suspenders 4 are prevented from being excessively inserted into the clips 5, thereby preventing damage to the cushioning material 2.

[0059] [Second embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 11. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 11, a skin material attaching tool 1A according to the second embodiment includes a suspender assembly 400 in which a plurality of suspenders 4 are integrated, and a clip assembly 500 in which a plurality of clips 5 are integrated. The suspender assembly 400 includes a plurality of suspenders 4 lined up along the X direction. In this embodiment, the mounting portions 41 and inclined portions 42 of the suspenders 4 described in the first embodiment form mounting portions 41A and inclined portions 42A integrated among the plurality of suspenders 4. That is, the suspender assembly 400 includes mounting portions 41A and inclined portions 42A continuously formed along the X direction, a plurality of main portions 43 connected to the mounting portions 41A, and locking portions 44, protrusions 45, and jig hook portions 46 provided on each of the main portions 43. The clip connection body 500 includes a plurality of clips 5 aligned along the X direction, and a clip connection portion 56 that connects adjacent clips 5. The clip connection portion 56 has a bar shape and connects the connection portions 53 of adjacent clips 5, i.e., connects the bridge portion 531A of a clip 5 to the bridge portion 531B of the clip 5 adjacent to the clip 5. In this embodiment, the attachment portion 41 and the inclined portion 42 of the suspenders 4, and the clip connecting portion 56 of the clip 5, have flexibility within the XY plane. Therefore, the upholstery material attachment tool 1A can be suitably installed in the groove 21 having a curved shape. Each of the suspender assembly 400 and the clip assembly 500 of this embodiment can be manufactured, for example, by extrusion molding followed by intermittent cutting.

[0061] The method of attaching the cover material in this embodiment is substantially the same as the method of attaching the cover material in the above-mentioned embodiment 1. For example, the suspender connector 400 is inserted into the groove 21 of the cushion material 2, and each suspender 4 is pressed in the -Z direction, whereby each suspender 4 can be locked to the clip 5 corresponding to that suspender 4. The second embodiment described above can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0062] [Third embodiment] A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 12 and Fig. 13. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

[0063] The upholstery material attaching tool 1B according to this embodiment includes suspenders 4 similar to those in the first embodiment, and clips 5A having a different shape from those in the first embodiment. A clip 5A of this embodiment includes a main body portion 50A, a first fixing portion 55A, and a second fixing portion 55B, substantially similar to the first embodiment. Here, in the main body 50A, not only is a pair of slits 512 formed in the first guide portion 51, but a pair of slits 524 is also formed in the second guide portion 52. The pair of slits 524 have a shape cut into the -Y side from the gap G, and are disposed with a gap between them in the X direction. As a result, the second guide portion 52 has a tongue portion 523 that is elastically deformable in the Z direction as a portion between the pair of slits 524. That is, in the clip 5A of this embodiment, the first guide portion 51 has a tongue portion 513 and the second guide portion 52 has a tongue portion 523.

[0064] The method of attaching the skin in this embodiment is substantially the same as the method of attaching the skin in the first embodiment described above. For example, the suspenders 4 are inserted into the grooves 21 of the cushioning material 2, and pressure is applied to the suspenders 4 in the -Z direction. At this time, the suspenders 4 can pass through the gap G while both (or either one) of the tongues 513, 523 of the clip 5 are elastically deformed in the -Z direction. Furthermore, when the locking portion 44 of the suspenders 4 passes through the gap G, the locking portion 44 of the suspenders 4 enters the -Z side of the second guide portion 52 and engages with the tongue portion 523 of the second guide portion 52 in the Z direction. As a result, the suspenders 4 are locked to the clip 5A. In this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, when the suspenders 4 are arranged inverted in the Y direction, the locking portions 44 of the suspenders 4 may engage with the tongue portions 513 of the first guide portions 51.

[0065] The above-described third embodiment can achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment. Furthermore, according to the clip 5A of the third embodiment, the suspenders 4 can easily pass through the gap G between the tongues 513,523.

[0066] [Variations] The above-described embodiments can be modified in various ways, and the modifications described below can be applied to any of the above-described embodiments. For example, Fig. 14 is a diagram showing a suspender assembly 400A according to a modification of the second embodiment. In the modification of Fig. 14, the suspender assembly 400A has an attachment portion 41B made of nonwoven fabric or the like instead of the attachment portion 41A and the inclined portion 42A. Also, in the modification of Fig. 14, the suspender assembly 400A further includes an intermediate portion 47 disposed between adjacent main portions 43 and formed integrally with each main portion 43. Here, the attachment portion 41B is insert molded with respect to the main portions 43 and the intermediate portion 47, and is attached to the covering material 3 by sewing or the like.

[0067] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an upholstery material attaching tool 1C according to a modified example of the first embodiment. In the modified example of Fig. 15, the suspenders 4A have a pair of locking portions 44A protruding from both sides in the Y direction of the main body portion 43. In the clip 5B, the Z direction dimensions of the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52 are set to be approximately equal. In this configuration, the pair of locking portions 44A can engage with the tongue portion 513 of the first guide portion 51 and the edge portion 522 of the second guide portion 52, respectively. In this case, the suspenders 4A do not need to be detached from the clip 5B. 15, suspenders 4A have attachment parts 41B made of nonwoven fabric or the like that are insert molded into main body 43, instead of attachment parts 41 and inclined parts 42 that are integrally formed with main body 43, and attachment parts 41B have bent parts that are bent toward the -Y side. Cover material 3 is sewn to the bent parts of attachment part 41B on the -Y side of attachment part 41B. This ensures that suspenders 4A have a wide pressing surface 431.

[0068] In each of the above-described embodiments, the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52 may not have the tongue portions 513, 523. In this case, the locking portion 44 of the suspenders 4 may be inserted into the gap G between the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52 by elastically deforming the entire clip 5 so as to widen the through hole 501.

[0069] In each of the above-described embodiments, the connecting portion 53 has a pair of bridge portions 531A, 531B that cross the gap G between the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the connecting portion 53 is not particularly limited as long as it is configured to directly or indirectly connect the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52 together.

[0070] In each of the above-described embodiments, the suspenders 4 have the protruding portion 45, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, instead of the protruding portion 45, the jig hook portion 46 may abut against the first guide portion 51 to prevent the suspenders 4 from being pushed excessively into the clip 5. Alternatively, the pushing amount of the suspenders 4 against the clip 5 may be adjusted by controlling the pushing means. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C...covering material attachment tool, 2...cushioning material, 21...groove, 211...first side wall surface, 212...second side wall surface, 213...bottom surface, 3...covering material, 31...edge portion, 4, 4A...suspenders, 41, 41A, 41B...mounting portion, 42, 42A...inclined portion, 421...inclined surface, 43...main body portion, 431...pressing surface, 44, 44A...engaging portion, 441...engagement surface, 442...guided surface, 45...projection portion, 46...hook portion for jig, 461...arm piece, 462...hook piece, 4P...insertion tip portion, 400, 400A...suspender connector, 5, 5A, 5B...clip, 50, 50A...main body portion, 501...through Through hole, 51...first guide portion, 510...base, 511...guide surface, 512...slit, 513...tongue, 513F...tip surface, 52...second guide portion, 521...guide surface, 522...edge, 523...tongue, 524...slit, 53...connecting portion, 531A, 531B...bridge portion, 55A...first fixing portion, 551A...first base, 552A...first leg, 553A...first claw, 55B...second fixing portion, 551B...second base, 552B...second leg, 553B...second claw, 56...clip connecting portion, 500...clip connecting body, 6...trench, 61...main body, 62...recess, 621...step portion, 63...convex portion.

Claims

1. A clip (5, 5A, 5B) to be installed in a groove (21) of a cushion material (2), a first guide portion (51) and a second guide portion (52) that guide the suspenders (4, 4A) attached to the covering material (3) into a gap (G) therebetween, and at least one of which is engageable with a locking portion (44, 44A) of the suspender (4, 4A) inserted through the gap (G); a connecting portion (53) that connects the first guide portion (51) and the second guide portion (52), The clip, wherein each of the first guide portion (51) and the second guide portion (52) is installed on the bottom surface (213) of the groove (21).

2. The clip according to claim 1, wherein the gap (G) between the first guide portion (51) and the second guide portion (52) exposes a bottom surface (213) of the groove (21).

3. The first guide portion (51) has an elastically deformable tongue portion (513) on the bottom surface (213) side of the groove (21), The clip according to claim 1, wherein the tongue portion (513) forms a tip surface (513F) that faces the edge portion (522) of the second guide portion (52) across the gap (G).

4. A clip as described in claim 3, wherein a dimension (T1) of the tip surface (513F) of the tongue portion (513) in the depth direction of the groove (21) is greater than a dimension (T2) of the edge portion (522) of the second guide portion (52) in the depth direction of the groove (21).

5. the connecting portion (53) is configured as a pair of bridge portions (531A, 531B) that cross the gap (G) between the first guide portion (51) and the second guide portion (52), The clip according to claim 1, wherein the first guide portion (51), the second guide portion (52) and the pair of bridge portions (531A, 531B) define a through hole (501) in the depth direction of the groove (21).

6. a first leg portion (552A) connected to the first guide portion (51) and extending toward an opening side of the groove (21); a second leg portion (552B) connected to the second guide portion (52) and extending toward the opening side of the groove (21); a first claw portion (553A) protruding from the tip of the first leg portion (552A) toward the second leg portion (552B); The clip according to claim 1, further comprising a second claw portion (553B) protruding from a tip of the second leg portion (552B) toward the first leg portion (552A).

7. A clip (5, 5A, 5B) according to any one of claims 1 to 6; the suspenders (4, 4A) attached to the skin material (3), The suspenders (4, 4A) are a main body portion (43) that can be inserted through the gap (G) between the first guide portion (51) and the second guide portion (52); the locking portion (44, 44A) protruding from the main body portion (43) in the width direction of the groove (21) and capable of engaging with at least one of the first guide portion (51) and the second guide portion (52).

8. The locking portion (44) protrudes from the main body portion (43) to one side in the width direction of the groove (21).

8. The skin material attaching tool according to claim 7, wherein the second guide portion (52) is inserted between the second guide portion (52) and the bottom surface (213) of the groove (21).

9. 8. The upholstery material attaching tool according to claim 7, wherein the suspenders (4, 4A) further have protruding portions (45) that protrude from the main body portion (43) and are capable of abutting against the clips (5, 5A, 5B) from the opening side of the grooves (21).

10. A plurality of clips (5, 5A, 5B) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and arranged in an arbitrary direction; a clip connecting portion (56) that connects the plurality of clips (5, 5A, 5B) to each other.

11. A clip assembly (500) according to claim 10; and suspender connectors (400, 400A) attached to the cover material (3), The suspender connector (400, 400A) includes a plurality of the suspenders (4) corresponding to the plurality of clips (5, 5A, 5B), respectively.

Images