Clips, surface material fasteners, and clip connectors

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 skin material to a cushion material, a skin material fixture, and a clip connector.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in seats, chairs, etc., a cushion material is installed in a portion that touches the human body such as a seat surface or a backrest, and the surface thereof is covered with a skin material. A skin material fixture as a means for attaching the skin material to the cushion material is known. For example, the skin material fixture of Patent Document 1 includes a clip installed in a groove of a cushion material and a suspender attached to the skin material. By locking the suspender to the clip, the skin material can be attached to the cushion material. 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 portions protruding from the pair of legs toward the side close to each other. The suspender is guided by the pair of guide portions and is engaged with the clip by being accommodated in the space between the pair of legs.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, since the clip of the skin material fixture of Patent Document 1 is configured to enclose the accommodation space of the suspender, it is difficult to reduce the size of the clip in the depth direction of the groove of the cushion material. Therefore, when the groove of the cushion material is shallow, it is difficult to arrange the clip and the suspender locked to the clip sufficiently away from the opening of the groove, and a foreign body sensation may occur in the cushion material.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a clip, a surface material attachment, and a clip connector that can reduce the feeling of foreign matter. [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, comprising: a first guide portion and a second guide portion that guide suspenders attached to a surface material into the gap between them, and at least one of which is capable of engaging with a locking portion of the suspenders inserted through the gap; and a connecting portion that connects the first guide portion and the second guide portion, each of which is installed on the bottom surface of the groove. In this configuration, there is no need to create a storage space for the suspenders inside the clip, and the dimensions of the clip in the depth direction of the groove in the cushioning material can be suppressed. Therefore, even if the groove in the cushioning material is shallow, the clip and the suspenders that are attached to the clip can be positioned sufficiently far from the opening of the groove. As a result, the feeling of foreign objects from the clip and suspenders in the cushioning material can be reduced.

[0007] (Second aspect) In the first embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the gap between the first guide portion and the second guide portion exposes the bottom surface of the groove. In this configuration, the dimensions of the clips in the depth direction of the grooves in the cushioning material can be effectively suppressed.

[0008] (Third aspect) In the first or second embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the first guide portion has an elastically deformable tongue portion on the bottom surface side of the groove, and the tongue portion forms a tip surface facing the edge portion of the second guide portion through the gap. In this configuration, when the locking portion of the suspenders passes through the gap between the first guide portion and the second guide portion, the tongue portion is pressed against the suspenders and becomes elastic, widening the gap and facilitating the insertion of the locking portion. Furthermore, after the locking portion has passed through the gap between the first guide portion and the second guide portion, the tongue portion returns to its original shape, pressing the suspenders toward the second guide portion, thus facilitating engagement between the locking portion and the second guide portion.

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

[0010] (Fifth aspect) In any of the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the connecting portion preferably has a pair of bridge portions that traverse the gap between the first guide portion and the second guide portion, and the first guide portion, the second guide portion and the pair of bridge portions preferably define a through hole in the depth direction of the groove. In this configuration, the gap between the first guide portion and the second guide portion is formed as a through hole, which prevents the gap from unintentionally widening and allows the suspenders to be suitably engaged with the clip.

[0011] (Sixth aspect) Relating to any of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention ru Preferably, the lip further comprises a first leg portion connected to the first guide portion and extending toward the 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 the tip of the first leg portion toward the second leg portion, and a second claw portion protruding from the tip of the second leg portion toward the first leg portion. In this configuration, during the molding of the cushioning material, the first and second claws can grip the trench corresponding to the groove. This facilitates the assembly of the clip into the trench, and thus facilitates the installation of the clip onto the cushioning material.

[0012] (Seventh aspect) A skin material attachment device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention comprises a clip according to any of the first to sixth aspects, and a suspender attached to the skin material, wherein the suspender comprises a main body portion that can be inserted through the gap between the first guide portion and the second guide portion, and a locking portion that protrudes from the main body portion in the width direction of the groove and can engage with at least one of the first guide portion and the second guide portion. As mentioned above, this configuration can reduce the feeling of foreign objects in the cushioning material, such as clips and suspenders.

[0013] (8th 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 the width direction of the groove and is inserted between the second guide portion and the bottom surface of the groove. In this configuration, the locking mechanism can be released from the second guide by tilting the suspender and pulling it out of the clip. This makes it easier to repair the outer material.

[0014] (9th aspect) In a seventh or eighth aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the suspenders further have a projection that protrudes from the main body and is capable of contacting the clip from the opening side of the groove. In this configuration, damage to the cushioning material can be prevented by suppressing excessive insertion of the suspenders into the clips.

[0015] (Tenth aspect) The clip connector according to the tenth aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of clips described in any one of the first to sixth aspects and arranged along an arbitrary direction, and a clip connecting portion that connects the plurality of clips to each other. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the first aspect can be obtained.

[0016] (Eleventh aspect) The skin material fixture according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention includes the clip connector of the tenth aspect and a suspender connector attached to the skin material, and the suspender connector includes a plurality of the suspenders corresponding to each of the plurality of clips. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the first aspect can be obtained.

Brief description of the drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] A cross-sectional view showing a state where the skin material fixture according to the first embodiment of the present invention is installed on a cushion material. [Figure 2] An exploded perspective view showing the skin material fixture of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] A perspective view showing the clip of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] A side view showing the skin material fixture of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] A cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] A perspective view showing a trench in which the clip of the first embodiment is assembled during the molding of the cushion material. [Figure 7] A perspective view showing a state where the clip of the first embodiment is assembled in the trench. [Figure 8] A cross-sectional view schematically showing a state where the clip of the first embodiment is assembled in a trench in a mold. [Figure 9] A view for explaining a method of attaching a skin material using the skin material fixture of the first embodiment, showing a state before inserting a suspender into a clip. [Figure 10]A diagram illustrating a method for attaching a skin material using the skin material attachment device of the first embodiment, showing the state in the process of inserting the suspenders into the clip. [Figure 11] An exploded perspective view showing a skin material attachment according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] A perspective view showing a clip for a surface material attachment according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] A diagram showing the skin material attachment of the third embodiment, a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 5. [Figure 14] A perspective view showing suspenders according to a modified example of the third embodiment. [Figure 15] A diagram showing a modified surface material mounting device according to the first embodiment, a cross-sectional view showing the surface material mounting device installed on a cushioning material. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] [First Embodiment] The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 10. As shown in Figure 1, the surface material attachment device 1 according to this embodiment is used to attach a surface material 3 to a cushion material 2 such as a vehicle seat. This surface material attachment device 1 includes a suspender 4 that is attached to the surface material 3 and a clip 5 that is installed in a groove 21 of the cushion material 2. By fastening the suspender 4 to the clip 5, the surface material 3 can be attached to the cushion material 2.

[0019] The cushioning material 2 is a synthetic resin urethane foam material such as foamed polyurethane molded into the shape of a seat. The cushioning material 2 has grooves 21 formed in it into which the clips 5 are installed. The grooves 21 extend along any direction on the surface of the cushioning material 2, forming an opening on the surface of the cushioning material 2. The grooves 21 also form a first side wall surface 211 and a second side wall surface 212 that face each other, and a bottom surface 213 on the cushioning material 2. The outer material 3 is a sheet that covers the surface of the cushioning material 2, and is, for example, a synthetic resin woven sheet. The edges 31 of the outer material 3 are attached to the suspender 4 by sewing or the like.

[0020] The configuration of the surface material mounting bracket 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 1 to 5. In the following description of the structure of the skin material attachment 1, the three axes X, Y, and Z are used based on the state in which the suspenders 4 are attached to the clip 5 (see Figure 1). For example, the length direction of the skin material attachment 1 is the X direction, the left-right direction of the skin material attachment 1 is the Y direction, and the up-down direction of the skin material attachment 1 is the Z direction. When the skin material 3 is attached to the cushion material 2 by the skin material attachment 1 (see Figure 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. Also, for the sake of convenience in the explanation, the direction toward one side of the Z direction (upward) is called the +Z direction, and the direction toward the other side of the Z direction (downward) is called 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 from a thermoplastic resin such as polypropylene, and are suspended from the edge portion 31 of the outer 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 outer material 3 is attached, an inclined portion 42 connected to the +Z end of the attachment portion 41, a main body portion 43 connected to the -Z end of the attachment portion 41, a locking portion 44 and a protruding portion 45 projecting from the main body portion 43 to one side in the Y direction (e.g., the -Y side), and a jig hook portion 46 projecting from the main body portion 43 to the other side in the Y direction (e.g., the +Y side).

[0022] The mounting portion 41 has a plate shape that is positioned along the XZ plane. The edges 31 of two pieces of surface material 3 are overlapped on the +Y side surface of the mounting portion 41, and both the mounting portion 41 and the edges 31 of the surface material 3 are sewn together. The inclined portion 42 extends from the mounting portion 41 in a direction inclined with respect to the Z direction and has inclined surfaces 421 facing the +Y side and the +Z side. This inclined portion 42 is elastically deformable by receiving the pressure applied to the surface of the cushioning material 2 on the inclined surfaces 421.

[0023] The main body portion 43 has a plate shape that is arranged along the XZ plane. The Y-direction dimension of the main body portion 43 is larger than the Y-direction dimension of the mounting portion 41. , book body part 4 3 is Together with the jig hook portion 46, it forms a pressing surface 431 facing the +Z direction.

[0024] The locking portion 44 protrudes from the -Z-side tip of the main body portion 43 toward the -Y side. This locking portion 44 forms an engaging surface 441 facing the +Z side and a guided surface 442 facing the -Z side. The guided surface 442 is inclined with respect to the Y direction such that it moves toward the +Z side as it moves toward the -Y side. The protruding portion 45 protrudes from a position on the +Z side to the -Y side of the locking portion 44 on the main body portion 43. A gap of more than the Z-direction dimension of the second guide portion 52 (or first guide portion 51) of the clip 5, which will be described later, is maintained between the locking portion 44 and the protruding portion 45 in the Z direction.

[0025] The jig hook portion 46 has an arm piece 461 that protrudes to the +Y side from the base end on the +Z side of the main body portion 43, and a hook piece 462 that extends from the arm piece 461 in a curved manner to the -Z side. 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 Figures 1 to 5, the clip 5 comprises a main body 50 installed on the bottom surface 213 of the groove 21 of the cushioning material 2, a first fixing part 55A connected to one side of the main body 50 in the Y direction (+Y side) and fixed in a state where it is inserted into the first side wall surface 211 of the groove 21, and a second fixing part 55B connected to the other side of the main body 50 in the Y direction (-Y side) and fixed in a state where it is inserted into the second side wall surface 212 of the groove 21.

[0027] The main body 50 has a plate shape with a concave shape formed along the X direction that is recessed on the -Z side, and is installed on the bottom surface 213 of the groove 21 of the cushioning material 2 and in contact with the bottom surface 213. Specifically, the main body 50 includes a first guide portion 51 and a second guide portion 52 arranged with a gap G in the Y direction between them, and a connecting portion 53 that connects the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52.

[0028] The first guide portion 51, as shown in Figure 3 for example, has a base portion 510 connected to the first fixing 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 mutually different positions in the X direction, the portion of the first guide portion 51 between the pair of slits 512 forms the tongue portion 513, and the remaining portion forms the base portion 510. Furthermore, the first guide portion 51 has a guide surface 511 that extends from the base portion 510 to a part of the tongue portion 513. This guide surface 511 is inclined with respect to the Z and Y directions so as to face the +Z and -Y sides.

[0029] The tongue portion 513 is elastically deformable in the Z direction when subjected to pressure in the Z direction. The tongue portion 513 also has a tip surface 513F facing the Y direction relative to the gap G. This tip surface 513F faces the edge 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 greater on the -Z side than the Z-direction dimension T2 of the edge 522 of the second guide portion 52 (see Figure 9).

[0030] The second guide portion 52 has a plate shape connected to the second fixing portion 55B, as shown in Figure 2, for example. This second guide portion 52 is oriented in the Y direction relative to the gap G. Towards It has a facing edge portion 522, which faces the tip surface 513F of the tongue portion 513 with a gap G in between. Furthermore, the second guide portion 52 has guide surfaces 521 that are inclined with respect to the Z and Y directions so as to face the +Z and +Y directions. Here, the guide surface 511 of the first guide portion 51 and the guide surface 521 of the second guide portion 52 face each other in the Y direction and have a tapered shape that moves closer to each other as it approaches the -Z side. These guide surfaces 511 and 521 can guide the suspender 4, which is close to the clip 5, into the gap G.

[0031] Furthermore, when the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52 are installed 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. More precisely, the gap G between the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52 extends to the area where the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52 face each other, including the area where the guide surfaces 511 and 521 face each other. However, in this embodiment, the gap G refers to the gap between the inner end of the first guide portion 51 in the Y direction and the inner end of the second guide portion 52 in the Y direction, and refers to the space that penetrates the clip 5 in the vertical direction.

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

[0033] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, for example, the first guide portion 51, the second guide portion 52, and the pair of bridge portions 531A and 531B define through holes 501 that penetrate 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, both form through holes 501.

[0034] The first fixing portion 55A includes, for example, 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 toward the -Y side from the tip of the first leg portion 552A. Here, the first guide portion 51 extends toward the -Y side from the middle portion of the first leg portion 552A.

[0035] The second fixing portion 55B comprises 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 toward the +Y side from the tip of the second leg portion 552B. Here, the second guide portion 52 extends toward the +Y side from the middle portion of the second leg portion 552B.

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

[0037] In the skin material attachment device 1 described above, the main body portion 43 of the suspender 4 is configured to be able to pass through the gap G of the clip 5 (i.e., to pass through the through hole 501). Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, it is preferable that the Y-direction dimension W1 of the main body portion 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). Furthermore, it is preferable that the X-direction dimension D1 of the main body portion 43 is larger 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 skin material attachment 1, the suspender 4 is configured such that the locking portion 44 can engage with the second guide portion 52 when the main body portion 43 is inserted through the through hole 501 of the clip 5. Specifically, it is preferable that the maximum Y-direction dimension W3 of the main body portion 43 and the locking portion 44 of the suspender 4 is greater than the minimum Y-direction dimension W2 of the gap G in the clip 5.

[0039] (Installation of clip 5) An example of how to install the clip 5 of this embodiment onto the cushioning material 2 will be briefly described with reference to Figures 6 to 8. Note that Figures 6 and 7 show the portion of the trench 6 corresponding to one clip 5 within the mold 7 of the cushioning material 2, for the sake of simplification. Figure 8 schematically shows the cross-sections of the mold 7 and trench 6 of the cushioning material 2.

[0040] First, a trench 6 is prepared as shown in Figure 6. Here, the trench 6 is a mold that forms a groove 21 in the cushioning material 2 and is positioned at a location corresponding to the groove 21. The trench 6 also has a main body portion 61, a pair of recesses 62 formed in the main body portion 61, and a protrusion 63 that projects from between the pair of recesses 62 in the depth direction of the groove 21. Furthermore, within the pair of recesses 62, a stepped portion 621 is formed that extends in the longitudinal direction of the groove 21 and forms a step in the depth direction of the groove 21. The protrusion 63 has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the through hole 501 of the clip 5. Specifically, the protrusion 63 has a pair of first protrusions 631 that correspond to the pair of slits 512 of the clip 5, and a second protrusion 632 that corresponds to the area of ​​the through hole 501 of the clip 5 other than the pair of slits 512.

[0041] Next, the clip 5 is set against the trench 6 installed in the mold 7 of the cushioning material 2. At this time, as shown in Figures 7 and 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, and the first claw portion 553A and the second claw portion 553B of the clip 5 grip the main body portion 61 of the trench 6 and engage with the stepped portion 621 in each recess 62. In this way, the clip 5 is held in place by the trench 6. Furthermore, when the clip 5 is set, the protrusion 63 of the trench 6 passes through the through hole 501 of the clip 5. At this point, the protrusion 63 of the trench 6 passes through the through hole 501 of the clip 5 while simultaneously closing the through hole 501.

[0042] Next, the cushioning material 2 is formed by injecting the cushioning material 2 material into the mold 7 of the cushioning material 2 and allowing it to foam and solidify. As a result, the first fixing part 55A and the second fixing part 55B of the clip 5 are embedded in the cushioning material 2 and fixed to the cushioning material 2. Note that the protrusion 63 of the trench 6 is present in the through hole 501 of the clip 5, so the cushioning material 2 material does not enter it.

[0043] Subsequently, the trench 6 and mold 7 are removed from the cushioning material 2. At this point, the area where the trench 6 was located within the mold 7 of the cushioning material 2 appears as a groove 21, and the clip 5 is placed within the groove 21. In addition, the through hole 501 of the clip 5 where the protrusion 63 of the trench 6 was located is formed as a space where the cushioning material 2 does not exist.

[0044] (Method for attaching the outer covering material) The method for attaching the surface material using the surface material attachment device 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 simplification, the surface material 3 is not shown, and the basic contour of the groove 21 of the cushion material 2 is shown by a dashed line.

[0045] First, the worker prepares the suspenders 4 with the outer material 3 attached and the cushioning material 2 with the clip 5 installed in the groove 21, and places the outer material 3 so as to cover the cushioning material 2. Then, any pressing means (worker or automated machine, etc.) inserts the suspenders 4 into the groove 21 of the cushioning material 2 and applies pressure in the -Z direction to the pressing surface 431 of the suspenders 4.

[0046] When the suspenders 4 are inserted into the groove 21, as shown in Figure 9, the orientation of the suspenders 4 may be tilted with respect to the Z direction, or the position of the suspenders 4 may be misaligned from the Y-center of the clip 5. In such cases, the insertion tip 4P of the suspenders 4 (the locking portion 44 or the tip of the main body portion 43) presses against the guide surface 511 or guide surface 521 of the clip 5, guiding it toward the Y-center of the clip 5, that is, into the gap G between the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52.

[0047] Then, when pressure is continuously applied to the pressing surface 431 of the suspender 4, as shown in Figure 10, the insertion tip 4P of the suspender 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 also elastically deform together with the tongue portion 513.

[0048] As the locking portion 44 of the suspender 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 against the main body portion 43 in the -Y direction. As a result, the locking portion 44 of the suspender 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. Also, as the locking portion 44 passes through the gap G, the pressure from the tongue portion 513 creates a clicking sensation in the clip 5. As a result, the suspenders 4 are secured to the clips 5, as shown in Figure 1. This allows the outer material 3 to be attached to the cushioning material 2.

[0049] Furthermore, when any pressing means presses against the suspender 4, the protruding portion 45 of the suspender 4 may come into contact with the second guide portion 52 from the +Z side. This prevents the suspender 4 from being pushed too far into the clip 5. Furthermore, although the above description described the case in which the locking portion 44 of the suspender 4 engages with the second guide portion 52, if the suspender 4 is positioned upside down in the Y direction, the locking portion 44 of the suspender 4 may engage with the tongue portion 513 of the first guide portion 51.

[0050] (How to remove) In the skin material attachment device 1 of this embodiment, the suspenders 4 can be removed from the clip 5 by using any jig. For example, by hooking the jig onto the jig hook portion 46 of the suspenders 4 and tilting the suspenders 4 toward the -Y side, the locking portion 44 can be inserted through the gap G, and the suspenders 4 can be pulled out from the clip 5.

[0051] (Effects of this embodiment) In this embodiment, as described above, the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52 of the clip 5 are each installed on the bottom surface 213 of the groove 21 of the cushioning material 2, and the locking portion 44 of the suspender 4, which is inserted 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 create a space inside the clip 5 to accommodate the suspenders 4, and the dimensions of the clip 5 in the depth direction (Z direction) of the groove 21 of the cushioning material 2 can be suppressed. Therefore, even if the groove 21 of the cushioning material 2 is shallow, the clip 5 and the suspenders 4 that are attached to the clip 5 can be positioned sufficiently far from the opening of the groove 21. As a result, the feeling of foreign objects from the clip 5 and suspenders 4 in the cushioning material 2 can be reduced. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the clip 5 and the suspender 4 that is attached to the clip 5 can be positioned sufficiently far from the opening of the groove 21, the appearance of the cushion material 2 to which the surface material 3 is attached can be improved.

[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 cushioning material 2. In this configuration, the dimensions of the clip 5 in the depth direction (Z direction) of the groove 21 of the cushioning material 2 can be effectively suppressed.

[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 cushioning material 2, and the tongue portion 513 forms a tip surface 513F that faces the edge portion 522 of the second guide portion 52 through a gap G. In this configuration, when the locking portion 44 of the suspender 4 passes through the gap G between the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52, the tongue portion 513 is pressed against the suspender 4 and becomes elastic, widening the gap G and facilitating the insertion of the locking portion 44. Furthermore, after the locking portion 44 has passed through the gap G, the tongue portion 513 returns to its original shape, pressing the suspender 4 towards the second guide portion 52, thus facilitating engagement between the locking portion 44 and the second guide portion 52. Additionally, the clip 5 provides a clicking sensation, improving the insertion feel.

[0054] In this embodiment, the Z-direction dimension T1 of the tip surface 513F of the tongue portion 513 is greater than the Z-direction dimension T2 of the edge portion 522 of the second guide portion 52. In this configuration, after the locking portion 44 of the suspender 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 suspender 4 toward the second guide portion 52.

[0055] The connecting portion 53 of this embodiment has a pair of bridge portions 531A and 531B that traverse 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 and 531B define a through hole 501 that penetrates the clip 5 in the Z direction. In this configuration, the gap G between the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52 is formed as a through hole 501, which prevents the gap G from unintentionally widening and allows the engagement state of the suspender 4 with the clip 5 to be maintained appropriately.

[0056] The clip 5 of this embodiment further comprises: a first leg portion 552A connected to a first guide portion 51 and extending toward the opening side of the groove 21 of the cushioning material 2; a second leg portion 552B connected to a second guide portion 52 and extending toward the opening side of the groove 21 of the cushioning 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 cushioning material 2 is molded, 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 to the trench 6. In other words, it makes it easy to install the clip 5 on the cushioning material 2.

[0057] The surface material attachment device 1 of this embodiment comprises the clip 5 described above and a suspender 4 attached to the surface material 3. The suspender 4 comprises 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. As described above, this configuration makes it possible to reduce the feeling of foreign objects in the cushioning material 2, such as the clips 5 and suspenders 4. Furthermore, by tilting the suspender 4 and pulling it out of the clip 5, the engagement of the locking portion 44 with the second guide portion 52 can be released. This makes it easier to repair the outer material 3.

[0058] In this embodiment, the suspender 4 further has a protruding portion 45 that extends from the main body portion 43 and is capable of contacting the clip 5 from the opening side of the groove 21. In this configuration, damage to the cushioning material 2 can be suppressed by preventing the suspenders 4 from being excessively inserted into the clips 5.

[0059] [Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 11. In this embodiment, components similar to those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted or simplified.

[0060] As shown in Figure 11, the skin material attachment 1A according to the second embodiment comprises a suspender connector 400 in which a plurality of suspenders 4 are integrated, and a clip connector 500 in which a plurality of clips 5 are integrated. The suspender connector 400 comprises a plurality of suspenders 4 arranged along the X direction. In this embodiment, the mounting portion 41 and inclined portion 42 of the suspender 4 described in the first embodiment form a mounting portion 41A and an inclined portion 42A that are integrated between the plurality of suspenders 4. That is, the suspender connector 400 comprises a mounting portion 41A and an inclined portion 42A formed continuously along the X direction, a plurality of main body portions 43 connected to the mounting portion 41A, and a locking portion 44, a protruding portion 45, and a jig hook portion 46 provided on each main body portion 43. The clip connector 500 comprises a plurality of clips 5 arranged along the X direction and a clip connecting portion 56 that connects adjacent clips 5. The clip connecting portion 56 has a bar shape and connects the connecting portions 53 of adjacent clips 5, that is, the bridge portion 531A of one clip 5 to the bridge portion 531B of the clip 5 next to that clip 5. In this embodiment, the mounting portion 41 and inclined portion 42 of the suspender 4, and the clip connecting portion 56 of the clip 5, have flexibility in the XY plane. Therefore, the surface material mounting fixture 1A can be suitably installed in the curved groove 21. Furthermore, each of the suspender connector 400 and clip connector 500 in this embodiment can be manufactured, for example, by extrusion molding followed by intermittent cutting.

[0061] The method for attaching the outer material in this embodiment is substantially the same as the method for attaching the outer material in the first embodiment described above. For example, by inserting the suspender connector 400 into the groove 21 of the cushioning material 2 and applying pressure in the -Z direction to each suspender 4, 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 Figures 12 and 13. In this embodiment, components similar to those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted or simplified.

[0063] The skin material attachment 1B according to this embodiment comprises a suspender 4 similar to that of the first embodiment and a clip 5A of a different form from that of the first embodiment. The clip 5A of this embodiment comprises a main body 50A, a first fixing part 55A, and a second fixing part 55B, substantially the same as in the first embodiment. In the main body portion 50A, not only is a pair of slits 512 formed in the first guide portion 51, but a pair of slits 524 are also formed in the second guide portion 52. These pair of slits 524 have a shape that is cut out from the gap G toward the -Y side and are arranged with a gap in the X direction between them. As a result, the second guide portion 52 has a tongue portion 523 that is elastically deformable in the Z direction as the part between the pair of slits 524. In other words, 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 for attaching the surface material in this embodiment is substantially the same as the method for attaching the surface material in the first embodiment described above. For example, the suspenders 4 are inserted into the groove 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 elastically deforming both (or either) of the tongues 513 and 523 of the clip 5 in the -Z direction. Also, 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 as well, if the suspenders 4 are positioned inverted in the Y direction, the locking portion 44 of the suspenders 4 may engage with the tongue portion 513 of the first guide portion 51.

[0065] The third embodiment described above can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, with the clip 5A of the third embodiment, the suspender 4 can easily pass through the gap G between the tongue portions 513 and 523.

[0066] [Differentiation] Each of the above embodiments can be modified in various ways, and the modifications described below are applicable to any form of each of the above embodiments. For example, Figure 14 shows a modified example of the second embodiment of the suspender connector 400A. In the modified example of Figure 14, the suspender connector 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 modified example of Figure 14, the suspender connector 400A further includes an intermediate portion 47 that is positioned between adjacent main body portions 43 and is integrally formed with each main body portion 43. Here, the attachment portion 41B is insert-molded with respect to the main body portion 43 and the intermediate portion 47 and is attached to the skin material 3 by sewing or the like.

[0067] Figure 15 shows a modified version of the first embodiment, specifically the skin material attachment 1C. In the modified version shown in Figure 15, the suspenders 4A have a pair of locking portions 44A protruding from both sides of the main body portion 43 in the Y direction. 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 necessarily need to be designed to be removed from the clip 5B. Furthermore, in the modified example shown in Figure 15, the suspenders 4A have an attachment portion 41B made of nonwoven fabric or the like, which is insert-molded into the main body portion 43, instead of the attachment portion 41 and inclined portion 42 which are integrally formed with the main body portion 43. This attachment portion 41B has a folded portion that is bent towards the -Y side. The outer material 3 is sewn to the folded portion of the attachment portion 41B on the -Y side of the attachment portion 41B. This ensures that the pressing surface 431 of the suspenders 4A is wide.

[0068] In each of the above embodiments, the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52 do not necessarily have tongue portions 513 and 523. In this case, the locking portion 44 of the suspender 4 may be inserted through 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 embodiments described above, the connecting portion 53 has a pair of bridge portions 531A and 531B that traverse the gap G between the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the connecting portion 53 is not particularly limited as long as it is configured to connect the first guide portion 51 and the second guide portion 52 directly or indirectly.

[0070] In each of the embodiments described above, the suspenders 4 have a protruding portion 45, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, instead of a protruding portion 45, a jig hook portion 46 may contact the first guide portion 51 to prevent the suspenders 4 from being pushed too far into the clip 5. Alternatively, the amount of pressure applied to the clip 5 by the pressing means may be controlled. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1,1A,1B,1C...Surface material attachment, 2...Cushioning material, 21...Groove, 211...First side wall surface, 212...Second side wall surface, 213...Bottom surface, 3...Surface material, 31...Edge part, 4,4A...Suspender, 41,41A,41B...Mounting part, 42,42A...Inclined part, 421...Inclined surface, 43...Main body part, 431...Pressing surface, 44,44A...Locking part, 441...Engaging surface, 442...Guided surface, 45...Protruding part, 46...Hook part for jig, 461...Arm piece, 462...Hook piece, 4P...Insertion tip part, 400,400A...Suspender connector, 5,5A,5B...Clip, 50,50A...Main body part, 501...Penetration Through hole, 51...First guide part, 510...Base part, 511...Guide surface, 512...Slit, 513...Tongue part, 513F...Tip surface, 52...Second guide part, 521...Guide surface, 522...Edge part, 523...Tongue part, 524...Slit, 53...Connecting part, 531A, 531B...Bridge part, 55A...First fixing part, 551A...First base part, 552A...First leg part, 553A...First claw part, 55B...Second fixing part, 551B...Second base part, 552B...Second leg part, 553B...Second claw part, 56...Clip connecting part, 500...Clip connecting body, 6...Trench, 61...Main body part, 62...Recess, 621...Step part, 63...Convex part.

Claims

1. Clips (5, 5A, 5B) are installed in the grooves (21) of the cushioning material (2), A first guide portion (51) and a second guide portion (52) guide the suspenders (4, 4A) attached to the outer material (3) into the gap (G) between them, and at least one of them is capable of engaging with the locking portion (44, 44A) of the suspenders (4, 4A) that has been inserted through the gap (G), It comprises a connecting portion (53) that connects the first guide portion (51) and the second guide portion (52), The first guide portion (51) and the second guide portion (52) are each installed on the bottom surface (213) of the groove (21), The first guide portion (51) has an elastically deformable tongue portion (513) on the bottom surface (213) side of the groove (21), The tongue portion (513) forms a tip surface (513F) that faces the edge portion (522) of the second guide portion (52) through the gap (G), A clip in which the dimension (T1) of the tip surface (513F) of the tongue portion (513) in the depth direction of the groove (21) is greater than the dimension (T2) of the edge portion (522) of the second guide portion (52) in the depth direction 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 the bottom surface (213) of the groove (21).

3. The connecting portion (53) is configured as a pair of bridge portions (531A, 531B) that traverse 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).

4. A clip (5, 5A, 5B) installed in a groove (21) of a cushioning material (2), A first guide portion (51) and a second guide portion (52) guide the suspenders (4, 4A) attached to the outer material (3) into the gap (G) between them, and at least one of them is capable of engaging with the locking portion (44, 44A) of the suspenders (4, 4A) that has been inserted through the gap (G), A connecting portion (53) that connects the first guide portion (51) and the second guide portion (52), A first leg portion (552A) is connected to the first guide portion (51) and extends toward the opening side of the groove (21), A second leg portion (552B) is connected to the second guide portion (52) and extends toward the opening side of the groove (21), A first claw portion (553A) protrudes from the tip of the first leg portion (552A) toward the second leg portion (552B), The second leg portion (552B) comprises a second claw portion (553B) that protrudes from the tip of the second leg portion (552B) toward the first leg portion (552A), The first guide portion (51) and the second guide portion (52) are clips installed on the bottom surface (213) of the groove (21).

5. A clip (5, 5A, 5B) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The device comprises the suspenders (4, 4A) attached to the surface material (3), The aforementioned suspenders (4, 4A) 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), A surface material mounting device comprising: a locking portion (44, 44A) that protrudes from the main body portion (43) in the width direction of the groove (21) and is capable of engaging with at least one of the first guide portion (51) and the second guide portion (52).

6. The surface material mounting device according to claim 5, wherein the locking portion (44) protrudes from the main body portion (43) to one side in the width direction of the groove (21) and is inserted between the second guide portion (52) and the bottom surface (213) of the groove (21).

7. The skin material attachment according to claim 5, wherein the suspenders (4, 4A) further have a protruding portion (45) that protrudes from the main body portion (43) and is capable of contacting the clips (5, 5A, 5B) from the opening side of the groove (21).

8. A plurality of clips (5, 5A, 5B) arranged in any one of claims 1 to 4 and aligned in any direction, A clip connector comprising a clip connecting portion (56) that connects the plurality of clips (5, 5A, 5B) to each other.

9. The clip connector (500) described in claim 8, The surface material (3) is equipped with suspender connectors (400, 400A) attached to it, The suspender connector (400, 400A) is a skin material attachment device comprising a plurality of suspenders (4) corresponding to each of the plurality of clips (5, 5A, 5B).

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