Tie Down Cord Assembly for Universal Seat Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seat cover attachment systems require pre-manufactured webbing of specific lengths, leading to increased inventory and storage costs due to multiple part numbers and sizes needed for different seat designs, and necessitate special end treatment for secure attachment.

Innovation Solution

A tie down cord assembly featuring a webbing with a tunnel portion and a cord comprising slot and flat sections, where the cord is woven in and out of the webbing at predetermined intervals, allowing for adjustable attachment to various seat frames without special end treatment, and provided on rolls or spools for universal use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If webbing is pre-manufactured in specific lengths for different seat frames, then secure attachment is achieved, but inventory and storage costs increase due to multiple part numbers and sizes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidinventory variety
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The webbing is designed with a universal tunnel portion that can accommodate cords of various lengths, allowing a single webbing design to serve multiple seat frame configurations. The cord can be cut to different lengths and the tunnel portion adjusts accordingly, eliminating the need for multiple pre-manufactured webbing sizes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system is divided into separate components: the webbing with tunnel portion and the cord as distinct elements. The cord can be independently sized and cut to fit specific applications, while the webbing remains a standardized component, reducing inventory complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If cord ends require special treatment with attachment mechanisms, then secure attachment is achieved, but fabrication and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidfabrication complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanisms are extracted from the webbing and placed on the cord ends. The cord ends are formed with loops or other attachment features that can be securely fastened to the seat frame, eliminating the need for complex end treatments on the webbing itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cord is designed to be self-configurable at the ends, where the ends can be formed into loops or attachment features through simple processes. This allows the cord to serve its own attachment function without requiring complex pre-fabrication of the webbing ends.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple part numbers and sizes are maintained for different seat designs, then specific seat requirements are met, but storage space constraints increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseat design compatibilityVSAvoidstorage space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

A single webbing design with tunnel portion can be used across multiple seat designs by varying only the cord length. The universal tunnel portion accommodates different cord sizes, reducing the need to stock multiple webbing part numbers and sizes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows dynamic adjustment of cord length to match different seat configurations. Rather than having fixed pre-manufactured lengths, the cord can be cut and sized as needed, providing adaptability without requiring extensive inventory of different sizes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2594428B1Tie down cord assembly and method of installing same
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 YKK CORP
  • EP2594428B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2594428B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2594428B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a tie down cord assembly (10) for securing fabric to a seat including a plurality of slot sections (22) and a plurality of connection sections (20). Adjacent slot sections (22) are separated by one of the connection sections (20). Each slot section (22) comprises an upper portion (24) and a lower portion (26). The cord (12) is configured to attach to an underside of the seat at or near two ends of the cord (12) by a first attachment mechanism formed by one of the slot sections (22) wherein the upper portion (24) of the one of the slot sections (22) is separated from the lower portion (26) of the one of the slot sections (22) to form a loop (28) and wherein the loop (28) is configured to attach to a component associated with the underside of the seat. A height of the cord (12) is similar to a width of the cord (12).