Cover anchor clip

A cover anchor clip comprising a base section; an anchor portion including a pair of extension portions that stands up from the base section so as to face each other, a pair of anchor claws that is formed at respective leading ends of the pair of extension portions and that projects out toward sides where the extension portions mutually face each other, and a protrusion that is formed at each leading end of the extension portions and that projects out to the opposite side to the mutually facing sides of the extension portions; and upstanding portions standing up from the base section, each of the upstanding portions can make contact with either one of the protrusions in the event that either one of the extension portions is elastically deformed and the pair of anchor claws move away from each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-66227 filed Mar. 27, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirely.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

Preferred embodiments relate to a cover anchor clip.

Related Art

A clip (cover anchor clip) described in JPA No. 2011-69417 includes a plate shaped base section retained in a foam body, a pair of opposing wall portions that stand up from the base section, anchor portions provided capable of elastic deformation toward the outside of the wall portions, and anchor claws that project out from inner faces of the anchor portions, and that anchor a fixed member attached to a seat cover for covering the foam body and inserted between the wall portions. The cover anchor clip is employed in a vehicle seat.

Note that roller crushing is performed on the foam body following molding of the foam body (cushion) employed in the seat. Specifically, the size of air bubbles inside the foam body is regulated by rolling a roller over the foam body while pressing on the foam body.

In cases in which the cover anchor clip is disposed inside the foam body, it is conceivable that the cover anchor clip may be squashed and damaged by the roller crushing.

SUMMARY

In consideration of the above circumstances, an object of preferred embodiments is to suppress damaging a cover anchor clip when roller crushing is performed.

A cover anchor clip of a first aspect of the disclosure includes: a plate shaped base section for retention in a foam body; an anchor portion including a pair of extension portions that stand up from the base section and that are disposed facing each other, a pair of anchor claws that are formed at respective leading ends of the pair of extension portions, and that project out toward sides in which the pair of extension portions mutually face each other so that the pair of anchor claws are configured to anchor an anchored member attached to a cover for covering the foam body when the anchored member is inserted between the pair of anchor claws, and a protrusion that is formed at each leading end of the pair of extension portions and that projects out to the opposite side to the mutually facing sides of the pair of extension portions; and upstanding portions each of that stands up from the base section and each of that can make contact with either one of the protrusions in the event that either one of the extension portions undergoes elastic deformation such that the pair of anchor claws move away from each other.

In the above configuration, the size of air bubbles inside the foam body is regulated by a roller rolling over the foam body while pressing on the foam body when performing roller crushing following formation of the foam body. A squashing force from the roller also acts on the anchor portion due to pressing the roller against the foam body.

Due to the squashing force acting on the anchor portion from the roller, either one of the protrusions formed on the leading ends of the extension portions makes contact with the upstanding portion when the extension portion undergoes elastic deformation such that the pair of anchor claws move away from each other. The extension portions are thereby suppressed from being excessively deformed.

In this manner, the cover anchor clip can be suppressed from being damaged when roller crushing is performed.

A cover anchor clip of a second aspect of the disclosure is the cover anchor clip of the first aspect, wherein a top face is formed to each leading end of the upstanding portions so as to face toward an upstanding direction the upstanding portion stands up in, and a contact face is formed to each of the protrusions so as to make contact with the top face.

In the above configuration, the contact face of the protrusion makes contact with the top face of the upstanding portion when the extension portion undergoes elastic deformation such that the pair of anchor claws move away from each other due to the squashing force that acts on the anchor portion from the roller when roller crushing is performed. Note that the top face formed at the leading end of the upstanding portion faces toward the upstanding direction the upstanding portion stand up in.

In cases in which, for example, the squashing force from the roller acts on the anchor portion from the upstanding direction of the upstanding portion, the upstanding portion can accordingly be suppressed from deforming even when the squashing force from the upstanding direction is transmitted to the upstanding portion through the protrusion.

A cover anchor clip of a third aspect of the disclosure is the cover anchor clip of the first aspect or the second aspect, wherein, in a state in which the pair of extension portions undergo elastic deformation in order to insert and anchor the anchored member between the pair of anchor claws, a gap is respectively formed between the protrusions and the upstanding portions.

In the above configuration, in a state in which the pair of extension portions undergo elastic deformation in order to insert and anchor the anchored member between the pair of anchor claws, a gap is formed between each of the protrusions and each of the upstanding portions. An efficiency of an attachment operation to anchor the anchored portions to the pair of anchor claws can thereby be not affected.

A cover anchor clip of a fourth aspect of the disclosure is the cover anchor clip of any of the first aspect to the third aspect, wherein the pair of extension portions are angled so as to be further apart from each other at leading ends thereof than at base ends thereof.

In the above configuration, the pair of extension portions are angled so as to be further apart from each other at leading ends than at base ends. The extension portions can thereby undergo elastic deformation such that the leading ends of the pair of extension portions move away from each other due to the squashing force from the roller acting on the anchor portion when roller crushing is performed.

According to the present disclosure, damage to the cover anchor clip when roller crushing is performed can be suppressed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Explanation follows regarding an example of a cover anchor clip according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with reference toFIG. 1toFIG. 12. Note that in the drawings, the arrow H indicates an up-down direction of the cover anchor clip, the arrow W indicates a width direction of the cover anchor clip, and the arrow L indicates a front-rear direction of the cover anchor clip.

In the exemplary embodiments, when “an up-down direction”, “a width direction”, and “a front-rear direction” are used, the respective directions mean the directions with respect to the cover anchor clip of the exemplary embodiment.

Overall Configuration

First, explanation follows regarding a vehicle seat100in which a cover anchor clip10(referred to below simply as “clip10”) is employed. As illustrated inFIG. 12, the seat100includes a cushion section110, a back section120, and a headrest128that respectively support the buttocks or the like, the back and lumbar region or the like, and the head of an occupant.

As illustrated inFIG. 11, the cushion section110includes a cushion112(an example of a foam body) and a cover114. Moreover, the cushion112includes a main portion112A and a pair of support portions112B disposed on either side of the main portion112A in the width direction thereof.

Grooves116are formed between the respective support portions112B and the main portion112A, and the clips10are disposed at a bottom of the grooves116. Specifically, when foam molding the cushion112, the clips10are inserted in the mold so as to dispose the clips10at the bottom of the grooves116(seeFIG. 2).

Suspenders118, serving as examples of an anchored portion and fixed to a sheet member117attached to the cover114, are attached to the clips10(seeFIG. 5). Note that the suspenders118and the clips10are described in detail later.

Similarly, as illustrated inFIG. 11, the back section120includes a cushion122(an example of a foam body) and a cover124. The cushion122includes a main portion122A and a pair of support portions122B disposed on either side of the main portion122A in the width direction thereof.

Grooves126are formed between the respective support portions122B and the main portion122A, and the clips10are disposed at a bottom of the grooves126. Specifically, when foam molding the cushion122, the clips10are inserted in the mold so as to dispose the clips10at the bottom of the grooves126(seeFIG. 2).

Suspenders118, that are fixed to a sheet member127attached to the cover124, are attached to the clip10(seeFIG. 5). Note that the suspenders118and the clips10are described in detail later.

Each of the suspenders118extends along a bottom face of the groove116,126and is tapered at a leading end side, as illustrated inFIG. 5. A pair of protrusions118A are formed projecting toward the outside (left-right direction sides inFIG. 5) at a portion on a base end side of each suspender118.

Each clip10is integrally formed from a resin material, and, as illustrated inFIG. 9, includes a plate shaped base section14that is retained by the cushions112,122(seeFIG. 11), and two anchor portions34standing out from a front face of the base section14toward the upper side.

Base Section

A plate face of the base section14faces in the up-down direction and extends in the front-rear direction (a length direction), and the base section14is formed by a rectangular plate body extending in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, as illustrated inFIG. 7, the base section14includes a pair of edges18that extend in the front-rear direction and that are each formed with a notch16, and a pair of edges22that couple the pair of edges18together at both end portions thereof and that are each formed with a notch20.

Specifically, the respective edges18and the respective edges22are coupled together through circular arc shaped edges26. Moreover, the notch20formed to one of the edges22and the notch20formed to the other of the edges22are each has recessed shape as viewed from the upper side and are formed symmetrically to each other about a center line L1of the base section14extending in the width direction. Note that the center line L1passes through the center C (centroid) of the base section14, and is a straight line extending in the width direction.

A notch16A formed to one of the edges18A and a notch16B formed to the other of the edges18B are each has recessed shapes as viewed from the upper side and are disposed at a central portion in the front-rear direction. The notch16A and the notch16B are asymmetrical to each other about a center line L2of the base section14extending in the front-rear direction. Note that the center line L2passes through the center C (centroid) of the base section14, and is a straight line extending in the front-rear direction.

The notches16A,16B include straight line portions28A,28B extending in the width direction, angled portions30A,30B angled with respect to the width direction, and circular arc portions32A,32B that couple leading end sides of the straight line portions28A,28B together with leading end sides of the angled portions30A,30B. In the present exemplary embodiment, as viewed from the upper side, the notch16A and the notch16B are formed with point symmetry about the center C of the base section14, and the circular arc portion32A of the notch16A is disposed on one side of the center line L1, and the circular arc portion32B of the notch16B is disposed on the other side of the center line L1.

The base section14is formed with four through holes36in a line along the one edge18A, and four through holes38in a line along the other edge18B. Namely, the through holes36,38are formed in respective lines along the front-rear direction, in plural rows across the width direction (two rows in the present exemplary embodiment). The foam bodies enter the through holes36,38(seeFIG. 6) during foam molding of the cushions112,122(seeFIG. 11).

As illustrated inFIG. 10, step portions42,44(examples of portions where a plate thickness changes) where the plate thickness of the base section14changes are formed to a back face of the base section14, that is an opposite side face to the face on which the anchor portions34are disposed. In the present exemplary embodiment, a front-rear direction central portion of the base section14has a plate thickness of 1.2 mm, and other general portions of the base section14have a plate thickness of 1.0 mm.

Specifically, as viewed from the lower side, as illustrated inFIG. 8, the step portion42is disposed on one side of the center line L1, and the step portion44is disposed on the other side of the center line L1. A portion of the base section14between the step portion42and the step portion44has a plate thickness of 1.2 mm.

In this configuration, in a state in which the respective clips10are disposed in the cushions112,122, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the base sections14are disposed so as to extend running along the bottom faces of the grooves116,126of the cushions112,122.

Anchor Portion

As illustrated inFIG. 9, two of the anchor portions34are disposed side-by-side in the front-rear direction, standing out from the front face of the base section14toward the upper side. As illustrated inFIG. 7, one anchor portion34and the other anchor portion34are disposed on either side of the center line L1. The notches16A,16B are disposed between the one anchor portion34and the other anchor portion34. Since each of the anchor portions34is configured with a similar shape, explanation follows regarding the one anchor portion34.

As illustrated inFIG. 2andFIG. 9, each anchor portion34includes a pair of extension portions50standing out from the front face of the base section14and disposed facing each other, and a pair of anchor claws52that are respectively formed to leading ends of the extension portions50and that fit around and anchor the suspenders118mentioned above.

The pair of extension portions50and the pair of anchor claws52are symmetrical to each other about a center line L3(seeFIG. 2) of the base section14extending in the up-down direction. Note that the center line L3passes through the center C (centroid) of the base section14and is a straight line extending in the up-down direction.

The pair of extension portions50are angled toward the width direction outside so as to be further apart from each other at leading end than at base end thereof. The respective extension portions50are curved so as to protrude toward the width direction outside. The respective extension portions50are capable of undergoing elastic deformation such that the leading ends of the respective extension portions50move away from each other.

Furthermore, the anchor claws52are formed to the leading ends of the respective extension portions50such that leading edges of the pair of anchor claws52approach each other.

In this configuration, in a state in which the clips10are disposed in the cushions112,122, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the anchor portions34are disposed in the grooves116,126of the cushions112,122, and are exposed from the foam body to the exterior.

In order to fit the pair of anchor claws52around and anchor the suspender118, as illustrated inFIG. 4andFIG. 5, the respective extension portions50elastically deform such that the pair of anchor claws52move away from each other.

Other

Protrusions54are respectively formed to the leading ends of the pair of extension portions50.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the protrusions54protrude out toward the opposite sides to the side at which the extension portions50face each other (opposite side to the side formed with the anchor claws52), and each protrusion54is formed with a lower face54A (an example of a contact face) facing the lower side.

The clip10includes pairs of upstanding portions56that stand out from the base section14toward the upper side in the up-down direction (an example of an upstanding direction), and that are respectively disposed on the width direction outside of each extension portion50. Leading end portions of each pair of upstanding portions56are formed with top faces56A facing the upper side in the up-down direction.

Furthermore, a triangular rib58supporting the upstanding portion56is formed on the width direction outside of each upstanding portion56.

In this configuration, in a state in which the clips10are disposed in the cushions112,122, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the upstanding portions56are disposed inside the cushions112,122.

When the extension portions50elastically deform such that the pair of anchor claws52move away from each other, as illustrated inFIG. 1, the lower faces54A of the protrusions54can contact the top faces56A of the upstanding portions56so as to make face-to-face contact.

Gaps60are formed between the respective lower faces54A and top faces56A in a state in which the respective extension portions50have undergone elastic deformation in order to insert and anchor the suspender118between the pair of anchor claws52(seeFIG. 4).

Operation

Next, explanation follows regarding operation of the clip10, with reference to an operation to attach the suspender118, which is fixed to the sheet members117,127, to the clips10, and to roller crushing performed following molding of the cushions112,122.

Attachment Operation

When attaching the suspender118to the clips10, as illustrated inFIG. 3, the suspender118is inserted into the groove116,126. When the suspender118is inserted into the groove116,126, the tapered leading end portion of the suspender118contacts the pairs of anchor claws52of the respective clips10.

When the suspender118is inserted further toward the bottom of the groove116,126, as illustrated inFIG. 4, the pairs of anchor claws52are pressed by the suspender118and the extension portions50elastically deform such that the pairs of anchor claws52move away from each other. The suspender118is thereby allowed to pass between the pairs of anchor claws52. When this occurs, the lower faces54A of the protrusions54and the top faces56A of the upstanding portions56are not in contact, and the gap60is formed between each lower face54A and top face56A.

When the protrusions118A of the suspender118pass between the pairs of anchor claws52, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the extension portions50undergo elastic recovery, such that the pairs of anchor claws52fit around and anchor the suspender118. The suspender118is thereby attached to the clip10.

The attachment operation to attach the suspender118to the clip10is thereby completed.

Roller Crushing

When roller crushing is performed following formation of the cushions112,122, as illustrated inFIG. 1, a roller130is rolled over the cushions112,122while pressing on the surfaces of the cushions112,122. The size of air bubbles contained in the cushions112,122is thereby regulated.

Note that the cushions112,122are pressed due to the roller130pressing on the surfaces of the cushions112,122, and the pressing force from the roller130is transmitted to the anchor portions34from the up-down direction upper side.

Specifically, a pressing force pressing the extension portions50toward the lower side acts through the anchor claws52and the protrusions54. As mentioned above, the pair of extension portions50is angled toward the width direction outside so as to be further apart from each other at the leading end than at the base end. The respective extension portions50thereby undergo elastic deformation such that the leading ends of the extension portions50move away from each other. The lower faces54A of the protrusions54make face-to-face contact with the top faces56A of the upstanding portions56. The elastic deformation of the extension portions50is thereby limited, such that the extension portions50are suppressed from being excessively deformed. Note that pressing force pressing the upstanding portions56toward the lower side acts through the protrusions54.

When the pressing force from the roller130on the clip10is released, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the extension portions50undergo elastic recovery.

Advantageous Effects

As explained above, when roller crushing is performed following formation of the cushions112,122, the extension portions50undergo elastic deformation such that the pair of anchor claws52move away from each other and the protrusions54make contact with the upstanding portions56. The extension portions50are suppressed from being excessively deformed. This thereby enables damage to the clip10when performing roller crushing to be suppressed.

When the protrusions54make contact with the upstanding portions56, the lower faces54A of the protrusions54make contact with the top faces56A of the upstanding portions56. Note that the upstanding portions56stand out from the front face of the base section14in the up-down direction, and the top faces56A formed to portions on the leading end of the upstanding portions56face toward the upper side. Even when, through the protrusions54, pressing force pressing toward the lower side is transmitted into the upstanding portions56through the top faces56A when performing roller crushing, the upstanding portions56can be suppressed from undergoing deformation compared to in cases in which the upstanding portions56are angled with respect to the up-down direction.

The gaps60are formed between the lower faces54A and the top faces56A in a state in which the respective extension portions50have undergone elastic deformation in order to insert and anchor the suspender118between the pair of anchor claws52. An efficiency of the attachment operation of the suspender118to the clips10can thereby be not affected.

The pair of extension portions50are angled toward the width direction outside so as to be further apart from each other at the leading end than at the base end. This thereby enables the extension portions50to undergo elastic deformation such that the pair of anchor claws52moves away from each other when pressing force pressing toward the lower side is transmitted to the extension portions50.

Note that detailed explanation has been given regarding a particular exemplary embodiment of the present invention; however, the present invention is not limited to this exemplary embodiment, and it would be obvious to a practitioner skilled in the art that various other exemplary embodiments may be implemented within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the exemplary embodiment explained above, explanation has been given of an example of a case in which the clip10is employed in the vehicle seat100; however, the clip10may be employed in other seats (chairs) such as an office chair, a home sofa, or a legless chair.

In the exemplary embodiment explained above, two of the anchor portions34are provided to each clip10; however, one, or three or more of the anchor portions34may be provided.