Patent Description:
Various techniques associated with a surface-layered part that includes a base member and a surface layer member covering the surface of the base member have been proposed. For example, <CIT> discloses a vehicle armrest that includes a molded plastic armrest core and a cushion attached to the upper surface of the armrest core. The armrest core and the cushion are covered with a cover-shaped armrest skin, which has wrapping portions at its peripheral edge that are hooked on the edges of the armrest core. <CIT> describes methods for producing skinned products, such as for use in a vehicle. The method includes the step of bonding a base material to a skin material.

The vehicle armrest described in <CIT> has the disadvantage that when attaching the armrest skin to the armrest core, workers are required to start with one corner of the armrest skin and hook all wrapping portions at the peripheral edge of the armrest skin onto the armrest core with their fingers. This results in a long time needed for the assembly. It is thus desired to improve the productivity by automating the work of wrapping the edge of the surface layer member around the edge of the base member.

The present disclosure provides, in an aspect, an apparatus for manufacturing a surface-layered part, comprising: a main support for supporting a surface layer member placeable under a base member; a pulling device arranged at a periphery of the main support, wherein the pulling device includes a pulling member for pulling an edge of the surface layer member, when the edge of the surface layer member is in a position away from an edge of the base member, outward with respect to the base member; a base member clamping device for fixedly clamping the surface layer member, when the surface layer member is pulled outward by the pulling member of the pulling device, against the main support via the base member placed over the surface layer member; a relieving device for separating the pulling member from the edge of the surface layer member, when the edge of the surface layer member is moved outward with respect to the base member by the pulling device, to allow the edge of the surface layer member to wrap around the edge of the base member owing to an elastic restoring force of the surface layer member, thereby integrating the surface layer member and the base member; and a control device for driving and controlling the base member clamping device, the pulling device, and the relieving device.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a peripheral support arranged along an edge of a lip of the main support, wherein the peripheral support provides a bending restraint on the surface layer member when the surface layer member is bent back outward over the peripheral support by the pulling member whilst fixed, together with the base member, to the main support by the base member clamping device.

In some embodiments, the peripheral support comprises one or more round rails arranged along the edge of the lip of the main support.

In some embodiments, the base member clamping device is adapted to push the base member into the main support so that a peripheral edge of the base member is close contactable with the surface layer member to thereby clamp the surface layer member.

In some embodiments, the pulling member is shaped for hooking the edge of the surface layer member and to be separable from the edge of the surface layer member.

The present disclosure provides, in another aspect, a method for manufacturing a surface-layered part using the apparatus described above, the method comprising: a first step of placing the surface layer member on the main support; a second step of pulling the edge of the surface layer member, which was placed in the first step, outward with respect to the base member by the pulling member; a third step of fixedly clamping the surface layer member, which has been pulled outward by the pulling member in the second step, against the main support by the base member clamping device via the base member placed over the surface layer member; and a fourth step of separating the pulling member from the edge of the surface layer member, which has been fixedly clamped against the main support via the base member in the third step, by the relieving device to allow the edge of the surface layer member to wrap around the edge of the base member owing to the elastic restoring force of the surface layer member, thereby integrating the surface layer member and the base member.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, the apparatus <NUM> for manufacturing a surface-layered part will be described with reference to <FIG>. In each figure, the side on which the worker stands is the front side of the manufacturing apparatus <NUM>, and the directions of the manufacturing apparatus <NUM> are indicated by arrows. In the following description, directional terms will be used on the basis of the directions as shown.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the manufacturing apparatus <NUM> includes a frame <NUM>, and a main support <NUM> for supporting a base member <NUM> and a surface layer member <NUM> (see, <FIG>) in such a way that the surface layer member <NUM> is layered on the lower side of the base member <NUM> (see, <FIG>). The apparatus <NUM> further includes peripheral supports <NUM> arranged along the peripheral edge of an lip 12A (<FIG>) of the main support <NUM>. The apparatus <NUM> further includes pulling devices 15A-15F arranged around the main support <NUM> and configured to pull the edges 2A (<FIG>) of the surface layer member <NUM> outward. The apparatus <NUM> further includes a pair of base member clamping devices <NUM> arranged at the left and right ends and on the rear side of the main support <NUM>. The base member clamping devices <NUM> are configured to clamp the base member <NUM> layered on top of the surface layer member <NUM> by pushing the base member <NUM> into the main support <NUM>. The apparatus <NUM> further includes a control device <NUM> configured to drive and control the pulling devices 15A-15F and the base member clamping devices <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the base member clamping device <NUM> on the left side is omitted. In <FIG>, the base member clamping devices <NUM> that are pressing down the base member are indicated by double-dashed lines.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the frame <NUM> may be box shaped with a left to right long rectangular shape in a plan view. The frame <NUM> may be slightly higher than the height of a worker (e.g. about <NUM> high). A base plate 11A may be provided at the lower ends of the frame <NUM>. A junction box <NUM> may be mounted on the base plate 11A for housing an air supply switching valve (not shown) or an electromagnetic relay (not shown) electrically connected to the control device <NUM>. A flat mounting base plate 11B may be positioned above the junction box <NUM>, for example at about the height of the worker's knee, for mounting equipment devices, such as the pulling devices 15A-15F, the main support <NUM>, the peripheral supports <NUM>, and the base member clamping devices <NUM>, which may be secured by bolts or other means to the mounting base plate 11B.

The control device <NUM> includes a control circuit board, not shown, including: a CPU; a RAM, ROM, and/or EEPROM; an interface circuit; a timer; and so on, housed in a generally box-shaped housing <NUM> attached to the upper left front corner of the frame <NUM>. A display <NUM> and operation buttons, such as a power button <NUM>, electrically connected to the control circuit board may be provided on the front side of the housing <NUM>. An operation box <NUM> with two operation buttons 25A, 25B for giving instructions, such as starting the operation, arranged on the upper surface may be attached to the front left member of the frame <NUM>, at a height slightly lower than the worker's waist. The operation buttons 25A and 25B are electrically connected to the interface circuit of the control device <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the main support <NUM> may be mounted on the mounting base plate 11B generally at the center in a position extending left to right. The bottom of the main support <NUM> may be fixed to the mounting base plate 11B with bolts or by any other means (not shown). The upper surface of the main support <NUM> is recessed downward to define a recess <NUM>. The recess <NUM> may have a left to right long, generally rectangular shape in a plan view and a generally U-shaped cross section over its entire length. A surface layer member <NUM> is to be set on the recess <NUM> (see, <FIG>), as will be further described later. The left to right long, generally rectangular shape in a plan view and the generally U-shaped cross section over the entire length of the recess <NUM> may be, for example, in accordance with the shape of the outer surface of a surface-layered part, such as an armrest attached to the inner panel of the left door of an automobile, that is visible from inside of the vehicle. Accordingly, the recess <NUM> is open upward and has a left to right long, generally rectangular shape in a plan view. The surface layer member <NUM> can be set in the recess <NUM> from above.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, each peripheral support <NUM> may include support plates <NUM> arranged along the periphery of the main support <NUM>, which has a left to right long, generally rectangular shape in a plan view. Each support plate <NUM> may have a vertically long rectangular shape in a front view. The peripheral support <NUM> further includes one or more round rail <NUM> welded or otherwise fixed in a substantially horizontal position along the upper end(s) of the respective support plates <NUM>. The lower end of each support plate <NUM> is fixed to the mounting base plate 11B by bolting or the like, such that it extends substantially vertically. The support plate <NUM> is positioned at a height above the mounting base plate 11B substantially equal to or slightly higher than the lip 12A of the main support <NUM>.

Each round rail <NUM> may be positioned slightly higher, for example by the diameter of the round rail <NUM>, than the lip 12A of the main support <NUM> at the corresponding support plate <NUM>. Each round rail <NUM> may have an appropriate length so that it traces the portion of the periphery of the lip 12A of the main support <NUM> that faces the corresponding support plate <NUM>. Each round rail <NUM> may be appropriately curved along the periphery of the lip 12A. As a result, the round rails <NUM> serve as restraints on the peripheral edges 2A (<FIG>) of the surface layer member <NUM> that are being bent back outwardly when the peripheral edges 2A are pulled outward while the base member <NUM> and the surface layer member <NUM> layered under it are clamped against the surface of the recess <NUM> (see, <FIG>), as will be further described later.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, the general configuration of the pulling devices 15A-15F, which are arranged around the main support <NUM> and configured to pull the peripheral edges 2A (<FIG>) of the surface layer member <NUM> outward, will be described. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, one pulling device 15A is positioned on the front side of the main support <NUM>, substantially at the center in the left-to-right direction. Another pulling device 15B is positioned at the right end of the main support <NUM>. Other pulling devices 15C, 15D, 15E are positioned along the rear side of the main support <NUM>, left to right in this order. Still another pulling device 15F is positioned at the left end of the main support <NUM>. The pulling devices 15A-15F may be fixed to the mounting base plate 11B by bolting or any other means.

The pulling devices 15A-15F may be configured in the same way, and therefore only the configuration of one pulling device 15A will be described, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. As shown, the pulling device 15A includes a plurality of (e.g. nine) claws <NUM>, each having a sideways L-shape in a side view and situated above the lip 12A of the main support <NUM>, and claw supporting member <NUM> for supporting the claws <NUM> along the corresponding portion of the lip 12A of the main support <NUM>. The pulling device 15A further includes a generally box-shaped pulling mechanism <NUM> configured to move the claw supporting member <NUM> across the lip 12A of the main support <NUM>, and a vertical movement mechanism <NUM> configured to move the pulling mechanism <NUM> vertically.

The claws <NUM> may be formed from a sheet of a hard plastic or a metal, such as aluminum. Each edge of the claw <NUM> toward the main support <NUM> may have an L-shaped profile, The claws <NUM> may be bent downward so as to be able to hook (see, <FIG>) a generally U-shaped wrapping portion 2B (<FIG>) formed at the edge 2A (<FIG>) of the surface layer member <NUM>. The claws <NUM> may be arranged at intervals and screwed or otherwise fixed, at their respective edges on the far side from the main support <NUM>, to the upper surface of the long rectangular claw supporting member <NUM> at the edge that extends toward the main support <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the claw supporting member <NUM> may be rectangular in a plan view with a length substantially equal to the length of the portion of the lip 12A (<FIG>) of the main support <NUM> that faces the claw supporting member <NUM>. The edge of the claw supporting member <NUM> opposite to the main support <NUM> may extend downward by a length, thereby forming an L-shaped profile. The claw supporting member <NUM> may be made of sheets of metal, such as aluminum or stainless steel. The edge of the claw supporting member <NUM> opposite to the main support <NUM> is attached, generally at the center of its length, to the surface of the outer box part 37A of the pulling mechanism <NUM> that faces the main support <NUM>.

The pulling mechanism <NUM> may include a generally box-shaped outer box part 37A having an open side opposite to the main support <NUM>, a generally box-shaped base part 37B inserted in the open side of the outer box part 37A opposite to the main support <NUM>, and a moving mechanism (not shown) housed in the base part 37B and configured to move the outer box 37A relative to the base part 37B linearly in the insertion direction. The moving mechanism (not shown) in the base part 37B may be configured with at least one of an air cylinder, a pinion gear and a rack, a nut and a ball screw, or the like, powered by compressed air, an electric motor, or any other source, to move the outer box 37A linearly relative to the base part 37B. When the outer box part 37A is moved linearly relative to the base part 37B, the claws <NUM> on the claw supporting member <NUM> are moved linearly forward or rearward relative to the main support <NUM> (in the direction of arrow <NUM> in <FIG>).

The vertical movement mechanism <NUM> may include a generally box-shaped base part 38A connected at a substantially right angle to the lower surface of a portion of the base part 37B of the pulling mechanism <NUM> opposite from the claw supporting member <NUM>, thereby forming a generally L-shaped profile. The vertical movement mechanism <NUM> further includes a generally box-shaped supporting part 38B with an open upper side, in which the base part 38A is inserted, and a moving mechanism (not shown) housed inside the base part 38A and configured to linearly move the base part 38A itself relative to the supporting part 38B in the insertion direction (i.e. vertically).

The moving mechanism (not shown) in the base part 38A may configured with at least one of an air cylinder, a pinion gear and a rack, a nut and a ball screw, etc., powered by compressed air, motor drive, or other means, to move the base part 38A linearly and vertically relative to the supporting part 38B. As shown in <FIG>, the supporting part 38B of the vertical movement mechanism <NUM> is bolted or otherwise fixed at a base flange 38C to the mounting base plate 11B. As a result, when the base part 38A moves linearly and vertically relative to the supporting part 38B, the claw supporting member <NUM> attached to the outer box part 37A and the claws <NUM> on it are moved linearly vertically (in the direction of arrow <NUM> in <FIG>) relative to the main support <NUM> by way of the base part 37B of the pulling mechanism <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, a pair of base member clamping devices <NUM> for pushing and clamping the base member <NUM> layered on the surface layer member <NUM> against the main support <NUM> will be described. In <FIG>, alternate long/short dashed lines indicate the base member clamping devices <NUM> pushing the base member <NUM>, which is placed on top of the surface layer member <NUM>, into the main support <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the base member clamping devices <NUM> may be configured substantially symmetrically, and therefore only the base member clamping device <NUM> on the right side will be described. The base member clamping device <NUM> may include an air cylinder <NUM> configured to extend and retract vertically, and a base member pressing device <NUM> rotatably connected at its rear end to the tip of the air cylinder <NUM> so that base member pressing device <NUM> is moved vertically in a pivoting manner as the air cylinder <NUM> extends and retracts.

As shown in <FIG>, the base member pressing device <NUM> may include an arm <NUM> having an L-shape in a plan view and configured to be rotated downward when the air cylinder <NUM> (<FIG>) extends out. The arm <NUM> may have a generally L-shaped cross section. The base member pressing device <NUM> may include a plurality of (e.g. six) contact elements <NUM> arranged left to right at intervals and mounted on the lower side of the arm <NUM>. The contact elements <NUM> are configured to contact the inner side surface of the base member <NUM> and to press the base member <NUM> downward. Each contact element <NUM> may be made of elastic rubber and may have a generally columnar shape.

Four support plates <NUM>, each bent into a U-shaped profile, are mounted on the lower surface of the arm <NUM> and arranged left to right at substantially equal intervals. Four of the six contact elements <NUM> are attached to the tips of the support plates <NUM> such that they extend diagonally downward in the forward direction. Two elongated support plates <NUM> extend downward from of the lower surface of the arm <NUM> diagonally in the forward direction at the left and right ends of the arm <NUM>. The other two of the six contact elements <NUM> are attached to the tips of the corresponding support plates <NUM>, such that they extend downward diagonally in the rearward direction.

Referring to <FIG>, when the air cylinder <NUM> (<FIG>) of the base member clamping device <NUM> extends out to rotate the base member pressing device <NUM> downward, some contact elements <NUM> attached to the U-shaped support plates <NUM> are brought in contact with an area of the inner side surface of the base member <NUM> that rises diagonally toward the forward side and press down the base member <NUM> diagonally forward. At the same time, the other contact elements <NUM> attached to the support plates <NUM> are brought in contact with an area of the inner side surface of the base member <NUM> that rises diagonally toward the rear side and press down the base member <NUM> diagonally rearward. As a result, the base member <NUM> is pushed downward, and the upward peripheral edge 3A is more opened such that the base member <NUM> comes in close contact, at its periphery, with the inner side surface of the surface layer member <NUM>, as will be further described later (see, <FIG>).

Referring now to <FIG>, an illustrative surface layer member <NUM> to be set down in the recess <NUM> of the main support <NUM> will be described. As shown, the surface layer member <NUM> may be a left to right long, generally rectangular sheet formed with a generally U-shaped cross section to be convex on its visual side so that it can be set in the recess <NUM> defined in the upper side of the main support <NUM>. As used herein, the visual side refers to the side of the surface layer member <NUM> that is visible to the user when the surface layer member <NUM> is attached to the base member <NUM>. For an armrest (as a surface-layered part) attached to a vehicle door, for example, the visual side is the side of the armrest that faces the inside of the vehicle.

The surface layer member <NUM> has generally U-shaped wrapping portions 2B on the peripheral edge 2A over its entire circumference. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the wrapping portion 2B has, in the inwardly bent portion of its U-shape, breaks 2C each having a width (e.g., about <NUM>) at appropriate intervals along the periphery. The breaks 2C allow the peripheral edge 2A of the surface layer member <NUM> to be elastically deformed more smoothly when the wrapping portion 2B is hooked and pulled by the claws <NUM> of the pulling devices 15A-15F, as will be further described later (see, <FIG>).

The surface layer member <NUM> may be made of a relatively soft (or flexible) and stretchable material that is easily elastically deformed when the wrapping portion 2B is hooked and pulled by the claws <NUM> of the pulling devices 15A-15F. The surface layer member <NUM> is preferably made of an olefinic elastomer. However, various thermoplastics such as soft polyvinyl chloride or styrenic, olefinic, or polyester materials may be preferably used. Alternatively, other materials such as elastic woven fabric, non-woven fabric, knitted fabric, synthetic leather, leather, vinyl chloride, and soft film can be used for the surface layer member <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, an illustrative base member <NUM> to be placed on the non-visual side of the surface layer member <NUM> will be described. As used herein, the non-visual side refers to the side of the surface layer member <NUM> opposite to the visual side, i.e. the inner side that is not visible to the user when the surface layer member <NUM> is attached to the base member <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the base member <NUM> is a flat member with a left to right long, generally rectangular shape in a plan view. The base member may generally have U-shaped cross section (<FIG>) so that the base member <NUM> can be layered on top of the surface layer member <NUM> that has been set in the recess <NUM> defined in the upper side of the main support <NUM>.

The peripheral edge 3A of the base member <NUM> includes tabs 3B, which are configured to be fitted into the breaks 2C defined in the edge 2A of the surface layer member <NUM>. The tabs 3B are attached to the outer side of the base member <NUM>. The protrusion height of the tabs 3B may be substantially equal to the thickness of the surface layer member <NUM>. When the surface layer member <NUM> is attached to the base member <NUM> so that the wrapping portions 2B wrap around the peripheral edge 3A of the base member <NUM>, the tabs 3B allow the surface layer member <NUM> to be positioned in place along the periphery relative to the base member <NUM>. This also reduces positional deviations along the periphery.

The base member <NUM> includes, on its outer surface (i.e. the surface toward the surface layer member <NUM>) of the right rear portion, a concave portion 3C having a generally rectangular shape in front view, in which a flat cushion member <NUM> can be attached. Accordingly, the base member <NUM> will be layered on the non-visual side of the surface layer member <NUM> with the cushion member <NUM> attached to the recessed portion 3C.

The base member <NUM> may preferably be made of a relatively hard synthetic plastic, and more preferably of any thermoplastic with a higher rigidity than the surface layer member <NUM>, such as polypropylene, hard polyvinyl chloride, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), or SAN (styrene acrylonitrile). Alternatively, the base member <NUM> may be a press-formed steel sheet. The cushion member <NUM> may be made of a synthetic plastic, such as polypropylene or polyurethane, and may have a desired elasticity, that is, a cushioning property of being elastically deformed when pressed. Preferably, polyurethane foam, foam rubber, or the like may be used.

Referring now to <FIG>, a method for manufacturing the surface-layered part <NUM> (<FIG>) using the manufacturing apparatus <NUM> configured as described above will be described. As shown in <FIG>, in Step <NUM> (a first step as claimed), the worker sets a flat surface layer member <NUM>, which has a left to right long, generally rectangular shape and a generally U-shaped cross section, down into the recess <NUM> of the main support <NUM>, which has a left to right long, generally rectangular shape in a plan view, of the manufacturing apparatus <NUM>, so that the surface layer member <NUM> fits in the shape of the recess <NUM>. That is, the surface layer member <NUM> is set such that its visual side faces the bottom surface of the recess <NUM> in the main support <NUM>.

The worker then presses the start button 25A on the operation box <NUM> of the manufacturing apparatus <NUM> to send a start signal to the control device <NUM>. The control device <NUM>, upon receiving the start signal, drives the pulling mechanisms <NUM> of the pulling devices 15A-15F to move the outer box part 37A substantially horizontally toward the main support <NUM> to position the claws <NUM> inside the peripheral edge 2A of the surface layer member <NUM> in a plan view.

Subsequently, the control device <NUM> drives the vertical movement mechanisms <NUM> of the pulling devices 15A-15F to move the base part 37B of the pulling mechanism <NUM> downward until the inner side of the tip portion of the claws <NUM> attached to the outer box part 37A reach a position facing the respective wrapping portions 2B of the edge 2A of the surface layer member <NUM>.

In Step <NUM> (the second step as claimed), the control device <NUM> drives the pulling mechanisms <NUM> of the pulling devices 15A-15F to move the outer box part 37A substantially horizontally in the outward direction with respect to the main support <NUM> by a distance and then stop. During this, the claws <NUM> hook the respective wrapping portions 2B of the surface layer member <NUM> and move outward substantially horizontally by a distance. As a result, the surface layer member <NUM> set in the recess <NUM> is elastically deformed and lifted from the bottom surface of the recess <NUM>. The peripheral edges 2A along the entire circumference are elastically bent back, while being restrained by the round rails <NUM> of the peripheral supports <NUM>, to be outwardly opened.

The bending of the peripheral edges 2A of the surface layer member <NUM> outward over the restraining round rails <NUM> can prevent the claws <NUM> of the pulling devices 15A-15F from slipping off from the edges 2A of the surface layer member <NUM>. The outer side surfaces (i.e. visual sides) of the edges 2A of the surface layer member <NUM> are in contact with the cylindrical surface of the round rails <NUM>. This effectively prevents the surface layer member <NUM> from being scratched on its visual side, resulting in an improvement to the quality of the product.

In Step <NUM>, after waiting for the pulling mechanisms <NUM> of the pulling devices 15A-15F to stop while it continues to be pulling the surface layer member <NUM> outward, the worker sets the flat base member <NUM>, which has a left to right long, generally rectangular shape in a plan view and a generally U-shaped cross section, down on the surface layer member <NUM> in a position that fits to the shape of the surface layer member <NUM>. The worker then presses the clamp operation button 25B on the operation box <NUM> of the manufacturing apparatus <NUM> to send a clamp signal to the control device <NUM> for starting the clamping of the base member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the worker may use, for example, a base member <NUM> with a flat cushion member <NUM> attached to the concave portion 3C defined in the outer surface of the right rear portion of the base member <NUM>. The worker sets the base member <NUM> on top of the surface layer member <NUM> by inserting the right end of the base member <NUM> into the wrapping portion 2B at the right end of the surface layer member <NUM> such that the cushion member <NUM> is layered on the inner surface of the right rear portion of the surface layer member <NUM>, as can be seen in <FIG>. The worker then presses the clamp operation button 25B on the operation box <NUM> of the manufacturing apparatus <NUM> to send a clamp signal to the control device <NUM>. This starts the clamping of the base member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in Step <NUM>, the control device <NUM>, upon receiving the clamp signal, drives the air cylinder <NUM> of each base member clamping device <NUM> to extend out in order to pivot the arm <NUM> of the base member pressing device <NUM> downward (see, <FIG>). This allows the contact elements <NUM> on the bottom of the arms <NUM> to press the inner side surface of the base member <NUM>, at areas that extend diagonally upward in the front direction and in the rear direction, thereby pushing downward the base member <NUM> so that the upward peripheral edges 3A are spread open outwardly.

As a result, the surface layer member <NUM> being pulled outward by the claws <NUM> of the pulling devices 15A-15F and the base member <NUM> layered on top of the surface layer member <NUM> are clamped together by the contact elements <NUM> of the base member clamping devices <NUM> by being pressed against the main support <NUM>. At the same time, the surface layer member <NUM>, with its periphery still being pulled outward by the claws <NUM> of the pulling devices 15A-15F, is pushed into the recess <NUM> of the main support <NUM>, while being elastically stretched, by the base member <NUM> pushed downward by the contact elements <NUM>. Furthermore, the base member <NUM> is clamped by the contact elements <NUM> such that its upward periphery is in close contact with the inner side surface of the surface layer member <NUM>. The combination of Steps <NUM> and <NUM> above may correspond to an embodiment of the third step as claimed.

Subsequently, in Step <NUM> (the fourth step as claimed), the control device <NUM> drives the vertical movement mechanism <NUM> of each of the pulling devices 15A-15F to move the base part 37B of the pulling mechanism <NUM> upward and drives the pulling mechanism <NUM> to move the outer box part 37A further outward with respect to the main support <NUM> substantially horizontally by a distance. Accordingly, the control device <NUM> drives the vertical movement mechanism <NUM> and the pulling mechanism <NUM> at the same time to take the claws <NUM> of the pulling devices 15A-15F off from the wrapping portions 2B of the surface layer member <NUM> in a direction diagonally upward.

As a result, the wrapping portions 2B of the surface layer member <NUM>, which has been clamped together with the base member <NUM> against the recess <NUM> of the main support <NUM> by the contact elements <NUM> of the base member clamping device <NUM>, are further unrolled diagonally upward by the claws <NUM>, and then relaxed. Consequently, as shown in the portion of <FIG> labeled "Completed, in cross section", the wrapping portions 2B of the surface layer member <NUM> are turned back by a strong elastic restoring force over the upward peripheral edge 3A of the base member <NUM> toward the inside of the recess <NUM> in the main support <NUM>, thereby wrapping around the peripheral edge 3A of the base member <NUM> over the entire perimeter to produce a surface-layered part <NUM> that comprises the base member <NUM> integrated with the surface layer member <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, an example of the surface-layered part <NUM> thus produced includes the base member <NUM> with a flat cushion member <NUM> fitted in the concave portion 3C formed in the rear outer surface of the right end portion of the base member <NUM>, and the surface layer member <NUM> with its wrapping portions 2B wrapping around the peripheral edge 3A of the base member <NUM> over the entire perimeter. Further, the surface-layered part <NUM> includes tabs 3B on the peripheral edge 3A of the base member <NUM> fitted in the corresponding breaks 2C formed in the edge 2A of the surface layer member <NUM> that covers from the outside. In the way described above, the manufacturing apparatus <NUM> produces the surface-layered part <NUM> in which the surface layer member <NUM> and the base member <NUM> are integrated.

Each of the pulling devices 15A-15F is an embodiment of the pulling device and relieving device as claimed. The claw <NUM> is an embodiment of a pulling member as claimed.

As described above in detail, the worker, using the manufacturing apparatus <NUM> of the present embodiment, sets the surface layer member <NUM> in the recess <NUM> of the main support <NUM> and presses an operation button 25A on the operation box <NUM>. The control device <NUM> then drives and controls the pulling devices 15A-15F so that the claws <NUM> hook on the respective wrapping portions 2B of the surface layer member <NUM>. The pulling devices 15A-15F then move outwardly and substantially horizontally by a distance. After that, the worker sets the base member <NUM> on top of the surface layer member <NUM> and presses another operation button 25B on the operation box <NUM>. The control device <NUM> then drives and controls the pulling devices 15A-15F and the base member clamping device <NUM> in a preset order to produce the surface-layered part <NUM>. The surface-layered part <NUM> includes the base member <NUM> integrated with the surface layer member <NUM>.

The manufacturing apparatus <NUM> can be used to automate the work of hooking the wrapping portions 2B formed in the edge 2A of the surface layer member <NUM> on the peripheral edge 3A of the base member <NUM>, thereby improving productivity.

Further embodiments will be described below. The same reference numerals used in the following description as those of the manufacturing apparatus <NUM> and the surface-layered part <NUM> of the above embodiments indicate the same or corresponding features to those of the manufacturing apparatus <NUM> and the surface-layered part <NUM> of the above embodiments.

In Step <NUM>, the control device <NUM> drives and controls the pulling mechanism <NUM> and the vertical movement mechanism <NUM> of the pulling devices 15A-15F. This causes the grabbing devices to be inserted so that the opened distal ends sandwich the generally U-shaped wrapping portions 2B formed at the edge 2A of the surface layer member <NUM> (<FIG>). In Step <NUM>, the control device <NUM> turns on (energizes) the solenoid actuator of each grabbing device to grip the generally U-shaped wrapping portions 2B. Subsequently, the control device <NUM> drives the pulling mechanism <NUM> of each pulling device 15A-15F to move the outer box part 37A substantially horizontally with respect to the main support <NUM> by a distance and then stop.

Later in Step <NUM>, the control device <NUM> may turn off (de-energize) the solenoid actuator of each grabbing device to open the distal ends of the grabbing device. As a result, as shown in the portion of <FIG> labeled "Completed, in cross section," the wrapping portions 2B of the surface layer member <NUM> are flipped back over the upward peripheral edge 3A of the base member <NUM> toward the surface layer member <NUM> (i.e. into the recess <NUM> of the main support <NUM>) owing to the strong elastic restoring force to wrap around the entire circumference of the peripheral edge 3A of the base member <NUM>. The surface layer member <NUM> and the base member <NUM> are thus integrated to produce the surface-layered part <NUM>.

(F) In some cases, instead of the plurality of claws <NUM> having a sideways L-shape in a side view, a plurality of vacuum suction pads may be included along the edge of the claw supporting member <NUM> toward the main support <NUM> for sucking the generally U-shaped wrapping portion 2B (<FIG>) formed in the edge 2A (<FIG>) of the surface layer member <NUM>. For example, each vacuum suction pad may be brought into contact with the wrapping portion 2B. The vacuum suctions pads may suck the wrapping portions to pull the edge 2A of the surface layer member <NUM>. The suction of each vacuum suction pad can be deactivated to separate each vacuum suction pad from the edge 2A of the surface layer member <NUM>. The control device <NUM> is configured to switch the activation and deactivation of the suction of each vacuum suction pad. The vacuum suction pads are an embodiment of the pulling member as claimed.

Then, in Step <NUM>, the control device <NUM> drives and controls the pulling mechanism <NUM> and the vertical movement mechanism <NUM> of the pulling devices 15A-15F, and controls each vacuum suction pad to the edge 2A of the surface layer member <NUM> (<FIG>) is brought into contact with the wrapping portion 2B having a generally U-shaped cross section. Subsequently, in Step <NUM>, the control device <NUM> activates the suction of each vacuum suction pad to suck the wrapping portion 2B having a generally U-shaped cross section. The control device <NUM> then drives the pulling mechanism <NUM> of each pulling device 15A-15F. The outer box part 37A is then moved substantially horizontally with respect to the main support <NUM> by a distance and stopped.

Later, in Step <NUM>, the control device <NUM> may deactivate the suction of each vacuum suction pad to cause each vacuum suction pad to separate from the edge 2A of the surface layer member <NUM>. As a result, as shown in the portion of <FIG> labeled "Completed, in cross section," owing to the strong elastic restoring force, the wrapping portions 2B of the surface layer member <NUM> are flipped back over the upward peripheral edge 3A of the base member <NUM> toward the surface layer member <NUM> (i.e. into the recess <NUM> side of the main support <NUM>). This causes the wrapping portions 2B to wrap the entire circumference of the peripheral edge 3A of the base member <NUM>. The surface layer member <NUM> and the base member <NUM> are thus integrated to produce the surface-layered part <NUM>.

(G) The embodiments described above may have the following advantages.

In some embodiments, the worker places the base member and the surface layer member on the main support such that the surface layer member is positioned below the base member. Then the control device drives and controls the pulling device, the base member clamping device, and the relieving device to cause the edge of the surface layer member to wrap around the edge of the base member by means of the elastic restoring force of the surface layer member. Thereby, the surface layer member is integrated with the base member. This allows for automation of the work for wrapping the edge of the surface layer member around the edge of the base member, thereby increasing productivity.

In some embodiments, the surface layer member fixed together with the base member to the main support is bent outward while being restrained by the peripheral support. This effectively prevents the pulling member of the pulling device from separating from the edge of the surface layer member.

In some embodiments, the cylindrical surface of the round rail comes into contact with the outer side surface of the edge bent outward of the surface layer member. This effectively prevents the surface layer member from being scratched and improves its quality.

In some embodiments, the peripheral edge of the base member is clamped to be in close contact with the surface layer member. This allows the edge of the surface layer member to be reliably wrapped around the peripheral edge of the base member, leading to improved product quality.

Claim 1:
An apparatus (<NUM>) for manufacturing a surface-layered part (<NUM>), comprising:
a main support (<NUM>) for supporting a surface layer member (<NUM>) placeable under a base member (<NUM>);
a pulling device (15A-15F) arranged at a periphery (12A) of the main support (<NUM>), wherein the pulling device includes a pulling member (<NUM>) for pulling an edge (2A) of the surface layer member (<NUM>), when the edge (2A) of the surface layer member is in a position away from an edge (3A) of the base member (<NUM>), outward with respect to the base member (<NUM>);
a base member clamping device (<NUM>) for fixedly clamping the surface layer member (<NUM>), when the surface layer member (<NUM>) is pulled outward by the pulling member (<NUM>) of the pulling device (15A-15F), against the main support (<NUM>) via the base member (<NUM>) placed over the surface layer member (<NUM>);
a relieving device (15A-15F) for separating the pulling member (<NUM>) from the edge (2A) of the surface layer member (<NUM>), when the edge (2A) of the surface layer member (<NUM>) is moved outward with respect to the base member (<NUM>) by the pulling device (15A-15F), to allow the edge (2A) of the surface layer member (<NUM>) to wrap around the edge (3A) of the base member (<NUM>) owing to an elastic restoring force of the surface layer member (<NUM>), thereby integrating the surface layer member (<NUM>) and the base member (<NUM>); and
a control device (<NUM>) for driving and controlling the base member clamping device (<NUM>), the pulling device (15A-15F), and the relieving device (15A-15F).