Patent Application
20190119098
This document relates generally to component assemblies and, more particularly, to a trimmed component assembly of a type that may be used, for example, in a motor vehicle.
Trimmed component assemblies such as motor vehicle seat assemblies, center consoles and arm rests are well-known in the art.
As should be appreciated, such a prior art trimmed component assembly A requires two fastening components, the Christmas tree C and the stiffener S at one end and the trim material only loosely engages the component body B along the upper face UF of the component body (note space SP).
This document relates to a new and improved trimmed component assembly that relies on fewer parts to fasten the trim material at one end while also advantageously providing a flush and tight fit between the trim material and the component body along the upper face of the component body for a more aesthetically pleasing and seamless appearance. A new and improved method of covering a component body with a trim material is also disclosed.
In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, a new and improved trimmed component assembly is provided. That trimmed component assembly comprises (a) a component body have a first side, a second side and a receiver in the first side, (b) an acircular retainer received and held in the receiver and (c) a trim material having a first portion captured in the receiver by the acircular retainer.
The trim material may also include a second portion wrapped at least partially around the acircular retainer. That second portion may conceal the acircular retainer and the receiver. In addition, the trim material may include a third portion fastened to the second side of the component body.
The trimmed component assembly may also include an adhesive for fastening the third portion to the second side of the component body. In other possible embodiments, the trimmed component assembly includes a fastener for fastening the third portion to the second side of the component body.
In at least one of the many possible embodiments of the trimmed component assembly, the receiver is a three-sided channel. In at least one embodiment of many possible embodiments, the acircular retainer may have a polygonal cross section. In at least one embodiment of many possible embodiments, the acircular retainer may have a rectangular cross section. Advantageously, the acircular retainer resists twisting within the receiver so as to better capture and hold the first portion of the trim material within the receiver.
In accordance with an additional aspect, a method is provided of covering the component body with a trim material. That method comprises the steps of (a) positioning a first portion of the trim material over a receiver in a first side of the component body, (b) positioning the acircular retainer over the first portion of the trim material and (c) pressing the acircular retainer and the first portion into the receiver in order to capture the first portion in the receiver.
The method may include the additional step of wrapping a second portion of the trim material over the acircular retainer. Further, the method may include the step of stretching the trim material over the component body. Still further, the method may include the step of fastening a third portion of the trim material to a second side of the component body.
Still further, the method may include the step of fitting the trim material flush and tight against the component body. Further, the method may include fastening the third portion of the trim material to the second side of the component body with an adhesive. In other possible embodiments the method may include fastening the third portion of the trim material to the second side of the component body with one or more fasteners.
In the following description, there are shown and described several preferred embodiments of the trimmed component assembly and the related method of covering a component body with a trim material. As is should be realized, the trimmed component assembly and the related method are capable of other, different embodiments and their several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the trimmed component assembly and method as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the trimmed component assembly and related method and together with the description serve to explain certain principles thereof.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the trimmed component assembly and related method of covering a component body with a trim material, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures.
Reference is now made to
As illustrated in
More specifically, the acircular retainer 20 may have a polygonal cross section and, more particularly, a rectangular cross section as illustrated in
As further illustrated in
As further illustrated in
The new and improved method of covering a component body 12 with a trim material 22 will now be described in detail with reference to
As illustrated in
As should be appreciated from reviewing
Next, the method includes the step of wrapping the second portion 26 of the trim material 22 over the top of the acircular retainer 20. This is done in conjunction with stretching the trim material 22 over the component body 12 and, more particularly, the upper face or first side 14 of the component body and around the edge 30 to the lower face or second side 16 of the component body as illustrated by action arrows B, C and D in
This is then followed by the step of fastening the third portion 32 of the trim material 22 to the second side 16 of the component body 12. This may be done by providing an adhesive 34 between the third portion 32 of the trim material 22 and the second side 16 of the component body 12, by providing a fastener 36 such as a Christmas tree or the like that secures the third portion to the second face of the component body or by using both the adhesive and the fastener. See
In summary, the new and improved method of covering a component body 12 with a trim material 22 and the resulting new and improved trimmed component assembly 10 are characterized by a number of benefits and advantages. The method is simple, efficient and inexpensive. By utilizing the acircular retainer 20 and receiver 18 instead of a Christmas tree and stiffener to secure the first portion 24 of the trim material 22 to the first side 14 of the component body 12, the number of component parts is reduced.
Advantageously, by utilizing an acircular retainer 20 relative rotation of the retainer in the receiver 18 is resisted and it is possible to make a tighter, flusher fit between the trim material 22 and the component body 12. Further, the retainer 20 has a shape and volume that effectively fills the receiver 18, when seated therein and capturing the first portion 24 of the trim material 22 in position, so as to effectively eliminate any unsightly valleys or creases in the appearance of the overlying trim material. This allows for a crisp trim edge 28 and an overall more aesthetically pleasing appearance for the trimmed component assembly 10.
The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.
