Provision and method for connecting a cord to an object

Field of the invention The invention concerns a provision for connecting a, e.g. polyester, cord to an object, e.g. a fastening means such as a, e.g. plastic, hook. The invention further concerns a method for connecting a cord to an object.

Background of the invention Car seats are generally composed of a steel frame covered with foam padding. The seat cover is then pulled over it. The seat cover is attached to the frame by means of a cord that is pulled through a space provided in the seat cover. The seat cover, provided with the cord is then pulled over the bare seat and a first hook attached to the first end of the cord is hooked into the metal frame or over a metal wire. A second hook attached to a second end of the cord is provided with a loop. By pulling the loop the cord is tightened after which the second hook can be hooked into the metal frame. The purpose of the tightened cord is to keep the cover in place under all circumstances, so the seat remains in shape. The tightened cord also fixates the foam padding, e.g. during unfolding of the airbag in the seat. Until recently a metal wire was used for the cord and a metal hook was attached at each end. The disadvantage of this embodiment is the possibility of unwanted noise generation by metal-on-metal contact causing it to rattle. There is also the risk of corrosion. In another embodiment, a polyester cord of a certain length is used, to which a metal hook is attached at each end. However, the metal hooks bend easily and can still cause rattling noises. The present trend is to compose the whole of plastic, with a cord attached at both ends to a suitable plastic hook.

A plastic hook can be attached to a polyester cord by carrying one end of the cord through a hole in the plastic hook and to provide the end with a so-called hog ring. This way of attachment however proves to be badly reproducible and unreliable because the cord can wriggle itself loose. Also the end of a polyester cord can be fed into a space provided to this end in the plastic hook after which a metal staple is shot through hook and cord. However, the disadvantage of the use of metal is again the possibility of noise generation and corrosion. Another option is to injection mould a hook onto each end of the cord. Although

it is possible this way to create a very strong connection, the melting process between cord and plastic proves to be critical and hard to control.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved solution for attaching a cord to an object, in particular a fastening means such as a hook. The connection should be strong, highly reproducible and reliable, preferably without metal parts and preferable at low cost.

Summary of the invention To this end the invention provides a system for connecting a, e.g. polyester, cord to an object, e.g. a fastening means such as a hook, in which a clamping element is inserted into a first receiving space and a part of the cord is carried on and clamped between the clamping element and a wall of the first receiving space.

This way a strong, highly reproducible connection can be formed between the cord and the object. Preferably it is prevented that the inserted clamping element leaves the first receiving space by means of one or more locking elements. Thus the cord cannot work itself loose and the connection is highly reliable. The first receiving space and the clamping element can e.g. be mainly cylindrical but other shapes are also possible.

Preferably, a part of the cord is laid in an insertion space provided to that end, in such a way that during the insertion of the clamping element in the first receiving space, a part of the cord is carried along and clamped between the clamping element and a wall of the first receiving space. This is simpler and faster than e.g. putting the end of the cord through a hole. This way the cord can be put in a correct, well-aligned position.

Preferably the clamping element is provided with a second receiving space, e.g. a groove, for receiving a part of the cord during insertion and clamping. Thus the cord will be carried on better and in a correct way and clamped in a correct position. This will become clearer in the following description of embodiments of a provision and a method according to the invention.

In an embodiment, the clamping element and the object mainly consist of plastic material. A plastic hook will not be deformed below the maximum load and there is no risk of corrosion. With a proper implementation and choice of materials and process, the whole can be made very strong at low cost.

Preferably the clamping element is initially solidly connected to the object and the connection between the clamping element and the object is fragile in such a way that the connection is ruptured when inserting the clamping element in the first receiving space. This has major advantages in production. This way it is not necessary to join separate parts nor to align the clamping element relative to the first receiving space prior to insertion. This too will be come clearer in the following description of embodiments. Preferably insertion is done by means of a punch, e.g. with a, e.g. pneumatic, hammer.

Short description of the drawings The invention will be explained in more detail below by means of a number of non-limiting examples of a provision and a method according to the invention.

In this:

- figure Ia shows a lateral view of a first object to be attached to a cord according to a method of the invention, comprising a first hook and a first loop;

- figure Ib shows a lateral view of a second object to be attached to a cord according to a method of the invention, comprising a second hook;

- figure Ic shows a perspective view of the first object and the second object, both attached to a cord according to a method of the invention; - figure Id shows a lateral view thereof;

- figure Ie shows a bottom view thereof;

- figure 2a shows a perspective view of a third object to be attached to a cord according to a method of the invention, comprising a third hook and a second loop; and - figure 2b shows a perspective view of a fourth object to be attached to a cord according to a method of the invention, comprising a fourth hook.

Embodiments of a provision and a method according to the invention Figures Ia and Ib show two objects (10,20) to be attached to a cord. The first object (10) comprises a first hook (11) and a first loop (12), the second object (20) comprises a second hook (13). Both objects (10,20) are also provided with a provision (1) according to the invention. The provision (1) comprises a clamping element (2), in this case a cylindrical pin, and a first receiving space (3). The clamping element (2) is connected to the object

(10,20) by means of a weak, frangible connection (17), and is properly aligned with regard to the first receiving space (3). The clamping element (2) is provided on a first side with a striking face (7) and on the opposite side with a second receiving space (21), in this case a groove. In order to connect the objects (10,20) with a cord (5), the cord (5) is laid into an insertion space (6) provided to that end, in this case a groove situated transversally on the main axis of the first receiving space (3), in which a cord (5) can simply be laid from the outside. Next, a punch is inflicted on the striking face (7) by means of e.g. a pneumatic punch (not shown), as a result of which the clamping element (2) is shot into the first receiving space (3). In the process the weak connection (17) is broken. A part of the cord (5) is carried by the clamping element (2) and jammed between the clamping element (2) and the inner wall of the first receiving space (3). A part of the cord (5) is received in the second receiving space (21) due to which the cord (5) is carried on better and in a correct way and clamped in a correct position. The clamping element (2) is now locked into the receiving space (3) by means of a number of cooperating locking elements (18a,18b,18c;19a,19b) provided to this end. Thus, a very secure locking and consequently a very reliable connection is obtained. Next, the superfluous, protruding part of the cord can be cut off, e.g. with a hot knife in case of a polyester cord. In figures Ic, Id and Ie, a cord (5) is shown that is connected with its first end (5') to a first object (10) and with its second end (5") to a second object (20). The clamping element (2) concerned has been shot into the respective receiving space (3) while carrying along a part of cord (5).

Figures 2a and 2b show yet two other objects (30,40) to be attached to a cord. A third object (30) comprising a third hook (14) and a second loop (15) and a fourth object (40) comprising a fourth hook (16). Both objects (30,40) are in turn provided with a provision (1') according to the invention. Again a number of cooperating locking elements (22a,22b;23a,23b) are provided for locking the clamping element (T) concerned in the respective receiving space (3'). The provision (1') also comprises an insertion space (6') to lay the cord in.

It will be evident that the invention, although mainly discussed on the basis of connecting the end of a cord to a fastening means such as a hook, can also be applied for connecting a cord to other objects.