Background of the invention t In an article'like a seat on a vehicle, an office chair, a home chair, or a mattress, etc. there are used a'core member having a cushion core member made of a molded product like a foamed resin material, and a flexible covering member made of cloth or leather for covering the surface of the core member. In such an article, it has been known that a plane-engagement type fastener (what is called a plane fastener) having a plurality of engaging element ! : disposed on one plane of a base or a major surface is used for fixing the covering memhy to the core member. Particularly, users want high-level comfort from the articles li ; < é seats and chairs. In order to meet such users'needs, there has been an increasing trend that a strip-shaped fastener that can be disposed in a slender groove recessed on the surface of the core member along the seam of the covering member is used as fixing means for fxing the covering member to the core member (as disclosed, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 11-127915).

In order to lixedly install the strip-shaped fastener at a desired position of the surface of the core member with the engaging elements exposed, an insert-molding method can be applied advantageously. This is a method of disposing the fastener within a mold of the core inember as the molded body and fixing the fastener to the core member in simultaneous with the forming of the core member. According to this insert-molding method, an elongated rail-shaped guide for holding the fastener in a predetermined posture is provided within the mold of the molded body. The guide usually has an elongated groove capable of accommodating the base of the fastener and the engaging elements.

The fastener is inst llLed on the guide by inserting the engaging elements and the base into the groove in a sta}-lhat a back surface (the surface opposite to a major surface) of the

base is exposed. Within the mold of the molded body, guides corresponding to the number of the fasteners to be provided within the molded body are disposed in a layout corresponding to ths Layout of the fasteners.

For installing the fastener on the guide of this type, it has been a conventional practice that one end of the base of the fastener in a longitudinal direction is located at substantially one end of the guide in the longitudinal direction. Then, an operator manually inserts the engaging elements and the base gradually into the groove from this positioning end toward the other end of the guide in the longitudinal direction. The groove of the guide usually has sizes and a shape capable of holding the base at a proper position with friction in order to be able to prevent the fastener from a positional deviation due to a flow of a melting material and to prevent the melting member from penetrating into the major surface of the base of the fastener at the time of forming the molded body.

Therefore, at the time of inserting the fastener into the groove of the guide, the operator generally uses a sp. ti lla-shaped pressing member or pressing roller to gradually apply required pressing f",, T :-e to the back surface of the base in a longitudinal direction, thereby to properly install t ic fastener into the guide.

According zozo the conventional method of manually installing the fastener on the guide, when it is required to provide a plurality of fasteners on the molded body, it is necessary to install the fasteners one by one sequentially on a plurality of guides. As a result, this method : 1as had a problem in that it takes time to install the fasteners, which results in the interference in improving the productivity of the molded body with fasteners.

Particularly, when it is required to dispose a plurality of fasteners on the molded body by extending the fasteners in mutually crossing directions, the operator needs to install the fasteners by gradually applying pressing force to each one of the fasteners in different directions to a plurality of guides provided within the mold at corresponding positions. As a result, there has been a problem of an extreme increase in the operating time. Further, in order to install the fXasteners promptly by accurately locating the individual fasteners at proper positions relative to the plurality of guides that extend in different positions, the operators have been required to have proficient levels of skill.

Summary of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide a fastener-locating member ! capable of accurate ; y and promptly locating fasteners relative to fastener-holding guides disposed within a it.. cld of a molded body, at a preparation stage of an insert-molding process for integrally installing strip-shaped fasteners into the molded body, thereby capable of improviJ ug the productivity of an article having fasteners by cutting the time required for the fastener installation work.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fastener having a self- locating function for locating the fastener relative to the guide, thereby capable of improving the productivity of an article having fasteners by cutting the time required for the fastener installadon work.

In one aspect of the present invention, a fastener-locating member is provided for locating a fastener, including a strip-shaped base with a major surface and a plurality of engaging elements provided on the base, relative to a guide, including an elongated groove capable of receiving the base and the engaging elements of the fastener. The fastener- locating member comprises : an anchoring section capable of being anchored to the base of the fastener; and an engaging section capable of being engaged with the guide, wherein, when the anchoring sction is anchored to the base of the fastener and, in this state, the base and the engaging elements are inserted into the groove of the guide, the engaging section is engaged w : th the guide so as to locate the fastener relative to the guide.

It can be desirable for the base of the fastener to include a connecting element projecting from a ba (k surface opposite to the major surface, and the guide is adapted to receive the base ami ; he engaging elements in the groove with the connecting elements of the fastener exposed, and wherein the anchoring section is anchored to the connecting element of the fastener, and the engaging section is engaged with a wall adjacent to the groove of the guide.

It can also he desirable for the fastener-locating member to comprise a plurality of anchoring sections, wherein the anchoring sections are anchored to respective bases of a plurality of fastene@s so as to couple the fasteners with each other in such a relative positional relationship that the fasteners extend in mutually crossing directions, and to locate the fasteners relative to a plurality of guides arranged in a relative positional relationship substantially identical to the relative positional relationship of the fasteners.

It can further be desirable for the fastener-locating member to comprise a first anchoring section ha/ing one first slit extending in a first direction and a second anchoring section having two second slits extending in a second direction orthogonal with the first direction, wherein the one first slit is anchored to a first fastener, and the two second slits are anchored to a second fastener, so as to couple the first and second fasteners with each other in such a relative positional relationship that the fasteners mutually cross in approximately a T-shape.

In addition, it can be desirable for the fastener-locating member to comprise a first anchoring section having one first slit extending in a first direction and a second anchoring section having one second slit extending in a second direction orthogonal with the first direction, wherein the one first slit is anchored to a first fastener, and the one second slit is anchored to a second fastener, so as to couple the first and second fasteners with each other in such a relative positional relationship that the fasteners mutually cross in approximately an L-shape.

It can be desirable for the fastener-locating member to further comprise a plate- shaped main body portion equipped with the anchoring section in an edge area, wherein the engaging section has an extended piece extending horizontally from the main body portion, and when the base and the plurality of engaging elements are inserted into the groove of the guide : in a state that the anchoring section is anchored to the base of the fastener, the extended piece is engaged with a recess formed on a side wall of the guide adjacent to the groove.

It can also be desirable for the fastener-locating member to further comprise a plate-shaped main body portion equipped with the anchoring section in an edge area, wherein the engaging section has a projection projecting vertically from the main body portion, and when the base and the plurality of engaging elements are inserted into the groove of the guide in a state that the anchoring section is anchored to the base of the fastener, the projection is engaged with a hole formed on a longitudinal end wall of the guide adjacent to the groove.

Furthermore, it can be desirable for the engaging section of the fastener-locating member to have a concave wall provided adjacent to the anchoring section, and when the base and the plurality of engaging elements are inserted into the groove of the guide in a state that the anchoring section is anchored to the base of the fastener, the concave wall is

adapted to receive a projection formed on a longitudinal end wall of the guide adjacent to the groove.

The fastened ocating member can further comprise a target stopper capable of <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> stopping a target to be engaged with the plurality of engaging elements of the fastener, by<BR> i locating the target at : a predetermined position of the fastener.

In another aspect of the present invention, a fastener is provided that comprises a strip-shaped base with a major surface and a plurality of engaging elements provided on the base, and adapted to integrally install the base and the plurality of engaging elements on a molded body y an insert-molding process using guides disposed within a mold of the molded body having a elongated groove capable of receiving the base and the plurality of engaging elements, wherein the base is divided into a plurality of base sections, each being equipped with the plurality of engaging elements, the fastener further comprising an engaging section integrally formed with the base sections, so that the engaging section couples the base sections in such a relative positional relationship that the base sections extend in mutually crossing directions, and is extensively provided so as to be able to engage the base sections with the guides, and wherein when the base sections and the engaging elements are inserted into the grooves of a plurality of guides disposed within the mold in a relative positional relationship identical to a relative positional relationship of the base sections, the engaging section is engaged with at least one guide so as to locate the base relative to cl : : e guides.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a fastener and a guide capable of using a fastener-locating member relating to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the fastener of Fig. 1 from a different direction.

Fig. 3 is a c-oss-sectional view showing a state that the fastener of Fig. 1 has been installed on a corresponding guide.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing one example of an article equipped with the fastener shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a function of the fastener in the article shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of a fastener-locating member in a state that the fastener- locating member has been anchored to a pair of fasteners, according to a first embodiment of the present invent ! : m.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view showing the fastener-locating member of Fig. 6 from a different direction.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view showing a plurality of guides on which a plurality of fasteners have beer, installed using the fastener-locating member shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the fastener-locating member of Fig. 6 in a state that the faster locating member has been anchored to a fastener installed on a corresponding gui (M.

Figs. 10 (a) and (b) are a front view and a top plan view respectively of a modification of the fastener-locating member shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 11 is a plan view showing another modification of the fastener-locating member in Fig. 6.

Fig. 12 is a wop plan view of a fastener-locating member in a state that the fastener- locating member has been anchored to a pair of fasteners, according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a op plan view showing the fastener-locating member of Fig. 12 from a different direction.

Figs. 14 (a) and (b) are a top plan view and a side view respectively of a fastener- locating member according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 15 is a op plan view of the fastener-locating member in Fig. 14 in a state that the fastener-locating g member has been anchored to a pair of fasteners.

Fig. 16 is a-cp plan view showing a plurality of guides on which a plurality of fasteners have been installed using the fastener-locating member shown in Fig. 14.

Fig. 17 is a I oss-sectional view showing the fastener-locating member of Fig. 14 in a state that the fastener-locating member has been anchored to a fastener installed on a corresponding guides.

Fig. 18 is a. cp plan view of a fastener-locating member according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 19 is a ! : cp plan view of the fastener-locating member in Fig. 18 in a state that the fastener-locating member has been anchored to a fastener.

Figs. 20 (a) uid (b) are a top plan view and a front view respectively of a guide on which a fastener anchored with the fastener-locating member shown in Fig. 18 has been installed.

Detailed Description of the Invention Embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, identical or similar constituent elements will be attached with common reference symbols.

First, the outline of a total construction of a fastener 10 and a guide 12 to which a fastener-locating member according to one embodiment of the present invention can be applied will be explained with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3.

The fastener 0 is a plane-engagement type fastener having flexibility in multiple directions, and has t strip-shaped base 14, and a plurality of engaging elements 18 erected at regular intervals Dn one surface or a major surface 16 of the base. The base 14 is constructed of a plurality of box-shaped parts 20 arranged by being separated from each other in a longitudinal direction, and a plurality of connecting parts 22 for mutually connecting the box-shaped parts 20 into one. Each box-shaped part 20 has a substantially hollow structure including a plane upper plate 24, a plane lower plate 26 mutually extending approximately in parallel, a pair of side plates 28 for connecting between the upper and lower plates 24 and 26, and a partition plate 30 extending in a longitudinal direction between the plates 24,26 and 28. The major surface 16 of the base 14 is constructed of the upper plates 24 of a plurality of the box-shaped parts 20, and the engaging elements 18 of an identical number are provided on each of the upper plate 24 in an identical layout. The lower plates 20 of the plurality of box-shaped parts 20 constitute a back surface 32 of the base 14 positioned at the opposite side of the major surface 16 in co-operation with the plurality of connecting parts 22.

Each engaging element 18 is equipped with a leg 34 stretching approximately perpendicularly from the upper plate 24 of each box-shaped part 20, and a plurality of engaging pieces 36 stretching sideways near the front end of the leg 34. The fastener 10 is detachably mounted on other object by having the plurality of engaging pieces 36 formed at the front end of th plurality of engaging elements 18 engaged with corresponding

engaging elements of the other object. Box-shaped parts 20'at both ends of the base 14 in a longitudinal dire ion are not provided with the engaging elements 18.

The lower plat. e 26 of each box-shaped part 20 has a slit 38 formed to extend in a crossing direction a : approximately the center in a longitudinal direction of the box-shaped part 20. Further, the tower plate 26 has one rib 40 extending in a longitudinal direction crossing the slit 38, provided to project on the back surface 32 along the whole length of the base 14. The rib 40 has two posts 42 for each box-shaped part 20, extending in a thin plate shape along the rib 40, provided perpendicularly on the back surface 32. A thin plate-shaped anchor 44 extending approximately in parallel with the back surface 32 is formed on the from end of each post 42. Each post 42 and each anchor 44 are continuous elements to be fixedly embedded into a molded body through an insert-molding process to be described later, nd they constitute a mechanical connection part of the fastener 10 for connecting to the molded body.

The fastene :. l0 having the above-described structure can have the base 14 bent relatively easily as L hole in a horizontal direction, that is, in a direction approximately parallel with the m. j ;-. r surface 16, based on a stress dispersion work at each box-shaped part 20 having the. c llow structure. Further, the base 14 can be bent relatively easily as a whole in a perpend cular direction, that is, in a direction approximately orthogonal with the major surface 15, based on a hinge effect of each thin connecting part 22. Since the fastener 10 can have its base 14 easily bent both in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction, it is possible to install the base 14 on a desired surface portion of an object having a variety of three-dimensional surface, by accurately following the surface three- dimensionally. Preferably, the fastener 10 can be integrally formed with a resin material like nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.

The guide 12 is a rail-shaped block unit for supporting the fastener 10 over a desired length, and is equipped with a bottom wall 46, and a pair of side walls 48 integrally erected fi om the bottom wall 46 along both edges of the bottom wall 46 extending in a longitudinal direction. The bottom wall 46 and the pair of side walls 48 form one stream of a groove 50 capable of accommodating the base 14 of the fastener 10 and the plurality o1-eelgaging elements 18, along the whole length of the guide 12. Both side walls 48 have rner surfaces 48a respectively to face each other with a uniform interval therebetween over the whole length of the guide 12. The bottom wall 46 has a

pair of sealing surfaces 52 orthogonal with the inner surfaces 48a of both side walls 48 in both end areas in a longitudinal direction of the guide 12, and a pair of supporting surfaces 54 extensively provided in a longitudinal direction of the guide 12 adjacent to the inner surface 48a of each side wall 48. The groove 50 is divided into two parts in function; a first part 50a capable of accommodating the fastener 10 between the inner surfaces 48a of both side walls 48 above the sealing surface 52 and the auxiliary <BR> <BR> <BR> supporting surface 5". ; and a second part 50b capable of accommodating the plurality of engaging elements 8 of the fastener 10 below the sealing surface 52 and the auxiliary supporting surface 4. In place of the plane sealing surface 52 shown in the drawings, it is also possible to employ a sealing surface 52'that is inclined to face upward toward both ends in a longitudinal direction of the guide 12 (reference Fig. 19, for example).

The interval between the inner surfaces 48a of both side walls 48 is formed to have a size approximately identical to a size in a crossing direction of the base 14 of the fastener 10 as an object to be supported. Therefore, when the fastener 10 is accommodated into the groove 50 of the guide 12, the inner surfaces 48a of the side walls 48 are brought into close contact with side edges extending in a longitudinal direction of the bas 14 of the fastener 10 accommodated in the first part 50a of the groove 50. The pair of sealing surfaces 52 of the bottom wall 46 are brought into close contact with the major surface 16 of the box-shaped part 20'on both ends in a longitudinal direction of the fastener 10, and the pair of auxiliary supporting surfaces 54 of the bottom wall 46 are brought into close contact with the near areas on both sides of the major surface 16 of the fastener 10. In this way, the guide 12 can hold the fastener 10 in a predetermined post. ne with frictional force, in a state that the plurality of engaging elements 18 of the fastener 10 are accommodated in the second part 50b of the groove 50, and the base 14 is embedded into the first part 50a of the groove 50. As a result, it is possible to prevent a liquid material from penetrating into the second part 50b of the groove 50, at the titis of forming the molded body in a state that the fastener 10 is supported by the guide 12. The guide 12 can be integrally manufactured by cutting from a metal bar-shaped material like aluminum, aluminum alloy, and iron.

Fig. 4 exempiifies an article 58 having the fastener 10 integrally installed on a molded body 56 by the insert-molding processing using the guide 12. In the example shown in the drawing, the article 58 is a seat for a vehicle, and the molded body 56

constitutes a core member made of a foamed resin material like polyurethane. In this structure, a plurality of fasteners 10 function as a fixing means for fixing a covering member 60 made of cloth or leather to the molded body 56. Each fastener 10 is fixedly disposed in a slender recess 62 provided on the surface of the molded body 56 at a desired position along a seam 60a of the covering member 60.

For carrying out the insert-molding processing, the guides 12 of a number corresponding to the number of the fasteners 10 to be installed on the article 58 are disposed within a mold (not shown) of the molded body 56, in a layout corresponding to the layout of the fasteners 10 on the surface of the molded body 56. Each guide 12 is fixed on the formed surface of the mold by a fixing means like, for example, adhesive, adhesive tape, putty, bolts, screws, staples, magnets, etc., with the groove 50 faced to the hollow part of the mold. Each fastener 10 is installed on the corresponding guide 12, with the plurality of engaging elements 18 inserted into the second part 50b of the groove 50 of the guide 12, and with the plurality of box-shaped parts 20 of the base 14 fit into the first part 50a of the groove 50 of the guide 12. Thus, the back surface 32 of the base 14 of each fastener 10, and the irib 40, the plurality of posts 42 and the anchor 44 provided in projection on the b,. ck surface 32, are disposed in an exposed state in the hollow part of the mold.

In this state, foamed liquid resin material of the molded body 56 is supplied to the hollow part of the mold. As described above, the base 14 of the fastener 10 is brought into close contact with the inner surfaces 48a of the pair of side walls, the sealing surface 52 and the auxiliary supporting surface 54 of the guide 12, thereby to prevent the liquid resin materia l : from penetrating into the second part 50b of the groove 50 of the guide 12. Thereafter ; when the liquid resin material is solidified to form the molded body 56, each recess 62 is formed on the surface of the molded body 56 at a position corresponding to the space occupied by each guide 12 within the hollow part of the mold.

Then, as shown in {nlargement in Fig. 5, the fastener 10 has the rib 40, the plurality of posts 42 and the archer 44 embedded into each recess 62 of the molded body 56. Thus, the plurality of engaging elements 18 are fixed to the molded body 56 in a state that they are exposed in the inside space of each recess 62. Each fastener 10 has its plurality of engaging elements 18 exposed in each recess 62 detachably engaged with corresponding engaging elements 64 made of loops, for example, formed on the back surface of the

seam 60a of the cohering member 60, thereby fixing the covering member 60 to the surface of the molded body 56.

As shown ir Fig. 4, for installing the plurality of fasteners 10 on the surface of the molded body 56 by extending the fasteners in mutually crossing directions, it is necessary to install the fastens by gradually applying pressing force sequentially in different directions, with eac-i one of the fasteners 10 accurately located at a proper position relative to each of the plurality of guides 12 provided within the mold at corresponding positions.

The fastener-locating member relating to the present invention can execute this installation work promptly and accurately, without requiring proficiency of the operation. A structure of a fastener-locatir R member 70 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be explained bt) w with reference to Fig. 6 to Fig. 9.

As shown ir. Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the fastener-locating member 70 is equipped with first and second anchoring sections 72 and 74 capable of being anchored to the bases 14 of a pair of fasteners lO respectively, and an engaging section 76 capable of being engaged with the guide 12. T ie first anchoring section 72 is formed in a first end area of a main body 78 having approximately an I-shape, and the second anchoring section 74 is formed in a second area of : r P main body 78 positioned opposite to the first end area. The first anchoring section 72 is provided with one first slit 80 extending in a first direction, that is, in a longitudinal direction of the main body, and the second anchoring section 74 is provided with two second slits 82 extending in a second direction approximately orthogonal with the first direction, that is, in a crossing direction of the main body 78.

The first slit 80 provided in the first anchoring section 72 has a slightly larger width than the thickness of the post 42 provided on the back surface 32 of the base of the fastener 10, and is-. x tensively provided in a crank shape along a center line 78a extending in a longitudinal direction of the main body 78. An endmost part of the first slit 80 is formed with a holding part 80a having a shape and sizes capable of holding one post 42 in a predetermined posture. An intermediate part of the first slit 80 is formed with an engaging part 80b fo holding in engagement within the holding part 80a the post 42 fit into the holding pal t 80a. The first anchoring section 72 holds the post 42 positioned at an end in a longitudinal direction of a first fastener 10 within the holding part 80a in a relative layout having an e@tension of the first slit 80 directed in a direction approximately parallel with an extension direction of the rib 40 on the back surface 32 of the base of the first

fastener 10. In this case, the side edge of the post 42 is contacted to an introduction open end 80c of the first slit 80, and then the post 42 is pressed to the engaging part 80b to push the peripheral area f) f the first slit 80 in elastic deformation into the holding part 80a, thereby engaging the post 42 with the inside of the holding part 80a in a snap style.

It is advantageous that the first slit 80 has such a shape and sizes that an adjacent post 42 is partially inserted into an introduction open end 80c when the post 42 at the end in a longitudinal direction of the fastener 10 is held in engagement within the holding part 80a. With this structure, it is possible to restrict as far as possible a positional deviation of the fastener-locating member 70 generated by external force after the first anchoring section 72 has been anchored to the base 14 of the fastener 10.

The two second slits 82 provided on the second anchoring section 74 cross the center line 78a respectively at both sides of the center line 78a of the main body 78 and are extended on the identical straight line. The second anchoring section 74 is further provided with a pair of arrow-head shaped engaging pieces 84 extending approximately parallel with the center line 78a at the outside of the second slits 82 viewed from the center line 78a of the mai ody 78, and a rectangular extended piece 86 extending coaxially along the center lire'8a. Each of the two slits 82 has a shape and sizes capable of holding one post 42 provided on the back surface 32 of the base of the fastener 10 in a predetermined post ue between the corresponding engaging piece 84 and the extended piece 86. Further, each engaging piece 84 holds in engagement the post 42 fitted in the corresponding second slit 82 within the second slit 82 by a stretched part 84a stretching toward the extended piece 86. The second anchoring section 74 holds in engagement the two adjacent posts 42 at a desired position of a second fastener 10 within both second slits 82 in a relative layout having the extension of both second slits 82 directed in a direction approximately parallel with an extension direction of the rib 40 on the back surface 32 of the base of the second fastener 10. In this case, both side edges of the posts 42 are contacted to the corresponding engaging pieces 84 and extended pieces 86, and then the posts 42 are pressed to the stretched parts 84a to push the corresponding engaging pieces 84 in elastic deformation into the second slits 82, thereby engaging the posts 42 with the ins : de of the corresponding second slits 82 in a snap style.

It is advantageous that the second anchoring section 74 is provided with a projection 88 that collides against the rib 40 of the fastener 10 when the two posts 42 of

the fastener 10 are held in engagement within both second slits 82. With this structure, it is possible to restri : t as far as possible a positional deviation of the fastener-locating member 70 generated by external force after the second anchoring section 74 has been anchored to the base 14 of the fastener 10.

Based on tk, ; above arrangement, the fastener-locating member 70 installed properly on the pail of fasteners 10 can couple these fasteners 10 with each other in such a relative positional relationship that the fasteners 10 extend in mutually crossing directions.

Particularly, the fastener-locating member 70 can couple these fasteners 10 with each other in such a relative positional relationship that an end surface in a longitudinal direction of the firs ; : i : astener 10 and a side end surface at an intermediate position in a longitudinal direction of the second fastener 10 face each other in approximately a T-shape with a suitable interval therebetween (see Fig. 6). The pair of fasteners 10 coupled with each other in the above relative positional relationship can be installed promptly and easily on the pair of guides 12 (see, e. g., Fig. 8) laid out in a relative positional relationship (that is, an orthogonal relationship) substantially identical to the relative positional relationship of the fasteners 10.

When Fig.,-, s referred to, for example, the molded body 56 exemplified as the core member of the setting part of the seat for a vehicle has three fasteners 10 disposed in an H-shape. For insert-forming this molded body 56, it is required to install properly the fasteners 10 on thr : e guides 12 and 12'provided in the corresponding H-shape layout within the mold as shown in Fig. 8. Thus, by using two fastener-locating members 70, the posts 42 at both ends in a longitudinal direction of the fastener lOa disposed at the center are engaged with the first slits 80 of the first anchoring sections 72 of these fastener- locating members 70 respectively. Then, the two adjacent posts 42 positioned at approximately the center in a longitudinal direction of the pair of fasteners lOb disposed on both sides are engaged with the second slits 82 of the second anchoring sections 74 of the fastener-locating members 70 respectively. Thus, the three fasteners 10 can be installed on the thr e corresponding guides 12 and 12'promptly and easily.

The engaging section 76 of the fastener-locating member 70 has an extended piece 86 horizontally extended from the main body 78 in the second area of the main body 78. As shown in Fig. 6, when the fastener-locating member 70 has been properly installed on the second fastener 10, the extended piece 86 stretches sideways by a

predetermined Ieng : : h from the back surface 32 of the base of the fastener 10 in the end area. Therefore, the extended piece 86 functions as the second anchoring section 74 in the end area as described above. At the same time, the end area of the extended piece 86 stretching sideways horn the back surface 32 of the base functions as the engaging section 76, which ill engaged with the guide 12 when the fastener 10 having the second anchoring section''4 anchored to the base 14 has been installed on the corresponding guide 12. In the en'/bodiment shown in the drawings, when the fastener-locating member 70 has beef l properly installed on the second fastener 10, the main body 78 positioned at the si@e of the base back surface 32 of the fastener 10 at the opposite side of the extended piece 36 also functions as the engaging section 76 that is engaged with the guide 12 in a similar manner to that of the extended piece 86. When the fastener 10 is installed on the guide 12, the engaging section 76 is brought into contact with the upper end surfaces of both, ; dde walls 48 of the guide adjacent to the groove 50 and is engaged.

Thus, the engaging section 76 works to hold the fastener 10 in a proper posture within the groove 50.

As shown i @Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, the guide 12'for installing the fastener 10 having the second anchors g section 74 of the fastener-locating member 70 anchored is formed with recesses 90 and 92 for avoiding an interference between both side walls 48 and the engaging section 76 of the fastener-locating member 70, at a predetermined position on the upper surfaces ç ; f the side walls 48 adjacent to the groove 50 respectively. Preferably, these recesses 90 af. ic 92 have a shape and sizes capable of receiving, substantially without any loosening, the intended piece 86 and the main body 78 respectively that constitute the engaging section 7 ;' of the fastener-locating member 70. Thus, the recesses 90 and 92 operate to securely engage the engaging section 76 at a predetermined position of the guide 12'. For installing the fastener 10 on the guide 12'based on this structure, the extended piece 86 and the main body 78 of the fastener-locating member 70 are first positioned in the recesses 90 and 92 on both side walls 48 of the guide 12'. Then, the base 14 and the plurality of engaging elements 18 are inserted into the groove 50 of the guide 12', and at the @ ame time, the extended piece 86 and the main body are inserted into the corresponding recesses 90 and 92. Thus, the fastener 10 can be located at a predetermined proper position relative to the guide 12'. Thereafter, the operator gradually applies pressing force in a longitudinal direction of the base 14 of the fastener 10. As a

result, it is possible to properly install the fastener 10 on the guide 12'while preventing a displacement in a longitudinal direction of the fastener 10 within the groove 50 of the guide 12'.

As explained above, when the fastener-locating member 70 is used, a pair of fasteners 10 coupled with each other in such a relative positional relationship that the fasteners cross each other can be located accurately and installed properly at a predetermined proper position relative to a pair of guides 12 that are laid out similarly in such a relative positional relationship that the guides cross each other. According to the three guides 12 and 12'laid out in the H-shape as shown in Fig. 8, for example, the recesses 90 and 92 are formed on both side walls 48 of the pair of guides 12'disposed on b. oth ends in a longitudinal direction of the guide 12 disposed at the center. In this case, the three fasteners 10 are coupled with each other similarly in the H-shape using the two fastener-locating members 70. The three fasteners 10 have their intermediate areas in a longitudinal direction of both fasteners 10 adjacent to the second anchoring sections 74 of the fastener-locating members 70 first inserted into the grooves 50 of the corresponding guides 12'. Then, thf : engaging sections 76 of the fastener-locating members 70 are inserted into the corresponding recesses 90 and 92. In this state, the three fasteners 10 are located at predetermined positions relative to the corresponding guides 12 and 12'as described above. Thereafter, the fasteners 10 are gradually pressed and inserted into the corresponding guides 12 and 12'. As a result, the three fasteners 10 coupled with each other in the H-shape are installed accurately at proper positions of the three guides 12 and 12'similarly disposed in the H-shape.

According to the above-described installation work, as the peripheral areas of the fastener-locating member 70 are first properly located on the corresponding guides, the operator can thereafter install the three fasteners 10 on the three guides 12 promptly and properly using both hand. This installation work is a simple one requiring no proficient skill. Therefore, the fastener-locating member 70 is used, it is possible to extremely cut the time required for installing the fasteners on the fastener-holding guides 12 disposed within the mold of the molded body at a preparation stage of the insert-molding process for integrally instat g the fasteners 10 into the molded body. As a result, it is possible to improve the productivity of the article 58 having fasteners as shown in Fig. 4, for example.

Fig. 10 shows a modified example of the fastener-locating member 70. In this modified example, a projection 94 stretching vertically from the main body 78 in the center area of the main body 78 is formed as the engaging section 76. On the other hand, the length of the extended piece 86 formed in the second area of the main body 78 is shortened, and functions only as the second anchoring section 74. In this case, the guide (the guide 12 at the center in Fig. 8, for example) for installing the first fastener 10 having the first anchoring section 72 of the fastener-locating member 70 anchored to the base 14, has a hole 98 (see, e. g., Fig. 15), having a shape and sizes capable of receiving the projection 94 constituting the engaging section 76 substantially without any loosening, provided on an end wall 96 (see, e. g., Fig. 15) formed further outside the sealing surface 52 (Fig. 1) at one end in a longitudinal direction adjacent to the groove 50.

In this structure, when the fastener-locating member 70 is used, a pair of fasteners 10 coupled with each other in such a relative positional relationship that the fasteners cross each other approximately in a T-shape can also be located accurately and installed properly at i predetermined proper position relative to a pair of guides 12 that are laid out similarly ir, ,, uch a relative positional relationship that the guides cross each other.

In this installation work, the projection 94 of the fastener-locating member 70 is first fitted into the hole 98 of the end wall 96 in a longitudinal direction of the guide 12 corresponding to a first fastener 10 having the first anchoring section 72 anchored. Then, the end area in a longitudinal direction of the first fastener 10 adjacent to the fastener- locating member 70 is inserted into the groove 50 of the corresponding guide 12. At the same time, the intermediate area in a longitudinal direction of a second fastener 10 adjacent to the fastener-locating member 70 is inserted into the groove 50 of the corresponding guide 12. Thus, both fasteners 10 are located at predetermined proper positions relative to'the corresponding guides 12 respectively. Thereafter, the operator gradually applies pressing force in a longitudinal direction of the base 14 of each fastener 10. As a result, it is possible to properly install the fastener 10 on the corresponding guide 12 while preventing a displacement in a longitudinal direction of the fastener 10 within the groove 50 of the corresponding guide 12.

Fig. l l shoxvs another modification of the fastener-locating member 70. In this modification, one first slit 80 provided in the first anchoring section 72 is constituted from a pair of large and small through holes 80d, 80e arranged adjacent to each other in the

longitudinal direct ! or of the body 78 and an elastic slot 80f communicating the through holes 80d, 80e with each other at a mutually adjacent portion thereof. The through hole 80d of the firs slit 80, arranged inside or facing toward the second anchoring section 74, has a shape and dimensions enabling one anchor 44 of the fastener 10 to be readily inserted thei ein, while the through hole 80e, arranged outside or facing toward a distal end, has a shape and dimensions inhibiting the anchor 44 from being inserted but enabling one post 42 of the fastener 10 to be received therein with a gap defined therebetween. The elastic slot 80f is formed between a pair of thin elastic pieces 80g provided in a boundary region of the through holes 80d, 80e, and is opened/closed due to the elastic deformation of the thin elastic pieces 80g so as to permit one post 42 to be forcibly shifted between the through holes 80d, 80e. As illustrated, the pair of thin elastic pieces 80g is preferably provided with such a profile as to permit the post 42 to be shifted in only one direction, i. e., from the through hole 80d to the through hole 80e.

In this structure, in order to anchor the first anchoring section 72 of the fastener- locating member 70 to the base 14 of the fastener 10 (Fig. 6), first the anchor 44 and the post 42, located at a distal longitudinal end, of the fastener, are inserted into the inside through hole 80d of the first slit 80. Then, the fastener-locating member 70 is shifted in the longitudinal direction of the fastener 10, and the thin elastic pieces 80g is pushed against the insertec post 42 so that the elastic slot 80f is forcibly opened, whereby the post 42 is shifted into the outside through hole 80e. In this state, the post 42 is maintained to be received within the outside through hole 80e with a gap defined therebetween. The fastener-locating number 70 is thus attached at the first anchoring section 72 to the fastener 10 while the positional adjustment is permitted in the range of the gap between the through hole 80e and the post 42.

In the above structure, it is also possible, by using the fastener-locating member 70, that a pair of fasteners 10, coupled with each other in the relative positional relationship as to mutually cross at right angles in a generally T-shape, are substantially accurately located at a predetermined appropriate position in relation to a pair of guides 12 arranged in the similar relative positional relationship as to mutually cross at right angles and are properly mounted thereon. In this respect, it is possible to freely adjust the position of the fastener-locating member 70 relative to one of the fasteners 10, to which the first anchoring section 72 is anchored, without deteriorating the mounting operability

of the fasteners. Accordingly, for example, even when the relative positional relationship of the pair of guide ! 12 includes a certain error, the pair of fasteners 10 can be easily and properly mounted to the guides 12 with the error compensated.

Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 show fastener-locating members 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The fastener-locating member 100 consists of first and second anchoring sections 102 and 104 capable of being anchored to bases 14 of a pair of fasteners 10 respectively, and an engaging section 106 capable of being engaged with a guide 12. The first anchoring section 102 is formed in a first end area of a main body 108 having approximately an L-shape, and the second anchoring section 104 is formed in a second end area of the main body 108 positioned at a side of the first end area.

The first anchoring section 102 is provided with one first slit 110 extending in one direction, and the second anchoring section 104 is provided with one second slit 112 extending in a second direction approximately orthogonal with the first direction.

Both the first slit 110 provided in the first anchoring section 102 and the second slit 112 provided in the second anchoring section 104 have structures substantially identical to that of the first slit 80 of the first anchoring section 72 in the above-described fastener-locating member 70. Therefore, the first anchoring section 102 anchors and holds a post 42 positioned at an end in a longitudinal direction of a first fastener 10 within a holding part 1 lOa in a relative layout having an extension of the first slit 110 directed in a direction approximately parallel with an extension direction of a rib 40 on a back surface 32 of the bass of the first fastener 10. Similarly, the second anchoring section 104 anchors and holds a post 42 positioned at an end in a longitudinal direction of a second fastener 10 within s holding part 112a in a relative layout having an extension of the second slit 112 directed in a direction approximately parallel with an extension direction of a rib 40 on a back surface 32 of the base of the second fastener 10.

Based on the above arrangement, the fastener-locating member 100 installed properly on the pair of fasteners 10 can couple these fasteners 10 with each other in such a relative positional relationship that the fasteners 10 extend in mutually crossing directions.

Particularly, the fastener-locating member 100 can couple these fasteners 10 with each other in such a relative positional relationship that an end surface in a longitudinal direction of one fastener 10 and an end surface in a longitudinal direction of the other fastener 10 face each other in approximately an L-shape with a suitable interval

therebetween (see Fig. 12). The pair of fasteners 10 coupled with each other in the above relative positional relationship can be installed promptly and easily on the pair of guides 12 (see, e. g., Fig. 16) laid out in a relative positional relationship (that is, an orthogonal relationship) substantially identical to the relative positional relationship of the fasteners 10.

The engaging section 106 of the fastener-locating member 100 has a projection 114 projecting vertically from the main body 108 in a center area of the main body 108. In this case, the guide 12 for installing one fastener 10 having the fastener- locating member 100 anchored has a hole 98 (see, e. g., Fig. 16), having a shape and sizes capable of receiving : he projection 114 constituting the engaging section 106 substantially without any loosening, provided on an end wall 96 (see, e. g., Fig. 16) formed further outside the sealing i. urface 52 (Fig. 1) at one end in a longitudinal direction adjacent to the groove 50.

In this structure, when the fastener-locating member 100 is used, a pair of fasteners 10 coupled with each other in such a relative positional relationship that the fasteners cross each other approximately in an L-shape can also be located accurately and installed properly at a predetermined proper position relative to a pair of guides 12 that are laid out similarly in such a relative positional relationship that the guides cross each other.

In this installation work, the projection 114 of the fastener-locating member 100 is first fitted into the hole 98 of the end wall 96 in a longitudinal direction of the guide 12 corresponding to one fastener 10. Then, the end area in a longitudinal direction of the fastener 10 adjacent to the fastener-locating member 100 is inserted into the groove 50 of the corresponding guide 12. At the same time, the end area in a longitudinal direction of the other fastener 10 adjacent to the fastener-locating member 100 is inserted into the groove 50 of the corresponding guide 12. Thus, both fasteners 10 are located at predetermined proper positions relative to the corresponding guides 12 respectively.

Thereafter, the operator gradually applies pressing force in a longitudinal direction of the base 14 of each fastener 10. As a result, it is possible to properly install the fastener 10 on the corresponding guide 12 while preventing a displacement in a longitudinal direction of the fastener 10 within the groove 50 of the corresponding guide 12.

Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 show fastener-locating members 120 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The fastener-locating member 120 consists of first

and second anchoring sections 122 and 124 capable of being anchored to bases 14 of a pair of fasteners 10 respectively, and an engaging section 126 capable of being engaged with a guide 12. The first anchoring section 122 is formed in a first end area of a main body having approximately a T-shape, and the second anchoring section 124 is formed in a second end area of main body 128 positioned at a side of the first end area. The first anchoring section 122 is provided with one first slit 130 extending in one direction, and the second anchoring section 124 is provided with one second slit 132 extending in a second direction approximately orthogonal with the first direction. The engaging section 126 has a projection 134 projected vertically from the main body 128 in a center area of the main body 128.

The first slit 130 provided in the first anchoring section 122, the second slit 132 provided in the second anchoring section 124, and the projection 134 constituting the engaging section 126 have structures substantially identical to the structure of the first slit 100 of the first anchoring section 102, the structure of the second slit 112 of the second anchoring section 104, and the structure of the projection 114 of the engaging section 106 in the above-described fastener-locating member 100 respectively. Therefore, in a similar manner to that of the fastener-locating member 100, the fastener-locating member 120 installed properly on the pair of fasteners 10 can couple these fasteners 10 with each other in such a relative positional relationship that the fasteners 10 extend in mutually crossing directions. Particularly, the fastener-locating member 120 can couple these fasteners 10 with each other in such a relative positional relationship that an end surface in a longitudinal direction of one fastener 10 and an end surface in a longitudinal direction of the other fastener 10 face each other in approximately an L-shape with a suitable interval therebetween (see Fig. 15). Further, by using the fastener-locating member 120, a pair of fasteners 10 coupled with each other in such a relative positional relationship that these fasteners mutually cross approximately in an L-shape can be located accurately and installed properly as : predetermined positions of a pair of guides 12 that are similarly laid out in such a relative positional relationship that the guides cross each other.

The fastener-locating member 120 further includes a target stopper 136 capable of locating and stopping an engagement target of a plurality of engaging elements 18 (Fig. 1) of the fastener 10 al, a predetermined position of the fastener 10. The target stopper 136 has a ring-shaped hook receiver 138 vertically projected from the main body 128 in a

direction identical to a direction of the projection 134 of the engaging section 126 in a third end area of the main body 128 positioned opposite to the second anchoring section 124. The pair of fasteners 10 coupled with each other are installed on the corresponding guides 12 by using the fastener-locating member 120 as described above, and thereafter, the insert-molding process is executed. Then, as exemplified in Fig. 5, these fasteners 10 are fixedly disposed in the slender recess provided on the surface of the molded body. The hook receiver 138 provided on the fastener-locating member 120 is then disposed preferably similarly exposed within the recess adjacent to each fastener 10.

As exemplified in Fig. 4, for example, the covering member 60 for covering the molded body 56, as the core member of the seat for a vehicle, is fixed to the molded body 56 via a plurality of fasteners 10, as the engagement target of the engaging element 18 of the fastener 10. In this case, in order to secure an excellent appearance of the seat and the comfort of sitting on the seat, it is necessary to fix the covering member 60 by properly locating it at a predetermined position on the surface of the molded body 56. In'the insert-molding of the molded body 56, when the fasteners 10 are coupled with each other using the fastener-locating member 120, it is advantageous to install in advance a hooking member 140 (see Fig. 15), having a shape capable of being easily stopped on the hook receiver 138, at a proper position on the back surface of the covering member 60 (that is, a position near the hook receiver 138 disposed adjacent to each fastener 10 on the molded body 56, when the covering member 60 is covered properly on the molded body 56), for example. According to this structure, at the time of covering the covering member 60 on the molded body 56, each hook member 140 is stopped on the corresponding hook receiver 138 before the engaging element 64 (Fig. 5) provided in the seam 60a of the covering member 60 is engaged with the engaging element 18 of the fastener 10. Based on this arrangement, it is possible to locate the covering member 60 at a proper position relative to each fastener 10 and the molded body 56.

The fastener-locating member 120 can be used to properly install three fasteners 10 coupled with each other in a U-shape, on corresponding three guides 12 and 12"provided in a U-shape (an inverse U-shape in the drawing) within a mold as shown in Fig. 16, for example. In this case, two fastener-locating members 120 (Fig. 14 (a) and Fig. 15) having first anchoring secdcns 122 located at mutually symmetrical positions are used. Posts 42

at both ends in a longitudinal direction of a fastener disposed at the center are engaged with first slits 130 of the first anchoring sections 122 of these fastener-locating members 120 respectively. At the same time, posts 42 at one end in a longitudinal direction of the pair of fasteners 10 disposed on both sides are engaged with second slits 132 of second anchoring sections 124 of these fastener-locating members 120 respectively. Thus, the three fasteners 10 are coupled with each other in the U-shape layout. As a result, it is possible to install the three fasteners 10 promptly and easily on the three corresponding guides 12 and 12"respectively.

As shown in Fig. 16 and Fig. 17, each guide 12"for installing the fastener 10 having the second anchoring section 124 of the fastener-locating member 120 anchored, is provided with a second hole 142 for receiving the hook of the object stopper 136, near a hole 98 for receiving a projection 134 of a engaging section 126, on an end wall 96 formed further outside a sealing surface 52 at one end in a longitudinal direction adjacent to the groove 50. For installing the three fasteners 10 coupled with each other in the U-shape on the three guides 12 and 12"using the two fastener-locating members 120 based on this structure, the projections 134 and the hook receivers 138 of the fastener-locating members 120 are first inserted into the holes 98 and 142 on the end walls 96 in a longitudinal direction of the corresponding guides 12". Then, the end areas at the end in a longitudinal direction of the fasteners 10 on both sides adjacent to each fastener-locating member 120 are inserted into the grooves 50 of the guides 12". At the same time, the end area in a longitudinal direction of the fastener 10 at the center adjacent to each fastener- locating member 120 is inserted into the groove of the guide 12. Thus, the three fasteners 10 can be located at predetermined proper positions relative to the corresponding guide 12 and 12". Thereafter, the fasteners 10 are gradually pressed and inserted into the corresponding guides 12 and 12". As a result, the three fasteners 10 coupled with each other in the U-shape are installed accurately at proper positions of the three guides 12 and . j.

12"similarly disposed in the U-shape. t Fig. 18 and Fig. 19 show fastener-locating members 150 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fastener-locating member 150 consists of one anchoring section 152 capable of being anchored to the base 14 of one fastener 10, and an engaging section 154 capable of being engaged with a guide 12. The anchoring section 152 is formed in a first end area of a main body 156 having approximately a

rectangular shape, and has one slit 158 extending in a longitudinal direction of the main body 156. The slit 158 has a structure substantially identical to the structure of the first slit 80 of the first anchoring section 72 in the fastener-locating member 70 shown in Fig. 6. Therefore, the anchoring section 152 holds in engagement the post 42 at the end in a longitudinal direction of the fastener 10 within a holding part 158a, in a relative layout having an extension of the slit 158 directed in a direction approximately parallel with an extension direction of a rib 40 on a back surface 32 of the base of the fastener 10.

The engaging section 154 of the fastener-locating member 150 has a recessed wall 160 provided or the main body 156 adjacent to the anchoring section 152. In this case, the guide 12 for installing the fastener 10 having the fastener-locating member 150 anchored, has a projection 162 (see Fig. 19), having a shape and sizes capable of being received by the recessed wall 160 constituting the engaging section 154 substantially without any loosening, provided on an end wall 96 formed further outside a sealing surface 52 at one end in a longitudinal direction adjacent to the groove 50.

For installing the fastener 10 having the fastener-locating member 150 properly fitted thereto on the corresponding guide 12 based on this structure, the projection 162 provided on the end wall 96 in a longitudinal direction of the corresponding guide 12 is fitted into the recess 160 of the fastener-locating member 150. Then, the end area in a longitudinal direction of the fastener 10 adjacent to the fastener-locating member 150 is inserted into the groove 50 of the guide 12. Thus, the fastener 10 can be located at a predetermined proper position relative to the guide 12. Thereafter, the operator gradually applies pressing force in a longitudinal direction of the base 14 of the fastener 10. As a result, it is possible to properly install the fastener 10 on the guide 12 while preventing a displacement in a longitudinal direction of the fastener 10 within the groove 50 of the guide 12.

While several preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained above, the present invention is not limited to the structures of the above-described embodiments, and it is also possible to employ various other structures within the range of the disclosed claims for a patent. For example, the fastener-locating member relating to the present invention can have three or more anchoring sections. In this case, it is possible to couple three or more fasteners with each other in a predetermined relative positional relationship using one fastener-locating member. Further, it is also possible to couple a

plurality of fasteners with each other at various crossing angles without limiting to the orthogonal layout. Furthermore, it is also possible to couple a large number of fasteners with each other in a variety of crossing layout using many kinds of fastener-locating members. In all the cases, it is possible to install, promptly and properly, a plurality of fasteners coupled with each other, on a plurality of guides disposed in a corresponding relative positional relationship.

Further, although not shown in drawings, it is also possible to integrally form the above various kinds of fastener-locating members on fasteners. In this case, a plurality of fasteners are integrally coupled with each other, for example, in a state as shown in Fig. 6, Fig. 12 or Fig. 15. The fastener having such a self-locating function as described above can be specified as follows. The fastener is characterized in that it comprises a strip- shaped base with a major surface and a plurality of engaging elements provided on the base, and adapted to integrally install the base and the plurality of engaging elements on a molded body by an insert-molding process using guides disposed within a mold of the molded body having a elongated groove capable of receiving the base and the plurality of engaging elements, wherein the base is divided into a plurality of base sections (corresponding to the fasteners 10, for example), each being equipped with the plurality of engaging elements, the fastener further comprising an engaging section (corresponding to the engaging sections 76,106 and 126 of the fastener-locating members 70,100 and 120 respectively, for example) integrally formed with the base sections, so that the engaging section couples the base sections in such a relative positional relationship that the base sections extend in mutually crossing directions, and is extensively provided so as to be able to engage the base sections with the guides, and wherein when the base sections and the engaging elements are inserted into the grooves of a plurality of guides disposed within the mold in a relative positional relationship identical to a relative positional relationship of the base sections, the engaging section is engaged with at least one guide so as to locate the base relative to the guides.

As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to locate fasteners accurately and promptly at proper positions relative to fastener-holding guides disposed within a mold of a molded body, at a preparation stage of an insert-molding process for integrally installing strip-shaped fasteners on the molded body. As a result, it is possible to cut the time required for the fastener installation work and to improve the productivity of articles having fasteners.