Cushion
A cushion body of a rubber-like elastic element having cushioning function in which engagement holes including a cave and a pit are formed. The cave is formed so that a horizontal head of a T-shaped clip is inserted into a space provided at the side of a bottom surface portion. The pit is formed so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the cave, and to be opened in the bottom surface portion, permitting a vertical shaft of the clip to be inserted thereinto. The clip is formed with a plastic material and T-shaped and has a plurality of engaging claws flared toward the root portion from an end part of the vertical shaft of the T-shaped portion. The clip is engaged with the engagement holes of the cushion body.
The present application is based on Japanese Patent Applications Nos. 2001-347165 and 2001-357004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a cushion provided on a door or a lid, and enabled to alleviate an impact force (or load) inputted to a door or a lid when such a door or a lid is closed. More particularly, this invention relates to an assembly type cushion consisting of two members, of which a cushion body is formed from a rubber member and which a clip portion constituting an engagement portion is formed from a plastic material having a predetermined stiffness so that the cushion excels in the mountability (or assemblability), and that the members of the cushion are prevented from dropping off therefrom after once assembled.
2. Related Art
As illustrated in, for example,
Meanwhile, when the cushion of such a configuration is mounted on a predetermined mounting member 190 (see
As for another example, a cushion described in JP-A-1-063838U is cited as a conventional cushion consisting of two members. This cushion consists of a cushion body made of a rubber material, and a clip portion formed from a plastic material. The connection between the cushion body and the clip portion is established by preliminarily fitting the clip portion, which is formed into a predetermined shape, into a mold, and injecting a predetermined rubber material into such a mold to thereby form the cushion body, and simultaneously performing integration between the clip portion and the cushion body.
Meanwhile, in the case of the conventional cushion, the clip portion formed from the plastic material, and the cushion body formed from the rubber material are not chemically connected to each other. Further, in order to perform insert molding for the clip portion, it is necessary to set it onto the mold, keeping a desired positional accuracy. Such the operation requires precise works of setting the clip as well as a complicated mold configuration. Therefore, cost reduction cannot be obtained. Moreover, in terms of forming materials, it is necessary to use expensive heat-resistant resins which are not undergone heat deformations at the time of vulcanization of the rubber material. Thus it is also disadvantageous in cost that inexpensive general-purpose resins are not applicable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONTo solve the aforementioned problems, an object of the invention is to provide a cushion that excels in mountability and that is prevented from easily dropping off after once mounted. More specifically, in the invention, there is provided a cushion that consists of two members, of which a cushion body and a clip portion are firmly connected to each other, and that is enabled to establish such connection therebetween by performing a relatively easy operation. Further there is provided a cushion that excels in mountability and that is prevented from easily dropping off after once mounted by providing an internal-space groove in the insertion portion of the engagement portion.
(1) The invention provides the following means (hereunder referred to as a first cushion of the invention), which has a cushion body serving as stopper and also has a clip that is attached to the cushion body and adapted to contribute to the mounting of the cushion to a mounting member. In the first cushion, the clip comprises a horizontal head and a vertical shaft provided so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal head. The vertical shaft is adapted to have an engagement portion to be engaged with the mounting member. On the other hand, the cushion body is formed so as to perform a cushioning function, and as to have a cave, which accommodates the horizontal head of the clip, and a pit that accommodates the vertical shaft of the clip. The cushion body further has a through hole formed so as to extend in a horizontal direction from an end of the cave. An elastic deformation portion is formed around the cave, the pit and the through hole. With such a configuration, according to the first cushion of the invention, the integration of the clip and the cushion body is achieved by performing a simple assembling operation. Further, in the case of the first cushion formed in this manner, the mounting thereof to the mounting member, such as a door panel, is easily performed. Moreover, after the cushion is once mounted therein, the engagement portion engages the mounting member, so that the cushion does not easily disengage therefrom.
(2) An embodiment (hereunder referred to as a second cushion of the invention) of the first cushion of the invention is described hereinbelow. The second cushion of the invention is similar in basic configuration to the first cushion of the invention. That is, the second cushion of the invention is configured so that the second cushion has constituent elements of the first cushion of the invention and that during a state in which an end part of the horizontal head of the clip is inserted into the pit, and in which the inserted end part of the horizontal head of the clip is led to the through hole formed in such a manner as to be opened in a side face part of the cushion body, the entire horizontal head of the clip is inserted into the cave and the vertical shaft is inserted into the pit by simultaneously and elastically deforming the elastic deformation portion of the cushion body thereby to perform the integration of the cushion body and the clip.
With such a configuration, according to the second cushion of the invention, the attachment of the clip to the cushion body is conducted by performing a simple snap operation. In the second cushion assembled in this manner, the clip and the cushion body are rigidly connected to each other. Further, in the case of the second cushion formed in this manner, the mounting thereof to the mounting member is easily performed, similarly as in the case of the first cushion of the invention. Moreover, after the cushion is once mounted therein, the engagement portion engages the mounting member, so that the cushion does not easily disengage therefrom.
(3) An embodiment (hereunder referred to as a third cushion of the invention) of the third cushion of the invention is described hereinbelow. The third cushion of the invention is similar in basic configuration to the first or second cushion of the invention. That is, the third cushion of the invention is configured so that the third cushion has constituent elements of the first or second cushion of the invention and that the horizontal head of the clip is shaped like a lampshade. With such a configuration, according to the third cushion of the invention, the attachment of the clip to the cushion body is achieved by performing a simple operation, similarly as in the case of the first or second cushion of the invention. Further, in the case of the third cushion integrated in this manner, the horizontal head of the clip, which portion composes the connection portion between the cushion body and the clip, is constituted by a lampshade-like element of a large area. Thus, both the clip and the cushion body are more rigidly connected to each other. Consequently, during the use of the third cushion of the invention, both the clip and the cushion body do not disengage from each other.
(4) An embodiment (hereunder referred to as a fourth cushion of the invention) of the first or second cushion of the invention is described hereinbelow. The fourth cushion of the invention is similar in basic configuration to the first or second cushion of the invention. That is, the fourth cushion of the invention is configured so that the fourth cushion has constituent elements of the first or second cushion of the invention and that the clip is T-shaped. With such a configuration, according to the fourth cushion of the invention, the attachment of the clip to the cushion body is achieved by performing a simple operation, similarly as in the case of the first or second cushion of the invention. Especially, the fourth cushion of the invention is configured so as to be T-shaped. Thus, the insertion of the horizontal head of the clip into the pit and cave provided in the cushion body is relatively easily performed. Consequently, the attachment of the clip to the cushion body is efficiently performed.
(5) An embodiment (hereunder referred to as a fifth cushion of the invention) of one of the first to fourth cushions of the invention is described hereinbelow. The fifth cushion of the invention is similar in basic configuration to the one of the first to fourth cushions of the invention. That is, the fifth cushion of the invention is configured so that a flange portion is provided at a lower part of the horizontal head of the clip and on the vertical shaft so as to project therefrom in a direction perpendicular to a direction of an axis of the cushion. With such a configuration, according to the fifth cushion of the invention, the integration of the cushion body and the clip, that is, the assembly thereof is smoothly performed, similarly as in the case of the one of the first to fourth cushions of the invention. Further, in addition, the fifth cushion of the invention is adapted so that the horizontal head and the flange portion, which are provided on the clip, hold a part provided around the elastic deformation portion so as to sandwich this part. Thus, the integration (or connection) between the clip and the cushion body is firmly held. Consequently, during the use of the fifth cushion of the invention, the cushion and the clip do not disengage from each other.
(6) According to the invention, the invention provides the following means (hereunder referred to as a sixth cushion of the invention), which has a cushion body serving as stopper and also has an engagement portion provided in such a way as to be continued to the cushion body and as to contribute to the mounting thereof onto amounting member. The sixth cushion comprises a connecting portion, formed in such a way as to be easily deformable, for connecting between the engagement portion and the cushion body. With such a configuration, according to the sixth cushion of the invention, when the engagement portion is mounted in the mounting hole of the mounting member, in the case that a load acting in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the cushion, the connecting portion deforms, so that a side face part of the cushion body comes in contact around a mounting face of the mounting member.
Therefore, no more load (or force) is applied to the engagement portion. Consequently, the engagement portion is held in a state in which the engagement portion engages around the mounting hold of the mounting member. Thus, the engagement portion does not drop off the mounting member.
(7) An embodiment (hereunder referred to as a seventh cushion of the invention) of the seventh cushion of the invention is described hereinbelow. The seventh cushion of the invention is similar in basic configuration to the sixth cushion of the invention. That is, the seventh cushion of the invention is configured in such a way as to have constituent elements of the seventh cushion of the invention and as to impart a predetermined elastic resiliency to the plate-like connecting portion. With such a configuration, according to the seventh cushion of the invention, the entire engagement portion is reduced in diameter by the action of the internal-space groove, similarly as the engagement portion of the sixth cushion of the invention. Consequently, the mounting of the cushion in the mounting hole provided in the mounting member is simply performed. Further, after the cushion is once mounted therein, the connecting portion deforms, so that a part of the cushion body comes in contact with the mounting member, and that no more load for causing the engagement portion to drop off the mounting hole is applied to the engagement portion. Furthermore, during such a state, after the load acting in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the cushion body is eliminated, the cushion body is put back by the action of the resiliency to an original state, so that the cushion body performs a normal cushioning operation.
(8) Another embodiment (hereunder referred to as an eighth cushion of the invention) of the sixth cushion of the invention is described hereinbelow. This eighth embodiment is similar in basic configuration to the sixth cushion of the invention. That is, the eighth cushion of the invention is configured so that the eighth cushion has constituent elements of the sixth cushion of the invention and that an internal-space groove is provided in the engagement portion in such a way as to extend from a surface of the engagement portion, which faces the cushion body, in a direction parallel to a direction of an axis of the engagement portion. With such a configuration, according to the eighth cushion of the invention, the entire engagement portion is reduced in diameter by the action of the internal-space groove, similarly as the engagement portion of the sixth cushion of the invention. Consequently, an operation of mounting the cushion in the mounting hole provided in the mounting member can smoothly be performed. Further, after the cushion is once mounted therein, the engagement portion is put back to the initial state in which the engagement portion has a spread shape. Thus, the eighth cushion of the invention does not easily drop off from the mounting hole.
(9) An embodiment (hereunder referred to as a ninth cushion of the invention) of the eighth cushion of the invention is described hereinbelow. This ninth embodiment is similar in basic configuration to the eighth cushion of the invention. That is, the ninth cushion of the invention is configured so that the ninth cushion comprises constituent elements of the eighth cushion of the invention and further comprise a thin film portion formed in such a manner as to intersect a transversal section of the engagement portion and as to be perpendicular to the connecting portion. With such a configuration, according to the ninth cushion of the invention, when a load acting in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the engagement portion is applied to the cushion body, the thin film portion exerts the resiliency that acts in response to an occurrence of a deformation phenomenon in the connecting portion in such a way as to put back the connecting portion to an original state, so that the cushion body, in which what is called a falling phenomenon occurs, can be returned to an original state.
(10) An embodiment (hereunder referred to as a tenth cushion of the invention) of one of the sixth to ninth cushions of the invention is described hereinbelow. This tenth embodiment is similar in basic configuration to the one of the sixth to ninth cushions of the invention. That is, the tenth cushion of the invention is configured in such a way as to further comprise a fitting portion formed at a part of the engagement portion, which part faces the cushion body, in such a manner as to project toward the cushion body and as to be inserted into a mounting hole provided in the mounting member, and an engaging face portion provided on an outer circumferential part of the fitting portion and formed in such a way as to engage an outer circumferential portion of the mounting hole. With such a configuration, according to the tenth cushion of the invention, the entire engagement portion is reduced in diameter by the action of the internal-space groove, similarly as the engagement portion of one of the sixth to ninth cushions of the invention. Consequently, an operation of mounting the cushion in the mounting hole provided in the mounting member can smoothly be performed. Further, after the cushion is once mounted therein, the engaging face portion, which is formed in such a way as to have a predetermined contact area, keeps engaging around the mounting hole in response to, for instance, a load inputted in the direction perpendicular to the axis thereof. Thus, the engagement state of the engagement portion is reliably held. Consequently, the tenth cushion of the invention does not easily drop off from the mounting hole.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the invention is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. As shown in
Incidentally, the shape of the cushion body 1 is not limited to the frustum shown in
Next, the clip 2 mounted (or connected) in the engagement hole 15 of the cushion body 1 of such a configuration is described hereinbelow. Basically, this clip 2 is T-shaped and formed form a predetermined plastic material, as illustrated in
Further, the vertical shaft 22 is provided at the central part of the horizontal head 21 in such a way as to extend therefrom in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal head 21. Moreover, the root portion 221 thereof is adapted to be inserted into the pit 152 included in the engagement holes 15. Furthermore, a lampshade-like flange portion 23 is provided just under this root portion 221. The elastic holding portion 16 and the elastic deformation portion 17 provided around the pit 152 of the cushion body 1 are sandwiched by this flange portion 23 and the horizontal head 21. Furthermore, at a lower portion of the flange portion 23 of such a configuration, a plurality of engaging claws 25 formed in such a way as to flare from a lower part of the vertical shaft toward the con-shaped-hat-like flange portion 23 are provided, as illustrated in
Next, a procedure for performing the connection (or integration) between the plastic clip 2 of such a configuration and the cushion body 1 made of a rubber material is described with reference to
In such an operation of fitting the horizontal head 21 into the cave 151, the elastic deformation of the elastic deformation portion 17 formed around the engagement hole 15 is relatively easily performed because of the fact that the through cave 155 is provided in such a manner as to be continued to the cave 151 in the side face part of the cushion body 1. Thus, an operation of mounting the horizontal head 21 and the root portion 221 of the clip 2 in the engagement hole 15 of the cushion body 1 is smoothly performed. Then, after the portions 21 and 221 are once mounted therein, a part provided around the engagement hole 15 is put back to an original state by an elastic force of the material. Thus, as illustrated in
Next, an operation of this embodiment of such a configuration is described hereinbelow with reference to
According to the invention, a cushion is configured so that the clip comprises a horizontal head and a vertical shaft provided in such a way as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal head, that the clip is adapted to have a plurality of engaging claws formed at an end part of the vertical shaft in such a way as to flare toward the horizontal head therefrom, that on the other hand, the cushion body is formed in such a way as to perform a cushioning function, and as to have a cave, with which the horizontal head of the clip engages, and a pit, which accommodates the vertical shaft of the clip, that the cushion body further has a through hole formed in such a way as to extend in a horizontal direction from an end of the cave, and that an elastic deformation portion is formed around the cave, the pit and the through hole. With such a configuration, according to this cushion of the invention, the integration of the clip and the cushion body is achieved by performing a simple assembling operation. Further, the cushion formed in this manner can be easily mounted on the mounting member by shutting the engaging claws. Moreover, after the cushion is once mounted therein, the engaging claws engage the mounting member, so that the cushion does not easily disengage therefrom.
Further, according to the invention, when the clip is mounted in the engagement hole of the cushion body, the following procedure is performed. That is, an end part of the horizontal head of the clip is inserted into the pit, and the inserted end part of the horizontal head of the clip is led to the through hole formed in such a manner as to be opened in a side face part of the cushion body. During such a state, the entire horizontal head of the clip is inserted into the cave, and the root part of the vertical shaft is inserted into the pit by simultaneously and elastically deforming the elastic deformation portion of the cushion body thereby to perform integration of the cushion body and the clip. Thus, the attachment of the clip to the cushion body is conducted by performing a simple snap operation. Moreover, the clip and the cushion body are rigidly connected to each other. Furthermore, in the case of the cushion formed in this manner, the mounting thereof to the mounting member is easily performed. Further, after the cushion is once mounted therein, the engaging claws engage the mounting member, so that the cushion does not easily disengage therefrom.
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the invention is described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13. As shown in
In the cushion of such a basic configuration, the cushion body 101 is often shaped like a frustum. However, it is sometimes possible that the cushion body 101 is shaped like a column or a distorted quadrangular pyramid. Further, in the cushion body 101 of such a shape, a circumferential groove 115 is provided in the vicinity of the bottom surface portion 111 thereof, as illustrated in
Next, the engagement portion 102 provided in such a way as to be erected on the bottom surface part 111 of the cushion body 101 of such a configuration through the connecting portion 103 is described hereinbelow. As illustrated in
Further, a fitting portion 125 is provided on a side of this engagement portion 102 of such a configuration, which side faces the bottom surface part 111 of the cushion body 101, and formed (see
The connecting portion 103 for connecting between the cushion body 101 and the engagement portion 102, which are configured in such manners, is shaped like a plate. The transversal section of the connecting portion 103 is shaped like a rectangle, as illustrated in
Next, a procedure for mounting (or attaching) this second embodiment of such a configuration onto the mounting member 109, and an operation to be performed during the inputting of a load acting in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the cushion upon completion of mounting thereof are described hereinbelow. First, when this cushion is mounted thereon, the lead-in part 129 of the engagement portion 102 is inserted into the mounting hole 191. Moreover, the cushion body 101 of this cushion is pushed against the mounting member 109. Then, the cushion bends at a part of each of the internal-space grooves 121, that is, at the thin film portion 122, so that the entire engagement portion 102 is reduced in diameter. Thus, the lead-in part 129 is smoothly led into the mounting hole 191. Further, an outer circumferential part of the flange portion 112 is caused by the action of the circumferential groove 115, which is provided at an upper part of the flange portion 112, to upwardly bend against a pushing force exerted from an upper part of the cushion body 101. Consequently, the engagement portion 102 and the connecting portion 103 are pushed into the mounting hole 191 more deeply. As a result, the engagement portion 102 is relatively easily inserted into the mounting hole 191. Thus, this cushion is easily mounted on the mounting member 109. Further, after the cushion is once mounted (or attached) thereonto, the engaging face part 126 of the engagement portion 102 engages around the mounting hole 191 even when a load exerted in the direction perpendicular to the axis thereof or in an oblique direction acts upon the cushion body 101. This prevents this cushion from disengaging from the mounting hole 191.
A practical example of such an operation is described hereinbelow with reference to
Further, when the load (F) applied in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the cushion acts along the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion 103, as illustrated in
According to the second embodiment of the invention, there is provided a cushion that has a cushion body serving as stopper and also has an engagement portion provided in such a way as to be continued to the cushion body and as to contribute to the mounting thereof onto a mounting member. This cushion is provided with a connecting portion, which is formed entirely from a rubber-like elastic element in such a way as to be easily deformable, for connecting between the engagement portion and the cushion body. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the engagement portion is shaped like a frustum. Moreover, in the cushion of the invention, a plurality of internal-space grooves are provided in such a way as to be arranged in a direction of an axis of the engagement portion. With such a configuration, when the cushion of this invention is mounted onto the mounting member, the engagement portion is reduced in diameter by the action of the internal-space groove. Thus, an operation of mounting the cushion in the mounting hole provided in the mounting member can smoothly be performed. Further, after the cushion is once mounted therein, the connecting portion deforms in response to a load inputted in the direction perpendicular to the axis thereof, so that a side face part of the cushion body comes in contact around the mounting face of the mounting member. Thus, no more load (or force) is applied to the engagement portion. Consequently, the engagement portion is held in a state in which the engagement portion is engaged around the mounting hole of the mounting member. As a result, the cushion of the invention does not drop off from the mounting member.
Further, in the cushion of the invention, the connecting portion is shaped like a plate. Moreover, another embodiment of the invention is provided with a thin film portion formed in such a manner as to intersect a transversal section of the engagement portion and as to be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion. In the case of such the embodiment, the entire engagement portion can be reduced in diameter by elastically deforming the thin film portion. Consequently, the mounting of the cushion on the mounting member is easily performed. After the cushion is once mounted thereon, the thin film is caused by the extension resistance thereof to act in such a manner as to restrain the longitudinal wall portion formed around the internal-space groove from falling down. Thus, the entire engagement portion maintains a state in which the engagement portion engages around the mounting hole. Consequently, the engagement portion does not easily drop off in response to the load inputted in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the cushion.
Claims
1-5. (canceled)
6. A cushion comprising:
- a cushion body serving as stopper;
- an engagement portion formed continuously with said cushion body and adapted to be attached to a mounting member so that the cushion is mounted on the mounting member;
- a connecting portion connecting said engagement portion and said cushion body, said connecting portion being easily deformable.
7. A cushion according to claim 6, wherein said connecting portion is shaped like a plate, and wherein a predetermined elastic resiliency is imparted to said plate-like connecting portion.
8. A cushion according to claim 6, wherein an internal-space groove is provided in said engagement portion extending from a surface of said engagement portion, which faces said cushion body, in a direction parallel to an axis of said engagement portion.
9. A cushion according to claim 8, further comprising
- a thin film portion formed so as to intersect a transversal section of said engagement portion and as to be perpendicular to said connecting portion.
10. A cushion comprising:
- a cushion body serving as stopper; and
- a clip fitted to said cushion body and adapted to be attached to a mounting member so that the cushion is mounted on the mounting member, said clip including a horizontal head and a vertical shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to said horizontal head, said vertical shaft having an engagement portion to be engaged with said mounting member;
- wherein cushion body is formed so as to perform a cushioning function,
- wherein a cave for accommodating said horizontal head of said clip, a pit for accommodating said vertical shaft of said clip and a through hole extending in a horizontal direction from an end of said cave are formed in said cushion body,
- elastic deformation portions are formed around said cave, said pit and said through hole,
- a fitting portion formed on a part of said engagement portion, which is located on a side of said cushion body, so to project toward said cushion body and as to be inserted into a mounting hole provided in said mounting member; and
- an engaging face portion provided on an outer circumferential part of said fitting portion and formed for engaging an outer circumferential portion of said mounting hole.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 11, 2005
Publication Date: Jul 7, 2005
Inventors: Osamu Nakagaki (Nishikasugai-gun), Yasushi Ido (Nishikasugai-gun), Katsuya Hadano (Nishikasugai-gun)
Application Number: 11/032,200