Abstract: There is disclosed a padded element. In one embodiment, the padded element comprises a molded foam topper portion and a molded foam substrate portion secured with respect to the molded foam topper portion. The molded foam topper portion and the molded foam substrate portion have a different indentation force deflection at 25% thickness when measured pursuant to ASTM 3574-B1. In another embodiment, the padded element comprises a molded foam topper portion and a molded foam substrate portion secured with respect to the molded foam topper portion via an interference fit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a padded element. In one embodiment, the padded element comprises a molded foam topper portion and a molded foam substrate portion secured with respect to the molded foam topper portion. The molded foam topper portion and the molded foam substrate portion have a different indentation force deflection at 25% thickness when measured pursuant to ASTM 3574-B1. In another embodiment, the padded element comprises a molded foam topper portion and a molded foam substrate portion secured with respect to the molded foam topper portion via an interference fit.

Abstract: There is described a padded element comprising a foam substrate having disposed therein a first internal surface and a second internal surface opposed to the first internal surface, the first internal surface being interposed between an outer surface of the foam substrate and the second internal surface, at least one of the first internal surface and the second internal surface comprising a textured portion. In a highly preferred embodiment, the pair of internal surfaces disposed within the body of the foam substrate combine to form one or more cavities in the foam substrate (e.g., by the provision of one internal surface have a textured portion and the other internal surface being untextured). The provision of such a textured surface creates a contacting interface (either at rest or when an occupant sits on the seat) between below or remote from the A-surface of the foam element. This interface has different properties than the exposed surface of the seating element.

Abstract: This invention provides a single or multi-ganged clip that can be grouped into a festooned arrangement. Clips are grouped into a discrete assembly along a line of extension so that a handler can retrieve a grouping, separate one-clip-at-a-time, and apply the separated clip to an assembly structure. Each clip can include a base with opposing ends aligned in the direction of extension and transverse to an elongation direction for a connecting segment (if any) between ganged clip members. In one embodiment, these ends include opposing male and female connectors. The male connector is a cylinder with an axis extending transverse to the direction of elongation and the female connector defines a conforming cylindrical inner diameter, which allows it to nest over the male cylinder. An opening at the far edge of the female connector provides clearance for the base that connects the male cylinder to the clip member base end.

Abstract: A low-profile clip adapted to secure a listing bead to a foam substrate and is constructed from a material that affords resilience, durability, high resistance to a wide range of temperatures during field use and seat assembly and ease of bead installation with high pull-out strength. The clip includes a base and a pair of legs extending upwardly from the base to a top barb. In this embodiment, the legs each extend upwardly from the base at a first angle of approximately 80 to 85 degrees and therefrom to each of the respective barbs at a second angle, with respect to a plane parallel to the base of approximately 88 to 90 degrees. In this manner the clip exhibits high performance while defining an overall height from tops of the legs to a bottom of the base of approximately ten millimeters or less making the clip particularly desirable for use in modern, thinner foam substrates.

Abstract: This invention provides a single or multi-ganged clip that can be grouped into a festooned arrangement. That is, a plurality of clips are arranged together into a discrete assembly along a line of extension so that a human or automated handler can retrieve a grouping, separate one-clip-at-a-time from the grouping, and apply the separated clip to a mold cavity or other assembly structure. Each clip can include a base with opposing ends aligned in the direction of extension and transverse to an elongation direction for a connecting segment (if any) between ganged clip members. In an illustrative embodiment, these base ends include opposing male and female connectors. In this embodiment the male connector is a cylinder with an axis that extends transverse to the direction of elongation and the female connector defines a conforming cylindrical inner diameter, which allows it to nest over the male cylinder.

Abstract: This invention provides a low-profile clip adapted to secure a listing bead to a foam substrate. Such a low-profile clip employs a novel geometry and is constructed from a material that affords resilience, durability, high resistance to a wide range of temperatures during field use and seat assembly and ease of bead installation with high pull-out strength. In an illustrative embodiment, the clip includes a base and a pair of legs extending upwardly from the base and defining therebetween a central region constructed and arrangement to capture the listing bead. Each of the legs extends upwardly from the base to a top barb that defines a gap narrower than central region. In this embodiment, the legs each extend upwardly from the base at a first angle of approximately 80 to 85 degrees and therefrom to each of the respective barbs at a second angle, with respect to a plane parallel to the base of approximately 88 to 90 degrees.

Abstract: This invention provides a single or multi-ganged clip that can be grouped into a festooned arrangement. That is, a plurality of clips are arranged together into a discrete assembly along a line of extension so that a human or automated handler can retrieve a grouping, separate one-clip-at-a-time from the grouping, and apply the separated clip to a mold cavity or other assembly structure. Each clip can include a base with opposing ends aligned in the direction of extension and transverse to an elongation direction for a connecting segment (if any) between ganged clip members. In an illustrative embodiment, these base ends include opposing male and female connectors. In this embodiment the male connector is a cylinder with an axis that extends transverse to the direction of elongation and the female connector defines a conforming cylindrical inner diameter, which allows it to nest over the male cylinder.

Abstract: This invention provides a clip for joining tubular members that employs living hinges that are part of a unitary clip including jaws and a base spring. The jaws are joined by a center living hinge and each jaw is also joined along a surface opposite its gripping surface to a cantilevered end of the base spring by a side-mounted living hinge. When the clip jaws are in a fully open orientation, with the center hinge at a maximum distance away from the base spring, the user biases the central hinge toward the base spring. The base spring ends are thereby biased away from each other, and after the jaws rotate about their living hinges through a position of maximum spread in the base spring ends, the spring ends rebound, forcing the jaws downward toward the base spring, and into a fully closed orientation. The clip includes a base that can be an anchor that embeds in foam of an upholstery cushion, or can have an adhesive that allows it to be secured to a structure, in the case of a pipe or conduit clamp.