Member for engaging and connecting sheets, sheets having said member, molded article using said member and process for producing said molded article

Abstract

To provide a member for engaging and connecting sheets which is well suited for inserting sheets into a recess on the surface of a molded resin article such as a cushioning molded article for seats; a molded article covered with sheets by using the member for engaging and connecting sheets; and a process for producing the molded article. A member for engaging and connecting sheets, comprising a fixing portion which fixes sheets, an engaging portion and a linking portion which links the fixing portion and the engaging portion wherein a number of engaging elements are installed on outer surface of the engaging portion; sheets which is linked with the member; and a process for producing a molded article which comprises inserting sheets into a recess on the surface of a molded article, engaging the sheets with a fastener tape embedded at the bottom of the recess, covering the surface of the molded article with the sheets, and fixing the sheets thereto.

1 . A member for engaging and connecting sheets which comprises a fixing portion which fixes sheets, an engaging portion and a linking portion which links said fixing portion and said engaging portion wherein a number of engaging elements are installed on outer surface of said engaging portion.  
   
   
       2 . The member for engaging and connecting sheets according to  claim 1  wherein said member is composed of a synthetic resin.  
   
   
       3 . The member for engaging and connecting sheets according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein said engaging portion is arranged almost perpendicular to the axis of said fixing portion.  
   
   
       4 . The member for engaging and connecting sheets according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein the engaging elements of said engaging portion is constituted by integral molding of the fixing portion and the linking portion.  
   
   
       5 . The member for engaging and connecting sheets according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein the engaging elements of said engaging portion is installed on the outer surface of said engaging portion by means of adhesion or hot-melt bonding.  
   
   
       6 . The member for engaging and connecting sheets according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein the linking portion has a linear, curved or arc cross sectional shape.  
   
   
       7 . The member for engaging and connecting sheets according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein the fixing portion and the linking portion have each an almost linear cross sectional shape, and the engaging portion abuts almost perpendicular to the linking portion.  
   
   
       8 . Sheets with a member for engaging and connecting sheets characterized in that the member which comprises a fixing portion, an engaging portion and a linking portion which links said fixing portion and said engaging portion wherein the engaging elements are installed on outer surface of said engaging portion and ends of the sheets are fixed together by the fixing portion of said member.  
   
   
       9 . A molded article covered with sheets that are engaged and connected to a recess on said molded article, characterized in that a member for engaging and connecting sheets which comprises a fixing portion, an engaging portion and a linking portion which links said fixing portion and said engaging portion wherein a number of engaging elements are installed on outer surface of said engaging portion and ends of the sheets are fixed to each other by the fixing portion of said member, and said engaging elements of the engaging portion are engaged with engaging elements of a fastener tape which is fixedly embedded in the recess on said molded article.  
   
   
       10 . The molded article according to  claim 9  wherein said engaging elements of the member are loop-like engaging elements, the engaging elements of a fastener tape on the bottom of the recess are hook-like engaging elements, and the molded article is made of a foamed synthetic resin.  
   
   
       11 . A process for producing a molded article, comprising inserting sheets with a member for engaging and connecting sheets into a recess which is concavely provided on said molded article, engaging and connecting the sheets with the molded article, and covering the molded article therewith, wherein said member for engaging and connecting sheets comprises a fixing portion, an engaging portion and a linking portion which links said fixing portion and said engaging portion; a number of engaging elements are installed on outer surface of said engaging portion of said member; and ends of each of the sheets are fixed to each other by the fixing portion of said member.  
   
   
       12 . The process for producing a molded article according to  claim 11 , comprising fixedly embedding a fastener tape having a number of engaging elements on the bottom of the recess on the molded article, and engaging said engaging elements of the fastener tape with the engaging elements which are installed on outer surface of the engaging portion of said member for engaging and connecting the sheets.