JP3973475B2

JP3973475B2 - Strip member support guide

Info

Publication number: JP3973475B2
Application number: JP2002105339A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 伸二鳥越
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Current assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Priority date: 2002-04-08
Filing date: 2002-04-08
Publication date: 2007-09-12
Anticipated expiration: 2022-04-08
Also published as: AU2003226001A1; WO2003086132A1; JP2003299507A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、帯状部材を支持するガイドに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
乗物用座席、事務用又は家庭用の椅子、マットレス等の、例えば発泡性樹脂材料の成形体からなるクッション性を有する芯材と、芯材の表面を被覆する布帛や皮革等からなる柔軟な被覆材とを備えた物品において、被覆材を芯材に固着するために、基部の一面すなわち主表面に複数の係合要素を配設した対面係合式のファスナー（いわゆる面ファスナー）を使用することは知られている。特に、座席や椅子等の物品では、使用者に高水準の安楽感を提供する事が望まれるので、被覆材を芯材に固着する固着手段として、被覆材の縫目等に沿って芯材表面に凹設した細長い溝に配置可能な可撓性を有した帯状のファスナーが利用される傾向にある（例えば特開平１１−１２７９１５号公報参照）。このような使用形態で、帯状ファスナーは、その基部が芯材に一体的に固定されるとともに、その係合要素群が、被覆材に設けられた繊維ループ等の相手方係合部に着脱可能に係合することにより、被覆材を芯材に固着する。
【０００３】
この種の帯状ファスナーを、係合要素群を露出させた状態で芯材表面の所望位置に固定的に設置するためには、成形主体である芯材の型内にファスナーをインサートとして配置し、芯材の成形と同時にファスナーを芯材に固定するインサート成形法を有利に適用できる。このインサート成形法においては、成形主体の型内に、帯状ファスナーを予め定めた姿勢に保持する伸長レール状のガイドが敷設される（例えば特開２０００−３１７９４５号公報参照）。ガイドは、帯状ファスナーの基部及び係合要素群を収容可能な伸長形の溝部を有し、ファスナーは、この溝部に係合要素群及び基部を挿入して、基部の裏面を露出した状態でガイドに据付けられる。
【０００４】
従来の典型的なガイドは、底壁部と、底壁部から突出する一対の側壁部とを有し、それら底壁部と両側壁部とによって、帯状ファスナーを収容する伸長形の溝部が形成される。溝部の長手方向両端には、成形主体の成形時に液状材料が溝部内に浸入しないようにするための封止部がそれぞれ設けられる。帯状ファスナーは、ガイドの両側壁部と両封止部との間の溝部内方部分に係合要素群を挿入するとともに、両側壁部及び両封止部の表面に基部の対応表面部分を密接させた状態で、溝部内に支持される。この状態で、型の成形キャビティに液状材料を注入して、成形主体を成形すれば、帯状ファスナーが成形主体の表面の所定位置に固定的に取付けられる。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
前述した従来の帯状ファスナーにおいては、係合要素群が発揮する相手方係合部との所望水準の固着力を確保するだけでなく、成形主体に対する基部の取付強度を十分に確保する必要がある。特に帯状ファスナーが、前述した座席や椅子等で被覆材を芯材に固着する固着手段として使用される形態を考慮すると、着座者の重心の頻繁かつ急激な移動により被覆材に張力が断続的に負荷されたり、交換等の目的で意図的に被覆材を芯材から剥がしたりするときに、ファスナーと芯材との相互連結部位の破壊を防止すべく、係合要素群が発揮する固着力よりも基部の取付強度の方が大きいことが要求される。
【０００６】
このような観点から、前述した従来の帯状ファスナーは、基部の裏面（主表面の反対側の面）に、インサート成形工程を経て成形主体に固定的に埋め込まれる埋込部を備えている。この構成では、成形主体は、基部の裏面に突設される埋込部を取り囲む形態に成形され、それにより、埋込部が成形主体に食い込んだ状態となって、帯状ファスナーが成形主体に固定的に連結される。しかし、成形主体へのファスナー取付強度を埋込部によって増大させる場合には、基部の外方へ突出する埋込部の表面積を十分に確保することが要求される。その結果、帯状ファスナー自体の材料費が上昇したり、ファスナー成形型の構造が複雑化してファスナー成形コストが増加したりする懸念が生じる。
【０００７】
したがって本発明の目的は、帯状部材を成形主体に一体的に取付けるために使用されるガイドにおいて、帯状部材自体の製造コストに影響を及ぼすことなく、成形主体への帯状部材の取付強度を可及的に向上させることができるガイドを提供することにある。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために、請求項１に記載の発明は、底壁部と、底壁部から突出する一対の側壁部と、底壁部と一対の側壁部とによって形成される伸長形の溝部とを具備し、溝部に、帯状の基部と基部の表面に形成される係合要素とを備えた帯状部材を脱着可能に収容して支持できるガイドにおいて、溝部は、帯状部材の基部を収容する外方の第１部分と、帯状部材の係合要素を収容する内方の第２部分とを備え、一対の側壁部の少なくとも一方は、溝部の第１部分をガイド側方へ局所的に開口させる少なくとも１つの切欠きを有することを特徴とするガイドを提供する。
【０００９】
請求項２に記載の発明は、請求項１に記載のガイドにおいて、切欠きが、一対の側壁部の双方に形成されて、溝部の横断方向へ対応する位置に配置されるガイドを提供する。
【００１１】
請求項３に記載の発明は、請求項１又は２に記載のガイドにおいて、帯状部材の基部が、長手方向へ略等間隔に配置される複数の空洞部を有し、切欠きが、溝部の第１部分に収容した基部の少なくとも１つの空洞部に合致する位置に形成されるガイドを提供する。
【００１２】
請求項４に記載の発明は、請求項３に記載のガイドにおいて、複数の切欠きが、溝部の長手方向に沿って、帯状部材の空洞部の間隔と実質的同一の間隔で配置されるガイドを提供する。
【００１３】
請求項５に記載の発明は、請求項４に記載のガイドにおいて、帯状部材を、複数の空洞部が複数の切欠きに合致する位置に保持する位置決め部を有するガイドを提供する。
【００１４】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、添付図面を参照して、本発明の実施の形態を詳細に説明する。全図面に渡り、対応する構成要素には共通の参照符号を付す。
図１は、本発明の一実施形態によるガイド１０を示す。また図２及び図３は、ガイド１０に支持される典型的帯状部材としての帯状ファスナー１２（以下、ファスナー１２と称する）を示す。ファスナー１２は、成形主体の立体的表面に追従可能な可撓性を有する対面係合式のファスナーであり、後述するように、帯状の基部１４と、基部１４の主表面１６に所定間隔で立設される複数の係合要素１８とを備える。なお、本発明に係るガイドは、図示のファスナー１２に限らず、他の構成のファスナーを含む種々の帯状部材に適用できるものである。
【００１５】
ガイド１０は、ファスナー１２を所望長さに渡って支持する直線レール状ブロック体であり、底壁部２０と、底壁部２０の長手方向へ延びる両縁に沿って底壁部２０から一体的に立設される一対の側壁部２２とを備える。これら底壁部２０及び一対の側壁部２２は、ファスナー１２を実質的に伸展した状態（つまり巻いたり折り畳んだりしない状態）でその基部１４及び複数の係合要素１８を収容可能な一条の伸長形の溝部２４を、ガイド１０の全長に渡って形成する。
【００１６】
ガイド１０の底壁部２０は、略平坦な矩形の外面２０ａと、長手方向両端領域で外面２０ａの反対側すなわち両側壁部２２の間に延設される一対の封止面２０ｂ、２０ｃと、各側壁部２２に隣接して外面２０ａに略平行にガイド１０の長手方向へ延設される一対の補助支持面２０ｄと、それら封止面２０ｂ、２０ｃ及び補助支持面２０ｄの内側で外面２０ａにさらに近い位置に延設される溝底面２０ｅとを有する。一対の側壁部２２は、ガイド１０の全長に渡って一様な間隔で互いに対向する略平坦な内面２２ａをそれぞれに有する。両側壁部２２の内面２２ａは、底壁部２０の封止面２０ｂ、２０ｃ及び補助支持面２０ｄに略直交して延設される。
【００１７】
底壁部２０の一方の封止面２０ｂは、外面２０ａに略平行に延びて、一対の補助支持面２０ｄに段差無く接続される。底壁部２０の他方の封止面２０ｃは、一対の補助支持面２０ｄに段差無く接続されるとともに、補助支持面２０ｄとの境界部位から底壁部２０の長手方向末端に向けて、外面２０ａから徐々に離れるように凹状に湾曲して延びる。溝部２４は、これら封止面２０ｂ、２０ｃ及び補助支持面２０ｄの上方で両側壁部２２の内面２２ａの間に画定され、ファスナー１２の基部１４を収容可能な外方の第１部分２４ａと、これら封止面２０ｂ、２０ｃ及び補助支持面２０ｄの下方で溝底面２０ｅの上に画定され、ファスナー１２の複数の係合要素１８を収容可能な内方の第２部分２４ｂとに、機能上で分割される。
【００１８】
両側壁部２２の内面２２ａの相互間隔（すなわち溝部２４の第１部分２４ａの横断方向寸法）は、支持対象物であるファスナー１２の基部１４の幅方向寸法と略同一に形成される。したがって、ガイド１０の溝部２４にファスナー１２を適正に収容したときに、各側壁部２２の内面２２ａは、溝部２４の第１部分２４ａに受容されたファスナー１２の基部１４の長手方向へ延びる側縁に実質的に密接する。また、底壁部２０の一対の封止面２０ｂ、２０ｃは、ファスナー１２の基部１４の長手方向両端近傍における主表面１６に実質的に密接する。このようにしてガイド１０は、ファスナー１２の複数の係合要素１８を溝部２４の第２部分２４ｂに収容するとともに、基部１４を溝部２４の第１部分２４ａに嵌め込んだ状態で、ファスナー１２を摩擦力により所定の姿勢に保持する。その結果、ガイド１０にファスナー１２を支持した状態で成形主体を成形する際に、溝部２４の第２部分２４ｂ内への液状材料の浸入が防止される。
【００１９】
本発明の特徴的構成として、ガイド１０は、一対の側壁部２２の双方に形成される複数の切欠き２６を有する。それら切欠き２６は、いずれも略同一の寸法及び形状を有し、両側壁部２２上で、溝部２４の横断方向へ互いに対応する位置に配置されるとともに、溝部２４の長手方向へ略等間隔に配置される。各切欠き２６は、各側壁部２２の上端縁から下端縁（すなわち底壁部２０の補助支持面２０ｄ）の僅かに上方の位置に至る範囲で、各側壁部２２を局部的に略矩形状に除去した部分に相当する。したがって、複数の切欠き２６は、各々の位置で、溝部２４の第１部分２４ａをガイド側方へ局所的に開口させるように作用する。
【００２０】
上記構成を有するガイド１０は、実質的直線形状を備えるものとして説明したが、これに限定されず、例えば乗物用座席の芯材にファスナー１２を固定する際に、芯材に被着される被覆材の三次元的に曲がって延びる縫目に沿ってファスナー１２を設置できるよう、多様な三次元的撓曲形状を備えることができる。この場合も、一対の側壁部２２の双方に、上記した複数の切欠き２６を所定配置で形成することができる。なお、ガイド１０は、例えばアルミニウム、アルミニウム合金、鉄等の金属棒状素材から切削加工等により一体的に作製できる。
【００２１】
ガイド１０に収容される典型的帯状部材としてのファスナー１２は、その帯状の基部１４が、長手方向へ互いに離間して整列配置される複数の箱状部２８と、それら箱状部２８を相互に一体的に連接する複数の連接部３０とを備えて構成される。各箱状部２８は、互いに略平行に延びる平坦な上板部分３２及び下板部分３４と、それら上下板部分３２、３４を互いに接続する一対の側板部分３６と、それら板部分３２、３４、３６の間で長手方向へ延びる仕切板部分３８とを備えた実質的中空構造を有する。仕切板部分３８は、基部１４の長手方向へ延びる中心線１４ａに沿って配置され、それにより各箱状部２８に、基部中心線１４ａに介して対称な一対の空洞部４０が形成される。したがって、基部１４の全長に渡って、複数の空洞部４０が、中心線１４ａに関し対称に配置されるとともに、長手方向へ略等間隔に分散配置される。
【００２２】
基部１４の主表面１６は、複数の箱状部２８の上板部分３２によって形成される。また、主表面１６の反対側に位置する基部１４の裏面４２は、複数の箱状部２８の下板部分３４と複数の連接部３０との協働によって形成される。複数の係合要素１８の各々は、各箱状部２８の上板部分３２から略直立状に突出する脚部４４と、脚部４４の先端近傍にて側方へ突設される複数の係合片４６とを備え、先端の係合片４６にて、係合相手部材の対応の係合要素に着脱自在に係合する。なお、長手方向両端の箱状部２８´には、係合要素１８が形成されない。
【００２３】
各箱状部２８の下板部分３４には、その長手方向略中央に、横断方向へ延びるスリット４８が形成される。さらに下板部分３４には、スリット４８を横切って長手方向へ延びる１本のリブ５０が、基部１４の全体に渡り中心線１４ａに沿って裏面４２上に突設される。リブ５０には、各箱状部２８に対して２個ずつ、リブ５０に沿って延びる薄板状のポスト５２が、裏面４２に対し直立状に立設される。各ポスト５２の先端には、裏面４２に対し略平行に延びる薄板状のアンカー５４が形成される。これら複数のポスト５２及びアンカー５４は、後述するインサート成形工程を経てファスナー１２を成形主体に固定的に取付けるための埋込部として機能する。
【００２４】
このような構成を有するファスナー１２は、中空構造の各箱状部２８における応力分散作用により、基部１４を水平方向すなわち主表面１６及び裏面４２に略平行な方向へ全体として比較的容易に撓曲することができる。また、薄肉の各連接部３０の蝶番作用により、基部１４を鉛直方向すなわち主表面１６及び裏面４２に略直交する方向へ全体として比較的容易に撓曲することができる。このようにファスナー１２は、基部１４を水平方向及び鉛直方向のいずれにも容易に撓曲できるので、多様な立体的表面を有する物体の所望の表面部位に、基部１４を三次元的に正確に追従させて設置することができる。なお、好ましくはファスナー１２は、ナイロン、ポリプロピレン等の樹脂材料から一体的に形成される。
【００２５】
上記構成を有するファスナー１２に対し、ガイド１０は、各側壁部２２上で複数の切欠き２６を、溝部２４の長手方向に沿って、ファスナー基部１４が有する複数の空洞部４０の長手方向配置間隔と実質的同一の間隔に配置して備えている。したがって、前述したようにしてガイド１０の溝部２４にファスナー１２を適正に収容すると、図４及び図５に示すように、ファスナー基部１４の複数の空洞部４０は、両側壁部２２に形成した複数の切欠き２６にそれぞれ合致する位置に配置される。それにより、ファスナー基部１４の複数の空洞部４０が、ガイド側壁部２２の複数の切欠き２６を介してガイド側方へ開口する。また、この状態で、ファスナー基部１４の隣り合う箱状部２８の間の連接部３０及び対向する側板部分３６を含む領域は、ガイド１０の各側壁部２２上で隣り合う切欠き２６の間に残された突壁部分２２ｂに合致する位置に配置される。それにより、ファスナー基部１４における複数の箱状部２８の間の空隙Ｓ（図５（ｂ））が、ガイド側壁部２２の複数の突壁部分２２ｂによって液密状に包囲される。
【００２６】
ファスナー１２をガイド１０の溝部２４に上記した適正配置で収容できるようにするために、ガイド１０はさらに、底壁部２０の一方の封止面２０ｂに立設された位置決め部５６を有する。位置決め部５６は、ファスナー１２をガイド１０に装着する際に、ファスナー１２の基部１４に係合して、複数の空洞部４０が複数の切欠き２６に合致する上記した適正位置にファスナー１２を保持する。なお、ファスナー１２は、基部１４の長手方向両端のそれぞれに、箱状部２８´から長手方向外方へ延設されるフック部分５８を備える。それらフック部分５８は、ファスナー１２の中心点に関して点対称の形状を有し、いずれのフック部分５８をガイド１０の位置決め部５６に係合させたときにもファスナー１２を適正位置に位置決めできるようになっている。
【００２７】
図６は、上記構成を有するガイド１０を用いたインサート成形工程により、ファスナー１２を成形主体６０に一体的に取付けてなる物品６２を例示する。図示の例では、物品６２は乗物用座席を構成し、成形主体６０はポリウレタン等の発泡性樹脂材料からなる芯材を構成する。この構成では、複数のファスナー１２が、布帛や皮革等からなる被覆材６４を成形主体６０に固着する固着手段として機能する。各ファスナー１２は、被覆材６４の所望の縫目６４ａに沿う位置で成形主体６０の表面に凹設される細長い凹所６６に固定的に配置される。
【００２８】
インサート成形工程に際しては、成形主体６０の型（図示せず）内に、物品６２に装備すべきファスナー１２の個数に対応した個数のガイド１０が、成形主体６０の表面上でのそれらファスナー１２の配置に対応した配置で敷設される。各ガイド１０は、その溝部２４を型の空隙部に向けて、型の成形面にパテ、ボルト、磁石等の固定手段により固定される。各ファスナー１２は、複数の係合要素１８をガイド１０の溝部２４の第２部分２４ｂに挿入するとともに、基部１４の複数の箱状部２８をガイド１０の溝部２４の第１部分２４ａに嵌入して、対応のガイド１０に据付けられる。このとき、ガイド１０の位置決め部５６の作用により、ファスナー１２の基部１４に設けた複数の空洞部４０は、前述したように、ガイドの両側壁部２２に設けた複数の切欠き２６にそれぞれ合致する位置に配置される。また、ファスナー１０の基部裏面４２に形成した埋込部（複数のポスト５２及びアンカー５４）が、型の空隙部に露出して配置される。
【００２９】
この状態で、型の空隙部に成形主体６０の発泡性液状樹脂材料を供給する。この間、前述したようにファスナー１２の基部１４がガイド１０の底壁部２０の両封止面２０ｂ、２０ｃ及び両側壁部２２の内面２２ａに密接して、ガイド１０の溝部２４の第２部分２４ｂへの液状樹脂材料の浸入を阻止する。その一方で、ガイド１０の両側壁部２２に形成した複数の切欠き２６を介して、液状樹脂材料がファスナー基部１４の複数の空洞部４０に円滑に浸入する。ここで、ファスナー基部１４の複数の箱状部２８に設けたスリット４８により、液状樹脂材料が空洞部４０内に浸入する際の空気の排出が促進され、空洞部４０の全体が液状樹脂材料で迅速に充填される。その後、液状樹脂材料を発泡固化させて成形主体６０を成形すると、成形主体６０の表面には、型の空隙部内で各ガイド１０が占有していた空間に相当する位置に、それぞれ凹所６６が形成される。
【００３０】
図７は、ガイド１０を用いた上記インサート成形工程を経て成形された成形主体６０の、ファスナー取付箇所を拡大断面図で示す。成形主体６０の凹所６６内で、ファスナー１２は、主表面１６（箱状部２８の上板部分３２）を除く基部１４の実質的全体及び埋込部（複数のポスト５２及びアンカー５４）が成形主体６０に埋設され、それにより、複数の係合要素１８を凹所６６の内部空間に露出させた状態で成形主体６０に固定される。この状態でファスナー１２は、凹所６６内に露出する複数の係合要素１８が、被覆材６４の縫目６４ａの裏面に形成した例えば繊維ループ群からなる対応の係合要素６８に着脱可能に係合し、それにより、被覆材６４を成形主体６０の表面に固着する。
【００３１】
このように、ガイド１０を用いた上記インサート成形工程を経て、成形主体６０は、ファスナー１２の基部１４に設けた複数の空洞部４０の全体に入り込んで、複数の箱状部２８を実質的に取り囲む形態に成形される。それにより、それら箱状部２８の下板部分３４、側板部分３６及び仕切板部分３８（図３）が、複数のポスト５２及びアンカー５４と共に成形主体６０に食い込んで、成形主体６０に対する基部１４の取付強度を極めて効果的に増大させる。このような作用効果は、ファスナー１２の構造変更を伴わず、前述した特徴的構成を有するガイド１０を用いるだけで獲得できる。
【００３２】
したがって、ガイド１０によれば、例えばファスナー１２を上記した乗物用座席で被覆材固着手段として使用する場合に、着座者の重心の頻繁かつ急激な移動に伴い意図せず被覆材６４に加わる張力や、交換等の目的で意図的に被覆材６４に加わる張力の下で、ファスナー１２と成形主体６０との相互連結部位（基部１４の周囲の成形材料部分）の破壊を確実に防止することができ、以って、被覆材６４をファスナー１２から正確かつ安定的に脱離できるようになる。また、インサート成形工程後に成形主体６０を型から取り出すときに、ガイド１０の両側壁部２２に複数の切欠き２６を設けたことにより、ガイド１０からファスナー１２を一層円滑に脱離できるようになるので、ファスナー１２と成形主体６０との相互連結部位の破壊を回避しながら成形主体６０を型から安全に取り出せる利点がある。
【００３３】
なお、図４（ａ）及び（ｂ）に示すように、ファスナー１２をガイド１０に適正に装着した状態では、ファスナー基部１４の長手方向両端のフック部分５８が、ガイド１０の両封止面２０ｂ、２０ｃを越えて少なくとも部分的に外方へ突出するようになっている。このような構成によれば、上記したインサート成形後に、ファスナー１２の長手方向両端のフック部分５８が成形主体６０の凹所６６の隅部に食い込むので、特に凹所６６の破壊を効果的に防止することができる。こうした効果は、ガイド１０の特に湾曲封止面２０ｃ上に支持されたフック部分５８において、顕著となる。
【００３４】
以上、本発明の好適な実施形態を説明したが、本発明に係るガイドは、図示実施形態以外の様々な形態を有することができる。例えば、本発明の特徴的構成要件である切欠きは、ガイドに設けた一対の側壁部の少なくとも一方に少なくとも１つを形成することにより、インサート成形工程中に液状材料がその切欠きを介してファスナーの基部に一層広範囲に渡って接触することが期待され、以って成形主体に対する基部の取付強度を増大させる効果が奏される。このとき、ファスナーの基部が、長手方向へ略等間隔に配置される複数の空洞部を有する前述した構成であっても、切欠きを、溝部に収容した基部の少なくとも１つの空洞部に合致する位置に形成しておけば、その部分における基部の取付強度を局所的に増大させることができる。
【００３５】
【発明の効果】
以上の説明から明らかなように、本発明によれば、帯状部材を成形主体に一体的に取付けるために使用されるガイドであって、帯状部材自体の製造コストに影響を及ぼすことなく、成形主体への帯状部材の取付強度を可及的に向上させることができるガイドが提供される。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施形態によるガイドの（ａ）平面図、及び（ｂ）立面図である。
【図２】図１のガイドを適用できる典型的なファスナーをその主表面側から示す平面図である。
【図３】図２のファスナーを拡大して示す図で、（ａ）主表面側の平面図、（ｂ）立面図、及び（ｃ）裏面側の平面図である。
【図４】図１のガイドに図２のファスナーを装着した状態を示す（ａ）平面図、及び（ｂ）立面図である。
【図５】図４のガイド及びファスナーの図で、（ａ）線Ａ−Ａに沿った断面図、及び（ｂ）矢印Ｂで示す部分の拡大図である。
【図６】本発明を適用可能な乗物用座席の概略斜視図である。
【図７】図１のガイドを用いて作製した図６の乗物用座席におけるファスナー取付箇所を拡大して示す拡大断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１０…ガイド
１２…ファスナー
１４…基部
１８…係合要素
２０…底壁部
２２…側壁部
２４…溝部
２４ａ…第１部分
２４ｂ…第２部分
２６…切欠き
４０…空洞部
５６…位置決め部
６０…成形主体
６４…被覆材
６６…凹所[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a guide for supporting a belt-like member.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A cushioning core material made of, for example, a foamed resin material, such as a vehicle seat, office or home chair, mattress, etc., and a flexible covering made of fabric or leather covering the surface of the core material In an article provided with a material, in order to fix the covering material to the core material, it is possible to use a face-engagement type fastener (so-called surface fastener) in which a plurality of engagement elements are arranged on one surface of the base, that is, the main surface. Are known. In particular, in articles such as seats and chairs, it is desired to provide the user with a high level of comfort, so as a fixing means for fixing the covering material to the core material, the core material along the seam of the covering material, etc. There is a tendency to use a belt-like fastener having flexibility that can be disposed in an elongated groove recessed on the surface (see, for example, JP-A-11-127915). In such a form of use, the base of the belt-like fastener is integrally fixed to the core material, and the engagement element group can be attached to and detached from a mating engagement portion such as a fiber loop provided in the covering material. By engaging, the covering material is fixed to the core material.
[0003]
In order to fixedly install this type of band-shaped fastener in a desired position on the surface of the core material with the engaging element group exposed, the fastener is disposed as an insert in the mold of the core material that is the molding main body, The insert molding method in which the fastener is fixed to the core at the same time as the core is formed can be advantageously applied. In this insert molding method, an elongated rail-shaped guide for holding the belt-shaped fastener in a predetermined posture is laid in a mold mainly formed (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-317945). The guide has an elongated groove portion that can accommodate the base portion of the belt-like fastener and the engaging element group, and the fastener is inserted in the groove portion with the engaging element group and the base portion and the back surface of the base portion is exposed. Installed.
[0004]
Conventional typical guides have a bottom wall part and a pair of side wall parts protruding from the bottom wall part, and the bottom wall part and both side wall parts form an elongated groove part that accommodates a belt-like fastener. Is done. Sealing portions are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the groove portion so that the liquid material does not enter the groove portion when the molding body is molded. The band-shaped fastener inserts an engaging element group into the groove inward portion between both side wall portions of the guide and both sealing portions, and closely contacts the corresponding surface portion of the base to the surfaces of both side wall portions and both sealing portions. In this state, it is supported in the groove. In this state, by injecting a liquid material into the molding cavity of the mold and molding the molding body, the belt-like fastener is fixedly attached to a predetermined position on the surface of the molding body.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional belt-shaped fastener described above, it is necessary not only to secure a desired level of fixing force with the mating engagement portion exhibited by the engagement element group, but also to ensure sufficient attachment strength of the base to the molding body. In particular, when considering the form in which the belt-like fastener is used as an adhering means for adhering the covering material to the core material in the above-described seat or chair, the tension is intermittently applied to the covering material due to frequent and rapid movement of the seated person's center of gravity. When the covering material is intentionally peeled off from the core material for the purpose of being loaded or replaced, the fastening force exerted by the group of engaging elements is to prevent destruction of the interconnection part between the fastener and the core material. However, it is required that the mounting strength of the base is greater.
[0006]
From such a viewpoint, the above-described conventional belt-shaped fastener includes an embedded portion fixedly embedded in the molding main body through an insert molding process on the back surface (surface opposite to the main surface) of the base portion. In this configuration, the molding main body is molded in a form surrounding the embedding portion protruding from the back surface of the base portion, so that the embedding portion bites into the molding main body, and the belt-like fastener is fixed to the molding main body. Connected. However, when the strength of attaching the fastener to the molding body is increased by the embedded portion, it is required to secure a sufficient surface area of the embedded portion protruding outward from the base portion. As a result, there is a concern that the material cost of the belt-like fastener itself increases, or that the structure of the fastener mold becomes complicated and the fastener molding cost increases.
[0007]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a guide used for integrally attaching the band-shaped member to the molding main body, and as much as possible to increase the attachment strength of the band-shaped member to the molding main body without affecting the manufacturing cost of the band-shaped member itself. It is to provide a guide that can be improved.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is an elongated type formed by a bottom wall portion, a pair of side wall portions protruding from the bottom wall portion, and a bottom wall portion and a pair of side wall portions. A guide having a groove portion and a groove-like base member having a belt-like base portion and an engagement element formed on the surface of the base portion so as to be detachable and supported. The groove portion accommodates a base portion of the belt-like member. An outer first portion and an inner second portion that accommodates the engaging element of the belt-like member, and at least one of the pair of side wall portions locally extends the first portion of the groove portion toward the guide side. Provided is a guide having at least one notch for opening.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 2 provides the guide according to claim 1, wherein the notch is formed in both of the pair of side wall portions and is arranged at a position corresponding to the transverse direction of the groove portion.
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the guide according to the first or second aspect , the base portion of the belt-shaped member has a plurality of hollow portions arranged at substantially equal intervals in the longitudinal direction, and the notch is formed in the groove portion. A guide is provided that is formed at a location that matches at least one cavity of the base housed in the first portion.
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the guide according to the third aspect , the plurality of notches are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the groove portion at substantially the same interval as the interval between the hollow portions of the band-shaped member. I will provide a.
[0013]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the guide according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a guide having a positioning portion that holds the belt-like member at a position where the plurality of cavities coincide with the plurality of notches.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Corresponding components are denoted by common reference symbols throughout the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a guide 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. 2 and 3 show a belt-like fastener 12 (hereinafter referred to as fastener 12) as a typical belt-like member supported by the guide 10. FIG. The fastener 12 is a face-to-face engagement type fastener having flexibility capable of following the three-dimensional surface of the molding main body, and is erected at a predetermined interval on a belt-like base portion 14 and a main surface 16 of the base portion 14 as will be described later. A plurality of engaging elements 18. The guide according to the present invention is not limited to the illustrated fastener 12 but can be applied to various belt-like members including fasteners of other configurations.
[0015]
The guide 10 is a linear rail-like block body that supports the fastener 12 over a desired length, and is integrated with the bottom wall portion 20 and the bottom wall portion 20 along both edges extending in the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall portion 20. And a pair of side wall portions 22 erected. The bottom wall portion 20 and the pair of side wall portions 22 are a single elongated shape that can accommodate the base portion 14 and the plurality of engaging elements 18 in a state where the fastener 12 is substantially extended (that is, in a state where the fastener 12 is not wound or folded). The groove portion 24 is formed over the entire length of the guide 10.
[0016]
The bottom wall portion 20 of the guide 10 has a substantially flat rectangular outer surface 20a, and a pair of sealing surfaces 20b and 20c extending between opposite sides of the outer surface 20a in both longitudinal regions, that is, both side wall portions 22, A pair of auxiliary support surfaces 20d extending in the longitudinal direction of the guide 10 adjacent to each side wall portion 22 and substantially parallel to the outer surface 20a, and on the outer surface 20a inside the sealing surfaces 20b and 20c and the auxiliary support surface 20d. Furthermore, it has the groove bottom face 20e extended in the near position. Each of the pair of side wall portions 22 has a substantially flat inner surface 22a facing each other at a uniform interval over the entire length of the guide 10. The inner surfaces 22a of the side wall portions 22 extend substantially orthogonal to the sealing surfaces 20b and 20c and the auxiliary support surface 20d of the bottom wall portion 20.
[0017]
One sealing surface 20b of the bottom wall portion 20 extends substantially parallel to the outer surface 20a and is connected to the pair of auxiliary support surfaces 20d without a step. The other sealing surface 20c of the bottom wall portion 20 is connected to the pair of auxiliary support surfaces 20d without a step, and the outer surface 20a from the boundary portion with the auxiliary support surface 20d toward the longitudinal end of the bottom wall portion 20. It is curved and extends in a concave shape so as to gradually move away from. The groove portion 24 is defined between the inner surfaces 22a of the side wall portions 22 above the sealing surfaces 20b and 20c and the auxiliary support surface 20d, and an outer first portion 24a capable of accommodating the base portion 14 of the fastener 12. Functionally into an inner second portion 24b defined below the sealing surfaces 20b, 20c and the auxiliary support surface 20d on the groove bottom surface 20e and capable of accommodating the plurality of engaging elements 18 of the fastener 12. Divided.
[0018]
The mutual space | interval (namely, the horizontal direction dimension of the 1st part 24a of the groove part 24) of the inner surface 22a of the both-sides wall part 22 is formed substantially the same as the width direction dimension of the base 14 of the fastener 12 which is a support object. Therefore, when the fastener 12 is properly accommodated in the groove portion 24 of the guide 10, the inner surface 22 a of each side wall portion 22 is a side edge extending in the longitudinal direction of the base portion 14 of the fastener 12 received in the first portion 24 a of the groove portion 24. Substantially close to. Further, the pair of sealing surfaces 20 b and 20 c of the bottom wall portion 20 are substantially in close contact with the main surface 16 in the vicinity of both longitudinal ends of the base portion 14 of the fastener 12. In this way, the guide 10 accommodates the plurality of engaging elements 18 of the fastener 12 in the second portion 24b of the groove portion 24, and the fastener 12 in a state where the base portion 14 is fitted into the first portion 24a of the groove portion 24. A predetermined posture is maintained by frictional force. As a result, the liquid material is prevented from entering the second portion 24b of the groove 24 when the molding body is molded with the fastener 10 supported by the guide 10.
[0019]
As a characteristic configuration of the present invention, the guide 10 has a plurality of notches 26 formed on both of the pair of side wall portions 22. The notches 26 have substantially the same size and shape, and are arranged on the both side wall portions 22 at positions corresponding to each other in the transverse direction of the groove portion 24 and at substantially equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the groove portion 24. Placed in. Each notch 26 has a substantially rectangular shape locally on each side wall portion 22 in a range from the upper end edge of each side wall portion 22 to a position slightly above the lower end edge (that is, the auxiliary support surface 20d of the bottom wall portion 20). This corresponds to the removed part. Therefore, the plurality of notches 26 act so as to locally open the first portion 24a of the groove 24 toward the guide side at each position.
[0020]
The guide 10 having the above-described configuration has been described as having a substantially linear shape, but is not limited thereto. For example, when the fastener 12 is fixed to the core material of the vehicle seat, the cover is attached to the core material. Various three-dimensional flexure shapes can be provided so that the fasteners 12 can be installed along the seams that bend and extend in three dimensions. Also in this case, the plurality of notches 26 described above can be formed in a predetermined arrangement on both the pair of side wall portions 22. Note that the guide 10 can be integrally manufactured by cutting or the like from a metal rod-shaped material such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, or iron.
[0021]
The fastener 12 as a typical belt-shaped member housed in the guide 10 includes a plurality of box-shaped portions 28 in which the band-shaped base portions 14 are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction, and the box-shaped portions 28 are mutually connected. And a plurality of connecting portions 30 that are integrally connected. Each box-shaped portion 28 includes a flat upper plate portion 32 and a lower plate portion 34 that extend substantially parallel to each other, a pair of side plate portions 36 that connect the upper and lower plate portions 32, 34 to each other, and the plate portions 32, 34, A substantially hollow structure with a partition portion 38 extending longitudinally between 36. The partition plate portion 38 is disposed along the center line 14a extending in the longitudinal direction of the base portion 14, whereby a pair of symmetric cavities 40 are formed in each box-like portion 28 via the base center line 14a. Therefore, the plurality of cavities 40 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line 14a over the entire length of the base portion 14, and are distributed at substantially equal intervals in the longitudinal direction.
[0022]
The main surface 16 of the base portion 14 is formed by the upper plate portions 32 of the plurality of box-shaped portions 28. Further, the back surface 42 of the base portion 14 located on the opposite side of the main surface 16 is formed by the cooperation of the lower plate portions 34 of the plurality of box-shaped portions 28 and the plurality of connecting portions 30. Each of the plurality of engagement elements 18 includes a leg portion 44 projecting substantially upright from the upper plate portion 32 of each box-shaped portion 28, and a plurality of engagement portions projecting laterally in the vicinity of the tip of the leg portion 44. And a mating piece 46, which is detachably engaged with a corresponding engagement element of the mating member at the engagement piece 46 at the tip. Note that the engagement elements 18 are not formed in the box-shaped portions 28 ′ at both ends in the longitudinal direction.
[0023]
In the lower plate portion 34 of each box-shaped portion 28, a slit 48 extending in the transverse direction is formed substantially at the center in the longitudinal direction. Further, a single rib 50 extending in the longitudinal direction across the slit 48 is provided on the lower plate portion 34 so as to protrude from the back surface 42 along the center line 14 a over the entire base portion 14. On the rib 50, two thin plate-like posts 52 extending along the rib 50 are erected upright with respect to the back surface 42, two for each box-shaped portion 28. A thin plate-like anchor 54 extending substantially parallel to the back surface 42 is formed at the tip of each post 52. The plurality of posts 52 and anchors 54 function as an embedding part for fixing the fastener 12 to the molding main body through an insert molding process described later.
[0024]
The fastener 12 having such a configuration bends the base portion 14 relatively easily in the horizontal direction, that is, in a direction substantially parallel to the main surface 16 and the back surface 42 as a whole by the stress dispersion action in each box-shaped portion 28 having a hollow structure. can do. Further, the hinge portion of each thin connecting portion 30 allows the base portion 14 to be bent relatively easily as a whole in the vertical direction, that is, the direction substantially orthogonal to the main surface 16 and the back surface 42. Thus, the fastener 12 can easily bend the base portion 14 in both the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, so that the base portion 14 can be accurately and three-dimensionally provided on a desired surface portion of an object having various three-dimensional surfaces. It can be installed following. The fastener 12 is preferably formed integrally from a resin material such as nylon or polypropylene.
[0025]
With respect to the fastener 12 having the above-described configuration, the guide 10 includes a plurality of notches 26 on each side wall portion 22 along the longitudinal direction of the groove portion 24, and the longitudinal arrangement intervals of the plurality of cavity portions 40 included in the fastener base portion 14. Arranged at substantially the same interval. Therefore, when the fastener 12 is properly accommodated in the groove portion 24 of the guide 10 as described above, the plurality of hollow portions 40 of the fastener base portion 14 are formed on the side wall portions 22 as shown in FIGS. Are arranged at positions corresponding to the notches 26 respectively. Thereby, the plurality of hollow portions 40 of the fastener base portion 14 are opened to the guide side via the plurality of notches 26 of the guide side wall portion 22. Further, in this state, the region including the connecting portion 30 between the adjacent box-shaped portions 28 of the fastener base portion 14 and the opposing side plate portion 36 is located between the adjacent notches 26 on each side wall portion 22 of the guide 10. It is arranged at a position that matches the remaining protruding wall portion 22b. Accordingly, the gaps S (FIG. 5B) between the plurality of box-shaped portions 28 in the fastener base portion 14 are surrounded in a liquid-tight manner by the plurality of protruding wall portions 22b of the guide side wall portion 22.
[0026]
In order to allow the fastener 12 to be accommodated in the groove portion 24 of the guide 10 in the above-described proper arrangement, the guide 10 further includes a positioning portion 56 erected on one sealing surface 20b of the bottom wall portion 20. When the fastener 12 is mounted on the guide 10, the positioning portion 56 engages with the base portion 14 of the fastener 12, and holds the fastener 12 in the above-described proper position where the plurality of hollow portions 40 match the plurality of notches 26. To do. The fastener 12 includes hook portions 58 that extend outward in the longitudinal direction from the box-shaped portion 28 ′ at both longitudinal ends of the base portion 14. The hook portions 58 have a point-symmetric shape with respect to the center point of the fastener 12 so that the fastener 12 can be positioned at an appropriate position when any of the hook portions 58 is engaged with the positioning portion 56 of the guide 10. It has become.
[0027]
FIG. 6 illustrates an article 62 in which the fastener 12 is integrally attached to the molding body 60 by an insert molding process using the guide 10 having the above configuration. In the illustrated example, the article 62 constitutes a vehicle seat, and the molding body 60 constitutes a core made of a foamed resin material such as polyurethane. In this configuration, the plurality of fasteners 12 function as fixing means for fixing the covering material 64 made of fabric, leather, or the like to the molding body 60. Each fastener 12 is fixedly disposed in an elongated recess 66 that is recessed in the surface of the molding main body 60 at a position along a desired seam 64 a of the covering material 64.
[0028]
In the insert molding process, a number of guides 10 corresponding to the number of fasteners 12 to be mounted on the article 62 are placed in a mold (not shown) of the molding body 60 of the fasteners 12 on the surface of the molding body 60. It is laid in an arrangement corresponding to the arrangement. Each guide 10 is fixed to the molding surface of the mold by a fixing means such as a putty, a bolt, or a magnet with the groove 24 facing the gap of the mold. Each fastener 12 has a plurality of engaging elements 18 inserted into the second portion 24 b of the groove portion 24 of the guide 10, and a plurality of box-shaped portions 28 of the base portion 14 are fitted into the first portion 24 a of the groove portion 24 of the guide 10. And installed on the corresponding guide 10. At this time, due to the action of the positioning portion 56 of the guide 10, the plurality of hollow portions 40 provided in the base portion 14 of the fastener 12 respectively match the plurality of notches 26 provided in the side wall portions 22 of the guide as described above. It is arranged at the position to do. Further, the embedded portions (the plurality of posts 52 and the anchors 54) formed on the base back surface 42 of the fastener 10 are disposed so as to be exposed in the mold cavity.
[0029]
In this state, the foamable liquid resin material of the molding body 60 is supplied to the cavity of the mold. During this time, as described above, the base portion 14 of the fastener 12 is in close contact with both the sealing surfaces 20b and 20c of the bottom wall portion 20 of the guide 10 and the inner surfaces 22a of the side wall portions 22, and the second portion 24b of the groove portion 24 of the guide 10 is. Intrusion of liquid resin material into On the other hand, the liquid resin material smoothly enters the plurality of cavities 40 of the fastener base 14 through the plurality of notches 26 formed in the both side wall portions 22 of the guide 10. Here, the slits 48 provided in the plurality of box-shaped portions 28 of the fastener base portion 14 facilitate the discharge of air when the liquid resin material enters the cavity 40, and the entire cavity 40 is made of the liquid resin material. Fills quickly. Thereafter, when the molding main body 60 is molded by foaming and solidifying the liquid resin material, the recesses 66 are formed on the surface of the molding main body 60 at positions corresponding to the spaces occupied by the respective guides 10 in the gaps of the mold. It is formed.
[0030]
FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a fastener mounting location of the molding body 60 molded through the insert molding process using the guide 10. Within the recess 66 of the molding body 60, the fastener 12 has substantially the entire base portion 14 except the main surface 16 (the upper plate portion 32 of the box-shaped portion 28) and the embedded portion (the plurality of posts 52 and the anchor 54). The molding body 60 is embedded in the molding body 60, thereby fixing the plurality of engaging elements 18 to the molding body 60 in a state where the engagement elements 18 are exposed in the internal space of the recess 66. In this state, the fastener 12 has a plurality of engaging elements 18 exposed in the recesses 66 detachable from corresponding engaging elements 68 formed of, for example, a fiber loop group formed on the back surface of the seam 64 a of the covering material 64. Engage, thereby fixing the covering 64 to the surface of the molding body 60.
[0031]
In this way, through the insert molding process using the guide 10, the molding body 60 enters the entire plurality of hollow portions 40 provided in the base portion 14 of the fastener 12, thereby substantially forming the plurality of box-shaped portions 28. Molded into a surrounding form. Accordingly, the lower plate portion 34, the side plate portion 36, and the partition plate portion 38 (FIG. 3) of the box-shaped portion 28 bite into the molding main body 60 together with the plurality of posts 52 and the anchors 54, and the base 14 with respect to the molding main body 60 Increase mounting strength very effectively. Such an operational effect can be obtained only by using the guide 10 having the above-described characteristic configuration without changing the structure of the fastener 12.
[0032]
Therefore, according to the guide 10, for example, when the fastener 12 is used as a covering material fixing means in the above vehicle seat, the tension applied to the covering material 64 unintentionally due to frequent and rapid movement of the center of gravity of the seated person Under the tension applied intentionally to the covering material 64 for the purpose of replacement, it is possible to reliably prevent the breakage of the interconnecting portion (the molding material portion around the base portion 14) between the fastener 12 and the molding body 60. Thus, the covering material 64 can be accurately and stably detached from the fastener 12. Further, when the molding main body 60 is taken out from the mold after the insert molding process, the fasteners 12 can be more smoothly detached from the guide 10 by providing the plurality of notches 26 on the side wall portions 22 of the guide 10. Therefore, there is an advantage that the molding main body 60 can be safely taken out from the mold while avoiding the destruction of the interconnection part between the fastener 12 and the molding main body 60.
[0033]
4A and 4B, when the fastener 12 is properly attached to the guide 10, the hook portions 58 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the fastener base portion 14 are both sealing surfaces 20 b of the guide 10. , 20c at least partially projecting outward. According to such a configuration, the hook portions 58 at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the fastener 12 bite into the corners of the recesses 66 of the molding body 60 after the above-described insert molding, so that the destruction of the recesses 66 is particularly effectively prevented. can do. Such an effect becomes remarkable in the hook portion 58 supported on the curved sealing surface 20c of the guide 10 in particular.
[0034]
The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the guide according to the present invention can have various forms other than the illustrated embodiment. For example, the notch that is a characteristic component of the present invention is formed by forming at least one on at least one of the pair of side wall portions provided in the guide, so that the liquid material can pass through the notch during the insert molding process. It is expected to come into contact with the base portion of the fastener over a wider range, so that the effect of increasing the attachment strength of the base portion to the molding main body is exhibited. At this time, even if the base portion of the fastener has the above-described configuration having a plurality of cavities arranged at substantially equal intervals in the longitudinal direction, the notch matches the at least one cavity portion of the base portion accommodated in the groove portion. If it forms in a position, the attachment strength of the base in the part can be increased locally.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the guide is used for integrally attaching the strip member to the molding body, and does not affect the manufacturing cost of the strip member itself. There is provided a guide capable of improving the attachment strength of the belt-like member as much as possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1A is a plan view of a guide according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a typical fastener to which the guide of FIG. 1 can be applied from the main surface side.
3 is an enlarged view of the fastener of FIG. 2, (a) a plan view on the main surface side, (b) an elevation view, and (c) a plan view on the back surface side.
4A is a plan view and FIG. 4B is an elevational view showing a state where the fastener of FIG. 2 is attached to the guide of FIG.
5 is a view of the guide and fastener of FIG. 4, (a) a sectional view taken along line AA, and (b) an enlarged view of a portion indicated by arrow B. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle seat to which the present invention is applicable.
7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an enlarged fastener attachment location in the vehicle seat of FIG. 6 produced using the guide of FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Guide 12 ... Fastener 14 ... Base 18 ... Engagement element 20 ... Bottom wall part 22 ... Side wall part 24 ... Groove part 24a ... 1st part 24b ... 2nd part 26 ... Notch 40 ... Cavity part 56 ... Positioning part 60 ... Molding body 64 ... covering material 66 ... recess

Claims

A bottom wall, comprises a pair of side wall portions projecting from the bottom wall portion, and a groove extension type formed by the bottom wall portion and the pair of side wall portions, the groove portion, and the belt-shaped base In a guide capable of detachably receiving and supporting a belt-like member having an engagement element formed on the surface of the base,
The groove portion includes an outer first portion that accommodates the base portion of the belt-like member, and an inner second portion that accommodates the engagement element of the belt-like member,
At least one of the pair of side wall portions has at least one notch for locally opening the first portion of the groove portion toward the guide side ;
A featured guide.

The guide according to claim 1, wherein the notch is formed in both of the pair of side wall portions and is disposed at a position corresponding to a transverse direction of the groove portion.

The base of the band-shaped member has a plurality of cavities arranged at substantially equal intervals in the longitudinal direction, and the notch is at least one of the cavities accommodated in the first portion of the groove. Guide according to claim 1 or 2 is formed at a position that matches the.

The guide according to claim 3 , wherein the plurality of notches are arranged at substantially the same interval as the interval between the hollow portions of the band-shaped member along the longitudinal direction of the groove portion .

Wherein the belt-shaped member, said plurality of cavities is described in claim 4 that have a positioning portion for holding a position that matches-out the plurality of notches guides.