# US 2013/0278000 A1 · Device for securing trim to a seat > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0278000 A1 - Document ID: US20130278000A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/917,846 - Filed: 2013-06-14 - Published: 2013-10-24 - Earliest claimed: 2005-06-22 - Assignees: Automated Solutions, LLC - Applicants: Automated Solutions - Inventors: Raymond Ormachea; Robert Bailey - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130278000A1 ## CPC - B25J 15/0028: {with movable, e.g. pivoting gripping jaw surfaces} - B68G 7/05: Covering or enveloping cores of pads {(in plastics material using a matching die B29C63/025)} - Y10T 29/48: Upholstered article making - Y10T 29/481: Method - Y10T 29/53: Means to assemble or disassemble - Y10T 29/53961: with work-holder for assembly - Y10T 29/53991: Work gripper, anvil, or element - B25J: MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES ({manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery A61B34/70; manipulators used in cleaning hollow articles B08B9/04}; manipulators associated with rolling mills B21B39/20; manipulators associated with forging machines B21J13/10; {manipulators associated with picking-up and placing mechanisms B23P19/007}; means for holding wheels or parts thereof B60B30/00; {vehicles with ground-engaging propulsion means, e.g. walking members B62D57/02, B62D57/032; devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials between conveyors B65G47/90, B65G47/91; manipulators with gripping or holding means for transferring packages B65H67/065}; cranes B66C; {manipulators used in the protection or supervision of pipe-line installations F17D5/00; walking equipment adapted for nuclear steam-generators F22B37/006}; manipulators specially adapted for, or associated with, nuclear reactors G21C; {apparatus used for handling wafers during manufacture or treatment of semiconductor H10P72/50}) - B68G: METHODS, EQUIPMENT, OR MACHINES FOR USE IN UPHOLSTERING; UPHOLSTERY NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A seat assembly machine includes a plurality of grippers useful for securing a piece of trim to a seat cushion. In a disclosed example, each gripper includes a plurality of prongs that are moved between neutral, closed and released positions that each facilitate a different portion of the assembly process. In one example, each gripper includes a sleeve within which the prongs are moveable so that the prongs are manipulated between the neutral, closed and released positions. A disclosed example sleeve includes an interior channel having a contour that manipulates the prongs between the different positions based on the location of the prongs within the sleeve. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A gripper for use in a seat trim application process comprising: a first member disposed along an axis; a sleeve at least partially telescopically disposed in the first member and arranged to extend or retract relative to the first member in response to a desired position; a plurality of prongs retractably retained within the sleeve for gripping a component, wherein at least one spring biases at least one end of the prongs toward one another when the prongs are in a neutral position such that the prongs are allowed to move relative to each other if the bias is overcome. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The gripper of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of prongs includes at least one chamfered surface adjacent the first end and facing another of the plurality of prongs. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The gripper of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of prongs has a first end disposed outside of the sleeve and a second end opposite the first end is disposed in the sleeve, wherein the second end of each of the plurality of prongs are biased apart by a biasing member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The gripper of claim 1, wherein the biasing member comprises two coil springs. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The gripper of claim 1, wherein a pivot member is positioned between the prongs such that biasing a second end of each of the plurality of prongs away from each other biases a first end of each of the plurality of prongs toward each other. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The gripper of claim 1, wherein each prong includes a recess disposed on the prong to provide a gripping surface for holding the component. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The gripper of claim 1, wherein movement of a rod, fixed to a carriage, relative to the sleeve causes corresponding movement of the plurality of prongs and the carriage. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The gripper of claim 1, wherein a control is associated with the gripper for manipulating a position of the prongs. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The gripper of claim 1, wherein the prongs are moveable between a closed position where the prongs are prevented from movement relative to each other by the sleeve, a released position where the prongs are separated from each other, and the neutral position where the prongs are biased toward each other and allowed to move relative to each other if the bias is overcome. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The gripper of claim 1, wherein a pneumatic actuator facilitates movement of the sleeve. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The gripper of claim 1, wherein the plurality of prongs are exactly two prongs. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The gripper of claim 1, wherein the component is a piece of seat trim. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The gripper of claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises a channel having a contour that controls whether the prongs are in the neutral, closed or released position based on a location of the prongs relative to the sleeve. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The gripper of claim 13, wherein the contour with a tapering portion. ### Claim 15 A gripper for use in a seat assembly machine comprising: a sleeve disposed along an axis; a first prong and a second prong retractably retained within a sleeve for gripping a component, wherein each of first prong and the second prong have a first end opposite a second end opposite, wherein the second end is disposed in the sleeve and biased apart by a biasing member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The gripper of claim 15, comprising at least one spring that biases at least one end of the prongs toward one another when the prongs are in the neutral position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The gripper of claim 15, wherein the sleeve comprises a channel having a contour that controls whether the prongs are in a neutral, closed or released position based on a location of the prongs relative to the sleeve. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The gripper of claim 15, wherein the prongs are moveable between a closed position where the prongs are prevented from movement relative to each other by the sleeve, a released position where the prongs are separated from each other, and a neutral position where the prongs are biased toward each other and allowed to move relative to each other if the bias is overcome. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The gripper of claim 18, wherein one end of the prongs is a first distance from an end of the sleeve when the prongs are in the neutral position; the one end of the prongs is a second, smaller distance from the end of the sleeve when the prongs are in the closed position; and the one end of the prongs is a third distance from the end of the sleeve when the prongs are in the released position, the third distance is greater than the first distance.