US 4,757,854 AGranted

Apparatus for detachably fastening a stretchable fabric panel to a rigid frame

AssigneeBestop, Inc.

InventorGary R. Rippberger

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Abstract

This invention relates to an improved tongue and groove connector for detachably fastening a stretchable fabric panel to a rigid frame which is characterized by a tongue-forming element attached along a line intermediate the side edges thereof to the panel in face-to-face relation to the latter, the tongue being of a width substantially greater than the groove is deep so as to define an insertable portion to be seated in the groove and a projecting portion extending therebeyond which defines a handhold. The invention also encompasses the novel method of making the aforesaid connection which comprises grasping the handhold to stretch the fabric to a point where the leading edge of the insertable portion lies adjacent the entryway into the groove and thereafter releasing the hold upon the projecting portion of the strap thereby permitting the stretched fabric to pull the insertable portion into seated relation in the bottom of the groove.

In a fastener for detachably connecting a stretchable fabric cover to a rigid frame and which includes a groove-forming means attachable to the rigid frame and which has a first leg attached to the rigid frame and a second leg spaced from the first leg and attached thereto by a web to define a groove with a bottom and an entryway, the second leg having a front edge, the groove in said groove-forming means having a depth as measured between the front edge and the web considerably greater than its width as measured between the first and second legs opening in the direction which the fabric is stretched the improvement in combination therewith comprising:

a tongue-forming means comprising an elongate strap sized for edgewise insertion into the groove of said groove-forming means, said strap having a thickness adapted to effectively resist bending along a line extending in the direction of the length thereof, and said strap being of width substantially greater than the depth of said groove to define an insertable portion having a free edge, a trailing edge, and a projecting portion adjacent to said trailing edge, said projecting portion projecting beyond the entryway into the groove when the free edge of the insertable portion is seated in the bottom thereof;
and fabric-attaching means attaching the fabric cover to the strap, said attaching means being positioned at a location between said strap trailing and free edges, the fabric cover being folded around said trailing edge and attached to said strap by said attaching means so that the fabric cover forms two portions which are in face-to-face relation to one another with said projecting portion therebetween along an area extending lengthwise of the projecting portion trailing edge, said attaching means being located outside the entryway into the groove when said strap is positioned in the groove with said strap free edge abutting the web, said strap projecting portion defining a handhold for stretching the fabric cover to where the free edge of the strap insertable portion is in position for release into the entryway into the groove whereby stretching of the fabric cover and insertion of said strap into the groove are facilitated.

Abstract

Claims7