Method and apparatus for positioning fabric covers on a foam cushion

Abstract

The subject invention provides a method and assembly (10) for upholstering a foam cushion (16) with fabric (12, 14). A locator strip (10) accurately positions the fabric (12) upon the cushion (16). The locator strip includes an array of U-shaped pockets (30) along one edge which are separated by finger-like projections (32). A thin fracturable filament (40) is fixedly attached to the distal end (34) of the projections (32) to enclose the pockets (30). The locator strip (10) is sewn between the edges (18, 20) of two fabrics (12, 14) with thread (36) stitches passing through the pockets (30) and around the projections (32). The locator strip (10) functions to guide the edges (18, 20) of the two fabric covers (12, 14) into an elongated slot (22) in the cushion (16). After the fabric covers (12, 14) have been bonded to the cushion (16), the locator strip (10 ) is pulled against the stitches and the thin filament (40) breaks and bends around the stitches so that the entire locator strip (10) is removed from the two covers (12, 14) and the cushion (16) in one piece.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.