Attaching Device for End of Spring

Abstract

There is disclosed an attaching device ( 6 ) for fixing an end portion ( 7 a ) of at least one spring ( 7 ) for supporting a cushion for a seat, to a seat frame of the seat, wherein the seat frame includes opposing seat frame sections, one of the opposing seat frame sections being formed from a round shaft ( 3 ), the at least one spring being stretched between the opposing seat frame sections, and the end portion of the at least one spring being formed substantially in a U-shape in outline. The attaching device ( 6 ) comprises a resin-made collar ( 6 a ) of a substantially reverse U-shape in cross-section adapted to be fitted over the round shaft ( 3 ) and a metal-made retainer ( 6 b ) including a body ( 60 ) having a geometry of similar figure with the collar and adapted to be fitted over the collar on the round shaft, and at least one pair of inner and outer spring engagement pieces ( 61, 62 ) provided at both edges of the body, the inner and outer spring engagement piece extending downward from the both edges of the body and bent laterally outwardly at lower ends thereof. A first axial region ( 71 ) and second axial region ( 72 ) of the substantially U-shaped end portion ( 7 a ) of the at least one spring ( 7 ) are adapted to be engaged with the inner spring engagement piece ( 61 ) and the outer spring engagement piece ( 62 ), respectively, whereby the end portion of the at least one spring is adapted to be fixed to the round shaft through the attaching device.

1 . An attaching device for fixing an end portion of at least one spring for supporting a cushion for a seat, to a seat frame of said seat, wherein said seat frame includes opposing seat frame sections, one of said opposing seat frame sections being formed from a round shaft, said at least one spring being stretched between said opposing seat frame sections, said end portion of said at least one spring being formed substantially in a U-shape in outline and including first and second spaced apart axial regions and an intermediate axial region interconnecting said first and second spaced apart axial regions, said attaching device comprising:
 a resin-made collar of a substantially U-shape in cross-section; and   a metal-made retainer including a body having a geometry of similar figure with said collar, and at least one pair of first and second spring engagement pieces provided at both edges of said body;   said first spring engagement piece extending downward from one of the both edges of said body and bent laterally outwardly at a lower end thereof for engaging with said first axial region of said at least one spring;   said second spring engagement piece extending downward from the other of the both edges of said body and bent laterally outwardly at a lower end thereof for engaging with said second axial region of said at least one spring;   said resin-made collar being adapted to be fitted over or mounted on said round shaft with an opening side thereof facing downward;   said body of said retainer being adapted to be fitted over or mounted on said collar on said round shaft with said first spring engagement piece being located inside said seat frame and with said second spring engagement piece being located outside said seat frame;   said first axial region and said second axial region of said at least one spring being adapted to be engaged with said first spring engagement piece and said second spring engagement piece, respectively;   said intermediate axial region of said at least one spring being adapted to be located under said round shaft;   whereby said end portion of said at least one spring is adapted to be fixed to said round shaft.   
     
     
         2 . An attaching device according to  claim 1 , wherein said first spring engagement piece is formed so as to have a length which allows said at least one spring to be stretched between said opposing frame sections at a reference height, said second spring engagement piece is formed so as to have a length relatively shorter than said first spring engagement piece, so that said end portion of said at least one spring is adapted to be fixed to said round shaft with said second axial region thereof being engaged with said second spring engagement piece at a position higher than a position where said first axial region is engaged with said first spring engagement piece, and with said intermediate axial region becoming oblique. 
     
     
         3 . An attaching device according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein a plurality of springs are stretched between said opposing frame sections so as to be spaced apart from one another, and said collar and said body of said retainer are formed longitudinally, said longitudinal body of said retainer having pairs of first and second spring engagement pieces provided at both edges of said longitudinal body, and said pairs of first and second spring engagement pieces corresponding in number to said springs. 
     
     
         4 . An attaching device according to any one of  claims 1  to  3 , wherein said collar has at least one elongated-protrusion rising up from a top surface thereof, and said body of said retainer has at least one through-hole that is formed in a top surface of said body and adapted to be engagedly fitted over said at least one elongated-protrusion when said body of said retainer is fitted over said collar on said round shaft. 
     
     
         5 . An attaching device according to any one of  claims 1 - 4 , wherein said collar has circumferential retaining-flanges provided around both ends thereof, both ends of said body of said retainer being adapted to be abutted against said circumferential retaining-flanges when said body of said retainer is fitted over said collar on said round shaft, whereby said body of said retainer is positioned relative to said collar by said circumferential retaining-flanges.