GB2328708A

GB2328708A - Attaching material to a seat

Info

Publication number: GB2328708A
Application number: GB9718057A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John White
Original assignee: LEEDUM Ltd
Current assignee: LEEDUM Ltd
Priority date: 1997-08-28
Filing date: 1997-08-28
Publication date: 1999-03-03
Anticipated expiration: 2017-08-28
Also published as: GB2328708B; GB9718057D0

Abstract

A method and apparatus for attaching material to a seat. A first preferred embodiment (fig 4) comprises a clip having an upper pair of arms 405,406 arranged to form an upper open loop and a lower pair of arms 401,402 arranged to form a lower open loop. The lower open loop is clipped onto a wire 203 embedded in a foam seat cushion. A retention rail 303 is clipped into the upper open loop. A second preferred embodiment (fig 7) comprises a rail 601 having one or more clip members 602, the clip members comprising a pair of arms 702,703 arrange to form an open loop. The rail 601 is preferably embedded in a foam seat cushion during manufacture of the cushion such that the clip members protrude partially out of the foam. A retention rail 303 is clipped into the clipping members. Covering material may be attached to the retention rail. Preferably, both embodiments are manufactured of rigid plastic having a degree of flexibility.

Description

ATTACHING MATERIAL TO A SEAT Fiefd of the Inventlon The present invention relates to attaching material to a seat, particularly, although not exclusively, to a vehicle seat.

Background to the Invention Various methods of covering seats with material are known. The covering material can be decorative and may also protect the seat undemeath from dirt or wear. A simple method of attaching a covering material to a seat may be simply sewing the material directly onto a part of the seat such as a cushion, or having a bag like case of covering material into which a cushion is placed. However, such methods may result in the covering material becoming loose from the seat. For certain kinds of seats, such as ones intended for drivers or passengers of moving vehicles, it may be preferable for the seat to have a permanently attached cover rather than a removable one. If vehicle seat covers were to become loose then this could cause discomfort for a seated person and could also be potentially dangerous. Vehicle seat covers thereby tend to be tightly permanently fitted to the seat during manufacture.

A widely used method of attaching a covering material to a vehicle seat involves embedding a length of wire in a foam cushion which forms part of the seat. Such wires are usually embedded fairly close to a surface of the seat to which the covering material is to be attached.

Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates a cross-section through a prior art foam vehicle seat cushion 101 having a metal wire 102 embedded near an upper surface of the seat. The wire 102 may be bent at each end in order to form anchorage rings 106 which help fix the wire in the foam. Sometimes a groove 104 may be present in the foam in order to expose part of the wire 102.

The wire 102 is shaped so as to follow the contours of the upper surface of the Plll.UK seat. Several such wires may be embedded at various points along the upper surface of the seat in order to attach the covering material.

An upright wire 103 is also embedded in a back of the foam seat 101, near a surface adjacent a back of a seated person. The upright wire 103 is also bent at its ends in order to form anchorage rings106. A groove 105 may sometimes be present in the foam in order to expose part of the wire 103. The upright wire 103 is bent into a shape which follows the contours of the surface of the back of the seat.

A known method of attaching a covering material to the vehicle seat involves attaching a length of durable material called a retention strip to the wires embedded in the foam. The covering material is then sewn onto the retention strip. Attaching the retention strip to the wires is usually carried out by using hog clips. Hog clips comprise circular steel circlips. The hog clips are punched through the retention strip and around the wire.

A problem associated with using hog clips is that they are often punched through the foam. This means that the foam cushion cannot be reused usually, as removing the cover can tear out the hog rings and damage the foam. A problem associated with the wire being embedded in the foam is that over a period of time the wire can contract or expand causing the foam to become wrinkled or deformed. The wire can also become loose in the foam. In an attempt to avoid this loosening, sometimes extra kinks are bent into the wire, which can be a time consuming process. From a safety point of view, having metal clips and wires embedded in a foam cushion which will be close to a person's body can be potentially dangerous in vehicle accidents.

During the manufacture of the cushion the wires are usually embedded in a foam cushion. The wire is usually held in position in a cushion mould by magnets. A foam substance is introduced into the mould and when a foam forming process is complete, the wire is embedded in the foam cushion. Such magnets can be expensive and arranging them to keep the wire in position during the manufacturing process can be difficult and time consuming.

Summary of the Invention One object of the present invention is to provide apparatus and method of attaching covering material to a seat which removes the need for hog clips which damage the foam cushion. The apparatus and method allow the covering material to be relatively easily detached from the seat if necessary but keeping the cover firmly attached to the seat during day-to-day usage. Having such a removable cover can mean that it may not be necessary to replace an entire seat if the cover is damaged.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means of replacing the wire as well as the hog dips which results in safer and faster attachment of material to a seat.

Amding to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a clip apparatus for attaching material to a seat, comprising: a first pair of arms arranged to form a first open loop; a second pair arms arranged to form a second open loop; and a connection portion connecting said first pair of arms to said second pair of arms.

The first open loop may be substantially circular and the second open loop may be substantially circular.

Preferably, the first open loop is substantially ovoid and the second open loop is substantially ovoid.

In a preferred embodiment the second pair of arms are substantially straight with one of the arms having a protrusion at an end near the connection portion to form the second open loop. The lower ends of the second pair of arms are angled, so as to allow easy slippage over anchorage wire embedded in the seat.

Preferably the first pair of arms are thickened for strength.

Preferably said first pair of arms and said second pair of arms are spaced apart by said connection portion. The connection portion may serve to hold the first pair of arms at a position spaced apart from an anchorage wire, near a surface of a foam cushion component of a vehicle seat.

Preferably the clip apparatus is manufactured of a material having rigidity and a degree of flexibility. The material is suitably a plastics material.

Thus, prior art metal circlips may be replaced by plastics clips which may be fitted retrospectively to an anchorage wire in a seat component. The plastics clips may have an advantage of being less dangerous than the prior art metal circlips in the event of a vehicle accident.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of attaching material to a seat, comprising the steps of: clipping a retention strip into a first open loop of a clip; and clipping a second open loop of the clip onto a seat.

Preferably the seat comprises a foam cushion embedded with one or more wires and the second open loop is attached to a wire.

Preferably the retention strip comprises a length of material and a flexible rod member arranged to fit within the first open loop.

Preferably the method comprises the step of attaching a covering material to said retention strip, preferably by sewing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a connection member for attaching material to a seat, comprising: a rail, and one or more dipping members attached to said rail, wherein said clips each comprise a pair of arms arranged to form an open loop.

Preferably, the clipping members are attached to the rail by means of a connecting portion. The connection portion may be substantially flat.

Preferably, the connecting portions extend outwardly from the rail member, each holding a pair of arms away from said rail member such that in uses, a retention strip may be secured to the rail member in substantially parallel and spaced apart relationship from the rail member.

The open loop may be substantially circular.

Preferably the open loop is substantially ovoid or elliptic.

Preferably the arms are thickened.

Preferably the connecting member is manufactured of rigid plastic material, which may have a degree of flexibility.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method attaching material to a seat, comprising the steps of attaching a rail to a seat, said rail having one or more clipping members attached thereto, wherein said clipping member comprises a pair of arms arranged to form an open loop; and attaching a retention strip to said dipping members.

Preferably the step of attaching the rail to the seat is performed during manufacture of the seat, eg by embedding the rail into the seat.

Preferably the seat comprises a foam cushion.

In a preferred embodiment the retention strip comprises a length of material and a flexible member arranged to fit within the open loop.

Preferably the method comprises the step of attaching a covering material to the retention strip, preferably by means of sewing.

Preferably the rail is shaped to follow a surface of the seat.

Preferably the clipping members protrude at least partially from the seat.

Preferably the clipping members extend into a groove in an outer surface of the seat.

The invention includes a vehicle seat having a clip apparatus according to the first aspect herein.

The invention includes a vehicle seat having material attached according to the method of the second aspect herein.

The invention includes a vehicle seat having a connecting member according to the third aspect herein.

The invention includes a vehicle seat having material attached according to the fourth aspect herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 2 illustrates a cross-sedion through a foam seat, including wires embedded in the foam; Fig. 3 illustrates apparatus for attaching covering material to the foam seat identified in Fig. 2 according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view through part of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view through a foam seat component accoding to a second specific embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 illustrates apparatus for attaching covering material to a foam seat in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view through part of Fig. 6.

Detailed Description of the Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention There will now be described by way of example the best mode contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. In the fotlowing descripuon numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without using these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

Fig. 2 herein illustrates a prior art foam cushion component of a vehicle seat, the foam cushion component having a seat portion 201, a backrest portion 202, and a plurality of elongate anchorage wires 203, 204 extending close to an upper surface of the seat portion 201 and close to a surface of backrest portion 202.

The anchorage wires 203, 204 are embedded during manufacture of the foam cushion in an upper surface of seat 201 of the foam cushion. Each wire 102 is bent at both its ends so as to form anchorage rings 205 which help fix the wire in the foam. The foam cushion can have a groove 206 into which the wire fits, and which exposes a length of the wire such that it is accessible.

Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings shows a first embodiment of the present invention and includes a detailed view of the seat area denoted by box 207 in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 shows a retention strip 302. The retention rail 302 comprises a length of strong fabric material, typically calico. The retention rail 302 may comprise a solid rod of flexible extruded PVC 303 of similar length to the fabric material 304. The fabric material 304 may be wrapped around the PVC rod 303. Overlapping lengths of the fabric material 304 may be attached together by stitching 305. The PVC rod 303 may have a quantity of adhesive applied to it in order to attach it to the retention material 304.

Two clips 301 attach the retention strip to the wire embedded in the foam cushion. A plurality of such clips 301 may be used for attaching a particular cover to a seat, depending upon the lengths of the wire and retention strips involved. A lower part of clip 301 may be clipped onto wire 203. The retention strip 302 is then clipped into an upper part of clip 301. The retention strip may be attached to a seat covering material, typically by sewing.

Fig. 4 of the accompanying diagrams illustrates a cross-sectional view through line A to A' in Fig. 3 after the clip 301 has been clipped onto wire 203 and retention strip 302. The clip 301 is preferably made by moulding plastic such as ABS, which is rigid but allows a degree of flexibility, especially in thinner sections of the moulded plastic.

The clip 301 comprises a pair of lower arms 401 and 402 and a pair of upper arms 405 and 406. The upper pair of arms and the lower pair of arms are connected together by a connecting portion 404 in the moulded plastic. The lower arms 401 and 402 extend downwards from the connecting portion 404.

The lower arms have a substantially straight outer edge. The lower arms are attached to connecting portion 404 by a rounded joint 407. A lower end 404 of lower arm 401 may be slanted at an angle of around 30 degrees from the vertical.

A lower end 405 of lower arm 402 may be sloped at an angle of around 30 degrees from the vertical in the opposite direction to lower end 404. The stopping lower ends of the lower arms are intended to help guide a wire between the inner surfaces of the two lower arms up to the rounded joint 406.

An upper inside edge of lower arm 402 may have a protrusion 403. The protrusion 403 may be a rounded triangular fin shape in order that a substantially circular open loop is formed by rounded joint 407 and a upper part of protrusion 403. The diameter of the loop formed may be substantially similar to the diameter of wire 203, with a gap 408 in a bottom section of the open loop between the inner edge of the lower arm 401 and protrusion 403. Gap 408 is capable of being widened to a size large enough to allow passage there through of wire 203 when the dip 401 is pressed down on the wire parting the lower arms.

The gap 408 is small enough to prevent wire 203 escaping through the gap unless a considerable upward force is exerted upon the clip 301 which temporarily widens the gap by parting the lower arms to allow the clip to be removed from the wire. The lower end of protrusion 403 may be rounded so as to help guide the wire 402 through gap 408.

Upper arms 405 and 406 extend upwards from the connecting portion 404.

The upper arms meet at the connecting portion 404 in a rounded upper joint 410.

Upper arm 405 is rounded and forms substantially a semicircle. Upper arm 406 is also rounded and forms substantially a semi-circle in the opposite direction to upper arm 405 so that a substantially circular open loop is formed by the two upper arms and upper rounded joint 410 with a gap 409 existing near the top of the circular upper open loop. It will be appreciated that the upper open loop could be elliptical or ovoid in shape rather than circular. The diameter of the upper open loop is preferably substantially similar to the diameter of the PVC rod 303.

The upper ends of upper arms 405 and 406 may be thickened in order to strengthen the arms. The thickened upper ends of upper arms 405 and 406 may be rounded in order to help guide PVC rod 303 through gap 409 when the PVC rod is pushed there through into the upper open loop of clip 301. The gap 409 is large enough in order to allow passage there through of the PVC rod 303 and the fabric material 304 wrapped around it when sufficient downward pressure is applied to the retention rail in order to part the upper arms 405 and 406 thereby widening the gap. The gap 409 is sufficiently small in order to prevent the PVC rod 303 escaping through the gap from the upper open loop formed by upper arms 405 and 406 unless sufficient upward force is applied to the retention strip which parts the upper arms thereby widening gap 409 to allow the retention strip to be removed. PVC rod 303 may also be inserted or removed from the upper open loop by inserting the PVC rod through the open loop from the side. The retention strip is preferably inserted into the upper open loop such that a length of the fabric material 304 protrudes through gap 409 to allow it to be attached to a seat covering material by substantially conventional means such as sewing.

Referring to Fig. 5 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown schematically a foam cushion component of a vehicle seat according to a second specific embodiment of the present invention. The foam cushion component 500 is provided with a connector member 501, the connector member comprising an elongate rail, the rail shaped to follow a surface contour of the foam cushion, the connector member comprising a plurality of clips, 502. The connection member is secured into the foam cushion component, such that rail 501 is embedded within the foam during manufacture, and the plurality of clips 502 face outwardly towards an outer surface of the foam cushion component.

Referring to Fig. 6 herein, there is illustrated in expanded cut-away view, a portion of the foam cushion component 500, as identified by dotted line 503 in Fig. 5 herein, A substantially flat rail 601 of moulded plastic, such as ABS is embedded within the foam cushion 500. The rail 601 comprises a number of substantially straight sections and a number of angled sections such that the rail 601 can generally follow the contours of the surface of the foam cushion. It will be appreciated that the rail 601 is merely an example of the shape which the second embodiment may have, in practice the rail could be moulded to suit a contour of any surface.

The rail 601 is shown having two moulded plastic clip members 602 positioned on its upper surface. It will be appreciated that a plurality of such clip members 602 oould be positioned at any desired positions on the rail 601. The rail 601 is moulded such that sections 606 of the rail near where clip members 602 are attached are thicker in order to improve the increased rigidity of the rail sections Plastic rail 601 is embedded within the foam seat cushion 500 during manufacture of the cushion. A rail 601 is held in position within a cushion mould, preferably using a wire attached to one or more clip members 602. A foam substance is introduced into the mould and when a foam forming process is complete the foam forms around the rail. The cushion formed preferably comprises wells 605 through which part of a clip member 602, of a length indicated by arrows 603, protrudes and a section of the clip member and plastic rall 601 indicated by arrows 604, are embedded within the foam.

A retention strip substantially identical to the retention strip 302 of Fig. 3 described above is also shown in Fig. 6. The PVC rod 303 of the retention strip 302 is intended to be clipped into clipping members 602 as described herein.

Fig. 7 of the accompanying drawings illustrates a cross-sectional view through line B to B' in Fig. 6 after the retention strip 302 has been clipped into clipping member 602. A clipping member 602 comprises a pair of arms 702 and 703 connected by a substantially flat connecting portion 701 to plastics rail 601.

Arms 702 and 703 extend upwards from the connecting portion 701. The arms meet at the connecting portion 701 at a rounded joint 704. Arm 702 is rounded and forms substantially a semi-circle. Arm 703 is also rounded and forms substantially a semi-circle in the opposite direction to arm 702 so that a substantially circular open loop is formed by the two arms and the rounded joint 704 with a gap 705 existing near the top of the circular open loop. It will be appreciated that the open loop could be elliptical or ovoid in shape rather than circular. The diameter of the open loop is preferably substantially similar to the diameter of PVC rod 303.

The upper ends of arms 702 and 703 may be thickened in order strengthen the arms. The thickened upper ends of the arms 702 and 703 may be rounded in order to help guide PVC rod 303 through gap 705 when the PVC rod is pushed there through into the clip member 602. The gap 705 is large enough in order to allow passage there through of the PVC rod 303 and the fabric material 304 wrapped around it when sufficient downward pressure is applied to the retention srrip in order to part the arms 702 and 703 thereby widening gap 705. The gap 705 is sufficiently small in order to prevent the PVC rod 303 escaping through the gap from the open loop formed by the arms 702 and 703 unless sufficient upward force is applied to the retention strip which parts the arms thereby widening gap 705 to allow the retention strip to be removed. PVC rod 303 may also be inserted or removed from the open loop by inserting the PVC rod through the open loop from the side. The retention strip is preferably inserted into the open loop such that a length of the retention material 304 protrudes through gap 705 to allow it to be attached to a seat covering material by substantially conventional means such as sewing.

By embedding a plastic connection member into the vehicle seat, there may be an advantage of lightweight as compared to the prior art wire arrangement.

Further, the plastics connecting member of the second embodiment herein replaces a prior art anchorage wire, thereby obtaining a safety advantage by removal of the prior art metal anchorage wire from the proximity of a person using the seat

Claims

Claims:

1. A clip apparatus for attaching material to a seat, comprising: a first pair of arms arranged to form a first open loop; a second pair of arms arranged to form a second open loop; and a connection portion connecting said first pair of arms and said second pair of arms.

2. A clip apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first open loop is substantially circular.

3. A clip apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first open loop is substantially ovoid.

4. A clip apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said second open loop is substantially circular.

5. A clip apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said second open loop is substantially ovoid.

6. A clip apparatus according to any one of preceding claims, wherein said second pair of arms are substantially straight with one of said second arms having a protrusion at an end near said connecting portion to form said second open loop.

7. A clip apparatus according to claim 6, wherein lower ends of said second pair of straight arms are angled.

8. A clip apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first pair of arms are thickened for strength.

9. A clip apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, manufactured of rigid plastic having a degree of flexibility.

10. A method of attaching material to a seat, comprising the steps of: dipping a retention strip into a first open loop of a clip; and dipping a second open loop of said clip onto a seat.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein said seat comprises a foam cushion embedded with one or more wires, and said second open loop is attached to a wire.

12. A method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said retention rail comprises a length of material and a flexible member arranged to fit within said first open loop.

13. A method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, comprising the step of attaching a covering material to said retention strip.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein said attaching of covering material to said retention strip is carried out by sewing.

15. A connecting member for attaching material to a seat, comprising: a rail; and one or more clipping members attached to said rail, wherein said clips each comprise a pair of arms arranged to form an open loop.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said clipping members are attached to said rail by means of a substantially flat connecting portion.

17. Apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, wherein said open loop is substantially circular.

18. Apparatus according to claims 15 or 16, wherein said open loop is substantially ovoid.

19. Apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein said arms are thickened.

20. Apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 19 manufactured of rigid plastics material.

21. A method of attaching material to seat, comprising the steps of: attaching a rail to a seat, said rail having one or more clipping members attached thereto, wherein said clipping members comprise a pair of arms arranged to form an open loop; and attaching a retention strip to said clipping members.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein said step of attaching said rail to said seat is performed during manufacture of said seat.

23. A method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein said seat comprises a foam cushion.

24. A method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein said retention strip comprises a length of material and a flexible member arranged to fit within said open loop.

25. A method according to any one of claims 21 to 24, comprising the step of attaching a covering material to said retention strip.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein said covering material is attached to said retention strip by means of sewing.

27. A method according to any one of claims 23 to 26, wherein said rail is shaped to follow a surface of said seat.

28. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 26, wherein said step of attaching said retention strip to said clipping members is achieved by inserting said retention strip through side of said open loop.

28. A method according to any one of claims 23 to 27, wherein said clipping members protrude at least partially from said seat.

29. A method according to claim 28, wherein said clipping members extend into a groove in an outer surface of said seat.

30. A vehicle seat having clipping apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

31. A vehicle seat manufactured by a method according to any one of claims 10 to 14.

32. A vehicle seat having a connecting member according to any one of claims 15 5 to 20.

33. A vehicle seat manufactured by a material according to any one of claims 21 to 28. Amenclments to the claims have been filled as follows Claims: 1. A connecting member for attaching material to a vehicle seat, comprising: a single moulded member forming: a rail; and one or more clipping members; wherein said clipping members each comprise a pair of arms arranged to form an open loop with a gap.

2. A connecting member according to claim 1, wherein said connecting member further comprises a substantially flat connecting portion attaching each said clipping member to said rail.

3. A connecting member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said open loop is substantially circular.

4. A connecting member according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said open loop is substantially ovoid.

5. A connecting member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said arms are thickened for strength.

6. A connecting member according to any one of claims 1 to 5 manufactured of rigid plastics material having a degree of flexibility.

7. A connecting member according to any one of the above claims wherein said rail is substantially flat.

8. A connecting member according to any one of the above claims, wherein said rail comprises a number of substantially straight sections and a number of angled sections.

9. A connecting member according to any one of the above claims, wherein said rail is moulded to generally follow contours of a surface of said seat.

10. A connecting member according to any one of the above claims, wherein sections of said rail near said clipping members are thickened.

11. A connecting member according to any one of the above claims, wherein upper ends of said arms are rounded.

12. A connecting member according to any one of the above claims, wherein said vehicle seat comprises a foam cushion.

13. A connecting member according to claim 12, wherein said rail is embedded within said foam.

14. A connecting member according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said clipping members protrude at least partially from said foam.

15. A connecting member according to claim 14, wherein said clipping members face outwardly towards an outer surface of said vehicle seat.

16. A vehicle seat having a connecting member according to any one of the above claims.

17. A connecting member for attaching material to a vehicle seat which allows said covering material to be relatively easily detached from said seat if necessary but keeping said covering material firmly attached to said seat during day to day usage.

18. A vehicle seat having a covering material which can be relatively easily detached from said seat if necessary but being firmly attached to said seat during day to day usage.

19. A method of attaching material to a vehicle seat, comprising the steps of: attaching a rail to a seat, said rail having one or more clipping members attached thereto, wherein said clipping members comprise a pair of arms arranged to form an open loop with a gap; and attaching a retention strip to said dipping members, said retention strip comprising a length of material and a flexible member arranged to fit within said open loop.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein said seat comprises a foam cushion.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein said step of attaching said rail to said seat is performed during forming of said foam.

22. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, comprising the step of attaching a covering material to said retention strip.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein said covering material is attached to said retention strip by means of sewing.

24. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein said rail is shaped to follow a surface of said seat.

25. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein said clipping members protrude at least partially from said seat.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein said clipping members extend into a groove in an outer surface of said seat.

27. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 26, wherein said step of attaching said retention strip to said clipping members is achieved by parting said arms.