AU2011101106A4

AU2011101106A4 - A chair cover

Info

Publication number: AU2011101106A4
Application number: AU2011101106A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ingrid Cabret
Original assignee: Cabret Ingrid
Current assignee: Cabret Ingrid
Priority date: 2011-08-29
Filing date: 2011-08-29
Publication date: 2011-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 2019-08-29

Abstract

Abstract A cover (38) for a chair (20), the chair (20)comprising a generally horizontal raised seat (21)supported by at least three legs (29) and a seatback (30) which extends generally upwardly from one edge of the seat (21), the cover (38) having: a seatback portion (50) for covering at least a front surface (35) of the seatback (30), the seatback portion (50) having a mounting means for mounting to the seatback (30) in use; a seat portion (40) for covering at least an upper surface (22) of the seat (21), the seat portion (40) connected to seatback portion (50) and having a securing means (45) for securing to the seat (21) in use; and wherein the cover (38) is a made from a liquid impervious material.

Description

5 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 10 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION 15 INNOVATION PATENT A CHAIR COVER 20 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 1 Field of the Invention The present invention relates to chair cover. The invention has been developed primarily for use with dining chairs and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the 5 invention is not limited to this particular field of use and can be used for other types of chairs. Background of the Invention Dining chairs typically include a horizontal raised seat supported by four legs, and a seatback which extends generally upwardly from one edge of the seat. The chairs can be made from 10 any of a number of materials, such as wood, metal or plastics, or any combination thereof. In particular, the working surfaces of the chair, being the upper surface of the seat and the front and rear surfaces of the seatback, can be a highly polished surface of the material from which the chair is made or it can be covered by a luxury fabric such as leather, suede or cowhide. In some chairs, the rear surface of the seatback and even the legs can also be 15 covered with such luxury fabric. Dining chairs can thus be expensive and can cost hundreds of dollars each. With 4 to 10 dining chairs required for each dining set, this can represent a significant investment. One difficulty with dining chairs is that they are always exposed to soiling or damage, particularly in households which have children or during parties. The chairs surfaces can be 20 damaged when moving the chairs, scratched by utensils or other items, and soiling can occur from food or drinks being spilt thereon. This is particularly relevant for chairs with luxury covers which may stain easily. It is thus desirable to protect chair surfaces from such damage or soiling, particularly as damage to one chair may significantly reduce the value of the whole dining set. 2 It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. Summary of the Invention 5 It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative. According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a cover for a chair, the chair comprising a generally horizontal raised seat supported by at least three legs and a seatback 10 which extends generally upwardly from one edge of the seat, the cover having: a seatback portion for covering at least a front surface of the seatback, the seatback portion having a mounting means for mounting to the seatback in use; a seat portion for covering at least an upper surface of the seat, the seat portion connected to seatback portion and having a securing means for securing to the seat in 15 use; and wherein the cover is a made from a liquid impervious material. Advantageously, the chair cover can protect the main working surfaces of the chair, being the front surface of the seatback and the upper surface of the seat, which are most exposed to soiling or damage. As the cover is made from a liquid impervious material, the chair cover 20 will protect the chair from liquid and food spills and can be easily wiped clean. Preferably, the liquid impervious material is vinyl or plastics material. Advantageously, such material is attractive and can be easily cleaned as required. Preferably, the seatback portion comprises first and second panels for covering respective front and rear surfaces of the seatback. 3 Advantageously, this provides additional protection to the rear surface of the seatback from damage. Preferably, the first and second panels comprise top and side edges connected to each other, the mounting means comprising a space defined between the first and second panels 5 for receiving the seatback. Advantageously, this provides protection for the seatback with no gaps between the first and second panels which may allow soiling material through. Further, the space ensures easy and secure mounting of the seatback portion to the seatback. Preferably, the seatback portion comprises an open end adjacent a lower edge of the second 10 panel through which the seatback can be inserted in use to be located in said space. Advantageously, this simplifies mounting of the seatback portion onto the seatback. Preferably, the seat portion comprises a third panel for covering an upper surface of the seat, the seat portion having a rear edge connected to a lower edge of the first panel. Advantageously, this protects the seat upper surface and provides no gaps in its join with the 15 first panel. Preferably, a front edge and side edges of the third panel extend beyond corresponding edges of the seat for protecting front and side surfaces of the seat. Advantageously, this provides additional protection to further surfaces of the seat. Preferably, the securing means comprises straps extending from the seat portion, wherein 20 the straps are connectable to each other below the seat. Advantageously, this secures the chair cover to the seat in a simple manner and generally hidden from view. 4 The present invention also provides a cover for a chair, the chair comprising a generally horizontal raised seat supported by at least three legs and a seatback which extends generally upwardly from one edge of the seat, the cover having: a seatback portion comprising first and second panels for covering respective 5 front and rear surfaces of the seatback, the first and second panels having top and side edges connected to each other to define a space therebetween for receiving the seatback, the seatback portion having an open end adjacent a lower edge of the second panel through which the seatback can be inserted in use to be located in said space; 10 a seat portion comprising a third panel for covering an upper surface of the seat, the seat portion having a rear edge connected to a lower edge of the first panel; and a means for securing the chair cover to the chair in use. Advantageously, this provides a chair cover which covers most of the working surfaces of a chair. 15 In one embodiment, the cover is made from liquid impervious material. Advantageously, the chair cover will protect the chair from liquid and food spills and can be easily wiped clean. In another embodiment, the cover is made from a decorative fabric. Advantageously, this allows the appearance of a chair to be altered as desired. 20 Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. Brief Description of the Drawings Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 5 Fig, 1 is a perspective view of a dining chair; Fig. 2 is a side perspective view of a chair having a chair cover in accordance with a preferred embodiment mounted thereon; and Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the chair with the chair cover of Figure 2; and 5 Fig. 4 is a rear view of the chair with the chair cover of Figure 2. Detailed Desciption of Specific Embodiments Figure 1 shows a dining chair 20 which includes a horizontal raised seat 21 supported by four legs 29. The seat 21 includes an upper surface 22 which is generally in the shape of a trapezium having a longer front edge 23 generally parallel to a shorter rear edge 24. Side 10 edges 25 of the seat upper surface 22 then extend at an angle from ends of the front edge 23 to ends of the rear edge 24. The seat 21 also includes a front surface 26 and side surfaces 27 which extend downwardy from the upper surface front edge 23 and side edges 25, respectively. The chair 20 also includes a seatback 30 which extends generally vertically from the seat 15 rear edge 24. The seatback 30 includes a bottom edge 31 adjacent the seat rear edge 24, side edges 32, a top edge 33 and a central panel 34 which extends between these edges 31 to 33. The central panel 34 is curved between the side edges 32 to provide a substantially concave front surface 35 and a convex rear surface 36 of the seatback 30. Figures 2 to 4 show a chair cover 38 according to a preferred embodiment of the 20 present invention mounted on the dining chair 20. The chair cover 38 is configured to cover and protect most of the working surfaces of the chair 20. The chair cover 38 includes a seatback portion 50 and a seat portion 40. The seatback portion 50 includes a first panel 51 for covering the seatback front surface 35. The first panel 51 is similarly shaped as the seatback front surface 35 and includes a lower 6 edge 52, a top edge 53 and side edges 54. The first panel top edge 53 and side edges 54 extend beyond the respective seatback top edge 33 and side edges 32. The seatback portion 50 also includes a second panel 61 for covering the seatback rear surface 36. The second panel 61 is similarly shaped as the seatback rear surface 36 5 and includes a top edge 62, a lower edge 63, and side edges 64. The second panel top edge 62 and side edges 64 extend beyond the respective seatback top edge 33 and side edges 32, and are connected to the corresponding first panel top edge 53 and side edges 54. The second panel lower edge 63 is a free edge and is not connected to the first panel 51. The first and second panels 51 and 61 define therebetween a space (not shown) for 10 receiving the seatback 30, via an open end 66 defined adjacent the third panel lower edge 63. This allows the seatback portion 50 to be mounted to the seatback 30 in use. The second panel lower edge 63 extends down to a level lower than the lower edge 52 of the first panel 51. The second panel 61 can include a decorative design 67 thereon as desired. The seat portion 40 includes third panel 41 for covering the seat upper surface 22. The 15 third panel 41 is similarly shaped as the trapezoidal seat upper surface 22 and includes a front edge 42, side edges 43 and a rear edge 44. The front edge 42 and the side edges 43 of the third panel 41 extend beyond the respective seat side edges 25 and seat front edge 23. This is for providing cover protection to at least part of the seat side surfaces 27 and front surface 26. The rear edge 44 of the third panel 41 is connected to the first panel lower 20 edge 52. A securing means 45, in the form of straps, respectively extend from the side edges 43 adjacent the seat rear edge 24. These straps 45 are connectable to each other below the seat 21 for securing the chair cover 38 to the chair 20. The straps 45 are for example connectable to each other via hook and loop fasteners (e.g. VELCRO) or corresponding buttons as desired. 7 In mounting the chair cover 38 to the chair 20, the seatback 30 is firstly inserted into the space between the first and second panels 51 and 61 via the open end 66. This locates the first and second panels 51 and 61 to cover the seatback front and rear surfaces 35 and 36, respectively. The third panel 41 is then laid over the seat upper surface 22 to cover 5 same, and the straps 45 are connected to each other below the seat to secure the chair cover 38 to the chair 20. In the preferred embodiment, the chair cover is made from a liquid impervious material, such as vinyl or plastics material, which will allow same to be easily wiped clean and avoiding the need to machine wash the chair cover. Alternatively, the chair cover can be 10 made from other material as desired, including decorative fabrics, if it is desired to change the look of the chair for example. The chair cover is attractive and can be left on the chair for everyday use or it can be easily removed and mounted on the chair only when required. The decorative design 67 in the second panel 61 can be mounted thereon via any suitable method, such as by sewing, 15 screen-printing or embroidery. It can be seen that the present invention provides a chair cover which protects the working surfaces of a chair from food and beverages spilling thereon and damaging the chair fabric or upholstery. As there are no gaps in the join between top and side edges of the first and second panels, and in the join between the lower edge of the first panel and the third 20 panel, there are no holes through which dirt or liquid can seep through to damage the chair. Also, light weights can be inserted along the side and front edges of the third panel to keep same in position. 8 The chair cover can be made in various shapes and sizes to cover different chair shapes as required. For example, the chair covers can be modified for use with boardroom or office chairs for protecting same during functions or parties. 5 Interpretation Embodiments: Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the 10 phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. 15 Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed 20 invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific 9 Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant 5 to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. Different Instances of Objects As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", 10 "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. Specific Details In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is 15 understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. Terminology In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific 20 terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", 10 "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Comprising and Including In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the 5 context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an 10 open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising. Scope of Invention Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may 15 be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods 20 described within the scope of the present invention. Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. 11 Industrial Applicability It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the furniture and interior decoration industries. 12

Claims

1. A cover for a chair, the chair comprising a generally horizontal raised seat supported by at least three legs and a seatback which extends generally upwardly from one edge of 5 the seat, the cover having: a seatback portion for covering at least a front surface of the seatback, the seatback portion having a mounting means for mounting to the seatback in use; a seat portion for covering at least an upper surface of the seat, the seat portion connected to seatback portion and having a securing means for securing to the seat in 10 use; and wherein the cover is a made from a liquid impervious material.

2. The cover of claim 1 wherein the liquid impervious material is vinyl or plastics material.

3. The cover of claim 1 or 2 wherein the seatback portion comprises first and second panels for covering respective front and rear surfaces of the seatback. 15

4. The cover of claim 3 wherein the first and second panels comprise top and side edges connected to each other, the mounting means comprising a space defined between the first and second panels for receiving the seatback.

5. The cover of claim 4 wherein the seatback portion comprises an open end adjacent a lower edge of the second panel through which the seatback can be inserted in use to be 20 located in said space

6. The cover of any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein the seat portion comprises a third panel for covering an upper surface of the seat, the seat portion having a rear edge connected to a lower edge of the first panel.

7. The cover of claim 1 wherein a front edge and side edges of the third panel extend 25 beyond corresponding edges of the seat for protecting front and side surfaces of the seat.

8. The cover of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the securing means comprises straps extending from the seat portion, wherein the straps are connectable to each other below the seat.

9. A cover for a chair, the chair comprising a generally horizontal raised seat supported by 30 at least three legs and a seatback which extends generally upwardly from one edge of the seat, the cover having: 13 a seatback portion comprising first and second panels for covering respective front and rear surfaces of the seatback, the first and second panels having top and side edges connected to each other to define a space therebetween for receiving the seatback, the seatback portion having an open end adjacent a lower edge of the second panel 5 through which the seatback can be inserted in use to be located in said space; a seat portion comprising a third panel for covering an upper surface of the seat, the seat portion having a rear edge connected to a lower edge of the first panel; and a means for securing the chair cover to the chair in use.

10. The cover of claim 9 wherein the cover is made from liquid impervious material. 10

11. The cover of claim 9 wherein the cover is made from a decorative fabric. 14