CA1047176A - Steel framed upholstered structure - Google Patents
Steel framed upholstered structureInfo
- Publication number
- CA1047176A CA1047176A CA244,854A CA244854A CA1047176A CA 1047176 A CA1047176 A CA 1047176A CA 244854 A CA244854 A CA 244854A CA 1047176 A CA1047176 A CA 1047176A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- base
- frame
- upright frame
- upholstery
- seating structure
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C4/00—Foldable, collapsible or dismountable chairs
- A47C4/02—Dismountable chairs
- A47C4/028—Upholstered chairs, e.g. metal, plastic or wooden chairs
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C1/00—Chairs adapted for special purposes
- A47C1/02—Reclining or easy chairs
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C4/00—Foldable, collapsible or dismountable chairs
- A47C4/02—Dismountable chairs
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Dentistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Chair Legs, Seat Parts, And Backrests (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Seating furniture including a horizontal base, a back and arms with skeletal frames, each bounding a substantially vacant space a foundation envelope tensely encasing each said frame to provide a drum-taut diaphragm over the vacant space providing, in turn, support for upholstery thereafter located over the foundation envelope;
the foundation envelope and upholstery being secured to nailing strips provided on the respective skeletal frames below the upper level of the base.
Seating furniture including a horizontal base, a back and arms with skeletal frames, each bounding a substantially vacant space a foundation envelope tensely encasing each said frame to provide a drum-taut diaphragm over the vacant space providing, in turn, support for upholstery thereafter located over the foundation envelope;
the foundation envelope and upholstery being secured to nailing strips provided on the respective skeletal frames below the upper level of the base.
Description
~o47~76 This invention relates to upholstered seats, for example a chair, sofa, or like structure providing a facility for seating one or more persons~
A structure of this nature requires a sturdy frame which is durable and will retain its shape and also requires upholstery which is carefully fitted to the frame for the twin sakes of appearance and reasonably long life~ A further requirement of par~icular importance, especially in modern times, is that the structure and its respective parts be relatively simple to fabricate so that the necessary work can be carried out adequately by relatively unskilled workers;
the day of craftsmen in this industry being now virtually over~
Conventionally~ such seating structures have been manufactured heretofore with wood frames which gave rise to many problems. For example, problems arose in the production of wood frames; in ensuring that the wood used therein was properly seasoned, and that the various frame joints were adequate for their purposes. Wood frames-have a well-known tendency to warp or twist over the course of time, and the various frame members often split not only at the time of manufacture but, as well, in later use. Wood joints notoriously became loose, or even broken altogether, after a period of use~
--- particularly when the frame was subjected to rough usage or to major temperature and humidity variations~ A significant disadvantage of wood frames subsists in the fact that the upholstering thereof must be performed on a custom basis rather than on a production line and a still further disadvantage thereof is incidental to storage of the wood frames between the time of their manufacture and the time of use.
Modern attempts to overcome some of these disadvantages by substituting plastic for wood in certain applications have not only encountered major cost hurdles but ha~e also proven #1092 P/3 CA.
~61 473~7~
of dubious value for other reasons which ~re largely obvious but do not need to be de-tailed herein, in any event, In a conventional upholstered seating structure of the prior art~ the upholstery of the wood frame required the skillof a custom craftsman to produce a satisfactory finished product. Since such work is now largely carried out by relatively unskilled workers, rather than by the artisans of previous years, the finished result often leaves much to be desired and a comparatively high rejection ratio is the rule rather than the exception mainly because of unskilled and resultantly sloppy workmanship.
It is therefore a broad object of the invention to provide a mode of seat construction which permits employment of metal framing therein and largely prefabricated upholstery which can be nicely fitted onto the metal framing by relatively unskilled workers to produce a professional and highly workmanlike result.
~ n upholstered seating structure according to the invention, includes a horizontal base (sometimes called a bed) which is the actual seat support and at least one upright element projecting above the base which may be, for example, a back rest or an end (or side) of the structure; the base and the upright element having frames of metal skeletal construction which are connected together below the top of the base.
The upholstery for the seating structure is largely prefabricated so that it can be drawn over the frame of the upright element, at least, and tensed down~ardly over it.
Fastening means such as tacking strips are secured to the respective frames at strategic and ~obtrusive locations to permit fastening of the upholstery after it has been tensed #1092 P/3 C~ - 2 --~0~7~76 and positioned.
An important aspect of the invention subsists in the incorporation of preformed resilient padding in and as part of the upholstery. That is to say, this padding or cushioning may, in appropriate cases, be integrally shaped to give it any desirable contour which then becomes a contour of the finished seating structure after the upholstery is applied thereto.
Thus an upright member may be given a "boxy" appearance, for example, or a rounded or overstuffed appearance or the like as may be preferred.
Of course, this does not rule out the shaping of the metal frame to impart a preferred appearance to a particular part of the seating structure.
Needless to say, the upholstery mode visualized and described in relation to the upright element or elements is not necessarily applicable to all parts of the seating structure nor is it limiting in the sense that it eliminates, totally, the employment of more conventional techni~ues in other areas.
Thus, in broad and general summary, a seating structure according to the invention includes the described horizontal base frame which provides the seating facility and at least one upright frame disposed peripherally of the base frame and extending partially above it as a back rest or as an arm for the seating structure; spaced apart vertical standards or posts forming part of said upright frame and having lower ends by which they are integrally attached to the base frame, procuring mutual re-inforcement of the base frame and the ~pright frame. Paired posts also have upper ends integrally interconnected by a cross-piece above the base frame which~
together with the posts and cross-piece, bound a substantially #1092 P/3 CA - 3 -` ~047~L~6 vacant space.
A foundation hood encasing the upright frame above the base frame is tensed thereover forming a drum-taut diaphragm over the vacant space aforesaid capable of providing firm support for overlying upholstery.
Other, more or less conventional appurtenances of the described seat, such as the springing of the base, will also be required as will be well understood.
The embodiment of the present invention selected for the illustration purposes hereof is a sofa which ls described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 - is a perspective view~ partly broken away, of a sofa according to one embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 - is a perspective view showing the complete metal framing of the sofa;
Fig. 3 - is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 showing the structure of the sofa base and back rest at one end, without the arm;
Fig. 4 - is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 showing the constructions of the arm of the sofa;
Fig. ~ - is a perspective view of a prefabricated hood of resilient material providing padding for an arm of the sofa;
Fig. 6 - is an enlarged fragment of the front upper corner of an arm in perspective;
Fig. 7 - is a perspective view of an outer upholstery detail;
Fig. 8 - is an enlarged perspective view of a corner of the base frame, and Fig. 9 - is an exploded perspective view of the framing shown in Fig.2 partly broken away.
#1092 P/3 CA 4 1047~76 The sofa S of this embodiment consists of horizontal base B which is the actual seating facility; sofa ends E-E
and the back rest R; each consisting of upholstered framing to be described.
The exploded view of Fig. 9, particularly re~eals the framing F of the sofa S shown partially assembled in Fig. 1.
As will be apparent from this view, the sofa framing F
of Fig 2 is comprised of the base frarne 10 and three upright frames located around its periphery; serving, specifically, as the symmetrical end frames 12-12 at its ends and the back frame 14 at its back. As is also revealed by this view (and others) each leg frarne 12 is comprised of a pair of sub-frames L-L joined together in spaced apart relation by a plurality of strategicall~ disposed spacers 16.
Each said sub-frame L includes front and rear vertical posts 18-18 which serve as sofa legs; one (innermostl sub-frarne L of each end frame 12 being integrally attached to the base frarne 10 by the bottoms of the leg posts 18-18 thus procuring mutual reinforcement of said base and end frarnes 10 and 12 as well as providing feet for the structure.
Each said sub-frame L extends well above the base frarne 10 and the upper ends of its posts 18-18 are integrally joined by a cross-piece which ultimately serves as arm rest 20.
The base frarne 10 is, in its turn, also comprised of congruentsub-frames 30-30 disposed in vertically spaced and registering relation in which they are interconnected by and with said end frames 12-12. The registering side rails 32-32 of the congruent sub~frarnes 30-30 on each side of base frame 10 are interconnected by a U shaped thwart 34 which also spans and re-inforces the base frame 10 intermediately of its length.
Examination of the drawing will reveal that certain #1092 P/~A
~0~7~76 structural elements of the end frames 12-12 are integrated with the base frame 10 and are common to both.
It need hardly be pointed out that the incorporation of two sub-frames L-L in each end frame 12 is to impart some breadth to the latter which is, of course, variable to suit design requirements.
An example of the flexibility of this aspect of the invention is afforded by back frame 14 which consists only of a single member comprised of posts or standards 40-40 which are attached to and interconnect the side rails 32-32 of the congruent sub-frames 30-30 at the back of base frame 10 slightly inwardly of the respectively proximal end frames 12-12. The standards ~0-40 are joined at their tops by a cross-bar 42, and~ as well, again, by another cross-bar 43 slightly above the level of base frame 10.
Before turning to the upholstery of the sofa S, it is deemed worthy of note that the linear parts of the several frames and sub-frames described, being of metal~ can be pre-cut ; to reasonably precise lengths which, in turn, makes it eminently possible for these lengths to be assernbled and welded in jigs to produce the several frarnes; this facility being productive of collateral manufacturing advantages which need not be enumerated herein; being obvious in any event.
Indeed, with average skill only, it is reasonably possible for a worker to produce finished sofa framing elements which are accurately dimensioned within a to~erance as low as 1/8 of an inch.
Storage of the linear parts is not a major problem or inconvenience whether disassembled or partially assembled.
This order of accuracy makes a useful contribution to the upholstering procedure visualized.
#1092 P/3 C~ - 6 -:10~7~
In Figo 8 will be seen in fragmentary form a corner of the base frame 10 and the manner of its integration with a leg frame L. In additionS Figs. 8&9further reveal details of the installation of sinuous springs 44 forming spring fabric SF on the base frame lOo That is to say, each ~3ide rail 32 will be seen to be slotted at intervals as at 46 to receive clips 48 in which the spring ends 49 are accomodated; the clips 48 being clinched thereafter to retain the said spring ends 49.
Other expedients (not shown) familiar to the art may also be resorted to in order to prepare the spring fabric SF for upholstery of the base frame 10 which will now be described.
Preliminarily to the upholstering, facilities for fastening the upholstery to the base frame 10 are provided in the form of (wooden) tacking or nail-receiving strips ~0 secured to the lateral peripheries of said base frame 10 and~
for purpose which will later appear, similar strips ~0 are also provided at the specific ends of base frame 10 becoming a part thereofO Optionally, the spacing between each pair of sub-frames L-L may also be boarded as at 51.
Seat padding ~2 of resilient material with appropriate fabric lining is placed on the spring fabric SF. Said padding ~2 may be ~ashioned, for example, of resilient polyurethane foam laminated to a polypropylene backing; being dimensioned to overhang the sides and ends of the base 10 and being tensed over the spring fabric SF and tacked to strips ~0 at the base sides and ends.
Desirably an edging 54 is then placed on the front edge of base frame 10; the edging ~4 being preformed of resilient material and proportioned to overhang and cover the front strip ~0. An upholstery cover ~6 is then tensed over pad ~2 and edging ~4; the upholstery cover ~6 being doubled under edging #1092 P/3 C~ 7 ~1~47~7~
54 as shown and having overhanging margins which are unobtrusively secured to the proximal strips 50 with the fabric o~ cover 56 duly tensed of course and appropriately slitted wl~ere necessary to accomodate the frame parts.
While the foregoing procedures are specific to the present invention, occasional resort to additional expedients familiar to the prior art may also be required and is not completely ruled out in the upholstery of the base frame 10.
On the other hand, the upholstery of the upright elements e.g. the end frames 12-12 and the back frame 14 involves techniques which are particularly unique to the present inve~tion.
As has already been pointed out, the posts and cross-piece of each upright element bound a vacant space.
In the upholstering of the back frame 14, the first step is to draw thereover an envelope 60 of a fabric which has limited resilience and is fairly sturdy. Said envelope is pre-tailored to provide a drum-taut diaphragm 61 over the vacant space aforesaid since it is required and does, in effect, serve to provide firm back support for persons seated on Sofa S.
Thereafter another outer envelope 62, similarly preformed (of upholstery fabric) is drawn and tensed over the previously enveloped back frame 14 with its free edges 64 and 66 respectively fastened to strip 50 at the back of the base frame 10 substantially as will be obvious from Fi~ 3.
The upholstery of each end frame 12 (and, if desired, of back frame 14 as well) involves prefabrication not only of envelopes corresponding to those applied to the back frame 14 but also calls for a preformed hood 70 of thick, resilient, elastomer superficially contoured as desired.
Each said resilient arm hood 70 is hollow and open at its bottom permitting it to be drawn onto the end frame 12 over ~1092 P/3 C~ - 8 -~ :~;0473L76 which envelope 72 had been previously dra~rn; said envelope 72 providing essentially the same drum-taut result as is imparted to back frame 14 by its envelope 60.
The hood 70 which is next drawn over end frame 12 is shown herein in itssimplest "boxy" form Por the sa~e only of simplicity and clarity and wholly without limitation. Necessarily, the arm hood 70 is vested with appropriate resilience and thickness and has an interior cavity 73 which is contoured, proportioned and dimensioned to procure a snug fit of hood 70 over the pre~iously enveloped end frame 12; another envelope 74 of upholstery material being then drawn over the resilient arm hood 70 and secured to the proximal strip ~0 substantially as shown in the drawing and as will later be described in greater detail; said outer envelope 7~ being also provided with an interior cavity snugly accomoda-ting said end frame 12 and its previous investments.
It is conceivable that, according to design and other circumstances, the foundation envelope 72 and resilient hood 70 fitted over end frame 12 may or may not require to be fastened down. However9 fastening of the outer envelope 74 is mandatory and, for this purpose, it is made sufficiently long to provide tacking margins 7~ and 76.
That is to say~ assuming that the panel 77 of the outer envelope 74 is that disposed exteriorly of so~a S, it will extend well below the bottom of end frame 12 to permit its lower margin 75 to be wrapped around the bottom of that end fra~eand be drawn up for attachment to the nearest strip 50 at the same end of base frame lO, substantially as shown in Fig. ~ . Conversely, the interior panel 78 of outer envelop 74 extends well below the surface of sofa base B with its lower margin 76 reaching and being tacked to adjacent strip 50 as margin 75 of the exterior panel 77.
#1092 P/3 ~A 9 1047~L76 After upholstery as aforesaid, the base B and back rest R
of the sofa S may be equipped with cushions C of any appropriate type.
The foregoing description of the invention as applied to sofa S, seeks to make it apparent that the fabrication of a seating structure according to present mode consists largely of, what might be termed, mass production types of operations.
Firstly, the metal tubing to be used in the framing is cut to required lengths and appropriately shaped; these operations, at least, being semi-automatic in nature and devoid of those complexities which necessitate that they be carried out by skilled labor.
Sub-assemblies such as the sub-frames L and the congruent base sub-frames 30, being more or less flat, may be prefabricated and compactly stored for final assembly with other sub-assemblies.
The sub-assemblies and final assemblies of the framing are completed by simple welding --- preferably, in jigs which conduces to a sturdy and uniform result.
Tailoring of the upholstery may also follow well-known mass-production techniques in full reliance on the fact that they will certainly fit the framing for which they are designed.
Thereafter, gi~en t~e assembled framing and the prefabricated upholstery, the actual upholstery of a sofa frame F can be efficiently and professionally completed in, say, less than two hours.
Not only, therefore, does the invention provide a seating structure with a sturdy and durable frame as well as upholstering which is well-fitted and professional in appearance, but it further provides a mode of construction for a seating structure which, by lending itself to mass production techniques, is capable of producing a seating structure as aforesaid in minimum #1092 P~3 CA - 10 -7~76 time by minimally skilled workers and, hence, at correspondingly minimal labor costs.
Vario-~s modifications to the described embodiment~ within the scope of the invention, will be readily apparent to the man skilled in the art, the scope of the invention being set out in the appended claims.
#1092 P/3 CA ~ 11 -
A structure of this nature requires a sturdy frame which is durable and will retain its shape and also requires upholstery which is carefully fitted to the frame for the twin sakes of appearance and reasonably long life~ A further requirement of par~icular importance, especially in modern times, is that the structure and its respective parts be relatively simple to fabricate so that the necessary work can be carried out adequately by relatively unskilled workers;
the day of craftsmen in this industry being now virtually over~
Conventionally~ such seating structures have been manufactured heretofore with wood frames which gave rise to many problems. For example, problems arose in the production of wood frames; in ensuring that the wood used therein was properly seasoned, and that the various frame joints were adequate for their purposes. Wood frames-have a well-known tendency to warp or twist over the course of time, and the various frame members often split not only at the time of manufacture but, as well, in later use. Wood joints notoriously became loose, or even broken altogether, after a period of use~
--- particularly when the frame was subjected to rough usage or to major temperature and humidity variations~ A significant disadvantage of wood frames subsists in the fact that the upholstering thereof must be performed on a custom basis rather than on a production line and a still further disadvantage thereof is incidental to storage of the wood frames between the time of their manufacture and the time of use.
Modern attempts to overcome some of these disadvantages by substituting plastic for wood in certain applications have not only encountered major cost hurdles but ha~e also proven #1092 P/3 CA.
~61 473~7~
of dubious value for other reasons which ~re largely obvious but do not need to be de-tailed herein, in any event, In a conventional upholstered seating structure of the prior art~ the upholstery of the wood frame required the skillof a custom craftsman to produce a satisfactory finished product. Since such work is now largely carried out by relatively unskilled workers, rather than by the artisans of previous years, the finished result often leaves much to be desired and a comparatively high rejection ratio is the rule rather than the exception mainly because of unskilled and resultantly sloppy workmanship.
It is therefore a broad object of the invention to provide a mode of seat construction which permits employment of metal framing therein and largely prefabricated upholstery which can be nicely fitted onto the metal framing by relatively unskilled workers to produce a professional and highly workmanlike result.
~ n upholstered seating structure according to the invention, includes a horizontal base (sometimes called a bed) which is the actual seat support and at least one upright element projecting above the base which may be, for example, a back rest or an end (or side) of the structure; the base and the upright element having frames of metal skeletal construction which are connected together below the top of the base.
The upholstery for the seating structure is largely prefabricated so that it can be drawn over the frame of the upright element, at least, and tensed down~ardly over it.
Fastening means such as tacking strips are secured to the respective frames at strategic and ~obtrusive locations to permit fastening of the upholstery after it has been tensed #1092 P/3 C~ - 2 --~0~7~76 and positioned.
An important aspect of the invention subsists in the incorporation of preformed resilient padding in and as part of the upholstery. That is to say, this padding or cushioning may, in appropriate cases, be integrally shaped to give it any desirable contour which then becomes a contour of the finished seating structure after the upholstery is applied thereto.
Thus an upright member may be given a "boxy" appearance, for example, or a rounded or overstuffed appearance or the like as may be preferred.
Of course, this does not rule out the shaping of the metal frame to impart a preferred appearance to a particular part of the seating structure.
Needless to say, the upholstery mode visualized and described in relation to the upright element or elements is not necessarily applicable to all parts of the seating structure nor is it limiting in the sense that it eliminates, totally, the employment of more conventional techni~ues in other areas.
Thus, in broad and general summary, a seating structure according to the invention includes the described horizontal base frame which provides the seating facility and at least one upright frame disposed peripherally of the base frame and extending partially above it as a back rest or as an arm for the seating structure; spaced apart vertical standards or posts forming part of said upright frame and having lower ends by which they are integrally attached to the base frame, procuring mutual re-inforcement of the base frame and the ~pright frame. Paired posts also have upper ends integrally interconnected by a cross-piece above the base frame which~
together with the posts and cross-piece, bound a substantially #1092 P/3 CA - 3 -` ~047~L~6 vacant space.
A foundation hood encasing the upright frame above the base frame is tensed thereover forming a drum-taut diaphragm over the vacant space aforesaid capable of providing firm support for overlying upholstery.
Other, more or less conventional appurtenances of the described seat, such as the springing of the base, will also be required as will be well understood.
The embodiment of the present invention selected for the illustration purposes hereof is a sofa which ls described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 - is a perspective view~ partly broken away, of a sofa according to one embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 - is a perspective view showing the complete metal framing of the sofa;
Fig. 3 - is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 showing the structure of the sofa base and back rest at one end, without the arm;
Fig. 4 - is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 showing the constructions of the arm of the sofa;
Fig. ~ - is a perspective view of a prefabricated hood of resilient material providing padding for an arm of the sofa;
Fig. 6 - is an enlarged fragment of the front upper corner of an arm in perspective;
Fig. 7 - is a perspective view of an outer upholstery detail;
Fig. 8 - is an enlarged perspective view of a corner of the base frame, and Fig. 9 - is an exploded perspective view of the framing shown in Fig.2 partly broken away.
#1092 P/3 CA 4 1047~76 The sofa S of this embodiment consists of horizontal base B which is the actual seating facility; sofa ends E-E
and the back rest R; each consisting of upholstered framing to be described.
The exploded view of Fig. 9, particularly re~eals the framing F of the sofa S shown partially assembled in Fig. 1.
As will be apparent from this view, the sofa framing F
of Fig 2 is comprised of the base frarne 10 and three upright frames located around its periphery; serving, specifically, as the symmetrical end frames 12-12 at its ends and the back frame 14 at its back. As is also revealed by this view (and others) each leg frarne 12 is comprised of a pair of sub-frames L-L joined together in spaced apart relation by a plurality of strategicall~ disposed spacers 16.
Each said sub-frame L includes front and rear vertical posts 18-18 which serve as sofa legs; one (innermostl sub-frarne L of each end frame 12 being integrally attached to the base frarne 10 by the bottoms of the leg posts 18-18 thus procuring mutual reinforcement of said base and end frarnes 10 and 12 as well as providing feet for the structure.
Each said sub-frame L extends well above the base frarne 10 and the upper ends of its posts 18-18 are integrally joined by a cross-piece which ultimately serves as arm rest 20.
The base frarne 10 is, in its turn, also comprised of congruentsub-frames 30-30 disposed in vertically spaced and registering relation in which they are interconnected by and with said end frames 12-12. The registering side rails 32-32 of the congruent sub~frarnes 30-30 on each side of base frame 10 are interconnected by a U shaped thwart 34 which also spans and re-inforces the base frame 10 intermediately of its length.
Examination of the drawing will reveal that certain #1092 P/~A
~0~7~76 structural elements of the end frames 12-12 are integrated with the base frame 10 and are common to both.
It need hardly be pointed out that the incorporation of two sub-frames L-L in each end frame 12 is to impart some breadth to the latter which is, of course, variable to suit design requirements.
An example of the flexibility of this aspect of the invention is afforded by back frame 14 which consists only of a single member comprised of posts or standards 40-40 which are attached to and interconnect the side rails 32-32 of the congruent sub-frames 30-30 at the back of base frame 10 slightly inwardly of the respectively proximal end frames 12-12. The standards ~0-40 are joined at their tops by a cross-bar 42, and~ as well, again, by another cross-bar 43 slightly above the level of base frame 10.
Before turning to the upholstery of the sofa S, it is deemed worthy of note that the linear parts of the several frames and sub-frames described, being of metal~ can be pre-cut ; to reasonably precise lengths which, in turn, makes it eminently possible for these lengths to be assernbled and welded in jigs to produce the several frarnes; this facility being productive of collateral manufacturing advantages which need not be enumerated herein; being obvious in any event.
Indeed, with average skill only, it is reasonably possible for a worker to produce finished sofa framing elements which are accurately dimensioned within a to~erance as low as 1/8 of an inch.
Storage of the linear parts is not a major problem or inconvenience whether disassembled or partially assembled.
This order of accuracy makes a useful contribution to the upholstering procedure visualized.
#1092 P/3 C~ - 6 -:10~7~
In Figo 8 will be seen in fragmentary form a corner of the base frame 10 and the manner of its integration with a leg frame L. In additionS Figs. 8&9further reveal details of the installation of sinuous springs 44 forming spring fabric SF on the base frame lOo That is to say, each ~3ide rail 32 will be seen to be slotted at intervals as at 46 to receive clips 48 in which the spring ends 49 are accomodated; the clips 48 being clinched thereafter to retain the said spring ends 49.
Other expedients (not shown) familiar to the art may also be resorted to in order to prepare the spring fabric SF for upholstery of the base frame 10 which will now be described.
Preliminarily to the upholstering, facilities for fastening the upholstery to the base frame 10 are provided in the form of (wooden) tacking or nail-receiving strips ~0 secured to the lateral peripheries of said base frame 10 and~
for purpose which will later appear, similar strips ~0 are also provided at the specific ends of base frame 10 becoming a part thereofO Optionally, the spacing between each pair of sub-frames L-L may also be boarded as at 51.
Seat padding ~2 of resilient material with appropriate fabric lining is placed on the spring fabric SF. Said padding ~2 may be ~ashioned, for example, of resilient polyurethane foam laminated to a polypropylene backing; being dimensioned to overhang the sides and ends of the base 10 and being tensed over the spring fabric SF and tacked to strips ~0 at the base sides and ends.
Desirably an edging 54 is then placed on the front edge of base frame 10; the edging ~4 being preformed of resilient material and proportioned to overhang and cover the front strip ~0. An upholstery cover ~6 is then tensed over pad ~2 and edging ~4; the upholstery cover ~6 being doubled under edging #1092 P/3 C~ 7 ~1~47~7~
54 as shown and having overhanging margins which are unobtrusively secured to the proximal strips 50 with the fabric o~ cover 56 duly tensed of course and appropriately slitted wl~ere necessary to accomodate the frame parts.
While the foregoing procedures are specific to the present invention, occasional resort to additional expedients familiar to the prior art may also be required and is not completely ruled out in the upholstery of the base frame 10.
On the other hand, the upholstery of the upright elements e.g. the end frames 12-12 and the back frame 14 involves techniques which are particularly unique to the present inve~tion.
As has already been pointed out, the posts and cross-piece of each upright element bound a vacant space.
In the upholstering of the back frame 14, the first step is to draw thereover an envelope 60 of a fabric which has limited resilience and is fairly sturdy. Said envelope is pre-tailored to provide a drum-taut diaphragm 61 over the vacant space aforesaid since it is required and does, in effect, serve to provide firm back support for persons seated on Sofa S.
Thereafter another outer envelope 62, similarly preformed (of upholstery fabric) is drawn and tensed over the previously enveloped back frame 14 with its free edges 64 and 66 respectively fastened to strip 50 at the back of the base frame 10 substantially as will be obvious from Fi~ 3.
The upholstery of each end frame 12 (and, if desired, of back frame 14 as well) involves prefabrication not only of envelopes corresponding to those applied to the back frame 14 but also calls for a preformed hood 70 of thick, resilient, elastomer superficially contoured as desired.
Each said resilient arm hood 70 is hollow and open at its bottom permitting it to be drawn onto the end frame 12 over ~1092 P/3 C~ - 8 -~ :~;0473L76 which envelope 72 had been previously dra~rn; said envelope 72 providing essentially the same drum-taut result as is imparted to back frame 14 by its envelope 60.
The hood 70 which is next drawn over end frame 12 is shown herein in itssimplest "boxy" form Por the sa~e only of simplicity and clarity and wholly without limitation. Necessarily, the arm hood 70 is vested with appropriate resilience and thickness and has an interior cavity 73 which is contoured, proportioned and dimensioned to procure a snug fit of hood 70 over the pre~iously enveloped end frame 12; another envelope 74 of upholstery material being then drawn over the resilient arm hood 70 and secured to the proximal strip ~0 substantially as shown in the drawing and as will later be described in greater detail; said outer envelope 7~ being also provided with an interior cavity snugly accomoda-ting said end frame 12 and its previous investments.
It is conceivable that, according to design and other circumstances, the foundation envelope 72 and resilient hood 70 fitted over end frame 12 may or may not require to be fastened down. However9 fastening of the outer envelope 74 is mandatory and, for this purpose, it is made sufficiently long to provide tacking margins 7~ and 76.
That is to say~ assuming that the panel 77 of the outer envelope 74 is that disposed exteriorly of so~a S, it will extend well below the bottom of end frame 12 to permit its lower margin 75 to be wrapped around the bottom of that end fra~eand be drawn up for attachment to the nearest strip 50 at the same end of base frame lO, substantially as shown in Fig. ~ . Conversely, the interior panel 78 of outer envelop 74 extends well below the surface of sofa base B with its lower margin 76 reaching and being tacked to adjacent strip 50 as margin 75 of the exterior panel 77.
#1092 P/3 ~A 9 1047~L76 After upholstery as aforesaid, the base B and back rest R
of the sofa S may be equipped with cushions C of any appropriate type.
The foregoing description of the invention as applied to sofa S, seeks to make it apparent that the fabrication of a seating structure according to present mode consists largely of, what might be termed, mass production types of operations.
Firstly, the metal tubing to be used in the framing is cut to required lengths and appropriately shaped; these operations, at least, being semi-automatic in nature and devoid of those complexities which necessitate that they be carried out by skilled labor.
Sub-assemblies such as the sub-frames L and the congruent base sub-frames 30, being more or less flat, may be prefabricated and compactly stored for final assembly with other sub-assemblies.
The sub-assemblies and final assemblies of the framing are completed by simple welding --- preferably, in jigs which conduces to a sturdy and uniform result.
Tailoring of the upholstery may also follow well-known mass-production techniques in full reliance on the fact that they will certainly fit the framing for which they are designed.
Thereafter, gi~en t~e assembled framing and the prefabricated upholstery, the actual upholstery of a sofa frame F can be efficiently and professionally completed in, say, less than two hours.
Not only, therefore, does the invention provide a seating structure with a sturdy and durable frame as well as upholstering which is well-fitted and professional in appearance, but it further provides a mode of construction for a seating structure which, by lending itself to mass production techniques, is capable of producing a seating structure as aforesaid in minimum #1092 P~3 CA - 10 -7~76 time by minimally skilled workers and, hence, at correspondingly minimal labor costs.
Vario-~s modifications to the described embodiment~ within the scope of the invention, will be readily apparent to the man skilled in the art, the scope of the invention being set out in the appended claims.
#1092 P/3 CA ~ 11 -
Claims (11)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. In a seating structure, a horizontally disposed base for a seating facility; a base frame forming part of said base;
at least one upright frame disposed peripherally of said base and extending partially above it; spaced apart vertical posts forming part of said upright frame, having lower ends by which they are integrally attached to said base frame procuring mutual re-inforcement of said base and upright frames; said posts having also upper ends and a cross-piece integrally interconnecting them above the base frame; the base, posts and cross-piece bounding a substantially vacant space; a foundation envelope encasing said upright frame above said base, being tensed thereover forming a drum-taut diaphragm over said vacant space, serving as an upholstery support and further upholstery with an outer covering disposed on said upright frame overlying said diaphragm.
at least one upright frame disposed peripherally of said base and extending partially above it; spaced apart vertical posts forming part of said upright frame, having lower ends by which they are integrally attached to said base frame procuring mutual re-inforcement of said base and upright frames; said posts having also upper ends and a cross-piece integrally interconnecting them above the base frame; the base, posts and cross-piece bounding a substantially vacant space; a foundation envelope encasing said upright frame above said base, being tensed thereover forming a drum-taut diaphragm over said vacant space, serving as an upholstery support and further upholstery with an outer covering disposed on said upright frame overlying said diaphragm.
2. A seating structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said further upholstery includes a hood of thick resilient material drawn over said upright frame; said hood having an interior cavity snugly accomodating said upright frame.
3. A seating structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said further upholstery includes an outer envelope of upholstery material drawn over said upright frame; said outer envelope having interior and exterior panels terminating at their lower ends in margins which are secured to the base well below its surface.
4. A seating structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said upright frame is comprised of two symmetrical sub-frames and spacers joining them in spaced apart relation.
5. A seating structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said base frame is comprised of a pair of congruent rectangular sub-frames disposed in upper and lower registering relationship, each said frame having front and rear side rails; a thwart spanning said base frame secured to and joining the upper and lower rails on each side thereof, and posts at each of the four corners of the base frame secured to and interconnecting the said congruent sub-frames.
6. A seating structure as set forth in claim 5 wherein said upright frame is disposed at one end of the base and wherein there is included an additional upright frame providing a back rest for the base; said additional upright frame having vertical posts with lower ends which are integrally attached to said base procuring mutual re-inforcement of the base and said additional upright frame; said posts having upper ends and a cross-piece interconnecting them above the base; the base, posts, and cross-piece bounding a substantially vacant space; a foundation envelope encasing said additional upright frame above said base and tensed thereover forming a drum-taut diaphragm over said vacant space, and further upholstery on said additional upright frame overlying said diaphragm.
7. A seating structure as set forth in claim 6, wherein said further upholstery includes a hood of thick resilient material drawn over said additional upright frame; said hood having an interior cavity snugly accomodating said additional upright frame.
8. A seating structure as set forth in claim 6, wherein said further upholstery includes an outer envelope of upholstery material drawn over said additional upright frame; said outer envelope having interior and exterior panels terminating at their lower ends in margins which are secured to the base well below its surface.
9. A seating structure as set forth in claim 7, wherein said additional upright frame is comprised of two symmetrical sub-frames and spacers joining them in spaced apart relation.
10. A seating structure as set forth in claim 7, wherein said further upholstery includes an outer envelope of upholstery material drawn over said additional upright frame; said outer envelope having interior and exterior panels terminating at their lower ends in margins which are secured to the base well below its surface.
11. A seating structure as set forth in claim 10, wherein said additional upright frame is comprised of two symmetrical sub-frames and spacers joining them in spaced apart relation.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA244,854A CA1047176A (en) | 1976-02-03 | 1976-02-03 | Steel framed upholstered structure |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA244,854A CA1047176A (en) | 1976-02-03 | 1976-02-03 | Steel framed upholstered structure |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1047176A true CA1047176A (en) | 1979-01-23 |
Family
ID=4105134
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA244,854A Expired CA1047176A (en) | 1976-02-03 | 1976-02-03 | Steel framed upholstered structure |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1047176A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4711495A (en) * | 1984-12-14 | 1987-12-08 | Dubarry Furniture Of Canada Limited | Upholstered furniture |
| WO1989010079A1 (en) * | 1988-04-21 | 1989-11-02 | Equatorial Bank Plc | Furniture |
-
1976
- 1976-02-03 CA CA244,854A patent/CA1047176A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4711495A (en) * | 1984-12-14 | 1987-12-08 | Dubarry Furniture Of Canada Limited | Upholstered furniture |
| WO1989010079A1 (en) * | 1988-04-21 | 1989-11-02 | Equatorial Bank Plc | Furniture |
| GB2236051A (en) * | 1988-04-21 | 1991-03-27 | Equatorial Bank Plc | Furniture |
| GB2236051B (en) * | 1988-04-21 | 1993-03-10 | Equatorial Bank Plc | Furniture |
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