CA1082091A - Furniture subframe - Google Patents

Furniture subframe

Info

Publication number
CA1082091A
CA1082091A CA210,229A CA210229A CA1082091A CA 1082091 A CA1082091 A CA 1082091A CA 210229 A CA210229 A CA 210229A CA 1082091 A CA1082091 A CA 1082091A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
sub
frame
frames
furniture
load
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
Application number
CA210,229A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA210229S (en
Inventor
David C. Trimble
William R. Curtis
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hercules LLC
Original Assignee
Hercules LLC
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hercules LLC filed Critical Hercules LLC
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1082091A publication Critical patent/CA1082091A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47CCHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C5/00Chairs of special materials
    • A47C5/12Chairs of special materials of plastics, with or without reinforcement
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10STECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S297/00Chairs and seats
    • Y10S297/02Molded

Landscapes

  • Tables And Desks Characterized By Structural Shape (AREA)
  • Chair Legs, Seat Parts, And Backrests (AREA)
  • Chairs For Special Purposes, Such As Reclining Chairs (AREA)
  • Furniture Connections (AREA)

Abstract

STRUCTURAL FOAM FURNITURE SUBFRAME

Abstract of the Disclosure The invention is a structural foam furniture subframe which replaces the customary assembly of wooden pieces with a unitary, load bearing, injection molded, plastic space frame of angularly jointed plate sections, said subframe including at least one peri-pheral load bearing recepticle having at least four plate sections that are each connected at one end thereof to and radiating out-wardly from the periphery of said recepticle, said subframe having attachment surfaces on all sides thereof and having novel fastener attachment sections to accommodate conventional wood type fasteners.

Description

1(~8ZO9l Furniture subframes, such as for upholstered chairs and sofas, have been commonly fabricated from a number of separ-ate pieces of wood that are individually shaped by machine, as-sembled with the aid of jigs of clamps, and then glued, screwed, or otherwise fastened together. That method of fabrication in-volves a great deal of labor and does not lend itself to mass production techniques. Further problems are the greatly in-creased cost of lumber, the slowness of curing of lumber, the poor quality of cuttings of lumber, the excessive waste in form-ing other than straight shapes and the dimensional instability of cut lumber. The generally limited supply of fine hardwood ; pieces has resulted in subframes of poor quality through sub-stitution with inferior woodO The use of wood-joining techniques appropriate for mass production produces weak joints that can cause premature structural failures. A desirable solution for these problems would be to provide furniture frames of a light-weight synthetic material that are suited to assembly line pro-duction and are less affected than wood in temperature and hum-idity variations.
According to the invention, a furniture frame comprises a pair of load-bearing sub-frames composed of a nailable moldable material having a high density exterior and a lower density in-terior, each sub-frame of thepair being molded in one piece so as to comprise a plurality of plate members integrally connected to each other to provide for each said sub-frame inner and outer side wall areas and to connect the two wall areas to each other, the inner side of each sub-frame having an opening leading into a cavity that extends toward the outer side wall area and is per-ipherally enclosed by the said material to provide a load-bearing receptacle integral with the remainder of the sub-frame, each of at least four cf said plate members having an edge connected to the periphery of the receptacle to strengthen the receptacle and ,~ .

108209~

connect it to the remainder of the associated sub-frame; the sub-frames being adapted to be spaced apart in substantially parallel mirror image relationship to each other at the opposite ends of a connecting member having its ends inserted into the receptacles to interconnect the respective sub-frames for sup-porting the load of one or more persons sitting between them.
The one-piece, injection molded furniture sub-frame of the invention is lightweight, will not shrink, swell or dry out with changes in humidity, and provides ease in handling and reduced cost of shipment.

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lQ82091 Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of furniture sub-frame of the invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of furniture sub-frame of the invention.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of yet another alternate furniture sub-frame of the invention.
~ ith reference to the drawing, Figure 1 shows a pair of furniture sub-frames generally indicated by numerals 10 and 20 that may be interconnect-ed by wooden connecting members 12, 14 and 16 shown in phantom line to form a sofa bed frame. The sub~frames 10 and 20 are raised from the floor by legs 18 also shown in phantom. Legs, castors and like fittings are connected to the sub-frames by well-known wood furniture techniques and hardware. The sub-frames include leg-attachment areas formed by substantially parallel plate members guch as indicated by numeral 19 that provide bearing surfaces for the fittings and are appropriately spaced-apart for wood type fasteners. The sub-frames are injection molded in one-piece from polypropylene structural foam or other injection-moldable materials, such as polystyrene or high density poly-ethylene, using simple two-piece molds. Polypropylene structural foam such as that made from "Pro-fax" (R.T.M.) 1C~82091 polypropylene resin is preferred since it provides a low cost finished piece having a high density surface and a low density interior that is ideal for stapling, nailing or screwing. In addition to the use of polypropylene structural foam, the subframes are adapted to incorpo-rate "space-frame" technology in their structural design to enhance their load-bearing capabilities. They are not a mere duplication of wooden frames in plastic nor are they designed for a non-supportive trim function.
As can be seen in Figure 1, the subframes 10 and 20 provide peripherally-enclosed cavities 22a, 22b and 22c providing load-bearing receptacles that are integral with the subframes, into which the con-necting members 12, 14 and 16 are inserted and contained by nailing or other means. Five-sided box-shaped load-bearing receptacles such as those shown provide relatively high bearing strength and also a convenient positive end stop for easy registration in assembly. It `-is also within the scope of the invention to use deep cavities with or without stop means. A key feature of the present invention is the arrangement for connection of the peripheries of the receptacles to the other portions of the subframes. This arrangement is in effect a support for a cantilevered beam and therefore must sustain great stresses. To overcome this stress problem according to the invention, each receptacle is connected to the remainder of the subframe by at least four plate portions that are each connected at one edge thereof to and extend outwardly from the periphery of the receptacle. In Figure 1 this receptacle is typically illustrated by box 22b having at least four plate portions, such as 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, 23e, and 23f, each connected at one edge to and extending outwardly from the peri-phery of box 22b, the periphery being defined by the four sides of the . box 22b. In a five-sided receptacle, ~082091 the fifth side that forms the end of the four-sided periphery for registration purposes is not considered to be one of the said four plate portions that are connected at one edge to, and extend outwardly from, the periphery.
Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the instant invention. Furniture subframes shown generally at 30 and 40 will provide load-bearing structures for a recliner chair. As can be clearly seen in subframe 30, peripheral load-bearing receptacles 32a and 32b are provided for wooden connecting members 31 and 33 shown in phantom. A peripherally-enclosed cavity 32a is inter-connected for load-bearing to the remainder of the subframe by at least four outwardly extending plate portions 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d. An integral flange 36 provides an adequate support and fastening area for a recliner mechanism (not shown). Reinforced areas 38 and 42 are provided for the attachment of castors shown in phantom. Subframes 30 and 40 are adapted to utilize "space-frame" technology such as Z sections, gusseted U-channels and double Z sections to achieve optimum strength and low weight. As can be seen in both Figs. 1 and 2, the subframes also provide con-tinuous tacking surfaces such as 28 in Fig. 1 and 44 in Fig. 2on all sides thereof. Fig. 1 also provides a large opening 29 for insertion of upholstering material. Subframes 30 and 40 of Fig. 2 allow any configuration of soft or hard foam cushion to be attached to the subframe ~pon surface 46.
Fig. 3 shows another alternative embodiment of the instant invention. Side subframes shown generally at 50 and 60 cooperate with back section shown generally at 70 to form the load-bearing structure for a rocker. Side subframes 50 and 60 provide load-bearing receptacles 52a, 52b and 52c for connecting members shown - in phantom. The load-bearing receptacle 52b is connected with the remainder of the subframe by at least four outwardly extending ~.

, ' .: . ' :

1~8ZO9~.

plate portions 54a, 54b, 54c and 54d. sack section 70 is connected to side subframes 50 and 60 by a spring rod and attach-ing plate 58. By use of the space frame technology discussed earlier, the side subframes and back section provide a high strength, lightweight, load-bearing structure. The side sub-frames 50 and 60 also provide attaching ~reas 62 and 64 for various arm configurations. Wide openings 66 are provided for upholstering purposes. Continuous tacking surfaces shown typi-cally at 68 are also provided on all sides. Back section 70 pro-vides bri-dging for unsupported upholstery material, for example, cotton padding which can be added during upholstering.
Thus, it can be seen that the injection molded struc-tural foam or the like material provides load-bearing structures that are lightweight and utilize space-frame technology and structures to eliminate inherent deficiencies and weaknesses associated with the construction of wood pieces.

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Claims (4)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A furniture frame comprising a pair of load-bearing sub-frames composed of a nailable moldable material having a high density exterior and a lower density interior, each sub-frame of the pair being molded in one piece so as to comprise a plur-ality of plate members integrally connected to each other to provide for each said sub-frame inner and outer side wall areas and to connect the two wall areas to each other, the inner side of each sub-frame having an opening leading into a cavity that extends toward the outer side wall area and is peripherally enclosed by the said material to provide a load-bearing receptacle integral with the remainder of the sub-frame, each of at least four of said plate members having an edge connected to the per-iphery of the receptacle to strengthen the receptacle and connect it to the remainder of the associated sub-frame; the sub-frames being adapted to be spaced apart in substantially parallel mirror image relationship to each other at the opposite ends of a con-necting member having its ends inserted into the receptacles to interconnect the respective sub-frames for supporting the load of one or more persons sitting between them.
2. A furniture frame as claimed in claim 1 wherein the subframes further include attachment areas for leg, castor and like fittings, certain of said plate members being disposed in a substantially parallel arrangement providing bearing surfaces for the fittings and appropriately spaced-apart for wood type fasteners.
3. A furniture frame as in claim 2 wherein said sub-frames further include upholstery tacking surfaces on all sides thereof.
4. A furniture frame as in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said moldable material is polypropylene structural foam.
CA210,229A 1974-03-28 1974-09-27 Furniture subframe Expired CA1082091A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US455774A US3887234A (en) 1974-03-28 1974-03-28 Furniture subframe
US455,774 1974-03-28

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1082091A true CA1082091A (en) 1980-07-22

Family

ID=23810237

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA210,229A Expired CA1082091A (en) 1974-03-28 1974-09-27 Furniture subframe

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US3887234A (en)
BE (1) BE827207A (en)
CA (1) CA1082091A (en)
DE (1) DE2513250A1 (en)
DK (1) DK130775A (en)
FR (1) FR2265304A1 (en)
GB (1) GB1468123A (en)
IT (1) IT1034701B (en)
ZA (1) ZA751961B (en)

Families Citing this family (24)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4092049A (en) * 1976-10-21 1978-05-30 Overman Ab Lightweight knocked-down chair design constructed of inexpensive components
GB2151133A (en) * 1983-12-13 1985-07-17 Brandywell Investments Limited Method of manufacturing furniture
NL9300195A (en) * 1993-02-01 1994-09-01 Hendrik Arnoldus Jacobus De Kl System furniture.
US5370442A (en) * 1993-05-27 1994-12-06 La-Z-Boy Chair Co. Rocker block
US5415461A (en) * 1993-10-29 1995-05-16 Sakamoto; Alice Furniture construction
US5439271A (en) * 1993-11-08 1995-08-08 Hoover Universal, Inc. Vehicle seat with extruded frame members
US6702391B1 (en) 1995-06-07 2004-03-09 Grant Stipek Furniture with molded frame
US6241312B1 (en) * 1998-11-02 2001-06-05 Premiere Products, Inc. Convertible bench/table apparatus and methods
GB2374002A (en) * 2001-04-05 2002-10-09 John Kermode Wooden settee frame
US7073756B1 (en) 2002-05-31 2006-07-11 Dorothy Goodrich Walton Recessed support assembly
US7252331B1 (en) 2003-11-24 2007-08-07 Dorothy Goodrich Walton Security bench
US7537453B2 (en) * 2004-03-09 2009-05-26 Morgan Matthew P Life size furniture kit
US20050285012A1 (en) * 2004-05-04 2005-12-29 Walton Toby E Security support assembly
GB2416116A (en) * 2004-07-14 2006-01-18 Swift Group Ltd Sectional bed for caravan or motor home
CA2930407C (en) * 2013-11-11 2017-05-30 Suncast Technologies, Llc Blow molded resin furniture having a stabilizing box structure
US9839298B2 (en) * 2014-10-21 2017-12-12 Hawkeye Plastic Products Co. Do it yourself bench
US10548401B2 (en) 2015-08-25 2020-02-04 Campaign, Inc. Seating furniture
US10251485B2 (en) * 2015-08-25 2019-04-09 Campaign, Inc. Seating furniture
WO2017150961A1 (en) * 2016-03-04 2017-09-08 Moncada Uribe Jorge Frame made from recycled materials, for the production of furniture
DE202019101649U1 (en) 2018-03-28 2019-07-03 Ikea Supply Ag Armrest and associated seating
CN112512377A (en) * 2018-07-27 2021-03-16 阿希礼家具工业公司 Upholstered furniture comprising moulded furniture parts
US11696644B2 (en) 2018-07-27 2023-07-11 Ashley Furniture Industries, Llc Upholstered furniture including molded furniture components
CN115334940A (en) 2020-03-16 2022-11-11 阿希礼家具工业有限公司 Soft package furniture comprising a moulded furniture part
USD957173S1 (en) 2020-06-15 2022-07-12 Ashley Furniture Industries, Llc Pair of seat arm rest forms

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3101318A (en) * 1961-04-10 1963-08-20 Herbert M Watson Method and composition for removing detergents and other contaminants from laundry wastes
DE1930583C3 (en) * 1969-06-16 1975-04-24 Edgar Von 5000 Koeln Ruedgisch Upholstered seating
US3658382A (en) * 1970-04-02 1972-04-25 Shell Oil Co Module frames for standardized upholstery type furniture and method of constructing and assembling same
US3836533A (en) * 1972-10-30 1974-09-17 American Home Prod 10-hydroxy-2-phenyl-5h-pyrido(1,2-a)pyrimido(4,5-d)-pyrimidin-5-one and processes thereto

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BE827207A (en) 1975-09-26
FR2265304A1 (en) 1975-10-24
IT1034701B (en) 1979-10-10
AU7963475A (en) 1976-09-30
DK130775A (en) 1975-09-29
DE2513250A1 (en) 1975-10-09
GB1468123A (en) 1977-03-23
US3887234A (en) 1975-06-03
ZA751961B (en) 1976-02-25

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