CA2150639A1 - Method of upholstering a chair and the product produced thereby - Google Patents
Method of upholstering a chair and the product produced therebyInfo
- Publication number
- CA2150639A1 CA2150639A1 CA 2150639 CA2150639A CA2150639A1 CA 2150639 A1 CA2150639 A1 CA 2150639A1 CA 2150639 CA2150639 CA 2150639 CA 2150639 A CA2150639 A CA 2150639A CA 2150639 A1 CA2150639 A1 CA 2150639A1
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- shell
- cushion
- seat
- seat back
- furniture
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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- Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method of upholstering an article of furniture and the article of furniture produced thereby which includes a shell having seat back and seat portions. The method includes the steps of applying a plurality of hook and loop fasteners to the shell at predetermined locations, and attaching preformed seat back and seat portion cushions which include corresponding hook and loop fasteners to the seat back and seat portions of the shell by pressing the cushions against the shell. The seat back and seat portion cushions preferably include accessible pockets through which padding material can be inserted or removed as desired.
Description
Attorney Docket ~o. 1202-00183 - METHOD OF UPHOLSTERING A CHAIR
AND THE PRODUCT PRODUCED THEREBY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a method of upholstering articles of furniture, and more particularly, to methods of upholstering chairs having a shell supported by a base assembly.
S In general, articles of furniture such as chairs include a frame assembly which is upholstered. Traditionally, such articles of furniture are manufactured by first forming the frame from multiple pieces of wood or man-made materials or a combination of both, and subsequently providing the frame with padding in the form of a foamed material which is permanently attached. Thereafter, an upholstered covering is applied over the padding by tacking the upholstery to the frame. The upholstery is intended to be secured to the frame structure for many years of use. Thereafter, the upholstery may be removed lS from the frame and another upholstered covering applied.
However, the process of reupholstering an article of furniture including tacking on new upholstery can be unduly time consuming, tedious and costly.
Likewise, under another common method of manufacturing articles of furniture, the covering material may be applied over the padding and attached thereto by sewing or through the use of some other means such as adhesives. Thereafter the integral upholstery covered padding is permanently attached to thè frame.
Hereto, significant effort would be required to reupholster such articles of furniture.
~1~0639 Attorney Docket No. 1202-00183 Somewhat in contrast, there has been a relatively recent trend toward manufacturing furniture which includes a removable layer of upholstery material. For example, United States Patent No. ~,007,676 to Lien discloses a quickly detachable vehicle seat cover having a plurality of cloth strips attached thereto for fastening the seat cover to fastening elements disposed on the vehicle seat. ~ikewise, U.S. Patent No. 4,400,030 to Maruzzo et al. discloses a removable upholstery portion for a vehicle seat member which is useful as a protective covering to protect the seat from wear and tear on -the original, underlying seat covering. Still further, U. S. Patent No. 3,2~8,147 to Testa discloses an invention relating to upholstered furniture having removable upholstery therefor.
While removable upholstery per se is known, it appears that lS the art is directed to utilizing the removable upholstery as a protective covering for an underlying layer of upholstering material, or, alternatively, as a new covering for an underlying layer of worn or soiled upholstering material. Further, the removable upholstery embodiments heretofore described appear to be unnecessarily difficult to attach to and detach from the frame.
Thus, although some removable upholstery embodiments have performed satisfactorily for their intended purpose, namely for protecting or removing the underlying original seat covering material or concealing any padding applied over a seat frame, the removable upholstery assemblies presently known have done little if anything to simplify the often complicated process of Attorney DGcket No. 1202-00183 manufacturing articles of furniture. To this end, the need exists to develop articles of furniture which aesthetically pleasing and are relatively easy to manufacture, upholster and selectively reupholster without requiring an extensive amount of work or expense.
SUNM~RY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of upholstering articles of furniture and, more particularly, chairs such as office chairs. Under the methods disclosed, the chair assemblies of the present invention are easily upholstered initially, thus, reducing the total manufacturing steps required~ which in turn results in a relatively low cost per unit.
As a related object, the chair assemblies of the present invention can be readily reupholstered as desired by interchangeably replacing the previously applied upholstery with a variety of different upholstery packages.
Another object of the present invention is to allow the consumer the opportunity to choose replacement upholstery packages which can be easily installed without requiring specialized tools or professional reupholstering services.
Further objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference being made to the accompanied drawings whereïn preferred embodiments of the present invention are clearly shown.
Attorney Docket No. 1202-001~3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective assembly view of a chair embodiment constructed utilizing the method of upholstering an article of furniture according to the teachings o~ the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective assembly view of a second chair embodiment assembly constructed utilizing the methods of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a blown apart perspective assembly view showing the chair embodiment of Figure 1 including the fastener arrangement of the present invention disposed on the chair shell and associated cushions;
Figure 4 is a bottom view of the chair embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 with the seat portion cushion attached to the seat portion of the chair;
Figure 5 is a rear view of the seat back cushion separated from the chair's shell illustrating the disposition of fasteners thereon;
Figure 6 is a bottom view of the seat portion cushion separated from the chair's shell illustrating the disposition of fasteners thereon;
Figure 7 is a sectional side view illustrating the seat back and seat portion cushions attached to the chair shell;
Figure 8 is a sectional side view of a first seat back cushion embodiment detached from the seat back portion of the chair's shell;
21aO6 39 Attorney Docket No. 1202-00183 Figure 9 is a sectional side view of a second seat back embodiment detached from the seat back portion of the chair's shell; and Figure 10 is a schematic view setting forth the methods of upholstering a chair assembly according to the teachings of present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference to the drawings, and particularly to ~igures 1 and 2, first and second alternative embodiments of the chair assembly 10, upholstered according to the methods disclosed herein are illustrated. The first and second chair assemblies differ only in that the first embodiment relates to an office chair having a wheeled pedestal base assembly and the second embodiment includes four spaced-apart legs having a buc~et (not shown) which receives the seat portion of the chair In all other respects, the chair embodiments illustrated with references to Figures 1 and 2 are to be considered the same. As such, like reference numerals will hereinafter be utilized for like elements of the invention.
As illustrated more clearly in Figure 3, the chair assembly 10 includes a preformed unitary frame portion, otherwise known as the shell 12, having an upwardly extending seat back 14 and a substantially horizontally disposed~seat portion 16. Ideally, the shell 12 is made from a rigid material, such as wood, plastic, or other man-made material sufficient in strength to support the weight of a seat occupant. Dlsposed over the - 2150~39 Attorney Docket No. 1202-0û183 marginal edges 18 and 18A, the top edge 20 and back surface 22 as illustrated more clearly in Figure 7, is a decorative co~Jering material 24. The decorative covering material 24 is attached to the shell by gluing, stapling or sewing the material directly to shell. Typically, the decorative covering 24 is selected from a variety of different materials including but not limited to leathers, viny~s and cloth.
In an effort to save on material cost, the inner surface 26 of the shell 12 preferahly remains uncovered except for the marginal edges 18 and 18A and top edge 20. The downwardly sloping leading edge 28 of the seat portion 16 does not require the decorative covering material as this portion will eventually be covered by the seat portion cushion as will be described in greater detail below. A relatively thin layer of padding material (not shown) may be optlonally applied to the shell 12 prior to applying the decorative covering or, alternatively, the thin layer of padding material may be attached to the inner surface of the decorative covering material prior to being applied over the shell.
Disposed on the inner surface 26 of the chair shell 12 are a plurality of fasteners 30 spaced apart sufficiently to retain the seat back and seat portion cushions upon application.
Fasteners 30 may be the hook and loop variety such as VELCR0~ or other known brands with one component (either the hook or loop component) disposed on the shell 12 and the other component disposed on the cushion to be attached. Typically, the hook and loop fasteners 30 are in the form of elongated strips disposed Attorney Docket No. 1202-00183 proxi~ate to the marginal edges 18 and 18A of the shell, with at least one strip 30A transversing the shell along the junction between the seat back 14 and seat portion 16 of the shell.
Likewise, the back surface 22 of the shell 12 includes hook and look fasteners 30B disposed along the top edge 20 for retaining the overlapping portion of the seat back cushion. Preferably, the hook and loop fasteners 3OB are arranged in a downwardly pointing V-shape as this arrangement tends to best secure the overlapping portion of the seat back cushion. Likewise, while the hook and loop fasteners 30 are generally disposed near the marginal edges and the top edge of the shell as this arrangement tends to retain the seat back and seat portion cushions in the most advantageous way it should be understood by those skilled in the art that other hook and loop fastener arrangements are possible. In this regard, it should also be understood by those skilled in the art that, while hook and loop fasteners are preferred, other fastening means such as buttons and snaps could be utilized herein.
The chair assembly lO of the present invention additionally includes seat back and seat portion cushions 32 and 34, respectively, which are disposed mainly over the inner surface 26 of the shell 12. The seat back cushion 32, which for the chair shown generally has a substantially rectangular shape, includes an outer upholstery layer 36 and at least one layer of padding material 38 made from polyurethane foam or the like as best illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. With regard to the upholstery layer 36, the seat back cushion 32 includes an outer - 215~639 Attorney Docket No. 1202-00183 show surface 40 disposed about the peripheral edges 42 and the front face 44 of the cushion. The back side 46 of the seat back cushion 32 may be made from any one of a number of different - wear-resistant materials, which preferably are less expensive than the material of the show surface. Disposed on the back side 46 of the seat back cushion 32 are a plurality of mating hook and loop fasteners 48 arranged such that the seat back cushion can be applied as illustrated most clearly in Figure 7. Typically, the hook and loop fasteners 48 are disposed proximate to the peripheral edges 42, transversely along the top overlapping portion SO and on a flange 52 which extends from the lower portion 54 of the seat back cushion 32. Also disposed on the back side 46 of the seat back cushion 32 is a zipper 56 extending the length of the cushion which provides access to the pocket 58 formed between the peripheral edges, top portion and lower portion of the seat back cushion for receiving the padding material 38.
Under an alternative seat back cushion embodiment 32A, shown in Figure 9, separate layers of padding materials 38 and 38A, respectively, are provided within the pocket 58. This arrangement allows the seat occupant to modify the firmness or softness of the seat back cushion 32A by adding or subtracting the layer of padding material 38A as desired. Depending on the amount or thickness of padding in the seat back cushion 32, its thickness may change, unless foam padding 38 and/or 38A having a varying density is utilized.
`- 21506 39 Attorney Docket No. 1202-00183 To provide the seat back cushions 32, and alternatively 32A, with the buttoned or tucked appearance as illustrated most clearly in Figures 1, 2 and 3, drawable strips 62 shown in Figures 8 and 9 are attached to the inner surface 64 of the outer upholstery layer 36. The drawable strips 62 are fed through apertures (not shown) provided in the padding material 38 and back side 46 of the seat back cushion, and are drawn relatively tightly to pull portions of the show surface 40 inwardly thus providing the buttoned or tucked appearance. After the strips 62 have been drawn, the strips are maintained in position by attaching them to panels 66 typically disposed on the back side of the seat back cushion. Optionally, the panels 66 can be maintained within the pocket 58 on the first layer of padding material 38 as illustrated in phantom in Figure 9.
i5 The seat portion cushion 34, which also has a substantially rectangular shape, similarly includes an outer show surface 68 disposed along the peripheral edges 70 and front face 72 of the cushion. The back side 74 of the seat portion cushion 34 as illustrated most clearly in Figure 6, again can be made from any one of a number of different wear-resistant materials. Included along the leading end 76 of the seat portion cushion 34 is flange 78 which includes a J-shaped elongated retainer 80. As with the seat back cushion 32, the seat portion cushion 34 also includes a zipper 82 through which padding material can be added and subtracted in the above described manner relating to the seat back cushion.
- ~150639 Attorney Docket No. 1202-00183 The methods of upholstering an article of furniture, and more particularly, the chair assemblies lO will now be described in greater detail with additional reference being made to Figure 10 .
Initially, a first piece 24A of decorative covering material 24 is applied over the shell's back surface 22 and thereafter wrapped around the marginal edges 18 and 18A and top edge 20 of the shell's seat back. Second and third pieces 24B and 24C of the covering material 24 are then attached to the inner surface 26 of the seat portion 16 and wrapped over the marginal edges 1~
and 18A of the seat portion such that the second and third pieces of covering material subtly Gverlap the lower ends of the first piece 28A of covering material. Thereafter, the second and third pieces of decorative covering material are permanently attached to the under surface 84 of the shell's seat portion. Once the decorative covering material 24 has been applied to the shell, a dust cover 92 as shown in Figure 4 may be applied to the under surface of the shell.
Next, a J-shaped retainer 86 is attached to the under surface 84 of the seat portion 16 along its leading edge 28. The tongue portion 88 of the retainer is stapled, sewn or otherwise adhered to the under surface of the shell such that the hook portion 90 of the retainer extends rearwardly. Typically, the J-shaped retainer extends almost the entire length of the leading edge 28 to provide sufficient anchoring for the corresponding retainer 92 contained on the seat portion cushion.
Attorney Docket No. 1202-00183 The various hook and loop fasteners 30 are then applied to the inner surface 26 of the shell such that the fasteners are disposed over substantially the entire length of the shell along the marginal edges 18 and 18A. Again, the hook and loop fasteners 30 can be attached utilizing a variety of different means including staples, sewing and adhesives, among others.
Additionally, a hook and loop fastener 30A is applied to the inner surface of the shell at the junction of the seat back and seat portions for retaining the lower end of the seat back cushion as will be described below. Finally, at least one hook and loop fastener 30B is applied over the decorative covering 24 contained on the back surface 22 of the shell for retaining the overlapping portion 50 of the seat back cushion 32 which overlaps the top edge 20 of the shell.
Once the hook and loop ~asteners 30, 30A and 30~ and the J-shaped retainer 82 have been attached to the shell and mating hook and loop fasteners are attached to the cushions in a corresponding location, the cushions are then ready for attachment. Prior to attaching the seat back and seat portion cushions 32 and 34, respectively, the cushions can be modified to include more or less padding material as desired. After the desired amount of padding material has been attained, the drawable strips 62 which are attached to the inner surface 64 of the outer upholstery layer 36 are then pulled through the padding material 38 (and optional padding material 38A) and the back side 46 of the seat back cushion to provide the cushion with a buttoned or tucked appearance; Once the buttoned or tucked Attorney Docket No. 1202-00183 appearance has been accomplished, the drawable strips 62 are stapled, or otherwise fastened, to the panels 66 to maintain the buttoned appearance. As previously noted the seat portion cushion 34 can also be modified and provided with the buttoned or tucked appearance.
The next step in upholstering the chair assembly lO is to apply the seat back and seat portion cushions 32 and 34, respectively, to the shell 12. First, the seat back cushion 32 is applied by aligning the flange 52 containing the hook and loop fastener 48A with the transversely disposed mating hook and loop fastener 30A provided at the junction of the seat back and seat portion and pressing the fasteners together. Then, typically standing behind the shell 12 the seat back cushion 32 is aligned such that the hook and loop fasteners 30 disposed on the seat lS back portion 14 along the marginal edges of the shell's inner surface are aligned with the hook and loop fasteners 48 contained on back side 46 of the seat back cushion. ~astly, the overlapping top portion 50 of the seat back cushion 32 is rolled over the top edge 20 of the shell 17 with the transversely disposed V-shaped hook and loop fasteners 48B contained on the back side 46 of the seat back cushion aligned with the hook and loop fasteners 30B extending from the back side 22 of the shell 12. Again, the fasteners are pressed together such that the hook and loop material takes a firm hold and retain the seat back cushion to the shell.
Once the seat back cushion 32 has been applied to the shell 12, the seat portion cushion 34 is then attached by sliding the ~ 0 6 3 9 Attorney Docket No. 1202-00183 J-shaped retainer 80 contained on the flange 78 of the seat portion cushion into engagement with the retainer 86 attached on the under surface 84 of the shell 12. Once the retainers have been combined in a locking relationship, the seat portion cushion 34 is aligned such that the cushion can be pulled over the leading edge 28 of the seat portion 16. Thereafter, the seat portion cushion 34 is laid over the seat portion 16 of the shell with the mating hook and loop fasteners 30 disposed on the seat portion 16 and the fasteners 48C aligned in an overlapping manner. By firmly pressing the seat portion cushion 34 down on the seat portion 16 of the shell 12, the hook and loop fasteners take a firm hold and retain the seat portion to the shell.
Ideally, the trailing end of the seat portion cushion abuts the lower edge of the seat back cushion to conceal the flange 52 which contains the hook and loop fastener 48A.
It should be noted by those skilled in the art that the supporting base assembly 94, regardless of the embodiment, can be attached to the shell either before or after the chair assembly has been upholstered. Likewise, if arms 96 are included in the chair design, they can be attached to the shell either before or after the seat back and seat portion cushions have been applied to the shell.
From the foregoing description, it should be appreciated that a wide variety of modifications can be made to the chair assemblies of the present invention. Thus, skilled practitioners will recognize that the present invention can be implemented in a variety of forms. Accordingly, while the above description 2150~39 Attorney Docket No. 1202-00183 constitutes the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the present invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope and fair meaning of the accompanying claims.
AND THE PRODUCT PRODUCED THEREBY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a method of upholstering articles of furniture, and more particularly, to methods of upholstering chairs having a shell supported by a base assembly.
S In general, articles of furniture such as chairs include a frame assembly which is upholstered. Traditionally, such articles of furniture are manufactured by first forming the frame from multiple pieces of wood or man-made materials or a combination of both, and subsequently providing the frame with padding in the form of a foamed material which is permanently attached. Thereafter, an upholstered covering is applied over the padding by tacking the upholstery to the frame. The upholstery is intended to be secured to the frame structure for many years of use. Thereafter, the upholstery may be removed lS from the frame and another upholstered covering applied.
However, the process of reupholstering an article of furniture including tacking on new upholstery can be unduly time consuming, tedious and costly.
Likewise, under another common method of manufacturing articles of furniture, the covering material may be applied over the padding and attached thereto by sewing or through the use of some other means such as adhesives. Thereafter the integral upholstery covered padding is permanently attached to thè frame.
Hereto, significant effort would be required to reupholster such articles of furniture.
~1~0639 Attorney Docket No. 1202-00183 Somewhat in contrast, there has been a relatively recent trend toward manufacturing furniture which includes a removable layer of upholstery material. For example, United States Patent No. ~,007,676 to Lien discloses a quickly detachable vehicle seat cover having a plurality of cloth strips attached thereto for fastening the seat cover to fastening elements disposed on the vehicle seat. ~ikewise, U.S. Patent No. 4,400,030 to Maruzzo et al. discloses a removable upholstery portion for a vehicle seat member which is useful as a protective covering to protect the seat from wear and tear on -the original, underlying seat covering. Still further, U. S. Patent No. 3,2~8,147 to Testa discloses an invention relating to upholstered furniture having removable upholstery therefor.
While removable upholstery per se is known, it appears that lS the art is directed to utilizing the removable upholstery as a protective covering for an underlying layer of upholstering material, or, alternatively, as a new covering for an underlying layer of worn or soiled upholstering material. Further, the removable upholstery embodiments heretofore described appear to be unnecessarily difficult to attach to and detach from the frame.
Thus, although some removable upholstery embodiments have performed satisfactorily for their intended purpose, namely for protecting or removing the underlying original seat covering material or concealing any padding applied over a seat frame, the removable upholstery assemblies presently known have done little if anything to simplify the often complicated process of Attorney DGcket No. 1202-00183 manufacturing articles of furniture. To this end, the need exists to develop articles of furniture which aesthetically pleasing and are relatively easy to manufacture, upholster and selectively reupholster without requiring an extensive amount of work or expense.
SUNM~RY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of upholstering articles of furniture and, more particularly, chairs such as office chairs. Under the methods disclosed, the chair assemblies of the present invention are easily upholstered initially, thus, reducing the total manufacturing steps required~ which in turn results in a relatively low cost per unit.
As a related object, the chair assemblies of the present invention can be readily reupholstered as desired by interchangeably replacing the previously applied upholstery with a variety of different upholstery packages.
Another object of the present invention is to allow the consumer the opportunity to choose replacement upholstery packages which can be easily installed without requiring specialized tools or professional reupholstering services.
Further objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference being made to the accompanied drawings whereïn preferred embodiments of the present invention are clearly shown.
Attorney Docket No. 1202-001~3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective assembly view of a chair embodiment constructed utilizing the method of upholstering an article of furniture according to the teachings o~ the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective assembly view of a second chair embodiment assembly constructed utilizing the methods of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a blown apart perspective assembly view showing the chair embodiment of Figure 1 including the fastener arrangement of the present invention disposed on the chair shell and associated cushions;
Figure 4 is a bottom view of the chair embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 with the seat portion cushion attached to the seat portion of the chair;
Figure 5 is a rear view of the seat back cushion separated from the chair's shell illustrating the disposition of fasteners thereon;
Figure 6 is a bottom view of the seat portion cushion separated from the chair's shell illustrating the disposition of fasteners thereon;
Figure 7 is a sectional side view illustrating the seat back and seat portion cushions attached to the chair shell;
Figure 8 is a sectional side view of a first seat back cushion embodiment detached from the seat back portion of the chair's shell;
21aO6 39 Attorney Docket No. 1202-00183 Figure 9 is a sectional side view of a second seat back embodiment detached from the seat back portion of the chair's shell; and Figure 10 is a schematic view setting forth the methods of upholstering a chair assembly according to the teachings of present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference to the drawings, and particularly to ~igures 1 and 2, first and second alternative embodiments of the chair assembly 10, upholstered according to the methods disclosed herein are illustrated. The first and second chair assemblies differ only in that the first embodiment relates to an office chair having a wheeled pedestal base assembly and the second embodiment includes four spaced-apart legs having a buc~et (not shown) which receives the seat portion of the chair In all other respects, the chair embodiments illustrated with references to Figures 1 and 2 are to be considered the same. As such, like reference numerals will hereinafter be utilized for like elements of the invention.
As illustrated more clearly in Figure 3, the chair assembly 10 includes a preformed unitary frame portion, otherwise known as the shell 12, having an upwardly extending seat back 14 and a substantially horizontally disposed~seat portion 16. Ideally, the shell 12 is made from a rigid material, such as wood, plastic, or other man-made material sufficient in strength to support the weight of a seat occupant. Dlsposed over the - 2150~39 Attorney Docket No. 1202-0û183 marginal edges 18 and 18A, the top edge 20 and back surface 22 as illustrated more clearly in Figure 7, is a decorative co~Jering material 24. The decorative covering material 24 is attached to the shell by gluing, stapling or sewing the material directly to shell. Typically, the decorative covering 24 is selected from a variety of different materials including but not limited to leathers, viny~s and cloth.
In an effort to save on material cost, the inner surface 26 of the shell 12 preferahly remains uncovered except for the marginal edges 18 and 18A and top edge 20. The downwardly sloping leading edge 28 of the seat portion 16 does not require the decorative covering material as this portion will eventually be covered by the seat portion cushion as will be described in greater detail below. A relatively thin layer of padding material (not shown) may be optlonally applied to the shell 12 prior to applying the decorative covering or, alternatively, the thin layer of padding material may be attached to the inner surface of the decorative covering material prior to being applied over the shell.
Disposed on the inner surface 26 of the chair shell 12 are a plurality of fasteners 30 spaced apart sufficiently to retain the seat back and seat portion cushions upon application.
Fasteners 30 may be the hook and loop variety such as VELCR0~ or other known brands with one component (either the hook or loop component) disposed on the shell 12 and the other component disposed on the cushion to be attached. Typically, the hook and loop fasteners 30 are in the form of elongated strips disposed Attorney Docket No. 1202-00183 proxi~ate to the marginal edges 18 and 18A of the shell, with at least one strip 30A transversing the shell along the junction between the seat back 14 and seat portion 16 of the shell.
Likewise, the back surface 22 of the shell 12 includes hook and look fasteners 30B disposed along the top edge 20 for retaining the overlapping portion of the seat back cushion. Preferably, the hook and loop fasteners 3OB are arranged in a downwardly pointing V-shape as this arrangement tends to best secure the overlapping portion of the seat back cushion. Likewise, while the hook and loop fasteners 30 are generally disposed near the marginal edges and the top edge of the shell as this arrangement tends to retain the seat back and seat portion cushions in the most advantageous way it should be understood by those skilled in the art that other hook and loop fastener arrangements are possible. In this regard, it should also be understood by those skilled in the art that, while hook and loop fasteners are preferred, other fastening means such as buttons and snaps could be utilized herein.
The chair assembly lO of the present invention additionally includes seat back and seat portion cushions 32 and 34, respectively, which are disposed mainly over the inner surface 26 of the shell 12. The seat back cushion 32, which for the chair shown generally has a substantially rectangular shape, includes an outer upholstery layer 36 and at least one layer of padding material 38 made from polyurethane foam or the like as best illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. With regard to the upholstery layer 36, the seat back cushion 32 includes an outer - 215~639 Attorney Docket No. 1202-00183 show surface 40 disposed about the peripheral edges 42 and the front face 44 of the cushion. The back side 46 of the seat back cushion 32 may be made from any one of a number of different - wear-resistant materials, which preferably are less expensive than the material of the show surface. Disposed on the back side 46 of the seat back cushion 32 are a plurality of mating hook and loop fasteners 48 arranged such that the seat back cushion can be applied as illustrated most clearly in Figure 7. Typically, the hook and loop fasteners 48 are disposed proximate to the peripheral edges 42, transversely along the top overlapping portion SO and on a flange 52 which extends from the lower portion 54 of the seat back cushion 32. Also disposed on the back side 46 of the seat back cushion 32 is a zipper 56 extending the length of the cushion which provides access to the pocket 58 formed between the peripheral edges, top portion and lower portion of the seat back cushion for receiving the padding material 38.
Under an alternative seat back cushion embodiment 32A, shown in Figure 9, separate layers of padding materials 38 and 38A, respectively, are provided within the pocket 58. This arrangement allows the seat occupant to modify the firmness or softness of the seat back cushion 32A by adding or subtracting the layer of padding material 38A as desired. Depending on the amount or thickness of padding in the seat back cushion 32, its thickness may change, unless foam padding 38 and/or 38A having a varying density is utilized.
`- 21506 39 Attorney Docket No. 1202-00183 To provide the seat back cushions 32, and alternatively 32A, with the buttoned or tucked appearance as illustrated most clearly in Figures 1, 2 and 3, drawable strips 62 shown in Figures 8 and 9 are attached to the inner surface 64 of the outer upholstery layer 36. The drawable strips 62 are fed through apertures (not shown) provided in the padding material 38 and back side 46 of the seat back cushion, and are drawn relatively tightly to pull portions of the show surface 40 inwardly thus providing the buttoned or tucked appearance. After the strips 62 have been drawn, the strips are maintained in position by attaching them to panels 66 typically disposed on the back side of the seat back cushion. Optionally, the panels 66 can be maintained within the pocket 58 on the first layer of padding material 38 as illustrated in phantom in Figure 9.
i5 The seat portion cushion 34, which also has a substantially rectangular shape, similarly includes an outer show surface 68 disposed along the peripheral edges 70 and front face 72 of the cushion. The back side 74 of the seat portion cushion 34 as illustrated most clearly in Figure 6, again can be made from any one of a number of different wear-resistant materials. Included along the leading end 76 of the seat portion cushion 34 is flange 78 which includes a J-shaped elongated retainer 80. As with the seat back cushion 32, the seat portion cushion 34 also includes a zipper 82 through which padding material can be added and subtracted in the above described manner relating to the seat back cushion.
- ~150639 Attorney Docket No. 1202-00183 The methods of upholstering an article of furniture, and more particularly, the chair assemblies lO will now be described in greater detail with additional reference being made to Figure 10 .
Initially, a first piece 24A of decorative covering material 24 is applied over the shell's back surface 22 and thereafter wrapped around the marginal edges 18 and 18A and top edge 20 of the shell's seat back. Second and third pieces 24B and 24C of the covering material 24 are then attached to the inner surface 26 of the seat portion 16 and wrapped over the marginal edges 1~
and 18A of the seat portion such that the second and third pieces of covering material subtly Gverlap the lower ends of the first piece 28A of covering material. Thereafter, the second and third pieces of decorative covering material are permanently attached to the under surface 84 of the shell's seat portion. Once the decorative covering material 24 has been applied to the shell, a dust cover 92 as shown in Figure 4 may be applied to the under surface of the shell.
Next, a J-shaped retainer 86 is attached to the under surface 84 of the seat portion 16 along its leading edge 28. The tongue portion 88 of the retainer is stapled, sewn or otherwise adhered to the under surface of the shell such that the hook portion 90 of the retainer extends rearwardly. Typically, the J-shaped retainer extends almost the entire length of the leading edge 28 to provide sufficient anchoring for the corresponding retainer 92 contained on the seat portion cushion.
Attorney Docket No. 1202-00183 The various hook and loop fasteners 30 are then applied to the inner surface 26 of the shell such that the fasteners are disposed over substantially the entire length of the shell along the marginal edges 18 and 18A. Again, the hook and loop fasteners 30 can be attached utilizing a variety of different means including staples, sewing and adhesives, among others.
Additionally, a hook and loop fastener 30A is applied to the inner surface of the shell at the junction of the seat back and seat portions for retaining the lower end of the seat back cushion as will be described below. Finally, at least one hook and loop fastener 30B is applied over the decorative covering 24 contained on the back surface 22 of the shell for retaining the overlapping portion 50 of the seat back cushion 32 which overlaps the top edge 20 of the shell.
Once the hook and loop ~asteners 30, 30A and 30~ and the J-shaped retainer 82 have been attached to the shell and mating hook and loop fasteners are attached to the cushions in a corresponding location, the cushions are then ready for attachment. Prior to attaching the seat back and seat portion cushions 32 and 34, respectively, the cushions can be modified to include more or less padding material as desired. After the desired amount of padding material has been attained, the drawable strips 62 which are attached to the inner surface 64 of the outer upholstery layer 36 are then pulled through the padding material 38 (and optional padding material 38A) and the back side 46 of the seat back cushion to provide the cushion with a buttoned or tucked appearance; Once the buttoned or tucked Attorney Docket No. 1202-00183 appearance has been accomplished, the drawable strips 62 are stapled, or otherwise fastened, to the panels 66 to maintain the buttoned appearance. As previously noted the seat portion cushion 34 can also be modified and provided with the buttoned or tucked appearance.
The next step in upholstering the chair assembly lO is to apply the seat back and seat portion cushions 32 and 34, respectively, to the shell 12. First, the seat back cushion 32 is applied by aligning the flange 52 containing the hook and loop fastener 48A with the transversely disposed mating hook and loop fastener 30A provided at the junction of the seat back and seat portion and pressing the fasteners together. Then, typically standing behind the shell 12 the seat back cushion 32 is aligned such that the hook and loop fasteners 30 disposed on the seat lS back portion 14 along the marginal edges of the shell's inner surface are aligned with the hook and loop fasteners 48 contained on back side 46 of the seat back cushion. ~astly, the overlapping top portion 50 of the seat back cushion 32 is rolled over the top edge 20 of the shell 17 with the transversely disposed V-shaped hook and loop fasteners 48B contained on the back side 46 of the seat back cushion aligned with the hook and loop fasteners 30B extending from the back side 22 of the shell 12. Again, the fasteners are pressed together such that the hook and loop material takes a firm hold and retain the seat back cushion to the shell.
Once the seat back cushion 32 has been applied to the shell 12, the seat portion cushion 34 is then attached by sliding the ~ 0 6 3 9 Attorney Docket No. 1202-00183 J-shaped retainer 80 contained on the flange 78 of the seat portion cushion into engagement with the retainer 86 attached on the under surface 84 of the shell 12. Once the retainers have been combined in a locking relationship, the seat portion cushion 34 is aligned such that the cushion can be pulled over the leading edge 28 of the seat portion 16. Thereafter, the seat portion cushion 34 is laid over the seat portion 16 of the shell with the mating hook and loop fasteners 30 disposed on the seat portion 16 and the fasteners 48C aligned in an overlapping manner. By firmly pressing the seat portion cushion 34 down on the seat portion 16 of the shell 12, the hook and loop fasteners take a firm hold and retain the seat portion to the shell.
Ideally, the trailing end of the seat portion cushion abuts the lower edge of the seat back cushion to conceal the flange 52 which contains the hook and loop fastener 48A.
It should be noted by those skilled in the art that the supporting base assembly 94, regardless of the embodiment, can be attached to the shell either before or after the chair assembly has been upholstered. Likewise, if arms 96 are included in the chair design, they can be attached to the shell either before or after the seat back and seat portion cushions have been applied to the shell.
From the foregoing description, it should be appreciated that a wide variety of modifications can be made to the chair assemblies of the present invention. Thus, skilled practitioners will recognize that the present invention can be implemented in a variety of forms. Accordingly, while the above description 2150~39 Attorney Docket No. 1202-00183 constitutes the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the present invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope and fair meaning of the accompanying claims.
Claims (22)
1. A method for upholstering an article of furniture including a shell having seat back and seat portions, comprising the steps of:
(a) attaching a plurality of hook and loop fasteners to the shell at predetermined locations on the seat back and seat portions;
(b) affixing at least one first elongated retainer means directly to the shell;
(c) attaching to the shell a preformed seat back cushion including a plurality of mating hook and loop fasteners by aligning the fasteners contained on the seat back cushion with the corresponding fasteners contained on the seat back portion of the shell and pressing the cushion against the seat back portion of the shell; and (d) attaching to the shell a preformed seat portion cushion including a plurality of mating hook and loop fasteners and at least one second elongated retainer means by positioning the first and second elongated retainers together, pulling the seat portion cushion over an edge of the shell and aligning the fasteners contained on the seat portion cushion with the corresponding fasteners contained on the seat portion of the shell, and thereafter pressing the seat portion cushion against the seat portion of the shell.
(a) attaching a plurality of hook and loop fasteners to the shell at predetermined locations on the seat back and seat portions;
(b) affixing at least one first elongated retainer means directly to the shell;
(c) attaching to the shell a preformed seat back cushion including a plurality of mating hook and loop fasteners by aligning the fasteners contained on the seat back cushion with the corresponding fasteners contained on the seat back portion of the shell and pressing the cushion against the seat back portion of the shell; and (d) attaching to the shell a preformed seat portion cushion including a plurality of mating hook and loop fasteners and at least one second elongated retainer means by positioning the first and second elongated retainers together, pulling the seat portion cushion over an edge of the shell and aligning the fasteners contained on the seat portion cushion with the corresponding fasteners contained on the seat portion of the shell, and thereafter pressing the seat portion cushion against the seat portion of the shell.
2. The method of Claim 1 wherein a decorative covering is applied over the seat back and seat portions of the shell prior to attaching said seat back and seat portion cushions.
3. The method of Claim 2 wherein the decorative covering is applied over the back portion of the seat back and marginal edges of the shell.
4. The method of Claim 1 wherein said at least one first retainer means is substantially J-shaped and includes a tongue portion which is attached to the shell and a hook portion which mates with a corresponding hook portion included on said at least one second retainer.
5. The method of Claim 1 wherein said seat back cushion includes means to modify the amount of padding material prior to being attached to the shell.
6. The method of Claim 5 wherein said seat back cushion includes means for providing a buttoned appearance.
7. The method of Claim 1 wherein the seat portion cushion includes means to modify the amount of padding material prior to being attached to the shell.
8. The method of Claim 7 wherein said seat portion cushion includes means for providing a buttoned appearance.
9. The method of Claim 2 wherein a padding material is applied over the shell prior to applying the decorative covering thereover.
10. The method of Claim 1 wherein said article of furniture can be readily reupholstered by removing at least one of the previously applied seat back or seat portion cushions, and replacing the removed at least one cushion with a similarly shaped preformed cushion.
11. An upholstered article of furniture produced by the method of Claim 1.
12. An upholstered article of furniture comprising:
a shell having an upwardly extending seat back and a substantially horizontally disposed seat portion;
fastener means attached to the shell at predetermined locations for retaining one or more upholstered cushions; and at least one selectively removable cushion means, said cushion means including an accessible pocket through which padding material can be inserted or removed and a plurality of fasteners which are located to correspondingly mate with the fastener means attached to the shell.
a shell having an upwardly extending seat back and a substantially horizontally disposed seat portion;
fastener means attached to the shell at predetermined locations for retaining one or more upholstered cushions; and at least one selectively removable cushion means, said cushion means including an accessible pocket through which padding material can be inserted or removed and a plurality of fasteners which are located to correspondingly mate with the fastener means attached to the shell.
13. The article of furniture of Claim 12 wherein said shell is a unitary structure formed from a rigid material.
14. The article of furniture of Claim 12 wherein said decorative covering is selected from the group of material consisting of leathers, vinyls and cloth.
15. The article of furniture of Claim 12 wherein said fastener means include a plurality of hook and loop fasteners.
16. The article of furniture of Claim 12 wherein said at least one selectively removable cushion means comprises a seat back cushion and a seat portion cushion.
17. The article of furniture of Claim 16 wherein said seat back cushion includes an outer upholstery layer and at least one layer of padding material contained therein, said upholstery layer including an outer show surface disposed about the peripheral edges and front face of the cushion and a back side which includes the fastener means for attaching the cushion to the shell.
18 18. The article of furniture of Claim 17 further comprising means for providing the upholstery layer with a buttoned appearance, said means including drawable strips attached to an inner surface of the front face of the cushion, whereby upon drawing the strips sufficiently to pull the show surface inwardly, the buttoned appearance is accomplished.
19. The article of furniture of Claim 16 wherein said seat portion cushion includes an outer upholstery layer and at least one layer of padding material contained therein, said upholstery layer including an outer show surface disposed about the peripheral edges and front face of the cushion and a back side which includes the fastener means for attaching the cushion to the shell.
20. The article of furniture of Claim 19 further comprising means for providing the upholstery layer with a buttoned appearance, said means including drawable strips attached to an inner surface of the front face of the cushion, whereby upon drawing the strips sufficiently to pull the show surface inwardly the buttoned appearance is accomplished.
21. The article of furniture of Claim 12 wherein said fastener means further comprise a first substantially J-shaped retainer including a tongue portion which is attached to the shell and a hook portion which mates with a corresponding second substantially J-shaped retainer attached to the seat portion cushion, said second substantially J-shaped retainer also including a tongue portion and a hook portion for receiving the hook portion of said first substantially J-shaped retainer.
22. An upholstered article of furniture comprising:
a shell having an upwardly extending seat back and a substantially horizontally disposed seat portion;
a first substantially J-shaped retainer attached to the undersurface of the seat portion;
hook and loop fastener means attached to the shell at predetermined locations along both the seat back and seat portions of the shell for retaining one or more upholstered cushions;
a selectively removable seat back cushion including an accessible pocket through which padding material can be inserted and removed and a plurality of corresponding hook and loop fasteners which mate with the hook and loop fasteners disposed along the seat back of the shell; and a selectively removable seat portion cushion including an accessible pocket through which padding material can be inserted and removed, a plurality of corresponding hook and loop fasteners which mate with hook and loop fasteners disposed along the seat portion of the shell and a second substantially J-shaped retainer which mates with said first substantially J-shaped retainer to further assist in maintaining the seat portion cushion over the seat portion of the shell.
a shell having an upwardly extending seat back and a substantially horizontally disposed seat portion;
a first substantially J-shaped retainer attached to the undersurface of the seat portion;
hook and loop fastener means attached to the shell at predetermined locations along both the seat back and seat portions of the shell for retaining one or more upholstered cushions;
a selectively removable seat back cushion including an accessible pocket through which padding material can be inserted and removed and a plurality of corresponding hook and loop fasteners which mate with the hook and loop fasteners disposed along the seat back of the shell; and a selectively removable seat portion cushion including an accessible pocket through which padding material can be inserted and removed, a plurality of corresponding hook and loop fasteners which mate with hook and loop fasteners disposed along the seat portion of the shell and a second substantially J-shaped retainer which mates with said first substantially J-shaped retainer to further assist in maintaining the seat portion cushion over the seat portion of the shell.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US33531894A | 1994-11-07 | 1994-11-07 | |
| US335,318 | 1994-11-07 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2150639A1 true CA2150639A1 (en) | 1996-05-08 |
Family
ID=23311273
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2150639 Abandoned CA2150639A1 (en) | 1994-11-07 | 1995-05-31 | Method of upholstering a chair and the product produced thereby |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2150639A1 (en) |
-
1995
- 1995-05-31 CA CA 2150639 patent/CA2150639A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |