CA2571580A1

CA2571580A1 - Upholster-ease detachable upholstery furniture

Info

Publication number: CA2571580A1
Application number: CA 2571580
Authority: CA
Inventors: Beverley Anne Callaghan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-12-19
Filing date: 2006-12-19
Publication date: 2008-06-19

Description

Appendix A

1.1 Inventor's Name:
Bev Callaghan Coleman, PE

1.2 Title of Invention: Upholster-Ease Detachable Upholstery Furniture 1.3 Brief Description of Invention:

Upholster-Ease is furniture that is specially designed to accommodate upholstery fabric that is removable, replaceable, and interchangeable. Broadcloth' is used to provide a foundation for the furniture piece. Hook and loop tape is used to attach the upholstery fabric to the foundation. The benefits of this idea are many.
Fabric can be removed from the furniture for washing, dry-cleaning or replacement. Spills and stains can be cleaned immediately. Damaged material can be replaced.

In a matter of minutes, users can change the look of their piece from one colour to another, from a solid to a design, from leather to tapestry, or they can even mix fabric and styles to create their own new look. This method can be applied to a variety of products where fabric is used.

Appendix A -1 ' Broadcloth or a similar fabric

2.1 Drawbacks:

Today's furniture comes in a variety of styles, designs and fabrics.
Unfortunately, if the consumer wants to clean or replace their upholstery fabric, they often have to rely on the services of professionals or do the job themselves. This can be time consuming and expensive. One alternative has been the use of furniture coverings. Coverings do serve to protect and/or dress up furniture, but they are often ill fitting, do not stay in place and come in limited colors, designs and sizes.
Upholster-Ease would solve these problems.

2.2 Advantages:

The Upholster-Ease method implements broadcloth and hook and loop tape in the process of upholstering furniture, car seats, camper furniture and many other products where fabric is used. In the case of furniture, a specially designed hardwood frame is constructed to ensure upholstery fabric will mold to the structure. Springs, padding etc are added to the piece as is normally done.
Broadcloth is used to cover all padded sections. Hook and loop tape is sewn into the broadcloth in some areas and stapled unto the frame where possible.
Covering the piece with broadcloth and hook and loop tape provides a base or foundation for the upholstery fabric to be fastened on to. The hook and loop tape is sewn onto the inside of the fabric in hidden areas and connected to 'the foundation to keep the fabric in place while still allowing for easy removal.

Furniture companies can with few changes and with little expense develop several styles of furniture pieces with replaceable fabric. Options such as welts, buttons and skirting can be incorporated into the design. Many current furniture designs could be modified to accommodate removable upholster.

Fabric can be sold as a three-piece ensemble for most chairs and four pieces for most sofas. After the initial cost of the furniture consumers can enjoy a variety of changes in the appearance of their pieces by simply changing the upholster fabric. If fabric becomes worn/damaged or furniture owners want to make decor changes it can easily be replaced. Best of all - the fabric will stay in place.

The Upholster-Ease method offers an affordable alternative to re-uphoistering, replacing and covering up furniture. It can be done without compromising the look, function, or style of a piece. Upholster-Ease is an innovative idea that can change the approach of furniture covering in the future.

Appendix A - 2

3.1 Method of Assembly:
The basic concept behind Upholster-Ease Detachable Upholstery is the use of hook and loop tape. The hook and loop tape allows for secure placement of the fabric as well as easy removal and replacement. Hook and loop tape is fastened in hidden areas such as under frames, below cushion lines and to edges of frames.

Step 1 - Broadcloth Hook and loop tapes strips are sewn into broadcloth below the cushion line on the arms, seat backs and the front top of seats. Furniture, including padding, is then covered with the broadcloth. (Figure 1) Step 2-Hook and Loop Tape Hook and loop tape strips are then stapled through the broadcloth foundation onto the frame on the corners of the backsides, corners of sides and under arms (figure 1). Figure 2 shows where the hook and loop tape is stapled to lower back panels, under arms and the underside of the frame.
The foundation is now in place.2 Step 3 -Seat Back For the seat back upholstery is sewn together with seams or using welt as is normally done. Strips of hook and loop tape are sewn onto the inside of the material at the side backs and front bottoms to match up with the hook and loop tape on the broadcloth. The upholstery is then slipped over the back and secured into place. (Figure 3) The bottom back is attached under the frame.

Step 4-Arms and front facing panels Arms pieces are cut out and hemmed with hook and loop tape. Strips are sewn to the edges of the material and under the arms (figure 4). The front arm panel and front facing panel are cut and hemmed as one piece and hook and loop tape strips sewn onto the front and bottom of the front facing panel (figure 4).
The arm pieces and front arm panel are sewn together creating one piece. This one piece is then slipped over the furniture and secured into place. The amount of hook and loop tape used on the arm will depend on the design of the piece.

Step 5 - Cushion The cushion is sewn together with seams or welts leaving the backside open with a flap. Hook and loop tape is then sewn onto the inside of each side of the flap and secured (Figure 5). The process is now complete. The material can now be removed for cleaning or replacement.

Appendix A - 3 Z Modifications such as buttons and extra padding are discussed on page 5.

4.1 Options in Style: It is important to allow for variations in the design and style of furniture pieces. Some options such as welt, skirting, buttons, and extra padding can add character, uniqueness and elegance to furniture. These options can easily be incorporated into the Upholster-Ease approach to covering furniture. The amount of hook and loop tape needed to provide proper support for each piece of furniture will depend on the design of a particular piece.

Welt can easily be included in the design of this furniture. It is simply sewn into the pieces as they are put together.

Skirting is added by attaching hook and loop tape to the bottom of the piece as well as to the inside of the skirt material.

Buttons are secured to the furniture piece through the broadcloth. The upholstery fabric is secured to the piece with the buttonholes. Buttons could be snap on so that they would also be interchangeable or material could be made to slip over existing buttons.

Areas where Extra padding is used such as with headrests may need more reinforcement. This can be accomplished by drawing hook and loop tape strips onto the furniture below the padding and attaching them to the upholstery fabric.
The broadcloth may also need to be reinforced with a heavier material to ensure strength.

The Upholster-Ease method is certainly not limited to furniture upholstery.
The method can also be applied to car seats and camper upholster. The possibilities are endless. With little effort or additional costs Upholster-Ease can open the door to a new approach to the use of fabric in our daily lives and become a household name.

Appendix A - 4