US2553043A

US2553043A - Means for attaching flexible sheets to articles

Info

Publication number: US2553043A
Application number: US41233A
Authority: US
Inventors: Alfred C Hoven
Original assignee: American Seating Co
Current assignee: American Seating Co
Priority date: 1948-07-29
Filing date: 1948-07-29
Publication date: 1951-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 1968-05-15

Description

A. c.- HOVEN 2,553,043

MEANS FOR ATTACHING FLEXIBLE SHEETS T0 ARTICLES May 15, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 29, 1948 INVENTOR. Alfred C Ho (Jen aflozneig v A. c. HOVEN 2,553,043 MEANS FOR ATTACHING. FLEXIBLE smears 1T0 ARTICLES May 15, 1951 awn 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Alfred C. E0 (Jen if 4 1 L filmy 5 Filed July 29, 1948 aiforney Patented May 15, 1951 UNITED STATES EATENT OFFlCLE MEANS FOR ATTACli-IING FLEXIBLE SHEETS TO ARTICLES- Application July 29, 1948, Serial No. 41,233

6 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to means for attaching flexible sheets to articles, and particu" larly for attaching upholstery covers to articles of furniture or the like.

The primary objects of the invention are to provide a novel means for attaching a flexible sheet such as an upholstery cover directly to an article such as an upholstered chair back or chair seat in such a manner that the sheet may be quickly, easily and permanently secured to the article without tacks or like fastenings and without hammer or other tools.

Illustrative embodiments and applications of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of an upholstered chair back of the type used in theater chairs;

I Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of a retaining element which may be employed in practicing the invention;

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are enlarged fragmentary sectional views illustrating progressive stages in the application of the invention;

Figure 5c, is a diagram illustrating the relative dimensions of certain parts of the structure;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of an alternate form of retaining element which may be used in practicing the invention;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the use of the retaining element shown in Figure 6 for upholstering a chair back or the like;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of another alternate form of retaining element which may be used in practicing the invention;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the use of the retaining element shown in Figure 8 for upholstering a chair back or the like;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a different method of employing the retaining element shown in Figure 2 in practicing the invention;

Figure 11 is a front elevational view of a theater-type chair, the chair seat being omitted in this view and the supporting standards for the chair being shown fragmentarily;

Figure 12 is a central vertical sectional view of the same taken on line l2-I2 of Figure 11;

Figure '13 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a 3 lower portion of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a top plan view of a theater-type chair seat per se upholstered according to the present invention;

Figure 15 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the same taken on line I 5-45 of Figure 14;

Figures 16, 1'7 and 13 are sectional views of other structures showing other applications of the invention and these figures will hereinafter more fully be described.

Referring now particularly to Figures 11 and 12, there is here shown a chair back 20 of the theater type upholstered according to the present invention. In contrast to conventional theater chair backs in which the upholstery padding and cover are first mounted on an inner panel which is thereafter secured to an outer back panel which in turn is mounted on the chair supporting standards, the present invention enables application of the padding 2! and upholstery cover 22 directly to a single back panel 23 mounted on the standards 24 as by screws 25, thus eliminating one panel and simplifying the structure and the assembly thereof. This is accomplished by forming a continuous channel 26 in the top and sides of the stamped sheet metal back panel 23 in which channel 28 the marginal top and side edges of the upholstery cover 22 are secured by means of a retaining element such as the element 21 shown in fragmentary elevation in Figure 2,

Referring now particularly to Figures 15 in clusive, the retaining element 2'! is formed of spring Wire coiled to form a continuous element which may be cut off in lengths as required. Each coil of the element is flattened upon the next succeeding coil, and the result is a crosssectionally elongated, ovate retaining element which possesses universal flexibility but very little compressibility or extensibility either longitudinally or laterally. The channel 28 formed in the peripheral edges of the back panel 23 is of generally C-shaped cross-section having a cove 28 and a cove 29 here referred to respectively as the major cove 28 and the minor co've 29, and having a terminus 36 and a terminus 3| here referred to respectively as the major terminus 3'0 and the minor terminus 3|. (See especially Figures 3, 4 and 5.) It is to be particularly noted that the channels secant from the apex of the major cove 28 to the minor terminus 3| is greater than the greater cross-sectional dimension of the retaining element 21, while the channels secant from the apex of the minor cove 29 to the major terminus W is less than the greater cross-sectional dimension of the retaining element 27. This relationship is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 5a, wherein the curved line DACB represents the internal wall of the channel 26 and the line EF represents the greatest cross-sectional dimension of the retaining element 21, the secant AB being greater than EF and the secant CD being less than EF.

In assembling the upholstery cover 22, which is a flexible sheet of fabric, leather or the like, to the back panel 23, upholstery filler 2| which may as shown be loose padding of cotton or the like, or which may be a rubberized hair pad, springs or a combination of any of these, is interposed between the back panel 23 and the upholstery cover 22, and the marginal edges of the upholstery cover are then curled around a retaining element 2! of the proper length. sired these marginal edges of the upholstery cover may be secured by a suitable adhesive to the retaining element 21 or to the upholstery filler 2!, or both, but this step will not always be found necessary in the practice of the invention. The assembly is completed as illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5, by inserting the retaining element 2'i-with the marginal edge of the upholstery covering 22 curled therearound into the channels major cove 28, and past the channels minor terminus 3|, the upholstery filler 2! being compressed during this operation and the body of the upholstery cover 22 being stretched outwardly from beneath the major terminus 35 of the C-shaped channel 26. This outward tension on the body of the upholstery cover 22 forces the retaining element 2! and the marginal edge of the cover 22 into the minor cove 2Q of the channel 26 and behind the major terminus 30 thus securely trapping the upholstery cover Within the channel.

As shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13 the lower marginal edge of the upholstery cover 22 is similarly secured to the back panel 23, the C-shaped channel 26 for the lower edge of the cover being formed by a reverse bend 32 in the back panel 23 and a cove strip 83 secured to the back panel as by welding, while the retaining element for the lower marginal edge of the upholstery cover 22 is simply a continuation of the retaining element 21.

Figures 6 and '7 illustrate a modified form of A,

retaining element 21 in which the spring wire is formed in undulations lying in the same plane. The method of applying the retaining element 2'! to the upholstery cover 22 and channel 26 is the same as that hereinbefore described.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate another modification in which the retaining element 21 is simply a cross-sectionally elongated bar of metal, plastic, rubber or other suitable material, and the method of application is likewise the same as that hereinbefore described. In practice the retaining elements shown in Figures 2 and 6 are more adaptable to securing flexible sheets to panels having curved peripheries inasmuch as the universal flexibility of these elements 27 and 2'! permits them to be fitted to any curve without pre-forming as would be necessary with the fiat metal bar type of retaining element shown in Figures 8, 9.

Figure shows a construction similar to that shown in Figures 1-5, except that here the retaining element 2? has been pre-stitched into a hem in the marginal edge of the upholstery cover by means of stitching 34, to facilitate assembly of the cover to the panel.

Figures 14 and illustrate another application of the invention for upholstering a chair seat of the theater type. In this application the 'C-shaped channel 36 is formed in the upstanding peripheral wall 38 of a sheet metal seat vention for detachably foundation or pan 39 and hooks 40 are also provided on the upper edge of the seat pan for the retention of springs 4| of the undulated wire type. An upholstery sheet 42 of burlap is disposed over the springs 41, upholstery filling 43 is placed over the sheet 42, and an upholstery cover 44 is disposed over the filling 43. The marminal edges of both the upholstery sheet 42 and the upholstery cover M are secured within the C-shaped channel as by mea of a r inin element 3'! of the type shown in Figure 2 and applied in the manner already described.

Figures 16, 17 and 18 show other applications of the invention. In Figure 16 the G-shaped channel 46 is formed by complementary halves shaped in two

wood frame members

48 and 49 which are secured together as by screws indicated at it. Upholstery filler 51 is disposed over the frame and an upholstery cover 52 is disposed over the filler 5| and has its marginal edge secured Within the channel by means of a retaining element ll of the type shown in Figure-2 and in the manner previously described.

Figure 1'? illustrates an application of the ininstalling removable covers, such as the seat covers commonly used to protect the upholstered seats and backs. in automobiles. Here the C-shaped channel 56 is in the form of a metal molding secured to the upholstered chair back Baby-means of screws 59 passing through apertures in the molding and into the frame iii! of the back. The detachable cover 6! has its marginal edge secured within the C-shaped channel 56 by means of a retaining element 5'! of the type shown in Figure 2 and in the manner previously described.

Figure 18 illustrates still another application of the invention for installing a fabric, screen or the like in a frame therefor. As here shown, the C-shaped channel 66 is formed in a rectangular frame '58 shown fragmentarily, which may desirably be fabricated from lengths of an aluminum extrusion. The flexible sheet 69 may be ordinary wire screening, canvas, woven spun glass such as is used for light diffusion purposes, or any other material possessing sufficient flexi bility, said sheet 69 having its marginal edges here shown secured within the channel 66 by means of a retaining element 61 of the type shown in Figure 2 and in the manner hereinbefore described.

Other modifications and applications of the invention will be readily apparent to those interested in arts to which the invention may pertain, and it will-be understood that the spirit of the invention includes all such modifications and applications as fall within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. Means for attaching a flexible sheet to an article, comprising a cross-sectionally elongated retaining element insertable within a channel in the article with the flexible sheet engaged between the retaining element and the walls of the channel, said channel being of generally cshaped cross-section having a major terminus with a major cove adjacent thereto and a minor terminus with a minor cove adjacent thereto, the channels secant from the apex of the major core to the minor terminus being greater than the greater cross-sectional dimension of the retaining element and the channels secant from the apex of the minor cove to the major terminus being less than the greater cross-sectional dimension of the retaining element, said minor cove conforming in cross-section to the cross-section of the retaining element at one end thereof so that the minor cove forms a seat for non-rotatably seating the retaining element and the flexible sheet when said element and sheet are inserted within the channel.

2. Means for attaching a flexible sheet to an article, comprising a cross-sectionally ovate retaining element insertable within a channel in the article with the flexible sheet engaged between the retaining element and the walls of the channel, said channel being of generally C-shaped cross-section having a major terminus with a major cove adjacent thereto and a minor terminus with a minor cove adjacent thereto, the channels secant from the apex of the major cove to the minor terminus being greater than the greater cross-sectional dimension of the retaining element and the channels secant from the apex of the minor cove to the major terminus being less than the greater cross-sectional dimension of the retaining element, said minor cove conforming in cross-section to the cross-section of the retaining element at one end thereof so that the minor cove forms a seat for non-rotatably seating the retaining element and the flexible sheet when said element and sheet are inserted within the channel.

3. Means for attaching a flexible sheet to an article, comprising a length of spring wire bent to form a retaining element of elongated crosssection having universal flexibility but little compressibility or extensibility, said retaining element being insertable within a channel in the article with the flexible sheet engaged between the retaining element and the walls of the channel, said channel being of generally C-shaped cross-section having a major terminus with a major cove adjacent thereto and a minor terminus with a minor cove adjacent thereto, the channels secant from the apex of the major cove to the minor terminus being greater than the greater crosssectional dimension of the retaining element and the channels secant from the apex of the minor cove to the major terminus being less than the greater cross-sectional dimension of theiretaining element, said minor cove conforming in cross-section to the cross-section of the retaining element at one end thereof so that the minor cove forms a seat for non-rotatably seating the retaining element and the flexible sheet when said element and sheet are inserted within the channel.

4. Means for attaching a flexible sheet to an article, comprising a length of spring wire coiled. to form a retaining element of elongated crosssection having universal flexibility but little compressibility or extensibility, said retaining element being insertable within a channel in the article with the flexible sheet engaged between the retaining element and the walls of the channel, said channel being of generally C-shaped cross-section having a major terminus with a major cove adjacent thereto and a minor terminus with a minor cove adjacent thereto, the channels secant from the apex of the major cove to the minor terminus being greater than the greater crosssectional dimension of the retaining element and the channels secant from the apex of the minor 6 cove to the major terminus being less than the greater cross-sectional dimension of the retaining element, said minor cove conforming in crosssection to the cross-section of the retaining element at one end thereof so that the minor cove forms a seat for non-rotatably seating the retaining element and the flexible sheet when said element and sheet are inserted within the channel.

5. Means for attaching an upholstery cover to an article of furniture or the like, comprising a cross-sectionally elongated retaining element insertable within a channel in the article with the marginal edge of the upholstery cover curled on said retaining element, said channel being of generally c-shaped cross-section having a major terminus with a major cove adjacent thereto and a minor terminus with a minor cove adjacent thereto, the channels secant from the apex of the major cove to the minor terminus being greater than the greater cross-sectional dimension of the retaining element and the channels secant from the apex of the minor cove to the major terminus being less than the greater cross-sectional dimension of the retaining element, said minor cove conforming in cross-section to the cross-section of the retaining element at one end thereof so that the minor cove forms a seat for non-rotatably seating the retaining element and the flexible sheet when said element and sheet are inserted within the channel.

6. Means for attaching an upholstery cover to an article of furniture or the like, comprising a cross-sectionally elongated retaining element insertable within a channel in the article with the marginal edge of the upholstery cover curled on said retaining element, said channel being of generally c-shaped cross-section having a major terminus with a major cove adjacent thereto and a minor terminus with a minor cove adjacent thereto, the channels secant from the apex of the major cove to the minor terminus being greater than the greater cross-sectional dimension of the retaining element and the channels secant from the apex of the minor cove to the major terminus being less than the greater cross-sectional dimension of the retaining element, said minor cove conforming in cross-section to the cross-section of the retaining element at one end thereof so that the minor cove forms a seat for non-rotatably seating the retaining element and the flexible sheet when said element and sheet are inserted within the channel, and padding compressed between the article and the body of the upholstery cover extending outwardly from the major cove.

ALFRED C. HOVEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 512,491 Smith Jan. 9, 1894 1,468,624 Bennett Sept. 25, 1923 1,926,089 Forbes et a1 Sept. 12, 1933 2,005,455 Clark June 18, 1935 2,020,028 Hanauer Nov. 5, 1935