US3871089A

US3871089A - Upholstery element

Info

Publication number: US3871089A
Application number: US441667A
Authority: US
Inventors: John W Kunz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-09-25
Filing date: 1974-02-11
Publication date: 1975-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 1992-03-18

Abstract

An upholstery element comprising a retaining member and a facing member, the former of which is adapted to be inserted into and secured within a suitable aperture in the upholstery of a seat, chair, bench, or the like, the retaining member being provided with a central bore which is adapted to receive a shaft-like portion depending downwardly from the underside of the facing member, with the terminal end of the shaft portion having suitable securing means cooperable with the retaining member for detachably securing the facing member in a position wherein an enlarged diameter head portion thereon covers and thereby conceals the retaining member.

Description

United States Patent Kunz 1 Mar. 18, 1975 UPHOLSTERY ELEMENT [76] Inventor: John W. Kunz, 128 Elm Park Ridge, 'm E'mm",zer Paul G'lham Pleasant Ridge Mich 48069 A ASSISIHIII Exammer-Jfenneth J. Dorner Attorney, Agent, or F1rmHarness, D1ckey & P1erce [22] Filed: Feb. 11, 1974 7 [-1] Appl. No. 441,667 ABSTRAC Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 291,976, Sept. 25, 1972, upholtery element compnsmg a h member abandoned and a facmg member, the former of which is adapted to be inserted into and secured within a suitable aper- 152 us. 01. 24/90 B, 5/356- ture in the upholstery of a seat, chair, bench, or the 1511 1m. 01 A44b 1/26 like, the retaining member being provided with a 5 Field f Search u 24 90 R 90 B, 90 F, 9 tral bore which is adapted to receive a shaft-like por- 24 101 R 102 T, 152; 5 35 35 34 tion depending downwardly from the underside of the facing member, with the terminal end of the shaft por- [5 References Ci d tion having suitable securing means cooperable with UNITED STATES PATENTS the retainingmember for detachably securing the fac- 7 081 6/1937 L. 7 24m) R mg member 1n a pos1t10n wherem an enlarged diamelmglw 5/356 ter head portion thereon covers and thereby conceals my? @1957 Me er.1. iiiiiiiijiiiiiiii:jiiiiiiiiiii: 51356 the reaming member- )l6,398 H1963 Great Britain 5/356 PATENTEUHAR 1 8 I975 3, 871 ,0 SHEET 2 gr 2 89 1 UPI-IOLSTERY ELEMENT This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 291,976, filed Sept. 25, 1972.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to upholstery elements and more particularly, to a new and improved upholstery button of the type commonly utilized in retaining upholstery material, such as fabric, leather, vinyl, or other materials in a predetermined covering relationship to an associated piece of furniture, such as a chair, bench, automobile seat, etc.

Upholstery buttons have found wide acceptance as a means for securing upholstered materials, such as fabric, leather, vinyl, plastic or other natural or synthetic materials in a predetermined operative position covering and thereby protecting various types of furniture. Such upholstery buttons have heretofore been secured by various means located interiorly of the piece of furniture or at least interiorly of the cushioning or padding material usually provided thereon. The attachment means for such upholstery buttons has commonly consisted ofa wire retaining clip secured to some structural portion of the furniture and which was in some way secured to an enlarged diameter head portion of the upholstery button. If, for any reason, there was a failure of the wire clip, or if the head portion somehow became disengaged from the clip, such prior art upholstery buttons, for all practical purposes, became ineffective, to say nothing of the fact that a rather unsightly opening was left in the upholstery surface. To make things worse, it has been extremely difficult to replace such broken or inadvertently removed upholstery buttons in that such replacement frequently necessitated partial disassembly of the furniture or the removal of the upholstery thereon, and in the case of automobiles, usually the entire seat from which the upholstery button was removed would have to be taken out of the automobile in order to replace an upholstery button.

The present invention is directed toward a new and improved upholstery button construction which is believed to overcome all of the aforementioned objectionable characteristics of similar type buttons known in the prior art. More particularly, the upholstery button of the present invention comprises a pair of elements, namely, a retaining element and a facing element, the former of which is adapted to be fixedly secured within the upholstery of the associated furniture, seat, etc., with the facing element comprising an enlarged head portion which encovers the retaining ele: ment and which is provided with a shaft-like portion which is adapted to be nestingly received within a central bore of the retaining element and be releasably secured therein. If, for some reason the facing element becomes disengaged from the retaining member, the same may be conveniently replaced without requiring the removal or disassembly of the associated furniture, as will hereinafter be described in detail.

It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved upholstery button.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a new and improved upholstery button which may be easily replaced without necessitating disassembly of the associated piece of furniture, bench, seat, etc.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved upholstery button of the above character which is of an extremely simple design, is economical to manufacture and which will have a long and effective operational life.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view ofa typical automobile seat structure incorporating the new and improved upholstery button of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded assembly view of the upholstery button structure shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the retaining member of the upholstery button shown in FIG. 3, as taken in the direction of the arrow 4 therein;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view taken in the direction of the arrow 5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view ofa modified embodiment of the upholstery button of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged exploded assembly view of the upholstery button structure shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the retainer element incorporated in the upholstery button shown in FIG. 7, as seen in the direction of the arrow 8 therein; and

FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of the upholstery button shown in FIG. 7, as seen in the direction of the arrow 9 therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring'now in detail to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, a typical automobile seat structure is generally designated by the numeral 10 and is shown as comprising an upwardly projecting back section 12 and a generally horizontally disposed seat section 14. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the seat 10 includes a suitable support structure or frame (not shown) which is at least partially covered with a deformable or resilient cushioning or padding material illustrated in FIG. 2 and generally designated by the numeral 16. The cushioning or padding material 16 may consist of any suitable natural or synthetic material and is provided with conventional springs, such as coil springs or the like (also not shown). Typically, the cushioning or padding material 16 is covered with an exterior layer or covering of a fabric, leather, vinyl, plastic, or other upholstery material, as is designated by the numeral 18 in FIG. 2. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the seat structure 10 is provided with a plurality of upholstery elements or buttons, generally designated by the numeral 20 which function generally to retain the upholstery material 18 upon the structure 10 and resist undesirable movement thereof with respect to the padding or cushioning material 16. Generally speaking, the upholstery element or button 20 of the present invention comprises a retaining member 22 and a facing member 24. As will hereinafter be described in detail, the retaining member 22 is adapted to be inserted through a suitable bore or opening 26 within the seat structure and be fixedly secured therein at some predetermined location. The facing member 24 is thereafter adapted to be assembled onto the retaining member 22 in a manner such that if, for any reason, the facing member 24 is inadvertently removed or becomes disassembled from the retaining member 22, a new facing member 24 may be conveniently reassembled or replaced without necessitating any disassembly of the seat structure 10.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the retaining member 22 comprises a generally cylindrically-shaped body 28 having an upper end portion 30 which terminates in an enlarged diameter flange or shoulder 32. Depending downwardly from the cylindrical body 28 and integrally connected thereto is a pair of spaced apart

flexible legs

34 and 36 which, as best seen in FIG. 3, terminate at the lower end thereof in a pair of generally triangularshaped shoulders 38. Each of these shoulders 38 is formed with a downwardly inclined lower surface 40 and with a generally flat upper surface 42. The shoulders 38 project in the same direction, i.e., toward the right in FIG. 3, and are adapted to be cooperable with another downwardly depending leg 44 that is integrally connected at its upper end to the cylindrical body 28 and is formed with an integral shoulder 46 at the lower end thereof. As best seen in FIG. 3, the shoulder 46 is directed in the opposite direction from the shoulders 38 and comprises a generally downwardly directed inclined lower surface 48 and a generally flat upper surface 50. The shoulder 46 is normally being disposed interjacent the shoulders 38 in a manner shown in solid lines in FIG. 3. The three

legs

34, 36 and 44 define an elongated cavity 52 therebetween which is adapted to nestingly receive a wire or rod-like element 54 therewithin, such as a typical spring element or similar wire reinforcing member normally provided within the seat structure 10. More particularly, in order to effect assembly ofa retaining member 22, the lower end thereof is inserted downwardly through the bore 26 at a position wherein the bifurcated notch or recess defined between the inclined surfaces 40 and 48 of the shoulders 38 and 46 is aligned with the wire element 54. As a retaining member 22 is biased downwardly, the surfaces 40, 48 engage the upper surface of the wire 54 thereby causing the

legs

34, 36 and 44 to be biased away from one another from the solid line position in FIG. 3 to the dotted line position in this figure. Continued downward movement ofthe retaining member 22 will result in the wire 54 moving upwardly into the cavity 52, after which time the

legs

34, 36, and 44, due to their natural flexible character, will automatically return from the dotted line position in FIG. 3 to the solid line position in this figure. When this occurs, it will be seen that the

flat surfaces

42 and 50 on the shoulders 38 and 46 will move to a position underlying the wire 54, thereby positively securing the retaining member 22 in the final assembled position best seen in FIG. 2. It will be appreciated, of course, that the length of the body 28 may be varied in accordance with the specific dimensions between the upper surface or upholstery fabric 18 of the structure 10 and the associated wire-like element 54 with which a specific retaining member is to be operably engaged.

Referring now to the facing member 24, as best seen in FIG. 3, the member 24 comprises a generally flat, disc-shaped head portion 56 which may be covered or otherwise decorated in any desirable manner so as to complement or match the color, texture or appearance of the upholstery fabric 18. The head portion 56 is formed with an integral downwardly projecting shaft portion 58, the lower end of which is formed with a generally comically-shaped end portion 60 defining an annular shoulder 62. The shaft section 58 is adapted, upon prior assembly of the retaining member 22, to be nestingly received within a generally axially extending bore 64 formed in the body 28 of the retaining member 22. As best seen in FIG. 3, the bore 64 extends downwardly from the upper end of the member 22 and terminates at the lower end thereof in a generally frustoconical or tapered aperture 66 which is in turn comm unicable at its lower end with interior of the cavity 52. The diameter of the lower end of the opening 66 is slightly smaller in diameter than the upper end of the conical end portion 60, such that upon insertion of the shaft section 58 downwardly through the bore 64, the end portion 60 is adapted to be forced downwardly through the restricted opening 66 to a position wherein the shoulder 62 engages the upper end of the cavity 52 defined by a generally annular surface 68. It will be seen that when the facing member 24 is thus secured to the retaining member 22, as best seen in FIG. 2, the head portion 56 will entirely cover the upper end of the retaining member 22 so that the same is effectively concealed. In addition, if, for any reason, the head portion 24 becomes separated from the shaft section 58 or if the entire facing member 24 is inadvertently removed from the retaining member 22, another such facing member 24 may be easily assembled to replace the original member 23 without necessitating removal of the retaining member 22 or any disassembly of the seat structure 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-9, a somewhat modified embodiment of the present invention is shown in the form of an upholstery button assembly generally designated by the numeral and comprising a retaining member 82 and a facing member 84. In addition, the assembly 80 includes a generally circular or discshaped washer member 86 which is cooperable with the retaining member 82 in operatively securing the same within the bore 16 of an associated padding 19 or cushioning material 16, as will hereinafter be described.

The retaining member 82 is generally similar in construction to the aforedescribed retaining member 22 and comprises a cylindrical body 88 having an upper end portion 90 terminating an enlarged diameter flange or shoulder 92. The body 88 is formed with a central bore 94 analogous to the bore 64 and terminating at the lower end thereof in a tapered aperture 96 having an annular shoulder 98 at the lower end thereof. The lower end of the body 88 is formed with a pair of downwardly depending, spaced apart legs 100 which define a cavity 102 therebetween. As shown, the upper end of the cavity 102 is communicable with the bore 94 via the tapered aperture 96. The laterally outer sides of the legs 100 are formed with outwardly projecting, downwardly tapered shoulder portions 104 which are defined by downwardly inclined surfaces 106 and generally flat upper surfaces 108. As best seen in FIG. 7 the lower end of the cavity 102 extends downwardly between the shoulders 104 and terminates therewithin in a generally conically-shaped lower cavity portion 110.

With reference now to the washer member 86, as best seen in FIG. 9, the member 86 comprises a generally disc-shaped upper section 112 that includes a downwardly extending annular central portion 114 formed with a central, generally rectangular opening 116 that extends entirely through the washer member 86. The portion 114 is formed with a counterbore 118 defining a generally flat surface 120 which extends entirely around the periphery of the opening 116 and is adapted to cooperate with the upper surfaces 108 of the shoulders 104 in a manner hereinafter to be described. It will be noted that the cross-sectional size of the opening 116 is greater than the major dimension of the shoulders 108, and somewhat smaller than the cross-sectional size of the retainer member 82 directly above the shoulders 104 whereby the lower end of the retainer member 82 may be biased downwardly through the opening 116, as described below.

At such time it is desired to effect assembly or mounting of the retainer member 82, the same is biased downwardly through the bore 26 in the associated padding or cushioning material 16. The washer member 86 is oriented on the underside of the material 16 with the opening 116 in alignment with the bore 26. Accordingly, as the retainer member 82 is biased downwardly through the bore 26, the lower end of the member 82 will be inserted into the opening 116. As the member 82 is biased downwardly still further, the tapered or inclined surfaces 106 of the shoulders 104 will cause the lower end of the retainer member 82 to be deformed inwardly, whereupon the shoulders 104 will pass downwardly through the opening 116. At such time as the shoulders 104 have entirely passed through the opening 116, due to the natural resiliency of the retainer member 82, the legs 100 will be biased outwardly again to the position shown in FIG. 6, whereupon the upper surfaces 108 of the shoulders 104 will become engaged with the flat surface 120 defined within the counterbore 118 to lockingly secure the retainer member 82 and washer member 86 in the operative position shown in FIG. 6. Thereafter, the facing member 84, which is essentially identical in construction and operation to the aforedescribed facing member 24 and comprises a head portion 122, shaft section 124 and conical end portion 126, is inserted downwardly through the bore 94 to a position wherein the end portion 126 is lockingly engaged with the shoulder 98 defined at the upper end of the cavity 102. In this position, the facing member 84 entirely conceals the retaining member 82 and may be conveniently replaced when desired, as above described.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the present invention provides a new and improved upholstery button which features a number of improvements over similar type devices known in the prior art. In particular, the present invention permits convenient replacement of the exposed button or facing member without necessitating disassembly of the associated upholstered structure. In addition, the upholstery button of the present invention will be found to be universally applicable in structures having internal wire-like reinforcing structures, springs, etc., or those which are devoid of such structures. Additionally, the upholstery button of the present invention will find wide and varied application in that the components thereof may be fabricated of readily available materials, such as various types of synthetic plastic material and/or metallic alloys known in the art. Also, the upholstery button of the present invention will be seen to be extremely attractive from a cost standpoint since it is of an extremely simple design, is economical to manufacture and easy to assemble.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A two-piece upholstery device for a cushion having upholstery material along one side thereof and at least one wire-like member extending generally parallel to said side and spaced a predetermined distance from said upholstery material, said device including a molded retaining element fabricated of plastic material and having an upper body portion having a central bore formed therein with the lower end of said bore terminating in a generally outwardly radial surface, said retaining member also including a plurality of downwardly extending legs defining a cavity therebetween and formed integrally of said body, said legs being flexible independently of one another and being formed with a retaining shoulder on the lower end thereof, each of said retaining shoulders including a downwardly inclined camming surface and a generally flat upper surface, with said legs being normally orientated such that said camming surfaces thereof define a V- shaped recess which is engageable with said member to cause the lower ends of said legs to flex away from one another to permit said member to pass into said cavity upon downward movement of said retaining element, whereby said fiat surfaces of said shoulders will engage the underside of said member to lockingly secure said retaining element to said cushion, with said retaining element being secured in a manner to compress the upholstered material when extending thereinto, said device also including a facing element including head and shaft portions the former of which overlies the upper end of said retaining element when said shaft portion is inserted into said bore, the lower end of said shaft portion including a locking part defining an enlarged shoulder spaced from said head the approximate distance of the length of said bore and received in the upper end of said cavity and engaging said radial surface at said lower end of said body portion to lockingly secure said facing element to said retaining element.

2. An upholstery element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said legs are three in number with two having shoulders thereon facing in one direction and a' third having a shoulder thereon facing in the opposite direction.

Claims

1. A two-piece upholstery device for a cushion having upholstery material along one side thereof and at least one wire-like member extending generally parallel to said side and spaced a predetermined distance from said upholstery material, said device including a molded retaining element fabricated of plastic material and having an upper body portion having a central bore formed therein with the lower end of said bore terminating in a generally outwardly radial surface, said retaining member also including a plurality of downwardly extending legs defining a cavity therebetween and formed integrally of said body, said legs being flexible independently of one another and being formed with a retaining shoulder on the lower end thereof, each of said retaining shoulders including a downwardly inclined camming surface and a generally flat upper surface, with said legs being normally orientated such that said camming surfaces thereof define a V-shaped recess which is engageable with said member to cause the lower ends of said legs to flex away from one another to permit said member to pass into said cavity upon downward movement of said retaining element, whereby said flat surfaces of said shoulders will engage the underside of said member to lockingly secure saiD retaining element to said cushion, with said retaining element being secured in a manner to compress the upholstered material when extending thereinto, said device also including a facing element including head and shaft portions the former of which overlies the upper end of said retaining element when said shaft portion is inserted into said bore, the lower end of said shaft portion including a locking part defining an enlarged shoulder spaced from said head the approximate distance of the length of said bore and received in the upper end of said cavity and engaging said radial surface at said lower end of said body portion to lockingly secure said facing element to said retaining element.

2. An upholstery element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said legs are three in number with two having shoulders thereon facing in one direction and a third having a shoulder thereon facing in the opposite direction.