Abstract:
A seating construction includes a perimeter frame defining an open area, and a one-piece molded seating component supported on the frame. The seating component includes a plurality of integrally-formed flexible slats defining a support surface over the open area. Resilient wires are coupled to the slats to resiliently support the slats when flexed. The component can be handled as a unit for assembly, and is retained by connecting rods that extend along the side section of the frame, with the slats each rotatably engaging mating bearing structure on the frame. A flex-limiting member in a center of the frame limits the resilient supports to a maximum deflected condition. Tabs on the molded component interconnect the slats and permit one-piece molding, but are either flexible or breakable to permit independent flexing of the slats. Methods related to the above are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A woven fabric structure for outdoor furniture use is provided. The woven fabric structure is a blended fabric containing a coated multifilament yarn (12) and an elastomeric yarn (10) that is resistant to water, ultraviolet, heat degradation or other significant outdoor exposure. The elastomeric yarn (10) is provided in the fill direction and the coated multifilament yarn (12) is provided in the warp direction. Additionally, the coated multifilament yarn (12) can be combined with a yarn such as spun acrylic, polyester, nylon, yarn, texturized yarns; or other uncoated filament yarns.
Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed for adjusting an active length of a plurality of interwoven support elements of a weight bearing surface to conform to contours of a user's anatomy. The weight bearing surface overlies a frame to which the plurality of interwoven support elements are connected. The apparatus includes an adjustment mechanism connected to one of the plurality of interwoven support elements, wherein the adjustment mechanism is attached or releasably attached to the frame. The adjustment mechanism allows the active length of the connected interwoven support element to change as a user bears upon the weight bearing surface, thereby conforming the weight bearing surface to the contours of a user's anatomy. In another aspect, a method for adjusting an active length of at least some of a plurality of interwoven support elements of a weight bearing surface to conform to contours of a user's anatomy is disclosed.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a weave for furniture and the like. The weave comprises first and second strip-like weave elements combined with each other according to weft and warp. The first weave elements comprise a central strip and edge strips folded over to one side of the weave and provided with openings. The second weave elements are arranged through the openings in the first weave elements. The weave can for instance be applied as wind-break.
Abstract:
A seating unit (50) includes a perimeter frame (90), a flexible seating surface supported by the frame, and parallel elongated resilient force-distributing members (103) coupled to the seating surface to control a contour of the seating surface when supporting a user. The resilient force-distributing members (103) are bendable along their length and are sufficient in number and distribution to substantially reduce localized deflection of the seating surface and thereby reduce pressure point contact felt by the user. The resilient force-distributing members (103) can be wire rods, long strips, or other resilient material with memory. The resilient force-distributing members (103) can be supported on opposing sides of the perimeter frame in various ways to reduce inward pressure on the opposing sides during flexure of the resilient force-distributing members (103).
Abstract:
The invention concerns a covering element (1) for the seats (12) and backs (13) of chairs, including armchairs. The new covering element is extremely simple to manufacture and correspondingly inexpensive. The covering element (1) consists of a helical spring (2) which acts as the core. Passing over the spring is a hose (11) made of rubber or flexible plastic. Screw hooks (3) are used to fix the covering element to the frame (9) of the chair. The threads of the screw hooks (3) are twisted into the ends of the springs (2), while the hooked ends (5) are inserted into bores (8) in the frame of the chair. Complete seats (12) and backs (13) are obtained by attaching an appropriate number of covering elements (1). The helical spring (2) and the hose (11) are standard semi-finished articles, while the screw hook (3) is a standard finished article. These components are extremely cheap and easy to obtain, thus ensuring that individual covering elements (1) are not only inexpensive to manufacture but also easy to repair by 'do-it-yourself' type methods.
Abstract:
A seating construction includes a perimeter frame defining an open area, and a one-piece molded seating component supported on the frame. The seating component includes a plurality of integrally-formed flexible slats defining a support surface over the open area. Resilient wires are coupled to the slats to resiliently support the slats when flexed. The component can be handled as a unit for assembly, and is retained by connecting rods that extend along the side section of the frame, with the slats each rotatably engaging mating bearing structure on the frame. A flex-limiting member in a center of the frame limits the resilient supports to a maximum deflected condition. Tabs on the molded component interconnect the slats and permit one-piece molding, but are either flexible or breakable to permit independent flexing of the slats. Methods related to the above are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A woven chair (100) is disclosed as having a frame (102) with first and second end bars (122, 124) opposed from each other, the first and second end bars spanning opposed side bars (126, 128), and a first end secondary- bar (130) extending parallel to the first end bar and spanning the side bars . The chair may also include a first end tertiary bar (134) spanning the side bars. Yarn (112, 114) may be configured around the bars to form a woven chair. In other embodiments, a chair frame may have an outer main frame with a pair of end bars (122, 124) and a pair of side bars (126, 128) and inner framing engaged with the outer frame, the inner framing comprising a plurality of inner bars (130, 132, 148, 150), at least one of the plurality of inner bars being adjacent to each of the end bars and side bars, each of the bars being utilized to weave yarn to form a woven chair.
Abstract:
A seating unit (50) includes a perimeter frame (90), a flexible seating surface supported by the frame, and parallel elongated resilient force-distributing members (103) coupled to the seating surface to control a contour of the seating surface when supporting a user. The resilient force-distributing members (103) are bendable along their length and are sufficient in number and distribution to substantially reduce localized deflection of the seating surface and thereby reduce pressure point contact felt by the user. The resilient force-distributing members (103) can be wire rods, long strips, or other resilient material with memory. The resilient force-distributing members (103) can be supported on opposing sides of the perimeter frame in various ways to reduce inward pressure on the opposing sides during flexure of the resilient force-distributing members (103).