| JPH0616730 | [Title of Invention] Chair |
| WO/2000/013552 | CHAIR WITH METAL BODY |
| FR2424007A1 | 1979-11-23 | |||
| DE2820573A1 | 1979-11-15 | |||
| US3464479A | 1969-09-02 | |||
| US2979119A | 1961-04-11 |
| 1. | An article of seatingtype furniture (10), comprising: a frame (9) forming a back (12) and a seat (14) for. said furniture (10) , and having slot means (78) , and strap means (16, 95) forming a backing for said back (12) and a seating for said seat (14) of furniture (10) , said strap means (16, 95) having a main body and opposite ends adjacent to said main body and integrally formed tab means (50) , on each of said opposite ends for insertion into and engagement in said slot means (78) of said frame (9) . |
| 2. | An article of Claim 1, wherein said strap means consists of a one piece molded panel means (15) having a plurality of straps (16) which are interconnected by connecting members (24) and which forms said backing and said seating for said furniture (9) . |
| 3. | An article of Claim 1, wherein said strap means consists of a plurality of individually spacedapart straps (95) which form said backing and said seating for said furniture (9) . |
| 4. | An article of Claim 1, wherein said tab means (50) is sheared formed. |
| 5. | An article of Claim 1, wherein said each of said opposite ends of said strap means (16, 95) has a tang (46) on which said tab means (50) is formed. |
| 6. | An article of Claim 5, wherein said tang (46) has rounded edges (51) for easy insertion into said slot means (78) . |
| 7. | An article of Claim 5, wherein said tab means (50) is disposed inwardly of the end of said tang (46) and has an inclined raised portion, whereby the inclination starts relative to said end of said tang (46) SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26V and rises upwardly toward said main body of said strap means (16, 95) . |
| 8. | An article of Claim 1, wherein said strap means (16, 95) and said tab means (50) are made of a material which is flexible and yet strong enough so that said tab means (50) remains in said slot means (78) and said strap means (16, 95) withstands various loads. |
| 9. | An article of Claim 1, wherein said strap means (16, 95) is made of a plastic material. |
| 10. | An article of Claim 1, wherein said tab means (50) is made of a resilient material which allows said tab means (50) to be pushed inwardly upon its insertion into said slot means (78) and allows said tab means (50) to spring back for said engagement thereof in said slot means (78) of said frame (9) . |
| 11. | An article of seating type furniture (10) , comprising: a frame (9) having tubular means which forms a back (12) and a seat (14) for said furniture (10) a first said panel means forming a seating for said seat (14) , a second said panel means forming a backing for said back (12) , said first and said second panel means being a one piece molded panel (15) with a plurality of strap elements (16) and fastening means (24) for securing each of said strap means (16) of said first and second panel means (15) to said frame (9) . |
| 12. | An article of Claim 11, wherein said strap means (16) and has opposite ends and further comprising: a tang (46) on each of said opposite ends of said each strap means (16) and having an opening (172) ; and SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26V wherein said fastening means consists of an external fastener (184) which extends through said opening (172) of said tang (46) and into said frame (9) . |
| 13. | An article of seating type furniture (10), comprising: tubular frame means (9) forming a back (12) for said furniture (10) , and having tab receiving openings (78), and strap means (16, 95) having a plurality of tabs (50) , each of said tabs (50) being disposed in locking engagement with said tab receiving openings (78) of said frame means (9) . |
| 14. | An article of Claim 13, wherein said strap means consists of individual strap elements (95) having opposite ends with one of said tabs (50) forming one of said ends. |
| 15. | An article of Claim 13, wherein, said each of said plurality of tabs (50) is in a substantially U shaped configuration. |
| 16. | An article of Claim 13, wherein said strap means (16, 95) has a main body and adjacent ends and tang means (46) , and wherein said each of said plurality of tabs (50) is disposed on said tang means (46) of said adjacent ends of said strap means (16, 95), and consists of a projection (50) having its highest point projecting toward said main body of said strap means (16, 95) . |
| 17. | An article of seatingtype furniture (10) comprising: a frame (9) having tubular means which form a backing and a seating for said furniture (10) , webbing means secured to said tubular means for forming said seating and said backing of said furniture (10) , SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26V said tubular means having a plurality of slots (78) , said webbing means having a plurality of individual straps (95) , each of said plurality of straps (95) having a tang portion (46) with a surface and integrally molded tab means (50) projecting away from said surface of said tang portion (46) , said tang portion (46) being received in said one of said slots (78) , and said tab means (50) being selfanchored inside said one of said plurality of slots (78) for securing each of said plurality of straps (95) to said frame (9) . |
| 18. | An article of Claim 17, wherein said tab means (50) consists of an inclined projection member (50) extending away from said surface of said tang portion (46) . |
| 19. | An article of Claim 18, wherein said projection member (50) is shear formed. |
| 20. | A method for forming a seating type of furniture (10) , the steps comprising: providing a frame (9) with tubular means for forming a back (12) or a seat (14) for said furniture (10) , and slot means (78) in said tubular means, providing strap means (16, 95) for forming a backing (12) or a seating (14) for said furniture (10) , and forming integral tab means (50) on the free ends of said strap means (16, 95) , and inserting and engaging said tab means (50) into said slot means (78) for securing said strap means (16, 95) to said tubular means of said frame ('9) . |
| 21. | A method of Claim 20, the steps further comprising: SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26V when said tab means (50) is inserted into said slot means (78) pulling said strap means (16 or 95) outwardly away from said tubular means to anchor said tab (50) against the inside wall (82) of said tubular means. |
| 22. | A method of Claim 20, the steps further comprising: shear forming said tab means (50) . |
| 23. | A method of Claim 20, the steps further comprising: forming said strap means (16, 95) and said tab means (50) thereon by a molding process. |
| 24. | A method of Claim 20, the steps further comprising: forming said strap means (16) and said tab means (50) thereon as a one piece panel (15) through a molding process, whereby a plurality of straps (16) are interconnected by rib means (24) . |
| 25. | A method of Claim 20, the steps further comprising: forming said strap means and said tab means (50) thereon as a plurality of individual straps (95) . |
| 26. | A method of Claim 20, the steps further comprising: mounting said plurality of straps (16, 95) in said tubular means in a spaced apart horizontal fashion. |
| 27. | A method of Claim 20, the steps further comprising: shear forming said tab means (50) in a U shaped configuration. |
| 28. | A method of Claim 20, the steps further comprising: making said strap means (16, 95) out of a material which is flexible and having enough strength to withstand various loads . SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26V . |
| 29. | A method of forming a seating type of furniture (10) , the steps comprising: providing a frame (9) having tubular means for forming a back (12) for said furniture (10) , forming a backing for said back (12) of said furniture (10) with a onepiece panel means (15) , and employing fastening means (184) for securing said panel means (15) to said back (12) of said furniture (10) . |
| 30. | A method of Claim 29, the steps further comprising: employing a molding process to form said panel means (15) , and forming said panel means (15) to consist of a plurality of straps (16) which are interconnected by rib means (24) . |
| 31. | A method of Claim 29, the steps further comprising: making said onepiece panel means (15) from a material which is flexible and having enough strength to withstand various loads. |
| 32. | A method of Claim 29, the steps further comprising: making said onepiece panel means (15) from plastic. |
| 33. | A method of Claim 29, the steps further comprising: employing integrally formed selflocking fastening means (50) on said panel means (15) , and inserting said fastening means (50) into slot openings (78) in said frame (9) . |
| 34. | A method of forming a seating type of furniture (10) , the steps comprising: providing a frame (9) having tubular means for forming a seat for said furniture (10) , SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26V forming a seating for said seat of said furniture (10) with a onepiece panel (15) means, and employing fastening means (50, 184) for securing said onepiece panel means (15) to said seat of said furniture (10) . |
| 35. | A method of Claim 34, the steps further comprising: employing a molding process to form said panel means (15) , and forming said panel means (15) to consist of a plurality of straps (16) interconnected by rib means (24) . |
| 36. | A method of Claim 34, the steps further comprising: making said onepiece panel means (15) form a material which is flexible and having enough strength to withstand various loads. |
| 37. | A method of Claim 34, the steps further comprising: making said onepiece panel means (15) from plastic. |
| 38. | A method of Claim 34, the steps further comprising: employing integrally formed selflocking fastening means (50) on said panel means (15) , and inserting said fastening means (50) into slot openings (78) in said frame (9) . SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26V. |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to seating type furniture for indoor or outdoor use. More particularly, it relates to straps and/or panels for forming a seating and/or a backing for the furniture, and to means for securing the straps and/or panels to or in the frame of the furniture.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Garden, patio, or porch furniture, such as chairs, chaise lounges, gliders, or sofa-type furniture are formed by frame members which may be tubing made of aluminum or steel. The ends of the straps are retained in operative position by securing the ends to or in slots in the aluminum frame member. Generally, the straps are flexible webbing material which are interwoven, and a variety of fastening means are known for securing the straps to the frame members.
Some examples of fastening means for securing the ends of the straps to the frame members are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,622,663; 2,957,219; 2,978,775; 3,298,426; 3,512,834; 3,910,339; and 4,339,488. In each of these prior art references, a secondary element is affixed to the end of the strap for its securement in the frame members upon its insertion into slots in the frame members. Other forms of the prior art have separate fastener means.
In spite of the prior art, the connection between the straps or webbing material and the frame still creates a weak point with the result of detachment or the tearing off of the strap or web from the supporting frame members. Additionally the straps or webbings for forming the backing and/or seating portion of the furniture are
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individual pieces which -are arranged in an individual fashion or are interlaced in a woven fashion, and are made of tenuous materials which wear and erode, and eventually tear away from the supporting frame members . There remains, therefore, a very real and substantial need for an improved backing and/or seating portion for a frame structure for a seating type piece of furniture, and an improved connection between the straps or webbings and the frame structure. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has met the above-described needs. The present invention provides a backing or a seating which is formed by either individual straps or by a one-piece integrally formed panel which is secured to a frame structure. The panel has straps or strips. Both the straps of the panel and the individual straps have a tang portion at its ends which have tabs which are integrally formed thereon and which tabs are self-locking in the slots of the frame members. Optionally, the tang portions can have apertures which are secured to the frame members by external, separate fastening means, such as a canoe clip, a screw, or a Christmas tree clip.
The tabs may be integrally molded or may be shear formed after the molding process. The tabs project away from the top or bottom longitudinal surface of the tang portion. The shear formed tab is formed such that it inclines upwardly and outwardly relative to a longitudinal edge of the tang portion. The tab is flexible enough that it is able to be pushed inwardly toward the top or bottom surface of the tang portion, when the tang portion is inserted into a slotted opening in the frame member. Once inserted, the tab springs back to its original form and abuts against the inside wall of the frame member in a locking fashion. The panel and individual straps are flexible so that the straps can be pulled and stretched to
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fit around and into the slotted openings of the frame members. A type of material for the panel or individual straps may be polyvinyl chloride.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a seating element or means which can be used either as a seating or a backing of a piece of seating type of furniture.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a seating and/or a backing for a frame of a piece of seating type furniture which is a one-piece integral panel construction, which provides more substantial support for cushion devices or which could be used as the primary seat in seating type of furniture.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a plurality of spaced-apart straps which are secured to the frame of the furniture and which form a seating or a backing for the furniture.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a plurality of spaced-apart straps which form a seating and/or a backing on a frame, which straps have integrally formed means on its ends which self-lock when inserted into a slot in the frame.
It is a still further object of -the present invention to provide a one-piece integrally molded panel for forming a seating and/or a backing on a frame having spaced apart but interconnected strap or strip elements and which elements have integrally formed means on its ends and which self-lock when inserted into a slot in the frame.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a seating and/or backing on a frame which is formed by a one-piece molded plastic panel which is flexible and which has end portions which, in turn, have tabs which are integrally formed or are sheared formed in the molding process and which tabs self lock inside the frame.
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A still further object of the invention is to provide a piece of seating type furniture which has a one-piece panel which has spaced apart strap or strip elements which are either self-locking in a slot in the frame of the furniture or are attached to the frame by external fastening means.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved connection between the straps or strips and the frame of a seating type piece of furniture. A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved connection between straps individμally arranged or straps forming a panel for a backing and/or a seating for a seating type piece of furniture and the frame, which connection is an integral part of the end portion of the straps and which end portion is inserted into and anchored in a slot of the frame.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved connection between the individual straps or the straps of a panel forming a backing and/or seating of a piece of furniture and a tubular frame, which connection consists of a tab at the end of the straps and which tab is a raised portion of the end of the strap.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved connection for the individual straps or the straps of a panel forming a backing or a seating of a seating type piece of furniture and its frame, which connection is effective, easy to manufacture, and easy to insert into a slotted opening in the frame for easy assembling of the furniture. These and other objects of the present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following description of the invention on reference to the illustrations appended thereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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Figure 1 is a front elevational view showing a first embodiment of the present invention which is a panel assembled to form a backing and a seating on a tubular frame of a chair; Figure 2 is a side elevational view of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of the present invention in assembled form for forming a backing and/or seating on a tubular frame of a chair, which consists of individual spaced-apart straps; Figure 4 is a side elevational view of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a front elevational view showing the panel of the first embodiment of the present invention in unassembled form;
Figure 6 is an enlarged view showing a portion of the tangs of the straps of the present invention and the self-locking tab;
Figure 7 is a side elevational view of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional, broken away view taken along lines 8-8 in Figure 3; Figure 9 is a front elevational view showing a one-piece molded panel which is a second embodiment for the panel of the present invention;
Figure 10 is an enlarged detail cross-sectional view of an end of the panel taken along lines 10-10 in Figure 9, and illustrates a second embodiment of a self- locking tab of the present invention;
Figure 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a strap which can be an individual strap of Figure 3 or a strap of panel of Figure 1 illustrating a first embodiment of external fastening means for attaching the strap to a tubular frame member;
Figure 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment for external fastening means for attaching the strap of the invention of Figures 1 and 3 to a tubular frame member; and
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Figure 13 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment for external fastening means for attaching the strap of Figure 1 and 3 to an extruded shaped frame member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention pertains to, but is not limited to, all seating type furniture, such as a chair, a rocker, a glider, a chaise lounge, or a sofa-type piece adapted to seat more than one person at a time. The furniture may be patio furniture for indoor or outdoor use.
Figures 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the invention for forming a backing and/or seating, and Figures 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of the present invention for forming a seating and/or backing. Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a chair 10 made of a tubular frame shaped to form a back 12 and a seat 14. The tubular frame 9 is normally made from metal tubing. Frame 9 could be made using aluminum extrusion or it could be a plastic molded frame. The frame 9 of chair 10 is rigidly assembled, but it is to be understood that the seat 14 and back 12 can be secured to a frame construction which can be easily folded for storage.
The arms and legs of chair 10 are formed from a one-piece, aluminum extrusion as best shown in Figure 2, but may be made by several tubing pieces welded together. The backing for back 12 and the seating for seat
14 of Figures 1 and 2 are formed by a one-piece panel indicated in the Figures 1 and 2 by numeral 15. Preferably panel 15 is made of plastic, such as polyvinyl, chloride by a molding process. This one-piece construction for panel
15 is better shown in Figure 5. In particularly referring to Figure 5, panel 15 has several strap elements 16. Strap elements 16 are integrally connected together by ribs 24.
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Panel 15 is made of a relative sturdy, flexible material with enough strength to support varying loads . Preferably, the material is plastic, and preferably polyvinyl chloride (PVC) . A central member 33 is provided which is wide enough to display a tradename or a trademark of the manufacturer and/or supplier of chair 10. As can be seen in this Figure 5, the trademark "SUNBEAM" is displayed on central member 33. This logo or trademark may be advantageously molded into member 33 so as to be presented in relief form on the surface of central member 33.
Still referring to Figure 5, straps 16 have ends which are attached by means which will be discussed hereinafter with respect to the tubular frame members of chair 10. Strap 16 has two opposed tangs 46, which tangs 46 have a tab 50.
Figures 6 and 7 best show the tabs in their respective tang. Tabs 50 are shear formed in their respective tang, 46. In Figure 5, tabs 50 are raised away from the top surface of panel 15 and the end of their respective tang 46 in an inclined manner. It is to be appreciated, however, that tabs 50 can be formed in the bottom surface of panel 15. The die used for cutting tabs 50 has a three-sided cutting punch which shears the tabs 50 only on three sides. As the die shears in a downward movement, it forms the tabs 50 down on the fourth side which does not get sheared.
Figure 7 more clearly shows the inclination and direction for the tabs 50. That is, the tabs 50 are raised at an angle of about 9° to about 17° from the end of their respective tang 46. The shearing process for forming tabs 50 forms an opening in the respective tang 46 adjacent to where the tab 50 is formed. Tabs 50 are U-shaped.
Figure 6 best shows the configuration of tabs 50 on tangs 46. As can be seen, the end of the tangs 46 has a radius as indicated by numeral 51 on its both sides.
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This end radius is about 0.250 inches but can range from about 0.187 to about 0.312 inches. The inward end of the tang 46 has a radius as indicated by numeral 53 on its both sides. This radius is about 0.500 inches, and can range from about 0.375 inches to about 0.500 inches. The inward width of tangs 46 is about 0.812 inches, and can range from about 0.568 inches to about 0.812 inches. The outward width of tangs 46 near the outer radii is about 0.688 inches and can range from about 0.437 inches to about 0.750 inches. The length of the tangs 46 from the outward width to the inward width are about 0.812 inches, and can range from about .625 inches to about 0.812 inches.
Tabs 50 are located away from the edge of tangs 46 about 0.250 inches, and can range from about 0.185 inches to about .250 inches. The length of the tabs 50 is about 0.250 inches and can range from about 0.187 inches to about 0.250 inches. The width of the tabs .50 is about 0.203 inches, and can range from about 0.187 inches to about 0.250 inches. As can be seen in still referring to Figure 6, tangs 46 flare outwardly from the inward radius at numeral 53 toward the main body portion of straps 16. The angle is formed from radius 53 to the edge of the body of straps 16. The angle is about 48.20°, and can range from about 60° to about 40°. The dimensions of tangs 46 from the extreme edge of the tangs 46 to the point where the angle __ ends on the main body portion of straps 16 is about 1.406 inches, and can range from about 1.312 inches to about 1.500 inches. The width of the main body portion of straps 16 is about 1.875 inches, and can range from about 1.750 inches to about 2.000 inches.
Tabs 50 are self locking devices which fasten the straps 16 of molded panel 15 to the tubular frame of chair 10 of Figures 1 and 2. The manner in which this is
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accomplished for the strap 16 is shown in Figure 8. The tubular frame member 9 is provided on its under or rear quadrant with a series of slot-like openings, disposed in axially spaced relationship therealong. Such slots are indicated by numeral 78 in Figure 8 for receiving tang 46 of strap 16. Strap 16 is wrapped around frame member 9 and tangs 46 are inserted into openings 78.
In referring particularly to Figure 8 and in the assembling of panel 15 to frame 9 of chair 10 of Figures 1 and 2, the one side of strap 16, in referring to the left of Figure 8, is inserted first into slot 78 until tab 50 is totally within slot 78 of tubular frame 9. Strap 16 is then stretched and wrapped around frame member 9 and inserted into the tubular frame until tab 50 catches and abuts itself against inner wall 82 of the tubular frame 9 to anchor tang 46, thereby securing this side of strap 16 to the tubular frame 9 of chair 10. The other side of strap 16 which is illustrated to the right when referring to Figure 8 is inserted in a similar manner. The remaining straps 18 are inserted in similar slots or openings (not shown) in the tubular frame 9 in a similar manner to tautly secure panel 15 to frame 9 to form the back 12 and the seat 14 of Figures 1 and 2.
The lines indicated at numbers 84 in Figure 8 represent the openings in tangs 46 from which tabs 50 are formed. When tangs 46 are inserted in their respective slots 78 which have a width slightly less than the thickness of tangs 46 their respective tabs 50 are compressed slightly into their respective openings 84, and then spring out therefrom once tangs 46 are inside frame 9. The manner in which tabs 50 self-lock against inner wall 82 of frame 9 prevents slippage and removal of straps 16 from the frame of chair 10.
The slots or openings 78 are generally rectangular and large enough to allow the respective tang
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46 to enter inside frame 9, but small enough so that the tang 46 will not be released therefrom. For example, if the width and thickness of strap 16 are those dimensions discussed hereinbefore, then openings 78 are about 0.075 to about 0.085 inches wide and about 0.750 inches long.
Panel 15 is secured to frame 9, as discussed hereinbefore, for forming the seating for seat 14 and the backing for back 12 of chair 10 of Figures 1 and 2.
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. Chair 10 is made of a tubular frame
9 which is shaped to form back 12 and a seat 14. Frame 9 may preferably be made out of the same materials as that of frame 9 of chair 10 of Figures 1 and 2.
The backing for back 12 is formed by a plurality of individual straps indicated by numerals 95; and the seating for seat 14 is formed by a plurality of individual straps 95, shown only in Figure 4.
Preferably, straps 95 are spaced apart and are made from a plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) through an injection molding process. Preferably, the opposite ends of these straps 95 have a tang portion with a tab, similar to that of Figures 1, 2, 5, -6, 7, and 8 which are inserted into openings or slots in frame 9 , which slots are similar to those in frame 9 of chair 10 of Figures 1 and 2. Straps 95 can also be produced from extruded lengths of plastic material in roll form, where the rolled material is fed through a cutting die which forms the shape of the tangs and shear forms the tab. As the tangs are cut, the length of each strap is determined. Figure 9 illustrates a second embodiment for a molded panel for forming a backing and a seating for chair
10 of Figures 1 and 2. This one piece panel 15 is made of a sturdy and flexible plastic material, preferably polyvinyl chloride, and has several straps 16. ' The number of straps 16 may vary depending on whether panel 15 is used
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for a backing or a seating. Preferably, for a seat panel, panel 15 may have the number of straps 16 shown in Figure 9, and for a back panel it may have fewer straps.
Still referring to Figure 9, straps 16 are spaced away from each other by ribs 24.
Strap 16 has opposed tangs 46 which have tabs 50, respectively. The several tabs 50 of Figure 9 are shaped and formed differently from those of Figures 6, 7, and 8. Figure 10 best illustrates tabs 50 for panel 15, and more particularly illustrates tang 46 and tab 50 of strap 16 of Figure 9. Tab 50 is formed during the molding process for forming panel 15. The end 66 of tang 46 of Figure 10 has a full radius from the bottom surface 68 to the top surface 70 of tang 46 for easy insertion of tang 46 into a slot in tubular frame member 9. As shown in cross-section in Figure 10, tab 50 is a continuous solid portion of tang 46 and its inclination starts from the top surface 70 at end 66 upwardly and inwardly relative to end 66. Preferably, the thickness of tab 50 from its highest inclination point to its lowest is about 0.040 inches, but may range from about 0.025 inches to about 0.045 inches. The other dimensions of tab 50 and tang 46 are essentially similar to that described for Figures 6 and 7, but may vary slightly. The configuration and dimensions of tangs 46 and their respective tabs 50 are similar to that described with respect to tang 46 and tab 50 of Figure 10. The manner in which the tangs 46 and tabs 50 of straps 16 of Figure 9 are inserted into the slots or openings of tubular frame member 9 of Figure 1 for mounting panel 15 to form a seat and a back for chair 10 of Figure 1 is similar to that described with regard to the panel 15 of Figures 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, and 8.
The tabs shown in Figures 9 and 10 can also be formed on the individual straps 95 of Figures 3 and 4.
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Panel 15 of Figure 5, panel 15 of Figures 9 and 10, and the straps 95 of Figures 3 and 4 can be mounted to tubular frame 9 with means other than the tabs shown in these Figures. Figures 11, 12, and 13 illustrate several external means for attaching panels 15, and the straps 95 of Figure 3 to tubular frames 9 of Figures 1 and 3. Instead of the tabs for each of the tangs, an opening is punched or formed in the molding process entirely through the thickness of each tang. Such an opening is indicated by numbers 172 respectively, in Figures 11, 12, and 13. Corresponding openings (not shown or numbered) are formed in tubular frame 9. The ends of the straps of Figure 3 and those of panel 15 are wrapped around tubular frame 9. Fastening means 184 in Figures 11, 12, and 13 are inserted in the openings of the straps or panels and of tubular frame 9. Fastener means 184 is a canoe clip in Figure 11, a screw in Figure 12, and a Christmas tree clip in Figure 13. These several fastener means are known to those skilled in the art. The openings in the straps, panels, and frames preferably are circular holes which are sized to accommodate the respective fastener means 184.
Generally, it is to be understood that the tangs of the panels 15, and the individual straps of the invention are pushed into the slots in the frame 9. The tabs compress to allow this insertion to occur. Since the strap or straps are wrapped around the tubular seat and/or back frame member, the tab interacts with the inside edge of the slot in frame member 9 to create the locking effect. The wrapping of the strap or straps around the seat or back frame and the locking effect of the tab in the slot in frame 9, creates the holding strength of the seating and/or backing for chairs 10 of Figures 1 and 3.
Whereas particular embodiments of the invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it
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will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details may be made without departing from the invention as described in the appended claims. Even though panel 15 of Figure 3 and panel 15 of
Figure 6. are shown, other designs can be provided without diverting from the spirit and scope of the invention. More particularly, the design could be an imitation basket weave wherein ridges are molded into the panel to simulate overlapping straps.
In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained the principles and operation of my invention and have illustrated and described what I consider to represent the best embodiment thereof.
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9 chair frame
10 chair
12 chair back
14 chair seat
15 panel, one piece
16 strap element 24 rib element
33 central member
46 tang
50 tab
51 rounded corner of tang 53 inflection point on tang 66 end of tang
68 bottom surface of tang
70 top surface of tang
78 opening in frame to receive tang
82 inner wall of frame
84 opening in tangs from which tabs are formed
95 individual strap element
172 opening for attachment means
184 external fastening means
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