This invention relates to seating, e.g. for domestic purposes, and more particularly to the construction of the arms of seats (including armchairs and sofas) .

It is common for armchairs and sofas to have arms of a roll-form. The construction of these arms is quite complex and involves several layers of padding material etc. built up to the required shape, each layer being fixed in position: this procedure is carried out by hand.

We have now devised a simplified construction for the arms of seats (including armchairs and sofas) .

In accordance with this invention there is provided a seat having a frame which includes opposite side panels and moulded plastics arm preforms fitted to the respective side panels. The moulded plastics arm preforms are preferably shaped substantially to the desired profile of the arms of the seat, so that when the frame is upholstered to complete the seat, it is a simple matter to cover the arms.

Preferably each arm preform includes a slot into which the top edge of the respective side panel of the seat frame fits..

Also in accordance with this invention, there is provided a moulded plastics arm preform for fitting to a side panel of a seat frame. Preferably the preform comprises a rotational moulding.

An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view of a seat frame and (from its inner side) a moulded plastics arm preform for fitting to one arm of the seat frame;

FIGURE 2 is a view of the preform from its outer side; and

FIGURE 3 is a cross-section through the preform. Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a frame for an armchair, the frame being constructed from rigid panels of wood, e.g. chipboard, including opposite side panels 10, 12 which have top edges 11, 13 at arm-rest level.

A moulded plastics arm preform, e.g. 30, is to be fitted to each side panel 10, 12. The preform 30 has a generally tubular portion 32 from which a hollow side portion 34 extends. The tubular portion 32 is formed with a slot 36 along its underside, at its junction with the side portion 34. The arm preform 30 fits over the top edge of the side panel, e.g. 12, with the top edge of the panel passing into the slot 36 and abutting the inside-top of the tubular portion 32. The side portion 34 of the preform 30 fits against the inner surface of the side panel 12 and extends, in the example shown, down to the level of a seat platform 18 of the frame. The front end of the preform curves downwards and forwards, complementary to the curved front edge of the side panel, and is closed at 38 to cover the front edge of the side panel. The tubular portion 32 of the preform 30 has a projection 40 at its rear end to extend over the outer surface of the side panel to the back of the seat. The arm preform 30 is fixed in place by fastening elements, e.g. staples, inserted into the side panel through a flange 42 on the lower edge of the preform. The arm preform 30 comprises a rotational moulding and can therefore be made relatively inexpensively. However, it has a shape corresponding closely to the required profile of the arm of the finished seat, so that the seat can be upholstered in quite a simple manner: the upholstering can be carried out after the arm preforms have been fitted, or the frame and arm preforms can be separately upholstered and then the upholstered arm preforms fitted to the upholstered frame.