U.S. patent application number 10/754821 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-14 for chair with readily removable and replaceable components.
Invention is credited to Infanti, Elizabeth, Infanti, Vittorio.
Application Number | 20050151409 10/754821 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34739453 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050151409 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Infanti, Vittorio ; et
al. |
July 14, 2005 |
Chair with readily removable and replaceable components
Abstract
A chair with readily removable and replaceable cushions having a
seat frame and a back frame. Decorative cushions may be removably
and interchangeably attached to the seat frame and to the front and
back of the back frame. The seat frame has slots for receiving tabs
that are located on the underside of the interchangeable seat
cushion. The seat cushion is further secured to the seat frame by a
releasable locking means. The back frame is connected to the seat
frame by an L-shaped bracket. The back frame includes a fastener
for releasably snap-fitting with an actuatable release tab located
on the underside of a back cushion. The back cushion is releasably
affixed to the back frame by urging the back cushion against the
back frame such that the actuatable release tab engages the
fastener. The back cushion is removed from the back frame by
applying pressure to the actuatable release tab such that the tab
disengages from the fastener thereby releasing the back cushion
from the back frame. The result of which is a chair having readily
removable and replaceable cushions.
Inventors: |
Infanti, Vittorio; (Staten
Island, NY) ; Infanti, Elizabeth; (Staten Island,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORGAN & FINNEGAN, L.L.P.
3 WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER
NEW YORK
NY
10281-2101
US
|
Family ID: |
34739453 |
Appl. No.: |
10/754821 |
Filed: |
January 9, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/440.2 ;
297/440.22 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 4/02 20130101; A47C
7/40 20130101; A47C 4/028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/440.2 ;
297/440.22 |
International
Class: |
A47C 004/02 |
Claims
1. A chair having readily interchangeable components comprising: a
seat base having an upper surface and a lower surface; a support
attached to the lower surface of the seat base; a back frame having
a front and rear face that is in mechanical communication with the
seat base wherein that back frame contains a plurality of openings
and a release hole therethrough; a front fastener located on the
front face of the back frame; an attachment plate having a front
and rear face and a plurality of protrusions extending from the
rear face of the attachment plate cooperatively arranged to the
plurality of openings located on the back frame; and an actuatable
release tab located on the attachment plate such that when the rear
face of the attachment plate is pressed against the front face of
the back frame the protrusions extend through the plurality of
openings and the actuatable release tab engages the front fastener
to form a snap-fit releasable connection between the attachment
plate and the back frame.
2. The chair of claim 1 further comprising: a seat cushion
releasably attached to the upper surface of the seat base by a
locking means.
3. The chair of claim 2 wherein the locking means comprises: a tab
and an aperture located on the lower surface of the seat cushion; a
slot located on the upper surface of the seat frame that is
cooperative to the tab; a receiving portion located on the upper
surface of the seat frame for receiving the protrusion; and a
releasable lock located on the lower surface of the seat base
wherein the releasable lock receives the aperture through the
receiving portion such that the aperture is releasably coupled.
4. The chair of claim 1 wherein the attachment plate and the back
frame are substantially circular.
5. The chair of claim 1 wherein the attachment plate and the back
frame are shaped.
6. The chair of claim 1 wherein the attachment plate and the back
frame are curved.
7. The chair of claim 1 wherein the front face of the attachment
plate is upholstered to form a cushion by an upholstering
means.
8. The chair of claim 7 wherein the upholstery means comprises: a
groove extending the periphery of the rear face of the attachment
plate; and piping that can be releasably press-fit into the groove
such that upholstery can be releasably affixed to the front face of
the attachment plate.
9. The chair of claim 7 wherein cushioning is inserted between the
upholstery and the front face of the attachment plate.
10. The chair of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of
openings contained through the attachment plate; a second
attachment plate having a front and a rear face having a plurality
of openings therethrough and a plurality of protrusions extending
from the front face of the second attachment plate cooperatively
arranged to the plurality of openings located on the back frame and
to the plurality of openings contained on the attachment plate; a
rear fastener located on the rear face of the back frame; a second
actuatable release tab located on the second attachment plate such
that when the front face of the second attachment plate is pressed
against the rear face of the back frame the protrusions extending
from the front face of the second attachment plate extend through
the plurality of openings located on the back frame and the second
actuatable release tab engages the rear fastener to form a snap-fit
releasable connection between the second attachment plate and the
rear face of the back frame.
11. The chair of claim 10 wherein the attachment plates and the
back frame are substantially circular.
12. The chair of claim 10 wherein the attachment plates and the
back frame are shaped.
13. The chair of claim 10 wherein the attachment plates and the
back frame are curved.
14. The chair of claim 10 wherein the rear face of the second
attachment plate is upholstered to form a cushion by an
upholstering means.
15. The chair of claim 14 wherein the upholstery means comprises: a
groove extending the periphery of the front face of the second
attachment plate; and piping that can be releasably press-fit into
the groove such that upholstery can be releasably affixed to the
front face of the attachment plate.
16. The chair of claim 14 wherein cushioning is inserted between
the upholstery and the rear face of the second attachment
plate.
17. A chair back having a readily interchangeable cushion
comprising: a back frame that is in mechanical communication with a
seat base having a front and rear face wherein the back frame
contains a plurality of openings and a release hole therethrough; a
fastener located on the back frame; a cushion having a front and
rear face and a plurality of protrusions extending from the rear
face of the cushion cooperatively arranged to the plurality of
openings located on the back frame; and an actuatable release tab
located on the cushion such that when the rear face of the cushion
is pressed against the back frame the protrusions extend through
the plurality of openings and the actuatable release tab engages
the fastener to form a snap-fit releasable connection between the
cushion and the back frame.
18. A chair having readily interchangeable components comprising: a
seat base having an upper surface and a lower surface; a support
attached to the lower surface of the seat base; a back frame having
a front and rear face that is in mechanical communication with the
seat base wherein that back frame contains a plurality of
protrusions and release hole therethrough; a fastener located on
the face of the back frame; an attachment plate having a front and
rear face and rear face and a plurality of openings cooperatively
arranged to the plurality of protrusions located on the back frame;
and an actuatable release tab located on the attachment plate such
that when the rear face of the attachment plate is pressed against
the front face of the back frame the protrusions extend through the
plurality of openings and the actuatable release tab engages the
fastener to form a snap-fit releasable connection between the
attachment plate and the back frame.
19. A method of reupholstering a chair cushion comprising the steps
of: removing piping from a groove which extends around the
periphery of the underside of a chair cushion thereby releasing the
upholstery; replacing the upholstery by wrapping new upholstery
around the outside of the cushion such that the upholstery extends
over the entirety of the groove; press-fitting piping into the
groove thereby trapping the upholstery to the chair cushion; and
affixing the chair cushion to a back frame.
20. A method of interchanging components of a chair comprising the
steps of: urging a chair cushion having an actuatable release tab
against a chair frame having a fastener and a release hole such
that the actuatable release tab engages the fastener to form a
snap-fit releasable connection between the chair cushion and the
chair frame; and actuating the actuatable release tab through the
release hole thereby releasing the chair cushion from the chair
frame.
21. A stool comprising: a seat base having an upper surface and a
lower surface; a support attached to the lower surface of the seat
base; a seat cushion releasably attached to the upper surface of
the seat base by a locking means.
22. The stool of claim 21 wherein the locking means comprises: a
tab and an aperture located on the lower surface of the seat
cushion; a slot located on the upper surface of the seat frame that
is cooperative to the tab; a receiving portion located on the upper
surface of the seat frame for receiving the protrusion; and a
releasable lock located on the lower surface of the seat base
wherein the releasable lock receives the aperture through the
receiving portion such that the aperture is releasably coupled.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims the benefit under Title 35, United
States Code .sctn. 120, of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/756,020 filed Jan. 5, 2001.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to furniture having
readily removable and replaceable or interchangeable components.
More particularly, the invention relates to a chair having readily
removable and replaceable or interchangeable cushions that utilize
an actuatable release tab. Additionally, the invention relates to a
chair having upholstered cushions with upholstery that may be
readily removed and replaced by using an upholstering means.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Chairs are manufactured in countless styles, designs and
colors. However, chairs are not normally interchangeable and do not
allow for changes to be made to the chair without substantial
effort. For example, replacing a chair cushion typically requires
that the chair be disassembled and reassembled with a new cushion.
Such a procedure is not only time consuming and costly but also
labor intensive. Alternatively, re-upholstering a chair cushion
typically requires that the chair to be disassembled so that the
new upholstery could be added. Re-upholstering is also time
consuming, costly and labor intensive. Furthermore, most pieces of
furniture are not designed to be disassembled and may not be taken
apart without irreversibly damaging the piece of furniture. Thus, a
chair owner who wishes to significantly modify the appearance of a
piece of furniture is left with no reasonable option other than to
purchase a new chair or to cover the chair with an unsightly
covering such as a sheet or other cloth covering.
[0004] In the prior art, chairs and other seats come in a variety
of styles depending upon their intended use. A style of chair which
is particularly popular is that which includes an upholstered
sitting cushion or seat, and an upholstered seat back cushion
connected to the seat. Such chairs are often found in restaurants,
diners, banquet halls, hotels and other similar establishments.
Typically, these chairs do not allow for any variation of style,
color or design. Establishments such as restaurants and catering
halls that utilize these chairs have to settle for using the same
set of chairs for all occasions. Similarly, when a single cushion
is damaged, such as by a cigarette burn, these prior art chairs
typically require substantial reupholstering and repair.
[0005] Chair manufacturers typically manufacture and assemble
chairs and their component parts at the factory. The manufacturer
is only capable of manufacturing a limited number of decorative
chairs for the consumer due to design costs, and other appreciable
manufacturing expenses. In order to satisfy the customer's desire
for a variety of models to choose from, chair manufacturers have
been forced to produce a variety of different chair designs.
Production of these different chair designs increases the cost and
complexity of manufacturing the chairs. For inventory control
reasons, a chair manufacturer would desire to leave the consumer
with as many options as possible while reducing the amount of
inventory required for each option.
[0006] Chair cushions are usually made of a seat plate or an
attachment plate covered by upholstery. Most chair cushions also
include cushioning in between the attachment plate and the
upholstery to create a more comfortable cushion. Seat cushions are
often secured to injection molded plates by stapling or gluing or
otherwise permanently affixing the cushion, to the plate. Thus, a
chair cushion does not typically contain readily replaceable
cushions. Changing a chair cushion normally requires intensive
labor and the use of tools. That is; the seat cushion and the front
and rear seat back cushions are intended to remain with the chair
and can be replaced only by reupholstering or similar substantial
effort.
[0007] Many prior art chair cushion assemblies are secured to a
seat frame by nuts and bolts requiring screwthreading of the
elements. Other chair cushion assemblies are secured to the frame
or shell by the use of clinching strips and joint clips. These
prior art chair cushion assemblies are undesirable because they
require a considerable number of loose parts, hand tools, and
relatively costly and time-consuming assembly and disassembly
procedures.
[0008] In order to change the color or style of a typical chair
cushion one had to reupholster the cushion design a new chair.
Similarly, in order to replace a damaged cushion one had to either
reupholster the cushion or purchase a new chair. Prior art chairs
also have the disadvantage that if a cushion of the chair becomes
stained or soiled, the entire chair must be discarded or made
unavailable while it is being cleaned or replaced. Similarly, if a
chair owner wishes to vary the chair appearance this can only be
done through labor intensive reupholstering or by purchasing a new
chair.
[0009] The desirability of having a chair with readily removable
and replaceable or interchangeable components can therefore be
seen.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to
provide a chair with readily removable and replaceable components.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a chair with
readily removable and replaceable cushions. It is a further object
of this invention to provide a chair back with readily removable
and replaceable seat back cushions. It is a further object of this
invention to provide a stool with a readily removable and
replaceable seat cushion. It is a further object of this invention
to provide a means for quickly and easily upholstering and
reupholstering chair cushions. It is a further object of this
invention to provide a method of readily removing and replacing
components of a chair. It is a further object of this invention to
provide a method of readily upholstering and reupholstering chair
cushions.
[0011] A chair is provided that allows for its components to be
removed and replaced or otherwise interchanged with similarly
constructed components. The chair includes a seat base having an
upper surface and a lower surface with a support attached to the
lower surface of the seat base. The chair also includes a seat back
which is in mechanical communication with the seat frame. Cushions
are releasably affixed to either side of the back frame and to the
upper surface of the seat frame.
[0012] Seat back cushions are releasably affixed to either side, or
both sides of the back frame by utilizing an actuatable release tab
that is located on the underside of the cushion to be affixed. When
the underside of the cushion is aligned with, and urged against,
the back frame the actuatable release tab engages a fastener
located on the back frame to form a releasable connection.
Actuating the release tab will disengage the actuatable release tab
from its' fastener and allow for the cushion to be removed from the
back frame. A similarly constructed cushion may then be affixed to
the back frame or the removed cushion may be re-affixed to the back
frame. No tools are required to attach, re-attach or interchange
cushions to the back frame in this manner.
[0013] More precisely, seat back cushions are removed from the back
frame by actuating the release tab by applying pressure to the
actuatable release tab in the direction of the cushioned side of
the cushion to the underside of the cushion. The actuatable release
tab is capable of being actuated because a portion of it overlies a
release hole which allows for the portion of the tab being
pressured to deflect and thereby release itself from the fastener.
Only a minimal amount of pressure is need to actuate the tab. That
is, the pressure exerted by one or two fingers is typically
sufficient to actuate the tab and release the cushion from the back
frame.
[0014] The seat cushion is affixed to the seat base by using a
releasable locking mechanism. The underside of the seat cushion
contains at least one tab and one aperture. In order to affix the
seat cushion to the seat base the tab is inserted into a
cooperatively arranged slot located on the upper surface of the
seat base and then the aperture is received by the locking means
which is then locked to releaseably affix the seat cushion to the
seat base. Unlocking the locking means releases the seat cushion
from the seat base. The locking means may be a rotatable wheel
configuration or any other type of lock capable of being repeatedly
locked and unlocked. The seat cushion may be fixed to a chair that
does not include a back frame to form a stool.
[0015] The chair of the present invention may also include an
upholstery means for upholstering components of the chair.
Upholstery is affixed to a cushion by using a groove and piping
arrangement. This arrangement includes a groove that extends around
or substantially around the periphery of the underside surface of
the cushion to be upholstered. Upholstery is affixed to the cushion
by extending the upholstery over the front face of the cushion and
over the groove such that piping may be press-fitted into the
groove thereby trapping the upholstery to the cushion. Utilizing
this groove and piping arrangement eliminates the need to staple,
glue or otherwise permanently affix the upholstery to the cushion.
A cushion may be re-upholstering very easily by reversing the above
process. That is, removing the piping from the groove thereby
releasing the upholstery. This groove and piping arrangement may be
utilized on any component that is to be upholstered including seat
cushions and seat back cushions.
[0016] These and other objects, advantages, and features of the
present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art in
light of the following specification when read in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Further aspects of the instant invention will be more
readily appreciated upon review of the detailed description of the
embodiments included below when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, of which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodying chair
of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an embodying chair of
the present invention with the seat cushion and front cushion in
place;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an embodying chair of
the present invention with the seat cushion and front cushion
removed;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a plan and profile view of the back frame of the
present invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a plan and profile view of an attachment plate of
the present invention; and
[0023] FIG. 6 is a plan and profile view of the back frame of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a plan and profile view of the front attachment
plate of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a plan and profile view of the rear attachment
plate of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Hereinafter, the invention will be described in greater
detail with reference to the preferred embodiments. However, the
device and associated method of the invention are applicable to
provide removable components from any number of surfaces, including
from the front or back of the back frame and from the seat base. It
should be noted that the terms "attachment plate" or "seat
attachment plate" can be used interchangeably with the term
"cushion." A "cushion" is an upholstered attachment plate which may
or may not have padding placed between the attachment plate and the
upholstery.
[0027] FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing the components of the
chair 20 of the present invention. The chair includes a seat base
21 that is typically made of molded plastic and can be metallized
to achieve a luxurious metallic appearance. Likewise,
powder-coating, painting or custom molding can be used to achieve a
luxurious appearance. This eliminates the need for secondary
finishing the seat base 21. The seat base 21 has a top surface and
a bottom surface and includes a releasable locking means 23. On the
top surface of the seat base 21 are slots or notches 22 and
threaded apertures or holes 31. Legs 24 are attached to the bottom
surface of the seat base 21.
[0028] Seat cushion 80 is made up of a seat attachment plate 25
which is covered by upholstery 28. Foam padding (not shown) or any
other cushioning material may be inserted as desired in between
seat attachment plate 25 and upholstery 28 to provide a more
comfortable seat. Upholstery 28 may be stapled, glued or otherwise
affixed to the bottom surface of seat attachment plate 25.
Preferably, however, upholstery 28 is affixed to the bottom surface
of seat frame by an upholstery means described in more detail
below. Seat cushion 80 acts as a solitary unit once upholstery 28
has been affixed to seat attachment plate 25. Tabs 27 and male
fastener 85 are located on the bottom surface of seat attachment
plate 25.
[0029] Seat cushion 80 may then be releasably and interchangeably
attached to the seat base 21 by inserting the tabs 27 into
cooperative slots 22 and by inserting male fastener 85 into locking
means 23. Locking means 23 may consist of a rotateable wheel
locking device wherein the male fastener 85 is inserted in the
wheel locking device 23 and locked into place by turning the wheel.
To remove the seat cushion 80 from the seat base 21 the locking
means is unlocked and the seat cushion 80 is lifted upward. Any
seat cushion having substantially the same design may be
interchanged with removed seat cushion 80. It should be understood
that seat cushion 80 may be reupholstered without tooling by using
the upholstery means described below. By changing the upholstery
rather than the entire seat cushion an owner has the added
advantage of not having to maintain an array of seat cushions. For
example, if a lack of storage space exists, an owner simply has to
maintain an array of varying upholstery rather than a array of
varying seat cushions.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of chair 20 as it appears
with the seat cushion 80 and front cushion 81 in place.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of chair 20 as it appears
with the seat cushion 80 and front cushion 81 removed.
[0032] FIGS. 4 through 8 illustrate two separate embodiments of a
chair back of the present invention. FIGS. 1 through 5 are directed
to one embodying chair and chair back while FIGS. 6 through 8 are
directed to a separate embodying chair back. Each chair back
comprises at least a back frame and at least one attachment plate.
The back frame and the attachment plate are cooperatively shaped to
facilitate a releasable fit. Various arrangements of protrusions
and openings can be used to facilitate this fit. Typically, a front
attachment plate and a rear attachment plate are utilized. Each
embodiment illustrates a separate arrangement of hooks and openings
that each accomplish the objective of facilitating a pressure
release connection between the seat back and the attachment
plate[s]. However, it is understood that any arrangement of hooks
and openings will facilitate a pressure release connection when
these elements are combined with an actuatable release tab that is
described in more detail below. It should also be noted that even
though the components of the chair back are depicted as circular
and substantially flat it is understood that these elements may be
shaped or curved as desired for comfort or aesthetic reasons.
[0033] As best viewed in FIG. 4, the chair back of the present
invention includes a back frame 40 having a number of protrusions
or hooks indicated by reference numerals 45 and 46. Back frame 40
also includes a front fastener 42 and a rear fastener 44. It is
understood that any arrangement or number of openings and
protrusions is possible so long as the arrangement facilitates a
connection between the back frame 40 and any attachment plate or
cushion. On the front surface of back frame 40 is a front fastener
42, which is located just below opening 43. On the rear surface of
back frame 40 is a rear fastener 44 located just above opening 61.
The back frame 40 is attached to seat frame 21 by L-bracket 29 and
screws (not shown).
[0034] As best viewed in FIG. 5, attachment plate 50 may be affixed
to either the front or rear face of back frame 40. Depending on
which face of the back frame 40 that the attachment plate will be
placed determines whether the attachment plate is referred to as a
front attachment plate or a rear attachment plate. In other words,
if the attachment plate 50 is affixed to the front face of the back
frame 40 than it is considered to be the front attachment plate.
Conversely, if the attachment plate 50 is to be affixed to the rear
face of the back frame 40 than it is considered to be the rear
attachment plate. The front and rear attachment plates can
fabricated identically for ease of manufacture (as shown) but it
should be understood that these pieces need not be identical.
[0035] Seat attachment plate 50 has a front and rear surface and
includes a plurality of openings 53 and 62 that are cooperatively
arranged to front hooks 45 and rear hooks 46 respectively. In order
to affix attachment plate 50 with the front face of the back frame
40 hooks 45 are aligned with openings 53 such that when the two
pieces are pressed together hooks 45 protrude through openings 53
and tongue 51 engages front fastener 42 to form a snap-fit
releasable connection between the attachment plate 50 and the back
frame 40. Attachment plate 50 may be released from the back frame
40 simply by exerting minimal pressure on tongue 51 from the
direction of the rear face of the back frame 40 through hole 43.
Using one or two fingers to apply pressure to tongue 51 is all that
is need to disengage attachment plate 50 from the front face of the
back frame 40. Attachment plate 50 may be affixed and released in
this manner repeatedly in a matter of seconds and without the need
for tools. It should be noted that when the attachment plate is
affixed to the front face of back frame 40 that actuatable tongue
52 and openings 62 are not utilized.
[0036] Attachment plate 50 is typically, but not always, covered
with upholstery 70 to form a cushion such as cushion 81 or cushion
82. Upholstery 70 may be affixed to attachment plate 50 by using an
upholstering means consisting of a groove 91 and piping 92. Groove
91 extends around the periphery of the rear surface of attachment
plate 50. FIG. 5 illustrates groove 91 with piping 92 inserted
therein. Upholstery 70 is affixed to attachment plate 50 by
extending upholstery 70 over the groove 91 such that piping 92 may
be press-fitted into groove 91 thereby trapping or affixing
upholstery 70 to attachment plate 50. Cushioning may be inserted in
between upholstery 70 and attachment plate 50 as desired. Utilizing
the upholstering means eliminates the need to staple, glue or
otherwise permanently affix upholstery 70 to attachment plate 50.
Upholstery 70 and attachment plate 50 make up front seat cushion 81
and act as a solitary unit once upholstery 70 has been affixed to
the attachment plate 50. As described above, seat cushion 81 may be
readily replaced by one of two ways: (1) removing the entire seat
cushion 81 and putting in its place another comparably suited seat
cushion; or (2) by removing the entire seat cushion 81, removing
piping 92 from groove 91 thereby removing upholstery 70, replacing
upholstery 70 with new upholstery, affixing the new upholstery to
attachment plate 50 by using the groove and piping arrangement and
then replacing the newly upholstered seat cushion to the front face
of the back frame.
[0037] Still referring to FIG. 5, an additional attachment plate 50
may be affixed to the rear surface of back frame 40 in
substantially the same manner as described in detail above. When
this is done it can be seen that in order to affix the additional
or rear attachment plate 50 to the back face of the seat back 40
hooks 46 are aligned with openings 62 such that when the two pieces
are pressed together hooks 46 protrude through openings 62 and the
actuatable release tab 52 engages rear fastener 44 to form a
snap-fit, releasable connection between the rear attachment plate
50 and the back frame 40. Rear attachment plate 50 may be released
from back frame 40 simply by exerting minimal pressure on the
actuatable release tab 52 from the direction of the rear face of
back frame 40. This is the same direction of force which will
release the tongue 51 from the front fastener 42. That means that
when two attachment plates are affixed to either side of back frame
40 in order to remove and replace either attachment plate the rear
attachment place should be removed first. Once the rear attachment
plate or cushion is removed from the rear surface of back frame 40
the front attachment plate may be removed as described above i.e.
by applying force through opening 43 and disengaging the tongue 51
from the front fastener 42. It should also be appreciated from the
drawings that the actuatable release tab 52 is capable of being
actuated through any cushioning and upholstery that may be added to
the rear attachment plate. Even when the actuatable release tab 52
must be actuated through cushioning and upholstery only a minimal
amount of force is required to disengage from rear fastener 44.
Upholstery may be added to rear attachment plate by utilizing the
groove and piping arrangement as described above.
[0038] FIGS. 6-8 illustrate a separate embodiment of the present
invention. With reference to these figures, the most notable
difference between the two illustrated embodiments is the
arrangement of hooks or protrusions to openings or holes. For
example, there are no hooks contained on the seat back frame 140 of
the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6-8. Instead, hooks 145 and 146
are located on the front and rear attachment plates 150 and 160
respectively. There are various other differences between the two
embodiments but it should be clear that any differences should
emphasis that, in connection with an actuatable release tab, any
arrangement of hooks or protrusions may be utilized with any
comparably arranged openings or holes so long as a releasable fit
is achieved between the seat back frame and the attachment plate or
plates.
[0039] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the seat back frame 140
depicted in this embodiment does not contain any hooks or
protrusions. This seat back frame contains a front fastener 142 and
rear fastener 144 contained respectively on the front and rear
faces of the back frame 140. The back frame 140 also contains a
plurality of openings 145 and hole 143. Referring to FIG. 7, front
seat attachment plate 150 has a front and rear surface and includes
a plurality of openings 153 and hooks 146 that are cooperatively
arranged to openings 147 located on the seat back frame 140.
[0040] Front attachment plate 150 is press fitted together with the
front face of the back frame 140 in substantially the same manner
as described above. That is, hooks 146 are aligned with openings
147 such that when the two pieces are pressed together the
actuatable release tab 151 engages front fastener 142 to form a
releasable snap-fit connection. In this particular embodiment in
can be seen that front fastener 142 actually extends through
opening 159 in the actuatable release tab 151 to form a releasable
connection. This is not necessary. A portion of the actuatable
release tab 151 extends over hole 143. To release the front
attachment plate 150 from the front face of the back frame 140 all
that is needed is a minimal amount of pressure from the direction
of the rear face of back frame 140 through hole 143. Using one or
two fingers to apply pressure to the actuatable release tab 151 is
all that is need to disengage the actuatable release tab 151 from
the front fastener 142 thereby releasing the attachment plate 150
from the front face of back frame 140. The front attachment plate
150 may be affixed and released in this manner repeatedly in a
matter of seconds and without the need for tools.
[0041] The front attachment plate 150 is typically, but not always,
covered with upholstery 70. Upholstery 70 may be affixed to
attachment plate 150 by using groove 191 and piping 192. Groove 191
extends around the periphery of the rear surface of the front
attachment plate 150. Upholstery 70 is affixed to the front
attachment plate 150 by extending upholstery 70 over the groove 191
such that piping 192 may be press-fitted into groove 192 thereby
trapping or affixing upholstery 70 to front attachment plate 150.
Cushioning may be inserted in between upholstery 70 and front
attachment plate 150 as desired. Utilizing groove 191 eliminates
the need to staple, glue or otherwise permanently affix upholstery
70 to attachment plate 50. Upholstery 70 and front attachment plate
150 make up front seat cushion 81 and act as a solitary unit once
upholstery 70 has been affixed to the front attachment plate 150.
As can be seen from above, seat cushion 81 may be readily replaced
by one of two ways: (1) removing the entire seat cushion 81 and
putting in its place another comparably suited seat cushion; or (2)
by removing the entire seat cushion 81, removing piping 192 from
groove 191 thereby removing upholstery 70, replacing upholstery 70
with new upholstery, affixing the new upholstery to the front
attachment plate 150 by using the groove and piping arrangement and
then replacing the newly upholstered seat cushion to the front face
of the back frame 140.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 8, rear attachment plate 160 may be
affixed to the rear surface of back frame 140 in substantially the
same manner as described in detail above. When this is done it can
be seen that in order to affix the rear attachment plate 160 to the
back face of the back frame 140 hooks 145 are aligned with openings
147 such that when the two pieces are pressed together hooks 145
protrude through openings 147 and the actuatable release tab 152
engages rear fastener 144 to form a snap-fit, releasable connection
between the rear attachment plate 160 and the back frame 140. Rear
attachment plate 160 may be released from back frame 140 simply by
exerting minimal pressure on the actuatable release tab 152 from
the direction of the rear face of frame 140. This is the same
direction of force which will release actuatable release tab 151
from front fastener 142. That means that when the front and rear
attachment plates 150 and 160 are affixed to either side of back
frame 140 in order to remove and replace either attachment plate
the rear attachment place 160 must be removed first. Once the rear
attachment plate or cushion is removed from the rear surface of the
back frame 140 the front attachment plate may be removed as
described above i.e. by applying force through opening 143 and
disengaging the actuatable release tab 151 from the front fastener
142. It should also be appreciated from the drawings that the
actuatable release tab 152 is capable of being actuated through any
cushioning and upholstery that may be added to the rear attachment
plate. Even when the actuatable release tab 152 must be actuated
through cushioning and upholstery only a minimal amount of force is
required to disengage the actuatable release tab 152 from rear
fastener 144. Upholstery may be added to rear attachment plate in
the same groove and piping arrangement as described above.
* * * * *