U.S. patent application number 10/915839 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-16 for stackable arm chair.
Invention is credited to Shaun D. Sweeney.
Application Number | 20060033367 10/915839 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35799324 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060033367 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sweeney; Shaun D. |
February 16, 2006 |
Stackable arm chair
Abstract
An arm chair has a frame adapted to be stacked with one or more
similarly configured frames. The frame comprises a pair of front
legs, a pair of back legs, and a seat frame connected to the front
legs and the back legs. A back rest extends upwardly from the back
legs, and a pair of arm rests extend from the back rest to the
front legs. A pair of opposed openings are defined by the seat
frame and the arm rests, through which the back legs of a second
frame are received when a second frame is stacked upon a first
frame. The frame includes mounting members integral with one or
more of the front legs, back legs and arm rest which are adapted to
receive an insert that substantially closes the opening.
Inventors: |
Sweeney; Shaun D.; (Oak
Forest, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Stephen B. Heller;Cook, Alex, McFarron, Manzo,
Cummings & Mehler, Ltd.
200 West Adams Street - Suite 2850
Chicago
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
35799324 |
Appl. No.: |
10/915839 |
Filed: |
August 11, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/239 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 3/04 20130101; A47C
31/11 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/239 |
International
Class: |
A47C 3/04 20060101
A47C003/04 |
Claims
1. A stackable frame for an arm chair, the frame comprising: a pair
of front legs; a pair of back legs; a seat support connected to the
front legs and back legs; a backrest extending upwardly from the
back legs; a pair of armrests extending from the backrest to the
front legs; the frame having a pair of openings defined by the seat
support and the arm rests, so as to allow at least one
corresponding frame to be stacked thereon, the back legs of the
corresponding frame passing through the openings; and the frame
including mounting members integral with one or more of the front
legs, back legs and arm rests, the mounting members adapted to
receive an insert to substantially close each opening.
2. The frame of claim 1 wherein the frame comprises metal
tubes.
3. The frame of claim 1 further comprising a brace extending
between the front legs beneath the seat support.
4. The frame of claim 3 further comprising a seat cushion with a
front flap adapted to be secured to the frame over the brace
between the front legs.
5. The frame of claim 1 further comprising a back cushion, the back
cushion including a pocket to fit over the backrest.
6. An arm chair having a frame adapted to be stacked with one or
more corresponding frames, the arm chair comprising: a pair of
front legs; a pair of back legs; a seat support connected to the
front legs and back legs; a backrest extending upwardly from the
back legs; a pair of arm rests extending from the backrest to the
front legs; a pair of openings defined by the seat support and the
arm rests so as to allow the frame of at least one corresponding
chair to be stacked thereon, the back legs of the corresponding
frame passing through the opening; mounting members integral with
one or more of the front legs, back legs and arm rests; and an
insert for substantially closing each opening, the inserts being
secured to the frame through the mounting members.
7. The frame of claim 6 wherein the frame comprises metal
tubes.
8. The frame of claim 6 further comprising a brace extending
between the front legs beneath the seat support.
9. The frame of claim 8 further comprising a seat cushion with a
front flap adapted to be secured to the frame over the brace
between the front legs.
10. The frame of claim 6 further comprising a back cushion, the
back cushion including a pocket to fit over the backrest.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a stackable arm chair and,
more particularly to a stackable arm chair and frame therefore
having an improved appearance.
[0002] Chairs are typically shipped from the manufacture or
distributor to the retailer and/or consumer packaged in cardboard
boxes, or the like, in order to protect the chairs. If the chairs
are stackable, with one or more chairs able to nest in another
chair of the same type, economies in shipping and storage can be
realized.
[0003] Stackable side chairs (i.e., chairs without arm rests) are
well known. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,338,591, 5,524,963 and
5,383,712. However, stackable chairs with arm rests (i.e. "arm
chairs") are less common. The stackable arm chairs that are known
or available have open spaces between the arms, back and seat of
the chair through which the rear legs of a second chair are placed
when stacked. See, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,803,540 and 5,044,691.
Alternatively, the arm may not be connected to the back of the
chair to create the space for the rear legs to nest when the chairs
are stacked. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,341,419. Many find the
appearance of these chairs to be aesthetically deficient, in that
the chairs appear insubstantial (i.e., flimsy) and
uncomfortable.
[0004] Accordingly, it is object of the present invention to
provide an arm chair that is stackable for economical shipment and
storage and yet is more aesthetically pleasing then known stackable
arm chairs.
[0005] Another object of the present invention to provide a
stackable arm chair which, such that when assembled, there is no
open space between the back, seat and arms of the chair through
which the rear legs of a second chair would be received if two or
more such chairs were stacked.
[0006] These objects, as well as others which will become apparent
upon reference to the following detailed description and
accompanying drawings, are provided by an arm chair which has a
frame adapted to be stacked with one or more similar frames. The
frame comprises a pair of front legs, a pair of back legs, and a
seat frame or seat support connected to the front legs and the back
legs. A back rest extends upwardly from the back legs, and a pair
of arm rests extend from the back rest to the front legs. A pair of
opposed openings are defined by the seat frame and the arm rests,
through which the back legs of a second frame are received when a
second frame is stacked upon a first frame. The frame includes
mounting members integral with one or more of the front legs, back
legs and arm rest which are adapted to receive an insert that
substantially closes the opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an arm chair according to
the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a exploded perspective view of the arm chair of
FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a side view of two frames for arm chairs according
to the present invention in which the frames are stacked for
shipping or storage.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a front view of a stackable frame for an arm chair
according to the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a back view of the stackable frame of FIG. 4.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a top view of the stackable frame of FIG. 4.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the stackable frame of FIG.
4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Turning to the drawings, there is seen an arm chair,
generally designated 10, having a frame 12 that is adapted to be
stacked with one or more additional frames of like construction (as
shown in FIG. 3). The frame 12 includes a pair of front legs 14 and
a pair of back legs 16, between which a seat frame or support 18 is
secured. The seat frame 18 has a front stretcher 20 that extends
between the two front legs 14 and a rear stretcher 22 that extends
between the back legs 16. Between the front and rear stretchers 20,
22 are attached a pair of crosspieces 24, to which webbing 26 is
attached for supporting a separate seat cushion (described in
greater detail below).
[0015] Formed integrally from the same tubing as each of the front
legs 14 and extending upwardly therefrom is an arm post or arm
support 28. Similarly, formed integrally from the same tubing as
each of the back legs 16 and extending upwardly therefrom is a
stile 30, with the tops of the stiles 30 being joined by a head
piece 32 to form the framework for the back of the chair frame. A
series of slats 34 (five shown) extend between the stiles 30 to
complete seat back 36. Arms or arm rests 38 extend between each arm
support 28 and stile 30, to complete the basic frame work for the
frame.
[0016] The frame is preferably made of aluminum, with the front
legs 14/arms supports 28, arms 38, rear legs 16/stiles 30/head
piece 32, stretchers 20, 22, and crosspieces 24 being made of
tubing, while the slats 34 are made of bar stock. The various
components are joined together by welding. While in the illustrated
chair square tubing is used for the principal structural elements
of the frame, tubing of other shapes (having a, e.g., round, oval,
hexagonal, etc. cross-sectional shape) may be used. The webbing 26
is preferably made of an elastomeric material, the ends of which
are wrapped around the crosspieces 24 and secured thereto by e.g.,
screws (not shown).
[0017] In keeping with the invention, the frame is adapted to
receive panels or inserts 40 which are secured thereto between the
arm rests 38 and front and back legs 14, 16 to close the opening
through which the rear legs 16 of a second chair are received when
nested on a first chair. The inserts 40, when attached to the frame
after shipment of the chair, cause the arm chair to have the
appearance of a more substantial and solid chair of higher quality
than the generally-known and available stackable arm chairs.
[0018] As illustrated, the inserts 40 comprise a woven material 42,
such as wicker, that is secured to a subframe 44. The subframe 44
is, in turn, secured to the frame for the arm chair. To this end,
the front and rear legs 14, 16 include brackets 46 that receive
screws or other fasteners for securing the inserts 40 to the frame.
The top end of each subframe 44 includes spaced-apart pegs 48 that
are adapted to be received in holes 50 (best seen in FIG. 7)
located on the underside of the arm rests. The pegs 48 help to
locate the insert or panel 40 with respect to the frame and, in
conjunction with the screws and brackets 46, maintain the insert 40
in position. Thus, the frames 12 can be shipped stacked, and the
inserts 40 easily attached thereto after unpacking the stacked
frames.
[0019] The chair frame 12 is also adapted to receive a support seat
cushion 52 and back cushion 54 which, in the illustrated
embodiment, are joined together at the back of the seat cushion and
the bottom of the back cushion. The back cushion 54 includes a
pocket 56 which fits over the back rest 36 of the frame 12 to
secure the back cushion on the frame. The seat cushion 52 has a
flap 58 at its lower front edge that is sufficiently long to be
wrapped around a stretcher or brace 60 and secured back on itself
by, e.g., hook and loop fasteners. Optionally, a further insert or
panel 62 of like construction to panels 40 may be provided that is
secured to the chair between the back legs 16. Each of these
elements, combined with the panels 40, provide an arm chair having
a solid and substantial appearance, in contrast to the generally
available stackable arm chairs.
[0020] Thus, a stackable arm chair and frame therefore has been
provided that meets all the objects of the present invention. While
the invention has been described in terms of a preferred
embodiment, there is no intent to limit it to the same. Instead,
the invention is defined by the scope of the following claims.
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