U.S. patent application number 15/358564 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-16 for support panel.
This patent application is currently assigned to KETER PLASTIC LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is KETER PLASTIC LTD.. Invention is credited to Nir APELBAUM, Efraim HAIMOFF.
Application Number | 20170071348 15/358564 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51392060 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170071348 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HAIMOFF; Efraim ; et
al. |
March 16, 2017 |
SUPPORT PANEL
Abstract
Provided is an injection molded panel having a top side and a
bottom side. The panel is configured with at least an elastic
portion, the elastic portion including a plurality of undulating
deformable strands intersecting with one another at rigid
connecting locations, the rigid connecting locations alternatingly
extending at opposite sides of the panel at alternating top peaks
and bottom peaks, the peaks defining together the respective top
side and the bottom side.
Inventors: |
HAIMOFF; Efraim; (Mevaseret
Zion, IL) ; APELBAUM; Nir; (Tel Aviv, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KETER PLASTIC LTD. |
Herzelyia |
|
IL |
|
|
Assignee: |
KETER PLASTIC LTD.
Herzelyia
IL
|
Family ID: |
51392060 |
Appl. No.: |
15/358564 |
Filed: |
November 22, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14457457 |
Aug 12, 2014 |
9533457 |
|
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15358564 |
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61864726 |
Aug 12, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29K 2995/0046 20130101;
A47C 7/027 20130101; B32B 2307/51 20130101; Y10T 428/24083
20150115; B29L 2031/771 20130101; Y10T 428/24636 20150115; Y10T
428/24785 20150115; Y10T 428/24174 20150115; F16F 1/376 20130101;
A47C 7/16 20130101; F16F 1/373 20130101; F16F 1/36 20130101; A47C
5/12 20130101; B29D 28/00 20130101; B29L 2031/443 20130101; B32B
3/28 20130101; Y10S 297/02 20130101; Y10T 428/24645 20150115; B29L
2031/44 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47C 7/16 20060101
A47C007/16; F16F 1/376 20060101 F16F001/376; A47C 7/02 20060101
A47C007/02; B29D 28/00 20060101 B29D028/00; B32B 3/28 20060101
B32B003/28 |
Claims
1.-14. (canceled)
15. An injection molded support panel, having a top side and a
bottom side configured with at least an elastic portion, said
elastic portion comprising a plurality of undulating warp strands
and a plurality of undulating weft strands interlacing said warp
strands and intersecting with one another at rigid connecting
locations, said rigid connecting locations alternatingly extending
at opposite sides of the panel at alternating top peaks and bottom
peaks, said peaks defining together the respective top side and the
bottom side, wherein the support panel is configured for applying
to a furniture item.
16. The injection molded panel of claim 15, wherein the warp
strands and weft strands alternatingly intersect at a top side of
the panel and at a bottom side of the panel, and wherein
interconnecting warp strand portions and weft strands portions
extending between said connecting location are deformable.
17. The injection molded panel of claim 15, wherein deformation of
the strand portions extending between said rigid connecting
locations is parallel to the vector force applied such that upon
applying force over a surface of the panel, a normal distance
between top connecting locations and the neighboring bottom
connecting locations decreases.
18. The injection molded panel of claim 15, wherein the panel is
made of a non-creeping material, such that upon seizing of a load
applied to the panel it assumes its original shape.
19. The injection molded panel of claim 15, wherein the connecting
locations are non-deformable.
20. The injection molded panel of claim 15, wherein different
portions of the panel are molded of different material compositions
to provide controlled elasticity parameters of the panel.
21. The injection molded panel of claim 15, wherein the elasticity
parameters of the panel is (i) uniform over the entire panel, (ii)
different at one or more portions thereof, or (iii) directionally
uniform.
22. The injection molded panel of claim 15, wherein the at least
some of the top peaks and the bottom peaks are smoothed/rounded for
convenience.
23. The injection molded panel of claim 15, wherein the warp
strands and the weft strands intersect at right angles.
24. The injection molded panel of claim 15, wherein the
interconnected warp strands and the weft strands form a
wickerwork-like panel.
25. The injection molded panel of claim 15, configured with a
frame.
26. The injection molded panel of claim 25, wherein the frame is
integrally molded with the panel or articulated thereto.
Description
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosed subject matter is concerned with a
plastic molded support panel.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] References considered to be relevant as background to the
presently disclosed subject matter are listed below: [0003] U.S.
Pat. No. 6,726,285 [0004] U.S. Pat. No. 7,455,365 [0005] U.S. Pat.
No. 7,472,962 [0006] U.S. Pat. No. 7,794,022
[0007] Acknowledgement of the above references herein is not to be
inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the
patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter.
BACKGROUND
[0008] Acknowledgement of importance of the "comfort" provided by
seating and resting surfaces has resulted in the design of seats
comprising means allowing the adaptation of such seats to the
profile of the sited person. Flexible and/or deformable support
panels intended to provide comfort are known in the art. Such
panels are typically used for seating or resting surfaces such as
chair seats or backrests and provide a degree of flexibility and
contouring the occupying body. These panel structures are intended
to enhance the user's comfort and further provide for an ergonomic
seating or resting surface.
[0009] Example of such support panels is disclosed e.g. in U.S.
Pat. No. 7,794,022 directed to a body support structure which
includes a support frame having at least first and second opposite
side portions and defining an opening therebetween. A molded
elastomeric member is connected to the first and second side
portions and suspended over the opening. The molded elastomeric
member includes a mechanical structure decoupling the molded
elastomeric member in first and second directions such that the
molded elastomeric member has different load bearing
characteristics in the first and second directions, wherein the
first direction is different than the second direction. A method
for forming a load bearing structure is also provided.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
[0010] The present disclosure calls for an injection molded panel
configured with at least an elastic portion, said elastic portion
comprising a plurality of undulating deformable strands
intersecting with one another at rigid connecting locations, said
rigid connecting locations alternatingly extending at opposite
sides of the pane.
[0011] The arrangement is such that applying force over the
connecting locations, i.e. a force having a vector component
extending in a direction normal to the connecting locations,
results in deformation of the deformable strands in a direction so
as to increase the angle between the strands extending from a
common connecting location facing the direction of the applied
force, namely increasing the angle between the strands and said
vector component. In accordance with this embodiment, deformation
of the strand portions extending between said rigid connecting
locations is such that upon applying force over a surface of the
panel, a normal distance between top connecting locations and the
neighboring bottom connecting locations decreases, i.e. they are
brought closer one towards the other by increase in the angle
between the strands extending from the connecting locations. With
the increase of angle the panel elastically deforms and returns to
its initial configuration upon the elimination of the applied
force.
[0012] The elastic portion can be configured with a plurality of
connecting locations each configured of any practical number of
strands extending therefrom.
[0013] A plastic injection molded panel configured with a top side
and a bottom side, defined by a plurality of alternatingly
extending rigid connecting locations, wherein neighboring
connecting locations are interconnect by undulating deformable
strands.
[0014] According to a particular example, the disclosed subject
matter is directed to an injection molded panel comprising at least
a portion configured with a plurality of undulating warp strands
and a plurality of undulating weft strands interlacing said warp
strands, wherein the warp strands and weft strands alternatingly
intersect at a top side of the panel and at a bottom side of the
panel, and whereby at locations of intersection of the warp strands
and weft strands they form together an integrated, rigid connecting
location, and wherein interconnecting warp strand portions and weft
strands portions extending between said connecting location are
deformable.
[0015] Locations of intersection of the warp strands and weft
strands extend at alternating top peaks and bottom peaks, said
peaks defining together the respective top side and the bottom
side.
[0016] According to another aspect of the present disclosed subject
matter there is a frame configured with an injection molded panel
comprising at least a portion configured with a plurality of
undulating warp strands and a plurality of undulating weft strands
interlacing said warp strands, wherein the warp strands and weft
strands alternatingly intersect at a top side of the panel and at a
bottom side of the panel, and whereby at locations of intersection
of the warp strands and weft strands they form together an
integrated, rigid connecting location, and wherein interconnecting
warp strand portions and weft strands portions extending between
said connecting location are deformable.
[0017] The panel can be integrally molded with the frame or it can
be articulated thereto.
[0018] The frame can be coplanar with at least one of the top side
and the bottom side of the panel.
[0019] According to yet an aspect of the present disclosed subject
matter there is a furniture article comprising at least a portion
configured with an injection molded panel comprising at least a
portion configured with a plurality of undulating warp strands and
a plurality of undulating weft strands interlacing said warp
strands, wherein the warp strands and weft strands alternatingly
intersect at a top side of the panel and at a bottom side of the
panel, and whereby at locations of intersection of the warp strands
and weft strands they form together an integrated, rigid connecting
location, and wherein interconnecting warp strand portions and weft
strands portions extending between said connecting location are
deformable.
[0020] The panel portion of the furniture article can constitute
for example a seat portion of a chair, a back rest portion of a
chair, a support portion of a bed, or of an arm chair, etc.
[0021] Any one or more of the following features, designs and
configurations can be incorporated in the panel according to the
disclosed subject mater, in combinations or independently: [0022]
Elastic deformation of the interconnecting warp strands portions
and weft strands portions extending between said connecting
location is in a plane of the undulation of the warp strands
portions and weft strands portions, i.e. parallel to the vector
force applied; upon applying force over a surface of the panel, a
normal distance i.e. between top connecting locations and the
neighboring bottom connecting locations decreases; [0023] The panel
is made of a non-creeping material, such that upon seizing of a
load applied to the panel it assumes its original shape; [0024] The
connecting locations are substantially rigid and non-deformable;
[0025] The connecting locations are thicker than neighboring
interconnecting strands, such as the warp strand portions and weft
strands portions. According to a particular configuration, the
thickness of the connecting locations is about as thick as the
accumulated thickness of respective interconnecting warp strand
portions and weft strands portions; [0026] The molded panel can
resemble a wickerwork panel. According to a particular example the
molded panel can have a rattan-like appearance; [0027] The warp
strands and weft strands can intersect at right angles; [0028] The
warp strands and weft strands can intersect at an angle; [0029] The
panel can be entirely flat or can have flat portions; [0030] The
panel can be shaped in conformity with agronomic parameters such as
to form a seat portion or a lumber and/or shoulder of a back rest,
deformed from the panel side; [0031] Elasticity parameters of the
panel can be controlled by manipulating one or more features of the
panel. For example, the panel can be configured with uneven
undulating patterns (e.g. altering adulating amplitude),
non-uniform thickness of the interconnecting warp strand portions
and weft strands portions extending between the connecting
locations, non-uniform width of interconnecting warp strand
portions and weft strands portions extending between said
connecting locations; [0032] Elasticity parameters can be
controlled by using multi-component injection, whereby different
portions of the panel can be molded of different material
compositions altering their elasticity; [0033] Elasticity
parameters of the panel can be uniform over the entire panel or be
different at one or more portions thereof. The elasticity
parameters can be uniform in directional sense, or non-uniform. For
example, the panel can be more elastic in reaction to force
components applied in one direction than to force components
applied in another direction; [0034] The support panel can be
articulated with a furniture item or an addition thereto or a
stand-alone panel for use in conjunction with supporting surfaces.
For example the support panel can serve as a support panel
cushioning over a seat (chair, armchair, swing, wheelchair, bed,
sofa, and the like); [0035] At least some of the top peaks and the
bottom peaks can be smoothed/rounded for convenience.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] In order to better understand the subject matter that is
disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in
practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting
example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0037] FIG. 1 is an example of a classic bistro chair comprising a
support panel according to the present disclosed subject meter;
[0038] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion marked II of a
support seat of the chair of FIG. 1;
[0039] FIG. 3A is a top perspective view of a portion of the
support panel of FIG. 2;
[0040] FIG. 3B is a bottom view of FIG. 3A;
[0041] FIG. 4 is an enlargement of the portion marked IV in FIG.
3A;
[0042] FIG. 5A is a side view taken from direction of arrow A in
FIG. 3A;
[0043] FIG. 5B is a side view taken from direction of arrow B in
FIG. 3A;
[0044] FIG. 6A is an enlarged view of the portion marked VII of
FIG. 5A, however in a deformed configuration, upon applying force
on the support panel;
[0045] FIG. 6B illustrates a portion marked VI of FIG. 5B, however
upon applying force on the support panel.
[0046] FIG. 7A is a top perspective view of a portion of FIG. 5A,
however upon applying force on the support panel, where a deformed
and a non deformed layers are superimposed;
[0047] FIG. 7B is a side view of FIG. 7A; and
[0048] FIG. 7C is similar to FIG. 7B, provided with contour lines
for the top and bottom to surface plane of the panel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0049] In FIG. 1 of the drawings there is illustrated a bistro-type
chair generally designated 10 configured with a seat portion 12 and
a back rest 14.
[0050] The chair 10 is a mere example of a furniture item
configured with a support panel according to the present
disclosure, and it is appreciated that such a support panel can be
applied to a variety of furniture items, integrated therewith or
detachably attachable thereto. Furthermore, it is to be noted that
a support panel with which the disclosure is concerned can be a
so-called `stand-alone` item, i.e. configured for applying over
different structured such as, for example, a wheelchair seat, a
therapeutic bed, a beach bed and the like.
[0051] Likewise, the support panel 12 illustrated hereinafter in
greater detail, is a particular example of a support panel
according to the present disclosure, and however it is appreciated
that by no means the disclosure is to be restricted thereto. In the
particular example, the seat portion 12 comprises a support panel
portion 20 and a peripheral frame 22 fixedly mounted over the four
chair legs 16. Frame 22, as already mentioned, can be integrated
with the support panel portion 20 or detachably articulated
thereto, however in a sturdy manner.
[0052] As can be seen, best in the following drawings, the support
panel 20 configured as an elastic portion manufactured by injection
molding, said elastic portion comprising a plurality of undulating,
deformable warp strands 26 and woof strands 28, intersecting with
one another at rigid connecting locations 30, said rigid connecting
locations 30 alternatingly extending at opposite top side 32 and
bottom side 34 of the support panel 20, wherein for sake of clarity
top connecting locations are designated as 30.sub.T and bottom
connecting locations are designated 30.sub.B, respectively (e.g.
FIGS. 5 and 6). Locations of intersection of the warp strands and
weft strands extend at alternating top peaks 30.sub.T and bottom
peaks 30.sub.B, defining together the respective top face 32 and
the bottom face 34 of the support panel 20.
[0053] The plurality of alternatingly extending rigid connecting
locations 30 are thus interconnected with neighboring connecting
locations 30 by the undulating deformable warp strands 26 and weft
strands 28, so as to impart the support panel 20 with resilience,
as will become apparent hereinafter. The connecting locations 30
are substantially rigid and non-deformable.
[0054] The arrangement is such that at locations of intersection of
the warp strands 26 and weft strands 28, i.e. at the connecting
locations 30, they form together an integrated, rigid and
substantially solid connecting location, whilst the interconnecting
warp strand portions 26 and weft strands portions 28, extending
between neighboring connecting locations 30 are deformable, that is
flexible however to an extent so as to assume shape of the panel
20. According to one particular arrangement the warp and weft
strand portions are resilient (elastic, pliant) as compared with
the respective connecting locations 30 owing to their thickness
being lesser than that of the connecting locations 30 (best seen in
FIG. 4). According to a particular configuration, the thickness of
the connecting locations 30 is about as thick as the accumulated
thickness of respective interconnecting warp strand portions 26 and
weft strands portions 28. Also, the geometry (i.e. shape and
cross-section) of the warp and weft strand portions can alter along
their length and width, so as to impart the strands with the
required resilience. It is also appreciated that different zones of
the panel may be imparted with different resiliency, depending on
the intended use thereof.
[0055] It is further appreciated that whilst in the exemplified
drawings the support panel 20 is of uniform thickness, according to
other forms (not shown) the thickness as well as pattern of the
interconnecting warp strand portions 26 and weft strands portions
28 may differ over the panel. Likewise, whilst in the illustrations
the arrangement is a classic warp and weft like pattern, i.e. two
warp strand portions 26 and two weft strands portions 28 extending
from a respective connecting location 30, other configurations are
possible too, with more or less strand portions extending from a
respective connecting location (not shown).
[0056] With further reference being made in particular to FIGS. 5
to 7, the mechanics of the system is demonstrated, wherein the
arrangement is such that applying force F over the connecting
locations 30, i.e. a force having a vector component extending in a
direction normal to the connecting locations 30 (e.g. as a result
of a person sitting on the chair 10) extending along plane P,
results in deformation of the deformable warp strand portions 26
and weft strands portions 28, in a direction so as to increase the
angle between the strands extending from a common connecting
location 30, namely increasing the angle between the strands and
said vector component wherein +>.beta. (this is best seen in
FIGS. 5A and 5B showing the .alpha. angle and FIGS. 6A and 6A
showing the .beta. angle). Simultaneously, as the warp strand
portions 26 and weft strands portions 28 deform, the panel deforms
so that top surface 32' and bottom surface 34' are now parallely
deformed (seen in FIGS. 6A and 6B as well as in FIGS. 7A and 7B).
The distance between the connection location 30 at the top peak and
the adjacent connection location 30 bottom peak decreases. Once the
force F ceases the panel will reassume its original shape. The
panel 20 is made of a non-creeping plastic material, such that upon
seizing of a load/force F applied to the panel 20 it assumes its
original shape. It is noted that in FIGS. 7A and 7B there is
illustrated superimposed a deformed layer D and a non-deformed
layer UD, for sake of comparison and clarity only.
[0057] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the deformation of the panel
portion under the force F applied in an axial direction,
perpendicular to the surface 32 of the panel portion. As seen in
these illustrations and best seen in FIG. 7C, the non-deformed
panel layer UD is superimposed over the deformed layer D such that
the edges E.sub.1 and E.sub.2 of the unaffected by the load
portions of the panel coextend for the deformed and the undeformed
panels, thus clearly illustrating the degree of bending of the
panel under the applied load. It is further best seen in FIGS. 7B
and 7C the degree of tensioning and the compression of the bottom
34 and top 32 surfaces, respectively, with the deformed surfaces
identified by the same numerals with added "`". i.e. 32` and 34'.
It is further seen that upon deformation the distance Y between the
warp and weft strands 26, 28 extending from the top connection
location 30.sub.T is expanded to Y' seen in the D layer, thus
facilitating the tensioning of the bottom surface 34'. The
compression of the top surface 32' is facilitated by the shortening
of the distance X extending between the warp and weft strands
extending from the bottom connection locations 30.sub.B to X' seen
in layer D. FIG. 7C illustrates the deformation of the panel by
contouring the top and bottom surfaces is a cross section taken in
the side view of the panel. It is clearly seen that Y'>Y and
X'<X.
[0058] The presently disclosed support panel is plastic molded and
thus a variety of parameters, features and shapes are controllable,
imparting it different appearances and advantages. For example the
support panel can resemble a wickerwork panel. According to a
particular example the molded panel can have a rattan-like
appearance. The strands can intersect at right angles or at an
angle. More so, the panel can be entirely flat or can have flat
portions or shaped in conformity with agronomic parameters such as
to form a seat portion or a lumber and/or shoulder of a back rest,
deformed from the panel side, etc.
[0059] As already mentioned above, elasticity parameters of the
panel can be controlled by manipulating one or more features of the
panel. For example, the panel can be configured with uneven
undulating patterns (e.g. altering adulating amplitude),
non-uniform thickness of the interconnecting warp strand portions
and weft strands portions extending between the connecting
locations, non-uniform width of interconnecting warp strand
portions and weft strands portions extending between said
connecting locations. Elasticity parameters can be controlled by
using multi-component injection, whereby different portions of the
panel can be molded of different material compositions altering
their elasticity. Elasticity parameters of the panel can be uniform
over the entire panel or be different at one or more portions
thereof. The elasticity parameters can be uniform in directional
sense, or non-uniform. For example, the panel can be more elastic
in reaction to force components applied in one direction than to
force components applied in another direction.
* * * * *