Method Of Assemblying Padded Armrest

Abstract

A resilient padded arm rest is formed on a chair arm by molding a bendable shape-retaining metal channel in the lower portion of a resilient plastic body with an integral plastic coating over the bottom of the channel and the side portions of the channel, the channel being placed over the arm and the side portions being bent inwardly to compress the plastic against the arm top and plastic on the side portions against the arm bottom for anchoring the cushion pad in place.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

The normal metal arm of a chair or the like requires a cushion or padded arm rest and a problem is presented in securing an arm rest thereto so as to retain the resilient cushioning effect of the arm rest. Attachment of the pad by screws, rivets, bands, cement, and other means is unsatisfactory for many reasons, and if a special configuration is required for the metal arm in order to retain the arm rest, this involves expense, and difficulty is presented later in providing a replacement rest.

I have discovered that it is possible to provide a pad which will have an uncompressed resilient top cushion while at the same time being quickly and inexpensively anchored to a chair arm which need have no special surface, lugs, or other attachment means. By molding or otherwise embedding in the bottom of the resilient plastic body a metal channel which is malleable and may be bent to provide a set so that the plastic enclosing the channel and the sides will be locked against the top and bottom surfaces of the arm, a firm anchor is provided while at the same time providing an uncompressed top cushion portion.

DRAWING

In the accompanying drawing,

FIG. 1 is a three-quarter front perspective view of a typical metal stadium chair shown with plastic seat and back panels and with padded arm rests attached to the metal arms;

FIG. 2, a perspective view of the arm rest prior to its attachment to the metal arm;

FIG. 3, a fragmentary perspective view of the upper portion of a metal standard showing the padded arm rest attached to the metal arm;

FIG. 4, a vertical sectional view of the arm rest, the section being taken as indicated at line 4--4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5, a vertical sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 5--5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6, a top plan view of the arm rest shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7, a side view of the arm rest shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the illustration given, 10 designates a stadium chair having metal standards 11 with arms 12 to which are attached padded arm rests 13.

The padded arm rests 13 may be formed in any suitable manner so as to provide a resilient plastic body in which a channel 14 is embedded in the lower portion of the plastic body. I prefer to place the metal channel 11 in a mold and fill the mold with plastic foam 15, such as polyurethane, vinyl, or other suitable material similar to sponge rubber. The polyurethane foam forms a hardened outer surface or skin 16 which thus provides a finished surface and need not be covered by an upholstering material. Similarly, other plastic materials, such as vinyl, sponge rubber, and composition materials, may be formed to produce the resilient cushion body above the channel and a skin thereover.

The padded arm rest 13 may be attached to the metal arm 12 of the standard 11 by placing it over the upper surface 17 of the arm 12 and bending the two side portions 18 and 19 around the outer edges 20 of the metal arm 12 until they fit snugly against the bottom side 21 of the arm, as at 22 and 23 shown best in FIG. 5. By drawing the side portions 18 and 19 inwardly in the clinching operation, the resilient integral coating of plastic on the bottom side of the channel is compressed against the top surface of the arm 12 while the plastic on the inner side of the channel sides 18 and 19 is compressed against bottom portions of the arm 12.

The undersurfaces 24 of the foam skin, as shown best in FIGS. 4 and 5, are pressed tightly against the outer surfaces of the arm at 17, 20 and 21, thus providing a grip or hold which prevents the arm rest from being pulled off of the arm. The process steps described make the use of screws, rivets, cement, bands, or other fastening devices unnecessary.

While in the foregoing specification I have set out specific structures and steps in considerable detail for the purpose of illustrating embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that such details may be varied widely by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. In a process for cushioning a structural arm, the steps of molding a resilient plastic cushion body with a metal channel embedded in the lower portion of the body providing an integral plastic coating over the bottom of the channel and over the depending spaced side portions of the channel, placing the plastic coated channel over said arm, and clinching channel side portions inwardly in spaced-apart relation below said arm to compress the plastic against said arm top and the plastic on said side portions against the arm bottom, said metal channel sides being deformable to maintain their set, with the edges of the encased sides below the edges of the arm, after clinching to hold the compression of said plastic against said arm but without compressing the cushion body above said channel.

2. The process of claim 1 in which said plastic is polyurethane having an outer surface skin.