U.S. patent number 3,759,572 [Application Number 05/264,498] was granted by the patent office on 1973-09-18 for segmented sling seat frame with stabilizing connection means having concealed adjustment for facilitating coverage thereof.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Harter Corporation. Invention is credited to Earl H. Koepke.
United States Patent |
3,759,572 |
Koepke |
September 18, 1973 |
SEGMENTED SLING SEAT FRAME WITH STABILIZING CONNECTION MEANS HAVING
CONCEALED ADJUSTMENT FOR FACILITATING COVERAGE THEREOF
Abstract
Segmented sling-seat frame comprising a plurality of frame
segments adapted to be connected by elongated tubular connection
means including adjustment means for adjustment of an external
dimension of said seat frame concealed therein, said connection
means being of sufficient length to support the extremities of both
frame members therein and to stabilize the coupling by sliding
engagement with said frame members. Especially significant where
said frame is a "free-standing" frame. Permits convenient
adjustment of an external dimension of said frame, thereby
facilitating coverage with a tubular seat cover or the like.
Inventors: |
Koepke; Earl H. (Sturgis,
MI) |
Assignee: |
Harter Corporation (Sturgis,
MI)
|
Family
ID: |
23006319 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/264,498 |
Filed: |
June 20, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/452.4;
297/351 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C
4/022 (20130101); A47C 4/03 (20130101); A47C
5/04 (20130101); A47C 4/028 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47C
4/02 (20060101); A47C 5/00 (20060101); A47C
5/04 (20060101); A47C 4/00 (20060101); A47c
007/20 (); A47c 007/14 () |
Field of
Search: |
;297/230-232,218,219,445,452,457,458,460 ;58/82,354 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Nunberg; Casmir A.
Claims
I claim:
1. A segmented sling-seat frame comprising a plurality of frame
segments adapted to be connected by stabilizing tubular connection
means including concealed adjustment means for adjustment of an
external dimension of said seat frame thereby to facilitate
covering of said frame when assembled with a frame cover, at least
one of said frame segments having thread means at an extremity
thereof adapted to be coupled by said stabilizing tubular
connection means to another of said frame segments at an extremity
thereof, said stabilizing tubular connection means being an
elongated tube having internal dimensions adapted to provide
sliding engagement with the external surface of the extremities of
both said frame segments, said tube having secured and concealed
therein nut means for engagement with said thread means when said
threaded extremity of said first frame segment is inserted into
said stabilizing tubular connection means and also having secured
and concealed therein abutment means for abutment of the extremity
of said second frame segment thereagainst when inserted into said
stabilizing connection means, said stabilizing tubular connection
means being of sufficient length to support the extremities of both
frame members therein and to stabilize said coupling by sliding
engagement with said frame members, whereby when said frame is
assembled and a frame cover associated therewith, said connection
means can be rotated for adjustment of a dimension of said frame
and to loosen or tighten said frame cover.
2. The combination of claim 1, in assembled form and adapted to
have a frame cover in the form of a sling arranged over said
frame.
3. The combination of claim 2, including said frame cover in the
form of a tubular sling arranged over said frame.
4. The combination of claim 2, wherein the extremities of said
cooperating frame segments and said stabilizing connection means
together comprise a lateral reach of said seat frame.
5. The combination of claim 4, wherein said seat frame comprises a
back portion and wherein said stabilizing connection means and said
extremities of said two frame segments together comprise the upper
lateral reach of the back portion of said assembled seat frame.
6. The combination of claim 4, wherein said stabilizing connection
means and said extremities of said two frame segments together
comprise the forward lower edge of said seat frame.
7. The combination of claim 4, wherein said seat frame comprises a
back portion and wherein said stabilizing connection means and said
extremities of said two frame segments together comprise a lateral
portion of said seat frame between the forward edge of said seat
frame and the upper edge of said seat frame back portion.
8. The combination of claim 4, wherein said seat frame comprises a
back portion and said assembled seat frame comprises the
extremities of said cooperating frame segments and one of said
stabilizing connection means as the lateral reach of each of the
forward lower edge of said seat frame and the upper edge of said
seat frame back portion.
9. The combination of claim 2, wherein said nut means and said
abutment means within said stabilizing connection means are
integral.
10. The combination of claim 4, including said frame cover and
wherein the relation of a dimension of said frame cover and said
lateral reach of said frame is such that said stabilizing
connection means is located substantially centrally of said lateral
reach of said frame.
11. The combination of claim 1, wherein said frame is a
free-standing frame, adapted to be employed without supporting
substructure, but with or without legs.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
Seating, particularly sling-seat frame construction, particularly
of the "free-standing" type, adapted to stand by itself and not be
connected to wooden or other substructure of a supporting
nature.
2. Prior Art
Various means for adjusting an external dimension of a seat-frame
for various reasons, including to facilitate coverage of said frame
with a seat-cover and to remove wrinkles from the seat cover once
in place on said frame, have already been devised and are a part of
the prior art. Such prior art includes:
Scott, U. S. Pat. No. 488,095, issued Dec. 13, 1892; Tompkins, U.
S. Pat. No. 584,905, issued June 22, 1897; Benson, U. S. Pat. No.
1,400,717, issued Dec. 20, 1921; Fry, U. S. Pat. No. 1,782,815,
issued Nov. 25, 1930; and Quy, U. S. Pat. No. 3,294,451, issued
Dec. 27, 1966. These patentees show, inter alia, interlocking bars,
spring clamping devices, swaging extremities inside of a
sleeve,
DOUBLE THREADED EXTREMITIES IN COMBINATION WITH A DOUBLE THREADED
TURNBUCKLE, UNTHREADED EXTREMITIES IN COMBINATION WITH A SPACER
CONNECTION IN WHICH THE EXTERNAL DIMENSION IS NOT ADJUSTABLE EXCEPT
BY SELECTION OF THE LENGTH OF THE UNTHREADED EXTREMITIES AND THE
SPACER CONNECTION INTO WHICH THEY FIT, AND THE LIKE. While all of
these means have limited application for their intended use, they
have mainly been satisfactory where they have been used in
connection with underlying support means, such as a wooden frame,
as shown in Fry. Where adjustable means have been otherwise
employed, they have been exposed and unsightly, and have suffered
from the obvious disadvantage of presenting an inherent structural
weakness at the point of connection of the two extremities of the
seat frame by the adjustable connecting device. This disadvantage
has been particularly apparent where the frame has been a so-called
"free-standing" frame, that is, with or without legs, but not
designed or particularly adapted to be supported, especially at the
point of its adjustability, by any underlying substructure, such as
a wooden frame or the like. It is apparent that an improve
segmented sling-seat frame, especially of the free-standing type,
which includes a connection means which permits rapid and convenien
adjustment of an external dimension thereof to facilitate covering
of said frame, and which is economical, and which lends overall
stability to the coupling between the individual segments of the
frame, would be highly desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a segmented sling-seat frame,
especially such a frame adapted to be "free-standing," that is,
which may or may not be complete with legs but which does not
require a supporting substructure, especially in the area of the
adjustment means hereinafter more fully described, said frame
comprising a plurality of frame segments adapted to be connected by
stabilizing tubular connection means including concealed adjustment
means for adjustment of an internal dimension of said seat frame
thereby to facilitate the covering of said frame when assembled
with a frame cover, at least one of said frame segments having
thread means at an extremity thereof adapted to be coupled by said
stabilizing tubular connection means to another of said frame
segments at an extremity thereof, said stabilizing tubular
connection means being an elongated tube having internal dimensions
adapted to provide sliding engagement with the external surface of
both said frame segments, said tube having fixedly secured and
concealed therein nut means for engagement with said thread means
when said threaded extremity of said first frame segment is
inserted into said stabilizing tubular connection means and also
having fixedly secured and concealed therein abutment means for
abutment of the extremity of said second frame segment thereagainst
when inserted into said stabilizing connection means, said
stabilizing tubular connection means being of sufficient length to
support the extremities of both frame members therein and to
stabilize said coupling by sliding engagement with said frame
members, whereby when said frame is assembled and a frame cover
associated therewith, said connection means can be rotated for
adjustment of a dimension of said frame and to loosen or tighten
said frame cover. The invention moreover relates to such a frame in
assembled form and adapted to have a frame cover in the form of a
sling arranged thereover, such a connected frame with a frame cover
in the form of a tubular sling arranged thereover, such a
combination of frame and frame cover wherein said cooperating frame
segments and said stabilizing connection means together comprise a
lateral reach of said seat frame, such a combination wherein the
stabilizing connection means and the extremities of the two frame
segments together comprise the upper lateral reach of the back
portion of an assembled seat frame, or the forward lower edge of
said seat frame, or a lateral portion of said seat frame between
the forward edge of said seat frame and the upper edge of said seat
frame back portion, such a combination wherein said nut means and
said abutment means within said stabilizing connection means are
integral, such a combination wherein the relation of a dimension of
said frame cover and the lateral reach of said frame is such that
the stabilizing connection means is located substantially centrally
of said lateral reach of said frame,
such an assembly wherein the assembled seat frame comprises such
stabilizing connection means as a portion of the lateral reach of
each of the forward lower edge of the seat frame and the upper seat
back frame, and especially such frame which is a free-standing
frame, with or without legs, adaped to be employed without
supporting substructure, especially in the area of the stabilizing
connection means.
OBJECTS
It is an object of the present invention to provide a segmented
sling-seat frame, including frame segment connection means, having
all the characteristics and advantages as stated in the foregoing.
It is a further object to provide such a sling-seat frame which is
adjustable by means of a stabilizing tubular connection means with
respect to an external dimension of said seat frame. Additional
objects will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and further
objects will become apparent hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the drawing,
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a segmented sling-seat
frame including a stabilizing tubular connection means according to
the invention; and
FIG. 2 is a detail of a seciton of a preferred form of frame and
stabilizing tubular connection means according to the invention,
taken along line A in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a front perspective of a sling-seat frame according to
the invention with a tubular seat frame cover draped loosely
thereover; and
FIG. 4 is the same view as FIG. 3 after adjustment of the lateral
dimensions of the frame by means of the stabilizing tubular
connection means according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to FIG. 1, the segmented sling-seat frame there shown
is generally indicated as 1. It comprises two segments which are
substantially mirror images of each other, respectively identified
as 2 and 3. Stabilizing tubular connection means are shown at 4, 5,
and 6. The stabilizing tubular connection means are of sufficient
length to support the extremities of the frame members 2 and 3,
which are respectively identified as 7, 8, and 9, and 10, 11, and
12 by sliding engagement therewith, and as will be noted constitute
a substantial portion of the lateral reach of the assembled chair
frame. This is necessary for stabilization purposes. Extremities 7,
8, and 9 of frame segment 2 are threaded at 13, 14, and 15, for
engagement with an internal nut (not shown) in stabilizing tubular
connection means 4, 5, and 6, respectively.
In the detail of FIG. 2, taken along the line A in FIG. 1, a
section of a preferred form of the coupling is shown. Here again we
have frame segment 3 with its extremity 10, for sliding engagement
with the inner surface of stabilizing tubular connection means 4.
Abutment 22 is provided internally of stabilizing tubular
connection means 4, whereby the internal diameter is somewhat
reduced, thereby providing limit means with respect to the maximum
penetration of extremity 10 of frame member 3 in sliding engagement
within stabilizing tubular connection means 4.
At the other end of the stabilizing tubular connection means, frame
segment 2, with its extremity 7 and bearing threads 13 is shown in
juxtaposition to the end of stabilizing tubular connection means 4.
Internal of said stabilizing tubular connection means 4 is fixedly
mounted nut 20, having threads 21 adapted to receive the
complimentary threads 13 on the extremity 7 of frame segment 2. As
shown, a chamber 23 is provided for receiving the portion of
threads 13 which extend through nut 20 upon tightening of the frame
by rotation of stabilizing tubular connection means 4, but this is
immaterial. When the nut 20 and the abutment 22 are integral, as
shown, threads 21 can equally well extend throughout the entire
length thereof. In such case chamber 23 will be absent.
Alternatively, nut 20 and abutment 22 may be separate rather than
integral, but in any event at least one of them must be fixedly
secured inside tubular connection means 4.
FIG. 3 shows the assembled frame including segments 2 and 3 and
stabilizing tubular connection means 4 and 6. Tubular connection
means 5 is not shown. Sling-style seat frame covers, in this case
in the form of tubes 30 and 31, have been loosely disposed over the
back section and the seat section of the seat frame. As will be
noted, stabilizing tubular connection means 4 and 6 extend over a
substantial portion of the lateral reaches of the chair frame at
the forward edge of said seat and at the upper edge of said seat
frame back portion.
In FIG. 4 is shown the same view as shown in FIG. 3, but with the
frame segments having an external dimension adjusted by means of
tubular connection means 4, 5 (not shown), and 6. By rotating the
stabilizing tubular connection means slightly, lateral dimensions
of the forward edge of said seat frame, the upper edge of said seat
frame back portion, and at a further point therebetween,
the external lateral dimensions of the chair frame have been
increased and the tubular seat frame cover, in this case of tubular
form, has been tightened neatly thereabout and is now substantially
wrinkle-free. As will be noted from FIG. 4, by selection of the
relationship of the dimensions of the frame cover and the lateral
reaches of the frame, upon tightening or extension of the frame
lateral dimensions, the stabilizing tubular connection means is
located substantially centrally of the lateral reaches of said
frame.
In the foregoing figures and description, similar reference
characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
As shown, the seat frame is particularly designed to be
free-standing, that is, it is not designed or particularly adapted
to be used in conjunction with a supporting substructure,
especially at the points or portions of the frame where the
stabilizing tubular connection means are employed. As will be
apparent, the chair frame may be supplied with or without legs (not
shown). Numerous types of legs and connecting means therefor are
known in the art and various are suitable for use in connection
with the seat frame of the invention. For example, an upright post
with floor engaging arms at its lower end and seat frame member
engaging arms at its upper end (not shown) is one form of leg
structure which can be used in conjunction with the seat frame of
the invention and which is eminently suitable. Since it forms no
part of the invention it is not further illustrated or described,
nor are other of the innumerable leg structures which are
suitable.
When reference is made herein to an underlying supporting
substructure for the seat frame, such not being present in a chair
or seat having a "free-standing" structure, reference is made to
the Fry U. S. Pat. No. 1,782,815 which shows comparatively seat
frames which do have and require such a supporting
substructure.
As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, a sling-chair frame
of the type involved in the present invention is usually covered by
a tubular frame cover which is slipped over the chair frame merely
as a matter of convenience. Innumerable other frame covers may be
employed, such as those having loops through which frame members
are slipped or passed, or the frame cover may be secured to the
frame by clamps or in any other suitable manner, many of which are
already known in the art. The frame cover, as is well known in the
art, may be of fabric, of plastic, of fabric backed with plastic,
or the like.
The seat frame may be of heavy gauge wire, or rod, bar, or tubing
structure, and is usually rod-like in nature. It can for example be
of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, plastic, or the like.
For securing the various portions of the frame together and for
securing the nut and/or abutment within the stabilizing tubular
connection means, any suitable means may be employed, for example
welding, braising, soldering, and for the nut and abutment within
the connection means also pressfitting, swaging, and cementing.
Although the external dimension of the frame subject to adjustment
in the foregoing drawings and description has been of a lateral
reach thereof, it is clear that it could as well be of a vertical
reach, especially in a particular case when a tubular or other type
of frame cover is employed in association with lateral frame
members and which may therefore require adjustment of a vertical
reach of the frame.
In any event, it should be clear from the foregoing that the
stabilizing tubular connection means to serve its proper function
of stabilizing the juncture or coupling between the frame segments,
should be of sufficient length to support the extremities of both
frame members through sliding engagement therewith. This then,
together with the internal abutment and nut, which are concealed
within the tubular connection means, provide together with the
frame segments an attractive, stable, adjustable frame, which is
readily employed for its intended purpose and economical to
produce. Although the invention has been described with particular
reference to a seat frame having two segments, it should be
apparent to one skilled in the art that the number of segments
employed is not a limitation. For example, two separate segments
could be used for the back portion of a chair seat, two separate
segments could be employed for the seat portion of the seating
unit, or, for example, the seat frame, including a back portion,
could comprise two side portions and a central portion. Other
combinations will be apparent to one skilled in the art. As used
herein, the term "seat" as employed with relation to "seat frame,"
has been used either as encompassing a back portion or not.
Preferably and usually the seat comprises not only the seat portion
per se but also a back portion. As already fully disclosed and
pointed out, legs or a pedestal may or may not be present, but form
no part of the present invention.
It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to
the exact details of operation or the exact structure, methods, or
procedures shown and described, as all the foregoing are subject to
numerous variations and modifications not departing from the spirit
of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents will be
apparent to one skilled in the art.
* * * * *