U.S. patent number 3,904,242 [Application Number 05/429,051] was granted by the patent office on 1975-09-09 for chair construction and method for producing same.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Harter Corporation. Invention is credited to Earl H. Koepke, Alan R. Reichard.
United States Patent |
3,904,242 |
Koepke , et al. |
September 9, 1975 |
Chair construction and method for producing same
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a chair construction and a
method for fabricating such a chair. At least a portion of the
chair frame is adapted to be upholstered with a removable
decorative cover, and that portion -- or a component thereof may,
comprise a shell having a mounting flange and a groove extending
around the perimeter of the shell in substantially parallel
relation with respect to the mounting flange. A bumper embraces the
mounting flange and presents an anchor rib that is received within
the groove. The configuration of the exterior of the bumper as well
as the anchor rib cooperates with the shell to prevent inadvertent
removal. A cover overlies the shell and is secured to the bumper by
hidden stitching. The cover may be infolded within the resilient
cushion material interposed between the cover and the shell to
present one or more decorative grooves and to preclude stressing
the stitching by which the cover is secured to the bumper.
Inventors: |
Koepke; Earl H. (Sturgis,
MI), Reichard; Alan R. (Sturgis, MI) |
Assignee: |
Harter Corporation (Sturgis,
MI)
|
Family
ID: |
23701564 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/429,051 |
Filed: |
December 28, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/452.6;
160/404; 5/402; 297/452.62 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C
31/023 (20130101); Y10T 29/486 (20150115); Y10T
29/481 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
A47C
31/00 (20060101); A47C 31/02 (20060101); A47C
007/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;297/218,458,460,452,DIG.1 ;160/383,391,395,397,400,402-404
;5/356,357,353.1,353.5,353.6 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Mitchell; James C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hamilton, Renner & Kenner
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A chair having a frame, at least one portion adapted for
removably receiving a cover, said assembly comprising; a mounting
flange defining the perimeter of that portion of the seat frame
adapted to receive the cover, a groove located adjacent said
mounting flange and extending in substantially parallel
relationship to said mounting flange, a bumper, said bumper having
first and second opposed jaws conjoined to embrace said mounting
flange, an anchor rib presented from one of said jaws and oriented
to extend toward said second jaw, said anchor rib being releasably
received within said groove, a cover, and means to secure said
cover to one of said jaws.
2. A chair, as set forth in claim 1, in which the cover is secured
to said second jaw.
3. A chair, as set forth in claim 2, in which the means to secure
the cover to the second jaw of said bumper comprises hidden
stitching.
4. A chair, as set forth in claim 1, in which the cover has an edge
that overlies the second jaw of said bumper, an inseam flap
underlies said cover, said inseam flap being stitched to said
second jaw.
5. A chair, as set forth in claim 1, in which said first and second
jaws are conjoined along a juncture, said anchor rib being
presented from the edge of said first jaw distal with respect to
said juncture.
6. A chair, as set forth in claim 5, in which the mounting flange
has a generally planar terminal surface and a generally planar
surface is presented from said first jaw medially of said juncture
and said anchor rib, said planar surface on said first jaw being
adapted to engage said terminal surface.
7. A chair, as set forth in claim 1, in which the portion of the
chair adapted to receive the cover comprises a load bearing
structural shell with first and second oppositely directed face
walls, said mounting flange defining the perimeter of said shell
and said groove extending inwardly of said first face wall, said
cover overlying said second face wall.
8. A chair, as set forth in claim 7, in which said first jaw
presents an outwardly directed surface, said outwardly directed
surface terminating in juxtaposition to the first face wall of said
shell.
9. A chair, as set forth in claim 8, in which a resilient cushion
material is disposed between said cover and the second face wall of
said shell.
10. A chair, as set forth in claim 9, further comprising at least
two pieces of resilient cushion material, each said piece of said
cushion material having an outer surface and an inner surface, each
said piece being disposed adjacent a second piece of resilient
cushion material and being positioned between said cover and said
shell with the outer surface being directed toward said cover and
the inner surface being directed toward said shell, said adjacent
pieces presenting an interface extending between said shell and
said cover, a tab, means to secure said tab to said cover, means to
anchor said tab in spaced relation inwardly of the outer surface on
adjacent pieces of resilient cushion material to infold said cover
along the interface between adjacent pieces of said resilient
cushion material.
11. A chair, as set forth in claim 10, in which said tab extends
laterally with respect to said interface and underlies the inner
face on adjacent pieces of resilient cushion material to effect an
anchor.
12. A chair, as set forth in claim 10, in which the means to secure
said tab to said cover comprises a flexible pendant, first means to
fasten said pendant to said cover and second means to fasten said
pendant to said tab, said first and second fastening means being
spaced to predetermine the degree to which said cover infolds along
the interface between adjacent pieces of resilient cushion
material.
13. A chair, as set forth in claim 12, in which means are provided
to adhere the pieces of resilient cushion material to said shell,
said adhering means being discontinuous across said interface and a
region on either side thereof to accommodate the removable
positioning of said tab.
14. A chair, as set forth in claim 7, in which a resilient cushion
material is positioned between said cover and said shell, at least
one slot extending inwardly of said resilient cushion material,
said cover being infolded along said slot, a tab secured to the
infolded portion of said cover and means to anchor said tab behind
at least a portion of said resilient cushion material to maintain
the infold of said cover.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a chair construction and
particularly to an arrangement whereby a decorative cushion cover
may be removably secured to at least a portion of the frame
itself.
The prior art discloses a plurality of means by which a cover may
be secured to the frame of a chair, but each prior known
arrangement has serious drawbacks. For example, one of the most
common ways in which a cover is fastened to the frame of a chair is
by gluing or stitching the two components together. Gluing and
stitching do not foreclose removal of the cover, but they
considerably complicate the removal and replacement. If the cover
is stitched, the stitching must first be cut away to remove the
cover, and if the same cover were to be retained this would require
one to proceed most carefully in order not to damage the cover
material, and even after the most painstaking care some material
would be sufficiently damaged by having been originally stitched to
preclude further use thereof. Moreover, even if the cover were
wholly replaced, the holes made through the chair frame to
accommodate the original stitching might or might not be acceptable
for restitching.
On the other hand, if glue had been used the cover material would
probably be too badly damaged during its removal for one to
consider reusing it. Then too, the dried, residual glue would have
to be scraped off of the chair and if the replacement cover were
also to be glued, sufficient time would be required after the
replacement cover had been installed for the glue to harden.
To obviate the difficulties attendant upon such semi-permanent
means of securing the cover as stitching and gluing, the prior art
has also proposed compressively inserting conjoined cushions and
covers into appropriate lateral retaining slots in the frame of the
chair, but such arrangements tend to become too loose during
use.
As a compromise between these two extremes the prior art has
proposed the use of a variety of special fasteners by which the
cover is retained to the frame of the chair, but these have
heretofore been too readily removable by inadvertent manipulation,
have required at least semi-skilled personnel to effect removal
and/or reinstallation or have been too expensive to manufacture and
maintain. Moreover, to allow facile replacement of the cover, the
aesthetic appearance of the chair has often suffered unduly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to
provide a unique configuration for removably attaching a cover to
the frame of a chair.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a unique
configuration for removably attaching a cover to the frame of a
chair, as above, which employs an aesthetically pleasing
bumper.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a unique
construction for removably attaching a cover to the frame of a
chair, as above, in which the seam by which the cover is secured to
the bumper can be hidden from view.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a
unique configuration for removably attaching a cover to the frame
of a chair, as above, which is readily adapted for use with cover
materials through a relatively wide range of thickness.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a unique
configuration for removably attaching a cover to the frame of a
chair, as above, which, though removable with facility by one
familiar with its construction, is not readily removable through
inadvertence or by one unfamiliar with the arrangement.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a
unique configuration for removably attaching a cover to the frame
of a chair, as above, which obviates tension on the seam between
the cover material and the bumper.
It is an even further object of the present invention to provide a
unique configuration for removably attaching a cover to the frame
of a chair, as above, in which the tension free condition between
the cover material and the bumper is effected by a novel means for
providing and maintaining a decorative channel in the cushion
material interposed between the cover and the frame of the
chair.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method
for fabricating the unique configuration for removably attaching a
cover to the frame of a chair, as above.
These and other objects, together with the advantages thereof over
existing and prior art forms which will become apparent from the
following specification, are accomplished by means hereinafter
described and claimed.
In general, a chair embodying the concept of the present invention
has a frame at least one portion of which may comprise a structural
shell having oppositely and outwardly directed first and second
face walls. A mounting flange and a recessed groove extend around
and define the perimeter of the shell.
A flexible bumper has two generally parallel jaws that are
conjoined along one edge, and an anchor rib that extends from the
distal edge of the first jaw generally toward the second jaw. The
jaws of the bumper are adapted grippingly to embrace the mounting
flange with the anchor rib received within the groove. The exposed
surface of the first jaw terminates in juxtaposition to the first
face wall of the shell, thereby precluding inadvertent removal of
the bumper.
A cover overlies the shell and is attached to the bumper,
preferably by hidden stitching. This is accomplished by having the
cover overlie one of the jaws on the bumper -- preferably the
second jaw -- with an inseam flap underlying the cover, the inseam
flap being stitched to the second jaw of the bumper.
Stress on the stitching that joins the inseam flap to the bumper
may be eliminated by infolding the cover material into the
resilient cushion material interposed between the cover and the
shell so that when normal loading is applied to the chair, any
resulting stress will be accommodated by the infolded grooves
rather than be applied against the stitching.
In order to fabricate a chair according to the method of the
subject invention, one may extrude a continuous ribbon of resilient
material having the cross section desired for the bumper. A strip
of predetermined length is severed from the ribbon, the strip is
hooped to bring the opposite ends into opposed, abutting relation
and the abutting ends are joined together to form a continuous
bumper. In order to enhance the gripping engagement between the
bumper and the portion of the chair frame it is intended to
interengage, the unstressed, normal circumference of the hooped
bumper is preferably less than the circumference of that portion of
the frame on which the bumper is to be mounted.
After being hooped the bumper is introverted, stretched to its
mounted circumference and positioned according to a predetermined
pattern on the finished surface of a piece of material from which
the cover is to be formed. The bumper and cover are then secured
together, as by stitching, and the bumper is retrorotated to hide
the seam. The bumper is then mounted on the frame, or at least a
portion thereof.
In the event a cushion is to be employed, resilient cushion
material may be interposed between the frame and the cover, and an
anchor tab secured to the cover may be buttonholed behind a portion
of the resilient cushion material. By selectively locating the tab,
the cover material may be infolded with respect to the resilient
cushion material in order to provide a decorative appearance and at
the same time relieve stress on the stitching.
One preferred form of a chair embodying the concept of the present
invention, together with a disclosure of a preferred method by
which such a chair may be fabricated, are shown by way of example
in the accompanying drawings without attempting to show all of the
various forms and modifications in which the invention might be
embodied; the invention being measured by the appended claims and
not by the details of the specification.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a frontal-side perspective of a chair embodying the
concept of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially along
line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a further enlarged area of FIG. 2 depicting the
interengagement of the bumper with a portion of the chair frame in
the form of a shell and further depicting the connection of the
cover to the bumper and the resilient cushion material interposed
between the cover and the shell;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged horizontal section taken substantially on
line 4--4 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a further enlarged area of FIG. 4 depicting a slightly
modified interrelationship of the elements shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a frontal-side perspective of a ribbon from which a strip
may be severed for forming the bumper by which a cover is
demountably secured to a chair;
FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of one way in which to hoop a
strip cut from the ribbon depicted in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 depicts a portion of FIG. 7 in which the opposed and
registered ends of the hooped strip are brought into abutting
contact with the opposed faces of a heating element;
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 with the opposed and registered
ends of the strip having been heated but with the heating element
removed;
FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIGS. 8 and 9 depicting the opposed
and heated ends of the strip brought into contact, whereby to
effect a butt weld;
FIG. 11 is a section taken substantially along line 11--11 of FIG.
7;
FIG. 12 is a top plan of a template used to position the hooped
bumper with respect to the cover material so that it might be
secured thereto; and,
FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross section taken substantially along line
13--13 of FIG. 12.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A chair embodying the concept of the present invention is
designated generally by the numeral 10 on the attached drawings.
Although the present invention is disclosed in conjunction with a
pedestal type chair, it will become apparent that the present
invention would be eminently suitable for a wide variety of
upholstered furniture.
The representative chair 10 has a seat section 11 that is supported
upwardly of a base portion 12 by a column, or pedestal, 13. A pair
of arms 14a and 14b are attached to the seat section 11 and carry a
back section 15.
Although the seat section 11 and back section 15 may constitute
individual components, as shown, it must be appreciated that they
could as well be combined into a single, contoured structure and
still fall within the concept of the present invention. It should
also be appreciated that whereas only the configuration of the back
section 15 will be described in detail, that description is equally
applicable to the seat section 11, the structural details of which
may also embody the concept of the present invention.
The portion of the chair frame imparting structural integrity to
the back section 15 is represented as being a shell 16 that has
oppositely and outwardly directed faces 18 and 19. The shell 16 may
be made of virtually any solid material such as wood, metal or
plastic. However, the latter construction is becoming extremely
popular, especially a rigid material known as fiber reinforced
polyester resin that comprises glass or other type fiber embedded
in a cured polyester resin thermosetting plastic. This construction
is not only inexpensive, but fiber reinforced polyester resin
materials are: chemically inert, resistant to corrosion and
hydrolytic degradation, relatively insensitive to thermal changes
and have numerous other features which make them desirable for use
as the supporting, or frame, component of a chair.
A mounting flange 20 is provided along, and thereby defines, the
perimeter of the shell 16. The mounting flange 20 is angularly
disposed with respect to the body portion 21 of the shell in order
to delineate a groove 22 in conjunction with the first face 18 of
the shell. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an offset wall 23a extends
between the mounting flange 20 and body portion 21 of the shell 16
to provide the requisite groove 22.
Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the mounting flange 20 is
inclined such that the foot, or terminal face, 24 thereof may lie
in a plane that constitutes an extension to the plane tangential to
the first face 18 immediately across the span of the groove 22.
On the other hand, it can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5 that whereas
an offset wall 23b also connects the mounting flange 20 to the body
portion 21 of the shell 16 in order to present the requisite groove
22, the mounting flange 20 in FIGS. 4 and 5 is angularly disposed
with respect to the body portion such that the foot, or terminal
face, 24 of the flange 20 may lie in a plane that is oriented
perpendicularly to the face 18 across the span of groove 22. The
particular angular disposition of mounting flange is selected such
that the cover 25 (which is removably positioned over the second
face 19 of the shell 16 by virtue of a bumper 30 which
cooperatively interengages the mounting flange 20 and groove 22)
will extend smoothly outwardly from the bumper 30.
As best seen in FIG. 6, the bumper 30 is comprised of opposed jaws
31 and 32 that are integrally joined along one edge to present a
smoothly rounded surface at the juncture 33. An anchor rib 34 is
presented from the edge of the first jaw 31 distal with respect to
juncture 33 and is oriented to extend toward the second jaw 32.
Anchor rib 34, which terminates in immediate proximity to the
second jaw 32, is adapted to be received within the groove 22.
Medially of the rib 34 and the juncture 33, the first jaw 31
presents a generally planar surface 35 adapted to engage the
terminal face 24 of the mounting flange 20.
The second jaw 32 curves gently outwardly from the juncture 33 and
terminates in spaced relation outwardly of the first jaw 31. In
fact, in the preferred form the width dimension "D" of the second
jaw 32 is approximately 50 percent greater than the width dimension
"d" of the first jaw 31.
The edge portion of the cover 25 is underlapped to present an
inseam flap 36 which overlies a portion of the second jaw 32 and is
secured thereto, as by stitching 38 which is hidden from view by
the cover 25 itself.
A resilient material 39 may be interposed between the cover 25 and
the second face 19 of the shell 16 to provide a cushioned
construction. The preferred material for the cushion layer is
flexible polyurethane foam because of its good aging properties,
its resistance to mildew and the like; however, other materials
such as polyethylene or polypropylene foam, polyvinyl chloride foam
and other similar materials may be used.
In order to preclude stress on the stitching 38 when resilient
cushion material is employed, one or more channels 40 may be
provided. Each channel 40 comprises an infolding of the material
forming the cover 25. In the embodiment depicted in the drawings,
the back section 15 employs two laterally spaced channels 40a and
40b, and it is quite convenient to effect such an arrangement by
using three pieces 41a, 41b and 41c of the resilient material 39.
Each piece 41a, 41b and 41c has an inner surface 42 that is
directed toward the second face 19 of the shell 16 and an outer
surface 43 directed toward the cover 25. The adjacent pieces 41a
and 41b present a first interface 44a that extend between the shell
16 and the cover 25, and the adjacent pieces 41b and 41c present a
second, similarly oriented interface 44b. The cover 25 is infolded
at least partially within the two interfaces 44a and 44b to produce
the channels 40a and 40b, respectively.
The infolded disposition of the cover 25 which produces each
channel 40a and 40b is maintained by a tab 45 secured to the cover
and buttonholed behind at least a portion of the resilient cushion
material 39. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the tab 45 is
fastened, as by stitching 46, to a pendant 48 that is, in turn,
fastened to the cover 25, as by stitching 49. The length of the
pendant 48 is selected to permit the tab 45 to be received between
the resilient cushion material 39 and the shell 16 and at the same
time provide sufficient depth to the channel 40 so that the load
applied against the cushion cover will not attempt to stretch the
cover away from the stitching 38 but will provide any excess
material from the infolded channels 40 as may be required to
accommodate the load.
In order to fabricate a chair embodying the concept of the present
invention one produces a chair frame of the desired configuration
-- e.g., shell 16. One must also produce a suitable bumper 30. The
bumper 30 should preferably possess only moderate flexibility at
room temperature in order to minimize removal by other than those
completely familiar with the present concept. Yet, the bumpers 30
should be capable of being made temporarily more resilient in order
to facilitate installation. Polyvinyl chloride can be formulated to
provide the desired moderate flexibility at room temperature and
can be made temporarily more resilient by modest heating. As such,
it is a highly desirable material for the present purpose. However,
other elastomeric polymers may be substituted for polyvinyl
chloride. For example, one may use butadiene rubber, isoprene
rubber, chloroprene rubber, acrylate-butadiene rubber,
isobutylene-isoprene rubber, nitrile-butadiene rubber,
nitrile-chloroprene rubber, pyridine-butadiene rubber,
styrene-butadiene rubber, styrene-chloroprene rubber,
styrene-isoprene rubber and elastomer-plastic blends -- for
example, nitrile rubber-polyvinyl chloride blends, urethane
rubber-nylon blends, butadiene rubber-polypropylene blends,
etc.
Assuming that one elects to use a polyvinyl chloride, a continuous
ribbon 50 (FIG. 6) of vinyl can be extruded in conformity with the
cross section desired for the bumper 30, and a strip 51 of
predetermined length can be cut from the ribbon. The length of the
cut strip is predetermined by the lineal dimension required for a
bumper 30 to extend around the perimeter of the particular shell
configuration on which it is to be received. It is preferred that
the predetermined length of the strip 51 be slightly less than the
lineal dimension required for a bumper to extend around the shell
in order that the bumper formed from the strip 51 will be at least
slightly stretch-stressed when positioned on the shell, thereby
enhancing the interengagement between the bumper and the shell on
which it is received.
The strip 51 is hooped as depicted in FIG. 7, and the opposite ends
52 and 53 are secured together. If polyvinyl chloride is used for
the bumper the abutting ends may be heat sealed together. As shown
in FIG. 8 the jaws 31 and 32 on each end 52 and 53 may be fitted
over opposed, aligned blades 54 and 55 and the ends brought into
abuttment with the opposite faces 56 and 58 of a relatively thin
heating element 59 that can be removed (FIG. 9) when the ends 52
and 53 are sufficiently heated to effect a butt weld as they make
contact (FIG. 10). Any flash resulting from this weld may be
removed before continuing the process.
Continuing with the example of a polyvinyl chloride bumper, the
hooped bumper 30 is preferably heated to afford pliability,
introverted, stretched to a circumference equal to the lineal
dimension it will assume when mounted on the shell and releasably
secured to a template 60. In its normal configuration the bumper 30
is oriented with the juncture 33 facing radially outwardly and the
jaws 31 and 32 extending radially inwardly, but when introverted
the juncture 33 faces radially inwardly and the jaws 31 and 32
extend radially outwardly. The bumper 30 is secured to the template
in the introverted position (FIG. 13).
As best seen in FIGS. 12 and 13 the template 60 comprises a rigid,
preferably transparent material such as lucite, the peripheral edge
61 of which is coved to receive the rounded juncture 33. With the
juncture 33 thus nested within the coved edge 61 a plurality of
securing members 62 engage the bumper 30 and lock it to the
template 60. Each securing member 62 may well comprise a hook
portion 63 that is receivable between the jaws 31 and 32 and
attached to an overcenter, throw lock 64.
The template 60 with the introverted bumper 30 secured thereto is
positioned on the finished surface 65 -- i.e., the surface that is
to be exposed -- of the material from which the cover 25 is to be
formed. So positioned, the longer, second jaw 32 contacts the
finished surface 65 of the material 66, and the stitching 38 is
applied to secure the second jaw 32 to the cover 25. Because the
bumper is stretched to its mounted dimension when positioned on the
template, the dimensional relationship required between the cover
material and the bumper when installed on the chair will be assured
at the time the bumper is secured to the cover material.
The excess border 68 of the material 66 may then be trimmed in
proximity to the bumper 30 but sufficiently spaced from the
stitching 38 to leave an inseam flap 36.
Before the conjoined cover 25 and bumper 30 are removed from the
template 60 it is desirable to mark the location, or locations, on
the cover 25 at which the tabs 45 and/or pendants 48 will be
secured. This may well be accomplished by marking the cover 25 with
a removable substance along the slots 69a and 69b.
Thereafter, the securing members 62 are released and the conjoined
cover 25 and bumper 30 are removed from the template. The bumper is
retrorotated so that the juncture 33 faces radially outwardly and
the jaws 31 and 32 extend radially inwardly. This retrorotation of
the bumper causes the inseam flap 36 to underlie the cover 25 and
thereby hide the stitching 38 when the cover 25 and bumper 30 are
viewed from the finished surface 65 side of the cover.
The pieces 41 of resilient cushion material 39 are preferably
secured to the second face 19 of shell 16 by a suitable adhesive
70. The resilient cushion material 39 may be bonded to the shell 16
by a wide range of adhesives as long as they are compatible with
the particular materials used in those elements. Examples of
adhesives usable herein include acrylic and methacrylic adhesives,
bitumen adhesives, casin, cellulose acetate and cellulose caprate
adhesives, cellulose nitrate and cyano acrylate adhesives, epoxy
polyamide adhesives, phenolic-polyamide, phenolic-vinyl adhesives,
polyamides, polyisobutylenes, polystyrene, polyvinyl acetyl,
polyvinyl acetate, rosin adhesives, epoxies, furanes,
melamine-formaldehyde adhesives, oleo resins, phenol-formaldehyde
adhesives, phenolic-epoxy, phenolic-neoprene adhesives,
phenolic-nitriles, polyester adhesives and polyurethane adhesives,
resorcinol-formaldehyde and ureaformaldehyde adhesives,
polychloroprene adhesives and acrylonitrile-butadiene adhesives.
Specifically preferred in this respect are adhesives known as the
"contact" adhesives.
When a plurality of pieces 41 are employed one should be careful to
apply the adhesive such that it does not rigidly secure the
resilient cushion material 39 to the shell 16 at any location along
the interfaces 44 where the tabs 45 are to be buttonholed between
the cushion material 39 and the shell 16.
In order to facilitate final assembly when employing a vinyl bumper
it may be desirable, or perhaps even necessary, to warm the bumper
such that it possesses a sufficient degree of flexibility that the
jaws 31 and 32 may be positioned to embrace the mounting flange 20.
As the bumper 20 is positioned on the shell 16, the tabs 45 are
buttonholed through the appropriate interface 44 until, in the
example depicted, the entire back section 15 is assembled.
It should now be apparent that the chair embodying the concept of
the present invention can be fabricated according to the method
thereof to provide a uniquely mountable and demountable cover and
otherwise accomplish the objects of the invention.
* * * * *