The following relates to a chair and chair frame construction that using injection molded foam. More particularly, the following relates to a chair with a fixed seat whose seat back and seat are injection molded on the partially assembled frame.
Moveable seating is used regularly for temporary venues, weddings, performance spaces, event halls, conference centers and other events requiring large numbers of chairs that can be moved or positioned differently, depending on the event for which they are being used. The comfort of these seats can vary widely from a traditional hard plastic seat with a folding frame to more comfortable padded chairs.
However, due to the large number of chairs typically kept on hand, costs are a significant concern. While plastic molding is relatively inexpensive, hard plastic seats may not provide desired comfort qualities.
Injection molded foam has been used to create a seat bottom which is designed to attach to separately to a chair and pivot, see e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 7,690,732 which is incorporated herein by reference. This describes a seat assembly that uses flexible supports and a foam cushion is molded around the flexible supports. However, this does not provide for a seat or back in which the foam is molded integrally with the support structure including chair legs.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a chair and manufacturing method therefore that allows seat and back cushions to be integrally molded onto finished frames or frame pieces.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a chair with a fixed seat which can be inexpensively manufactured and can integrate the upholstering process into the assembly of the chair frame.
These and other objects are achieved by providing a chair whose seat and back foam cushions are molded directly over the frame and in particular aspects, the frame is made in two pieces, the foam is molded to the two pieces and those two pieces are press fit together.
In one aspect a chair is provided including a first frame portion having a backrest support and a rear leg portion at least part of the backrest support and the leg portion being formed from a single piece. A second frame portion has a seat support and a front leg portion, the front leg portion extends in a direction transverse to said seat support, the seat support in a fixed position relative to the backrest support. The backrest support is molded thereover in foam to define a backrest, the backrest support being substantially peripherally located around the foam of the backrest and the backrest being provided free from rigid supports secured to the backrest support and extending across a middle portion of the backrest. The seat support is molded thereover in foam to define a seat, the seat support being substantially peripherally located around the foam of the seat and the seat being provided free from rigid supports secured to the seat support and extending across a middle portion of the seat.
In certain aspects, the second frame portion is formed at least in part by welding together two pieces which make up the front leg portion and seat support. In certain aspects the front leg portion and the seat support are part of a single piece. In other aspects, a receiver is located on one of the first or second frame portions and a protrusion located the other one of the first or second frame portions, the protrusion press fit into the receiver to secure the first and second frame portions together. In other aspects, the receiver is part of the seat support. In still other aspects, the front leg portion is permanently attached to the seat support at an attachment point and the attachment point is located at least partially within the foam of the seat support. In other aspects, the first frame portion is made from a bent bar.
In other aspects, a chair is provided including a first frame piece having rear legs and a seat back connected thereto, the seat back having foam molded thereover; and a second frame piece having front legs and supports transverse to the front legs, the supports at least in part supporting a seat bottom comprised of foam molded thereover and each support being permanently attached to one of the front legs. The seat back and seat bottom are in a fixed relationship with respect to each other and the first and second frame pieces are secured together by press fitting a protrusion of one of the first or second frame pieces into a receiver of the other one of the first or second frame pieces.
In certain aspects each support is attached at an attachment point to one of the front legs, the attachment point being surrounded by the foam. In other aspects, the receiver is located on the first frame portion and a protrusion located on the second frame portion. In other aspects the seat support is a hollow member and the receiver is an end of the hollow member. In other aspects, the first frame piece includes a horizontal bar and the second frame piece includes a slotted horizontal bar having a slot. A cover member is configured to fit over at least part of the second frame piece, the cover member an opening along a side with two elongated loops, the elongated loops configured to fit into the slot. The first and second frame pieces are securable together such that the horizontal bar faces the slot with at least a portion of the cover member is held between a first face of the horizontal bar and a second face of the slotted horizontal bar to secure the cover member to the second frame. In certain cases, the protrusion is welded to the first frame portion. In other aspects, two elongated members are configured such that each one of the two elongated members fits into one of the two loops, wherein the two elongated members when inside the respective two loops are positioned at least partially within the slot and spacing between the first and second faces inhibits removal of the upholstery cover.
In other aspects, a chair is provided including a first frame portion comprising a backrest support and a rear leg portion; and a second frame portion comprising a seat support and a front leg portion in a fixed position relative to said first frame portion, the first and second frame portions secured together via press-fitting. The backrest support is molded thereover in foam to define a backrest, the backrest support being substantially peripherally located around the foam of the backrest to define a periphery of the backrest support and the backrest being provided free from rigid supports secured to the backrest support and extending across an interior portion of the periphery of the backrest support. The seat support is molded thereover in foam to define a seat, the seat support being substantially peripherally located around the foam of the seat to define a periphery of the seat support and the seat being provided free from rigid supports secured to the seat support and extending across the periphery of the seat support.
In certain aspects, a receiver is located on one of the first or second frame portions and a protrusion located the other one of the first or second frame portions. The protrusion is press fit into the receiver to secure the first and second frame portions together. In other aspects, the receiver is part of the seat support.
In other aspects a method of manufacturing a chair comprises one or more of the steps of: providing a first frame having rear legs and a back support portion; providing a second frame having front legs and a seat support portion; inserting the first frame into a first mold portion such that the rear legs extend out of the first mold portion and the back support portion of the frame is contained within the mold; inserting the second frame into a second mold portion such that the front legs extend out of the second mold portion and the seat support portion of the frame is contained within the mold; introducing foam into the first and second mold portions; removing the first and second frames from the respective molds and securing the first and second frames together.
In certain aspects, the first mold portion has a parting line separating two portions of the first mold portion and when closed the rear legs extend out an opening defined by a channel in each of the two portions. In certain aspects, the second mold portion has a parting line separating two portions of the second mold portion and when closed the front legs extend out holes in one of the two portions. In certain aspects one of the first or second mold portions includes movable protrusions which protrude into the cavity of the one of the first or second mold portions and are moveable and the method further includes the step of: moving the moveable protrusions into engagement with a receiver in one of the first or second frames to inhibit foam from entering the receiver.
In other aspects a mold is provided for manufacturing a chair having a frame with one or more legs. First and second mold portions are configured to close to contain portions of the frame. A hole in one of the first or second mold portions receives foam therein. One or more openings in the each of the first and second mold portions is configured to allow two of the one or more legs to extend through the one or more openings and out the mold such that the mold seals around the two of the one or more legs.
In certain aspects the one or more openings of the first mold portion are defined by two pairs of channels, one of the channels of each of the two pairs of channels positioned on the first mold portion and one of the channels of each of the two pairs of channels positioned on the second mold portion such that when the first and second mold portions are closed, the channels align to form two openings each configured to allow one of the one or more legs to extend there through. In certain aspects the one or more openings of the second mold portion are defined by two holes spaced apart to allow two of the one or more legs to extend through the holes out the mold such that the mold seals around the two of the one or more legs, the holes located in a mold surface which defines a bottom portion of a seat of the chair.
In other aspects, an upholstery system for a chair comprises first and second frame pieces. The first frame piece has a first set of legs and a first support portion and a horizontal bar. The second frame piece has a second set of legs, a second support portion and a slotted horizontal bar having a slot. A cover member fits over at least part of the second frame piece, the cover member an opening along a side with two elongated loops, the elongated loops configured to fit into the slot. The first and second frame pieces are securable together such that the horizontal bar faces the slot with at least a portion of the cover member held between a first face of the horizontal bar and a second face of the slotted horizontal bar to secure the cover member to the second frame.
In certain aspects two elongated members are configured such that each one of the two elongated members fits into one of the two loops, wherein the two elongated members when inside the respective two loops are positioned at least partially within the slot and spacing between the first and second faces is less than a thickness of at least one of the two elongated members.
Other objects are achieved by providing a chair having first and second frame pieces, the first frame piece has a first set of legs and a first support portion and a first horizontal bar. The second frame piece has a second set of legs, a second support portion and a second horizontal bar. A cover member fits over at least part of the second frame piece. The cover member has an opening along a side with two tabs, the cover member further includes two holes at an end opposite the opening, each of the two holes is configured to receive a leg of the second set of legs. The first and second frame pieces are securable together such that the first horizontal bar faces the second horizontal bar with at least a portion of the cover member held between a first face of the first horizontal bar and a second face of the second horizontal bar.
Other objects of the invention and its particular features and advantages will become more apparent from consideration of the following drawings and accompanying detailed description.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views. The following examples are presented to further illustrate and explain the present invention and should not be taken as limiting in any regard.
As shown in
Referring to
It is also understood that the cover is placed over the frame 6000 and includes holes for the legs 60 to extend out of.
Referring to
An additional option of a cup holder is shown in
A smaller cup holder 220 can be slid up a leg of the chair, and depending upon where placed, can allow for stacking of the chair while the holder 220 is installed as shown in
Thus, the foregoing system provides for injection molding of foam around a support frame which already includes legs of the chair assembled thereto, the mold allows portions of the frame (e.g. legs) to exit the mold and remain free from (e.g. without) foam thereon. This allows the legs/frame to be finished with the powder coating, paint or other finish and the foam to then be injection molded around the frame. Very minimal post molding processing is required to finish the chair, for example, after both the seat and back are molded in foam and removed from the mold, the chair halves are pressed together in press fit engagement and the upholstery cover is added. In contrast, many seats presently available utilize a foam slab on a rigid plate which is upholstered and then secured to the frame, e.g. with screws. Thus, in the present case, the legs are already secured to the frame/seat support structure prior to adding the foam.
Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular arrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed many other modifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62682486 | Jun 2018 | US |