Load bearing assembly with elastomeric edge

Abstract

A load bearing assembly includes a molded plastic retainer that supports a load bearing surface over an opening defined by a frame. The molded plastic retainer includes a first portion attached to the frame, a second portion attached to the load bearing surface, and at least one elastic connector integrally molded with the retainer. The elastic connector is oriented such that it includes a crystalline structure having a greater degree of alignment in one direction than in other directions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a load bearing assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a load bearing assembly according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a close-up exploded view of a portion of the load bearing assembly according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of a portion of the load bearing assembly according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side plan view of a molded plastic retainer and a lower compression die.

FIG. 6 is a side plan view of a molded plastic retainer and upper and lower compression dies.

FIG. 7 is a side plan view of a molded plastic container and upper and lower dies that are closed on the retainer.

FIG. 8 is a side plan view of an oriented molded plastic container and upper and lower dies.

Claims

1. A load bearing assembly comprising: a frame defining an opening;a load bearing surface extending over at least a portion of said opening; anda molded plastic retainer supporting said load bearing surface over at least a portion of said opening, said molded plastic retainer including a first portion attached to said frame, a second portion attached to said load bearing surface, and at least one elastic connector integrally molded with said retainer, said elastic connector being oriented such that it includes a crystalline structure having a greater degree of alignment in one direction than in other directions.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said molded plastic retainer includes a plurality of said elastic connectors.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the load bearing surface is a fabric.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first portion of said molded plastic retainer defines a plurality of openings molded into said retainer, said openings each capable of receiving a portion of said frame for attaching said retainer to said frame.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said frame includes a plurality of prongs, each of said prongs having a barb, and wherein each of said openings is a slot that receives one of said prongs and includes a ledge for supporting one of said barbs.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said second portion of said molded plastic retainer is molded to encapsulate a portion of said load bearing surface to support said load bearing surface.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said load bearing surface includes a first edge and a second edge opposite said first edge, said second portion of said molded plastic retainer attached to said first edge and said second edge.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said load bearing surface includes a third edge and a fourth edge opposite said third edge, said second portion of said molded plastic retainer being attached to each of said first edge, said second edge, said third edge and said fourth edge of said load bearing surface.

9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said retainer holds said load bearing surface in tension over said opening.

10. A molded plastic retainer for supporting a load bearing surface on a frame defining an opening, the retainer comprising a first strip attached to the frame, a second strip attached to the load bearing surface, and an elastic connector extending between said first strip and said second strip, said elastic connector integrally molded with said first strip and said second strip, said elastic connector being oriented such that it includes a crystalline structure having a greater degree of alignment in one direction than in other directions.

11. The molded plastic retainer of claim 10 wherein the retainer includes a plurality of said elastic connectors.

12. The molded plastic retainer of claim 11 wherein said elastic connectors are generally parallel.

13. The molded plastic retainer of claim 12 wherein said direction of orientation of said elastic connectors is generally perpendicular to said first strip and said second strip.

14. The molded plastic retainer of claim 13 wherein said elastic connectors are oriented such that their crystalline structures each have about the same degree of alignment.

15. The molded plastic retainer of claim 10 wherein said elastic connectors are oriented by compression.

16. The molded plastic retainer of claim 10 wherein said first strip, said second strip and said elastic connector each have a thickness, said thickness of said elastic connector being less than said thickness of said first strip and said second strip.

17. A method of manufacturing a load bearing assembly, comprising: providing a frame that defines an opening;providing a load bearing surface extending over the opening;attaching the load bearing surface to a first portion of a molded plastic retainer;orienting a second portion of the molded plastic retainer by aligning the crystalline structure of the second portion to a greater degree in one direction than in other directions; andattaching a third portion of the molded plastic retainer to the frame such that the load bearing surface is supported over the opening.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of attaching the edge of the load bearing surface to a first portion of the molded plastic retainer includes molding the retainer to encapsulate a portion of the load bearing surface.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of orienting the second portion of the molded plastic retainer includes stretching the second portion in the direction of orientation.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of orienting the second portion of the molded plastic retainer includes compressing the second portion with a die extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of orientation.