BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The present invention, however, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of various embodiments and the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a seat frame formed from a single continuous elongated member in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a seat frame formed from a single continuous elongated member in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a seat frame formed from a plurality of elongated members having the appearance of being formed from a single continuous elongated piece of material in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a seat frame formed from a plurality of elongated members while having the appearance of being formed from a single continuous piece of material in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the seat frame of FIG. 1 having a seat;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a seat frame formed from a single continuous elongated member or having the appearance of being formed from a single continuous elongated piece of material in accordance with the present invention;
FIGS. 7-21 are various elevational views of backs for a seat frame in accordance with the present invention;
FIGS. 22 and 23 are perspective views of further embodiments of a seat frame formed from a single continuous member or having the appearance of being formed from a single continuous piece of material in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a seat frame having a two-piece construction with an integrated back support in accordance with the present invention; and
FIGS. 25 and 26 are perspective views of seat frames constructed from a plurality of elongated members and having an integrated back support.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the present invention is directed to chairs and seat frames manufactured from a single piece of material or which have the appearance of one-piece construction. For example, a seat frame in accordance with the present invention may be formed from a single continuous elongated piece of material such as an elongated member, a tube or a wire which is bent or twisted into shape. Alternatively, a plurality of elongated members having a similar cross-section may be used to form the seat frame having the appearance of one-piece construction.
In another aspect, the present invention is directed to seat frames and chairs in which the back may be integral with the seat frame thereby not requiring additional back support material. Further, the back may represent a recognizable object as described in greater detail below.
FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a seat frame 10 having a one-piece configuration in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated, a single continuous elongated member 20 may be formed, for example, by bending it into two front legs 24, two back legs 26, a support of the seat, and a back.
Diagonal portions 22 connect front legs 24 to rear legs 26. The center of the back has a U-shaped portion 28. The back provides two vertical rails 27 and 29, as well as outer vertical rails 25, for supporting the back of a person sitting on the chair. As shown in FIG. 5, additional structural rigidity may be provided by a seat bottom 12 which can be attached to the seat frame by welding or using an adhesive. The attached seat frame and seat bottom may be result in a uni-body construction similar to that found in automobile manufacture. For example, the addition of the seat may provide torsional stability to the chair, and resist twisting. FIG. 2 illustrates a seat frame 110 which is essentially the same as seat frame 10 of FIG. 1 with the back having a tapered configuration.
FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a seat frame 210 having an appearance of a one-piece construction in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated, a plurality of separate generally elongated members 230, 232, 234, and 236 may be formed, for example, by bending into two front legs, two back legs, a support of the seat, and a back. It will be appreciated that more or less pieces may be used in the forming of the one-piece configuration. The pieces may be welded or glued together or attached by other means. It is also possible to have the end of one member fit into the end of a mating member. Aligning the intersection of the members along a horizontal orientation may result in gravity aiding in maintaining the members together. Desirably, the intersection between two adjacent members may be rendered barely visible so that the chair has a generally one-piece appearance.
A diagonal portion connects the front legs to the rear legs. The center of the back has a sideways U-shaped portion 228. The back provides three horizontal rungs for supporting the back of a person sitting on the chair. Additional structural rigidity may be provided by a seat bottom (such as shown in FIG. 5) which can be attached to the seat frame by welding or an adhesive. The seat frame and seat bottom may result in a uni-body construction similar to that found in automobile manufacture. FIG. 4 illustrates a seat frame 310 which is essentially the same as seat frame 210 of FIG. 3 with the back, and in particular, the sideways U-shaped portion having a tapered configuration.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of other embodiment of a seat frame 410 in accordance with the present invention. This embodiment may be stackable as the back legs may extend laterally about 1 inch.
FIGS. 7-21 illustrate further embodiments of the back portion of the seat frame in accordance with the present invention. In particular, the back portion provides both design elements and a back support. Such designs may include the appearance of letters, abstract designs, stars, animals, and lightening. It will be appreciated that many other recognizable or abstract designs may be incorporated into the chair back of the present invention.
FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate further embodiments of a seat frame 510 and a seat frame 610 formed from a single continuous elongated member or having the appearance of being formed from a single continuous elongated piece of material in accordance with the present invention. In light of the above description, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other configurations may be employed which provide seat frames formed from a single continuous elongated member or having the appearance of being formed from a single continuous elongated piece of material.
FIG. 24 is an illustration of a seat frame 710 having a two-piece construction with an integrated back support. The back and front legs may be formed from a single continuous elongated member. It will be appreciated that any of the above described and illustrated designs for the back may be incorporated in the two-piece seat frame design.
FIGS. 25 and 26 are illustrations of a seat frame 810 and a seat frame 910 constructed from a plurality of elongated members and having an integrated back support. For example, the back and rear legs may be formed from a single continuous elongated member. It will be appreciated that any of the above described and illustrated designs for the back may be incorporated in such a seat frame design.
With regard to the various embodiments, bent tubing may provide a more simple and continuous look. Variations of different size materials or different gauge wires, as a derivative of the frame (or may be as a secondary application) may provide design and back support elements and provide for a more custom back with other design options. Integration of a continuous seat bottom may also be provided. Multiple materials, not limited to metal tubing and wire, may be suitably employed.
While the illustrated embodiments are generally in the form of a seat frame and/or chair, it will be appreciated that the present invention may be incorporated into barstools, counter stools, and other forms of furniture.
Although various embodiments have been depicted and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that modifications, additions, substitutions and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention and these are, therefore, considered to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims.
Patent Application
20070284931
