PRIORITY CLAIM
This application claims priority to Chinese Utility Model Application No. 201420570054.7, filed Sep. 29, 2014, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to furniture, and in particular, to a seat. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a seat having a seat bottom and a seat back.
SUMMARY
According to the present disclosure, a seat includes a seat bottom supported by ground underlying the seat bottom and a seat back coupled to the seat bottom to extend upwardly away from the seat bottom. The seat back is coupled to the seat bottom by a user in the field.
In illustrative embodiments, the seat may further include a seat-back mount configured to couple the seat back to the seat bottom in a fixed position relative to the seat bottom without the use of tools. The seat-back mount includes a seat-back slide rail and a seat-back rail receiver. The seat-back slide rail is coupled to the seat back in a fixed position relative to the seat back. The seat-back rail receiver is coupled to the seat bottom in a fixed position relative to the seat bottom.
In illustrative embodiments, the seat bottom includes a seat-bottom frame supported by ground underlying the seat-bottom frame, a seat-bottom platform, and a platform coupler. The platform coupler is configured to couple the seat-bottom platform to the seat-bottom frame in a fixed position relative to the seat-bottom frame without the use of tools.
In illustrative embodiments, the platform coupler includes a platform mount and a platform support. The platform mount is arranged to interconnect a rear portion of the seat-bottom platform to the seat-bottom frame in a fixed position relative to the seat-bottom frame. The platform support is coupled to the seat-bottom frame and arranged to engage and support a front portion of the seat-bottom platform. The platform mount includes a platform retainer and platform-retainer receiver. The platform retainer is coupled to the seat-bottom platform in a fixed position relative to the seat-bottom platform. The platform-retainer receiver is coupled to the seat-bottom frame in a fixed position relative to the seat-bottom frame and arranged to receive the platform retainer therein.
In illustrative embodiments, the seat-bottom frame includes a frame foundation, a support beam, and a beam retainer. The frame foundation is supported by ground underlying the seat-bottom frame. The beam retainer is configured to couple the support beam to the frame foundation in a fixed position relative to the frame foundation without the use of tools. The beam retainer includes a beam slide rail and a beam-rail receiver. The beam slide rail is coupled to the support beam in a fixed position relative to the support beam. The beam-rail receiver may be coupled to the frame foundation in a fixed position relative to the frame foundation. The beam slide rail is arranged to extend into and mate with the beam-rail receiver.
In illustrative embodiments, the frame foundation includes a first upright base and a second upright base. The first upright base is supported by ground underlying the first upright base. The second upright base is supported by ground underlying and supporting the first and second upright bases. The second upright base is positioned to lie in spaced-apart lateral relation to the first upright base. The support beam extends between the first and second upright bases. The support beam is coupled to the first and second upright bases by the beam retainer.
In illustrative embodiments, the seat-bottom platform includes a platform deck and a platform-support leg. The platform deck is arranged to extend between the first and second upright bases. The platform-support leg is configured to be coupled to the platform deck without the use of tools.
Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
FIG. 1 is perspective view of a seat in accordance with the present disclosure showing that the seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back coupled to the seat bottom and suggesting that at least a portion of the seat is assembled by a user without the use of tools;
FIG. 2 is an exploded assembly view of the seat of FIG. 1 suggesting that the seat back and seat bottom include pre-manufactured subcomponents which are then assembled together by the user as suggested in FIG. 3;
FIG. 3 is a series of views showing an illustrative process for assembling the seat of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first step in the assembly process of FIG. 3 showing a pair of upright bases spaced apart from one another to form a frame foundation;
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing a second step in the assembly process of FIG. 3 and suggesting that a support beam is positioned to extend between and engage with the upright bases to form a seat-bottom frame;
FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a portion of FIG. 5 showing a beam slide rail of the support beam positioned above a beam-rail receiver of one of the upright supports as part of a beam retainer;
FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 suggesting that the beam slide rail has moved down to engage with the beam-rail receiver to secure the support beam to the upright support;
FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing a third step in the assembly process of FIG. 3 where the support beam is secured between the upright supports;
FIG. 9 is an exploded assembly view of a seat-bottom platform included in the seat of FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 showing the assembled seat-bottom platform in a fourth step of the assembly process of FIG. 3;
FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing a fifth step in the assembly process of FIG. 3 and suggesting that the seat-bottom platform is positioned to extend between and engage with the upright bases and the support beam;
FIG. 12 is an enlarged partial perspective view taken from the perspective of line 12-12 of FIG. 11 showing a platform-retainer receiver coupled to one of the upright supports;
FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial perspective view taken from the perspective of line 13-13 of FIG. 11 showing a platform retainer coupled to a platform deck of the seat-bottom platform;
FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a platform mount suggesting that the platform retainer of the seat-bottom platform engages with platform-retainer receiver of the upright support to secure the seat-bottom platform between the upright supports;
FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing a sixth step in the assembly process of FIG. 3 where the seat-bottom platform is secured between the upright supports;
FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14 showing a seventh step in the assembly process of FIG. 3 and suggesting that the seat back is positioned to extend between and engage with the upright bases;
FIG. 16 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a portion of FIG. 15 showing a seat-back slide rail of the seat back positioned above a seat-back rail receiver of one of the upright supports as part of a seat-back mount for securing the seat back to the seat bottom;
FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 15 showing an eighth step in the assembly process of FIG. 3 where the seat back is secured to the seat bottom;
FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17 showing a ninth step in the assembly process of FIG. 3 and suggesting that cushions are arranged to be placed along the seat-bottom platform and the seat back; and
FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18 showing a tenth step in the assembly process of FIG. 3 where the seat is assembled and configured to support a user sitting thereon.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A seat 10 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown, for example, in FIG. 1. A process 100 of assembling seat 10 is shown for example in FIG. 3. Seat 10 is assembled in process 100 without the use of tools such as screw drivers, hammers, pliars, or the like. Seat 10 includes a series of subcomponents which are pre-manufactured as suggested in FIG. 2. Any tools required to form the subcomponents of seat 10 are used prior to delivery of the subcomponents to a user such that the user does not require tools to assemble together the subcomponents to form seat 10 as suggested in FIGS. 3-19.
Seat 10 includes a seat bottom 12 and a seat back 14 as suggested in FIG. 1 and shown in FIG. 2. Seat bottom 12 rests on ground 18 underlying and supporting seat bottom 12. A seat-back mount 16 is arranged to interconnect seat back 14 and seat bottom 12 without the use of tools. As a result, seat back 14 is arranged to extend upwardly away from seat bottom 12 as shown in FIGS. 1, 17, and 18.
Seat-back mount 16 includes first and second seat-back slide rails 21, 22 and associated first and second seat-back rail receivers 23, 24 as shown in FIG. 2. First seat-back slide rail 21 is coupled to a first upwardly extending side of seat back 14 in a fixed position relative to seat back 14. Second seat-back slide rail 22 is coupled to a second upwardly extending side of seat back 14 in a fixed position relative to seat back 14. First seat-back rail receiver 23 is coupled to seat bottom 12 in a fixed position so as to align with first seat-back slide rail 21 as suggested in FIGS. 15-17. Second seat-back rail receiver 23 is coupled to seat bottom 12 in a fixed position and located in spaced-apart relation to first seat-back rail receiver 23 so as to align with second seat-back slide rail 22 as suggested in FIGS. 15-17.
During assembly, seat-back slide rails 21, 22 are aligned along alignment axes 25, 26 and slid into associated seat-back rail receivers 23, 24 as suggested in FIGS. 15-17. Seat-back slide rail 21 is formed to include a complementary profile with seat-back rail receiver 23 such that a portion of seat-back slide rail 21 is received in and engages with seat-back rail receiver 23 to block movement of seat-back slide rail 21 relative to seat-back rail receiver 23 in at least one direction. In some embodiments, portions of seat-back rail receiver 23 are received in seat-back slide rail 21. Seat-back slide rails 21, 22 are of similar construction and seat-back rail receivers 23, 24 are of similar construction. In the illustrative embodiment, after seat-back slide rails 21, 22 are slid into associated seat-back rail receivers 23, 24, the shapes of the components cooperate with one another to block movement of seat back 14 relative to seat bottom 12 in any direction other than back along alignment axes 25, 26 as suggested in FIGS. 15-17.
Seat bottom 12 includes a seat-bottom frame 28, a seat-bottom platform 30, and a platform coupler 32 as suggested in FIG. 2 and shown in FIG. 14. Seat-bottom frame 28 is arranged to rest on ground 18 underlying and supporting seat-bottom frame 28. Platform coupler 32 is arranged to interconnect seat-bottom platform 30 to seat-bottom frame 28 without the use of tools as suggested in FIGS. 11-14. Seat-bottom platform 30, once coupled to seat-bottom frame 28, is configured to provide a support surface 34 which supports seat-bottom cushions 35, 36 thereon as shown in FIG. 18 and suggested in FIG. 19.
Seat-bottom platform 30 includes a platform deck 38 and a platform-support leg 40 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9-11. Platform-support leg 40 is coupled to an under surface 42 of platform deck 38 and is arranged to extend between and rest on ground 18 to support a rear portion of platform deck 38. Platform-support leg 40 is located about midway between two longitudinal sides of platform deck 38. In some embodiments, platform-support leg 40 screws into a leg receiver 44 formed in platform deck 38 without the use of tools.
Platform coupler 32 includes first and second platform mounts 45, 46 and a platform support 48 as suggested in FIG. 2 and shown in FIGS. 11-14. First platform mount 45 is coupled to a first longitudinal side of platform deck 38 and arranged to interconnect platform deck 38 to seat-bottom frame 28 as suggested in FIG. 11. Second platform mount 46 is coupled to a second longitudinal side of platform deck 38 and arranged to interconnect platform deck 38 to seat-bottom frame 28. Platform support 48 is coupled to seat-bottom frame 28 and arranged to extend in a rearward direction. A front side of platform deck 38 is arranged to abut and engage platform support 48 so that platform deck 38 is supported by seat-bottom frame 28 along the front side of platform deck 38 as suggested in FIG. 11.
Second platform mount 46 is substantially the same as first platform mount 45, and thus, only first platform mount 45 will be discussed in detail. First platform mount 45 includes platform retainer 50 and a platform-retainer receiver 52 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 11-13A. Platform retainer 50 is coupled to first longitudinal side of platform deck 38 in a fixed position relative to platform deck 38 as shown in FIG. 13. Platform-retainer receiver 52 is coupled to seat-bottom frame 28 in a fixed position relative to seat-bottom frame 28 as shown in FIGS. 11-12. In some embodiments, platform retainers 50 are secured to platform deck 38 with fasteners, such as screws or bolts for example, which require the use of tools. However, platform deck 38 and platform retainers 50 are secured together into a single subcomponent of seat 10 before delivery to a user for assembly with the other subcomponents of seat 10 such that the user does not require tools to assemble together the subcomponents of seat 10.
During assembly, seat-bottom platform 30 is positioned relative to seat-bottom frame 28 so as to cause platform retainers 50 to be aligned along installation axes 53, 54 with platform-retainer receivers 52 as suggested in FIG. 11. Platform retainers 50 each are formed to include a complementary profile with platform-retainer receivers 52 such that platform retainer 50 engages and interlocks with platform-retainer receiver 52 to block movement of platform retainer 50 relative to platform-retainer receiver 52 in at least one direction as suggested in FIG. 13A. After platform retainer 50 is mated with platform-retainer receiver 52, seat-bottom platform 30 is coupled to seat-bottom frame 28 in a fixed position so that movement of seat-bottom platform 30 in any direction other than back along installation axes 53, 54 is blocked.
Seat-bottom frame 28 includes a frame foundation 56, a support beam 58, and a beam retainer 60 as suggested in FIG. 2 and shown in FIGS. 6-8. Frame foundation 56 is arranged to lie on and be supported by ground 18 underlying frame foundation 56 as suggested in FIG. 4. Beam retainer 60 is arranged to interconnect support beam 58 to frame foundation 56 without the use of tools as shown in FIGS. 5-8.
Support beam 58 includes a face panel 51, a platform support 48 secured to face panel 51, and a pair of rail blocks 55, 57 secured to face panel 51. In some embodiments, platform support 48 and rail blocks 55, 57 are secured to face panel 51 with fasteners, such as screws or bolts for example, which require the use of tools. A pair of beam slide rails 61, 62 are secured to rail blocks 55, 57, respectively. In some embodiments, beam slide rails 61, 62 are secured to rail blocks 55, 57 with fasteners, such as screws or bolts for example, which require the use of tools. However, support beam 58 is secured together into a single subcomponent of seat 10 before delivery to a user for assembly with the other subcomponents of seat 10 such that the user does not require tools to assemble together the subcomponents of seat 10.
Beam retainer 60 includes first and second beam slide rails 61, 62 and associated first and second beam-rail receivers 63, 64 as shown in FIG. 2. First beam slide rail 61 is coupled to a first end of support beam 58 in a fixed position relative to support beam 58. Second beam slide rail is coupled to an opposite second end of support beam 58 in a fixed position relative to support beam 58. First beam-rail receiver 63 is coupled to the frame foundation 56 in a fixed position relative to frame foundation 56. Second beam-rail receiver 64 is coupled to frame foundation 56 in a fixed position relative to frame foundation 56 and is arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to first beam-rail receiver 63.
Frame foundation 56 includes a first upright base 67 and a second upright base 68 as shown in FIGS. 4-8. Second upright base 68 is spaced-apart laterally from first upright base 67 as shown in FIG. 4. First beam-rail receiver 63 is coupled to first upright base 67 while second beam-rail receiver 64 is coupled to second upright base 68. Support beam 58 is arranged to extend between and interconnect first and second upright base 67, 68 via beam slide rails 61, 62 mating with beam-rail receivers 63, 64 to form seat-bottom frame 28 as suggested in FIG. 5 and shown in FIG. 8.
During assembly, beam slide rails 61, 62 are aligned along beam alignment axes 65, 66 and slid into associated beam-rail receivers 63, 64 as suggested in FIGS. 5-8. Beam slide rail 61 is formed to include a complementary profile with beam-rail receivers 63 such that a portion of beam slide rail 61 is received in and engages with beam-rail receivers 63 to block movement of beam slide rail 61 relative to beam-rail receivers 63 in at least one direction. In some embodiments, portions of beam-rail receivers 63are received in beam slide rail 61. Beam slide rails 61, 62 are of similar construction and beam-rail receivers 63, 64 are of similar construction. In the illustrative embodiment, after beam slide rails 61, 62 are slid into associated beam-rail receivers 63, 64, the shapes of the components cooperate with one another to block movement of support beam 58 relative to frame foundation 56 in any direction other than back along alignment axes 65, 66 as suggested in FIGS. 6-8.
Second upright base 68 of frame foundation 56 is substantially the same as first upright base 67 as suggested in FIG. 4, and thus, only first upright base 67 will be discussed in detail. First upright base 67 includes an inner surface 67A and an opposite outer surface 67B. Inner surface 67A is arranged to face toward second upright base 68. First beam-rail receiver 63 is coupled to inner surface 67A and arranged to extend toward second upright base 68. First platform-retainer receiver 52 is coupled to inner surface 67A in spaced-apart longitudinal relation to first beam-rail receiver 63 and arranged to extend toward second upright base 68. First seat-back rail receiver 23 is coupled to inner surface 67A in spaced-apart longitudinal relation above first beam-rail receiver 63 and in spaced-apart relation above first platform-retainer receiver 52. First seat-back rail receiver 23 is angled with respect to ground 18 and positioned to engage with seat-back slide rail 21 coupled to seat back 14.
In some embodiments, seat-back slide rails 21, 22 are secured to seat back 14 with fasteners, such as screws or bolts for example, which require the use of tools. In some embodiments, seat-back rail receiver 23, platform-retainer receiver 52, and beam-rail receiver 63 are secured to upright base 67 with fasteners, such as screws or bolts for example, which require the use of tools. However, seat back 14 and seat-back slide rails 21, 22 are secured together into a single subcomponent of seat 10 before delivery to a user for assembly with the other subcomponents of seat 10 such that the user does not require tools to assemble together the subcomponents of seat 10 Likewise, seat-back rail receiver 23, platform-retainer receiver 52, and beam-rail receiver 63 are secured to upright base 67 into a single subcomponent of seat 10 before delivery to a user for assembly with the other subcomponents of seat 10 such that the user does not require tools to assemble together the subcomponents of seat 10.
Process 100 of assembling the subcomponents of seat 10 without the use of tools is shown for example in FIG. 3 and in detail in FIGS. 4-19. Process 100 begins with a first step 101 in which first and second upright bases 67, 68 are arranged to rest on ground 18 and positioned to lie in spaced-apart lateral relation to one another as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
Process 100 then proceeds to a second step 102 in which horizontal support beam 58 is arranged as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Support beam 58 is arranged so that beam slide rails 61, 62 are aligned along beam alignment axes 65, 66 to cause beam slide rails 61, 62 to mate with beam-rail receivers 63, 64 as support beam 58 is lowered into place.
Process 100 then proceeds to a third step 103 in which horizontal support beam 58 is coupled to each upright base 67, 68 included in frame foundation 56 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8. The shapes of beam slide rails 61, 62 and beam-rail receivers 63, 64 cooperate to block movement of support beam 58 relative to frame foundation 56 in any direction other than back along beam alignment axes 65, 66.
Process 100 proceeds to a fourth step 104 in which platform-support leg 40 is aligned with leg receiver 44 formed in under surface 42 of platform deck 38 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 9. Platform-support let 40 is then coupled to platform deck 38 as shown in FIG. 10 to form seat-bottom platform 30.
Process 100 proceeds to a fifth step 105 in which seat-bottom platform 30 is aligned with the seat-bottom frame 28 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 11. As a result, platform retainers 50, which are coupled to seat-bottom platform 30, are aligned along installation axes 53, 54 with associated platform-retainer receivers 52, which are coupled to upright bases 67, 68.
Process 100 then proceeds to a sixth step 106 in which seat-bottom platform 30 is coupled to seat-bottom frame 28 by first and second platform mounts 45, 46 and platform support 48 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 14. After platform retainer 50 is mated with platform-retainer receiver 52, seat-bottom platform 30 is coupled to seat-bottom frame 28 in a fixed position so that movement of seat-bottom platform 30 in any direction other than back along installation axes 53, 54 is blocked.
Process 100 then proceeds to a seventh step 107 in which seat back 14 is positioned to cause seat-back slide rails 21, 22 to be aligned along alignment axes 25, 26 as suggested in FIG. 3 and shown in FIG. 15. As a result, seat-back slide rails 21, 22 mates with seat-back rail receivers 23, 24 as seat back 14 is lowered into position as suggested in FIGS. 16-17.
Process 100 proceeds to an eighth step 108 in which seat back 14 is coupled to seat bottom 12 as a result of seat-back slide rails 21, 22 mating with seat-back rail receivers 23, 24 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 17. After seat-back slide rails 21, 22 mate with seat-back rail receivers 23, 24, movement of seat back 14 relative to seat bottom 12 in any direction other than back along alignment axes 25, 26 is blocked.
Process 100 proceeds to a ninth step 109 in which seat-back cushions 71, 72 are arranged to be placed on seat back 14 and seat-bottom cushions 35, 36 are arranged to be placed on the seat bottom as suggested in FIGS. 3 and 18. Process 100 then proceeds to a tenth step 110 in which seat-bottom cushions 35, 36 are arranged to rest on and be supported by seat-bottom platform 30 as suggested in FIGS. 3 and 19. Also during tenth step 110, seat-back cushions 71, 72 are arranged to be supported in part by seat back 14.
Process 100 is shown in a series of sequential steps 101-110. However, the process of assembling seat 10 may be performed in any suitable combination of parallel and serial steps. The steps included in a process for assembling seat 10 may be performed in any suitable order. Disassembly of seat 10 occurs in the reverse of process 100 and also does not require tools.
Patent Application
20160088943
