Abstract: A furniture construction and a method of placing a section of fabric in tension on the furniture construction includes providing a pair of rigid members each having a slot extending along one side. A rigid edge portion is provided on opposite sides of the section of fabric. Each rigid edge portion is then inserted into the slot of each rigid member such that the fabric overlies an adjacent side surface of each rigid member. The rigid members are then moved in opposing directions thereby place the fabric in tension. The edge portion of the fabric is sufficiently rigid to retain the fabric within the slot and thereby retain the fabric in tension. The rigid members are then secured to the furniture construction.

Abstract: A furniture construction and a method of placing a section of fabric in tension on the furniture construction includes providing a pair of rigid members each having a slot extending along one side. A rigid edge portion is provided on opposite sides of the section of fabric. Each rigid edge portion is then inserted into the slot of each rigid member such that the fabric overlies an adjacent side surface of each rigid member. The rigid members are then moved in opposing directions thereby place the fabric in tension. The edge portion of the fabric is sufficiently rigid to retain the fabric within the slot and thereby retain the fabric in tension. The rigid members are then secured to the furniture construction.

Abstract: One aspect is a furniture piece configured for seating. The furniture piece includes first and second contours and a spreader mechanism coupled between the first and second contours. A three-dimensional cover envelope having panels in each of three-dimensions is configured over the first and second contours and the spreader mechanism thereby surrounding the contours and spreader mechanism. The cover envelope is tensioned in each panel creating a simulated cushion.

Abstract: One aspect is a furniture piece configured for seating. The furniture piece includes first and second contours and a spreader mechanism coupled between the first and second contours. A three-dimensional cover envelope having panels in each of three-dimensions is configured over the first and second contours and the spreader mechanism thereby surrounding the contours and spreader mechanism. The cover envelope is tensioned in each panel creating a simulated cushion.

Abstract: A chair having a seat formed from two spaced-apart rails extending along opposing sides and unsupported along a forward portion of the seat. A flexible and elastic fabric extends between and is held in tension by the two spaced-apart rails. A flexible and relatively inelastic elastic border extends along a peripheral edge of the along a forward edge of the fabric. The border extends between and is held in tension by the two spaced-apart rails to restrict the stretch of the fabric to support a seated user's legs.

Abstract: A geriatric chair provides easy patient entry and exit and a stable restraint-free environment for a patient seated in a chair while left unattended. The chair includes a floor engaging foot rest portion disposed forwardly of the fulcrum member and a rearward floor engaging member on a side of the fulcrum member opposite from the foot rest portion. The chair is movable about the fulcrum member between a patient entry/exit position wherein the floor engaging foot rest portion and the fulcrum member engage the floor and a patient rest position wherein the fulcrum member and the rearward floor engaging member engage the floor in a manner such that the chair cannot be moved back to the patient entry/exit position by the patient while sitting in the chair unattended. The center of gravity of the chair is movable between a position forward of the fulcrum member when in the floor engaging position and a position rearward of the fulcrum member when in the patient rest position.

Abstract: A rocking chair has an aluminum frame chair portion that is mounted to a base by a pair of coil springs that provide rocking action to the chair. The springs are fixedly attached to the base and each spring has an outwardly extending portion that is attached to the seat portion by extending into a passage of the chair portion. The outwardly extending portion has a notch, and a set screw extends into the passage engaging the notch to retain the portion within the passage, preventing the possibility of the chair portion becoming separated from the base.

Abstract: A rocking chair has an aluminum frame seat portion that is mounted to a base. A pair of coil springs are attached to the base and are mechanically fastened to the chair portion to provide rocking action to the chair. Preferably, steel tubing is attached to the end of the coil springs with the steel tubing positioned in an overlapping relationship with tubular ends of the chair portion and the steel tubing and the tubular ends being mechanically attached to each other.

Abstract: A method for constructing furniture is used to attach a flexible sheet portion in a state of tension to a support structure. The support structure includes first and second spaced-apart longitudinal bars having a plurality of studs and a plurality of cross braces, each cross brace having stud engaging apertures proximate first and second ends. Initially, the bars are attached to the flexible sheet with the studs projecting through the sheet. A first cross brace is attached to a first bar by inserting a first stud of the first bar through an aperture of the cross brace. A tool having a handle portion, a shank portion and a distal end portion with a stud engaging recess is inserted through a second aperture of the first cross brace. A second stud of the second bar is engaged by the recess of the distal end portion and the tool is tilted away from the center of the sheet, placing the sheet in tension, while the cross brace is slid down the shank of the tool against the sheet and the second bar.

Abstract: A rocking chair includes a chair which is carried with respect to a chair base by a flexible sheet connected between the chair base and the chair. The flexible sheet supports the weight of the chair and its occupant while permitting rocking of the chair back and forth in a plane normal to the major surface of the flexible sheet. The flexible sheet is preferably inclined with respect to the vertical at an angle of between 5.degree. to 15.degree.. Stops are provided which limit the flexing of the flexible sheet so that the occupant of the chair cannot tip the chair while rocking.