CHAIR

Abstract

A chair seat has a frame having a groove on the outer side wall of the frame and substantially extending around the frame, a cover having a drawstring incorporated in a hem which substantially extends around the cover, the hem and drawstring being disposed in the groove, and at least one edging strip disposed in the groove which constrains the hem and drawstring of the mesh cover and holds it taut.

Description

The present invention relates to chair, in particular to a chair to be mounted to a support in stadia, sports arenas.

Chairs for stadia and sports arenas are typically made and installed in large numbers. They are often assembled from parts on site, with a mounting means being attached to a horizontal beam with supports a line of chairs, and the seat and the back being attached to the mounting means. It is important that they can be assembled quickly and efficiently.

Some components, such as the seat and back of the chair, may be covered in a mesh or fabric, which makes them more comfortable. It is desirable when fabricating the seat and back that this mesh can be fitted easily. The mesh is vulnerable to vandalism, so it is also desirable that the mesh, as well as being fitted easily and securely, can be replaced easily if required.

U.S. Ser. No. 11/291,310 (Blue Cube Limited) shows a chair having a mesh covering secured to struts in in the seat and back. However, it has been found that high tolerances are required in order for the mesh to be securely installed, and the installation of the mesh is comparatively labour intensive.

An object of the invention is to provide a chair whose covering material can be fitted and/or replaced efficiently, conveniently and securely.

According to the present invention, there is provided a chair as defined by the independent claims.

In order that the present invention may be more fully understood a specific embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the chair;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the back frame of the chair;

FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the seat frame of the chair

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the edge of the mesh cover

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the edge of the mesh cover at a further stage in the construction of the chair

FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the edge of the mesh cover and part of the chair frame further stage in the construction of the chair

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of part of the seat frame during construction;

FIG. 8 shows a detail of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows a sectional view of the edge of the mesh cover, edging strip and seat frame at a further stage in the construction of the chair

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of part of the seat frame and an edging strip during construction;

FIG. 11 shows a further perspective view of part of the seat frame and an edging strip during construction;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the seat frame and edging strip and press assembly fixture;

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the seat frame and edging strip and press assembly fixture at a further stage of construction;

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the seat frame and edging strip and press assembly fixture at a further stage of construction;

FIG. 15 shows a sectional view of the edge of the mesh cover, edging strip and seat frame at a further stage in the construction of the chair after use of the press assembly fixture;

FIG. 16 shows a sectional view of the edge of the mesh cover, edging strip and seat frame at a further stage in the construction;

FIG. 17 shows a sectional view of the edge of the seat frame, mesh cover and back cap; and

FIG. 18 shows an exploded perspective view of the edge of the seat frame, mesh cover and back cap;

FIG. 19 shows a sectional view of another embodiment the seat frame;

FIG. 20 shows a sectional view of the seat frame and the mesh cover at a further stage in the construction of the chair;

FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of the seat frame; and

FIG. 22 shows a sectional view of the seat frame.

In this specification the term “comprising” in relation to an apparatus/method/product is intended to be interpreted as meaning that it includes those features, but that it does not exclude the presence of other features.

Terms such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “upper”, “lower” and “side” and their cognates are intended to be interpreted in relation to a user sitting in the chair looking ahead as seated normally. Terms such as “inner” and “outer” and their cognates are intended to be interpreted in relation to a facing or pointing inwards or outwards to a centre point or line of the part.

Referring to FIG. 1, a chair 10 comprises a seat 14 and a back 12, each of which are secured to a support arm members 18 and 19 The back support arm members 18 are parts of a subassembly 16 that includes a pivotable pair of seat support arms 19 and receiving profile 17 for mounting on a support beam (not here shown) or otherwise secured allowing the seat to move between an upright position (as shown in FIG. 1) and when not in use to a horizontal position (not sown) for use. The back support arm member 18 include a spaced pair of fixed back arms which engage with the back 12 to hold it in a vertical, upright position. The seat support arm members 19 are additionally conveniently shaped to constrain the edging strips 54 when screwed to the seat frame 19.

Referring to FIG. 2, the back 12 comprises a back frame 42 over which a mesh cover 46 is placed, the mesh cover 46 being secured in position by a plurality of edging strips 54 which engage with the back frame 42 and are secured to the back frame 42 with screws 62 located generally mid-way along each edging strip 54. Corner members 63 are secured to the back frame 42 by screws 62 and are conveniently shaped to also constrain the edging strips 54 at each end of the edging strips 54. A back cap 64 also secure the mesh cover 46 and the end of some of the edging strips 54, and additionally covers a cleat which will be described further below.

Referring to FIG. 3, the seat 14 is constructed in a similar manner to the back 12; the seat 14 comprises a seat frame 40 over which a mesh cover 46 is stretched, the mesh cover 46 being secured in position by a plurality of edging strips 54 which engage with the seat frame and are secured to the seat frame 40 with screws 62 located generally mid-way along each edging strip 54. Corner members 63 secured to the seat frame 40 by further screws62 constrain the edging strips 54 at each end of the edging strips 54. A back cap 64 also secure the mesh cover 46 and the end of some of the edging strips 54, and additionally covers a cleat which will be described further below.

The seat 14 and the back 12 both each have a similar mesh cover 46 applied, shaped to correspond to the seat 12 or back 14 respectively; for simplicity, the attachment of the mesh cover 46 will be described for the seat 14, though the same process is applied to the back.

As previously described, the mesh cover 46 is formed in a shape corresponding to the plan view shape of the seat frame 40 on which it is to be fitted, but to a larger size, so that the material extends beyond the extent of the frame all the way around the frame. Referring to FIG. 4, a drawstring 44 is secured around the periphery of the mesh cover 46 by a hem 45, ideally the hem 45 is formed from a separate strip of material which folded and attached to both surfaces of the edge of mesh cover 46 to contain the drawstring 44. Although contained in the hem 45, the drawstring 44 is however free to slip or move along the hem. The hem 45 may be attached to the mesh cover 46 by adhesive, fusing, sewing or other techniques. The hem and drawstring 44 thus encompass the entire edge of the mesh cover 46 except for a portion corresponding to the back of the seat 12 where there is a gap in the hem 45 and the two free ends of the drawstring 44 will extend from this gap.

Referring to FIG. 5, the edge of the mesh cover 46 may be rolled over so that the hem 45 and drawstring 44 are directed generally inwardly. Referring to figure to FIG. 6, the seat frame 40 features a groove or channel 47 on the side edge of the seat frame 40, this groove 47 extending around the whole of the seat frame 40.

In order to fit the mesh cover 46 to the seat frame 40, the mesh cover 46 is placed over the seat frame 40 in the correct orientation, and the hem 45 brought close to the mouth 48 of the groove 47, and the two free ends of the drawstring 44 are both pulled with a suitable tension, so that the edge of the mesh cover 46 is pulled into the groove 47 and the mesh cover 46 evenly gathered around the perimeter of the seat frame 40 until the mesh cover 46 is sufficiently taut on the seat frame 40.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, as previously described the hem 45 is not continuous around the mesh cover 46 but has a gap located at the back of the seat frame 40 (when the mesh cover 46 has been fitted over the seat frame 40 correctly oriented as described), and the two free ends of the drawstring 44 extend from the mesh cover 46 to allow them drawstring 44 to be pulled taut. The back of the seat frame 40 includes a gripping means or cleat 49 which applies friction or otherwise secures the position of the free ends of the drawstring 44 so that the drawstring 44 is secured and the tension applied to the drawstring 44 to gather the mesh cover 46 is maintained. The hem 45 is now positioned and held in position in the mouth of the groove 47 allowing for a secondary and final tensioning process using the edging strips 54.

Referring to FIG. 9, once the mesh cover 46 has been positioned and evenly gathered over the seat frame 40, edging strips 54 are positioned in the mouth 48 of the groove 47 that runs around the seat frame 40. The edging strips 54 are shaped so that they fit tightly in the groove 47, and once fully inserted with sufficient force an interference fit secures them in position. To aid in the securement of the edging strips 54, they may feature barbs 57 which preferentially allow movement of the edging strips 54 into the groove 47 but resist movement of the edging strips 54 out of the groove by digging into the surface of the groove 47.

As the edging strips 54 are driven simultaneously into the groove 47, the drawstring 44 and hem 45 are pushed to the inner region of the groove 47 which further stretches the mesh cover 46 until it is fully taut over the surface of the seat frame 40.

Referring to FIG. 10, the edging strips 54 are shaped to include indexing lugs or points 55, and the grooves 47 have corresponding indexing recess 56. This ensures that the edging strips 54 are exactly located when the edging strips 54 are pushed into the grooves 47 of the seat frame 40. Equally, the edging strips 54 could include indexing recess 56, or a mixture of indexing recess 56 and indexing point 55, which corresponding engaging indexing point 55 and indexing recess 56 formed on the groove 47. Referring to FIG. 11, three edging strips 54 (only two being visible here) are provided for the front edge and both sides of the seat frame 40.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, in order to push the edging strips 54 completely and simultaneously into the grooves 47 of the seat frame 40, the edging strips 54 are first assembled part way into the corresponding groove 47 (which may be done manually) of the seat frame 40 this in combination with indexing features 55 and 47 ensures the edging strips 54 are in correct position prior to full insertion. The seat frame 40 is then positioned on a support 66 in a press assembly fixture 60 which holds the seat frame 40 in position. For simplicity, only the seat frame 40 is here shown.

Referring to FIG. 14, the press assembly fixture 60 includes three clamps 61, each clamp having a contact surface which is shaped to correspond to the corresponding edging strip 54. Each clamp 61 is driven by a hydraulic ram 63, and the clamps 61 and hydraulic rams 63 are arranged as shown so that when the hydraulic ram 63 are actuated, the clamps 61 move inwardly to press the edging strips 54 firmly into the groove 47 of the seat frame 40.

This results in the edging strips 54 being securely retained in the groove 47, held by friction and the action of the barbs 57. The clamps 61 are actuated simultaneously, which has been found necessary to ensure that the mesh cover 46 is equally tensioned across the entirety of the seat frame 40.

Referring to FIG. 15, each edging strip 54 is now fully inserted into the groove 47 of the seat frame 40, and substantially flush with the seat frame 40 at the mouth 48 of the groove 47. The hem 45 and drawstring 44 are tightly held between the inner wall of the groove 47 and the face of the edging strip 54, and the mesh cover 46 is secure and taut on the seat frame 40.

Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 3, the edging strips 54 ideally include screw lugs 65 whereby the edging strips 54 can be further secured to the seat frame 40 using screws 62. Further the edging strips 54 are also further secured by corner pieces 67 which engage with the ends of each edging strip 54 to create a flush smooth surface around the seat frame 40.

Referring to FIG. 16, the seat frame 40 includes a threaded hole 68 corresponding to the position of each lug 65 of each edging strip 54, which allows a screw 62 to be introduced through the lug 65 and engage the hole 68, further securing the edging strip 54.

The corner pieces 67 are similar attached to the seat frame 40 using screws 62 which located in holes provided in the seat frame 40.

Referring to FIG. 17, at the rear of the seat frame 40 a back cap 64 is secured, which covers the remaining part of the hem 45 of the mesh cover 46 and also encloses the cleat 49. The back cap 64 is secured using screws 62 which engage in threaded bosses 69 provided on the seat frame 40. The back cap 64 also has features which trap the hem 45 against the seat frame securing the mesh cover at the rear of the seat completing a continuous restraining closure of the hem 45 around the perimeter of the seat frame 40.

Referring back to FIGS. 12 to 14, it will be noted that the clamps 61 of the press assembly fixture 60 include cut-away portions 70, and further that the clamps 61 include gaps 71 in their final position in shown in FIG. 14. This allows the corner pieces 67 and back cap 64 to be fitted and secured using screws 62, and access to the lugs 65 of the edging strips 54 for attachment of their screws 62 for final assembly while the seat frame 40 is still in the press assembly fixture 60.

The screws 62 in lugs 65 of the edging strips 54, and corner pieces 67, complete secure the edging strips 54 in position, while the back cap 64 secure covers the cleat 49 securing the free ends of the drawstring 44.

Referring to FIG. 19, the seat frame 40 may feature further securement features, in particular perimeter teeth 70 located on the side of the seat frame 40, and protrusions 72 located on the upper surface of the seat frame 40. Referring also to FIG. 20, the mesh cover 46 is placed over the seat frame 40 and the drawstring 46 and hem 45 is drawn into the groove 47 to gather the mesh cover 46 over the seat frame 40 as previously described with reference to FIG. 6.

The perimeter teeth 70 may be sloped or chamfered on their upper surfaces 73 to allow the mesh cover 46 to be pulled over it when the mesh cover 46 is being drawn into the mouth 48 of the seat frame 40, while the lower surfaces 74 of the perimeter teeth 70 are rectilinear or otherwise resistant to the mesh cover 46 being pulled in the reverse direction (i.e. towards the centre of the seat pulling the hem 45 out of the mouth 48. Many such tooth shapes are known such as barbs or hooks. In this manner, the perimeter teeth 70 reduce the tension on the mesh cover 46 in the region of the mouth 48 and resist the mesh cover 46 from being pulled out of the groove 47 when a load (such as a user sitting on the seat) is applied to the mesh cover 46 stretched upon the seat frame 40.

The protrusions 72 also act to resist the mesh cover 46 from being pulled out of the groove 47 when a load is applied to the mesh cover 46 stretched upon the seat frame 40. The protrusions 72 as shown are here not directionally shaped (or minimally so) but increase the friction between the seat frame 40 and the mesh cover 46.

However it will be realised that the perimeter teeth 70 may be shaped to act principally to increase friction between the mesh cover 46 and seat frame 40, the protrusions 72 may be shaped to preferentially grip the mesh cover 46 in one direction, or combinations of surface features could be provided on the seat frame 40 surface to resist the pulling of the mesh cover 46 inwardly from the seat frame 40 and so reduce the tension experienced by the mesh cover 46 in the region of the groove 47. Instead of perimeter teeth 70, one or more shaped ridges could be provided. Alternatively, or additionally, the seat frame 40 surface could be textured to increase the friction between the mesh cover 46 and seat frame 40.

It has been found that the largest force applied to the mesh cover 46 in use acts transversely, and accordingly the perimeter teeth 70 and protrusions 72 are mainly provided on the seat frame sides 38, and need only extend a short distance onto the seat frame front 36 and seat frame rear 37, ss shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, or may be dispensed with on the seat frame front 36 and seat frame rear 37. Further the protrusions 72 may be concentrated towards the outer permitter area where the contact between the mesh cover 46 and the upper surface of the seat frame 40 is highest.

The construction has been described with reference particularly to the seat frame 40, however the application of the mesh cover 46 to a back frame 42 covers the same steps.

The cover used to cover the seat is here described as a mesh cover 46, it will be appreciated that any suitable fabric could be used.

Claims

1. A chair seat comprising:

a frame having a groove on the outer side wall of the frame, substantially extending around the frame;

a cover having a drawstring incorporated in a hem which substantially extends around the cover, the hem and drawstring being disposed in the groove; and

at least one edging strip disposed in the groove which constrain the hem and drawstring of the mesh cover and hold it taut.

2. A chair seat according to claim 1, wherein the edging strips have barbs.

3. A chair seat according to claim 1, wherein a cleat is provided to hold drawstring under tension.

4. A chair seat according to claim 1, wherein a back cap is provided to cover cleat.

5. A chair seat according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of edging strips are provided to secure the mesh cover.

6. A chair seat according to claim 1, corner pieces to secure edging strips.

7. A chair seat according to claim 1, comprising lugs on edging strips for screw holes.

8. A chair seat according to claim 1, wherein the frame includes surface features which resist the inward movement of the cover over the frame.

9. A method of securing a cover to a chair seat comprising the steps:

positioning a cover having a drawstring incorporated in a hem which substantially extends on a frame having a groove on the outer side wall of the frame substantially extending around the frame, such that the hem and drawstring are located inside or adjacent the groove; and

pressing at least one edging strip into the groove to constrain the hem and drawstring and pull the cover taut.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of edging strips are provided.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein a fixture is used to press the edging strips simultaneously from different directions.

12. A method according to claim 9, wherein tension is applied to the drawstring which is then secured in a cleat.

13. A method according to claim 9, wherein the cleat is covered with a back cap.

14. A method according to claim 9, wherein the edging strips are secured with corner pieces.

15. A method according to claim 9, wherein the edging strips have lugs, and the edging strips are secured with screws engaging in lugs.