FURNITURE SEATING SURFACE

Abstract

A seating surface comprising: a perimeter rim surrounding an opening, a first cord spanning the opening, a second spanning the opening and arranged to cross over the first cord at a cord crossover location within the opening, a pebble having a first surface and a second surface axially opposed to the first surface. The pebble is axially sandwiched between the first and second cords at the cord crossover location such that the pebble is axially retained between the first and second cords.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a furniture seating surface, where the seating surface is suspended by cords. The seating surface includes a rigid or semi-rigid “pebble” that is sandwiched between two spans of cord. Preferably, the seating surface is comprised of a plurality of such pebbles serving to create a comfortable seating surface that minimizes any sharp or concentrated contact loads against the user.

(2) Description of the Related Art

Heretofore, suspended seating surfaces have included cords stretched across an opening surrounded by a perimeter frame. These cords are commonly circular in cross section. The circular surface bears against the user to support his/her weight when seated. This circular surface effectively creates a narrow area of contact, which results in regions of high contact stress (i.e. “pressure point”) and discomfort for the user. In an effort to reduce this contact stress, some of these cord-based seating surfaces have increased the number of cords in a given area of seating surface. This only partially improves the comfort, while also significantly increasing the manual labor involved in manually “stringing” the seating surface.

Additionally, it is noted that the external surface of these cords serve to create the seating surface that contacts the user. These cords are commonly composed of thin fibers or filaments. These individual fibers commonly have low resistance to abrasion, which means that the cords will be abraded and degraded with use due to the constant movement of the user against the cord surface. Over time, this abrasion and fiber breakage significantly weakens the cords and also results in an unappealing “fuzzy” surface as these fibers are broken and splayed. As such, it is common for corded seating surfaces to be re-strung and restored.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

While the seating surface of the present invention includes cords, there are also “pebbles” sandwiched between these cords. The cords are nested in channels of the pebble(s) such that the cord is recessed and protected by the pebble such that the surface of the pebble provides the primary region of contact between the user and the seating surface.

In accordance with the present invention, it has now been found that the forgoing objects and advantages may be readily obtained.

The surface area of the pebble may be designed in any size and/or configuration desired and may preferably include a broad and smooth surface area of contact with the user. In comparison with the narrow circular surface of the prior-art corded seating surface, the seating surface of these pebbles serves to significantly broaden and increase the area of contact, which correspondingly reduces the contact stress and results in increased comfort of the user, virtually eliminating the “pressure points” of conventional corded seating surfaces.

Further, the seating surface is preferably segmented into an array of these pebbles such that the individual pebbles are each suspended such that they may independently tilt and flex to create a conformable seating surface, for even greater comfort of the user.

Still further, since the pebbles may be constructed in a variety of materials and finishes, the pebbles may be designed to have extremely high durability and abrasion resistance for far greater longevity than corded seating surfaces.

Yet further, the array of pebbles may have a wide range of shapes, contours, materials, finishes, colors, etc. This provides the designer with a broad palette of aesthetic options for the seating surface. As such, the aesthetic potential for the present invention far exceeds that of a corded seating surface.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from considering the drawings and ensuing description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more readily understandable from a consideration of the accompanying exemplificative drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention, schematically illustrating the general configuration of a stool utilizing a seating surface of the present invention that includes a grid of cords and an array of pebbles sandwiched therebetween;

FIG. 1b is an orthogonal top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1a, showing the seating surface in plan view;

FIG. 1c is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1a, showing pebbles temporarily removed to illustrate the grid of cords;

FIG. 1d is a perspective view of a pebble of the embodiment of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 1e is an orthogonal top view of the pebble of FIG. 1d;

FIG. 1f is an orthogonal side view of the pebble of FIG. 1d;

FIG. 1g is a cross-section view, taken along 1g-1g, of the pebble of FIG. 1d;

FIG. 1h is a cross-section view, taken along 1h-1h, of the pebble of FIG. 1d;

FIG. 1i is a cross-section view, taken along 1i-1i, of the seating surface of FIG. 1b;

FIG. 2a is a partial orthogonal top view of a second embodiment of the present invention, showing an array of alternate pebbles having an “hourglass” perimeter outline with arcuate sidewalls;

FIG. 2b is a partial orthogonal top view of a third embodiment of the present invention, showing an array of alternate pebbles having an “ginko” perimeter outline with arcuate sidewalls;

FIG. 2c is a partial orthogonal top view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention, showing an array of alternate pebbles, where the top and bottom surfaces each include two channels therein, with each channel receiving a respective cord;

FIG. 2d is a partial orthogonal top view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention, showing a pebble with two cords nested in a common channel;

FIG. 2e is a partial orthogonal top view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention, showing a pebble with a warp cord non-perpendicular to a weft cord;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the present invention, schematically illustrating the general configuration of a chair utilizing a seating surface of the present invention in combination with a backrest of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1a shows a stool 10 having a structure comprising legs 14a-d that support a perimeter rim 20 that laterally surrounds an opening 34 therein. Seating surface 12 is positioned within the perimeter rim 20 and is comprised of an array of pebbles 16. The perimeter rim 20 is shown here to be generally square in outline and includes laterally projecting holes 21 to receive the cord 18.

The vertical axis 22 is shown here to extend in a vertical direction that is perpendicular to the horizontal seating surface 12 as shown, with a vertically upward direction 24a and a vertically downward direction 24b. The term “vertical” is used here to describe an alignment generally perpendicular to the generally horizontal seating surface 12 shown in FIG. 1a. To the extent that the seating surface is a non-horizontal surface, the terms “vertical axis” and “vertical direction” will describe an axis or direction that may not necessarily be truly “vertical”, but is instead perpendicular to the seating surface. Furthermore, it is understood that the directional term “axial” may be interchangeably substituted for the directional term “vertical” (and vice versa) throughout this disclosure. The lateral axis 26 extends laterally and perpendicular to the vertical axis 22, with a lateral direction 28 generally perpendicular to the vertical axis 22 and extending in a direction generally parallel to the seating surface 12. To the extent that the seating surface is a horizontal surface, the lateral direction is a horizontal direction. The seating surface 12 is the combined surface of the pebbles 16 that contact the user.

The term “pebble” is defined herein as a rigid or semi-rigid solid element that may be made from a variety of materials such as wood, stone, rubber, plastic, among others. Such a “pebble” need not necessarily be formed of stone or mineral material. It is preferred that the “pebble” has rounded or softened edges on surfaces that face the user to provide maximum user comfort. The “pebble” may have a variety of shapes and contours that may be desired for ergonomic and/or aesthetic purposes. It may be preferable that the “pebble” be a generally flat element having a lateral width 65 greater than its axial height 67 (as is shown in pebble 12) to have greater surface area in contact with the user, while minimizing the amount of crimp in the cord 18 when extending between adjacent pebbles. The pebbles described herein may also be considered as tiles and are shown here to preferably be arranged in a generally planar array.

As detailed in FIGS. 1d-h, pebbles 16 are shown here to include: a top surface 40, a bottom surface 38, four side surfaces 48, a top channel 44, and a bottom channel 46. Top surface 40 and bottom surface 38 may be considered to be the respective top and bottom “faces” of the pebble 16. Top channel 44 is a recess that bisects the top surface 40 into two top cheeks 42a and 42b, and is sized to receive the cord 18, and is open adjacent the top surface 40 while extending between laterally opposing side surfaces 48a and 48c as shown. Bottom channel 46 is a recess that bisects the bottom surface 38 into two bottom cheeks 43a and 43b, and is sized to receive the cord 18, and is open adjacent the bottom surface 38 while extending between laterally opposing side surfaces 48b and 48d as shown. Pebbles 16 are shown to be generally square or rectangular in perimeter outline 50 (shown in the plan view of FIG. 1e), with generally straight side surfaces 48a-d and with radii 57 at the corners therebetween.

It is noted that, in the plan view of FIG. 1e, top channel 44 and bottom channel 46 cross each other at crossover location 52 and at a crossover angle 49, which is shown to be generally ninety degrees (i.e. perpendicular) to match crossover angle 33. Top channel 44 and bottom channel 46 are vertically offset from each other and preferably do not intersect. As particularly shown in FIG. 1g, top channel 44 is a generally straight channel, having a floor surface 45 extending straight and horizontally between side surfaces 48a and 48c and having a generally constant vertical depth 54 relative to the top surface 44. As particularly shown in FIG. 1h, bottom channel 46 has an axially variable floor surface 47 of generally arcuate profile between sides 48b and 48d such that floor surface 47 has a deeper dimension 53 adjacent side surfaces 48a and 48c and a shallower dimension 51 therebetween. This deeper dimension 53, which is shown to be deeper than the cross section of the cord, allows the floor surface 47 to be axially closer to the top surface 40 at adjacent side surfaces 48a and 48c, while providing additional thickness 55 for structural strength of the pebble 16. The deeper dimension 53 serves to minimize the crimp of cord 18 as shown in FIG. 1i. Pebble 16 preferably includes softened edges such as radii 57 at corners and along edges to minimize any sharp edges that could otherwise pinch or jab the user.

As particularly shown in FIG. 1c, cord 18 is threaded through holes 21 as shown to span across opening 34 to include warp spans 19a that extend in warp direction 30 and weft spans 19b that extend in weft direction 32. Warp spans 19a and weft spans 19b cross over and under each other at crossover locations 36 to be interwoven in a grid 50 having a common “plain weave” pattern. It is preferable that the tension of warp spans 19a and weft spans 19b be controlled and even. This tension may further have a pre-tension, where the cord 18 has a tension greater than zero (i.e. slack tension).

Next, the pebbles 16 may each be inserted in between the warp span 19a and weft span 19b at respective crossover locations 36 such that the upper of the two spans is nested in the top channel 44 and the lower of the two spans is nested in the bottom channel 46 as particularly shown in FIG. 1i. The insertion of pebbles 16 into this grid 50 may serve to increase the tension in the warp spans 19a and weft spans 19b. The result is the two-dimensional array of pebbles 16 shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b. Alternatively, the pebbles 16 may be placed between the warp spans 19a and weft spans19b prior to tensioning of the cord 18. In this case, the warp spans 19a and weft spans 19b interwoven around the pebbles 16 and are brought to full pre-tension subsequent to this interweaving. The term “pre-tension” herein refers to a non-slack tension present in the cord(s) 18 prior to a seating load being applied to the seating surface 12 by the user. Such pre-tensioned cords are preferable to slack cords for optimal suspension and alignment of the pebbles 16 and performance as a seating surface 12. It is preferable that this two-dimensional array includes a plurality of pebbles 16 aligned along a common warp span 19a and it is also preferable that it further includes a plurality of pebbles 16 aligned along a common weft span 19b, as shown in FIGS. 1a-b.

The nesting between warp spans 19a and weft spans 19b in their respective top channels 44 and bottom channels 46 serve to align and laterally key the pebbles 16 to both the warp spans 19a and weft spans 19b. This keyed engagement serves to limit lateral displacement of the pebbles 16 in both the warp direction 30 and weft direction 32 and to laterally stabilize the entire seating surface 12 within the perimeter rim 20. Additionally, the pebbles 16 and their floor surfaces 45 and 47 are vertically captured and sandwiched between the warp spans 19a and weft spans 19b, thus limiting any vertical displacement therebetween. Crossover locations 36 are also laterally aligned with crossover locations 52.

FIG. 1i describes the path of the cord 18 (in this case warp span 19a) as it is interwoven between weft cords 19b and pebbles 16. A gap 61 is shown between adjacent pebbles 16 and the cord must transition between its nested orientation in the top channel 44 of a given pebble 16 to the bottom channel 46 of its adjacent neighbor (or vice versa) within this gap 61. This may result in a sharp bend or crimp 63 of the cord 18. The tension in the cord 18 creates a tendency to straighten this crimp 63, which serves to raise one pebble 16 relative to its adjacent neighbor pebble 16 and create an axial misalignment between their respective top surfaces 40. For this reason, it is preferable to minimize the axial offset of this crimp 63. As such, it is preferable that bottom channel 46 be contoured as shown in FIG. 1h, where the deeper dimension 53 brings the floor surface 47 of a given pebble 16 axially closer to the floor surface 45 of its adjacent neighboring pebble 16. Meanwhile, the shallower dimension 51 provides sufficient axial thickness between the floor surface 47 and the floor surface 45 (and top surface 40) of the given pebble 16 to maintain its structural integrity. This provides an example where the floor surfaces 45 and/or 47 may be contoured and non-parallel to the top surface 40 and/or bottom surface 38.

The warp spans 19a and weft spans 19b may be considered as tensile elements that are suspended across the perimeter rim 20. The cord 18 is preferably flexible enough to provide some resilience to these spans, thus providing a small degree of elastic stretch and deflection under load so that the seating surface 12 may conform to the contours of the user for optimum user comfort while seated on the stool 10. Since the pebbles 16 are laterally locked and axially sandwiched within the grid 59, the pebbles 16 will follow any vertical displacement of the cord 18 under the user. As such the seating surface 12 will correspondingly conform and match (to some degree) to the contours of the user.

As particularly shown in FIG. 1c, the warp spans 19a are all generally parallel to each other and the weft spans 19b are also parallel to each other. Alternatively, the warp spans 19a and/or the weft spans 19b may be non-parallel. Warp spans 19a and wefts spans cross one another at a generally perpendicular angle 33 of ninety degrees. Alternatively, the warp spans 19a and weft spans 19b may cross each other with a non-perpendicular angle 33 that is greater or lesser than ninety degrees. In such an alternative design it may be preferable that the crossover angle 49 between top channel 44 and bottom channel 46 be matched to crossover angle 33. This ensures that the top channels 44 and bottom channel 46s are aligned with their mating warp spans 19a and weft spans 19b to minimize angular deviation between these channels and these spans.

If the user were to sit directly on the grid 59 without the pebbles 16 inserted, the narrow surface area of the bare cord 18 results in high contact stress against the user and would impinge and jab the user, resulting in a relatively uncomfortable seating experience for the user. However, with the inclusion of the pebbles 16 as shown in FIG. 1a, the top cheeks 42a and 42b provide far greater surface area of the seating surface 12 than the cord 18 alone, resulting in exceptional user comfort while seated. Furthermore, if the user were to sit directly on the grid 59 without the pebbles 16, the user could easily abrade and damage the delicate cord material of the spans. However, with the inclusion of the pebbles 16, the cords 18 are recessed to be flush or below the top surface 40 such that the delicate cords are protected from the full force of contact with the user and the potential for abrasion is reduced. This results in far greater life and durability of the cords 18, which are a key structural element in the function of the stool 10.

It is noted that the pebbles 16 also provide a pleasing aesthetic appearance to the seating surface 12, which is a prominent visual aspect to the stool 10. In comparison with the grid 59 alone, the pebbles add a visual interest and significant aesthetic enhancement to the stool 10. Furthermore, the array of pebbles 16 of the seating surface 12 provide a graphical canvas that may take on many forms. FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate two such examples where the perimeter outline of the pebble may be modified from the rectangular or square perimeter outline of pebble 16 shown in seating surface 12.

FIG. 2a shows a seating surface 78 including pebbles 70 having an “hourglass” perimeter outline 72 that includes two laterally opposed concave sides 74a and 74b and two laterally opposed convex sides 76a and 76b. Perimeter outline 72 is thus comprised of four arcuate sidewalls, with rounded corners therebetween. The convex side 76b of one pebble 70 is nested in the concave side 74a of an adjacent pebble 70 as shown. Similarly, the convex side 76a is nested in the concave side 74b of an adjacent pebble as shown. This general arrangement is repeated to create an array of pebbles 70 for a seating surface 78 as shown, having a somewhat different aesthetic and visual appearance than seating surface 12. Seating surface 78 is otherwise identical to seating surface 12, including cords 18 having warp spans 19a and weft spans 19b. Pebbles 70 each have a channels 73a and 73b to receive the cord(s) 18 of warp spans 19a and weft spans 19b in a manner similar to that described in FIGS. 1a-i.

FIG. 2b shows a seating surface 88 including pebbles 80 having an “ginko” perimeter outline 82, so-called due to its resemblance to the leaf of a Ginko tree. Perimeter outline 82 is comprised of three arcuate sidewalls, with rounded corners therebetween. Pebbles 80 includes two arcuate concave sides 84a and 84b and one convex side 86a. The convex side 86a is nested in the concave side 84a of an adjacent pebble 80 and also in the concave side 84a of another adjacent pebble 80 as shown. This general arrangement is repeated to create an array of pebbles 80 for a seating surface 88 as shown, having a somewhat different aesthetic and visual appearance than seating surface 12. Seating surface 88 is otherwise identical to seating surface 12, including cords 18 having warp spans 19a and weft spans 19b. Pebbles 80 each have a channels 83a and 83b to receive the cord(s) 18 of warp spans 19a and weft spans 19b in a manner similar to that described in FIGS. 1a-i.

While FIGS. 1a-i shows an embodiment where the pebble 16 has a single lateral crossover location 52 within its perimeter outline 50, which corresponding to a single crossover location 36 of grid 59, FIG. 2c describes a pebble 90 having a plurality of crossover locations 94 corresponding to a plurality of crossover locations of its mating grid. Pebble 90 includes two top channels 96a and 96b and two bottom channels 98a and 98b (both obscured, but shown in hidden line), to create four lateral crossover locations 94. Pebble 90 is otherwise identical to pebble 16. It is shown that warp spans 95 are interwoven with weft spans 97 in a weave pattern commonly termed “2×2 basket weave”, where warp spans 95 are paired to be nested within corresponding mating pairs of top channels 96a and 96b and within corresponding mating pairs of bottom channels 98a and 98b as shown. Similarly, weft spans 97 are paired to be nested within corresponding mating pairs of top channels 96a and 96b and within corresponding mating pairs of bottom channels 98a and 98b as shown. In comparison with the embodiment of FIGS. 1a-i, the doubling of cords 18 associated with each pebble 90 provides greater strength and support of the pebble 90 to resist seating loads (not shown) and also increases the lateral and axial alignment of the pebble 90 within the grid of warp spans 95 and weft spans 97.

While FIGS. 1a-i shows an embodiment where the pebble 16 has a single cord nested in its top channel 44 and a single cord 18 nested in its bottom channel 46, it is envisioned that a plurality of cords may alternatively be nested within a single channel. FIG. 2d shows a pebble 120 having a top channel 122 and a bottom channel 124 (obscured, but shown in hidden line). Top channel 122 has two warp cords 126a and 126b nested therein, while bottom channel 124 has two weft cords 126c and 126d nested therein. This “doubling” of cords may serve to have twice the tensile of a single cord alone to provide a grid with greater overall strength. Also, with the doubling of two smaller cords in place of a larger single cord, the smaller cords may have greater pliability than the single larger cord. Further, with the doubling of two smaller cords in place of a larger single cord, the mating channel may be designed to have a shallower axial depth, which may provide certain structural benefit to the pebble 120 in comparison to a channel with deeper axial depth to receive the single larger cord.

While FIGS. 1a-i shows an embodiment where the pebble 16 has a top channel 44 that is generally perpendicular to its bottom channel 46, as described hereinabove, it is envisioned that this relationship mat alternatively be non-perpendicular. One such example is shown in FIG. 2e, pebble 130 has a top channel 132 and a bottom channel 134 (obscured, but shown in hidden line), with an angle 138 therebetween. Angle 138 is shown to be less than ninety degrees such that top channel 132 and bottom channel 134 are non-perpendicular. Warp cord 136a and weft cord 136b have an angle 140 therebetween that is matched to angle 138 and are shown to be nested within their respective top channel 132 and bottom channel 134. Pebble 130 has a perimeter outline 144 and side surfaces 142a-d. It is shown that weft cord 136b and bottom channel 134 extend laterally perpendicular to side surfaces 142a and 142c, while warp cord 136a and top channel 132 extend in a lateral direction that is non-perpendicular to side surfaces 142b and 142d. Such non-perpendicular side surfaces 142b and 142d may be employed to provide an alternate aesthetic to the corresponding seating surface or may be employed to provide matching geometry with laterally adjacent pebble(s) (not shown). Further, the non-perpendicular orientation of warp cord 136a and 136b may be preferred for an alternate aesthetic to the corresponding seating surface and or may be preferred to accommodate an alternate weaving pattern of the associated grid.

While FIGS. 1a-i shows an embodiment where the seating surface 12 is generally horizontal to support the buttocks of the user, the seating surface may additionally or alternatively be utilized in a backrest application as shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, chair 110 includes the stool 10 of FIG. 1a-i that is modified to include a backrest 112 that is fixed to the stool 10 with supports 112a and 112b. Backrest 112 is comprised of perimeter rim 20′, cord 18′, and pebbles 16′. For simplicity of explanation, perimeter rim 20′, cord 18′, and pebbles 16′ are identical to their analogous perimeter rim 20, cord 18, and pebbles 16 and are identically assembled as described in FIGS. 1a-i. In other words, the resilient seating surface 12 is duplicated and arranged to provide the resilient seating surface 12′ of the backrest 112, resulting in the chair 110. FIG. 3 provides an example of how the seating surface 12 of FIGS. 1a-i may be adapted to provide a range of alternate seating surfaces that may support and/or contact the seated user.

While my above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of embodiments thereof. For example:

The stool 10 is a simple seating typology and is representative of a wider range of seating furniture types, such as chairs, benches, lounges, settees, sofas, and the like. The present invention may be utilized to provide a seating surface in applications that include the wider range of seating furniture types.

Further, this arrangement, where pebbles are sandwiched between crossed cords may be utilized in alternate applications extending well beyond seating furniture typologies. One such alternate application may include visual screens, where the seating surface may be aligned to span vertically to provide a screen or a room divider.

The configuration and arrangement of pebbles, cord(s), and perimeter rim may have a wide range of possible options and the instant description describes but a few of the myriad of potential options. For example, the pebble may alternatively have a wide variety of sizes, shapes and forms, such as those with convex or concave surfaces, textured or configured surfaces, a wide range of perimeter outlines, among others. The channels may be deeper or shallower than the respective cord nested therein, may be aligned or non-aligned with the span of the respective cord nested therein, and may have any imaginable contour, among other qualities and features. Further, the pebble may include any number of channels to receive any number of respective cords. For example, the pebble may include three or more channels to receive three or more respective cords nested therein. Alternatively, the pebble may not include a channel to receive the cord, with the cord simply contacting and/or wrapped against the exterior surface of the pebble.

The cord may be connected to the perimeter rim by a wide variety of alternate means known in industry. For example, the cord may be threaded through vertical holes in the perimeter rim; and/or may be nested in channels of the perimeter rim; and/or may be wrapped around the perimeter rim; and/or may be directly anchored in the perimeter rim.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrations described and shown herein, which are deemed to be merely illustrative of the best modes of carrying out the invention, and which are susceptible of modification of form, size, arrangement of parts and details of operation. The invention rather is intended to encompass all such modifications that are within its spirit and scope as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A seating surface comprising:

a perimeter rim surrounding an opening;

a first cord extending across said rim and spanning said opening;

a second cord extending across said rim and spanning said opening, said second cord arranged to cross over said first cord at a cord crossover location within said opening;

a pebble having a first surface and a second surface, wherein said first surface is generally axially opposed to said second surface;

wherein said pebble is axially sandwiched between said first cord and said second cord at said cord crossover location such that said pebble is axially retained between said first cord and said second cord.

2. The seating surface according to claim 1, wherein said pebble includes a recessed first channel therein extending laterally across said first surface, wherein said pebble is axially sandwiched between said first cord and said second cord with said first cord nested in said first channel such that said pebble is laterally retained to said first cord.

3. The seating surface according to claim 2, wherein said pebble includes a recessed second channel therein extending laterally across said second surface; said first channel laterally crossing said second channel at a channel crossover location; wherein said pebble is axially sandwiched between said first cord and said second cord with said second cord nested within said second channel such that said pebble is laterally retained to said second cord.

4. The seating surface according to claim 2, including a plurality of said first cords wherein said pebble includes a plurality of said recessed first channels therein extending laterally across said first surface, wherein said pebble is axially sandwiched between said plurality of said first cords and said second cord with said plurality of said first cords each nested in a respective one of said plurality of said first channels such that said pebble is laterally retained to said first cord.

5. The seating surface according to claim 2, including a plurality of said first cords, wherein said pebble is axially sandwiched between said plurality of said first cords and said second cord with said plurality of said first cords nested in a singular one of said first channel such that said pebble is laterally retained to said first cord.

6. The seating surface according to claim 1, including a plurality of said first cords laterally spaced from each other and spanning said opening to cross said second cord at a plurality of respective cord crossover locations; and including a plurality of said pebbles, each being axially sandwiched between said first cord and said second cord at a respective one of said plurality of said cord crossover locations.

7. The seating surface according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of said first cords are alternatingly interwoven with said second cord, wherein a first one of said plurality of said first cords crosses over said second cord and a second one of said plurality of said first cords crosses under said second cord.

8. The seating surface according to claim 6, including: a plurality of said second cords spanning said opening and crossing said plurality of first cords at a corresponding plurality of cord crossover locations; and including a plurality of said pebbles, each being axially sandwiched between said first cord and said second cord at a respective one of said plurality of said cord crossover locations.

9. The seating surface according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of said first cords are generally parallel to each other.

10. The seating surface according to claim 8, wherein said plurality of said second cords are generally parallel to each other.

11. The seating surface according to claim 8, wherein said plurality of said first cords may be considered as warp cords and said plurality of said second cords may be considered as weft cords, wherein said warp cords and said weft cords are interwoven.

12. The seating surface according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first cord and said second cord is pre-tensioned.

13. The seating surface according to claim 1, wherein said first cord is generally perpendicular to said second cord at said cord crossover location.

14. The seating surface according to claim 3, wherein said first channel is generally perpendicular to said second channel at said channel crossover location.

15. The seating surface according to claim 3, wherein said first channel is non-perpendicular to said second channel at said channel crossover location.

16. The seating surface according to claim 1, wherein said pebble has a lateral width that is greater than its axial depth.

17. The seating surface according to claim 1, wherein said pebble has a perimeter profile and a side surface adjacent thereto, wherein at least a portion of said perimeter profile extends in a straight direction.

18. The seating surface according to claim 1, wherein said pebble has a perimeter profile and a side surface adjacent thereto, wherein a portion of said perimeter profile extends in an arcuate direction.

19. The seating surface according to claim 2, wherein said first channel has a floor surface that is axially variable along its lateral length.

20. A method for producing a seating surface, said method comprising:

(i) securing a first cord and a second cord to a perimeter rim, wherein said perimeter rim surrounds an opening, such that said first cord and said second cord each span across said opening, wherein said second cord is arranged to cross over said first cord at a cord crossover location within said opening;

(ii) inserting a pebble between said first cord and said second cord to be axially sandwiched therebetween at said cord crossover location, such that said pebble is axially retained to said first cord and said second cord.

21. The seating surface according to claim 20, wherein at least one of: (i) said pebble includes a recessed first channel therein extending laterally across said first surface, with said first cord nested in said first channel such that said pebble is laterally retained to said first cord; and (ii) said pebble includes a recessed second channel therein extending laterally across said second surface; said first channel laterally crossing said second channel at a channel crossover location, with said second cord nested within said second channel such that said pebble is laterally retained to said second cord.