Abstract: A vehicle seat frame having "Z" section side rails which form part of a rigid cubic section. Each of the side rails has an upright web formed at its upper end with an integral outboard extending upper flange and at its lower end with an integral inboard extending lower flange. This arrangement provides for a load bearing surface for seating loads of increased width and frame mounting flanges that are closer together to enhance structural strength.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is disclosed which is provided on its surface with a plurality of intersecting, recessed grooves for decoration. The seat includes a cushion member formed of a foam material and provided on its surface with a plurality of intersecting, recessed grooves. Projections are provided adjacent to the intersections of these recessed grooves, respectively. Such projections can prevent wrinkles from being produced in the intersections of the decorative recessed grooves formed in a top member which is a component of the seat. Specifically, when such top member placed over the cushion member is hung in along the recessed grooves of the cushion member, the recessed grooves for decoration are formed on the surface of the top member. During this hang-in operation, the projections are compressed so that repelling resilient forces are produced in these projections.

Abstract: In a seat comprising a trim cover formed by heat-bonding necessary portions including a main portion formed of a covering material, a filler pad and a backing material to provide the central seating portion of the seat and combined with inner side portions, outer side portions and a welt, the welt is provided by winding a welt cover or an extension of the covering material or inner side portions around a cord, the filler pad is formed of a usual polyurethane material, and the trim cover is bonded to a cushion member having no skin or having a minimum skin.

Abstract: A seat assembly 10 having as its principal components a generally rigid integral blow molded seat construction 12 having bottom and back portions, and bottom and back cushions 20,22, received within recessed areas 42,44 of the bottom and back portions. The blow molded seat construction is provided with a pair of reinforcing wells 46,48 in each of the bottom and back portions, each well bottom wall being bonded to the corresponding opposed surface 34,38. Mounting plates 18 are disposed within the reinforcing wells 46 of the bottom portion and threaded fasteners 16 are screwed into the mounting plates to secure the blow molded seat construction to a support.

Abstract: A padded member including a beam support enclosed in a cushion and a method of making the same. The method includes providing a core having a projecting portion and partially encircled by a sleeve to assume the shape of a beam support, and molding a cushion about the core and sleeve to form an opening in the cushion spaced from the sleeve and a flexible cushion portion adjacent the opening accommodating flexing of the cushion for removal from the core and application to a beam support.

Abstract: A structural furniture component particularly for chairs, couches and the like comprising at least one self-supporting metal grid envelope the surfaces of which are covered by a shrink foil shrunk thereonto. This construction permits the metal grid envelope to serve as a material-saving displacement element in a furniture component, a static carrying or shape retaining element in the furniture component as well as resilient element in certain areas of the furniture component.

Abstract: To assist in maintaining the high degree of cleanliness required by Federal standards in industrial clean rooms, an upholstered seat is provided having an attached bellows which receives air from the seat when the seat is compressed and from which air is returned to the seat as the seat expands. There is no escape of air from the seat and bellows to the atmosphere and no induction of air from the atmosphere to the seat or bellows.

Abstract: A cushion member for use in a vehicle seat is disclosed. In this cushion member, a block body formed of a soft foam material is embedded centrally of the bottom portion of a main body of the present cushion member which is formed of a harder foam material. The block body includes side walls that are not integrally connected to the main body, or separated from the main body by hardening/impregnation preventive means, while the upper wall of the block body oriented in a perpendicular direction relative to applied loads is welded integrally to the main body by means of a hardened/impregnated layer produced during formation of the main body. With the present cushion, therefore, loads applied to the cushion member are distributed over the entire block body, and at the same time the main body will not be deformed when the cushion member itself is deformed as the loads are applied thereto.

Abstract: A seat for use in automobiles or airplanes is disclosed which comprises a base frame of a hollow synthetic resin to be fixed to a vehicle body, a cushion body of a foam material to be placed over and fixed to the base frame, and a top member placed over the surface of the cushion body to cover the same, characterized in that the base frame is provided along its side walls a cushion body fixing flange portion as well as along its upper surface periphery with expanded portions that are formed by expanding the base frame outwardly and upwardly.

Abstract: To assist in maintaining the high degree of cleanliness required by Federal standards in industrial clean rooms, an upholstered seat is provided having a sealed filter unit through which air must flow when entering or exiting the seat structure. The filter unit is held in a sealed grommet installed in a hard base member on which is mounted a cushion. The base member and cushion are enclosed in an air-impermeable cover. The upholstered seat exceeds Federal standards in its ability to avoid contaminating clean rooms.

Abstract: To assist in maintaining the high degree of cleanliness required by Federal standards in industrial clean rooms, an upholstered seat is provided having a sealed filter element through which air must flow when entering or exiting the seat structure. A hard base member having a cushion mounted thereon is enclosed within an air-impermeable cover. The filter element in the form of a hydrophilic or hydrophobic sheet is placed between the hard base member and cover. The hard base member and cover contain air breathing apertures on opposite sides of the filter element. The upholstered seat exceeds Federal standards in its ability to avoid contaminating clean rooms.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a seat utilizing a resilient synthetic foam cushion wherein the peripheral region of the cushion includes a hook and lip configuration snapping over the seat pan peripheral edge to permit self-assembly of the cushion to the seat pan without requiring additional assembly components.

Abstract: A seat used for vehicles such as an automobile and airplane. This seat comprises a cushion member provided on its surface with one or more markings for positioning of a top member and a top member to cover the cushion member provided with a matching part corresponding to the marking. The cushion member may be formed of a foam material, and the surface of the cushion member may be flat or concavo-convex. The marking may be formed by cutting out the surface of the cushion member or by coloring the same with a coloring agent.

Abstract: A backrest comprising a moulded shell support having in medial longitudinal section a shallow S shape and in lateral section a shallow concave shape. The support is upholstered by a foam layer and a fabric cover stretched between the lateral margins to assist in delocalizing pressures on the back of a user and assist in ventilating the backrest.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is disclosed which includes a pan-type frame, a pad formed of a foam material, and a top layer adapted to cover the surface of said pad and also to fix said pad to said frame, while the end of said top layer is secured to the frame simultaneously with the formation of said pad. Accordingly, the conventional fixing step of fixing the top layer end to the frame by means of hogged rings or the like is not necessary, which results in a simplified and positive fixation of the top layer end. In other words, the following conventional steps can be eliminated: forming a frame in a pan structure; causing a foam material to foam within a metal mold having a predetermined configuration to form a pad in order to obtain a structure corresponding to that of the associated seat; and placing a top layer over the pad to be secured to the frame. With the invention, the top layer can be integrally secured to the frame by means of a foam material for forming a pad.

Abstract: A process for developing porosity in air impervious film. The process is disclosed for fabricating a cushion article having a cover provided with increased air flow capabilities. A covering is provided for a cushion body, the covering including a laminated film and, preferably, an outer fabric layer. The film includes a first layer having a relatively high temperature melting point and a second layer having a relatively low temperature melting point. The first layer includes perforations, and the second layer is continuous and air impervious. The laminated film is heated at a temperature which approaches or is above the melting temperature of the second layer but below the melting temperature of the first layer to melt the second layer at least in areas coincident with the perforations in the first layer to form air flow passages through the film laminate.

Abstract: A self-locking cushion assembly (14) is connectable to and releasable from a seat shell (12) having a plurality of fingers (52,54) and a plurality of openings (56) without the use of tools or loose parts. The cushion assembly (14) includes a cushion (60) defining a plurality of recesses (62) and a peripheral frame (64) connected to the cushion (60) and having a plurality of projections (68), so that in use the fingers (52,54) extend upwardly within the recesses (62) and overlap the frame (64) and the projections (68) depend within the openings (56) in order to lockingly secure the cushion assembly (14) to the seat shell (12).

Abstract: A cushion article, such as a seat cushion or the like, for snapping in place onto an appropriate seat support without additional attaching means. The seat cushion has a foam body with a snap-ring member molded integral with a peripheral portion of the body, the snap-ring member providing means for snapping the seat cushion over the seat support. A process and a mold assembly are disclosed for molding the seat cushion, utilizing the snap-ring member as an integral part of the process and mold assembly to evacuate entrapped air from the mold cavity.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided which has a pad member having a depression on its upper surface, adhesive material disposed in the depression in the pad member and a top member adhered to the pad member at the depression by the adhesive material, whereby a depression is formed in the top member and a number of decorative creases are formed along the periphery of the adhered portion of the top member. Alternatively, the top member can have a depression on its upper surface, adhesive material can be disposed on the under surface of the top member below the depression, and a pad member can be adhered to the top member at the depression by the adhesive material whereby a number of decorative creases are formed along the periphery of the adhered portion of the top member. The top member can be either a single sheet of material or an assembly formed of a sheet of material, foamed wadding, and a wadding cover.

Abstract: A composite underbody cushioning and ventilating structure of general use and especially useful as a seat pad for the occupants of vehicles, formed of two sheet members with padding material between them, one sheet member being of woven, fibrous decorative material designed for ready passage of air therethrough and the other sheet member being a formed plastic three-dimensional preferably air impervious sheet member that serves the multi-purposes of (a) spacing the sheet members apart for passage of ventilating air between them; (b) presenting an exterior surface that ventilates by lateral air movement and thermal current air movement within local areas of the member; (c) acting as a support for a body while contacting the body in measurably less than 50% of the area of the body; and (d) presenting an exterior surface having a decorative appearance. The present invention also involves the features of the formed plastic sheet member, per se.

Abstract: Disclosed is a seat cushion constructed of cellular elastic material wherein its design provides more uniform distribution of supportive forces exerted by the cushion over a larger area of the anatomical portions of a person seated thereon for minimizing squeezing and restriction of arteries and nerves located in the anatomical portions of a person seated on the cushion. The cellular elastic material of the seat cushion is divided into segments having different moduli of elasticity. The modulus of elasticity of each segment is inversely proportional to the pressure exerted on such segment by the anatomical portion of a person seated on the cushion. Also disclosed is a back cushion of similar design.

Abstract: A mattress or pillow for hospital use generally consisting of a core of parallel-epipedic shape formed of elastic plastic having open cells, a layer of elastic plastic having open cells secured by heat-lamination to said core but having a shorter solidification time than the core. Said construction then being entirely covered by a protective film formed of a plastic which is heat-laminated to the layer of elastic plastic and which is easy to clean and disinfect.

Abstract: Adjustable damping is provided for the seat bottom cushion of a vehicle seat of the type having a seat frame which is mounted at a stationary position on the vehicle floor. A resilient seat cushion is mounted upon the seat frame and is resiliently compressed relative to the frame by the static occupant load when the occupant sits upon the seat bottom cushion. Occupant movement causes the further resilient movement of the seat bottom cushion above and below the static vertical position. A scissors mechanism acts between the vehicle body and a plate attached to or embedded in the seat bottom cushion to translate the vertical movement of the seat bottom cushion into a horizontal movement of a portion of the scissors mechanism. An adjustable damping device such as a dash pot is operatively connected to the horizontally movable portion of the scissors mechanism whereby the vertical movement of the seat bottom above and below the static vertical position is adjustably damped to provide a desired occupant ride.

Abstract: A top member for a vehicle seat includes a top layer, wadding and a wadding cover laminated to one another. Rigid button core members having outer circumferential portions are interposed between the top layer and the wadding or between the wadding and the wadding cover. The outer layer and wadding cover are adhered to one another along lines radially extending between pairs of button core members and are annularly adhered to one another at the outer circumferential portions of the button core members.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a hollow molded seat support having a series of rib portions between paired depressions. A foam seat cushion is provided with an access passage which opens to the series of rib portions and an anchor member traversing the passage. The access passage permits the anchor member to be hog ringed to the rib portions. An envelope type cover fits over the cushion and support and is hog ringed to an edge of the support.

Abstract: Items of furniture are disclosed comprising at least one integral contoured interior element made of foamed material molded and/or cut into desired shapes or contours with an inner lining made of a smooth stretchable material covering the interior element and an outer material form fitted to cover the inner lining and interior element. In a second aspect of the invention, in a sofa embodiment, means for maintaining the planar relationship between the backrest and the arm rest portions of the sofa are disclosed; and means for supporting a backrest portion of a sofa when the backrest portion can not be supported by a wall of the room where the sofa is located are also disclosed.

Abstract: Upholsterable base for seating furniture comprises a plurality of very low-density and light-weight foam panels including a pair of upright arm-panels and at least one intervening-panel wherein inter-panels angularity is maintained with opposed "angleiron-type" stiffener connections provided by flexible fabric sheeting adhered to the meeting foam panels. Thus, non-resilient inflexible framework is unnecessary for maintaining the armrests and backrest upright and perpendicular to each other. The fabric sheeting type stiffener connections are of low airflow permeability so as to prevent foam panel decompression by the seated occupant, though such stiffener connections are located below the armresting top-edge so as to enhance occupant comfort.

Abstract: Numerous types of cushioning structure have been proposed as alternatives to the feather filled cushion. In order to provide a cushioning structure which is aesthetically appealing and which is comparable in comfort to a feather filled cushion the invention provides a flexible foam casing (1) within which is accommodated a stockinette bag (15) containing shredded or crumbed flexible foam pieces (17). Preferably the inner faces (11,13) of the foam casing (1) are profiled in the form of fingers.

Abstract: A seat cushion for use in a seat of, for example, an automobile is manufactured by preparing a seat surface covering including a seating portion of fabric material and side portions of suitable material joined by sewing or high-frequency welding to the seating portion, and bonding a skinless molded block of cushion providing material or a profile-cut slab of cushion providing material to the seating portion of the seat surface covering by a bonding agent distributed at scattered points.

Abstract: A process using a mold having at least two complementary parts provided with internal surfaces defining a molding cavity, including placing a cover element on the internal surface of each mold part, extending the periphery of the cover elements beyond that of the internal surfaces, pouring a foaming composition undergoing reaction onto the cover element of one of the mold parts, waiting until the foam further expands and overflows slightly from the part of the mold into which it was poured, applying the other mold part to the first one so as to close the molding cavity, pressing the overflow foam into the extended cover elements, waiting until the foam fully cures, removing the padding from the mold and trimming the cover elements along the line joining them.

Abstract: A chair comprises a unitary seat and lower back and a separate upper back mounted on the lower back to tilt backward from a yieldably restrained, relatively upright position by at least one resilient articulating linkage. The chair may also have a second seat component nested in and slidable forward and backward on the seat portion of the unitary seat and lower back.

Abstract: A seat comprising seating and backrest members mounted on a seat support structure.The seating and backrest members are molded plastic foam members lined with an upholstery material and including reinforcement and mounting frames which are foamed into the molded plastic members such that they are integral therewith. The support structure has mounting clips projecting into openings in the molded plastic members and engaging the reinforcement and mounting frames therein.With this arrangement the molded plastic members can be easily exchanged without the use of tools but they are, nevertheless, firmly held in position.

Abstract: A container, for carrying an infant in a supine position, having an open top which is covered by a flexible cover of resilient perforate material, provided with seat belt retention means such that it can be retained to the rear seat of a vehicle having seat belts therein, and in the event of vehicle impact, an infant is supported over a large area of its body.

Abstract: An article of manufacture, such shelves, tables, stools and chairs. The article has a cold molded edge formed by combining a panel with support frame fitted thereagainst into a mold and then adding plastic to cast the panel and frame together to a desired shape with a cold molded edge.

Abstract: A mattress is composed of a sponge like material which compresses by 65% of the thickness thereof under a load of 30 Kg per 314 cm.sup.2. The mattress is treated so that it subsequently is compressed by 65% of the thickness thereof under a load of 25 Kg per 314 cm.sup.2. The treatment consists of providing the upper surface of the mattress with a plurality of protuberances. The mattress may be composed of several layers of such material, each having such a plurality of protuberances on one surface. The mattress may be encased by elastic netting.

Abstract: A polyurethane foamed body support member having an essentially inextensible plastic reinforcing member positioned below the surface of the foam and in the preferred embodiment has a density difference of at least 0.5 between the foam above and below said plastic member.

Abstract: A cushioned toilet seat, and a method for its manufacture, are disclosed, wherein the cushion material is itself formed and shaped during the process of manufacture. The cushion material comprises polyurethane foam which is formed from a reaction mixture placed within a vacuum-forming mold which is used to shape the seat. The seat is supported by a stiff annular member, and is completely enclosed by suitable soft plastic, which plastic is heat-sealed for sturdy construction. No holes need be made in the seat during the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A cushioned toilet seat is made by first forming a sealed air-and-water tight annular inner tube having a configuration corresponding to that of the end product, then vacuum forming an annular recess or cavity in a first sheet of a cover material, then placing the previously formed sealed inner tube into the annular cavity, then placing a rigid annular member into the cavity on top of the inner tube, then placing a flat sheet of cover material over the cavity, and sealing it closed. Variations are disclosed in one of which the inner tube is filled or partially filled with a polyurethane foam produced by placing a quantity of expandable foamable polyurethane resin reaction mixture in the inner tube before sealing and then sealing the inner tube closed before the foam is fully expanded. In another embodiment, the inner tube is filled or partially filled with water.

Abstract: An upper mattress for reclining or seating furniture comprises a foam substance member preferably divided horizontally into two symmetrical halves. A plurality of cavities extend through the middle of the member or between the halves transversely to the longitudinal axis of the mattress. Each cavity is defined by a wall having a step forming a horizontal support shoulder extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cavity. The shoulder is arranged between the apex of the cavity and the median plane so that the resilient reaction force of the mattress increases continuously with increasing loading and then, when the support shoulder is deflected so as to come into contact with an opposite part of the cavity wall, assumes a progressively increasing value.

Abstract: An auxiliary elevated wedge-shaped mattress of a resilient open cell synthetic resin foam having a sloping surface long enough to give support to the head, neck and thorax of a reclining patient with his legs supported by the horizontal mattress.

Abstract: A multidensity polyurethane foam article suitable for use as a seat cushion includes a supportive layer of firm foam and a comfortable layer of softer foam. The multidensity article has a sag factor of about 3.0 to about 4.5, and the two foam layers are bonded together without employing adhesives.

Abstract: A modular bean bag seating device includes a pedestal, and cushion which rests atop the pedestal. Each module is partially stuffed with a filling material allowing each module to substantially maintain its respective shape. The cushion is detachably secured to the pedestal by interconnectable strips which are positioned about the periphery of each module. One portion of the interconnectable strip is affixed to the pedestal while the second portion is affixed to the cushion. Each portion of the interconnectable strip can be a slide fastener ribbon having a series of interconnectable elements; the two modules are then secured to one another by the use of a slider. The pedestal and cushion modules are interchangable as long as the interconnectable strips are similarly oriented.

Abstract: A chair is formed from two side frame sections each including a tubular frame and leg assembly with expanded metal secured to it. The side sections are encapsulated in foam which adheres to and completely encompasses the expanded metal. A seat cushion and foamed front skirt are added to the foamed side frame sections. A flat skirt is provided to completely follow the periphery of the chair just above the floor; and two chairs may be joined at any desired orientation relative to each other by a doubly-grooved joinder member coupling the lower peripheral metal skirts together.

Abstract: A chair or similar article of furniture is presented having front and rear non-load bearing contoured shells of relatively thin plastic molded material secured together to form the seat portion and back portion of a chair or the like. A rigid pre-formed matrix of sturdy, rigid load bearing construction is disposed intermediate the shells. Means are provided for the attachment of arms to the chair.

Abstract: An integrated cushion structure, such as automobile or aircraft seat or seat back, an office chair, or the like and the method of making it, are disclosed. The cushion structure is comprised of fabric or other pliable cover sheet material forming an envelope constituting the exposed surface as well as defining the shape or configuration of the cushion structure. The structure includes at least one internal pliable sheet material partitioning member disposed parallel to and co-extensive area-wise with the active seat or back-forming area of the finished product. The envelope is thus divided interiorily by the partitioning member into several compartments into which a foam mix is introduced. The method of manufacture involves first peripherally bonding together an assemblage of congruent cover and internal partitioning sheets, together with one or more similarly configured annular profile strips, to form a peripherally closed envelope.

Abstract: Resilient articles, such as, mattresses and cushions of varying yield resistance to accommodate the weight variation of the body and/or to provide edge support are produced by tailoring tensile forces within the article. Tensile force variation may be accomplished in articles of uniform density by slotting to separate adjacent regions in at least one direction. Tailoring is accomplished by variation in slot depth and/or spacing.

Abstract: A seat construction is comprised of a relatively rigid support, a first cushion supported at its bottom surface on the support and having a recessed portion formed in its bottom, a second cushion supported at its bottom surface on the support and contained within the recessed portion of the first cushion, the first cushion being made of a resilient material of a relatively high density and compression characteristic and the second cushion being made of a resilient material that is softer and has a lower compression characteristic than the first cushion and a cover enclosing the outer surface of the first cushion and secured to the support.

Abstract: A contoured foam seat characterized by having a foamed seat and back member with grooved-out portions to give a raised area whereby the seat has contoured body fitting aspects.

Abstract: A cushion construction having a central area formed of a flexible foam material exhibiting a 25% ILD in the range of 10-50 pounds and a surrounding outer band or border of rebonded foam material exhibiting a 25% ILD in the range of 50-200 pounds. The outer band extends around and is bonded or secured to the side walls of the central area and thereby supports the edges of the cushion to prevent edge collapse or "rollover".

Abstract: The invention is a space frame seat assembly that has utility as an automobile bench seat or the like, said assembly comprising a unitary space frame that can be injection molded in a simple two piece mold, said frame comprising a plurality of unique, repetitive structural cells, said frame being reinforced in a sandwich construction and having integral or detachable spring structure wherein the entire assembly is further foamed in place to create the finished assembly.