Abstract: A load bearing surface includes a woven fabric surface and a carrier (18) overmolded onto the fabric surface. Portions of the woven fabric are bonded to the carriers (18) o as to remain fixed relative to the carrier during normal loading conditions and during abnormally high loading conditions. Other portions (14) of the woven fabric are bonded to the carrier so as to remain fixed relative to the carrier during normal loading conditions and to move or slip within the carrier, or to rupture, during abnormally high loading conditions.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a fabric component having a seat surface and a frame including an interior segment directly attached to the fabric component. The interior segment extends from an exterior segment that has a greater flexural resistance than the interior segment.

Abstract: A seat includes a seat surface having a periphery and a carrier overmolded onto the seat surface over the periphery. The carrier has a periphery and a frame is overmolded onto the carrier over the carrier periphery. The seat is assembled without fasteners. A method for making the seat includes overmolding a carrier onto a periphery of a seat surface to form a seat surface/carrier assembly, tensioning the seat surface/carrier assembly in a mold and overmolding a frame onto a periphery of the seat surface/carrier assembly.

Abstract: An aircraft seat may include a support system including a seat frame, a cushion including at least one surface configured to conform to a corresponding surface of the support system, a seat cover configured to fit over a portion of the cushion, and a seat cover attachment system configured to secure the seat cover to the seat frame. The seat cover attachment system may include a seat frame element of the seat frame. The seat cover attachment system may include a seat cover extrusion element configured to couple to the at least one seat frame element. The seat cover attachment system may include a seat cover retain element configured to couple to the seat cover extrusion element. A portion of the seat cover may be secured between the seat cover extrusion element and the seat cover retain element.

Abstract: A system for hiding flash in a suspension seat includes a frame having a channel having at least one wall, a fabric seat surface and a carrier over-molded onto the seat surface. The carrier has a wall and is over-molded onto the seat surface such that the seat surface extends from the wall. The carrier and a portion of the seat surface at a juncture of the carrier and the seat surface are positioned in the channel with the portion of the seat surface abutting the wall of the channel, such that flash formed at the juncture of the carrier and the seat surface is positioned against the wall of the channel. A seat formed thereby and a method for making the seat are disclosed.

Abstract: A replaceable basecover mechanism for securing a basecover on an automated furniture item is provided. In embodiments, the replaceable basecover mechanism includes a basecover border having a plurality of border panels, a center panel coupled to the plurality of border panels, and at least one stretch panel coupled to at least one of the plurality of border panels. The stretch panels include at least one j-shaped upholstery channel coupled to the stretch panel, and the j-shaped upholstery channels are configured to removably couple the basecover border to a deckboard of an adjustable furniture item. Additionally, the deckboard may include a locking channel configured to couple to the j-shaped upholstery channels.

Abstract: Hydrophobized silicon oxide-coated metal oxide particles excellent in dispersibility in fluororesins, durability to fluorinated compounds and ultraviolet-shielding properties, and a fluororesin film excellent in transparency, weather resistance and ultraviolet-shielding properties comprising the hydrophobized silicon oxide-coated metal oxide particles, the hydrophobized silicon oxide-coated metal oxide particles being obtained by a process including a primary and a secondary hydrophobizing treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a trim material attachment assembly for securing trim material to the padding of a vehicle seat. The present invention includes an elongate wedge having a wedge tip and opposed walls joined at the wedge tip. The opposed walls extend angularly outward to define a substantially V-shaped channel adapted to receive the trim material of a vehicle seat. The trim material attachment assembly further includes a receiving member having a base adapted to engage the padding of a vehicle seat, a centrally located elevated platform and cantilevered retention tabs extending from the elevated platform. The cantilevered retention tabs are adapted to operatively receive the elongate wedge. Each of the cantilevered retention tabs includes a guide deck adapted to provide positive placement of the elongate wedge and an engaging flange adapted to releasably engage the elongate wedge juxtaposed therebetween.

Abstract: A plane for the seat of armchairs, divans, chairs and similar furniture having a framework for the support of a plurality of belts forming the plane of the seat. The framework includes two lateral sections that each have a protruding tongue, provided with fixing U shaped elements oriented surrounding the tongue. Each belt passes outside the U shaped sections and is then folded up backwards and inserted between the tongue and the U shaped element so that the tension exerted by the belt presses the U shaped element in order to block the end of the belt against the tongue.

Abstract: A fastening connection between a cushion covering and a support for the cushion is disclosed. The support may be molded from a thermoplastic resin by injection. The connection comprise a hook profile strip which snaps into position fastening the edge of the cushion cover to the support. The support is characterized in that it has a U-shaped edge having recesses and projections for engaging with the hook profile strip.

Abstract: A bedding foundation comprises a pair of elongated rigid metal side rails, a pair of elongated rigid metal end rails, the side and end rails being fixed to each other and arranged to form a rectangle. A plurality of elongated rigid metal cross rails are fixed to and extend across the rectangle in spaced parallel relationship to one another. The side and end rails are joined together by insertion of an end of a respective side and end rail into respective channels of a corner joint having two open-ended channels formed therein at right angles to each other. The foundation rails comprise a top portion with a pair of side portions depending from the top portion defining a generally U-shaped channel with the top portion. Foundation covering is preferably attached to the foundation by tacking it to the metal rail or to a penetrable material carried within the side and end rail channels, or by using an elongated wedge to fix the covering within these channels.

Abstract: Fixing device for a covering (9), especially a covering of a seat, comprising on the one hand a profiled section (1) having longitudinal slots (15), and on the other hand an edging wire (17, 17a) bent at at least two places to form fasteners (19, 19a) intended to cooperate with the slots, the fasteners (19, 19a) lying generally in a plane inclined to the axis of the edging wire (17, 17a) and being capable of deforming by twisting during their entry into a slot (15) in the profiled section, but resiliently recovering their initial shape and their inclined position after this insertion.

Abstract: Cylindrical brush and method of making thereof. The brush comprises an inner layer formed from a first strip of fabric helically wound to form a hollow cylinder, an outer layer formed from a second strip of fabric helically wound over said first strip, a third layer of adhesive interposed between said first and second layers. The curve of the helix formed by the second fabric strip intersects the curve of the helix formed by said first fabric strip. The peripheral surface of the second fabric strip also has bristles attached to it.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for upholstering a rigid chair shell is disclosed. A continuous, generally C-shaped track is utilized about the peripheral edge of the shell, opening rearwardly thereof to receive a retaining element attached about the peripheral edge of the covering material. The retaining element is constructed from a strip of tubular flexible material with an integral flap member circumferentially overlying at least part of the tubular strip and accepting the track edge therebetween. The inside surface of the outer end of the flap member is attached to the inside surface of the edge of the cover or fabric and, after suitable cushioning is attached to the front surface of the shell, the covering is placed over the cushioning and rolled about the retaining element which is snapped into the C-shaped track around the periphery of the shell to hold the covering thereon.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a sun visor for a vehicle and concerns various ways in which a piece of covering material is clamped in place over the exterior of the sun visor body. In all embodiments, the border of the piece of material is clamped in a groove in the sun visor body. The groove may be around the periphery. Alternatively, the visor body is comprised of two facing plates and the material is clamped between the plates. Pins on one plate may hold the material in place. Various clamping devices for clamping the border of the material between the plates are disclosed, including simply clamping the two plates together with the material between them, a mortise and tenon joint at the borders of the plates, a reinforcing strip between the plates which clamps the border of the material and the material having a drawstring around its hem for pulling the border tightly into the visor body.

Abstract: A connection for securing upholstery and an arm to an article of furniture. A body supporting frame is provided which includes a continuous channel extending along the peripheral edge of the frame. An elongated strip is adapted to be secured to the frame and projects partly into the channel to restrict the opening into the channel. A compressible welt cord is utilized and has a width dimension at least greater than the restricted dimension into the channel. Upholstery covers at least a portion of the frame and has an edge portion thereof received into the channel. The welt cord is utilized to effect a securement of the upholstery to the frame. The arm has a bracket with an extension member thereon which extends through an opening in the upholstery and between the frame and a fastener member. The fastener member effects a clamping of the extension member between the fastener and the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for upholstering a rigid chair shell is disclosed. A continuous, generally C-shaped track is utilized about the peripheral edge of the shell, opening rearwardly thereof to receive a retaining element attached about the peripheral edge of the covering material. The retaining element is constructed from a strip of tubular flexible material with an integral flap member circumferentially overlying at least part of the tubular strip and accepting the track edge therebetween. The inside surface of the outer end of the flap member is attached to the inside surface of the edge of the cover or fabric and, after suitable cushioning is attached to the front surface of the shell, the covering is placed over the cushioning and rolled about the retaining element which is snapped into the C-shaped track around the periphery of the shell to hold the covering thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching a molded bicycle saddle cover to its companion base member. The attaching apparatus includes at least one prong member fixedly attached to the base member at a predetermined spaced distance inwardly of a downwardly extending flange which is integrally provided along the entire periphery of the base member. The prong structure cooperates with the flange in defining a narrow channel which snugly receives a folded flap portion that is integrally provided along the entire periphery of the cover, i.e., the folded flap portion contiguously engages the flange. The cover is formed from a substance wherein the flap portion is somewhat inherently resilient in nature while the thickness of the flap portion is sufficient so as to impart a degree of yieldable stiffness thereto, thus contributing significantly to the effectiveness of the attachment apparatus.