US3767261A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seating and sub-assembly for seats and backs and method for making same
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-03-22
•
Granted: 1973-10-23
•
Expires: 1991-03-22
Abstract
Abstract Seats and backs for chairs and other seating units are made as a sub-assembly of sinuous spring wires. Each wire touches its adjacent wire at least once per cycle, and each of the wires extends when in the sub-assembly and before placed therein as a cylindrical arc, so that the assembly itself is a cylindrical arc. A thin sleeve-like plastic coating surrounds the wires and follows their sinuous shapes, linking the wires together wherever they touch or closely approach each other, to provide the unitary assembly. In fact, the assembly is held together solely by this plastic coating. The assembly is intended to be flattened somewhat when installed on a chair frame, to place the springs in tension along a flatter cylindrical arc, and this tension is one of the main forces retaining the wires in place. The assembly, whether coated or not, is mounted at or near the ends of the individual wires on a suitable securing member of the frame. In preferred forms of the invention the plastic coating has an A scale Shore durometer between 45 and 90, so that the assembly is held together by the plastic coating without substantially restraining the flexing of the spring wires, while the coating also provides a spring action itself between the adjacent wires, by stretching and contracting, giving a two-way stretch. Front and rear border wires may be added to the assembly if desired and held to the adjacent sinuous wires by the plastic coating. A method for making such a sub-assembly is shown, as is a method for installing a sub-assembly on a suitable frame.
Inventors
- 👤 D Rowland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 06:56
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C7/00; A47C7/02; A47C7/28; A47C7/282; A47C5/00; A47C5/04; A47C7/285; A47C7/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 67
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
A seating apparatus, including in combination: a. a frame having at least two spaced-apart rigid frame portions, b. an assembly having 1. a series of arcuate continuous, sinuous wires, each wire having two ends, each said wire closely approaching each of its immediately adjacent said wires at frequent intervals, and 2. a thin sleevelike stretchable plastic coating surrounding said wires, following their sinuosity and stretchably joining them together where they closely approach each other, said approaches being close enough for effective bridging between said wires by said coating, said coating constituting the sole means holding said assembly together, 3. whereby said wires and said plastic coating comprise a unitary assembly defining a cylindrical arc that is substantially round, and c. mounting means separate from said coating for securing said assembly to respective fixed locations of said rigid frame portions and thereby preventing relative sliding movement of the Wires along said frame portions, said frame portions being so spaced apart that installation flattens said arc to a flatter arc and places the assembly (b) in tension, whereby resilience for seating comfort is obtained both by the arcing and tensioning of said wires and by the stretchability of said coating where it bridges between said wires.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
A seating apparatus, including in combination: a. a frame having at least two spaced-apart rigid frame portions, b. an assembly having 1. a series of arcuate continuous, sinuous wires, each wire having two ends, each said wire closely approaching each of its immediately adjacent said wires at frequent intervals, and 2. a thin sleevelike stretchable plastic coating surrounding said wires, following their sinuosity and stretchably joining them together where they closely approach each other, said approaches being close enough for effective bridging between said wires by said coating, said coating constituting the sole means holding said assembly together, 3. whereby said wires and said plastic coating comprise a unitary assembly defining a cylindrical arc that is substantially round, and c. mounting means separate from said coating for securing said assembly to respective fixed locations of said rigid frame portions and thereby preventing relative sliding movement of the Wires along said frame portions, said frame portions being so spaced apart that installation flattens said arc to a flatter arc and places the assembly (b) in tension, whereby resilience for seating comfort is obtained both by the arcing and tensioning of said wires and by the stretchability of said coating where it bridges between said wires.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
a thin sleevelike stretchable plastic coating surrounding said wires, following their sinuosity and stretchably joining them together where they closely approach each other, said approaches being close enough for effective bridging between said wires by said coating, said coating constituting the sole means holding said assembly together,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
a thin sleevelike stretchable plastic coating surrounding said wires, following their sinuosity and stretchably joining them together where they closely approach each other, said approaches being close enough for effective bridging between said wires by said coating, said coating constituting the sole means holding said assembly together,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The seating apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame supports two said assemblies, one for a seat and one for a back.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
a thin sleevelike plastic coating surrounding said wires, following their sinuosity and joining them together where they closely approach each other, said approaches being close enough for effective bridging between said wires by said coating, said coating constituting the sole means holding said assembly together,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
a thin sleevelike plastic coating surrounding said wires, following their sinuosity and joining them together where they closely approach each other, said approaches being close enough for effective bridging between said wires by said coating, said coating constituting the sole means holding said assembly together,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
a thin sleevelike plastic coating surrounding said wires, following their sinuosity and joining them together where they closely approach each other, said approaches being close enough for effective bridging between said wires by said coating, said coating constituting the sole means holding said assembly together,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
a thin sleevelike plastic coating surrounding said wires, following their sinuosity and joining them together where they closely approach each other, said approaches being close enough for effective bridging between said wires by said coating, said coating constituting the sole means holding said assembly together,
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
a thin sleevelike plastic coating surrounding said wires, following their sinuosity and joining them together where they slosely approach each other, said approaches being close enough for effective bridging between said wires by said coating, said coating constituting the sole means holding said assembly together,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
a thin sleevelike plastic coating surrounding said wires, following their sinuosity and joining them together where they slosely approach each other, said approaches being close enough for effective bridging between said wires by said coating, said coating constituting the sole means holding said assembly together,
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
a thin sleevelike plastic coating surrounding said wires, following their sinuosity and joining them together where they closely approach each other, said approaches being close enough for effective bridging between said wires by said coating, said coating constituting the sole means holding said assembly together,
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
a thin sleevelike plastic coating surrounding said wires, following their sinuosity and joining them together where they closely approach each other, said approaches being close enough for effective bridging between said wires by said coating, said coating constituting the sole means holding said assembly together,
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
a thin sleevelike plastic coating surrounding said wires, following their sinuosity and joining them together where they closely approach each other, said approaches being close enough for effective bridging between said wires by said coating, said coating constituting the sole means holding said assembly together,
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
a thin sleevelike plastic coating surrounding said wires, following their sinuosity and joining them together where they closely approach each other, said approaches being close enough for effective bridging between said wires by said coating, said coating constituting the sole means holding said assembly together,
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
a thin sleevelike plastic coating surrounding said wires, following their sinuosity and joining them together where they closely approach each other, said approaches being close enough for effective bridging between said wires by said coating, said coating constituting the sole means holding said assembly together,
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
a thin sleevelike plastic coating surrounding said wires, following their sinuosity and joining them together where they closely approach each other, said approaches being close enough for effective bridging between said wires by said coating, said coating constituting the sole means holding said assembly together,
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
108 words
whereby said wires and said plastic coating comprise a unitary aSsembly defining a cylindrical arc that is substantially round, and c. mounting means for securing said assembly to said rigid frame portions, said frame portions being so spaced apart that installation flattens said arc to a flatter arc and places the assembly (b) in tension, said mounting means comprising means for anchoring each of said spring wires adjacent their ends, the tension under which the spring wires are placed helping to retain them in place, each said mounting means engaging the actual wire ends to prevent movement of the two ends of each said wire toward each other.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
108 words
whereby said wires and said plastic coating comprise a unitary aSsembly defining a cylindrical arc that is substantially round, and c. mounting means for securing said assembly to said rigid frame portions, said frame portions being so spaced apart that installation flattens said arc to a flatter arc and places the assembly (b) in tension, said mounting means comprising means for anchoring each of said spring wires adjacent their ends, the tension under which the spring wires are placed helping to retain them in place, each said mounting means engaging the actual wire ends to prevent movement of the two ends of each said wire toward each other.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
55 words
whereby said wires and said plastic coating comprise a unitary assembly defining a cylindrical arc that is substantially round, and c. mounting means for securing said asSembly to said rigid frame portions, said frame portions being so spaced apart that installation flattens said arc to a flatter arc and places the assembly (b) in tension.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
55 words
whereby said wires and said plastic coating comprise a unitary assembly defining a cylindrical arc that is substantially round, and c. mounting means for securing said asSembly to said rigid frame portions, said frame portions being so spaced apart that installation flattens said arc to a flatter arc and places the assembly (b) in tension.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
85 words
whereby said wires and said plastic coating comprise a unitary assembly defining a cylindrical arc that is substantially round, and c. mounting means for securing said assembly to said rigid frame portions, said frame portions being so spaced apart that installation flattens said arc to a flatter arc and places the assembly (b) in tension, said mounting means comprising raised portions of said frame providing wire-engaging means and securing means overlying said frame and the engaged portion of said wires and secured to said frame.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
85 words
whereby said wires and said plastic coating comprise a unitary assembly defining a cylindrical arc that is substantially round, and c. mounting means for securing said assembly to said rigid frame portions, said frame portions being so spaced apart that installation flattens said arc to a flatter arc and places the assembly (b) in tension, said mounting means comprising raised portions of said frame providing wire-engaging means and securing means overlying said frame and the engaged portion of said wires and secured to said frame.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
55 words
whereby said wires and said plastic coating comprise a unitary assembly defining a cylindrical arc that is substantially round, and c. mounting means for securing said assembly to said rigid frame portions, said frame portions being so spaced apart that installation flattens said arc to a flatter arc and places the assembly (b) in tension.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
55 words
whereby said wires and said plastic coating comprise a unitary assembly defining a cylindrical arc that is substantially round, and c. mounting means for securing said assembly to said rigid frame portions, said frame portions being so spaced apart that installation flattens said arc to a flatter arc and places the assembly (b) in tension.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
81 words
whereby said wires and said plastic coating comprise a unitary assembly defining a cylindrical arc that is substantially round, and c. mounting means for securing said assembly to said rigid frame portions, said frame portions being so spaced apart that installation flattens said arc to a flatter arc and places the assembly (b) in tension, said mounting means comprising a member having transversely outwardly extending tongues to which said wire ends are engaged, said tongues being bent down over said wires.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
81 words
whereby said wires and said plastic coating comprise a unitary assembly defining a cylindrical arc that is substantially round, and c. mounting means for securing said assembly to said rigid frame portions, said frame portions being so spaced apart that installation flattens said arc to a flatter arc and places the assembly (b) in tension, said mounting means comprising a member having transversely outwardly extending tongues to which said wire ends are engaged, said tongues being bent down over said wires.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
111 words
where said wires and said plastic coating comprise a unitary assembly defining a cylindrical arc that is substantially round, and c. mounting means for securing said assembly to said rigid frame portions, said frame portions being so spaced apart that installation flattens said arc to a flatter arc and places the assembly (b) in tension, said mounting means comprising means for anchoring each of said spring wires adjacent their ends, the tension under which the spring wires are placed helping to retain them in place, each said mounting means engaging said wire at a locus spaced from its ends, so that the ends extend beyond said mounting means and are free.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
111 words
where said wires and said plastic coating comprise a unitary assembly defining a cylindrical arc that is substantially round, and c. mounting means for securing said assembly to said rigid frame portions, said frame portions being so spaced apart that installation flattens said arc to a flatter arc and places the assembly (b) in tension, said mounting means comprising means for anchoring each of said spring wires adjacent their ends, the tension under which the spring wires are placed helping to retain them in place, each said mounting means engaging said wire at a locus spaced from its ends, so that the ends extend beyond said mounting means and are free.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
105 words
whereby said wires and said plastic coating comprise a unitary assembly defining a cylindrical arc that is substantially round, and c. mounting means separate from said coating for securing said assembly to respective fixed locations of said rigid frame portions and thereby preventing relative sliding movement of the Wires along said frame portions, said frame portions being so spaced apart that installation flattens said arc to a flatter arc and places the assembly (b) in tension, whereby resilience for seating comfort is obtained both by the arcing and tensioning of said wires and by the stretchability of said coating where it bridges between said wires.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
105 words
whereby said wires and said plastic coating comprise a unitary assembly defining a cylindrical arc that is substantially round, and c. mounting means separate from said coating for securing said assembly to respective fixed locations of said rigid frame portions and thereby preventing relative sliding movement of the Wires along said frame portions, said frame portions being so spaced apart that installation flattens said arc to a flatter arc and places the assembly (b) in tension, whereby resilience for seating comfort is obtained both by the arcing and tensioning of said wires and by the stretchability of said coating where it bridges between said wires.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The seating apparatus of claim 2 wherein said seat arches upwardly from side to side and said back arches rearwardly from side to side.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
The seating apparatus of claim 3 wherein said frame is stackable upon a like frame, with the arched seats nesting within each other and the arched backs nesting within each other.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
38 words
The seating apparatus of claim 2 wherein in each said assembly the wires occupy a silhouette area of at least 17 percent of the area of their assemblies, so that the sitter is supported without undue load concentration.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The seating apparatus of claim 2 wherein said seat arches upwardly from front to rear and said back arches forwardly from bottom to top.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
49 words
The seating apparatus of claim 2 wherein said frame is curved and each said assembly is attached to the frame curves so that said seat and said back are imparted a compound curvature, enabled by said stretchable coating and by the separateness of said wires, especially at their ends.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
40 words
The seating apparatus of claim 2 wherein the wires in the seat lying closest to the forward edge of the chair are of lighter gauge than the wires of the seat in the central portion thereof, thereby imparting increased comfort.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The seating apparatus of claim 1 wherein some of said wires have a different vibration frequency from other wires, in order to dampen bounce.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
The seating apparatus of claim 9 wherein some of the wires are of different thickness than others, to afford the bounce dampening to said assembly.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
The seating apparatus of claim 9 wherein some of the wires are of different configuration and curve length than others, to afford the bounce dampening.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
The seating apparatus of claim 9 wherein some of the wires are of different spring temper from others, to afford the bounce dampening.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
The seating apparatus of claim 2 wherein said seat is arched downwardly to provide a concave upper surface.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
The seating apparatus of claim 1 wherein said assembly (b) depresses 1 inch to 3 inches when sat upon by a 150-pound person.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
17 words
The seating apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wire diameter is from 0.05 inch to 0.15 inch.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
The seating apparatus of claim 1 wherein the coating thickness is from about 20 percent to about 100 percent of the wire thickness.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
38 words
The seating apparatus of claim 1 wherein the empty space between the coated wires occupies between 2 percent and 75 percent of the area of said assembly (b), so that the sitter is supported without undue load concentration.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
37 words
The seating apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises means for anchoring each of said spring wires adjacent their ends, the tension under which the spring wires are placed helping to retain them in place.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
21 words
The seating apparatus, including in combination: a. a frame having at least two spaced-apart rigid frame portions, b. an assembly having
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
21 words
The seating apparatus, including in combination: a. a frame having at least two spaced-apart rigid frame portions, b. an assembly having
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
21 words
The seating apparatus, including in combination: a. a frame having at least two spaced-apart rigid frame portions, b. an assembly having
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
The seating apparatus, including in combination: a. a frame having at least two spaced-apart rigid frame portions, b. an assembly having
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
21 words
The seating apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wire ends lie in the same arc as the remainder of their wire.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
21 words
The seating apparatus, including in combination: a. a frame having at least two spaced-apart rigid frame portions, b. an assembly having
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
21 words
The seating apparatus, including in combination: a. a frame having at least two spaced-apart rigid frame portions, b. an assembly having
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
21 words
The seating apparatus of claim 22 wherein said mounting means is arcuate and is secured to a tubular said frame member.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
26 words
The seating apparatus of claim 22 wherein said mounting means is an integral portion of said frame, said tongues being bent out portions of said frame.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
29 words
The seating apparatus of claim 22 wherein said frame is tubular and hollow and has a lengthwise extending slot and said mounting means lies inside the hollow tubular frame.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
21 words
The seating apparatus, including in combination: a. a frame having at least two spaced-apart rigid frame portions, b. an assembly having
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
21 words
The seating apparatus, including in combination: a. a frame having at least two spaced-apart rigid frame portions, b. an assembly having
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
21 words
The seating apparatus, including in combination: a. a frame having at least two spaced-apart rigid frame portions, b. an assembly having
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
21 words
The seating apparatus, including in combination: a. a frame having at least two spaced-apart rigid frame portions, b. an assembly having
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
27 words
The seating apparatus of claim 27 wherein said mounting means comprises openings into said frame means and means for holding thereto wire ends inserted into said openings.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
39 words
The seating apparatus of claim 28 wherein said means for holding comprises a socket member in each said opening having means for preventing retraction thereof and means for preventing retraction of a wire end inserted in said socket member.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
41 words
The seating apparatus of claim 29 wherein said frame is tubular and hollow and said mounting means comprises slots in said hollow tubular frame and a dowel-like member inside said frame engaging said hooks and preventing retraction thereof from said frame.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
32 words
The seating apparatus of claim 1 wherein the thicknesses of the seat and back areas are no less than one two-hundredths and no more than one-fiftieth the height of the seat level.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
21 words
The seating apparatus, including in combination: a. a frame having at least two spaced-apart rigid frame portions, b. an assembly having
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
21 words
The seating apparatus, including in combination: a. a frame having at least two spaced-apart rigid frame portions, b. an assembly having
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |