US4946224A — Combination wood-metal chair

Claim 1

Independent Claim 126 words

A chair comprising: (a) a pair of spaced-apart, wooden side members, each side member forming a front leg and an armrest; (b) a pair of spaced-apart, frame members forming a seat and a backrest; (c) a pair of metallic support elements pivotally supporting the frame members to pivot substantially about the front legs, each support element being connected with the front leg of a respective member, each support element comprising a substantially rigid metal post extending at least partly along the length of the corresponding front leg and being at least partly embedded therein, the metal post being substantially rectangular in cross section; and (d) cover means substantially hiding the metal posts from normal view so that the side members have an overall substantially wooden appearance.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 126 words

A chair comprising: (a) a pair of spaced-apart, wooden side members, each side member forming a front leg and an armrest; (b) a pair of spaced-apart, frame members forming a seat and a backrest; (c) a pair of metallic support elements pivotally supporting the frame members to pivot substantially about the front legs, each support element being connected with the front leg of a respective member, each support element comprising a substantially rigid metal post extending at least partly along the length of the corresponding front leg and being at least partly embedded therein, the metal post being substantially rectangular in cross section; and (d) cover means substantially hiding the metal posts from normal view so that the side members have an overall substantially wooden appearance.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 29 words

The claim of claim 1 wherein each side member also forms a rear leg, the rear legs being substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 16 words

A chair as claimed in claim 2 including a transverse cross-bar for joining the rear legs.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 17 words

The chair of claim 3 in which the transverse cross-bar is made of combined metal and wood.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 17 words

A chair as claimed in claim 3 wherein the transverse cross-bar is positioned below the seat level.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 25 words

A chair as claimed in claim 2 wherein the front legs are substantially vertical and the rear legs slope rearwardly and downwardly from the armrest.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 15 words

A chair as claimed in claim 2 including a stretcher bar connecting the rear legs.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 19 words

A chair as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein each wooden side member also forms a bottom sled.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 18 words

A chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein each metal post is at least 6 inches in length.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 19 words

A chair as claimed in claim 9 wherein the post length is from about 6 inches to 24 inches.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 19 words

A chair as claimed in claim 10 wherein the post length is from about 10 inches to 20 inches.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 26 words

A chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein each post has spaced apertures for receiving anchoring means for anchoring the post within its respective front leg.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 26 words

A chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein each wooden frame member includes four separate components, each component being interlinked together to form a trapezoidal shape.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 37 words

A chair as claimed in claim 13 wherein the four components are formed of wood, each end of each component being joined to adjacent components by finger joints and interlocked with finger joints of the adjacent components.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 27 words

A chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein the seat and backrest include material extending across the frame members, the material hiding the frame members from view.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 19 words

A chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wooden side members are formed of laminated layers of wood.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 15 words

The claim of claim 1 wherein the cover means comprises paint having a wood-like appearance.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 35 words

The chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein each support element includes a transverse element welded to the post, the transverse element having a first limb extending substantially at right angles rearwardly from the post.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 23 words

The chair of claim 1 wherein the side members are parallel to each other and the frame members are parallel to each other.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 149 words

A chair comprising: (a) a pair of spaced-apart, parallel wooden side members, each side member forming a front leg and an armrest; (b) a pair of spaced-apart, parallel frame members forming a seat and a backrest; (c) a pair of metallic support elements pivotally supporting the frame members to pivot substantially about the front legs, each support element being connected with the front leg of a corresponding side member, wherein each support element comprises (i) a substantially rigid metal post extending at least partly along the length of the corresponding front leg and being at least partly embedded therein, and (ii) a transverse element welded to the post, the transverse element having a first element limb extending substantially at right angles rearwardly from the post; and (d) cover means substantially hiding the rigid metal posts from normal view so that the side members have an overall substantially wooden appearance.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 149 words

A chair comprising: (a) a pair of spaced-apart, parallel wooden side members, each side member forming a front leg and an armrest; (b) a pair of spaced-apart, parallel frame members forming a seat and a backrest; (c) a pair of metallic support elements pivotally supporting the frame members to pivot substantially about the front legs, each support element being connected with the front leg of a corresponding side member, wherein each support element comprises (i) a substantially rigid metal post extending at least partly along the length of the corresponding front leg and being at least partly embedded therein, and (ii) a transverse element welded to the post, the transverse element having a first element limb extending substantially at right angles rearwardly from the post; and (d) cover means substantially hiding the rigid metal posts from normal view so that the side members have an overall substantially wooden appearance.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 23 words

The chair of claim 20 wherein each transverse element is "L"-shaped and has a second limb extending downwardly and parallel with the post.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 20 words

A chair as claimed in claim 21, including a web member between the two limbs for reinforcing the transverse element.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 15 words

The chair of claim 20 wherein the metal post is substantially rectangular in transverse cross-section.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 23 words

A chair as claimed in claim 1 or 20 wherein each wooden front leg includes a mating cutout for receiving its respective post.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 26 words

A chair as claimed in claim 24 wherein the cutout extends deeper than the cross-section of the post such that the post fits within the cutout.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 32 words

A chair as claimed in claim 25 wherein the cover means comprises a decorative plate for mounting over the post, the plate being of wood for encasing the post substantially within wood.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 157 words

A chair comprising: (a) spaced-apart, wooden side members, each side member forming (i) a front leg, (ii) a rear leg, and (iii) an armrest; (b) a metal frame for a seat and a backrest; (c) a pair of metal support elements for the frame, the frame being pivotally supported on and rearwardly cantilevered from the support elements substantially about the front legs such that the seat and the backrest mounted on the frame can move in substantial unison, each support element comprising a substantially rigid post embedded at least partly in a cutout portion f the front leg of a respective side member, the post having spaced apertures receiving anchoring means for anchoring the post within its respective front leg, each post extending at least partly along the length of the corresponding front leg and being covered at least partly by a member having a wooden appearance so that the side members have an overall substantially appearance.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 157 words

A chair comprising: (a) spaced-apart, wooden side members, each side member forming (i) a front leg, (ii) a rear leg, and (iii) an armrest; (b) a metal frame for a seat and a backrest; (c) a pair of metal support elements for the frame, the frame being pivotally supported on and rearwardly cantilevered from the support elements substantially about the front legs such that the seat and the backrest mounted on the frame can move in substantial unison, each support element comprising a substantially rigid post embedded at least partly in a cutout portion f the front leg of a respective side member, the post having spaced apertures receiving anchoring means for anchoring the post within its respective front leg, each post extending at least partly along the length of the corresponding front leg and being covered at least partly by a member having a wooden appearance so that the side members have an overall substantially appearance.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 19 words

A chair as claimed in claim 27 wherein the seat and backrest include material extending across the metal frame.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 14 words

The chair of claim 27 wherein the side members are parallel to each other.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 144 words

A chair comprising: (a) spaced-apart, parallel wooden side members, each side member forming a front leg and an armrest; (b) a metal frame for a seat and a backrest; and (c) a pair of metal support elements for the frame, whereby the metal frame is pivotally supported on the support elements substantially about the front legs, each support element comprising a substantially rectangular cross-sectional post embedded at least partly in a cutout portion of the front leg of a respective side member, the post being covered at least partly by a wooden decorative plate so that the side members have an overall substantially wooden appearance, and wherein each support element also includes a substantially "L"-shaped element welded to the post, the "L"-shaped element having a first limb extending substantially at right angles from the post and a second limb extending parallel to the post.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 144 words

A chair comprising: (a) spaced-apart, parallel wooden side members, each side member forming a front leg and an armrest; (b) a metal frame for a seat and a backrest; and (c) a pair of metal support elements for the frame, whereby the metal frame is pivotally supported on the support elements substantially about the front legs, each support element comprising a substantially rectangular cross-sectional post embedded at least partly in a cutout portion of the front leg of a respective side member, the post being covered at least partly by a wooden decorative plate so that the side members have an overall substantially wooden appearance, and wherein each support element also includes a substantially "L"-shaped element welded to the post, the "L"-shaped element having a first limb extending substantially at right angles from the post and a second limb extending parallel to the post.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 17 words

The chair of claim 27 or 30 wherein the post is at least 6 inches in length.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 136 words

A chair comprising: (a) a pair of spaced-apart, wooden side members, each side member forming a front leg and an armrest; (b) a pair of spaced-apart, frame members forming a seat and a backrest; (c) a pair of metallic support elements pivotally supporting the frame members to pivot substantially about the front legs, each support element being connected with the front leg of a respective member each support element comprising a substantially rigid metal post extending at least partly along the length of the corresponding front leg and being at least partly embedded therein, wherein each post has spaced apertures for receiving anchoring means for anchoring a post within its respective front leg; and (d) cover means substantially hiding the metal posts from normal view so that the side members have an overall substantially wooden appearance.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 136 words

A chair comprising: (a) a pair of spaced-apart, wooden side members, each side member forming a front leg and an armrest; (b) a pair of spaced-apart, frame members forming a seat and a backrest; (c) a pair of metallic support elements pivotally supporting the frame members to pivot substantially about the front legs, each support element being connected with the front leg of a respective member each support element comprising a substantially rigid metal post extending at least partly along the length of the corresponding front leg and being at least partly embedded therein, wherein each post has spaced apertures for receiving anchoring means for anchoring a post within its respective front leg; and (d) cover means substantially hiding the metal posts from normal view so that the side members have an overall substantially wooden appearance.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 150 words

A chair comprising: (a) a pair of spaced-apart, wooden side members, each side member forming a wooden front leg and a wooden armrest; (b) a pair of spaced-apart, frame members forming a seat and a backrest; and (c) a pair of metallic support elements pivotally supporting the frame members to pivot substantially about the front legs, each support element being connected with the front leg of a respective member, each support element comprising: (i) a substantially rigid metal post extending at least partly along the length of the corresponding front leg and being at least partly embedded therein, wherein each post has spaced apertures for receiving anchoring means for anchoring the post within its respective front leg, and each post is substantially rectangular in cross-section; and (ii) a transverse element welded to the post, the transverse element having a first limb extending substantially at right angles rearwardly from the post.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 150 words

A chair comprising: (a) a pair of spaced-apart, wooden side members, each side member forming a wooden front leg and a wooden armrest; (b) a pair of spaced-apart, frame members forming a seat and a backrest; and (c) a pair of metallic support elements pivotally supporting the frame members to pivot substantially about the front legs, each support element being connected with the front leg of a respective member, each support element comprising: (i) a substantially rigid metal post extending at least partly along the length of the corresponding front leg and being at least partly embedded therein, wherein each post has spaced apertures for receiving anchoring means for anchoring the post within its respective front leg, and each post is substantially rectangular in cross-section; and (ii) a transverse element welded to the post, the transverse element having a first limb extending substantially at right angles rearwardly from the post.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1993-08-06	1994-02-05	1994-08-07	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1997-08-06	1998-02-05	1998-08-07	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2001-08-06	2002-02-05	2002-08-07	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Combination wood-metal chair

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