Cushioned sling chair

Claim 2

A pliable seat and backrest portion for a chair, comprising: first and second superposed fabrics, said first fabric being of heavier weight than said second fabric for supporting tensile loads, and said second fabric being of lighter weight than said load-bearing first fabric and being suitable for having a decorative appearance and smooth surface; a batt of cushioning material between said fabrics; looped portions in said first fabric and looped portions in said second fabric defining opposite side edges of said first fabric, and an elongate flexible member received within each said looped first fabric portion, such that said looped first fabric portions may be secured to slots in a chair frame to retain said seat and backrest portion tightly stretched across the frame, and said looped second fabric portions overlying said looped first fabric portions, whereby said second looped fabric portions obscure said looped first fabric portions when said seat and backrest portion is installed on a chair frame; stitching at intermediate positions in said seat and backrest portion to secure said first and second fabrics to each other and to stabilize said batt of cushioning material; and said first and second fabrics being woven of polymeric fibers, whereby said first fabric is woven of a blend of vinyl and acrylic monofilament fibers and wherein said second fabric is woven of a blend of polyester and acrylic fibers.

Claim 3

A pliable seat and backrest portion according to claim 1 wherein said first fabric is approximately one-third acrylic fibers and two-thirds vinyl fibers and wherein said second fabric is approximately one-third polyester fibers and two-thirds acrylic fibers.

Claim 4

A pliable seat and backrest portion according to claim 1 wherein said batt of cushioning material is formed of entangled polyester fibers.

Claim 5

A pliable seat and backrest portion according to claim 1 wherein said elongate flexible member has a substantially round cross sectional shape.

Claim 6

A pliable seat and backrest portion for a chair, comprising: first and second superposed fabrics, said first fabric being of heavier weight than said second fabric for supporting tensile loads, and said second fabric being of lighter weight than said load-bearing first fabric and being suitable for having a decorative appearance and smooth surface; a batt of cushioning material between said fabrics; looped portions in said first fabric and looped portions in said second fabric defining opposite side edges of said first fabric, and an elongate flexible member received within each said looped first fabric portion, such that said looped first fabric portions may be secured to slots in a chair frame to retain said seat and backrest portion tightly stretched across the frame, and said looped second fabric portions overlying said looped first fabric portions, whereby said second looped fabric portions obscure said looped first fabric portions when said seat and backrest portion is installed on a chair frame; stitching at intermediate positions in said seat and backrest portion to secure said first and second fabrics to each other and to stabilize said batt of cushioning material; said first and second fabrics being woven of polymeric fibers; said batt of cushioning material being formed of entangled polyester fibers; said elongate flexible members having a substantially round cross sectional shape; and said first and second fabrics being joined along said side edges by stitching which also closes said first and second looped fabric portions.

Claim 7

A pliable seat and backrest portion for a chair, comprising: first and second superposed fabrics, said first fabric being of heavier weight than said second fabric for supporting tensile loads, and said second fabric being of lighter weight than said load-bearing first fabric and being suitable for having a decorative appearance and smooth surface; a batt of cushioning material between said fabrics; looped portions in said first fabric and looped portions in said second fabric defining opposite side edges of said first fabric, and an elongate flexible member received within each said looped first fabric portion, such that said looped first fabric portions may be secured to slots in a chair frame to retain said seat and backrest portion tightly stretched across the frame, and said looped second fabric portions overlying said looped first fabric portions, whereby said second looped fabric portions obscure said looped first fabric portions when said seat and backrest portion is installed on a chair frame; stitching at intermediate positions in said seat and backrest portion to secure said first and second fabrics to each other and to stabilize said batt of cushioning material; said first and second fabrics being woven of polymeric fibers; said batt of cushioning material being formed of entangled polyester fibers; said elongate flexible members having a substantially round cross sectional shape; and said first and second fabrics being joined along said side edges by stitching which also closes said first and second looped fabric portions.

Claim 8

A chair, comprising: a frame having opposite side structures; an elongate member supported by each said side structure so as to define a seating area, each said elongate member having a lengthwise extending passageway of generally uniform width and a longitudinal slot of lesser width leading to said passageway, each said slot opening generally perpendicular to said seating area; a pliable seat and backrest portion stretched between said elongate members and being formed of first and second superposed fabrics and a batt of cushioning material between said fabrics, said first fabric being of heavier weight than said second fabric for supporting tensile forces created by a person seated in said chair, and said second fabric being of lighter weight than said load-bearing first fabric for having a decorative appearance and smooth surface; looped portions in said first fabric and looped portions in said second fabric, each said looped first and second fabric portions defining opposite side edges of said seat and backrest portion; and an elongate flexible member encased within each said looped first fabric portion and having a width greater than said longitudinal slots, each said looped first fabric portion and enclosed elongate flexible member being retained within one said lengthwise passageway to suspend said seat and backrest portion between said elongate members; said looped second fabric portions overlying said looped first fabric portions and said longitudinal slots so as to obscure said slots and looped first fabric portions, whereby the appearance of said chair is enhanced.

Claim 9

A chair, comprising: a frame having opposite side structures; an elongate member supported by each said side structure so as to define a seating area, each said elongate member having a lengthwise extending passageway of generally uniform width and a longitudinal slot of lesser width leading to said passageway, each said slot opening generally perpendicular to said seating area; a pliable seat and backrest portion stretched between said elongate members and being formed of first and second superposed fabrics and a batt of cushioning material between said fabrics, said first fabric being of heavier weight than said second fabric for supporting tensile forces created by a person seated in said chair, and said second fabric being of lighter weight than said load-bearing first fabric for having a decorative appearance and smooth surface; looped portions in said first fabric and looped portions in said second fabric, each said looped first and second fabric portions defining opposite side edges of said seat and backrest portion; and an elongate flexible member encased within each said looped first fabric portion and having a width greater than said longitudinal slots, each said looped first fabric portion and enclosed elongate flexible member being retained within one said lengthwise passageway to suspend said seat and backrest portion between said elongate members; said looped second fabric portions overlying said looped first fabric portions and said longitudinal slots so as to obscure said slots and looped first fabric portions, whereby the appearance of said chair is enhanced.

Claim 10

A chair as defined in claim 6 wherein said second fabric is suitable for imprinting with a decorative pattern.

Claim 11

A chair as defined in claim 6 further comprising stitching at intermediate positions in said seat and backrest portion to secure said first and second fabrics to each other and to stabilize said batt of cushioning material.

Claim 12

A chair according to claim 6 wherein said elongate flexible members have a substantially round cross sectional shape.

Claim 13

A chair according to claim 6 wherein said first and second fabrics are joined along said opposite side edges by stitching which closes said first and second looped fabric portions.

Claim 14

A chair according to claim 6 wherein said first and second fabrics are woven.

Claim 15

A chair according to claim 11 wherein said first and second fabrics are made of polymeric fibers.

Claim 16

A chair according to claim 12 wherein said seat and backrest portion is a unitary member.

Claim 17

A chair according to claim 12 wherein said seat and backrest portion is formed of separate members.

Claim 18

A chair according to claim 12 wherein said batt of cushioning material is formed of entangled polyester fibers.

Claim 19

A chair according to claim 12 wherein said first fabric is a blend of vinyl and acrylic monofilament fibers.

Claim 20

A chair according to claim 16 wherein said first fabric is approximately one-third acrylic fibers and two-thirds vinyl fibers.

Claim 21

A chair according to claim 16 wherein said second fabric is a blend of polyester and acrylic fibers.

Claim 22

A chair according to claim 18 wherein said second fabric is approximately one-third polyester fibers and two-thirds acrylic fibers.