Abstract
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for a novel single sling chair. The single sling chair simplifies the manufacture of sling chairs affording efficient and speedy construction. The single sling chair comprises a chair frame having a back section with an upper rail and a lower cross member and a seat section, a seat panel coupled to the seat section of the chair frame, a fabric back panel having length and first and second terminating loops at opposing ends with a first rod fitting inside the first terminating loop and a second rod fitting inside the second terminating loop, an upper rail having an interior side configured to fit the first rod and the first terminating loop into the interior side of the upper rail, and a lower rail having an interior side configured to fit the second rod and the second terminating loop into the interior side of the lower rail wherein the lower rail is attached to the lower cross member of the chair frame to form a back rest for the back section.
Claims
1. A method of manufacturing a single sling chair comprising the steps: forming a chair frame having a front side; attaching a seat panel to the chair frame; forming a fabric back panel having length and first and second terminating loops at opposing ends with a first rod fitted through the first terminating loop and a second rod fitted through the second terminating loop toward the front side of the chair frame; forceably fitting the first rod and the first terminating loop into a forwardly facing C shaped interior side formed on front side of an upper rail of the chair frame wherein the step of forceably fitting includes prying the interior side of the upper rail with a pry device to flex the interior side to allow the first rod and the first terminating loop to fit into the interior side of the upper rail; slidably receiving the second rod and the second terminating loop from one end of an interior side of a lower rail; and attaching the lower rail to a lower cross member of the chair frame to form a back rest.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of attaching the lower rail includes the step of threading a screw into the lower rail against the lower cross member.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of threading includes the step of tensioning the fabric back panel of the back rest.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of inserting a decorative cross member above the upper rail.
5. A method of manufacturing a sling fabric arm chair comprising the steps: forming an arm chair frame having a front side; attaching a seat panel to the arm chair frame; forming a sling fabric back panel having area and first and second end loops of the sling fabric at each end with a first rod fitted through the first end loop and a second rod fitted through the second end loop toward the front side of the chair frame; securing the first rod and the first end loop into a forwardly facing C shaped interior side formed on front side of an upper rail of the arm chair frame wherein the step of securing includes prying the forwardly facing C-shaped interior side of the upper rail with a pry device to flex the interior side to allow the first rod and the first terminating loop to fit into the interior side of the upper rail; slidably receiving the second rod and the second end loop from an end of an interior side of a lower rail; and fastening the lower rail to a lower cross member of the arm chair frame to from a back support.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of fastening the lower rail includes the step of threading a screw into the lower rail against the lower cross member.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of threading includes the step of tensioning the sling fabric back panel of the back rest.
8. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of inserting a decorative cross member above the upper rail.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a single sling chair in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
(2) FIG. 2 illustrates an upper rail with an upper end of a sling assembly assembled into an interior side of the upper rail in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
(3) FIG. 3 illustrates a lower rail with a lower end of the sling assembly assembled into an interior side of the lower rail in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
(4) FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary cut-out view of the chair back taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(5) FIG. 1 illustrates a single sling chair 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The single sling chair 10 includes a chair frame 12, a seat section 13, and a back section 14. The general construction of the single sling chair is conventional and well known to those skilled in the art of making patio chairs. A detailed discussion of how of the chair is constructed will detract from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, a terse discussion of the general construction of the chair is given. Essentially, the chair frame is formed by attaching symmetrical halves of the chair frame that include an arm rest 16, legs 18 with cross supports 19. The seat section 13 is attached to the chair frame 12. The back support 14 includes a decorative cross member 21 and a cross support member 23 to not only give the back support decorative appeal but also added strength. In accordance to a present embodiment, the seat section 13 and the back section 14 are covered with fabric panels. The fabric panel of the seat section 13 is covered using conventional construction. However, the fabric panel of the back section is covered using a novel single sling construction. The back section 14 includes an upper rail 24, a sling fabric 25, a lower rail 26, and lower back cross member 28. The sling fabric 25 is of conventional construction consisting of a fabric back panel having a length and terminating loops at opposing ends and rods inserted into the loops for attaching the fabric back panel.
(6) FIG. 2 illustrates the upper rail 24, the sling fabric 25 with an upper rod 35 inserted into the sling fabric terminating loop and fitted into an interior side of the upper rail 24. The interior side of the upper rail 24 is constructed to receive and secure the upper rod 35 of the sling fabric 25. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the interior side of the upper rail 24 is configured to flex in order to receive the upper rod 35. In other words, the upper rod 35 is pressed or forced into the interior side of the upper rail 24 with an aid of a small pry device such as a screw driver, pry bar, or the like. Essentially, no threading or sliding is used to insert the upper rod 35. The entire upper rod 35 is aligned with the length of the interior side of the upper rail 24 and is pressed or forced into the interior side of the upper rail 24 with an aid of a pry instrument, and there is no threading motion that is used to assemble the upper rod 35. Manufacture of the single sling chair 10 is greatly simplified by not having to thread or slide the upper rod 35 into the interior side of the upper rail 24 from one end of the upper rod 35. Sling fabric 25 can often rip during the threading or sliding process of the upper rod 35 into the interior side of the upper rail 24. Using the present embodiment of inserting the upper rod 35 directly into the interior side not only saves time but reduces the likelihood of ripping the fabric during installation. Instead of attaching the sling fabric early during construction, the entire frame of the chair can be constructed and attaching the sling fabric can be one of the last finishing step further reducing the likelihood of damage or soiling of the sling fabric.
(7) FIG. 3 illustrates the lower rail 26, the sling fabric 25 with a lower rod 36 inserted into the sling fabric terminating loop and fitted into an interior side of the lower rail 26. Contrary to the interior side of the upper rail 24, the interior side of the lower rail 26 can not be flexed to insert the lower rod 36 into the interior side of the lower rail 26. Rather, the lower rod 36 is threaded into the interior side of the lower rail 26 using conventional sling construction technique. Since the lower rail 26 is separate and detached from the chair frame, threading or sliding the lower rod 36 into the interior side of the lower rail 26 from either end of the lower rail 26 is simplified and can be accomplished with rather ease.
(8) FIG. 4 illustrates a cutout taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1. The upper back support 14 is shown with the cross support member 23, the decorative cross member 21, the upper rail 24 having the upper rod 35 assembled into the interior side of the upper rail 24, sling fabric 25, the lower rail 26 having the lower rod 36 assembled into the interior side of the lower rail 26, the lower back cross member 28, threaded screw/bolt 38, and threads 39. The lower rail 26 has a threaded hole 39 for receiving the threaded screw/bolt 38. The threaded screw 38 is screwed into the threaded hole 39 for attaching the lower rail 26 to the lower back cross member 28. As the threaded screw 38 is tightened, the sling fabric 25 tension can be adjusted. Accordingly, the present embodiment of the single sling chair simplifies the construction of the sling fabric back panel. For example, the entire chair frame can be assembled prior to assembly of the sling fabric back. The assembly of the sling fabric back is simplified by not having to thread the upper rod 35 including the sling fabric 25 into the interior side of the upper rail 24. According to an embodiment of the present embodiment, there is insufficient space to thread/slide the upper rod 35 into the interior side of the upper rail 24. By limiting the space and protrusions of the chair construction, more aesthetically appealing designs of sling style chair can be constructed. In addition, using the threaded screw 38 to attach the lower rail 26 with the lower rod 36 assembled to the interior side of the lower back cross member 28 enables tensioning and adjustment of the sling fabric which reduces waste during manufacturing when the sling fabric is not exactly the correct length. Conventional sling chair construction offers very little if any adjustment to the tension of the sling fabric.
(9) The present novel single sling invention is susceptible to minor variations and modifications that may be introduced without departing from the inventive concept. For example, the fabric seat and seat back panel could be switched with the fabric seat incorporating the novel single sling construction.
(10) It is further appreciated that designation of furniture as fitting into categories such as chairs, lounges, and other separate and distinct varieties may be inadequate. For example, patio furniture as opposed to furniture designs may show no clear delineation separating the two categories. Moreover, alternative configurations may be within the spirit of the invention if the frame were modified resulting in furniture that can be regarded as a cot, bed, as well as a chair, lounge, sofa, or similar furniture.
(11) The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention have been presented only for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the forms disclosed. Accordingly, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Moreover, the above disclosure is not intended to limit the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims.
