Slipcover for a recliner

A slipcover combination for covering a movable item of furniture having an upright and a lounging position is described. The slipcover combination has a main body panel having a substantially rectangular shape with first and second adjacent corners being notched to form a pair of substantially V-cut slits defining a panel portion therebetween for covering the pivotable foot rest of the recliner. First and second skirts are also provided, one for covering the seat main body and the other for individually covering the movable foot rest portion. The skirt for the main body is preferably in the form of a longitudinal piece of material, while the other skirt is desirably formed as a ring which fits the foot rest in the manner of a sleeve. A plurality of stay puts and spiral fasteners may also be provided. The slipcover combination can be readily be applied to a piece of furniture, and maintains its position and aesthetically appealing appearance, even as the recliner is moved from its upright position to its lounging position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates generally to a slipcover for a piece of 
upholstered, action-type furniture, and a method for applying the same. 
More specifically, the invention relates to a slipcover combination for a 
recliner, which is easy to secure on the piece of furniture and which 
maintains its position on the item of furniture when the furniture is 
moved from an upright position to a lounging position, and a method for 
applying the slipcover to the reclining piece of furniture. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Slipcovers for static pieces of furniture are known in the art, and are 
frequently used by consumers to change the appearance of pieces of 
furniture. Such slipcovers are generally used to cover a piece of 
furniture with a different material, to cover damage such as holes or worn 
spots in the existing fabric of the furniture, or to hide the appearance 
of stains due to spills and the like. Such slipcovers historically have 
been custom-made to fit the item of furniture, and full-fashioned (i.e., 
fitted) in order that they provide the appearance of regular upholstered 
furniture, rather than a slipcovered appearance. Because custom-fit 
slipcovers tend to require a significant amount of time to produce, and 
their production tends to be relatively specialized, they are commonly 
relatively expensive. As a result, many consumers opt to reupholster or 
replace the furniture rather than slipcover it. 
Attempts to produce prefabricated slipcovers which can be applied by the 
furniture owner himself have met with only limited success, because such 
covers typically have failed to provide an acceptable aesthetic 
appearance. In addition, it has heretofore been difficult to produce a 
slipcover which can fit a variety of shapes and configurations of 
furniture. Further, the covers have not been simple enough to apply to 
persuade many consumers to attempt the slipcovering process themselves. 
Though in many cases the advantages of slipcovers have been found to 
outweigh their negatives, slipcovers have heretofore only been available 
for static pieces of furniture. Modern day quests for comfort have 
resulted in the advent of items of movable action-type furniture. Such 
pieces of furniture usually are movable from at least a first 
substantially upright position to a second lounging position, which is 
normally somewhere between the upright position and a horizontal position. 
These items of furniture characteristically include a lower seat front 
which pivots from a substantially vertical position when the seat is in 
its upright position and moves outwardly to a somewhat or substantially 
horizontal position, to support the backs of a user's legs and/or feet. 
(Because the lower seat front becomes a foot rest, that portion of the 
chair is hereinafter referred to as the "foot rest", though it is 
recognized that it only supports the user's legs and/or feet when in 
certain positions.) In addition, the seat back in many cases tilts 
rearwardly as well, to assume a somewhat or substantially horizontal 
position. Intermediate positions can also be achieved between the first 
and second positions, depending on the design of the seat. Further, the 
back tilting and foot rest moving mechanisms are ideally related, such 
that the motion of the various seat portions occurs simultaneously, i.e., 
movement of one of the seat elements causes movement of the other. 
Such reclining pieces of furniture classically are operated by a handle 
which is often located on an outer side portion of the seat base, below 
one of the seat arms, in order to be readily accessible to the seat user. 
Alternative actuating means for moving the pieces of furniture from their 
upright to their reclining positions are also known, such as push-button 
electronic or hydraulic systems or the like. Additionally, though 
originally reclining pieces of furniture were in the form of wing or arm 
seats (i.e. single user chairs), the concept has now been expanded to 
encompass multi-user pieces of furniture such as sofas, where individual 
sections are now selectively reclinable. Thus, as used herein, the term 
"seat" is meant to encompass both single and multi-user reclining pieces 
of furniture. 
Typically, when a reclining seat is moved from its substantially upright 
position to the lounging position, the foot rest pivots outwardly from its 
substantially vertical position to assume a substantially horizontal 
position for supporting the back of the user's legs and feet. Though 
referred to as having a substantially horizontal position when the 
recliner is in the lounging position, the foot rest can assume a variety 
of positions between the substantially vertical position (when the seat is 
in its upright position) to a substantially or slightly greater than 
horizontal position (i.e., a slightly upright position), provided the foot 
rest is pivoted sufficiently outward to provide a support for the user's 
legs and/or feet. The foot rest, when in its leg supporting position, is 
commonly supported by a mechanism located underneath the recliner foot 
rest. The mechanism usually includes bars which extend outwardly from 
beneath the seat, and are controlled by an operating handle on the side of 
the seat. In many reclining pieces of furniture, this mechanism also 
operates the rearward tilting motion of the seat back so that the back 
tilts rearwardly as the foot portion extends outwardly. 
Because the reclining pieces of furniture are generally some of the most 
comfortable in a person's house, they often are the most frequently used, 
which hastens their tendency to become soiled and damaged. Further, 
because the seats move from a first substantially upright to a second 
substantially horizontal position, users are often more likely to spill 
food and drinks during the motion of the seat than they might be when 
sitting in a static piece of furniture. In addition, the location of the 
foot rest when the recliner is in its lounging position tends to invite 
the user to rest or support his feet thereon; therefore this portion can 
be rapidly soiled and/or damaged. Thus, it appears that these pieces of 
furniture, which historically have been excluded from the ranks of the 
slipcovered, are the items which could most greatly benefit from the 
slipcovering process. 
Typical slipcover constructions, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 
2,800,169, 3,116,953, and Re. 25,133 to Armbrecht, Sugarman and Reavis, et 
al. respectively, are unacceptable for use in combination with action-type 
pieces of furniture such as recliner seats, because they fail to allow for 
the pivoting motion and extension of the foot rest. As illustrated in each 
of these patents, the portion of each of their respective slipcovers which 
covers the lower front portion of the seat extends continuously around the 
side of the seat. Thus, if one were to apply a slipcover such as the ones 
described in these patents to a piece of action-type furniture, the 
footrest would be restrained from making its outward pivoting motion. 
Because the movement of the foot rest portion of a reclining seat is often 
directly associated with that of the seat back tilting rearwardly, the 
back of the seat would thus be likewise hindered from motion. The result 
with the slipcovers described by each of the above-referenced patents 
would be a slipcovered seat that will not assume the lounging position, or 
a torn slipcover. 
U.S. Pat. No. Re. 24,279 to Schutte et al. describes a slipcover for 
covering a sofa which is adapted to convert into a bed. As illustrated in 
FIG. 1 of that patent, the portion of the slipcover which covers the lower 
front of the sofa extends around the sofa arms and terminates proximate 
the side of the sofa, in a manner similar to the aforementioned patents. 
Thus, this slipcover would also hinder the pivoting motion of the foot 
rest portion of the seat, in the same manner as the slipcovers described 
above. 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,884,993, also to Schutte, describes a slipcover for a sofa 
which is convertible to a bed. In this slipcover design, the seat cushions 
are individually covered such that a skirt extends from a lower portion of 
each seat cushion cover. In this way, the covered cushion and 
corresponding skirt can be removed and the sofa can be unfolded to form a 
bed. Elastic tapes having hooks at their ends are used to secure a main 
body portion of the slipcover to the sofa. There is no provision, however, 
for forming the sofa into a bed while the entire slipcover is still in 
place on the piece of furniture. 
Thus, a need exists for a slipcover combination which allows for the 
slipcovering of a piece of action-type reclining furniture. Further, a 
need exists for a slipcover combination which maintains its position and 
appearance on the item of furniture throughout the reclining motion, and 
which is readily and easily applied to the piece of furniture by the 
consumer. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention to 
provide a slipcover for a movable piece of action-type furniture such as a 
recliner seat. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a slipcover 
which can be easily applied to a piece of furniture, and which maintains 
its aesthetically appealing appearance throughout the use of the seat, 
including its motion from a first substantially upright position to at 
least a second lounging position where the foot rest pivots outwardly to 
support the back of the legs and/or feet of the seat user. 
These and other objects, features and advantages are provided by a 
slipcover combination for a movable piece of furniture such as a reclining 
seat, having a base, a back, first and second arms, a seat cushion, and a 
foot rest which pivots from a substantially vertical position when the 
seat is in an upright position to at least a second lounging position in 
which the foot rest pivots outwardly to a substantially or somewhat 
horizontal position. The seat also desirably includes an operating handle 
for activating the seat's motion from this first position to the second 
position. Other intermediate positions can also be attained, depending on 
the design of the seat. It will be noted, however, that the invention can 
be applied to various shapes of reclining furniture other than the precise 
one illustrated, and that movement of the foot rest to its leg supporting 
position can be performed by means other than the operating handle, such 
as an electronic activation means or hydraulic means, or simply by the 
user applying rearward pressure to the seat back. 
The slipcover combination desirably includes a main body panel, a main body 
skirt, and a foot rest skirt, and may also include an elastic band, a 
plurality of "stay puts", and a plurality of spiral fasteners. It is 
noted, however, that other types of fasteners could be utilized within the 
scope of the invention. 
The main body panel is preferably substantially rectangular, and includes 
first and second substantially V-shaped slits proximate two adjacent 
corners thereof, defining a foot panel section therebetween which has 
first and second pointed end portions. The main body panel is preferably 
made from a piece of flexible, drapable material such as upholstery 
fabric, simulated or natural animal skin, sheet-type plastic, or the like. 
Each of the main body and foot rest skirts desirably has an upper band 
portion for securement to the recliner, and a free hanging portion. In a 
preferred form of the invention, the free hanging portions are gathered at 
their respective upper band portions in order to provide a gathered skirt 
for the slipcovered recliner. It is also noted that a substantially 
straight hanging (i.e., boxed) or pleated skirt, or the like, could also 
be used within the scope of the present invention. The main body skirt is 
desirably formed as a longitudinal piece of material, whereas the foot 
rest skirt desirably has its respective ends sewn or otherwise secured 
together, to form a substantially ring-shaped skirt. In a particularly 
preferred form of the invention, the upper band of each of the skirts and 
particularly that of the foot rest skirt, is elasticized, in order that 
the skirts can closely conform to the seat body to which they are 
attached. Each of the skirts is desirably made from the same type material 
as is used to form the main body panel, i.e., a flexible, drapable 
material such as upholstery fabric, simulated or natural animal skin, 
sheet-type plastic, or the like. 
In a preferred form of the invention, the main body skirt includes a slit 
which is adapted to correspond to the operating handle of the recliner 
when the main body skirt is secured around the seat. Alternative means 
such as an opening or the like could also be provided to correspond with 
the operating mechanism for the seat, within the scope of the invention. 
In this way, the skirt is kept from being hitched up proximate the handle, 
and a more custom-fit appearance is provided. 
The elastic band preferably includes an elastic strap portion having a 
fabric catching hook secured to either end thereof. Though hooks are 
suggested as a preferred means for grasping the slipcover material, it is 
noted that other grasping elements could be used such as clamps, pins, or 
the like. The entire band is preferably elastic, though it is noted that 
it could be formed to have both elastic and inelastic sections. 
Securement of the slipcover combination to a recliner is preferably 
performed as follows: the main body panel is desirably draped over the 
piece of furniture to be covered and centered thereon, such that the 
V-shaped slits are positioned proximate the foot rest, and the main body 
panel extends onto the floor in front of the seat, preferably by at least 
about five inches. The main body panel is then tucked into crevices 
between the seat cushion and the seat back and arms. 
The portion of the main body panel which extends over the back of the 
recliner is then desirably folded forward toward the seat cushion. The 
tucked portions of the main body panel are then desirably secured in 
position behind the seat cushion by clipping the hooks or the like of the 
elastic band thereto such that the elastic band extends around the back 
side of the seat back. This elastic band assists in maintaining the main 
body panel in position on the recliner when the recliner is moved from its 
substantially upright position to its reclined lounging position. The main 
body panel is then returned to its position where it covers both front and 
rear portions of the seat back. Any excess material of the main body panel 
is then desirably tucked into the crevices between the seat cushion and 
the seat back and arms. The elastic band is covered by the main body panel 
such that it is hidden from sight, thereby providing a neat appearance to 
the covered seat. 
The material of the main body panel is then desirably gathered, tucked and 
secured proximate the seat arms. In a preferred method of the invention, 
the material is secured in position by spiral fasteners. These types of 
fasteners have been found to be particularly useful because they are easy 
to install on the furniture, do not tend to unduly damage the material of 
the slipcover, tend to stay in their secured positions and are not unduly 
obtrusive. The material can be secured in a variety of positions, to 
achieve a variety of different appearances. For example, the material can 
be fingerpleated or simply folded flat and secured. In this way, the 
consumer is enabled to customize the appearance of his covered seat to 
meet his personal tastes. 
Any loose material of the main body panel which remains proximate the rear 
of the seat back is then desirably gathered, tucked, and secured, 
preferably by way of spiral fasteners. For example, the material can be 
finger pleated and secured, or smoothed flat for a more tailored 
appearance. 
The foot rest of the recliner is then desirably positioned in its reclined 
substantially or somewhat horizontal position, and the pointed end 
portions of the foot panel section are wrapped around the sides of the 
foot rest. The pointed end portions are desirably pulled through the space 
between the foot rest and the operating mechanism located beneath the foot 
rest portion, and the pointed end portions are desirably tied together, 
pinned, or otherwise secured beneath the foot rest. The material of the 
foot panel section which extends from the lower outermost extending edge 
of the foot rest is then desirably secured beneath the foot rest, such as 
by spiral fasteners or the like. 
Beginning at one end thereof, a first end of the main body skirt is then 
secured to an inside of the seat base proximate one of the seat arms by 
way of a spiral fastener or the like. The main body skirt is then wrapped 
around the side and back of the seat and bound to the other side of the 
seat base, proximate the other arm, where it is secured to an inside 
portion thereof in the same manner as the first end of the main body 
skirt. 
The foot rest skirt is then desirably placed on the foot rest in an 
encircling fashion. In a preferred form of the invention, the foot rest 
skirt is in the form of an elasticized ring and the elasticized ring is 
simply stretched, placed over the foot rest in the manner of a sleeve, and 
released. In this embodiment, at least an upper band portion of the main 
body skirt is also desirably elasticized, in order that a consistent 
appearance is provided by both the main body and foot rest skirts. The 
foot rest is then desirably returned to its substantially vertical upright 
position, and the heights of the skirts are adjusted and leveled such that 
they extend to a desired length with relation to the floor. The skirts can 
then be supplementally secured, such as by additional spiral fasteners or 
the like. 
A plurality of "stay puts" may be positioned within the crevices between 
the seat cushion and the seat arms and back. The "stay puts," which are 
characteristically cylindrically shaped pieces of cardboard, plastic, 
metal, or the like, assist in maintaining the main body panel in position 
on the recliner, particularly throughout the use of the seat and its 
movement from its upright to its lounging position. 
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become 
apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction 
with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate like 
elements throughout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
With reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional recliner 
20 as it appears before being slipcovered, and FIG. 2 illustrates the same 
recliner as it appears with a slipcover combination 32 according to the 
present invention secured thereon. The recliner 20 desirably includes a 
base 21, a back 22, arm portions 24, a seat cushion 26, and a foot rest 
28. The foot rest 28 can be pivoted outwardly from its substantially 
vertical upright position to a substantially horizontal leg supporting 
position, preferably by actuating operating handle 30. It will be noted, 
however, that the invention can be applied to various shapes of reclining 
furniture other than the precise one illustrated, and that movement of the 
foot rest 28 to its leg supporting position can be performed by means 
other than the operating handle 30, such as an electronic activation means 
or hydraulic means, or simply by the user applying rearward pressure to 
the seat back 22. Further, it is noted that the recliner 20 can be 
designed such that the foot rest 28 extends to various positions, 
preferably ranging between the substantially vertical position when the 
seat is in its upright configuration, to a somewhat or substantially 
horizontal position or slightly greater than horizontal position (i.e., 
tilted slightly upward), provided the foot rest can support a user's lower 
legs and/or feet. 
The slipcover combination 32 is illustrated in FIG. 3, as it appears prior 
to being secured to a recliner 20. In one form of the invention, the 
slipcover combination 32 includes a main body panel 34, an elastic band 
36, a main body skirt 38, a foot rest skirt 40, a plurality of "stay puts" 
42, and a plurality of spiral fasteners 44. It is noted, however, that 
other types of fasteners could be utilized within the scope of the 
invention. 
The main body panel 34 is preferably substantially rectangular, and 
includes first and second substantially V-shaped slits 46 proximate two 
adjacent corners thereof, defining a foot panel section 48 therebetween 
which has first and second pointed end portions 48a, 48b. Though the main 
body panel 34 is illustrated as being adapted for use in combination with 
a single user-type item of furniture, it is noted that the main body panel 
could be widened for use with wider seats, such as one adapted to 
accommodate two seated users. The main body panel 34 is preferably made 
from a piece of flexible, drapable material such as upholstery fabric, 
simulated or natural animal skin, sheet-type plastic, or the like. In a 
preferred form of the invention adapted to fit a single-user seat, the 
V-shaped slits 46 extend inwardly from the sides and bottom, respectively, 
of the main body panel 34 from about 1/7 to 1/3 of the total main body 
panel width, and from about 1/8 to 1/4 of the total main body panel 
length. 
The elastic band 36 preferably includes an elastic strap portion having a 
fabric catching hook secured to each end thereof. Though hooks are the 
preferred securement means, it is noted that other conventional types of 
fasteners could be used, such as alligator clamps, clips, pins or the 
like, provided they are able to graspingly receive the main body panel 34. 
Though the entire band 36 is preferably formed entirely of elastic 
material, it is noted that the band could have elastic and inelastic 
sections. 
Each of the main body and foot rest skirts 38, 40 desirably has an upper 
band portion 38a, 40a for securement to the recliner 20, and a free 
hanging skirt portion 38b, 40b. In a preferred form of the invention, the 
skirt portions 38b, 40b are gathered at their respective upper band 
portions 38a, 40a in order to provide a gathered skirt for the slipcovered 
recliner. It is also noted that a substantially straight hanging (i.e., 
boxed) or pleated skirt, or the like, could also be used within the scope 
of the present invention. 
The main body skirt 38 is desirably formed as a longitudinal piece of 
material, whereas the foot rest skirt 40 desirably has its respective ends 
sewn or otherwise secured together, to form a substantially ring-shaped 
skirt. In a particularly preferred form of the invention, the upper band 
of each of the skirts 38, 40, and particularly that of the foot rest skirt 
40, is elasticized, in order that the skirts can closely conform to the 
recliner body portion to which they are attached. The skirts 38, 40 can be 
elasticized by sewing an elastic band (not shown) thereto, by sewing 
elasticized threads in their respective upper bands 38a, 40a, or in a 
conventional manner. Each of the skirts 38, 40 is desirably made from the 
same material as is used to form the main body panel 34, i.e., a flexible, 
drapeable material such as upholstery fabric, simulated or natural animal 
skin, sheet-type plastic, or the like. Though the skirts 38, 40 also 
desirably are made of the same fabric or material pattern as that of the 
main body panel 34, it is noted that various combinations of materials 
could be used within the scope of the invention. 
In a preferred form of the invention, the main body skirt 38 includes a 
slit 39 which is adapted to correspond to the operating handle 30 of the 
recliner 20. Alternative means such as an opening or the like could also 
be provided to correspond with the operating mechanism for the seat, 
within the scope of the invention. In this way, when the main body skirt 
38 is secured about the seat body, the skirt is not caused to be hitched 
up by the handle 30; rather it can hang freely around the handle, thereby 
providing an uninterrupted skirt lower edge and hence, a more custom-fit 
appearance. 
Securement of the slipcover combination 32 to a recliner such as that shown 
at 20 in FIG. 1 is preferably performed in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 
4-16. As shown in FIG. 4, the main body panel 34 is desirably centered 
longitudinally over the recliner 20, such that the V-shaped slits 46 are 
positioned proximate the foot rest 28, and the main body panel extends 
onto the floor in front of the seat. In a preferred form of the invention, 
the main body panel 34 is sized and positioned such that at least about 
five inches of the foot panel section 48 extends onto the floor in front 
of the recliner. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the main body panel 34 is then 
tucked into crevices between the seat cushion 26 and the seat back 22 and 
arms 24. 
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the portion of the main body panel 34 which 
extends over the back 22 of the recliner 20 is then desirably folded 
forward toward the seat cushion 26. The tucked portions of the main body 
panel 34 are then desirably secured in position behind the seat cushion 26 
by clipping the hooks or other fastener elements of the elastic band 36 
thereto such that the elastic band extends around the rear of the seat 
back 22. This elastic band 36 assists in maintaining the main body panel 
34 in position on the recliner 20 (see FIG. 11) when the recliner is moved 
from its substantially upright position to its reclined lounging position. 
The main body panel 34 is then returned to its position covering both front 
and rear portions of the seat back 22. Any excess material of the main 
body panel 34 is then desirably tucked into the crevices between the seat 
cushion 26 and the seat back 22 and arms 24, as illustrated in FIG. 7. As 
illustrated in the drawings, the elastic band 36 is covered by the main 
body panel 34 such that it is hidden from sight, thereby providing a neat 
appearance to the covered seat. 
The material of the main body panel 34 is then desirably gathered, tucked 
and secured proximate the seat arms 24. In a preferred method of the 
invention, the material is secured in position by spiral fasteners 44. The 
material can be secured in a variety of positions, to achieve a variety of 
differing appearances. For example, the material can be fingerpleated and 
secured, to achieve a less formal look, as illustrated in FIG. 8. 
Alternatively, the material can be folded flat and secured, to achieve a 
more tailored appearance, as shown in FIG. 9. In this way, the consumer is 
enabled to customize the appearance of their covered seat to meet their 
personal tastes. 
Any loose material of the main body panel 34 which remains proximate the 
rear of the seat back 22 is then desirably gathered, tucked, and secured, 
preferably by way of spiral fasteners 44. For example, the material can be 
finger pleated and secured, or smoothed flat for a more tailored 
appearance. 
The foot rest 28 of the recliner 20 is desirably positioned in its reclined 
somewhat or substantially horizontal position, and the pointed end 
portions 48a, 48b of the foot panel section 48 are wrapped around the 
sides of the foot rest. The pointed end portions 48a, 48b are desirably 
pulled through the space between the foot rest 28 and the operating 
mechanism 50 located beneath the foot rest, and the pointed end portions 
are desirably tied together, pinned, or otherwise secured beneath the foot 
rest. The material of the foot panel section 48 which extends from the 
foot rest 28 is then desirably secured beneath the foot rest, such as by 
spiral fasteners 44 or the like. 
Beginning at one end thereof, the main body skirt 38 is secured to an 
inside of the seat base 21 proximate one of the seat arms 24 by way of a 
spiral fastener 44 or the like, wrapped around the seat base, and secured 
to the other side of the seat base, proximate an inside of the other seat 
arm. 
The foot rest skirt 40 is then desirably placed on the foot rest 28 in an 
encircling fashion. In a preferred form of the invention where the foot 
rest skirt 40 has an elasticized upper end, this securement is 
particularly easily performed, as the elasticized ring is simply 
stretched, placed over the foot rest 28, and the tension released, such 
that the skirt grips the foot rest. The foot rest 28 is then desirably 
returned to its substantially vertical upright position, and the heights 
of the skirts 38, 40 are desirably checked to see that they are level with 
each other. When the leveling is completed, the foot rest skirt 40 can be 
further secured to the respective recliner portions such as by spiral 
fasteners 44 or the like. The main body skirt 38 is desirably adjusted so 
that the slit 39 is aligned with the operating handle 30 of the recliner 
20. In this way, the main body skirt is enabled to extend continuously 
around the recliner 20 without being hitched up by the handle 30. The main 
body skirt 38 can then be further secured into position by way of spiral 
fasteners 44 or the like. 
A plurality of "stay puts" 42 may then be positioned within the crevices 
between the seat cushion 26 and the seat arms 24. The "stay puts" 42 may 
assist in maintaining the main body panel 34 in position on the recliner 
20, particularly throughout the use of the seat and its movement from its 
upright to its lounging position. In this way, the piece of furniture is 
securely slipcovered, and the cover maintains its aesthetically appealing 
appearance throughout movement of the seat from its upright position to 
its lounging position. 
In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred 
embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, 
they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes 
of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.