Edging member and seating device therefore

An edging member for chairs comprises a continuous resilient bumper having a chamber defined by at least one chamber wall. The member is secured to a chair frame by a pair of spaced flanges which fit about the frame and are secured thereto by staples or the like. The edge member is formed of a high density, resilient, resin such as polyvinyl chlorida or polyurethane.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a decorative and protective edging member 
for chairs and like seating devices. More particularly, the edging can be 
wrapped about the frame of the chair while substantially retaining its 
preformed profile. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
A number of prior art devices for this field have been disclosed and 
taught. For reference, one is directed to U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,936,113; 
3,393,933; 3,647,260; 3,836,043; 4,003,180 and 4,106,739. All of these 
references disclose a resilient bumper of one means another. With specific 
regard to the U.S. Pat. No. 4,106,739, a continuous hollow edge member is 
taught. The disadvantage of this device is one of aesthetics; when the 
device is applied to the curved edges of a seating device frame, the 
edging member loses its preformed shape and gives the appearance of 
collapsing. None of the prior art teaches an edging member capable of 
retaining its preformed shape when said edge member is applied to the 
curved frame of a chair, for example, its seat back, or other seating 
device frames. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An edging member for chairs comprises a continuous resilient bumper having 
a chamber defined by at least one chamber wall. Means for securing said 
member to a chair frame comprises a pair of spaced flanges which fit about 
the frame and are secured thereto by staples or the like. The edge member 
is formed of a high density, resilient, resin such as polyvinyl chloride 
or polyurethane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
A detailed description of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. 
Therein, edge member 10 is comprised of a continuous resilient, high 
density resin, for example, polyvinyl chloride or polyurethane. Edge 
member 10 has a pair of spaced flanges 11 and 12, respectively, disposed 
on opposite sides thereof and depending therefrom. The edge member 10 is 
substantially annular in shape and has two cavities 14 and 15, 
respectively, defined by a vertically disposed, interior, stiffening rib, 
central chamber wall member 16. Chamber wall 16 is contiguous with respect 
to the edge member 10. Chamber wall 16 comprises a radius such that the 
wall top 18 and wall bottom 19 are thicker in resinous makeup than the 
wall center 20. 
The edge member 10 is shown with a reeded finish as depicted by a number of 
bosses 21, however, the finish may be smooth or may incorporate other 
decorative looks to the taste of the user. 
FIG. 2 shows the edge member 10 on the seat back 30 of a chair (shown 
fragmentally). The chamber wall 16 supports the edge member 10 when edge 
member 10 conforms to the contour of seat back 30, such that the edge 
member 10 does not deflect substantially when placed on the curves of seat 
back 30. In this regard, the height H of edge member 10 taken along a flat 
portion of seat back 30 is substantially similiar to the height H' of edge 
member 10 taken at a curved section of the seat back 30. 
A cross section of the edge member 10 on seat back 30 is illustrated in 
FIG. 3. Therein, flanges 11 and 12 fit about the frame 31 of seat back 30. 
Flanges 11 and 12 depend from edge member 10 and are spaced apart by beam 
32 of edge member 10. Beam 32 is generally flat and forms a flush fit to 
conform to the shape of seat back frame 31. As shown, seat back frame 31 
is flat and thus, beam 32 is generally flat. 
Edge member 10 is secured to frame 31 by staples 34 attached through 
flanges 11 and 12. Thereafter, upholstery 35 is added to finish the seat 
back 30 or other seating device. The top of the upholstery 35 is secured 
by staples 36 to the flange 12 (as shown), and then looped over the staple 
36 so as to hide it. The bottom of the upholstery 35 is then secured to 
the bottom of the seat back 30 or other seating device. 
Referring to FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment is depicted where chamber 
wall 40 divides the hollow interior of the edge member 10 into four 
cavities 41. A plurality of cavities or chamber walls may be designed 
depending upon the material chosen for the edge member 10 and the degree 
of flexibility sought in the member 10. However, the preferred embodiment 
does comprise at least one chamber wall and two cavities as disclosed and 
taught above. 
It is intended that the description of the preferred embodiment of this 
invention is illustrative only. Other embodiments of the invention that 
are within the scope and concept of this invention are herein included 
within this application.