Patent Publication Number: US-7708345-B2

Title: Recliner

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
   This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/733,815, filed Nov. 4, 2005, entitled “Recliner,” and from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/733,866, filed Nov. 4, 2005, entitled “Modular Furniture Construction,” both incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates generally to chairs and more specifically to chair with a compact recliner mechanism. It is desirable in some environments, particularly in lobbies of hospitals and patient rooms where the waiting times are generally more prolonged, to have seating that is comfortable to the user. Additionally, it is important that any options or features that add to the comfort be incorporated into the chair construction in a way that minimizes the number of parts and maximizes the use of common parts among different options, maximizes efficiencies of manufacturing and assembling, maximizes ease of adjustment and yet that results in a visually pleasing design. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   One embodiment of the invention includes a reclining chair that includes:
         a chair frame comprising front and rear frame members, two parallel side frame members each side frame member attachable to the front and rear members;   a seat supported by at least two frame members;   a backrest;   a pair of legs, wherein the frame members are connected to the legs;   a first and second recliner assembly comprising a bracket, the bracket is attachable to the backrest enabling reclining movement of the backrest as the bracket moves through a correspondingly shaped bracket slot in a recliner base plate, wherein the bracket rotates about an axis that approximates the position of the rotational axis of the hip of a seated user.       

   Another embodiment of the invention includes a recliner that can be part of a modular system. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawing figures wherein like numerals denote like elements. 
       FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of a fully-assembled chair; 
       FIG. 1   b  is an exploded perspective view of a chair, in which the seat, seat cushion and backrest cushion have been removed; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view thereof, in which the seat and backrest cushions are translucent in order to show the internal parts of the chair; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view thereof, in which the seat cushion, backrest cushion and seat panel have been removed to more clearly show the structure components; 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged partial view of the left side of  FIG. 3  with the left seat angle translucent; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view thereof, with the left arm removed; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view thereof, with the left arm and left recliner cover plate removed; 
       FIG. 7  shows an enlarged partial left side view of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a further enlarged partial view of  FIG. 7 , showing the J-bracket in the upright position; and 
       FIG. 9  is a further enlarged partial view of  FIG. 7 , showing the J-bracket in a partially reclined position and including the recliner spring. 
       FIG. 10  is a partially exploded perspective view of a recliner chair, in which the seat cushion is shown translucently in order to show the internal parts of the chair; 
       FIG. 11  is partially exploded perspective view of two chair units arranged in a spanned configuration; 
       FIG. 12  is partially exploded perspective view of two chair units and a loveseat unit arranged in a ganged configuration; 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the chair shown in  FIG. 1 , shown with an IV stand attached to the right arm; 
       FIG. 14  is an enlarged view of the portion of  FIG. 13  shown in area  14 - 9 ; 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the stationary chair shown in  FIG. 1   a , shown with a plug covering the exterior holes in the right arm; and 
       FIG. 16  is an enlarged view of the portion of  FIG. 15  shown in area  16 - 11 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
   The ensuing detailed description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention. Rather, the ensuing detailed description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing the exemplary embodiments of the invention. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   To aid in describing embodiments of the invention, directional terms may be used in the specification to describe portions of the present invention (e.g., upper, lower, left, right, etc.). These directional terms are merely intended to assist in describing and claiming the invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any way. In addition, reference numerals that are introduced in the specification in association with a drawing figure may be repeated in one or more other figures without additional description in the specification, in order to provide context for other features. 
     FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a chair  10  of the present invention, which includes a pair of support members  12  and  14 , orientated parallel to each other, spaced apart and the approximate width of the chair, a backrest  16  and a seat  18 . The support members  12  and  14  are preferably made of wood, but could be made of other structurally suitable metallic or polymer materials and may be covered with other hard or soft materials. The support members  12  and  14  may be a common part, providing economies of scale and ease of manufacturing or they may have differing features depending upon the intended functionality of the final product. The support members can provide the legs and can extend to a height that will allow for a pair of arms, armrest and structure for mounting the seat  18 . In either case, the support members  12 ,  14  provide an attachment point for the frame  32 , which is described in greater detail herein. 
   If the support members  12 ,  14  are a common part, the mounting holes  15  on the outer side of each of the arms  12 ,  14  are preferably arranged in the same configuration as the inner mounting holes  13 . If the support members  12 ,  14  are provided in left and right versions, mounting holes  15  on the outer side of each support member  12 ,  14  may be provided in a different configuration than the inner mounting holes  13 , or may be omitted. If the support members  12 ,  14  are provided in left and right versions, a center version (see arms  112 ,  114 ,  FIG. 11 ) having mounting holes  15  on the outer side of each of the support members  12 ,  14  arranged in the same configuration as the inner mounting holes  13 , is preferably provided for use in ganging configurations (defined below). 
   The backrest  16  is best shown in  FIG. 2 . Its components include a backrest cushion  20  and a backrest support structure  22 . In this embodiment, the backrest cushion  20  is shown as a fabric cover over a foam core, but could alternatively comprise other suitable materials, such as wood, polymer, vinyl or leather for example. The backrest support structure  22  consists of two side panels  24  and  26 , a top rail  28  and a bottom rail  30 . Two filler pieces (not shown) may optionally be included with the side panels  24  and  26 . The filler pieces are generally rectangular in cross section and have a length approximately equal to the slot in the lower portion of the side panels  24  and  26 . The filler pieces provide increased bearing area for the slots and, if necessary, fill a gap between the side panels  24  and  26  and any mating components. In the case of the wood version shown, these components are assembled and the fastened with conventional techniques, such as slots or grooves in the mating pieces, mechanical fasteners or adhesives. The backrest cushion  20  is attached to the backrest support structure  22  with any suitable conventional means. 
   In some embodiments of the invention, the backrest  16  is secured to the arms  12 ,  14  via right and left backrest brackets  54 ,  55 , respectively ( FIG. 1   b ). Each of the backrest brackets  54 ,  55  includes a mounting flange  52 , which includes holes formed therein that line up with at least two of the inner holes  13  on the arm  12 ,  14  to which it is to be attached using screws, bolts or other suitable attachment means. Each of the brackets  54 ,  55  also includes a backrest flange  59  which slides into a complimentary slot  61  formed in the backrest  16 . Any suitable means, such as a screw, may be used to prevent the backrest flange  59  from being removed from the slot  61 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 3-5 , the frame  32  includes right and left side frame members  34 ,  36  and front and rear frame members  40 ,  46 , which are preferably welded together. The frame  32  provides the primary structural support for the seat  18  and backrest  16 , as well as attachment points for components of the seat  18 . The front and rear frame members  40 ,  46  each include a mounting flanges  42 ,  48  at each end for mounting the frame  32  to the arms  12 ,  14 . The side frame members  34 ,  36  and the front and rear frame members  40 ,  46  are preferably of tubular metallic construction. The front and rear flanges  42  and  48  are made from metallic bars and include holes for attaching the frame  32  to the arms  12  and  14 . The left side frame member  36  preferably include holes, or other attachment points, for the left recliner assembly  76 . The right side frame member  34  is a mirror image of the left side frame member  36  and preferably includes the same features. 
   The seat  18 , shown in  FIGS. 1   a  and  2 , is, in this embodiment, comprised of a seat cushion  50 , a seat panel  52  and seat angles  54 ,  56 , right and left cross tubes and couplers  65 ,  69 ,  70 ,  78 ,  72 ,  80  (see  FIGS. 3-5 ). The seat  18  is of similar construction to the backrest  16  ( FIG. 1 ). The seat panel  52  is made of sheet material, such as plywood, suitable to provide support for the weight of the seated user, as well as a means of attachment for the seat  18  to the frame  32 . 
   The frame  32  shown in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  is 24 inches in width (from arm  12  to arm  14 ). Other frame widths could be provided for alternative embodiments, such as 20, 32 or 40 inch frames widths. 
   The right and left seat angles  54 ,  56  are preferably a single piece fabrication, cut and formed from a sheet of metallic material such as 0.125-0.250 inch thick steel. Details of the left seat angle  56  will be described with the understanding that the right seat angle is a mirror image. The left seat angle is comprised of perpendicular, horizontal and vertical legs  81 ,  89 . The horizontal leg  81  includes key hole slot  58 , hole  62  and brake tab  91 . Key hole slot  58  and hole  62  provide for attachment of seat panel  52  with the use of fastener  63  shown or other such conventional screws. The seat angle vertical leg  89  includes front and rear cross tube cutouts  60 ,  61  and seat angle pivot hole  57 . The cross tube cutouts  60 ,  61  in left seat angle  56  locate the respective cross tubes by providing a recessed pocket. The functions of pivot hole  57  and brake tab  91  will be described herein. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4  show the front and rear left cross tubes  70 ,  78 , front and rear cross tube couplers  72 ,  80  and front and rear right cross tubes  65  and  69 . The cross tubes and cross tube couplers form members that span between the right and left seat angles  54  and  56 , maintain dimensional spread, provide additional structural rigidity and multiple widths. 
   The front and rear right and left cross tubes  65 ,  69 ,  70  and  78  are metallic, are circular in cross section and may be identical to each other, for manufacturing simplicity and minimization of part proliferation. The corresponding front and rear cross tube couplers  72 ,  80  are also metallic, circular in cross section, and each have an inside diameter preferably sized to just slide over the outside diameter of the mating cross tubes. Conventional metallic tubing products are available to meet these requirements. The front and rear cross tube couplers  72  and  80  may be attached to the corresponding cross tubes  65 ,  69 ,  70 ,  78  by a number of conventional mechanical means depending upon manufacturing and assembly practices and preference. In this embodiment, the couplers  72  and  80  are attached to corresponding cross tubes  65 ,  69 ,  70 ,  78  via screws and overlapping holes (not shown). In this embodiment, the front and rear cross tubes  65 ,  69 ,  70 ,  78  are welded to the front and rear cross tube cutouts  60 ,  61  shown in left seat angle  56  and mirror image cutouts in the right seat angle  54 . 
   The backrest  16 , shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and previously described, reclines and returns to its upright, normal position in response to movement of the seated occupant which results in a shift of weight on the seat, combined with increasing or decreasing force on the backrest  16 . The elements of the recliner assemblies that enable such operation will be described in detail. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3-5 , the primary components of left recliner assembly  76  include a left J-bracket  66 , the recliner base plate  77 , a recliner cover plate  82  and a recliner cover  98 . A friction block  84  is shown in  FIG. 7  and the spring adjusting screw  88 , spring adjusting wheel  90  and the extension spring  92  are shown in  FIG. 9 . 
   The recliner cover plate  82  is substantially rectangular, is approximately one third of the thickness of and matches the outside shape of the recliner base plate  77 . The recliner cover plate  82  and base plate  77  could be precision molded, cast or machined from metallic or polymeric materials, but in the present invention are molded of polymeric material such as ABS. Polymeric material can provide reduced friction with the J-bracket  66  and molding to net shape can result in a more economical part. 
   Details of the recliner assembly are shown in  FIGS. 7-9 . The left J-bracket  66  enables reclining movement of the backrest  16  as it moves through the J-bracket slot  94  in the recliner base plate  77 . The top and bottom surface and internal profile detail of the J-bracket slot  94  in the recliner base plate  77  are defined by a series of concentric radii R i  to R o . The recliner base plate  77  inner profile also contains retention protrusion  87  and pocket  93 . 
   The location, configuration, and curvature of the J-bracket  66  and its supporting structures, including the J-bracket slot  94 , are designed to allow for a natural reclining motion. To this end, the J-bracket is designed to rotate about an axis  97  (see  FIG. 8 ) that approximates the position of the rotational axis of the hips of a seated user (not shown). The axis  97  corresponds to the center points of the concentric radii R i  to R o  described above. In this embodiment, the axis  97  is located approximately 6.0-6.5 inches above the top of the frame  32  and about 7.5-8.0 inches forward from the center of the rear mounting flange  48 . This results in a radius R o  of about 9 inches and a radius R i  of about 7 inches. 
   The profile of the J-bracket slot  94  is comprised of alternating bearing surfaces  99 ,  100 ,  101 ,  102 , which contact the J-bracket  66 , and recessed portions  105 , 106 ,  107 , 108 , which do not contact the J-bracket  66 . Preferably, the recliner cover plate  82  includes a slot (not shown) having a similar profile and location as the J-bracket slot  94  of the recliner base plate  77  and being approximately a mirror image thereof The purpose of providing the recessed portions  105 , 106 ,  107 , 108  on both the recliner base plate  77  and the recliner cover plate  82  is to reduce friction. Alternating the bearing surfaces  99 ,  100 ,  101 ,  102  and recessed portions  105 , 106 ,  107 , 108  provides a stable surface for the J-bracket  66 . 
   The friction block  84  is irregular in shape and is sized to fit snugly but move freely in pocket  93 . The thickness of the friction block  84  is less than that of base plate  77 . The friction block  84  moves freely in pocket  93 , but is limited in its upward motion by protrusion  87 . Block  84  could be a reinforced polymer or other material selected to provide the appropriate friction characteristics with the J-bracket  66  and also wear characteristics to result in long life. In this embodiment, the friction block  66  is formed of ABS plastic. Optionally, a lining could be provided between the friction block  84  and the J-bracket  66  to provide a different frictional coefficient and/or to improve wear characteristics. 
   The friction block  84  is intended to control the ease with which J-bracket  66  moves through the slot  94  in base plate  77 , and thus can exert control over how quickly and or easily the backrest  16  is reclined or returned to the upright position. As will be described in greater detail herein, force is applied to the friction block  84  by the seat  18  in proportion to the magnitude of the weight applied by the user to the rearward portion of the seat  18 . Therefore, the rearward force required to recline the backrest  16  will be greater for a heavier user seated in the chair than for a lighter user. Optionally, the friction block  84  may provide sufficient friction to prevent the backrest  16  from returning to an upright position when a user leans away from the backrest  16  but remains seated on the seat  18 . The backrest  16  would only return to an upright position when the user either shifts his or her weight to the front portion of the seat  18  or removes his or her weight from the seat. 
   The seat  18  attaches to the frame  32  as explained previously. Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , left seat angle  56  is attached to left side frame member  36  at hole  57  and through the corresponding hole in the side frame member in a manner that allows the seat  18  to pivot freely. This could be accomplished by using conventional hardware such as a shoulder bolt, a screw and nut, dowel or pin. The occupant of the seat influences the motion of the seat by shifting their weight forward or behind pivot hole  57  while at the same time increasing or decreasing the force applied to backrest  16 . 
   As seat  18  pivots about hole  57 , seat angle  56  also pivots and brake tab  91  moves vertically with respect to the recliner assembly  76 . Now referring to  FIGS. 4 and 8 , the left seat angle  56  is shown transparently, so its relationship to the friction block  84  may be seen. A set screw (not shown) or other circular part, such as a dowel or pin inserted in hole  95  in the friction block  84 , provides a mechanical connection to transfer motion or force from the pivoting seat angle  56  to the friction block  84 . Increasing or decreasing this applied force increases or decreases the normal force, and thereby the frictional force, between the friction block  84  and the J-bracket  66  along the top surface  75  of the J-bracket  66 . Increasing or decreasing this frictional force tends to control the ease with which the J-bracket  66  moves through the J-bracket slot  94  and thereby controls the recline motion. The set screw provides a means for adjusting the frictional force applied by the friction block  84  onto the J-bracket  66  in a given seat  18  position, as well as a means for compensating for wear of the friction block  84 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 9 , a spring assembly includes one end of a spring  92  is attached to the left J-bracket through a hole  71 . The other attaches to adjusting screw  88 . Both the spring  92  and screw  88  are retained in spring pocket  96 . The adjusting screw  88  and wheel  90  are conventionally threaded to allow easy installation and subsequent pre-tensioning of spring  92 . Rotation of wheel  90  causes linear movement of screw  88  and increases or decreases the force of spring  92 . The force of spring  92  tends to hold backrest  16  in its normal upright position and as backrest  16  is reclined the increasing spring force tends to balance the force applied to the backrest by the occupant adding resistance to the reclining motion and resulting in smooth motion. If the backrest  16  is reclined, the force in spring  92  will also aid in its return to the upright position. The right J-bracket  64  and right recliner assembly  79  function similarly and both right and left recliner assemblies  76  and  79  work in unison to provide control of the recline function. Preferably the occupant of seat  10  need only to tip slightly forward or backward to enable easy, smooth recline motion in the same direction. 
   The labeled holes  83  and  85  and the other holes shown are representative of many possible patterns that could provide for assembly of the recliner cover  98 , cover plate  82  and base plate  77  and attachment of the recliner assembly  76  to the left frame member  36  as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   Limit pin hole  86  is one of a series of co-axial holes in the recliner base plate  77 , cover plate  82  and cover  98  that when fitted with a circular pin, dowel or other suitable tubular part, not shown, provides a recline position stop that varies the recline angle “A” when it reaches the end of stop slot  68 . Recline angle “A” would typically be set at factory assembly. 
   The J-bracket  66  is preferably a single piece fabrication, precision cut, such as with a laser or blanked, and is preferably formed from a sheet of metallic material such as 0.125-0.250 inch thick steel. Alternatively, it could be constructed as a multi-piece welded metallic structure or a single piece molded part of appropriate strength polymer material. The J-bracket  66  is of irregular periphery with its upper and lower radii closely matching R, and Ro in the J-bracket slot  94 . Other details include a lateral tab  67  that provides the attaching structure for the backrest  16 , stop slot  68  in which the circular pin, dowel or other suitable tubular part mentioned above travels, spring attaching hole  71  and limit stop  73 . The J-bracket lateral tab  67  slides into a correspondingly shaped slot (not numbered in the figures) in the left side panel  26 . A screw or other fastener is preferably provided to prevent the left side panel  26  from unintentionally disconnecting from the left lateral tab  67 . A limit stop  73  provides a mechanical stop for the upright position of backrest  16  within the profile detail of J-bracket slot  94 . 
   The left recliner cover  98  in  FIGS. 2 and 4  for this example is shown as a thin sheet metallic part with a rectangular periphery, a multiplicity of hole patterns and multiple bends to allow it to match and fit over the left recliner base plate  77  and cover plate  82  that, along with the other parts previously described, make up the left recliner assembly  76 . The material could be sheet steel of 0.031-0.093 thickness. It provides a finished look to the recliner assembly  76  and provides a hard bearing surface for the attaching hardware. 
   Embodiments of the present invention also include a modular system of components that enable one or more seating units to be assembled in a spanned configuration or a ganged configuration using the same parts as are used for each unit when assembled in a single-unit configuration. See U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/733,866, incorporated herein by reference. As used herein, a “spanned” configuration refers to a furniture configuration in which multiple frames are joined without arms located between the joined frames (see  FIG. 11 ). In a spanned configuration, the two arms are located at each end. As used herein, a “ganged” configuration refers to a furniture configuration in which multiple frames are joined with arms located between each of the joined frames (see  FIG. 12 ). In a ganged configuration, the number of arms is usually one greater than the number of joined frames in the configuration. 
   As used herein, the term seating “unit” refers to any furniture items that can be assembled in a single-unit configuration, most often with a single-piece frame. The parts and single-configuration assembly for each of these seating units are briefly described herein. 
   A spanned configuration comprising two chair units  110  and  111  is shown in  FIG. 11 . This configuration includes two frames  132 ,  133  which are jointed by bolting their adjoining front flanges  142 ,  143 . As in the chair embodiment ( FIG. 1 ), the outer ends of the frames  142 ,  143  are bolted to right and left arms  112 ,  114 . A center backrest bracket  155  is bolted between the rear flanges  148 ,  149  and provides an attachment point for the right backrest  116  and the left backrest (not shown). The center backrest bracket  155  includes two opposing backrest flanges  162 ,  163 . In this embodiment, the left backrest is identical to the right backrest  1   16 . As in the chair embodiment, a right backrest bracket (not shown) and a left backrest bracket  156  are attached to the right and left arms  112 ,  114 , respectively, and the backrests are, in turn, attached to the backrest brackets. In order to provide additional stability, a center leg  170  may be located between the frames  132 ,  133  and affixed thereto using any suitable means of attachment, such as a bolt or pin, for example. Alternatively, a single, wider backrest (see e.g.,  FIG. 12 ) could be used an the spanned configuration instead of two backrests. In order to provide even spacing between the frames  132 ,  133  from front to rear, a spacer (not shown), equal in width to the portion of the center backrest bracket  155  located between the rear flanges  148 ,  149 , may be provided between the front flanges  142 ,  143 . 
   As should be evident from comparing  FIGS. 1-2  with  FIG. 11 , many of the components of the spanned configuration are the same as those used in single unit chairs  10 . The frame  32 , arms  12 ,  14 , backrest  16 , backrest brackets  54 ,  57  and seat  18  used in the stationary chair  10  can be the same as the corresponding parts used in the spanned configuration. In this embodiment, the only parts that are unique to the spanned configuration are the center leg  170 , the center backrest bracket  155  and the optional spacer located between the front flanges  142 ,  143 . 
   The spanned configuration shown in  FIG. 11  could incorporate frames of different lengths. When using a recliner unit ( FIG. 10 ) as part of a spanned configuration more than two frames is not recommended, due to the additional lateral and dynamic stress associated with the recliner units. 
   A ganged configuration of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 12 , which comprises two chair units  210 ,  211  and a seat unit  217 , which includes a single 40-inch wide frame  238 . The seat unit  217  can accommodate either two 20-inch seats or a single 40-inch seat. As shown in  FIG. 12 , a ganged configuration is constructed by having adjoining units share a single arm. In this embodiment, two center arms  280 ,  281  are provided. The right chair frame  232  is attached to the out side of the right center arm  280  and the right end of the double-seat frame  238  is attached to the inner side of the right center arm  280 . Similarly, the left chair frame  233  is attached to the out side of the left center arm  281  and the left end of the double-seat frame  238  is attached to the inner side of the left center arm  281 . 
   Left and right arms  212 ,  214  are attached to the outer ends of the right and left frames  232 ,  233 , respectively. In this embodiment, the left and right arms  212 ,  214  are identical to the center arms  280 ,  281  (i.e., having mounting holes on both sides). This would allow for additional part efficiency. Alternatively, the left and right arms  212 ,  214  could have mounting holes only on their inner sides. 
   The two chair units  210 ,  211  include backrests  216 ,  217 , backrest brackets  251 ,  253 ,  254 ,  257  and seats (not shown), which are the same as the corresponding parts used in the single unit chair  10 . The frames  232 ,  233  and arms  212 ,  214  are also preferably the same as the corresponding parts in the single chair  10 . Similarly, the double-seat unit  217  uses the same frame  238 , backrest  219 , backrest brackets, seat (not shown) as in a single unit double seat (not shown). 
   Many other possible ganged configurations are possible, including, but not limited to, recliner or glider units, ganging more than three frames, providing right-angle corner frames. 
     FIGS. 13-16  show optional uses of the mounting holes  315  on the outer sides of the arms  312 ,  314 .  FIGS. 13-14  show an IV pole  380  attached to the right arm  312  by two mounting brackets  382 ,  383 , which are secured to arm  312  at the mounting holes  315  by screws  384 . The IV pole  380  shown in  FIGS. 13-14  is merely intended to be exemplary of the multitude of accessories that could be attached to the arms  312 ,  314 , such as magazine racks, drain bags, trays, or flexible lighting, for example. 
     FIGS. 15-16  shows a cover  387  which can be used to cover the mounting holes  315  when they are not being used to support accessories. Each cover  387  preferably spans two mounting holes  315  and includes a tapered plug  385  for each covered mounting hole  315 . The cover  387  prevents debris and other foreign objects from damaging the mounting holes  315 , as well as providing an attractive appearance and space to display a product name or other trademark thereon. 
   While the principles of the invention have been described above in connection with preferred embodiments, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation of the scope of the invention.