Abstract:
A chair with readily removable and replaceable cushions having a seat frame and a back frame. Decorative cushions may be removably and interchangeably attached to the seat frame and to the front and back of the back frame. The seat frame has slots for receiving tabs that are located on the underside of the interchangeable seat cushion. The seat cushion is further secured to the seat frame by a releasable locking means. The back frame is connected to the seat frame by an L-shaped bracket. The back frame includes a fastener for releasably snap-fitting with an actuatable release tab located on the underside of a back cushion. The back cushion is releasably affixed to the back frame by urging the back cushion against the back frame such that the actuatable release tab engages the fastener. The back cushion is removed from the back frame by applying pressure to the actuatable release tab such that the tab disengages from the fastener thereby releasing the back cushion from the back frame. The result of which is a chair having readily removable and replaceable cushions.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit under Title 35, United States Code § 120, of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/756,020 filed Jan. 5, 2001. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to furniture having readily removable and replaceable or interchangeable components. More particularly, the invention relates to a chair having readily removable and replaceable or interchangeable cushions that utilize an actuatable release tab. Additionally, the invention relates to a chair having upholstered cushions with upholstery that may be readily removed and replaced by using an upholstering means.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Chairs are manufactured in countless styles, designs and colors. However, chairs are not normally interchangeable and do not allow for changes to be made to the chair without substantial effort. For example, replacing a chair cushion typically requires that the chair be disassembled and reassembled with a new cushion. Such a procedure is not only time consuming and costly but also labor intensive. Alternatively, re-upholstering a chair cushion typically requires that the chair to be disassembled so that the new upholstery could be added. Re-upholstering is also time consuming, costly and labor intensive. Furthermore, most pieces of furniture are not designed to be disassembled and may not be taken apart without irreversibly damaging the piece of furniture. Thus, a chair owner who wishes to significantly modify the appearance of a piece of furniture is left with no reasonable option other than to purchase a new chair or to cover the chair with an unsightly covering such as a sheet or other cloth covering.  
         [0004]     In the prior art, chairs and other seats come in a variety of styles depending upon their intended use. A style of chair which is particularly popular is that which includes an upholstered sitting cushion or seat, and an upholstered seat back cushion connected to the seat. Such chairs are often found in restaurants, diners, banquet halls, hotels and other similar establishments. Typically, these chairs do not allow for any variation of style, color or design. Establishments such as restaurants and catering halls that utilize these chairs have to settle for using the same set of chairs for all occasions. Similarly, when a single cushion is damaged, such as by a cigarette burn, these prior art chairs typically require substantial reupholstering and repair.  
         [0005]     Chair manufacturers typically manufacture and assemble chairs and their component parts at the factory. The manufacturer is only capable of manufacturing a limited number of decorative chairs for the consumer due to design costs, and other appreciable manufacturing expenses. In order to satisfy the customer&#39;s desire for a variety of models to choose from, chair manufacturers have been forced to produce a variety of different chair designs. Production of these different chair designs increases the cost and complexity of manufacturing the chairs. For inventory control reasons, a chair manufacturer would desire to leave the consumer with as many options as possible while reducing the amount of inventory required for each option.  
         [0006]     Chair cushions are usually made of a seat plate or an attachment plate covered by upholstery. Most chair cushions also include cushioning in between the attachment plate and the upholstery to create a more comfortable cushion. Seat cushions are often secured to injection molded plates by stapling or gluing or otherwise permanently affixing the cushion, to the plate. Thus, a chair cushion does not typically contain readily replaceable cushions. Changing a chair cushion normally requires intensive labor and the use of tools. That is; the seat cushion and the front and rear seat back cushions are intended to remain with the chair and can be replaced only by reupholstering or similar substantial effort.  
         [0007]     Many prior art chair cushion assemblies are secured to a seat frame by nuts and bolts requiring screwthreading of the elements. Other chair cushion assemblies are secured to the frame or shell by the use of clinching strips and joint clips. These prior art chair cushion assemblies are undesirable because they require a considerable number of loose parts, hand tools, and relatively costly and time-consuming assembly and disassembly procedures.  
         [0008]     In order to change the color or style of a typical chair cushion one had to reupholster the cushion design a new chair. Similarly, in order to replace a damaged cushion one had to either reupholster the cushion or purchase a new chair. Prior art chairs also have the disadvantage that if a cushion of the chair becomes stained or soiled, the entire chair must be discarded or made unavailable while it is being cleaned or replaced. Similarly, if a chair owner wishes to vary the chair appearance this can only be done through labor intensive reupholstering or by purchasing a new chair.  
         [0009]     The desirability of having a chair with readily removable and replaceable or interchangeable components can therefore be seen.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a chair with readily removable and replaceable components. It is a further object of this invention to provide a chair with readily removable and replaceable cushions. It is a further object of this invention to provide a chair back with readily removable and replaceable seat back cushions. It is a further object of this invention to provide a stool with a readily removable and replaceable seat cushion. It is a further object of this invention to provide a means for quickly and easily upholstering and reupholstering chair cushions. It is a further object of this invention to provide a method of readily removing and replacing components of a chair. It is a further object of this invention to provide a method of readily upholstering and reupholstering chair cushions.  
         [0011]     A chair is provided that allows for its components to be removed and replaced or otherwise interchanged with similarly constructed components. The chair includes a seat base having an upper surface and a lower surface with a support attached to the lower surface of the seat base. The chair also includes a seat back which is in mechanical communication with the seat frame. Cushions are releasably affixed to either side of the back frame and to the upper surface of the seat frame.  
         [0012]     Seat back cushions are releasably affixed to either side, or both sides of the back frame by utilizing an actuatable release tab that is located on the underside of the cushion to be affixed. When the underside of the cushion is aligned with, and urged against, the back frame the actuatable release tab engages a fastener located on the back frame to form a releasable connection. Actuating the release tab will disengage the actuatable release tab from its&#39; fastener and allow for the cushion to be removed from the back frame. A similarly constructed cushion may then be affixed to the back frame or the removed cushion may be re-affixed to the back frame. No tools are required to attach, re-attach or interchange cushions to the back frame in this manner.  
         [0013]     More precisely, seat back cushions are removed from the back frame by actuating the release tab by applying pressure to the actuatable release tab in the direction of the cushioned side of the cushion to the underside of the cushion. The actuatable release tab is capable of being actuated because a portion of it overlies a release hole which allows for the portion of the tab being pressured to deflect and thereby release itself from the fastener. Only a minimal amount of pressure is need to actuate the tab. That is, the pressure exerted by one or two fingers is typically sufficient to actuate the tab and release the cushion from the back frame.  
         [0014]     The seat cushion is affixed to the seat base by using a releasable locking mechanism. The underside of the seat cushion contains at least one tab and one aperture. In order to affix the seat cushion to the seat base the tab is inserted into a cooperatively arranged slot located on the upper surface of the seat base and then the aperture is received by the locking means which is then locked to releaseably affix the seat cushion to the seat base. Unlocking the locking means releases the seat cushion from the seat base. The locking means may be a rotatable wheel configuration or any other type of lock capable of being repeatedly locked and unlocked. The seat cushion may be fixed to a chair that does not include a back frame to form a stool.  
         [0015]     The chair of the present invention may also include an upholstery means for upholstering components of the chair. Upholstery is affixed to a cushion by using a groove and piping arrangement. This arrangement includes a groove that extends around or substantially around the periphery of the underside surface of the cushion to be upholstered. Upholstery is affixed to the cushion by extending the upholstery over the front face of the cushion and over the groove such that piping may be press-fitted into the groove thereby trapping the upholstery to the cushion. Utilizing this groove and piping arrangement eliminates the need to staple, glue or otherwise permanently affix the upholstery to the cushion. A cushion may be re-upholstering very easily by reversing the above process. That is, removing the piping from the groove thereby releasing the upholstery. This groove and piping arrangement may be utilized on any component that is to be upholstered including seat cushions and seat back cushions.  
         [0016]     These and other objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of the following specification when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     Further aspects of the instant invention will be more readily appreciated upon review of the detailed description of the embodiments included below when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which:  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an embodying chair of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of an embodying chair of the present invention with the seat cushion and front cushion in place;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of an embodying chair of the present invention with the seat cushion and front cushion removed;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a plan and profile view of the back frame of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a plan and profile view of an attachment plate of the present invention; and  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a plan and profile view of the back frame of the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a plan and profile view of the front attachment plate of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is a plan and profile view of the rear attachment plate of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0026]     Hereinafter, the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the preferred embodiments. However, the device and associated method of the invention are applicable to provide removable components from any number of surfaces, including from the front or back of the back frame and from the seat base. It should be noted that the terms “attachment plate” or “seat attachment plate” can be used interchangeably with the term “cushion.” A “cushion” is an upholstered attachment plate which may or may not have padding placed between the attachment plate and the upholstery.  
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view showing the components of the chair  20  of the present invention. The chair includes a seat base  21  that is typically made of molded plastic and can be metallized to achieve a luxurious metallic appearance. Likewise, powder-coating, painting or custom molding can be used to achieve a luxurious appearance. This eliminates the need for secondary finishing the seat base  21 . The seat base  21  has a top surface and a bottom surface and includes a releasable locking means  23 . On the top surface of the seat base  21  are slots or notches  22  and threaded apertures or holes  31 . Legs  24  are attached to the bottom surface of the seat base  21 .  
         [0028]     Seat cushion  80  is made up of a seat attachment plate  25  which is covered by upholstery  28 . Foam padding (not shown) or any other cushioning material may be inserted as desired in between seat attachment plate  25  and upholstery  28  to provide a more comfortable seat. Upholstery  28  may be stapled, glued or otherwise affixed to the bottom surface of seat attachment plate  25 . Preferably, however, upholstery  28  is affixed to the bottom surface of seat frame by an upholstery means described in more detail below. Seat cushion  80  acts as a solitary unit once upholstery  28  has been affixed to seat attachment plate  25 . Tabs  27  and male fastener  85  are located on the bottom surface of seat attachment plate  25 .  
         [0029]     Seat cushion  80  may then be releasably and interchangeably attached to the seat base  21  by inserting the tabs  27  into cooperative slots  22  and by inserting male fastener  85  into locking means  23 . Locking means  23  may consist of a rotateable wheel locking device wherein the male fastener  85  is inserted in the wheel locking device  23  and locked into place by turning the wheel. To remove the seat cushion  80  from the seat base  21  the locking means is unlocked and the seat cushion  80  is lifted upward. Any seat cushion having substantially the same design may be interchanged with removed seat cushion  80 . It should be understood that seat cushion  80  may be reupholstered without tooling by using the upholstery means described below. By changing the upholstery rather than the entire seat cushion an owner has the added advantage of not having to maintain an array of seat cushions. For example, if a lack of storage space exists, an owner simply has to maintain an array of varying upholstery rather than a array of varying seat cushions.  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of chair  20  as it appears with the seat cushion  80  and front cushion  81  in place.  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of chair  20  as it appears with the seat cushion  80  and front cushion  81  removed.  
         [0032]      FIGS. 4 through 8  illustrate two separate embodiments of a chair back of the present invention.  FIGS. 1 through 5  are directed to one embodying chair and chair back while  FIGS. 6 through 8  are directed to a separate embodying chair back. Each chair back comprises at least a back frame and at least one attachment plate. The back frame and the attachment plate are cooperatively shaped to facilitate a releasable fit. Various arrangements of protrusions and openings can be used to facilitate this fit. Typically, a front attachment plate and a rear attachment plate are utilized. Each embodiment illustrates a separate arrangement of hooks and openings that each accomplish the objective of facilitating a pressure release connection between the seat back and the attachment plate[s]. However, it is understood that any arrangement of hooks and openings will facilitate a pressure release connection when these elements are combined with an actuatable release tab that is described in more detail below. It should also be noted that even though the components of the chair back are depicted as circular and substantially flat it is understood that these elements may be shaped or curved as desired for comfort or aesthetic reasons.  
         [0033]     As best viewed in  FIG. 4 , the chair back of the present invention includes a back frame  40  having a number of protrusions or hooks indicated by reference numerals  45  and  46 . Back frame  40  also includes a front fastener  42  and a rear fastener  44 . It is understood that any arrangement or number of openings and protrusions is possible so long as the arrangement facilitates a connection between the back frame  40  and any attachment plate or cushion. On the front surface of back frame  40  is a front fastener  42 , which is located just below opening  43 . On the rear surface of back frame  40  is a rear fastener  44  located just above opening  61 . The back frame  40  is attached to seat frame  21  by L-bracket  29  and screws (not shown).  
         [0034]     As best viewed in  FIG. 5 , attachment plate  50  may be affixed to either the front or rear face of back frame  40 . Depending on which face of the back frame  40  that the attachment plate will be placed determines whether the attachment plate is referred to as a front attachment plate or a rear attachment plate. In other words, if the attachment plate  50  is affixed to the front face of the back frame  40  than it is considered to be the front attachment plate. Conversely, if the attachment plate  50  is to be affixed to the rear face of the back frame  40  than it is considered to be the rear attachment plate. The front and rear attachment plates can fabricated identically for ease of manufacture (as shown) but it should be understood that these pieces need not be identical.  
         [0035]     Seat attachment plate  50  has a front and rear surface and includes a plurality of openings  53  and  62  that are cooperatively arranged to front hooks  45  and rear hooks  46  respectively. In order to affix attachment plate  50  with the front face of the back frame  40  hooks  45  are aligned with openings  53  such that when the two pieces are pressed together hooks  45  protrude through openings  53  and tongue  51  engages front fastener  42  to form a snap-fit releasable connection between the attachment plate  50  and the back frame  40 . Attachment plate  50  may be released from the back frame  40  simply by exerting minimal pressure on tongue  51  from the direction of the rear face of the back frame  40  through hole  43 . Using one or two fingers to apply pressure to tongue  51  is all that is need to disengage attachment plate  50  from the front face of the back frame  40 . Attachment plate  50  may be affixed and released in this manner repeatedly in a matter of seconds and without the need for tools. It should be noted that when the attachment plate is affixed to the front face of back frame  40  that actuatable tongue  52  and openings  62  are not utilized.  
         [0036]     Attachment plate  50  is typically, but not always, covered with upholstery  70  to form a cushion such as cushion  81  or cushion  82 . Upholstery  70  may be affixed to attachment plate  50  by using an upholstering means consisting of a groove  91  and piping  92 . Groove  91  extends around the periphery of the rear surface of attachment plate  50 .  FIG. 5  illustrates groove  91  with piping  92  inserted therein. Upholstery  70  is affixed to attachment plate  50  by extending upholstery  70  over the groove  91  such that piping  92  may be press-fitted into groove  91  thereby trapping or affixing upholstery  70  to attachment plate  50 . Cushioning may be inserted in between upholstery  70  and attachment plate  50  as desired. Utilizing the upholstering means eliminates the need to staple, glue or otherwise permanently affix upholstery  70  to attachment plate  50 . Upholstery  70  and attachment plate  50  make up front seat cushion  81  and act as a solitary unit once upholstery  70  has been affixed to the attachment plate  50 . As described above, seat cushion  81  may be readily replaced by one of two ways: (1) removing the entire seat cushion  81  and putting in its place another comparably suited seat cushion; or (2) by removing the entire seat cushion  81 , removing piping  92  from groove  91  thereby removing upholstery  70 , replacing upholstery  70  with new upholstery, affixing the new upholstery to attachment plate  50  by using the groove and piping arrangement and then replacing the newly upholstered seat cushion to the front face of the back frame.  
         [0037]     Still referring to  FIG. 5 , an additional attachment plate  50  may be affixed to the rear surface of back frame  40  in substantially the same manner as described in detail above. When this is done it can be seen that in order to affix the additional or rear attachment plate  50  to the back face of the seat back  40  hooks  46  are aligned with openings  62  such that when the two pieces are pressed together hooks  46  protrude through openings  62  and the actuatable release tab  52  engages rear fastener  44  to form a snap-fit, releasable connection between the rear attachment plate  50  and the back frame  40 . Rear attachment plate  50  may be released from back frame  40  simply by exerting minimal pressure on the actuatable release tab  52  from the direction of the rear face of back frame  40 . This is the same direction of force which will release the tongue  51  from the front fastener  42 . That means that when two attachment plates are affixed to either side of back frame  40  in order to remove and replace either attachment plate the rear attachment place should be removed first. Once the rear attachment plate or cushion is removed from the rear surface of back frame  40  the front attachment plate may be removed as described above i.e. by applying force through opening  43  and disengaging the tongue  51  from the front fastener  42 . It should also be appreciated from the drawings that the actuatable release tab  52  is capable of being actuated through any cushioning and upholstery that may be added to the rear attachment plate. Even when the actuatable release tab  52  must be actuated through cushioning and upholstery only a minimal amount of force is required to disengage from rear fastener  44 . Upholstery may be added to rear attachment plate by utilizing the groove and piping arrangement as described above.  
         [0038]      FIGS. 6-8  illustrate a separate embodiment of the present invention. With reference to these figures, the most notable difference between the two illustrated embodiments is the arrangement of hooks or protrusions to openings or holes. For example, there are no hooks contained on the seat back frame  140  of the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 6-8 . Instead, hooks  145  and  146  are located on the front and rear attachment plates  150  and  160  respectively. There are various other differences between the two embodiments but it should be clear that any differences should emphasis that, in connection with an actuatable release tab, any arrangement of hooks or protrusions may be utilized with any comparably arranged openings or holes so long as a releasable fit is achieved between the seat back frame and the attachment plate or plates.  
         [0039]     Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the seat back frame  140  depicted in this embodiment does not contain any hooks or protrusions. This seat back frame contains a front fastener  142  and rear fastener  144  contained respectively on the front and rear faces of the back frame  140 . The back frame  140  also contains a plurality of openings  145  and hole  143 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , front seat attachment plate  150  has a front and rear surface and includes a plurality of openings  153  and hooks  146  that are cooperatively arranged to openings  147  located on the seat back frame  140 .  
         [0040]     Front attachment plate  150  is press fitted together with the front face of the back frame  140  in substantially the same manner as described above. That is, hooks  146  are aligned with openings  147  such that when the two pieces are pressed together the actuatable release tab  151  engages front fastener  142  to form a releasable snap-fit connection. In this particular embodiment in can be seen that front fastener  142  actually extends through opening  159  in the actuatable release tab  151  to form a releasable connection. This is not necessary. A portion of the actuatable release tab  151  extends over hole  143 . To release the front attachment plate  150  from the front face of the back frame  140  all that is needed is a minimal amount of pressure from the direction of the rear face of back frame  140  through hole  143 . Using one or two fingers to apply pressure to the actuatable release tab  151  is all that is need to disengage the actuatable release tab  151  from the front fastener  142  thereby releasing the attachment plate  150  from the front face of back frame  140 . The front attachment plate  150  may be affixed and released in this manner repeatedly in a matter of seconds and without the need for tools.  
         [0041]     The front attachment plate  150  is typically, but not always, covered with upholstery  70 . Upholstery  70  may be affixed to attachment plate  150  by using groove  191  and piping  192 . Groove  191  extends around the periphery of the rear surface of the front attachment plate  150 . Upholstery  70  is affixed to the front attachment plate  150  by extending upholstery  70  over the groove  191  such that piping  192  may be press-fitted into groove  192  thereby trapping or affixing upholstery  70  to front attachment plate  150 . Cushioning may be inserted in between upholstery  70  and front attachment plate  150  as desired. Utilizing groove  191  eliminates the need to staple, glue or otherwise permanently affix upholstery  70  to attachment plate  50 . Upholstery  70  and front attachment plate  150  make up front seat cushion  81  and act as a solitary unit once upholstery  70  has been affixed to the front attachment plate  150 . As can be seen from above, seat cushion  81  may be readily replaced by one of two ways: (1) removing the entire seat cushion  81  and putting in its place another comparably suited seat cushion; or (2) by removing the entire seat cushion  81 , removing piping  192  from groove  191  thereby removing upholstery  70 , replacing upholstery  70  with new upholstery, affixing the new upholstery to the front attachment plate  150  by using the groove and piping arrangement and then replacing the newly upholstered seat cushion to the front face of the back frame  140 .  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , rear attachment plate  160  may be affixed to the rear surface of back frame  140  in substantially the same manner as described in detail above. When this is done it can be seen that in order to affix the rear attachment plate  160  to the back face of the back frame  140  hooks  145  are aligned with openings  147  such that when the two pieces are pressed together hooks  145  protrude through openings  147  and the actuatable release tab  152  engages rear fastener  144  to form a snap-fit, releasable connection between the rear attachment plate  160  and the back frame  140 . Rear attachment plate  160  may be released from back frame  140  simply by exerting minimal pressure on the actuatable release tab  152  from the direction of the rear face of frame  140 . This is the same direction of force which will release actuatable release tab  151  from front fastener  142 . That means that when the front and rear attachment plates  150  and  160  are affixed to either side of back frame  140  in order to remove and replace either attachment plate the rear attachment place  160  must be removed first. Once the rear attachment plate or cushion is removed from the rear surface of the back frame  140  the front attachment plate may be removed as described above i.e. by applying force through opening  143  and disengaging the actuatable release tab  151  from the front fastener  142 . It should also be appreciated from the drawings that the actuatable release tab  152  is capable of being actuated through any cushioning and upholstery that may be added to the rear attachment plate. Even when the actuatable release tab  152  must be actuated through cushioning and upholstery only a minimal amount of force is required to disengage the actuatable release tab  152  from rear fastener  144 . Upholstery may be added to rear attachment plate in the same groove and piping arrangement as described above.