Chair with readily removable and replaceable components

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 cu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[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.

[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.

Problems solved by technology

However, chairs are not normally interchangeable and do not allow for changes to be made to the chair without substantial effort.

Such a procedure is not only time consuming and costly but also labor intensive.

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.

Typically, these chairs do not allow for any variation of style, color or design.

Similarly, when a single cushion is damaged, such as by a cigarette burn, these prior art chairs typically require substantial reupholstering and repair.

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.

Production of these different chair designs increases the cost and complexity of manufacturing the chairs.

Thus, a chair cushion does not typically contain readily replaceable cushions.

Changing a chair cushion normally requires intensive labor and the use of tools.

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.

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.

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