Chair Upholstery Edging With Hidden Fastener Recesses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing upholstery methods for chairs are either labor and material intensive or require precise placement of staples, leading to aesthetically undesirable compression of foam layers.

Innovation Solution

An elongated edging with flanges and recesses is used on the chair perimeter, allowing upholstery to be attached with fasteners that are hidden within the recesses, providing a clean finish and supporting the upholstery for a thicker appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If upholstery is attached directly to the board using staples, then the upholstery process is simplified, but the foam layer is compressed adjacent to the edge resulting in aesthetically undesirable appearance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupholstery attachment processVSAvoidfoam layer thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary component (the resilient edging with recesses) between the upholstery and the board. This edging structure receives the perimeter edge of the board and provides recesses that accommodate fasteners, allowing the upholstery to be attached without directly compressing the foam layer at the edges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Shape

If resilient edging with downwardly extending sides is used to cover the perimeter edge, then a rounded resilient edge is provided, but precise placement of fasteners is required to avoid foam compression

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperimeter edge appearanceVSAvoidfastener placement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient edging structure is designed to be self-aligning and self-positioning. The downwardly extending sides that cover the perimeter edge automatically guide and position the fasteners within the recesses, eliminating the need for precise manual placement while maintaining the rounded resilient edge appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Shape

If multiple components (board, hardboard, foam, upholstery, edging) are used to achieve pleasing aesthetic appearance, then the upholstery quality is improved, but the process becomes labor and material intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupholstered chair element appearanceVSAvoidupholstery structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into the resilient edging component itself. The edging both covers the perimeter edge to provide the rounded resilient appearance and contains integrated recesses that facilitate fastener placement. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate components like hardboard and simplifies the overall upholstery structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8152235B2Method of upholstering chair element

Publication Date: 2012.04.10 MICHIGAN TUBE SWAGERS & FABRICATORS INC

AI summary

An elongated edging is provided for use in a method of upholstering a chair element with a perimeter edge. The edging has a pair of sides and a top portion, with a slot defined between the sides for receiving the perimeter edge of the chair element. A flange extends outwardly from the outward face of the side of the edging and defines a recess between an upper side of the flange and the outward face of the side of the edging. A portion of upholstery is attached to the chair element using fasteners which are positioned in the recess.