Seat Back Upholstery Snap-In Assembly With Concealed Latching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing upholstery arrangements for seating furniture, particularly backrests of office swivel chairs, require complex and time-consuming production processes involving sewing, screwing, and alignment, which can be improved for efficiency and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A snap-in frame with latching means and a concealing groove, combined with an upholstery support having counter-latching means and a cushion fastening section, allows for tool-free locking and concealment of the cushion attachment section within the groove, eliminating visible fasteners and seams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional upholstery arrangements use sack covers with tie-down collars or nailing/stapling methods, then the cover can be attached to the back shell or panel, but the production process requires many work steps including sewing, putting on, fastening, screwing, and alignment adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The upholstery support is divided into separate functional elements: a backrest support portion, a cushion support portion, and integrated latching means. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently and assembled through simple latching operations rather than complex sewing or fastening processes, directly reducing production complexity and assembly time
Solution Approach 2:
The latching means is integrated directly into the upholstery support structure itself, merging the fastening function with the support structure. This eliminates the need for separate fastening operations (screwing, nailing, or tying) and reduces the number of work steps required during assembly, thereby improving both ease of manufacture and productivity
2Ease of manufacture
If the back shell or panel is screwed to the frame and covered with a sack cover, then the upholstery can be attached, but visible screws and seams affect the visual appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The latching means is extracted and positioned within recesses or grooves on the frame, removing visible fasteners from the exterior surface. The latching operation occurs behind the visible upholstery surface, eliminating screws and seams from view while maintaining structural attachment, thus improving visual appearance without significantly increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism is nested within the upholstery support structure and frame recesses, with the latching means fitting into concealed grooves. This nesting arrangement hides the fastening elements within the structure itself, providing a clean exterior appearance while maintaining the necessary attachment functionality
3Ease of manufacture
If the frame is designed without its own rear wall to allow covering, then the back of the frame is visible and requires additional covering steps, but adding a rear wall would increase frame complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The upholstery support is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the cushion, enables tool-free attachment through integrated latching means, and conceals the frame's rear structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate rear wall on the frame while still achieving the desired aesthetic coverage, reducing both frame complexity and covering process complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
The arrangement (10) has an engaging frame (11) i.e. structural backrest frame, including a latching unit (12) and a concealment groove (13). A cushion support (14) comprises counter-locking units (15) and a cushion mounting section (16). The cushion support is formed such that a cushion (17) is attached to the cushion mounting section in a pre-mounted state. The latching unit is locked with the counter-locking units. The cushion mounting section is externally concealed in the concealment groove. The cushion includes a foam component in a central complete cushion region of the support. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a seat furniture (2) an assembling method for manufacturing a cushion arrangement.