Padded chair construction

• US 5,704,691 A
• Filed: 06/06/1996
• Issued: 01/06/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc. (HNI Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hon Industries Incorporated (HNI Corporation)
• Inventors: Olson, Ogden R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BARFIELD, ANTHONY DERRELL
• Application Number:
  US08/655,339
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 297/452.12, 297/452.15, 297/452.26, 297/452.27, 297/452.32, 297/452.37, 297/452.54, 297/452.55, 297/452.57, 297/452.59, 297/452.31, 5/655.9, 5/740
• US Class Current: 297/452.55
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/18 having foamed material included in cushioning part foamed material mattresses A47C27/14

Abstract

A cushion for forming the seat or back of an upholstered chair comprises a rigid unitary body member having a central, relatively flat portion between two marginal edge portions with upstanding ridges formed along each of the two edge portions. The ridges define a central depressed portion which is capable of receiving one or more layers of foam. A foam layer covers both the central layer or layers of foam and wraps over and around the edge ridges to pad the ridges. The ridges thereby serve to reduce precompression of the central foam layer or layers after the form is finished with a covering of upholstery. A chair having cushions with enhanced softness is thereby achieved. In another aspect of the invention, a form for a chair back includes a series of vertical spaced ribs in the lumbar region of the chair back. The ribs also serve to enhance the compressibility of the foam.

Claims

1. A cushion for a chair comprising:

a rigid body member having a central relatively flat pan portion between at least two marginal edge portions;

an upstanding ridge formed along each of said two marginal edge portions and integral with said pan portion defining a depressed space central of said body member, said ridges having a predetermined height with top edges;

a first piece of compressible foam placed within and substantially filling the depressed space of said body member, said first piece of foam having a height approximately the height of the ridges;

a second piece of compressible foam overlying said first piece of foam, said second piece of foam extending over said top edges of and around said ridges; and

a piece of upholstery secured over aid second piece of foam;

wherein said ridges prevent compression of said first piece of foam when said piece of upholstery is secured over said second piece of foam.

2. The cushion of claim 1 wherein said upholstery is tightly stretched around said ridges and secured to a back side of said body member.

3. The cushion of claim 1 wherein said depressed space of said body member is provided with spaced ribs for enhancing the compressibility of said first piece of foam.