CN112118771A

CN112118771A - Seating furniture support device

Info

Publication number: CN112118771A
Application number: CN201980031773.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 塞巴斯蒂安·斯文松
Original assignee: Ikea Supply AG
Current assignee: Ikea Supply AG
Priority date: 2018-04-11
Filing date: 2019-03-04
Publication date: 2020-12-22
Also published as: EP3773078A1; EP3773078A4; WO2019199216A1

Abstract

A seating furniture support device (6) for a seat comprising: a first longitudinal beam (8) and a second longitudinal beam (12) each mountable to a frame of a seating furniture comprising one or more components; and a transverse tension member (500) mountable between the first longitudinal beam (8) and the second longitudinal beam (12). The seating furniture support device further comprises a resilient sheet element (14) for providing support for the seat; and means for stretching the elastic sheet (14) between the first longitudinal beam (8) and the second longitudinal beam (12) in response to a pivoting of the first longitudinal beam (8) relative to the frame in a stretching direction in response to an application of an external force or torque, wherein the longitudinal beams (8) are pivotable on the frame about a pivot axis, and the stretching member (500) in the mounted position locks the first longitudinal beam (8) in position in the final position in case the elastic sheet (14) is stretched, thereby locking the means for stretching the elastic sheet in position in the final position.

Description

Seating furniture support device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a seating furniture support device for a seat or a backrest.

Background

In the prior art, seating furniture supports based on a structure with longitudinal beams for seats or backrests are known. The support may for example be provided by a sheet stretched between the longitudinal beams. Such pieces of furniture may be designed to be assembled at a future time of use by personnel without special training for the task.

There remains a need for improvements in such seating furniture support devices.

Disclosure of Invention

To this end, a sofa furniture support device for a seat or a backrest is provided, comprising: a first longitudinal beam and a second longitudinal beam, each mountable to a seating furniture frame comprising one or more components; and a transverse tension member mountable between the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam. The transverse tension member can be mounted separately and can be separated from the frame. For example, a transverse tension member may be mounted between the midpoint of the first longitudinal beam and the midpoint of the second longitudinal beam.

The lateral tension members provide additional structural strength to the seating furniture support device while also providing an easily assembled seating furniture piece. Furthermore, the lateral stretching member allows a seating furniture piece, such as a sofa, having such a support device to be made larger than would otherwise be possible while still providing sufficient structural strength from the support device.

The seating furniture support device may further comprise: a resilient sheet member for providing support to the seat; and a mechanism for stretching the elastic sheet between the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam in response to a pivoting of the first longitudinal beam in a stretching direction relative to the frame in response to an application of an external force or torque, wherein the longitudinal beams are pivotable on the frame about a pivot axis, and the stretching member in the mounted position locks the first longitudinal beam in place in the final position with the elastic sheet stretched. With this arrangement, the transverse tension member both provides structural support and serves to lock the mechanism for stretching the elastic sheet in place while the elastic sheet is stretched. This provides a simple mechanism with few parts, yet easy to operate.

With the seating furniture support device in the installed position, the resilient flap may be coupled to the first longitudinal beam in the following manner: during pivoting of the first longitudinal beam to stretch the elastic sheet, an external force or torque acts against the tension of the elastic sheet until a point of maximum tension is reached beyond which the tension facilitates further pivoting of the tensile member to thereby act to hold the tensile member in place in a final position.

The device results in a tensioning mechanism that: the tensioning mechanism is easy to operate at assembly, while still allowing a high degree of tension in the elastic sheet member, resulting in good rigidity of the support member. This in turn allows the device to be used in larger pieces of furniture than previously possible.

In general, a large degree of elasticity is not required in the elastic sheet, i.e. the elastic coefficient of the elastic sheet may be rather high, which is defined as the ratio of the tension to the stretch.

The transverse tension member has a pin at each of its ends which cooperates with the holes of the first longitudinal beam and the holes on the second longitudinal beam with the transverse tension member in the mounted position for mounting the transverse tension member.

The transverse tension member may comprise two parts connected at a hinge, wherein the hinge is lockable in order to lock the transverse tension member in the mounted position.

The resilient sheet may be a first resilient sheet and the seating furniture support device may further comprise a third longitudinal beam and a second resilient sheet for providing support to the backrest, wherein the second resilient sheet is also connected to the first longitudinal beam such that pivoting of the first longitudinal beam also stretches the second resilient sheet between the first and third longitudinal beams.

The seating furniture support device may be arranged such that an external force or torque acts against the tension of one of the first and second resilient sheets up to a point of maximum tension, the other of the first and second resilient sheets being stretched only if the pivoting has exceeded the point of maximum tension. In this way, the tension of one of the sheets may be used to stretch the other sheet beyond the point of maximum tension, where less force or torque is required to pivot the stretching member up to the point of maximum tension than if both elastic sheets were stretched at the same time.

Alternatively, the seating furniture support device may be arranged such that an external force or torque acts against the tension of both the first and second resilient sheet members up to a point of maximum tension. This allows a high final tension in both sheets.

With the seating furniture support device in the installed position, the elastic sheet-like element can be folded around the first longitudinal beam to form a pocket, which is preferably closed by a stitch. The device is easy to manufacture while also being durable.

The seating furniture support device may further comprise a lever for applying an external force or torque to pivot the first longitudinal beam, wherein the lever is preferably removable or foldable after use. This makes it easy to operate the mechanism.

The seating furniture support device may further comprise a stop against which the tension of the resilient sheet acts to hold the first longitudinal beam in place in the final position.

The seating furniture support may further comprise a latch for further locking the first longitudinal beam in place in the final position.

Furthermore, a piece of seating furniture comprising the above seating furniture support device and a kit for assembling a piece of seating furniture comprising the above seating furniture support device are provided.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method of assembling a piece of seating furniture, the method comprising: providing a seating furniture frame in the form of one or more components, a first longitudinal beam and a second longitudinal beam each attached to the seating furniture frame, and a resilient sheet for providing support for a seat or a backrest; stretching the elastic sheet between the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam by pivoting the first longitudinal beam relative to the frame, thereby bringing the first longitudinal beam to a final position; and locking the first longitudinal beam in the final position by mounting a transverse tension member between the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam.

Drawings

Fig. 1A, 1B and 1C are perspective views of a sofa support according to the prior art.

Fig. 2A illustrates a perspective view, an enlarged cross-sectional view, and an enlarged perspective view of a sofa, wherein a support device according to the present inventive concept is in an initial position.

Fig. 2B shows a perspective view, an enlarged cross-sectional view and an enlarged perspective view of the sofa with the tensile member of the support means pivoted in an intermediate position.

Fig. 2C is an enlarged cross-sectional view in which the tensile member of the support apparatus is pivoted to be at a position corresponding to the point of maximum tension.

Fig. 2D is a perspective view, an enlarged cross-sectional view and an enlarged perspective view of the sofa with the stretching member of the supporting device in a final position in which the elastic sheet is stretched.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the sofa with the support means in the final position with the resilient sheet stretched, showing the seat and back bolsters added to complete the sofa.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an alternative embodiment in which the tensile member is separated from the first longitudinal beam.

Fig. 5A and 5B are exploded perspective views of the lateral stretching member.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of an assembled transverse tension member.

Fig. 7A and 7B are perspective views, and fig. 7C and 7D are cross-sectional views illustrating a sequence of installing the lateral stretching member between two longitudinal beams of the sofa.

Fig. 8A to 8C are perspective views showing an installation sequence of the sofa equipped with the lateral stretching member.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a device according to the prior art. The sofa 102 frame includes a first short end section 104a, a second short end section 104b and a support means 106, the support means 106 including a first longitudinal beam 108, a second longitudinal beam 110 and a third longitudinal beam 112, all of which extend between the first short end section 104a and the second short end section 104 b. The first sheet 114 may be stretched between the first and second

longitudinal beams

108, 110 and the second sheet 116 may be stretched between the first and third

longitudinal beams

108, 112, forming a support for the seat and backrest, respectively. The seat and/or back rest may be formed by placing a bolster on the

sheets

114, 116. To stretch the sheet, a stretching mechanism 118 is provided: the first longitudinal beam may be pulled manually and secured by screws 120.

Fig. 2A to 2D show a seating furniture support device 6 according to the inventive concept. In this particular embodiment, the seating furniture support device 6 is used for a sofa 2, however, the device is equally suitable for other seating furniture pieces, such as armchairs.

Referring to fig. 2A, the sofa 2 comprises a frame comprising a first short end section 4a, a second short end section 4b and a support means 6. The support means 6 comprises a first 8, a second 12 and a third 10 longitudinal beam.

The first 8, second 12 and third 10 longitudinal beams may be provided in a kit and mounted to the first 4a and second 4b short end sections at the point of use of the sofa. As depicted in fig. 2A, the first 8, second 12 and third 10 longitudinal beams are all mounted between the first 4a and second 4b short end sections. A first resilient sheet 14 is attached to the first and second

longitudinal beams

8, 12 and a second resilient sheet 16 is attached to the first and third

longitudinal beams

8, 10.

The second and third

longitudinal beams

12, 10 are fixed relative to the first and second

short end sections

4a, 4b, while the first longitudinal beam 8 is pivotable by means of the plate 20 about a pivot axis extending between a first pivot point P on the first short end section 4a and a corresponding second pivot point on the second short end section 4 b. A lever 18 serving as a handle adapted to assist the pivoting of the first longitudinal beam 8 is fixed to the first longitudinal beam 8 at the midpoint between the first and second

short end sections

4a, 4b of the frame. Other positions for the lever or handle and a different number of handles are equally possible or no handle at all in case external forces or torques are provided by different means.

In embodiments where the tensile member is separate from the first longitudinal beam 8, the handle 8 or rod would be located on the tensile member as discussed below in connection with fig. 4. Preferably, the handle is removable, for example by being able to be screwed on the first longitudinal beam 8. In this case, the rods 18 may be threaded to be screw-mounted in corresponding threaded holes in the first longitudinal beam 8 to enable easy mounting before use and easy dismounting after use. Alternatively, the bar 18 can be folded into the first longitudinal beam 8 or against the first longitudinal beam 8 after use.

Referring again to fig. 2A, a cross-sectional view of the area near the first pivot point P shows the longitudinal beam 8, the bar 18, the first tab 14, and the second tab 16. The

flaps

14, 16 are attached to the first longitudinal beam 8 at an attachment point 26 that is rotatable relative to the longitudinal beam 8.

In this embodiment, the elastic sheet is folded around the first longitudinal beam 8, forming a pocket which is closed at the attachment point 26 by a stitch (team). The resilient sheet-like element in the form of a pocket is rotatable relative to the first longitudinal beam 8. In this configuration, the first and second

elastic sheets

14, 16 may be part of the same elastic sheet.

The vertical or almost vertical plate 20 is fixed close to the first short end section 4a of the frame with respect to the first longitudinal beam 8. The plate has a slot 22, which slot 22 is configured to interact with a stop in the form of a pin 24 on the first short end section of the frame. An identical plate 20 configured to interact with an identical protrusion (tap) (not visible) in the second short end section 4b is positioned close to the second short end section 4b of the frame. The plate 20, and thereby the first longitudinal beam 8, is pivotable about a first pivot point P and a second pivot point (not visible), respectively.

The first longitudinal beam 8, the bar 18 and the plate 20 provide a mechanism for stretching the first elastic sheet 14 between the first and second

longitudinal beams

8, 12 and also for stretching the second elastic sheet 16 between the first and third

longitudinal beams

8, 10 during assembly of the sofa, wherein the first longitudinal beam 8 acts as a stretching member for the elastic sheets, as will be described below.

In the cross-sectional view of fig. 2A, the arc L1 shows the path that the slot 22 of the plate 20 travels as the first longitudinal beam 8 pivots about the pivot point P. Similarly, the second circular arc L2 shows the path travelled by the centre of the first longitudinal beam 8 during this same pivoting movement. Thus, with the sofa furniture support 6 in the installed position, the first resilient sheet 14 is connected to a tension member, which in this embodiment is identical to the first longitudinal beam 8, in such a way that the first longitudinal beam 8, which pivots relative to the frame in response to the application of an external force or torque, stretches the first resilient sheet 14. Fig. 2B shows the same arrangement as in fig. 2A during pivoting of the first longitudinal beam 8, which pivoting movement is driven by applying an external force on the lever 18, as indicated by the large straight arrow. During pivoting, which is illustrated by the small bending arrow, the distance between the attachment point 26 and the second longitudinal beam 12 will increase, thereby starting to stretch the first elastic sheet 14. The tension of the first resilient sheet member 14, shown by the large straight arrow in cross-section adjacent the first resilient sheet member 14, will counteract the pivoting movement, since the leverage of the first resilient sheet member 14 about the pivot point P opposes the leverage of the externally applied force. Thus, an external force applied to the lever 18 will need to act against the tension of the first resilient sheet 14. Since the attachment point 26 is able to rotate relative to the first longitudinal beam 8, the tension of the first elastic sheet 14 will move the attachment point 26 about the first longitudinal beam 8 such that the stretched first elastic sheet 14 is perpendicular to the surface of the first longitudinal beam 8. The path followed by the attachment point 26 will be determined by this condition during this pivoting phase.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the attachment point 26 may alternatively be fixed relative to the first longitudinal beam 8 and the plate 20, i.e. to the tensile member. In this case, the attachment point 26 will follow a circular path during pivoting similar to L1 or L2.

In the embodiment shown, the first longitudinal beam 8 has a circular cross-section. However, other alternatives are possible, such as a rectangular or oval cross section. The longitudinal beam 8 may be fixed relative to the plate 20 such that the attachment point 26 is fixed relative to the plate 20, or the longitudinal beam 8 may pivot at the plate 20 at a point offset from the first pivot point P and the second pivot point.

As the pivoting motion continues, the external force applied to the lever 18 will continue to act against the tension of the first resilient sheet 14, wherein the length of the moment arm of the tension relative to the pivot point P decreases and the tension increases until the point of maximum tension is reached, i.e. the position stops, as shown in the cross-sectional view in fig. 2C. Here, in the case where the first elastic sheet member 14 crosses the pivot point P, the moment arm of the tension of the first elastic sheet member 14 has been reduced to zero, thereby applying no torque with respect to the pivot point P.

With further pivotal movement driven by the externally applied force on the lever 18, the arm of the tension of the first resilient sheet 14 will produce a torque about the pivot point P of opposite sign to that before the pivotal movement reached the position of maximum tension, causing a torque to act in the same direction as the externally applied force on the lever 18. Thus, the tension of the first resilient sheet 14 will from now on facilitate pivoting until the slot 22 of the plate 20 has reached a stop in the form of a pin 21, as shown in fig. 2D.

Thus, the torque provided by the external force on the lever 18 acts against the torque provided by the tension of the first resilient sheet 14 until a position of maximum tension is reached, as depicted in fig. 2C, beyond which the tension of the first resilient sheet 14 instead facilitates further pivoting of the first longitudinal beam 8, thereby serving to hold the tensile member in place in its final position, as depicted in fig. 2D.

By means of the leverage that can be made, the mechanism is easy to operate, even with high tension in the elastic sheet, thus providing good rigidity to the support.

The

elastic sheets

14, 16 need to be sufficiently elastic to be able to be brought into a position of maximum tension. However, in general, a large degree of elasticity is not required in the elastic sheet member, i.e. the elastic coefficient of the elastic sheet member, defined as the ratio of the tension to the degree of stretch, may be rather high. For a given geometry of the tensile member, the higher spring rate allows the sheet to have a high degree of tension, imparting rigid support to the seat and back.

Optionally, a latch (not shown) may be provided to prevent the first longitudinal beam 8 from sliding back from the final position, for example due to an externally applied force.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 2A to 2D, the distance between the second elastic sheet 16 and the attachment point 26 and the third longitudinal beam 10 is such that the second elastic sheet remains slack during the pivoting movement up to the position of maximum tension of the first elastic sheet 14 (fig. 2C), being stretched only after this point of maximum tension. Thus, in this embodiment, during pivoting, an external force acts against the tension of the first elastic sheet up to the position of maximum tension, wherein the second elastic sheet is stretched only in the case of pivoting beyond the position of maximum tension. In this way, the tension of one of the first elastic sheets 14 helps to stretch the second elastic sheet 16 beyond the position of maximum tension, where less action of external force is required to pivot the stretching member up to the point of maximum tension. In case both the first 14 and the second 16 elastic sheet are stretched, the position of the attachment point 26, which is rotatable around the first longitudinal beam 8, will be determined by the condition that the vector sum of the tension of the first 14 and the tension of the second 16 elastic sheet is perpendicular to the surface of the first elastic beam 8.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), both the first and second

elastic sheets

14, 16 are stretched simultaneously up to a position of maximum tension. In this case, the location of the maximum tension will be defined based on the vector sum of the tension of the first elastic sheet 14 and the tension of the second elastic sheet 16. As a further alternative, there may be only one elastic sheet for providing support to the seat or backrest.

Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment in cross-section, wherein the first longitudinal beam 8 is separated from the mechanism 28 for stretching the first elastic sheet 14 and the first longitudinal beam 8 is fixed to the frame. As in the embodiment described above in connection with fig. 2A-2D, the resilient sheet 14 extends between the second longitudinal beam (not shown) and the first longitudinal beam 8. However, the elastic sheet 14 is not fixed at the first longitudinal beam, but is now still fixed to the separate stretching mechanism 28. In the depicted embodiment, the first resilient sheet 14 is located on top of the first longitudinal beam 8. However, other arrangements are equally possible, such as the first resilient sheet 14 extending through a slot or opening in the first longitudinal beam. The stretching mechanism 28 operates according to the same principles as described above in connection with fig. 2A-2D. In the depicted embodiment, the first resilient sheet 14 is attached to a columnar structure similar to the first longitudinal beam depicted in fig. 2A-2D, however, the structure to which the resilient sheet 14 is fixed may be smaller in this embodiment, since it does not carry the load of an occupant, such as a sofa. In this embodiment, all other structures may be the same as those described above in connection with fig. 2A to 2D.

Finally, fig. 3 shows the sofa 2 with the first and second

elastic sheets

14, 16 having been stretched according to the steps described above. In the event that the stretched first resilient sheet 14 is providing support for the seat of the sofa, a bolster 54 may be added to complete the sofa seat as indicated by the arrow. Also, where the second resilient sheet 16 is providing support for the back of the sofa, a bolster 52 may be added to complete the back.

Fig. 5A and 5B are exploded views of a laterally extending tension member 500 shown from two different angles. The tensile member 500 includes a front portion 502 and a rear portion 504, each of the front portion 502 and the rear portion 504 having a square (rectangular) cross-section. The front portion 502 and the rear portion 504 are connected at a hinge 520. As will be described below, the transverse tension member 500 will be mounted between the first and second

longitudinal beams

8, 12 of the sofa.

The front portion 502 has a projection 506 at the front end of the front portion 502, which projection 506 is designed to mate with a corresponding hole 704 in the second longitudinal beam 12 (see fig. 7A and 7B). The projection 506 is surrounded by a flange 507, the flange 507 having a shape matching the shape of the second longitudinal beam 12.

Similarly, the rear portion 504 has a protrusion 508 at the rear end of the rear portion 504, which protrusion 508 is designed to mate with a corresponding hole 702 in the first longitudinal beam 8 (see fig. 7A and 7B). The protrusion 508 is surrounded by a flange 509, the flange 509 having a shape matching the shape of the first longitudinal beam 8.

For the hinge 520, the front portion 502 has a protrusion 522 at the rear end of the front portion 502, the protrusion 522 extending through the hole 514 in the cap 518 having a U-shaped cross-section. Bolt 510 may be used to lock the hinge. Before applying and tightening the bolt 510, the front portion 502 and the rear portion 504 are free to pivot with respect to each other by means of the hinge 520, which is limited by the fact that: the surface 516 of the front portion 502 is stopped by an inner surface corresponding to the lower portion of the "U" of the U-shaped profile of the cap 518.

The hinge 520 may be locked by inserting and tightening the bolt 510 from the side of the posterior portion 504, wherein the bolt 510 extends through the hole 511 in the cap 518, through the inner surface of the cap 518, and into the threaded hole 512 on the surface 516 of the anterior portion 502, thereby locking the hinge 520 and the surface 516 of the anterior portion 502 against the inner surface of the cap 518 of the posterior portion 504. Fig. 6 shows the transverse tension member 500 so assembled and locked. The tension member 500 has a slightly curved shape so as to form a smooth arc that extends in a downward direction with respect to the sofa 2 with the tension member in the installed position (refer to fig. 8A to 8C).

Fig. 7A and 7B are perspective views, and fig. 7C and 7D are cross-sectional views illustrating a sequence of installing the lateral stretching member 500 between the first and second

longitudinal beams

8 and 12 of the sofa 2 (refer to fig. 8A to 8C). The transverse tension member 500 may be mounted on a furniture piece having a pivotable first longitudinal beam 8 as will be described below in connection with the sofa 2 of fig. 8A-8C, or on a furniture piece having a fixed longitudinal beam, for example having the arrangement described above in connection with fig. 4, such as a sofa.

First, with reference to fig. 7A, and in particular in the enlarged region of the figure, the projections 508 of the rear portion 504 of the transverse tension member 500 are introduced into the respective holes 702 of the first longitudinal beam 8. The bolt 510 has been inserted but not tightened so that there is play in the hinge 520.

Then, referring to fig. 7B, the protrusion 506 of the front portion 502 may be introduced near or in contact with the corresponding hole 704 of the second longitudinal beam 12 by twisting the transverse tension member 500 as indicated by the double arrow. The resulting configuration is shown in cross-section in fig. 7C. As can be seen, the fact that the bolt 510 has not yet been tightened creates play that allows the lateral tension member 500 to be inserted as just described.

Referring now to fig. 7D, tightening the bolt 510 as indicated by the circular arrow moves the front and

rear portions

502, 504 of the transverse tension member 500 as indicated by the straight arrow, with the

projections

506, 508 being pushed into their respective

longitudinal beams

8, 12 and the

flanges

507, 509 being pushed against their respective

longitudinal beams

8, 12. The transverse tension member 500 is now locked in place in the installed position.

Fig. 8A to 8C are perspective views showing the installation sequence of the sofa 2 equipped with the supporting means 6 including the lateral stretching member 500. The sofa is similar to the sofa discussed above in connection with fig. 2A-2D, and all of the features and alternatives discussed therein apply to the sofa 2, except for the differences discussed below.

Referring to fig. 8A, the sofa 2 comprises a frame comprising a first short end section 4a and a second short end section 4b and a seat support means 6, the seat support means 6 comprising a first longitudinal beam 8, a second longitudinal beam 12 and a third longitudinal beam 10. The first elastic sheet 14 can be stretched between the first 8 and second 12 longitudinal beams, forming a support for the seat of the sofa, and the second elastic sheet 16 can optionally be stretched between the first 8 and third 10 longitudinal beams. According to the same principle as described in connection with fig. 2A to 2D, the first longitudinal beam 8 can be pivoted at the first and second

short end sections

4a, 4b, forming a pivot axis for stretching the first elastic sheet 6 and optionally the second elastic sheet 16.

Referring to fig. 8B, a user may apply an external force or torque on the rods 18 during assembly of the sofa 2 in order to stretch the first elastic sheet 14 and optionally the second elastic sheet 16. Unlike what is described in connection with fig. 2A to 2D, stretching occurs in the following case: when the first longitudinal beam 8 is pivoted in a stretching direction opposite to the stretching direction described in connection with fig. 2A to 2D, wherein the front side of the first longitudinal beam 8 is moved downwards in relation to the sofa and the rear side is moved upwards. This allows the transverse tension member 500 (refer to fig. 8C) to act on the first longitudinal beam 8 in the tension direction. The stretching direction is indicated by the circular arrow. The stretching of the first elastic sheet member 14 is indicated by two straight arrows. The first longitudinal beam 8 has a vertical plate 20 at each of the ends of the first longitudinal beam 8, which vertical plate 20 eventually reaches a stop 24. After stretching, the rod 18 may be removed by the user.

Finally, referring to fig. 8C, the transverse tension member 500 may be installed as described above in connection with fig. 7A-7D. With the holes 702 (see fig. 7A) positioned offset from the pivot axis of the first longitudinal beam 8, the transverse stretcher 500 acts on the first longitudinal beam 8 in the stretching direction, thereby locking the first longitudinal beam 8 in its final position.

The inventive concept has mainly been described above with reference to some embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the inventive concept, as defined by the appended patent claims.

Examples are summarized below:

an improved sofa furniture support device for a seat or back is provided, comprising: a first longitudinal beam and a second longitudinal beam, each mountable to a seating furniture frame comprising one or more components; a resilient sheet for providing support to one of the seat and the backrest; and a mechanism for stretching the elastic sheet between the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam. The mechanism includes a tension member pivotable on the frame. With the sofa furniture support in the installed position, the elastic flap is connected to the tension member in a manner such that the tension member, which pivots relative to the frame in response to application of an external force or torque, stretches the elastic flap, wherein the external force or torque acts against the tension of the elastic flap until a point of maximum tension is reached beyond which the tension facilitates further pivoting of the tension member to thereby act to hold the tension member in place in a final position.

The device results in a tensioning mechanism that: the tensioning mechanism is easy to operate at assembly, while still allowing a high degree of tension in the elastic sheet member, resulting in good rigidity of the support member. This in turn allows the device to be used in furniture pieces that may be larger than previously.

The tensile member may be the first longitudinal beam itself. This allows a simple but robust configuration which is still easy to handle.

The resilient sheet may be a first resilient sheet and the seating furniture support device may further comprise a third longitudinal beam and a second resilient sheet for providing support to the other of the seat and the backrest, wherein the second resilient sheet is also connected to the tension member of the mechanism such that pivoting of the tension member also stretches the second resilient sheet between the first beam and the third beam.

With the seating furniture support device in the installed position, the elastic sheet may be folded about the tensile member to form a pocket, which is preferably closed by a stitch. The device is easy to manufacture while also being durable.

The seating furniture support device may further comprise a lever for applying an external force or torque to pivot the tension member, wherein the lever is preferably removable or foldable after use. This makes it easy to operate the mechanism.

The seating furniture support device may further comprise a stop against which the tension of the elastic sheet acts through the tension member to lock the tension member in place in the final position.

The seating furniture support may further comprise a latch for further locking the tension member in place in the final position.

Furthermore, a piece of seating furniture comprising the above seating furniture support device and a kit for assembling a piece of seating furniture comprising the above support device are provided.

According to a further aspect, there is provided a method of assembling a piece of seating furniture, the method comprising: providing a seating furniture frame in the form of one or more components, a first longitudinal beam and a second longitudinal beam each attached to the seating furniture frame, and a resilient sheet for providing support for a seat or a backrest; and stretching the elastic sheet between the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam, wherein the stretching of the elastic sheet comprises applying an external force or torque to pivot the stretching member relative to the frame, wherein the elastic sheet is connected to the stretching member in such a way that said pivoting stretches the elastic sheet, the external force or torque acting against the tension of the elastic sheet until a point of maximum tension is reached beyond which the tension facilitates further pivoting of the stretching member to thereby lock the stretching member in place in a final position.

The following are examples of what is summarized above:

1. a seating furniture support device (6) for a seat or a backrest, the seating furniture support device (6) comprising:

-a first longitudinal beam (8) and a second longitudinal beam (12), the first longitudinal beam (8) and the second longitudinal beam (12) each being mountable to a frame of a seating furniture comprising one or more components;

an elastic sheet (16; 14), the elastic sheet (16; 14) being for providing support to one of the seat and the backrest; and

a mechanism for stretching the elastic sheet between the first longitudinal beam (8) and the second longitudinal beam (10; 12),

characterized in that said mechanism comprises:

a tension member (8; 28) pivotable on the frame,

with the seating furniture support device (6) in the mounted position, the elastic flap (16; 14) is connected to the stretching member (8; 28) in such a way that the stretching member (8; 28) pivoting relative to the frame in response to the application of an external force or torque acting against the tension of the elastic flap (16; 14) until a point of maximum tension is reached beyond which the tension facilitates further pivoting of the stretching member (8; 28) to thereby serve to hold the stretching member (8; 28) in place in the final position.

2. The seating furniture support device (6) according to the previous example, wherein the tensile member is the first longitudinal beam (8).

3. The seating furniture support device (6) according to any one of the previous examples, wherein the elastic sheet (16; 14) is a first elastic sheet (14) and further comprising:

a third longitudinal beam (10); and

a second resilient sheet (16), the second resilient sheet (16) for providing support to the other of the seat and the backrest,

the second elastic sheet (16) is also connected to the tensile member of the mechanism such that the pivoting of the tensile member also stretches the second elastic sheet (16) between the first beam (8) and the third longitudinal beam (10).

4. The seating furniture support device (6) according to example 3, wherein the external force or torque acts against the tension of one of the first and second elastic sheets (16; 14; 16) up to the point of maximum tension, the other of the first and second elastic sheets being stretched only if the pivoting has exceeded the point of maximum tension.

5. The seating furniture support device (6) according to example 3, wherein the external force or torque acts against the tension of both the first and second elastic sheet (16; 14; 16) up to the point of maximum tension.

6. The seating furniture support device (6) according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein with the seating furniture support device (6) in an installed position, the elastic sheet (16; 14) is folded around the tensile member to form a pocket, preferably closed by a stitch (26).

7. The seating furniture support device according to any one of the preceding examples, further comprising a lever (18) for applying the external force or torque to pivot the tensile member (8; 28), the lever preferably being removable or foldable after use.

8. The seating furniture support device (6) according to any one of the preceding examples, further comprising a stop (24), the tension of the elastic sheet (16; 14) acting against the stop (24) by the tensile member (8; 28) to lock the tensile member (8; 28) in position in the final position.

9. The seating furniture support device (6) according to any one of the preceding examples, further comprising a latch for further locking the tension member (8; 28) in place in the final position.

10. Piece of seating furniture (2) comprising a seating furniture support device (6) according to any one of the preceding examples.

11. A kit for assembling a piece of seating furniture, comprising a supporting device (6) according to any one of examples 1 to 9.

12. A seating furniture support device (6) for a seat, comprising:

-a first longitudinal beam (8) and a second longitudinal beam (12), the first longitudinal beam (8) and the second longitudinal beam (12) each being mountable to a frame of a seating furniture comprising one or more components; and

a transverse tension (500), the transverse tension (500) being mountable between the first longitudinal beam (8) and the second longitudinal beam (12).

13. The seating furniture support device (6) according to example 12, further comprising:

a resilient sheet member (14) for providing support to the seat; and

-means for stretching the elastic sheet (14) between the first longitudinal beam (8) and the second longitudinal beam (12) in response to the pivoting of the first longitudinal beam (8) in a stretching direction relative to the frame in response to the application of an external force or torque, wherein the longitudinal beams (8) are pivotable on the frame about a pivot axis, and the stretching member (500) in the mounted position locks the first longitudinal beam (8) in position in the final position with the elastic sheet (14) stretched.

Claims

1. A seating furniture support device (6) for a seat, comprising:

a transverse tension member (500), the transverse tension member (500) being mountable between the first longitudinal beam (8) and the second longitudinal beam (12);

an elastic sheet member (14), the elastic sheet member (14) being for providing support to the seat; and

-means for stretching the elastic sheet (14) between the first longitudinal beam (8) and the second longitudinal beam (12) in response to a pivoting of the first longitudinal beam (8) in a stretching direction relative to the frame in response to an application of an external force or torque, wherein the longitudinal beams (8) are pivotable on the frame about a pivot axis and the transverse stretching member (500) in mounted position locks the first longitudinal beam (8) and whereby the means for stretching the elastic sheet is in place in a final position with respect to the pivoting with the elastic sheet (14) stretched.

2. The seating furniture support device (6) according to claim 1, wherein the transverse tension member (500) in the mounted position locks the first longitudinal beam (8) in position in the final position by pushing the first longitudinal beam (8) in the tension direction at a point offset with respect to the pivot axis.

3. The seating furniture support device (6) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the resilient sheet (14) is connected to the first longitudinal beam (8) with the seating furniture support device (6) in the mounted position in the following manner: during said pivoting of the first longitudinal beam (8) to stretch the elastic sheet (14), the external force or torque acts against the tension of the elastic sheet (14) until a point of maximum tension is reached beyond which the tension facilitates further pivoting of the stretching member (8) to thereby act to hold the stretching member (8) in place in the final position.

4. The seating furniture support device (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transverse tension member (500) has a pin at each end which cooperates with holes (702, 704) located on the first and second longitudinal beams (8, 12) when the transverse tension member (500) is in the mounting position, to mount the transverse tension member.

5. The seating furniture support device (6) of any one of the preceding claims, the transverse tension member (500) comprising two parts (502, 504) connected at a hinge (520), the hinge (520) being lockable to lock the transverse tension member (500) in an installation position.

6. The seating furniture support device (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic sheet (16; 14) is a first elastic sheet (14) and further comprising:

a third longitudinal beam (10); and

a second resilient sheet (16), the second resilient sheet (16) being for providing support for a backrest, the second resilient sheet (16) also being connected to the first longitudinal beam (8) such that the pivoting of the first longitudinal beam (8) also stretches the second resilient sheet (16) between the first longitudinal beam (8) and the third longitudinal beam (10).

7. The seating furniture support device (6) according to claim 6, wherein the external force or torque acts against the tension of one of the first and second elastic sheets (16; 14; 16) up to the point of maximum tension, the other of the first and second elastic sheets being stretched only if the pivoting has exceeded the point of maximum tension.

8. The seating furniture support device (6) according to claim 6, wherein the external force or torque acts against the tension of both the first and second elastic sheet (16; 14; 16) up to the point of maximum tension.

9. The seating furniture support device (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein with the seating furniture support device (6) in the mounted position, the elastic sheet (16; 14) is folded around the first longitudinal beam (8) to form a pocket, preferably closed by a stitch (26).

10. The seating furniture support device (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a lever (18) for applying the external force or torque to pivot the first longitudinal beam (8), the lever preferably being removable or foldable after use.

11. The seating furniture support device (6) according to any of claims 3 to 10, further comprising a stop (24), the tension of the resilient sheet (14) acting against the stop (24) by the first longitudinal beam (8) to hold the first longitudinal beam (8) in place in the final position.

12. The seating furniture support device (6) according to any of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a latch for further locking the first longitudinal beam (8) in place in the final position.

13. Piece of sitting furniture (2), the piece of sitting furniture (2) comprising a sitting furniture support device (6) according to any one of the preceding claims.

14. A kit for assembling a piece of seating furniture, comprising a seating furniture support device (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

15. A method of assembling a piece of seating furniture, the method comprising:

providing:

a frame of a piece of seating furniture in the form of one or more parts (4a, 4 b);

a first longitudinal beam (8) and a second longitudinal beam (12) both attached to the frame of the seating furniture; and

a resilient sheet member (14) for providing support to the seat or back;

-stretching the elastic sheet (14) between the first longitudinal beam (8) and the second longitudinal beam (12) by pivoting the first longitudinal beam (8) with respect to the frame, thereby bringing the first longitudinal beam (8) to a final position with respect to the pivoting; and

locking the first longitudinal beam (8) in the final position by mounting a transverse tension member (500) between the first longitudinal beam (8) and the second longitudinal beam (12).