GB2270622A

GB2270622A - Resiliently supported seat

Info

Publication number: GB2270622A
Application number: GB9220024A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Derek Payne
Original assignee: WALKER AND HOMER GROUP PLC
Current assignee: WALKER AND HOMER GROUP PLC
Priority date: 1992-09-22
Filing date: 1992-09-22
Publication date: 1994-03-23
Also published as: GB9220024D0

Abstract

A resilient support arrangement for a seat comprises a support board (14) hingedly supported along its front and rear edges and divided into two parts (14a, 14b) along a line parallel to its front and rear edges, the two parts being hinged together along that line. A biassing means (17) biasses the two parts of the support board towards a co-planar configuration, the two parts of the support board being deflected downwards against the bias of the biassing means when the seat is loaded. <IMAGE>

Description

Resilient Support Arrangement for Seating This invention relates to a resilient support arrangement for seating, particular for domestic furniture.

Typically domestic seating includes a resilient support based on springs extended between front and rear rails of the construction. The assembly is relatively complicated and of limited effectiveness.

We have now devised a simpler and more effective resilient support arrangement for seats (including sofas).

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a resilient support arrangement in or for a seat, comprising a support board hingedly supported along its front and rear edges and divided into two parts along a line parallel to its front and rear edges, the two parts being hinged together along that line, and the arrangement further comprising biassing means for urging the two parts of the support board towards a co-planar configuration, the two parts of the support board being deflected downwards against the bias when the seat is loaded.

When loaded, the two parts of the support board deflect downwards against the resilience of the biassing means. The biassing means may comprise at least one strip of resilient or elastic material fixed at its opposite ends to the underside of the respective parts of the support board, and tensioned by a spacer disposed between the underside of the support board and the resilient strip.

The board may comprise a one-piece board extending the full width of the seat. Alternatively the board may be divided into a plurality of side-by-side strips each extending from the front edge to the rear edge.

The rear edge of the board may be suspended by one or more flexible elements attached on the one hand to the rear edge of the board and on the other hand to a fixed member along a line above the rear edge of the board. This allows the rear part of the board to displace forwardly as the seat is loaded.

The front edge of the board may be hingedly supported at its front edge by resting on the top of a fixed member and connected thereto by a flexible strip of material.

An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a schematic section through the framework of a seat prior to being upholstered, showing a resilient support arrangement of the seat in accordance with this invention; FIGURE 2 is a section similar to that of Figure 1, but showing the configuration of the support arrangement when the seat is loaded; and FIGURE 3 is a view of the underside of the support board in the seat framework of Figures 1 and 2, shown when the seat is loaded.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown a resilient support arrangement in a seat. The framework of the seat includes a vertical front support panel 10 and an inclined back support panel 12. The resilient support arrangement comprises a board 14 which is hingedly supported along its front edge, and has its rear edge suspended by a series of lengths of flexible webbing 16. In the example shown, the board 14 rests at its front edge on the top edge of a batten 11 fixed to the rear of the front panel 10, and is connected thereto by a strip 18 of flexible material. The lengths of webbing 16 are each attached to the board 14 along its rear edge, and to the rear of the back panel 12, above the rear edge of board 14 (which projects to the rear of panel 12).

The seat which is shown is to be finished by being upholstered.

The support board 14 is divided into two parts 14a and 14b along a line parallel to its front and rear edges, the two parts 14a and 14b being hinged together by a flexible strip 15.

The two parts 14a and 14b of the support board are normally held flat, i.e. in a common plane as shown in Figure 1, by one or more strips e.g. 17 of elastic webbing attached at its opposite ends to the underside of the respective parts,14a, 14b and running over a tensioning block 17a disposed between the board and the webbing strip 17. Wooden blocks 17b,17c are also fixed to the underside of the respective parts 14a,14b of the support board, and their ends abut each other to act as stops when the two parts of the board are urged by the webbing strip 17 to their normal flat position as shown in Figure 1.

In use, when the seat is loaded, the two parts of the board flex about the hinge 15 and against the resilience of the webbing strip 17, as shown in Figure 2. The manner in which the rear edge of the board 14 is suspended allows this to displace forwardly as the seat is loaded. However, the elements 16 are substantially inextensible, to avoid a gap developing between the support board 14 and the bottom edge of the back panel 12 The arrangement which is shown in the drawings ais applicable to all forms of domestic seats including sofas.

Claims

1) A resilient support arrangement in or for a seat, the support arrangement comprising a support board hingedly supported along its front and rear edges and divided into two parts along a line parallel to its front and rear edges, the two parts being hinged together along that line, and the support arrangement further comprising biassing means for urging the two parts of the support board towards a co-planar configuration, the two parts of the support board being deflected downwards against the bias of the biassing means when the seat is loaded.

2) A support arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the biassing means comprises at least one strip of resilient or elastic material fixed at its opposite ends to the underside of the respective parts of the support board, and tensioned by a spacer disposed between the underside of the support board and the resilient strip.

3) A support arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the rear edge of the support board is suspended by one or more flexible elements attached on the one hand to the rear edge of the support board and on the other hand to a fixed member along a line above the rear edge of the support board.

4) A support arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the front edge of the support board is hingedly supported at its front edge by resting on the top of a fixed member and connected thereto by a flexible strip of material.

5) A support arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the support board is divided into a plurality of side-by-side strips each extending from said front edge to said rear edge.

6) A resilient support arrangement in or for a seat and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.