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Chair with removable slingChair with removable sling description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070035170, Chair with removable sling. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] (1) Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a chair, and in particular to a chair of the type known as a sling chair, having a seating surface in the form of a flexible loop of material that is removable without disconnecting the loop. [0003] (2) Description of the Prior Art [0004] A sling chair, or deck chair, is often used for casual seating and is comprised of a support frame configured to support a strip of material that is used as the chair's seating surface, i.e., the seat and back surface contacted by the user when seated. The support frame is often hinged so that the chair can be folded for storage and/or transportation. [0005] The chair support frame of these prior art chairs normally includes a first sling support adjacent the upper back of the chair frame and a second sling support adjacent the front of the seating area of the chair. The sling in the form of a single layer of material extends between these supports, with each end of the sling being individually looped around one of the supports and secured in place, e.g., by sewing or with snaps or other releasable fasteners. [0006] The sling length is greater than the distance between the two supports so that, when the user sits on the sling, the sling will take a curved shape, with the lower part of the curve forming the seat and the upper part of the curve forming the back of the seating surface. Replacement of the seating on conventional sling chairs is impractical or at least difficult, requiring removal of the stitching or opening of the fasteners, which often become rusted and unusable after a period of time, particularly if the sling is laundered or recovered. [0007] Thus, there is a need for a sling chair construction, and in particular a non-folding sling chair construction that facilitates ease of positioning and removal of the sling without the need to remove stitches or use releasable fasteners. There is a further need for a sling that will provide a greater wear-life before replacement is required. There is a further need for a chair that includes a reversible sling. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] These needs are addressed in the present invention by providing a non-folding sling chair in which the sling or seating surface is comprised of a continuous loop of flexible material, with the chair frame being constructed in a manner that permits installation and removal of the sling without cutting or otherwise opening the loop. [0009] Specifically, the present invention is comprised of a fixed, i.e., non-folding, chair frame and a sling seat in the form of a continuous or closed loop. The chair frame has spaced, parallel side members with first and second ends, a first seat support extending between the side members adjacent their first ends, and a second seat support parallel to the first support extending between the side members adjacent their second ends. The sling loop extends around the first and second supports to form a seating surface. [0010] The loop is also sized, and the chair frame configured, so that the loop can be removed from the chair without separating the loop by pulling the loop around an end of one of the side members while the loop is held by the support member adjacent the other end of the chair. For example, the chair frame can be constructed of a pair of spaced, parallel side members that serve to support the chair on the floor. The side members will normally include a back end that extends upwardly to an upper end, and a front end spaced from the back end. The upper surfaces of the side panels between the front and back ends may serve as arm rests. [0011] The chair frame also includes two horizontal support members to attach the side members together and to serve as supports for the seat support loop. One of the support members, the rear support member, extends between the upper rear ends of the side members, while the other support member, the front support member, extends between the side members adjacent their front ends. The rear support member is in a plane above the front support member so that the sling will form a seat support and a back support when in use. The support members are preferably cylindrical to facilitate rotation of the sling about the supports. In order to facilitate placement and removal of the sling, the two horizontal support members are preferably the sole means of joining the two side members. [0012] The circumference of the loop relative to the dimensions of the chair will vary dependent on various factors, including the distance between the horizontal supports, the profile of the chair side members, the width of the loop, the diameter of the side members, and the position of the horizontal supports on the side members. Adjustment of the loop circumference to take these factors into account is within the capabilities of one skilled in the art. All that is required is that the circumference of the loop is sufficient to allow the loop to slide over one end of a side member, e.g., the rear end of a side member, while the loop is around the horizontal support at the opposite end of the side support, e.g., the front end. [0013] The loop, of course should be of a sufficient circumference relative to the chair dimension that the loop will assume a curved shape with a seating area and a back support area when the user is seated. Due to the fact that the periphery of each horizontal support is significantly smaller than the periphery of the side member, this result will normally be achieved when the loop is of a size permitting removal over an end of a side member. It is not required that the loop be removable over either end of the chair side member, so long as it is removable over one end of the side member. In fact, the design of most chair frames will be such that the loop will be removable over the rear end of a side member, but not over the front of the side member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair frame, shown as a rocking chair. [0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a chair frame with the loop pulled over the front of the frame. [0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a chair frame with the loop pulled over the front and rear of the frame. [0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the chair frame of FIG. 1 with installed sling loop. [0018] FIG. 5 is a first schematic illustrating the relationship of the frame and loop sizes. [0019] FIG. 6 is a second schematic illustrating the relationship of the frame and loop sizes. [0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a straight chair frame with a removable sling loop. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Continue reading about Chair with removable sling... Full patent description for Chair with removable sling Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Chair with removable sling patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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