US 11,306,760 B2 · Non-rotating T-nut and screw catch for use in a chair panel and method for using the same

Abstract

An oval-shaped T-nut that is received within an oval receiver machined into the upholstered panel to be secured to a chair frame is provided. The oval shape of the T-nut prevents the oval-shaped T-nut from rotating when a screw is driven into the T-nut. Further, this eliminates the necessity of stapling the traditional plastic T-nut to the chair panel, thus saving time and money associated with the manufacture of an upholstered metal frame chair. In addition to the oval-shaped T-nut described herein, a novel U-shaped screw catch is also provided which cooperates with a barbed nylon or plastic push rivet to secure the upholstered chair panels to one another. Further, a method for connecting upholstered seat back panels to the tabs positioned on the back frame of a chair, utilizing the T-nut and the screw catch is disclosed.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A U-shaped screw catch for use in assembling a chair, said U-shaped screw catch comprising:

a U-shaped barrel wherein said U-shaped barrel is defined by a shoulder portion and first and second stem portions;
a U-shaped flange projecting from said U-shaped barrel;
a plurality of ridges projecting from an inner surface of said first and second stem portions, wherein said ridges are adapted to engage with ridges disposed on a surface of a push rivet;
and
a plurality of rib members disposed on an exterior surface of said first and second stem portions of said U-shaped barrel.

2 more elements

In a frame chair having back frame, a plurality of tabs selectively positioned on said back frame and upholstered seat back panels, a method for connecting a first upholstered seat back panel to the tabs positioned on the back frame and for connecting a second upholstered seat back panel to the first upholstered seat back panel, said method comprising:

providing a hole member in each of said tabs;
providing a plurality of oval-shaped T-nuts having an oval-shaped flange, an oval-shaped barrel projecting from said oval-shaped flange and a bore member adapted to receive a self-tapping screw, said bore member extending longitudinally through both said oval-shaped flange and said oval-shaped barrel;
providing a plurality of U-shaped screw catches having a U-shaped flange and a U-shaped barrel projecting from said U-shaped flange, said U-shaped barrel defining a shoulder portion and first and second stem portions projecting from said shoulder portion, said first and second stem portions being substantially parallel to one another and having a plurality of ridges projecting from an inner surface of said first and second stem portions;
providing a first seat back panel;
providing a second seat back panel;
machining a first plurality of oval receivers in said first seat back panel, wherein said each of said first plurality of oval receivers is adapted to receive an oval-shaped T-nut in a press-fit, tight frictional engagement;
disposing an oval-shaped T-nut in each of said first plurality of oval receivers in a press-fit, tight frictional engagement;
machining a second plurality of oval receivers in said first seat back panel, wherein each of said second plurality of oval receivers is adapted to receive a U-shaped screw catch in a press-fit, tight frictional engagement;
disposing a U-shaped screw catch in each of said second plurality of oval receivers in a press-fit, tight frictional engagement;
securing said first seat back panel to said plurality of tabs by inserting a threaded fastener through said hole member provided in each of said tabs and into said bore member in said oval-shaped T-nut;
inserting plurality of push rivets through said second seat back panel such that each of said plurality of push rivets registers with one of said U-shaped screw catches disposed in said first seat back panel;
and
pressing said second seat back panel towards said first seat back panel thereby forcing said push rivets into said U-shaped screw catches, whereby said second seat back panel is secured to said first seat back panel.

10 more elements

providing a hole member in each of said tabs;
providing a plurality of oval-shaped T-nuts having an oval-shaped flange, an oval-shaped barrel projecting from said oval-shaped flange and a bore member adapted to receive a self-tapping screw, said bore member extending longitudinally through both said oval-shaped flange and said oval-shaped barrel;
providing a plurality of U-shaped screw catches, each said U-shaped screw catch having a U-shaped barrel, wherein said U-shaped barrel is defined by a shoulder portion and first and second stem portions, wherein said U-shaped screw catch further has a U-shaped flange projecting from said U-shaped barrel, wherein said U-shaped screw catch further has a plurality of ridges projecting from an inner surface of said first and second stem portions, wherein said ridges are adapted to engage with ridges disposed on a surface of a push rivet;
and a plurality of rib members disposed on an exterior surface of said first and second stem portions of said U-shaped barrel;
providing a first seat back panel;
providing a second seat back panel;
machining a first plurality of oval receivers in said first seat back panel, wherein said each of said first plurality of oval receivers is adapted to receive an oval-shaped T-nut in a press-fit, tight frictional engagement;
disposing an oval-shaped T-nut in each of said first plurality of oval receivers in a press-fit, tight frictional engagement;
machining a second plurality of oval receivers in said first seat back panel, wherein each of said second plurality of oval receivers is adapted to receive a U-shaped screw catch in a press-fit, tight frictional engagement;
disposing a U-shaped screw catch in each of said second plurality of oval receivers in a press-fit, tight frictional engagement;
securing said first seat back panel to said plurality of tabs by inserting a threaded fastener through said hole member provided in each of said tabs and into said bore member in said oval-shaped T-nut;
inserting plurality of push rivets through said second seat back panel such that each of said plurality of push rivets registers with one of said U-shaped screw catches disposed in said first seat back panel;
and
pressing said second seat back panel towards said first seat back panel thereby forcing said push rivets into said U-shaped screw catches, whereby said second seat back panel is secured to said first seat back panel.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Non-rotating T-nut and screw catch for use in a chair panel and method for using the same

Life of this patent

Non-rotating T-nut and screw catch for use in a chair panel and method for using the same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22