Elastomeric hoop attachment device
AssigneeMilliken & Company
InventorBernhard Zeiler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to a mechanical device that is used to attach polyester elastomeric fabric hoops to a furniture frame in an efficient and production-worthy manner. These elastomeric hoops are used as the back and seat portions of chairs, double occupant seats, and the like. The invention works by overstretching part of an elastomeric fabric hoop and inserting a furniture frame into the overstretched hoop portion. The fabric hoop is then allowed to reduce its size until it is tight around the frame, thereby eliminating the need for additional attachment means. The device is operated by two air-over-oil pneumatic cylinders, two pneumatic cylinders, and a series of electrical read switches. The device requires only compressed air and 110 volts of alternating electrical current to operate.
Claims20
A device for fitting a hoop of elastomeric fabric to a frame, said device comprising:
- (a) a base having an upper side and an underside, and a guide that is associated with the upper side;
- (b) a stretching mechanism attached to the upper side of said base, said stretching mechanism comprising at least one stretching means and a pair of opposed stretch arms, at least one of said stretch arms being a movable stretch arm, said movable stretch arm being operably associated with said stretching means;
- (c) a pair of clamping means for clamping a portion of said hoop of elastomeric fabric to said pair of stretch arms, said clamping means being located at the respective ends of each of said stretch arms in the area in contact with said hoop, said clamping means having a pin plate being capable of securing the clamped portion of said hoop;
- and
- (d) a pushing mechanism comprising a pushing means, a frame carrier attached to said pushing means, and up to three reed switches operably associated with said pushing means, said reed switch or switches being capable of sensing the location of said pushing means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.