AU601309B2

AU601309B2 - Improved cushion construction

Info

Publication number: AU601309B2
Application number: AU23726/88A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Kenneth David Wethered
Original assignee: KELRIT Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Transform Composite Holdings Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1987-10-13
Filing date: 1988-10-13
Publication date: 1990-09-06
Anticipated expiration: 2008-10-13
Also published as: EP0388542A1; AU2372688A

Description

a i i I l ~i"~hhrt ~F(ri-il~it1i FORM COMMONWEALTH OF AU PATENTS ACT 195 COMPLETE SPECIFICI

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE: 601309 S F Ref: 39945

ISTRALIA

52

ATION

Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: PI4857 13 October 1987 Accepted: Published: Priority: Related Art: Name and Address s~ of Applicant: Kelrit Pty Ltd trading as Spray Coatings Shed 12 Clyde Street Broadmeadow New South Wales 2292

AUSTRALIA

Actual Inventor: Kenneth David Wethered Address for Service: Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys, Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street, Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Complete Specification for the invention entitled: Improved Cushion Construction The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us 5815/2 -t I ~~u~.,Ju;tnnar~prxl(rrLl(~~~~~raarr-- AN IMPROVED CUSHION CONSTRUCTION FOR SEATING TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an improved cushion construction for seats, and more specifically but not exclusively an improved cushion construction for a passenger seat for use in the transport industry.

BACKGROUND ART The transport industry, that is, commercial and public/private transport of persons on, for example, trains, buses, aviation craft, marine craft, and other commuter vehicles, require comfortable and durable passenger seats.

Vandalism is a problem that has recently become increasingly evident, and is an economic drain on the operators in the transport industry.

Although previous passenger seats have been designed to be durable and fire resistant (to some extent), they have nriot been designed to be vandal resistant. That is, they are not able to withstand the cutting forces and penetration of sharp knives and other instruments currently used by vandals.

Furthermore, previous passenger seat designs have not achieved a satisfactory level of comfort, considering known ergonomic statistics, combined with the necessary durability and fire resistance. That is, previous designs have not achieved an ergonomically comfortable, fire U' c resistant, durable and "vandal-proof" seat construction.

1. W~t It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the abovementioned problems of the prior art.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In one broad form the present invention provides a seat cushioning construction comprising a backing, a foamed cushion material of predetermined thickness supported thereon, and a predetermined layer of a fire barrier material applied to the external surface of said foam *SAR/1385b 2 1 substantially encapsulating a flexible wire mesh disposed adjacent said surface, Preferably the fire barrier material is covered by a upholstery material having good fire retardancy characteristics wool fabric).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a seat construction incorporating the cushion construction of the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the seat cushion construction of the present invention.

BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The attached drawings depict an improved cushion construction comprising a plywood or press-metal backing 11, a cushion foam material 12 IS closed cell sponge material) attached thereto, and a fire barrier material 13 in which is encapsulated a "vandal resistant" wire meshing 14.

The backing 11 is adapted to co-operate with and be mounted to a seat-shell 15. A separate backing 11 is provided for both the backrest and Sthe seat section of the seat, and has curvatures consistent with that of O. t 20 the seat-shell 15. Further, the timber plywood) is preferably ftt perforated to allow "breathing" of the seat cushion construction A cushion foam 12, such as closed cell sponge, is formed in an appropriate shape for each of the backrest and seat portions, and is supported by the respective backings 11. The sponge used preferably has a compressive strength, fire retardancy and other characteristics which make it appropriate for this type of service. The foam 12 is preferably glued to the backing 11.

Applied to the exterior surface of the foam 12 is a fire resistant barrier 13 having a thickness of at least 1 mm, and preferably between 4 to ISAR/1385b -3f

A

I

6 mm, The fire resistant barrier 13 may be of a material such as "emer-clad fire check" (a water based high solids acrylic co-polymer) or a combination of "emer-clad fire check" and a thermosetting plastic, The thickness of the barrier 13 is necessarily thick enough to encapsulate (or at least substantially encapsulate) a wire meshing 14, "Emr-clad fire check' is a material traditionally used merely as a "painted" coating or membrane, that is, having an effective -thickness of approximately 0.5 mm.

However, it has been found that the qualities such as flexibility, fire resistance and material structure of this material lends it for use as an effective material to encapsulate and locate the wire mesh 14 in the desired position relative to the cushion.

The wire meshing 14 is constructed from a material having a high sheer and tensile strength, so as to be generally capable of withstanding the cutting forces of sharp knives and other instruments commonly used by vandals. The wire mesh 14 is embedded into the fire resistant barrier 13.

It is,flexible, that is, it is designed to be generally movable in a manner consistent with the requirements of a seat upholstery. Further, the wire mesh 14 preferably has interstices between the links of the mesh 14 small enough so as to restrict penetration of sharp objects. The mesh 14 may be produced from any suitable material metal or plastics such as Keviar) which provides sufficient flexibility, and suitable dimensions must be relatively flat).

Preferably a covering 16 having good fire retardancy characteristics is used to upholster the cushion construction. The preferred material would be a 100%I wool fabric.

The advantages of this type of cushion construction is that it provides excellent comfort characteristics, durability, fire retardancy, and resistance to vandalism.

c r SAR/1 385b -4 Al

Claims

2. The seat cushioning construction as defined in claim 1 wherein said fire barrier material is a water-based high-solid acrylic co-polymer, or a mixture of said acrylic co-polymer with a thermosetting plastics material.
3. The seat cushioning construction as defined in claims 1 or 2, wherein said predetermined layer of said fire barrier material is at least 1 mm. thick.
4. The seat cushioning construction as defined in claim 3 wherein said predetermined layer of said fire barrier material is 4 mm. to 6 mm. thick. The seat cushioning construction as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said wire meshing generally resists cutting or tearing, and is flexible.
6. The seat cushioning construction as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein fire barrier material is covered by a fire resistant upholstery material.
7. A seat cushioning construction as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein said backing is perforated.
8. A seat cushioning construction as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. SAR/1385b I" 7 (C t( DATED this THIRTEENTH day of OCTOBER 1988 KELRIT PTY LTD TRADING AS SPRAY COATINGS Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON -6 I; k i SAR/1385b c-, 1