GB2276316A

GB2276316A - Support structures

Info

Publication number: GB2276316A
Application number: GB9302895A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Tivey
Original assignee: Charles Blyth & Co Ltd
Current assignee: Charles Blyth & Co Ltd
Priority date: 1993-02-13
Filing date: 1993-02-13
Publication date: 1994-09-28
Also published as: GB9302895D0

Abstract

A support structure comprises a mesh bounded by a support frame 11, the mesh being secured to the support frame by a plurality of discrete clips 14 spaced along the frame. A method of producing such a structure for internally sprung furniture, comprises the steps of producing a mesh of desired length and width, attaching to the mesh coiled springs 15 by securing one end of each spring to one side of the mesh, and subsequently securing the periphery of the mesh to a surrounding support frame by means of the clips 14. <IMAGE>

Description

SUPPORT STRUCTURES This invention relates to a support structure, in particular, but not exclusively, a support structure for use in furniture construction.

Furniture constructions such as chairs and settees generally include some form of support structure. The support structure usually comprises a mesh bounded by framework and when used in the manufacture of furniture would additionally include coil springs mounted on the support structure.

The mesh is conventionally secured to the frame by means of an elongate wire coil, similar in form to an extended spring, in which the coil is threaded along the frame by rotating the coil in a screw-like manner thereby threading it through the mesh plus any adjacent springs.

The above method of binding the mesh and springs to the frame is presently a manual operation involving highly skilled operators to achieve the desired result. This is a relatively slow operation and therefore high in labour costs. It is therefore desirable to increase the speed of operation and make use of non-skilled labour thereby reducing overall costs.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a support structure comprising a mesh bounded by a support frame, the mesh being secured to the support frame by a plurality of discrete clips spaced along the frame.

Preferably the clips are hog rings.

Various aspects of the present invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a support structure according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the support structure of Figure 1.

Referring to the figures, there is shown a support structure 10 to be used in, for example, furniture construction.

The support structure 10 of the embodiment shown comprises a mesh 13 bounded by and secured to a frame 11, the frame 11 being preferably formed from metal rod, for example 7 gauge (4.5mm diam), but may be of any material, configuration or thickness suitable for a particular application.

The mesh 13 may be of any suitable structure for a particular application but in the embodiment shown is in the form of a lace web.

Lace web is generally known in the art and is formed from four strands of coiled wire 13a,13b,13c,13d which are intertwined to form an open mesh structure 13 as schematically shown.

The support structure 10 shown preferably has a plurality of coiled springs 12 secured to at least one face of the mesh 13.

In the arrangement shown, the mesh 13 is secured to the frame 11 by a series of discrete clips 14.

The coiled springs 12 are threadably secured about their bases 15 to the mesh 13 by passing the coiled springs 12 through the mesh 13 in an undulating manner. Preferably the outer springs 12 are also secured to the frame 11 by clips 14.

The clips 14 used for securing the mesh 13 and coiled springs 12 to the frame 11 of the support structure 10 are preferably in the form of metal hog rings which are applied by a special tool known in the art. The clips 14 may bind the coiled springs 12 and mesh 13 to the frame 11 either by loosely or tightly gripping them in place. In the tightly gripped state, the clips 14 may be arranged such that they allow no movement of the coiled springs 12 relative to the frame 11 and in the embodiment shown, with particular reference to Figure 2, the portion of the bases of the coiled springs 12 adjacent the frame 11 are partially located on top of the frame 11. In the loosely gripped state the clips 14 allow movement of the coiled springs 12 relative to the frame 11 such that the coiled springs 12 may assume a self-adjusting position without laterally straining the coiled springs 12.

Preferably the clips 14 are applied so as to grip each outer spring and one or more clips 14 are provided along the frame 11 inbetween adjacent springs 12.

Assembly of the support structure 10 is achieved by first cutting a piece of mesh 13 to size and shape, attaching coiled springs 12 to the mesh 13 by securing the base of each spring 12 to at least one side of the mesh 13, and subsequently securing the periphery of the mesh to a surrounding support frame 11 by means of discrete clips 14 spaced along the frame 11. The coiled springs 12 are attached to the mesh 13 by preferably intertwining an end convolution of each spring 12 with mesh 13.

The configuration of the frame 11 as shown is a continuous loop arrangement of rectilinear shape. Nevertheless, any particular shape or configuration of frame 11 may be used depending on the particular application. For example, the frame 11 may be of open loop form whereby along the open portion of the frame 11 the mesh 13 and any coiled springs 12 present will be fixed to a support member (not shown) such as the wooden member of a seat frame.

It is envisaged that other forms of clip 14 may be used instead of a hog ring.

In the embodiment shown the support structure 10 is arranged for use in the making of seat cushions for example. However, it should be appreciated that in another application the frame 11 together with the mesh 13 without the coiled springs 12 may be used as a filter support in a filter screen (not shown).

Claims

1. A support structure comprising a mesh bounded by a support frame, the mesh being secured to the support frame by a plurality of discrete clips spaced along the frame.

2. A support structure according to claim 1 wherein the mesh is formed from coiled wire.

3. A support structure according to claim 2 wherein the coiled wire is intertwined to define a lace web.

4. A support structure according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the support frame is defined by metal rod.

5. A support structure according to any preceding claim including a plurality of coiled springs each of which is secured at one end to one side of the mesh.

6. A support structure according to claim 5 wherein some of said coiled springs overlie the support frame and one secured thereto by at least one of said clips.

7. A support structure according to any preceding claim wherein the clips comprise hog rings.

8. A support structure substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings.

9. Internally sprung furniture including a support structure according to any preceding claim.

10. A method of producing a support structure for internally sprung furniture, the method comprising the steps of producing a mesh of desired length and width, attaching to the mesh coiled springs by securing one end of each spring to one side of the mesh, and subsequently securing the periphery of the mesh to a surrounding support frame by means of discrete clips spaced along the frame.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the coiled springs are attached to the mesh by intertwining an end convolution of each spring with said mesh.