Chair having elastic bands for support surfaces and device for securing the bands to the chair

Abstract

A chair uses multiple elastic bands to form the seating surfaces. The elastic bands are held in place with a mounting bracket which facilitates easy assembly of the chair and reduces the likelihood of breakage or improper assembly of the elastic bands. The elastic bands are positioned nearly level with the chair side rails and mounting bracket, and the elastic bands cover the mounting screws to provide a chair which is more comfortable and more aesthetically pleasing.

1 . A chair comprising:
 a first side rail;   a second side rail;   a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket having a plurality of holes therethrough and being attached to a side of the first side rail; and   a seating surface formed of a plurality of elastic bands, the elastic bands extending between the first and second side rails and each of the plurality of elastic bands passing through one of the plurality of holes.   
   
   
       2 . The chair of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of holes in the mounting bracket are disposed along the top thereof, and wherein the mounting bracket comprises a projection formed adjacent the top of each of the holes, the projection curving downwardly from the top of the mounting bracket so as to force the elastic bands to bend downwardly. 
   
   
       3 . The chair of  claim 1 , wherein the chair comprises a plurality of mounting brackets, and wherein the plurality of mounting brackets are interlocking when placed end to end. 
   
   
       4 . The chair according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of screws and wherein the mounting bracket comprises a plurality of holes configured for receiving the plurality of screws such that the mounting bracket is held to the first side rail by a plurality of screws. 
   
   
       5 . The chair according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second mounting bracket having a plurality of holes therethrough and being attached to a side of the second side rail. 
   
   
       6 . The chair according to  claim 1 , wherein the first side rail and the second side rail each have an upper surface disposed in a substantially common horizontal plane, and wherein the mounting bracket is attached so as to remain below the upper surfaces of the first side rail and the second side rail. 
   
   
       7 . The chair according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastic bands comprise an elongate length of elastic material having a covering thereon and having a clip located on the ends thereof, the clips being placed inside of the mounting brackets. 
   
   
       8 . The chair according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting brackets have an inside side configured for mounting against chair side rail, and wherein the inside side is contoured to match the contour of the side rail. 
   
   
       9 . A chair comprising:
 a first side rail;   a second side rail;   a first mounting bracket attached to the first side rail so as to be positioned between the first side rail and the second side rail;   a second mounting bracket attached to the second side rail so as to be positioned between the first side rail and the second side rail;   elastic bands extending between the first and second mounting brackets, the elastic bands being attached to the first and second side rails via the first and second mounting brackets.   
   
   
       10 . The chair of  claim 9 , wherein the elastic bands pass horizontally through the first and second mounting brackets and are bent vertically adjacent the first and second side rails. 
   
   
       11 . The chair of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second mounting brackets have a plurality of holes therethrough for receiving the elastic bands, and wherein the mounting brackets have projections disposed adjacent the holes and extending at an angle across the openings so as to bend the elastic bands adjacent the openings. 
   
   
       12 . The chair of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second mounting brackets comprise:
 a first side configured for mounting against a chair side rail;   a recess extending through the first side and into the body of the mounting bracket;   an opening whereby an elastic band may pass into the recess; and   wherein the elastic band bends adjacent said opening so as to be held adjacent a chair side rail.   
   
   
       13 . The chair of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second mounting brackets comprise a projection formed inside of the recess and configured for bending the elastic band so as to be adjacent the chair side rail. 
   
   
       14 . The chair of  claim 12 , wherein the opening is formed in a second side of the mounting bracket opposite the first side of the mounting bracket. 
   
   
       15 . The chair of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second mounting brackets comprise a projection formed inside of the recess adjacent the opening and configured for bending the elastic band. 
   
   
       16 . A method for forming an elastic chair comprising:
 selecting a plurality of pieces of elastic;   inserting the plurality of pieces of elastic into a plurality of holes in a mounting bracket;   selecting a chair having first side rail and a second side rail; and   attaching the mounting bracket and plurality of pieces of elastic to the side of the first side rail so as to be between the first and second side rails.   
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the method comprises attaching the mounting bracket to the side of the first side rail so as to bend and hold a portion of the elastic between the first side rail and the mounting bracket. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the method comprises attaching the mounting bracket to the side rail so that the pieces of elastic extend into openings in a side of the mounting bracket facing the second side rail and bend approximately 90 degrees so as to be located along the first side rail. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the method comprises selecting a mounting bracket having a projection located adjacent a hole therethrough, the projection being configured for bending a piece of elastic as it passes through the hole.