Cushion retention system

Abstract

A cushion retention system is provided for removably securing a cushion to a furniture frame using a rotatable reinforcement strip. The system includes a generally flat, elongated strip connected to the cushion by an attachment member, at least a portion of which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the strip. The reinforcement strip may be inserted through a slot formed between adjacent slats of the frame in a first orientation and rotated to a second orientation to resist withdrawal. Horizontal and vertical slat arrangements allow selective locking or sliding of the cushion based on placement. The system supports tool-free installation and removal, enabling ergonomic adjustment in reclining furniture. The reinforcement strip may include rounded edges and may be made of rigid or semi-rigid material. The attachment member may be flexible and may be sewn, bonded, or integrally formed with the reinforcement strip to support diverse cushion structures and assembly methods.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cushion retention system comprising:
 a reinforcement strip including a generally flat and elongated body configured to pass through a slot formed in a frame structure;   an attachment member extending from a central region of the reinforcement strip and configured to secure the reinforcement strip to a cushion; wherein   the reinforcement strip is dimensioned to pass through the slot when oriented in a first insertion orientation and to resist withdrawal from the slot when rotated to a second locking orientation; and further wherein   the attachment member is oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the reinforcement strip.   
     
     
         2 . The cushion retention system of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement strip is rotatable approximately ninety degrees between the first insertion orientation and the second locking orientation. 
     
     
         3 . The cushion retention system of  claim 2 , wherein the reinforcement strip is configured to lie substantially flat against an interior surface of the frame structure in the second locking orientation. 
     
     
         4 . The cushion retention system of  claim 1 , wherein the slot formed in the frame structure is bounded by a pair of adjacent slats. 
     
     
         5 . The cushion retention system of  claim 4 , wherein the adjacent slats are oriented substantially horizontally relative to a seating surface of the frame structure. 
     
     
         6 . The cushion retention system of  claim 4 , wherein the adjacent slats are oriented substantially vertically relative to a backrest portion of the frame structure. 
     
     
         7 . The cushion retention system of  claim 5 , wherein the horizontal slats restrict vertical movement of the reinforcement strip after rotation into the second locking orientation. 
     
     
         8 . The cushion retention system of  claim 6 , wherein the vertical slats permit sliding motion of the reinforcement strip in a vertical direction while restricting lateral withdrawal. 
     
     
         9 . The cushion retention system of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment member comprises a fabric segment sewn to the reinforcement strip. 
     
     
         10 . The cushion retention system of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment member comprises a fabric segment that substantially encloses the reinforcement strip. 
     
     
         11 . The cushion retention system of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement strip comprises a rigid or semi-rigid material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, polymer, and fiber-reinforced composite. 
     
     
         12 . The cushion retention system of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment member is fixed to an internal panel or seam of the cushion body. 
     
     
         13 . The cushion retention system of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement strip includes rounded or beveled corners to facilitate insertion into the slot. 
     
     
         14 . The cushion retention system of  claim 1 , wherein the slot is dimensioned to receive the reinforcement strip in the first insertion orientation and to prevent withdrawal in the second locking orientation due to geometric interference. 
     
     
         15 . The cushion retention system of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement strip and attachment member are integrally formed from a unitary material. 
     
     
         16 . The cushion retention system of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement strip has a width that is greater than a height of the slot in the second locking orientation. 
     
     
         17 . The cushion retention system of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment member includes a flexible portion allowing limited translation of the cushion relative to the frame. 
     
     
         18 . The cushion retention system of  claim 17 , wherein the flexible portion permits movement of an upper cushion segment when a reclining backrest is adjusted. 
     
     
         19 . The cushion retention system of  claim 17 , wherein the flexible portion restricts movement of a lower cushion segment when a base portion of the frame remains stationary. 
     
     
         20 . A cushion retention system comprising:
 a reinforcement strip having a generally flat and elongated body composed of a rigid or semi-rigid material;   an attachment member comprising a fabric segment attached to the reinforcement strip and configured to secure the reinforcement strip to a cushion;   a frame structure comprising a plurality of spaced-apart slats defining at least one slot dimensioned to receive the reinforcement strip in a first orientation; wherein   the reinforcement strip is configured to pass through the slot when oriented in the first orientation and to resist withdrawal from the slot when rotated to a second orientation, wherein the second orientation causes the reinforcement strip to lie substantially flat against an interior surface of the frame; and further wherein   a first portion of the frame includes horizontal slats forming a first slot that prevents vertical movement of the reinforcement strip after rotation into the second orientation; and further wherein   a second portion of the frame includes vertical slats forming a second slot that permits vertical sliding motion of the reinforcement strip while restricting lateral withdrawal.   
     
     
         21 . A method of securing a cushion to a furniture frame, the method comprising:
 providing a reinforcement strip having a generally flat and elongated body and an attachment member extending at least from a central region of the reinforcement strip;   attaching the attachment member to a cushion;   inserting the reinforcement strip through a slot formed in a frame structure while the reinforcement strip is oriented in a first insertion orientation;   rotating the reinforcement strip to a second locking orientation in which the reinforcement strip lies substantially flat against an interior surface of the frame and resists withdrawal through the slot; wherein   the slot is formed between adjacent slats of the frame structure, and further wherein   the slats are oriented to either permit or restrict vertical sliding of the reinforcement strip depending on the region of the frame in which the slot is located.