Retention method for flexible seating material

Abstract

An upholstered patio chair having a metal frame structure of compound three-dimensional shape with at least one internal hollow channel extending along the length of the frame structure and an elongated groove located in the frame structure opening into the hollow channel and forming a lip portion in the frame structure. At least one fabric panel for upholstering the frame which includes an edge containing a loop which extends through the elongated groove and into the hollow channel of the frame structure. An elongated wedge member secures the edge of the fabric panel to the frame structure in the channel by creating an interference fit between the wedge member and the lip portion of the frame structure.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An upholstered patio chair comprising: 
 a metal frame structure of compound three-dimensional shape including a back section, a seating section and two side sections with at least one internal hollow channel extending along at least a portion of a length of the frame structure;    an elongated groove located in the frame structure opening into the hollow channel and forming a lip portion in the frame structure;    at least one fabric panel for upholstering at least one of the back section, seating section or side sections of the metal frame structure, the fabric panel having at least one edge containing a loop which extends through the elongated groove and into the hollow channel of the frame structure; and    an elongated wedge member for securing the loop of the fabric panel to the frame structure in the channel such that the fabric panel smoothly maintains the compound three-dimensional shape of the frame structure, the wedge member is maintained in the channel by an interference fit between the wedge member and the lip portion in the frame structure.    
     
     
         2 . The chair of  claim 1  wherein the wedge member has a top portion and a flat surface adjacent the top portion and angled surface adjacent the flat surface.  
     
     
         3 . The chair of  claim 2  wherein the top portion of the wedge member is flush with the frame structure when the wedge member is inserted into the elongated groove.  
     
     
         4 . The chair of  claim 2  wherein the hollow channel has an angled surface and the interference fit between the wedge member and the frame structure occurs when the flat surface contacts the lip portion and the angled surface of the wedge portion contacts the angled surface of the channel.  
     
     
         5 . The chair of  claim 1  wherein the rod is inserted into the loop.  
     
     
         6 . The chair of  claim 1  wherein the groove has a width greater than a width of the loop.  
     
     
         7 . A furniture item comprising: 
 a metal frame having a hollow interior and a groove extending through the frame into the hollow interior, the frame has an angled surface in the hollow interior and a lip adjacent the groove and the angled surface;    a flexible fabric surface having a peripheral edge portion extending into the hollow interior of the metal frame through the groove; and    a wedge member retaining the peripheral edge portion in the hollow interior by forming an interference fit with the lip and the angled surface of the frame.    
     
     
         8 . The furniture item of  claim 7  wherein the wedge has a top portion and a flat surface adjacent the top portion and an angled surface adjacent the flat surface.  
     
     
         9 . The furniture item of  claim 8  wherein the top portion of the wedge member is flush with the metal frame when the wedge member is inserted into the groove.  
     
     
         10 . The furniture item of  claim 7  wherein a rod is inserted into a loop formed in the peripheral edge portion of the flexible fabric surface.  
     
     
         11 . A method of upholstering an outdoor patio furniture item made of metal frame members having a hollow interior comprising the steps of: 
 forming a groove in the metal frame members such that the groove extends into the hollow interior of the metal frame members and forms a lip in the metal frame members;    forming a loop along a peripheral portion of a flexible fabric surface; and    retaining the flexible fabric surface in the hollow interior in the metal frame members by inserting the loop along with an elongated molded strip containing a wedge portion into the groove of the metal frame members thereby registering the wedge portion into an interference fit with the lip portion of the metal frame member.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein a rod is inserted into the loop of the flexible fabric surface prior to insertion through the groove.