Molded Wood Flake Article with Integral Flexible Spring Member

Abstract

A molded wood flake support is fabricated to include at least one flexible spring member which is narrower then the width of the molded wood flake support and integrally formed therewith or secured thereto, wherein the flexible spring member can flex independently from the molded wood flake support.

1 - 99 . (canceled)  
   
   
       100 . A support comprising: 
 a support member having a width; and    at least one molded wood flake flexible spring which is narrower than said width of said support member, said flexible spring including a free end and a joined end, said joined end being integrally formed with said support member, wherein said flexible spring can flex independently from said support member.    
   
   
       101 . The support as defined in  claim 100  wherein said support member and flexible spring are integrally fabricated substantially of wood flakes.  
   
   
       102 . The support as defined in  claim 100  wherein said support member includes a plurality of spaced-apart molded wood flake flexible springs.  
   
   
       103 . The support as defined in  claim 100  wherein said at least one molded wood flake flexible spring is defined by a U-shaped channel formed in said support member.  
   
   
       104 . The support as defined in  claim 100  wherein said support member comprises a seat and said at least one molded wood flake flexible spring is disposed within said seat.  
   
   
       105 . The support as defined in  claim 100  wherein said support member includes at least one channel disposed therein, said at least one channel defining said at least one molded wood flake flexible spring and said at least one channel is integrally molded within said support member.  
   
   
       106 . A molded wood flake support for a seating article which at least partially supports a user seated thereon, said molded wood flake support comprising: 
 a base section molded of binder coated wood flakes, said base section including a frame section having a main portion and an integral seating section formed at an angle to said main portion of said frame section; and    said seating section including at least one molded wood flake flexible spring including a free end and a joined end integrally formed with said frame section, wherein said flexible spring can flex independently from said main portion of said frame section.    
   
   
       107 . The molded wood flake support as defined in  claim 106  wherein said support is fabricated substantially of wood flakes.  
   
   
       108 . The molded wood flake support as defined in  claim 107  wherein said seating section includes a plurality of spaced-apart molded wood flake springs.  
   
   
       109 . The molded wood flake support as defined in  claim 108  wherein said wood flake springs are defined by a channel separating adjacent springs.  
   
   
       110 . The molded wood flake support as defined in  claim 109  wherein said at least one channel is molded into said support and terminates in said frame section and a circular aperture is formed through said frame section at the junction of said channel and frame section.  
   
   
       111 . The molded wood flake support as defined in  claim 106  wherein said at least one molded wood flake flexible spring comprises a plurality of spaced-apart molded wood flake flexible springs.  
   
   
       112 . The molded wood flake support as defined in  claim 106  further including a back molded of binder coated wood flakes connected with said base section, wherein said back includes at least one molded wood flake flexible spring.  
   
   
       113 . The molded wood flake support as defined in  claim 112  wherein said back includes a seat facing side and said at least one molded wood flake flexible spring extends outwardly from said seat facing side of said back.  
   
   
       114 . A molded wood flake support according to  claim 106  wherein said support includes at least one channel disposed therein, said at least one channel defining said at least one molded wood flake flexible spring and said at least one channel is integrally molded within said support.  
   
   
       115 . The molded wood flake support as defined in  claim 110  further including an elastomeric mesh coupled to said springs.  
   
   
       116 . A molded wood flake article for a seating member said molded wood flake support comprising: 
 a support section molded of binder coated wood flakes including a frame section having a main portion and a plurality of spaced-apart molded wood flake flexible springs including free ends and joined ends integrally formed with said frame section, wherein said flexible springs can flex independently from said main portion;    a rigid panel mounted in spaced relationship to said support section; and    a foam pad extending between said rigid panel and said support section and coupled to said molded wood flake flexible springs for supplementing the spring resistance of said flexible molded wood flake springs.    
   
   
       117 . The molded wood flake support as defined in  claim 116  including a plurality of spaced-apart foam pads extending between said rigid panel and said support section.  
   
   
       118 . The molded wood flake support as defined in  claim 116  wherein said wood flake springs are defined by a channel separating adjacent springs.  
   
   
       119 . The molded wood flake support as defined in  claim 118  wherein said at least one channel is molded into said support and terminates in said frame section and a circular aperture is formed through said frame section at the junction of said channel and frame section.  
   
   
       120 . The molded wood flake support as defined in  claim 107  wherein said flexible spring includes a longitudinal indentation extending into said frame section to stiffen said spring.