Furniture construction with tensioned fabric

Abstract

A furniture construction and a method of placing a section of fabric in tension on the furniture construction includes providing a pair of rigid members each having a slot extending along one side. A rigid edge portion is provided on opposite sides of the section of fabric. Each rigid edge portion is then inserted into the slot of each rigid member such that the fabric overlies an adjacent side surface of each rigid member. The rigid members are then moved in opposing directions thereby place the fabric in tension. The edge portion of the fabric is sufficiently rigid to retain the fabric within the slot and thereby retain the fabric in tension. The rigid members are then secured to the furniture construction.

1 - 4 . (canceled) 
   
   
       5 . A furniture construction including a ground engaging framework, the construction comprising:
 a pair of spaced apart rigid members attached to the framework, each rigid member being longitudinal in length and having a slot extending longitudinally along one side;   a section of fabric having opposing end portions, each end portion being rigid and disposed within a slot of the rigid members; and   a portion of the section of fabric extending out of the slot and overlying a side of the rigid member adjacent to the slot wherein the section of fabric between the rigid members is in tension.   
   
   
       6 . The construction of  claim 5  and further comprising:
 two sets of tabs extending from the framework, the sets being spaced from each other and within each set the tabs being spaced from each other and wherein the rigid members are secured to the tabs.   
   
   
       7 . A chair construction comprising:
 a framework having four ground engaging legs;   a seat portion attached to the framework and comprising a section of fabric in tension attached to two rigid substantially horizontal seat members, each rigid seat member having a slot extending along the length thereof, and wherein the sections of fabric having opposing rigid edge portions are disposed within the slots of the rigid members; and   a back portion extending substantially vertically from the framework.   
   
   
       8 . The chair construction of  claim 7  wherein the slots of the rigid seat members are downwardly facing. 
   
   
       9 . The chair construction of  claim 7  wherein the slots of the rigid seat members are upwardly facing. 
   
   
       10 . The chair construction of  claim 7  wherein the back portion includes a second section of fabric in tension attached to two rigid substantially vertically disposed back members, each rigid vertically disposed back member having a longitudinal slot extending along the length thereof, and wherein the second section of fabric has opposing rigid edge portions disposed within the slots of the rigid substantially vertically disposed members. 
   
   
       11 . The chair construction of claim  1  wherein the slots of the back members are rearwardly facing. 
   
   
       12 . The chair construction of  claim 10  wherein the slots of the back members are forwardly facing. 
   
   
       13 - 22 . (canceled)