Coupling element for coupling a cover to a piece of furniture

Abstract

 The invention relates to a coupling element (5) for coupling a cover (4) to a piece of furniture (1), such as a chair or table, for the purpose of covering the piece of furniture, comprising first coupling means (8) for coupling the coupling element (5) to the piece of furniture and second coupling means (11) for coupling the cover (4) to the coupling element (5). The invention also relates to a cover (4) for covering a piece of furniture (1), provided with counter-coupling means for coupling the cover (4) to the piece of furniture (1) by coupling using at least one coupling element (5) according to the invention.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a coupling element for coupling a cover to a piece of furniture, such as a chair or table, for the purpose of covering the piece of furniture. The invention also relates to a cover and to a piece of furniture provided with the cover.

[0002] Covering a piece of furniture by placing a cover at least partially over the piece of furniture is frequently done for aesthetic reasons, but also to prevent the piece of furniture becoming soiled or damaged. The cover can be placed loosely over the piece of furniture but is usually connected to the piece of furniture at least at one position, by tying the cover to for instance a leg of the piece of furniture or placing the leg of the piece of furniture in a pocket of the cover. A drawback of this connecting method is undesirable detaching of the cover.

[0003] An object of the present invention is therefore to provide means for covering a piece of furniture with a cover without the prior art drawbacks.

[0004] This object is achieved with a coupling element according to claim 1. The coupling element for coupling a cover to a piece of furniture, such as a chair or table, for the purpose of covering the piece of furniture comprises first coupling means for coupling the coupling element to the piece of furniture and second coupling means for coupling the cover to the coupling element. A stronger connection of the cover to the piece of furniture can be obtained by applying the coupling element according to the invention. This is because the strength of the coupling of the cover to the piece of furniture is no longer determined only by the strength of the cover but also by the coupling element. It is moreover the case that by applying the coupling element according to the invention a cover connected to a piece of furniture is less likely to come loose. The coupling hereby becomes more reliable.

[0005] According to the invention the first coupling means further comprise a first receiving space for receiving an extremity of the piece of furniture, such as a corner of a table top, a chair back or a knob of a drawer or cabinet door. This is a simple manner of coupling the coupling element to the piece of furniture. The first receiving space is adapted here to clampingly receive the extremity. This further improves the reliability of the coupling.

[0006] In order to further reduce the risk of the coupling element coming loose from the piece of furniture, the first receiving space can be adapted to receive an end part of a leg of the piece of furniture. The leg is urged into or at least held in the first receiving space of the first coupling means by the weight of the piece of furniture. Because the coupling is hereby also situated close to a ground surface, the risk of undesired detachment is reduced, while the risk of damage to the cover, for instance due to wear of the cover over the ground surface, is likewise reduced. The first receiving space can take diverse forms. The first receiving space can thus enclose a cylindrical, oval or rectangular space. The receiving space preferably has the same shape as the end part of the leg.

[0007] The coupling element according to the invention further comprises second coupling means for coupling the cover to the coupling element. The second coupling means can be embodied in diverse ways. The second coupling means can thus hold the cover clampingly, wherein the coupling obtained is based on friction. The second coupling means particularly comprise a second receiving space for receiving at least a part of the cover. The coupling can hereby be effected in simple manner by a user and a part of the cover can be placed in the second receiving space, whereby the cover fits more closely round the piece of furniture. The second coupling means can also be adapted to couple the cover form-fittingly to the coupling element. In this context `form-fitting' is understood to mean that the second coupling means are formed such that they form a blocking in the form of a stop for the purpose of preventing a displacement of the cover under the influence of a pulling force exerted on the cover. A non-slip coupling is hereby obtained, thereby improving the strength and the reliability of the coupling.

[0008] The second coupling means can be adapted to couple the cover to the coupling element by engaging the cover. In an embodiment the second coupling means are adapted to couple the cover to the coupling element using counter-coupling means forming part of the cover. A strong coupling can hereby be obtained, wherein the cover can be coupled to the coupling element in substantially unequivocal manner. This is particularly advantageous when the cover has dimensioning specific to a piece of furniture.

[0009] In another embodiment the counter-coupling means comprise a local thickening of the cover and the second receiving space is adapted to receive the local thickening. The cover can hereby be coupled unequivocally to the piece of furniture and the reliability of the coupling is further improved.

[0010] In yet another embodiment a housing encloses the second receiving space and an opening in a wall part of the housing connects to the second receiving space, wherein the opening is adapted to receive at least a part of the cover. The position of the counter-coupling means relative to the first coupling means is hereby less critical, since dimensional variations and placing of the cover relative to the piece of furniture are therefore not significant factors. It is also possible for two openings to connect to the second receiving space from at least one wall part of housing, wherein the openings are adapted to receive at least a part of the cover. The cover can hereby be placed more loosely or more tightly as desired round a piece of furniture.

[0011] In another embodiment the second receiving space is located on the side of the coupling element remote from the first receiving space. A cover placed tightly round the piece of furniture can hereby urge the coupling element in the direction of the piece of furniture. If an end part of a leg is placed in the first receiving space, the weight of the piece of furniture rests on the second receiving space, thereby further improving the reliability of the coupling.

[0012] In order to further reduce the risk of the cover detaching from the piece of furniture, in a preferred embodiment the coupling element comprises a locking element for coupling the cover in locking manner to the coupling element using the second coupling means.

[0013] In an embodiment the coupling element comprises a housing and the locking element comprises a cap which is displaceable relative to the housing and adapted to at least partially close the second receiving space in locking manner. This is a structurally simple and reliable locking. The cap can comprise a recess here, which recess forms a part of the second receiving space. Both the form-fitting coupling and the locking are effected by at least partially closing the second receiving space. By giving the locking element a displaceable form relative to the first coupling means in particular, the coupling element can be used for covers of different dimensions. In other words, the coupling means is less dependent on the dimensions of the cover, and particularly less dependent on the position where the counter-coupling means of the cover are located. It thus becomes possible to couple a variety of covers to a piece of furniture.
The cap is particularly connected pivotally to the housing. A pivoting connection can take a durable and strong form and has the further advantage that a locking element embodied in such a form is displaceable in simple and unambiguous manner by a user. The cap can be connected here to the housing via a pivot shaft. The cap is in particular pivotally connected to the housing via a connecting element which is substantially elastically deformable and preferably manufactured substantially from plastic.

[0014] By giving the coupling element a substantially integral form a strong coupling element is obtained which is easier to use, and the coupling element is also inexpensive to produce.

[0015] The coupling element can be manufactured from diverse materials. The coupling element is particularly manufactured substantially from resilient material. An extremity as well as a part of the cover can hereby be received under bias in respectively the first and second receiving space. This further reduces the risk of the cover coming loose. A coupling element manufactured from polypropylene combines a good strength and elasticity.

[0016] The invention also relates to a cover for covering a piece of furniture, provided with counter-coupling means for coupling the cover to the piece of furniture by coupling using at least one coupling element according to the present invention. For the advantages of this cover reference is made to the advantages of the coupling element as described above. The counter-coupling means are particularly connected to the cover close to an edge or corner of the cover. The cover can hereby be placed tightly round a piece of furniture, this further reducing the risk of the cover coming loose.

[0017] In a first embodiment of the cover the counter-coupling means are formed as a local thickening of the cover. Such counter-coupling means are structurally simple. The thickening can for instance be formed as locally double-folded parts of the cover. In order to increase the reliability of the coupling the double-folded parts are at least partially connected to each other, for instance by a stitched connection. The thickening can also be formed as a material strip extending along an edge of the cover and connected to the cover. The material strip is preferably manufactured from a rubber. A cover, and particularly a cover with dimensioning specific to a piece of furniture, can hereby be placed unequivocally and tightly round the piece of furniture, wherein possible variations in dimensioning can be allowed for in simple manner.

[0018] By providing the cover with a number of counter-coupling means corresponding to the number of legs of the piece of furniture to be covered, the cover can be tensioned tightly round the piece of furniture and a strong coupling is obtained.

[0019] In an embodiment the cover can be coupled under bias to the piece of furniture to be covered. Because the cover lies relatively tightly round the piece of furniture, the risk of something or someone gripping the cover, whereby the cover can come loose, is reduced.

[0020] The invention also relates to a piece of furniture provided with a cover, in particular a cover according to the present invention, coupled to the piece of furniture via at least one coupling element according to the invention.

[0021] The present invention will be further elucidated on the basis of the non-limitative exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures. Herein:

figure 1 is a front view of a chair covered with a cover according to the invention;

figure 2a is a perspective view of a coupling element according to the invention;

figure 2b is another perspective view of the coupling element of figure 2a;

figure 3a is a cross-sectional view of the coupling element of figure 2a along the line A-A in a situation where the cover is left free;

figure 3b is a cross-sectional view of the coupling element of figure 2a along the line A-A in a situation in which it locks the cover;

figure 4 is a side view of a table covered with a cover according to the invention;

figure 5a is a perspective view of the cylindrical first coupling means of another embodiment of a coupling element according to the invention;

figure 5b is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cap which can co-act with the first coupling means shown in figure 5a; and

figure 5c is a perspective view of another embodiment of a cap which can co-act with the first coupling means shown in figure 5a.

[0022] A chair designated as a whole with 1 is shown with reference to figure 1. Chair 1 comprises a frame 2 and legs 3 (indicated with broken lines) connected to frame 2 on the underside of the frame. A cover 4 is placed over chair 1 and thereby covers chair 1. Coupling elements 5 are coupled to chair 1. For this purpose end parts 3a of legs 3 extend in first coupling means, embodied as a first receiving space 6, of coupling element 5 (see also figures 2a and 2b). Cover 4 is coupled to coupling elements 5. Counter-coupling means embodied as rods 7 are fixedly connected for this purpose to cover 4, which rods 7 extend in coupled situation in second coupling means, embodied as a second receiving space 10, of coupling elements 5 (see figures 3a and 3b). A form-fitting coupling of cover 4 to coupling element 5 is hereby obtained.

[0023] A coupling element 5 is shown with reference to figures 2a and 2b. Coupling element 5 comprises a cylindrical first receiving space 6 for receiving an end part 3a of a leg 3 of chair 1 of figure 1 (see figures 3a and 3b). Receiving space 6 is enclosed by a cylindrical surface 8 and a bottom part 9 connected to cylindrical surface 8. On a side remote from first receiving space 6 the coupling element 5 comprises a second receiving space 10 for receiving a counter-coupling means of cover 4 embodied as rod 7 (see figures 3a and 3b). Coupling element 5 also comprises a cap 11 pivotally connected to bottom part 9 via a hinge 12. Cap 11 acts as locking means for a part of cover 4 received in second receiving space 10. By embodying the locking means as a cap 11 covers of different dimensioning can be coupled using the same coupling means. Hinge 12 is embodied as an elastically deformable hinge which can pivot about a fold line. Such a hinge is durable and strong. Second receiving space 10 is embodied as a continuous opening extending partially in bottom part 9 as well as in cap 11. In the situation shown here cap 11 has been placed in a position in which second receiving space 10 for receiving rod 7 is left free. In order to couple cover 4 to coupling element 5 a part of cover 4 or a rod 7 is placed in receiving space 10, after which cap 11 is placed in a position in which cover 4 is coupled to coupling element 5 (see figure 3b). An elastically deformable blocking element 13 is fixedly connected to cap 11. The outer end of protrusion 13 comprises a contact surface 13a and a guide surface 13b. Bottom part 9 comprises an opening 9a for blocking element 13. By placing cap 11 in the position in which cover 4 is coupled to coupling element 5, contact surface 13a is carried behind a support surface 9b forming part of bottom part 9. Cap 11 hereby forms a locking for the coupling of rod 7 to coupling element 5 (see figure 3b). The blocking is released by placing a flat object in opening 9a and elastically deforming the blocking element 13, and cap 11 can be placed in a position leaving second receiving space 10 free (see figure 3a). Cover 4 can now be removed from second receiving space 10 and is thereby uncoupled from coupling element 5. Coupling element 5 is manufactured from polypropylene and formed integrally by means of an injection moulding process.

[0024] A table designated as a whole with 20 is shown with reference to figure 4. Table 20 comprises a table top 21 and legs 22 (indicated with broken lines) connected to table top 21 on the underside of the table top. A cover 23 is placed over table 20. Coupling elements 5 are coupled to table 20. End parts 22a of legs 22 extend for this purpose in first coupling means, embodied as a first receiving space 6, of coupling elements 5 (see also figures 2a and 2b). Cover 23 is coupled to coupling elements 5. Cover 23 comprises for this purpose a rubber strip 24 fixedly connected to cover 23 along a lower edge 23a of cover 23. In coupled situation rubber strip 24 extends in the second receiving space 10, embodied as a continuous opening, of coupling elements 5 (see figures 2a and 2b). A form-fitting coupling of cover 4 to coupling element 5 is hereby obtained. Rubber strip 24 extends over a length along edge 23a such that end parts of rubber strip 24a extend upward beyond legs 23. Cover 23 can be placed more loosely as well as more tightly round table 20 by displacing rubber strip 24 relative to second receiving space 10.

[0025] Referring to figures 5a and 5b, a coupling element 15 is shown which is constructed in the shown embodiment from two individual elements (18, 111) which can be coupled. Coupling element 15 comprises a cylindrical peripheral surface 18 and a bottom part 19 connected to peripheral surface 18. Peripheral surface 18 takes a hollow form, wherein the cavity defines a first receiving space 16 (not visible) for receiving an end part 3a of a leg 3 of chair 1 of figure 1 (see figures 3a and 3b). On a side remote from first receiving space 16 the coupling element 15 comprises a second receiving space 110 for receiving counter-coupling means of cover 4 embodied as rod 7 (see figures 3a and 3b). Coupling element 15 also comprises a cap 111, which is shown in figure 5b. Cap 111 is a separate element which can be coupled to bottom part 19. Cap 111 acts as locking means for a part of cover 4 received in second receiving space 110. Second receiving space 110 is embodied as a continuous opening which extends partially in bottom part 19 as well as in cap 111. In order to couple cover 4 to coupling element 15 a part of cover 4 or a rod 7 is placed in receiving space 110, after which cap 111 is clamped onto bottom part 19. Cover 4 is clamped here between cap 111 and bottom part 19. During clamping of cap 111 onto bottom part 19 a cylindrical protrusion 112 arranged on the inner side of cap 111 is inserted into an opening 120 provided in bottom part 19. In this embodiment the connection (112, 120) functions as a 'hinge'. Projections 121 arranged on the bottom part are received during closing in corresponding cavities 114 of cap 111. An elastically deformable blocking element 113 is fixedly connected to cap 111. The outer end of blocking element 113 comprises a projection with a contact surface 113a and a guide surface 113b. Bottom part 19 comprises an opening 19a for receiving blocking element 113, or at least the projection thereof. By placing cap 111 in the position in which cover 4 is coupled to coupling element 15, contact surface 113a is carried behind a support surface of opening 19a. Cap 111 hereby forms a locking for the coupling of rod 7 to coupling element 15. The blocking is released by placing a flat object in opening 19a and elastically deforming blocking element 113, and cap 111 can be placed in a position leaving second receiving space 110 free. Cover 4 can now be removed from second receiving space 110 and is thereby uncoupled from coupling element 15.

[0026] Referring to figures 5a and 5c, yet another embodiment of a coupling element 15 is shown which is likewise constructed from two individual elements (18, 111) which can be coupled. In the shown embodiment the cylindrical peripheral surface 18 and the bottom part 19 connected thereto are embodied similarly to the variant already described above. Coupling element 15 also comprises a cap 211 which is shown in figure 5c. In this embodiment cap 211 is also an individual element which can be coupled to bottom part 19. As already described above, the second receiving space 110 for a part of cover 4 is embodied as a continuous opening which extends partially in bottom part 19 as well as in cap 211. In order to couple cover 4 to coupling element 15, a part of cover 4 or a rod 7 is placed in receiving space 110, after which cap 211 is clamped onto bottom part 19. Cover 4 is clamped here between cap 111 and bottom part 19. During clamping of cap 111 onto bottom part 19 a toadstool-like closing protrusion 212 arranged on the inner side of cap 211 is inserted into an opening 120 provided in bottom part 19. In this embodiment the connection (212, 120) functions as a 'hinge'. Closing protrusion 212 comprises two elastically deformable, upright wall parts (212a, 212b) which are provided on the top with a projection (215a, 215b). When cap 211 is pressed fixedly onto bottom part 19, the projections (215a, 215b) are moved toward each other in that they come into contact with the (side walls of the) opening 120, wherein wall parts (212a, 212b) bend toward each other. When projections (215a, 215b) are then pushed through further than the height of the side walls of opening 120, projections (215a, 215b) spring apart again to their starting position. Projections (215, 215b) are carried here behind a support surface of opening 120, thereby creating a coupling. Protrusions 121 arranged on the bottom part are received during closing in corresponding cavities 214 of cap 211. An elastically deformable blocking element 213 is further connected fixedly to cap 211. The outer end of blocking element 213 comprises a projection with a contact surface 213a and a guide surface 213b. Bottom part 19 comprises an opening 19a for receiving blocking element 213, or at least the projection thereof. By placing cap 211 in the position coupled to coupling element 15, contact surface 213a is carried behind a support surface of opening 19a. Cap 211 hereby forms a locking for the coupling of rod 7 to coupling element 15. The blocking is released by inserting a flat object into opening 19a and elastically deforming blocking element 213, and cap 211 can be placed in a position leaving second receiving space 110 free. Cover 4 can now be removed from second receiving space 110 and is thereby uncoupled from coupling element 15.

Claims

1. Coupling element for coupling a cover to a piece of furniture, such as a chair or table, for the purpose of covering the piece of furniture, comprising first coupling means adapted to couple the coupling element to the piece of furniture and second coupling means adapted to couple the coupling element to the cover, wherein the first coupling means comprise a first receiving space for receiving an extremity of the piece of furniture and the first receiving space is adapted to clampingly receive the extremity, and wherein the second coupling means comprise a second receiving space for receiving at least a part of the cover.

2. Coupling element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first receiving space is adapted to receive an end part of a leg of the piece of furniture.

3. Coupling element as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the second coupling means are adapted to couple the cover form-fittingly to the coupling element.

4. Coupling element as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the second coupling means are adapted to couple the cover to the coupling element using counter-coupling means forming part of the cover.

5. Coupling element as claimed in claim 4, wherein the counter-coupling means comprise a local thickening of the cover and the second receiving space is adapted to receive the local thickening.

6. Coupling element as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein a housing encloses the second receiving space and an opening in a wall part of the housing connects to the second receiving space, which opening is adapted for passage of at least a part of the cover.

7. Coupling element as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the second receiving space is located on the side of the coupling element remote from the first receiving space.

8. Coupling element as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the coupling element comprises a locking element for coupling the cover in locking manner to the coupling element using the second coupling means.

9. Coupling element as claimed in claim 8, wherein the coupling element comprises a housing and the locking element comprises a cap which is displaceable relative to the housing and adapted to at least partially close the second receiving space in locking manner.

10. Coupling element as claimed in claim 9, wherein the cap is connected pivotally to the housing.

11. Cover for covering a piece of furniture, provided with counter-coupling means adapted to couple the cover to the piece of furniture by coupling using at least one coupling element as claimed in any of the claims 1-10.

12. Cover as claimed in claim 11, wherein the counter-coupling means comprise a local thickening of the cover extending at least along a part of an edge of the cover.

13. Cover as claimed in claim 12, wherein the thickening comprises a material strip connected to the cover.

14. Cover as claimed in claim 13, wherein the material strip is manufactured from a rubber.

15. Piece of furniture provided with a cover coupled to the piece of furniture via at least one coupling element as claimed in any of the claims 1-10.

Drawing