U.S. patent application number 11/273943 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-18 for collapsible rocker chair.
Invention is credited to Tony Kwan Kwai Wun.
Application Number | 20060103178 11/273943 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33548518 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060103178 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wun; Tony Kwan Kwai |
May 18, 2006 |
Collapsible rocker chair
Abstract
A collapsible chair frame 1 comprises a base 10 having
longitudinally extending side bars 10a, 10b, with front mounting
brackets 11a, 11b attached to one end of each side bar 10a, 10b. An
actuation handle 13 is rotatably connected to the mounting bracket
11a, 11b so as to be rotatable relative thereto about a second axis
parallel to but offset from said first axis, and one of a second
pair of brackets 20a, 20b is secured to a second end of each side
bar 10a, 10b. A front support bar 16, 17 extends from each side of
said actuation handle 13 at an inclined angle substantially towards
said second end of its respective side bar 10a, 10b. A pair of rear
support bars 21, 22 are rotatably connected to the second side
brackets and extend at an inclined angle substantially towards said
first end of its respective side bar 10a, 10b. Geared plates 18, 24
on ends of the support bars on each side of the frame engage with
each other so as to contain the bars 21, 22 on each side to rotate
together. The actuation handle 13 further includes locking pins 14
which secure said handle against rotation release means 34 being
operable to release the handle 13 for rotation relative to said
first pair of brackets.
Inventors: |
Wun; Tony Kwan Kwai; (Hong
Kong, HK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY, & PIERCE, P.L.C
7700 BONHOMME, STE 400
ST. LOUIS
MO
63105
US
|
Family ID: |
33548518 |
Appl. No.: |
11/273943 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/16.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 13/10 20130101;
A47D 13/102 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/016.1 |
International
Class: |
A47D 1/02 20060101
A47D001/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 18, 2004 |
GB |
0425461.1 |
Claims
1. A collapsible chair frame comprising a base having a pair of
longitudinally extending side bars, a first pair of brackets
attached proximate to a first end of each side bar so as to be
freely rotatable about a first axis substantially perpendicular to
said side bars, an actuation member extending between and rotatably
connected to each bracket of said first pair so as to be rotatable
relative to said first pair of brackets about a second axis
parallel to but offset from said first axis, a second pair of
brackets secured proximate to a second end of each side bar, a
first pair of support bars each having a first end secured to a
respective one of opposing ends of said actuation member and a
second end having engagement means provided thereon, each of said
first pair of support bars extending from said actuation member at
an inclined angle substantially towards said second end of its
respective side bar, and a second pair of support bars which extend
at an inclined angle substantially towards said first end of its
respective side bar, each second support bar having a first end
rotatably connected to a respective one of said second pair of
brackets and a second end having engagement means provided thereon,
said engagement means of the second end of each of said second pair
of support bars engaging with the engagement means of the second
end of an associated one of the first pair of support bars, such
that each of said second pair of support bars and its associated
one of the first pair of support bars are constrained to rotate
together, wherein said actuation member further includes locking
means engageable with said first pair of brackets to secure said
actuation member against rotation relative to said brackets,
release means operable to move said locking means from a locked
position to an unlock position in order to release said actuation
member for rotation relative to said first pair of brackets, and
safety catch means which, in a first position interacts with the
release means to prevent operation thereof and in a second position
is released from said release means so as to enable operation
thereof to unlock said actuation member from said brackets.
2. A collapsible chair frame according to claim 1, wherein a
housing is provided on each side of the frame in which are received
the second end of the of a respective one of each of the first pair
of support bars and the second pair of support bars so as to
maintain the engagement means provided thereon in engagement.
3. A collapsible chair frame according to claim 2, wherein the
second ends of each of the first and second pairs of support bars
are pivotally mounted in their respective housing.
4. A collapsible chair frame according to claim 2, wherein tubing
defining the plane of a seat portion and a back portion of the
chair extends between said side housings.
5. A collapsible chair frame according to claim 1, wherein the
engagement means take the form of geared plates.
6. A collapsible chair frame according to claim 1, wherein the base
of the frame includes a pair of end bars which extend from
proximate first ends of the side bars transversely of said side
bars towards each other, each of said first pair of brackets being
rotatably mounted on the end of a respective one of the end bars,
and the actuation member extending between said brackets
substantially parallel to said end bars.
7. A collapsible chair frame according to claim 6, wherein said
locking means comprises a pair of pins which extend from opposing
ends of the actuation member and engage in complementary shaped
recesses formed in said first brackets in order to lock said
actuation member against relative rotational movement, said release
means operating to retract said pins from said recesses.
8. A collapsible chair frame according to claim 7, wherein said
pins are attached to common sides of respective separate pivot
levers, operation of said release means effecting rotation of said
pivot levers in order to retract said pins.
9. A collapsible chair frame according to claim 7, wherein each pin
is attached to an associated pivot lever, operation of said release
means effecting rotation of said pivot levers in order to retract
said pins.
10. A collapsible chair frame according to claim 8, wherein the
release means is a button which projects from the side of the
actuation member and which includes an actuation pin that engages
into a cam opening formed in the or each pivot lever to which said
pins are attached, movement of the button relative to the or each
pivot lever causing operative rotation thereof which retracts said
pins into the actuation member.
11. A collapsible chair frame according to claim 10, wherein said
safety catch is slidably mounted in the actuation member and has at
least one projection which, in a first slide position of the safety
catch, extends into the path of movement of the release means so as
to prevent operative movement thereof, and in a second position, is
retracted from said path of movement so as to permit release of
said locking pins.
12. A collapsible chair frame according to claim 8, wherein the
release means is a rotatable lever, rotation of which effects
rotation of the or each pivot lever, the safety catch having a
projection which engages with said release means in order to
prevent rotational movement thereof.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to Great Britain
Application No. 0425461.1, titled "Collapsible Rocker Chair" filed
Nov. 18, 2004, the contents of which are incorporated by reference
herein in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to rocker chairs and in
particular to rocker chairs for infants which are formed around a
collapsible frame.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Infant rocker seats are well known in the art which are
collapsible for compact storage. Strict safety legislation exists
relating to the design of such collapsible rocker seats, in
particular relating to the locking system utilised to prevent
accidental collapse of the frame when an infant is seated therein.
In order to meet these requirements, one existing design of
collapsible rocker seat utilises two separate locking systems which
are remotely located from each other, a user being required
simultaneously to release a first lock with one hand and a second
lock with the other hand. This system has the drawback, however,
that it is very cumbersome to operate since both hands of the user
are required to release the locks making it difficult then to press
the frame towards its closed position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to the present invention there is provided a
collapsible chair frame comprising a base having a pair of
longitudinally extending side bars, a first pair of brackets
attached proximate to a first end of each side bar so as to be
freely rotatable about a first axis substantially perpendicular to
said side bars, an actuation member extending between and rotatably
connected to each bracket of said first pair so as to be rotatable
relative to said first pair of brackets about a second axis
parallel to but offset from said first axis, a second pair of
brackets secured proximate to a second end of each side bar, a
first pair of support bars each having a first end secured to a
respective one of opposing ends of said actuation member and a
second end having engagement means provided thereon, each of said
first pair of support bars extending from said actuation member at
an inclined angle substantially towards said second end of its
respective side bar, and a second pair of support bars which extend
at an inclined angle substantially towards said first end of its
respective side bar, each second support bar having a first end
rotatably connected to a respective one of said second pair of
brackets and a second end having engagement means provided thereon,
said engagement means of the second end of each of said second pair
of support bars engaging with the engagement means of the second
end of an associated one of the first pair of support bars, such
that each of said second pair of support bars and its associated
one of the first pair of support bars are constrained to rotate
together, wherein said actuation member further includes locking
means engageable with said first pair of brackets to secure said
actuation member against rotation relative to said brackets,
release means operable to move said locking means from a locked
position to an unlock position in order to release said actuation
member for rotation relative to said first pair of brackets, and
safety catch means which, in a first position interacts with the
release means to prevent operation thereof and in a second position
is released from said release means so as to enable operation
thereof to unlock said actuation member from said brackets.
[0005] A collapsible chair frame in accordance with the invention
has the advantage that the provision of the release means and the
safety catch means necessitates operation of the two separate
catches in sequence in order to enable collapse of the frame,
thereby reducing the possibility of accidental collapse, whilst the
two catches can be configured to enable operation with a single
hand of a user, thereby simplifying the collapse operation.
[0006] Preferably, a housing is provided on each side of the frame
in which are received the second end of a respective one of each of
the first pair of support bars and the second pair of support bars
so as to maintain the engagement means provided thereon in
engagement. More particularly, the second end of each of the first
and second pairs of support bars are pivotally mounted in their
respective housing, for example by means of through pins, which
maintain said ends in positions in which their engagement means are
engaged. The engagement means may particularly advantageously take
the form of gear teeth which may be formed directly on the second
end of the each of the first and second support bars, or may
alternatively be formed on end plates which are separately attached
to said second ends.
[0007] The base of the frame preferably includes a pair of end bars
which extend from proximate ends of the side bars transversely of
said side bars towards each other, each of said first pair of
brackets being rotatably mounted on the end of a respective one of
the end bars and the actuation member, which preferably takes the
form of a handle, then extends between said brackets substantially
parallel to said end bars.
[0008] Preferably, tubing defining the plane of the seat and the
back of the chair extend between said side housings, in particular
each of the back tubing and the seat tube being substantially
U-shaped with one end engaged in each of the side housings. The
back tubing may advantageously be pivotally connected to said side
housings and include locking means operable to lock the back tube
in a number of different pivotal positions relative to the side
housing, thereby enabling adjustment of the angle of the back of
the seat.
[0009] The locking means preferably takes the form of a pair of
pins which extend from opposing ends of the actuation means and
engage in complementary shaped recesses formed in said first
brackets, when the actuation means is properly aligned therewith,
in order to lock said actuation means against relative rotation,
said release means operating to retract said pins from said
recesses in order to enable relative rotation to take place. The
pins are then attached either to common sides of separate pivot
levers or opposing sides of a common pivot lever, operation of the
release means causing rotation of the or each pivot lever in order
to retract said pins.
[0010] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the release means is
a button which projects from the side of the actuation member and
is depressible thereinto in order to operate said locking means.
More particularly, said button includes a pin which engages into
cam openings formed in opposing pivot levers to which said locking
pins are connected, movement of the button relative to said pivot
levers causing rotation of said levers in opposing directions,
which, in turn, pulls said locking pins in opposite directs into
the actuation member. In this configuration, the safety catch takes
the form of a button which is slidably mounted in the actuation
member and has at least one projection which, in a first slide
position of the safety catch, extends into the path of movement of
the button so as to prevent operation movement thereof, and in a
second position, is retracted from said path of movement so as to
permit release of said locking pins. In a further development, the
safety catch is slidably mounted for movement away from its first
position in opposite directions such that in said first position
the button is locked against movement, and upon movement away from
the fist position in either direction, the button is free to be
operated to release the locking pins. In this way, operation by
both left and right-handed users is possible. Alternatively,
however, the release means may take the form of a rotatable lever
with the safety catch having a projection which engages into an
opening in the lever so as to prevent rotation thereof. Preferably,
biasing means such as a spring is associated with the safety catch
which biases it into a position in which operational movement of
the release means is prevent, the safety catch being manually
retractable against the loading of the biasing means.
[0011] Other developments and improvements will follow from the
embodiment examples described below.
[0012] In order that the invention may be well understood, there
will now be described some embodiments thereof, given by way of
example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rocker seat frame
according to the invention in an erect position;
[0014] FIGS. 2a to 2c are perspective views of the seat frame of
FIG. 1 at various stages of collapse;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the seat frame of FIG. 1 in
a collapsed position;
[0016] FIGS. 4a to 6b are enlarged views, at various stages of
collapsed, of a gearing mechanism coupling the movement of front
and rear legs of the seat frame of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIGS. 7a and 7b are an enlarged view of a locking mechanism
of the seat frame according to a first embodiment of the
invention;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a side view of the rocker seat of the
invention;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the seat frame of FIG.
1 illustrating operation of a seat back adjustment mechanism;
and
[0020] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a locking mechanism of the
seat frame according to a second embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 3, there is shown a
collapsible frame structure 1 of an infant's rocker chair as an
embodiment example of the present invention. The frame 1 comprises
a base tube 10 having a first pair of longitudinally extending side
bars 10a, 10b, a rear cross bar 10c extending transversely between
said side bars 10a, 10b at the rear of the frame 1, and a pair of
front cross bars 10d, 10e which extend transversely from the front
end of each side 10a, 10b co-axially towards each other partially
across the front of the frame. As can be clearly seen in FIG. 4a,
the side bars 10a, 10b are curved such that the sides, front and
rear bars together define a curved lower surface on which the base
tube 10 can rock back and forth.
[0022] A mounting bracket 11a, 11b is rotatably mounted on the end
of each of the front cross bars 10d, 10e of the base tube 10, each
bracket having an arm 12a, 12b extending radially from the
respective front cross bar 10d, 10e upon which it is mounted, and a
release bar 13 extends between the mounting brackets and is
pivotally attached to each of the arms 12a, 12b of the brackets
11a, 11b at a point offset from the front cross bars 10d, 10e such
that the release bar 13 is rotatable relative to said brackets 11a,
11b about an axis which is parallel to but radially offset from the
axis longitudinal axis of the front cross bars 10d, 10e.
[0023] The release bar 13 further includes a pair of locking pins
14 which extend along an axis which is parallel to but offset from
the axis of rotation of the release bar 13 relative to the brackets
11a, 11b, which project from opposing ends of the release bar 13
and which are engageable in complementary shaped recesses formed in
the brackets when the pins are substantially aligned with the front
cross bars 10d, 10e so as to lock the release bar 13 against
rotation relative to the brackets.
[0024] An aperture 15 which extends radially of the longitudinal
axis of the release bar 13 is formed in each end of the release bar
13 and are oriented such that they point upwards towards the rear
of the frame at an inclined angle when the locking pins 14 are
engaged in the recesses of the brackets 11a, 11b so as to lock the
release bar to the brackets as shown in FIG. 1. A pair of front
support bars 16, 17 each have a first end 16a, 17a which engages in
one of the apertures 15 in the release bar 13 and is secured
therein by means of a cross bolt, and a second end 16b, 17b on
which is fastened a geared plate 18 and which is pivotally housed
within a respective side housing 2a, 2b. A pair of rear support
brackets 20a, 20b are also fixed to the base tube 10, one being
connected to each side bar 10a, 10b in longitudinal alignment
proximate to the rear cross bar 10c, each support bracket 20a, 20b
having an associated rear support bar 21, 22 pivotally attached
thereto at one end 21a, 22a, the associated rear support bar
extending forwardly from the support bracket 20a, 20b, being
pivotally connected to a respective one of the side housings 2a, 2b
at a point which is offset from the point of pivotal attachment of
the corresponding front support bar 16, 17, and having a geared
plate 24 fastened to its upper end 21b, 22b, the teeth of which
mesh with the teeth of the geared plate 18 of the correspond front
support bar 16, 17. In this way, the front and rear support bars
16, 17, 21, 22 on each side of the frame are constrained to pivot
within the side housings 2a, 2b together.
[0025] A substantially U-shaped seating tube 3 also has one end 3a,
3b securely fixed to each of the side housings 2a, 2b such that the
orientation of the seating tube 3 is substantially fixed relative
to the side housings 2a, 2b, and the seating tube 3 loops forward
between the side housings 3 so as to form a front support for the
chair. As shown in more detail in FIG. 4b, each side housing 2a, 2b
has a cylindrical recess 4a, 4b formed therein into which the
corresponding end 3a, 3b of the seating tube 3 is close tolerance
fit so that the seating tube is prevented from pivotal movement
relative to the side housings 2a, 2b, the ends 3a, 3b being secured
in the respective recesses 4a, 4b by means of a bolt 5 as shown in
FIGS. 4a to 6b. It can also be seen that each end 3a, 3b has more
than one through opening into which the bolts 5 are engageable,
such that distance by which the seating tube 3 extends forward from
the side housings 3a, 3b can be adjusted.
[0026] Similarly, a substantially U-shaped rear tube 6 also has one
end 6a, 6b pivotally attached to each side housing 2a, 2b with the
sides of the rear tube 6 extend substantially rearwardly from the
side housings 2a, 2b as shown in FIG. 2c. Locking means 7 is
associate with the rear tube 6, in the form of a U shaped locking
lever which engages with opposing ends 7a, 7b with locking recesses
8 formed in the side housings 2a, 2b to lock the rear tube in one
of a plurality of different pivotal positions in a manner which is
well known in the art and which will not therefore be described
further.
[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 7a and 7b, there is shown a detailed
view of a release mechanism housed within the release bar 13 for
disengaging the pins 14 from the brackets 11a, 11b so as to enable
the frame to be collapsed as described hereinafter. Each pin 14 is
attached to a respective pull cable 30, which, in turn, are
attached to a lever arm 31c, 31d of one of a pair of actuation
plates 31a, 31b, each of which is pivotally mounted on one of a
pair of spaced apart, parallel extending pivot posts 32a, 32b such
that each plate 31a, 31b can be pivoted about the longitudinal axis
of its associated post 32a, 32b in order to rotate its lever arm
away from the end of the release bar 13 with which its locking pin
14 is associated and to retract the locking pin 14 into the release
bar. The plates 31a, 31b furthermore overlap each other and each
plate 31a, 31b has, formed in its overlapping section, a slot 33a,
33b, the sides of which form camming surfaces. A press button 34 is
mounted in the release bar behind the plates 31a, 31b so as to be
slidably movable relative thereto in a plane perpendicular to the
axes of rotation of the plates 31a, 31b. The button 34 furthermore
has an actuation pin 35 which engages in both slots 33a, 33b of the
two plates 31a, 31 b, such that upon sliding movement of the button
34 relative to the plates 31a, 31b in a first direction, a camming
action is developed between the actuation pin 35 and the slots 33a,
33b which causes the lever arms 31c, 31d to rotate away from each
other, thereby pulling the cables 30 away from the associated ends
of the release bar 13 and hence retracting the pins thereinto, and
upon sliding movement of the button 34 relative to the plates 31a,
31b in a second direction opposite said first direction, a camming
action is developed between the actuation pin 35 and the slots 33a,
33b which causes the lever arms 31c, 31d to rotate towards each
other, thereby relieving the tension in the cables 30. Springs 37
which are associated with each pin 14 and bias each said pin into
an extending position then operate to return the pins 14 to their
locking positions.
[0028] In order to prevent accidental operation of the press button
34, a slide button 36 is provided in the release bar 13 opposite
the press button 34 which has projections 37 formed thereon which
extend towards the press button 34. The slide button is slidably
moveable laterally in a direction perpendicular to the direction of
sliding movement of the press button 34 from a central position in
which the projections 37 thereon engage with the press button 34 so
as to prevent movement of the press button towards the slide button
36 and hence prevent release of the locking pins 14, in either a
left or right direction to a side position in which the projections
37 are disengaged from the press button so that the press button is
free to move towards the slide button in order to retract the pins
14 into the release bar as described above and hence unlock the
release bar from the brackets. Springs 38 cooperate with the slide
button 36 so as to bias it into its central position, and the
projections 37 have inclined surfaces which engage with the press
button 34 as the slide moves back towards its first position,
developing a camming action therewith which urged the press button
away from the slide button 36 and back into its locked
position.
[0029] The frame operates as follows:
[0030] With the release bar 14 in its locked position shown in FIG.
1, the front support bars 16, 17 are locked in position due to
their inability to pivot relative to the release bar 14, which, in
turn, locks the rear support bars 18, 19 again movement due to the
meshing engagement of the gear teeth carried on the ends 16b, 17b,
18b, 19b thereof which are housed within the side housings. The
seat and rear tubes 6, 7 are therefore securely supported in
elevated positions above the base tube 10 by the support bars 16,
17, 18, 19.
[0031] In order to collapse the frame, the user moves the slide
button 36 towards its second position using the thumb and then
presses the projection portion of the press button 34 using the
fingers of the same hand, which causes the locking pins to be
retracted into the release bar 13, thereby unlocking for rotation
relative to the brackets 11a, 11b. The release bar can then be
rotated about the brackets 11a, 11b, whilst, at the same time, the
brackets 11a, 11b are pivoted about the front cross bars 10e, 10f.
This double pivot allows the release bar to be translated forwards
relative to the frame, moving the front ends 16a, 17a of the front
support bars 16, 17 with it. This, is turn causes the front support
bars 16, 17 to rotate anticlockwise relative to the side housings
2a, 2b, the meshing engagement of the teeth on the rear support
bars 18, 19 causing those rear support bars to pivot clockwise
relative to the side housings 2a, 2b, and the frame thereby
collapses onto the base tube 10 under its own weight as shown in
FIGS. 2a to 3.
[0032] In order to re-erect the frame, the side housings 2a, 2b are
simply lifted away from the base tube 10, which causes the release
bar and brackets to move back into engagement and lock
together.
[0033] It will, of course, be understood that the press button
mechanism of FIG. 7 may be substituted with mechanism without
departing from the invention. For example, a rotating lever may be
utilised, a suite slide or press button being provided which
releases and/or engages a pin into the lever plate so as to prevent
its rotational movement and hence provide the necessary double
lock.
[0034] Alternatively, each locking pin 14 may be connected to a
linkage 102 which, in turn, connects to a rotating rod 103,
rotation of the rod 103 causing a pin 103a, 103b carried
eccentrically on the end thereof to move away from or towards the
locking pin 14 so as, respectively, to pull or push an actuation
lever 104a, 104b in order to retract or extend the pin. A press
button 105 is then provided having an opening 106 formed therein in
which engages an arm 107 which extends radially from the centre of
the rod 103. The button is mounted in the release bar 13 for
sliding movement both parallel and perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the rod 103, and the opening 106 is L-shaped
such that, in a first longitudinal position of the press button 105
relative to the release bar 13, movement of the press button
perpendicular to the rod by pressing it into the release bar 13
causes the opening 106 to movement relative to the arm 107 in the
manner of a lost motion coupling without the sides thereof engaging
the arm 107 and hence without effecting any rotation of the rod
107. Upon sliding the press button 105 longitudinally relative to
the release bar 13 towards a second longitudinal position, the arm
107 is moved towards the closed end of the base of the L-shaped
opening 106, whereupon movement of the press button towards the rod
causes the arm 107 to be engaged by the side of the opening 106,
moving it transversely relative to the rod 103 and thereby rotating
the rod 103, which in turn, retracts the pins. Springs 109, 110 are
provided within the release bar 13 which bias the press button both
away from the rod 103 and longitudinally into its first
longitudinal position as shown in FIG. 10.
[0035] In a variation of FIG. 10 which is not illustrated, instead
of having an L-shaped opening in the press button, locking ribs may
be provided on the casing of the release rod 13, which, when the
button is in its first longitudinal position, engage with the press
button to prevent its movement towards the rod but which, upon
movement of the press button into its second longitudinal position,
are aligned with slots formed in the press button so as to enable
the button to be depressed and the pins thereby to be unlocked. In
all embodiments, it will be seen that the double operation of the
lock required to collapse the frame ensures that accidental release
cannot occur.
* * * * *