U.S. patent application number 11/156187 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-28 for rocking-reclining seating unit with motion lock.
Invention is credited to D. Stephen Hoffman, Marcus L. Murphy.
Application Number | 20060290174 11/156187 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37566457 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060290174 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hoffman; D. Stephen ; et
al. |
December 28, 2006 |
Rocking-reclining seating unit with motion lock
Abstract
A seating unit includes: a base configured to rest upon an
underlying surface; a generally horizontally-disposed seat
positioned above the base; an arm frame coupled and pivotable
relative to the seat, the arm frame including camming surfaces
configured for rolling contact with the base such that the seat has
a fore-and-aft rocking motion relative to the base; a generally
upright backrest positioned above the base adjacent a rear portion
of the seat; a first ottoman; a rocking unit attached between the
base and the arm frame; the rocking unit configured to control the
rocking motion of the seat relative to the base; an ottoman
extension mechanism that couples the arm frame and the at least one
ottoman and is configured to enable the at least one ottoman to
move between a retracted position, in which the at least one
ottoman is positioned beneath the seat, and an extended position,
in which the at least one ottoman is generally horizontally
disposed and positioned forwardly of the seat; and a locking
mechanism connected with the arm frame and movable between an
unlocked position, in which the seat is free to rock relative to
the base, and a locked position, in which the seat is prevented
from rocking motion relative to the base.
Inventors: |
Hoffman; D. Stephen; (High
Point, NC) ; Murphy; Marcus L.; (Lexington,
NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MYERS BIGEL SIBLEY & SAJOVEC
PO BOX 37428
RALEIGH
NC
27627
US
|
Family ID: |
37566457 |
Appl. No.: |
11/156187 |
Filed: |
June 17, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/84 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 1/0355 20130101;
A47C 3/027 20130101; A47C 3/03 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/084 |
International
Class: |
A47C 1/02 20060101
A47C001/02 |
Claims
1. A seating unit comprising: a base configured to rest upon an
underlying surface; a generally horizontally-disposed seat
positioned above the base; an arm frame coupled and pivotable
relative to the seat, the arm frame including camming surfaces
configured for rolling contact with the base such that the seat has
a fore-and-aft rocking motion relative to the base; a generally
upright backrest positioned above the base adjacent a rear portion
of the seat; a first ottoman; a rocking unit attached between the
base and the arm frame, the rocking unit configured to control the
rocking motion of the arm frame relative to the base; an ottoman
extension mechanism that couples the arm frame and the at least one
ottoman and is configured to enable the at least one ottoman to
move between a retracted position, in which the at least one
ottoman is positioned beneath the seat, and an extended position,
in which the at least one ottoman is generally horizontally
disposed and positioned forwardly of the seat; and a locking
mechanism connected with the arm frame and movable between an
unlocked position, in which the seat is free to rock relative to
the base, and a locked position, in which the seat is prevented
from rocking motion relative to the base.
2. The seating unit defined in claim 1, further comprising a
backrest reclining mechanism that couples the seat and the backrest
and is configured to enable the backrest to move from an upright
position, in which the backrest forms a first angle with the seat,
and a reclined position, in which the backrest forms a second angle
with the seat, the second angle being greater than the first
angle.
3. The seating unit defined in claim 1, wherein the locking
mechanism is coupled with the ottoman extension mechanism, such
that the locking mechanism is in the locked position when the
ottoman extension mechanism is in the extended position.
4. The seating unit defined in claim 2, wherein the ottoman
extension mechanism is decoupled from the backrest reclining
mechanism.
5. The seating unit defined in claim 3, wherein the locking
mechanism includes a crank, and wherein the ottoman extension
mechanism also includes the crank.
6. The seating unit defined in claim 5, wherein the base includes a
first bearing surface that contacts the camming surface, and
further includes a second bearing surface, and wherein the locking
mechanism includes a locking link that bears against the second
bearing surface when the locking mechanism is in its locked
position.
7. The seating unit defined in claim 6, wherein the locking
mechanism further comprises: a drive bar pivotally interconnected
with the crank and with the locking link; a brace pivotally
interconnected with the locking link; and a control link pivotally
interconnected with the brace and with the base.
8. The seating unit defined in claim 7, wherein the brace includes
a stop pin that contacts the locking link when the locking
mechanism is in the closed position.
9. The seating unit defined in claim 8, wherein the locking link
includes a V-shaped portion, and wherein the drive bar is pivotally
interconnected with the locking link at a vertex of the V-shaped
portion.
10. The seating unit defined in claim 9, wherein the locking link
includes a wheel that bears against the second bearing surface when
the locking mechanism is in the locked position.
11. The seating unit defined in claim 10, wherein the brace is
pivotally interconnected at one end to the locking link, and
wherein the stop pin of the brace is mounted to an opposite end of
the brace.
12. The seating unit defined in claim 1, further comprising a
mounting link attached to the seat frame, wherein the ottoman
extension mechanism and the locking mechanism are pivotally
attached to the mounting link.
13. The seating unit defined in claim 1, further comprising a
second ottoman.
14. A seating unit comprising: a base configured to rest upon an
underlying surface; a generally horizontally-disposed seat
positioned above the base; an arm frame coupled and pivotable
relative to the seat, the arm frame including camming surfaces
configured for rolling contact with the base such that the seat has
a fore-and-aft rocking motion relative to the base; a generally
upright backrest positioned above the base adjacent a rear portion
of the seat; a first ottoman; a rocking unit attached between the
base and the arm frame, the rocking unit configured to control the
rocking motion of the arm frame relative to the base; a backrest
reclining mechanism that couples the arm frame and the backrest and
is configured to enable the backrest to move from an upright
position, in which the backrest forms a first angle with the seat,
and a reclined position, in which the backrest forms a second angle
with the seat, the second angle being greater than the first angle;
an ottoman extension mechanism that couples the arm frame and the
first ottoman and is configured to enable the first ottoman to move
between a retracted position, in which the first ottoman is
positioned beneath the seat, and an extended position, in which the
first ottoman is generally horizontally disposed and positioned
forwardly of the seat, wherein the ottoman extension mechanism is
decoupled from the backrest reclining mechanism; and a locking
mechanism connected with the seat frame and movable between an
unlocked position, in which the seat is free to rock relative to
the base, and a locked position, in which the seat is prevented
from rocking motion relative to the base, the locking mechanism
including: a crank; a locking link; a drive bar pivotally
interconnected with the crank and with the locking link; a brace
pivotally interconnected with the locking link; and a control link
pivotally interconnected with the brace and with the base.
15. The seating unit defined in claim 14, wherein the base includes
a first bearing surface that contacts the camming surface, and
further includes a second bearing surface, and wherein the locking
mechanism includes a locking link that bears against the second
bearing surface when the locking mechanism is in its locked
position.
16. The seating unit defined in claim 14, wherein the locking
mechanism is coupled with the ottoman extension mechanism, such
that the locking mechanism is in the locked position when the
ottoman extension mechanism is in the extended position.
17. The seating unit defined in claim 14, wherein the ottoman
extension mechanism includes the crank.
18. A seating unit comprising: a base configured to rest upon an
underlying surface; a generally horizontally-disposed seat
positioned above the base; an arm frame coupled to and moveable
with the seat, the arm frame including side panels having integral
camming surfaces configured for rolling contact with the base such
that the seat has a fore-and-aft rocking motion relative to the
base; a generally upright backrest positioned above the base
adjacent a rear portion of the seat; a first ottoman; a rocking
unit attached between the base and the arm frame, the rocking unit
configured to control the rocking motion of the arm frame relative
to the base; and a backrest reclining mechanism that couples the
arm frame and the backrest and is configured to enable the backrest
to move from an upright position, in which the backrest forms a
first angle with the seat, and a reclined position, in which the
backrest forms a second angle with the seat, the second angle being
greater than the first angle.
19. The seating unit defined in claim 18, wherein the arm frame
includes at least one rear cross-member that is mounted to and
spans the distance between the side panels.
20. The seating unit defined in claim 18, wherein the rocking unit
is attached between the base and the side panel.
21. The seating unit defined in claim 18, wherein the arm frame
includes arms, and wherein the side panels form inboard surfaces of
the arms.
22. A seating unit comprising: a base configured to rest upon an
underlying surface; a generally horizontally-disposed seat
positioned above the base; an arm frame coupled and pivotable
relative to the seat, the arm frame including camming surfaces
configured for rolling contact with the base such that the seat has
a fore-and-aft rocking motion relative to the base; a generally
upright backrest positioned above the base adjacent a rear portion
of the seat; a rocking unit attached between the base and the arm
frame, the rocking unit configured to control the rocking motion of
the arm frame relative to the base; and a backrest reclining
mechanism that couples the arm frame and the backrest and is
configured to enable the backrest to move from an upright position,
in which the backrest forms a first angle with the seat, and a
reclined position, in which the backrest forms a second angle with
the seat, the second angle being greater than the first angle;
wherein the chair is devoid of an extendable ottoman.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to seating units, and
relates more particularly to reclining seating units with rocking
capability.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Recliner chairs and other reclining seating units have
proven to be popular with consumers. These seating units typically
move from an upright position, in which the backrest is generally
upright, to one or more reclined positions, in which the backrest
pivots to be less upright. The movement of the seating unit between
the upright and reclined positions is typically controlled by a
pair of matching reclining mechanisms that are attached to the
seat, backrest and base of the chair.
[0003] One particularly popular reclining chair is the so-called
"rocker-recliner," which can, when in the upright position, rock
with a forward and rearward motion similar to that of a traditional
rocking chair. A typical rocker recliner, one of which is
illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,519,647 to Rogers, includes an
arcuate rocker cam that is attached with the lower portion of each
mechanism, with the lower convex surface of the rocker cam
contacting a level bearing surface of the base. Also, a spring
assembly is mounted to the base of the chair and to each rocker
cam. Each spring assembly includes two quite stiff,
vertically-oriented helical springs attached to mounting brackets
that are in turn fixed to the base and to the rocker cam. When the
chair is in its upright position and is unoccupied, the seat,
backrest and reclining mechanisms reside above the base, the rocker
springs are deflected only along their longitudinal axes, and the
rocker cams rest on a level portion of the base. When an occupant
sits on the chair and applies a forwardly- or rearwardly-directed
force to the seat or backrest, the seat and backrest move relative
to the base. The path of movement is defined by the convex shape of
the rocker cams as they rock on the level bearing surface of the
base, with the result that the seat and backrest simulate the
rocking motion of a rocking chair. During the rocking movement, the
rocker springs deflect such that their top portions bend away from
their longitudinal axes as the chair rocks forward and back. The
deflection in the springs urges the springs (and, in turn, the seat
and backrest) to return to their original positions as the chair
returns to and through the upright position. In this manner, the
chair is capable of providing a controlled rocking motion when in
the upright position.
[0004] Many, if not all, chairs of this design include some type of
safety feature, such as an extendable foot, that prevents rocking
when the chair is in a reclined position. For example, U.S. Pat.
No. 6,000,754 to Lawson discloses a rocker lock that is pivotally
interconnected with the rear portion of the reclining mechanism and
with the base of the chair. More specifically, the rocker lock
includes three separate pivotally interconnected links mounted to
the base and to the reclining mechanism. A bracket is mounted to
and extends above the base. A slotted link is pivotally and
slidably attached to the bracket via a pin on the bracket. A
support link, to which a roller is attached, is pivotally
interconnected with the forward end of the slotted link and with
the reclining mechanism. A control link is pivotally interconnected
with the support link and to the reclining mechanism. In the
upright position, as the chair rocks, the slotted link moves
forwardly and rearwardly relative to the mounting bracket, as the
pin on the mounting bracket is free to slide within the slot of the
slotted link as it moves. As the chair moves to an intermediate
reclined position (often termed the "TV position"), movement of the
reclining mechanism causes the control link to drive the roller on
the support link downwardly into contact with a plate attached to
the base. The slotted link is forced rearwardly so that the pin of
the mounting bracket is lodged against the front edge of the slot.
This placement of the wheel and the pin in the slot prevents the
chair from rocking.
[0005] This locking mechanism can have some shortcomings. Because
the slotted link slides on the pin of the mounting bracket during
the rocking motion, in some instances the occupant of the chair can
rock forward sufficiently that the rear end of the slot strikes the
pin, thereby giving a jolt to the occupant. Also, because of the
configuration of the locking mechanism, if the occupant is rocking
forward when releasing the chair to a reclined position, in some
instances the chair can "catch" and impede reclining movement. One
locking mechanism that proposes to overcome some of these
shortcomings is discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/982,108, filed Nov. 4, 2004 and entitled Rocking-Reclining
Seating Unit with Motion Lock, the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated herein in its entirety. Nevertheless, it may be
desirable to provide additional configurations for motion locking
mechanisms that can remove cost and/or labor from the manufacturing
process and that can improve performance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention can provide features that may address
shortcomings of prior chairs. As a first aspect, embodiments of the
present invention are directed to a seating unit comprising: a base
configured to rest upon an underlying surface; a generally
horizontally-disposed seat positioned above the base; an arm frame
coupled and pivotable relative to the seat; the arm frame including
camming surfaces configured for rolling contact with the base such
that the seat has a fore-and-aft rocking motion relative to the
base; a generally upright backrest positioned above the base
adjacent a rear portion of the seat; a first ottoman; a rocking
unit attached between the base and the arm frame; the rocking unit
configured to control the rocking motion of the arm frame relative
to the base; an ottoman extension mechanism that couples the arm
frame and the at least one ottoman and is configured to enable the
at least one ottoman to move between a retracted position, in which
the at least one ottoman is positioned beneath the seat, and an
extended position, in which the at least one ottoman is generally
horizontally disposed and positioned forwardly of the seat; and a
locking mechanism connected with the arm frame and movable between
an unlocked position, in which the seat is free to rock relative to
the base, and a locked position, in which the seat is prevented
from rocking motion relative to the base. In this configuration,
the chair can be locked from rocking when the ottomans are extended
by a relatively simple mechanism.
[0007] In some embodiments, the locking mechanism comprises: a
crank; a locking link; a drive bar pivotally interconnected with
the crank and with the locking link; a brace pivotally
interconnected with the locking link; and a control link pivotally
interconnected with the brace and with the base. The configuration
for this locking mechanism can be manufactured relatively
inexpensively.
[0008] As another aspect, embodiments of the present invention are
directed to a seating unit comprising: a base configured to rest
upon an underlying surface; a generally horizontally-disposed seat
positioned above the base; an arm frame coupled to and moveable
with the seat, the arm frame including side panels having integral
camming surfaces configured for rolling contact with the base such
that the seat has a fore-and-aft rocking motion relative to the
base; a generally upright backrest positioned above the base
adjacent a rear portion of the seat; a first ottoman; a rocking
unit attached between the base and the arm frame, the rocking unit
configured to control the rocking motion relative to the base; and
a backrest reclining mechanism that couples the arm frame and the
backrest and is configured to enable the backrest to move from an
upright position, in which the backrest forms a first angle with
the seat, and a reclined position, in which the backrest forms a
second angle with the seat, the second angle being greater than the
first angle. The integration of the rocker cams into the side
panels of the arm frame can reduce the cost of the chair
considerably.
[0009] As an additional aspect, the present invention is directed
to a seating unit comprising: a base configured to rest upon an
underlying surface; a generally horizontally-disposed seat
positioned above the base; an arm frame coupled to and moveable
with the seat, the arm frame including camming surfaces configured
for rolling contact with the base such that the seat has a
fore-and-aft rocking motion relative to the base; a generally
upright backrest positioned above the base adjacent a rear portion
of the seat; a rocking unit attached between the base and the arm
frame, the rocking unit configured to control the rocking motion of
the seat relative to the base; and a backrest reclining mechanism
that couples the arm frame and the backrest and is configured to
enable the backrest to move from an upright position, in which the
backrest forms a first angle with the seat, and a reclined
position, in which the backrest forms a second angle with the seat,
the second angle being greater than the first angle; wherein the
chair is devoid of an extendable ottoman. This configuration
enables a press-back rocker to employ different styles of ottomans
that are separate from the chair itself, as may be desirable for
some consumers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rocker-recliner chair
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a front cutaway view of the frame of the chair of
FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side section view of the chair of FIG. 1 with
the backrest in the upright position and the ottoman in the
retracted position.
[0013] FIG. 3A is an enlarged side section view of the locking
mechanism of the chair of FIG. 1 with the ottoman in the retracted
position.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side section view of the chair of FIG. 1 with
the backrest in the upright position and the ottoman in the
extended position.
[0015] FIG. 4A is an enlarged side section view of the locking
mechanism of the chair of FIG. 1 with the ottoman in the extended
position.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a side section view of the chair of FIG. 1 with
the backrest in the reclined position and the ottoman in the
extended position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The present invention now is described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may,
however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,
these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be
thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art.
[0018] Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the
figures, the thickness of certain lines, layers, components,
elements or features may be exaggerated for clarity. Broken lines
illustrate optional features or operations unless specified
otherwise.
[0019] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As
used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of
one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, phrases
such as "between X and Y" and "between about X and Y" should be
interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, phrases such as
"between about X and Y" mean "between about X and about Y." As used
herein, phrases such as "from about X to Y" mean "from about X to
about Y."
[0020] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such
as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be
interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their
meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and
should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense
unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or
constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or
clarity.
[0021] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as
being "on", "attached" to, "connected" to, "coupled" with,
"contacting", etc., another element, it can be directly on,
attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other
element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast,
when an element is referred to as being, for example, "directly
on", "directly attached" to, "directly connected" to, "directly
coupled" with or "directly contacting" another element, there are
no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by
those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature
that is disposed "adjacent" another feature may have portions that
overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.
[0022] This invention is directed to seating units that have a
stationary base, a seat portion, and a backrest. As used herein,
the terms "forward", "forwardly", and "front" and derivatives
thereof refer to the direction defined by a vector extending from
the backrest toward the seat parallel to the underlying surface.
Conversely, the terms "rearward", "rearwardly", and derivatives
thereof refer to the direction directly opposite the forward
direction; the rearward direction is defined by a vector that
extends from the seat toward the backrest parallel to the
underlying surface. The terms "lateral," "laterally", and
derivatives thereof refer to the direction parallel with the floor,
perpendicular to the forward and rearward directions, and extending
away from a plane bisecting the seating units between their
armrests. The terms "medial," "inward," "inboard," and derivatives
thereof refer to the direction that is the converse of the lateral
direction, i.e., the direction parallel with the floor,
perpendicular to the forward direction, and extending from the
periphery of the seating units toward the aforementioned bisecting
plane.
[0023] The seating units illustrated and described herein comprise
a plurality of pivotally interconnected links. Those skilled in
this art will appreciate that the pivots between links can take a
variety of configurations, such as pivot pins, rivets, bolt and nut
combinations, and the like, any of which would be suitable for use
with the present invention. Also, the shapes of the links may vary
as desired, as may the locations of certain of the pivots.
Moreover, in some instances combinations of pivot points may be
replaced by equivalent structures, such as "slider-crank"
configurations, like those described in B. Paul, Kinematics and
Dynamics of Planar Machinery 4-21 (1979).
[0024] Referring now to the figures, a rocker-recliner chair,
designated broadly at 20, is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The
chair 20 includes a base 22, a seat 24 that is generally
horizontally disposed above the base 22, an arm frame 30 that
sandwiches the seat 24, a backrest 26 that is generally vertically
disposed substantially above the base 22 adjacent a rear portion of
the seat 24 and arm frame 30, and two ottomans 28a, 28b (only the
ottoman 28a is visible in FIG. 1), which, in the upright position
of FIG. 1, are generally vertically disposed below a front portion
of the seat 26.
[0025] As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the arm frame 30 includes
two arms 32 located on opposite sides of the chair 20. In the
illustrated embodiment, the arms 32 are hollow wooden structures
with inner panels 33 that form the inboard surface of the arms 32.
Cross-members 35a, 35b (see FIG. 3) extend between the inner panels
33 of the arms 32 to provide structural rigidity to the arm frame
30. Also, a tripartite mounting shim 36 is mounted to each of the
inner panels 33 for the mounting thereto of mechanisms that control
the movement of the ottomans 28a, 28b. At their lower edges, the
inner panels 33 have arcuate camming surfaces 34 that rest atop
upper bearing surfaces 34a of longitudinal members 23 of the base
22. The camming surfaces 34 are configured for rolling contact with
the bearing surfaces 34a and enable the chair 10 to have a
fore-to-aft rocking motion. This motion is controlled by rocker
spring assemblies 27 that are attached with the base 22 and with
the inner panels 33 of the arms 32. The rocker spring assemblies 27
include resilient members 39 that bias the seat 24 against rocking
motion.
[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the inner panels 33 of the
arms 32 also provide the camming surfaces that produce rocking
motion. This configuration contrasts with prior configurations, in
which separate cams were attached to an arm frame in order to
provide a camming surface. The inner panels of the present
invention can be created, for example, of a single piece of wood
with a CNC machine, which is capable of forming the camming surface
of the panel to sufficient tolerances (typically about 0.062
inches) to provide a comfortable rocking motion. The absence of
multiple components (i.e., the formation of the inner panel and
camming surface as a unitary or integral component) can reduce
material and labor costs. Nevertheless, in some embodiments
separate cams may be employed with the seat frame.
[0027] Those skilled in this art will appreciate that other
configurations of the base and arm frame may be employed in
connection with the present invention. For example, the base may
comprise a flat plate, a circular ring with spokes, or the like.
The arm frame may omit certain of the members described above,
include arms that are not hollow, or include a single cross member
that spans the inner panels of the arms. Other suitable
configurations will be apparent to those of skill in this art.
[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the chair 20 includes two
ottoman extension mechanisms 40 (only one is shown in FIGS. 3 and
4) that extend the ottomans 28a, 28b from a retracted position (as
seen in FIG. 3), in which the ottomans 28a, 28b are generally
vertically disposed below a front portion of the seat 24, and an
extended position, (as seen in FIG. 4), in which the ottomans 28a,
28b are generally horizontally disposed and forward of the seat 24.
The ottoman extension mechanisms 40 are mirror images of each other
about a longitudinally-extending vertical plane that bisects the
chair 20 between the arms 32; as such, the ensuing discussion will
focus on only one of the ottoman extension mechanisms 40, with the
discussion being equally applicable to the other ottoman extension
mechanism 40 also. Further, the discussion of the ottoman extension
mechanism 40 will first discuss its components as they are in the
retracted position of FIG. 3, then proceed to discuss their
movement to the extended position of FIG. 4.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 3, the ottoman extension mechanism 40
includes a handle 42 mounted on a transversely-extending axle 44
that spans the arms 32 of the arm frame 30 and is rotatably mounted
therein. The handle 42 extends forwardly and upwardly from its
junction with the axle 44. A crank 46 attaches to the axle 44 at
its center portion via a flange and extends forwardly and
rearwardly therefrom. The rear end of the crank 46 is pivotally
attached to an ottoman drive link 48 at a pivot 49. The ottoman
drive link 48 extends generally forwardly from the pivot 49 and
terminates at a pivot 51 with one of the links of a pantographic
linkage 50 of a known configuration. The base members 55, 57 of the
pantographic linkage 50 are mounted to the upper, forward end of a
mounting link 52 at pivots 54, 56. The mounting link 52 is, in
turn, fixed to the mounting shim 36. The ottomans 28a, 28b are
mounted to brackets that are pivotally mounted on the ends of the
pantographic linkage 50. The ottoman 28b resides below the front
edge of the seat 24 and serves as the front panel of the chair 20.
The ottoman 28a resides rearwardly of the ottoman 28b.
[0030] The ottomans 28a, 28b can be moved from the retracted
position of FIG. 3 to the extended position of FIG. 4 by an
occupant of the chair 20 drawing the upper portion of the handle
rearwardly (counterclockwise from the vantage point of FIG. 3).
This rotation causes the axle 44 to rotate, which in turn causes
the crank 46 to rotate counterclockwise with the axle 44. As the
lower end of the crank 46 rotates forwardly, it drives the ottoman
drive link 48 forward also. Forward movement of the ottoman drive
link 48 forces the base members 55, 57 of the pantographic linkage
50 to rotate counterclockwise about pivots 54, 56. This movement
extends the pantographic linkage 50, which carries the ottomans
28a, 28b to the extended positions shown in FIG. 4. Movement ceases
when a pin 59 located on a link 58a of the pantographic linkage 50
contacts the edge of an adjoining link 58b.
[0031] Those skilled in this art will recognize that other
mechanisms for extending one or more ottomans from a retracted
position to an extended position may also be suitable for use in
connection with the present invention. For example, some links
illustrated and described herein may be omitted or substituted for,
and other links may be added as desired. In addition, the shapes of
the links themselves may vary, as may the positions of the pivot
points. Also, the handle may be replaced with another variety of
actuation mechanism. Other variations will be apparent to those
skilled in this art.
[0032] When the ottomans 28a, 28b of the chair 20 are in their
retracted positions (FIG. 3), the chair 20 is free to experience
rocking motion due to the rolling movement of the camming surfaces
34 of the arm inner panels 33 on the upper surfaces of the base 22
(this movement is controlled by the resilient members 39). However,
when the ottomans 28a, 28b are in their extended positions (FIG.
4), it may be desirable to prevent rocking movement of the chair
20. As such, the chair 20 includes a locking mechanism 60 coupled
to the ottoman extension mechanism 40 that can prevent such rocking
movement. The structure and operation of the locking mechanism 60
are described below.
[0033] Referring first to FIGS. 3 and 3A, the locking mechanism 60
includes the aforementioned crank 46, which is attached at its
forward end to a drive bar 62 at a pivot 63. The drive bar 62
extends generally rearwardly therefrom. A V-shaped locking link 64
with a vertex 66 and a wheel extension 69 is pivotally attached to
the rear end of the drive bar 62 at a pivot 65 located at the
vertex 66. A wheel 69a is attached to the rear end of the wheel
extension 69. The locking link 64 is also pivotally attached to the
rear end of the mounting link 52 at a pivot 73. A brace 68 is
pivotally attached to the front end of the locking link 64 at a
pivot 70. The brace 68 extends rearwardly from the pivot 70 and has
a stop pin 71 at its rear end. A control link 72 is pivotally
interconnected at its upper end to an intermediate portion of the
brace 68 at a pivot 76 and at its lower end to the base 22 at a
pivot 74. A spring 78 is attached between the drive bar 62 and the
mounting link 52; in the retracted position of FIGS. 3 and 3A, the
spring 78 is in tension.
[0034] The locking mechanism 60 is deployed in concert with the
extension of the ottoman extension linkage 40. From the retracted
position of FIGS. 3 and 3A, rotation of the handle 42 in the manner
described above to extend the ottomans 28a, 28b rotates the crank
46 counterclockwise. This action forces the drive bar 62
rearwardly. The rearward movement of the drive bar 62 drives the
vertex 66 of the locking link 64 rearwardly and downwardly, which
rotates the locking link 64 counterclockwise about the pivot 73
until the wheel 69a contacts the upper bearing surface 34a of the
base 22 (in some embodiments, a second, separate bearing surface on
the base may be employed). The rotation of the locking link 64
causes the brace 68 to rotate counterclockwise about the pivot 76,
which forces its forward end to rise and its rearward end to
descend. In addition, the control link 72 rotates slightly
counterclockwise about the pivot 74. The movements cease when the
pin 71 on the brace 68 contacts the rear edge of the locking link
64. In this final position, the locking link 64 is wedged between
the fixed mounting shim 36 and the brace 68 such that a near
"over-center" configuration is formed by the pivots 70, 76 and 74.
This entire movement is augmented by the spring 78, which remains
in tension in the deployed position of FIGS. 4 and 4A.
[0035] In this configuration, the locking mechanism 60 can prevent
rocking movement of the seat 24, arm frame 30, and backrest 26
relative to the base 22. Also, the locking mechanism 60 is
configured to lock the seat 24 and arm frame 30 in the same
position irrespective of the position of the seat 24 and arm frame
30 as the ottoman extension mechanism 40 is deployed, such that it
can be assured that the seat 24 is in a comfortable pitch in the
locked position.
[0036] The chair 20 also includes a backrest reclining mechanism 80
that controls the relative movement of the backrest 26, the seat 24
and the arm frame 30. The backrest mechanism 80 includes a front
bracket 82 with a slot 84 that is mounted to the underside of the
seat 24, a rear bracket 92 that is mounted predominantly above the
rear portion of the seat 24, a connecting rod 88 that is pivotally
interconnected with the rear bracket 86 at a pivot 90 and fixed to
the backrest 26, and a mounting link 86 that is mounted to the
inner surface 33 of the arm 32 and that is pivotally attached to
the connecting rod 88 at a pivot 94.
[0037] The backrest can be reclined relative to the seat 24 and arm
frame 30 by having the occupant push rearwardly against the
backrest 26. This movement causes the backrest 26 to pivot about
the pivot 90 (counterclockwise from the vantage point of FIG. 3)
such that the upper portion of the backrest 26 moves downwardly and
rearwardly. In turn, the lower portion of the backrest 26 rises and
moves forwardly. This movement drives the seat 24 slightly
forwardly and causes its rear portion to rise. The front portion of
the seat 24 also rises; its movement is controlled by the
interaction between a pin 52a on the mounting link 52 and the slot
84 in the front bracket 82. Movement ceases when the front bracket
82 has moved forward sufficiently that the rear end of the slot 84
strikes the pin 52a.
[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the backrest mechanism 80 is
decoupled from the ottoman extension mechanism 30. In some
embodiments of the present invention, the backrest mechanism may be
coupled with the ottoman extension mechanism.
[0039] Those skilled in this art will also recognize that, in some
embodiments, the ottomans 28a, 28b and ottoman extension mechanism
40 may be omitted, with the result that the chair becomes a
press-back rocker. Such a chair can allow the consumer to employ,
for example, a separate ottoman with the chair if desired.
[0040] The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and
is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although exemplary
embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in
the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are
possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing
from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention.
Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included
within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. The
invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of
the claims to be included therein.
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