Automatic Rocker And Glider

Abstract

A rocking chair assembly including a flexible line connected at one end to a drive means on the chair base and movably connected at the other end in a housing mounted on the movable rocking chair member. A manually operated control mechanism has a first position tightening the line thereby providing a driving connection between the drive means and the rocking chair member. The mechanism has a second position loosening the line thereby permitting free movement of the rocking chair member. The chair assembly can include manually operated tension adjusting means operatively connected to the line to compensate for the different weights and sizes of persons using the chair.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to rocking chairs and, more particularly, to a new and improved rocking chair provided with motor means for automatically rocking the same.

Motor-operated rocking chairs have been proposed and patented, and such a chair is especially suited for use in hospitals and nursing homes. An example of this type of chair is shown in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,019,052 issued Jan. 30, 1962 and entitled, "Automatic Rocker and Glider." As described in that patent, the chair assembly includes a mechanical clutch arrangement which is engaged under control of the user to provide a driving connection between the motor and rocking chair member.

It would be highly desirable to provide an automatic rocking chair having both motor-operated and free rocking modes wherein a relatively greater degree of movement is obtainable in the free rocking mode than heretofore possible. Inasmuch as persons of considerably different sizes and weights will use the same chair, it would be desirable also to include in such a chair a means compensating for such differences so that a smooth rocking movement is obtainable by all users. It would of course be advantageous to provide the foregoing in a motor operated rocking chair which is economical to manufacture and relatively easy to maintain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a rocking chair assembly including a flexible line connected at one end to a drive means in the chair base and movably connected at the other end to a rocking chair member. When the line is tightened by a manually operated control mechanism, a driving connection is provided between the drive means and the rocking chair member. The tension of the flexible line is adjustable by manually operated means to compensate for the different weights and sizes of persons using the chair.

The foregoing and additional advantages and characterizing features of the present invention will become clearly apparent upon a reading of the ensuing detailed description together with the included drawing wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a rear end elevational view, with parts removed, of a rocking chair assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken about on line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, partly in vertical cross section, of the rocking chair assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken about on line 4--4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken about on line 5--5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of a tension adjusting means for the chair assembly of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the adjusting means of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawing, a rocking chair assembly according to the present invention is designated generally at 10 in FIGS. 1 and 3 and comprises a base member 11 including supporting members 12, 13 which in the present instance have horizontal supporting surfaces. A rocking chair member 15 is movably mounted on base 11 and includes a generally horizontal seat portion 16, an inclined back portion 17 and a pair of arm rest members 18, 19. Rocking chair member 15 includes supporting members 21, 22 having downwardly convex surfaces which are supportingly engaged on the respective horizontal surfaces of the supporting member 12 and 13. Rocking chair 15 is retained on base 11 by means of a coil or fastening spring assembly 23 connected to supporting member 12 and supporting member 21 and by an identical spring assembly 24 connected to supporting member 13 and supporting member 22. It is to be understood that included within the scope of this invention are alternative arrangements for movably mounting chair member 15 on base 11 auch as the arrangement shown in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,019,052.

The rocking chair assembly 10 further comprises an eccentric designated generally at 30 drivenly connected to motor means shown at 31 and mounted on base member 11. Motor 31 is a standard fractional horsepower gear motor operable from conventional, line frequency alternating current. Eccentric 30 comprises relatively rotatable inner and outer members 32 and 33, respectively, which preferably can be separated by a bushing or sleeve of Teflon. The Teflon bushing or sleeve obviates the need to lubricate eccentric 30. Eccentric member 32 can of course be directly connected through a shaft to the output of motor 31. When, however, a small reduction in r.p.m. of the drive is desired, eccentric 32, as shown in detail in FIG. 2, is connected to a shaft 35 on which is mounted a wheel or pulley 36 drivenly connected through a belt 37 to a wheel or pulley 38 connected on the output or drive shaft of motor 31. Shaft 35 is supported at opposite ends by a pillow bearing assembly 39 mounted on base 11 and by a similar bearing assembly 40 mounted on a transverse frame member 41 attached to supporting members 12, 13.

Eccentric 30 is disposed in a generally vertical plane when chair assembly 10 is in its position of use. The assembly 10 according to the present invention further comprises a flexible line designated 45 connected at one end 46 to eccentric 30 and at the other end 47 to rocking chair member 15. Line 45 preferably is of wire to provide the required strength and flexibility which a metal wire can furnish.

The rocking chair assembly according to the present invention also comprises a manually operated control mechanism connected to rocking chair member 15 and to line 45 at end 47. The mechanism has a first position tightening line 45 and thereby providing a driving connection between eccentric 30 and rocking chair member 15. The broken line portion of line 45 in FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrates the tightened condition of line 45 in this first position. The mechanism has a second position loosening line 45 thereby permitting free, that is not powered or motor operated, movement of rocking chair member 15. The control mechanism comprises, briefly, connecting means designated generally at 49 mounted on rocking chair member 15, such as on transverse frame member 50, and connected to end 47 of line 45 for raising that end of line 45 to loosen the line. The control mechanism further comprises a handle 51 rotatably mounted at 52 on rocking chair member 15 at a readily accessibly location such as below the arm rest members 18 or 19. The control mechanism also includes motion transmitting means connected to handle 51 and to connecting means 50 for raising end 47 of line 45 and tightening the line to provide the afore-mentioned driving connection, in response to rotation of handle 51 in one direction. The motion transmitting means also functions to lower end 47 of line 45 to loosen the line in response to rotation of handle 51 in another, i.e. the opposite direction.

The manually operated control mechanism according to the present invention can be seen in detail in FIGS. 1 and 3. Connecting means 59 includes a housing 60 provided by a plate 61 mounted on rocking chair member 15 such as on frame member 50 thereof. Plate 61 is provided with an elongated slot 63 therein and disposed so that slot 63 is generally vertical. The surface of frame member 62 behind slot 63 can be recessed or, alternatively, plate 61 can be mounted on member 50 through spacers to provide the needed room behind plate 61. Housing 60 further comprises first and second right angle channel members 64 and 65, respectively, mounted on plate 61 in opposed relation on each side of slot 63. The surface of channel member 64 which is perpendicular to the plane of plate 61 is provided with an elongated slot 66, and the surface of channel member 65 perpendicular to the plane of plate 61 likewise is provided with an elongated slot 67. By virtue of this arrangement, slots 66 and 67 are in opposed, generally aligned positions on each side of slot 63. In addition, it will be noted that channel members 64, 65 are disposed with the longitudinal axes thereof slightly oblique relative to the axis of slot 63. In other words, the space separating channel members 64, 65 is slightly larger near the bottom than at the top for a purpose which will be described. Housing 60 also includes a block member 68 mounted on plate 61 and positioned adjacent the tops of channel members 64, 65 whereby the space between the channel members is closed by block 68 at the top thereof.

A connector member in the form of an elongated bar 70 is movably positioned in housing 60 in a manner such that it can be raised and lowered. As shown in FIG. 4, bar 70 is of a length greater than the distance from plate 61 to the front surface of either channel member 64, 65 and is of a width and thickness such that it is slidable in slot 63 and, accordingly, movable between the channel members 64, 65. Bar 70 is provided with a pin 71 extending therethrough at one end thereof and disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bar 70. In operating position, bar 70 is positioned whereby the ends of pin 71 engage the rear surface or underside of plate 61 and the outer end of bar 70 extends slightly beyond channel members 64, 65. As a result, connector member 70 is movable vertically within the limits defined by the length of slot 63 and is movably retained in housing 60 by virtue of the engagement of pin 71 with the surface of plate 61. Line 45 is connected at end 47 to the outwardly projecting end of connector member 70. When connector member 70 is raised a sufficient distance, line 45 is tightened as will be described presently. In addition, the provision of block member 68 limits the upward travel of connector member 70.

The control mechanism further comprises a vertically movable operator member in the form of bar 75 which is positioned in housing 60 and contacts connector member 70 for raising and lowering the same. Bar 75 is of a width and thickness such that it is movable longitudinally between channel members 64 and 65. A pin 76 extends through bar 75 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof, and opposite ends of pin 76 are received in corresponding slots 66 and 67 of the channel members 64 and 65, respectively, for guiding bars 75 therebetween. In addition, bar 75 is of a length such that when it raises connector member 70 to the upper limit of travel, the lower end of bar 75 extends below the bottom end of channel members 64, 65. The slightly larger gap or spacing between channel members 64, 65 near the bottom thereof is to insure ease of vertical movement of bar 75 therebetween.

The control mechanism also comprises motion transmitting means connected to handle 51 and to the operator member 75 for raising member 75 to tighten line 45 in response to rotation of handle 51 in one direction, and for lowering operator member 75 to loosen line 45 in response to rotation of handle 51 in another or the opposite direction. The motion transmitting means comprises a shaft 80 connected at one end 81 to handle 51 and rotatably supported in rocking chair member 15 at the other end 82 thereof such as by a bushing. Shaft 80 preferably is disposed generally horizontally, and perpendicular with respect to the plane of movement of chair 10. A first generally rectangular plate 85 is rigidly mounted on shaft 80 near end 82, and disposed so that the plane of plate 85 is generally perpendicular with respect to the axis of shaft 80. A first connecting rod 86 is pivotally connected at one end thereof by connecting means 88 to plate 85 at a point offset from the axis of shaft 80. Rod 86 is disposed so that in all operative positions thereof it lies in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of shaft 80. Connecting means 88 is threadably connected to the end of rod 86 to facilitate adjustment therebetween.

A second, generally rectangular plate 90 is pivotally mounted to rocking chair member 15 such as through a connector member 91 rotatably connected in a bracket 92 secured to chair member 15. The other end of connecting rod 86 is pivotally connected by means of a connector 93 to plate 90 and at a point offset from the pivot axis 91 of plate 90. A second connecting rod 95 is pivotally connected by a connecting means 96 at one end thereof to plate 90 at a point offset from the pivot axis of plate 90 and from the point 93 at which first rod 86 is connected. Rod 95 in all operative positions thereof extends at an angle relative to rod 86 and is disposed in a plane generally parallel to the plane of rod 86. A lever 98 is pivotally connected at one end 99 to the other end of rod 95, and lever 98 is pivotally connected at the other end 100 to operator member 75. Lever 98 is pivotally mounted at 101 intermediate the ends thereof to rocking chair member 15, such as on frame member 50.

The rocking chair assembly 10 according to the present invention can further comprise manually operated tension adjusting means operatively connected to line 45 for maintaining the proper tension on line 45 as persons of different sizes and weights use the chair. The tension adjusting means comprises a member 105 rotatably mounted on rocking chair member 15, such as by means of a shaft 106 rigidly attached to member 105 and rotatably received in a bushing 107 which, in turn, is fixed in a transverse frame member 108 of chair member 15. While a separate frame member 108 is shown, it is apparent that if the width of frame member 50 were increased in a direction toward base 11, member 105 could be mounted on member 50. Member 105 is provided with spaced apart hook means 109 and 110, respectively, for engaging line 45 but permitting movement of line 45 along the axis thereof. It will be appreciated that rotation of member 105 about shaft 106 a slight angular distance will tension the line 45. A rotatable knob 110 is mounted on chair assembly 10 at a readily accessible location, such as on rocking chair member 15 below arm rests 18, 19, and rotations of knob 110 are transmitted through a coupling means to member 105. In preferred form the coupling means comprises a flexible line 112 connected at one end to knob 110 and at the other end to a coupling 113 which, in turn, is connected to a shaft 114 having connected thereon a worm 115. Shaft 114 is rotatably supported in a bracket 116 which is mounted on rocking chair member 15. A worn wheel 117 is connected to shaft 106 and disposed so as to be in meshing relation with worn 115.

The rocking chair assembly according to the present invention can further comprise visual lever indicator means 120, shown in FIG. 3, on rocking chair member 15 to indicate to the user his position of proper balance in the chair. In preferred form, the indicator 120 can comprise an elongated tube provided with a liquid including an air bubble 121 and spaced apart lines similar to a standard spirit level.

The rocking chair assembly according to the present invention also can comprise a foot rest, designated generally at 125, operatively connected to shaft 80 through spaced-apart linkage assemblies indicated generally at 126 and 127, whereby upon rotation of shaft 80 by handle 51 in one direction foot rest 125 is raised and upon rotation of handle 51 in the other direction foot rest 125 is lowered. Linkages 126, 127 are of conventional construction readily familiar to those skilled in the art so that a detailed description thereof is deemed to be unnecessary.

The rocking chair assembly 10 according to the present invention operates in the following manner. When line 45 is in a loosened or slack condition, a person sitting in chair assembly 10 can rock back and forth using his own effort as in a conventional rocking chair. When automatic or motor-operated rocking action is desired, the user simply grasps handle 51 to pull it back toward him and thus rotate shaft 80 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. The counterclockwise rotation of shaft 80 rotates plate 85 in its plane in a counterclockwise direction which, in turn, moves connecting rod 86 to rotate plate 90 about its axis in a counterclockwise direction. This, in turn, causes connecting rod 95 to move downwardly and pulling with it the corresponding end 99 of lever 98. Lever 98, in turn, is pivoted about is connection 101 to move operator member 75 upwardly thereby causing a corresponding upward movement of connector member 70. As a result, line 45 is tightened or made taut, and this position of the control mechanism is maintained or locked by virtue of the offset relationship or particular spacing of the pivotal connections on plate 90. With the control mechanism being locked and line 45 tightened to provide a driving connection between eccentric 30 and rocking chair member 15, the user now can activate a switch 43 mounted on arm rest 19 to energize motor 31 for automatic rocking.

Prior to beginning this mode of operation, if the user notices that the driving connection does not appear to be tight, as evidenced by the feel or the play of the rocking chair member 15, he can accordingly adjust the tension in line 45. The user also can reposition himself in chair member 15 while observing the level indicator 120 so as to adjust himself to the chiar to get the proper balance. In particular, the user would rotate knob 110 by hand to cause a corresponding rotation of member 105 to make line 45 shorter or longer. This may be necessary when persons of a weight and size relatively larger or smaller than normal use the chair. By insuring that line 45 is in proper tension, the chair assembly 10 will give the smoothest motion. Then, the user simply actuates switch 43 and chair 10 provides a gentle rocking movement.

When the user wishes the automatic operation to stop so that he can leave the chair or switch to a manual or free rocking movement, he would first move switch 43 to deenergize motor 31 and then push handle 51 forwardly to rotate shaft 80 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. This, in turn, causes plate 85 to rotate in its plane in a clockwise direction, and through connecting rod 86 produces a corresponding rotation of plate 90. This, in turn, raises rod 95 to lower operator member 75 and pin 70 to loosen line 45.

The smooth and gentle rocking movement provided by chair assembly 10 has been determined to be particularly desirable for many hospital patients in providing relaxation and in being beneficial to circulation. The provision of flexible line 45 permits a longer or greater degree of movement in the free or manual rocking mode. Persons of considerably different size and weight may use the same chair, especially in nursing homes or hospitals, but in all instances these variations are compensated for by the chair assembly 10 of the present invention. A person can adjust his position relative to the chair to maintain the proper balanced condition as shown to him by level indicator 120. In addition the tension in line 45 is adjustable by the member 105 under control of knob 110.

Accordingly, it is seen that the present invention accomplishes its intended objects. While a single specific embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, this has been done by way of illustration without thought of limitation.

Claims

I claim:

1. A rocking chair assembly comprising:

a. a base;

b. a rocking chair member movably mounted on said base;

c. an eccentric drivenly connected to motor means mounted on said base;

d. a flexible line connected at one end to said eccentric and at the other end to said rocking chair member; and

e. a manually operated control mechanism connected to said rocking chair member and to said line at said other end, said mechanism having a first position tightening said line thereby providing a driving connection through said line between said eccentric and said rocking chair member, and said mechanism having a second position loosening said line thereby permitting free movement of said rocking chair member.

2. A rocking chair assembly according to claim 1 wherein said flexible line is a wire line.

3. A rocking chair assembly according to claim 1 further comprising manually operated tension adjusting means operatively connected to said flexible line to compensate for the different weights and sizes of persons using the chair.

4. A rocking chair assembly according to claim 1 further comprising visual level indicator means on said rocking chair member to indicate to the user a position of proper balance.

5. A rocking chair assembly comprising:

a. a base;

b. a rocking chair member movably mounted on said base;

c. an eccentric drivenly connected to motor means mounted on said base;

d. a flexible line connected at one end to said eccentric and at the other end to said rocking chair member; and

e. a manually operated control mechanism connected to said rocking chair member and to said line at said other end, said mechanism comprising a housing mounted on said rocking chair member; a connector member movably positioned in said housing for raising and lowering; said line being connected to said connector member and tightened when said connector member is raised a sufficient distance; a vertically movable operator member positioned in said housing and contacting said connector member for raising and lowering the same; a handle rotatably mounted on said rocking chair member; and motion transmitting means connected to said handle and to said operator member for raising said operator member to tighten said line in response to rotation of said handle in one direction whereby said mechanism has a first position tightening said line thereby providing a driving connection between said eccentric and said rocking chair member, and for lowering said operator to loosen said line in response to rotation of said handle in another direction whereby said mechanism has a second position loosening said line thereby permitting free movement of said rocking chair member.

6. A rocking chair assembly according to claim 5 wherein said motion transmitting means includes means for maintaining said operator in the raised position tightening said line until said handle is rotated in said other direction.

7. A rocking chair assembly according to claim 5 wherein said motion transmitting means comprises:

a. a shaft connected at one end to said handle and rotatably supported in said rocking chair member;

b. a first plate rigidly mounted to the other end of said shaft and disposed so that the plane of said plate is generally perpendicular to the axis of said shaft;

c. a first connecting rod;

d. means for pivotally connecting one end of said rod to said plate at a point offset from said shaft;

e. a second plate pivotally mounted to said rocking chair member;

f. means for pivotally connecting the other end of said rod to said second plate offset from the pivot axis of said second plate;

g. a second connecting rod;

h. means for pivotally connecting one end of said second rod to said second plate offset from the pivot axis of said second plate and from said first rod; and

i. a lever connected at one end to the other end of said second connecting rod and at the other end to said operator member, said lever being pivotally mounted intermediate the ends thereof to said rocking chair member.

8. A rocking chair assembly according to claim 5 further including a footrest operatively connected to said shaft whereby upon rotation of said shaft by said handle in one direction said footrest is raised and in another direction of rotation said footrest is lowered.

9. A rocking chair assembly comprising:

a. a base;

b. a rocking chair member movably mounted on said base;

c. an eccentric drivenly connected to motor means mounted on said base;

d. a flexible line connected at one end to said eccentric and at the other end to said rocking chair member;

e. a manually operated control mechanism connected to said rocking chair member and to said line at said other end, said mechanism having a first position tightening said line thereby providing a driving connection between said eccentric and said rocking chair member, and said mechanism having a second position loosening said line thereby permitting free movement of said rocking chair member; and

f. manually operated tension adjusting means operatively connected to said flexible line to compensate for the different weights and sizes of persons using the chair, said tension adjusting means comprising a member rotatably mounted on said rocking chair member and having spaced-apart hook means for engaging said line but permitting movement of said line along the axis of said line, said member tensioning said line upon rotation thereof; a rotatable knob mounted on said assembly; and coupling means connected to said knob and to said member for transmitting rotation of said knob to said member.

10. A rocking chair assembly comprising:

a. a base;

b. a rocking chair member movably mounted on said base;

c. an eccentric drivenly connected to motor means mounted on said base;

d. a flexible line connected at one end to said eccentric and at the other end to said rocking chair member; and

e. a manually operated control mechanism connected to said rocking chair member and to said line at said other end, said mechanism having a first position tightening said line thereby providing a driving connection between said eccentric and said rocking chair member, and said mechanism having a second position loosening said line thereby permitting free movement of said rocking chair member, said control mechanism comprising connecting means mounted on said rocking chair member and connected to one end of said line for raising said end of said line to a tightened position and lowering said end of said line to loosen said line; a handle rotatably mounted on said rocking chair member; and motion transmitting means connected to said handle and to said connecting means for raising said end of said line and tightening said line to provide said driving connection in response to rotation of said handle in one direction and for lowering said end of said line to loosen said line in response to rotation of said handle in another direction.