GB2355397A - Rocking chair - Google Patents

Abstract

A rocking chair (1, Fig.1) comprises a seat (2, Fig.2) having at least one curved rocker 3,3<SP>1</SP> and being rockably mounted on a non-rocking base. In order to limit the rocking motion, restriction means 8 are provided. Preferably, the restriction means comprise front and rear blocks 10,10<SP>1</SP> movable together forwardly or rearwardly in order to selectively limit forward or rearward rocking of the seat. The front and rear blocks may also be movable towards each other in order to prevent any rocking motion. Typically, the blocks are substantially triangular in cross-section and are actuated by movement of a handle 11,11<SP>1</SP>.

Description

2355397 M&C Folio: 230P81302 Document #: 428415 Rockin-g Ch The present

invention relates to a rocking chair comprising a seat having at least one curved rocker and being rockably mounted on a non-rocking base.

The advantages of rocking chairs are well known, but it is difficult to use a rocking chair as a reclining chair ("recliner") or as a normal upright chair.

When a rocking chair is not being rocked, it settles in a position dependent on the centre of gravity of the chair and the mass/position of the occupant. The rocking chair may settle in an upright position, a slightly tilted-backward position, or even a considerably tilted-backward position. Whatever the position, it may not necessarily be the most convenient position for the occupant all the time.

In the case of a rocking chair that settles at a tilted-backward position, if the occupant wishes to maintain an upright position, for exwnple to have a conversation with visitors while not tilting backwards, the occupant would have to achieve and maintain the upright position by leaning his/her body forward while exerting a continuous force, using, for example, the feet and back muscles. This can be uncomfortable and stressful.

Similar stressftd muscle work would have to be exerted in the case of a rocking chair that settles at an upright position, and the occupant wishes to maintain a tilted-backward position.

An object of the present invention is to provide a rocking chair in which the above- mentioned disadvantages are at least reduced.

2 The invention provides a rocking chair comprising a seat having at least one curved rocker and being rockably mounted on a non-rocking base, and restriction means operable to restrict rocking motion of the seat.

The restriction means may be operable to restrict rearward or forward rocking of the seat and conveniently are in the form of a movable block, which is preferably wedge-shaped.

Preferably, the restriction means comprise front and rear blocks movable together forwardly or rearwardly, selectively, to restrict rearward or forward rocking, respectively, of the seat.

In a ftirther embodiment the front and rear blocks are movable towards each other to prevent, temporarily, rocking motion of the seat altogether. By suitable positioning of the blocks the seat may be held in an upright or in any desired inclined position.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. I is a side view of a rocking chair according to the invention with unrestricted forward and rearward rocking, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the base of the rocking chair of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a side view of the rocking chair of Fig. 1 with the restriction means actuated to prevent forward tilting, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the base of the rocking chair of Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is a side view of the rocking chair of Fig. I with the restriction means actuated to prevent rearward tilting, 3 Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the base of the rocking chair of Fig. 5, Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view through the base of the rocking chair of Figs. 1, 3 and 5, and Fig. 8 is a schematic side view of a rocking chair similar to that of Fig. I but with the non-rocking base close to the ground.

In Fig. I a rocking chair 1 comprises a seat 2 having two curved rockers 3, 31 rockably mounted on a non-rocking base 4 supported on legs 5.

The rocking chair I is similar to the rocking chair as disclosed and claimed in my copending patent application No. 9921945.3 filed on 16 September 1999, in which the surface of contact 6 of the rockers 3, 31 with the non-rocking base 4 is located closer to the seat 2 than to the ground so as to restrict access to the surface of contact 6 and thus reduce the risk of finger pinching.

However, the rocking chair may be a conventional rocking chair in which the nonrocking base is close to the ground.

The rocking chair I is provided with springs 7 to facilitate rocking of the seat 2.

As shown more particularly in Fig. 2 the base 4 is provided with restriction means 8 for restricting forward or backward movement of the seat 2. The restriction means 8 comprise a movable framework 9 carrying front and rear transverse blocks or wedges 10, 10 1 and being movable forwardly and rearwardly by means of upright handles 11, I 11 at opposite sides of the framework 9. The wedges 10, 10 1 have a substantially triangular cross-section, and the surface of each wedge 10, 10 1 facing the respective rocker 3, 31 is preferably concave (see the embodiment of Fig. 8).

4 In Figs. I and 2 the restriction means are shown in a non-operating central position in which the wedges 10, 10 1 are spaced away from the rockers 3, 3 1, so that the rocking motion of the rockers 3, 31 is unrestricted, as shown by the broken lines in Fig. 2.

If forward tilting motion of the seat 2 is to be restricted, the handles 11, 111 are moved rearwardly of the rocking chair as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 until the front wedge 10 engages beneath the curved surface at the front of each rocker 3, 31 so that only rearward motion of the rockers 3, 31 is possible, as shown in broken lines. The occupant of the chair I can tilt the seat 2 between a given position, which may be upright or tilted, and a further rear-tilted position. This will allow the chair to be used as a form of recliner. Furthermore, if the occupant is an invalid or infirm, it could reduce the risk of the occupant slumping forwardly out of the seat 2 during rocking. A particularly advantageous construction is obtained if the rocking chair is as disclosed in UK Patent No. 2 3 32 14 1, ie is provided with "a reaction member operatively connected to the base against which an occupant of the seat can apply a force to tilt the seat rearwardly or rock the seat".

In Figs. 5 and 6 the restriction means 8 have been moved forwardly by forward movement of the handles 11, 111, so that the rear wedge 10 1 engages beneath the curved surface at the rear of the rockers 3, 3 1, thereby preventing rearward tilting movement of the seat 2 from a given position (which may be upright or slightly tilted). This will allow the chair to be used as a normal, substantially upright chair, eg when the occupant is eating, drinking or having a conversation while in an upright position. The seat 2 can still be tilted forwards, which could help the occupant to get out of the chair 1 more easily.

It can be seen from the figures, and in particular from Fig. 7, that opposite inside faces of the base 4 have grooves 12, 121 engaged by suitable guide members 13, 131 attached to opposite sides of the frarnework 9. The guide members 13, 131 could be in the form of a slide or ball bearings enabling easy forward and backward sliding movement of the restriction means 9 on actuation of the handles 11, 111.

In the rocking chair of Fig. 8 the base 4 is of a more usual construction, ie there are no legs 5 and the base engages the ground. However, the restriction means 9 are very similar to the restriction means of the embodiment of Figs. I to 7.

Various modifications may be made to the above embodiment. Thus, as already explained, the rocking chair could have a standard groundengaging base 4, rather than the raised base 4 as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 5.

The levers 11, 111 could be placed externally of the seat 2, or hidden internally. Furthermore, there would be little difficulty in replacing the mechanical arrangement of the handles 11, 111 with electric/electronic actuation means for moving the restriction means 9. Such actuation means could be operable at the press of a button or switch. The restriction means 9 could be actuated by any other suitable means, eg hydraulically or pneumatically.

The handles 11, 111 could be replaced by foot-operated actuation means for moving the restriction means 8.

The restriction means 8 could be divided into two parts allowing separate movement of the wedges 10, 10 1 which could, if desired, be movable towards each other so as to engage simultaneously under both ends of the rockers 3, 3 1, so as to prevent rocking or tilting movement of the seat 2 altogether.

Instead of a single front and rear wedge 10, 10 1 extending across the whole width of the chair 1, two rear and two front wedges could be provided, each wedge being substantially the same width as each rocker 3, 3 1.

Although the blocks 10, 10 1 have been shown as wedges, ie they have a substantially triangular cross-section, they may have any other suitable cross-section, eg circular, 6 oval, etc. The blocks 10, 10 1 may be made of any suitable material, eg wood, rubber, rubber-coated wood, plastics etc.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings the restraining means 8, and hence the blocks (wedges 10, 101), move horizontally backwards and forwards. It would be possible for the blocks to be rotatable or movable up and down to restrict movement of the rockers 3, 3 1, eg by being mounted within the base 4, ie below the surface of contact 6 (see Fig. 1), or even being mounted on the seat 2, or within the rockers themselves. The blocks could be inflatable, eg in the form of air bags, so as to be inflated into an operable position and deflated into an inoperative position.

The restraining means could be arranged in any other suitable position, for example within the confines of the springs 7. A block, eg in the form of a vertically-movable piston, could be arranged within each spring 7. The height of each piston would determine the degree of restriction of the tilting of the seat 2.

Although the embodiment shown in the drawings has two rockers 3, 3 1, it would be possible to have a single curved rocker extending across substantially the width of the seat 2.

7

Claims (11)

Claims:

1. A rocking chair comprising a seat having at least one curved rocker and being rockably mounted on a non-rocking base, and restriction means operable to restrict rocking motion of the seat.

2. A rocking chair as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the restriction means are operable to restrict rearward rocking of the seat.

3. A rocking chair as claimed in Claim I or 2, wherein the restriction means are operable to restrict forward rocking of the seat.

4. A rocking chair as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the restriction means comprise a movable block.

5. A rocking chair as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the restriction means comprise front and rear blocks movable together forwardly or rearwardly, selectively, to restrict rearward or forward rocking, respectively, of the seat.

6. A rocking chair as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the front and rear blocks are movable towards each other to prevent, temporarily, rocking motion of the seat.

7. A rocking chair as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the block has a substantially triangular cross-section.

8. A rocking chair as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the restriction means are actuated mechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically.

9. A rocking chair as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the restriction means are actuated by movement of a handle.

8

10. A rocking chair as claimed in any one of Claims I to 6, wherein the restriction means are actuated electrically.

11. A rocking chair substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7, or Fig. 8 of the accompanying drawings.