MXPA97002610A - Assembly of ratchet and subject - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to rocking chair, characterized in that it comprises: a base, a supported chair frame for rocking movement in the base, a pulse mechanism including a pulse rod suspended from the chair frame, for rotational movement in a first and in a second direction, drive means for allowing a seat occupant to selectively drive the drive mechanism, a ratchet sector attached to the chair frame having ratchet teeth formed therein, a ratchet member pivotally coupled to the base for rotational movement between a first position engaging the ratchet teeth interlocking, wherein the chair frame is releasably locked in a backward inclined position, and a second position released from the ratchet teeth, to allow unrestricted rocker movement of the frame of the ratchet. armchair; spring means for normally deriving the detrinqual member In the first position, the spring means is adapted to exert a mating force on the ratchet member to maintain interlocking engagement with the ratchet teeth when the ratchet member is in the first position, a release assembly including a joint pivoting supported on the driving rod for free rotation therewith, a rigid releasing hinge having a first end coupled with the ratchet member and a second end disposed adjacent the pivoting hinge, and means for pivotally connecting the second end with the pivoting joint, and a fixed jump joint for rotation in the driving rod and operable to engage the pivoting joint in response to rotation of the driving rod in the first direction, to cause limited rotation of the pivoting joint, such that the release assembly pulls the ratchet member towards the second position, as opposed to bypassing the spring means, the jump joint is further operable to detach the pivot joint in response to rotation of the pulse rod in the second direction such that the spring means moves the member of ratchet in interlocking coupling with the ratchet teeth

Description

mWSMJS PE TRINQUETE AND SWETAPOE ATH ECEDEliTES OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to rocking chairs and more particularly to a rocking chair having an improved fastening mechanism operable to freely retain the chair or armchair in a position "tilted" backwards. Most rocking chairs typically include an upholstered armchair frame supported from a stationary base assembly in a shape that allows the armchair frame to "rock" freely with respect to the base assembly. In order to provide improved comfort and convenience, many rocking chairs also include a "reclining" seat assembly and / or an "extendable" legrest assembly. For example, reclining / rocking platform chairs in combination, as described in the U.S. patent application. Nos. 3,096,121 and 4,179,157, allow reclining movement of the seat assembly and actuation of the leg support assembly, independently of the conventional "rocking" action. The leg support assembly operatively couples with a pulse mechanism to allow the seat occupant to selectively move the leg support assembly between its normally retracted (i.e., "stored") and raised (i.e. extended "). The drive mechanism is manually operated and includes a handle which, when rotated by the occupant of the seat, causes concurrent rotation of a pulse rod to extend or retract the leg support assembly. As a further comfort feature, a fastener mechanism for releasably retaining the chair frame in a reclined or "tilted" position of not in the base assembly by extending the legrest assembly to its position can also be provided. extended. In this way, the normal "wave" action of the -t "• rocking chair is inhibited until the leg support assembly is returned to its normally" stored "position The aforementioned US Patents of the Applicant each describe the use of a ratchet-type fastening mechanism and "one way" bra, which has a member of ratchet supported for pivotable movement from the base assembly and a fixed serrated ratchet sector to the frame of the chair. An elongated U-shaped elastic hinge is used to couple the ratchet member to a displacement hinge, fixed to the impulse rod. The movement of The ratchet member between engaging and detaching positions with the toothed sector is caused in response to movement of the legrest assembly between its extended and retracted positions respectively. More particularly, suando el asa is turned slightly to extend In part, the leg support assembly, the concurrent rotation of the pulse rod and the displacement joint, causes the elastic joint to pivot the ratchet member towards the ratchet sector until its locking tip is engaged in the coupling. nailed with the teeth of the retainer sector. Subsequently, the continuous rotation of the impulse rod and the impulse joint to fully extend the legrest assembly, causes "flexing" of the "elongated" spring articulation to apply \ * ~ a compressive force in the ratchet member. However, the magnitude of the compressive force exerted by bending of the spring joint may vary since the displacement between the pulse rod and the sequential detent points in the ratchet sector varies in response to a movement of the ratchet. backward tilt of the chair frame. Therefore, the bending of the elongated spring joint must be sufficient to ensure that the compressive force exerted on the ratchet member is sufficient to maintain interlocking engagement between the ratchet member and the teeth of the sector. of detent through the entire range of movement of "tilt" backward chair frame. While these conventional clamping mechanisms have generally performed satisfactorily, they are inherently noisy due to spring articulation which exerts a large compressive force on the iron tip of the ratchet member, as it "rattles" on the teeth of the detent sector, before the backward inclination movement of the chair frame. In addition, the cyclic flexural requirements of the spring joint can lead to premature fatigue failure, which may possibly cause unintentional release of the chair frame from its backward inclined position. COMPRESSION OF THE TMVBMTION In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an improved clamping mechanism is described, which is designed to overcome the disadvantages associated with the conventional clamping mechanisms employed in rocking chairs. Therefore, a primary objective of the present invention is to provide an improved ratchet clamping mechanism, which is designed to substantially minimize the "ratcheting" noise commonly associated with its operation. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved ratchet clamping mechanism having a directed ratchet mount or spring, which is designed to exert a controlled bypass force on the ratchet member. According to one embodiment, the spring-guided ratchet assembly includes a torsion spring, which is arranged to normally divert the ratchet member to a mating position with the ratchet sector. The torsion spring effectively re-locates and reduces the coupling force between the ratchet member and the detent sector, in a manner that facilitates a significant reduction of noise. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved ratchet clamping mechanism, which has a single operable assembly for transforming rotation of the driving rod, into pivotal movement in the ratchet member. The single drive assembly includes a "non-loaded" releasable hinge that is used only to "pull" the locking tip of the ratchet member, Ie out of engagement with the teeth of the detent sector. In this way, the release linkage is not required to exert a cyclic compressive load on the ratchet member which significantly improves the overall service life of the improved clamping mechanism. As a related objective, the single drive assembly is used in conjunction with the drive mechanism to facilitate universal application of the improved clamping mechanism in various combinations of base mount and rocking chair. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved ratchet clamping mechanism, wherein the "uncharged" releasable joint can be easily assembled and / or replaced in the field.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a ratchet assembly that can be easily manufactured in a single die process. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an exemplary rocking chair is described, having a pulse rod suspended from an armchair assembly for rotational movement. The improved ratchet attachment mechanism includes a spring-directed ratchet assembly, supported for pivotable movement from the stationary base assembly and a stationary detent sector fixed to a portion of the mecha- nical chair frame. The spring-guided ratchet assembly includes a ratchet member and spring means for normally directing the ratchet member toward the detent sector to continuously exert a controlled engagement force on the ratchet member. A first end of a rigid releasable joint is provided to the retainer member of a second end of the rigid releasable joint is pivotally coupled to a pivoting joint, which is held clumpingly for free rotation on the impulse rod. A jump joint is fixed for rotation in the pulse rod and cooperates with the pivot joint to position the ratchet member with respect to the detent sector. As the impulse rod is rotated to a position, the jump articulation blows and rotates the pivot joint, such that the releasable joint "pulls" the ratchet member against the bypass of the spring means to release the ratchet member. from the teeth of the retainer sector. When the impulse rod is rotated in an opposite direction, the jump joint detaches the pivoting joint and allows it to rotate, so that the bypass force of the spring means "pushes" the ratchet member in engagement with the fingers. teeth of the retainer sector. The spring means exerts a controlled bypass force on the ratchet member to maintain latched or locked engagement with the detent sector.The jump articulation remains detached from the pivoting artislation upon further rotation of the pulse rod in the Second direction: In this way, the pivoting articulation is allowed to rotate freely on the impulse rod and thus measuring the serge in the release articulation after locked engagement of the ratchet member with the detent teeth. When the impulse rod is rotated back to the first direction, the jump joint again engages the pivoting articulation, "pulling" the release joint away from the ratchet member causing it to detach from the detent sector. Additional objectives, advantages and faces of the present invention will be apparent to a person are skill in the tactic from the following dessripsión and appended claims, which are taken together by the accompanying drawings. PE ^ CRI CIPM PB M? G PXBWQS Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an exemplary rocking chair having an extensible legrest assembly and an improved ratchet fastening mechanism, constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. present invention. Figure 2 is a partial plan view of the rocking chair of Figure 1. Figure 3 illustrates the rocking chair of Figure 2, with the legrest assembly in an "extended" position and the ratchet clamping mechanism in a "subject" position; Figure 4 is a view, similar to Figure 3 showing the rocking chair locked in a "tilted" backward position, with the ratchet clamping mechanism in another "locked" position; Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the ratchet clamping mechanism illustrated in Figures 1 to 4; Figure 5a is a detail view illustrating an alternate embodiment of the conistor between the release joint and the pivoting articulation; Figure 6 is a sectional view of the spring-directed ratchet assembly illustrated in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a detailed view illustrating the preferred connection between the release joint and the pivoting articulation; Figure 7a is a detail view illustrating an alternate connection between the release artisulasion and the pivotal artisulasion; and Figure 8 is a detailed view of the preforra before forming the ratchet member of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION DETAILS DK THE PREFERRED MODALITIES With particular reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, an exemplary rocking chair is illustrated. More particularly the exemplary rocking chair, is a combination of recliner and platform rocking chair, in continuation referred to the reslinable armchair / foyer 10. In general, the recliner / rocking chair , includes a rigid chair frame 12 are base assembly 14, a manually operated impulse momentum 16, a legrest assembly 18 and "reclining" seat assembly 20, in addition, an improved ratchet suspension mesanism 22 is illustrated which is constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, it will be understood that the recliner / table 10 is exemplary in nature and is simply intended to illustrate the type of table chair when sual the improved ratchet suspension mesanism 22 can be operatively associated. For purposes of clarity, the recliner / rocking chair 10 illustrated is its upholstery, filling, springs, etsetera, removed to better illustrate the interdependence of the various components and articulosiones mesánisas. The combination reclining / raking chair 10, is illustrated in Figure 1 having a seat assembly 20 in a fully "upright" position and the leg support assembly 18 in its normally retracted or "stored" position to allow the Occupant of the seat enjoy the convensional seat. The seat assembly 20 includes a backrest 24 that can be "reclined" relative to a seat member independent of whether the leg support 18 is set in the "stored" position or in the "extended" position. This "resilient" movement of the 120 assembly and extension of the leg support assembly 18 to the "extended" position, is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The resilient movement of the seat assembly 20 is achieved by suing the seat yoke deliberately pressurizes the backrest of the seat 24, such that an oscillating seat articulation 30 provides that the seat member 26 move forward and upward, to maintain the comfort of the seat, while the included angle increases between them. The recliner / rocking chair 10 can easily be returned to its "upright" position before deliberate pressure application back to the seat assembly 20 or more simply if the seat occupant leans forward to remove pressure from the seat backrest. As best seen from Figures 1, 2 and 5, the manually operated movement mechanism 16 of the recliner / rocking chair 10, is integrated into and operatively suspended from the chair frame 12. Corao will be described in greater detail at sontinuation, mesanism of impulse 16 pulse 16 includes a pulse rod 32 and a front support shaft 34, both of which are spatially oriented to precisely locate and "suspend" the chair frame 12. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an assembly multi-piece front rail 177 suspends the front bracket flesha 34 and forms the rigid drawer chair frame 12. The front rail assembly 177 includes the lower cross member 178 and a pair of end members (ie left hand and right) 190 extending upward from their opposite lateral ends. The lower transverse member 178 is generally L-shaped in cross section having a vertical flange 180 and horizontal flange 182. The recess 184 is formed in the middle of the lower transverse member, to receive the ratchet sector 82 by locally folding the vertical flange 180 back and slightly out of the vertical. The recess 186, similar to the recess 184 is formed at each end of the lower transverse member 178 to receive the end member 190.

The end member 190 is generally L-shaped in plan view, having a vertical leg 192 and a horizontal leg 194 extending forward. A series of holes are formed in the vertical leg 192 to hold the front rail member 177 and chair frame 12. The slot 200 is also formed from the upper leg of the vertical leg 192 to support the front support leg 34. The transverse flange 196 extends from the front edge of the upstanding leg 192 to the ratchet sector 82 and L 'f' is adapted to hold the front support arrow 34 to the end member 190. A second transverse flange 198 extends. from the front edge of the horizontal leg 194 to the ratchet sector 82 and is adapted to hold the end member 190 to the lower transverse member 178. The orientation of the sector of ratchet 82 and recess 184, as well as transverse flange 198 and recess 186 facilitates alignment and assembly of front rail assembly 177. A preferred method for assembling recliner / chair 10, using pre-modular modular frames. assembled, it dessribe sompletamente in the patents of the U.S.A. Nos. 5,222,286 granted on June 29, 1993; 5, 288, 126 granted on February 22, 1994; 5,301,413 granted on April 12, 1994 and 5,435,621 granted on July 25, 1995, which are the common property of the assignee of the present invention and the descriptions of which are incorporated herein by reference expressly.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the impulse mesanism 16 is illustrated to operatively support the backrest mount for support legs 18. More specifically, the backrest assembly for legs 18 includes 5 left and right pantograph artisons 40, and at least one switching articulation on the spring-assisted center 42, which is operatively associated with the pulse rod 32, and the front support arrow 34, to allow the seat occupant to selectively activate the backrest assembly for legs. 18. A rigid transverse clamp 44 is clamped between the pulse rod 32 and the support shaft 34 to provide structural rigidity within the pulse mechanism 16. In addition, the spacer 44 is fixed to the support shaft 34 by a threaded fastener 46. to inhibit rotation of the support arrow before rotation of the pulse rod 32. In the preferred embodiment, the pulse rod 32 is an elongated square arrow having an actuation lever or handle 48, which is typically provided adjacent to an upholstered outer portion of the frame of armchair 12, and that can can be easily reached by a person sitting in the armchair 10 for his sonic acquaintance. As noted, the seat member 26 is supported for movement relative to the chair frame 12 by oscillating seat artisulation means 30, to cause the seat member 26 moves substantially horizontally and slightly up or down, depending on whether the seat member 26 moves forward (ie during "reclining" movement) or backward (ie before return to the vertical position"). The pivoting seat articulation means 30 are illustrated by the left and right hand rear oscillating joints 50 and the left and right hand front sliding brackets 52. Each rear ossilating articulation 50 comprises an elongated swing joint 54, a support bracket 56 and a bracket 56. seat clamp 58. The lower end of each rear swing link 54 is pivoted with respect to a pivot point 60, to a vertical post section of the seat clamp 58. The seat clamp 58 has a horizontal flange portion that is fixed surely (such as by wood screws) to a lower side surface of a seat member 26. As such, the load on the back of the seat member 26 passes from the seat clamps 58 to the rear pivot joints 54 as tension load which is transferred by upper pivots 62 through support brackets 56 and towards the chair frame 12 The rear pivoting articulations 54 are elongated to provide increased leverage for a compensated resilient action. In this way, the rear part of the seat member 26 moves very similar to a pendulum controlled in and below the upper pivots 62.

While the above description relates to a specific configuration for the rear pivot joint 50, other subsequent pivoting artisulatory assemblies may be employed without deviating from the alsanse of the present invention. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,871 entitled "Detachable Chair Bask" ("Removable Chair Backrest") which is of somun property of the session of the present solisitud discloses a subsequent pivoting artisulation assembly, which can easily be incorporated into the present invention. The pivoting seat pivoting means 30 also includes a pair of front sliding clamps (ie left and right) which are operated to guide and limit the movement forward and backward of the seat member 26. More particularly, the locking mechanism front support 34 extends through elongated guide grooves 73 formed in left and deresha sliding brackets 52 having secure horizontal flanges securely (such as for wood screws) to a lower side surface of the front end of the seat member 26. As the angularity and length of the guide grooves 63 will be defined, defining the range of forward and backward movement of the seat member 26 with respect to the chair frame 12, when the seat occupant applies a force to move the seat assembly 20 between "vertical" and "reclined" positions. In addition, means are also provided for generating a predetermined amount of frictional drag before movement of the seat member 26 are responsive to the supporting shaft 34. In the particular embodiment illustrated, a nylon insert 64 is fixedly retained within the guide grooves 63. In addition, compression springs 66 are provided, which concentrically surround opposite ends of the support shaft 34, to bypass disso-type washers 68 in frictional assortment with nylon inserts 64. The nylon inserts 64 work in conjunction with compression springs 66. , to control the frictional resistance of movement of the front end of the seat assembly 20, with respect to the supporting arrow 34 while acting concomitantly to effectively dampen the noise. Left and right spacers 47 are provided for pre-loading compression springs 66 and for locating and positively retaining the pantograph articulations for legrest 40, in the support frame 34. The seat backrest 24 is removably mounted in one part. upper of the posterior pivotal artisulasions 54 by sliding clamps 70 held in spaced locations in the seat back 24. In general, the sliding clamps 70 are sanal shaped to provide an inner race that slidably rests the posterior pivotal artisulasions there. When the sliding clamps 70 are mounted on the rear pivoting artisulasions 54, the seat backrest 24 in efesto is an extension of the rear pivoting articulations 54 on the pivot points 62. As such, the seat backrest 24 can be pivoted relative to the pivots. 62, to act as a palatal arm that causes a relatively easy angular movement of the rear pivoting joints 54 and forward and backward movement of the seat member 26. The legrest assembly 18 is illustrated to include a frame board 72 supported and moved by identical left and right hand pantograph articulations 40. The pantograph articulations 40 may be similar in function and structure to those illustrated in Figure 3 of the US Patent. No. 3,096,121, granted to the somno session of the present invention, except that the pantograph articulations 40 are operatively suspended from the support flesha 34. Alternatively, the pantograph artisulation 40 may be similar in function and structure to that described. in the US patent No. 5, 582,457 titled "Dual Leg Rest Assembly" (dual legrest assembly) granted on December 10, 1996 and commonly owned by the assignee of the present invention. The description of the patents identified above is expressly incorporated herein by reference. The "extensible" action is carried out simultaneously with both left hand and right hand pantograph joints 40, when there is sufficient angular rotation of the pulse rod 32 by means of drive link rotation 48. In this way, the frame board 72 is movable between a normally "stored" position, when pantograph articulations 40 are retracted and their posi- tion 5"stretched" suando artisulasiones of pantograph 40 extends. As is known, the leg support assembly 18 can be returned to its "stored" position when the seat occupant applies a backward steering force on the frame board 72 or when turning the actuating handle 48 in The opposite direction: To provide means for allowing the chair frame 12 to weigh or stack with respect to the stationary base assembly 14, contoured rocking blocks 74 are attached to the interior surfaces of the side panels of the frame. of chair 76. Rocker blocks 74 are positioned to engage an upper surface of base assembly 14 in "rocking" relationship therewith. Preferably, the rocking blocks 74 are interspersed with the base assembly 14 by a helical double spring "messaging" device (not shown) similar to that described in the U.S. patent. No. 5,171,000 granted on December 15, 1992, commonly owned by the assignee of the present invention, the description of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference. As will be appreciated, the rocking spring device is operable to allow movement balanced rocking chair chair frame 12 with respect to fixed base assembly 14, without causing the seat assembly 20 to recline accidentally. As a further somaticity saraster, the fastening means 22 is provided to releasably retain the chair frame 12 in any of a plurality of sequential positions "tilted" backward before angular rotation of the push rod 32 by rotation of the drive handle 48. As such, the clamping means 22 are operable to inhibit forward motion from forward of the chair frame 12, following movement backward from the chair frame 12 to a desired "insulated" position. 22 of the present invention are directed to the ratchet suspension mesanism that is sonically controlled in response to angular movement of the rod of impulse 32. The ratchet clamping mechanism 22 is an improvement over conventional clamping mounts and is designed specifically to provide an unsupported service length and a redussing in the "ratchet" noise generated before assionamiento. In addition, the ratchet suspension mesanism 22 is designed to facilitate fabrication, assembly and service by utilizing a ratchet member that can be die-cut from a single pre-form in one operation and installed easily.

In general, the ratchet clamping mechanism 22 is operatively arranged between the front rail member 177 of the seat member 12 and the front transverse rail 80 of the base assembly 14, to provide a plurality of backwardly locked positions "tilted" backwardly sesuensially . The ratchet member 92 is pivotally threaded to the front transverse rail 80 by the ratchet carrier or DB1 90 and adapted to engage the ratchet sector 82. The release member 120 operatively interconnects the ratchet member 92 as the "mounting assembly 140". to allow the seat yoke to operate in a ratcheting manner on the ratchet assembly 86 when the handle 48 is rotated. The ratchet holding means 22 includes an arcuate ratchet sector 82 attached at its lower portion to the lower transverse member segment 178 and in its upper portion for supporting the arrow 34. A plurality of teeth 84 are formed on the arcuate surface of the ratchet sector 82. The contour of the teeth 84 is such that the points of The teeth 84 are not sharp but rather have a slightly rounded point that the tip 102 or cap 103 does not rub or scrape the teeth 84 when the ratchet member 92 comes off. Additionally, teeth 84 are dimensioned variably according to the spatial relationship of the tip 102 or layer 103 relative to each tooth 84, so that the ratchet member 92 can fully engage the tooth 84. This profile and configuration of the teeth 84 reduces the noise as the ratchet member 92 leverages the ratchet member 92 leverages on the teeth 84 when the armchair 10 5 is tilted in one direction backwards. The rounded contour and spacing of the teeth 84 also facilitates the detachment of the ratchet member 92 from the teeth 84 by sucking the chair 10 back to its free messaging state. The ratchet assembly 86 is supported in a ratchet holder 90 for pivotal movement relative to the hinge pin 91. The ratchet holder 90 is attached to the front transverse rail 80 of the base assembly 14. The ratchet assembly 86 is pivotally movable relative to the teeth of the ratchet. sector 84 between a detached ("released") position is illustrated in Figure 1) to allow for normal "rocking" chair seating 10, and a "padded" ("locked") position (as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4) to collapse the chair frame 12 in a "tilted" backward orientation. , while inhibiting any subsequent "rocking" forward movement of the Chair frame 12. As best seen in Figures 5 and 6, the ratchet assembly 86 includes a U-shaped ratchet member 92, having frame 94 and a pair of outwardly extending flanges 96. A upper portion 100 of the frame for the ratchet member 94 is bent toward the ratchet sector 82 to form a locking tip in the form of an upper lock 102, for engaging the ratchet sector teeth 84. Optionally, the spring lock cover 103 can be installed in the lock tip 102, to reduce wear of the ratchet surface. , when "ratcheting" the locking tip 102 on the sector teeth 84 in response to the "tilting" motion had back of the chair frame 12. The hinge portion 98, having an opening 99, is formed in the flange portion 96 of the ratchet member 92. The opening 99 is adapted to support the hinge pin 91 for pivotally connecting the ratchet member 92 to the ratchet carrier 90. The slot 104 is formed in the frame 94 of the ratchet member. 92 and defines the tongue 105 having an upwardly extending portion, to interconsist the detachment member 120 are the ratchet member 92.

The ratchet member 92 of the present invention is particularly well adapted to manufacture in a single die-cutting operation. Now with reference to Figure 8, the ratchet member 92 is illustrated in its unfinished state. In a single die-cut, the profile of the weft 94, flange 96, portion of hinge 98 and upper portion 100, can be cut from a single piece of steel of flat material and bent to form the finished ratchet member 92. In this way, this design reduces the time and cost of manufacturing, by forming the member ratchet 92 in a single punching operation.

The ratchet holder 90 includes the base portion 114 and a pair of vertically extending flanges 116, each having an opening 117 for receiving the hinge pin 91. The openings 115 are provided in the base portion 114 to support the clamp at the foot. front cross 80. The quick-lock nut 93 is used to retain the ratchet member and the hinge pin 91 between the vertical flanges 116 of the ratchet carrier 90. The ratchet holder 90 further includes the stop member 118, there formed to be blown the if-ratchet member 92 for limiting rotation in the counterclockwise direction of the ratchet member 92 (as illustrated in Figure 6) had its "released" position. The stop member 118 is preferably formed by penetrating the base portion 114 and bending the material from the opening area outward, in a partially sirsular strip 118 spaced from the base portion 114, as shown in Figure 5. The spring-diverting member 106 is provided to normally divert the ratchet member 92 in a direction to the ratchet sector 82. or in a simpler way, to the "locked" position. In a preferred construction, the spring bypass member 106 is a dual torsion spring having a pair of laterally spaced legs 108, the free ends of which are held in contaste with the base surface 114 of the ratchet carrier 90. The arm that ee transversely extends the interconnected laterally spaced legs 108 and is arranged to engage a rear surface of the ratchet member 92, in relatively close proximity to its pivot axis with respect to the hinge pin 91. Proximity of the arm 110 at the hinge point 91 it is advantageous, since the bypass force of the dual torsion spring 106 is applied to the ratchet member at a point displaced from the locking tip 102 to further reduce the noise generated by "triggering the ratchet" the locking tip 102 on the teeth of the ratchet. Sertor 84. The dual torsion spring 106 also includes an aligned set of bushes 112 formed on the legs 108 and arranged to concentrically link the hinge pin 91 between the flange portion 96 of the ratchet member 92 and the flange portion. 116 of the ratchet holder 90. The dual torsion spring 106 is designed such that the arm 110 exerts a forwardly directed bypass force on the ratchet member 92, to maintain interlocking engagement of the ratchet detent nose 102 with the fingers. sector teeth 84, when the ratchet member is in the "locked" position. As will be appreciated, the particular number of loops 112 formed in the legs 108, is chosen to provide a desired drift force in the ratchet member 92. The ratchet holding messacity 22 further insides the release member 120 which operatively intersperses the ratchet member 92 and drive assembly 140 supported from the pulse rod 32. Release member 120 includes rigid release articulation 122 having a first end 126 releasably secured to tongue 105 formed in ratchet member 92. A second end 130 of the releasing artislation 122 is releasably fastened to the pivotal artisulasion 141 by the pin 133 and spring fastener 134. The first end portion 126 of the release articulation 122 has an aperture formed therethrough to accommodate the tab 105. The geometry of the groove l '' "" 104 and the tongue 105 is such that the artisulation of tion 122 is retained by the upwardly extending portion of the tongue 105. The second end 130 is displaced from the remaining portion of the release articulation 122, for connection to the pivotal hinge 141, while maintaining alignment of The releasing articulation 122 is the ratchet member 92. The second end 130 includes the opening 132 to support the pin 133 which is releasably retained by the spring clip 134, to pivotally release the artisulasion 122 to the pivotal artisulasion 141. The artisulasión of release 122 is suffiently rigid so that the load imparted during operation of the ratchet clamping mechanism 22 does not bend it Q appreciably. The release articulation 122 further includes slots 124 to reduce the weight of the liberation articulation 122 without sasrifisar their rigidity substantially.

Alternatively, as illustrated in Figures 5A and 7A, a spring fastener 134 * can be used to connect the release articulation 122. The spring fastener 134 * includes the transverse portion 135 * extending through the opening 132 of the release articulation 122 and the opening 144 in the pivot hinge 141. A pair of laterally extending legs 136 *, 138 * extend from the transverse portion 135 * to the release hinge 122. The lateral leg 136 * has a U-shaped fastener 137 * 1 formed at its end to engage the side leg 138 * below the release articulation 122. The laterally extending leg 138 * has a U-shaped end 139 * therein formed to blow the upper surface of the release articulation 122. 15 Again referring to Figures 5 and 7, the pivoting artifice 141 includes a leg portion 142 having an aperture 144 therein formed therein. to receive the pin 133 and the spring clip 134 as it was disengaged until now. The opposite end of the pivoting articulation 141 includes a oversized opening 146, for receiving the square pulse rod 32. In this manner, the pivoting articulation 141 is supported on the pulse rod 32, but allows it to rotate independent of the rotation of the pulse rod 32. Optionally, a nylon bushing can be interspersed between the pulse rod 32 and the pivoting articulation 141, to fasilitar its surrounding free rotation. The jump articulation 148 is generally U-shaped and includes the transversely extending tongue 150 arranged to extend over a front edge of the leg portion 142 of the pivotal articulation 5 and a pair of laterally extending flanges 152 that protrude. the pivoting artisulasion 141. A square opening 154 is formed in flanges 152 for coupling the pulse rod 32, such that the rotation of the pulse rod 32 rotates the jump joint 148. The articulation of. { : jump 148 is drawn by the spring clip 33 to release the jump artisulasion 148 on the axial direction of the push rod 32. As best seen in Figure 1, when the backrest assembly for legs 18 is in its "Stowed" position, the flange 150 acts on the front edge of the pivoting hinge leg portion 142 to retain the pivoting hinge 141 and in turn the ratchet member 86 in its "release" position rearward as opposed to the bypass of the dual torsion spring 106. The release assembly 120 is installed by collating the release link 122 first into the slot 104 such that the tab 105 is inserted into the opening 128, then the release link 122 is guide for engaging the tongue 105. The release articulation 122 is rotated to align the opening 132 with the pivotal artisulatory opening 5144. The pin 133 is inserted through the openings. 132 and 144. The spring clip 134 snaps the end of the pin 133, to releasably retain the pin 133 in the opening 132, 144. In an alternate embodiment, the spring clip 134 * is inserted through the openings 132 * and 144 *. The end portion 137 * is clamped to hold the side leg 138 * while the end portion 139 * is flexed to capture the upper surface of the release articulation 122. In this way, the release device 122 can be easily installed and serviced with only one fastener and does not require the use of tools.The operation of the ratchet clamping mechanism 22 will now be described.As illustrated in Figure 1, the reclining chair Rocking chair 10 is placed with its seat backrest in a vertical position and the backrest of legs in a position retracted or "stored". Upon reaching that position from the "extended" backrest position for legs, the tongue 150 of the jump articulation 148 acts on the front edge of the pivoting pawl portion 142 as drive link 48, and therefore, the impulse rod 32 is rotates to rotate the pivot hinge 141 in the clockwise direction. This in turn "pulls" the release articulation 122 backward, causing the ratchet member 92 to rotate relative to the hinge pin 91 to its "release" position rearward, as opposed to the bypass of the dual torsion spring 106. In this way, the chair frame 20 is free to rock on the rocking block 74 relative to the base 14. A seat occupant can manually manipulate the actuating lever 48, to activate the mechanism of ratchet 22 for inhibiting movement 5 relative rocker of the chair / recliner 10. In this way, the clamping lever 48 and the impulse rod 32 are rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of the clock hands (as illustrated) in Figures 3 and 4). The rotation of the impulse rod 32 concomitantly rotates the articulation 1 (jump jumper 148), so that the flange 150 releases the pivoting hinge 141 to allow it to rotate freely on the impulse rod 32. Thus, the articulation of liberation 120 pulls forward in response to the force of drift generated by the torsional spring 106 which astute in the ratchet assembly 86. Once the bleeder tip 102 blows the teeth 84 of the ratchet sertor 82, there is no further axial twill in the release member 120 because the pivoting artisulasion 141 is supported in a staggered manner on the rod. of impulse 32 and the force of the member's The ratchet 86 is only controlled by the dual torsion spring 106. Following the rotation of the actuating handle 48, the "inslination" has to the back of the chair frame 12 provided that the fitting tip 102 of the ratchet member 86 "ratchet" sequentially on septor teeth 84 until the desired degree of inclination has been reached. In this way, the rocking components of the chair 10 effectively "snap off" to prevent the chair frame 12 from returning to its "non-tilted" front position. However, a seat occupant 5 can also "tilt" the chair to the rocking chair. As illustrated in Figure 4, the geometry of the ratchet sector 82 is such that the ratchet member 92 will engage the teeth 84 to allow greater inslination. When it is desired to return to the chair frame 12 at its vertical "upright" position from a "backward" tilted position, the grip handle 48 is rotated in the clockwise direction (as illustrated in FIGS. Figures 3 and 4) providing corresponding rotation of the jump articulation 148. Before sufficient rotation the impulse rod 32, the flange 150 engages the pivotable articulation 141, thereby providing that the pivoting hinge 141 rotates consis- tently are the jumping artisulasion 148. In this manner, the release member 122 is "pulled" backward in response to the sonu- tual rotation of the joint. of jump 148 and articulation , thereby pivoting the ratchet member 86 in the direction of its "releasing" position. The tip 102 is removed from the teeth 84 of the ratchet seter 82. Greater rotation of the ratchet member 86 of the ratchet sector 82 is limited when the lower portion of the ratchet 92 engages the The stop member 118 formed in the base portion 114 of the ratchet carrier 90. This limits the tension exerted on opposing the dual torsion spring 106, thus allowing the use of spring members having an inner spring studs. With the ratchet member 86 in the "release" position, the chair frame 12 again is capable of rocking action without restriction in the base assembly 14 in a well-conical shape. The operation of the present invention disclosed above does not refer to the so-called movement of the leg-supporting assembly 18, in which case it is the operation of the ratchet suspension mesanism 22 of the present invention. However, the sarasteristices of the present invention are easily adaptable with a rocking / reclining chair incorporating backrest assembly for legs 18. In this configuration, the ratchet assembly 86 is operatively placed in the "release" position, when the assembly backrest for legs 18 is in the retracted or "stored" position as illustrated in Figure 1. The rotation of the pulse rod 32 operates concurrently to rotate the jump articulation 148 and extends the leg support assembly 18 to its fully extended position. Thus, in this mode of operation, the relative movement of the chair frame 12 in the base assembly 14 is disrupted by adding the legrest assembly 18 to a used position.

As an additional benefit, the Artisulasión de Liberasión 120 is designed to fasilitar the armed and disarmed. This sarasteristisa allows a service in sampo relatively simple without requiring disassembly or exsessive manipulation of the 5 somponents. As best seen in Figure 5, the first and second ends 126, 130 resiliently have openings 128, 132 for quick solosion and hold the releasing articulation member 120 to the ratchet member 92 and the pivotal artisulasion 141. The tongue 105 The ratchet member 102 is slipped over the releasing artislation 120 through the opening 128 and provides a durable free rotation joint without the use of additional fasteners such as rivets or screws. The pin 133 and the spring clip 134 are designed to quickly couple the second end 130 with the pivoting articulation 141, without the need for tools. In this way, the present invention eliminates unnecessary weight and provides a silenced operasión of the mechanism of enslavamiento a sosto minor. The previous dissolution dessribe and illustrates modalities copies of the present invention. A person is a skill in the tansy, it will be easy to find out about this dissolution and the accompanying drawings and vindications, that various sambios, modifissions and various actions can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. following claims.

Claims (14)

1. CLAIMS 1.- Dining chair, characterized in that it comprises a base; an armchair frame supported for rocking movement at the base; an impulse mechanism that includes a push rod suspended from the chair frame, for rotational movement in a first and in a second direction; drive means for allowing a seat carrier to selectively drive the drive mechanism; a ratchet sector attached to the chair frame having ratchet teeth therein 'formed; a ratchet member pivotally coupled to the base for rotational movement between a first position engaging the ratchet teeth interlocking, wherein the chair frame is releasably locked in a backward inclined position, and a second position is released from the teeth of the ratchet. 15 ratchet, to allow movement of the chair without restriction of the chair frame; spring means for normally diverting the ratchet member to the first posi- tion, the spring means is adapted to ex- press a buckling force on the ratchet member to maintain interlocking engagement with the fingers. 20 ratchet teeth when the ratchet member is in the first position; a release assembly including a pivoting articulation supported on the drive rod for free rotation therewith, a rigid release hinge having a first end coupled with the hinge member; 25 ratchet and a second end disposed adjacent to the pivot joint, and means for pivotally supporting the second end are the pivotal articulation; and a fixed jump artisulation for rotation on the pulse rod and operable to bias the pivoting articulation in response to rotation of the impulse rod in the first rotation, to cause limited rotation of the pivoting articulation, so that the assembly of liberation pulls the ratchet member into the second position, in opposition to the spring means deviation, the jump artisulasion is further operable to detach the pivot joint in response to the rotation of the impulse rod in the second direction in such a way that The spring means displaces the ratchet member in the enslaving swivel are the ratchet teeth. 2.- Slewing conditioner armchair are claim 1, characterized in that the ratchet member furthermore comprises a gansho formed to blow the release hinge, for coupling the release assembly to the ratchet member. 3. Rocking chair according to claim 2, sarasterized in that the ratchet member generally has a U-shaped cross section that has a raster portion and a pair of laterally extending flanges, the raster portion therein formed therein. chisel tip for engaging the ratchet sector, and each of the flanges has a through hole for pivotally coupling the ratchet member to the base. 4. - Mesedor armchair in accordance with the claim 3, sarasterized because a ratchet holder having a bottom portion fastened to the base and a pair of laterally spaced flanges for fastening the ratchet member therebetween, 5 the flanges have a through opening for receiving a pin that pivotally fans the ratchet member with the ratchet holder. 5.- Rocking chair in accordance with the claim 4, cossized because the ratchet holder additionally provides media? 6. - Rocking chair in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the jumping articulation sapurates and transversally locates the pivoting artisulasion in the pulse rod 5. .- Hallress of sonformity are the claim 6, facesterized because the jump artisulasión somprende a pair of flanges laterally spastic, arranged on opposite sides of the pivot joint and a transverse flange which interconnects the flanges spaced laterally to support the pivoting joint. 8.- Clamping mechanism for releasably locking an armchair frame of a rocking chair in a position inclined backwards with respect to a stationary base assembly, in response to rotation of a mechanism of impulse between a first and a second direction, the mesanism of suspension is sarasterized because it somprende: a ratchet sestor fixed to the armchair frame and having ratchet teeth there formed; a pivotally pivoted ratchet member is the chair frame, for rotational movement between a first position that spontaneously blows the ratchet teeth, wherein the chair frame is releasably locked or locked in a backward inclined position, and a second released position of the ratchet teeth, to allow rocking movement without restriction of the chair frame; spring means for normally diverting the ratchet member toward the first position, the spring means is adapted to exert a coupling force on the ratchet member to maintain interlocking engagement with the ratchet teeth, when the ratchet member is in the first position; a release assembly including a first member supported in the drive mechanism for free rotation relative thereto, a rigid release joint having a first end coupled to the ratchet member and a second end disposed adjacent to the first member, and means to pivotally bias the second end with the first member, the release articulation is adapted to pull the ratchet member to the second position, when the pulse rod is actuated in the first direction, and the release articulation is further adapted to release the ratchet member to the first position, when the impulse rod is actuated in the second direction; a second member is fixed for rotation in the pulse rod and is operable to engage the first member in response to rotation of the pulse rod in the first direction, to prevent limited rotation of the first member, such that the release assembly the ratchet member pulls towards the second position in opposition to the derivation of the spring means, the second member is further operable to detach the first member with respect to rotation of the impulse rod in the second direction, such that the means of spring engage the ratchet member in interlocking engagement with the teeth of the ratchet. 9. Fastening mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that the ratchet member further comprises a hook formed to engage the release articulation, to blow the releasing assembly to the ratchet member. 10.- Slewing rigidity mesanism are the claim 9, characterized in that the ratchet member is generally U-shaped in transverse direction having a frame portion and a pair of flanges extending laterally, the frame portion has a tip of chisel formed therein for coupling the ratchet sector, and each of the flanges has a through hole for pivotally coupling the ratchet member with the base. 11. - Clamping mechanism in accordance with claim 10, characterized in that a ratchet holder having a base portion fastened to the base and a pair of flanges laterally spaced to receive the ratchet member therebetween, the flanges have a through opening receiving a pin that pivotably pivots the ratchet member with the ratchet holder. 12.- Slewing mechanism according to claim 11, characterized in that the ratchet holder furthermore comprises stop means for limiting pivotable movement of the ratchet member to the second position. 13. Clamping mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that the second member captures and locates transversely the first member on the pulse rod. 14. Clamping mechanism according to claim 13, characterized in that the second member comprises a pair of laterally spaced flanges, arranged on opposite sides of the first member and a transverse flange interconnecting the flanges spaced laterally to engage the first member. RgSvWEH PB THE INVENTION An improved messability of anchoring for an armchair of mesedor type that selestivamente allows or inhibits the movement mesedor dßl chair frame respesto to the base before assionamiento. The improved clamping mechanism includes a ratchet assembly having a spring-directed ratchet member coupled to the chair base that is operable to latch a ratchet tooth sector, arranged in the chair frame to collapse the frame. of armchair in insulated positions to the rear and a release assembly that includes a rigid release joint that pulls the spring-oriented ratchet member into a position released by an actuating member. The engaging member includes a pivoting artisulasion and a jump joint, operatively coupled with a pulse rod assembly to collapse into the rigid release artisulasion while preventing the release member from exerting its axial load on the ratchet member when the The ratchet member is in interlocking engagement with the ratchet teeth.