US3368843A

US3368843A - Chair base

Info

Publication number: US3368843A
Application number: US555549A
Authority: US
Inventors: Daniel F Caldemeyer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1966-06-06
Filing date: 1966-06-06
Publication date: 1968-02-13
Anticipated expiration: 1985-02-13

Description

Feb. 13, 1968 F. CALDEMEYER 3,368,843

I CHAIR BASE Filed June 6, 1966 aiiorney Patented Feb. 13, 1968 3,368,843 CHAIR BASE Daniel F. Calderneyer, Vanderburgh County, Ind. (4300 Jennings Lane, Evansville, Ind. 47712) Filed June 6, 1966, Ser. No. 555,549 1 Claim. (Cl. 297-261) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A chair base siderail having an upper surface characterized by an upwardly directed arcuate portion with blending flattened restricted portions on either side thereof, the latter serving as blocking or stop means for rock ing action.

The present invention relates to a chair base, and more particularly to a new and novel chair base for a combination rocker-recliner chair.

As is known, combination rocker-recliner chairs have met with high customer acceptance, where recent developments, as described in the pending United States patent application Ser. No. 478,568, filed Aug. 10, 1965, for Combination Reclining and Rocking Chair, in the names of Daniel F. Caldemeyer et al., permit desirable high styling leading to even more popularity. In such application, a combination rocker-recliner chair is described where the side rails of the seat portion are directly supported on the side rails of the base assembly, the lower surface of the seat side rails being downwardly curved or arcuate in configuration and mounted on a substantially horizontal top surface defining each of the side rails of the base assembly.

By virtue of the instant invention, the applicant herein has now invented an improvement to the aforedescribed chair base arrangement which should serve to even more popularize the combination rocker-recliner chair, adding comfort and sales features which represent a substantial breakthrough to the industry. More particularly, the applicants new and novel improvement is directed to the configuration of the top surface of the chair base side rails, i.e. providing an upwardly curved portion therealong, instead of having a relatively horizontal top surface as heretofore.

In other words, in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention, each of the side rails of the base has a top surface with an upwardly curved configuration, cooperating with the downwardly curved configuration of each of the seat side rails. With the invention at hand, a slower and smoother rocking rate is effectively achieved, and, additionally, with depressed or fiat portions disposed along the base side rails, braking or stopping positions are defined, as, for example, to limit the forward and rearward rocking motion.

Obviously, the applicants new and novel improved chair base is representative of simplicity in manufacturing, utilizing a minimum addition to the existing structure. The upward curvatured portion is of prime importance, lending itself to widespread dealer and customer acceptance.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel chair base for a rockerrecliner chair.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved configuration for each base side rail utilized in a combination rocker-recliner chair.

A further and more general object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel side rail configuration for a combination rocker-recliner chair which includes a stopping or brake position, which is readily manufactured at virtually no additional expense, which is very popular with the user, and which represents an important contribution to the upholstered furniture industry.

Other objects and a better understanding of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation showing the new and novel configuration of the base side rail of a rocker-recliner chair, with the seat portion thereof being shown in full and broken line positions, the latter representing the extent of rocking action; and,

FIG. 2 is a view in front elevation, looking from right to left in FIG. 1, showing further details of the chair base in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now to the figures, the applicants new and novel chair base 10 for a combination rocker-recliner chair comprises side rails 12 interconnected by members 14 to define an assembled unit. A conventional seat portion 20, defined by side rails 22 each having a downwardly curved lower surface 22a, is mounted directly on the side rails 12 of the chair base 10, where rocker springs 30 disposed between the side rails 22 of the movable seat portion 20 and the side rails 12 of the fixed chair base 10 serve to positively assemble the over-all unit.

With particular regard to the invention at hand, each of the side rails 12 of the base 10 has a top surface with a curved configuration with respect to a horizontal plane. Actually, but yet typically, in one for-m of the invention, the top surface of each side rail 12 has a rear generally restricted or fiat portion 120, an upwardly curved or arcuate portion 12b, and a front generally restricted or flat portion 12c, all blended together. In a normal seating position, the seat portion 20 of the chair may assume the heavy line representation in FIG. 1.

In use, the seat portion 20 can move in rocking relationship on the base 10 between the limits generally illustrated by the broken lines in FIG. 1. With the curved configuration of the top surface of each side rail 12. the user of the chair can rock at a smoother and a much more relaxed and slower rate than possible heretofore, where, as indicated, the fiat or restricted portions 12a and serve as blocking or stop means for rocking action.

From the preceding, it should be apparent that the applicant herein has provided a new and novel configuration for the side rails for the base of a combination rocker-recliner chair, permitting comfort advantages not at all present in prior structures. As stated, the user can rock slower and with more control than heretofore. As should be obvious, the invention represents economies in manufacture, lending itself to mass production techniques.

The chair base described hereabove is. of course, susceptible to various changes within the spirit of the invention. For example, and depending upon over-all chair size, the curvature can be varied and the restricted portions extended, modified, or eliminated. Thus, the above description should be considered illustrative and not as limiting the scope of the following claim.

I claim:

1. In a base for a combination rocker-recliner chair, a

side rail having an upper seat siderail mounting surface 556,128 3/1896 Ba1ke 297-261 characterized by an upwardly directed arcuate portion 733,327 7/1903 Moore 297-26l with flattened restricted portions on either side thereof 901,848 11/1908 Suva 297-261 and blending therewith. 2,299,538 10/1942 Goldstein 297261 X 5 3,190,693 6/1965 Underdown 297-263 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner. 91,469 3 9 Murry 297 2 1 DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Examiner. 296,931 4/1834 PP 291-461 X G. O. FINCH, Assistant Examiner.

321,063 6/1885 Wakefield 297-261 10