WO2022216154A1

WO2022216154A1 - Rocking chair comprising a seat, a frame and a movement blocking mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2022216154A1
Application number: PCT/NL2022/050192
Authority: WO
Inventors: Henricus Cornelis Wilhelmus POOS
Original assignee: Poos Henricus Cornelis Wilhelmus
Priority date: 2021-04-07
Filing date: 2022-04-06
Publication date: 2022-10-13
Also published as: NL2027938B1

Abstract

A rocking chair (1) is provided that comprises a seat (10) and a frame (20) configured to support the seat (10) on a floor surface and to allow a rocking movement of the seat (10) relative to the floor surface, wherein the frame (20) has a curved outline at a floor-facing side thereof. The rocking chair (1) further comprises a movement blocking mechanism (35) configured to stabilize the frame (20) relative to the floor surface to thereby disable the rocking movement of the seat (10) relative to the floor surface. In particular, the functioning of the movement blocking mechanism (35) relies on holding at least one blocking element against the frame at the floor-facing side of the frame (20), wherein a position where the at least one blocking element is held against the frame (20) can be set by a person using the rocking chair (1).

Description

Rocking chair comprising a seat, a frame and a movement blocking mechanism

The invention relates to a rocking chair comprising a seat configured to support at least one person and a frame configured to support the seat on a floor surface and to allow a rocking movement of the seat relative to the floor surface, wherein the frame has a curved outline at a floor-facing side thereof.

A rocking chair is a well-known type of chair. In a basic, classical model, the rocking chair comprises a common chair having four legs and two curved bands attached to the bottom side of the legs, connecting the legs on each side of the chair to each other. In this model, the seat of the rocking chair comprises the seat of the common chair and the frame of the rocking chair comprises the assembly of the legs of the common chair and the curved bands. The curved bands contact the floor surface at only two small areas. In this way, it is achieved that when a person sits on the rocking chair, he/she is capable of imposing a back-and-forth rocking movement on the rocking chair. This can be done by shifting his/her weight or pushing at least one foot on the ground.

The invention provides a rocking chair comprising a movement blocking mechanism configured to stabilize the frame relative to the floor surface to thereby disable the back-and-forth rocking movement of the seat relative to the floor surface. Having such a movement blocking mechanism enables multipurpose use of the rocking chair, namely use of the rocking chair as an actual rocking chair when the rocking movement is enabled and use of the rocking chair as a stationary chair when the rocking movement is disabled. In particular, according to the invention, the movement blocking mechanism comprises at least one blocking element and a blocking element supporting arrangement supported by the frame and configured to hold the at least one blocking element against the frame at the floor-facing side of the frame, wherein the blocking element supporting arrangement is operable to vary a position where the at least one blocking element is held against the frame. One of the insights of the invention is that the fact that the frame has a curved outline at a floor facing side thereof can be used to advantage when it comes to also enabling use of the rocking chair in a stable fashion, namely by allowing the movement blocking mechanism to stabilize the frame relative to the floor in a range of positions, preferably in a stepless manner. It may not be so interesting to have a blocking mechanism that is capable of stabilizing the frame relative to the floor in just a single, predetermined position, but it may be all the more interesting to allow the movement blocking mechanism to stabilize the frame relative to the floor in a position according to the desire of the at least one person using the rocking chair, which may be a more upright position in one instance and a more horizontal position in another instance. Further, the invention involves the possibility of allowing the at least one person to set different positions of the rocking chair while sitting/lying on the rocking chair, as will be explained in more detail with reference to the figures.

The movement blocking mechanism of the rocking chair according to the invention comprises at least one blocking element and a blocking element supporting arrangement supported by the frame and configured to hold the at least one blocking element against the frame at the floor-facing side of the frame. Thus, the blocking element is positioned as a kind of supporting foot on the frame, so that when the frame is put to a position relative to the floor surface in which the blocking element is made to contact the floor surface, the stabilization of the frame relative to the floor surface is obtained on the basis of the fact that the frame contacts the floor surface at both a front position and a back position, for the instances that the front position and the back position are such that there is no inclination of the frame to perform a rocking movement in a direction away from both positions on the basis of the curved outline at the floor-facing side thereof.

It may particularly be practical if the blocking element supporting arrangement is operable to move the at least one blocking element along the frame for the purpose of varying the position where the at least one blocking element is held against the frame.

In the context of the invention, the frame can have any suitable appearance.

A lightweight and visually attractive embodiment of the frame is realized in case the frame comprises a number of rod-like elements including at least two curved floor contacting elements which are configured to contact the floor surface. When such an embodiment of the frame is applied in the rocking chair, indeed, it is practical if the movement blocking mechanism comprises at least two blocking elements. In respect of the at least two blocking elements as may thus be included in the rocking chair, it is practical if it is possible to have synchronized variation of the respective positions where the at least two blocking elements are held against the frame. This may involve the blocking element supporting arrangement being operable to simultaneously move the blocking elements along the frame, for example, which can be realized by having the at least two blocking elements arranged on a common support element.

Especially in case changing from one position where the at least one blocking element is held against the frame to another involves moving the at least one blocking element along the frame, it is advantageous if the at least one blocking element comprises a rotatable element shaped like a cylinder having a circular outer periphery, wherein the at least one blocking element is arranged to roll on the frame when the blocking element supporting arrangement is operated to vary the position where the at least one blocking element is held against the frame. Not only is resistance to movement reduced in this way, also deformation effects in the blocking element supporting arrangement are avoided, which deformation effects might otherwise be obtained on the basis of tilting and oblique setting of one or more components of the blocking element supporting arrangement, for example.

In view of the fact that the blocking element supporting arrangement is supported by the frame, it is practical if the blocking element supporting arrangement comprises at least one component of variable length. This allows for having one or more coupling areas between the blocking element supporting arrangement and the frame at a fixed position in the frame and compensating for various distances of various positions where the at least one blocking element can be held against the frame to the coupling areas. According to one practical option, the component of variable length comprises two elements which are in a telescopic arrangement relative to each other. Other practical options are covered by the invention as well.

Another possibility relating to the blocking element supporting arrangement is a possibility according to which the blocking element supporting arrangement comprises two spaced support rods, wherein one of the support rods is a bottom rod on which the at least one blocking element is arranged, and wherein the other of the support rods is a top rod that is rotatably mounted in the frame. In such a case, assuming that the blocking element supporting arrangement is equipped with the above-mentioned at least one component of variable length, it is practical if the at least one component of variable length extends between the bottom rod and the top rod. Further, it is practical if a lever is provided that is arranged to enable rotation of the top rod. The fact is that the bottom rod and the top rod may be interconnected, possibly through the at least one component of variable length as mentioned, so that when the top rod is rotated, the position of the at least one blocking element on the frame is changed as a result thereof.

In order to ensure contact of the blocking element to the frame under all circumstances, it is practical if the blocking element supporting arrangement is configured to bias the at least one blocking element against the frame. For example, in case the blocking element supporting arrangement comprises the above- mentioned two spaced support rods, it is possible that the blocking element supporting arrangement comprises at least one resilient member intercoupling the support rods. In any case, it may be practical that the blocking element supporting arrangement comprises at least one extension spring for realizing the biasing functionality as mentioned.

Ensuring that unintended variation of the position where the at least one blocking element is held against the frame, i.e. variation of the position that is not induced by a person using the rocking chair, cannot take place may be achieved by equipping the rocking chair with a braking mechanism. Such a braking mechanism may particularly be defined as a braking mechanism that is configured to perform a braking action on the blocking element supporting arrangement to prevent variation of the position where the at least one blocking element is held against the frame on the basis of internal forces acting on the blocking element supporting arrangement. In the context of the rocking chair, it is practical if the braking mechanism is configured to perform the braking action on the blocking element supporting arrangement on the basis of mechanical friction.

The design of the rocking chair is preferably chosen such as to avoid situations which are unsafe and/or inconvenient to a person sitting/lying on the rocking chair. In view thereof, it may be practical if, on the basis of the curved outline at the floor-facing side thereof, the frame is configured to only allow positions of the seat relative to the floor surface in which a portion of the seat where the head of the at least one person is supposed to be is always at least as high as a portion of the seat where the feet of the at least one person are supposed to be.

In respect of the seat of the rocking chair, it is noted that the seat may be realized in any suitable manner. According to one out of many feasible options, the seat comprises a number of straight planks extending adjacent to each other in a side-to-side direction of the rocking chair and individually coupled to the frame, such as by means of screws.

The above-described and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the following detailed description of two practical embodiments of a rocking chair.

The invention will now be explained in greater detail with reference to the figures, in which equal or similar parts are indicated by the same reference signs, and in which:

Figure 1 diagrammatically shows a side perspective view of a rocking chair according to a first practical embodiment of the invention, which is a single-seat rocking chair that is designed to support one person,

Figure 2 diagrammatically shows a bottom perspective view of the single-seat rocking chair,

Figure 3 diagrammatically shows a side perspective view of a frame of the single-seat rocking chair,

Figures 4 and 5 diagrammatically show a front view of a cross-section of a portion of the single-seat rocking chair, with figure 5 showing the inside of a number of components of the portion,

Figures 6, 7 and 8 diagrammatically show enlarged details of figure 5,

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate two examples of a position of the rocking chair relative to a floor surface with a rocking movement of the rocking chair being disabled,

Figures 11 and 12 illustrate two examples of a position of the rocking chair relative to a floor surface with a rocking movement of the rocking chair being enabled, Figure 13 diagrammatically shows a bottom perspective view of a rocking chair according to a second practical embodiment of the invention, which is a double-seat rocking chair that is designed to support two persons,

Figure 14 diagrammatically shows a side perspective view of a frame of the double seat rocking chair, and

Figure 15 diagrammatically show a front view of a cross-section of a portion of the double-seat rocking chair, with the inside of a number of components of the portion being shown.

In figures 1 and 2, a rocking chair 1 according to a first practical embodiment of the invention is shown. Figure 3 shows a frame 20 of the rocking chair 1 , and figures 4 to 8 serve to illustrate aspects of various other components of the rocking chair 1 , particularly components included in a movement blocking mechanism 35 and a braking mechanism 50 of the rocking chair 1. It is to be understood that the rocking chair 1 according to the first practical embodiment is just one out of many possible examples of a rocking chair according to the invention, and that aspects of the rocking chair 1 which are not defined as essential features in claim 1 are not to be understood so as to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

As can be seen in figures 1 and 2, the rocking chair 1 comprises a seat 10 that is configured to support a person who wants to take place on the rocking chair 1. The seat 10 can have any suitable outline. Figures 1 and 2 show that it may be advantageous if the seat 10 comprises a generally concavely curved portion 11 and a generally convexly curved portion 12, wherein the generally concavely curved portion 11 is a portion of the seat 10 where the person’s buttocks are supposed to be and the generally convexly curved portion 12 is a portion of the seat 10 where the person’s knees are supposed to be. The seat 10 is designed to fully support a person, from his/her head down to the feet, and comprises a first end portion 13 where the person’s head is supposed to be and a second end portion 14 where the person’s feet are supposed to be.

The seat 10 can be constructed in any suitable manner and may comprise any suitable material or combination of materials. In the shown example, the seat 10 comprises a number of straight planks 15 extending adjacent to each other in a side- to-side direction of the rocking chair 1. Such planks 15 may be made of wood, for example.

The rocking chair 1 further comprises a frame 20 as separately shown in figure 3. The frame 20 serves to support the seat 10 on a floor surface and to allow a back-and-forth rocking movement of the seat 10 relative to the floor surface. In view of the latter functionality, the frame 20 has a curved outline at a floor-facing side thereof, particularly a generally convexly curved outline.

The frame 20 can be constructed in any suitable manner and may comprise any suitable material or combination of materials. In the shown example, the frame 20 is composed of rod-like elements, namely two curved floor-contacting elements 21 ,

22, two curved seat-supporting elements 23, 24, two straight transverse elements 26, 27 extending in the side-to-side direction between the floor-contacting elements 21 ,

22 at different positions, and two side elements 31 , 32 extending between the floor contacting elements 21 , 22 and the seat-supporting elements 23, 24 at each of the sides of the rocking chair 1. In this configuration, ends of the respective floor contacting elements 21 , 22 are connected to ends of the respective seat-supporting elements 23, 24. Two straight transverse elements 28, 29 extending in the side-to- side direction are arranged at the two end positions. The various rod-like elements may be stainless steel elements, for example, and may be connected to each other in any suitable way, such as through welding. The seat 10 of the rocking chair 1 is coupled to the seat-supporting elements 23, 24, such as by means of screws, in which case the seat-supporting elements 23, 24 may be provided with holes for accommodating the screws.

With only the seat 10 and the frame 20, the rocking chair 1 would be a rocking chair that is capable of performing a back-and-forth rocking movement. However, in the context of the invention, it is acknowledged that situations occur in which it is desired to disable the rocking movement, i.e. to have the rocking chair 1 positioned on the floor surface in a stable fashion. In view thereof, the rocking chair 1 is equipped with the above-mentioned movement blocking mechanism 35. In particular, the movement blocking mechanism 35 is configured to offer the possibility of stabilizing the frame 20 relative to the floor surface to thereby disable the rocking movement of the seat 10 relative to the floor surface. With reference to figures 4 and 5, it is noted that the movement blocking mechanism 35 comprises two blocking elements 36, 37, one at either side of the rocking chair 1 , and a blocking element supporting arrangement 40 supported by the frame 20, which serves for holding the blocking elements 36, 37 against the frame 20 at the floor-facing side of the frame 20.

The blocking element supporting arrangement 40 comprises two spaced support rods 41 , 42, namely a bottom rod 41 on which the blocking elements 36, 37 are arranged and a top rod 42 that is rotatably mounted in the frame 20. Further, the blocking element supporting arrangement 40 comprises two components 43, 44 of variable length which are arranged so as to extend between the support rods 41 , 42. In the shown example, each of the components 43, 44 of variable length comprises two elements which are in a telescopic arrangement relative to each other.

The top rod 42 extends through both side elements 31 , 32 of the frame 20. With reference to figure 6, it is noted that at the position of one side element 32, the top rod 42 extends through a bearing 45, which bearing 45 may comprise a sliding bearing as shown. Further, at the end of the top rod 42 extending through the side element 32, a lever in the form of a handle 46 is attached to the top rod 42. By taking hold of the handle 46 and pushing it downward or pulling it upward, a person who is present on the rocking chair 1 can bring about rotation of the top rod 42, which results in a movement of the blocking elements 36, 37 along the frame 20 from an initial position on the frame 20 to another. In the process, the length of the two components 43, 44 of variable length is adjusted as necessary to bridge the distance between the top rod 42 and the bottom rod 41 in every position of the blocking elements 36, 37 against the frame 20. With reference to figure 7, it is noted that in order to ensure that contact of the blocking elements 36, 37 to the frame 20 is maintained in every position, tension springs 48, 49 are arranged inside the components 43, 44 of variable length, which are arranged so as to subject the bottom rod 41 to a force pulling the bottom rod 41 in the direction of the top rod 42. In the shown example, the tension springs 48, 49 are connected to the bottom rod 41 and the top rod 42, respectively, through eye screws. Advantageously, the spring rates of the tension springs 48, 49 are chosen to be low so as to have only minimal variation of the force acting on the blocking elements 36, 37 at the position of contact to the frame 20. Also, having low spring rates helps in counteracting an inclination of the blocking element supporting arrangement 40 to automatically move towards a position associated with a shortest length of the components 43, 44 of variable length under the influence of the pulling action of the tension springs 48, 49.

Figure 7 further illustrates the option of the blocking elements 36, 37 having a roller-like appearance and being rotatably arranged on the bottom rod 41. A shaft portion of the blocking elements 36, 37 is received in the bottom rod 41 and is held in a bearing 38, which bearing 38 may comprise a combination of two needle bearings as shown. On the basis of the roller-like appearance of the blocking elements 36, 37 and the fact that the blocking elements 36, 37 are rotatable, the forces needed for making the blocking elements 36, 37 move along the frame 20 when it is desired to change the position where the blocking elements 36, 37 are held against the frame 20 are kept limited so that the person initiating the movement of the blocking elements 36, 37 by manipulating the handle 46 is not required to exert much force. Further, deformation effects in the blocking element supporting arrangement 40 are kept limited, which is especially advantageous in order to avoid hindrance of the telescopic action of the components 43, 44 of variable length.

With reference to figure 8, it is noted that it is noted that at the position of the other side element 31 than the side element 32 where the handle 46 is located, the top rod 42 extends through the above-mentioned braking mechanism 50. Although the spring rate of tension springs 48, 49 can be chosen to be low, as suggested in the foregoing, it is still practical to have a braking mechanism 50 that acts to support the functionality according to which the blocking elements 36, 37 can be held against the frame 20 at a position according to desire without a risk of the blocking elements 36, 37 drifting from a position as set. In the shown example, the braking mechanism 50 comprises two brake disks 51 , 52 acting on the side element 31 of the frame 20 from two opposite sides so as to be capable of performing a braking action on the top rod 42 on the basis of mechanical friction. One of the brake disks 51 , 52 is a brake disk 52 of which the position in the side-to-side direction can be adjusted so that the braking pressure can be adjusted. For example, a relevant portion of the top rod 42 may be provided with screw thread and the brake disk 52 may be provided with screw thread as well, for engaging on the screw thread of the top rod 42. Further, a counter nut 53 may be used to secure the position of the brake disk 52 on the top rod 42.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate two examples of a position of the rocking chair 1 relative to a floor surface with the movement blocking mechanism 35 in a position for disabling a rocking movement of the rocking chair 1 , and figures 11 and 12 illustrate two examples of a position of the rocking chair 1 relative to a floor surface with the movement blocking mechanism 35 in a position for enabling a rocking movement of the rocking chair 1. In figures 9 to 12, the floor surface is indicated by means of reference numeral 5.

In the position of the rocking chair 1 shown in figure 10, the blocking elements 36, 37 are more to the front than in the position of the rocking chair 1 shown in figure 9. As a result, in the position of the rocking chair 1 shown in figure 10, the seat 10 is in a more upright orientation than in the position of the rocking chair 1 shown in figure 9. Figure 11 shows the rocking chair 1 rocked in a backward direction, whereas figure 12 shows the rocking chair 1 rocked in a forward direction. The blocking elements 36, 37 are positioned all the way to the back. It can be derived from the figures that the curved outline of the frame 20 at the floor-facing side thereof is chosen such that the first end portion 13 of the seat 10, i.e. the portion where the head of a person sitting/lying on the rocking chair 1 is supposed to be, is always at least as high as the second portion 14 of the seat 10, i.e. the portion where the feet of the person are supposed to be.

Starting from the position of the rocking chair 1 in which the rocking movement is enabled, a person can put the rocking chair 1 to a position in which the rocking movement is disabled by sitting up and leaning forward as a first action, so that the rocking chair 1 is rocked in the forward direction and assumes the position as shown in figure 12 or a similar position. Subsequently, the person puts the blocking elements 36, 37 to a position on the frame 20 as desired by means of the handle 46, particularly a position that is more to the front. When the person leans backward again to rest his/her back against the seat 10, the rocking chair 1 rocks in the backward direction until the blocking elements 36, 37 touch the floor surface 5. The person’s weight contributes to the stabilizing effect of the chosen position of the blocking elements 36, 37. It may be practical if relatively broad strips are attached to the floor-contacting elements 21 , 22 of the frame 20 in the range where the frame 20 may be contacted by the blocking elements 36, 37, such that the strips provide actual surfaces for the blocking elements 36, 37 to roll along.

The shape of the seat 10 with the generally concavely curved portion 11 and the generally convexly curved portion 12 contributes to the possibility of using the person’s weight in effectuating the blocking functionality of the movement blocking mechanism 35. In particular, it is achieved that the person’s center of gravity is at a position that helps in stabilizing the rocking chair 1 on two spaced areas of contact to the floor surface 5 when the blocking elements 36, 37 are at a position for disabling the rocking movement, wherein at one of the areas of contact, the frame 20 of the rocking chair 1 is in direct contact to the floor surface 5, and wherein at the other of the areas of contact, the frame 20 of the rocking chair 1 is in indirect contact to the floor surface 5, through the blocking elements 36, 37. Further, on the basis of the shape of the seat 10 with the generally concavely curved portion 11 and the generally convexly curved portion 12, it is achieved that when the rocking movement is enabled, a default position of the rocking chair 1 is a relatively stable position in which the seat 10 is more or less horizontal, which default position is a position that is between the positions shown in figures 11 and 12.

In figure 13, a rocking chair 2 according to a second practical embodiment of the invention is shown. Basically, the rocking chair 2 according to the second practical embodiment of the invention is of the same design as the rocking chair 1 according to the first practical embodiment of the invention, a difference between the rocking chairs 1 , 2 residing in the fact that a dimension of the seat 10 of the rocking chair 1 according to the first practical embodiment of the invention is chosen such that the rocking chair 1 is a single-seat rocking chair that is designed to support a single person, while a dimension of the seat 10 of the rocking chair 2 according to the second practical embodiment of the invention is chosen such that the rocking chair 2 is a double-seat rocking chair that is designed to support two persons. Figure 14 shows the frame 20 of the double-seat rocking chair 2. It can be seen that compared to the frame 20 of the single-seat rocking chair 1 , the double-seat rocking chair 2 comprises an intermediate curved seat-supporting element 25, wherein the intermediate curved seat-supporting element 25 is supported on each of the transverse elements 26, 27 by means of a respective element 33, 34.

With reference to figure 15, it is noted that in the double-seat rocking chair 2, a handle 46, 47 is attached to the top rod 42 at either side of the top rod 42, so that each one of two persons sitting/lying on the rocking chair 2 is allowed to adjust the position of the blocking elements 31 , 32 on the frame 20 according to desire. Further, the braking mechanism 50 is arranged at an intermediate position in the rocking chair 2 instead of a side position. The frame 20 comprises a support 54 for supporting the braking mechanism 50 on the intermediate seat-supporting element 25.

It follows from the foregoing description of two practical examples of a rocking chair 1 , 2 according to the invention that the rocking chair 1 , 2 is designed to provide one or more persons using the rocking chair 1 , 2 a pleasant experience of sitting and/or lying down and optionally also a pleasant experience of a rocking movement while sitting and/or lying down. The rocking movement can easily be enabled or disabled, by simply manipulating a handle 46, 47. The rocking chair 1 , 2 can safely be used in view of the fact that the rocking chair 1 , 2 is designed such that the rocking chair 1 , 2 cannot tip over in the rocking movement. Further, as mentioned earlier, a portion 13 of the seat 10 where the head of the at least one person is supposed to be is always at least as high as a portion 14 of the seat 10 where the feet of the at least one person are supposed to be.

It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the invention is not limited to the examples discussed in the foregoing, but that several amendments and modifications thereof are possible without deviating from the scope of the invention as defined in the attached claims. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such amendments and modifications insofar they come within the scope of the claims or the equivalents thereof. While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the figures and the description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary only, and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The drawings are schematic, wherein details which are not required for understanding the invention may have been omitted, and not necessarily to scale.

In respect of the frame 20 of the rocking chair 1 , 2 according to the invention, it is noted that the invention covers an option of the frame 20 having a closed floor facing surface. In such a case, the movement blocking mechanism 35 may comprise a single blocking element shaped as an elongated roller, extending across the floor facing surface of the frame 20 in the side-to-side direction, wherein the single blocking element may be arranged so as to be rotatable. In such a case, when the blocking element supporting arrangement 40 comprises the components 43, 44 of variable length for supporting the single blocking element, it may be practical if the components 43, 44 are arranged just outside of the frame 20 at either side of the frame 20. Also in a more general context, irrespective of the embodiment of the frame 20, it is possible that the movement blocking mechanism 35 comprises a single blocking element shaped as an elongated roller, extending across the floor-facing surface of the frame 20 in the side-to-side direction, wherein the single blocking element may be arranged so as to be rotatable.

Notable aspects of the invention are summarized as follows. A rocking chair 1 , 2 is provided that comprises a seat 10 and a frame 20 configured to support the seat 10 on a floor surface 5 and to allow a rocking movement of the seat 10 relative to the floor surface 5, wherein the frame 20 has a curved outline at a floor-facing side thereof. The rocking chair 1 , 2 further comprises a movement blocking mechanism 35 configured to stabilize the frame 20 relative to the floor surface 5 to thereby disable the rocking movement of the seat 10 relative to the floor surface 5. In particular, the functioning of the movement blocking mechanism 35 relies on holding at least one blocking element 36, 37 against the frame 20 at the floor-facing side of the frame 20, wherein a position where the at least one blocking element 36, 37 is held against the frame 20 can be set by a person sitting/lying on the rocking chair 1 , 2.

Claims

1. Rocking chair (1 , 2), comprising:

- a seat (10) configured to support at least one person;

- a frame (20) configured to support the seat (10) on a floor surface (5) and to allow a rocking movement of the seat (10) relative to the floor surface (5), wherein the frame (20) has a curved outline at a floor-facing side thereof;

- a movement blocking mechanism (35) configured to stabilize the frame (20) relative to the floor surface (5) to thereby disable the rocking movement of the seat (10) relative to the floor surface (5), wherein the movement blocking mechanism (35) comprises at least one blocking element (36, 37) and a blocking element supporting arrangement (40) supported by the frame (20) and configured to hold the at least one blocking element (36, 37) against the frame (20) at the floor-facing side of the frame (20), and wherein the blocking element supporting arrangement (40) is operable to vary a position where the at least one blocking element (36, 37) is held against the frame (20).

2. Rocking chair (1 , 2) according to claim 1 , wherein the blocking element supporting arrangement (40) is operable to move the at least one blocking element (36, 37) along the frame (20). 3. Rocking chair (1 , 2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame (20) comprises a number of rod-like elements including at least two curved floor contacting elements (21 , 22) which are configured to contact the floor surface (5), and wherein the movement blocking mechanism (35) comprises at least two blocking elements (36, 37).

4. Rocking chair (1 , 2) according to claim 3, wherein the blocking element supporting arrangement (40) is configured to enable synchronized variation of the respective positions where the at least two blocking elements (36, 37) are held against the frame (20). 5. Rocking chair (1 , 2) according to claim 4, wherein the blocking element supporting arrangement (40) is operable to simultaneously move the blocking elements (36, 37) along the frame.

6. Rocking chair (1 , 2) according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the at least one blocking element (36, 37) comprises a rotatable element shaped like a cylinder having a circular outer periphery, and wherein the at least one blocking element (36, 37) is arranged to roll on the frame (20) when the blocking element supporting arrangement (40) is operated to vary the position where the at least one blocking element (36, 37) is held against the frame (20).

7. Rocking chair (1 , 2) according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the blocking element supporting arrangement (40) comprises at least one component (43, 44) of variable length.

8. Rocking chair (1 , 2) according to claim 7, wherein the component (43, 44) of variable length comprises two elements which are in a telescopic arrangement relative to each other.

9. Rocking chair (1 , 2) according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the blocking element supporting arrangement (40) comprises two spaced support rods (41 , 42), wherein one of the support rods (41 , 42) is a bottom rod (41 ) on which the at least one blocking element (36, 37) is arranged, and wherein the other of the support rods (41 , 42) is a top rod (42) that is rotatably mounted in the frame (20).

10. Rocking chair (1 , 2) according to claim 9 insofar as dependent on claim 7 or 8, wherein the at least one component (43, 44) of variable length extends between the bottom rod (41) and the top rod (42).

11. Rocking chair (1 , 2) according to claim 9 or 10, comprising a lever (46, 47) arranged to enable rotation of the top rod (42). 12. Rocking chair (1 , 2) according to any of claims 1-11 , wherein the blocking element supporting arrangement (40) is configured to bias the at least one blocking element (36, 37) against the frame (20). 13. Rocking chair (1 , 2) according to claim 12 insofar as dependent on any of claims 9-11 , wherein the blocking element supporting arrangement (40) comprises at least one resilient member (48, 49) intercoupling the support rods (41 , 42).

14. Rocking chair (1 , 2) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the blocking element supporting arrangement (40) comprises at least one extension spring (48,

49) that is arranged to bias the at least one blocking element (36, 37) against the frame (20).

15. Rocking chair (1 , 2) according to any of claims 1-14, further comprising a braking mechanism (50) configured to perform a braking action on the blocking element supporting arrangement (40) to prevent variation of the position where the at least one blocking element (36, 37) is held against the frame (20) on the basis of internal forces acting on the blocking element supporting arrangement (40). 16. Rocking chair (1 , 2) according to claim 15, wherein the braking mechanism

(50) is configured to perform the braking action on the blocking element supporting arrangement (40) on the basis of mechanical friction.

17. Rocking chair (1 , 2) according to any of claims 1-16, wherein, on the basis of the curved outline at the floor-facing side thereof, the frame (20) is configured to only allow positions of the seat (10) relative to the floor surface (5) in which a portion (13) of the seat (10) where the head of the at least one person is supposed to be is always at least as high as a portion (14) of the seat (10) where the feet of the at least one person are supposed to be. 18. Rocking chair (1 , 2) according to any of claims 1 -17, wherein the seat (10) comprises a number of straight planks (15) extending adjacent to each other in a side-to-side direction of the rocking chair (1 , 2) and individually coupled to the frame (20).