US006000754A
United States Patent (19) 11 Patent Number: 6,000,754
LaWSOn (45) Date of Patent: Dec. 14, 1999
54) ROCKER ASSEMBLY FOR ROCKER- OTHER PUBLICATIONS
RECLINER CHAIRS
Drawings of prior rocker recliner mechanism of Super
75 Inventor: Gregory M. Lawson, Tupelo, Miss. Sagless Corp. that is prior art. The drawings were prepared
by the inventor in the subject application. (Sheets A & B).
73
73) Assignee:
9. Omega Motion LLC,s Saltillo,s Miss. rawings off rock
Drawi rocker recliner
li mechanism
hani off present applica
li
tion (Sheets C & D).
21 Appl. No.: 09/003,236 Primary Examiner Milton Nelson, Jr.
22 Filed: Jan. 6, 1998 Attorney, Agent, or Firm Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, P.C.
57 ABSTRACT
Related U.S. Application Data
60 Provisional application No. 60/034.228, Jan. 6, 1997. A rocker-recliner chair comprising a base for Standing on the
6 floor and having a pair of Side rails,s rocker cams Seated for
51 Int. Cl. .........................................no. ATC 3.02 rocking motion backward and forward on the Side rails, a
52 U.S. Cl. ..................... 297/259.2: 29.85, 297/265.1; croSS tube assembly disposed above the base and having Side
297/270.1; 297/DIG. 7 plates and croSS tubes, a reclining linkage mechanism hav
58 Field of Search .............................. 297/259.1, 258.1, ing a pair of base plates adjustably connected to the cams for
297/68, 264.1, 265.1, 266.1, 267.1, 270.1, backward and forward adjustment with respect to the cams,
259.2, 85, DIG. 7, 259.4 adjustable connections joining the croSS tube assembly to
56) References Cited
each base plate of the mechanism for enabling the croSS tube
assembly to be moved forward and backward with respect to
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS the mechanism, a chair frame having a Seat, backrest and
footrest carried by the mechanism and movable between
3,464,736 9/1969 Mizelle. upright and reclined positions with respect to the base, and
3,767,257 10/1973 Rogers, Jr. et al.. a Stabilizing Spring assembly connected between the croSS
3,802,735 4/1974 Re . rail assembly and the base for biasing the rocker cam,
4,057,289 11/1977 Jones. linkage mechanism and chairframe to an upright position on
4,071,276 1/1978 Cecil. the base.
4,519,647 5/1985 Rogers, Jr..
4,707,025 11/1987 Rogers, Jr..
5,370,442 12/1994 Saul et al., 15 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
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U.S. Patent Dec. 14, 1999 Sheet 1 of 12 6,000,754
U.S. Patent Dec. 14, 1999 Sheet 2 of 12 6,000,754
U.S. Patent Dec. 14, 1999 Sheet 3 of 12 6,000,754
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U.S. Patent Dec. 14, 1999 Sheet 4 of 12 6,000,754
U.S. Patent Dec. 14, 1999 Sheet 5 of 12 6,000,754
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U.S. Patent Dec. 14, 1999 Sheet 6 of 12 6,000,754
U.S. Patent Dec. 14, 1999 Sheet 7 of 12 6,000,754
U.S. Patent Dec. 14, 1999 Sheet 8 of 12 6,000,754
U.S. Patent Dec. 14, 1999 Sheet 9 of 12 6,000,754
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U.S. Patent Dec. 14, 1999 Sheet 10 of 12 6,000,754
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U.S. Patent Dec. 14, 1999 Sheet 11 of 12 6,000,754
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U.S. Patent Dec. 14, 1999 Sheet 12 of 12 6,000,754
6,000,754
1 2
ROCKER ASSEMBLY FOR ROCKER detailed description of two embodiments thereof read in
RECLINER CHAIRS connection with the accompanying drawings.
This application claims the benefit of prior filed Provi BRIEF FIGURE DESCRIPTION
sional Application No. 60/034,228 filed Jan. 6, 1997 entitled FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment
“CAM, MECHANISM AND BASE ASSEMBLY FOR of a rocker-recliner with one side of the chair removed,
ROCKER RECLINER.
constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIELD OF THE INVENTION FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the rocker assembly;
This invention relates to rocker-recliners and more par FIG. 2A is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing more of
ticularly comprises a new and improved rocker assembly the reclining mechanism and with a cam and base plate of
that enables the chair to rock to and fro on a base resting on the mechanism highlighted;
the floor. FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front elevation view of the
assembly shown in FIG. 2;
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 15 FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the assembly shown in FIGS.
Rocker-recliners conventionally employ rocker cams hav 2 and 3;
ing curved lower Surfaces that rest on a fixed base and in turn FIG. 5 is a side elevation view similar to FIG. 2 but
carry the reclining mechanism which Supports the Seat, back showing the full recliner mechanism with the chair in the
rest and foot rest of the chair. A rocker blocking assembly upright position;
connected to the reclining mechanism and the base prevents FIG. 6 is a side view similar to FIG. 5 but with the chair
the cams from rocking on the fixed base when the chair is mechanism in the intermediate or TV position;
moved from the upright to a reclining position. When the FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIGS. 5 and 6 but with the chair
rocker blocking assembly is inactive (when the chair is in the mechanism in the fully reclined position;
upright position), the rocking motion is controlled by Spring
assemblies conventionally connected between the rocker 25 FIG. 8 is a side elevation view similar to FIG. I but
cams and the base. The various connections between the showing a Second embodiment of the invention;
mechanisms, cams, Spring assemblies and base are not FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 are side, front elevation and top plan
Susceptible to convenient adjustment to compensate for Views, respectively, of the rocker assembly employed in the
differences in the center of gravity of the chair caused by chair of FIG. 8.
different chair Styles, e.g., chairs with heavy or lightweight
backs and deep or Short Seats, and by different body sizes of DETAILED DESCRIPTION
the people occupying the chair. Typical examples of prior art The chair illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 embodies the present
rocker-recliners are shown in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,537,747, invention and includes a metal base 10, seat 12, backrest 14,
3,730,585 and 4,519,647. footrest 16, reclining mechanism 18, metal croSS-tube
35
One important object of the present invention is to pro assembly 20, rocker cam 22, and Spring assembly 24. It
vide an improved rocker-recliner that enables the Spring should be appreciated that the recliner mechanism 18 and
assemblies to be adjusted forward and backward indepen rocker cam 22 are duplicated on each side of the chair. The
dently of the reclining mechanism and rocker cams. seat 12 backrest 14 and footrest 16 are all built within or on
Another important object of the present invention is to 40 a wood frame 26. It is apparent in FIG. 1 that the frame 26
provide a rocker-recliner that enables the rocker cams to be and all of the parts enumerated contained in or mounted on
adjusted forward and backward independently of the reclin it are free to rock back and forth on the base 10 by virtue of
ing mechanism and Spring assemblies. the lower curved Surface 28 of the rocker cam 22 which rests
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a on the upper Surface of the base.
method of connecting the various components of a rocker 45 The base 10 shown in FIGS. 2-4 is made of metal and
recliner together in a fashion that is Suitable for use with includes a pair of side rails 30 and tubular metal cross rails
either a metal or wood base and wood, plastic or metal 32 and 34 which connect the side rails together. Feet 36 are
rocker cams. mounted on the ends of the side rails 30, to protect the floor
Another object of the present invention is to provide a on which the chair rests.
Spring assembly which maintains the preload applied to the 50 The metal cross-tube assembly 20 includes a pair of side
Springs when the location of the Spring assembly is adjusted. mounting plates 38 connected together by tubular metal
To accomplish these and other objects, in accordance with croSS tubes 40, Square in croSS Section, and welded to the
the present invention, the base plates of the reclining mecha inner faces of the plates 38. The plates 38 and cross tubes 40
nism are adjustably connected to and Supported on the upper thus form a rectangular assembly essentially equal in width
horizontal Surface of the rocker cams So that the cams can be 55 to the width of the base 10 and substantially shorter in a fore
moved forward or backward with respect to the mechanism and aft direction than the base.
and the Seating components of the chair carried by the The two mounting plates 38 of the cross-tube assembly 20
mechanism. A croSS tube assembly is also adjustably con are adjustably connected to the inner faces 42 of the base
nected between the base plates of the reclining mechanism, plates 44 of the mechanism 18. The adjustments are made by
and the Spring assemblies in turn are connected at their tops 60 virtue of the horizontal slots 45 in each mounting plate 38
to the croSS tube assembly. The lower ends of the Spring and the bolts 47 that extend through the base plate and slots.
assemblies are connected at a fixed position to the base. With The base plates 44 of the mechanism are also bolted to the
these adjustments, the balance of the chair may easily be side rails 46 which form part of the wood chair frame 26.
changed by moving the cams and/or the Spring assemblies The side rails 46 lie generally in the planes of the arms 48
with respect to the mechanism. 65 of the chair. The Slotted connection between the mounting
These and other objects and features of the invention will plates 38 of the cross-tube assembly 20 and the base plates
be better understood and appreciated from the following 44 of the mechanism enables the cross tube assembly 20 to
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be shifted forward and backward on the mechanism for is fixed with respect to the mechanism 18 and the chair
reasons that are described in detail below. frame 26, etc., the center of gravity of the chair is fixed with
The Spring assembly 24 (one on each side of the chair) is respect to the cams. To establish the upright position of the
made up of a pair of coil springs 54 and 56 that are chair at an appropriate angle and achieve the desired Stiff
sandwiched between upper and lower plates 58 and 60 neSS for rocking back and forth, it is necessary to adjust the
respectively connected to the bottoms of tubes 40 of the position of the Spring assemblies 24 with respect to the
cross tube assembly 20 and the tops of cross rails 32 and 34. neutral axes 92 of the cams 22. That is conveniently accom
The plates 58 and 60 may be screwed, riveted or otherwise plished by loosening the bolts 47 and sliding the cross tube
connected to the tubes and rails. assembly 20 forward or backward with respect to the base
The base plates 44 of the linkage mechanism 18 secured plate 44, which carries the Spring assemblies with it. By
to the side panels 46 of the chair frame 26 support the chair moving the spring assemblies 24 further forward with
frame and all of the parts of the chair within it, including the respect to the neutral axes of the cams, rearward rocking of
seat 12, backrest 14 and footrest 16. The mechanism on each the chair will be made stiffer while forward rocking will be
Side of the chair includes a Seat mounting bracket 61 and a made easier.
backrest mounting bracket 62 that respectively Support the 15 It will be appreciated that because of the adjustable
seat 12 and backrest 14. The mechanism further includes a connections between the cams 22 and mechanism 18 and
lazy tong linkage 64 that is mounted on the front end of the between the Spring assemblies 24 (via the cross tube
seat mounting bracket 61. As is clearly shown in FIGS. 5–7, assembly) and the mechanism, it is relative easy to com
the lazy tong linkage 64 carries a footrest mounting bracket pensate for chair Styles having different weight distributions
68 at its free end which in turn carries the cushion of the (heavy or light backs and deep or short Seats) and different
footrest 16. The type of mechanism shown is well-known in centers of gravity. The Spring assemblies may be moved
the art and is capable of moving the Seat and backrest as a forward or back to compensate for different weight distri
unit in fixed relationship with one another in a forward butions while the cams may be moved forward or back to
direction from the upright to TV position as the footrest 16 maintain the cam center line in close alignment with the
is extended from the stored position beneath the front of the 25 center of gravity for a balanced rocking action. During the
Seat 12. AS the chair begins to move to the TV position, a adjustments the individual rocker springs 54 and 56 remain
rocker blocker assembly 69 forming part of the linkage Securely fastened to the upper croSS tube assembly 20 and
mechanism 18 moves to a position wherein its roller 70 lower cross rails 32 and 34 forming part of the lower base
engages a metal plate 72 secured to the upper Surface of the assembly. Therefore, adjustments in the location of the
base side rail 30, which prevents the chair mechanism and Spring assemblies may be made without disconnecting the
everything attached to it from rocking backward on the base preloaded springs. It will be noted in FIGS. 2 and 2A that
while the link 73 prevents forward rocking motion. When long bolts 94 are used to connect the upper plates 58 of the
the blocker assembly 69 is retracted as shown in FIG. 5, the spring assemblies 24 to the cross tubes 40. This arrangement
chair frame 26 along with the seat 12, backrest 14 and enables the Spring to be easily installed without Special
retracted footrest 16 are free to rock on the base. The 35 Spring spreader tools, which reduces assembly time.
reclining mechanism 18 also permits further reclining The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 8-11 is
motion of the chair as shown in FIG. 7 when pressure is very similar to the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-7. The
exerted against the backrest. That pressure causes the back two differ from one another in the construction of the base
rest to pivot in a backward direction while the front of the and the attachment of the Spring assembly to the base. In this
seat 12 is elevated (compare FIGS. 6 and 7). During that 40
embodiment, the base 100 is made of two wood side rails
transition, the rocker blocker assembly 69 remains in the 102 connected together by wood cross rails 104. The rocker
operative position to prevent the chair assembly from rock cams 106, like the cams 22 in the preferred embodiment,
ing on the base 10. The present invention is not limited to a may be made of wood, plastic or metal, although plastic is
rocker-recliner having the Specific reclining mechanism Suggested in the drawings of the preferred embodiment and
illustrated. Other Such mechanisms may be used in its place. 45
wood is suggested in this embodiment. The side rails 102
In the preferred embodiment shown, the base plate 44 has have feet 108 at their bottom ends to protect the floor on
a lower horizontal flange 80 which is adjustably secured to which the chair rests and may also be used to level the base
the upper horizontal Surface 81 of the rocker cam 22 by bolts when the floor is uneven.
82, as is most clearly shown in FIGS. 2-4. For that purpose Each Spring assembly 110 is composed of tensioned coil
three adjacent holes 83 are provided in the flange 80, which 50
may be selectively used to shift the cam forward or back springs 112, a top plate 114 and a bottom bracket 116. Just
ward with respect to the recliner mechanism. Three holes 82 as in the preferred embodiment, the top plates 114 are
are shown in FIG. 4 and three alternative holes are provided attached to the cross tubes 40 of the cross tube assembly 20
for each bolt 82. Because the entire load of the chair rests on by long bolts 94, and the cross tube assembly 20 is adjust
the upper Surfaces of the cams, the cams are essentially 55 ably bolted to the base plates 44 of the reclining mechanism
Subjected only to compressive loads to minimize cam wear. 18 through horizontal slots 120 in the end plates 122 of the
In most prior art constructions, the mechanisms are attached croSS tube assembly.
to the Sides of the rocker cams, which exert a torque on the The vertical flange 117 of the bottom bracket 116 of each
cams causing them to wear more along one edge. The Spring assembly 110 is Screwed to the inner Vertical Surface
adjustability of the cams with respect to the mechanism 60 124 of the corresponding side rail 102 on its side of the chair.
enables the cams to be Selectively positioned So as to The horizontal flange 115 of the bracket 116 anchors the
accommodate the location of the center of gravity of the bottoms of the Springs.
chair, independent of the Springs. Once the correct position Each base plate 44 of the reclining mechanism, just as in
of the cams with respect to the mechanism is determined, the the preferred embodiment, has a lower horizontal flange 80
mechanism may be attached to the cams through the appro 65 that is adjustably mounted on the horizontal upper Surface
priate holes 83. Slots in the flange may be an appropriate 130 of one of the rocker cams 106. While not shown in the
alternative to the Series of holes. Once each rocker cam 22 drawings, the adjustment may be accommodated by multiple
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openings in the flange 80 or by some other means. If the and a rocker blocker for preventing the cams from rocking
rocker cams are made of wood, the flangeS 80 may simply on the base when the chair frame moves from the
be attached by Screws that may be positioned at any location upright position.
on the Surface 130. 4. A rocker-recliner chair according to claim 3 wherein an
In the embodiment of FIGS. 8-11, the reclining mecha 5 adjustable connection joins the cams to the mechanism
nism 18, chair frame 26 seat 12, back 14 and leg rest 16 are enabling the cams to be moved forward or backward on the
essentially the same as those of the preferred embodiment Side rails independently of the Spring assembly.
and are correspondingly numbered. 5. A rocker-recliner chair according to claim 4 wherein an
It will be appreciated from the forgoing that the advan adjustable connection joins the croSS tube assembly to the
tages attributed to the preferred embodiment are also present mechanism enabling the Spring assembly to be moved
in the construction of the embodiment of FIGS. 8-11. The forward and aft with respect to the rocker cams indepen
spring assemblies 110 may be moved forward and backward dently of the connection between the mechanism and cams.
simply by moving the cross tube assembly 20 on the base 6. A rocker-recliner chair according to claim 3 wherein an
plates 44 of the mechanism independently of the mechanism 15 adjustable connection joins the croSS tube assembly to the
18 and the cams 106, and the rocker cams 106 may be mechanism enabling the Spring assembly to be moved
adjusted forward and backward independently of the mecha forward and aft with respect to the rocker cams indepen
nism 18 and spring assemblies 110. dently of the connection between the mechanism and cams.
Modifications of the present invention will be apparent to 7. A rocker assembly for rocker recliners comprising:
those skilled in the art from a reading of the forgoing a base,
description in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Therefor, the scope of the invention is not to be limited to the a rocker cam mounted for rocking motion on the base
Specific embodiments herein shown and described. Rather, backward and forward from a neutral position,
its Scope is to be determined by the appended claims and a reclining mechanism mounted on the rocker cam,
their equivalents. 25 a croSS tube assembly adjustably mounted on the mecha
What is claimed is: nism for backward and forward adjustment with respect
1. A rocker-recliner chair comprising: thereto,
a base for Standing on a floor and having a pair of Side and a Spring assembly connected between the croSS tube
rails, assembly and the base and adjustable backward and
rocker cams Seated for rocking motion backward and forward with respect to neutral position of the cam by
forward on the Side rails, virtue of the adjustability of the cross tube assembly on
a croSS tube assembly disposed above the base and having the mechanism.
Side plates and croSS tubes, 8. A rocker assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein the
a reclining linkage mechanism having a pair of base plates 35 cam is adjustably connected to the mechanism So that it may
adjustably connected to the cams for backward and be moved backward and forward with respect thereto inde
forward adjustment with respect to the cams, pendent of the connection of the Spring assembly to the
adjustable connections joining the croSS tube assembly to mechanism.
each base plate of the mechanism for enabling the croSS 9. A rocker assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein the
tube assembly to be moved forward and backward with 40 base is made of wood.
respect to the mechanism, 10. A rocker assembly as defined in claim 9 where the cam
a chair frame having a Seat, backrest and footrest carried is made of plastic.
by the mechanism and movable between upright and 11. A rocker assembly as defined in claim 9 wherein the
reclined positions with respect to the base, cam is made of wood.
and a Stabilizing Spring assembly connected between the 45 12. A rocker assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein the
croSS tube assembly and the base for biasing the rocker base is made of metal.
cams, linkage mechanism and chair frame to an upright 13. A rocker assembly as defined in claim 12 wherein the
position on the base. cam is made of wood.
2. A rocker-recliner chair according to claim 1 wherein a 14. A rocker assembly as defined in claim 12 where the
rocker blocker assembly is carried by the mechanism for 50 cam is made of plastic.
preventing the cams from rocking on the Side rails when the 15. A rocker assembly for rocker recliners comprising:
chair moves from the upright position. a base,
3. A rocker-recliner chair comprising: a rocker cam mounted for rocking motion on the base
a base having a pair of Side rails, backward and forward from a neutral position,
55
a pair of rocker cams, one on each of the Side rails for a reclining mechanism mounted on the rocker cam,
rocking motion back and forth on Said rails, a croSS tube assembly mounted on the mechanism inde
a reclining chair mechanism mounted on and carried by pendently of the cam,
the rocker cams, a Spring assembly connected between the base and the
a croSS tube assembly mounted above the base and 60 croSS tube assembly,
connected to the mechanism, and an adjustable connection between the mechanism and
a chair frame with a Seat and backrest mounted on the the cam enabling the cam to be moved backward and
mechanism enabling the chair frame to move between forward with respect to the mechanism independently
upright and reclined positions, of the connection of the cross tube assembly to the
a Spring assembly connected between the croSS tube 65 mechanism.
assembly and the base for biasing the cams and chair
frame to the upright position,