US3096121A - Reclining platform rocking chair - Google Patents

Description

July 2, 1963 E. M. KNABUscH ETAL 3,096,121

RECLINING PLATFORM RocKING CHAIR SSI 1N V EN TORSA .Zyl/4727 /f A6743 zare/' July 2, 1963 E. M. KNABUSCH Em. 3,096,121

RECLINING PLATFORM ROCKING CHAIR 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 2l. 1961 r. Z@ 5.6i 4 H 3| f m2 r; -WV ,W J W; mf J m l/: JL. E www@ e m Z f J T f Il! -y IJNN.. l l -Il i l MW ,f/LJW W f m M JJ@ W f/f l f h/ 7J h/ 4/ WH W 4/ M# A ww ...n Mmmm@ Hm, hwuwmw l- Z d f E 3 f j j j f 4 H.l i @L 3 lil*- July 2, 1963 E. M. KNAsuscH ETAL RECLINING PLATFORM aocxms CHAIR 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 21, 1961 /7 alf/s122045.'

July 2, 1963 E. M. KNABuscH ETAL 3,096,121

RECLINING PLATFORM ROCKING CHAIR Filed July 2l, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 2, 1963 E. M. KNABUscH ETAL 3,096,121

RECLINING PLATFORM RocxING CHAIR Filed July 21, 1961 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 -i. if w f7 N1 I I I l /f' I I .Jul-y 2, 1963 E. M. KNABUscH ETAL v 3,096,121

RECLINING PLATFORM ROCKING CHAIR Filed July 21, 1961 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 July 2, 1963 E. M. KNAauscH ETAL 3,096,121

RECLINING PLATFORM ROCKING CHAIR '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed July 2l, 1961 INVENTORS Xga/47j Mir/QZ asc/ .Fava/z J7 da@ maier'.

nited gratos This invention relates to an improved combination reclining and platform rocking chair and more particularly to such an improved combination chair having an extensible footrest and latching means for retaining the rocking .chair in a predetermined tilted position. This application is a continuation-in-part of our ccpending application Serial No. 68,486, iiled November 10, 1960, for Platform Rocker, now abandoned.

Platform rockers of :the type having rigidly interconnec-ted seat and back portions rockable on a base have been on the market for several years. Such rockers often include an actuatable footrest and means for releasably retaining the seat and back portions in predetermined rocked positions on lthe base thereby `enabling the rocker to function as a .tilt-back type lounge chair until the retaining mecthanism is released and the footrest is moved to ran inactive position. The latter type chai-rs 'are illusrtrated in applicants prior Patents Nos. 2,817,385, dated December 24, 1957, and 2,963,677, dated December 6, 1960. Such chairs yare not, however, reclinable, that is, the sea-t and back do not move relative to each other to provide -a comfortable reclining surface.

Another group of adjustable chairs, designated as reclining chairs, likewise have been sold for a number of years. These chairs have seat yand back portions which are pivotally supported on a base and counterbalanced so 'that when a user leans rearwardly in the chair he moves the chair back downwardly and rearwardly and the chair seat forwardly, simultaneously, into 'a reclining position. Such chairs are representatively illustrated in the prior Patents 2,863,495, dated December 9, 1958, and 2,781,- 823, dated February 19, 1957 of E. M. Knabusch et al. The chair back `and seat of this type of reclining chair move relative to one another to produce a generally continuously reclined surface. A relatively complex and expensive linkage system is required to obtain this movement and provide a comfortable chair. Such a chair is not rockable into preselected tilted positions with respect to the base portion.

The presen-t invention includes a unique combination reclining and platform rocking chair which can be used as a conventional lrocker or as :a reclining chair having back and seat portions reclinable on a relatively inexpensive balanced linkage system having a fixed pivot axis between .the back and seat por-tions. Normal rocking movement will cause the chair to lrock on a fixed base in a conventional manner without causing the back and seat portions to recline. The application discloses an operating handle which moves a unique one-way lock mechanism to releasably hold the chair in a plurality of tilted positions against movement in a given direction. When the chair engages the one-way llock mechanism a supplemental force on the back portion will cause the chair to conjointly tilt and recline tto a comfortable reclined position.

The unique one-way locking mechanism is an improvement of the structure disclosed inthe copending application of E. M. Knabusch et al., Serial No. 805,429, filed April l0, 1959, now Patent No. 2,963,077, dated De ember 6, 31960, for Platform Rocker. The present invention, therefore, fin'ther includes 'an operating handle which extends and retracts a footrest mounted bei-ow the front end of the chair seat. 'Ihe handle is also connect- @folli ice ed to a latch mechanism which engages a ratchet and locks the chair in backwardly tilted positions. The latch is retracted through Vthe movement of the handle to its forward position which also retracts the foot-rest. The footrest may also be retracted by ythe heel of the occupant.

Accordingly, main objects of the invention are to prov-ide a platform rocking chair having an extensible footrest land locking means to prevent the chair from rocking forwardly -when the fcotrest is extended; to provide means for extending, a footrest of a til-table rocking chair forwardly and employing a latch mechanism which releases the chair :from a backward tilted position and rotracts the footrest to prevent the chair from falling forwardly should the lfoot remain extended; to provide a rocker of the platform type which employs lazy .tongs for supporting land moving a footrest from a retracted to an extended position actuated by a handle which also releases a locking mechanism for retaining the chair in backward tilted position to prevent the chair from falling forwardly should the tfootrest remain extended and, in general, to provide a platform rocking chair with an extensible footrest and latching mechanism which is simple in construction, positive in operation, and economical of manufacture.

Other main objects of this invention are to provide a chair which functions yas both a platform rocking chair and `a reclining lounge chair and in which the seat and back portions are movable relative fto each other and are -conjointly tilted with respect to the base to provide a comfortable reclining surface through a plurality of tilted positions; and to provide an improved chair of the aforementioned ttype in which :the back and seat portions are adjustably movable on an improved land relatively inexpensive linkage system.

Further objects of the invention are to increase the seating comfort of a chair of the aforesaid type Iwhile maintaining ease of adjustment, simplicity. of component arrangement and economy of construction; to provide an improved chair of the aforesaid type having a support frame rockable on ia base frame with back and seat por- 'tions reclinable and movable with respect to the support frame to produce ya substantially obtuse angular relationship between the back and seat portions thereby providing for a more comfortable chair than has been heretofore known `or available; to provide a chair of lthe aforementioned type which is so constructed and balanced that when it is used as a rocking chair it will not tend to recline, but which is quickly reclined when desired; and to provide an improved chair of the aforesaid type having a reclining back land a forwardly moving seat -which are interconnected by an easily adjusted, compact, enomical balanced linkage for varying the force required to recline fthe back and seat; -to provide ysuch a balanced linkage pivoted on a xed axis to obtain a movement of the seat land back portions ofthe improved combination chair which is adapted to -a plurality of different chair styles; and -to provide means for cushioning the rocking of the chair on the base portion to provide `a smooth, uninterrupted roca-ing movement.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a considera-tion of the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is va side view in elevation of a platform rocking chair having a footrest and operating mechanism therefor, embodying features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is .an enlarged, broken plan view of the seat frame of the chair illustrated in FlG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a `sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 2, taken on the line 3 3 thereof, showing the Y 3 footrest in its retracted position and the rocker in horizontal position;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view 'of the structure illustrated in FIG. 2, taken on the line 4-4 thereof;

FIG. 5 is a view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 3, showing the chair in latched position and the footrest in extended position;

FIG. 6 is a view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 5, with the chair :in tilted position;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 3, taken on the line 7--7 thereof;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of modilication of the chair illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 which includes a reclining platform rocking chair having a -reclinable back and seat and an adjustablerfoot-rest;

FIG. 9 is a view partially in section and partially in elevation of the reclining platform rocking chair illustrated in FIG. 1 without cushions; FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of FIG. 9, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, broken plan view of the seat frame of the chair illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view of the chair illustrated in FIGS. 8-12 with its back upright, the seat moved rearwardly and the footrest extended prior to reclining; and

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 13 with the seat frame locked in a tilted position 'and the seat and back portions in reolined positions.

The embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS.17, comprises a back frame portion 11 containing -a back cushion 12 fixed with respect to a seat frame 13 having a resiliently supported seat cushion 14 thereon. The seat frame has rockers 15 on the inner side faces thereof which ,engage the surface of a base supporting frame 17 in rockable relation therewith. The rockers 15 and the side members of the base 17 are interconnected 'by double coil spring devices 19 of conventional form and in the conventional manner. The rockers 15 are attached to the side frame members 21 which are joined at the rear by a rear rail 22 and at the front by a front rail 23. The side members are further interconnected -by a bar 27 having members 28 interconnected with the horizontal Vcross member 23.

An actu-ating shaft 31Y of square section is disposed across the side members 21, being supported -at Vthe ends in -bushings 32 having iianged heads 33 on the inner faces. U-shaped links 34, having openings in the arm portions 35 and 36, Iare disposed `over the shaft 31. The arm portion V36 has a square opening which snugly lits the shaft and a stop tab 53 struck outwardly to form a stop abutment. The footrest 45 is moved from a vertical position, as illustrated in FIG. 3, to Ia substantially horizontal extended position, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, by a pair of spaced pantograph mechanisms 44. The

.pantograph mechanism embodies a rst pair of links 46 and 47 secured in scissor-relation Vby a pivot 48. The upper end of the link 46 is secured to the bracket 24 by a pivot 49.V The rea-r end of the link 47 is secured by a pivot 52 t-o the arm portion 36 containing the stop tab 53 which engages the forward surface of a clearance notch 54 disposed in the rear end of the link 47 when the footrest is in retracted position, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The tab 53 enga-ges a surface of an extending linger 55 at the end of the link 47 when the lfootrest is in the extended horizontal position, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The relationship is such that the arrangement of the shaft 31 and pivot 52 is in, on or over toggle relationship so kas-to lock the footrest in the extended horizontal position.

An operating arm 51 secured to the outer end of the cross .shaft 31 moves slightly more than 90, as illustrated in tion 36 from the position illustrated in FIG. 3 to the extended position as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. A trim collar 50 may be provided between the outer -face of the side rail 21 and the `operating handle 51, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

A second set of links 56 and 57 are disposed in scissorrelation when secured together by a pivot 58, the upper end of the link 56 being connected to the forward end of a llink 47 by a pivot 61. The rearward end of the link 57 is connected to the lower end of the link 46 by a pivot 59. The lower end of the link 56 is connected to a link 62 by a pivot 63. The Vforward end of the link 62 is connected by a pivot 64 to a bracket 65 on the rear face of the footrest 45. The forward end of the link 57 is connected `by a pivot 66 to a bracket 67 at the rear face of the footrest 45 near the upper edge thereof. 'Ihe lengths of the various links on either side of the pivots are such as to produce the desired movement of the footrest 45 from the vertical retracted position of FIG. 3 to the horizontal extended position illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The operation of the links for so moving the ootrest has been explained in more detail in the above mentioned copending application and will not be described further herein.

One of the main concepts of the present invention embodies the manner in which the chair is locked in rearward tilted position and released from such locked position through the ope-ration of the handle 51 which may or may not retr-act the footrest. The footrest can be releasd and retracted by the heel of the occupant applying a rearward pressure, pulling the footrest toward Referring more specifically to FIGS. 3 and 4 an angle-shaped bracket 71 is secured to the upright 28 disposed between the front rail 23` and the bottom bar 27. The outwardly extending flange of the angle member 71 contains a plurality of teeth 72 in one of which they chisel-shaped end 73 of a latching bar 74 extends to prevent the forward rocking of the rocker portion of the chair. The latching bar 74 has a hinged bottom end constructed from Ya cylindrical portion which is secured by a pivot 75 to'a bracket 76 attached to a cross member 77 between the side-elements of the rocker base 17.

A rectangular element 7S made of spring wire V79, as illustrated more specifically in FIG. 7 has the forward web 81 secured in a struc"out loop 82 from the latching bar 74. The opposite ends of the wire are overlapped in an aperture 34 of a lbushing VS5 which is disposed through apertures in the sides of -a channel element 86. The sides also have square apertures therein which receive the square cross shaft 31 to which they are secured by a Cotter pin 87', as clearly illustrated in FIG. 7. A screw 88 clamps the overlapped ends of the wire 79 in secured relation, which screw may or may not be locked in position by a nut 89 in the conventional manner.

When Ithe handle is moved in a forward direction to the position as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the wire element 78 is moved rearwardly to pivot the latching bar 74 to the Y rear .with the chiseled end l'73 withdrawn from a notch 72 in the latching bracket 71. When the handle is moved .in a rearward direction, the footrest is raised to the horizontal forwardly extending position illustrated in FIG. 5

and the 4channel element 486 moves the rear end of the wire element 78 forwardly into bowed shape and pivots the latching bar 74 clockwise to advance the end '7.3 into engagement with a notch 72 of the latchingV bracket :71. VIfV improved reclining and rocking chair embodiment subsequently described.

When it is desired to lower the rocker portion of the chair to its horizontal position from a tilted position, the handle 51 is moved forwardly to the position illustrated in FIGS. l `and 3 to produce a pull on the spring Wire element 7S which thereby withdraws the chiseled end 73 of the latching bar 74 from the notch 72 and retracts the footrest while permitting the rocker portion of the chair to assume its horizontal position. As pointed out above, the footrest can also be released by the occupant pulling the footrest toward him with his heel. This breaks the toggle lock Ibetween the stop tab 53 yand linger 55, allowing the footrest to return to fully retracted position. This action rotates the shaft 31 and moves the arm 86 to retract the latching bar 74 and unlock the chair for rocking action. The very iirst movement -of the shaft 31 in the opposite direction releases the latching bar 74 and permits the chair to become latched in any desired position without any substantial movement of the footrest from retracted position.

iIn FIG. 6, a further form of the invention is illustrated, that wherein a leaf spring 91 is secured to the rearward end of the bracket 76 in =a manner to have an upwardly extending portion engage the latching bar 74 and apply a clockwise force thereto to move the end 73 thereof into engagement with a notch 72 of the latchin-g element 71. A chain, cord, wire or other element 92 is connected between the bushing 85 and the struck-out portion 82 of the latching bar 74 which is effective only inthe forward position of the handle 51 to control the latching bar 74 and move the chiseled end 73 from a notch 72 in the latching bracket 7'1. It is to be understood that it is within the purview of the present invention to have the cord pass around a pulley or other element and extend from the side of the chair adjacent to the handle 51 so that it may be pulled to release the latch, to thereby permit the chair to move from a tilted to a horizontal position without disturbing lthe position of the footrest 45. A knob on the end of such `cord is illustrated at 93 in `FIG. l.

IIn the embodiment of the invention of FIGS. 8-14, an improved reclining and platform rocking chair is illustrated. This embodiment has -a back portion .10' covered by a back cushion 112', pivotally connected to a seat portion 14. The pivotal interconnection between the back portion `10 .and the seat portion 14 provides an improved reclining movement with respect to a seat support frame portion .13 in a manner to be discussed.

The seat frame 13 is connected in -a rock-able relationship with a base supporting frame I17 by a pair of oppositely disposed rockers 15 carried on the inner side faces of oppositely disposed side frames 21' of the seat frame portion 13. Each rocker 15 is interconnected to the base frame 17 by ya double coil spring device i9' of conventional form. The sides of the chair are interconnected by a forwardly located rail 23 and by a rearwardly located rail 22 to provide a preselected rigidity therein. Small imperfections in the engaging surfaces `of the rockers and the base frame may cause a noticeable unevenness in the rocking movement of the chair. 'Ihis can he eliminated by providing a layer of cushion material 100 between each of the rockers 15 vand the side members of the base frame 17. The cushion material may be laminated to either the bottom surface of the rocker 115' or to the top surface of the side members of the base frame 17. The layer of cushion material 10i) which may be, for example, felt hair or a yieldable plastic, allows a smooth rocking motion by covering the imperfections in the 4rocking surface 0f the rockers 15.- Polyethylene strips of 1/32" thickness have proven highly satisfactory in this connection.

A back support lframe portion has a pair of oppositely disposed upright members 134 which connect at the rearward end of each of the side frames y2,1. At the upper end Of each `of the members 134, an armrest 13S projects forwardly to the front portion of .the chair. .'Each armrest 13S has a downwardly depending portion `140 fastened to the cross member 27 which braces the side frames 21 at the forward portion of the chair.

The upper end portion 150 of a bellcrank-like link 152 is connected by a pivot pin 148 to a bracket 146 fastened by suitable means on the inner face of each upright mem- -ber 134. The upper end portion 150 of each bellcranklike link also is rigidly fastened to the outer face of a side 154 of the back portion .10. Each bellcrank link 152 has a downwardly depending offset end portion 156 which carries ya pivot pin `158 that supports a multiple leafed arm generally designated 160; having a groove I162.

Each side 163I of the seat portion y14 carries a bracket 164 having an upper ear portion 166 and a downwardly depending ear potrion '168. VA pivot pin 169 connects the upper ear portion 166 to the mid-portion of the bellcrank 152. The downwardly depending ear portion 168 is slidingly connected to the multiple leafed arm 160 in a manner to be described.

Each side of the forward portion of the seat 14 has a U-shaped link .171) pivotally fastened thereto by a bracket 172 and a pivot pin 174. The lower portion of each U-sh-aped link is pivotally fastened to a bracket `i176 carried on each ,of the side frames 21 by a pivot pin 178. The link 17d causes the seat 14 to move forwardly when the back y10 is reclined for purposes to be discussed.

The interconnection between the downwardly depending ear portion 168 and the multiple leafed arm 160 is best illustrated in FIG. 10. It comprises a clamp element 179 having inwardly extending arms 180 slidingly carried by the groove 162 in the multiple leafed arm 161B and an outwardly extending peripheral portion 181 having a diameter greater than the depth of the groove -162 to prevent the element 179 slipping therethrough. A conventional threaded stud 182 extends through the element 179 and the ear portion `168. A compression spring 183 concentrically disposed about the stud 182 holds the ear portion i168 in abutting engagement with the arm 160. rl`he stud 182 threadingly receives a wing-nut 185 which is mov-able with respect to the multiple leafed arm 160 for adjusting the force between the downwardly depending ear portion 168 and the arm 160'. IFriction spacers 187 are concentrically disposed about the pivot pin 158 and stud 182 between each leaf of the arm 160, so that by adjusting the nut 185 the force required to recline the chair can be varied.

The link 152 which pivotally interconnects seat portions 10, 14 is fixed relative thereto on the xed pivot axis defined by the pivot pin 169. Thus, as the back 16 is reclined and the seat 14 moves forwardly on the link 17) the back 10' and seat 14 pivot with respect to each other about the pivot pin 169 fixed on the seat v14. It' has been found that such movement enables a wide Variety of chair styles to be adapted to the basic chair frame and permits more styling latitude than is possible in reclining chairs where the back and seat pivot about a floating parallelogram type linkage system.

The chair is balanced so that during normal rocking the chair will not recline, but will recline easily when, as desired, the user applies rearward pressure with his shoulders against the lupper portion of the chair back. The additional -force exerted on the back portion 10 of the chair quickly reclines the back and seat portions 10", 14' with respect to the seat-supporting frame portion 13.

It has been found that by reclining the .back and seat portions 10', 14 of the novel chair, a person can assume a more comfortable position than would be possible if the chair was merely to be rocked into a preselected position and then locked sothat the back and seat portions were no longer in a fixed upright position but were still substantially perpendicular to each other. Thus, such chairs only tilt back and do not recline as does the chair of this invention where, 'when the back 10 is reclined the seat 14 moves forwardly of the seat frame 13' to a point adjacent a footrest 45 which is a counterpart of the footrest 4S of the first embodiment.

Y The chair preferably is not reclined when it is in an upright position as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and -113, since the upward and forward movement `of the seat 14' pivoting on link 170 tends to push a user forwardly olf the chair. Furthermore, this movement may cause a noticeable pull on the users clothing which is undesirable. Therefore, in operating the chair it has been found preferable to move the chair into a rocked position such as illustrated in FIG. 14, before or as the seat 14' and back are reclined. The linkage system which mounts the seat 1'4' and back 10 to the fixed chair frame is balanced so that when the additional force is applied adjacent the top of the back 10 to initiate the reclining movement-the chair conjointly rocks into a tilted position as illustrated in FIG. 14. During the pivotal movement of the seat 14 on the improved reclinable linkage system the rearward portion of the seat 14' is lowered by tilting the chair to a point where the reclining movement will not move the seat`14' into a position in which a person slides or is pushed forwardly. The back 10', seat 14', and footrest `4S" thus cooperate to form a continuous support which has been found unusually comfortable throughout a wide range of adjustments.

The mechanism which locks the chair in the tilted positionsV and extends the footrest is the counterpart of that illustrated in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-7 and counterpart elements of the mechanism of the first embodiment are designated with identical primed reference numerals in FIGS. 8`14.

Theseat frameportion 13' may be releasably held in a plurality of preselected tilted positions by the novel one-way locking mechanism of the first embodiment. When the operating arm 51 is moved in a forward direction to the position as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and l2 the wire element '7S' is moved rearwardly to pivot the latching bar 74' to the rear with the chisel end '73' withdrawn `from a notch or tooth 72 in the latching bracket 71'. When the handle is moved in a rearward direction, the -footrest 45 is raised to the horizontal forwardly extending position as illustration in FIGS. 13 and 14 and the channel element 186 moves the rear end of the wire element 7S' forwardly into bowed shape and pivots the latching bar 74 clockwise to advance the end 73' into engagement with a tooth 72 of the latching bracket If it is desired to tilt the chair rearwardly, the chiseled end 73 of the latching bar 74' will ratchet over Ythe teeth 72', until the proper degree of tilt has been reached. The rocking portion of the chair is prevented from returning to its forward position through the. engagement of the chiseled end 73 of the latch bar 714' with an adjacent tooth 72', as illustrated in FIG. 13. Thus, the locking mechanism only locks the chair against downward rocking movement. The chair is free to rock in the opposite direction through a plurality of positions.

When it is desired to lower the rocker portion of the chair to a horizontal position and return the seat 14 and lock 19 to an upright position, the 'operating arm 51 is moved forwardly to the position illustrated in FIGS.

. 9 and-'12 to produce a pull on the spring wire element 78V which withdraws the ehiseled end 73 of the latching bar 74 from the tooth 72 and retract the ifootrest VThe one-way lock is especially suited to reclining the seat 14 and back l10' since the reclining force causes the'chair to freely tilt backwardly conjointly with the reclining movement of the seat 14' and back 10. The one-way locking'effect of the improved locking mechanism will freely permit the conjoint movement but yet, will prevent tilting of the reclined chair to an upright position until the operating arm 51' is moved forwardly to release the seat 14 and back 10.

It will be understood that the specific constructions of the improved reclining platform rocking chair which 'are herein disclosed and described are presented for purposes of explanation and illustration and are not intended to indicate limits of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a platform rocking chair the combination of, a base portion, a chair portion rockable on said base portion, a footrest, means -supporting said footrest on said chair portion for movement between an inactive lower position and a raised leg supporting position, meansl for actuating said supporting means to and from a footrest raised position, a -bracket having a plurality of teeth forming notches supported on one of said portions, a pivoted latch bar carried yby the other of said portions and engageable with one of said plurality of notches, and means operatively associated with said actuating means including a spring engaging said latch bar and urging it into teeth engaged position V'with one .of said plurality of notches when said footrest is being moved to raised position and further including an element for moving said spring in a direction to move said latch bar from the notch to unlock said chair portion as said footrest is moved toward its retracted position.

2. In a platform rocking chair-thc combination of, a. base portion, a chair portion rockable on said base p0rtion, a footrest, means supporting said footrest on said chair portion for movement between an inactive lower position and a'raised'leg supporting position, means for actuating said supporting means to and from a footrest raised position, a bracket having a plurality of teeth vforming notches supported on one of said portions, a pivoted latch bar carried b-y the other of said portions and engageable with one of said plurality of notches, means operatively associated with said actuating means including a spring for urging said latch bar into engagement with a notch, when said footrest is being moved to its raised position and means for drawing said latch -bar from the notch independent of the position of'said footrest.

3. In a platform rocking chair the combination of, a base portion, a chairY portion rockable on said base portion, a footrest, means supporting said footrest on said chair portion for movement between an inactive lower V-position and a raised leg supporting position, means for actuating said supporting means to and from a footrest raised position, an angle-shaped bracket having one ang'e secured to the inner face of the chair portion and a rearward flange containing a plurality of notches, a latch bar, means pivoting the latch bar to the base portion Y with the free end in'position to engage any one of the plurality of notches on said ange, means operatively associated with said actuating means'including a spring for urging said latch -bar toward said notches when said footrest is being moved to its raised position, and means actuated from the outer side or" said chair for drawing said latch bar out of a notch engaged position independent of the position of said ootrest.

4. In a platform rocking chair the combination of, a base' portion, a chair portion rockable on'said' base por'- tion, a footre'st, means supporting said footrest on said chair portion for movement betweenV an inactive lower position and a raised leg supporting position, 'meansfor actuating said Vsupporting means to and fromV a footrest raised position, a bracket having a plurality of teeth forming notches supported on one of said portions, a pivoted latch bar carried by the other of said portions and engageable with one of said plurality of notches, a

Yspring Wire connected to said latch bar for`urging said rlatch barV into engagement with a notch, and an arm on said footrest actuating means to which the opposite end of said spring wire -is connected whereby the Wire functions as a spring for holding said latch bar in engagement kwith a notch when the footrest is in the raised position and as a pull element for withdrawing said latching end from engagement with the notch before said footr'est reaches its retracted position.

5. In a platform rocking chair the combination of, a

base, a seat and a back, means supporting said seat and said back on said base for both rocking movement and reclining movement and said supporting means being constructed and arranged so as to resist any substantial reclining movement during normal rocking movement and to permit rearward rocking of said seat and back on said base during reclining movement of said seat and said back.

6. In a platform rocking chair the combination of, a base, a seat and a back, means supporting said seat and back on said base for both rocking movement and reclining movement, said supporting means being constructed and arranged so as to resist any substantial reclining movement during normal rocking movement and to permit rearward rocking of said seat and back on said base during reclining movement of said seat and said back, and actuatable means for releasably locking said seat and said back against forward rocking movement on said base while permitting rearward rocking movement.

7. In a platform rocking chair the combination of, a base, a seat and a back, means supporting said seat and back on said base for 4both rocking movement and reclining movement, said supporting means being constructed and arranged so as to resist any substantial reclining movement during normal rocking movement and to permit rearward rocking of said seat and back on said base during reclining movement of said seat and said back, a footrest, and means operatively associated with said seat and back supporting means for moving said footrest from an inactive lower position to a raised legsupporting position including means for affecting the rocking movement of the chair in accordance with the position of said footrest.

8. In a platform rocking chair the combination of, a base, a seat and a back, means supporting said seat and back on said base for both rocking movement and reclining movement, said supporting means being constructed and arranged so as to resist any substantial reclining movement during normal rocking movement and to permit rearward rocking of said seat and back on said base during reclining movement of said seat and said back, actuatable means for releasably locking said seat and said back against forward rocking movement on said base while permitting rearward rocking movement, a footrest, and means operatively associated with said actuatable means for moving said footrest from an inactive lower position to a raised leg-supporting position including means for aiecting the releasable locking of Said seat and said back against forward rocking movement in accordance with the position of said footrest.

9. In a platform rocking chair the combination of, a base frame, a support frame having a seat pivotally mounted thereon, a back pivotally mounted on said support frame, means including a rocker interconnecting said base frame and said support frame for rocking said seat and back relative to said base frame, and means interconnecting said back and said seat for conjointly reclining said back and said seat relative to Said support frame.

10. in a platform rocking chair the combination of, a base frame, a support frame having a seat pivotally mounted thereon, aback pivotally mounted on said support frame, means including a rocker interconnecting said base frame and said support frame for rocking said seat and back relative to said base frame, means interconnecting said back and said seat for conjointly reclining said back and said seat relative to said support frame, and means on said base frame for releasably retaining said support frame in a plurality of tilted positions relative to said base frame.

l1. -In a platform rocking chair the combination of, a base frame, a support frame, means including a rocker interconnecting said base frame and said support frame, a seat and a back, means for releasably retaining said support frame in a tilted position with respect to said base frame, said seat having a forward portion pivotally connected to said support `frame, and means interconnecting said seat and said back for conjoint reclining movement of said seat forwardly about said front pivot and movement of said back rearwardly of said seat.

12. In a platform rocking chair the combination of, a base frame, a support frame, means including a rocker interconnecting said Ibase frame and said support frame, a seat and a back, means for releasably retaining said seat support frame in a tilted position with respect to said base frame, said seat having a forward portion pivotally connected to said support frame, means interconnecting said seat and said 'back for conjoint reclining movement of said seat forwardly about -said front pivot and movement of said back rearwardly of said seat, and means on said seat and back to resist any substantial reclining movement during normal rocking movement and to permit rearward rocking of said support frame on said base during reclining movement of said seat and said back.

13. In a platform rocking chair the combination of, a Ebase frame, a suppont frame having a seat pivotally mounted thereon, a back pivotally mounted on said support frame, means including a rocker interconnecting said base frame and said support frame for rocking said seat and back relative to said base frame, means` interconnecting said back and said seat for conjointly reclining said back .and said seat relative .to said support frame, and one-way elock means including coacting means on said support frame and said base frame permitting tilting of said support frame rearwardly conjointly with the movement of said back and seat with respect to said suppont fname Iand preventing forward tilting of said support -frame to an upright position.

14. In a platform rocking chair Ithe combination of, a base frame, a support frame having a seat pivotally mounted thereon7 a back pivotally mounted on said support frame, means including a rocker interconnecting said base frame and said support frame for rocking said seat and back relative to said base frame, means interconnecting said back and said seat for conjointly reclining :said back and said seat relative to said support frame, one-Way lock 4means including coacting means on said support frame and said base frame permitting tilting of said suppont frame rearwardly conjointly with the movement of said back and seat with respect to said support frame and preventing forward tilting of said support frame to an upright position, a footrest on said support frame, and means operatively associated with said coacting means lon said support frame and said base frame for moving said footrest from an inactive lower position to a raised leg-supporting position including means for aecting forward rocking movement of said support frame in accordance with the position of said footrest.

15. In a platform rocking chair the combination of, a base frame, a support frame, rocker means interconnecting said base :frame and said support frame, a seat, a back pivotally mounted on said support frame, said seat having a forward portion pivotally connected to said support frame, means interconnecting said seat and said back for conjoint reclining movement of said seat forwardly about said front pivot and movement of said back rearwardly of said seat, one-way lock means including a bracket having a plurality of teeth forming notches supported lon one of said frames, a pivoted latch bar carried by the other of said frames and engageable with one of said plurality of notches, and spring means for urging said latch -bar into engagement with one of said plurality of notches; said latch bar freely passing over said notches as said support frame is tilted rearwardly conjointly with the movement of said yback and seat and said latch bar engaging said notches for releasably restraining said support frame against forward tilting when said back and seat assume a predetermined position, a footrest, and means operatively associated with said -lock means for moving said footrest from an inactive lower position to a raised leg-supporting position including means for Yaiectf ing the forward rocking movement of said support frame in accordance with the position of said footrest. 16. In -a platform rocking chair the combination of, a base lfra-nre, a support frame having -a seat pivotally mounted thereon, la back pivotally mounted on said `support frame, means including a rocker interconnecting said base frame and said support frame for rocking said seat and back relative to said base frame, means interconnecting said back and said seat for conjoint reclining movement of s-aid back and said seat relative to said support frame, means on said base frame releasably retaining said support frame in a plurality of tilted positions relative to said base frame, a footrest on said support frame, and means for moving said footrest from -an inactive lower position to ya raised leg-supporting position including means operatively associated with said footrest and said releasable retaining means lfor affecting the rocking movement of said support `frame in accordance with the position of said footrest.

17. In a platform rocking chair the combination of, a base frame, a. support frame having a seat pivotally mounted thereon, a back pivotally mounted on said support frame, rocker means interconnecting said base frame and said support frame 4for rocking said seat and back relative to said base frame, bracket means on said seat, a link pivotally connected between saidl back and said seat, means defining an aperture in said link, a clamp element in 'said aperture, means interconnecting said bracket means, link and clamp element, `and means for adjusting the force required to unove `said clamp element in said aperture vfor restraining said'seat and said back with respect to said support frame.

18. The structure set forth in claim 7 wherein said supporting means includes friction clamping means adjustable to Vary the force required to recline said seat and back.

19. The structure setforth in claim 11 and adjustable friction clamping means for controlling the force required to elect said reclining movement.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 153,966 Knell Aug. 11, 1874 710,035 Bergstrom Sept. 30,1902 2,746,519 Krikorian May 22, 1956 2,817,388 Knabusch Dec. 24, 1957

Claims (1)

1. 5. IN A PLATFORM ROCKING CHAIR THE COMBINATION OF, A BASE, A SEAT AND A BACK, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID SEAT AND SAID BACK ON SAID BASE FOR BOTH ROCKING MOVEMENT AND RECLINING MOVEMENT AND SAID SUPPORTING MEANS BEING CONSTRUCTED AND ARRANGED SO AS TO RESIST ANY SUBSTANTIAL RECLINING MOVEMENT DURING NORMAL ROCKING MOVEMENT AND TO PERMIT REARWARD ROCKING OF SAID SEAT AND BACK ON SAID BASE DURING INCLINING MOVEMENT OF SAID SEAT AND SAID BACK.

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