Rocking recliner with rocker lock and anti-overturn shock absorber

Claim 2

In a rocking recliner, the combination comprising: a base; a seating unit having rocking contact with said base; a pair of generally vertically spaced members, one member being secured to said seating unit and the other secured to said base; an elongated rod extending between said members and having means thereon limiting the attainable separation between said members and thereby limiting rocking of said seating unit on said base; said limiting means including resilient means associated with said rod and disposed between one of said members and a stop on said rod; said resilient means including a pair of concentric coil springs having different spring rates, and disposed between a bracket affiXed to the upper one of said members and an adjustable nut threadedly received near the upper end of said rod.

Claim 3

In a rocking recliner, the combination comprising: a base; a seating unit having rocking contact with said base; a pair of generally vertically spaced members, one member being secured to said seating unit and the other secured to said base; an elongated rod extending between said members and having means thereon limiting the attainable separation between said members and thereby limiting rocking of said seating unit on said base; said rod including generally pivotal mounting means near the lower end thereof securing said rod to the lower one of said members but accommodating swivel action of said rod with respect to said lower member for freedom of movement of said rod during rocking action of said seating unit.

Claim 4

In a rocking recliner, the combination comprising: a base; a seating unit having rocking contact with said base; a pair of generally vertically spaced members, one member being secured to said seating unit and the other secured to said base; an elongated rod extending between said members and having means thereon limiting the attainable separation between said members and thereby limiting rocking of said seating unit on said base; said rod including generally pivotal mounting means near the lower end thereof securing said rod to the lower one of said members but accommodating swivel action of said rod with respect to said lower member for freedom of movement of said rod during rocking action of said seating unit.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 2 wherein: a bracket and slide mounted therein is secured to the upper one of said members, said rod being guidingly received through said slide and having a retainer thereon near the upper end thereof.

Claim 6

A rocker recliner comprising: a base; a seating unit having side runners in rocking contact with said base; a pair of generally vertically spaced members, one member being secured to said seating unit and the other secured to said base; means for locking said seating unit at various attitudes of rock with respect to said base; a combination seat and back; a footrest; an operating linkage associated with said seat and back combination, and with said footrest, and pivotally mounted to said runners, and operable upon movement rearwardly of said seat and back combination to extend said footrest; said seating unit being rockable on said base with said seat and back combination moved rearwardly and footrest extended, as well as with said footrest retracted and said seat and back combination moved forwardly; and limiting means extending between said vertically spaced members and limiting the attainable separation between said members and thereby limiting the extent of rocking of said seating unit on said base.

Claim 7

A rocker recliner comprising: a base; a seating unit having side runners in rocking contact with said base; a pair of generally vertically spaced members, one member being secured to said seating unit and the other secured to said base; means for locking said seating unit at various attitudes of rock with respect to said base; a combination seat and back; a footrest; an operating linkage associated with said seat and back combination, and with said footrest, and pivotally mounted to said runners, and operable upon movement rearwardly of said seat and back combination to extend said footrest; said seating unit being rockable on said base with said seat and back combination moved rearwardly and footrest extended, as well as with said footrest retracted and said seat and back combination moved forwardly; and limiting means extending between said vertically spaced members and limiting the attainable separation between said members and thereby limiting the extent of rocking of said seating unit on said base.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 4 whrein: said footrest extends down to the level of the lower front margin of the bottom of the side runners of said seating unit.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 4 and further comprising: a first pair of metal brackets affixed to each of said runners, and a pair of seat supporting rails affixed to the seat of said seat and back combination, each of said brackets being linked to one of said rails by said linkage, to accommodate said rearward and forward movement of said seat and back combination.

Claim 10

The combination of claim 6 and further comprising: a second pair of brackets pivotally connecting said back to said seat of said seat and back combination, for pivoting said back rearward and forward with respect to said seat, said brackets of said second pair having transversely extending stop portions normally spaced below said seat, and abuttingly engageable with the underside of said seat during rearward pivoting of said back, to limit said rearward pivoting.

Claim 11

The combination of claim 7 and further comprising: spring return means connected between forwardly projecting portions of said brackets of said second pair, and rearwardly projecting portions of said linkage, and constantly urging said back in a forward direction.

Claim 12

The combination of claim 4 and further comprising: a pair of brackets pivotally mounting said back to said seat, and fluid containing shock absorbers connected between said brackets and said side runners to control pivoting of said back.

Claim 13

The combination of claim 9 wherein each of said brackets includes: an upper portion affixed to the side of said back and pivoted to said seat on a horizontal axis, a horizontal intermediate portion extending under said seat and engageable therewith during pivoting said back to Limit rearward pivoting of said back, and a forwardly extending lower portion connected to one of said shock absorbers.

Claim 14

The combination of claim 10 wherein: said shock absorbers are pivotally connected to said brackets and said support means.

Claim 15

In a reclining seating apparatus, the combination comprising: a seating unit having a seat and a back and support means for said seat; a pair of brackets pivotally mounting said back to said seat, each of said brackets including an upper portion affixed to the side of said back and pivoted to said seat on a horizontal axis, a horizontal intermediate portion extending under said seat and engageable therewith during pivoting said back to limit rearward pivoting of said back, and a forwardly extending lower portion; and a spring connected between said at least one of said brackets and said support means to control pivoting of said back.

Claim 16

In a reclining seating apparatus, the combination comprising: a seating unit having a seat and a back and support means for said seat; a pair of brackets pivotally mounting said back to said seat, each of said brackets including an upper portion affixed to the side of said back and pivoted to said seat on a horizontal axis, a horizontal intermediate portion extending under said seat and engageable therewith during pivoting said back to limit rearward pivoting of said back, and a forwardly extending lower portion; and a spring connected between said at least one of said brackets and said support means to control pivoting of said back.

Claim 17

The combination of claim 12 wherein: said spring is pivotally connected to said forwardly extending portion of at least one of said brackets and to said support means, and is disposed to normally urge said back toward a forward upright condition.