Adjustable reclining chair, and method

Claim 2

An adjustable reclining chair comprising: a seat and back supporting frame having a parallel pair of curved rocker members depending downwardly therefrom and adapted to engage a floor surface on a selected longitudinal portion of their length; a restraint mechanism including a front chuck disposed in front of the floor-engaging portion of said rocker members and a rear chuck disposed to the rear thereof, said front and rear chucks engaging the floor surface, said restraint mechanism being mounted as a unit, relative to said rocker members, for movement relative to said frame along a curved pathway parallel to said curved rocker members either forwardly or rearwardly relative to and along said rocker members; and drive means interconnecting said frame and said restraint mechanism for selectively moving said restraint mechanism relative to said frame so that said restraint mechanism moves along the floor and changes the tilt of said rocker members and hence the angle at which said frame reclines.

Claim 3

A chair as in claim 1 said restraint mechanism includes a carriage to which said front and rear chucks are attached.

Claim 4

A chair as in claim 1 wherein each of said front and rear chucks includes a pair of wheels for engaging the floor surface.

Claim 5

A chair as in claim 1 which further includes means for manually operating said drive means.

Claim 6

A chair as in claim 4 wherein said restraint mechanism extends upwardly adjacent the under surfaces of said frame, and wherein said drive mechanism includes a curved toothed rack parallel to said rocker members attached to one of said frame and restraint mechanism and a pinion gear rotatably mounted on the other of said restraint mechanism and frame and meshing with said rack.

Claim 7

A chair as in claim 2 wherein said drive means includes a curved toothed rack attached to said frame and a pinion gear mounted on said restraint carriage.

Claim 8

A chair as in claim 5 wherein said curved toothed rack is attached to said frame and said pinion gear is attached to said restraint mechanism.

Claim 9

A chair as in claim 5 wherein said curved toothed rack is attached to said restraint mechanism and said pinion gear is attached to said frame.

Claim 10

A chair as in claim 7 wherein said toothed rack is attached to said frame directly above one of said rocker members and is concavely curved.

Claim 11

A chair as in claim 7 wherein said toothed rack is attached to said frame a substantial distance above said rocker members and is convexly curved.

Claim 12

A chair as in claim 8 wherein said curved toothed rack is concavely curved.

Claim 13

A chair as in claim 5 wherein said curved toothed rack is located below said pinion gear and concavely curved.

Claim 14

A chair as in claim 5 wherein said curved toothed rack is located above said pinion gear and is convexly curved.

Claim 15

A chair as in claim 5 wherein said drive means further includes gear reduction means cooperable with said pinion gear, whereby the movement of said pinion gear relative to said curved toothed rack is less than the corresponding movement of the manual operating means.

Claim 16

A chair as in claim 5 wherein said drive means further includes gear reduction means cooperable with said pinion gear, whereby said drive means tends to lock said frame at a selected angle of inclination relative to the floor surface.

Claim 17

An adjustable reclining chair comprising: a chair frame including a parallel pair of curved rocker members together with a seat and a back supported thereon, said rocker members being adapted to engage a floor surface on a selected longitudinal portion of their length corresponding to a selected angle of inclination of said chair frame; a restraint mechanism including a front chuck engaging the floor surface in front of the floor-engaging portion of said rocker members and a rear chuck engaging the floor surface to the rear thereof, said restraint mechanism being adapted for selective movement as a unit along a floor surface in either a forwardly or a rearwardly direction relative to said rocker members; and drive means interconnecting said frame with said restraint mechanism and operable for selectively moving said restraint mechanism relative to said frame along a curved path parallel to the curved lower surfaces of said rocker members to thereby cause said restraint mechanism to move along the floor surface while concurrently changing the angle of inclination of said chair frame relative to the floor surface.

Claim 18

An adjustable reclining chair comprising: a chair frame including a parallel pair of curved rocker members together with a seat and a back supported thereon, said rocker members being adapted to engage a floor surface on a selected longitudinal portion of their length corresponding to a selected angle of inclination of said chair frame; a restraint mechanism including a front chuck engaging the floor surface in front of the floor-engaging portion of said rocker members and a rear chuck engaging the floor surface to the rear thereof, said restraint mechanism being adapted for selective movement as a unit along a floor surface in either a forwardly or a rearwardly direction relative to said rocker members; and drive means interconnecting said frame with said restraint mechanism and operable for selectively moving said restraint mechanism relative to said frame along a curved path parallel to the curved lower surfaces of said rocker members to thereby cause said restraint mechanism to move along the floor surface while concurrently changing the angle of inclination of said chair frame relative to the floor surface.

Claim 19

The chair of claim 16 wherein said drive means includes a curved toothed rack and a pinion gear meshing therewith, one being attached to said frame and the other being attached to said restraint mechanism, and gear reduction means cooperable with said pinion gear.

Claim 20

An adjustable reclining chair comprising: a chair frame including a parallel pair of rocker members each curved to form substantially an arc of a circle, together with a seat and a back supported on said rocker members, said rocker members engaging a floor surface upon which said reclining chair is supported; a restraint mechanism including a front chuck, a rear chuck, and a carriage to which said chucks are attached, said chucks engaging the floor surface respectively in front of, and behind, the floor-engaging portion of said rocker members; gear means interconnecting said restraint mechanism with said chair frame, including a curved toothed rack disposed substantially concentric to said rocker members and a pinion gear meshing with said rack, said rack being attached to one of said carriage and said frame and said pinion gear being attached to the other thereof; and manually operated gear reduction drive means coupled to said pinion gear for selectively rotating said restraint mechanism relative to said chair frame about the centers of said circles, thereby causing said front and rear chucks to move relative to said rocker members along a curved path which is parallel to said rocker members, but at the same time along a straight pathway parallel to the floor surface; said rocker members then having a different portion thereof engaging the floor surface and said chair frame being then confined by said restraint mechanism to a newly selected angle of inclination relative to the floor surface.

Claim 21

An adjustable reclining chair comprising: a chair frame including a parallel pair of rocker members each curved to form substantially an arc of a circle, together with a seat and a back supported on said rocker members, said rocker members engaging a floor surface upon which said reclining chair is supported; a restraint mechanism including a front chuck, a rear chuck, and a carriage to which said chucks are attached, said chucks engaging the floor surface respectively in front of, and behind, the floor-engaging portion of said rocker members; gear means interconnecting said restraint mechanism with said chair frame, including a curved toothed rack disposed substantially concentric to said rocker members and a pinion gear meshing with said rack, said rack being attached to one of said carriage and said frame and said pinion gear being attached to the other thereof; and manually operated gear reduction drive means coupled to said pinion gear for selectively rotating said restraint mechanism relative to said chair frame about the centers of said circles, thereby causing said front and rear chucks to move relative to said rocker members along a curved path which is parallel to said rocker members, but at the same time along a straight pathway parallel to the floor surface; said rocker members then having a different portion thereof engaging the floor surface and said chair frame being then confined by said restraint mechanism to a newly selected angle of inclination relative to the floor surface.

Claim 22

The chair of claim 18 wherein each of said front and rear chucks has wheels which roll along the floor surface whenever the angle of inclination of said chair frame is changed.

Claim 23

The chair of claim 18 wherein said curved toothed rack is located below said pinion gear and is concavely curved.

Claim 24

The chair of claim 18 wherein said curved toothed rack is located above said pinion gear and is convexly curved.

Claim 25

An adjustable reclining chair comprising: a chair frame including a parallel pair of curved rocker members together with a seat and a back supported thereon, said rocker members being adapted to engage a floor surface on a selected longitudinal portion of their length corresponding to a selected angle of inclination of said chair frame; a restraint mechanism including a front chuck engaging the floor surface in front of the floor-engaging portion of said rocker members and a rear chuck engaging the floor surface to the rear thereof, said restraint mechanism being adapted for selective movement as a unit along the floor surface in either a forwardly or a rearwardly direction relative to said rocker members; and drive means interconnecting said frame with said restraint mechanism and operable for selectively moving said restraint mechanism relative to said frame along a curved path parallel to the curved lower surfaces of said rocker members to thereby cause said restraint mechanism to move along the floor surface while concurrently changing the angle of inclination of said chair frame relative to the floor surface; said drive means including a curved toothed rack and a pinion gear meshing therewith, one being attached to said frame and the other being attached to said restraint mechanism.

Claim 26

An adjustable reclining chair comprising: a chair frame including a parallel pair of curved rocker members together with a seat and a back supported thereon, said rocker members being adapted to engage a floor surface on a selected longitudinal portion of their length corresponding to a selected angle of inclination of said chair frame; a restraint mechanism including a front chuck engaging the floor surface in front of the floor-engaging portion of said rocker members and a rear chuck engaging the floor surface to the rear thereof, said restraint mechanism being adapted for selective movement as a unit along the floor surface in either a forwardly or a rearwardly direction relative to said rocker members; and drive means interconnecting said frame with said restraint mechanism and operable for selectively moving said restraint mechanism relative to said frame along a curved path parallel to the curved lower surfaces of said rocker members to thereby cause said restraint mechanism to move along the floor surface while concurrently changing the angle of inclination of said chair frame relative to the floor surface; said drive means including a curved toothed rack and a pinion gear meshing therewith, one being attached to said frame and the other being attached to said restraint mechanism.

Claim 27

A chair as in claim 22 wherein said curved toothed rack is attached to said frame and said pinion gear is attached to said restraint mechanism.

Claim 28

A chair as in claim 22 wherein said curved toothed rack is attached to said restraint mechanism and said pinion gear is attached to said frame.

Claim 29

A chair as in claim 23 wherein said toothed rack is attached to said frame directly above one of said rocker members and is concavely curved.

Claim 30

A chair as in claim 23 wherein said toothed rack is attached to said frame a substantial distance above said rocker members and is convexly curved.

Claim 31

A chair as in claim 24 wherein said curved toothed rack is concavely curved.

Claim 32

A chair as in claim 22 wherein said curved toothed rack is located below said pinion gear and is concavely curved.

Claim 33

A chair as in claim 22 wherein said curved toothed rack is located above said pinion gear and is convexly curved.

Claim 34

A chair as in claim 22 wherein said drive means further includes gear reduction means cooperable with said pinion gear, whereby the movement of said pinion gear relative to said curved toothed rack is less than the corresponding movement of the manual operating means.

Claim 35

A chair as in claim 22 wherein said drive means further includes gear reduction means cooperable with said pinion gear, whereby said drive means tends to lock said frame at a selected angle of inclination relative to the floor surface.

Claim 36

A chair as in claim 22 wherein said chucks include rollers engaging the floor surface.

Claim 37

A chair as in claim 1 wherein each of said chucks extends underneath, and physically blocks the movement of, the associated portions of said rocker members.

Claim 38

A chair as in claim 33 wherein each of said chucks is equipped with a pair of rollers engaging the floor surface.

Claim 39

A chair as in claim 34 wherein each of said chucks is equipped with an additional pair of rollers engaging the respective rocker members.

Claim 40

A chair as in claim 1 wherein each of said chucks is equipped with a single pair of wheels, each wheel engaging both the floor surface and an associated rocker member.

Claim 41

A chair as in claim 16 wherein each of said front and rear chucks has wheels which roll along the floor surface whenever the angle of inclination of said chair frame is changed.

Claim 42

The chair of claim 17 wherein said curved toothed rack is located below said pinion gear and is concavely curved.

Claim 43

The chair of claim 17 wherein said curved toothed rack is located above said pinion gear and is convexly curved.

Claim 44

A chair as in claim 17 wherein said curved toothed rack is attached to said frame and said pinion gear is attached to said restraint mechanism.

Claim 45

A chair as in claim 17 wherein said curved toothed rack is attached to said restraint mechanism and said pinion gear is attached to said frame.

Claim 46

A chair as in claim 40 wherein said toothed rack is attached to said frame directly above one of said rocker members and is concavely curved.

Claim 47

A chair as in claim 40 wherein said toothed rack is attached to said frame a substantial distance above said rocker members and is convexly curved.

Claim 48

A chair as in claim 16 wherein each of said chucks extends underneath, and physically blocks the movement of, the associated portions of said rocker members.

Claim 49

A chair as in claim 44 wherein each of said chucks is equipped with a pair of rollers engaging the floor surface.

Claim 50

A chair as in claim 45 wherein each of said chucks is equipped with an additional pair of rollers engaging the respective rocker members.

Claim 51

An adjustable reclining chair comprising: a chair frame including a parallel pair of curved rocker-shaped members together with a seat and a back supported thereon, said rocker-shaped members being adapted to engage a floor surface on a selected longitudinal portion of their length corresponding to a selected angle of inclination of said chair frame; a restraint frame movably secured to said chair frame and having a rear chuck adapted to engage the floor surface to the rear of the floor-engaging portion of said rocker-shaped members, said restraint frame being mounted upon said chair frame for movement of said rear chuck along a curved pathway parallel to said curved rocker-shaped members either forwardly or rearwardly relative to and along said rocker-shaped members; drive means interconnecting said chair frame with said restraint frame and operable for selectively driving said restraint frame in a turning movement relative to said chair frame, said turning movement causing said rear chuck to move along the floor surface longitudinally of said rocker-shaped members and concurrently causing said chair frame to change its angle of inclination relative to the floor surface; and said drive means including a curved toothed rack and a pinion gear meshing therewith, one being attached to said chair frame and the other being attached to said restraint frame, and manually operated gear reduction drive means coupled to said pinion gear.

Claim 52

An adjustable reclining chair comprising: a chair frame including a parallel pair of curved rocker-shaped members together with a seat and a back supported thereon, said rocker-shaped members being adapted to engage a floor surface on a selected longitudinal portion of their length corresponding to a selected angle of inclination of said chair frame; a restraint frame movably secured to said chair frame and having a rear chuck adapted to engage the floor surface to the rear of the floor-engaging portion of said rocker-shaped members, said restraint frame being mounted upon said chair frame for movement of said rear chuck along a curved pathway parallel to said curved rocker-shaped members either forwardly or rearwardly relative to and along said rocker-shaped members; drive means interconnecting said chair frame with said restraint frame and operable for selectively driving said restraint frame in a turning movement relative to said chair frame, said turning movement causing said rear chuck to move along the floor surface longitudinally of said rocker-shaped members and concurrently causing said chair frame to change its angle of inclination relative to the floor surface; and said drive means including a curved toothed rack and a pinion gear meshing therewith, one being attached to said chair frame and the other being attached to said restraint frame, and manually operated gear reduction drive means coupled to said pinion gear.

Claim 53

The chair of claim 47 wherein said curved toothed rack is attached to said chair frame.

Claim 54

An adjustable reclining chair comprising: a chair frame having a seat and a back, and a pair of curved rocker-shaped members adapted to engage a floor surface; a restraint frame movable secured to said chair frame and having a part thereof adapted to engage the floor surface at a location longitudinally displaced from the engagement thereof by the rocker-shaped members, said restraint frame operating to inhibit a rocking movement of said chair frame and to restrain same to a selected angle of inclination relative to the floor surface; and drive means coupled between said restraint frame and said chair frame and operable for selectively turning said restraint frame relative to said chair frame so that the floor engaging part of said restraint frame moves along a curved pathway that is parallel to said curved rocker-shaped members and at the same time along the floor surface longitudinally of said rocker-shaped members and concurrently causes said chair frame to change its angle of inclination.

Claim 55

An adjustable reclining chair comprising: a chair frame having a seat and a back, and a pair of curved rocker-shaped members adapted to engage a floor surface; a restraint frame movable secured to said chair frame and having a part thereof adapted to engage the floor surface at a location longitudinally displaced from the engagement thereof by the rocker-shaped members, said restraint frame operating to inhibit a rocking movement of said chair frame and to restrain same to a selected angle of inclination relative to the floor surface; and drive means coupled between said restraint frame and said chair frame and operable for selectively turning said restraint frame relative to said chair frame so that the floor engaging part of said restraint frame moves along a curved pathway that is parallel to said curved rocker-shaped members and at the same time along the floor surface longitudinally of said rocker-shaped members and concurrently causes said chair frame to change its angle of inclination.

Claim 56

A reclining chair as in claim 49 wherein said drive means includes a curved toothed rack and a pinion gear meshing therewith, one being attached to said chair frame and the other being attached to said restraint frame; and manually operated gear reduction drive means coupled to said pinion gear.

Claim 57

The chair of claim 50 wherein said curved toothed rack is attached to said chair frame.