← Back to Patent Explorer
US4640546A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Rocker-recliner chair

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-12-24
•
Granted: 1987-02-03
•
Expires: 2005-12-24
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A rocker-recliner chair adapted to rock or pivot between a forward stable position in which the occupant's head is higher than his feet and a rearward unstable position in which his feet are higher than his head, or any intermediate unstable position under the control of the occupant. The center of gravity of the chair and the occupant is forward of the pivot axis so that the chair returns by force of gravity to the forward position and drive means and controls therefor are provided so that rocking between said positions is controlled to relatively slow, continuous, smooth movement, and may be varied to suit the occupant.

Inventors

  • 👤 Henry Aguilar

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 21:38
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C3/00; A47C3/02; A47C3/029; A47C3/03

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 172 words
A rocker-recliner chair comprising: a chair assembly having a seat surface configured to receive an occupant, and rocker surface adapted support said chair assembly on a floor surface such that said chair assembly may rock between a forward position and rearward position; an inflatable and deflatable air-driven operator disposed between said chair assembly and said floor surface, said air-driven operator rocking said chair assembly rearwardly as it inflates and allowing said chair assembly to rock forwardly as it deflates; forward sensing means provided proximate a forward portion of said rocker surface, said forward sensing means contacting said floor surface when said chair assembly is in said forward position; rearward sensing means provided proximate a rearward portion of said rocker surface, said rearwrd sensing means contacting said floor surface when said chair assembly is in said rearward position; inflation means coupled to said air-driven operator, said inflation means being responsive to said forward sensing means; and deflation means coupled to said air-driven operator, said deflation means being responsive to said rearward sensing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 172 words
A rocker-recliner chair comprising: a chair assembly having a seat surface configured to receive an occupant, and rocker surface adapted support said chair assembly on a floor surface such that said chair assembly may rock between a forward position and rearward position; an inflatable and deflatable air-driven operator disposed between said chair assembly and said floor surface, said air-driven operator rocking said chair assembly rearwardly as it inflates and allowing said chair assembly to rock forwardly as it deflates; forward sensing means provided proximate a forward portion of said rocker surface, said forward sensing means contacting said floor surface when said chair assembly is in said forward position; rearward sensing means provided proximate a rearward portion of said rocker surface, said rearwrd sensing means contacting said floor surface when said chair assembly is in said rearward position; inflation means coupled to said air-driven operator, said inflation means being responsive to said forward sensing means; and deflation means coupled to said air-driven operator, said deflation means being responsive to said rearward sensing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 50 words
A rocker-recliner chair as recited in claim 1 further comprising a controller arm pivotally attached to said chair assembly proximate said rocker surface, where a forward portion of said controller arm provides said forward sensing means, and where a rearward portion of said controller arm provides said rearward sensing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 34 words
A rocker-recliner chair as recited in claim 2 further comprising means for sensing the pivotal position of said controller arm, and operative to control the actions of said inflation means and said deflation means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 25 words
A rocker-recliner chair as recited in claim 3 further comprising a manually activated lever attached to said controller arm for manually pivoting said controller arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 49 words
A rocker-recliner chair as recited in claim 3 further comprising means for adjusting the initial pivotal positions of said forward portion of said controller arm and said rearward portion of said controller arm to thereby adjust the limits of the forward and rearward rocking motion of said chair assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 18 words
A rocker-recliner chair as recited in claim 1 wherein said inflation means comprises an electrically powered air pump.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 23 words
A rocker-recliner chair as recited in claim 5 wherein said air-driven operator comprises bellows and wherein said deflation means comprises a release valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 51 words
A rocker-recliner chair as recited in claim 1 wherein the combined center of gravity of said chair assembly and said occupant is slightly forward of the point of contact between said rocker surface and said floor surface such that said chair assembly is slightly, but discernible, biased towards a forward position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 24 words
A rocker-recliner chair as recited in claim 1 further comprising inflation rate adjustment means for controlling the speed of operation of said inflation means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 24 words
A rocker-recliner chair as recited in claim 1 further comprising deflation rate adjustment means for controlling the speed of operation of said deflation means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 36 words
A rocker-recliner chair as recited in claim 1 further comprising means for selectively disabling said inflation means and said deflation means such that the position of the chair can be fixed at a user selectable position.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US89317A Cited
US710035A Cited
US927234A Cited
US920298A Cited
US1168276A Cited
US1983207A Cited
US3392723A Cited
US3548810A Cited
DE2254471A1 Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1990-02-02 1990-08-04 1991-02-03 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1994-02-02 1994-08-04 1995-02-03 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1998-02-02 1998-08-04 1999-02-03 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag