US4736984A — Pivot assembly for reclining chair with rocking f…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 171 words

A chair comprising: a base; a lower frame member supporting a seat and movable relative to said base; pivot means for connecting said lower frame member to said base so that said lower frame member pivots about a single axis of rotation relative to said base, said pivot means comprising at least one bracket assembly including a first bracket mounted to said base and defining at least a first hole aligned with said axis of rotation; a second bracket mounted to said lower frame member and defining at least a second hole aligned with said axis of rotation; and at least a first pivot pin secured through said first hole and said second hole so that said lower frame member pivots about said pivot pin; and spring means for biasing said lower frame member toward a selected position about said axis of rotation, said spring means comprising a leaf spring coupled at spaced-apart locations to one of said brackets and coupled between said spaced-apart locations to the other of said brackets.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 171 words

A chair comprising: a base; a lower frame member supporting a seat and movable relative to said base; pivot means for connecting said lower frame member to said base so that said lower frame member pivots about a single axis of rotation relative to said base, said pivot means comprising at least one bracket assembly including a first bracket mounted to said base and defining at least a first hole aligned with said axis of rotation; a second bracket mounted to said lower frame member and defining at least a second hole aligned with said axis of rotation; and at least a first pivot pin secured through said first hole and said second hole so that said lower frame member pivots about said pivot pin; and spring means for biasing said lower frame member toward a selected position about said axis of rotation, said spring means comprising a leaf spring coupled at spaced-apart locations to one of said brackets and coupled between said spaced-apart locations to the other of said brackets.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 26 words

A chair as defined in claim 1 wherein said leaf spring is fixed in position near or on its center and on said axis of rotation.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 29 words

A chair as defined in claim 1 further including adjustment means for adjusting the force with which said spring means biases said lower frame member toward the selected position.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 64 words

A chair as defined in claim 2 wherein said first bracket further defines a third hole spaced from said first hole and aligned with said axis of rotation, said second bracket further defines a fourth hole spaced from said second hole and aligned with said axis of rotation, and further including a second pivot pin secured through said third hole and said fourth hole.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 16 words

A chair as defined in claim 4 wherein said first and second pivot pins comprise rivets.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 38 words

A chair as defined in claim 4 wherein said leaf spring is coupled at spaced-apart locations to said second bracket and is coupled near or on its center and on said axis of rotation to said first bracket.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 29 words

A chair as defined in claim 6 further including adjustment means for adjusting the force with which said leaf spring biases said lower frame member toward the selected position.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 22 words

A chair as defined in claim 7 wherein said adjustment means comprises adjustable couplings between said spaced-apart locations and said second bracket.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 36 words

A chair as defined in claim 8 wherein said adjustable couplings each comprise a manually-adjustable, threaded stud which permits adjustment of the distance between said second bracket and the point of contact with said leaf spring.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 20 words

A chair as defined in claim 8 wherein said adjustable couplings are movable along the length of said leaf spring.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 43 words

A chair as defined in claim 8 wherein two adjustable couplings are located on opposite sides of said axis of rotation so as to provide independent adjustment of the forward and backward biasing forces by said leaf spring on said lower frame member.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 163 words

A central pivot rocker spring assembly for connecting a chair base to a lower frame member of a chair comprising: a pivot assembly for connecting the lower frame member to the chair base so that the lower frame member pivots about a single axis of rotation relative to the chair base, said pivot assembly comprising a first bracket mountable to the chair base and defining at least one hole aligned with said axis of rotation, a second bracket mountable to the lower frame member and defining at least a second hole aligned with said axis of rotation, and at least a first pivot pin secured through said first hole and said second hole; and spring means for biasing said first and said second brackets to selected relative positions, said spring means comprising a leaf spring coupled at spaced-apart locations to one of said brackets and coupled near or on its center and on said axis of rotation to the other of said brackets.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 163 words

A central pivot rocker spring assembly for connecting a chair base to a lower frame member of a chair comprising: a pivot assembly for connecting the lower frame member to the chair base so that the lower frame member pivots about a single axis of rotation relative to the chair base, said pivot assembly comprising a first bracket mountable to the chair base and defining at least one hole aligned with said axis of rotation, a second bracket mountable to the lower frame member and defining at least a second hole aligned with said axis of rotation, and at least a first pivot pin secured through said first hole and said second hole; and spring means for biasing said first and said second brackets to selected relative positions, said spring means comprising a leaf spring coupled at spaced-apart locations to one of said brackets and coupled near or on its center and on said axis of rotation to the other of said brackets.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 29 words

A rocker spring assembly as defined in claim 12 further including adjustment means for adjusting the force with which said leaf spring biases said brackets toward said selected position.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 70 words

A rocker spring assembly as defined in claim 12 including first bracket portions on opposite sides of said leaf spring defining said first hole and a third hole aligned with said axis of rotation, second bracket portions on opposite sides of said leaf spring defining said second hole and a fourth hole aligned with said axis of rotation, and a second pivot pin secured through said third and fourth holes.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1991-04-12	1991-10-12	1992-04-12	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1995-04-12	1995-10-12	1996-04-12	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1999-04-12	1999-10-12	2000-04-12	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Pivot assembly for reclining chair with rocking feature

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