| Support mechanism for rocker-recliner chair -> Monitor Keywords |
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Support mechanism for rocker-recliner chairSupport mechanism for rocker-recliner chair description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060103179, Support mechanism for rocker-recliner chair. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to support mechanisms for rocker-recliner chairs, and in particular to such support mechanisms which include rear blocking means for preventing rocking when shifted out of a retracted state and into an intermediate or fully extended state. [0003] 2. The Prior Art [0004] Support mechanisms for rocker-recliner chairs are well known and generally include a base which is positionable on a flooring surface, left and right rocker cams positioned on the base, and a support assembly mounted on the rocker cams, the support assembly supporting the sides, backrest, seat and leg rest of a chair and being shiftable between a retracted state, a partially extended state and a fully extended state to thereby enable the chair to convert between an upright condition, a partially reclined condition and a fully reclined condition. The support mechanism includes means to prevent rocking of its support assembly relative to the base when the support assembly is shifted out of its retracted state. [0005] A support mechanism used in many rocker-recliner chairs currently available in the marketplace is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,754. This mechanism includes a rocker assembly mounted on rocker cams that are rockable on the rails of a base, the rocker assembly including recliner mechanisms at each side mounted on respective rocker cams, each recliner mechanism including a rocker blocker assembly that is includes a link pivotally attached to the base and a landing roller which, when the associated rocker blocker assembly is articulated with the shifting of the rocker assembly out of a retracted state, will be lowered into contact with an associated rail of the base. The rollers, together with the associated link pivotally attached to the base, prevents rocking of the rocker assembly relative to the base. [0006] However, if the rocker blocker assembly is constructed too tightly, such that its links cannot pivot freely relative to one another, the rocking of the rocker mechanism when in a retracted state will be inhibited. On the other hand, if the rocker blocker assembly is too loosely constructed, the rear portion of each recliner mechanism can laterally "wander," and if the wandering becomes too pronounced, the roller can fail to contact the intended landing area on the associated base rail. If the rollers should descend so as to miss the rail entirely, the support assembly will become racked and possible failure of the entire support mechanism is likely. In addition, the backrest mounting brackets of the rocker mechanisms are not directly supported by the rollers and thus are only supported by the seat mounting brackets, whose rear end portions must be constructed to be wide and thick to withstand the stresses placed thereon by the sometimes forceful rearward pivoting of the backrest mounting brackets when an occupant of the chair applies strong backward force on the backrest to force the chair into its fully reclined condition. [0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a support mechanism for a rocker recliner chair which will avoid the drawbacks noted above, including the wandering of the rear ends of the linkage subassemblies at each side of the support assembly and which will provide firm support for its backrest mounting bracket when the support assembly is in a partially or fully extended state while eliminating the need for an enlarged construction of the seat mounting brackets. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The inventive support mechanism includes a base assembly that includes a floor-contacting portion and left and right cam members that are rockable on the floor-engaging portion, and a support assembly mounted on the base assembly, the support assembly including left and right linkage subassemblies which each includes a rocker mounting link having front and rear ends, a backrest mounting bracket for supporting a backrest of a chair, a main carrier link pivotally connected to a front portion of the backrest mounting bracket, a back push link pivotally connected to a rear portion of the backrest mounting bracket, a roller lock tube mounting link pivotally connected at a first end to the rear end of the rocker mounting link, and a roller lock tube push link pivotally connected between the roller tube mounting link and the back push link. A roller lock tube is connected between second ends of the roller lock tube mounting links of the left and right linkage subassemblies and is rotated downwardly onto the base assembly beneath the backrest mounting bracket to provide support to the backrest mounting bracket and prevent rocking of the support assembly when the support assembly is shifted out of it retracted state. The roller lock tube prevents lateral wandering of rear ends of the linkage subassemblies and provides reliable contact with the base assembly. [0009] The invention will be better understood by reference to the attached drawings, taken in conjunction with the following discussion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 shows a right side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of support mechanism for a rocker-recliner chair according to the present invention, the support mechanism including a support assembly mounted on a base assembly, the support assembly being depicted in a fully retracted state and free to rock; [0011] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but wherein the support assembly has been partially shifted towards its intermediate extended state, its handle tube linkage being indicated as partially rotated downwardly; [0012] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the support mechanism when its support assembly is in its intermediate extended state, the support assembly no longer being able to rock; [0013] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the support mechanism as seen along line 4-4 in FIG. 3; [0014] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the support mechanism as seen along line 5-5 in FIG. 3; [0015] FIG. 6 is a view of a part of FIG. 5 as seen along line 6-6 therein; [0016] FIG. 7 is a partial view of FIG. 3 as seen along line 7-7 therein showing the handle tube linkage; [0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the support assembly of FIG. 4; [0018] FIG. 9 is a view of FIG. 8 as seen along line 9-9 in FIG. 8; [0019] FIG. 10 is view similar to FIG. 4 when the support assembly has been fully extended (not able to rock); [0020] FIG. 11 shows a rear portion of the left linkage subassembly of the support mechanism when in a partially extended state (phantom lines) and in a fully extended state (solid lines); and [0021] FIGS. 12-14 depict right side views of a rocker recliner chair containing the inventive support mechanism showing the approximate weight center of gravity when respectively in its upright, partially reclined, and fully reclined conditions. Continue reading about Support mechanism for rocker-recliner chair... Full patent description for Support mechanism for rocker-recliner chair Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Support mechanism for rocker-recliner chair patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Support mechanism for rocker-recliner chair or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Portable bench Next Patent Application: Chair arm with stowable table and mouse pad Industry Class: Chairs and seats ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Support mechanism for rocker-recliner chair patent info. 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