Rocker-mounted Patents (Class 297/258.1)
  • Patent number: 10702432
    Abstract: A seat lift for a bath that includes a seat, a seat back hingedly connected to the seat, a torsion spring, and a guide means for guiding the seat in reversible movement between lower and upper positions. The guide means is configured so that movement between the lower and upper positions comprises both vertical and lateral movement of the seat relative to a base of the bath. The seat back may move between a first seat back position in which the seat back is substantially upright and a second seat back position in which the seat back is orientated so that a user is leaning backwards. The torsion spring biases the seat back to rotate around the hinge connecting the seat back to the seat toward the first seat back position. The torsion spring torque is smaller when the seat is in the lower position than in the upper position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: GAINSBOROUGH HEALTHCARE GROUP LIMITED
    Inventors: Dennis Goodes, Sean O'Malley
  • Patent number: 10625115
    Abstract: A lower back exercise apparatus exercises or imparts laterally and upwardly directed movements into a user's lower back when seated thereupon. The lower back exercise apparatus includes a lower base assembly, an upper seat assembly, and a motor assembly. The lower base assembly includes an upper, laterally concave base surface. The upper seat assembly includes a lower, laterally convex seat surface and an upper seat surface. The upper seat assembly is laterally ridable upon and movable relative to the lower base assembly. The motor assembly is drives a laterally directed, cylindrical arc length trajectory of the upper seat assembly relative to the lower base assembly. The concave and convex surfacing have a common radius of curvature with a common fulcrum point spatially located adjacent an upper portion of a user's lumbar spinal region. Lateral flexion is thus imparted into a user's lower back when a user is seated thereupon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: Tao Xu
  • Patent number: 9433303
    Abstract: An infant chair apparatus includes a support base, a movable platform assembled with the support base for sliding movement, a seat portion arranged above the support base and pivotally connected with the movable platform, a rotation drive mechanism operable to drive reciprocated rotation of the seat portion relative to the support base, and a sliding drive mechanism operable to drive the movable platform to slide relative to the support base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhi-Ren Zhong
  • Publication number: 20140364781
    Abstract: A massage machine includes a seat portion, a backrest portion and a rocking mechanism center where the backrest portion reclines at a back portion side of the seat portion about a reclining center. The rocking mechanism portion swings the backrest portion and the seat portion about a rocking center, and the rocking center exists below a swing track of the reclining center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Fukuyama
  • Patent number: 8888184
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tilting device (5) for a chair, comprising a lower plate (6) and an upper plate (7). An elastic body (8) is located therebetween. The lower plate (6) has a bulge (9) in the vertical direction, by means of which the tilting device (5) is placed onto the upper end of a gas spring (2). The seat plate (3) of the chair is fastened to the upper plate (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Topstar GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Meyer, Peter Wagner
  • Patent number: 8857909
    Abstract: A chair has a rocking mechanism with a fixed base support having a conical receptacle to be placed on a chair pillar. The base support is pivotally connected to a mechanism upper part which forms a housing at least partially enclosing the base support. A pivot axis of the mechanism upper part runs transversely to the chair longitudinal direction and is arranged next to the conical receptacle, as seen in the chair longitudinal direction. A spring element acts between the mechanism upper part and the base support for returning the mechanism upper part from a pivoted position into a starting position. The rocking mechanism is fastened via the mechanism upper part to a seat, a seat support, or a frame of the chair, or else, the rocking mechanism is integrated so that part of the seat, seat support or chair frame forms the mechanism upper part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Bock 1 GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hermann Bock
  • Patent number: 8845023
    Abstract: A convertible rocking chair with multi-using modes comprises a base rack, an angle adjustable support element, a seat element, a repositionable mechanism and a backrest. The base rack has an end-stopper rotatably connected with one end, when the convertible rocking chair is used in a seat or bench mode, the end-stopper can be kept in an extended position for stopping the base rack from rocking against ground; and when the convertible rocking chair is used in the rocking chair mode or the rocking horse mode, the end-stopper can be kept in a hidden position for allowing the base rack to perform its rocking motion freely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Lerado (Zhong Shan) Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ho-Sheng Chen, Chia-Ming Shen, Yu-Chien Huang
  • Publication number: 20140232154
    Abstract: A rocking chair includes a base unit, a frame unit located above the base unit, and a plurality of rocking members mounted between the base unit and the frame unit to connect the base unit and the frame unit. The frame unit is suspended above the base unit and is capable of swinging forward and backward relative to the base unit. The frame unit has an adjustable inclined angle. Thus, the frame unit and the base unit are folded when not in use to reduce the whole volume of the rocking chair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventor: Te-Lung Chen
  • Publication number: 20140217791
    Abstract: A compact jumper for an infant or young child. The compact jumper includes a support frame, at least one resilient member, and a child-receiving apparatus. The support frame is configured for resting on a support surface and the at least one resilient member is coupled to a portion of the support frame. The child-receiving apparatus is supported by the at least one resilient member and is guided by a portion of the support frame. The child-receiving apparatus is movable with respect to the support surface as the child moves and jumps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: KIDS II, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen R. BURNS, Alex SORIANO, Blake D. POMEROY
  • Patent number: 8777305
    Abstract: A multifunction chair with a floor rocker detachable from a base that is usable as a stool. The floor rocker and base are readily attached and detached by means of a quick-release mechanism having first and second couplers on the floor rocker and the seat plate of the base, respectively. The first coupler includes a rearward projection from a cross-member on the rocker and has left and right side latch mechanisms below the rear portion of the seat of the rocker, the latch mechanisms each having a laterally movable latch bolt. The second coupler is an integral part of the seat plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: J Squared, Inc.
    Inventors: James N. Jannetides, Adam Anderson
  • Patent number: 8746794
    Abstract: An infant seat comprising an upper torso support, a lower torso support pivotally articulated to the upper torso support and a seat supporting structure; at least one of the upper torso support or the lower torso support is pivotally articulated to the seat supporting structure, the seat further comprising a converting mechanism for converting the seat between at least an angular position in which the upper torso support is inclined with respect to the lower torso support, and a planar position in which the upper torso support and the lower torso support are substantially co-planar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Tiny Love Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoshana Oren, Hagai Harduff, Amit Avigdor, Giora Shachal
  • Publication number: 20140125100
    Abstract: A sleigh-type rocking chair includes a pair of armrest/stile/riser assemblies joined to a pair of rocker/leg assemblies, a seat joined by mortise and tenon joints to the armrest/stile/riser assemblies, a front stretcher and a rear stretcher joined to each of the rocker/leg assemblies, a crest rail joined to an upper portion of the armrest/stile/riser assemblies, and a plurality of spindles joined to and extending upwardly from the seat and joined on the other end of the spindle to the crest rail. The assemblies, stretchers, seat, spindles and crest rail are preferably formed using a computer numerical control cutting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventor: Daniel P. Jackson
  • Patent number: 8671482
    Abstract: An orthopedic device for improving posture while sitting, having a foundation member including a front portion for upper legs and a bowl portion for lower pelvic area. The bowl portion has a central portion and an upwardly inclined lateral portion. The lateral portion and the front portion collectively surround the central portion. The central portion has regions of varying flexibility and the lateral portion has regions of varying flexibility. The bowl portion applies an upwardly and inwardly compressive force when the lower pelvic area is disposed in the bowl portion, and rotates on a supporting surface between a first position when the lower pelvic area is not disposed in the bowl portion, and a second position, rotationally forward of the first position, when the lower pelvic area is disposed in the bowl portion, to thereby cause a forward rotational tilting of the lower pelvic area into a forward lordotic position after the lower pelvic area is placed in the bowl portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Backjoy Orthotics, LLC
    Inventor: William Preston Willingham
  • Patent number: 8657375
    Abstract: A rocking furniture member includes an occupant support member supporting an occupant of the furniture member. A frame is connected to the occupant support member and supports the seat portion for rocking motion with respect to a furniture member support surface. An elastically resilient member connecting the occupant support member to the frame permits occupant induced rocking motion of the occupant support member with respect to the support surface. The resilient member is a monolithic bar having a uniform cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Chad E. Adams
  • Publication number: 20140008947
    Abstract: Seated rocking devices including seats and first supports and second supports attached to the seats. In some examples, first supports may be swingingly connected to seats, define first support surfaces distal the seat, and may be configured to swing about first support axes of rotation. In some examples, second supports may be spaced from first supports and be configured to swing about second axes of rotation. In some examples, seated rocking devices may be configured to adjust between retracted configurations and extended configurations. Some examples may include support interfaces configured to restrict first supports and the second supports from swinging beyond selected spacings associated with extended configurations. In some examples, second supports may be rigidly attached to seats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: William Kennith Young
  • Publication number: 20130320727
    Abstract: An article of furniture is disclosed. The article of furniture comprises a stool configured to be used on a generally horizontal surface such as a floor. The stool comprises a seat and a base comprising a rounded bottom surface configured to rest upon the floor. A mass is positioned beneath the seat so that the base is at equilibrium in a first tilted orientation relative to the floor. The base can be tilted to second tilted orientation relative to the floor by tilting the rounded bottom surface of the base relative to the floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Kirt Martin, Fredric Biddle, David Eberlein, Brelt Kincaid, Mark Schoolmeester
  • Patent number: 8590968
    Abstract: A nursing chair may be sold as a kit comprising a first side panel, a second side panel, a front panel between said first and second side panel, a front fabric cover, a back fabric cover, a first side armrest, a second side armrest, a seat between the first and second side panel, a back rest between the first and second side panels and a rocker assembly for supporting said chair and imparting a rocking motion to the chair. Suitable fastening means are included in the kit. The chair may be sold assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Kate Zahir
  • Publication number: 20130241253
    Abstract: A motion support mechanism, for example for a chair, joined to a mounting surface and to a base for providing resistive support to the mounting surface as the mounting surface undergoes one or both of rotational and tilt movement relative to the base. The motion support mechanism includes a support bearing connected to the mounting surface and to the base which permits one or both of tilting and rotational motion of the mounting surface relative to the base, a pivot ball sized fixedly attached to a portion of the base, and, a resistance cartridge fixedly connected to the mounting surface such that the resistance cartridge undergoes movement relative to the base and applies a resistive force on the base as the mounting surface undergoes one or both of rotational and tilt movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: CORECHAIR INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Patrick N. Harrison, James R. Edwards, Ken W. Vandervelden, Thomas N. Banks, David R. Gater
  • Publication number: 20130229040
    Abstract: An infant care apparatus capable of providing various swing motions is disclosed. The infant care apparatus includes a base, a sliding mount, and a seat frame. The base has a concave surface. The sliding mount has a convex surface matching with the concave surface and disposed opposite to the concave surface. The sliding mount slides above the concave surface by the convex surface. The seat frame is fixed on the sliding mount to be moved together with the sliding mount. Thereby, the seat frame together with the sliding mount can swing relative to the base in two dimensions. The infant care apparatus can provide various swing motions without any pendulum arm to child sitting thereon. Besides, the infant care apparatus can be assembled in a compact size facilitating transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventor: Jonathan K. Mountz
  • Patent number: 8523214
    Abstract: A mobile patient chair includes a seat portion and an undercarriage coupled to and supporting the seat portion, where the undercarriage includes a frame having a set of rollers and a rocking mechanism coupling the seat portion to the frame. The chair has a rolling mode, whereby the set of rollers rotate and allow the mobile patient chair to move from a first location to a second location and a rocking mode, whereby the rocking mechanism is operable to move the seat in a substantially forward and backward translating movement relative to the frame. A lockout member renders the rolling mode and the rocking mode mutually exclusive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventors: Paul J. Johansson, Paul David Johansson
  • Publication number: 20130214574
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an infant support including a frame and an infant seat. The frame includes a first frame member pivotally coupled to a second frame member. The footers of the frame member are curved to permit the rocking of the frame on its support surface. The seat includes angled wall portions that define an offset lowest point. With this configuration, a child placed within the seat is safely positioned within the seat such that the child experiences a front-to-back rocking motion. An attachment member, such as a canopy or a mobile arm, may be attached to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventor: Mattel, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130207426
    Abstract: A spring includes a first, inner, continuous frame, a second, continuous frame enveloping said first frame, said first and second frames made in a flexible material of high yield stress, said first and second frame having a common frame portion constituting a minor proportion of said first frame compared to the remainder of said first frame, said first and second frames being plane arranged generally in a common plane in their unloaded state and arranged for being deformed generally in said common plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: NTNU TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AS
    Inventor: Terje Rølvag
  • Publication number: 20130200662
    Abstract: Seated rocking devices including seats and first supports and second supports attached to the seats. In some examples, first supports may be swingingly connected to seats, define first support surfaces distal the seat, and may be configured to swing about first support axes of rotation. In some examples, second supports may be spaced from first supports and be configured to swing about second axes of rotation. In some examples, seated rocking devices may be configured to adjust between retracted configurations and extended configurations. Some examples may include support interfaces configured to restrict first supports and the second supports from swinging beyond selected spacings associated with extended configurations. In some examples, second supports may be rigidly attached to seats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventor: William Kennith Young
  • Patent number: 8469449
    Abstract: An automatically adjustable chair structure essentially includes a chair body, a base, an extension bar, at least one first cushion mechanism, and at least one second cushion mechanism. When a user sits on the chair body, the user's body weight is cushioned by the first and second cushion mechanisms. In addition, the two sled runner-shaped supports lying on the floor and the pivotable design of the extension bar allow the extension bar to move backward. Thus, the tilt angle of the chair body can be automatically changed to suit the user's sitting posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Ghi-Hwei Kao
  • Publication number: 20130038104
    Abstract: A lounger seat, as for infants or children, having a body with a seating area, sidewalls for retaining the child in the seating area, and a non-flat lower surface for supporting the lounger on a support surface. In example embodiments, the non-flat lower surface allows rocking of the lounger. A kickstand or brace is optionally extendable to block the lounger from rocking, or retractable to permit rocking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: KIDS II, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen BURNS, Jacob SCLARE, David GILBERT
  • Publication number: 20130033078
    Abstract: A chair has a rocking mechanism with a fixed base support having a conical receptacle to be placed on a chair pillar. The base support is pivotally connected to a mechanism upper part which forms a housing at least partially enclosing the base support. A pivot axis of the mechanism upper part runs transversely to the chair longitudinal direction and is arranged next to the conical receptacle, as seen in the chair longitudinal direction. A spring element acts between the mechanism upper part and the base support for returning the mechanism upper part from a pivoted position into a starting position. The rocking mechanism is fastened via the mechanism upper part to a seat, a seat support, or a frame of the chair, or else, the rocking mechanism is integrated so that part of the seat, seat support or chair frame forms the mechanism upper part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: BOCK 1 GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: HERMANN BOCK
  • Patent number: 8366193
    Abstract: A leisure rocking chair includes a seat, a backrest, a fixed seat, a rocking base and a rocking mechanism. The fixed base includes a horizontal beam on an upper portion thereof. The rocking mechanism includes front and rear rocking rods and a connecting rod. The front and rear rocking rods, the horizontal beam, and the connecting rod are pivotably connected. A fixed support is mounted to the connecting rod. The rocking base is fixed to the fixed support. A positioning plate is mounted to the fixed base and includes a plurality of positioning holes. The rocking mechanism includes an adjusting seat adjacent to the positioning plate. An adjusting lever is mounted to the adjusting seat and includes a tail portion extendible into one of the plurality of positioning holes to fix the rocking mechanism. The adjusting lever includes a control arm on a head portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: Chang-Chen Lin
  • Publication number: 20120274107
    Abstract: A collapsible, swiveling chair including a support base configured to be collapsible, a swivel portion connected to a swivel mechanism so that the swivel portion is swivelably arranged on top of the support base and the swivel portion further being configured to be collapsible, a seat portion, attached to the swivel portion and configured to be collapsible, and a chair stabilizing mechanism associated with the support base and the swivel portion and configured to control the relative tipping motion there between.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Curtis J. Chesness
  • Patent number: 8246341
    Abstract: A mold rotator with a first section and a second section that are engaged approximately perpendicularly to each other to produce a base and an L-shaped platform for receiving the article. The base of the article rotator may have a curved section at the intersection of the first section and the second section and the article rotator may rotate on its curved section between a first position wherein the article rotator is supported on its first section and a second position wherein the article rotator is supported on its second section. Further, the article rotator allows an article to be safely rotated simply by lowering the article onto the article rotator so that the article rotator automatically rotates approximately 90° from a first position and a second, rotated position. The article rotator may include a stabilizing system wherein the article rotator can be stabilized at both a first position and second position which is approximately 90 degrees from the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Lyle R. Hanson
  • Patent number: 8205943
    Abstract: A foldable rocking chair includes a base having a curved rocking portion, a first adjustment rod pivotally connected to the base, a seat having a front end pivotally connected to a front end of the base, a second adjustment rod pivotally connected to the seat, and a folding joint for interconnecting the first and second adjustment rods. The seat is adjustable relative to the base between a fully unfolded position and a folded position. The folding joint is constructed so as to allow pivoting movement of the seat from the folded position to the fully unfolded position, while preventing pivoting movement of the seat from the fully unfolded position to the folded position when no external force is applied the folding joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Wonderland Nursery Goods Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Zhi-Ren Zhong
  • Patent number: 8197003
    Abstract: A seating device includes a pair of side supports. Each side support includes a first arm rest that functions as a rocker runner in a rocker configuration and a second arm rest that functions as a stationary runner in a stationary configuration. A seat is fastened to the side supports. A rocker lateral support is fastened to the side supports above the seat. A stationary lateral support is fastened to the side supports below the seat. A back rest pivots inside the seat to an upright position against the rocker lateral support when the side supports are configured in the rocker configuration and to an upright position against the stationary lateral support when the side supports are configured in the stationary configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventor: Dwight C. Rogers
  • Patent number: 8182036
    Abstract: A rocking chair (1) is provided with a seat (30), a projecting member (40) provided on the lower side of the seat (30) and having a convex surface (41a) forming a part of a spherical surface (b) centered on a point (A) located above the seat (30), swivel casters (20) in contact with the convex surface (41a) of the projecting member (40) and guiding the projecting member (40) such that the projecting member (40) can rock along the spherical surface (b), and a support member (10) for the chair. The swivel casters (20) are mounted such that the axes (a) of swivel shafts (22) of the swivel casters (20) pass through the center point (A) of the spherical surface (b), and the seat (30) is guided in the direction of a force applied by rollers (25) of the swivel casters (20). Rocking of the projecting member (40) is smoother than that in rocking chairs using ball casters instead of the swivel casters (20), and noise caused by rocking is drastically reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Science Road International Inc.
    Inventor: Itaru Nishino
  • Publication number: 20120112517
    Abstract: A reclining seating unit includes: a base; a rocker assembly fixed to the base; and an arm frame fixed to the rocker assembly, wherein the rocker assembly is configured such that the arm frame experiences rocking motion relative to the base. The seating unit further comprises: a generally horizontally-disposed seat; a generally upright backrest positioned rearwardly of the seat; a footrest unit; and a reclining mechanism that interconnects and controls movement of the seat and the backrest relative to the arm frame between an upright position and a reclined position. In the upright position, the backrest is generally upright and positioned above the arm frame, and the seat has a first rearward position relative to the arm frame, and in the reclined position, the backrest is reclined relative to the underlying surface as compared to its disposition in the upright position and the seat has a second forward position relative to the arm frame that is forward of the first rearward position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: D. Stephen Hoffman, Marcus L. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20120049591
    Abstract: A ready to assemble article of furniture includes a connecting assembly to enable shipment of the article in a partially assembled condition. By the use of the connecting assembly, the user can quickly assemble the article of furniture. The connecting assembly includes brackets which are attached to the disassembled components of the article of furniture. The brackets are mateable with each other during the assembly process to secure the components together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: CASUAL LIVING WORLDWIDE, INC. D/B/A BJI, INC.
    Inventor: James Foster Kemp
  • Publication number: 20120025573
    Abstract: A leisure rocking chair includes a seat, a backrest, a fixed seat, a rocking base and a rocking mechanism. The fixed base includes a horizontal beam on an upper portion thereof. The rocking mechanism includes front and rear rocking rods and a connecting rod. The front and rear rocking rods, the horizontal beam, and the connecting rod are pivotably connected. A fixed support is mounted to the connecting rod. The rocking base is fixed to the fixed support. A positioning plate is mounted to the fixed base and includes a plurality of positioning holes. The rocking mechanism includes an adjusting seat adjacent to the positioning plate. An adjusting lever is mounted to the adjusting seat and includes a tail portion extendible into one of the plurality of positioning holes to fix the rocking mechanism. The adjusting lever includes a control arm on a head portion thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Chang-Chen Lin
  • Patent number: 8075056
    Abstract: An office chair has a seating element with an upright tubular element (3) and a base, the seating element being connected to the base by means of the support element (1) so as to be swiveled and reset. Rubber buffers (19, 24) are provided between a connecting element (2) of the base, ring discs (11) and (17) and a tubular element (8) extending from the seating element downward and allow an oscillating movement of the seating element. The rubber buffers at least partially enclose the connecting element (2), thereby retaining the same. A pneumatic spring (4) allows to adjust the height of the seat. A thumb screw (16) allows to adjust the restoring force by compressing the rubber buffers (19, 24) to a greater or lesser extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventor: Josef Glöckl
  • Publication number: 20110298340
    Abstract: A modular furniture assembly includes: a base member having a frame assembly, a transverse member having a frame assembly, a foot configured to contact a support surface, and a mounting platform having a plurality of apertures therethrough. The mounting platform is configured to be mounted on the base member frame assembly and the transverse member frame assembly, thereby connecting the frame assemblies. The foot is selectively mounted on the mounting platform, such that the foot is configured to contact the support surface when the modular furniture assembly is in an upright configuration. The mounting platform connects the base and transverse member frame assemblies together and also acts as a platform for receiving a variety of different types of feet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: SAC ACQUISITION LLC
    Inventors: Shawn D. Nelson, David M. Underwood, Spencer Pearson
  • Patent number: 8056976
    Abstract: A chair apparatus is provided with multiple pivot axis for improving core strength, posture, and circulation of the user. The chair apparatus includes a seat portion that is capable of pivotal movement about multiple pivot axes and along a surface. The chair apparatus further includes a frame coupled to the seat portion, wherein the frame limits the pivotal movement of the seat portion only when the chair apparatus is placed in a supported orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventor: Louis F. Polk
  • Publication number: 20110248529
    Abstract: A rocking furniture member includes an occupant support member supporting an occupant of the furniture member. A frame is connected to the occupant support member and supports the seat portion for rocking motion with respect to a furniture member support surface. An elastically resilient member connecting the occupant support member to the frame permits occupant induced rocking motion of the occupant support member with respect to the support surface. The resilient member is a monolithic bar having a uniform cross section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Chad E. Adams
  • Patent number: 7946650
    Abstract: An infant bouncer includes a seat, a support frame, a flexible part, and a positioning structure. The support frame is used for supporting the seat. The flexible part is disposed on the support frame. The positioning structure connects the seat and the flexible part so as to position the seat relative to the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sharon A. Gillett
  • Publication number: 20110109139
    Abstract: A nursing chair may be sold as a kit comprising a first side panel, a second side panel, a front panel between said first and second side panel, a front fabric cover, a back fabric cover, a first side armrest, a second side armrest, a seat between the first and second side panel, a back rest between the first and second side panels and a rocker assembly for supporting said chair and imparting a rocking motion to the chair. Suitable fastening means are included in the kit. The chair may be sold assembled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventor: KATE ZAHIR
  • Patent number: 7938489
    Abstract: A swivel and reclining chair has a base support, a base bowl mounted on the base support, and a seating bowl slidably disposed in and over the base bowl. A plurality of friction reduction features are disposed on the inside surface of the base bowl. The outer surface of the seating bowl is spherical in shape and rests on the friction reduction features. The seating bowl is larger in area than the base bowl, and can freely slide in two dimensions as well as rotate in a spherical surface. Optionally, a guard ring is disposed outside of the base bowl and is attached to the base bowl at their rims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Inventor: Joseph Nazari
  • Publication number: 20110089733
    Abstract: A rocking chair (1) is provided with a seat (30), a projecting member (40) provided on the lower side of the seat (30) and having a convex surface (41a) forming a part of a spherical surface (b) centered on a point (A) located above the seat (30), swivel casters (20) in contact with the convex surface (41a) of the projecting member (40) and guiding the projecting member (40) such that the projecting member (40) can rock along the spherical surface (b), and a support member (10) for the chair. The swivel casters (20) are mounted such that the axes (a) of swivel shafts (22) of the swivel casters (20) pass through the center point (A) of the spherical surface (b), and the seat (30) is guided in the direction of a force applied by rollers (25) of the swivel casters (20). Rocking of the projecting member (40) is smoother than that in rocking chairs using ball casters instead of the swivel casters (20), and noise caused by rocking is drastically reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: SCIENCE ROAD INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Itaru Nishino
  • Patent number: 7896437
    Abstract: A rocker chair base assembly employs a set of unitary composite cam members to enable a user to engage in a rocking motion with a chair mounted over the assembly. Each cam member presents a rigid body with a set of laterally projecting sleeves. A first set of angle cross members serve to interconnect longitudinal rails on which the cam members reside, and a second set of angle cross members serve to interconnect adjacent cam members. Specifically, the laterally projecting sleeves of each cam member present a mating angle profile for slidably receiving therein and securely attaching with longitudinal end regions of the second set of angle cross members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Robert Dean Donovan
  • Publication number: 20110012408
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an infant bouncer and activity stand for entertaining an infant. The bouncer and activity stand includes at least one removable infant seat configured to hold an infant therein, with the removable infant seat of at least one of a bounceable infant seat and rotatable infant seat type. The bouncer and activity stand also has an upright support configured to receive the removable infant seat and support the removable infant seat thereon. A jumping platform is detachably securable to the upright support beneath the removable infant seat. The bouncer and activity stand also optionally has one or more toys and activities attached thereto that are configured to entertain the infant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Wicky Lee, Mike Miroewski, Paul C. Gilles, Michael Parness
  • Publication number: 20100314926
    Abstract: A collapsible, swiveling chair including a support base configured to be collapsible, a swivel portion connected to a swivel mechanism so that the swivel portion is swivelably arranged on top of the support base and the swivel portion further being configured to be collapsible, a seat portion, attached to the swivel portion and configured to be collapsible, and a chair stabilizing mechanism associated with the support base and the swivel portion and configured to control the relative tipping motion there between.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: Curtis J. Chesness
  • Publication number: 20100308632
    Abstract: A rocking chair mechanism (I) comprising a rotating rocker (2), a stationary support (3), a springing means (4), an upper assembly (5), and a lower assembly (6), such that rotating (rocker 2) and springing means (4) are laterally integrated. Rocking chair mechanism (1) is an independent unit that can be manufactured separately then supplied to rocking chair manufacturers for incorporation into rocking chairs such as rocking chair (7). Alternatively, a rocking chair such as rocking chair (7) can be constructed using a laterally integrated rocking chair mechanism within each arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Mohamed Abolkheir
  • Patent number: 7806479
    Abstract: A pivoting joint for use in a task chair or the like provides an adjustable elastomeric coupling that permits multi-axis rocking of the seat pan with a restoring force that provides controlled stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Wisys Technology Foundation
    Inventors: Hans R. Jensen, Robert J. Jensen
  • Patent number: 7784869
    Abstract: A motion support apparatus comprising an elongated member composed of an elastomeric material and having a pinch-free exterior surface, the elongated member including a first end attached to a support surface and a second end secured to an underside of a user supporting member to provide a range of motion to the user supporting member through the flexing and bending of the elongated member while preventing the presence of potential pinch points thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: John P. Mathiesen
  • Publication number: 20100060057
    Abstract: A chair has a seat element with a seating surface, which is mounted on a leg unit. The seat element is solely connected to the leg unit by means of a spring clip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Martin Ballendat