Patents by Inventor Walter C. Rogers

Walter C. Rogers has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5354116
    Abstract: A reclining chair is provided with an ottoman (or leg rest) which includes primary (or main) and secondary (or mid or middle) ottoman members separately mounted to pantographic linkage subsystems of the side linkages of the chair-operating mechanism. Both ottoman members are padded and include side skirts for veiling respective portions of the side linkages when the ottoman is in a raised condition. The secondary ottoman is articulated directly to the primary ottoman, for control, so that as the ottoman is being retracted to a stowed position below the front of the seat, the secondary ottoman is rotated from a face-upwards, to a face-rearwards orientation, and received into a pocket formed behind the primary ottoman, which is rotated from a face-upwards, to a face-forwards orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: The Lane Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Teddy J. May, Walter C. Rogers
  • Patent number: 5257424
    Abstract: A foldable bed comprising a frame including a body section, a cavity section, a seat section, and a foot section, each of which includes a pair of side rails, each of which are pivotally interconnected and which are movable between an unfolded position and a folded position, a mattress carried by the frame and movable therewith between the unfolded and folded positions, wherein in the folded position the mattress is folded upon itself to define an upper support surface, and interconnecting means for pivoting the frame sections between the unfolded position and the folded position, wherein in the unfolded position the body section, the cavity section, the seat section, and the foot section are serially and horizontally aligned, and the side rails of the sections are positioned along respective opposite sides of and generally below the mattress, and in the folded position, the body section is generally horizontal, the seat section overlies the body section, the cavity section extends substantially vertically be
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Inventor: Walter C. Rogers
  • Patent number: 5121967
    Abstract: A rocker recliner having carrier scissor links mounting the seat and backrest assembly to the rocker cams through a pair of front and rear mounting links mounted on the cam. Rocking motion is prevented when the chair is in T.V. and advanced reclining positions by a linkage pivoted to the base, rocking cam and the rear mounting link. This rock-blocking linkage idles when the chair is rocking but becomes unified to prevent rocking of the cam when the chair moves into T.V. position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Inventor: Walter C. Rogers
  • Patent number: 5120107
    Abstract: A recliner has a layer of upholstery fixed to the seat and extending continuously and fixed to the footrest frame which is moveable to a retracted position below and rearwardly of the front end of the seat with the upholstery extending about and under the front end of the seat. In one embodiment the footrest frame includes two ottoman boards mounted to a footrest linkage which includes a five bar linkage for actuating the ottoman boards. Additionally, a pair of locking links are mounted to the footrest linkage and connected to each other for releaseably holding the footrest linkage in retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Inventor: Walter C. Rogers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5110179
    Abstract: A recliner has a layer of upholstery fixed to the seat and extending continuously and fixed to the footrest frame which is moveable to a retracted position below and rearwardly of the front end of the seat with the upholstery extending about and under the front end of the seat. In one embodiment the footrest frame includes two ottoman boards mounted to a footrest linkage which includes a five bar linkage for actuating the ottoman boards. Additionally, a pair of locking links are mounted to the footrest linkage and connected to each other for releasably holding the footrest linkage in retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Inventor: Walter C. Rogers
  • Patent number: 5087094
    Abstract: A recliner has a layer of upholstery fixed to the seat and extending continuously and fixed to a footrest frame which is moveable to a retracted position below the front end of the seat with the upholstery extending about and vertically below the front end of the seat. The footrest frame may include one or two ottoman boards mounted to a footrest linkage which will cause an ottoman board to pull the upholstery layer taut. In one embodiment, a pair of locking links are mounted to the footrest linkage and connected to each other for releaseably holding the footrest linkage in retracted position. In another embodiment where two ottoman boards are used, two pairs of conventional four bar linkages may be incorporated in the footrest linkage without sacrificing the desired contour of the upholstery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Inventor: Walter C. Rogers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4915444
    Abstract: A three-way recliner chair in which a linkage system mounts a seat and backrest assembly to a stationary armrest frame for reclining movement between a generally upright or closed position, a TV position and advanced reclining positions beyond TV position. The chair is actuated to TV and reclining positions by pushing rearwardly off the armrests and against the backrest. The seat and backrest assemblies are mounted to front and rear carrier links which, in turn, are mounted by front and rear mounting links to the armrest frame. A sequencer link is pivotally connected between the front carrier link and the armrest frame to prevent relative movement between the seat and backrest when the chair is in the upright position. However, when the chair is moved towards TV position, the sequencer link will allow relative movement between the backrest and the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Inventor: Walter C. Rogers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4758044
    Abstract: A rocking chair having a fixed base, and a seat frame mounted on the base for rocking movement by means of a plurality of rocker cams mounted one behind the other. The rocker cams are pivotally mounted to one of the base or seat frame and having arcuate surfaces engaged against the other of the base or seat frame. This achieves a predetermined desired motion of the seat relative to the base. In one embodiment, a pair of such rocking cams are provided in tandem on each side of the chair. In another embodiment, only a single pair of cams are provided in tandem at a central portion of the chair. In another embodiment three cams are provided in a triangular arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: Parma Corporation
    Inventor: Walter C. Rogers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4740031
    Abstract: An improved mechanism for a reclining chair or sofa module allows the backrest to be placed virtually against a nearby wall in a room without offering any obstruction when the chair is placed into reclining position. The mechanism may incorporate a backrest of an average of conventional length and, in the preferred embodiment, the mechanism is driven to TV position by the weight of the chair occupant upon release of a locking means which holds the mechanism in the normal or closed position. Preferably, a manually-operable handle positioned on one side of the chair in accordance with conventional practice, is utilized to release the lock mechanism. Once in TV position, the chair may be moved to advanced reclining positions by the occupant exerting pressure on the backrest during which time the backrest will not strike the adjacent wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Assignee: Parma Corporation
    Inventor: Walter C. Rogers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4707025
    Abstract: A rocker-recliner chair utilizing but two mounting links for mounting the seat and backrest to the rocker cams and which mounting links are also utilized to position the chair in advanced reclining positions beyond the TV position. The chair is biased to the TV position wherein the footrest is extended, by the weight of the chair occupant acting through the rear mounting link. However, the chair is retained in upright position against the gravity basis by a spring-loaded lock mechanism which is actuated by a handle to release the lock mechanism to allow the occupant's weight to drive the chair to TV position. When moving to TV position, the seat undergoes a certain amount of rearward displacement relative to the rocking cams to position the weight of the occupant to the rear while a "landing gear" stop descends to engage the base to thus prevent rearward rocking of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: Parma Corporation
    Inventor: Walter C. Rogers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4694515
    Abstract: An air mattress comprising an inflatable and deflatable flexible body enclosing an air chamber having a resilient means urging the opposite upper and lower walls of the body apart while being yieldable to permit the body to be folded and deflated. In one embodiment, removable a closure is attached to the body to be received in a portal in the wall of the body to seal the chamber closed. When the body is unfolded into a generally horizontal or planar position with the portal opened, the resilient means within the body will separate the upper and lower walls of the body drawing air from the atmosphere into the chamber, the portal may then be closed to seal the air in the chamber. The air mattress is illustrated on a foldable bed including frame portions which are foldable into overlying positions to fold and deflate the mattress and which are unfoldable into a horizontal position to unfold and inflate the mattress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: Parma Corporation
    Inventor: Walter C. Rogers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4691961
    Abstract: In a one-way recliner chair of the type having a stationary backrest frame which extends upwardly behind a movable backrest, a headrest is mounted on the top of the stationary backrest frame for movement between a retracted position when the chair is in the normal position, and a projected position when the chair is in the reclining position. The headrest is automatically actuated between the aforesaid positions by means of a linklage interconnecting the headrest and the movable backrest upon movement of the latter between a normal or generally upright position and a reclining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Parma Corporation
    Inventors: Walter C. Rogers, Jr., Raymond E. Holobaugh
  • Patent number: 4669778
    Abstract: A footrest assembly for a reclining chair wherein the support members of the footrest are substantially concealed from view even when in the extended position projected forwardly from the front of the chair. In the preferred embodiments, the assembly includes a flexible cover of sheet-like material attached between the footrest and the seat frame. In one preferred embodiment, the cover is also attached to the footrest support members. The footrest support members are preferably formed by an extendable and retractable linkage system whose links are arranged in a novel manner to allow the cover to substantially conceal the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Parma Corporation
    Inventor: Walter C. Rogers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4570996
    Abstract: A footrest assembly for a reclining chair wherein the support members of the footrest are substantially concealed from a view even when in the extended position projected forwardly from the front of the chair. The assembly includes a flexible cover of sheet-like material attached between the footrest and the seat frame while also being attached to the footrest support members to cover the same. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the footrest support members are formed by an extendable and retractable linkage system whose links are arranged in a novel manner to allow the cover to be attached thereto in tailored fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Parma Corporation
    Inventor: Walter C. Rogers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4570995
    Abstract: A two-way actuator is provided for a reclining chair preferably of the type that is driven to the reclining positions by the weight of the chair occupant. In such chairs, the reclining mechanisms are typically linkage systems that are held in retracted position by a lock mechanism. A release is provided to actuate the lock mechanism to permit the weight of the chair occupant to drive the reclining mechanism to TV position wherein the footrest is extended. The two-way actuator of the present invention is connected to the release so that the chair occupant may rotate a handle in the form of a knob, for example, in either clockwise or counterclockwise direction to actuate the release to open the lock mechanism and thereby permit movement of the chair to the TV position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Parma Corporation
    Inventor: Walter C. Rogers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4544201
    Abstract: A rocking chair whose rocking action is achieved solely through a linkage mechanism rather than rocking cams conventionally employed. In one embodiment, the chair includes upholstered seat, backrest and armrests which are united in a one-piece structure mounted on a fixed base by means of the linkage mechanism. In the preferred embodiment, the base is provided with a swivel enabling the chair to swivel about a vertical axis. The linkage mechanism allows it to be mounted within the seat frame into a compact space which permits low seat styling and yet, the linkage mechanism is concealed and still functions to provide stable rocking as well as gliding action. In another embodiment, the chair is provided with a footrest and the seat is moveable relative to the swivel into a reclining position when the footrest is extended. Additionally, the backrest may be either fixed to the seat in the manner of a "one-way" recliner or moveable relative to the seat as in a "three-way" recliner chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Parma Corporation
    Inventor: Walter C. Rogers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4536029
    Abstract: A rocking chair whose rocking action is achieved solely through a linkage mechanism rather than rocking cams conventionally employed. The chair includes upholstered seat, backrest and armrests which are united in a one-piece structure mounted on a fixed base by means of the linkage mechanism. In the preferred embodiment, the base is provided with a swivel enabling the chair to swivel about a vertical axis. The linkage mechanism allows it to be mounted within the seat frame into a compact space which permits low seat styling and yet, the linkage mechanism is concealed and still functions to provide stable rocking as well as gliding action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Assignee: Parma Corporation
    Inventor: Walter C. Rogers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4531778
    Abstract: A handle-operated, wall-avoiding, three-way recliner utilizes a track system for moving the chair from the TV position to the fully reclined position. However, in contrast to conventional "track recliners", the track does not come into play until the chair has been moved to the TV position through means of a linkage system. Such movement is preferably initiated by a handle operatively connected to the footrest linkage which is biased closed by a yieldable spring mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: Parma Corporation
    Inventor: Walter C. Rogers, Jr.
  • Patent number: RE33704
    Abstract: A rocker-recliner chair including a base, rocker cams mounted on the base, a unitary seat and armrest assembly mounted on the rocker cams by a novel linkage system for movement between a closed or generally upright position with the associated footrest closed, a TV position wherein the footrest has been extended and the seat inclined relative to the rocker cam, and any one of a number of advanced reclining positions where the footrest remains extended and the backrest has moved relative to the seat while the seat has moved relative to the rocker cam. When the chair is in the TV or any advanced reclining position, a "rock-blocking" mechanism prevents forward-rearward rocking of the cams relative to the base, however, the cams are permitted to rock rearwardly to permit movement of the seat into advanced reclining positions. In the preferred embodiment, actuation of the footrest to the TV position is initiated by means of a handle positioned on one side of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Parma Corporation
    Inventor: Walter C. Rogers, Jr.
  • Patent number: D328823
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Inventors: Walter C. Rogers, Jr., Donald B. Fisher