Spring Return To Neutral Position Patents (Class 297/264.1)
  • Patent number: 7922247
    Abstract: An adjustable chair and a tilt assembly for use therewith typically provides side to side tilting of the chair seat and preferably provides forward and backward tilting of the seat separately or in combination with the side to side tilting. A hydraulic system is provided for controlling the tilting movement. Progressive hydraulic valves are used to control the resistance to the tilting movement whereby the chair is useful for exercise while the user is seated and the rate at which the tilting occurs may be controlled. The seat may be locked in any tilted position or the user may shift weight on the seat to provide a continuous shifting of the tilt angle and tilt direction of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Spark Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Dickie
  • Publication number: 20080106132
    Abstract: The invention relates to a chair comprising a seat part (2), at least one one leg part (3), at least one foot part (5) that consists of a predetermined plurality of foot elements (4) and at least one spring assembly (6). According to the invention, at least one designated foot element (4) and/or a sub-section (4?) of said element is configured to be mobile and is subject to a resotring moment under the action of a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Josef Glockl, Thomas Walser
  • Patent number: 7275789
    Abstract: A furniture member such as a rocking chair includes a chair frame operable for rocking motion relative to a stationary base. The chair frame and stationary base are coupled together by a rocker spring assembly positioned on each side of the frame/base. The rocker spring assembly includes upper and lower brackets and a single coiled spring connected to both brackets. A displacement limiting device is positioned within an inner cavity of the coiled spring to limit the rocking movement of the chair frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry P LaPointe
  • Patent number: 6918632
    Abstract: In preferred embodiments of the invention, rocker cams are positioned intermediate an upper plate assembly and a lower base with a plurality of biasing springs under tension extending between the upper plate assembly and the lower base. Spring retention means are incorporated into the lower base and upper plate assembly providing for direct attachment of the biasing springs thereto obviating the need for spring mechanisms and threaded fasteners for connecting the spring mechanism to the upper plate and lower base. The base comprising a lower support plate configured as a gusseted tray connects to a pair of floor contacting side rails. The upper plate assembly, also preferably configured as a gusseted tray, is fixed to the pair of rocker cams rockingly engaged on the side rails. Vertical flanges are provided on the sides of the upper plate assembly for attaching the reclining mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Maki, Michael J. Dotta