Collapsible rocker chair

Abstract

A collapsible chair frame 1 comprises a base 10 having longitudinally extending side bars 10 a , 10 b , with front mounting brackets 11 a , 11 b attached to one end of each side bar 10 a , 10 b . An actuation handle 13 is rotatably connected to the mounting bracket 11 a, 11 b so as to be rotatable relative thereto about a second axis parallel to but offset from said first axis, and one of a second pair of brackets 20 a, 20 b is secured to a second end of each side bar 10 a, 10 b . A front support bar 16, 17 extends from each side of said actuation handle 13 at an inclined angle substantially towards said second end of its respective side bar 10 a, 10 b . A pair of rear support bars 21, 22 are rotatably connected to the second side brackets and extend at an inclined angle substantially towards said first end of its respective side bar 10 a, 10 b . Geared plates 18, 24 on ends of the support bars on each side of the frame engage with each other so as to contain the bars 21, 22 on each side to rotate together. The actuation handle 13 further includes locking pins 14 which secure said handle against rotation release means 34 being operable to release the handle 13 for rotation relative to said first pair of brackets.

1 . A collapsible chair frame comprising a base having a pair of longitudinally extending side bars, a first pair of brackets attached proximate to a first end of each side bar so as to be freely rotatable about a first axis substantially perpendicular to said side bars, an actuation member extending between and rotatably connected to each bracket of said first pair so as to be rotatable relative to said first pair of brackets about a second axis parallel to but offset from said first axis, a second pair of brackets secured proximate to a second end of each side bar, a first pair of support bars each having a first end secured to a respective one of opposing ends of said actuation member and a second end having engagement means provided thereon, each of said first pair of support bars extending from said actuation member at an inclined angle substantially towards said second end of its respective side bar, and a second pair of support bars which extend at an inclined angle substantially towards said first end of its respective side bar, each second support bar having a first end rotatably connected to a respective one of said second pair of brackets and a second end having engagement means provided thereon, said engagement means of the second end of each of said second pair of support bars engaging with the engagement means of the second end of an associated one of the first pair of support bars, such that each of said second pair of support bars and its associated one of the first pair of support bars are constrained to rotate together, wherein said actuation member further includes locking means engageable with said first pair of brackets to secure said actuation member against rotation relative to said brackets, release means operable to move said locking means from a locked position to an unlock position in order to release said actuation member for rotation relative to said first pair of brackets, and safety catch means which, in a first position interacts with the release means to prevent operation thereof and in a second position is released from said release means so as to enable operation thereof to unlock said actuation member from said brackets.  
   
   
       2 . A collapsible chair frame according to  claim 1 , wherein a housing is provided on each side of the frame in which are received the second end of the of a respective one of each of the first pair of support bars and the second pair of support bars so as to maintain the engagement means provided thereon in engagement.  
   
   
       3 . A collapsible chair frame according to  claim 2 , wherein the second ends of each of the first and second pairs of support bars are pivotally mounted in their respective housing.  
   
   
       4 . A collapsible chair frame according to  claim 2 , wherein tubing defining the plane of a seat portion and a back portion of the chair extends between said side housings.  
   
   
       5 . A collapsible chair frame according to  claim 1 , wherein the engagement means take the form of geared plates.  
   
   
       6 . A collapsible chair frame according to  claim 1 , wherein the base of the frame includes a pair of end bars which extend from proximate first ends of the side bars transversely of said side bars towards each other, each of said first pair of brackets being rotatably mounted on the end of a respective one of the end bars, and the actuation member extending between said brackets substantially parallel to said end bars.  
   
   
       7 . A collapsible chair frame according to  claim 6 , wherein said locking means comprises a pair of pins which extend from opposing ends of the actuation member and engage in complementary shaped recesses formed in said first brackets in order to lock said actuation member against relative rotational movement, said release means operating to retract said pins from said recesses.  
   
   
       8 . A collapsible chair frame according to  claim 7 , wherein said pins are attached to common sides of respective separate pivot levers, operation of said release means effecting rotation of said pivot levers in order to retract said pins.  
   
   
       9 . A collapsible chair frame according to  claim 7 , wherein each pin is attached to an associated pivot lever, operation of said release means effecting rotation of said pivot levers in order to retract said pins.  
   
   
       10 . A collapsible chair frame according to  claim 8 , wherein the release means is a button which projects from the side of the actuation member and which includes an actuation pin that engages into a cam opening formed in the or each pivot lever to which said pins are attached, movement of the button relative to the or each pivot lever causing operative rotation thereof which retracts said pins into the actuation member.  
   
   
       11 . A collapsible chair frame according to  claim 10 , wherein said safety catch is slidably mounted in the actuation member and has at least one projection which, in a first slide position of the safety catch, extends into the path of movement of the release means so as to prevent operative movement thereof, and in a second position, is retracted from said path of movement so as to permit release of said locking pins.  
   
   
       12 . A collapsible chair frame according to  claim 8 , wherein the release means is a rotatable lever, rotation of which effects rotation of the or each pivot lever, the safety catch having a projection which engages with said release means in order to prevent rotational movement thereof.