Swivel assembly

Abstract

A swivel assembly for use with a chair has a swivel that includes an actuator which biases and self-centers the swivel to a start or zero position wherein the swivel is rotated from its start or zero position in either a clockwise or counterclockwise manner to an alternate position. When the swivel is released the actuator biases the swivel back to its start or zero position. A method for self-centering swiveling of a chair includes providing a swivel that has an actuator which self-centers and biases the swivel to a start or zero position; rotating the swivel from its start or zero position, thus compressing or tensioning the actuator; and releasing the swivel thus moving the actuator to bias and rotate the swivel back to its start or zero position.

1 . A swivel assembly for use with an associated chair comprising:
 a swivel that comprises an actuator which biases and self-centers said swivel to a start or zero position;   wherein said swivel is selectively rotated from its start or zero position in either a clockwise or counterclockwise manner to an alternate position; and   wherein when the swivel is released said actuator biases said swivel back to said start or zero position.   
     
     
         2 . The swivel assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said actuator is a gas spring. 
     
     
         3 . The swivel assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said actuator is a compression coil spring. 
     
     
         4 . The swivel assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said swivel comprises a pair of parallel spaced apart brackets for mounting to an underside of said chair. 
     
     
         5 . The swivel assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said swivel further comprises a first plate and a second plate, wherein said first plate rotates with regard to said second plate. 
     
     
         6 . The swivel assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said swivel further comprises a support plate extending from one of said first and second plates for supporting a first end portion of said actuator. 
     
     
         7 . The swivel assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a tab extending from said first plate for supporting a second end portion of said actuator. 
     
     
         8 . The swivel assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising a ball bearing assembly interposed between said first plate and said second plate to facilitate rotation of said first plate with respect to said second plate. 
     
     
         9 . The swivel assembly of  claim 7 , wherein said tab comprises a post for mounting said second end of said actuator. 
     
     
         10 . The swivel assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said tab and post are offset with respect to a central axis of rotation of said first plate to form an eccentric cam. 
     
     
         11 . The swivel assembly of  claim 10 , wherein rotation of said second end portion of said actuator with respect to said first end portion of said actuator is eccentric relative to said rotation of said first plate with respect to said second plate. 
     
     
         12 . The swivel assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said actuator comprises a rod and a housing, wherein said rod extends and retracts relative to said housing, wherein said rod comprises a piston at one end of said rod. 
     
     
         13 . The swivel assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said piston comprises an opening through which air or fluid can flow to dampen rotation of said swivel. 
     
     
         14 . The swivel assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said piston compresses a gas located between said piston and a first inner wall of said housing. 
     
     
         15 . The swivel assembly of  claim 14 , wherein where said swivel rotates clockwise or counterclockwise from said start position, said rod retracts into said housing, thus moving said piston toward said first inner wall of said housing compressing said gas between said piston and said first inner wall of said housing. 
     
     
         16 . The swivel assembly of  claim 15 , wherein when said swivel is released, said gas becomes uncompressed and moves said piston away from said first inner wall of said housing extending said rod out of said housing, and thus rotating said swivel back to its start position. 
     
     
         17 . The swivel assembly of  claim 12 , wherein when said piston compresses a coil spring located between said piston and a first inner wall of said housing. 
     
     
         18 . The swivel assembly of  claim 17 , wherein when said swivel rotates clockwise or counterclockwise from said start position, said rod retracts into said housing, moving said piston toward said inner first wall of said housing thus compressing said coil spring between said piston and said first inner wall of said housing. 
     
     
         19 . The swivel assembly of  claim 18 , wherein when said swivel is released, said coil spring becomes uncompressed and extends said rod out of said housing thus moving said piston away from said first inner wall of said housing, thus rotating said swivel back to its start position. 
     
     
         20 . The swivel assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said piston compresses a gas located between said piston and a second inner wall of said housing opposite a first inner wall of said housing. 
     
     
         21 . The swivel assembly of  claim 20 , wherein when said swivel rotates clockwise or counterclockwise from said start position, said rod extends out of said housing, said piston moves toward said second inner wall of said housing, thus compressing said gas between said piston and said second inner wall of said housing. 
     
     
         22 . The swivel assembly of  claim 21 , wherein when said swivel is released, said gas becomes uncompressed and moves said piston away from said second inner wall of said housing, thereby retracting said rod into said housing, thus rotating said swivel back to its start position. 
     
     
         23 . The swivel assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said piston compresses a coil spring located between said piston and a second inner wall of said housing opposite a first inner wall of said housing. 
     
     
         24 . The swivel assembly of  claim 23 , wherein when said swivel rotates clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to said start position, said rod extends out of said housing and said piston moves toward said second inner wall of said housing, thus compressing said coil spring between said piston and said second inner wall of said housing. 
     
     
         25 . The swivel assembly of  claim 24 , wherein when said swivel is released, said coil spring becomes uncompressed and moves said piston away from said second inner wall of said housing, thereby retracting said rod into said housing and rotating said swivel back to its start position. 
     
     
         26 . A method for self-centering swiveling of a chair comprising:
 providing a swivel that comprises an actuator which self-centers and biases the swivel to a start or zero position;   rotating said swivel from its start or zero position, thus compressing or tensioning said actuator; and   releasing said swivel thus moving said actuator to bias and rotate said swivel back to said start or zero position.