Reconfigurable Rocking Chair

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a rocking chair reconfigurable between multiple configurations and rocking motions. The chair comprises upper and lower portions, a lockable/releasable swivel assembly that relatively rotates the upper and lower portions between first and second configurations, and multiple lockable/releasable leg end repositioning assemblies that change the chair's leg end positions relative to the chair's runners between first and second configurations. In the first configuration, the chair's back is generally perpendicular to the runners' longitudinal direction, the leg ends are positioned in first positions relative to the runners' end-to-end midpoint, and the rocking motion moves a user forward and backward in a traditional, first rocking motion. In the second configuration, the chair's back is generally parallel to the runners' longitudinal direction, the leg ends are positioned in second positions relative to the runners' end-to-end midpoint, and the rocking motion moves a user side-to-side in a non-traditional, second rocking motion.

1 . A reconfigurable rocking chair, said reconfigurable rocking chair comprising:
 an upper portion;   a lower portion including a runner having a first end;   a swivel assembly operable to rotate said upper portion relative to said lower portion, said swivel assembly being repositionable relative to said first end of said runner.   
     
     
         2 . The reconfigurable rocking chair of  claim 1 , wherein said reconfigurable rocking chair has a center of gravity, wherein said swivel assembly is repositionable between a first position relative to said first end of said runner and a second position relative to said first end of said runner, and wherein said center of gravity is nearer said first end of said runner when said swivel assembly is in said first position and farther from said first end of said runner when said swivel assembly is in said second position. 
     
     
         3 . The reconfigurable rocking chair of  claim 1 , wherein said swivel assembly is repositionable between a first position relative to said first end of said runner and a second position relative to said first end of said runner, and wherein said reconfigurable rocking chair is configured for rocking forward and backward when said swivel assembly is in said first position and for rocking side-to-side when said swivel assembly is in said second position. 
     
     
         4 . The reconfigurable rocking chair of  claim 1 , wherein said swivel assembly is coupled to said upper portion, and wherein said swivel assembly and said upper portion are repositionable in unison relative to said first end of said runner. 
     
     
         5 . The reconfigurable rocking chair of  claim 4 , wherein said upper portion is rotatable relative to said lower portion about a longitudinal axis between a first configuration and a second configuration, and wherein said reconfigurable rocking chair is configured for rocking forward and backward when said upper portion is in said first configuration and for rocking side-to-side when said upper portion is in said second configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The reconfigurable rocking chair of  claim 5 , wherein said upper portion is lockable in at least one of said first configuration and said second configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The reconfigurable rocking chair of  claim 6 , wherein said upper portion includes a seat and a back for said seat. 
     
     
         8 . A reconfigurable rocking chair, said reconfigurable rocking chair comprising:
 a seat; and   an undercarriage including a pair of runners and a pair of legs, each said runner having a first end and a distant second end, and each said leg being repositionable relative to a respective said runner between a first configuration and a second configuration;   wherein the center of gravity of said reconfigurable rocking chair is nearer said first end of each said runner in said first configuration and farther from said first end of each said runner in said second configuration.   
     
     
         9 . The reconfigurable rocking chair of  claim 8 , wherein the center of gravity of said reconfigurable rocking chair is substantially midway between said first end of each said runner and said second end of each said runner in said second configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The reconfigurable rocking chair of  claim 8 , wherein said reconfigurable rocking chair is configured for a forward and backward rocking motion in said first configuration and for a side-to-side rocking motion in said second configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The reconfigurable rocking chair of  claim 8 , wherein each said leg is nearer said first end of a respective said runner in said first configuration and nearer said second end of a respective said runner in said second configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The reconfigurable rocking chair of  claim 8 , wherein each said runner has an upper surface extending between said first end and said second end, and wherein each said leg has a leg end movable relative to said upper surface of a respective said runner. 
     
     
         13 . The reconfigurable rocking chair of  claim 12 , wherein said leg end of each said leg is adapted to roll atop said upper surface of a respective said runner. 
     
     
         14 . The reconfigurable rocking chair of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of said legs is adapted for locking in at least one of said first configuration and said second configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The reconfigurable rocking chair of  claim 8 , wherein said seat is rotatable relative to said undercarriage. 
     
     
         16 . A reconfigurable rocking chair, said reconfigurable rocking chair comprising:
 a seat; and   an undercarriage including a pair of runners and a pair of legs, wherein each said runner has a first end and a distant second end, and wherein said legs are adapted for movement relative to said runners between a first configuration in which each said leg is nearer said first end of a respective said runner and a second configuration in which each said leg is nearer said second end of a respective said runner.   
     
     
         17 . The reconfigurable rocking chair of  claim 16 , wherein said legs and said runners are adapted for rolling of said legs on said runners. 
     
     
         18 . The reconfigurable rocking chair of  claim 17 , wherein said reconfigurable rocking chair further comprises a mechanism adapted to prevent rolling of said legs on said runners. 
     
     
         19 . The reconfigurable rocking chair of  claim 16 , wherein said reconfigurable rocking chair further comprises a swivel assembly secured atop said undercarriage and between said seat and said undercarriage, said swivel assembly being adapted to enable rotation of said seat relative to said undercarriage. 
     
     
         20 . The reconfigurable rocking chair of  claim 19 , wherein said swivel assembly is further adapted to selectively lock said seat in a position relative to said undercarriage.