초록 ▼

A rocker mechanism is provided for implementation with a chair assembly to enable forward and rearward rocking thereof. The rocker mechanism includes upper and lower castings resiliently interconnected by a pair of leaf springs extending at an angle therebetween. The leaf springs are assembled betwe

A rocker mechanism is provided for implementation with a chair assembly to enable forward and rearward rocking thereof. The rocker mechanism includes upper and lower castings resiliently interconnected by a pair of leaf springs extending at an angle therebetween. The leaf springs are assembled between the upper and lower castings to define first and second effective lengths of each leaf spring for providing first and second spring rates of each leaf spring. In this manner, rocking motion in a first direction may be more difficult than rocking motion in a second direction. Further, the angular configuration of the leaf springs between the upper and lower castings enables maximization of the lengths of the leaf springs within the rocker mechanism.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A rocker mechanism adapted for operably interconnecting a chair to a base, comprising:an upper casting adapted for interconnection with the chair;a lower casting adapted for interconnection with the base;a stop defined in one of a top surface of said lower casting and a bottom surface of said upp

1. A rocker mechanism adapted for operably interconnecting a chair to a base, comprising:an upper casting adapted for interconnection with the chair;a lower casting adapted for interconnection with the base;a stop defined in one of a top surface of said lower casting and a bottom surface of said upper casting; anda first dual-rate leaf spring having a first end anchored to said upper casting on a first surface of said first dual-rate leaf spring and a second end anchored to said lower casting on said first surface, said first dual-rate leaf spring extending angularly between said upper and lower castings, said first dual-rate leaf spring having a fixed first effective spring rate defined by a first distance along said first surface between said upper and lower castings for rocking in a first direction and a fixed second effective spring rate defined by a second distance along a second surface between said upper and lower castings for rocking in a second direction, wherein relative pivotal motion between said upper and lower castings is limited by contact of said stop to one of said top surface of said lower casting and said bottom surface of said upper casting. 2. The rocker mechanism of claim 1, wherein said first distance is defined between a face of said upper casting and a face of said lower casting. 3. The rocker mechanism of claim 1, wherein said second distance is defined between connection points of said first dual-rate leaf spring to said upper casting and said lower casting. 4. The rocker mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a second dual-rate leaf spring interconnecting said upper and lower castings, said second dual-rate leaf spring having a first effective spring rate defined by a first distance between said upper and lower castings for rocking in a first direction and a second effective spring rate defined by a second distance between said upper and lower castings for rocking in a second direction. 5. The rocker mechanism of claim 4, wherein said first distance is defined between a face of said upper casting and a face of said lower casting. 6. The rocker mechanism of claim 4, wherein said second distance is defined between connection points of said second dual-rate leaf spring to said upper casting and said lower casting. 7. The rocker mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of stops defined by a top surface of said lower casting, wherein relative pivotal motion between said upper and lower castings is limited by contact of one of said plurality of stops to a bottom surface of said upper casting. 8. The rocker mechanism of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of boots extending between said upper and lower castings for respectively covering said plurality of stops. 9. The rocker mechanism of claim 1, wherein said first dual-rate leaf spring is preloaded for defining a relative rest position between said upper and lower castings. 10. A rocker mechanism adapted for operably interconnecting a chair to a base, comprising:an upper casting;a lower casting;a stop defined in one of a top surface of said lower casting and a bottom surface of said upper casting; andfirst and second leaf springs interconnecting said upper and lower castings for relative pivotal motion therebetween, said first and second leaf springs each including a first surface that lies adjacent to both said upper and lower castings, said first and second leaf springs extending angularly between said upper and lower castings for maximizing a length of each of said first and second leaf springs, said upper and lower castings defining first and second effective lengths of each of said first and second leaf springs to provide fixed first and second spring rates for each of said first and second leaf springs, wherein said first spring rate is different than said second spring rate, wherein relative pivotal motion between said upper and lower castings is limited by contact of said stop to one of said top surface of said lower casting and said bottom surface of said upper casting. 11. The rocker mechanism of claim 10, wherein a first effective length of each of said first and second leaf springs is defined as a distance between faces of said upper casting and faces of said lower casting. 12. The rocker mechanism of claim 10, wherein a second effective length of each of said first and second leaf springs is defined as a distance between connection points of said first and second leaf springs to said upper casting and said lower casting. 13. The rocker mechanism of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of stops defined by a top surface of said lower casting, wherein relative pivotal motion between said upper and lower castings is limited by contact of one of said plurality of stops to a bottom surface of said upper casting. 14. The rocker mechanism of claim 13, further comprising boots associated with each of said plurality of stops extending between said upper and lower castings for respectively covering each of said plurality of stops. 15. A chair assembly comprising:a seat frame including a seat back and a seat;a base;a recliner mechanism operably interconnecting said seat frame and said base such that said seat frame is positionable between an upright position and a reclined position; anda rocker mechanism adapted to operably interconnect said seat and said base, said rocker mechanism comprising:an upper casting adapted for interconnection with the chair;a lower casting adapted for interconnection with the base; anda first dual-rate leaf spring having a first end anchored to said upper casting and a second end anchored to said lower casting, said first dual-rate leaf spring having a fixed first effective spring rate defined by a first distance between said upper and lower castings for rocking in a first direction and a fixed second effective spring rate defined by a second distance between said upper and lower castings for rocking in a second direction. 16. The chair assembly of claim 15, wherein said first distance is defined between a face of said upper casting and a face of said lower casting. 17. The chair assembly of claim 15, wherein said second distance is defined between connection points of said first dual-rate leaf spring to said upper casting and said lower casting. 18. The chair assembly of claim 15 further comprising a recline stop mechanism defining said upright position and said reclined position. 19. The chair assembly of claim 15 further comprising a spindle assembly operably interconnecting said rocker mechanism to said seat base to provide relative swivel motion therebetween. 20. The chair assembly of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of stops defined by a top surface of said lower casting, wherein relative pivotal motion between said upper and lower castings is limited by contact of one of said plurality of stops to a bottom surface of said upper casting. 21. The chair assembly of claim 20, further comprising a plurality of boots extending between said upper and lower castings for respectively covering said plurality of stops. 22. The chair assembly of claim 15, wherein said first dual-rate leaf spring is preloaded for defining a relative rest position between said upper and lower castings. 23. A chair assembly comprising:a seat frame including a seat back and a seat;a base; anda rocker mechanism adapted to operably interconnect said seat and said base, said rocker mechanism including:an upper casting adapted for interconnection with the chair;a lower casting adapted for interconnection with the base; andfirst and second leaf springs interconnecting said upper and lower castings for relative pivotal motion therebetween, said first and second leaf springs extending angularly between said upper and lower castings for maximizing a length of each of said first and second leaf springs, said upper and lower castings defining first and second effective lengths of each of said first and second leaf springs to provide first and second sp ring rates for each of said first and second leaf springs, wherein said first spring rate is different than said second spring rate;a recliner mechanism operably interconnecting said seat back and said seat such that said seat back is positionable between an upright position and a reclined position; anda spindle assembly operably interconnecting said rocker mechanism to said seat base to provide relative swivel motion therebetween.