Patent ID: 6585320
Filing Date: 2003-07-01
Classification: A47C

Abstract:
A tilt rate adjustment mechanism useful in a tilt back chair having a base, a seat and a back, the back being rearwardly tiltable with respect to the base, and the tilt rate adjustment mechanism being useful in the adjustment of the amount of tension required to tilt the back of the tilt back chair relative to the base, the tilt rate adjustment mechanism comprising:(a) an adjustable torsion spring mounted on a torsion spring shaft, the torsion spring being operatively attached to the back of the tilt back chair such that the rearward tilting of the back is resisted by the tension of the torsion spring, the torsion spring having an adjustment lever for adjusting the tension on the torsion spring, the adjustment lever having a proximal end and a distal end, the adjustment lever being rotatable about the torsion spring shaft between a minimum tension position wherein the torsion spring resists the tilting of the chair back with minimum tension and a maximum tension position wherein the torsion spring resists the tilting of the chair back with maximum tension; (b) a tilt rate adjustment actuator disposed in contact with the adjustment lever such that the movement of the adjustment actuator causes movement of the adjustment lever, the adjustment actuator being movable between (i) a first actuator position wherein the actuator contacts the lever at a first location along the lever which is distal to the distal end of the lever and the adjustment lever is in the minimum tension position and (ii) a second actuator position wherein the actuator contacts the lever at a second location along the lever which is proximal to the distal end of the lever and the adjustment lever is in the maximum tension position; and (c) an actuator movement mechanism for alternatively moving the actuator back and forth between the first actuator position and the second actuator position.