Patent ID: 6550857
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: A47D

Abstract:
A chair convertible between a raised high chair configuration and a lowered rocking chair configuration, comprising:a chair having a rigid seat, a back rest extending upwardly from a back end of the seat, lateral arm rests extending forwardly from the back rest, laterally opposed generally vertical legs depending from an underside of the seat, and first and second lateral side members secured to lower ends of said vertical legs, each of said lateral side members having a longitudinal curved bottom surface; laterally opposed pairs of elongate longitudinally curved inner and outer legs joined in laterally opposed parallel relation by transverse cross members extending therebetween, the inner and outer legs of each said pair pivotally connected together by a mutual pivot connection intermediate their ends to form rockers when the chair is lowered, and each of said outer legs pivotally connected near a first end to an outer facing side of a respective said lateral side member to pivot relative thereto; a pair of arcuate catch elements, each secured at a first end of a respective said inner leg member; a pair of laterally opposed latch members, each having a forward end pivotally connected to an inner facing side of a respective one of said lateral side members and having a rear end with a depending hook engageable with a respective said arcuate catch element when said chair is raised; a transverse rung secured between said latch member rear ends joining them together; a link member pivotally connected at a first end to a respective said latch member and pivotally connected at a second end to an inner facing side of a respective said inner leg; and manual latch release means connected with said transverse rung operable to engage said hooks of said latch members with said arcuate catch elements when said chair is raised to prevent pivotal movement of said inner and outer legs and to disengage said hooks therefrom to allow pivotal movement of said inner and outer legs; in a raised high chair configuration, said hooks of said latch members engaged with said arcuate catch elements to secure said first end of said inner legs engaged against said bottom surface of respective said lateral side members near a rear thereof and a first end of said outer legs engaged on the underside of said seat, and pivotal movement of said inner and outer legs is prevented; and to lower said chair to a rocking chair configuration, said hooks of said latch members are disengaged from said arcuate catch elements and as said chair is lowered, said outer legs pivot about their pivot connection with said lateral side members, and said inner and outer legs pivot about their said mutual pivot connection in a scissors fashion and said inner and outer legs form rockers with said curved bottom of said lateral side members resting on a curved top surface of said inner legs and said outer legs disposed parallel with said inner legs.