Patent Publication Number: US-5022667-A

Title: Multiple configuration seating device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention pertains to a seating device that can be changed between and locked into two functionally different configurations, one of which has a fixed attitude and the other of which is a rocker. 
     2. The Prior Art 
     Single attitude and adjustable attitude seating devices are well known; some of these are collapsible. Rocking chairs and rocking horses are also well known. Children&#39;s pull toys having wheels and a child&#39;s seat are also well known. 
     However when a rocking type hobby horse, and a pull type hobby horse are wanted, it has been necessary to acquire two discrete devices. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a seating device that is lockable in two functionally different configurations. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a hobby horse type device that is lockable in either of a wheeled or rocker configuration. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a new method of changing and locking a seating device in either of two functionally different configurations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A multiple configuration seating device has a seat, a base with a pair of elongate runners, a pair of opposed sides on each runner with a first side having fixed attitude structure and a second side having rocker surfaces, pivot structure connecting the seat to the base and enabling the seat to be pivoted past one end of the base, and lock structure for locking the seat in position on either side of the base. 
     A hobby horse type device has a seat, a base with a pair of elongate runners, a wheeled side and a rocker side on each runner, first and second seat pedestals pivotally connected to the runners, a seat swivel between the seat and one pedestal, and lock structure for locking the seat and the pedestals in either of two normal positions. 
     A method of fixing a seating device in either of two configurations has the steps of providing a base with runners housing a rocker surface on one side and wheels on the other side, unlocking the seat from a pair of pedestals pivotally attached to the base, pivoting the pedestals in between the runners from one side of the runners, swiveling the seat about one of the pedestals, and re-locking the seat to the pedestals. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in a rocker configuration; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the structure of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the structure of FIG. 1, now shown in wheeled configuration; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing changing of the structure between the configurations of FIGS. 1 and 3; 
     FIG. 5 is an elevational view from lines V--V in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is an elevational view from lines VI--VI in FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational detail view of the lock mechanism. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     According to the principles of the present invention, the preferred embodiment of a multiple configuration seating device is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 and is generally indicated by the numeral 10. A preferred embodiment of the device 10 is a hobby horse configuration that has a handle head 12 with a profile that resembles a horse. Other configurations are also viable; a replication of a school bus being one alternative. The device 10 also has a base 14, seat pedestals 16, 18, a seat 20 and a seat lock 22. 
     The base 14 has a pair of elongate runners 24, 26 which are identical to each other and which are transversely spaced apart a distance which is greater than the width of the seat 20 as shown in FIG. 2. Each runner 24, 26 has a first side 28 which is generally flat and has a pair of wheels 30 that have ground contact points 32 providing a fixed attitude for the seat 20 and for the device 10 as best shown in FIG. 3. When the first side 28 and wheels 30 face downward as shown in FIG. 3, the device 10 can be pushed and/or pulled as a rolling vehicle. Each runner 24, 26 also has an opposed second side 34 which is a convex radiused rocker surface that when facing downward, as shown in FIG. 1, configures the device 10 as a rocker and provides for rocking motion of the device 10 and the seat 20. 
     An important feature of this invention is that it can quickly and easily be configured either as a rocker as shown in FIG. 1 or as a wheeled vehicle as shown in FIG. 3. If the runners 24, 26 were provided with runners and/or blades, the device 10 would be a sled that can also be pushed and/or pulled. 
     The seat 20 is atop of and is supported by the pedestals 16, 18. The front pedestal 16 is secured to the front of the seat 20 and the rear pedestal is secured to rear of the seat 20. One of the pedestals 16, 18 is always connected to the seat 20 and the other of the pedestals 16, 18 is normally locked to but can be easily unlocked and disconnected from the seat 20 with the lock mechanism 22 as is shown in FIG. 4. 
     The lock pedestal 16 as best seen in FIG. 5 is a single planar member having a full width lower section 35, a narrowed upper neck 36, horizontal surfaces 38 that can be used as footrests by a toddler, a lock aperture 40, and a seat rest 42. The lock pedestal 16 is pivotally fastened to the runners 24, 26 by a pivot pin 44. The lock pedestal 16 is pivotable in between the runners 24, 26 outwardly at least 180 degrees between the two normal positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. 
     The swivel pedestal 18 shown best in FIG. 6, has a full width lower section 46, and a narrowed upper neck 48 fastened to the seat. The lower section 46 is pivotally fastened to the runners 24, 26 by a second pivot pin 50. The swivel pedestal 18 with the seat 20 fastened to it is pivotal (when unlocked) past its end of the base 14 at least 180 degrees and between the two normal positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. An important feature is the swivel pedestal is a swivel joint between the seat and the second pivot pin 50. The swivel joint is formed by the discrete lower section 46 and upper neck 48 being held to other by a swivel pin 52. The swivel pin 52 is preferably co-planar with but normal to the second pivot pin 50. 
     The pivot pins 44, 50 secure the two runners 24, 26 together and to the pedestals 16, 18. The wheels 30 preferably extend outward over and beyond the rocker surface 34 to provide rocker safety stops that limit both backwards and forward rocking motion. 
     The lock mechanism 22 shown in detail in FIG. 7, has a lock shaft 54 with a crosspin and actuator 56 resiliently biased by a lock spring 58 into the lock aperture 40. the lock mechanism 22 is preferably structured inside the handle head 12 within a slide bore 60 and an access bore 62. 
     In the operation and use of the device 10, and in the practice of method of this present invention, it is apparent that, as previously described, the device 10 is used as a rocker when in the configuration of FIG. 1 and as a wheeled, bladed or skidded push/pull vehicle when configured as shown in FIG. 3. Both of the configurations of FIGS. 1 and 3 are normal. 
     To change the device between the two normal configurations, the normally closed lock mechanism 22 is open and the seat 20 is lifted up as shown in FIG. 4. The lock pedestal 16 is then pivoted from the position shown in solid lines to the position shown in dotted lines, at the same time the swivel pedestal 18 and seat 20 are pivoted past the other end to the position shown in dotted lines. The seat 20 is then swiveled 180 degrees about the swivel pin 52 and the lock mechanism 22 is relocked and closed upon the lock pedestal 16. 
     The entire device 10 can be built from wood and can be marketed as a completed device or a kit for end user assembly. The entire device 10 can also be mass produced using conventional plastic materials and techniques. The device 10 is safe and can easily be configured and changed without the use of tools; the configuration change can easily be done by a pre-school child user. However the lock mechanism 22 is completely under and is covered by the seat 20 and is not accessible during use of the device 10 so that accidental collapse while in use is virtually impossible. 
     Many other advantages, features and additional objects of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and accompanying drawings in which the preferred embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is set forth and shown by way of illustrative example. 
     Although other advantages may be found and realized and various modifications may be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon, all such embodiments as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.