An Improved Device for Adjusting and Locking in a Fixed Position Spring Rocking Chairs.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Sept., 1896-Accepted, 24th Oct., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Device for Adjusting and Locking in a Fixed Position
Spring Rocking Chairs.
I, JOHN JOSEPH HOBSON, of 4, Westbourne Grove Terrace, Bayswater,
Salesman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained, in and
by the following statement :-
This invention relates to an improved adjusting and locking device applied to
what are known as spring rocking chairs in which the chair rocks upon a fixed base
or platform to which it is connected by springs and the object of the invention is to
adjust and lock the chair in a suitable position when not required to be rocked.
For this purpose I provide a rectangular shaped metal frame having its vertical
or side arms pivoted to the rockers of the chair at their rear ends, and its horizontal
arms extending some distance forward underneath the seat of the chair, the front
portion of the said frame connecting the said arms together and extending across
from side to side of the chair underneath the seat. The forward ends of the side
arms are provided with handles for adjusting the position of the frame and the
vertical arms of the latter are formed with two or more notches which are caused
to engage with a cross bar fixed to the base or platform of the chair when the latter
is required to be locked in a fixed position.
By means of my invention the occupier of the chair can easily adjust its position,
and lock it in such position, as the handles of the adjusting and locking frame are
on a level with the seat and at about the centre thereof so that it is not necessary
for him to leave the chair for this purpose and he can in a similar manner unlock it
when the chair is required for rocking.
Referring to the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention
Fig. 1 is a side view of an ordinary rocking chair with my improved adjusting
device attached thereto,
Fig. 2. is a plan of the chair seat frame and adjusting device, and
Fig. 3 is a separate view in perspective of the adjusting and locking frame or
device.
a is the chair and a¹ its rockers resting upon the base or platform b to which it is
connected by springs in the ordinary manner. The adjusting and locking frame or
device consists of a front bar c (Fig. 3) and two side bars consisting of horizontal
arms c and vertical arms eat right angles with the bar c. The arms c¹ are each
provided with a wooden or other handle d near their forward ends, and the arms
are formed with two or more notches e for engaging with cross-bar f connected
by plates g to the sides of the base or platform b. The arms are pivoted at a² to
the rockers a¹.
a
When required to adjust the chair to any fixed position the occupier thereof
simply catches hold of the handles d and raises them up so as to cause the frame or
device to turn about its centres or pivots a and thus bring one or other of the
notches e into engagement with the cross-bar f thereby locking the chair in a fixed
position as required.
For the purpose of unlocking, the handles are pushed down again thus disengaging
the notches e from the bar f. when the chair is again free for rocking.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is,
1. In an improved adjusting and locking device for spring rocking chairs the use
of a frame, pivoted to the rear ends of the rockers, whose upper part passes
underneath the seat of the chair and is provided with handles, its lower part being
formed with notches for engaging with a cross-bar fixed to the base for locking
the chair in a fixed position substantially as described and for the purposes
specified.
2. An adjusting and locking device for spring rocking chairs consisting of a
metal frame constructed with a front cross-bar c, side bars or arms c¹, c² formed
with notches e and pivoted to the rockers at a², handles d, d, and a locking bar f
fixed to the base b, substantially as described and shown in the drawings.
Dated this 24th day of September 1896.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.