Patent ID: 7175232

Claim:
A chair comprising a seat member, a base, and a coupling mechanism for coupling the seat member to the base, the coupling mechanism adapted for providing a smooth deflection when subjected to a load so as to facilitate a rocking motion of the seat member relative to the base, the coupling mechanism comprising: at least two elongate members each having a substantially rectangular cross-section and first and second ends, each of said elongate members having an inner surface and an outer surface and each being formed with a channel extending longitudinally along said outer surface from the first end to the second end to create a thin center portion located between thicker side portions, each of said elongate members having an elongate, generally flat upper segment, an elongate, generally flat lower segment disposed generally below the upper segment, and a curved segment between the upper and lower segments, the curved segment curving at least 180 degrees and configured to flex when the first and second ends are moved relative to one another, the first ends of the elongate members being connected to the chair member, the second ends of the elongate members being connected to the base; and a horizontal support coupled to said seconds ends of said elongate members, the horizontal support also being connected to the base; wherein said horizontal support has a pair of mount portions, each mount portion comprising a recess having a contoured surface adapted to complement said outer surfaces of said elongate members so that an elongate member complementarily fits transversely across the mount portion.