Chairs and seats – Rocker-mounted – With means to limit or inhibit rocking motion
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-10
2001-09-18
Brown, Peter R (Department: 3636)
Chairs and seats
Rocker-mounted
With means to limit or inhibit rocking motion
C297S270100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06290294
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to safety devices, and more particularly to safety devices which are used in conjunction with rocking chairs, rocking horses, cradles and other devices having rockers or rocker arms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Rocking chairs, rocking horses, cradles, and other similar rocking devices are well known and widely used throughout the world. While it is the ability to rock back and forth which makes these devices popular, it is the same rocking ability or instability which may expose numerous individuals to injuries each year. One of the most common problems with rocking devices is their tendency to tip over when a person is attempting to get in or out of the device, as well as when children climb on them while playing. Additionally, situations frequently arise where it would be desirable to use a chair or cradle but for the fact that it rocks. While the prior art addresses a number of concerns which arise from the use of rocking devices, each of the previously-known devices appears to provide a solution to a highly specific problem and does not address the broader range of concerns which affect a larger group of people.
In most cases these known devices are not adaptable to a variety of rocking devices. For instance, C. Schulte's U.S. Pat. No. 491,602 provides for the conversion of a rocking chair to a prayer stand. In making the conversion from a rocking chair to a prayer stand, the seat of the chair is rotated to a vertical position to support a portion of the back as a rest. As the seat is rotated to the proper position, a brace arm is rotated in such a fashion so as to prevent the prayer from rocking forward. Obviously, with its seat in a vertical orientation, the Schulte device may not be used as a chair. Furthermore, the Schulte anti-rocking device does not prevent the prayer stand from rocking backward or the chair from rocking in both directions. Clearly the anti-rocking mechanism disclosed in the Schulte patent is very limited in scope and would only be applicable to the specific embodiment disclosed therein.
Another example of a device which addresses some of the stability and safety concerns related to rocking devices is C. N. Cadwallader's “Convertible Chair” that is described in U.S. Pat. No. 169,772. The Cadwallader device is convertible from a rocking chair to a rocking or non-rocking crib or cradle. Arms G are pivotally hinged to the rockers and are adapted to swing downward so as to bear against the floor for staying the operation of the rockers. While the Cadwallader device need not be “converted” from chair to cradle or vice versa in order to use the anti-rocking arms, the disclosure shows that great care must be taken when attempting to stay the operation of the rockers to ensure that one of the arms G is not dislodged while positioning the others. It also appears that the rockers must be raised off the floor slightly to properly position the anti-rocking arms.
The most noticeable difference between the Schulte and Cadwallader anti-rocking devices is that the Cadwallader device will prevent both forward and rearward rocking when the arms are properly positioned. Additionally, unlike the Schulte device, Cadwallader's invention provides a solution which may be applied to a wide variety of rocking devices; however, Cadwallader's device will still subject its user to undesired rocking or tipping in certain circumstances. For instance, the arms G in Cadwallader merely pivot into position and could become dislodged relatively easily, potentially resulting in undesired rocking or tipping. Furthermore, if the chair or cradle with the anti-rocking feature engaged is moved, the user must check each of the anti-rocking arms to ensure that they are properly positioned and have not become dislodged.
A third example of the representative prior art, Maxwell's “Convertible Cradle” is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,021,867. The device disclosed in the Maxwell patent comprises a conventional cradle with four pivotally mounted legs that may be used to convert a rocking cradle to a non-rocking cradle. To make the conversion, each of the pivotally mounted legs is rotated in such a manner that the bottom surface of the leg is positioned on the floor surface. A wedge lock pin is used to maintain the proper position of the legs when they are so positioned. Properly positioned, the anti-rocking legs of Maxwell's device raise the cradle's rockers off of the ground, thereby preventing the cradle from rocking. However, Maxwell's device requires the user to lift the rocking cradle off of the ground in order to engage the anti-rocking feature.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a safety kit which is capable of stabilizing a rocking device and preventing it from rocking.
It is another object of the invention to provide a safety kit which allows for the quick conversion of a rocking device to a non-rocking device or vice versa.
It is another object of the invention to provide a safety kit which attaches to the rocking device in such a manner that if the rocking device is moved, the invention remains in place relative to the rocking device and the risk of undesired tipping or rocking is significantly reduced.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a safety kit which may be attached to rocking devices without requiring the lifting or raising of the device.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a safety kit which may be adapted for use with a wide variety of rocking devices having rockers, and which may be obtained separately from the rocking device.
Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from an examination of the drawings and the ensuing description.
EXPLANATION OF TECHNICAL TERMS
As used herein, the term rocking device refers to a rocking chair, rocking horse, cradle, or any other similar rocking apparatus having at least two rockers or rocker arms which come in contact with the floor surface upon which the rocking device rests and which permit the device to rock back and forth.
As used herein, the terms rockers or rocker arms refer to the components of a rocking device which are generally arcuate in shape and provide the surface upon which the rocking device sits. The arcuate shape of the rockers on a rocking device enables the device to be rocked back and forth along the bottom surfaces of the rockers.
As used herein, the term non-rocking device refers to not only those devices which do not fall into the category of rocking devices, defined above, but also includes those rocking devices which are immobilized in any manner for any length of time such that they are not capable or rocking on their rockers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There are a number of times or circumstances at which it is or would be desirable to convert a rocking chair, rocking horse, cradle, or other similar rocking device to a stable, non-rocking device; however, the prior art has not provided nor does it teach or suggest an apparatus for accomplishing this function which may be universally applied to the different types of rocking devices. The present invention provides a solution to the desire to be able to easily convert a rocking device to a non-rocking device, and it addresses some of the concerns of convenience and safety which are associated with that desire. The present invention provides a kit of easily attachable or detachable wedges which may be used with most rocking devices having rocker arms similar to those found on a rocking chair or rocking cradle.
The most basic form of the invention comprises two wedges, each wedge being one piece of material bent, shaped or formed to create a bottom face or surface and an inclined top face. Preferably, each top face is inclined at an angle of approximately 20° with respect to its bottom face. A pair of straps are also provided, each of which is adapted for securing one of the wedges to a rocker of a rocking device.
In use, the fi
Brown Peter R
Chambliss Bahner & Stophel P.C.
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