Patent · US Expired

Pawl and ratchet assembly

US5328235A · kind A · utility

25Cited by
2References
36Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 31, 1992
Grant dateJul 12, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 31, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA47C3/027
  • WIPO fieldFurniture, games
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

An improved latching mechanism for a rocking chair having an extensible leg rest assembly is disclosed. The latching mechanism is operable to releasably lock the chair frame in a rearwardly tilted position upon extension of the leg rest assembly while permitting unrestricted rocking action when the leg rest assembly is protracted. The improved latching mechanism is a pawl and ratchet latching mechanism having a spring-biased pawl member operable to lockingly engage a toothed ratchet sector for retaining the chair frame in its rearwardly tilted position. A unique actuation arrangement is disclosed having a release member that functions to pull the spring-biased pawl member to a released position. The actuation arrangement is also operable to prevent the release member from exerting any compressive biasing loading on the pawl member when the pawl member is in locked engagement with the ratchet teeth.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.