Rocking chair

Abstract

A rocking chair includes a frame assembly and a seat assembly. The frame assembly includes a frame unit, and a rotating unit connected to a top end of the frame unit and rotatable relative to the frame unit about a swing axis extending in an axial direction. The seat assembly includes a seat element and a suspension arm. The suspension arm has a suspension portion removably and co-movably connected to the rotation unit of the frame assembly, and a connection portion interconnecting the suspension portion and the seat element such that the seat element is swingable relative to the frame unit of the frame assembly about a swing axis.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application of Mingmen Switzerland Co., Ltd. (application date is June 13, 2019, application number is 201910510725.8, and invention name is "rocking chair"). Technical Field

[0002] The invention relates to a rocking chair, in particular to a rocking chair for infants and having a detachable seat assembly. Background Art

[0003] Traditional baby swings are typically designed to provide a soothing rocking motion for young children. Swings are often bulky due to the large, stable frame required to support the suspended seat, and therefore are often confined to a set location in the home. One of the disadvantages of traditional swings is that caregivers cannot rock the seat with the child in it due to its bulk and lack of flexibility to fit different living spaces. Summary of the invention

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a rocking chair that can overcome at least one disadvantage of the background art.

[0005] The purpose of the present invention and the background technical problem to be solved are achieved by adopting the following technical scheme. The rocking chair proposed in the present invention includes a frame assembly and a seat assembly, wherein the frame assembly includes a frame unit and a rotating unit connected to the top end of the frame unit and rotatable relative to the frame unit around a swing axis extending axially, and the seat assembly includes a seat element and a suspension arm, wherein the suspension arm has a suspension portion which is detachably and movably connected to the rotating unit of the frame assembly, and a connection portion which interconnects the suspension portion and the seat element, so that the seat element can swing relative to the frame unit of the frame assembly around the swing axis.

[0006] In the rocking chair of the present invention, the suspension arm is a U-shaped arm, the suspension portion of the suspension arm is substantially parallel to the swing axis and has two opposite ends in the axial direction, and the connecting portion of the suspension arm has two connecting sections, which are respectively and cross-connected to the opposite ends of the suspension portion of the suspension arm and connected to the seat element.

[0007] In the rocking chair of the present invention, the rotating unit of the frame assembly comprises two rotating elements spaced apart from each other in the axial direction, each rotating element defines a coupling groove, and the opposite ends of the suspension portion of the suspension arm are respectively detachably coupled to the coupling grooves of the rotating elements.

[0008] In the rocking chair of the present invention, the rotating unit further comprises a connecting element, which extends along the axial direction and connects the rotating element. The hanging portion further comprises a protruding section arranged between opposite ends of the hanging portion, and which cooperates with the connecting element of the rotating unit to define a gap therebetween.

[0009] In the rocking chair of the present invention, each rotating element is in the shape of an elongated strip, transverse to the swing axis, and has a first end connected to the frame unit, and a second end away from the first end and defining the engagement groove. The connecting sections of the connecting portion of the suspension arm are respectively detachably engaged with the engagement grooves of the rotating element. The suspension arm also has two stop bushings, which are respectively mounted on the connecting sections of the connecting portion of the suspension arm. Each stop bushing abuts against the second end of the corresponding rotating element to position the suspension arm relative to the rotating element.

[0010] In the rocking chair of the present invention, the suspension portion of the suspension arm is arranged above the swing axis.

[0011] In the rocking chair of the present invention, the rotating unit also includes two latches respectively connected to the rotating element and can move between a release position and a lock position. In the release position, the opposite end of the hanging portion of the suspension arm is allowed to be removed from the engaging groove of the rotating element. In the lock position, the engaging groove of the rotating element is blocked by the latch, so that the hanging portion is locked on the rotating element.

[0012] In the rocking chair of the present invention, the rotating unit of the frame assembly includes a rotating element defining an engaging groove, and one of the opposite ends of the suspension portion of the suspension arm is detachably engaged with the engaging groove.

[0013] In the rocking chair of the present invention, the rotating unit further comprises a side support member connected to the rotating element and abutting against a corresponding one of the connecting sections of the connecting portion of the suspension arm.

[0014] In the rocking chair of the present invention, the suspension portion of the suspension arm is arranged above the swing axis.

[0015] In the rocking chair of the present invention, the suspension arm is an inverted J-shaped arm, the suspension portion of the suspension arm is substantially parallel to the swing axis and has two opposite ends in the axial direction, and the connecting portion of the suspension arm has a connecting section, which is transversely connected to one of the opposite ends of the suspension portion of the suspension arm and connected to the seat element.

[0016] In the rocking chair of the present invention, the rotating unit of the frame assembly comprises two rotating elements spaced apart from each other in the axial direction, each rotating element defines a coupling groove, and the opposite ends of the suspension portion of the suspension arm are respectively detachably coupled to the coupling grooves of the rotating elements.

[0017] In the rocking chair of the present invention, the suspension portion of the suspension arm is arranged above the swing axis.

[0018] The rocking chair of the present invention has a seat element of a seat assembly having a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion has two opposite ends bent upward.

[0019] The beneficial effect of the present invention is that: with the suspension arm detachably and movably connected to the rotating unit of the frame assembly, a caregiver can easily grasp the suspension arm of the seat assembly and lift the seat assembly away from the frame assembly, allowing convenient transportation around the living space and facilitating use as an independent infant seat or rocking chair. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is an assembled stereogram of a first embodiment of the rocking chair of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 is a partial three-dimensional exploded view of the first embodiment;

[0022] Figure 3 is an incomplete stereogram of the first embodiment;

[0023] Figure 4 is an assembled stereogram of a second embodiment of the rocking chair of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 is a partial exploded perspective view of the second embodiment;

[0025] Figure 6 is an assembled stereogram of a third embodiment of the rocking chair of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 7 is an incomplete exploded perspective view of the third embodiment;

[0027] Figure 8 is an assembled stereogram of a fourth embodiment of the rocking chair of the present invention;

[0028] Fig. 9 is a partial exploded perspective view of the fourth embodiment;

[0029] Fig.10 is an assembled stereogram of a fifth embodiment of the rocking chair of the present invention;

[0030] Fig.11 is a partial exploded perspective view of the fifth embodiment;

[0031] Fig.12 is an assembled stereogram of a sixth embodiment of the rocking chair of the present invention;

[0032] Fig.13 is a partial exploded perspective view of the sixth embodiment; and

[0033] Fig.14 is a fragmentary perspective view of the sixth embodiment showing two latches of a frame assembly moving between a locked position and an unlocked position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Before the present invention is described in detail, it should be noted that similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals in the following description.

[0035] See also Figures 1 to 3 The first embodiment of the rocking chair of the present invention includes a frame component 1 and a seat component 2.

[0036] The frame assembly 1 includes a frame unit 10, and a rotating unit 11. The rotating unit 11 is connected to the top end of the frame unit 10 and is rotatable relative to the frame unit 10 around a swing axis X extending in an axial direction.

[0037] The seat assembly 2 includes a seat element 20, and a suspension arm 21 having a suspension portion 211 and a connection portion 212. The suspension portion 211 is detachably and co-movably connected to the rotating unit 11 of the frame assembly 1. The connection portion 212 interconnects the suspension portion 211 and the seat element 20 so that the seat element 20 can swing relative to the frame unit 10 of the frame assembly 1 about the swing axis X. The seat element 20 is suitable for mounting, for example, an infant carrier, and has a bottom portion having two opposite ends bent upward so that when the seat assembly 2 is detached from the frame assembly 1, the seat assembly 2 can be used as an independent rocking chair.

[0038] In this embodiment, the suspension arm 21 is a U-shaped arm. The suspension portion 211 of the suspension arm 21 is substantially parallel to the swing axis X and has two opposite ends in the axial direction. The connecting portion 212 of the suspension arm 21 has two connecting sections 2121, which are respectively cross-connected to the opposite ends of the suspension portion 211 of the suspension arm 21 and connected to the seat element 20.

[0039] In this embodiment, the rotating unit 11 of the frame assembly 1 includes two rotating elements 111 spaced apart from each other in the axial direction. Each rotating element 111 defines an engagement groove 110. The opposite ends of the suspension portion 211 of the suspension arm 21 are respectively detachably engaged with the engagement grooves 110 of the rotating elements 111.

[0040] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the rotating unit 11 further includes a connecting element 113 extending in the axial direction, which is connected to the rotating element 111 and is molded integrally with the rotating element 111. The hanging portion 211 further has a protruding section 2111 disposed between opposite ends of the hanging portion 211, and which cooperates with the connecting element 113 of the rotating unit 11 to define a gap therebetween.

[0041] With the above-mentioned construction of the seat assembly 2, a caregiver can easily remove the suspension portion 211 of the seat assembly 2 from the engagement channel 110 of the frame assembly 1 by inserting a hand into the gap between the protruding section 2111 of the suspension portion 211 and the connecting element 113 of the rotating unit 11, and grasping and lifting the protruding section 2111 of the suspension portion 211, so that the seat assembly 2 can be carried around the home and used as an independent infant seat or rocking chair. Conversely, in order to install the seat assembly 2 on the frame assembly 1, the caregiver can simply reverse the above-mentioned process, and the rocking chair will be ready for use.

[0042] See also Figure 4 and 5 The second embodiment of the rocking chair of the present invention is similar to the first embodiment. The difference between the two embodiments lies in the configuration of the rotating unit 11 of the frame assembly 1 and the suspension portion 211 of the suspension arm 21 of the seat assembly 2.

[0043] In this embodiment, as the connecting element 113 of the previous embodiment is omitted, the two rotating elements 111 remain separated, and the hanging portion 211 of the hanging arm 21 does not have the protruding section 2111. In addition, when the opposite ends of the hanging portion 211 are respectively engaged with the engaging grooves 110 of the rotating element 111, the hanging portion 211 is arranged above the swing axis X.

[0044] See also Figure 6 and 7 The third embodiment of the rocking chair of the present invention is similar to the second embodiment. The difference between the two embodiments lies in the construction of the suspension arm 21 of the seat assembly 2.

[0045] In this embodiment, the suspension arm 21 is an inverted J-shaped arm, that is, the connecting portion 212 of the suspension arm 21 has only one connecting section 2121, which is transversely connected to one of the opposite ends of the suspension portion 211 of the suspension arm 21 and connected to the seat element 20.

[0046] Similar to the second embodiment, the rotating unit 11 of the frame assembly 1 includes two rotating elements 111 spaced apart from each other in the axial direction, and each rotating element 111 defines an engagement groove 110. The opposite ends of the suspension portion 211 of the suspension arm 21 are detachably engaged with the engagement grooves 110 of the rotating elements 111, respectively.

[0047] See also Figure 8 and 9 The fourth embodiment of the rocking chair of the present invention is similar to the second embodiment. The difference between the two embodiments lies in the configuration of the rotating element 111 of the frame assembly 1 and the suspension arm 21 of the seat assembly 2.

[0048] In this embodiment, each rotating element 111 is elongated, transverse to the swing axis X, and has a first end 1111 connected to the frame unit 10, and a second end 1112 away from the first end 1111 and defining the engagement groove 110. Each connecting section 2121 of the connecting portion 212 of the suspension arm 21 is detachably engaged with the engagement groove 110 of the corresponding rotating element 111, so that the suspension portion 211 of the suspension arm 21 is disposed above the swing axis X.

[0049] The suspension arm 21 further has two stop bushings 213, which are respectively sleeved on the connecting section 2121 of the connecting portion 212 of the suspension arm 21. Each stop bushing 213 abuts against the second end 1112 of the corresponding rotating element 111 so that the suspension arm 21 is positioned relative to the rotating element 111.

[0050] More specifically, by means of the stop bushing 213 , when the seat element 20 swings about the swing axis X relative to the frame unit 10 of the frame assembly 1 , each connecting section 2121 of the suspension arm 21 can remain firmly engaged in the engagement channel 110 of the corresponding rotating element 111 .

[0051] See also Fig.10 and 11 The fifth embodiment of the rocking chair of the present invention is similar to the second embodiment. The difference between the two embodiments lies in the construction of the frame assembly 1.

[0052] In this embodiment, the rotating unit 11 of the frame assembly 1 includes only one rotating element 111 defining the engaging groove 110 . One of the opposite ends of the hanging portion 211 of the hanging arm 21 is detachably engaged with the engaging groove 110 .

[0053] The rotating unit 11 further includes a side support 114 connected to the rotating element 111 and abutting against a corresponding one of the connecting sections 2121 of the connecting portion 212 of the suspension arm 21 , so that the rotating element 111 and the side support 114 cooperatively support and position the suspension arm 21 of the seat assembly 2 relative to the rotating unit 11 .

[0054] See also Figures 12 to 14 The sixth embodiment of the rocking chair of the present invention is similar to the second embodiment. The difference between the two embodiments lies in the construction of the rotating unit 11 of the frame assembly 1.

[0055] In this embodiment, the rotating unit 11 further includes two latches 115 respectively connected to the rotating element 111 and movable between a locking position and a releasing position. Fig.14 As shown in the upper part of the figure, the engagement groove 110 of the rotating element 111 is blocked by the latch 115 so that the hanging portion 211 is locked on the rotating element 111. When the latch 115 is in the unlocking position, as shown in FIG. Fig.14 As shown in the lower part of , the opposite end of the suspension portion 211 of the suspension arm 21 is allowed to be removed from the engagement groove 110 of the rotation element 111 .

[0056] It should be noted that in all the above embodiments and their variations, the rocking chair may further include a motor for driving the rotating unit 11 to activate the rocking motion of the seat element 20. In addition, by virtue of the configuration of the seat element 20, in all the above embodiments and their variations, the seat assembly 2 may be used as an independent rocking chair.

[0057] In summary, the present invention provides a rocking chair having a seat assembly 2 that is easily detachable by means of a suspension arm 21 that is pivotally and detachably engaged with a frame assembly 1. A caregiver can easily grasp the suspension arm 21 of the seat assembly 2 and lift the seat assembly 2 away from the frame assembly 1, allowing for convenient transportation around a living space and for use as a standalone infant seat or rocking chair.

[0058] In the above description, for the purpose of explanation, many specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. It should also be understood that references to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," embodiments with ordinal indications, etc. throughout the specification mean that specific features, structures, or characteristics may be included in the practice of the present disclosure. It should be further understood that in the specification, various features are sometimes combined in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof in order to simplify the present disclosure and aid in understanding various inventive aspects, and one or more features or, where appropriate, specific details from one embodiment may be practiced together with one or more features or specific details from another embodiment in the practice of the present disclosure.

[0059] While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what are considered to be exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover changes included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalents.

Claims

1. A rocking chair, Features: The rocking chair comprises a frame assembly and a seat assembly, wherein the frame assembly comprises a frame unit and a rotating unit connected to the top end of the frame unit and rotatable relative to the frame unit around a swing axis extending in an axial direction, and the seat assembly comprises a seat element and a suspension arm, wherein the suspension arm has a suspension portion detachably and movably connected to the rotating unit of the frame assembly, and a connection portion interconnecting the suspension portion and the seat element, so that the seat element can swing relative to the frame unit of the frame assembly around the swing axis.

2. The rocking chair according to claim 1, Features: The suspension arm is a U-shaped arm, the suspension portion of the suspension arm is substantially parallel to the swing axis and has two opposite ends in the axial direction, and the connecting portion of the suspension arm has two connecting sections, which are respectively and cross-connected to the opposite ends of the suspension portion of the suspension arm and connected to the seat element.

3. The rocking chair according to claim 2, Features: The rotating unit of the frame assembly includes two rotating elements spaced apart from each other in the axial direction, each of the rotating elements defines an engaging groove, and opposite ends of the suspension portion of the suspension arm are respectively detachably engaged with the engaging grooves of the rotating elements.

4. The rocking chair according to claim 3, Features: The rotating unit further includes a connecting element extending along the axial direction and connecting the rotating element. The hanging portion further includes a protruding section disposed between opposite ends of the hanging portion and cooperating with the connecting element of the rotating unit to define a gap therebetween.

5. The rocking chair according to claim 3, Features: Each of the rotating elements is elongated, transverse to the swing axis, and has a first end connected to the frame unit, and a second end away from the first end and defining the engagement groove. The connecting sections of the connecting part of the suspension arm are respectively detachably engaged with the engagement grooves of the rotating elements. The suspension arm also has two stop bushings, which are respectively mounted on the connecting sections of the connecting part of the suspension arm. Each of the stop bushings abuts against the second end of the corresponding rotating element to position the suspension arm relative to the rotating element.

6. The rocking chair according to claim 5, Features: The suspension portion of the suspension arm is arranged above the swing axis.

7. The rocking chair according to claim 3, Features: The rotating unit also includes two latches respectively connected to the rotating element and movable between a release position and a lock position, wherein the release position allows the opposite ends of the hanging portion of the hanging arm to be removed from the engagement groove of the rotating element, and the lock position blocks the engagement groove of the rotating element by the latches, so that the hanging portion is locked on the rotating element.

8. The rocking chair according to claim 2, Features: The rotating unit of the frame assembly includes a rotating element defining an engagement channel, and one of the opposite ends of the suspension portion of the suspension arm is detachably engaged with the engagement channel.

9. The rocking chair according to claim 8, Features: The rotating unit further includes a side support connected to the rotating element and abutting against a corresponding one of the connecting sections of the connecting portion of the suspension arm.

10. The rocking chair according to claim 2, Features: The suspension portion of the suspension arm is arranged above the swing axis.

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