US008777305B1
`
`US008777305B1
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Jannetides et al.
`
`(io) Patent No.:
`
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,777,305 B1
`Jul. 15, 2014
`
`(54) MULTIFUNCTION CHAIR CONVERTIBLE
`FROM OFFICE CHAIR TO FLOOR ROCKER
`
`AND STOOL
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: James N. Jannetides, Fishers, IN (US);
`Adam Anderson, Indianapolis, IN (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: J Squared, Inc., Greenfield, TN (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 2 days.
`
`(21) Appl.No.: 13/349,556
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jan. 12, 2012
`
`(51)
`
`Int. CI.
`A47C 13/00
`A47C 3/02
`A47C 7/00
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(52) U.S. CI.
`297/118; 297/234; 297/236; 297/237;
`USPC (cid:9)
`297/258.1; 297/271.5; 297/271.6; 297/440.15;
`297/440.22
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC (cid:9)
`297/118,234,235,236,258.1,271.5,
`297/271.6, 440.15, 440.22, 237
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
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`
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`297/132
`297/271.5 X
`
`297/118 X
`
`297/118
`
`D217,089 S
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`3,556,586 A *
`3,821,825 A
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`
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`9/1988 Opsvik
`12/1988 Kvalheim
`
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Sauder Sales Literature, "Trey Multifunction Task Chair," © 2006 (2
`Pgs-)-
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner — Rodney B White
`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — William F. Bahret
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A multifunction chair with a floor rocker detachable from a
`base that is usable as a stool. The floor rocker and base are
`readily attached and detached by means of a quick-release
`mechanism having first and second couplers on the floor
`rocker and the seat plate of the base, respectively. The first
`coupler includes a rearward projection from a cross-member
`on the rocker and has left and right side latch mechanisms
`below the rear portion of the seat of the rocker, the latch
`mechanisms each having a laterally movable latch bolt. The
`second coupler is an integral part of the seat plate.
`
`12 Claims, 16 Drawing Sheets
`
`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 1
`
`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 1
`
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`

`
`297/440.15
`
`297/440.15 X
`
`297/271.5 X
`
`5/1989 Serber
`4,832,407 A
`10/1990 Opsvik
`4,960,305 A
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`10/1991 Kvalheim
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`5,074,621 A * 12/1991 McDonald (cid:9)
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`5,806,922 A
`11/1998 Rossi
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`297/440.15 X
`5,865,508 A *
`5/1999 Osterweil-Glaz et al.
`D409,007 S
`6/1999 Ogg
`D41 1,692 S
`6,000,750 A * 12/1999 Rossman et al (cid:9)
`5/2000 Tholkes et al.
`D425,713 S
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`6,132,342 A * 10/2000 McKinney et al.
`2/2001 Pinto
`D437,129 S
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`3/2001 Hannes et al.
`D439,066 S
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`6,345,864 B1
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`6,422,654 Bl*
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`6/2003 Barrett et al.
`6,572,134 B2
`8/2003 Chen
`D478,734 S
`9/2003 Chen
`D479,054 S
`1/2004 Melohn et al.
`6,672,659 Bl*
`
`297/1 18 X
`
`. ... 297/258.1 X
`
`297/440.15 X
`
`297/118
`
`US 8,777,305 B1
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`297/236 X
`
`297/118 X
`... 297/170
`
`3/2004 Skelton et al.
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`2/2006 Hosoe
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`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`29
`
`,,
`
`Kuchera, Ben, "The Transformer of Office Chairs: a Review of the
`Trey Chair," [online], Aug. 15, 2007. Retrieved from the Internet:
`http://arstechnica.com\reviews\other\the-transformer-of-office-
`chairs-a-review-of-the-trey-chairs.ars (8 pgs.).
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 2
`
`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 15, 2014
`
`Sheet 1 of 16
`
`US 8,777,305 B1
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`Fig. 1
`
`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 3
`
`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 3
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 15, 2014
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`Sheet 2 of 16
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`US 8,777,305 B1
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`Fig. 2
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 4
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 4
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 15, 2014
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`Sheet 3 of 16
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`US 8,777,305 B1
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`Fig. 3
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 5
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 5
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 15, 2014
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`Sheet 4 of 16
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 6
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 6
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 15, 2014
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`Sheet 5 of 16
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`US 8,777,305 B1
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`Fig. 5
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 7
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 7
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 15, 2014
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`Sheet 6 of 16
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`Fig. 6
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 8
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 8
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 7 of 16
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`20
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`Fig. 7
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 9
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 9
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 15, 2014
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`Sheet 8 of 16
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 10
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 10
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 15,2014
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`Sheet 9 of 16
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`US 8,777,305 B1
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`Fig. 10
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`d
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`Fig. 11
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 11
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 11
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 10 of 16
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`"7
`73
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`70-
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`Fig. 12
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 12
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 12
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 11 of 16
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`US 8,777,305 B1
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`Fig. 17
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 13
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 13
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 12 of 16
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`\
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`50
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`Fig. 18
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 14
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 14
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 13 of 16
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`US 8,777,305 B1
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`Fig. 19
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 15
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 15
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 14 of 16
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`Fig. 20
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 16
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 16
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 15 of 16
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`US 8,777,305 B1
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`Fig. 21
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 17
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 17
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 15, 2014
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`Sheet 16 of 16
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`US 8,777,305 B1
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`Fig. 22
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 18
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`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 18
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`

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`US 8,777,305 B1
`
`1
`MULTIFUNCTION CHAIR CONVERTIBLE
`FROM OFFICE CHAIR TO FLOOR ROCKER
`
`AND STOOL
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to chairs and more particularly to
`dual-purpose chairs and other multi-purpose chairs, espe
`cially chairs which can be interchangeably used as an office
`chair or a recreational chair.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`10
`
`A multifunction chair with a floor rocker detachable from
`a base that is usable as a stool. The floor rocker and base are 15
`readily attached and detached by means of a quick-release
`mechanism having first and second couplers on the floor
`rocker and the seat plate of the base, respectively. The first
`coupler includes a rearward projection from a cross-member
`on the rocker and has left and right side latch mechanisms 20
`below the rear portion of the seat of the rocker, the latch
`mechanisms each having a laterally movable latch bolt. The
`second coupler is an integral part of the seat plate.
`The objects and advantages ofthe present invention will be
`more apparent upon reading the following detailed descrip- 25
`tion in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the
`principles ofthe invention, reference will now be made to the
`embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific lan
`guage will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless
`be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention
`is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifica
`tions in the illustrated device and such further applications of
`the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being
`contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art
`to which the invention relates.
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a mul
`tifunction chair 10 with a floor rocker 20 detachable from a
`base 30 usable as a stool according to the present invention,
`with chair 10 shown in its office chair configuration. Refer
`ring to FIGS. 1-9, 17 and 18, floor rocker 20 has a unitary
`main frame 22 which includes rocker rails 23 and 24, front &
`rear cross-members 25 and 26, and a frame 28 of a first
`coupler which is configured to mate with a second coupler on
`base 30 to form a quick-release mechanism for coupling the
`floor rocker to the base, as will be described. A contoured
`mesh seat 40 has its own seat frame 42 which is secured to
`frame 22 at the front end of each rail and at rear cross-member
`26, and a contoured mesh seatback 50 is secured to frame 22
`at rear cross-member 26. Base 30 includes a generally hori
`zontal, rectangular plate 32 supported on a column 34 of a
`five-point star base 36 with caster wheels. Uncoupled from
`the floor rocker, the base can be used as a stool or a table.
`The seat and seatback contain a breathable mesh which is
`virtually transparent, and the mesh may be independently
`supported in a first frame member which is fastened to a
`second frame member which is in turn fastened to the main
`frame ofthe floor rocker. Each frame member is substantially
`rigid and may be molded of hard plastic. Plastic resin mate
`rials including polypropylene, ABS, PET, nylon, and glass-
`filled nylons may be used. The seat and/or seatback may
`alternatively be upholstered. One-piece frames,
`including
`frames made of wood, metal or other materials, are also
`contemplated, as are seats and seatbacks having a rigid body-
`contact surface portion mounted on a frame. As shown in
`several drawings and particularly evident in FIG. 6, the seat-
`back frame includes two curvilinear, vertically oriented frame
`members, or ribs, extending from the bottom end of the seat-
`back in substantially parallel fashion then diverging toward
`the upper comers.
`The main frame 22 of the floor rocker 20 is preferably
`molded as a single unit, preferably hard plastic. Plastic resin
`materials such as those indicated above may be used. The
`one-piece frame includes the rocker rails, front & rear cross-
`members, and frame 28 as described above. The front cross-
`member includes a rearward projection 82 which, along with
`frame 28,
`forms part of the first coupler, and frame 28
`includes hollow columnar support structure 60 and may also
`include support structure 61, 62 or both. Each support struc
`ture 60 supports a side latch mechanism as will be described.
`Frame 28 also supports a central cap 80 of the quick-release
`coupler as will be described. Support 61 is an optional support
`for an armrest of the type having a rigid L-shaped support
`which includes a vertical member and a horizontal flange for
`attaching to a horizontal support surface such as on the top of
`support 61. FIGS. 8 and 9 are left and right side views,
`respectively, of an embodiment of a floor rocker which is the
`same as that described above except that it has no mount for
`an armrest.
`The base or stool 30 has seat plate 32 supported on a
`column 34 such as by means of a metal bracket shown in
`FIGS. 10 and 11. The column may be an adjustable-height
`column, e.g., a gas cylinder, with a height adjustment lever as
`
`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 19
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a mul- 30
`tiffinction chair with a floor rocker detachable from a base
`usable as a stool according to the present invention, with the
`chair shown in its office chair configuration.
`FIGS. 2 and 3 are right and left side views, respectively, of
`the chair of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view ofthe floor rocker and stool of
`FIG. 1 uncoupled from each other.
`FIGS. 5 and 6 are front and rear views, respectively, of the
`floor rocker of FIG. 1 detached from the stool.
`FIG. 7 is a top view of the floor rocker.
`FIGS. 8 and 9 are left and right side views, respectively, of
`another embodiment of a floor rocker.
`FIGS. 10 and 11 are front and left side views, respectively,
`of the stool of FIG. 1 detached from floor rocker.
`FIG. 12 is a top view of the stool seat.
`FIGS. 13 and 14 are front and rear views, respectively, of
`the stool seat.
`FIGS. 15 and 16 are left and right side views, respectively,
`of the stool seat.
`FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the floor rocker from the 50
`right side, showing the seatback detached from the rail sub
`assembly.
`FIG. 18 is an exploded bottom view of the floor rocker
`showing the seatback separate from the seat.
`FIG. 19 is a bottom view ofthe chair with the base partially 55
`removed to illustrate the engagement of the stool seat to the
`underside of the floor rocker, with the rail frame cut away to
`show the right side latch mechanism.
`FIG. 20 is a longitudinal cross-section of the front latch
`mechanism taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 19, showing the 60
`quarter-round boss abutting the front end of the stool seat.
`FIG. 21 is a perspective view ofthe right side latch mecha
`nism, viewed from the upper left with the rail frame cut away
`to show the latch bolt thru the slot.
`FIG. 22 is a transverse cross-section of the right side latch 65
`mechanism taken along line 22-22 ofFIG. 21, looking toward
`the rear of the floor rocker.
`
`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 19
`
`

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`US 8,777,305 B1
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`5
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`lo
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`15
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`shown. The seat plate has a front wall 70 with a laterally
`elongated opening or notch 71 in the bottom edge of the wall,
`and has left and right side openings or slots 72 and 72 which,
`together withnotch71, define a second quick-release coupler.
`Openings other than a notch are contemplated. For example,
`the openings or slots may be superficial, e.g., grooves, ormay
`be through holes. The rearward projection 82 is configured to
`engage notch 71 when the front end of the floor rocker is
`placed over the seat plate. The seat plate may include a pencil
`groove 76 in its top wall 74.
`As alluded to above, the chair includes a quick-release
`mechanism having first and second couplers on floor rocker
`20 and seat plate 32, respectively. The first coupler may
`include a rearward proj ection such as laterally elongated boss
`82 having a quarter-round shape as shown in FIGS. 18-20.
`The coupler may include a boss,
`flange, hook or tongue,
`among others. Left and right side recesses are provided in the
`rear half of the rail frame, e.g., in the lower portion of support
`structure 60, for access to spring-loaded latch handles 84
`which are pulled to release the floor rocker from the stool.
`Referring also to FIGS. 21 and 22, each handle has a finger 20
`grip 85 on one side and a latch bolt 87 on the opposite side,
`and has a unitary construction, e.g., molded plastic. The
`handle includes a recess 86 in its bottom surface, and is
`restrained to lateral travel by a pair of guide posts 88 within
`slots 89 provided for this purpose. The handle is spring- 25
`biased toward its locking position, as illustrated, by a com
`pression spring 90 connected between one post on the handle
`and another post secured to a fixed point on the frame.
`The quick-release coupler on the underside of the floor
`rocker includes a rectangular cap 80 with sloped retaining ^
`walls as shown in FIG. 18, sized and shaped to nest with and
`securely retain seat plate 32 of the stool. FIG. 19 shows the
`plate within cap 80 and locked in place by the action of boss
`82 snugly fitting within notch 71 and latch bolts 87 snugly
`fitting within slots 72 and 73. By means of the quick-release
`mechanism, the floor rocker can be readily attached to and 35
`detached from the base without tools.
`Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the rear cross-member of
`frame 22 includes a bracket 21 having two holes 27 for
`attachment of the rear end of the seat frame. A screw or other
`threaded fastener is inserted from the underside through the 40
`holes into the seat frame. Bracket 21 has four holes 29 for
`attaching seatback. The bottom end of the seatback frame
`connects to the rear of the rear cross-member of frame 22 via
`a bracket 54 which fits into a bottom-side opening 55 in the
`cross-member and lies under complementary bracket 21 on 45
`the cross-member.
`The rocker rails are advantageously shaped as shown in the
`drawings, which are drawn to scale. More specifically, FIGS.
`2 and 3 have the same scale as each other. Likewise, FIGS. 5-7
`have the same scale as each other. FIGS. 8 and 9 also have the
`same scale as each other, as do FIGS. 12-16, and likewise
`FIGS. 18 and 19.
`While the invention has been illustrated and described in
`detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is
`to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character,
`it being understood that only preferred embodiments have 55
`been shown and described and that all changes and modifi
`cations that come within the spirit of the invention are desired
`to be protected.
`We claim:
`1 . A multifunction chair convertible from an office chair to 60
`a floor rocker and stool, comprising:
`a floor rocker having a first seat, a seatback, a pair ofrocker
`rails in close proximity to said first seat, and a front
`cross-member below the front end of said seat;
`a base having at least one vertical support member and a 65
`second seat mounted thereon, said second seat detach-
`ably connected to the underside of said floor rocker; and
`
`a quick-release mechanism having first and second cou
`plers on said floor rocker and said second seat, respec
`tively, said first coupler including a rearward projection
`from said cross-member and left and right side latch
`mechanisms below the rear portion of said first seat, said
`latch mechanisms each having a laterally movable latch
`bolt, said second coupler including a front portion and
`left and right side portions of said second seat in a spatial
`pattern corresponding to that of said rearward proj ection
`and left and right side latch bolts of said first coupler;
`wherein said second seat is rectangular and has a top sur
`face, a front wall, and left and right side walls, said
`second coupler including part of said front wall below
`said top surface and including part of the rear half of
`each of said side walls below said top surface;
`wherein said front wall has a laterally elongated bottom
`edge notch and the rear halfof each of said side walls has
`an opening therein; and
`wherein said quick-release mechanism is configured such
`that said rearward projection engages said notch and
`said latch bolts slidably engage said openings to lock
`said floor rocker on said second seat.
`2. The multifunction chair of claim 1, wherein each said
`side wall opening is a longitudinal slot.
`3. The multifunction chair of claim 2, wherein said floor
`rocker has a frame molded as a single unit including said
`rocker rails, front cross-member, rearward projection, a sup
`port for said latch bolts, and a rear cross-member; and
`wherein said first seat is secured to said frame at the front
`end of each rail and at said rear cross-member, and said
`seatback is secured to said frame at said rear cross-
`member.
`4. A multifunction chair convertible from an office chair to
`a floor rocker and stool, comprising:
`a floor rocker having a seat, a seatback, a pair ofrocker rails
`depending from said seat, the seat width substantially
`exceeding the seat height above the bottom of said rails,
`and a front cross-member below the front end of said
`seat;
`a base having a column and a seat plate mounted thereon,
`said seat plate detachably connected to the underside of
`said floor rocker; and
`a quick-release mechanism having first and second cou
`plers on said floor rocker and said seat plate, respec
`tively, said first coupler including a rearward projection
`from said cross-member and left and right side latch
`mechanisms below the rear portion of said seat, said
`latch mechanisms each having a laterally slidable latch
`bolt, said second coupler being an integral part of said
`seat plate.
`5. The multifunction chair of claim 4, wherein said seat
`plate is rectangular and has a top surface, a front wall, and left
`and right side walls, said second coupler including part of said
`front wall below said top surface and including part ofthe rear
`half of each of said side walls below said top surface.
`6. The multifunction chair of claim 5, wherein said front
`wall has a laterally elongated bottom edge notch and the rear
`half of each of said side walls has an opening therein; and
`wherein said quick-release mechanism is configured such
`that said rearward projection engages said notch and
`said latch bolts engage said openings to lock said floor
`rocker on said seat plate.
`7. The multifunction chair of claim 6, wherein each said
`side wall opening is a longitudinal slot.
`8. The multifunction chair of claim 7, wherein said floor
`rocker has a frame molded as a single unit including said
`
`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 20
`
`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 20
`
`

`
`US 8,777,305 B1
`
`rocker rails, front cross-member, rearward projection, a sup
`port for said latch bolts, and a rear cross-member; and
`wherein said seat is secured to said frame at the front end of
`each rail and at said rear cross-member, and said seat-
`back is secured to said frame at said rear cross-member.
`9. A multifunction chair convertible from an office chair to
`a floor rocker and stool, comprising:
`a floor rocker having a first seat, a seatback, a pair ofrocker
`rails in close proximity to said first seat, and a front
`cross-member below the front end of said seat;
`a base having at least one vertical support member and a
`second seat mounted thereon, said second seat detach-
`ably connected to the underside of said floor rocker; and
`a quick-release mechanism having first and second cou
`plers on said floor rocker and said second seat, respec
`tively, said first coupler including a rearward projection
`from said cross-member and left and right side latch
`mechanisms below the rear portion of said first seat, said
`latch mechanisms each having a laterally movable latch
`bolt, said second coupler including a front portion and
`left and right side portions of said second seat in a spatial
`pattern corresponding to that of said rearward projection
`and left and right side latch bolts of said first coupler;
`
`wherein said second seat is rectangular and has a top sur
`face, a front wall, and left and right side walls, said
`second coupler including part of said front wall below
`said top surface and including part of the rear half of
`each of said side walls below said top surface;
`wherein said first coupler on said floor rocker includes a
`rectangular cap with a plurality of downwardly extend
`ing retaining walls sized and shaped to nest with and
`retain said rectangular second seat.
`10. The multifunction chair of claim 9, wherein each of
`said latch bolts has a length in the longitudinal direction
`which exceeds its lateral travel.
`1 1 . The multifunction chair of claim 10, wherein each latch
`bolt is integrally formed with a finger grip and an intermediate
`flat plate as a latch handle constrained to lateral travel; and
`wherein each latch handle is spring-loaded and biased
`toward a locking position in which its latch bolt engages
`a slot in a side wall of said second seat.
`12. The multifunction chair of claim 11, wherein each latch
`handle is mounted such that its latch bolt extends through an
`opening in said retaining wall of said cap.
`
`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 21
`
`Sauder Manufacturing Co., Ex. 2007 p. 21