Swivel recliner/rocker chair having preloaded base assembly

Abstract

A swivel recliner/rocker chair which even more effectively resists unwanted rocking of the swivel base member thereof when the chair is rocked forwardly of the swivel base member, and which further is limited in its rearward reclining or rocking motion to a predetermined degree so as to thereby limit rocking of the swivel base member that might occur if the chair is reclined or rocked rearwardly of the swivel base member to an excessive degree. The chair includes a pair of rocker blocks having a flat section formed thereon and a pair of spring assemblies having upper and lower bracket members. The upper bracket members are secured to the rocker blocks and the lower bracket members are secured to side members of a base assembly such that the rocker blocks rock on the side members during reclining or rocking movement of the chair. The upper and lower bracket members are further secured to their respective rocker blocks and side members such that each spring assembly exerts a slight tensioning force to urge the seating section of the chair into a slightly reclined position even when there is no occupant seated in the chair. This substantially eliminates any possibility of forward rocking motion of the swivel base member when the chair is rocked forwardly. The flat portions of each rocker block further serve to limit the maximum reclining and rearward rocking movement of the seating section to thereby avoid any undesirable rocking of the swivel base member as the seating section is reclined or rocked in a rearward direction.