June 3, 1997
Tropitone Announces Recall of Chaise Lounge Chairs

Tropitone Furniture Co. Inc. of Irvine, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 53,200 chaise lounge chairs with nylon ratchets. The nylon ratchets, which control the headrest's height, can break after repeated use, causing the headrest to collapse. Consumers can be injured if they reach behind the headrest to adjust its height and place their fingers between the headrest frame and the chaise bed. If the nylon ratchets are broken, the headrest can forcefully collapse trapping and injuring fingers.

Tropitone is aware of more than 100 reports of the headrest collapsing, resulting in finger injuries including pinches, lacerations, fractures, separations, and amputations of finger tips. One neck and back injury was also reported.

The chaise lounge chairs involved in this recall are marketed under the following model names and numbers.

Model Name        Model No.                Date Manufactured           Dimensions (width x length x height)

TropiKai               935 & 935HYA         1985-April 1992                         24" x 77.5" x 41.5"
Verrazano             4332                            1987-1992                                  27.5" x 78.5" x 39.75"
Cotillion                4032                            1986-1987                                  29" x 81.75" x 42"
Cayman                 5932                            1989-April 1992                        27.5" x 80" x 44"
Colony                   4932                            1987-1991                                 29.75" x 80" x 42"
Seychelle               4432                            1986-April 1992                       25" x 79" x 40"

The chaise lounge chairs have an aluminum frame with vinyl straps covering the frame. The frame and straps are available in a variety of colors. "Tropitone" and the manufacturing date are printed on a label on the underside of the chaise lounge chair. There is no other identification marks on the chaise lounge chair.

Specialty furniture stores nationwide sold the chaise lounge chairs to consumers from 1985 through 1993 for about $300 to $400. Most chaise lounge chairs were sold to commercial customers including hotels, motels, resorts, clubs, and apartment, condominium, or other homeowner associations.

Consumers should stop using the Tropitone chaise lounge chairs with the nylon ratchet assemblies immediately and contact Tropitone at (800) 654-7000, extension 4099 for information about receiving a new chaise lounge chair. Commercial customers should call the toll-free number or contact their sales representatives for applicable recall information.