CA1040997A - Locking mechanism for reclining chairs - Google Patents
Locking mechanism for reclining chairsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1040997A CA1040997A CA213,789A CA213789A CA1040997A CA 1040997 A CA1040997 A CA 1040997A CA 213789 A CA213789 A CA 213789A CA 1040997 A CA1040997 A CA 1040997A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- chair
- rocking
- link
- footrest
- recline
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C1/00—Chairs adapted for special purposes
- A47C1/02—Reclining or easy chairs
- A47C1/031—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts
- A47C1/034—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts including a leg-rest or foot-rest
- A47C1/0342—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts including a leg-rest or foot-rest in combination with movable backrest-seat unit or back-rest
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C3/00—Chairs characterised by structural features; Chairs or stools with rotatable or vertically-adjustable seats
- A47C3/02—Rocking chairs
- A47C3/025—Rocking chairs with seat, or seat and back-rest unit elastically or pivotally mounted in a rigid base frame
- A47C3/027—Rocking chairs with seat, or seat and back-rest unit elastically or pivotally mounted in a rigid base frame with curved rocking members between seat and base frame
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C3/00—Chairs characterised by structural features; Chairs or stools with rotatable or vertically-adjustable seats
- A47C3/02—Rocking chairs
- A47C3/03—Locking members
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
- A47C7/50—Supports for the feet or the legs coupled to fixed parts of the chair
- A47C7/506—Supports for the feet or the legs coupled to fixed parts of the chair of adjustable type
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Dentistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Chairs For Special Purposes, Such As Reclining Chairs (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A locking mechanism for reclining chairs normally preventing recline of the chair and operated by or upon the ex-tension of the footrest to permit the chair to recline, and upon recline, to lock the footrest against retraction. When the chair is shifted back to sitting position the footrest is again retract-able, and when retracted, again prevents recline of the chair.
Installed in a rocker-recliner, the mechanism also nor-mally prevents recline, and when operated as above stated to per-mit recline, simultaneously locks the chair against rocking.
Both recline and rocking locks utilize paired links alignable alternatively to prevent or permit relative movement of their associated parts. Also, recline of the chair, while lock-ing the footrest against independent retraction, effects a slight related retraction thereof to prevent downward pull upon the occupant's outstretched legs upon recline.
A locking mechanism for reclining chairs normally preventing recline of the chair and operated by or upon the ex-tension of the footrest to permit the chair to recline, and upon recline, to lock the footrest against retraction. When the chair is shifted back to sitting position the footrest is again retract-able, and when retracted, again prevents recline of the chair.
Installed in a rocker-recliner, the mechanism also nor-mally prevents recline, and when operated as above stated to per-mit recline, simultaneously locks the chair against rocking.
Both recline and rocking locks utilize paired links alignable alternatively to prevent or permit relative movement of their associated parts. Also, recline of the chair, while lock-ing the footrest against independent retraction, effects a slight related retraction thereof to prevent downward pull upon the occupant's outstretched legs upon recline.
Description
1~4~9q This invention relates to locklng mechanism for re-clining chairs and for so~alled "rocker-recliner" chairs, i.e., reclining chairs which are built on rocking bases. All such chairs include a retractable footrest to support the legs of the occupant, and the operation of our locking mechanism is arranged to occur as an incident to extension and retraction bf the foot- -rest, and to prevent independent retraction of the footrest while the chair is reclined, but to effect a slight and desirable re-lated retraction thereof as the chair is reclined.
10The invention is more particularly concerned with a ` selective locking mechanism which prevents the recline of the ~chair in advance of the extension of the footrest, and which, in j .
a rocker-recliner chair)prevents reclining when the chair is ad-justed for rocking, and conversely prevents rocking when the ' 15 chair is reclined. -The invention contemplates the selection within the < profile of the chair of a given common point on the reclining ~ -mechanism and on the chair base from which.a substantial relative movement will be experienced when the chair is reclined. In the `~ -~` 20 r~cker-recliner chair, it is further contemplated that there will be located within the chair profile not only a given common point ;~
~` from which-the reclining mechanism will have a substantial move-t~ ;`~ ment relative to the rocker portion of the base when the chair . ~ is reclined, but also another given point common tD the rocker and ~h`"'~'` `
to the fixed base when the chair is in neutral balance, and from which the rocker will have a substantial movement relative to the -~-. . . .
- fixed-base when the chair rocks, "neutral balance" meaning the -~
upright sitting of the chair, rocked neither forward nor back. ~-, ~ ~ :
, ~o each of the relatively movable chair~members, e.g., 30- the reclining mechanism and the fixed base of the ordinary re- ~
clining chair, there is respectively pivoted at the given common -¦ point one of-a pair of connected links which are shiftable into ~
: ~, , ,~ , :'~
~ ` ' '`:
:
` :;.",`j,, :' ,'',~ '' : ' "'.'. `: ` ~,; ~, ,; "", "
locking alignment with respect to the relative movement of the recline mechanism on the fixed base, and shiftable into an alter-nate position wherein the connecting pivot of the pair of links coincides with the axis of relative movement of the recline mechan-` 5 ism, the shifting movement, as earlier indicated, being associatedwith the operation of the footrest to cause the pair of connected links to prevent reclining movement when the footrest is retracted, and to permit recline after the footrest has been extended.
In the case of the rocker-recliner, the aforementioned ; 10 relationship of the reclining mechanism, related as aforedescribed to the operation of the footrest, obtains between the reclining -~ mechanism and the rocking portion of the base. Moreover, an additional pair of connected links is provided between the rocking portion of the base and the fixed portion of the base, and is . 15 similarly shiftable into and out of locking alignment with respect to the rocking movement, said shifting being coincident with, and functionally the reverse of, the shifting of the recliner lock.
That is to say, in the rocker-recliner application, the links of the pairs respectively connected to the rocking portion of the base are so connected that when the one pair is shifted to pre-. . ~ .
vent reclining, the other permits rocking, and vice versa.
In both cases, each connected link pair permits relative movement of its associated chair portions when the connecting ` ~ pivot of the link pair is shifted into coincidence with the axis of such relative movement, whether that axis be precise and actual, as in the case of the reclining mechanism, or approximate and virtual, as in the case of the rocking mechanism.
¦ With respect to its application to rocker-recliner chairs, the invention further contemplates that the "given common -point" on the reclining mechanism and the rocking portion of the base, on the one hand, and the "given common point" on the rock-ing and fixed portions of the base, on the other hand, may be '''.,, ~ ~ -2-i selected to coincide in a single point, permitting both links pivoted to the rocking portion of the base to be unified into a single bell crank the two arms of which are respectively con-nected by one link to the fixed base of the chair and by a second link to the recline linkage, and shiftable between two alternate positions. Thus, when the bell crank occupies one of its two positions, one of its arms and the link connection of that arm to the recline mechanism are aligned to prevent reclining movement of the chair parts relative to the rocker, but permit the other arm of the bell crank and its link connection to the fixed portion of the base to "toggle" idly as the chair rocks. Similarly, when the bell crank occupies its alternate position, its other arm and the link connecting the same to the fixed portion of the base of the chair are swung into alignment to prevent rocking in either direction from "neutral balance", while the bell crank and its link connection to the recline mechanism, having had their common ~ -;, pivot moved into coincidence with the axis of the movement of that mechanism upon recline, permit the reclining movement, and ~
likewise "toggle" as the reclining movement proceeds. ~ ;
The principles employed and their advantageous use in ~ .
;~ reclining chairs will be better understood from the following de-, tailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying ~ -drawings, in which~
~ FIGURE 1 is an "exploded" isometric assembly view of `~ 25 the locking linkage of our invention in its more complete form, one of a pair that we prefer to employ, one at each side of the ~;
chair, to lock the rocker of a rocker-recliner securely for the recline of the chair when the footrest is extended, and to pre-vent retraction of the footrest when the chair is reclined, Figure 1 showing the normal positions of the parts, i.e., with the chair in neutral balance and the footrest retracted;
j FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the chair : 4 ,. .:
,.,~
~ ~ _3 -.- .
~Q4a~s7 showing the locking~linkage posi~ti~ned within the chair profile;
FIGURE 3, 4 and-~ are enlarged fragmentary side eleva-tions of our locking linkage, Fig. 3 showing the same in the po-sition of Fig. l to facilitate orientation, and Figs. 4 and 5 showing the chair rocked ba~kward and forward, respectively, as permitted by the position of the locking linkage illustrated in Figures l, 2 and 3;
FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the chair showing the footrest extended, and Figure 7 is a corresponding fragmentary side elevation of the locking linkage positioned by the extension of the footrest to prevent rocking and to permit the reclining action to proceed;
FIGURE 8 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the chair A both upright and in recline, and Figure 9 an enlarged fragmentary `i 15 side elevation of the locking linkage positioned by the recline ~i , to prevent retraction of the footrest.
,; Preliminary Summary ~ Referring initially to Figure l for a general summary-`:
- of the locking linkage 10 of the invention, the view there shown ~, ^ 20 is an interior view looking downwardly toward the left rear of , ~' the-chair from the upper right, with the seat of the chair re-moved. To the viewer's left in,the exploded assembly is an up-` ~ standing bracket 12 secured to the fixed base,14 of the chair.
j Midway in depth along the "expldded" ass~mbly is an angle bracket , 25 i6 secured~to the rocker bracket 18 on the rocker portion 20 of the~base. Extending diagonally upwardly and rearwardly at the righthand side of the assembly are the supporting links 22 and , ~ 24, connected to guide the back bracket 26 of the reclining back of the chair.
In the rocking,movement of the chair, the angle,bracket , 16, being secured to the rocker 20 and employed as the locking point thereof, moves,up and down relative to the fixed base 14 ,, ~, and, because the rocker travels fore and aft on its base while rocking, describes a curvilinear path that is not a circular arc.
The lockable member of the reclining mechanism, on the other hand, the upstanding boomerang-shaped link 24, is pivoted on the rocker bracket 18, and is independently rotatable thereon during the reclining movement of the chair.
The locking members per se of the locking linkage 10 include a bell crank 28 pivoted to the angle bracket 16 on the rocker, a slotted link 30 by means of which one arm 32 of the " 10 bell crank 28 is connected to the fixed bracket 12 secured to ; the base of the chair, and another link 34 by means of which the other arm 36 of the bell crank 23 is connected to the rearwardly extending arm 38 of the boomerang lever 24 which supports the ' back of the chair.
When the bell crank 28 and the link 34 connecting it ` to the back-support lever 24 are positioned as shown in Fig. 1, it will be apparent that the coincidence of the bell crank arm 36 and the link 34 along the line of movement to be taken by the lower arm 38 of that lever 24 during recline effectively prevents 20 reclining movement of the chair. `
Alternatively, when the bell crank 28 is rocked forward i~ on its pivot to the angle bracket 16, it carries its coinciding upper arm 36 and connecting link 34 out of locking alignment, thus to permit reclining movement, and simultaneously places ~ 25 its other arm 32, and its companion slotted link 30 into locking alignment, thus to prevent rocking movement in either direction (Fig. 7).
Shifting of the bell crank between its alternate positions is accomplished indirectly by also forming the link 34 as a bell crank, and connecting the rearwardly extending arm 40 thereof to a tubular connecting link 42 extending forwardly to ~`
an arm 44 on a cross shaft 46 journalled in the forward portion ~ ' :
104(~97 of the seat bracket 48. The cross shaft 46 is associated with footrest extension linkage 50, (Fig. 6) which may be actuaged by an operating handle 52 at the side of the chair. Such operating handle, if used, becomes the operator also for actuating the locking linkage 10 to prevent rocking of the chair and to position the same for reclining as an incident to the extension of the footrest.
Extension of the footrest with the chair in the upright position, and blocked against rocking, has become identified in trade parlance as the "TV" position, the extension of the footrest being accomplished either by manipulation of a hand lever at the side of the chair, or by a shifting of the chair seat relative to the rocking portion of the base. In the latter instance, we contemplate that the connecting link 42, by means of which the bell crank 28 or our locking linkage is positioned to prevent rocking, would be connected for actuation by and coincident to the shifting of the seat on the rocking base, either by more direct connection to the seat, or indirectly, as shown, by operation of the footrest mechanism.
Detailed Description For a detailed description of the locking linkage of , the invention we refer again initially to the exploded assembly -view of Figure 1, showing the hardware and rocking base on the ~ far side of the chair, the back of the chair being on the left ¦ 1 and the front of the chair on the right. The counterbalancing springs usually also mounted interiorly to connect the fixed or floor-engaging portion 14 of the base and the upper rocker por- -~
tion 20 superposed thereon, are omitted in Figure 1 for a clearer showing of the essential parts, but it will be understood that , they position the chair in the neutral balance earlier referred to.
Screwed onto the rocker portion 20 of the base is the rocker bracket 18 of angle iron which provides the mounting for , ".
. ', ., ,~ -6-. "
l~a~7 the recline linkage by means of which the back of the chair and the seat are mounted for movement relative to each other and to the rocking portion of the base as an incident to recline of the chair. The recline linkage illustrated in Figure 1 is shown here simply for purposes of illustration. As the principles of our locking mechanism become clear from the following explanation, it will be equally apparent that the utility of our novel lock does not depend upon this particular reclining mechanism.
In any event, while for purposes of illustrating and explaining the function of our novel lock, attention should be focused upon the boomerang-shaped forward support lever 24 of the reclining mechanism, it should for completeness be explained that the back of the chair is supported by the back bracket 26 which in turn is supported~from the aforementioned rocker bracket 15 18 by means of the link 22 and lever 24, which from a trapezoidal . i ~, linkage with the back bracket 26 and the rocker bracket 18 to effect a forward shifting of the back bracket 26 (and the lower end of the back of chair) as an incident to the rearward rotation of the back bracket upon recline.
The seat of the chair is supported upon the seat bracket 48, which in turn is supported in its forward portions by an over-` slung link 54 extending upwardly and rearwardly from its pivotal - connection to the rocker bracket 18 to its pivotal connection -in the seat bracket 48. Its angularity in the sitting position -25 illustrated is such that when the seat bracket is shifted for- -wardly, the link 54 lifts the front end of the seat. ~ -The rearward portion of the seat is carried upon a bell crank lever 56 supported from the front, boomerang-shaped back-support lever 24 and controlled in its movement relative thereto 30 during the reclining rotation of the back by a control link 58 -connected to the back bracket 26. That specific reclining chair mechanism, as earlier stated, is not a part of the locking linkage .:
~7~
"` lQ4~ 9~ -of this invention as such, and, is shown herè merely for illustra-tion.
For present purposes, the important member of the re-cline linkage is the forward back support lever 24, whose lower, rearwardly-extending arm 38 is the poînt at which the locking linkage 10 of` this invention is attached to the recline mechanism ; to perform its locking function.
The footrest extension mechanism 50 (Fig.6) is largely omitted from Figure 1 except to the extent it shares parts in common wi~h the locking linkage 10, in particular, those parts necessary to operate the locking linkage to prevent rocking co-incidentally with the extension of the~retractable footrest to its forward position. Still referring to Figure 1, these include the square cross shaft 46 journalled forwardly on the seat bracket 48 and extending to a seat bracket counterpart on the othe~ side of the chair to unify the action of the footrest extension link-t ~ ages 50 on opposite sides of the chair. The footrest extension mechanism illustrated in Figure 6 is not, as such, a part of our locking linkage. It is shown here only for illustration, and toj .-' 20 the extent necessary to show how the manipulation of a separate `
` operating lever, such as 52, for the extension of-the footrest .~ .
i likewise actuates the~locking mechanism to prevent rocking while .. ~ the~footrest.is extended.
Referring.therefore to the Figures 1 and 6 jointly, it `~: 25 will be sufficient.for present purposes to note~that the footrest 60 is extended on a pair of par~llel rails 62 which are suitably supported from the underside of the-seat.of the chair for end-wise movement, and are propelled to the extended-position by a ., drive linkage comprising a hand lever operated rear drive link 64 pivoted t~ the seat bracket 48, a forward drive link 66 secured-. as an arm to the aforementioned square cross shaft 46 shown in Figure 1, and connected for unison.rotation by a connecting link ., .
.' :.
g~7 68. A multiplying lever 70 pivoted to the lower end of the rear drive link 64, and rocked relative thereto by a restraining link 72 pivoted to the lever 70 and to the forward drive link 66, has a resulting angular movement nearly twice that of the drive link 64, and, through its drag link connection 74 to the rear end of the footrest supporting rails 62, drive the same to the extended broken-line position in Figure 6 by the rearward movement of the hand lever 52 through about 90 as indicated in Figure 6.
` In the process, the front drive link 66, and the square " 10 cross shaft 46 shown in Figure 1, are also rotated through approx-~ imately 90 in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1, and that i rotation, through mechanism now to be described, operates our im-proved locking linkage 10 incident to e~tension of the footrest.
` As earlier indicated, although we do not consider our ;;~ 15 invention limited in this respect, we prefer to use duplicate locking linkages, one at each side of tihe chair, just as we have duplicated the reclining linkage for the seat and the back and for the extension of the footrest as well. We could use a single locking linkage located between the sides of the chair and con-nected therewith by means of suitable rods and shafts, but we prefer separate locking linkages for each side, operated of course ih unison, because our locking mechanism then functions solidly to block out the intended function, i.e., when the chair l is reclined there is essentially no springiness in the parts, nor any rocking movement to suggest to the reposed occupant that he is insecure and in danger of tipping.
The Locking Linkage Per Se It has been noted preliminarily that the illustrated chair has two modes of movement, rocking and reclining, and that the function of the locking mechanism is to condition the chair for one mode while preventing the other, and vice versa, incident . to extension and retraction of the footrest.
. ,.
' _g_ :.
, .
In the rocking mode, the rocker portion 20 of the base and everything supported by it, oscillates up and down and to and fro relative to the fixed base 14, whereas in the reclining mode, the seat and the back, or in any event the back, move relative to the rocker 20 upon which they are mounted. In this context, the locking linkage of our invention is such that when the footrest is retracted and the chair is in upright sitting position, the linkage permits rocking but prevents recline. On the other hand, when the footrest is extended, the rocking movement is prevented, and the locking linkage conditioned to permit recline. This is the so-called intermediate or "TV" position, i.e., with footrest ~`~ extended, rocking function locked, and the chair conditioned for ' recline.
` As the back of the chair is then reclined, the locking linkage operates to perform a slight but related retraction of the footrest, but prevents independent retraction of the footrest ~, while the chair is reclined.
.. ,~ . .
These several functions are accomplished by the follow-ing structure: The lower shorter arm 38 of the boomerang-shaped front support lever 24 of the back is in alignment with the rocker bracket 18 when the back is in the upright sitting posi-tion, being supported in that attitude by the angle bracket 16 which is secured to the underside of the rocker bracket 18 and extends inwardly therefrom to space its upstanding flange from the ,.
~ 25 vertical flange of the rocker bracket. The vertical flange of `~`
- the angle bracket 16 is pierced to receive a shoulder rivet to ¦ pivot the bell crank 28 on the rocker portion of the base. ~-`~ The rearwardly-extending shorter arm 38 of the forward ~ back support lever 24 is pierced at a point spaced rearwardly . .
from its pivotal attachment to the rocker bracket 18, and on an axis which coincides with the pivotal mounting of the bell crank ~
28 when the chair parts are in the upright position illustrated ~ -' ' 10- ,.
:' in Figure 1. This provides the pivotal mounting for the connect-ing link 34, which for other purposes yet to be described, is also formed as a bell crank, i.e., having two diverging arms.
The one of those arms, 37, standing nearly upright in Figure 1, is pivotally connected at its upper end to the similarly upstand-ing and coextensive arm 36 of the bell crank 28, both said arms being offset toward each other to bridge the angle bracket 16 and the clearance space provided, and being pierced and pivotally connected by a suitable shoulder rivet.
From the foregoing partial detailed description of the locking linkage, it will be apparent that inasmuch as the rear-wardly extending arm 38 of the forward back support lever 24 ` moves perpendicularly upwardly from the rocker bracket 18 to .:.
~` initiate the reclining movement, the interconnected bell crank arm 36 and the associated arm 37 of the connecting link 34, the one being connected to the angle bracket 16 and the other being attached to the shorter arm 38 of the front back support lever 24, prevent any reclining movement when they are disposed as shown in Figure 1.
The other arm 32 of the bell crank 28, extending for-~;~ wardly and slightly downwardly from its pivot to the angle bracket16 on the rocker, is pivoted at its outer end to the distal end . ,~ . .
of the connecting link 30, which has a slotted pivotal connection ~;
,~
to the upstanding bracket 12 secured to the fixed base 14 of the .
chair. The fixed bracket 12 is formed with a short upstanding mounting flange 76 emplaced against the inner surface of the . ,~.. -runner of the base 14, and a taller upstanding plate 78 spaced -: therefrom adequately to span the angle bracket 16 of the rocker and all of the locking linkage. At its upper end~ the plate 78 supports a shoulder bolt 80 on which the slotted end of the ~-connecting link 30 is pivoted, coaxially with the pivot of the bell crank 28 to the angle bracket 16, and wi~h the pivot of the , :
.. , ~ .
;~,,., .~,.. .. ....... ... . . .. ... . . .. . . .. .. .. .. . . . ..... .. ... . . .
rearwardly extending arm 38 of the forward back-support lever 24 to its connecting link 34. That is to say, when the chair is in neutral balance, the pivot axes of the fixed bracket 12, the bell crank 28 on the angle bracket 16, and that of the connecting link 34 to the rearwardly extending arm 38 o the forward back support lever 24, are all located on the same axis, or, viewing the chair ; in profile, these respective axes coincide at a single point, or substantially so.
As indicated in Figure 1, the mounting flange 76 of the fixed bracket 12 is provided with two holes spaced from front to rear, the forward hole being tapped to receive a mounting screw . (not shown) passed through a drilled hole in the runner of the ~: base 14. The rearward hold of the mounting flange is pierced oversize and an aligned tapped hole provided in the spaced up-standing plate 78 that supports the pivot bolt 80. A longer .
mounting screw is passed through the base runner from the out- :
~ side, through the rear hole in the mounting flange 76, and fitted -~ in the tapped hole in the upstanding plate 78. This rearward ~:
screw may, if desired, be a shoulder screw, or may be surrounded ~ ~-by a sleeve between the two upstanding flanges of the fixed ~ bracket 12, as may be desirable to enable the screw 82 to pro- ~ :
p vide a stop for the slotted link 30 and the lock lever 28 in the ~ri:
alternate position of adjustment of the latter, at whcih the rock- :
ing of the chair is prevented and recline permitted (Fig. 7).
The coinciding lengths of the arm 36 of the bell crank .
28 and the arm 37 of the connecting link 34, shown upstanding in Figure 1, are also equal to the distance between the two pivots of the shorter arm 38 of the forward back support lever 24,.so that when the locking linkage 10 is shifted to its alternate position (Fig. 7), not only will the rocker portion of the base be secured in the neutral balance position of Figure 1, but the ~
. pivot axis of the connection of the bell crank 28 to the connecting -'' ` ' :' ~ 12-1~ 97 link 34 will coincide with the axis of the pivotal connection of the forward back support lever 24 to the rocker bracket 18, and with the parts thus aligned, the forward back support lever 24 may swing freely upwardly to permit the chair to recline.
The shifting of the locking linkage between its alter-nate positions by the swinging of the bell crank 28 (Fig. 1, or Fig. 3, to Fig. 7) is accomplished as already indicated by the same action which extends the footrest and specifically, in the illustrated instance, is effected by the rotation of the square cross shaft 46 journalled in and extending between the seat brackets 48 at opposite sides of the chair. The rotation of the :
cross shaft 46 is imparted to the short arm 44 secured thereto, the arm 44 being stamped from light plate and pierced with a square hole at one end to receive the shaft 46 and a round hole at the distal end for pivotal attachment by means of a suitable -~
rivet to the rearwardly-extending operating link 42. The operating ~ ~
link 42 is preferably tubular for greater rigidity, and flattened ~ -at its ends for connection forwardly to the arm 44 on the cross shaft 46, and rearwardly to the locking linkage 10.
From the foregoing description of structure and operation, it will be apparent that the primary function of the operating - ~
link 42 is to shift the bell crank 28 between its alternate positions.- -To serve that primary purpose, the link might suitably be connected directly to the bell crank 28 at any convenient point thereon or - ~ -extension thereof, depending upon the direction of movement of the conveniently available shifting effort derived from the extension of the footrest. To enable that connection also to -achieve a secondary purpose, however, we prefer to shift the bell crank 28 by means of the arm 40 on the connecting link 34 pivoted to the forward support lever 24 of the recline mechanism, that link 34, as earlier noted, being made in the form of a bell crank for this purpose.
~ a~ ~:
The Operating Linkage Per Se As shown in Figure 1, the rearwardly extending arm 40 of the connecting link 34 is pivoted to the rear end of the tubu-lar operating link 42, being substantially offset toward the center of the chair to place the flattened end portion of the operating link 42 inwardly of the lock lever 28. The slotted connecting link 30 and its associated arm 32 of the bell crank 28 are likewise offset toward each other at their distal ends to provide clearnace for the flattened rear end of the operating link 42 during rocking movement of the chair.
The primary or lever-shifting function of the operating link 42 can occur freely only when the chair is in its position of neutral balance, or more precisely, when the pivot on the angle bracket 16 and at the rear end of the lower arm 38 of the ~ forward back-support lever 24 coincide with the pivot 80 on the :: -fixed bracket 12, or nearly so. (The ability of the locking link-age to jack the chair into neutral balance upon attempted extension of the footrest is discussed later herein.) When that condition obtains, the rotation of the cross shaft 46 by the extension of ~ the footrest moves the operating link 42 forwardly, and rotates :~ 20 the connecting link 34 clockwise as viewed in Figure 1, carrying ~:
with it the bell crank 28, which in turn carries with it the slotted connecting link 30, turning all parts to the position of Figure 7 coincident with the extension of the footrest. From .
the position of Figure 7, the reclining motion may proceed at -~
~. 25 the occupant's discretion, inasmuch as the aligned arm 37 of ~.
: the connecting link 34 and arm 36 of the bell crank 28 have .
~ been moved into alignment with the shorter arm 38 of the forward .: :
r back support lever 24, and their connecting pivot is aligned withthe swing pivot of the back-support lever on the rocker bracket : 30 18. As the reclining movement proceeds (Fig. 8 and 9) and the - -forward support lever 24 of the back of the chair rotates for-wardly on the rocker, the tubular operating link 42 is moved ;
~` ~ -14- ~;
1(~4~?7 forwardly as the connecting link 34 rotates clockwise (as seen in Figs. 1 and 9) with the back support lever 24. This forward movement of the operating link 42 relative to the rocker upon recline enables it to perform a secondary function now to be described.
In the particular recline mechanism here illustrated, the recline of the back is accompanied by a forward shift of the seat, and as noted, the cross shaft 46 is journalled in the seat brackets 48. During recline, however, the pivot of the bell crank 28 on the angle bracket 16 remains stationary, and the bell crank 28 immovable. Depending, therefore, upon the amount of forward movement of the seat relative to the rocker, the direct attachment of the operating link 42 to the bell crank 28 would cause reverse " rotation of the cross shaft 46, and retraction of the footrest, -;~ 15 as the seat moves forward.
Complete retraction of the footrest would, of course, ; be self-defeating, but we have found that a slight retraction upon recline is highly desirable to offset the tendency of the footrests of reclining chairs to pull down the socks of the occu-pant as his body shifts slightly rearwardly on the seat upon recline.
Accordingly, to provide for a slight retraction of the ~ footrest upon recline, we connect the tubular operating link 42 `~ to the arm 40 of the connecting link 34 so that the link 42 is -shifted forwardly relative to the rocker 40 (Fig. 9) by the re-cline movement. As the forward movement of the seat proceeds upon recline we proportion the length of the arm 40 of the con-, necting link 34 appropriately to the forward movement of the cross shaft upon recline, and thereby effect a slight retraction of the operating link 42 relative to the seat, a slight reverserotation of the footrest-operating cross shaft 46, and the de-sired corresponding slight retraction of the footrest.
., .
~: -15-~4~997 The same retraction control can be achieved equally in chairs having no movement, or a different movement, of the foot-rest mechanism relative to the chair upon recline, by attaching the operating link 42 of the locking mechanism appropriately to the connecting link 34.
Footrest Locking Having explained the operation of our locking linkage to prevent one or the other of the rocking or reclining movements from the upright sitting position, as well as its ability to effect a slight but desirable retraction of the footrest upon recline, we now explain by reference to Figures 3 to 5, 7 and 9 its further function, i.e., the forcible return of the chair to neutral position by the extension of the footrest while rocking, and the prevention of the retraction of the footrest when the chair is reclined.
In Figure 3, which is a side elevation of the locking ~ -; linkage in the same position illustrated in Figure 1, the chair ` is in neutral balance in the upright sitting position, rocked neither forward nor back, although capable of doing so but in-capable of reclining.
In Figure 4, the chair is rocked back and in Figure 5 the chair is rocked forwardly. During these movements, the slotted connecting link 30 and its associated arm 32 of the bell crank 28 simply "toggle" idly in their passage from the position of Figure 4 to that of Figure 5, and vice versa, passing `
on each rocking movement through the neutral position of Figure 3.
Because of the illustrated case the rocking element is not of the fixed axis type but actually "rolls" on the base runner during ;~the rocking movement, the path described by the axis of the~
~ c~k ~ is a compound movement rather than a circular arc, where-fore it is accordingly necessary to provide a slot in the link 30 at the pivot bolt 80 to accommodate these slight fore and aft :` ~
', .;: ' ~.
1~3~9g7 movements of the rocker on the base.
When the slotted link 30 and its associated arm 32 of the bell crank 28 are divergent, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the footrest cannot be extended, i.e., the bell crank 28 cannot be rotated by the operating link 42, without drawing the chair back to neutral. If attempted in the Fig. 4 position, the arm 32 strikes the fixed bracket 12 and forces the rocker up. If attempted from the Fig. 5 position, the link 30 pulls the rocker down. Some slight variation from true alignment inevitably occurs as the chair is occupied by persons of different stature. If extension of the footrest is attempted while the chair is in a rocking motion, i.e., when the pivot axis of the bell crank `
28 is substantially out of coincidence with the pivot of the slotted connecting link 30 to the fixed bracket 12, the rocking motion is terminated as the leverage of the operating link 42, exerted through the bell crank 28, forces the pivot axis of ~-the bell crank into coincidence with that of the fixed bracket `-12, and thus permits the shifting of the linkage into the position of Figure 7 (and the extension of the footrest) from which the reclining action may proceed.
In Figure 7, it will be noted that the slotted link 30 ~!
and its associated arm 32 of the bell crank 28 have been swung down approximately vertically from the pivot bolt 80 of the fixed bracket 12, and are stopped in that position by their abut-ment with the rearward mounting screw 82 which also secures the ; fixed bracket 12 to the base runner. As indicated in Figure 7, , we prefer to maintain zero clearance between the ends of the ~ slotted link 30 and the bell crank arm 32 and the upper surface of the connecting web of the fixed bracket 12 so that all lost motion in the slotted connection of the link 30 to the pivot bolt 80 is taken up, and the rocking movement is locked solidly, "~
i.e., without any jiggling or springing to disquiet the occupant as he reclines in the chair.
t -17-- . : -1~4'~7 As the linkage proceeds to the position of Figure 9 by the reclining of the back of the chair, i.e., by the forward ro-tation of the forward support lever 24 upon the rocker bracket 18, the connecting link 34 to the lower arm 38, and its associated arm 36 of the bell crank 28 are likewise moved out of coincidence, which serves to prevent any shifting of the bell crank 28 while the chair is reclined, the divergence of the arm 37 of the con-necting link 34 from its associated arm 36 of the bell crank 28 preventing movement of the link 34 by the operating link 42, and thus preventing independent retraction of the footrest~
Conclusion In the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings, we have described and illustrated the best mode known to us for the practice of the invention. When its principles are under-stood, it will be apparent that modification can be made withinthe scope of what we here disclose and claim as our invention.
For example, the arms of the bell crank 28 may be sepa-rated into individual links located on different axes at differ-..... . .
` ent locations on the rocking portion to accommodate two specifi- -cally different chairs, or the unified preferred locking linkage ~-might be located forwardly of the rocking fulcrum and its con-nection to the recline mechanism of the chair made to the seat or to the seat supports if the same move relative to the rocker ~
~ upon recline. We p-efer the rearward location, however, inasmuch ~;
.'. ,,::.- ,, .
as all rocking-reclining chairs have a recllning back irrespective i -~ of what may happen to the seat.
By locating our preferred unified form of "triple link" -~
lock, viz., the bell crank 28 and its link connections 30 and 34 .. . .
respectively to the fixed base and to the recline linkage, on an axis common to both pairs of relatively movable parts when the chair is in the neutral or upright sitting position, and from . ',', ' ' 1~4(~9~7 which each pair has a substantial relative movement in the rock-mode and in the reclining mode, we have provided a very effective, compact, and unitary lock by means of which the two modes of movement of the chai~ are made assuredly mutually exclusive, yet which requires a conscious although convenient effort of the occupant to shift the locking linkage to condition the chair for one mode or the other.
Further, by associating the operation of our selective lock with the operation of the footrest mechanism, i. e., per-mitting the chair to rock when the footrest is retracted and pre-venting rocking while the footrest is extended, we have inter-connected the locking mechanism with the footrest extension func-tion in such a way that the footrçst cannot be extended without terminating the rocking movement, nor can the footrest be re-tracted independently while the chaix is reclined. That is to~say, while the rocker-recliner chair is-~in its upright sitting position, it is a rocking chair. When the leg rest is extended, whether by ma.nipulation of the hand lever in the specific illus-;; tration shown or by the shifting of the seat relative to the chair 20- arms, as is also not uncommon, the chair is locked against rocking at an intermediate so-called "TV" position, with the footrest ex-tended and the chair essentially upright. From the "TV" position, the chair may be reclined, in which case the footrest is-locked -against independent retractionl but experiences a related slight retraction to avoid a downward pull on the occupant's out-stretched legs. Alternatively, from the "TV" position, the foot-rest may be retracted, in which case the chair is again condi-tioned for rocking, and is locked against recline.
The features of our invention believed to be new and patentable are set forth in the appended claims:
' ' ' ' ~'' -19- '
10The invention is more particularly concerned with a ` selective locking mechanism which prevents the recline of the ~chair in advance of the extension of the footrest, and which, in j .
a rocker-recliner chair)prevents reclining when the chair is ad-justed for rocking, and conversely prevents rocking when the ' 15 chair is reclined. -The invention contemplates the selection within the < profile of the chair of a given common point on the reclining ~ -mechanism and on the chair base from which.a substantial relative movement will be experienced when the chair is reclined. In the `~ -~` 20 r~cker-recliner chair, it is further contemplated that there will be located within the chair profile not only a given common point ;~
~` from which-the reclining mechanism will have a substantial move-t~ ;`~ ment relative to the rocker portion of the base when the chair . ~ is reclined, but also another given point common tD the rocker and ~h`"'~'` `
to the fixed base when the chair is in neutral balance, and from which the rocker will have a substantial movement relative to the -~-. . . .
- fixed-base when the chair rocks, "neutral balance" meaning the -~
upright sitting of the chair, rocked neither forward nor back. ~-, ~ ~ :
, ~o each of the relatively movable chair~members, e.g., 30- the reclining mechanism and the fixed base of the ordinary re- ~
clining chair, there is respectively pivoted at the given common -¦ point one of-a pair of connected links which are shiftable into ~
: ~, , ,~ , :'~
~ ` ' '`:
:
` :;.",`j,, :' ,'',~ '' : ' "'.'. `: ` ~,; ~, ,; "", "
locking alignment with respect to the relative movement of the recline mechanism on the fixed base, and shiftable into an alter-nate position wherein the connecting pivot of the pair of links coincides with the axis of relative movement of the recline mechan-` 5 ism, the shifting movement, as earlier indicated, being associatedwith the operation of the footrest to cause the pair of connected links to prevent reclining movement when the footrest is retracted, and to permit recline after the footrest has been extended.
In the case of the rocker-recliner, the aforementioned ; 10 relationship of the reclining mechanism, related as aforedescribed to the operation of the footrest, obtains between the reclining -~ mechanism and the rocking portion of the base. Moreover, an additional pair of connected links is provided between the rocking portion of the base and the fixed portion of the base, and is . 15 similarly shiftable into and out of locking alignment with respect to the rocking movement, said shifting being coincident with, and functionally the reverse of, the shifting of the recliner lock.
That is to say, in the rocker-recliner application, the links of the pairs respectively connected to the rocking portion of the base are so connected that when the one pair is shifted to pre-. . ~ .
vent reclining, the other permits rocking, and vice versa.
In both cases, each connected link pair permits relative movement of its associated chair portions when the connecting ` ~ pivot of the link pair is shifted into coincidence with the axis of such relative movement, whether that axis be precise and actual, as in the case of the reclining mechanism, or approximate and virtual, as in the case of the rocking mechanism.
¦ With respect to its application to rocker-recliner chairs, the invention further contemplates that the "given common -point" on the reclining mechanism and the rocking portion of the base, on the one hand, and the "given common point" on the rock-ing and fixed portions of the base, on the other hand, may be '''.,, ~ ~ -2-i selected to coincide in a single point, permitting both links pivoted to the rocking portion of the base to be unified into a single bell crank the two arms of which are respectively con-nected by one link to the fixed base of the chair and by a second link to the recline linkage, and shiftable between two alternate positions. Thus, when the bell crank occupies one of its two positions, one of its arms and the link connection of that arm to the recline mechanism are aligned to prevent reclining movement of the chair parts relative to the rocker, but permit the other arm of the bell crank and its link connection to the fixed portion of the base to "toggle" idly as the chair rocks. Similarly, when the bell crank occupies its alternate position, its other arm and the link connecting the same to the fixed portion of the base of the chair are swung into alignment to prevent rocking in either direction from "neutral balance", while the bell crank and its link connection to the recline mechanism, having had their common ~ -;, pivot moved into coincidence with the axis of the movement of that mechanism upon recline, permit the reclining movement, and ~
likewise "toggle" as the reclining movement proceeds. ~ ;
The principles employed and their advantageous use in ~ .
;~ reclining chairs will be better understood from the following de-, tailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying ~ -drawings, in which~
~ FIGURE 1 is an "exploded" isometric assembly view of `~ 25 the locking linkage of our invention in its more complete form, one of a pair that we prefer to employ, one at each side of the ~;
chair, to lock the rocker of a rocker-recliner securely for the recline of the chair when the footrest is extended, and to pre-vent retraction of the footrest when the chair is reclined, Figure 1 showing the normal positions of the parts, i.e., with the chair in neutral balance and the footrest retracted;
j FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the chair : 4 ,. .:
,.,~
~ ~ _3 -.- .
~Q4a~s7 showing the locking~linkage posi~ti~ned within the chair profile;
FIGURE 3, 4 and-~ are enlarged fragmentary side eleva-tions of our locking linkage, Fig. 3 showing the same in the po-sition of Fig. l to facilitate orientation, and Figs. 4 and 5 showing the chair rocked ba~kward and forward, respectively, as permitted by the position of the locking linkage illustrated in Figures l, 2 and 3;
FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the chair showing the footrest extended, and Figure 7 is a corresponding fragmentary side elevation of the locking linkage positioned by the extension of the footrest to prevent rocking and to permit the reclining action to proceed;
FIGURE 8 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the chair A both upright and in recline, and Figure 9 an enlarged fragmentary `i 15 side elevation of the locking linkage positioned by the recline ~i , to prevent retraction of the footrest.
,; Preliminary Summary ~ Referring initially to Figure l for a general summary-`:
- of the locking linkage 10 of the invention, the view there shown ~, ^ 20 is an interior view looking downwardly toward the left rear of , ~' the-chair from the upper right, with the seat of the chair re-moved. To the viewer's left in,the exploded assembly is an up-` ~ standing bracket 12 secured to the fixed base,14 of the chair.
j Midway in depth along the "expldded" ass~mbly is an angle bracket , 25 i6 secured~to the rocker bracket 18 on the rocker portion 20 of the~base. Extending diagonally upwardly and rearwardly at the righthand side of the assembly are the supporting links 22 and , ~ 24, connected to guide the back bracket 26 of the reclining back of the chair.
In the rocking,movement of the chair, the angle,bracket , 16, being secured to the rocker 20 and employed as the locking point thereof, moves,up and down relative to the fixed base 14 ,, ~, and, because the rocker travels fore and aft on its base while rocking, describes a curvilinear path that is not a circular arc.
The lockable member of the reclining mechanism, on the other hand, the upstanding boomerang-shaped link 24, is pivoted on the rocker bracket 18, and is independently rotatable thereon during the reclining movement of the chair.
The locking members per se of the locking linkage 10 include a bell crank 28 pivoted to the angle bracket 16 on the rocker, a slotted link 30 by means of which one arm 32 of the " 10 bell crank 28 is connected to the fixed bracket 12 secured to ; the base of the chair, and another link 34 by means of which the other arm 36 of the bell crank 23 is connected to the rearwardly extending arm 38 of the boomerang lever 24 which supports the ' back of the chair.
When the bell crank 28 and the link 34 connecting it ` to the back-support lever 24 are positioned as shown in Fig. 1, it will be apparent that the coincidence of the bell crank arm 36 and the link 34 along the line of movement to be taken by the lower arm 38 of that lever 24 during recline effectively prevents 20 reclining movement of the chair. `
Alternatively, when the bell crank 28 is rocked forward i~ on its pivot to the angle bracket 16, it carries its coinciding upper arm 36 and connecting link 34 out of locking alignment, thus to permit reclining movement, and simultaneously places ~ 25 its other arm 32, and its companion slotted link 30 into locking alignment, thus to prevent rocking movement in either direction (Fig. 7).
Shifting of the bell crank between its alternate positions is accomplished indirectly by also forming the link 34 as a bell crank, and connecting the rearwardly extending arm 40 thereof to a tubular connecting link 42 extending forwardly to ~`
an arm 44 on a cross shaft 46 journalled in the forward portion ~ ' :
104(~97 of the seat bracket 48. The cross shaft 46 is associated with footrest extension linkage 50, (Fig. 6) which may be actuaged by an operating handle 52 at the side of the chair. Such operating handle, if used, becomes the operator also for actuating the locking linkage 10 to prevent rocking of the chair and to position the same for reclining as an incident to the extension of the footrest.
Extension of the footrest with the chair in the upright position, and blocked against rocking, has become identified in trade parlance as the "TV" position, the extension of the footrest being accomplished either by manipulation of a hand lever at the side of the chair, or by a shifting of the chair seat relative to the rocking portion of the base. In the latter instance, we contemplate that the connecting link 42, by means of which the bell crank 28 or our locking linkage is positioned to prevent rocking, would be connected for actuation by and coincident to the shifting of the seat on the rocking base, either by more direct connection to the seat, or indirectly, as shown, by operation of the footrest mechanism.
Detailed Description For a detailed description of the locking linkage of , the invention we refer again initially to the exploded assembly -view of Figure 1, showing the hardware and rocking base on the ~ far side of the chair, the back of the chair being on the left ¦ 1 and the front of the chair on the right. The counterbalancing springs usually also mounted interiorly to connect the fixed or floor-engaging portion 14 of the base and the upper rocker por- -~
tion 20 superposed thereon, are omitted in Figure 1 for a clearer showing of the essential parts, but it will be understood that , they position the chair in the neutral balance earlier referred to.
Screwed onto the rocker portion 20 of the base is the rocker bracket 18 of angle iron which provides the mounting for , ".
. ', ., ,~ -6-. "
l~a~7 the recline linkage by means of which the back of the chair and the seat are mounted for movement relative to each other and to the rocking portion of the base as an incident to recline of the chair. The recline linkage illustrated in Figure 1 is shown here simply for purposes of illustration. As the principles of our locking mechanism become clear from the following explanation, it will be equally apparent that the utility of our novel lock does not depend upon this particular reclining mechanism.
In any event, while for purposes of illustrating and explaining the function of our novel lock, attention should be focused upon the boomerang-shaped forward support lever 24 of the reclining mechanism, it should for completeness be explained that the back of the chair is supported by the back bracket 26 which in turn is supported~from the aforementioned rocker bracket 15 18 by means of the link 22 and lever 24, which from a trapezoidal . i ~, linkage with the back bracket 26 and the rocker bracket 18 to effect a forward shifting of the back bracket 26 (and the lower end of the back of chair) as an incident to the rearward rotation of the back bracket upon recline.
The seat of the chair is supported upon the seat bracket 48, which in turn is supported in its forward portions by an over-` slung link 54 extending upwardly and rearwardly from its pivotal - connection to the rocker bracket 18 to its pivotal connection -in the seat bracket 48. Its angularity in the sitting position -25 illustrated is such that when the seat bracket is shifted for- -wardly, the link 54 lifts the front end of the seat. ~ -The rearward portion of the seat is carried upon a bell crank lever 56 supported from the front, boomerang-shaped back-support lever 24 and controlled in its movement relative thereto 30 during the reclining rotation of the back by a control link 58 -connected to the back bracket 26. That specific reclining chair mechanism, as earlier stated, is not a part of the locking linkage .:
~7~
"` lQ4~ 9~ -of this invention as such, and, is shown herè merely for illustra-tion.
For present purposes, the important member of the re-cline linkage is the forward back support lever 24, whose lower, rearwardly-extending arm 38 is the poînt at which the locking linkage 10 of` this invention is attached to the recline mechanism ; to perform its locking function.
The footrest extension mechanism 50 (Fig.6) is largely omitted from Figure 1 except to the extent it shares parts in common wi~h the locking linkage 10, in particular, those parts necessary to operate the locking linkage to prevent rocking co-incidentally with the extension of the~retractable footrest to its forward position. Still referring to Figure 1, these include the square cross shaft 46 journalled forwardly on the seat bracket 48 and extending to a seat bracket counterpart on the othe~ side of the chair to unify the action of the footrest extension link-t ~ ages 50 on opposite sides of the chair. The footrest extension mechanism illustrated in Figure 6 is not, as such, a part of our locking linkage. It is shown here only for illustration, and toj .-' 20 the extent necessary to show how the manipulation of a separate `
` operating lever, such as 52, for the extension of-the footrest .~ .
i likewise actuates the~locking mechanism to prevent rocking while .. ~ the~footrest.is extended.
Referring.therefore to the Figures 1 and 6 jointly, it `~: 25 will be sufficient.for present purposes to note~that the footrest 60 is extended on a pair of par~llel rails 62 which are suitably supported from the underside of the-seat.of the chair for end-wise movement, and are propelled to the extended-position by a ., drive linkage comprising a hand lever operated rear drive link 64 pivoted t~ the seat bracket 48, a forward drive link 66 secured-. as an arm to the aforementioned square cross shaft 46 shown in Figure 1, and connected for unison.rotation by a connecting link ., .
.' :.
g~7 68. A multiplying lever 70 pivoted to the lower end of the rear drive link 64, and rocked relative thereto by a restraining link 72 pivoted to the lever 70 and to the forward drive link 66, has a resulting angular movement nearly twice that of the drive link 64, and, through its drag link connection 74 to the rear end of the footrest supporting rails 62, drive the same to the extended broken-line position in Figure 6 by the rearward movement of the hand lever 52 through about 90 as indicated in Figure 6.
` In the process, the front drive link 66, and the square " 10 cross shaft 46 shown in Figure 1, are also rotated through approx-~ imately 90 in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1, and that i rotation, through mechanism now to be described, operates our im-proved locking linkage 10 incident to e~tension of the footrest.
` As earlier indicated, although we do not consider our ;;~ 15 invention limited in this respect, we prefer to use duplicate locking linkages, one at each side of tihe chair, just as we have duplicated the reclining linkage for the seat and the back and for the extension of the footrest as well. We could use a single locking linkage located between the sides of the chair and con-nected therewith by means of suitable rods and shafts, but we prefer separate locking linkages for each side, operated of course ih unison, because our locking mechanism then functions solidly to block out the intended function, i.e., when the chair l is reclined there is essentially no springiness in the parts, nor any rocking movement to suggest to the reposed occupant that he is insecure and in danger of tipping.
The Locking Linkage Per Se It has been noted preliminarily that the illustrated chair has two modes of movement, rocking and reclining, and that the function of the locking mechanism is to condition the chair for one mode while preventing the other, and vice versa, incident . to extension and retraction of the footrest.
. ,.
' _g_ :.
, .
In the rocking mode, the rocker portion 20 of the base and everything supported by it, oscillates up and down and to and fro relative to the fixed base 14, whereas in the reclining mode, the seat and the back, or in any event the back, move relative to the rocker 20 upon which they are mounted. In this context, the locking linkage of our invention is such that when the footrest is retracted and the chair is in upright sitting position, the linkage permits rocking but prevents recline. On the other hand, when the footrest is extended, the rocking movement is prevented, and the locking linkage conditioned to permit recline. This is the so-called intermediate or "TV" position, i.e., with footrest ~`~ extended, rocking function locked, and the chair conditioned for ' recline.
` As the back of the chair is then reclined, the locking linkage operates to perform a slight but related retraction of the footrest, but prevents independent retraction of the footrest ~, while the chair is reclined.
.. ,~ . .
These several functions are accomplished by the follow-ing structure: The lower shorter arm 38 of the boomerang-shaped front support lever 24 of the back is in alignment with the rocker bracket 18 when the back is in the upright sitting posi-tion, being supported in that attitude by the angle bracket 16 which is secured to the underside of the rocker bracket 18 and extends inwardly therefrom to space its upstanding flange from the ,.
~ 25 vertical flange of the rocker bracket. The vertical flange of `~`
- the angle bracket 16 is pierced to receive a shoulder rivet to ¦ pivot the bell crank 28 on the rocker portion of the base. ~-`~ The rearwardly-extending shorter arm 38 of the forward ~ back support lever 24 is pierced at a point spaced rearwardly . .
from its pivotal attachment to the rocker bracket 18, and on an axis which coincides with the pivotal mounting of the bell crank ~
28 when the chair parts are in the upright position illustrated ~ -' ' 10- ,.
:' in Figure 1. This provides the pivotal mounting for the connect-ing link 34, which for other purposes yet to be described, is also formed as a bell crank, i.e., having two diverging arms.
The one of those arms, 37, standing nearly upright in Figure 1, is pivotally connected at its upper end to the similarly upstand-ing and coextensive arm 36 of the bell crank 28, both said arms being offset toward each other to bridge the angle bracket 16 and the clearance space provided, and being pierced and pivotally connected by a suitable shoulder rivet.
From the foregoing partial detailed description of the locking linkage, it will be apparent that inasmuch as the rear-wardly extending arm 38 of the forward back support lever 24 ` moves perpendicularly upwardly from the rocker bracket 18 to .:.
~` initiate the reclining movement, the interconnected bell crank arm 36 and the associated arm 37 of the connecting link 34, the one being connected to the angle bracket 16 and the other being attached to the shorter arm 38 of the front back support lever 24, prevent any reclining movement when they are disposed as shown in Figure 1.
The other arm 32 of the bell crank 28, extending for-~;~ wardly and slightly downwardly from its pivot to the angle bracket16 on the rocker, is pivoted at its outer end to the distal end . ,~ . .
of the connecting link 30, which has a slotted pivotal connection ~;
,~
to the upstanding bracket 12 secured to the fixed base 14 of the .
chair. The fixed bracket 12 is formed with a short upstanding mounting flange 76 emplaced against the inner surface of the . ,~.. -runner of the base 14, and a taller upstanding plate 78 spaced -: therefrom adequately to span the angle bracket 16 of the rocker and all of the locking linkage. At its upper end~ the plate 78 supports a shoulder bolt 80 on which the slotted end of the ~-connecting link 30 is pivoted, coaxially with the pivot of the bell crank 28 to the angle bracket 16, and wi~h the pivot of the , :
.. , ~ .
;~,,., .~,.. .. ....... ... . . .. ... . . .. . . .. .. .. .. . . . ..... .. ... . . .
rearwardly extending arm 38 of the forward back-support lever 24 to its connecting link 34. That is to say, when the chair is in neutral balance, the pivot axes of the fixed bracket 12, the bell crank 28 on the angle bracket 16, and that of the connecting link 34 to the rearwardly extending arm 38 o the forward back support lever 24, are all located on the same axis, or, viewing the chair ; in profile, these respective axes coincide at a single point, or substantially so.
As indicated in Figure 1, the mounting flange 76 of the fixed bracket 12 is provided with two holes spaced from front to rear, the forward hole being tapped to receive a mounting screw . (not shown) passed through a drilled hole in the runner of the ~: base 14. The rearward hold of the mounting flange is pierced oversize and an aligned tapped hole provided in the spaced up-standing plate 78 that supports the pivot bolt 80. A longer .
mounting screw is passed through the base runner from the out- :
~ side, through the rear hole in the mounting flange 76, and fitted -~ in the tapped hole in the upstanding plate 78. This rearward ~:
screw may, if desired, be a shoulder screw, or may be surrounded ~ ~-by a sleeve between the two upstanding flanges of the fixed ~ bracket 12, as may be desirable to enable the screw 82 to pro- ~ :
p vide a stop for the slotted link 30 and the lock lever 28 in the ~ri:
alternate position of adjustment of the latter, at whcih the rock- :
ing of the chair is prevented and recline permitted (Fig. 7).
The coinciding lengths of the arm 36 of the bell crank .
28 and the arm 37 of the connecting link 34, shown upstanding in Figure 1, are also equal to the distance between the two pivots of the shorter arm 38 of the forward back support lever 24,.so that when the locking linkage 10 is shifted to its alternate position (Fig. 7), not only will the rocker portion of the base be secured in the neutral balance position of Figure 1, but the ~
. pivot axis of the connection of the bell crank 28 to the connecting -'' ` ' :' ~ 12-1~ 97 link 34 will coincide with the axis of the pivotal connection of the forward back support lever 24 to the rocker bracket 18, and with the parts thus aligned, the forward back support lever 24 may swing freely upwardly to permit the chair to recline.
The shifting of the locking linkage between its alter-nate positions by the swinging of the bell crank 28 (Fig. 1, or Fig. 3, to Fig. 7) is accomplished as already indicated by the same action which extends the footrest and specifically, in the illustrated instance, is effected by the rotation of the square cross shaft 46 journalled in and extending between the seat brackets 48 at opposite sides of the chair. The rotation of the :
cross shaft 46 is imparted to the short arm 44 secured thereto, the arm 44 being stamped from light plate and pierced with a square hole at one end to receive the shaft 46 and a round hole at the distal end for pivotal attachment by means of a suitable -~
rivet to the rearwardly-extending operating link 42. The operating ~ ~
link 42 is preferably tubular for greater rigidity, and flattened ~ -at its ends for connection forwardly to the arm 44 on the cross shaft 46, and rearwardly to the locking linkage 10.
From the foregoing description of structure and operation, it will be apparent that the primary function of the operating - ~
link 42 is to shift the bell crank 28 between its alternate positions.- -To serve that primary purpose, the link might suitably be connected directly to the bell crank 28 at any convenient point thereon or - ~ -extension thereof, depending upon the direction of movement of the conveniently available shifting effort derived from the extension of the footrest. To enable that connection also to -achieve a secondary purpose, however, we prefer to shift the bell crank 28 by means of the arm 40 on the connecting link 34 pivoted to the forward support lever 24 of the recline mechanism, that link 34, as earlier noted, being made in the form of a bell crank for this purpose.
~ a~ ~:
The Operating Linkage Per Se As shown in Figure 1, the rearwardly extending arm 40 of the connecting link 34 is pivoted to the rear end of the tubu-lar operating link 42, being substantially offset toward the center of the chair to place the flattened end portion of the operating link 42 inwardly of the lock lever 28. The slotted connecting link 30 and its associated arm 32 of the bell crank 28 are likewise offset toward each other at their distal ends to provide clearnace for the flattened rear end of the operating link 42 during rocking movement of the chair.
The primary or lever-shifting function of the operating link 42 can occur freely only when the chair is in its position of neutral balance, or more precisely, when the pivot on the angle bracket 16 and at the rear end of the lower arm 38 of the ~ forward back-support lever 24 coincide with the pivot 80 on the :: -fixed bracket 12, or nearly so. (The ability of the locking link-age to jack the chair into neutral balance upon attempted extension of the footrest is discussed later herein.) When that condition obtains, the rotation of the cross shaft 46 by the extension of ~ the footrest moves the operating link 42 forwardly, and rotates :~ 20 the connecting link 34 clockwise as viewed in Figure 1, carrying ~:
with it the bell crank 28, which in turn carries with it the slotted connecting link 30, turning all parts to the position of Figure 7 coincident with the extension of the footrest. From .
the position of Figure 7, the reclining motion may proceed at -~
~. 25 the occupant's discretion, inasmuch as the aligned arm 37 of ~.
: the connecting link 34 and arm 36 of the bell crank 28 have .
~ been moved into alignment with the shorter arm 38 of the forward .: :
r back support lever 24, and their connecting pivot is aligned withthe swing pivot of the back-support lever on the rocker bracket : 30 18. As the reclining movement proceeds (Fig. 8 and 9) and the - -forward support lever 24 of the back of the chair rotates for-wardly on the rocker, the tubular operating link 42 is moved ;
~` ~ -14- ~;
1(~4~?7 forwardly as the connecting link 34 rotates clockwise (as seen in Figs. 1 and 9) with the back support lever 24. This forward movement of the operating link 42 relative to the rocker upon recline enables it to perform a secondary function now to be described.
In the particular recline mechanism here illustrated, the recline of the back is accompanied by a forward shift of the seat, and as noted, the cross shaft 46 is journalled in the seat brackets 48. During recline, however, the pivot of the bell crank 28 on the angle bracket 16 remains stationary, and the bell crank 28 immovable. Depending, therefore, upon the amount of forward movement of the seat relative to the rocker, the direct attachment of the operating link 42 to the bell crank 28 would cause reverse " rotation of the cross shaft 46, and retraction of the footrest, -;~ 15 as the seat moves forward.
Complete retraction of the footrest would, of course, ; be self-defeating, but we have found that a slight retraction upon recline is highly desirable to offset the tendency of the footrests of reclining chairs to pull down the socks of the occu-pant as his body shifts slightly rearwardly on the seat upon recline.
Accordingly, to provide for a slight retraction of the ~ footrest upon recline, we connect the tubular operating link 42 `~ to the arm 40 of the connecting link 34 so that the link 42 is -shifted forwardly relative to the rocker 40 (Fig. 9) by the re-cline movement. As the forward movement of the seat proceeds upon recline we proportion the length of the arm 40 of the con-, necting link 34 appropriately to the forward movement of the cross shaft upon recline, and thereby effect a slight retraction of the operating link 42 relative to the seat, a slight reverserotation of the footrest-operating cross shaft 46, and the de-sired corresponding slight retraction of the footrest.
., .
~: -15-~4~997 The same retraction control can be achieved equally in chairs having no movement, or a different movement, of the foot-rest mechanism relative to the chair upon recline, by attaching the operating link 42 of the locking mechanism appropriately to the connecting link 34.
Footrest Locking Having explained the operation of our locking linkage to prevent one or the other of the rocking or reclining movements from the upright sitting position, as well as its ability to effect a slight but desirable retraction of the footrest upon recline, we now explain by reference to Figures 3 to 5, 7 and 9 its further function, i.e., the forcible return of the chair to neutral position by the extension of the footrest while rocking, and the prevention of the retraction of the footrest when the chair is reclined.
In Figure 3, which is a side elevation of the locking ~ -; linkage in the same position illustrated in Figure 1, the chair ` is in neutral balance in the upright sitting position, rocked neither forward nor back, although capable of doing so but in-capable of reclining.
In Figure 4, the chair is rocked back and in Figure 5 the chair is rocked forwardly. During these movements, the slotted connecting link 30 and its associated arm 32 of the bell crank 28 simply "toggle" idly in their passage from the position of Figure 4 to that of Figure 5, and vice versa, passing `
on each rocking movement through the neutral position of Figure 3.
Because of the illustrated case the rocking element is not of the fixed axis type but actually "rolls" on the base runner during ;~the rocking movement, the path described by the axis of the~
~ c~k ~ is a compound movement rather than a circular arc, where-fore it is accordingly necessary to provide a slot in the link 30 at the pivot bolt 80 to accommodate these slight fore and aft :` ~
', .;: ' ~.
1~3~9g7 movements of the rocker on the base.
When the slotted link 30 and its associated arm 32 of the bell crank 28 are divergent, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the footrest cannot be extended, i.e., the bell crank 28 cannot be rotated by the operating link 42, without drawing the chair back to neutral. If attempted in the Fig. 4 position, the arm 32 strikes the fixed bracket 12 and forces the rocker up. If attempted from the Fig. 5 position, the link 30 pulls the rocker down. Some slight variation from true alignment inevitably occurs as the chair is occupied by persons of different stature. If extension of the footrest is attempted while the chair is in a rocking motion, i.e., when the pivot axis of the bell crank `
28 is substantially out of coincidence with the pivot of the slotted connecting link 30 to the fixed bracket 12, the rocking motion is terminated as the leverage of the operating link 42, exerted through the bell crank 28, forces the pivot axis of ~-the bell crank into coincidence with that of the fixed bracket `-12, and thus permits the shifting of the linkage into the position of Figure 7 (and the extension of the footrest) from which the reclining action may proceed.
In Figure 7, it will be noted that the slotted link 30 ~!
and its associated arm 32 of the bell crank 28 have been swung down approximately vertically from the pivot bolt 80 of the fixed bracket 12, and are stopped in that position by their abut-ment with the rearward mounting screw 82 which also secures the ; fixed bracket 12 to the base runner. As indicated in Figure 7, , we prefer to maintain zero clearance between the ends of the ~ slotted link 30 and the bell crank arm 32 and the upper surface of the connecting web of the fixed bracket 12 so that all lost motion in the slotted connection of the link 30 to the pivot bolt 80 is taken up, and the rocking movement is locked solidly, "~
i.e., without any jiggling or springing to disquiet the occupant as he reclines in the chair.
t -17-- . : -1~4'~7 As the linkage proceeds to the position of Figure 9 by the reclining of the back of the chair, i.e., by the forward ro-tation of the forward support lever 24 upon the rocker bracket 18, the connecting link 34 to the lower arm 38, and its associated arm 36 of the bell crank 28 are likewise moved out of coincidence, which serves to prevent any shifting of the bell crank 28 while the chair is reclined, the divergence of the arm 37 of the con-necting link 34 from its associated arm 36 of the bell crank 28 preventing movement of the link 34 by the operating link 42, and thus preventing independent retraction of the footrest~
Conclusion In the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings, we have described and illustrated the best mode known to us for the practice of the invention. When its principles are under-stood, it will be apparent that modification can be made withinthe scope of what we here disclose and claim as our invention.
For example, the arms of the bell crank 28 may be sepa-rated into individual links located on different axes at differ-..... . .
` ent locations on the rocking portion to accommodate two specifi- -cally different chairs, or the unified preferred locking linkage ~-might be located forwardly of the rocking fulcrum and its con-nection to the recline mechanism of the chair made to the seat or to the seat supports if the same move relative to the rocker ~
~ upon recline. We p-efer the rearward location, however, inasmuch ~;
.'. ,,::.- ,, .
as all rocking-reclining chairs have a recllning back irrespective i -~ of what may happen to the seat.
By locating our preferred unified form of "triple link" -~
lock, viz., the bell crank 28 and its link connections 30 and 34 .. . .
respectively to the fixed base and to the recline linkage, on an axis common to both pairs of relatively movable parts when the chair is in the neutral or upright sitting position, and from . ',', ' ' 1~4(~9~7 which each pair has a substantial relative movement in the rock-mode and in the reclining mode, we have provided a very effective, compact, and unitary lock by means of which the two modes of movement of the chai~ are made assuredly mutually exclusive, yet which requires a conscious although convenient effort of the occupant to shift the locking linkage to condition the chair for one mode or the other.
Further, by associating the operation of our selective lock with the operation of the footrest mechanism, i. e., per-mitting the chair to rock when the footrest is retracted and pre-venting rocking while the footrest is extended, we have inter-connected the locking mechanism with the footrest extension func-tion in such a way that the footrçst cannot be extended without terminating the rocking movement, nor can the footrest be re-tracted independently while the chaix is reclined. That is to~say, while the rocker-recliner chair is-~in its upright sitting position, it is a rocking chair. When the leg rest is extended, whether by ma.nipulation of the hand lever in the specific illus-;; tration shown or by the shifting of the seat relative to the chair 20- arms, as is also not uncommon, the chair is locked against rocking at an intermediate so-called "TV" position, with the footrest ex-tended and the chair essentially upright. From the "TV" position, the chair may be reclined, in which case the footrest is-locked -against independent retractionl but experiences a related slight retraction to avoid a downward pull on the occupant's out-stretched legs. Alternatively, from the "TV" position, the foot-rest may be retracted, in which case the chair is again condi-tioned for rocking, and is locked against recline.
The features of our invention believed to be new and patentable are set forth in the appended claims:
' ' ' ' ~'' -19- '
Claims (8)
1. In a rocker-recliner chair having a base portion for supporting a chair upon the floor, a rocking portion mounted upon the base portion for rocking movement thereon, and a body-supporting portion movable relative to said rocking portion from a generally upright sitting position, the improvement comprising a locking linkage selectively shiftable between alternate positions to lock the chair against reclining while permitting the same to rock, and conversely, to lock the chair against rocking while permitting the same to recline, said linkage comprising a first pair of pivotally interconnected links each pivoted respectively to one of said base and said rocking portions on a first axis which is common to both and spaced from the axis of said rocking movement when the chair is in neutral balance, the pivots of said first link pair to said base and to said rocking portion being displaced from each other by said rocking movement, and a second pair of pivotally interconnected links each pivoted respectively to one of said rocking and said body-supporting portions on a second axis common to both when the chair is in said sitting position, the pivots of said second link pair to said rocking and said body-supporting portions being dis-placed from each other by said relative movement to the recline position, the links of said pairs pivoted to the rocking portion being connected together for movement in unison between said alternate positions at one of which said second link pair is aligned in opposition to said relative movement to the recline position, and at the other of which said first link pair is aligned in opposition to said rocking movement, each link pair being aligned to permit relative movement of its associated chair portions when the other pair is aligned in opposition as aforesaid, and means for shifting said linkage between said alternate positions.
2. In a chair in accordance with Claim 1 and also having a normally retracted footrest extendable to a leg-sup-porting position forwardly of the chair and means for extending and retracting the same, wherein said linkage-shifting means is a connection from said locking linkage to the means for extending and retracting the footrest to shift said linkage between its alternate positions coincident with the extension and retraction of the footrest, said locking linkage being positioned to prevent reclining and to permit rocking when the footrest is extended.
3. The subject matter of Claim 1 wherein said first and second common axes coincide.
4. The subject matter of Claim 3 wherein the said two links pivoted to the rocking portion are in fact the divergent arms of a single, bellcrank lever.
5. The subject matter of Claim 2 wherein the means for shifting the locking linkage comprises an operating link connected respectively to the footrest extending and retracting means and to the link of said second pair which is connected to the body-supporting portion of the chair, said operating link by said con-nection effecting a slight retraction of the footrest incident to movement of the body-supporting portion from the sitting to the reclining position.
6. The subject matter of Claim 4 in which each of the divergent arms of said, bellcrank lever and its paired link when arrayed in locking position are aligned in the direction of said dis-placement of their respective pivots to their two associated, relatively movable chair portions, and substantially perpen-dicular to said direction when in the alternate position.
7. The subject matter of Claim 1 wherein the rocking portion includes curved runners which translate fore and aft on the base portion as the chair rocks, and in which the link of said first pair connected to the base portion has at least one slotted pivotal connection to accommodate the compound movement of the rocking portion relative to the base portion, and means providing contact between said first link pair and said base portion in the locking position of said first link pair to prevent lost motion of said slotted pivotal connection to secure said chair against rocking movement in either direction from said locking position notwithstanding the slot in said link.
8. The subject matter of Claim 7 in which said link is slotted at its pivotal connection to said base portion, and wherein said first link pair in its locking position is sub-stantially aligned in the direction of movement of the rocking portion from said first-mentioned common axis, and said first link pair at its end remote from said slotted connection engages the base portion of the chair as a strut and the lost motion of said slotted connection is taken up.
Priority Applications (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US37435673 US3869170A (en) | 1973-06-28 | 1973-06-28 | Locking mechanism for reclining chairs |
| CA213,789A CA1040997A (en) | 1973-06-28 | 1974-11-15 | Locking mechanism for reclining chairs |
| AU75595/74A AU478314B2 (en) | 1973-06-28 | 1974-11-21 | Locking mechanism for reclining chairs |
| JP14259774A JPS545753B2 (en) | 1973-06-28 | 1974-12-13 | |
| DE19742459907 DE2459907C3 (en) | 1974-12-18 | Locking rods for a rocking armchair |
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US37435673 US3869170A (en) | 1973-06-28 | 1973-06-28 | Locking mechanism for reclining chairs |
| CA213,789A CA1040997A (en) | 1973-06-28 | 1974-11-15 | Locking mechanism for reclining chairs |
| AU75595/74A AU478314B2 (en) | 1973-06-28 | 1974-11-21 | Locking mechanism for reclining chairs |
| JP14259774A JPS545753B2 (en) | 1973-06-28 | 1974-12-13 | |
| DE19742459907 DE2459907C3 (en) | 1974-12-18 | Locking rods for a rocking armchair |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1040997A true CA1040997A (en) | 1978-10-24 |
Family
ID=50391584
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA213,789A Expired CA1040997A (en) | 1973-06-28 | 1974-11-15 | Locking mechanism for reclining chairs |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US3869170A (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS545753B2 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU478314B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1040997A (en) |
Families Citing this family (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4072342A (en) * | 1976-04-20 | 1978-02-07 | Pontiac Furniture Industries, Inc. | Recliner chair |
| US4202580A (en) * | 1978-11-13 | 1980-05-13 | Pontiac Furniture Industries, Inc. | Sequencing lock for recliner |
| US4319780A (en) * | 1979-10-16 | 1982-03-16 | Rogers Jr Walter C | Rocker-recliner chair |
| JPS5836747A (en) * | 1981-08-28 | 1983-03-03 | Toyota Motor Corp | Wiper device |
| US4601513A (en) * | 1985-05-17 | 1986-07-22 | Action Industries, Inc. | Rock-blocking mechanism for rocking chair |
| US5121967A (en) * | 1990-06-28 | 1992-06-16 | Rogers Walter C | Rocker recliner |
| US5271660A (en) * | 1990-10-18 | 1993-12-21 | La-Z-Boy Chair Co. | Reclining sofa |
| US5217276A (en) * | 1990-10-18 | 1993-06-08 | La-Z-Boy Chair Company | Chair mechanism |
| US5292170A (en) * | 1991-08-06 | 1994-03-08 | La-Z-Boy Chair Co. | Recliner assist apparatus |
| US5485979A (en) * | 1994-01-12 | 1996-01-23 | La-Z-Boy Chair Company | Chair base |
| US6733071B2 (en) | 2002-06-26 | 2004-05-11 | Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company | Self-locking rocker recliner chair |
| US8550556B2 (en) * | 2010-03-17 | 2013-10-08 | Mattel, Inc. | Reconfigurable infant support structure |
| KR102463832B1 (en) * | 2018-01-29 | 2022-11-07 | 현대자동차주식회사 | Convenience apparatus for vehicle |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3352601A (en) * | 1966-05-19 | 1967-11-14 | Mohasco Ind Inc | Chair |
| US3637255A (en) * | 1968-01-02 | 1972-01-25 | Dual Mfg & Eng | Mechanism for rocker/reclining chair and for reclining chair |
| US3730585A (en) * | 1970-10-19 | 1973-05-01 | Royal Dev Inc | Rocker recliner chair |
| US3767257A (en) * | 1970-12-10 | 1973-10-23 | Cleveland Chair Co Inc | Handle controlled recliner rocker lounger |
| JPS5016988B2 (en) * | 1971-09-29 | 1975-06-17 |
-
1973
- 1973-06-28 US US37435673 patent/US3869170A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1974
- 1974-11-15 CA CA213,789A patent/CA1040997A/en not_active Expired
- 1974-11-21 AU AU75595/74A patent/AU478314B2/en not_active Expired
- 1974-12-13 JP JP14259774A patent/JPS545753B2/ja not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS545753B2 (en) | 1979-03-20 |
| AU7559574A (en) | 1976-05-27 |
| AU478314B2 (en) | 1976-05-27 |
| JPS5174756A (en) | 1976-06-28 |
| US3869170A (en) | 1975-03-04 |
| DE2459907B2 (en) | 1977-06-08 |
| DE2459907A1 (en) | 1976-08-05 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA1040997A (en) | Locking mechanism for reclining chairs | |
| US3815954A (en) | Rocker recliner chair | |
| US7413245B2 (en) | Linkage mechanism for use in motion furniture | |
| US6733071B2 (en) | Self-locking rocker recliner chair | |
| US3869169A (en) | Retractable footrest mechanism | |
| US5823614A (en) | Three-way reclining furniture item | |
| US7396074B2 (en) | Linkage mechanism for a recliner chair | |
| US3352601A (en) | Chair | |
| WO1997047219A9 (en) | Three-way reclining furniture item | |
| JPS60848B2 (en) | 3-stage leaning chair with wall avoidance handle activated | |
| US5374101A (en) | Three-way reclining chair | |
| US3622198A (en) | Rocker/recliner chair | |
| CN117860080A (en) | Baby rocking chair and baby seat thereof | |
| US7114770B2 (en) | Health care chair with reclining backrest and extendable ottoman | |
| US7823966B2 (en) | Recliner chair | |
| CA1316807C (en) | Shiftable carriage mechanism for incliner chair | |
| US5186518A (en) | Carriage mechanism for a glider/three-way recliner chair having rear drive link and rear ottoman link | |
| US2567222A (en) | Reclining article of furniture | |
| US5054850A (en) | Shiftable carriage mechanism for incliner chair | |
| US3826532A (en) | Rocking recliner with rocker lock and anti-overturn shock absorber | |
| JPH10313969A (en) | Chair | |
| US3339972A (en) | Reclining and rocking chair | |
| US4423903A (en) | Handle operated incliner chair | |
| JP2797273B2 (en) | Chair with backrest | |
| WO2018196480A1 (en) | Multifunctional balance chair |