US2576465A

US2576465A - Reclining article of furniture

Info

Publication number: US2576465A
Application number: US637936A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lorenz Anton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1945-12-29
Filing date: 1945-12-29
Publication date: 1951-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 1968-11-27
Also published as: GB619017A

Description

Nov. 27, 1951 A. LORENZ 2,576,465

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Dec. 29, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet l TZ 74 F- 24 5- INVENTOR is ATTORNEY ANTON LORENZ Nov. 27, 1951 A. LORENZ 2,576,465

RECLINING ARTICLE 01 FURNITURE Filed Dec. 29, 1945 4 Sheets-Shea} 2 INVENTOR ANTON LORENZ HIS ATTORNEY Nov. 27, 1951 A. LORENZ RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 29, 1945 INVENTOR ANTON LORENZ HIS ATTORNEY Nov. 27, 1951 A, LORENZ 2,576,465

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Dec.- 29, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTO ANTON LORENZ BYWZ HIS ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 27, 1951 UNITED PAT or Fl (2 E;

RE CLININGTARTICLELOF FURNITURE l Anton Lorenz, Buffalo,- NZ-Y. ApplicationwDecember 29, 1'945,-.SerialNo. 637,936

l'l Glaims': (01; 155 106) This invention relates to an article of furniture; andmore' particularly, to a recliningarticle of furniture; wherein the back-rest'a'nd seat form movable members of J a polygonal linkesystem swingably mounted on a support'and whereinthje movements or" the members of'fsaid polygonal linksystem are'positively controlledby a; guiding link pivotedto. thesupport and operatively' connected with amember of the polygonal'ilink-svstem.

An' objectof "the present'invention is to provide aiconvenient 'controllingf mechanism for a legrest swingably, mounted on" the seat o'fai recliningfarticle of furniture of above described type; by

means of which the, angle between the" legjj-trest andthe seat is automatically alterediindep'endence on the movements of v the guiding'link when" the movable members"oftliereclining article of furniture including" the b'a'cli re'st' and theseat are" brought from. a certain position, suchta's the sittinggiposition, v into another position; such as a reclined position, or'vice vers'a'.

A further obj ect of l the present" invention is to equip a. reclining article of furnitureioi, above described type with a"acontrollinggrnechanism for the leg-restf which may, cause a' movement 'of'itlie leg-restrelativeto the seat," when th'eIp sitionLOf the polygonal 'link system is alteredQ which; however; doesnotiform' a positive connectionibetween the leg-rest and th'e'controllingmebhanismiand permits an independent movement of 'Ith'e .l gerest relative to the seat, when the members; ofJ-I'the polygonal link-system are 'held in a certain 'position'relative to each other.

Still 'T another obj ect of thecpresentlinvention, is to. provide ,a support 'foria recliningtarticle,ofliiirniture of above dscribedftypepwhich rendersrthe controlling mechanism for the leg-rest. invisible when the members of thearticle oflfurnituresare in thesitting position, and which permits a=ready mounting; of. the elementstofisaidl. controlling mechanism. swingably arranged on r the support. A further object of the 'presentinvention isto improve on reclining articlesof furniture. ofiabove described typewas now. ordinarily: made With the above and otherobjects of. theeinvention in. view, ,the. invention consists .;in.. the": novel construction, arrangement and, combination of various-devices, elements and parts. as set' forth in 'the claimslhereofj certain embodiments-dot -the same being described in, the specificationand being illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming partnof this specification, wherein:

Fig, a. side elevational view oft areclining chaise .longue equippedIwitha -contiollingmechanism for the leg-rest. according-lo" the' invention.

Fig. a fragmentary perspective view. of "a part of the-controllingmechanism for the leg'j-rest of thechaise longue shown in Fig, 1;

Fig.3. is a sectional View of the lockingjdevi'ce offtlie vchaise'longue shown inFig. 1, taken o'niline 3'3 of-cFi'g. 1;,

Fig. 41-15 a side. elevational'view ofa reclining chair equipped with another, embodiment ofa controllingjm'echanism of the leg-rest, according to. the invention,

Fig. 5? isya side elevational 'view of another emb'odime'ntof a reclinin chair according" to the invention, a, portion of. a side wall" being. broken away sovasuto illustrate the controllingjm'e'ch'anism for the leek-rest;

Fig; dis a fragmentary view o'f'an' adjustable portion of the controlling; mechanism for tiieiegrest of thechair shown in Fig, 5, saidview being taken'on 1ine66"'of Fig; 5;.

Fig. 7 is a perspective viewof the supportof the'chair shown inFig. 5 with a portion of the controlling mechanism of 'the legr'r'est mounted therein;

/ Fig, 8 isa fragmentarvview otasaftvdevice for holdingthe swingab'le portion of *the con'trollinggmechanism for the leg-rest in positioninthe support shown in Fig. '7,

Fig; 9 is aisid'e 'elevational view'of stillianother embodiment of a reclining chair iac'cor'dingigt'o the 0 invention,

Fig? 10 :is a side elevational view of" a .foldab'le and convertible reclining,chaiseilongue; according tothet invention equipped witha different" embodiment of a controlling mechanism for the p leg-rest;

Fig; 11 is a side elevationalview'ofa reclining wheel chair accordingv to" the 'inventioniequipped withanother"embodimentof a: controlling meclianism"for thelgrrest'.

? Fig, 12 is a" fragmentary side elevational view ofvthe holding device'fortheleg -rest 'of the wheel ch'aiifishown in Fig, 11; on anjenlargedscal'ej,

Fig. 13'is aisectional View of the holding dvice taken on linel 3"l 3 ofFigj. 12;

Eigsi14+l6 are pe'rspective ,viewsfoffthreedifi'erent'embodir'nents of "a controlling unitoftli'e chair shown in Figs. 5 and 7, and.

Fig 17 is.a fragmentar sideelevationalfview of the front'portion .of a chair accordingjt'ojtheiinvention illustrating. a difierent. embodiment" of the controlling. mechanism forv thelegA-r'est. i

Referring now to Fig, c1,V2il"genera1ly. indicates the support ofian" article of ifurniture 7 Known .in the trade as achaise' longue on loungett. The

fist-support madeuofutubul'ar material is reiniorced'by L front portion of the seat 28 at 48.

o 2. lug 58 mounted on the leg-rest 46. 'scopic controlling link 52 comprises the telethe bracing members 22 of tubular material. The chaise longue may be moved along the ground by means of wheel 24 j ournalledin suitable bearings arranged at the rear portion of the support 20.

26 generally indicates a back-rest and 28 indicates a seat, the rear end of which is pivoted to said back-rest and the support 28 at 30. A linkmechanism including a pair of connecting

links

32 and 34 is arranged on each side of the chaise longue. The connecting link 32 of said pair of connecting links may be called a top connecting link, which form an arm-rest, the connecting link 34 of said pair of connecting links will be designated hereinafter as a front connecting link. The top connecting link 32 and the front connecting link 34 are pivotally connected with each other at 36. The rear end of each top connecting link is pivoted at 38 to an intermediate point of the back-rest 26 above the seat 28. The lower lend of each front connecting link 34 is pivoted "to the front portion of the seat 28 at 40.

The pivotally interconnected back-rest 26, seat 28,

and

link mechanism

34, 32 form the movable members of a constrained kinematic polygonal link-system in the shape of a quadrilateral linksystem, which is swingably mounted on the support 28 at the pivot point between the backrest 26 and the seat 28 for movement about a 'single axis. A guiding link 42 is arranged on v each side of the chaise longue for controlling the movements of the

movable members

26, 28, 34, 32

of the quadrilateral link-system. The lower end of each guiding link 42 is rigidly connected with a transverse rod 44 (see Figs. 1 and 2) journalled in suitable bearings of the support 20. The upper end of each guiding link 42 is pivotally connected According to Fig. 1, the seat 28 rests on one of the bracing members 22 of the support 20 when it occupies its horizontal sitting position shown in full lines.

A leg-rest 46 is pivotally connected with the a controlling element or controlling bar 50 is positively connected with the guiding link 42 by a rigid connection with the rotatable transverse rod 44, so that said controlling bar 50'will'be The other end of said telescopic controlling link 52 is pivoted at 56 to The telescopically arranged

members

60 and 62, and the efiective length of the telescopic controlling link element 50 positively connected with the guiding link 42 and operatively connected with the legrest 46 through the medium of the controlling One end of 4 a movement of the movable members of the polygonal link-system controlled by the guiding link being moved from the position 42 into the position 42, the leg-rest is brought from the position 46 into the position 46' by means of the controlling bar 50 and controlling link 52.

The back-rest, seat, and leg-rest may be held in any desired position, for example in the extreme reclined position 26', 28', 46', or in any other intermediate reclined position by means of a locking device generally indicated by 68 and arranged on the pivot 38 connecting the top connecting link 32 with the back-rest 26. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 3, said locking device 68 comprises a handle I0 screwed on the threaded end of the pivot 38. Said pivot 38 has a head I2 resting against the surface of the back-rest 26. A square portion I4 of the pivot 38 is inserted into a corresponding square aperture of the back-rest 26, whereby the pivot 38 is prevented from rotation. When the user of the chaise longue loosens the locking handle I0, the surface of the hub I6 of said handle is disengaged from the surface of the top connecting link 32, so that the movable members of the chaise longue may be freely moved from one position into another one. When the locking handle i0 is tightened, the surface of the hub of the handle is pressed against the top connecting link 32, whereby the latter is pressed against the backrest 26 engaged with the head I2 of the pivot 38, so that the members of the chaise longue are held in their position. Of course, any other type of locking device may be used instead of said locking device 68, if desired.

Under certain conditions it may be desirable to change the position of the leg-rest 46 relative to the position of the seat 28. For example, it may be desirable to bring the leg-rest 46 into the position 46" in alignment with the seat 28, when the latter is in the sitting position, For this purpose, the effective length of the telescopic controlling link 52 is enlarged, so that the telescopic controlling link occupies the position 52". When said enlarged length of the controlling link is fixed by the set screw 64, and when the movable back-rest and seat of the lounget are moved into the extreme reclined position 26, 28', the legchair shown in Fig. 4, the quadrilateral link-systern I26, I28, I34, I32 is swing-ably mounted on lugs I18 of the support I20 at I30. The movements of said quadrilateral link-system are controlled by a guiding link I42 pivoted to a lug I80 of the support I20 at I44 and pivoted to the top connecting link I32 at I31. The controlling element or controlling bar I50 arranged for the controlling of the leg-rest I46 swingably mounted at I48 on the seat I28 is integral with the guidlink 52 controls the movements of the leg-rest 46 in dependence on the movements of the guiding link 42.

When the occupant resting in the chaise longue leans the weight of his body against the back-rest, the movable members of the polygonal linksystem are brought into a reclined positionshown in dash and dot lines in Fig. 1, wherein the backrest and the seat are in the position 26 and 28' respectively. Said extreme reclined position is limited by a stop 66 mounted on the supportiil for cooperation with the back-rest. During such ing link I 42 and may be considered as a lower extension of the latter. Of course, the positive connection'between the controlling bar I50 and the guiding link I42 could also be formed by a ,rigid connection of two separate elements by means of screws.

One end of the controlling link be brought from the sitting position shown in full lines and limited by the transverse rod I22 of the support I20 into the extreme reclined position awoke-t shown in dashandido't line's:andilfinite'd by the stop,I66 of the support I20? Themovab'le'mem bers, of the chair may: be held in" anydesired position by meansofth locking device 'I68corresponding to the locking device shown in Fig; 3'.

The top connecting"link"l32i the-frontconnecting link I34; the guiding link I42; the"leg'- rest I46; the controllingbar' I58; and the controlling link I52'lareprovided with'series of holes I82. Each of'the pivots I36; I31; I405 I44; I54, I56 may be selectively. engaged with-oneofsaid ho1es I82, wherebymthe efiective length of the various members of'thech'airmay beialtered-for a. different arrangement of *some ofthei members offthe chair relative; to .eachfothei' andfor difir= ent'relative movements 'betweensomeof the men'rbers of the chair.

Accordingtothe embodimentshown' iniie; 5, the. supportisin the shape of f'acasin'g generally indi'oatedby 226. Said"casinggcomprises the side walls 22! and223 and the front 'wall1225 an'd'the rear wall 221 (see Figs. 5 and'l).

The rear end'of theseat228' is. pivoted to'the 'support'228' at 238, and'thelowerend'of' the backrest 226" is pivotedto saidsupport atthe point 23.Ispaced from the pivotal-connection 230' between the. seat andthe' support"; On each side of'the chair, the rear end'ofthe'top connecting link 232 is pivoted toan' intermediate'point ofthe back-rest 226' at 238; The other' end' of said top connecting .link 232"is pivoted'at235i to one end of an intermediate connectinglink' 284. The other endof, said intermediate:connectinglink 284 is pivotedLat238 to theupper end of the'front connecting-link 234; the lower end of "which is pivotedto the seat'228' at1240; Thus; themovable back -Test. 226, the movable link-

mechanism

232, 284; 234; the'movable seat228and the stationary portion of the support 228"betWeen' the. pivotal connections 238 and23I of theseat228' andthe back-rest 226 with the support 22.0'form the members. of a hexagonal link-system. Onea'ch side of the. chair the guiding .link '2421'isintegra1 with the intermediate connecting link 284, whereby the guidingxlink is'operatively connected-at'its upper endwith said intermediate connectingglink; If desired, the guiding. link and'.the intermediate connecting link could 'be'in the shape: of two separate members rigidly connected'with each other by screws or the like. The lower. end ofeach guiding .link 242is rigidly secured'to atransverse rod 244 rotatably arrangedin recessesi286of the walls 22I and 223.of.the.support2.201(see Figs. 7

ands). Therecesses 286 are open at the top and the transverse. rod. 244 isheld in it's-position by meansof safety members 288'attached to the side wallsof the support 22Dfb'y screws. One end. of a..controlling-- element or. controlling. bar. 250" is rigidly secured towthettransverse 'rod12.44; sothat the. two guide bars. 242, the. transverse rod 244,

and the controlling bar'250 form aunit generally The. controlling link 252 ;passes.thr.o.ugh a slot .296.

in the front wan 2251:: the support 220.

The sitting positionof the members of the chairshown in fulili-nesdmFigs 5* is limited 'by the upper edge of' the support 2-2 fl onwhich the seat 228 comes to a rest.

When the bach-rest-ZZ 6 is swung abQut' -its-piV- ot' 231; the bac-k rest seat; andleg-rest mawbe brought into the extreme' reclinedposition v 22 6 228; 2fi6"-limited by anabutment of the'back rest against-the-stop 266 r The movab1e-*members-'- of the-"chair may be heldmany desired position by means= of the lockingdevice- 2685 As mentioned above the adjusting 2'9Il is' swingable-a-bout the=pivot=292 If the back rest a'ndseat'are-held in a predetermined' position, forexample the sitting position shown in' full lines inFigr 5', by means of'-the =locking device 2 68; theleg rest'Z le may beswung' by hand about its pi-vet 248 into the position" 246'"; wherein' the controlling link and'the adjusting -barare in the positions 252- 'and' 290 in alignment with each other.- Now, when'a slight pressure is exerted on the-leg-rest', forexample by the legs of-i the occupant'restingin the chair, thecontro1linglink and the adjusting bar are moved slightly beyond said straight'line; until astop 298 secured to the adjusting bar 290 by screws abuts-against'the controlling link, whereby said'elementsare loc-ked and held in a predetermined position =relative--to each other.

As will bereadily-understood; the support-220 is of such a construction,- that the controlling mechanism 250, 298', 252-for thelg' restlis invisible, when the 7 members of the chair 'arein th'e sitting position. Furthermore, the construction of 1 the support' permits an easy mounting 'of 'the controlling mechanism. The controlling uni-t2-I 0 may be mounted 'on'the support 'Ha low-inserting its transverse ro'd244 from above-intothereeesses 286 :open at-the top. whereupon'the safety elements 283- areattached-to the support' 220-- for holding 'said controlling unit in its place;-

Fig. 14 illustrates a-=difi erent'embodimentof a controlling unit 2'l 6b; which'maybesubstituted for the controllingunit 2 IIJ in the mech anism of the reclining chair'showniii-Figs. 5-- and7i According to Fig. 14; the control-lingunitZIflb-comprises a U-shapedmember 21 lb} The-*basewf said U-shaped' 'member 2 I lb" forms atransverse rod 7 for swingablemounting inthe" recesses" 286 ofthe support-226 The-arms-cf said U-shaped member'form theguiding' links; To controlling bars250b are rigidly secured to the base of the U-shaped member '2 Iiib. Of course, when'sucha controlli'ngunit ZIIJbwith two arms 25% is used,

two controllingjlinks are interposed between said Furthermore, the front wall 225'ofthesupport' may" be provided with" two slots "for the. passage of "said" two con v trolling bars and j said two controlling links insteadof 'with'oneslot asshownin the drawings.

Fig. 15 illustrates'another embodiment'of such acontrolling unit for. swingable: mounting inv a support, whichimay housed in the mechanism'of the chair shownin Figs. 5. and .7. The controlling unit. 2 I fl'cshown in"Fig'...15'.'comprises three. members 2890,21 Ic, and2'l 3e rigidly. connected with each other byjrivets 2 I2cor the'like. S'aidmemb'ers 2690, 2ll'c, and 2.l3c,are shaped. in such-a .way, that they form the guiding link's'. and two controlling arms:

7 Likewise, the controlling; unit 2'I0dfshown in Fig. .16 maybe 'swingablyimounted' in the support of the chair. shown in Figs.- 5f'ancl 1'71 Th'econtrolling unit 210d is composed of "two" members 209d; 2 l3d rigidly connected by rivets 212d or the like. Said members are shaped in such a way, that they form the guiding links and a single controlling arm.

According to the embodiment of a reclinin chair shown in Fig. 9 the rear end of the seat 328 is pivoted at 330 to a support 320 in the shape of a casing. The lower end of the back-rest 326 is pivoted to said support. 320 at the point 33! spaced from the pivotal connection 330 between the seat and the support. The rear end of the top connecting link 332 is pivoted to an intermediate point of the back-rest 326 at 338. The other end of said top connecting link 332 is pivoted to the upper ends of the front connecting link 334 at 336. The lower end of said front connecting link 334 is pivoted to the seat 328 at 340. Thus, the movable back-rest 326, the movable link-

mechanism

332, 334, the movable seat .328 and the stationary portion of the support 320 between the pivotal connections 330 and 33l of the seat 328 and the back-rest 326 with the support 320 form the members of a quinquelateral link-system. The upper end of a guiding link 342 is pivoted to the top connecting link 332 at 331, and the lower end of said guiding link 342 is pivoted to the support 320 at 344. The controlling bar 350 being integral with the guiding link 342 participates in any movement of the latter.

The leg-rest 346 swingably mounted at 348 on the seat 328 has an extension 300 projecting upwardly beyond the pivot 348. One end of the controlling link 352 is pivoted to the controlling bar 350 at 354, the other end of said controlling link 352 is pivoted to the extension 300 of the leg-rest 346 at 351.

The guiding link 342 controls the movements of the

movable members

326, 328, 334, 332 of the polygonal link-system in the shape of a quinquelateral link-system, and furthermore said guiding link 342 controls the movements of the leg-rest 346 through the medium of the controlling bar 350 and the controlling link 352.

The sitting position shown in full lines is limited by the upper edge of the support 32 0, and the extreme reclined position shown in dash and dot lines is limited by the stop 366. The movable members of the chair may be held in any desired position by means of the locking device 368.

Fig. 10 illustrates a chaise lounge with a polygonal link-system or quadilateral link-system of the type shown in Fig. 1. The seat 428 is pivoted to the back-rest 426 and lugs 418 of the support 420 at 430. The upper end of the guiding link 442 is pivoted to the top connecting link 432 and the front connecting link 434 at 436. The rear end of the top connecting link 432 is pivoted to the back-rest 426 at 438, the lower end of the front connecting link 434 is pivoted to the seat at 440. The lower end of the guiding link is pivoted to the support 420 at 444.

One end of the controlling element 450 is rigidly connected with the guiding link 442 for a simultaneous movement with the latter. other end of said controlling element 450 bears a roller 402 for shiftable engagement with the leg-rest 446 swingably mounted on the seat 428 at chaise lounge shown in full lines is limited by a an engagement of the seat 428 with the. support.

The

connected with the guiding link 542 for simultaneous movement with the latter.

the surface of the support 420.

V manner.

420, and the extreme. reclined positionof the members of the chaise lounge shown in dash and dot lines is limited by a stop 461 mounted on the support for engagement with the guiding link 442. r

The members of the chaise lounge may be held in any desired position by means of a locking device 468 mounted on the pivot 440. The locking device 468 may be of the type shown in Fig. 3.

When the members of the chaise lounge are moved from one position into another one, the roller 402 of the controlling element 450 swung together with the guiding link 442 rolls along the surface of the leg-rest 446 and controls the movements of the latter, so that the leg-rest is, for example, in the position 446' when the back-rest and the seat are in the extreme reclined position 426' and 468' respectively.

Under certain circumstances it may be desirable to have the leg-rest in a different position relative to the seat when the latter is in a reclined position. For example it may be desirable to have the leg-rest in the position 446" when the seat is in the extreme reclined position 428'. For this purpose, the controlling element 450 is of the telescopic type, and when the length of the telescopic controlling element 450 is set for having the roller in the position 402 when the members of the chair are in the sitting position, the leg-rest will be brought into the position 446" in alignment with the seat, when the latter is in its extreme reclined position 428'.

Of course, if desired, the roller 402 could be replaced by any suitable controlling surface on the controlling element 450 for slidable and shiftable engagement with the leg-rest 446.

At least one pivot of the polygonal link-system of the chaise lounge shown in Fig. 10 is disengageable; for example, the pivot 438 is disengageable. If said pivot 438 is removed, the back-rest 426 may be swung independently of the seat into the position 426" limited by its abutment against The seat 428 and the legerest 446 will be held in the substantially horizontal position shown in full lines in Fig. 10,

substantially in alignment with the back-rest in are swingably mounted at 405 on the top member 406 of the support 420, so that they may be folded on the top member. The legs 404 are held in the supporting position shown in Fig. 10 by stops (not shown).

Fig. 11 illustrates a wheel chair having a support 520 provided with wheels 524 in any suitable The polygonal link-system of said wheel chair corresponds to the polygonal linksystem shown in Fig. 1. The seat 528 and the back-rest 526 are pivoted to lugs 518 of the support 520 at 530. The upper end of the guiding 'link 542 is pivoted to the top connecting link 532 v and front connecting link 534 at 536.

The lower end of said guiding link is pivoted to a lug 580 of the support 520 at 544. The rear end of the top connecting link 532 is pivoted to the backrest 526 at 538, the lower end of the front connecting link 534 is pivoted to the seat 528 at 540. The leg-rest 546 is swingably mounted on the seat One end of the controlling bar 550 is positively H One end of a first controlling link 55! is pivoted to the other end of said controlling bar 550 at 554. The other ano es .endrof asecond controlling link. 553at 559. The other end :of 'sa-i'd second "controlling {link 53 is ,Divoted 'to' the seat528 at -the pivot' point *548 between the seat and fthe deg-"rest. The second -.controlling' link 553 'isprovided with a "control- "ling surface-588 of "cam-like shape (-see 'Figs. -I1 and 12). Said controlling-surface 508 is arrangedfor -loose=contact-with the-leg-rest 546, which --may-be held' againstsa'id "controlling surface by' meansof a spring (not showrD When "the Flog-rest is "in contact with -said controlling :cam -suriace-508, the movements of the leg-rest are "controlled by the guidinglink 542 through theme'diu-mpfthe controlling bar 550, the controlling link -mechanism 55!, 553, -andthe=controlling" surface 1 508. Thus, when-theback-rest 526 is swung :about its pivot 530, the back-rest and the "seat may be swung into the -reclinedpo- 'sition-526,= 52'8',-and the leg-restwill-be brought intothe position "5 lli' shown in dash and dot lines.

The sitting position shown infiill" lines -is limited bythestop' 501 Ofthe support 520;and-the "extreme reclined position *shown in dash "and dot lines is'limited' by" the stop 566 cf the support.

'Ihe'movable members of the-chair may-be held in any'fdesired position by means =01 the locking device 568.

If desired, the leg-rest 546 may "be =move'd independently or the secondmontrolling link-553 relative to the *seat 528, as -the' leg rest 54B 1 is in-looseengagementwith? the controlling surface "508. For example, the leg-rest 546 may "be brought into the -po'sition 5 l6a, 1 while the other members of thewheel'chair-remain 'in the position showmin' full lines. -'I"heileg-rest may be held in=saidposition 546a bymeans of a holding device-generally: indicated by 54 I lks best shown in FigsLlZ an'd'lS, said' holding device '5 comprises a= rod-#543 :slidably arranged in a clamping :sleeve 54 5 "engagediwi'th 1a bow- 54*! -inserted with its-square portion 549- into a -square aperture of -aE-lug 56h mounted on theseat 528. ,1 An:adjusti-ng knob 563 isthreade'd' on: the threaded end portionxif the bolt-.541 projectinghom: the clamping sleeve 2545. When :the adjusting knob "-563 is loosened, the rod 543 may be displacedfor --engagementwith the leg-restin its elevated position 546a. Upon a tightening of "the-adjusting rknob 563 the clamping sleeve- 5'45 is tightened on :the :rod 1543 'for holding same and the "legrest irrits position. When the movable-members of the 'chairyareqbrought from the sitting position into a reclined position, the leg-rest will remain in the --,adjusted-;,positionvrelative to the seat until the oontrollingcam 508 of the second controlling "link 553 abuts against pthelle -rest 546, whereupon the controlling cam-508 controls the movementsof; the. legerest and-displaces same relative-to the seat.

.,F ig.,-1'7 ,illustrates a different-embodiment of a controlvof-ithe leg-rest 546, which may .bessubstitutedior the leg-rest controlgshowndnfl igs. .lhand 12. According to Eig.,,,1'7, the 'firstlcontrolling link 55! pivoted at 559 :to thegsecond controlling link 553 is provided with a cam-like controlling surface-5118c in? loose contact with the leg-rest-pivoted to the.,seat. 528 at 548 foncontrolling the movements of the leg-rest. Of :course, the leg-rest 545,.may beidisengaged; from said controlling surface 508a and may be held in a predetermined position relative to the seat 528 by the holding device 5.

It is understood that certain parts, elements, or mechanisms shown in a certain figure may besubstituted for corresponding parts, elements, or mechanisms of the embodin' ents --shown *in other figures of the drawings.

I have describe'd preferredembodiments-ofmy invention, but it is understood that this 'disclosure is "for the purpose of illustration, and that variousomissions-or changes in shapeyproportion, -and arrangement of parts-as well-as the substitution of equivalent elements "for those herein' 'shown' and describe'd, maybe made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of-the inventionas set forth'inthe appended claims.

' WhatI claim is:

' "l. An article of repose'for supporting the body of person, comprising in-combination: a 'support, constraine'd linkage having :stationary link means and a plurality of movable links,-;sai'd stationary link-means being included in :said s port, said -movable "links -including "a $889.13 member, a -back-rest member, a guiding link :and a chain of connecting links including a" top connecting link: atone-end of the "chain and-a front connecting'link at 'the other end'of-rthe chain, "at least one :-of said 5 connecting links being arranged :above "the plane of the .seat member, the 'lower end of :said guiding link being spiv -ote'd fto said support, the upper end-of .xsaid guiding linkbeing connectedwith at least'rone of saidconnecting'links; :said topconnecting link being :pivoted to an intermediate .point r'of the back rest member,ssaid front connecting link being pivoted :to the front :portion ;;or esaiid; seat memberymeans pivotally connectingsatwleast one of said back rest and seatmemberswwithwaid support, a leg rrest :swingably-mounted 1011 the ffron'txportion' of said; seat-member zaccontrolling "memberrfixe'dly :connected to :said rguiding link, and meansn interposed ibetween ssaid: controlling member and said leg rest, .ior effectingcmove- "mentro'fthe.lattertin-coordinatiomwith :said controlling member.

:12. :In-a-n article'of repose asplaimed-in claim-.1, iartransverse: rod'journallediin said support, said guiding linkvand said-1controllingmember-being :r-igidly connected with, said transverse rod.

:3. An articleofz reposeafor: supporting theibody of :a person, comprising inqcombination: a: ;supsport, v;a constrained linkage having stationary l'inktmeans and :a plurality of :movable zrlinks, said rzstati-onary :link -means being included in -saidssupport,ssaid movable' linkssincluding 2.1 5881? 'member,;a back rest member aguidingzlink and .a-:chai-n'ofcconnecting: linksjncludingra top :con- -.-necting:linkat, one end OffthBfChfiiHfiIld?aEfIOD-t ,ccnnect-ing-lihk atathe'other-endof the chain, at--,-least one ofs-said connecting-links being arnangeda above theiplane- 10f the; ,seat member; the lower filldzfif said guiding link: being zpivoted-to isaidssupport, the: uppersendsof: saidgg-uidi-ng link being: connected with .at leastronemf (said? connecting links, said top "connecting :link :beirgg pivoted-to anhintermediate. point of the backrest member, saidfrontconnecting link: being pivoted to the. front .portion*of= said seat memberxmeans pivota jly @connecting at least -0ne of :sa-id: back rest.:and.-. seat; members -wi,th said support, :a ,leg rest -swi-ngab lymounted: on the. front .portiomof said :seat member, 4a controlling member fixedly connected, to; said guiding, link,v and, a controlling link, i one .end portion of said controlling ,li-nk being pivoted sto ssaidccontrolling member, -;the other end portion of said controlling link being pivoted to said leg rest.

4. In an article of repose as claimed in claim 3, said controlling link being of adjustable length,

11 I and means for adjusting a predetermined length of said controlling link.

5. An article of repose for supporting the body of a person, comprising in combination: a support, a constrained linkage having stationary link means and a plurality of movable links, said stationary link means bein included in said support, said movable links including a seat member, aback rest member, a guiding link and a chain of connecting links including a top connecting link at one end of the chain and a front connecting link at the other end of the chain, at least one of said connecting links being arranged above the plane of the seat member, the lower end of said guiding link being pivoted to said support, the upper end of said guidin link being connected with at least one of said connecting links, said top connecting link being pivoted to an intermediate point of the back rest member, said front connecting link being pivoted to the front portion of said seat member, means pivotally connecting at least one of said back rest and seat members with said support, a leg rest swingably mounted on the front portion of said seat member, a controlling member fixedly connected to said guiding link, an adjusting bar swingably mounted on said controlling member, a controlling link pivoted at one of its ends to said adjusting bar and at its other end to said leg rest, and means associated with said controlling member and said adjusting bar for holding the latter in one predetermined position relative to said a controlling member.

6, In an article of repose as claimed in claim 5, means associated with said adjusting bar and said controlling link for holding said adjusting bar in one predetermined position relative to said controlling link.

7. An article for repose for supporting the body of a person, comprising in combination: a support, a constrained linkage having stationary link means and a plurality of movable links, said stationary link means being included in said support, said movable links including a seat member, a back rest member, a guiding link and a chain of connecting links including a top connecting link at one end of the chain and a front connecting link at the other end of the chain, at least one of said connecting links being arranged above the plane of the seat member, the lower end of said guiding link being pivoted to said support, the upper end of said guiding link being connected with at least one of said connecting links, said top connecting link being pivoted to an intermediate point of the back rest member, said front connecting link being pivoted to the front portion of said seat member, means pivotally connectin at least one of said back rest and seat members with said support, a leg rest swingably mounted on the front portion of said seat member, a controlling member fixedly connected to said guiding link, said controlling member extending upwardly above the plane of the seat, said leg rest having an extension projecting upwardly beyond its connection with the seat member, and a' controlling link arranged above the plane of the seat member, one end portion of said controlling link being pivoted to said controlling member, the other end portion of said controllin 11ml:I being pivoted to said extension of the l g res 8. An article of repose for supporting the body of a person, comprising in combination: a support, a constrained linkage having a stationary link means and a plurality of movable links, said stationary link means being included in said support, said movable links including a seat member, a back rest member, a guiding link and a chain of connecting links including a top connecting link at one end of the chain and a front connecting link at the other end of the chain, at least one of said connecting links being arranged above the plane of the seat member, the lower end of said guiding link being pivoted to said support, the upper end of said guiding link being connected with at least one of said connectin links, said top connecting link being pivoted to an intermediate point of the back rest member, said front connecting link being pivoted to the front portion of said seat member, means pivotally connecting at least one of said back rest and seat members with said support, a leg rest swingably mounted on the front portion of said seat member, a controlling member fixedly connected to said guiding link, a first controlling link pivoted at one of its ends to said controlling member, a second controlling link pivoted at one of its ends to the other end of said first controlling link and pivoted at its other end to the front portion of said seat member, and cooperating abutting surfaces arranged on the structure of one of said controlling links and on the structure of said leg rest for controlling the movements of said leg rest in dependence on the movement of the movable links of said constrained linkage, said cooperating abutting surfaces loosely abutting against each other whereby said abuttin surfaces may be disengaged from each other for the performance of independent movements of the leg rest relative to the seat member. 9. In an article of repose as claimed in claim 8, a holding device connected with said seat member for cooperation with said leg rest so as to hold the latter in a predetermined position relative to the seat member during disengagement of the'abutting surfaces from each other.

10. An article of repose as claimed in claim 8, wherein one of said abutting surfaces is arranged on the' structure of said first controlling link.

11. An article of repose as claimed in claim 8, wherein one of said abutting surfaces is arranged on the structure of said second controlling link.

ANTON LORENZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 268,941 Sands Dec. 12, 1882 611,048 vAllen Sept. 20, 1898 712,743 Vanslyke Nov. 4, 1902 782,335 Harvey Feb. 14, 1905 2,433,520 Lorenz Dec. 30, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 753,901 France Oct. 27, 1933 206,571 Great Britain Nov. 5, 1923