US3121590A

US3121590A - Reclining chair

Info

Publication number: US3121590A
Application number: US142804A
Authority: US
Inventors: Fridtjof F Schliephacke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-10-04
Filing date: 1961-10-04
Publication date: 1964-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 1981-02-18
Also published as: DE1429416A1; DE1429416B2; DE1779989A1

Description

Feb- 18, 1964 F. F. scHLn-:PHACKE 3,121,590

RECLINING CHAIR Filed Oct. 4, 1 961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR /2 Elm* M ATTO R N EYS Feb- 18, 1964 F. F. scHLiEPHAcKE 3,121,590

RECLINING CHAIR Filed OOL. 4, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l lf/ A n' l l ////U //z //6 ww Feb 18, 1964 F. F.scHL1EPHAcKE 3,121,590

RECLINING CHAIR Filed Oct. 4, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 7. 2/2 2% Zla 274 24a l A II7 ,all l MM2@ k2@ z/ ze; 2%/

240i 242 24% ZZ IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent O amigas REQLNNG CHAIR Frnltyoi F. Schiiephacke, erlin-Schmargendor, Germany, assigner to Anton Lorenz, Boynton Beach, Fla. Filed Get. 4, 1963i, Ser. No. 142,304 Claims. (Cl. 297-85) The present invention relates to reclining chairs of the type including a body-supporting means having a seat and back-rest and leg-rest mounted on a support for coordinated movement, and in particular to an improved legrest and control arrangement for a reclining chair in which the back-rest and seat are movable from a sitting position on an intermediate, tilted sitting position in which the back-rest and seat are in an angular relationship for accommodating the occupant in a partially reclined or resting attitude, and in which the back-rest and seat movable into a `fully reclining position in which the back-rest and seat are disposed for accommodating the chair occupant in a fully reclined attitude.

The well known reclining chair comprises a support, body-supporting means including a seat and back-rest movably or rockably mounted on the support, and a legrest appropriately coordinated to the body-supporting means for movement into an elevated leg-supporting position as a function of the reclining movement of the chair. One of the most recent developments in such chairs is a reclining chair which is designed to provide an intermediate, tilted sitting position for the chair occupant, suitable for reading, television viewing and the like, as well as the fully reclined position suitable for complete or total relaxation. ln such multiple movement chairs it is important that the leg-rest be elevated into a leg-supporting position forwardly of the seat when the body-supporting means of the chair moves into the intermediate, tilted sitting position such that the leg-rest will cooperate with the seat and back-rest to comfortably accommodate the chair occupant in the proper attitude for this mode of relaxation.

It is broadly an object of the present invention to provide an improved leg-rest and control arrangement for a reclining chair of the aforesaid type. Speciically, it is within the contemplation of the present invention to provide a leg-rest control arrangement which employs a drag link mechanism for moving the leg-rest from a stored position beneath the seat to an elevated leg-supporting position in front of the seat during a first movement phase of the body-supporting means during which the seat and back-rest move from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position, such that the elevated leg-rest, in conjunction with tie seat and back-rest coact to comfortably accommodate the chair occupant in the intermediate, tilted sitting position appropriate for reading, television viewing and like pursuits. Further, the drag link arrangement is so arranged that the drag link mechanism does not cause any appreciable angular change in the relationship between the leg-rest and the body-supporting means during the second movement phase as the seat and back-rest move from the intermediate, tilted sitting position to a fully reclined position.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved leg-rest and control arrangement 'for a reclining chair of the multiple movement rester type whereing the back-rest and seat are rigidly secured to each other and for a reclining chair ot the multiple-movement lounger type wherein the back-rest and seat move relative to each other during the second movement phase to increase the angular relationship therebetween.

The drag link mechanism employed in the present invention is a four-bar linkage including a driver, a follower, a connecting rod interconnecting the driver and follower, and a stationary link. The stationary link oi the drag "Ice link mechanism employed in the present invention is the support since the driver and the follower are both pivoted to the support. ln drag link mechanisms, the driver and the follower are able to make complete turns about their respective centers. However, while the driver initially turns through an angle of more than 189 both the follower and the connecting link turn to an angle of less than 180. Of course, while the driver completes its turn through an angle of less than 189 the follower and the connecting link also complete their turns, the follower turning through an angle greater than 180. The present invention contemplates employing the relatively large angular movement of the driver in the iirst movement phase to cause a corresponding large angular movement of the connecting link thereby lifting the leg-rest from a stored position beneath the seat to an elevated leg-supporting position in front of the seat during the first movement phase. However, during the second movement phase, an equally large angular displacement of the driver will cause no appreciable angular movement of the connecting link and hence no appreciable movement of t'ne leg-rest relative to the body-supporting unit.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a reclining chair which comprises a support, body-supporting means including a back-rest and seat, a leg-rest, and means mounting the body-supporting means on the support for establishing a first phase of movement from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and for a second phase of movement from the intermediate, tilted sitting position to a reclining position. Leg-rest control means are operatively connected to the leg-rest and includes a driver link pivotally mounted on the support, a follower link pivotally mounted on the support at a location spaced from the driver link and an extensible linkage pivotally connected to the leg-rest. The extensible linkage is pivotally connected to the bodysupporting means and includes a first pair of leg-rest links and a second pair of leg-rest links pivoted to the rst pair of leg-rest links. Gne of the links of the :tirst and second pairs of leg-rest links is a connecting link extending between and pivoted to the driver link and the follower link. The driver link, the connecting link, the follower link and the support form the four-link drag link mechanism. This drag link mechanism is operative during the first movement phase upon approximately movement of the driver link to move the leg-rest from a stored position beneath the seat to an elevated leg-supporting position in front or" the seat and is further operative during the second movement phase upon a further approximately 90 movement of the driver link to raise the leg-rest with no appreciable angular displacement between the leg-rest and the seat. lt is noted that the extensible linkage employed is in the form of a double quadric linkage whereby the leg-rest is extended from a stored position closely adjacent and beneath the seat to an elevated leg-supporting position spaced in front of the seat.

The above brief description, as well as other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood by reference to 'the following detailed description of several illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the .accompanying drawings, wherein:

PEG. l lis `an elevational view, with parts broken away and sectioned, of an limproved reclining chair embodying features of the present invention, the chair being shown in its upnight sitting position;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. l, with the leg-rest control linkage being shown diagramnratically, showing the chair in a partially reclined intermediate, tilted sit- VZand 3.

ting position with the leg-rest disposed in an elevated legsupporting position forwardly of the seat;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the chair in `a fully reclined' position wherein the back-rest is iangularly displaced relative to the seat, and with the leg-rest in an elevated leg-supporting position;

FIG. 4 is `an elevational View, with part-s broken away and sectioned of a further embodiment of reclining chair in -accordance with the present invention, the chair being shown in the upright sitting position and being of the type where the back-rest is pivoted to the support with the seat being pivoited to the back-rest; i

FIG. 5 is ian :elevational view with parts shown diagrammatically, illustrating the'reclining chair of FIG. 4 in the partially reclined intermediate, tilted sitting position;

FIG. 6 is ran elevational view, with parts broken away and sectioned of the reclining chair shown in FIG. 4 in the `fully reclined position;

FIG. 7 is an elevational View, with parts shown diagrammatically, of a further embodiment of reclining chair in accordance with the present invention, the chair being of the rester type wherein the back-rest and seat are rigidly connected to each other, the chair being shown in `the upright sitting position;

FIG. 8 is an elevational and diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 7, but showing the chair in the partially reclined intermediate, tilted sitting position; and

FIG. 9 is an elevational and diagrammatic view similar to BIG. 7, but showing the chair in the fully reel-ined position. f ,I

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the vrarious views, there is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive an illustrative embodiment of the invention comprising an improved reclining chair generally designated by reference numeral 10, which includes a chair frame or support 12 having spaced apart walls or members 14 connected by suitable cross braces 16. The chair frame 12 is supported above the level of the floor by four depending legs 13. Movably or rockably mounted on the chair frame or support 12 is the body-supporting means 2i) including a back-rest 22 and a seat 24. The back-rest 22 is mounted adjacent to its lower end 4for rearward or reclining movement on ya backrest pivot 2d on the chair fname 12 such that `the backrest 22 may be moved from an upright or sitting position of FIG. 1 into the partially reclined intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 2 and into the fully reelined position of FIGS. The seat 24 is mounted on the hackrest for inclining movement by seat pivot 28 on the backrest, the seat pivot 28 being spaced above the back-rest ivot 2e such that the seat moves rearwardly in response to la rearward or reclining movement of the back-rest 22. In this embodiment, the seat pivot 28 is displaced afor- Wardly of a dead center position vertically of the backrest pivot 2.6 such that the'rear portion of the seat 24 is somewhat elevated in response to the reclining movement into the intermediate, tilted sitting position, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 1 rand 2, and is thereafter somewhat lowered in response to reclining'movernent into the fully reolined position, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS.

Operatively connected to or engaging the seat 24 is a seat control means, generally Idesignated by reference numeral 30, which is effective to impart a prescribed inclination to the seat 24 `as a function of the reclining movement. In this illustrative embodiment, the seat control means 39 includes la-cam plate 32 appropriately connected to the chair frameV d2 and formed on its upper surface with an upwardly and rearwardly directed cam track 3-5 having spaced dwell sections 34a, db, and 34C. Riding err-the cam track 34 is a roller which is 4jourd nalled on an axle 3% carried on the underside `of the seat 24 by an appropriate mounting bracket.

In the upright sitting position of the chair illustrated, in FIG. l, the roller 3e is in the lower dwell section 3de; and in response to a rst phase of the reclining movement the roller moves up the cam track into the intermediate dwell section dftb. rIlhe inclination of the cam track 34 and the spacing of the dwell sections 34a, 34h is such that there is no appreciable relative angular displacement between the back-rest 22 and seat 2d as the body-supporting unit 20 moves into the intermediate, tilted sitting position or partially reclined position illustrated in FIG. 2. lt will be appreciated that the seat 24 experiences a compound inclining lmovement as a function of the yseat control 30 and the arrangement of the seat pivot 23 relative to the back-rest pivot 26. Although the arrangement illustrated achieves substantially no angular displacement of the seat relative to the baci;- rest in the first phase of the chair movement from the sitting position to the partially reclined or intermediate, tilted sitting position in FIG. 2, it will be Iappreciated that proper proportioning Iand `arranf., ement of the seat control may be established to achieve some angular change as may be required for one purpose or another.

In the fully reclined position illustrated in FIG. 3, the roller 36 is in the upper dwell section 34C, the roller moving trom the intermediate dwell section 34b in response to movement of the reclining chair through a second ymovement phase `from the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 2 to the reclining position of FIG. 3. Inclination of the cam track 34 and the spacing of the `dwell section 34C relative to the dwell section 34h is selected such that the seat assumes the required angular relationship relative to the backrest for accommodating the chair occupant in the fully reclined position. It is to be Iappreciated that seat 24 experiences a `compound inclining movement in that the seat pivot 28 moves past the dead ycenter position over the black-rest pivot 26 (see FIG. 2) and is displaced through a somewhat descending arc. By proper proportioning of the seat -control 3) in relation to other designed considerations, the back-rest 22 is actually displaced relative to the seat 24 during the second movement phase from 'the tilted sitting position to the reclining position, `such that the chair occupant may be ultimately accommodated in the fully reclined position illustrated in FlG. 3 with the proper relationship Vbetween the back-rest and seat for optimum comfort.

Folded back beneath the seat 21tcontiguous to the forward end thereof is aV leg-rest iii which is disposed ina stored position in an inclining plane extending downwardly and rearwardly from its upper end 40a to its lower end 4Gb. The inclination of the leg-rest is determined by general design considerations for the chair and is selected such that the leg-rest is accommodated within the chair frame L?. when the chair is in the upright sitting position of FIG. 1, with the upper end fida of the leg-rest disposed beneath the rorward portion or edge 24a of the seat and the lower end dtib of the legrest disposed within the outline of the chair and at a level above the undersurface of the chair frame.

Actively connected to the leg-rest dit is a leg-rest supporting and controlling means or linkage, generally designated by reference numeral 32 which moves the leg-rest d@ from a stored position beneath the seat 2li to an elevated leg-supporting position in 4front ofthe seat during the rst phase of Vthe chair movement as the chair moves into the partially reclined'intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 2, with the leg-rest thereafter being supported in the leg-supporting position in front of the seat 2d during the second phase of the chair movement as the chair moves into the fully reclined position illustrated in FIG. 3. VThe leg-rest supporting and controlling means or linkage dl'includes a seat connecting link 4d whichV extends substantially lengthwise of the seat and has a pivotal connection de at its rearward end to the seat such that a rearwardly directed thrust is imparted to the seat connecting link 44 in response to rearward and inclining movement of the seat 24. The linkage 42, further includes a first link pair 4S, 50' pivotally connected to each other at their adjacent ends at a pivotal connection 52 and a

second link pair

54, 56 pivotally connected to each other at ltheir adjacent ends at la pivotal connection 5S. The second link 56 of the second link pair S4, 56 crosses over the first link 51S of the first link pair 48, Sil and at the cross over point there is a pivotal connection 62 for coordinating the llink pairs.

There is provided a followerlink 64; which is pivotally mounted on the chair frame or support 12 for turning movement. Specifically, the follower link 64 is pivoted at its rear end at a pivot 66 on a bracket or support fixed to the chair 4frame `12. The first link 4S of the first link pair 48, Sti is pivotally connected to the upper end of the follower link 64 at a pivotal connection 68. The pivotal connection oli is spaced `from the coordinating connection 62 between the link pairs, the follower link dt having its upper end provided 'with a curved or bent section to facilitate the provision of the pivotal connection ed between the follower link 64 and the link 48. The first link 5diof the second link pair S4, 56 has a pivotal connection '7o to the follower link 64 at a point spaced from the pivotal connection 63. The links Sti, 56 of the first and second link pairs have their forward ends connected to the leg-rest 40 adjacent its upper end at spaced

pivotal connections

72, 74. The link pairs are pivotally connected at 76 to the seat connecting link i4 and in this embodiment, the pivotal connection 76 is provided at the upper end of the first link it of the first link pair lili, Sti. Pivotally mounted on the support l2 at a pivot 7@ is a driver link 8l) which is pivoted to the

links

54, 56 of the second pair of links at their pivot point 58. The driver link Sli together with the first link S4 or" the second pair of

links

54, 56 and with the follower link 64 form in conjunction with the support l2 a drag link mechanism, it being noted that the

pivots

66 and 78 are spaced from each other and this spaced relationship is fixed, the support l2 because of the spacing of the pivot l65 and '7S forming a fixed link for the drag link mechanism. rIhis drag link mechanism is generally indicated `at 82 and functions such that during an initial approximately 99 rotation of the driver link Sti from the upright sitting position illustrated in FIG. l to the intermediate tilted sitting position illustrated in FIG. 2, there is a corresponding substantial angular movement of the link Se so that the leg-rest 4t? is moved from the position beneath the seat 24 to a position in front of the seat 24. However, the successive approximate 90 rotation of the driver link etl is such that the connecting link 5d between the driver link d@ and the follower link dfi does not move any appreciable angular amount relative to the seat Zd so that the leg-rest {it} does not move to any appreciable extent angularly with respect to the se-at 24. The link 54 of course extends between the driver link Sti and the follower link 64 and serves as the connecting link of the drag link mechanism S12.

The stored position of the leg-rest lli is determined by the engagement of the link 44 with the stop Sil. The stop 84 is preferably fixed to the seat 24.

A typical sequence of operations will now be described to facilitate a more thorough understanding of the present invention `When an `occupant is seated and leans against the backrest 22, the back-rest 22 pivots about the back-rest pivot 2e in a rearwardly directed arc -and a compound movement is imparted to the seat 24 which is inclined in accordance with the design of Vits control arrangement, with or without angular change between the Iback'rest 22 and the seat 24 in response to movement from the upright sitting position illustrated in FlG. l to the partially reclined intermediate, tilted sitting position illustrated in FIG. 2. As the body-supporting means 2li moves rearwardly, a rearwardly directed pulling `force is applied to the seat connecting link le near the pivotal connection de which imparts a turning movement to the link Li8 causing the leg-rest control linkage to extend and move the legarest 4o to the elevated leg-supporting position forwardly of the seat 2d in response to the first phase of the movement, and the seat and back-rest move into the partially reclined intermediate, tilted sitting position of the FIG. 2.

During the iirst phase of the reclining movement the link oilremains substantially stationary and the driver link Sil is rotated approximately which in turn rotates the connecting link Sli of the drag link mechanism through almost 90 of rotation. Since the connecting link 5ft forms one link of a double quadric linkage or extensible lazy Itong defined by these links and their respective pivotal connections to each other and to the legrest dit, `a movement of the leg-rest lll is substantially predicated upon movement of the connecting link 54. rlhe chair components are so coordinated and arranged that there is a tendency for the follower link 64 to turn in the clockwise direction about its pivot 66 in response to the second phase of movement, during which the seat and back-rest move from the partially reclined intermediate, tilted sitting position of FlG. 2, with the leg-rest disposed forwardly of the seat, to the fully reclined position illustrated in FlG. 3, with the angle between the backrest and seat increased and with the leg-rest disposed contiguous -to the forward end of the seat. During the second phase of the movement it is to be noted that there is very little movement of the leg-rest supporting and controlling linkage 4Z, it may be appreciated by progressively inspecting the relative position of the links in FlGS. 2 and 3 and the relative position of the legrest [ttl and the seat 24. This arises due to the fact that even though the driver link et) is undergoing approximately 90 of rotation during the second movement phase, the connecting link 54 does not move angularly appreciably with respect to the seat 24- even though the seat is somewhat raised with respect thereto so that very little angular movement, if any, is imparted to the leg-rest di).

Clt is noted that inclination of the seat 2- is determined by the seat control 39 and the relationship of the seat pivot Zd to the back-rest pivot 26.

When the chair occupant desires to return from the `fully reclined position of FiG. 3 to either the partially reclined intermediate, tilted sitting position of FlG. 2 or the sitting position of FIG. l, the occupant merely leans forward exerting a downward force on the leg-rest.

ln FlGS. 4 to 6r inclusive, there is shown a further reclining chair in accordance with the present invention generally designated by reference numeral liti. In the interest of simplicity and clarity the chair illustrated in FIGS. 4 through 6 has been illustrated by reference numerals which correspond to those employed in FIGS. l through 3 and is part of a 1G() series.

This embodiment of reclining chair llt) includes a chair frame or support ill?. having spaced apart walls or members llt connected by suitable cross braces 116. r[he chair frame lll is supported above the level of the floor by four depending legs ll. Movably or rockably mounted on the chair `frame or support lli is body-supporting means l2@` including a back-rest 122 and a seat 24. The 'backrest is mounted adjacent its lower end for rearward or reclining movement on a back-rest pivot 1425 on the chair frame lili such that the back-rest 122 may be moved from an upright sitting position of 'FG 4 into the partially reclined intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 5 and into the fully reclined positon of FlG. 6. The seat lid is mounted on the backrest 122 for inclining movement by seat pivot 123 on the backest, the seat pivot L12-S being spaced above the back-rest pivot 12o such that the seat moves rearwardly in response to a rearward or reclining movement of the back- Y to the seat M4 during the second movement p i mined by general `design considerations tor oneness rest 122. In this embodiment, the seat pivot is displaced forwardly of a dead center position vertically or the back-rest pivot 126 such that the rear portion of the seat 12.4 is somewhat elevated in response to the reclining movement into the intermediate, tilted sitting position, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting 4 'and 5, and is thereafter somewhat lowered in response to reclining movement into the Kfully reclined position, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FlGS. and 6.

Operatively connected to or engaging thel seat liza is a seat control means, generally designated by reference numeral 136, which is effective to impart a prescribed inclination to the seat 1R24 as a yfunction of the reclining movement. ln this illustrative embodiment, the seat control means i3@ includes a cam plate 1312 appropriately connected to the chair frame il?. and formed on its upper surface with an upwardly and rearwardly directed cam track 134 having spaced dwell sections 135m, 134th, and l34c- Riding on the cam track 13rd is a roller i3d which is journalled on an axle i3d carried on the underside or" the seat i124y by an appropriate mounting bracket.

In the upright sitting position of the chair illustrated in FIG. 4, the roller 13o is in the lower dwell section 134g; and in response to a first phase of the reclining movement the roller 136 moves up the cam track into the intermediate dwell section 134i?. The inclination of the cam track 134 and the spacing of the sections 134:1, 13-4b is such that there is no appreciable relative angular displacement between the back-rest 122 and the seat Z-i as the body supporting means l2@ moves into the intermediate, tilted sitting position or partially reclined position illustrated in FIG. 5. it Iwill be appreciated that the seat 124 experiences a compound inclining movement as a function of the seat control 13d and the arrangement of the seat pivot 128 relative to the back-rest pivot 26. Although the arrangement illustrated achieves substantially no angular displacement of the seat relative to the back-rest in the iirst phase of the chair movement from the sitting position to the partially reclined intermediate, tilted sitting position in FlG. 5, it will be appreciated that proper proportioning and arrangement of the Vseat control may be 4established to achieve some angular change as may be'required for one purpose or another.

ln the `fully reclined position illustrated in FIG. 6, the roller 136 is in the upper dwell section i340, the roller moving from the intermediate dwell section i3d-b in response'to movement of the reclining chair through a second movement phase from the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FlCn 5 to the fully reclined position of FIG. 6. Inclination of the cam track ld and the spacing of the dwell -section 134e relative to the dwell section 13411 is selected such that the seat assumes the required angular relationship relative to the back-rest for accommodating the chair occupant in the fully reclined position. lt is to be appreciated that seat i124 experiences a compound inclining movement in that the. seat pivot Y 12S moves past the dead center position over the backrest pivot 126 (see FG. 5) and is displaced through a somewhat ldescending arc. By proper proportioning of the seat control 13@ in relation to other designed considerations, the back-rest 122 is actually displaced relative ase from the intermediate tilted sitting position to the reclining position, ysuch that the chair occupant may be ultimately accommodated in the fully reclined position illustrated in yFIG. 6 with the proper relationship between the backrest and seat forV optimum comfort.

' Folded back beneath the seat llZd contiguous to the forward end thereof is a leg-rest Mtl which lis disposed in a stored position in an inclining plane extending downwardly and'rearwardly yfrom its upper end is n :9:1 O llS lower end 14%. The inclination of the leg-*rest is deterthe chair and is selected such that the leg-rest is accommodated within il the chair frame llZ when the chair is in the uprirht sitting position of FlG, 4, with the upper end Mila of the leg-rest disposed beneath the `forward portion or edge E24-:t of the seat and the lower end lllb of the leg-rest disposed within the outline of the chair and at a level above the undersurface of the chair frame. Y

Actively connected to the leg-rest la@ is a leg-rest mounting and controlling means or linkage, generally designated by reference numeral which moves the leg-rest 14@ from a stored position beneath the seat l2@ to an elevated leg-supporting position in front or" the seat during the iirst phase of the movement the bodysupporting means l2@ moves into the partially reclined intermediate, tilted sitting position of PEG. 5, with the leg-rest thereafter being supported in the leg-supporting position in front of the seat i244 during the second phase of the movement as the seat and back-rest moves into the fully reclined position illustrated in FIG. 6. The leg-rest supporting and controlling means or linkage 11.42 includes a seat connecting link lle-t which extends substantially lengthwise of the seat and has a pivotal connection 114e at its rearward end to the seat such that a rearwardly directed thrust is imparted to the seat connecting link 144 in response to rearward and inclining movement of the seat 121i. The linkage M2 further includes a iirst link pair M3, i5@ pivotally connected to eachother at their adjacent ends at a pivotal connection 152 and a second link pair 154, ld pivotally connected to each other at their adjacent ends at a pivotal connection 158. The first link 15d of the second link pair i154, ll crosses over the second link 150 of thev first link pair 148, l5@ at the cross-over point there is a pivotal connection l@ for coordinating the link pairs. The free end of link 154 is pivotally connected to the seat E24 at the pivotal connection 163.

There is provided a tollower link ltd-t which is pivotally mounted on the chair frame or support i12 for turning movement. Specifically, the follower link lod is pivoted at its rear end at a pivot loo on a bracket or support fixed to the chair rame 112. The first link or the irst link pair i413, 15d is pivotally connected to the upper end of the follower link 164 at a pivotal connection The pivotal connection 16S is spaced from the coordinating connection to2 between the link pairs, the follower link ld having its upper end provided with a curved or bent section to facilitate the provision of the pivotal connection MS between the follower link 164 and the link 14S.

The links 150, lilo of the first and second link pairs have their forward ends connected to the leg-rest ld@ adjacent its upper end at spaced pivotal connections 5372., T174. The link pairs are pivotally connected at We to the vseat connecting link andV in this embodiment, the pivotal connection i176 is provided at the upper end of the lirst link 1433 of the rst link Mii, 115i). Pivotally mounted on the support M2 at a pivot i is adriver link ld which is pivoted to the links 148, l5@ of the first pair of links at their pivot point 52. The Vdriver link together with the rst link R48 of the irst pair of links Mtl, l5@ and with the follower link liti-fi form in conjunction with the support M2 a drag link mechanism, it being noted that the pivots lod and i755 are spaced from each oth r and this spaced relationship is fixed, the support llZ because of the spacing of the pivot lido and i7 forming a fixed link for the drag link mechanism. This drag link mechanism is generally indicated at 182. and functions such that during an initial approximate rotation of the driver link lid@ from the upright sittingl position illustrated in PEG. 4 to the intermediate, tilted sitting posi-V tion illustrated in FIG. 5, there is a corresponding substantial angular movement of the link E48 so that the legrestV ldd is moved from the position beneati the seat 33.24 to a position in front of the seat However, the successive approximate 90 rotationof the driver link lltl is such that the connecting link between the driver link 1.3i) and the follower link 164 does not move any appreciable angular amount relative to the seat 12d so that the leg-rest Mtl does not move to any appreciable extent angularly with respect to the seat 124-. The link 14S of course extends between the driver link 18@ and the follower link 16d and serves as the connecting link oi the drag link mechanism lZ.

A typical sequence of operations will now be described to facilitate a more thorough understanding of the present invention:

When an occupant is seated and leans against the backrest 122, the back-rest 122 pivots about the back-rest pivot 12% in a rearwardly directed arc and a compound movement is imparted to the seat 124 which is inclined in accordance with the design of its control arrangement, with or without angular change between the back-rest 122 and the seat 124 in response to movement from the upright or sitting position illustrated in FIG. 4 to the partially reclined intermediate, tilted sitting position illustrated in FIG. 5. As the body-supporting means l2@ moves rearwardly, a rearwardly directed pulling force is applied to the seat connecting link 14d near the pivotal connection 146 which imparts a turning movement to the link 148 causing the leg-rest control linkage to extend and move the leg-rest 14st! to the elevated leg-supporting position forwardly of the seat 12d in response to the first phase of the chair movement, and the seat and back-rest move into the partially reclined intermediate, tilted sitting position of the FlG. 5.

During the iirst phase of the reclining movement the link 1.64 remains substantially stationary and the driver link 1%@ is rotated approximately 90 which in turn rotates the connecting link 43 of the drag link mechanism through almost 90 of rotation.

Since the connecting link 148 forms one link of a double quadric linkage or extensible lazy tong defined by these links and their respective pivotal connection to each other and to the leg-rest Mtl, a movement of the leg-rest 14@ is substantially predicated upon movement of the connecting link MS. The chair components are so coordinated and arranged that there is a tendency for the follower link lod to turn in the clockwise direction about its pivot 166 in response to the second phase chair movement, during which the seat and back-rest move from the partially reclined intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 5, with the leg-rest disposed forwardly of the seat, to the fully reclined position illustrated in FlG. 6, with the angle between the back-rest and seat increased and with the leg-rest disposed contiguous to the forward end of the seat. During the second phase of the movement it is to be noted that there is very little movement of the leg-rest supporting and controlling linkage 142, it may be appreciated by progressively inspecting the relative position of the links in FIGS. 5 and 6 and the relative position of the leg-rest ldd and the seat 124. This arises due to the fact that even though the driver link i530 is undergoing approximately 90 of rotation during the second movement phase, the connecting link does not move angularly appreciably with respect to the seat 12d even though the seat is somewhat raised with respect thereto so that very little angular movement, if any is imparted to the leg-rest lidi?.

lt is noted that inclination of the seat 1124 is determined by the seat control 13) and the relationship of the seat pivot 123 to the back-rest pivot E26.

When the chair occupant desires to return from the fully reclined position of FIG. 6 to either the partially reclined intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 5 or the sitting position of FG. 4, the occupant merely leans forward exerting a downward force on the leg-rest.

ln FlGS. 7 to 9 inclusive, there is shown a further embodiment reclining chair in accordance with the present invention generally designated by reference numeral 214). This reclining chair is of the rester type in which the back-rest and seat are rigidly connected to each other.

i@ In the interest of simplicity and clarity the chair illustrated in FlGS. 7 through 9 has been illustrated by reference numerals which correspond to those employed in FlGS. l through 3 and is part of a 260 series.

The chair 2li? includes a chair frame or support El?. having spaced apart walls or members 214 connected by suitable cross braces 21o. The chair frame 212 is supported above the level of the floor by four depending egs 218. Movably or rockably mounted on the chair frame or support 2li is body-snpportinn means in the form of a body-supporting unit 22@ including a rigidly connected back-rest 222 and a seat 22d. rthe body-supporting unit is mounted for rearward or reclining movement on the chair frame 2i?. such that the body-supporting unit may be moved from an upright sitting position of FIG. 7 into the partially reclined intermediate, tilted sitting position of FlG. 8 and into the fully reclined position of FIG. 8. The body-supporting unit 220 is mounted on the frame 212 for inclining movement by a rear link 226 connected to the body-supporting unit at a pivotal connection 227. The rear link 226 is pivoted to the support at pivotal connection 228. in this embodiment, the pivotal connection 227 is displaced forwardly ota vertical dead center position of the link 226 such that the bodysupporting unit is somewhat elevated in response to the reclining movement into the intermediate, tilted sitting position, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 7 and 8, and is thereafter somewhat lowered in response to reclining movement into the fully reclined position, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 8 and 9.

Operatively connected to or engaging the seat 224 is a seat stop means, generally designated by referen numeral 23d, which is effective to impart stopping at a prescribed inclination to the seat 221i as a function of the reclining movement. ln this illustrative embodiment, the seat stop means 23e* includes a cam plate 232 appropriately connected to the chair frame 2li and formed on its upper surface with an upwardly and rearwardly directed cam track 23d having spaced dwell sections 2340, 2354i), and 234C. Riding on the cam track 234- is a roller 2.36 which is journalled on an axle 92.38 carried on the underside of the seat Z242- by an appropriate mounting bracket.

In the upright or sitting position of the illustrated embodiment, in FlG. 7, the roller 236 is in the lower dwell section Z13-dn; and in response to a r'irst phase of the reclinmg movement the roller moves up the cam track into the intermediate dwell section 234k. lt will be appreciated that the body-supporting unit 22d experiences a compound inclining movement as a function of the rear link 22d and the seat stop maintains the seat 22d in the intermediate, tilted sitting position, illustrated in FG. 8.

ln the fully reclined position illustrated in FlG. 9, the roller 23d is in the upper dwell section 23de, the roller moving from the intermediate dwell section 2341i in response to movement of the reclining chair through a second movement phase from the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FiG. 8 to the fully reclined position of FlG. 9. inclination or the cam track i3d and the spacing f the dwell section 234C relative to the dwell section 23411 is selected such that the body-supporting unit 22@ is stopped in the required angular relationship relative to the support ZlZ for accommodating the chair occupant in the fully reclined position.

Folded back beneath the seat 22d contiguous to the forward end thereof is a leg-rest which is disposed in a stored position in an inclining plane extending downwardly and rearwardly from its upper end 24E-Ila to its lower end -fllib. The inclination of the leg-rest is determined by general design considerations for the chair and is selected such that the leg-rest is accommodated within the chair frame when the chair is the upright sitting position of FIG. 7, with the upper end ELE-da of the l l leg-rest disposed beneath he forward portion or edge of the seat and the lower end Eltlb of the leg-rest disposed within the outline of the chair and at a level above the undersurface of the chair frame.

Actively connected to the leg-rest mounting 24@ is a leg-rest and controlling means or linkage, generally designated by reference numeral which moves the legrest 246 trom a stored position beneath the seat 224 to an elevated leg supporting position in front of the seat during the first phase of the movement as the body-supporting means 22d moves into the partially rcclined intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 8, with the leg-rest thereafter being supported in the leg-supporting position in front of the seat 22d during the second phase of the movement as the seat and back-rest move into the fully recliued position illustrated in FlG. 9. The linkage 242 further includes a first link pair {2i-lll, pivotally connected to each other at their adjacent ends at a pivotal connection 252 and a second link pair .2S-4l, 256 pivotaliy connected to each other at their acjacent ends at a pivotal connection 253. The second link 25o of the second link pair 1254i, Z55 crosses over the first link 24S of the rst .link pair 24S, 25@ and at he cross over point there is a pivotal connection Z262 for coordinating the link pairs. rhere is provided a follower link 26d which is pivotally mo ated on the chair frame or support 2li for turning movement. Specilicdly, the follower link 264i is pivoted at its rear end at a pivot 266 on a bracket or support fixed to the chair frame Zl. The first link 254 of the

second link pair

254, 256 is pivotally connected to the upper end of the follower link Zot-i at a pivotal connection The pivotal connection 268 is spaced from the coordinating connection 26T?, between the link pairs. The iirst link 254 of the second link pair 2.54, 25d has a pivotal connection 27@ to the seat Perl at a point spaced from the pivotal connection 268. "Le links 25o, 256 of the iirst and second link pairs have their forward ends connected to the leg-rest adjacent its upper end at spaced connections 2li, 2.74. The first link will of the first link pair is pivctally connected at 276 to the seat 224 and in this embodiment, the pivotal connection 276 being spaced from the pivotal connection 270. iiivotally mounted on the support 2*? 12 at a pivot 276 is a driver link Edil which is pivoted to the link 254 of the second pair oi links 254, 25o at a pivot point 281.

Y The dr'ver link Ztl@ together with the first link 254 of the second pair of links 254i, 256 and with the follower link 251i form coniurrction with the support 212 a drag link mechanism, it being noted that the pivots 266 and are spaced from each other and this spaced relationship is fixed, the support 2l?, because of the spacing of the pivot 266 and 27S forming a ixed link for the drag link mechanism. This drag link mechanism is generally indicated at 2d?, and functions such that during an initial approximately 90 rotation of the driver link .2% from the upright sitting pos 'on illustrated in FlG. 7 to the intermediate, tiltedsitting posi on illustrated iii-FIG. 8, tl ere is a corresponding substantial angular movement oi the link 254 so that the leg-rest Zeil is moved from the position beneath the seat 224 to a position in front of the seat 224. However, tie further rotation Of the driver link Zilli is such that the connecting link 254i between the driver link 2E@ and the follower link 264 does not move any appreciable angular amount relative to the eat so that leg-rest 255@ does not move to any ap-V preciable extent angulariy with respect to the seat The link of course extends between the driver link and the follower link 2 and serves as the connecting link of the 1rag link mechanism s' r ,osition of EEG. '7 is the stop Zlio which is liked to the support 212.

A typical sequence or" operations will now be described to facilitate a more thorough understanding or the present invention:

When an occupant is seated ant leans against the backrest Z22, the body-supporting unit pivots about the rear link 226 in a rearwardly directed arc. As the bodysupporting unit 22@ moves rearwardly an upwardly directed pulling force is applied to the driver link 23h which imparts a turning movement to the link 254i causing the leg-"

rest control linkage

242,2 to extend and move the leg-rest 2li@ to the elevated leg-supporting position forwardly of the seat 22o in response to the first pbase or" the movement, and the body-supporting unit 22h moves into the partially reclined intermediate, tilted sitting position of the FlG. 8.

During the first phase 0f the reclining movement the link 264 moves slightly and the driver link 2.3@ is rotated approximately which in turn rotates the connecting link 25d with the drag link mechanism through approximately 90 of rotation. Since the connecting link 254 forms one link of a double quadric linkage or extensible lazy tong defined by these links and their respective pivotal connections to each other and to the leg-rest 240, a movement of the leg-rest Z4@ is substantially predicated upon movement of the connecting link 254. The components are so coordinated and arranged that there is a tendency for the follower link 26d to turn in the clockwise direction about its pivot 2do in response to the second phase of movement, during which the `bodysupporting unit 22@ moves from the partially reclined intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 8, with the legrest disposed forwardly of the seat, to the fully reclined position illustrated in FlG. 9, with the leg-rest disposed contiguous to the forward end of the seat. During the econd phase of the movement it is to be noted that there is very little movement of the leg-rest supporting and controlling linkage 242, it may be appreciated by progressively inspecting the relative position of the links in FIGS. 8 and 9 and the relative position of the leg-rest 124i@ and the seat 224. This arises due to the fact that even though the driver link ZS@ is undergoing some rotation during the second movement phase, the connecting link 254 does not move angularly appreciably with respect to the seat 22.4 even though the seat is somewhat raised with respect thereto so that very little angular movement is imparted to the leg-rest Zeil.

When the chair occupant desires to return from the fully reclined position of FlG. 9 to either the partially reclined intermediate, tilted sitting position of FG. 8 or the sitting position of FIG. 7, the occupant merely leans forward exerting a downward force on the leg-rest.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

What l claim is:

l. A reclining chair comprising a support, a body-V supporting means including a back-rest and seat, means mounting said body-supporting means on said support for establishing a first phase of movement from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and for a second phase o movement from said intermediate, tilted sitting position to a reclining position, a leg-rest, legrest control means operatively connected to said leg-rest and including a driver link pivotally mounted Von said support, a follower link pivotally mounted on said support at a location spaced from said driver link, an extensible linkage pivotally connected to said leg-rest, means pivotally connecting said extensible linkage to said bodysupporting means, said extensible linkage, including a first pair of leg-rest links and a second pair of leg-rest links pivoted to said first pair, one of the links or said first and second pairs being a connecting link extending between and pivoted to said driver link and said follower link,

said driver link, said connecting link, said follower linkY and said support forming a drag link mechanism which f3 is operative during said first movement phase to move said leg-rest from a stored position beneath said seat to an elevated leg-supporting position in front of said seat and is operative during said second movement phase to raise said leg-rest with no appreciable angular displacement between said leg-rest and said seat.

2. A reclining chair comprising a support, a body-supporting means including a back-rest and seat, means mounting said body-supporting means on said support for establishing a first phase of movement from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and for a second phase of movement from said intermediate, tilted sitting position to a reclining position, a leg-rest, leg-rest control means operatively connected to said leg-rest and including a driver link pivotally mounted on said support, a follower link of greater length than said driver link pivotally mounted on said support at a location spaced from and below the pivoted mount of said driver link, and extensible linkage pivotally connected to said leg-rest, means pivotally connecting said extensible linkage to said body-supporting means, said extensible linkage being a double quadric linkage and including a first pair of legrest links and a second pair of leg-rest links pivoted to said rst pair, one of the links of said first and second pairs being a connecting link extending between and pivoted to said driver link and said follower link, said driver link, said connecting link, said follower link and said support forming a four bar drag link mechanism which is operative during said rst movement phase to move said legrest from a stored position beneath said seat to an elevated leg-supporting position in front of said seat and is operative during said second movement phase to raise said legrest with no appreciable angular displacement between said leg-rest and said seat.

3. A reclining chair comprising a support, a body-supporting means including a back-rest and seat, means mounting said body-supporting means on said support for establishing a first phase of movement from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sittino position and for a second phase of movement from said intermediate, tilted sitting position to a reclining position, a leg-rest, leg-rest control means operatively connected to said leg-rest and including a driver link pivotally mounted on said support, a follower link pivotally mounted on said support at a location spaced from said driver link, an extensible linkage pivotally connected to said leg-rest, means pivotally connecting said extensible linkage to said body-supporting means, said extensible linkage including a first pair of legrest links and a second pair of leg-rest links pivoted to said *first pair, one of the links of said first and second pairs being a connecting link extending between and pivoted to said driver link and said follower link, said driver link, said connecting link, said follower link and said support forming a drag link mechanism which is operative during said first movement phase upon approximately 90" movement of said driver link to move said leg-rest from a stored position beneath said seat to an elevated leg-supporting position in front of said seat and is operative during said second movement phase upon a further approximately 90 movement of said driver link to raise said leg-rest with no appreciable angular displacement between said leg-rest and said seat.

4. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting means including a back-rest and seat, means pivotally mounting said body-supporting means on said support establishing a first phase of said movement from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and for a second phase of said movement from said tilted sitting position to a reclining position, a leg-rest mounting and controlling means mounting said leg-rest for movement from a stored position beneath said seat to an elevated leg-supporting position in front of said seat during said first phase of said movement, said leg-rest mounting and controlling means including a driver link pivotally mounted on said support, a follower link pivotally connected to said support, an extensible linkage pivotally connected to said leg-rest and including a connecting link extending between and pivoted to said driver link and said follower' link, and means pivotally connecting said extensible linkage to said body-supporting means, said extensible linkage moving said leg-rest into said elevated legsupporting position in response to movement of said bodysupporting means and upon approximately movement of said driver link, there being no appreciable angular change of said connecting link and said leg-rest relative to said seat upon a further approximate 90 movement of said driver link.

5. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting means including a seat and back-rest, means pivotally mounting said body-supporting means on said support and arranged to establish a first movement phase during which said body-supporting means moves from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and a second movement phase from said intermediate, tilted sitting position to a reclining position, a leg-rest, a combined leg-rest mounting and controlling means operatively connected to said leg-rest for mounting and moving said leg-rest from a stored position to an elevated legsupporting position in response to mov-ement of sai body-supporting means into said intermediate, tilted sitting position, said mounting and controlling means including a driver link, means pivotally mounting said driver link on said support for turning movement about a driver pivotal mount, a follower link, means pivotally mounting said follower link on said support for turning movement about a follower pivotal mount, said follower pivotal mount being spaced from said driver pivotal mount, a connecting link pivotally connected to said driver and follower links, leg-rest links pivotally connected to said legrest and to at least one of said driver, follower and connecting links and cooperating therewith to mount said leg-rest thereon, and seat connecting means pivotally connected to said seat and to said mounting and controlling means for actuating the latter in response to tilting movement of said seat, said driver link, said follower link, said connecting link and said support forming a drag link mechanism operable during both said first and second movement phase and being effective during said first movement phase upon approximately 90 movement of said driver link to bring about a rapid angular movement of connecting link and of said leg-rest to said elevated leg-supporting position and during said second movement phase upon a further approximate 90 movement of said driver link to bring about substantially no angular change of said connecting link and said leg-rest relative to said seat.

6. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting means including a seat and back-rest, means pivotally mounting said body-supporting means on said support and arranged to establish a first movement pbase during which said body-supporting means moves from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and a second movement phase from said intermediate, tilted sitting position to a reclining position, a leg-rest, a combined leg-rest mounting and controlling means operatively connected to said leg-rest for mounting and moving said leg-rest from a stored position to an elevated legsupporting position in response to movement of said bodysupporting means into said intermediate, tilted sitting position, said mounting and controlling means including a driver link, means pivotally mounting said driver link on said support for turning movement about a driver pivotal mount, a follower link, means pivotally mounting said follower link on said support for turning movement about a follower pivotal mount, said follower pivotal mount being spaced from said driver pivotal mount, a first pair of leg-rest links pivotally connected to said leg-rest a second pair of leg-rest links pivotally connected to said legrest, one of the links of said first and second pair of links eing a connecting link pivotally connected to said driver link and said follower link, said first and second pair of links being pivotally connected to each other, connected to said seat and to said mounting and controlling means for actuating the latter in response to tilting movement of said seat, said driver link, said follower link, said connecting link, and said support forming a drag link mechanism operable during both said first and second movement phase and being effective during said first movement phase upon approximately 90 movement of said driver link to bring about a rapid angular movement of connecting link and of said leg-rest to said elevated leg-supporting position and up a further approximately 90 movement of said driver link to bring about substantially no angular change of said connecting link and said leg-rest relative to said seat.

7. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting means including a back-rest and seat, means pivotally mounting said body-supporting means on said support, a leg-rest, leg-rest mounting and controlling means mounting said leg-rest for movement from a stored position beneath sai-:l seat to an elevated leg-supporting position in front of said seat, said leg-rest mounting and controlling means including a driver link pivotally mounted on said support, a follower link pivotally connected to said support, an extensible linkage pivotally connected to said legrest and to said body-supporting means, said extensible linkage including a connecting link extending between and pivoted to said driver link and said follower link, said driver link, follower link and connecting link being arranged relative to each other to produce at least rst and second successively diilerent rates of elevation of said legrest in response to movement of said body-supporting means, said rst rate occurring during a rst phase of movement of said body-supporting means and being faster than said second rate and being effective to rapidly move said leg-rest into an elevated leg-supporting position, said second rate occuring during a second phase of movement of said body-supporting means and being effective to maintain said leg-rest in an elevated leg-supporting position.

8. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting means including a back-rest and seat, means pivotally mounting said body-supporting means on said support establishing a first phase of said movement from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and for a second phase of said movement from said tilted sitting position to a reclining position, a leg-rest, leg-rest mounting and controlling means mounting said leg-rest for movement from a stored position beneath said seat to an elevated leg-supporting position in front of said seat during said irst phase oi said movement, said leg-rest mounting and controlling means including a driver link pivotally mounted on said support, a follower link pivotally connected to said support, an extensible linkage pivotally connected to said leg-rest and including a connecting link extending between and pivoted to said driver link and said follower link, and means pivotally connecting said extensible linkage to said body-supporting means, said extensible linkage moving said leg-rest into said elevated legupporting position in response to movement of said bodysupporting means and said driver link, said driver link, follower link and connecting link being arranged relative to each other to produce at least rst and second succesively diiierent rates of elevation of said leg-rest in response to movement of said body-supporting means, said rst rate occurring during a inst phase of movement of said body-supporting means and being faster than said second rate and being effective to rapidly move said legrest into an elevated leg-supporting position, said second rateoccurring during a second phase of movement of said body-supporting means and being eiiective to maintain said leg-rest in an .elevated leg-supporting position.

References ited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

Claims

1. A RECLINING CHAIR COMPRISING A SUPPORT, A BODYSUPPORTING MEANS INCLUDING A BACK-REST AND SEAT, MEANS MOUNTING SAID BODY-SUPPORTING MEANS ON SAID SUPPORT FOR ESTABLISHING A FIRST PHASE OF MOVEMENT FROM A SITTING POSITION TO AN INTERMEDIATE, TILTED SITTING POSITION AND FOR A SECOND PHASE OF MOVEMENT FROM SAID INTERMEDIATE, TILTED SITTING POSITION TO A RECLINING POSITION, A LEG-REST, LEGREST CONTROL MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID LEG-REST AND INCLUDING A DRIVER LINK PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT, A FOLLOWER LINK PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT AT A LOCATION SPACED FROM SAID DRIVER LINK, AN EXTENSIBLE LINKAGE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID LEG-REST, MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID EXTENSIBLE LINKAGE TO SAID BODYSUPPORTING MEANS, SAID EXTENSIBLE LINKAGE INCLUDING A FIRST PAIR OF LEG-REST LINKS AND A SECOND PAIR OF LEG-REST LINKS PIVOTED TO SAID FIRST PAIR, ONE OF THE LINKS OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND PAIRS BEING A CONNECTING LINK EXTENDING BETWEEN AND PIVOTED TO SAID DRIVER LINK AND SAID FOLLOWER LINK, SAID DRIVER LINK, SAID CONNECTING LINK, SAID FOLLOWER LINK AND SAID SUPPORT FORMING A DRAG LINK MECHANISM WHICH IS OPERATIVE DURING SAID FIRST MOVEMENT PHASE TO MOVE SAID LEG-REST FROM A STORED POSITION BENEATH SAID SEAT TO AN ELEVATED LEG-SUPPORTING POSITION IN FRONT OF SAID SEAT AND IS OPERATIVE DURING SAID SECOND MOVEMENT PHASE TO RAISE SAID LEG-REST WITH NO APPRECIABLE ANGULAR DISPLACEMENT BETWEEN SAID LEG-REST AND SAID SEAT.