US3131966A - Multiple position reclining chair - Google Patents

Description

y 5, 1964 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,131,966

MULTIPLE POSITION RECLINING CHAIR Filed Jan. 28, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 24 FIG. I.

INV EN TOR. HEIDI/0F F. JCHL/EPHA C k5 May 5, 1964 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,131,965

MULTIPLE POSITION RECLINING CHAIR Filed Jan. 28, 1965 s Sheets-Sheet 2 mmvrm 5940770; Jaw/[P664 mes y 5, 1964 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,131,966

MULTIPLE POSITION RECLINING CHAIR Filed Jan. 28, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 7.

224 A! W A 222 2/1 1 k f Z6; M 27427; 2/; 2/2 a FIG. 5

INVENTOR. flew TJOF A 509.4 /P//4 me! 19 TIDE/V675 United States Patent Fla.

Filed .l'an. 28, 1963, Ser. No. 254,175 113 Claims. ((11. 29789) The present invention relates to improvements in reclining chairs and in particular to a novel and improved seat control arrangement and leg-rest control arrangement for reclining chairs of the multiple position type.

In multiple position reclining chairs, the body-supporting structure formed by the seat and back-rest is movable in a first motion phase from an upright sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position, and then through a second motion phase to a reclining or fullytilted position. A leg-rest is also provided with control means to move the leg-rest from a retracted position beneath the seat to an extended position forwardly of the seat in response to movement of the body-supporting structure from the upright sitting position to the intermediate, tilted sitting position. Thus, in the latter position, while the occupants body is still substantially up right but slightly tilted and is properly disposed for reading, viewing television or the like, the occupants legs are comfortably supported in outstretched condition by the extended leg-rest. The leg-rest control means are also adapted to maintain the leg-rest in elevated position relative to the seat when the body-supporting structure is moved through the second motion phase to the reclining position.

In many multiple position reclining chairs, the leg-rest control arrangement is entirely independent of the arrangement which controls the movement of the bodysupporting structure. This renders it difficult to properly coordinate the movements of the leg-rest in the various motion phases in such a manner that the leg-rest is properly positioned throughout the second motion phase and especially at the reclining or fully-tilted position. In the latter position, it is essential that the leg-rest be not overelevated to a position past a horizontal attitude, and at the same time that it be extended far enough to comfortably support the occupants outstretched legs.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a multiple position reclining chair in which a body-supporting structure is mounted on a support frame by front and rear guide The rear guide link is mounted directly on the support frame while the front guide link is mounted on a carrier linkage which includes as movable links first and second carrier links and an intermediate link pivotally connected between the free ends of the carrier links and facing the leg-rest in the upright sitting position. At least one of the carrier links is pivotally mounted on the rear guide link, such that this mounted carrier link is drawn rearwardly during the first motion phase as the rear guide link turns rearwardly. This rearward movement of the carrier link turns the intermediate link for positive actuation of the leg-rest through an actuating link which connects the intermediate link to the leg-rest mounting linkage. In the second motion phase, the rear guide link is blocked from further rearward movement, and the carrier linkage becomes a four-bar linkage which moves upwardly from its supported position as the body-supporting structure turns about its pivotal connection with the stationary rear guide link.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

An object of the present invention is to provide in a multiple position chair a carrier linkage serving as a support for the front guide link of the chair. The carrier hnkage is also operatively connected to the leg-rest of the chair. In the first motion phase, at least a portion of the carrier linkage is moved rearwardly in the chair in such a manner as to provide a positive actuation force for the leg-rest, whereby to elevate the leg-rest to its extended position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a carrier linkage of the character described which is also adaptable for selective arranegment in such a manner as to move the leg-rest to an adjusted extended position in the second motion phase of the chair.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away and shown in section, of a reclining chair incorporating the seat control and leg-rest control arrangements of the present invention, the chair being shown in an upright sitting position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the chain in an intermediate, tilted sitting position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, but showing the chair in a fully-tilted or reclined position;'

FiG. 4 is a side elevational View, \with portions broken away and shown in section, of a reclining chair incorporating a modified type of control arrangement made in accordance with the invention, the chair being shown in its upright sitting position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the chair in its intermediate, tilted sitting position;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5, but showing the chair in its fully-tilted or reclined position;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, with portions broken away and shown in section, of a reclining chair incorporating a further modification in the control arrangement of the invention, the chair being shown in its upright sitting position;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 7, but showing the chair in its intermediate, tilted sitting position; and

'FIG. 9 is a side elevational view similar to FIGS. 7 and 8, but showing the chair in its fully tilted or reclined position.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a reclining chair incorporating the inventions herein and designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The structure of chair 10 includes a support frame generally designated by reference numeral 12 and having opposed side walls 14 and 16 interconnected by suitable cross-braces 18, 20 and .22. The chair do also includes a body-supporting stnucture generally designated by the reference numeral 24 and including a seat 26 and a back-rest 28 formed integrally as a rigid unit. The body-supporting structure 24 is mounted on the support frame 12 by a front guide link 39 and a rear guide link 32 for movement from the upright sitting position of FIG. 1 to the intermediate, tilted sitting position shown in FIG. 2 and then to the fully-tilted or reclined position shown in FIG. 3.

At its lower end, the rear guide link 32 has a fixed pivotal mount 35 on the support frame 12, and at its upper end is connected by pivot 38 to the rear portion of the seat 26. The front guide link Stl is connected by pivot 4% to the seat 26 at a point spaced forwardly of the pivotal connection 38. The lower end of the front guide link Si? is mounted on a carrier linkage which includes a first carrier link 42, a second carrier link 44, and an intermediate link 46. The rear end of the first carrier link 42 is mounted by pivot 48 on the lower portion of rear guide link 32,, and the forward end thereof is connected by a pivot 59 to the lower end of the intermediate link 46. The rear end of the second carrier link 44 is mounted by pivot 52 on the support frame at a point spaced above and forwardly of the pivotal mount 48. The forward end of the second carrier link 44 is connected by pivot 54 to the intermediate link 46 at a point above the pivot S0. In the upright sitting position of FIG. 1, both carrier links 42 and 44 extend forwardly from their respective pivotal mounts 43 and 52, with the second carrier link 44 overlying the first carrier link 42 and being spaced thereabove, and with the first carrier link 42 slidably supported by a roller 58 mounted on cross-bar 18.

As was previouslyindicated, the first carrier link 42, second carrier link 44-, and intermediate link 46 serve as three movable links of aicarrier linkage which, during the first motion phase, constitutes a compound linkage. This compound linkage includes,in addition to the aforementioned three movable links, the portion of the rear guide link 32 between pivots 36 and 43, and as a stationary link thereof, the portion of the support frame 12 between the fixed pivots 36 and 52. The front guide link 35 is mounted on this compound linkage, in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 3 the front guide link, for example, being connected to thesecond carrier link 44 by pivot 56.

The chair 19 alsoincludes a leg-rest 6i and a leg-rest mounting'linkage, generally designated by reference numeral 62, which is adapted to guide the leg-rest between a retracted position beneath the seat to an elevated, leg- "s'upporting position forwardly of the seatrin response to movement of the body-supporting structure 24. This legrest mounting'linkage 62 may be of any conventional type, but for purposes of illustration, isshown a double four-bar or lazy tongue type of linkage. Specifically, the leg-rest mounting linkage s2 includes a first pair of mount-' ing links 64- and '66 having a pivotal connection 68- at their adjacent ends and a'second pair of mounting links 76 and 72 having a pivotal connection '74 at their adjacent ends. The mounting link 64 has a pivotal mount vs at its upper end on the seat 26;, while the mounting link 78 has a pivotal mount '73 on the seat 26, which is spaced rearwardly from the pivotal mount '76. Intermediate its ends, the mounting link 6 crosses over the mounting link.

72 and has a pivotal connection Si; thereto at the crossing-over point. The mounting link 66 has a pivotal connection 82 at its forward end to the leg-rest Gil, while the mounting link 72 has a pivotal'connection 84 at its forward end to the leg-rest 68 at a point spaced from the pivotal connection'82. V

Actuating means are providedfor elevating the leg-rest 69 during the first motion phase from the retracted position shown in FIG. 1 to the extended leg-supporting position shown in FIG. 2. Such actuating means includes an extensionfifi of the intermediate link d6 extending beyond the pivot 54, and an actuating link 88 connected to said extension 86 by a pivot 9. The opposite end of the actuating link 83 isconnected by pivot 92 to the leg: rest mounting link 7d at a point spaced below the pivotal mount 76 of said link Til.

Inthe upright sitting position of FIG. 1, the first carrier link 4-2 rests uponthe roller 58 in a substantially horizontal position, so that the compound carrier'linkage formed. by the carrier links 42, 44, the intermediate link 4t; and the lower portion of the rear guide link 32 serve as a stationary portion of the support. frame 12. The rear guide link 32 extends vertically upward from its pivotal mount 36 and engages astop member 59 afixed to support frame 12, the latter preventing forward movement of the seat.

The front guide link 3% extends upwardly and forwardly from its pivotal mount 56 to the seat 26. The body-supporting unit 2a is therefore supported in the level sitting position of FIG. 1. The leg-rest mounting links 64 and 70 extend downwardly from their respective pivotal mounts 7 6 and 73 on the seat 26, thereby posiduring the leg-rest 6%? in its retracted position in which it is substantially vertically disposed, beneath the forward.

names end portion'of the seat 26. The leg-rest actuating link 83 extends forwardly and downwardly from their respective pivotal mounts 76 and 78 on the seat 26, thereby positioning the leg-rest 69 in its retracted position in which it is substantially vertically disposed beneath the forward end portion of the seat 26. The leg-rest actuating link 88 extends forwardly and downwardly from the intermediate link extension 86 to the mounting link 7 it.

When the occupant of the chair in the upright sittin position of FIG. 1 wishes to assume a more comfortable sitting position with his legs supported in outstretched condition, he applies rearward pressure against the bodysupporting structure 24. The body-supporting structure then moves rearwardly through a first motion phase,.

guided by the front guide link and rear guide link 32, which turn rearwardly in unison. During this first motion phase the firstcarrier link 42 remains supported by the cross-bar 18, although it rolls therealong as will be presently described. The second carrier link 44, however, remains substantially immovable, serving as a fixed por-.

tion of the support-frame to support front guide link 30.

' Said front guide link 3% turns rearwardly and upwardly aboutits pivotal mount 56 upon second carrier link 44, to guide the forward portion of the seat 26 rearwardly and also to elevate the same slightly. At the same time, the rear guide link 32, turns rearwardly and downwardly upon its pivotal mount 36 on the support frame 12 to guide the rear portion of the seat 2% rearwardly and also to lower it slightly. Thus, in the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 2, the body-supporting structure '24 has moved rearwardly from its position of FIG. 1

and has also been slightly tilted, although it is still in a substantially sitting position whereby the occupants body is still upright and is properly disposed for viewingitele vision, reading, or the like. 7 As the rear guide link 32 turns rearwardly during the firstmotion phase, it carries with it the first carrier link 52, which is drawn rearwardly along roller 58. This rearward sliding movement of carrier link 42 draws the lower end of intermediate link 46 rearwardly, causing said intermediate link 45 to turn in acounter-clockwise direction (as viewed in FIGS; 1 and 2) about its pivotal mount 54- on the stationary second carrier link 44. The

upper extension 36 of the intermediate, link 46 thus moves forwardly to actuate the leg-rest as will be presently explained.

During the first motion phase, the leg-rest and the leg-restmounting linkage 62 is carried rearwardly with the forward portion of the seat through the pivotal mounts 76 and 73, relative to the support-frame 12. Since the actuating link i3 is pivotally mounted on'the forwardly moving extension 56 of intermediate link td, said actuating link 88 exerts a pushing force at point 92 against the leg-rest mounting link 70, thereby expanding the leg-.

rest mounting linkage 62 and moving the leg-rest 60 to its extended, leg-supporting position of'FIG. 2. In this position, the leg-rest as is located forwardly of the front end of the seat 26 and is substantially at the level thereof, in proper position to comfortably support the outstretched legs of the occupant. In actuating the leg-rest mounting linkage 62, the actuating link 88 turns upwardly about its pivotal mount 99, as can be seen from a comparison of 2 more comfortable, position for, optimum relaxation, he

applies further rearward pressure against the body-supporting structure 24. Since the rear guide link 32 is now restrained from further rearward turning movement by its engagement with the cross-bar 20, further rearward movement of the body-supporting structure 24 is now limited to turning movement about its pivotal connection 38 with the stationary rear guide link 32. During this second motion phase, the forward portion of the seat 26 is elevated, carrying upwardly with it the front guide link 30, which in turn raises the second carrier link 44, as well as the intermediate link 46 and the first carrier link 42. Since the rear guide link 32 is now immovable, the pivotal mount 48 of the first carrier link 42 is now stationary, and the linkage formed by the carrier links 42, 44 and the intermediate link 46 now functions as a four-bar linkage with the portion of the support frame 12 between pivots 48 and 52 constituting the immovable link thereof. Since the first carrier link 42 has a greater length than the second carrier link 44, the free end of the former travels through a greater are than the free end of the second carrier l'mk 44 so that the pivot 59 moves upwardly and rearwardly relative to the pivot 54. This results in the intermediate link 46 being turned in a forward or counterclockwise direction about the pivot 54 as the intermediate link 46 is raised by the carrier links 42 and 44. Consequently, its top pivot 90 at the end of extension 86 moves in an upward direction following the turning movement of the body-supporting structure and is also moved forwardly away from the pivotal mount 48. p

The elevating movement or" the four-bar linkage raises the left-rest linkage through the actuating link 83, but not in itself to the extent necessary to cause the leg-rest linkage to keep up with the upward movement of the front of the seat. Hence, the movement of the leg-rest linkage would tend to lag behind the seat movement in the second motion phase with the result that the leg-rest would move downwardly relative to the forward end of the seat in the fully-reclined position. The forward movement of the upper end of intermediate link 46, however, compensates for this lag in leg-rest movement. The counter-clockwise turning movement of the intermediate link 46 provides an additional forward movement to the actuating link 88 which elevates the leg-rest mounting linkage 62 to substantially the same extent as the forward end of the seat 26. Thus, in the fully-tilted or reclined position of FIG. 3, the leg-rest 69 is located at approximately the same level and angle relative to the forward end of the seat as it is in the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 2.

The arrangement of the linkage formed by the carrier links 42, 44 and intermediate link 46 may be selectively varied to produce other desired adjustments of the leg-rest 66 in the fully-reclined position. Since the relative lengths of the carrier links 42 and 44 determine the degree of rotation of the intermediate link 46, these lengths can be varied to cause the leg-rest to be located at higher or lower level in the fully-reclined position, depending upon the comfort requirements of the particular chair in which the linkage is employed.

The end of the second motion phase is established by engagement of the rear portion of the body-supporting structure 24 with the cross brace 22, the structure 24 being then disposed in the fully-tilted position of FIG. 3. To return to the intermediate position of FIG. 2, it is only necessary for the occupant to shift his weight forwardly. To return from the intermediate position to the upright sitting position of FIG. 1, the occupant exerts downward pressure upon the leg-rest and urges his weight further forwardly by grasping the side frames 14 and 16.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 4 through 6, there is shown a reclining chair incorporating a modified form of control mechanism made in accordance with the invention herein and designated generally by the reference numeral 110. The chair 110 again includes a support frame 112 having opposed side walls 114 and 116 interconnected by suitable cross-braces 118, 120, and 122, and a body-supporting structure 124 including an integrallyformed seat 126 and back-rest 128. The body-supporting 13 structure 124 is mounted on the support frame 112 by a front guide link 130 and a rear guide link 132 for movement from the upright sitting position of FIG. 4 to the intermediate, tilted sitting position shown in FIG. 5 and then to the fully-tilted or reclined position shown in FIG. 6.

The rear guide link 132 is again provided with a fixed pivotal mount 136 on the support frame 112, and a pivotal connection 138 to the rear portion of the seat 126. The front guide link 1363 is connected by pivot 140 to the seat 126 at a point spaced forwardly of the pivotal connection 138. A carrier linkage is again provided for supporting the front guide link 130, t rlS carrier linkage again including a first carrier link 142, a second carrier link 144, and an intermediate link 146. The rear end of the first carrier link 142 is again mounted by pivot 148 on the rear guide link 132, and the forward end thereof is connected by a pivot 1513 to the lower end of the intermediate link 146. The rear end of the second carrier link 144 in this instance is also mounted on the rear guide link 132 by pivot 152 at a point spaced above the pivotal mount 148. The forward end of the second carrier link 144 is connected by pivot 154 to the intermediate link 146 at a point thereon spaced above the pivot 150. The intermediate link 146 in this instance has a long extension portion 186 project ng above the pivot 154.

The carrier links 142 and 144 are, in this embodiment, substantially the same size and in the upright sitting position of FIG. 4, both carrier links 142 and 144 extend forwardly and slightly downwardly from their respective pivotal mounts 148 and 152.

The carrier linkage, formed by the carrier links 142 and 144, as well as intermediate link 146 and rear guide link 132 is again movable during the first motion phase, and again serves as a support for the front guide link 130 which is mounted by pivot 156 on the second carrier link 144.

The chair 110 again includes a leg-rest 160 carried by a leg-rest mounting linkage 162 for movement between the retracted position of FIG. 4 and the extended positions of FIGS. 5 and 6. The leg-rest mounting linkage 162 is generally similar to that shown in FIGS. l-3, and includes a first pair of mounting links 164 and 166 having a pivotal connection 168 at their adjacent ends and a second pair of mounting links 170 and 172 having a pivotal connection 174 at their adjacent ends. The upper ends of mounting links 164 and 170 are respectively mounted by pivots 176 and 178 at spaced points on the seat 126. Intermediate their ends, the mounting links 164 and 172 cross each other and are connected by pivot 189 at their crossing-over point. The mounting links 166 and 172 are connected to spaced points on leg-rest 166 by respective pivots 182 and 184.

Means are again provided for actuating the leg-rest mounting linkage 162 in such a manner as to elevate the leg-rest 160 during the first motion phase from the retracted position shown in FIG. 4 to the extended legsupporting position shown in FIG. 5. Such actuating means comprises an extension 171 of leg-rest mounting link 170 which projects above the pivotal mount 178 and an actuating link 188 connected at one end by pivot 192 to the extension 171 of mounting link 170, and connected at its other end to the top end of intermediate link extension 186.

In the upright sitting position of FIG. 4, the first carrier link 142 again rests upon a roller 158 carried by the crossbar 118. The rear guide link 152 is upstanding from its pivotal mount 136, and the front guide link 130 extends upwardly and forwardly from its pivotal mount 156 toward the seat 126, engaging a stop member 159 fixed to the second carrier link 144 so as to prevent the body supporting structure from moving forwardly. The legrest 160 is supported by the leg-rest linkage 162 in a retracted position beneath the forward portion of seat 126.

When the occupant of the chair in the upright sitting 142 moves rearwardly, the rearguide link 152.

.3 a position of FIG. 4 applies rearward pressure against the body-supporting structure 124, the body-supporting structure vmoves rearwardly through a first motion phase, guided by the rear guide link 132 and front guide link 130, the, rear guide link about its pivotal mount 135 on the support frame .112. During this first motion phase, 7

the second carrier link 144 as well as the first carrier link eing drawn in this direction by Thus the pivotal'mount 156 of the front guide link is moved rearwardly with the second carrier link 144, and the front guide link 13a turns only slightly about said pivotal mount 155. In the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 5, the body-supporting structure 124 has moved rearwardly from its position of FIG. 4 and has also been slightly tilted by action of the guide links 139 and 132, although it is still in a substan-v tially sitting position with the occupants body supported in upright condition and properly disposed for viewing television, reading, or the like.

As the carrier linkage moves rearwardly, the first carrier link 142 moving along roller 15?, the intermediate link 146 is moved rearwardly therewith and is also turned in a clockwise direction, as can be seen by a comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2, The upper end of the intermediate link extension 186 is thus moved rearwardly relative to seat -During vthe first motion phase, the leg-rest 16th and the leg-rest mounting linkage 162 is carried rearwardly with the forward portion ofthe seat through the pivotal mounts 176 and 178. Because of the .turning action of intermediate link 146, iits extension 186 exerts a pulling force on the extension 171 of leg-rest mounting link 1170 through actuating link The mounting link 17% therefore turns about its pivotal mount 178, thereby ele: vating the leg-rest 169 to its extended, leg-supporting position of FIG. 5. in this position, the leg-rest 160 is located forwardly of the front end of thescat 125 and is When the occupant ofthe chair applies further rear ward pressure against the body-supporting structure 124,

the rear guide link 132 is restrained from further rearward turning movement by its engagement with the crossbar 12%, and further rearward movement of the bodysupporting structure 124 is limited to turning movement about its pivotal connection 138 with the stationary rear guide link 132. During this second motion phase, the forward portion of the seat 126 is elevated, carrying upwardly with it the front guide link 13%} which in turn raises the second carrier link 144 and through it the first carrier link 142 and intermediate link 146, said carrier links turning about their respective pivotal mounts 148 and 152 on the stationary rear guide link 132. During the second motion phase, the carrier linkage serves as a four-bar linkage with the carrier links 142, 144 and the intermediate link 145 constituting the movable links, while the portion of stationary. rear guide link 132 between pivots 148 and 152 constitutes the fixed link. Since the carrier links 142 and 144 are substantially parallel, the four-bar linkage operates essentially as a parallelogram; As the intermediate link 146 is lifted, therefore, it is maintained at approximately the same angulardisposi tion relative to the support frame; However, since the upwardly turning seat 126 carries the leg-restmounting' linkage 162 in an arcuate path with a rearward component of movement, the effect is that the pivot point 190. at the top of intermediate link 146 moves forwardly relative to the leg-rest mounting linkage 162 and exerts a pushing force upon the link extension 171 through actuating link 188. This results in the leg-rest 160 being a g slightly lowered relative to the second motion phase.

' The fully-tilted or reclined position of FIG. 6 is reached when the rear portion of the body-supporting structure 1 25 engages and is stopped by the cross-brace 122. To return to the upright sitting position of FIG. 4, the occupant shifts his weight forwardly to bring the body-sup porting structure to the intermediate, tilted sitting posi- I tion, and then applies downward pressure on the leg-rest to return the structure to the upright sitting position.

FIGS. 7 through 9 illustrate another reclining chair 216 having a modified form of structure made in accordance with the invention herein. The chair 210 includes a support frame 212 having opposed side walls 214 and 16 interconnected by suitable cross-braces 218, 2 20 222. The body-supporting structure 224 of chair 210 includes a seat 22% and a back-rest 228 formed integrally with each other to provide a rigid unit. The body-sup porting structure 224 is mounted by front guide link 23d and a rear guide link23 2 for movementfrom the upright sitting position of PEG. 7 to the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG 8 and then to the fully-tilted position of FIG. 9. Y

The rear guide link 232 is mounted by pivot 236 .on th support frame 212, and is connected by pivot 238 to the rear portion of the seat 225. The front guide link 239 is connected by pivot 24% to the seat 226 at a point spaced forwardly of the pivotal connection 233. The lower end of the front guide link 23%) is mounted by pivot 256 on the intermediate, portion of a first carrier link 242 which forms a portion of the carrier linkage together with a second carrier link 244, and an intermediate link 246. The rear ends of the carrier links 242 and 244 are respectively mounted by pivots 243 and 252 at spaced points on the rear guide link 2232 In this instance the carrier links 242 and 244 are crossed so that the forward end.

of the first carrier link 242 is connected by a pivot 25% to an intermediate point on the intermediate link 246, While the forward end of the second carrier link 244 is connected by pivot 25.4 to the intermediate link 246 at a point spaced below the pivot 25th. In the upright sitting position of FIG. 7, both carrier links 242 and 244 extend forwardly from their respective pivotal mounts 243 and 252, and cross each other approximately attheir centers.

pivot 268, and a second pair of mounting links 27% andv 2",2 having a pivotal connection 274 at their adjacent ends. The mounting links 264 and 27%). are mounted by respective pivots 276 and 273 at spaced points on the seat 226. The mounting link 264 crosses overthe mounting link 272'and has a pivotal connection 280 thereto at the The mounting links 266 and 272 crossing-over point.

are connected tospaced points on the leg-rest 260 by respective pivots 282 and 284. a

Actuating means are provided for elevating the legrest 260 during the first motion phase from the retracted.

position shown in FIG. 7 to the extended leg-supporting position shown in FIG. 8. Such vactuating meansinclude i an extension 286 of the intermediate link 246 extending above the pivot 250, and an actuating link 288 connected to said extension 286 by pivot 29!). The forward end ofthe actuating link 28% is connected by pivot 292 to the leg-rest mounting link 27 0 .at a point spaced below the pivotal mount 278 of said link 270.

In the upright sitting position of FIG. 7, the second carrier link 244 rests upon a roller 258 afiixed to the support frame 212,. The rear guide link 232 extends ver- 7 tically upward from its pivotal mount 236, and the front the frontof the seat during V guide link 23:) extends upwardly and forwardly from its pivotal mount 256 toward its pivotal connection 240 with the seat 226. The leg- rest mounting links 264 and 270 extend downwardly from their respective pivotal mounts 276 and 278 on the seat 226, thereby positioning the leg-rest 259 in its retracted position beneath the forward end portion of the seat 226. The leg-rest actuating link 28% extends forwardly and slightly downwardly from the intermediate link extension 286 toward the mounting link 279.

When the occupant of the chair in the upright sitting position of FIG. 7 applies rearward pressure against the body-supporting structure 224, the latter moves rearwardly through the first motion phase, guided by the front guide link 23% and rear guide link 232. During this first motion phase, as the rear guide link 232 turns rearwardly, the crossed carried links 242, 244 cause a reverse movement of the intermediate link 2 46 so that the latter turns in a forward or counter-clockwise direction. Thus, the intermediate link extension 286 is moved forwardly and exerts a forward force on the leg-rest mounting linkage, through actuating link 288, to elevate the leg-rest 269 to its extended position.

The intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 8 is determined by engagement of the rear guide link 232 with the cross-bar 229. This halts further simultaneous rearward pivoting movement of the guide links 236 and 232, and constrains further movement of the body-supporting structure 224 to a turning movement about pivot 238 in the second motion phase.

When the occupant of the chair 219 in the intermediate position of FIG. 8 applies further rearward pressure against the body-supporting structure 224, the latter moves in the second motion phase. The rear guide link 232 is restrained from further rearward turning movement by its engagement with the cross-bar 224i, and further rearward movement of the body-supporting structure 224 is now limited to turning movement about its pivotal connection 238 with the stationary rear guide link 232.

During this second motion phase, the forward portion of the seat 226 is elevated, carrying upwardly with it the front guide link 230 which in turn raises the first carrier link 242 and thus the four-bar linkage formed by the carrier links 242, 244 and the stationary rear guide link 232. In this instance the first carrier link 242 has a shorter length than the second carrier link 244, so that, as the intermediate link 146 is elevated by the carrier links, it is also turned slightly in a rearward or clockwise direction. As a result, the leg-rest 269 is retained in its extended position forwardly of the seat 226, but is adjusted slightly downwardly and outwardly in the fullyreclined position of FIG. 9.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it is obvious that numerous additions, changes and omissions may be made in such embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

l. A multiple position reclining chair comprising a support frame, a body-supporting structure including a seat and back-rest, control means mounting the bodysupporting structure on the support frame for rearward movement through a first motion phase from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and through a second motion phase to a reclining position, said control means including front and rear guide links piovtally connected to spaced points on the seat, the rear guide link having a pivotal mount on the support frame, and a carrier linkage mounting the front guide link, said carrier linkage including a pair of carrier links extending forwardly of the chair and an intermediate link pivotally connected to the forward ends of said carrier links and extending therebetween, at least one of said carrier links being pivotally mounted on the rear guide link, said is; one carrier link being slidably mounted on said support frame for longitudinal movement during said first motion phase, a leg-rest, a leg-rest mounting linkage carrying said leg-rest and guiding the same for movement between a retracted position beneath the forward end of the seat and an elevated position forwardly of the seat, and an actuating link connecting said intermediate link with said leg-rest mounting linkage, said one carrier link being moved rearwardly by said rear guide link, as the latter turns during the first motion phase, to turn said intermediate link in a direction to actuate said leg-rest mounting linkage such that the leg-rest is brought to its elevated position, said carrier linkage being raised by said front guide link during said second motion phase to maintain said leg-rest substantially in its elevated position.

2. A multiple position reclining chair comprising a support frame, a body-supporting structure including a seat and back-rest, control means mounting the body-supporting structure on the support frame for movement through a first motion phase from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and through a second motion phase from said intermediate, tilted sitting position to a reclining position, said control means including front and rear guide links pivotally connected to spaced points on the seat, the rear guide link having a pivotal mount on the support frame, and a carrier linkage mounting the front guide link, said carried linkage including a pair of carrier links extending forwardly of the chair, and an intermediate link pivotally connected to the forward ends of said carrier links and extending therebetween, at least one of said carrier links being pivotally mounted on the rear guide link for rearward axial movement of said one carrier link when the rear guide link turns rearwardly during the first motion phase, said front guide link being pivotally mounted on a link of said carrier linkage, the front guide link turning rearwardly on the carrier linkage and the rear guide link turning rearwardly about its pivotal mount on the support frame during the first motion phase to guide the body-supporting structure rearwardly to the intermediate, tilted sitting position, stop means for halting rearward movement of the front and rear guide means relative to the carrier linkage at said intermediate, tilted sitting position, a leg-rest, a legrest mounting linkage mounting said leg-rest linkage on the seat and guiding the same for movement between a retracted position beneath and an elevated position forwardly of the seat, and means connecting said intermediate link to said leg-rest mounting linkage, the axial rearward movement of said one carrier link during the first motion phase turning said intermediate link in a direction to cause the latter to exert an actuating force on the legrest mounting linkage for elevating said leg-rest to its elevated position in the intermediate, tilted sitting position, said carrier linkage being raised by said front guide link during said second motion phase to maintain said leg-rest substantially in its elevated position.

3. A multiple position reclining chair comprising a support frame, a body-supporting structure including a seat and back-rest, control means mounting the body-supporting structure on the support frame for movement through a first motion phase from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and through a second motion phase from said intermediate, tilted sitting position to a reclining position, said control means including front and rear guide links pivotally connected to spaced points on the seat, the rear guide link having a pivotal mount on the support frame, and a carrier linkage mounting the front guide link, said carrier linkage including a pair of carrier links extending forwardly of the chair, and an intermediate link pivotally connected to the forward ends of said carrier links and extending therebetween, at least one of said carrier links being pivotally mounted on the rear guide link and slidably supported by said support frame for rearward axial movement of said one carrier link when the rear guide link turns rearwardly during the 1 l first motion phase, said front guide lirk being pivotally mounted on a link of said carrier linkage, the front guide link turning rearwardly on the carrier linkage and the rear guide linkturning rearwardly about its pivotal mount on the support frame during the first motion phase to guide the body-supporting structure rearwardly to the intermediate, tilted sitting position, stop means for halting rearward movement of the front and rear guide means relative to the carrier linkage at said intermediate, tilted sitting position, the carrier linkage thereafter being raised by saidbody-supporting structure from its slidably-supported position and the body-supporting structure'turning about therear guide link during the second motion phase,

' a leg-rest, a leg-rest mounting linkage mounting said legrest linkage on the seat and guiding the same for movement between a retracted position beneath the seat and an extended position forwardly of the seat, said'intermediate link havingan extension projecting beyond one of its pivotal connections with said carrier links, and an ac- .tuating link connecting said extension to said leg-rest mounting linkage, the ax al rearward movement of said one carrier link during the first motion phase turning said intermediate'link in a direction to cause said. actuating link to exert an actuating force on the leg-rest mounting linkage for elevating said leg-rest to its extended position in the intermediate, tilted sitting position, said carrier linkage being raised by said front guide link during said second motion phase to maintain said leg-rest substantial- 1y in its elevated position.

. 4. A multiple position reclining chair according to claim 3 in which said one carrier link is pivotally mounted on the rear guide link and'the other carrier link is pivotally mounted on the support frame.

. 5. A multiple position reclining chair according to claim 3 in which both carrier links are pivotally mounted on the rear guide link.

6. A multiple position reclining chair according to claim 3 in which said carrier links are vertically spaced, the uppermost carrier link being pivotally mounted on the support frame and the lowermost carrier link being pivotaily mounted on the rear guide link, the extension of said intermediate link projecting above the pivotal connection between the intermediate link and the uppermost carrier link, said intermediate link being turned in a direction to move said extension and actuating link forwardly.

7. A multiple position vreclining chair according to claim 3 in which said carrier links are vertically spaced,

. both carrier links being pivotally mounted on the rear guide link, the extension of said intermediate link projecting above the pivotal connection between the intermediate sion projecting beyondits pivotal mount on the seat, said actuating link connecting said mounting link extension to the extension of said intermediate link.

' 9. A multiple position reclining chair according to claim 3 in which both carrier links are pivotally mounted at spaced points on the rear guide link, said carrier links crossing each other and the forward ends thereof being pivotally connected to spaced points on the intermediate link.

10. A multiple position reclining chair comprising a support frame, a body-supporting structure including a seat and back-rest, control means mounting the bodysupporting structure on the support frame for rearward movement through a first motion phase from a sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and, through a second motion phase to a reclining position, said control means including front and rear guide links pivotally connected to spaced points on the seat, the rear 7 guide link having a pivotal mount on the support frame, and a carrier linkage mounting the front guide link, said carrier linkage including a pair ofcarrier links extending forwardly of the chair and an intermediate linkpivotally connected to the forward ends of said carrier links and extending therebetween, at least one of said carrier links "being pivotally mounted on the rear guide link, said one carrier link being slidably mounted on said support frame for longitudinal movement during said first motion phase, said carrier linkage constituting multiple linkage during the first motion phase, including said rear guide link as a movable link thereof, a leg-rest, a leg-rest mounting linkage carrying said leg-rest and guiding the same for movement between a retracted position beneath the forward end of the seat and an elevated position forwardly;

diate, tilted sitting position, such that the'carrier linkage becomes a four-bar linkage during the second motion phase with the carrier links and the intermediate link constituting the movable links thereof, the movable links of said four-bar carrier linkage being raised during the second motion phase by said front guide link to maintain said leg-rest substantially in its elevated position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 2,990,006 Fletcher June 27, 1961 3,009,736 Schliephacke Nov. 21, 1961 3,039,815 Fletcher June 19, 1962 3,043,621 Fletcher July 10, 1962 3,061,367 Schliephacke -l. Oct. 30, 1962, 3,086,815 Fletcher Apr. 23, 1963 3,092,415 Schliephacke June 4, 1963

Claims (1)

1. A MULTIPLE POSITION RECLINING CHAIR COMPRISING A SUPPORT FRAME, A BODY-SUPPORTING STRUCTURE INCLUDING A SEAT AND BACK-REST, CONTROL MEANS MOUNTING THE BODYSUPPORTING STRUCTURE ON THE SUPPORT FRAME FOR REARWARD MOVEMENT THROUGH A FIRST MOTION PHASE FROM A SITTING POSITION TO AN INTERMEDIATE, TILTED SITTING POSITION AND THROUGH A SECOND MOTION PHASE TO A RECLINING POSITION, SAID CONTROL MEANS INCLUDING FRONT AND REAR GUIDE LINKS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SPACED POINTS ON THE SEAT, THE REAR GUIDE LINK HAVING A PIVOTAL MOUNT ON THE SUPPORT FRAME AND A CARRIER LINKAGE MOUNTING THE FRONT GUIDE LINK, SAID CARRIER LINKAGE INCLUDING A PAIR OF CARRIER LINKS EXTENDING FORWARDLY OF THE CHAIR AND AN INTERMEDIATE LINK PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE FORWARD ENDS OF SAID CARRIER LINKS AND EXTENDING THEREBETWEEN, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID CARRIER LINKS BEING PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON THE REAR GUIDE LINK, SAID

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