US3164407A

US3164407A - Reclining chair and control arrangement

Info

Publication number: US3164407A
Application number: US292211A
Authority: US
Inventors: Fridtjof F Schliephacke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1960-05-17
Filing date: 1963-06-28
Publication date: 1965-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 1982-01-05
Also published as: DE1404656A1; DE1404656B2

Description

Jan. 5, 1965 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,164,407

RECLINING CHAIR AND CONTROL ARRANGEMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 28, 1963 INVENTOR. PA /0H0; F sa/z/A'Pamke BY J- i507, orraRMi-rs Jan. 5, 1965 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,164,407

RECLINING CHAIR AND CONTROL ARRANGEMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 28, 1963 INVENTOR- Fn IDTJOF E SCHLIEPHACkE ATTORNEYS a Jan. 5, 1965 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,164,407

RECLINING CHAIR AND CONTROL ARRANGEMENT Filed June 28, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 M4 w 4% 06 U Jan. 5, 1965 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,164,407

RECLINING CHAIR AND CONTROL ARRANGEMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 28, 1963 Jan. 5, 1965 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 7" RECLINING CHAIR AND CONTROL ARRANGEMENT Filed June 28, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. FIQ/DTJOF E SCWZ/[PAMCQA United States Patent 3,164,407 RECLINING CHAIR AND CONTROL GEMENT Fridtjof F. Schliephacke,

' many, assignor to Anton Lorenz, Boynton Beach, Fla.

Filed June 28, 1963, Ser. No. 292,211 Claims. (Cl. 29785) The present invention relates to reclining chairs, and in particular to an improved control arrangement for a reclining chair of the type including body-supporting means having a seat and back-rest mounted on a support and a leg-rest coordinated to move to elevated leg-sup porting positions in response to movement of the bodysupporting means. Advantageously, chairs according to the present invention are capable of attaining numerous desired positions of the body-supporting means for comfortably accommodating the chair occupant. This is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 29,763, filed May 17, 1960, entitled Reclining Chair and Control Arrangement, and application Serial No. 112,258, filed May 24, 1961, entitled Improved Reclining Chair and Leg- Rest Control Arrangement.

The well known reclining chair includes a support, body-supporting means movably mounted on the support, and a leg-rest normally disposed in a stored position and movable to an elevated leg-supporting position incident to the movement of the body-supporting means. The bodysupporting means may take the form of either a unitary or rigid body-supporting unit, or a separate seat and separate back-rest mounted for inclining and reclining movement respectively. The body-supporting means and the leg-rest are coordinated such that for each increment of movement of the body-supporting means rearwardly to various reclining positions, there is a corresponding movement of the leg-rest toward the elevated leg-supporting position. These chairs of the single movement type are arranged such that the leg-rest arrives at the required elevated leg-supporting position when the body-supporting means has moved to the fully reclined position. In a typical chair, the back-rest is disposed at an angle of approximately 45 to the floor line in the fully reclined position of the chair, while the leg-rest swings to a position substantially horizontal and parallel tothe floor line, with the seat either maintaining a rigid relationship to the back-rest or being inclined such that the included angle between the seat and back-rest increases to establish an appropriate attitude for the chair occupant for complete relaxation. As a practical matter, the leg-rest should not move beyond the horizontal attitude relative to the floor, or beyond a prescribed location in relation to the seat, in that the legs should be accommodated in an elevated, but slightly bent, position for optimum comfort. As is generally understood, the reason for elevating the legs in the first instance is to afford maximum comfort and to avoid the undesirable physiological effects incident upon the legs hanging down when the chair occupant attempts to be comfortable or relax. Thus, in a Well constructed single movement reclining chair, although there are many intermediate positions between the upright sitting position and the fully reclined position, as a practical matter the only position appropriate for proper relaxation is the reclining position, or one close thereto, wherein the legrest is sufficiently elevated to appropriately support the legs of the chair occupant.

Of recent times there has been developed the multiple movement reclining chair which is specifically designed to establish at least one intermediate position of the bodysupporting means when the leg-rest is already elevated for an effective leg-supporting position. Such multiple movement chairs may be of the type incorporating a unitary body-supporting unit wherein there are first and second Berlin-Schmargendorf, Germovement phases. During the first movement phase, the unit moves from an upright sitting position with the legrest stored to an intermediate, tilted sitting position with the leg-rest elevated; .and during the second movement phase, the unit moves from the intermediate, tilted sitting position through various reclining positions to a fully reclined position, with the leg-rest remaining in a substantially fixed elevated leg-supporting position relative to the seat. Further, such chairs may be of the type incorporating a body-supporting means including a movable seat and movable back-rest wherein there are first and second movement phases. During the first movement phase the body-supporting means moves from an upright sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position with substantially no change in the angular relationship between the seat and back-rest, with the leg-rest moving into an elevated position; and during the second movement phase the body-supporting means moves from the intermediate, tilted sitting position through a series of reclining positions to a fully reclined position, with the leg-rest remaining elevated relative to the seat and with an increase in the angular relationship between the seat and back-rest. Inherently such multiple movement recliningchairs are relatively complicated and expensive to construct, and usually require special provision to establish the order of or sequence of operations for the movable components of the chair.

Broadly, it is" an object of the present invention to provide an improved reclining chair of the multiple position or multiple movement type which is capable of attaining one or more intermediate positions in which the legs of the chair occupant are elevated. Specifically it is within the contemplation of the present invention to provide an improved leg-rest and seat control arrangement for a reclining chair which enables the establishment of a number of intermediate selected positions wherein the body-supporting means .and leg-rest of the chair are optimumly positioned relative to each other and to the chair frame or support for comfortably accommodating the chair 0ccupant in attitudes appropriate for television viewing, reading, sewing or the like, and/or complete relaxation.

I have found that by controlling the rate of elevation of the leg-rest, it is possible to establish multiple positions fora chair in which the body-supporting means is continuously'moved and is properly positioned, relative to the support for establishing successive desired attitudes for the chair occupant; and in such successive attitudes,

the leg-rest is always appropriately elevated for the optimum leg-supporting function. In particular, the legrest is elevated at a substantially uniform rate during a first phase or portion of the movement of the body-supporting means relative to the support to bring the legrest quickly to the desired elevated leg-supporting position; thereafter as the body-supporting means moves through a second phase or portion of movement toward the fully reclined position, the leg-rest slows down so as to maintain its optimum position, it being recalled that the leg-rest must remain substantially in a horizontal position relative to the floor line and in a' required relationship to theseat which simultaneously is moved into various inclined positions. Advantageously, provision may be such that the retardation of the rate of movement of the leg-rest during the second phase or portion of movement of the body-supporting means brings about a decrease, rather than a further increase, in the angle between the leg-rest and seat during the latter portion of the second phase, such that an optimum position for the leg-rest may be established when the body-supporting unit moves into the fully reclined position.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating objects andffeatures of the present invention, my reclining chair comprises a support, body-supporting 'movernent of said body-supporting means.

means including a back-rest and seat movably mounted V on said support for reclining and inclining movement suspending means mounted on said support and carrying said control member therebetween. The. suspending means cooperate with the control member to provide a four-bar linkage independent of the body supporting means for guiding the control member for displacement relative to said support and meansoperatively connect said control member with said body-supporting means for displacement of said control member in response to First coupling means operatively connect a first control point on said control member to said leg-rest. The suspending means is connected, at such spaced points on the control member and said control point is so spaced from said spaced points as to cause said first control point to initially move rapidly in response to a first phase of the movement of said body-supporting means and then to be retarded in response to a second phase of movement of said body-supporting means. Second coupling means operatively connect a second control point on said control member to a second controlled point on said bodysupporting means and serving as a control means such that said seat is inclined at-a relatively fast rate during said first motion phase and relatively slower rate during said second motion phase.

As a feature of the invention, the control pivot can be positioned on the control member and the control member can be mouuted such that the retardation in rate of movement ofthe leg-rest during the second phase of movement of the body-supporting means brings about a decrease in the angle between the leg-rest and seat during the latter portion of such second phase such that an optimum elevated leg-supporting position for the legrest is maintained as the body-supporting means moves into the fully reclined position.

Advantageously, the improved leg-rest and seat control. arrangement of the present invention finds useful application in reclining chairs of the rester type including a unitary back-rest and seat mounted on the support for continuous and uniform movement into various tilted positionsland also reclining chairs of the lounger type constructed with a movable seat and movable back-rest mounted on the support for. continuous and uniform inclining and reclining movement respectively.

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

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, with the adjacent side frame broken away and with parts sectioned, show ing a reclining chair demonstrating features of the present invention, with'the chair shown in the upright sitting position; i

' FIG. 2 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the chair in a first intermediate position with the leg-rest in an elevated leg-supporting position;

FIG. 3 is afside elevational view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the chair in a further intermediate position with the leg-rest in an elevated leg-supporting position;and

FIG. ,4 is aside elevational view similar to FIG. 3 but showingthe reclining chair in a fully reclined position, with the leg-rest in an elevated leg-supporting position;

' FIG..5 is a side elevational view,.with the adjacent side frame broken away and with parts sectioned, showpriate rate.

FiG. 7 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 6

but showing the chair in a further intermediate position, with the leg-rest in an elevated leg-supporting position; and

PEG. 8 is a side elevational view similar to PEG. 7

but showing the reclining chair in a fully reclined position, with the leg-rest in an elevated leg-supporting posi tion.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, there is shown in PXGS. l to 4 inclusive a first embodiment of a reclining chair demonstrating features of the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1! which includes a support or frame 12 having opposite side walls 14 interconnected by suitable cross braces 16 and supported on depending legs 16.

A body-supporting means, generally designated by the reference numeral 20 and including a back-rest 22 and a seat 24-, is mounted on the support for continuous and uniform movement from the upright sitting position illustrated in FIG. 1 through numerous intermediate positions (selected ones being illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3) into the reclining position illustrated in EEG. 4. In this illustrative embodiment the back-rest 22 includes 21 depending arm 22a and is mounted on the support at a back-rest pivot 26 for reclining movement, and the seat 24 is mounted for inclining movement about a seat pivot 28 onthe support 12. which is spaced above and for wardly of the back-rest pivot 26.

Disposed beneath the forward end of the seat 24 in a depending stored position is a leg-rest 3% which is mounted for movement at varying rates from the stored position illustrated in FIG. 1 to elevated leg-supporting positions illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. In this illustrative embodiment the leg-rest 38 is mounted for movement into the successive elevated leg-supporting positions by a double four-bar linkage 34 which is operatively connected to the leg-rest 36 and is mounted on the seat 24.

In the usual continuous and uniform movement chair which includes a back-rest 22, seat 24 and leg-rest 36 mounted substantially as described hereinbefore, the coordinating mechanism is such that for each increment of the continuous and uniform reclining movement of the back-rest 22, there would be a corresponding continuous and uniform inclining movement of the seat 24 at its appropriate rate and a corresponding continuous and uniform elevating movement of the leg-rest 3d at its appro- The included angle between the seat and back-rest would increase as a function of the reclining movement as a result of the different rates in their continuous movement, and the legrest would be elevated, with the leg-rest arriving at the requisite elevated legsupporting position, when the back-rest or body-supporting means reached the fully reclined position (see FIG. 4). Thus, as a practical matter, the leg-rest 39 would not be effectively positioned for the legsupporting function during the numerous intermediate positions and untii the chair occupant brought the back-rest or body-supporting means close to or into the fully reclined position. However, as will now be described, provision is made, by an improved leg-rest control arrangement 36 in accordance with the present invention, to incline the seat 24 at variable rates and to rapidly bring the leg-rest 30' into an elevated leg-supporting position extending forwardly of the seat 24 and closely approaching a horizontal attitude relative to the floor in response to a first portron or phase of the movement of the body-supporting means 29. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the backrest 22 is reclined through approximately one fifth of" its movement, yet the leg-rest 30 is swung through be.

tween

70 and 80 relative to its original stored position and yet is already close to an optimum leg-supporting position. In the position illustrated in FIG. 2, it will be appreciated that the body-supporting means 20 is only slightly tilted back appropriate for television viewing, sewing, reading and the like, yet the leg-rest 30 is elevated into a useful leg-supporting position. During such first phase or portion of the reclining movement, the seat and legrest control arrangement 36 elevates the leg-rest 30 at a substantially uniform rate of such magnitude and duration to achieve the requisite degree of elevation of the leg-rest in response to a relatively small increment of reclining movement of the back-rest 22. Concurrently during such first phase or portion of the reclining movement, the control arrangement 36 inclines the seat 24 at a substantially uniform rate of such magnitude and duration such as to maintain a substantially fixed angular relationship between the seat and back-rest and to establish the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 2.

During the first increment of the second phase or portion of the continuous reclining movement of the back rest, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 2 and 3, continued movement of the leg-rest 39 at the same substantially uniform rate of movement would bring the leg-rest 3% to a position inclined upwardly from the substantially horizontal attitude and inclined upwardly relative to the seat 24. Such position could not be tolerated for the legs of the chair occupant obviously cannot be moved into such an over-elevated position without causing such occupant discomfort. However, during the second portion of increment of the reclining movement of the back-rest 22, the rate of movement of the leg-rest 30 is retarded so that there is a relatively small elevating movement of the leg-rest 30 out of the elevated leg-supporting position shown in FIG. 2 into the further elevated leg-supporting position shown in FIG. 3 wherein the leg-rest 30 is slightly inclined near the horizontal and is in the requisite relationship to the seat 24. Effectively during the portion of back-rest or body-supporting means movement between the illustrative intermediate positions of FIGS. 2 and 3, the elevation of the leg-rest 39 is retarded or slowed down, although the leg-rest does move somewhat more into alignment with the seat 24. Concurrently during this portion of the back-rest or body-supporting means movement, the inclining of the seat is retarded or slowed down such that the included angle between the seat 22 and the backrest 24 opens up somewhat to establish a more comfortable attitude for the chair occupant.

During the final increment of the second phase or portion of continuous reclining movement of the back-rest 22, the change in the rate of elevation of the leg-rest 30 is such as to decrease the included angle between the legrest 3% and the seat 24. Efiectively, during the latter part of the second movement phase, which can be considered to be a third movement phase for the leg-rest, the leg-rest 3t lags and in a sense tends to reverse its movement relative to the seat 24 which continues to move upwardly into the final inclined attitude for the fully reclined position, as shown in FIG. 4. Concurrently during this next or final increment of the continuous reclining movement of the back-rest 22, the inclining movement of the seat 24 is such that the included angle between the seat and back-rest continues to open up to establish the fully reclined position shown in FIG. 4.

By way of summary, it will be appreciated that the legrest control arrangement 36 is effective to establish difierent rates of movement for the seat 24 and the leg-rest 30, with the illustrative chair including essentially two phases of movement. The relative small first phase of movement of the back-rest 22 rapidly brings the leg-rest 30 to an elevated leg-supporting position (compare FIGS. 1 and 2). Initially, the second phase of movement of the back-rest 22 effects a retardation of the motion of the leg-rest 30 so that the leg-rest 30 remains close to the required horizontal attitude (compare FIGS. 2 and 3). The final portion of the second phase of movement of the back-rest 22 brings about an increase in the included angle between the seat 24 and the leg-rest 30 such that the leg-rest 30 is maintained in a substantially horizontal position (compare FIGS. 3 and 4). It will be appreciated, however, that although the invention has been illustrated with two limit positions shown respectively in FIGS. 1 and 4, and two selected intermediate positions shown respectively in FIGS. 2 and 3, that there are an infinite number of intermediate positions wherein the leg-rest is optimumly positioned relative to the seat, which corresponding infinite number of positions occur, once the leg-rest is substantially elevated as shown in FIG. 2, toand including the fully reclined position shown in FIG. 4.

Specifically, the leg-rest control arrangement 36 which serves to actuate the leg-rest 30 and is controlled from the body-supporting means 20 includes a suspended control member or link 4%. The control member 40 is mounted for movement relative to the support 12 on a first suspending link 42 which has a first pivotal mount 44 on the support 12 and a first pivotal connection 46 to the control member 49, and a second suspending link 48 which has second pivotal mount St on the support 12 and a second pivotal connection 52 to the control member 40 at a point spaced fromthe pivotal connection 46. The control member 40 is mounted to be displaced relative to the support 12, or stated in somewhat different terms, the control member 40is mounted for linear and curvilinear translation relative to the support 12. Coupling means are operatively connected to the leg-rest mounting linkage 34 and to the control member 40 which takes the form of a coupling link 54 connected to the control memberdt) at a control pivot 56 spaced from the first and second

pivotal connections

46, 52. The coupling link 54 has a pivotal connection 58 to one of the mounting links 6%, 62 of the double four-bar linkage 34. The mounting

links

60, 62 of the double four-bar mounting linkage 34 have respective pivotal mounts 64, 66 on the forward end of the seat 24. A link 63 extends between the lower end of the link 64 and the legrest 39 and has a pivotal connection 70 to the link 66 and a pivotal connection 72 to the leg-rest 30. A further link 74 extends between the lower end of the link 62 and the leg-rest 30 and has a pivotal connection 76 to the link 62 and a pivotal connection 78 to the leg-rest 36 The link 62 of the

first link pair

62, 74 crosses over the link 68 of the

second link pair

60, 68 and has a co ordinating pivotal connection 8% thereto. It will be ap preciated that the leg-rest mounting linkage may take a variety of forms including a simple hanger arm pivotally mounted on the seat and operatively connected to the leg-rest 30, as well as other constructions generally known in the art.

The control pivot 56 is positioned on the control member 40 and the control member 40 is suspended by the suspending

links

42, 48 such that the control pivot 56 moves rapidly at a substantially uniform rate in response to the first phase or portion of the reclining movement of the back-rest 22 to bring about a rapid movement of the leg-rest 30 to the elevated leg-supporting position shown in FIG. 2. Further, the control pivot 56 is positioned on the control member 40 and the control member 40 is suspended such that the control pivot 56 moves in response to an initial increment of a second phase or portion of the motion of the back-rest 22 during which there is a sharp retardation of the rate of movement of control pivot 56 to slow down the elevation of the legrest 3% and establish a further elevated leg-supporting position shown in FIG. 3. Further, the control pivot 56 is positioned on the control member 40 and the control member 40 is suspended such that the reduced rate at which the control pivot 56 changes position during the latter portion of the second phase of the movement of the back-rest '22 brings about a decrease in the angle between the leg-rest 30 and the seat 24 during the latter portion of the second phase, such that the leg-rest re mains substantially in the required horizontal attitude, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 3 and 4.

The seat and leg-rest control arrangement 36 is actuated in this illustrative form of the invention by an actuating link 82 which extends between the depending arm 22a of the back-rest 22 and the rear actuating link 82 has a pivotal connection 84 at its rearward end to the depending arm ZZa'and apivotal connection 86 at its forward end to the first suspending link 42 at a point spaced below the rear pivotal mount 4%. Accordingly, in response .to the reclining movement of the back-rest 22, the depending extension 22a swings through an upward and forward arc about the pivotal mount 26 imparting a forward thrust to the actuating link 82 which turns the rear suspending link 42 in the counterclockwise direction about the rear pivotal mount 44, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 1 to 4. It will thus be appreciated that the first suspending link 42 serves as a driver link, with the second suspending link 48 serving as a follower link and with the control member 4% serving as a connecting link pivotally suspended on the driver and follower links.

The second suspending link 48 has its pivotal mount Sil on the support provided by a pin and slot interconnection such that the second suspending link 48 (serving as a follower memberlmay not only turn about the pivot t on the support 12 but may also be displaced relative to such pivot 56', Specifically, the pin Stl is approximately fixed on the adjacent side of the support l2 and is con fined'within a slot 88 formed in the second suspending link 48. Provision is made for biasing the second suspcndinglink 43 in a direction such that the pin 5% is normally at the forward end of the slot 83 and the second suspending link 43 is of its maximum length. The link 48 may be shortened in effective length incident to displacement of the link 43 in a forward direction relative to the pin 59, as maybe required during operation of the chair. The biasing arrangement includes an integral extension of the link 48 which projects forwardly of the pin Sil. :Mounted on the integral extension of link 48 is a spring 96 which is operatively connected at one end to the pin 50 and is anchored at its opposite end on a pin 92 fixed to the integral extension of link 48. The spring 9% is in tension and tends to urge the pin 92 toward the pivot St to bring the pivot against the upper end of the slot 88 serving as a bearing.

Provision is made for blocking the control member 46 in relation to the second suspending link 48 in the intermediate, tilted sitting position f FIG. 2, such as to establish a discrete chair position. As may be appreciated by v progressively inspecting FIGS. 1 and 2, the control member 4% turns in generally the clockwise direction about the pivotal connection 46 during such first movement phase;

and it is this movement which engages the blocking arrangement. In this illustrative embodiment, the second suspending link 48 is provided with a blocking member or stop 9d'which is positioned to be engaged within a locking notch 96 formed in the control member 4-dwhen the back-rest or body-supporting means moves into the intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2. In such intermediate, tilted sitting position, the control member it? and the second suspending link 4-8 efiectively become uni tary such that the seat and leg-rest control arrangement 36 comprises two links during a subsequent portion of the chair movement, namely a link provided intermediate the pivotal mount 44 and the pivotal connection as, and a furtherlink,intermediate the pivotal mount 5% and the pivotal connection at. As will be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 2 and 3, there is a tendency for the pivotal connection 46 to move forwardly in relation to the pivotal mount 5t; incident to the driving force imparted to the first suspending link 42 serving as a driving member. Accordingly there is a lost motion travel of the second suspending link 48 and the control member All in relation to the front pivotal mount 5%. Further as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 3 and 4, there is a tendency for the control member 46' to turn generally in the counterclockwise direction about the pivotal connection 46 to the first suspending link 42 at a later time in the back-rest or body-supporting means movement such that the control member moves out of blocked relation to the front suspending link 48. During such later portion of the chair movement, the second suspending link &8 turns about the pivotal mount 56 which is seated at the forward end of the slot $8.

Provision is made for inclining the seat 2% at a relatively fast rate during the second motion phase of the back-rest or body-supporting means incident to the continuous and uniform reclining movement of the back-rest from the upright position of FIG. 1 to the intermediate position of FIG. 2 such as to maintain a substantially fixed angular relationship between the seat and back-rest (see FlGS. l and 2) and for inclining the seat at a slower rate during a second motion phase such that there is a progressive increase in the angular relationship between the seat and back-rest. Specific-ally, a seat control link 98 extends between the control member 4t? and the seat and has a seat control pivot 1% to the control member 46 and a pivotal connection i192 to the seat 24. The seat control pivot 1% is positioned on the control member 4 3 such that the control pivot lib moves through a first phase at a relatively rapid rate in response to the first phase or portion of the reclining movement of the backrest 22 such that the inclining movement of the seat 24 is coordinated to the reclining movement of the back-rest 22 to maintain the desired substantially fixed angular relationship therebetween as the chair moves into the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG 2. Further, the seat control pivot tilt is positioned on the control member 455 such that the seat control pivot moves through a further phase in response to a further portion of the reclining movement such that the inclining movement of the seat 24 is slowed down as the backrest 22 continues its uniform reclining movement to establish an increased angular relationship between the seat and back-rest in successive positions, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

in order to facilitate a more thorough understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made to a typical sequence of operations:

As the occupant is seated in the chair and leans against the back-rest 22 and urges weight rearwardly thercagainst, the back-rest 22 will begin to recline at a continuous and uniform rate. Such reclining movement is effective via the actuating link 82; to initiate the operation of the seat and legrest control arrangement as, which via the connecting or propelling link 54 initially brings about a rapid movement of the leg-rest 25 to an elevated leg-supporting position, for example as shown in RIG. 2. Concurrently, the seat 2% is inclined under control of the seat control link 98 at a rate to establish the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 2. As may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 1 and 2, the leg-rest 3t) arrives at the elevated leg-supporting position in response to a relatively small reclining movement of the back-rest 2-2 and a correspondingly small inclining movement of the seat with the seat 24 and back-rest 22 being oriented relative to each other and to the support 12. to establish the first intermediate position which is appropriate for television viewing, reading, sewing and like activities wherein it is desirable for the chair occupant to be disposed in a somewhat tilted back attitude with legs elevated. in the intermediate position of F6. 2 the locking notch @6 is engaged with the pin 94 on the second suspending link 53. As the occupant continues to exert pressure on the back-rest 22, further intermediate positions are established, for example as shown in FlG.

3, with the leg-rest 30 remaining in the optimum position relative to the seat 24, and with progressively increasing included angles between the back-rest 22 and the seat 24. Continued reclining movement will ultimately bring the back-rest or body-supporting means into the fully reclined position illustrated in FIG. 4, with an appropriate stop (i.e. the rear cross-brace 16) being provided to preclude further rearward movement of the body-supporting means 21) of the chair 10. Although only two intermediate positions have been illustrated in FIGS; 2 and 3 it will be appreciated, that there are an infinite number of intermediate positions wherein the leg-rest 343 is optimumly positioned relative to the seat 24 for the leg-supporting function, with the first of these positions occurring at a relatively early point in the rearward moveent of the body-supporting means 26 of the chair 1% as illustrated in FIG. 2.

: Referring next specifically to FIGS. 5 to 8 of the drawings, there is seen a second illustrative embodiment of the invention, various parts of which are assigned reference numerals in the hundreds series corresponding to the reference numerals in the tens series assigned to parts of the first embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. Thus, generally designated by the reference numeral 110, there is shown a reclining chair of the rester type including a support or frame 112 having opposite side walls 114 interconnected by suitable cross braces 116 and supported on depending legs 118.

A rigid or unitary body-supporting unit, generally designated by the reference numeral 126 and including a back-rest 122 and a seat 124, is mounted on the support 112 of a pivotal mount 126 for movement from the upright sitting position illustrated in FIG. 5, through numerous intermediate positions (selected ones being illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7) and into the fully tilted position illustrated in FIG. 8. In this illustrative embodiment of the body-supporting unit 1213 is pivotally mounted, about a seat pivot 128, on a depending arm 1222) and the pivotal mount 126 which is on the support 112 is spaced below and forwardly of the seat pivot 123.

Disposed beneath the forward end of the seat 124 in a depending stored position is a leg-rest 131 which is mounted for movement at varying rates from the stored position illustrated in FIG. 5 to elevated leg-supporting positions illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. In this illustrative embodiment, the leg-rest 131) is mounted for movement into the successive elevated leg-supporting positions by a double four-bar linkage 134 which is operatively connected to the leg-rest 130 and is mounted on the seat 124.

In the usual continuous and uniform movement chair which includes a back-rest 122, seat 124 and leg-rest 130 mounted substantially as described hereinbefore, the coordinating mechanism is such that for each increment of the continuous and uniform reclining movement of the back-rest 122, there would be a corresponding continuous and uniform inclining movement of the leg-rest 13% at its appropriate rate. Thus, as a practical matter, the leg rest 130 would not be etfectively positioned for the legsupporting function during the numerous intermediate positions and until the chair occupant brought the chair close to or into the fully reclined position. However, as will now be described, provision is made, by an improved control arrangement 136 in accordance with the instant embodiment of the present invention, to tilt the bodysupporting unit 120 at variable rates of movement and to rapidly bring the leg-rest 130 into an elevated legsupporting position extending forwardly of the seat 124 and closely approaching a horizontal attitude relative to the floor in response to a first portion or phase of the movement of the body-supporting unit 129. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the body-supporting unit 120 is only slightly tilted, yet the leg-rest 130 is swung through between 70 and80 relative to its original stored position and yet is already close to an optimum leg-supporting 1% position. In the intermediate, tilted sitting position illustrated in FIG. 6, it will be appreciated that the bodysupporting unit is only slightly tilted back, appropriately oriented for television viewing, sewing, reading and the like, yet the leg-rest 131i is elevated into a useful leg-supporting position. During such first phase or portion of the seat movement, the control arrangement 136 elevates the leg-rest at a substantially uniform rate of such magnitude and duration to achieve the requisite degree of elevation of the leg-rest in response to a relatively small tilting 'movement of the body-supporting unit- 1213. V

During the first increment of the second phase or portion of the continuous movement of the body-supporting unit 120, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 6 and 7, continued movement of the leg-rest 131 at the same substantial uniform rate of movement would bring the leg-rest 130 to a position inclined upwardly from the substantially horizontal attitude and inclined upwardly relative to the seat 124. Such position could not be tolerated for the legs of the chair occupant obviously cannot be moved into such as over-elevated position without causing such occupant discomfort. However, during the second phase or portion of the reclining movement of the body-supporting unit 120, the rate of movement of the leg-rest 1341 is retarded so that there is a relatively small elevating movement of the legrest 130 out of the elevated leg-supporting position shown in FIG. 6 into the further elevated leg-supporting position shown in FIG. 7. Efiectively during the portion of the reclining .movement between the illustrative intermediate positions of FIGS. 6 and 7, the elevation of the leg-rest 131i is retarded or slowed down, although the leg rest does move somewhat more into alignment with the seat 124.

During the final increment of the second phase or portion of continuous movement of the body-supporting unit 120, the change in rate of elevation of the leg-rest 130 is such as to decrease the included angle between the leg-rest 131} and the seat 124. Effectively, during the latter part of the second movement phase, which can be considered to be a third movement phase for the leg-rest 130, the leg-rest 130 lags and in a sense tends to reverse its movement relative to the seat 124 which continues to move upwardlyinto the final inclined attitude for the fully tilted position of the chair, as shown in FIG. 8.

Specifically, the control arrangement 136 which serves to elevate the leg-rest'llii and is controlled from the rear part of the body-supporting unit 12a includes a suspended control member or link 140. The control member 140 is mounted for movement relative to the support 112 on a first suspending link 142 which has a first'pivotal mount 144 on the support 112 and a first pivotal connection 146 to the control member 140, and a second suspending link 148 which has a second pivotal mount 150 on the support .112 and a second pivotal connection 152 to the control member 149 at a point spaced from the pivotal connection 146. The control member 140 is mounted to be displaced relative to the support 112, or stated in somewhat diiferent terms, the control member 140 is mounted for linear and curvilinear translation relative to the support 112. Coupling means are operatively connected to the leg-rest mounting linkage 134 and to the control mem her 140 which takes the form of a coupling link 154 connected to the control member 140 at a control pivot 156 spaced from the first and second

pivotal connections

146, 152. The coupling link 154 has a pivotal connection 158 to one of the mounting links 161), 162 of the double four-bar linkage 134. The mounting

links

160, 162 of the double four-bar mounting linkage 134 have respective

pivotal mounts

164, 166 on the forward end of the seat 124. A link 168 extends between the lower end of the link 16! and the leg-rest 130 and has a pivotal connection 170 to the link and a pivotal connection 172 to the leg-rest'13tt. A further link 174 extends between ll the lower end of the link 162 and the leg-rest 13d and has a pivotal connection 175 to the link 162 and a pivotal connection 178 to the leg-rest 13b. The link 68 of the first link pair 169, 168 crosses over the link ldfi of the

second link pair

162, 174 and has a coordinating pivotal connection 1% thereto. It will be appreciated that the leg-rest mounting linkage 134 may take a variety of forms, including a simple hanger arm pivotally mounted on the seat and operatively connected to the leg-rest 130,

as well as other constructions generally known in the art.

The control pivot tea is positioned on the control member 146 and the control member l lll is suspended by the suspending

links

142, 148 such that the control pivot 156 moves rapidly at a substantially uniform rate in response to the first phase or portion of the reclining movement of the body-supporting unit 120 to bring about a rapid movement of the leg-rest 13% to the elevated le supporting position shown in FIG. 6. Further, the control pivot 156 is positioned on the control member ltdtl and the control member 140 is suspended such that the control pivot 156 moves in response to an initial increment of a second phase or portion of the motion of the back-rest 24 during which there is a sharp retardation of the rate of movement of the control pivot 156 to slow down the elevation of the leg-rest 130 andestablish a further elevated leg-supporting position shown in F16. 6. Further, the control pivot 15s is positioned on the control member 149 and the control member 14% is suspended such that the reduced rate at which the control pivot 156 changes position during the later portion of the second phase of the movement of the body supporting unit 12% brings about a decrease in the angle between the leg-rest 136 and the seat 124 during the later portion of the secand phase of the movement of body-supporting unit 1%,

such that the leg-rest 13th remains substantially in the required horizontal attitude, as may be appreciated by pro gressively inspecting FIGS/7 and 8.

The leg-rest control arrangement 136 is actuated in this illustrative form of the invention by an actuating link 182, which extends between a double'depe'nding arm serving as a rear guiding and actuating lever 122a and the actuating link 182 and has a pivotal connection ltld at its rearward end to the depending lever 122a and a pivotal connection 186 at its forward end to the rear suspending link 142 at apoint spaced below the rear pivotal mount I 144. The lever 122a is pivotally mounted on the support 112 at a pivotal mount 126 and its upwardly directed portion 122b, servesas a rear guiding link, pivotally connected to the body-supporting unit 1243 at a rear pivotal connection 128. Accordingly, in response to the reclining movement of the body-supporting unit 120, the lever arm 122a swings through an upward and forward are about the 'pivotal mount 126 imparting a forward thrust to the actuating link 182 which turns the first suspending link 142 in the counterclockwise direction about the rear pivotal'mount 144, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. to 8. It will thus be appreciated that the rear suspending link 142 serves as a driver link, with the second suspending link 14 8 serving as a 01- lower link and withj the control member 14 serving as a connecting link pivotally suspended on the driver and follower links.

The second suspending link 148 has its pivotal mount on the support provided by a pin and slot interconnection such that the second suspending link 148 (serving as a follower memberlmay not only turn about the pivot 151 on the support 112 but may also be displaced relative to such pivot 150. Specifically, the pin 15% is appropriately fixed on the adjacent side of the support 112 and is confined within a slot 13% formed in the second suspending link Mil. Provision is made for biasing the second suspending link 14% in a direction such that the pin 15% is normally at the forward end of the slot 188 and the second suspending link 148 is of its maximum length. The link 148 may be shortened in effective length incident to displacement of the link 14% in a forward direction relative to the pin 15%), as may be required during operation of the chair. The biasing arrangement includes an integral extension of the link 148 which proiects forwardly of the pin 15%. Mounted on the integral extension of link M8 is a spring li tl which is operatively connected at one end to the pin 15% and is anchored at its opposite end on a pin res fixed to the link extension. The spring res is in tension and tends to urge the pin i923 toward the pivot 15% to bring the pivot against the up er end of the slot res serving as a bearing.

Provision is made for blocking the control member 14% in relation to the second suspending link 14% in the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 6, such as to establish a discrete chair position. As may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 5 and 6, the control member i l-ll turns in generally the clockwise direction about the pivotal connection 146 during such first movement phase; and it is this movement which engages the blocking arrangement. In this illustrative embodiment, the second suspending link tee is provided with a blocking member or stop E4 which is positioned to be engaged within a locking notch 1% formed on the control member 1% when the chair moves into the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 6. in such intermediate, tilted sitting position, the control member Mil and the second suspending link led effectively become unitary such that the control arrangement 136 comprises two links during a subsequent portion of the chair movement, namely a link provided intermediate the pivotal mount rsa and the pivotal connection M6, and a further link intermediate the pivotal mount 15b and the pivotal connection 14-6. As will be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 6 and 7, there is a tendency for pivotal connection 146 to move forwardly in relation to the pivotal mount 15% incident to the driving force imparted to the first suspending link 142 serving as a driving member. Accordingly, there is a lost motion travel of the second suspending link 148 and the control member 149 in relation to the front pivotal mount 150. Further as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 7 and 8, there is a tendency for the control member ldll to turn generally in the counterclockwise direction about the pivotal connection 146 to the first suspending link 142 at a later time in the chair movement such that the control member moves out of blocked relation to the second suspending link 148. During such later portion of the movement, the second suspending link 14% turns about the pivotal mount lSt'l which is seated at the forward end of the slot 183.

The mounting arrangement for the body-supporting unit 129 is completed by the provision of a front guiding link 1%8 which is disposed in a forwardly and upwardly inclined attitude when the seat is in the upri ht sitting position of FIG. 5. The front guiding link 1% has a front pivotal mount Ell-ll at its lower end on the control member Mil and a front pivotal connection 232 on the seat 124 at a point spaced forwardly of the rear pivotal connection E28. It will be appreciated that the front guiding link 1% cooperates with the arm 1215b of the lever 122a, serving as a rear guiding link to movably mount the body-supporting unit on the support 112 for movement relative to the support during the several movement phases.

As the occupant is seated in the chair and leans against the body-supporting unit 126 and urges weight rearwardly against the back-rest 22, the body-supporting unit 126 will tilt at a continuous and uniform rate. Such reclining movement is effective via the actuating lever 122a and link to initiate the operation of the leg-rest control arrangement 136, which via the connecting or pro- 13 peiling link 154 initially brings about a rapid movement of the leg-rest 13-0 to an elevated leg-supporting position, for example as shown in FIG. 6. Concurrently, the body-supporting unit 120 is inclined under the control of the seat control link 1%. As may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGS. 5 and 6, the leg-rest 130 arrives at the elevated leg-supporting position in response to a relatively small tilting movement of the body-supporting unit 120, with the latter being oriented relative to the support 112 to establish the first intermediate position which is appropriate for television viewing, reading, sewing and like activities, wherein it is desirable for the chair occupant to be disposed in a somewhat tilted back attitude with legs elevated. In the intermediate position of FIG. 6 the locking notch 196 is engaged with the pin M4 on the second suspending link 148. Asthe occupant continues to exert pressure on the back-rest 122, further intermediate, tilted positions are established, for example as shown in FIG. 7, with the leg-rest 13!) remaining in the optimum position relative to the seat 124, Continued reclining movement will ultimately bring about the fully reclined position illustrated in FIG; 8, with an appropriate stop (its. the rear cross-brace 116) being provided to preclude further rearward movement of the body-supporting unit 120 of the chair 110. Although only two intermediate positions have been illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 it will be appreciated, that there are an infinite number of intermediate positions wherein the leg-rest 130 is optimumly positioned relative to the seal 124 for the legsupporting function, with the first of these positions occurring at a relatively early point in the rearward tilting moving of the body-supporting unit 120 of the chair 110 as illustrated in FIG. 6.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the invention will be employedwithout a corresponding use or" 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 I claim is:

1. An improved leg-rest and seat control arrangement for a reclining chair of the ,type including a support, body-supporting means including a back-rest and seat movably mounted on said support for reclining and inclining movement respectively, a leg-rest, means operatively connected to and mounting said leg-rest for movement into various elevated leg-supporting positions, said arrangement comprising leg-rest actuating means operatively coupling said leg-rest with said body-supporting means, said actuating means including a suspended control member, first and second suspending means mounted on said support and carrying said control member therebetween, said suspending means cooperating with said con trol member to provide a four-bar suspending linkage independent of said body-supporting means for guiding said control member for displacement relative to said support, means operatively connecting said control memher with said body-supporting means for displacement of said control member in response to movement of said body-supporting means, first coupling means operatively connecting a first control point on said control member to a first controlled point on said leg-rest, said suspending means being connected at such spaced points on the control member and said first control point being sospaced from said spaced points as to cause said first controlled point on said leg-rest to initially move rapidly in response to a first phase of the movement of said bodysupporting means, and then to be retarded in response to a second phase of movement of said body-supporting means, and second coupling means operatively connecting a second control point on said control member to a second controlled point on said body-supporting means, and serving as a control means such that said body-supporting means is inclined at a relatively fast rate of movement during said first motion phase and at a relatively slower rate of movement during said second motion phase.

2, An improved leg-rest and seat control arrangement for a reclining chair of the type including a support, body-supporting means including a back-rest and seat movably mounted on said support for reclining and inclining movement respectively, a leg-rest, means operatively connected to and mounting said leg-rest for movement into various elevated leg-supporting positions, said arrangement comprising leg-rest actuating means operatively coupling said leg-rest with said body-supporting means, said actuating means including a freely suspended control member, first and second suspending links mounted on said support and carrying said control member therebetween, said suspending links cooperating with said control member to provide a four-bar suspending linkage independent of said body-supporting means for guiding said control member for displacement relative to said support, means operatively connecting said control member with said body-supporting means for displacement of said control member in response to movement of said body-supporting means, first coupling means operatively connecting a first control point on said control member to a first controlled point on said leg-rest, said suspending link being connected at such spaced points on the ing a second control point on said control member to a second controlled point on said seat and serving as a seat control means such that said seat is inclined at a relatively fast rate of movement during said first motion phase and at a relatively slower rate of movement during said second motion phase, whereby said seat is maintained in a substantially fixed angular relationship to the backrest during said first motion phase and is disposed at progressively increased angular relationships to said backrest during said second motion phase.

3. A reclining chair according to claim 2 including means pivotally mounting said first suspending link on said support.

4. A reclining chair according to claim 3 including means pivotally and movably mounting said second suspending link on said support.

5. An improved leg-rest and seat control arrangement for a reclining chair of the type including a support, body-supporting means including a back-rest and seat movably mounted on said support for reclining and inclining movement respectively, a leg-rest, means operatively connected to and mounting said leg-rest for movement into various elevated leg-supporting positions, said arrangement comprising leg-rest actuating means operatively coupling said leg-rest with said body-supporting means, said actuating means including a freely suspended control member, first and second suspending means mounted on said support and carrying said control member therebetween, said suspending means cooperating with said control member to provide a four-bar suspending linkage independent of said body-supporting means for guiding said control member for displacement relative to said support, means operatively connecting said control member with said body-supporting means for displace- -ment of said control member in response to movement of said body-supporting means, first coupling means operatively connecting a first control pivot on said control member to a first controlled point on said leg-rest, said suspending means being connected at such spaced points on the control member and said control pivot being so spaced from said spaced points as to cause said first controlled point on said leg-rest to initially move through a first motion phase during which there is a substantially uniform velocity of said first control pivot of a duration to bring about a rapid movement of said leg-rest to an elevated leg-supporting position and then through a second motion phase during which there is a rapid change in the velocity of said first control pivot. to slow down the elevation of said leg-rest, and second coupling means operatively connecting a second control pivot on said control member to a second controlled point on said seat and serving as a seatcontrol means such that said seat is inclined ata relatively fast rate during said first motion phase and at a slower rate during said second motion phase whereby said seat is maintained in a substantially fixed angular relationship to the back-rest during said first motion phase and is moved into progressively increased angular relationship to said back-rest during said second motion phase.

6. An improved leg-rest and seat control arrangement for a reclining chair of the type including a support, bodysupporting means including a back-rest seat movably mounted on said support for reclining and inclining movement respectively, a leg-rest, means operatively connected to and mounting said leg-rest for movement into various elevated leg-supporting positions, said arrangement comprising leg-rest actuating means operatively coupling said leg-rest with said body-supporting means, said actuating means'including a freely suspended control member, first and second suspending means mounted on said support and carrying said control member therebetween, said suspending means cooperating With said control member to provide a our-bar suspending linkage independent or" said body-supporting means for guiding said control member for displacement relative to said support, means operatively connecting said control member with said bodysupporting means for displacement of said control memher in response to movement of said body-supporting means, first coupling means operatively connecting a first control pivot on said control member to a first controlled point on said'leg-rest, said suspending means being connected at such spaced points on the control member and said control pivot being so spaced from said spaced points as to cause said first controlled point to initially move through a first motion phase during which there is a substantially uniform velocity of said first control pivot of a duration to bring about a rapid movement of said leg-rest to an elevated leg-supporting position and then through a second motion phase during which there is a rapid change in the velocity of said first control pivot to slow down the elevation of said leg-rest, and second coupling means operatively connecting a second control pivot on said control member to a second controlled point on said seat and serving as a seat control means such that said seat'is inclined at a relatively fast rate during said first motion phase and at a slower rate during said second motion phase whereby said seat is maintained in a substantially fixed angular: relationship tothe back-rest during said first motion phase and is moved into progressively increased angular relationship to said back-rest during said second motion phase, said first control pivot being positionedon said control member and said control member being-mounted such that said rapid chan e in velocity during said second motion phase brings a decrease in the angular relationship between said leg-rest and seat during the latter part of said second motion phase.

' 7. An improved leg-rest and seat control arrangement for'a reclining chair of the type including a support, a body-supporting unit including a unitary back-rest and seat, a leg-rest, means operatively connected to and mounting said leg-rest for movement into various elevated legsupporting positions, said arrangement comprising leg-rest actuating means operatively connecting said leg-rest and means guiding said control member for displacement relative to said support, coupling means operatively connecting a control pivot on said control member to said leg rest, said suspending means being connected at such spaced points on the control member and said control pivot being so spaced from said spaced points as to cause said control pivot to initially move rapidly at a substantially uniform rate in response to a first phase of the movement of said body-supporting unit to bring about a rapid movement of said leg-rest to an elevated leg-supporting position and then to move at a second and less rapid rate in response to a second phase of movement of said body-supporting unit during which there is a sharp retardation of the rate of movement of the control pivot to slow down the elevation of said leg-rest, guiding means mounted on said support and on said leg-rest actuating means respectively for mounting said bodyeupporting unit for tilting movement, said guiding means including a rear guiding link pivotally mounted on said support at a rear pivotal mount and pivotally connected to said bodysupporting unit at a rear pivotal connection and a front guiding link pivotally mounted on said control member at a front pivotal mount and pivotally connected to said body-supporting unit at a front pivotal connection, said rear and front guiding links turning about said rear and front pivotal mounts respectively during said first phase of movement to move said body-supporting unit into an intermediate, tilted sitting position and during said second movement phase to move said bod y-supporting unit into a iully tilted position, and coupling means operatively connecting said rear guiding link to said leg-rest actuating means for moving the same in response to tilting movement of said body-supporting unit.

8. An improved leg-rest and seat control arrangement for a reclining chair according to claim 7 including a double-arm lever pivotally mounted on said support and having one arm thereof serving as said rear guiding link and the other arm thereof serving as part of said coupling means which operatively connects said rear guiding link to said legrest actuating means.

9. An improved leg-rest and seat control arrangement for a reclining chair of the type including a support, a body-supporting unit including a unitary back-rest and seat, a leg-rest, means operatively connected to and mounting said leg-rest for movement into various elevated legsupporting positions, said arrangement comprising legrest actuating means operatively connected to said leg-rest and including a freely suspended control member, first and second suspending means mounted on said support and carrying said control member thereon, said suspending means guiding said control member for displacement relative to said support, coupling means operatively connecting a control pivot on said control member to said legrest, said suspending means being connected at such spaced points on the control member and said control pivot being so spaced from said spaced points as to cause said control pivot to initially move rapidly at a substantially uniform rate in response to a first phase of the movement of said body-supporting unit to bring about a rapid movement of said leg-rest to an elevated leg-supporting position and then to move at a second and less rapid rate in response to a second phase of movement of said bodysupporting unit during which there is a sharp retardation of the rate of movement of the control pivot to slow down the elevation of said leg-rest, guiding means mounted on said support and on said leg-rest actuating means respectively for mounting said body-supporting unit for tilting movement, said guiding means including a rear guiding link pivotally mounted on said support at a rear pivotal mount and pivotally connected to said body-supporting unit at a rear pivotal connection and a front guiding lini; pivotally mounted on said control member at a front pivotal mount and pivotally connected to said body-supporting unit at a front pivotal connection, said rear and front guiding links turning about said rear and front pivotal mounts respectively during said first phase of movei7 ment to move said body-supporting unit into an intermediate,-tilted sitting position and during said second phase of movement to move said body-supporting unit into a fully tilted position, coupling means operatively connecting said rear guiding link to said leg-rest actuating means for moving the same in response to tilting movement of said body-supporting unit, and means engaging said control member at the end of said first phase of movement and providing a fulcrum for said control member during a first portion of said second phase of movement, said control member translating relative to said fulcrum during a further portion of said second phase of movemeat.

10. An improved leg-rest and seat control arrangement for a reclining chair of the type including a body-supporting unit including a unitary back-rest and seat, a leg-rest, means operatively connected to and mounting said leg-rest for movement into various elevated legsupporting positions, said arrangement comprising leg-rest actuating means operatively connected to said leg-rest and including a freely suspended control member, first and second suspending means mounted on said support and carrying said control member thereon, said suspending means guiding said control member for displacement relative to said support, coupling means operativcly connecting a control pivot on said control member to said legrest, said suspending means being connected at such spaced points on the control member and said control pivot being so spaced from said spaced points as to cause said control pivot to initially move rapidly at a substantially uniform rate in response to a first phase of the movement of said body-supporting unit to bring about a rapid movement of said leg-rest to an elevated leg-supporting position and then to move at a second and less rapid rate in response to a second phase of movement of said bodysupporting unit during which there is a sharp retarda- 18 tion of the rate of movement of the control pivot to slow down the elevation of said leg-rest, guiding means mounted on said support and on said leg-rest actuating means respectively for mounting said body-supporting unit for tilting movement, said guiding means including a rear guiding link pivotally mounted on said support at a rear pivotal mount and pivotally connected to said bodysupporting unit at a rear pivotal connection and a front guiding link pivotally mounted on said control member at a front pivotal mount and pivotally connected to said body-supporting unit at a front pivotal mount and pivotally connected to said body-supporting unit at a front pivotal connection, said rear and front guiding links turning about said rear and front pivotal mounts respectively during said first phase of movement to move said bodysupporting unit into an intermediate, tilted sitting position and during said second phase of movement to move said body-supporting unit into a fully tilted position, coupling means including an integral extension of said rear guiding link operatively connecting said body-supporting unit to said leg-rest actuating means for moving the same in response to tilting movement of said body-supporting unit, and means engaging said control member at the end of said first phase of movement and providing a fulcrum for said control member during a first portion of said second phase of movement, said control member translating relative to said fulcrum during a further portion of said second phase of movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent Lorenz Dec. 22,

Claims

1. AN IMPROVED LEG-REST AND SEAT CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR A RECLINING CHAIR OF THE TYPE INCLUDING A SUPPORT, BODY-SUPPORTING MEANS INCLUDING A BACK-REST AND SEAT MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT FOR RECLINING AND INCLINING MOVEMENT RESPECTIVELY, A LEG-REST, MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO AND MOUNTING SAID LET-REST FOR MOVEMENT INTO VARIOUS ELEVATED LEG-SUPPORTING POSITIONS, SAID ARRANGEMENT COMPRISING LEG-REST WITH SAID ACTUATING MEANS OPERATIVELY COUPLING SAID LEG-REST WITH SAID BODY-SUPPORTING MEANS, SAID ACTUATING MEANS INCLUDING A SUSPENDED CONTROL MEMBER, FIRST AND SECOND SUSPENDING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT AND CARRYING SAID CONTROL MEMBER THEREBETWEEN, SAID SUSPENDING MEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID CONTROL MEMBER TO PROVIDE A FOUR-BAR SUSPENDING LINKAGE INDEPENDENT OF SAID BODY-SUPPORTING MEANS FOR GUIDING SAID CONTROL MEMBER FOR DISPLACEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID SUPPORT, MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID CONTROL MEMBER WITH SAID BODY-SUPPORTING MEANS FOR DISPLACEMENT OF SAID CONTROL MEMBER IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID BODY-SUPPORTING MEANS, FIRST COUPLING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING A FRIST CONTROL POINT ON AID CONTROL MEMBER TO A FIRST CONTROLLED POINT ON SAID LEG-REST, SAID SUSPENDING MEANS BEING CONNECTED AT SUCH SPACED POINTS ON THE CONTROL MEMBER AND SAID FIRST CONTROL POINT BEING SO SPACED FROM SAID SPACED POINTS AS TO CAUSE SAID FIRST CONTROLLED POINT ON SAID LEG-REST TO INITIALLY MOVE RAPIDLY IN RESPONSE TO A FIRST PHASE OF THE MOVEMENT OF SAID BODYSUPPORTING MEANS, AND THEN TO BE RETARDED IN RESPONSE TO A SECOND PHASE OF MOVEMENT OF SAID BODY-SUPPORTING MEANS, AND SECOND COUPLING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING A SECOND CONTROL POINT ON SAID CONTROL MEMBER TO A SECOND CONTROLLED POINT ON SAID BODY-SUPPORTING MEANS, AND SERVING AS A CONTROL MEANS SUCH THAT SAID BODY-SUPPORTING MEANS IS INCLINED AT A RELATIVELY FAST RATE MOVEMENT DURING SAID FIRST MOTION PHASE AND AT A RELATIVELY SLOWER RATE OF MOVEMENT DURING SAID SECOND MOTION PHASE.