US3233938A

US3233938A - Reclining chair of the multiple movement lounger type

Info

Publication number: US3233938A
Application number: US324798A
Authority: US
Inventors: Peter S Fletcher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-11-19
Filing date: 1963-11-19
Publication date: 1966-02-08
Anticipated expiration: 1983-02-08
Also published as: DE1529513A1; GB1078591A

Description

Feb. 8, 1966 P. s. FLETCHER RECLINING CHAIR OF THE MULTIPLE MOVEMENT LOUNGER TYPE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 19, 1963 FIG. I.

I. M y

m m/W NC E T Wu 3 r 3 m 5 M m n Y M B 2 m F Feb. 8, 1966 P. s. FLETCHE-R REGLINING CHAIR OF THE MULTIPLE MOVEMENT LOUNGER TYPE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov.

INVENTOR.

BY q w'raluasm United States Patent 3,233,938 RECLINING CHAIR OF THE MULTIPLE MOVEMENT LOUNGER TYPE Peter S. Fletcher, Delray Beach, Fla., assignor to Anton Lorenz, Boynton Beach, Fla. Filed Nov. 19, 1963, Ser. No. 324,798 9 Claims. (Cl. 297-84) The present invention relates generally to reclining chairs, and in particular to a reclining chair of the multiple movement lounger type.

A multiple movement lounger type of reclining chair comprises a support and body-supporting means including a beak-rest and seat mounted on the support for movement from an upright sitting position through a first movement phase to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and for movement through a second phase from the intermediate, tilted sitting position to a fully reclined position. Such a reclining chair usually incorporates a leg-rest which is movable from a stored position beneath the forward end of the seat when the body-supporting means is in the upright sitting position to an extended and elevated legsupporting means is moved through the first movement phase to an intermediate, tilted sitting position, the legrest remaining in the extended and elevated leg-supporting position throughout the second movement phase and as the body-supporting means moves into the fully reclined position. In such a chair, the angle between the seat and back-rest usually remains relatively fixed during the first movement phase to maintain the chair occupant in a sitting attitude, both in the upright position and in the intermediate position, with provision being made for opening up the included angle between the seat and back-rest as the chair moves into the fully reclined position.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a reclining chair of the aforesaid general type.

As is generally understood, most reclining chairs incorporate so-called chair hardware in the form of two identical mechanisms or linkages disposed one at each side of the chair, which hardware mounts the back-rest, seat and leg-rest on the support for movement relative to each other to establish the several positions with optimum balance and smooth operation. Not only must the chair hardware or linkage take into account the aforesaid functional requirements but it must also be adaptable to a particular environment. One of the most difficult problems is to realize the functional requirements in high leg and open frame construction which is characteristic of Scandinavian and light scale modern design where there is a practical maximum chair depth and corresponding length of the chair linkage which can be tolerated to realize proportions which meet esthetic requirements.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a reclining chair of the multiple movement lounger type which realizes one or more of the aforesaid requirements. Specifically, it is within the contemplation of the present invention to provide a reclining chair mechanism which is particularly suited for achieving the well coordinated movement and the optimum positions of comfort which are characteristic of a good multple movement lounger type of chair which is compatible with the esthetic requirements imposed by light scale styling.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating objects and features of the present invention, there is provided a reclining chair of the multiple movement lounger type which comprises a support and body-supporting means including a back-rest and seat, with the latter being pivotally mounted on the back-rest at a seat pivot. A carrier member is mounted on the support for turning movement about a carrier pivot. A front seat guiding link is pivotally mounted on the carrier member at a front ICC pivotal mount and'pivotally connected to the seat at a front pivotal connection and a rear back-rest guiding link is pivotally mounted on the support at a rear pivotal mount and pivotally connected to the back-rest at a rear pivotal connection. A holding link is pivotally connected to the back-rest at a holding pivotal connection spaced forwardly of the rear pivotal connection and forwardly of the seat pivot, with the portion of the backrest between the rear pivotal connection and the holding pivotal connection defining a back-rest link. A second movement control linkage is operatively connected to the support and preferably includes a second movement lever pivotally mounted on the support at a lever pivot and having -a pivotal connection to the holding link and a second movement connecting link pivotally connected to the second movement lever and to the carrier member. Provision is made for maintaining the carrier member stationary during a first movement phase wherein the bodysupporting means moves from an upright sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position. During such first movement phase, the front seat guiding link and the rear back-rest guiding link turn about their respective pivotal mounts to guide the body-supporting means into the intermediate, tilted sitting position, with the holding link effectively maintaining a prescribed angular relationship between the seat and back-rest during such first movement phase. Provision is made for blocking further turning movement of the rear back-rest guiding link about the rear pivotal mount at the end of the first movement phase and when the body-supporting means is in the intermediate, tilted sitting position such that the rear pivotal connection will serve as a stationary pivotal mount for the back-rest during a second movement phase wherein the body-supporting means moves from the intermediate, tilted sitting position to a fully reclined position. The turning movement of the carrier member about the carrier pivot and the turning movement of the back-rest about the rear pivotal connection are coordinated by the second movement control linkage to open up the in cluded angle between the seat and back-rest during the second movement phase. A leg-rest is suspended from the seat for movement from a stored position when the bodysupporting means is in the upright sitting position to an extended and elevated leg-supporting position when the body-supporting means is in the intermediate, tilted sitting position. As will be detailed hereinafter, the aforesaid construction is particularly suited to meet both the functional and esthetic requirements of a high leg, light scale multiple movement lounger type of chair.

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of a presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative embodiment, demonstrating features of the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away and sectioned, showing a reclining chair of the multiple movement lounger type in an upright sitting position, and particularly showing the chair linkage or hardware at the near side of the chair as viewed from the outer face thereof;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but with the chair hardware or linkage at the near side of the chair removed to show the inner face of the chair hardware at the far side of the chair which is a mirror image of the chair hardware at the near side of the chair;

FIG. 3 is a schematic showing of the chair in the upright sitting position, with the chair linkage shown in the form of a stick diagram to facilitate an understanding of the invention;

being illustrated from its inner face.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 1, but

showing the chair in the intermediate, tilted sitting position and with the leg-rest in the extended and elevated leg-supporting position; and

FIG. v5 isa side elevational view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the chair in the fully reclined position, with the included angle between, the. seat and back-rest having been opened up and with the leg-rest still in the extended and elevated le -supporting position. I

Turning now specifically to the drawings, there is shown a reclining chairof the multiple movement lounger type demonstrating features of thepresent invention, which is generally designated by the reference numeral 10, and incdudes a support or frame 12 having" its

opposite sides

14, 16 interconnected by suitable cross braces 18 and supported ondepending legs 20; As is generally'un derstood, substantially identical chair linkages which are mirror images of each other are mounted on the chair frame or support 12 inwardly of the opposite sides.14, -16, with the linkage 22 at the near side being illustrated from its outer side and withthe'linkage 22' at the far side 16 22, 22" are of. identical construction and are shown as an aid in understanding this exceptionally compact linkage mechanism, identical reference numerals will be applied to the elements of the linkages 22, 22' and the descrip: tion will proceedin termsof only one ofthe two linkages, it being understood that the other linkage is identical thereto.

Body-supporting means 24. including a back-rest 26.and a seat 28 having a loose cushion 28a are movably mounted on the support 12 for reclining and inclining movement respectively through a first movement phase from an upright sitting position illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 to an intermediate,tilted sitting position illustrated in FIG. 4 and for a second movement phase from the intermediate, tilted sitting position illustrated in FIG. 4 through a series of L reclining positions to the fully reclined position illustratedvin FIG. 5. Disposedbeneath the forward end; of the seat 28 is a two-part leg-rest 30 which includes a main section 32 serving as a filler board across the forward end of the chair and an extension section 34, with the arrangement being such that the main section 32 and the extension section 34 rapidly move into alignment 1 with each other by mechanisms to be described. Nor- Since the linkages mally, themain section 32 and the extension section 34 are in-a stored position as illustratedin FIG. 1, withthe extension section 34 extending substantially at right angles.

(othe main section 32an'd projecting beneath the seat 28. Duringthe first movement phase, and as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGSxl and '4,

the leg-rest 30,:moves fromzthe stored positionto an extended and elevated leg-supporting position forwardly of the seat, with the leg-rest extension section '34 coming into alignment withthe main'section 32. As the chair moves from the intermediate, tilted sitting position illustrated in FIG. 4 through the series of reclining positions to the fully reclined position illustrated in FIG. 5,-'the-..

leg-rest30 remains in the extended leg-supporting posi- I .60 the seat, as'rnay be'appreciated by progressively inspect-' brackets may be considered to be parts of the support 12,

the back-rest 26 and the seat 28 respectively. A carrier member 44 extends lengthwise of the linkage 22beneath the seat bracket 42 and is pivotally mounted at its rearward end on the support at a carrier pivot 46 for turning movement throughan upward arc in the clockwise direc:

tion during the'second movement phase, as may be .ap-. preciatedby progressively inspecting FIGS. 4 and 5; A

stud or stop 4S2 normally supportsthe carrier link 44 in 1 an inactive position asshowninFIGS. 1 and 2. A front seat guidinglink 48-is pivotally mounted atthe forward end. of the carrier member 44 at a front pivotal mount 50 and pivotally'connected to the. seat 28,.via. the seat-bracket 42-iat a front pivotal connection 52. A rear back-rest guiding link 54Lislpivotally mounted on the support 12 at a rear. pivotal mount 26 and pivotally connected to the back-rest 56 via the-"back-rest bracket 4( at a rear pivotal connection.58.f.. The rearpivotalconnection 58 is spaced 1 rearwardly of the'pivotal 11101111160; between the seat 28 and the back-rest' 26, which pivotal mount is'provided atv the upturned rearward end: of the seat bracket 42. A- holding link 62;, which. is'of generally. L-shaped configuration,

is pivotally connected tofthe back-restu26 at a holding pivotal'conne'ction mat the forward end of the back-rest bracket 40 forward of the pivotal mount 60.

The portion of the back-rest bracket 40 1 and, there-' fore, froma kinematic pointzof vieWytheback-rest 26,.

between the rear pivotal 'connectionlSS and the holding pivotal connection 64. defines 'a relatively long back-rest. link which is preferably of a length of the order of six.

inches. It .will be understoodthat the hack-rest link 58- 64 is, kinematically, part of the back-rest 26.. Practical eXperience-in the design of multiple movementlinkages indicates that the back-rest link as measured between its operative :connectionsto the rear back-rest guiding link:

54 and the holding link 62 should be relativelylong to assure optimum functioning; of the'chair; For example,-

if the effective length of'the aback-rest link is made relatively small,j the 'play encountered in 'thBiPiVOtS of the.

holding linkandback-rest guiding link in a typical chair would cause undue ilooseness and wobbling of. the backrest 26 at its upperend. Even with play in the riveted joints of ten thousandths of aninchQwhich is thenormal clearance to be expected inthe commercial manufacture of. reclining chair hardware, there would be'a wobble at .the upperend of the back-rest of over one-half an inch,

taking into account the maguific'ationwfactor of 15 which;

would resnlt'from the employment of a two inch back? rest'link with a back-rest having a height'ofthirty inches. Theabove illustrative example does; not take in account the effect the higher stress on the joints and .the resultant strain and rivet wear,.'both of which would contribute to further l'ooseness. However, the provision of a relatively long back-rest link in the order of six inches in length .is oftendifiicult to achieve .and. in particular presents a problem with a chair of high leg, light scale modern styling since forsnch a chair. there is a practical maximum .chair depth anda corresponding maximum length of the. operat-,.

ing linkage .which can :be tolerated to obtain good pro-. portions. With thepresent linkage, it is possible to locate and design the back-rest guiding meansrsuch that the same will be hidden; from view, both in, the normal sitting posit'ion of the chairshown in .FIG.. 1 and in theintermediate, tilted sitting position shown in FIG. 4, and to provide for *an'optimurn' length for the back-rest mountingdink as determined between the back-restpivotal connection 58 and thesholding pivotal connection 64.

A second movement control. linkage is operatively con-:

nected to the support-12,10 the holding link .62 and to.

the carrier member 44 and includes-a second movement lever 66 which isi'pivotally mounted on thesupport 12 at a lever pivot 681v adjacentthe: upper end thereof and has a pivOtalconnection-TO' to the holding link 62. The sec- 0nd movement-control linkage. is completed by a second movement connecting linkf72'which has a pivotal conneet-ion 74.at'itsupp'er end to the; carriermember 44 and a pivotal; connection'sflG at 'itslowerrendto the second,

'movement lever at a; point spaced from the lever pivot 68;

Provision isjmade forblocking the carrier member 44 against turning movementabout. the Qarrierppivot 4.6at

the start of the first movement phase wherein the bodysupporting means 24 is in the upright sitting position. Specifically, such blocking means includes a pin and hook sequencing means embodying a pin 78 fixed to the support and engaged within a notch provided on a hook member 80 which is pivoted on the carrier member 44 at a hook pivot 82. A spring 84 is operatively connected to the hook member 80 to normally bias the hooked end thereof into engagement with the pin 78 as seen best in FIGS. 1 and 2. Towards the end of the first movement phase, and as the body-supporting means 24 moves into the intermediate, tilted sitting position shown in FIG. 4, the hook member 80 is contacted by a releasing pin 86 mounted on the seat rail 42 which swings the hook member 80 out of engagement with the pin 78, as seen in FIG. 4, to thereby release the carrier member for turning movement through an upward arc in the clockwise direction about the carrier pivot 46 during the second movement phase.

During the first movement phase, the front seat guiding link 48 turn-s about the relatively stationary pivotal mount 50 while the rear back-rest guiding link 54 turns about the rear pivotal mount 56 to guide the body supporting means 24 into the intermediate, tilted sitting position shown in FIG. 4, with the holding link 62 being effective to substantially maintain a relatively fixed angular relationship between the seat 28 and the back-rest 26 throughout the first movement phase.

Provision is made for blocking further turning movement of the rear back-rest guiding link 54 in the clockwise direction about the rear pivotal mount 56 at the end of the first movement phase such that the rear pivotal connection 58 will serve as a relatively fixed pivot for the back-rest 26 during the second movement phase and as the body-supporting means 24 moves from the intermediate, tilted sitting position shown in FIG. 4, through a series of reclining positions to the fully reclining position shown in FIG. 5. In this illustrative embodiment, a notch 54a is provided on the rear back-rest guiding link 54 which is positioned to engage a stud at the carrier pivot 46 serving as a stop at the end of the first movement phase and when the chair is in the intermediate, titled sitting position.

During the second movement phase, and with the hook member 82 disengaged from the sequencing pin 78, the carrier member 44 is free to turn about the carrier pivot 46 and the back-rest 26 will turn about the rear pivotal connection 58. The turning movement of the carrier member 44 about the carrier pivot 46 and the turning of the back-rest 26 about the rear pivotal connection 58 is coordinated throughout the second movement phase by the second

movement control linkage

66, 72 and the holding link 62 to open up the included angle between the seat 28 and the back-rest 26. The design of the second movement linkage and its several operative connections in addition to opening up the included angle between the seat and back-rest must take into account other factors, including balance, the relative positions of the seat and back-rest to each other throughout the second movement phase to establish successive reclining positions, and the like.

In this illustrative embodiment, the two-part leg-rest 30 is suspended from the seat 28 by a leg-rest mounting linkage 87 which incorporates a toggle linkage mechanism of the type disclosed and claimed in US. Patent No. 2,945,533 of July 19, 1960, in the name of Peter S. Fletcher, which patent is assigned to the assignee of the instant application. The leg-rest mounting linkage 87 includes a first pair of leg-rest mounting links 88, 90 and a second pair of leg-rest mounting links 92, 94. The legrest mounting link 88 has a pivotal mount 96 at one end on the seat and a pivotal connection 98 at the other end to the link 90, with the link 90 having a pivotal connection 100 at its forward end, the pivotal connection 100 serves to pivotally mount the leg-rest extension section 34 on the main leg-rest section 32. The link 92 has a pivotal mount 102 on the seat spaced from the pivotal mount 96 and has a pivotal connection 104 adjacent its other end to' the link 94, with the link 94 having a pivotal connection 106 at its forward end to the main leg-rest section 32 at a point spaced from the pivotal connection 100. The link 92 has an integral extension projecting beyond the pivotal connection 104 which extension has a pivotal connection 108 to the link to coordinate the respective link pairs 88, 90 and 92, 94. As detailed in said patent, provision is made for rapidly turning the legrest extension section 34 into alignment with the main leg-rest section 32 during the initial part of the first movement phase by the provision of a connecting link or extension-actuating link 110 which has a pivotal connection 112 to the link 94 at a point spaced from the pivotal connection 106 and a pivotal connection 114 to the leg-rest extension section 34 at a point spaced from the pivotal connection and mount 100. The link 94a defined between the

pivotal connection

106, 112 will be recognized as providing the driver link of a toggle linkage which is constrained to move in a rotary path about the pivotal connection 106 and produces an axial force along the line of action of the connecting link 110 such that the leg-rest extension section 34 moves into the in-line position relative to the main leg-rest section 32 in response to the rotary movement of the driver link 94a during the first part of the first movement phase. The rotary movement of the driver link 94a is such that the effective lever arm, which is the perpendicular distance from the line of action of the connecting link to the center of rotation 106 of the driver link 94a is less when the driver link 94a is in its final position at the end of the first movement phase than it is when the driver link 94a is in its initial position with the body-supporting means in the upright sitting position. For further principles of the construction of such toggle linkage mechanisms, reference may be made to said patent.

Leg-rest actuating means are operatively connected to the leg-rest mounting linkage 87 and to a link which is operable during the first movement phase for moving the leg-rest 30 to the elevated leg-supporting position during such first movement phase. The leg-rest actuating means includes an integral extension 48a of the front seat guiding link 48 which serves as an actuating arm, and an actuating link 116 which has a pivotal connection 118 to the actuating arm 48a and the pivotal connection 120 to the link 92 of the leg-rest mounting linkage 87.

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

When the chair occupant is seated in the chair and leans against the back-rest 26, the back-rest 26 and seat 28 move through the first movement phase from the upright sitting position illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 to the intermediate, tilted sitting position illustrated in FIG. 4, With the seat and back-rest being guided by the front seat guiding link 48 turning about the pivotal mount 50, the rear back-rest guiding link 54 turning about the pivotal mount 56 and the constraining effect of the holding link 62, it being appreciated that the carrier member 44 is locked against movement by the sequencing means 78, S0. Concurrent with the turning movement of the front seat guiding link 48 about the pivotal mount 50, there is a corresponding movement of the integral extension 48a which in turn imparts a thrust 116 to the leg-rest mounting linkage 87 which swings the leg-rest 30 to the extended and elevated leg-supporting position, with the simultaneous turning of the leg-rest extension section 34 into an inline position relative to the main leg-rest section 32. As the end of the first movement phase is approached, the pin 86 contacts the hook member 80 to turn the same about the pivot 82 against the bias of the spring 84 which releases the carrier member for turning movement about the carrier pivot and conditions the chair for operation in its second movement phase. The end of the first movement phase is established when the rear back-rest guiding link 54 contacts the carrier pivot 46 serving as a stop whereupon continued movement of the back-rest26 will be a simple turning: movement thereof aboutthe back-rest pivotal connection 58'.

- 'Bycontinued application-of pressure against the backrest 26, the chair. occupant'initiates the second movement phase during which the included angle between thebackrest 26 and the seat 28 is opened up at a rate determined by the designof the second movement control linkage Throughout such second movement phase, the leg-rest 3!) is maintained in its leg-rest supporting position, moving in a substantially fixed relationship relative to the seat28 of the chair.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intendedin the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the inventionvwill be employed without a corresponding use of otherlfeatures. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed .broad ly and in a manner consistentwith the spirit andscope of the invention herein.

What I claim is:

1. A reclining chair. of. the multiple movementlounger type acomprisiriga support,- body-supporting means. including a back-rest'and a seat pivotally mounted on said back-rest at 'a seat pivot, a carrier member mounted on said support for turning movement about a carrier pivot, a front seat guiding link pivotally mounted on said carrier member at a front pivotal mount and pivotally con nected to said seat atca frontpivotal connection, a rear back-rest guiding link pivotally mounted on said support at a rear pivotal mount and pivotally connected to said back-rest at a rear pivotal connection spaced rearwardly of said seat pivot, a holding link pivotally connected to said back-rest'at a holding pivotalconnection spaced forwardly. of said rear pivotal connection and said seat pivot, the portion of said back-rest between said rear pivotal connection and said holding pivotal connection defining-a,

back-rest link, a second movement control linkage operatively'connected to said support, said holding link and said carrier member, said carrierme'mber remaining stationary during a first movement phase, said front seat guiding link and said rear back-rest guiding link turning about said front and rear pivotal mounts during said first movement phase to guide said body-supporting means from an upright sitting position into an intermediate, tilted sitting position with said holding link being efi'ective to substantially maintain a prescribed angular relationship between said seat and back-rest during said (first movement phase, means for blocking further turning movement of said rear back-rest guiding link about saidirear pivotal mount at the end of said first movement phase and when said body-supporting means is in, saidintermediate, tilted sitting position, said rear pivotal connection serving as a stationary pivotal mount for said backrest during a second movement phase wherein said bodysupporting means moves from said intermediate, tilted sit-- ting :position to a fully reclined position, the turning movement of said carrier member about said carrier pivot and of said back-rest about said rear pivotalconnection being coordinated by said second movement control link- V age to open up the included angle between said seat and back-rest during said second movement phase.

2. A reclining chair according to claim 1 wherein said second movement control linkage includes a second movement lever pivotally mounted on said support at a lever pivot and having a pivotal connection to said hold ing link and a second movement connecting link pivotally connected to said second movement lever and to said carrier member.

3. A reclining chair of the multiple movement lounger type comprising a support, body-supporting means including a back-rest and a seat pivotally mounted on said back-rest at a seat pivot, a carrier member mounted on said support for turningmovementabout acarrier pivot,

'afront sea t guiding link pivotally mounted on said car:

rier member at a front pivotal mount and pivotally cori-v nected ,to said seat at a front pivotal connection a rear back-rest guiding link, pivotally mounted on said support at a rear pivotal mount and pivotally connected to said-backrest at a rear pivotal connection spaced rearwardly of said seat pivot, a holding link pivotally connected to said back-rest at a holding pivotal connection spaced forwardly of said rear pivotal connection and"v said seat pivot,.the portion of-said back-rest between said rear pivotal connection. and said holding pivotal connection defining a back-rest link," a second movement control linkage operatively connected to said support,

said holding linkand said carrier member, means for being effective to substantially maintain a prescribed,

angular relationship between said seat and back-rest duringsaid first movement phase, means for blocking further turning movement of said rear back-rest guiding link about said :rear pivotal mount at theend of said first movement phase and when said body-supporting means is in said intermediate,tilted-sitting positionysaid rear pivotal connection serving as a stationary-pivotal mount for said iback-rest during .a second movement phase wherein said body-supporting means moves from said intermediate tilted sitting position to a fully reclined position, thet turning .rnovement of said carrier member about said carrier pivot and of said back-rest about said rear pivotal connection being: coordinated by said second movement control linkage vto'open up the included angle betweensaid seat and'back-r est during said second movement phase.

4. A reclining chair of the multiple movementlounger type comprising a support, body-supporting means in eluding a back-rest and a seat pivotally mounted on=said back-rest at a seat pivot, a carrier member mounted on said supportfor turning movement about a carrier pivot, a front seat guiding link pivotally mounted on said carrier member at a front pivotal-mount and pivotally con'-,

nected to said, seat at a front'pivotalconnection, a rear. back-rest guiding link pivotally mounted on said supportat a rear pivotal mountrand pivotally connected to said back-rest at a rear pivotal connection spaced-rear-v Wardly of said seat pivot, a holding link pivotally connectedto said back-rest'at a holding pivotal connection spaced 'forwardly of said rear pivotal connection and said seat pivot, the portion of'said backrest-between said i rear-l pivotal connection and said holding pivotal connection defining a backrest link, a secondlmovement control linkage operatively connected: to said support, said;

holding link and said carrier memben'said 'carrienmem -ber remaining stationary during a firstmovement phase,- sa1d front seat guiding link and said rear back-rest guiding link turning about said front and rear-pivotal mounts during said first movement phaseto guide said body-e supporting means from an upright sitting position into an intermediate, tilted sitting position'with said holding link being effective to substantially maintain a prescribed-angular relationship between said seat and backrest during said first movement phase, means for block--.

ing further vturning movement of said rear back-rest guiding link about said rear pivotal mount at'the end of said first movement phase and whenisaidvbody-supporting means is in said (intermediate, tilted: sitting posi-,

tion, said rear pivotal connection serving as a stationary pivotal mount for said back-rest during asecond movement phase wherein said body-supporting meansmovesfrom said intermediate, tilted sittingposition to a .fully reclined position, the turning movement of said carrier member about said carrier pivot and of said back-rest about said rear pivotal connection being coordinated by said second movement control linkage to open up the included angle between said seat and back-rest during said second movement phase, a leg-rest, a leg-rest mounting linkage operatively connected to said leg-rest and suspended from said seat for mounting said leg-rest for movement from a stored position when said body-supporting means is in said upright sitting position to an extending and elevated leg-supporting position when said body-supporting means is in said intermediate, tilted sitting position, and leg-rest actuating means operatively connected to said leg-rest mounting linkage and to a link which is operable during said first movement phase for moving said leg-rest to said elevated leg-supporting position during said first movement phase.

5. A reclining chair according to claim 4 wherein said leg-rest actuating means includes an integral extension of said front seat guiding link and an actuating link connecting said extension to said leg-rest mounting linkage.

6. A reclining chair according to claim 5 wherein said second movement control linkage includes a second movement lever pivotally mounted on said support at a lever pivot and having a pivotal connection to said holding link and a second movement connecting link pivotally connected to said second movement lever and to said carrier member.

7. A reclining chair of the multiple movement lounger type comprising a support, body-supporting means including a back-rest and a seat pivotally mounted on said back-rest at a seat pivot, a carrier member mounted on said support for turning movement about a carrier pivot, a front seat guiding link pivotally mounted on said carrier member at a front pivotal mount and pivotally connected to said seat at a front pivotal connection, a rear back-rest guiding link pivotally mounted on said support at a rear pivotal mount and pivotally connected to said back-rest at a rear pivotal connection spaced rearwardly of said seat pivot, a holding link pivotally connected to said back-rest at a holding pivotal connection spaced forwardly of said rear pivotal connection and said seat pivot, the portion of said back-rest between said rear pivotal connection and said holding pivotal connection defining a back-rest mounting link, a second movement control linkage operatively connected to said support, said holding link and said carrier member, means for blocking said carrier member against turning movement about said carrier pivot at the start of a first movement phase wherein said body-supporting means is in an upright sitting position, said front seat guiding link and said rear back-rest guiding link turning about said front and rear pivotal mounts during said first movement phase to guide said body-supporting means into an intermediate, tilted sitting position with said holding link being effective to substantially maintain a prescribed angular relationship between said seat and back-rest during said first movement phase, means for blocking further turning movement of said rear back-rest guiding link about said rear pivotal mount at the end of said first movement phase and when said body-supporting means is in said intermediate, tilted sitting position, said rear pivotal connection serving as a stationary pivotal mount for said back-rest during a second movement phase wherein said body-supporting means moves from said intermediate, tilted sitting position, to a fully reclined position, the turning movement of said carrier member about said carrier pivot and of said back-rest about said rear pivotal connection being coordinated by said second movement control linkage to open up the included angle between said seat and back-rest during said second movement phase, a legrest, a leg-rest mounting linkage operatively connected to said leg-rest and suspended from said seat for mounting said leg-rest for movement from a stored position when said body-supporting means is in said upright sitting position to an extended and elevated leg-supporting position when said body-supporting means is in said intermediate, tilted sitting position, and leg-rest actuating means operatively connected to said leg-rest mounting linkage and to a link which is operable during said first movement phase for moving said leg-rest to said elevated leg-supporting position during said first movement phase.

8. A reclining chair according to claim 7 wherein said leg-rest includes a main section arranged to serve as a filler beneath the forward end of said seat when in said stored position and an extension section extending substantially at right angles to said main section and rearwardly of said main section beneath said seat when in said stored position, means pivotally mounting said extension section on said main section at a mounting pivot, said leg-rest mounting linkage being operative during said first movement phase to move said main and extension sections into alignment with each other, said leg-rest mounting linkage including at least a first mounting link pivotally connected to said main section at a first leg-rest pivot spaced from said mounting pivot, a second mounting link pivotally connected to said sections coaxially with said mounting pivot, and an extension-actuating link pivotally connected to said first mounting link at a point spaced from said first leg-rest pivot and to said extension section at a second leg-rest pivot spaced from said mounting pivot.

9. A reclining chair according to claim 8 wherein said leg-rest mounting linkage includes a double fourbar linkage suspended from said seat and operatively connected to said leg-rest,

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,945,533 7/ 1960 Fletcher 297- 2,948,331 8/1960 Schliephacke 29786 3,043,621 7/ 1962 Fletcher 297- 3,086,815 4/ 1963 Fletcher 297815 3,096,119 7/1963 Fletcher 29775 3,137,521 6/1964 Re 29775 FOREIGN PATENTS 847,946 9/1960 Great Britain. 864,906 4/ 1961 Great Britain.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A RECLINING CHAIR OF THE MULTIPLE MOVEMENT LOUNGER TYPE COMPRISING A SUPPORT, BODY-SUPPORTING MEANS INCLUDING A BACK-REST AND A SEAT PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID BACK-REST AT A SEAT PIVOT, A CARRIER MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT FOR TURNING MOVEMENT ABOUT A CARRIER PIVOT, A FRONT SEAT GUIDING LINK PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIER MEMBER AT A FRONT PIVOTAL MOUNT AND PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID SEAT AT A FRONT PIVOTAL CONNECTION, A REAR BACK-REST GUIDING LINK PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT AT A REAR PIVOT MOUNT AND PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID BACK-REST AT A REAR PIVOTAL CONNECTION SPACED REARWARDLY OF SAID SEAT PIVOT, A HOLDING LINK PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID BACK-REST AT A HOLDING PIVOTAL CONNECTION SPACED FORWARDLY OF SAID REAR PIVOTAL CONNECTION AND SAID SEAT PIVOT, THE PORTION OF SAID BACK-REST BETWEEN SAID REAR PIVOTAL CONNECTION AND SAID HOLDING PIVOTAL CONNECTION DEFINING A BACK-REST LINK, A SECOND MOVEMENT CONTROL LINKAGE OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID SUPPORT, SAID HOLDING LINK AND SAID CARRIER MEMBER, SAID CARRIER MEMBER REMAINING STATIONARY DURING A FIRST MOVEMENT PHASE, SAID FRONT SEAT GUIDING LINK AND SAID REAR BACK-REST GUIDING LINK TURNING ABOUT SAID FRONT AND REAR PIVOTAL MOUNTS DURING SAID FIRST MOVEMENT PHASE TO GUIDE SAID BODY-SUPPORTING MEANS FROM AN UPRIGHT SITTING POSITION INTO AN INTERMEDIATE, TILTED SITTING POSITION WITH SAID HOLDING LINK BEING EFFECTIVE TO SUBSTANTIALLY MAINTAIN A PRESCRIBED ANGULAR RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SAID SEAT AND BACK-REST DURING SAID FIRST MOVEMENT PHASE, MEANS FOR BLOCKING FURTHER TURNING MOVEMENT OF SAID REAR BACK-REST GUIDING LINK ABOUT SAID REAR PIVOTAL MOUNT AT THE END OF SAID FIRST MOVEMENT PHASE AND WHEN SAID BODY-SUPPORTING MEANS IS IN SAID INTERMEDIATE, TILTED SITTING POSITION, SAID REAR PIVOTAL CONNECTION SERVING AS A STATIONARY PIVOTAL MOUNT FOR SAID BACKREST DURING A SECOND MOVEMENT PHASE WHEREIN SAID BODYSUPPORTING MEANS MOVES FROM SAID INTERMEDIATE, TILTED SITTING POSITION TO A FULLY RECLINED POSITION, THE TURNING MOVEMENT OF SAID CARRIER MEMBER ABOUT SAID CARRIER PIVOT AND OF SAID BACK-REST ABOUT SAID REAR PIVOTAL CONNECTION BEING COORDINATED BY SAID SECOND MOVEMENT CONTROL LINKAGE TO OPEN UP THE INCLUDED ANGLE BETWEEN SAID SEAT AND BACK-REST DURING SAID SECOND MOVEMENT PHASE.