US3284131A - Reclining chair with a secondary mounting linkage - Google Patents

Reclining chair with a secondary mounting linkage Download PDF

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Publication number
US3284131A
US3284131A US319279A US31927963A US3284131A US 3284131 A US3284131 A US 3284131A US 319279 A US319279 A US 319279A US 31927963 A US31927963 A US 31927963A US 3284131 A US3284131 A US 3284131A
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Prior art keywords
rest
seat
movement
chair
carrier member
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US319279A
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English (en)
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Peter S Fletcher
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Individual
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Individual
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Priority to GB7957/66A priority patent/GB1137678A/en
Priority to DEF48674A priority patent/DE1290685B/de
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C1/00—Chairs adapted for special purposes
    • A47C1/02—Reclining or easy chairs
    • A47C1/031—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts
    • A47C1/034—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts including a leg-rest or foot-rest
    • A47C1/035—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts including a leg-rest or foot-rest in combination with movably coupled seat and back-rest, i.e. the seat and back-rest being movably coupled in such a way that the extension mechanism of the foot-rest is actuated at least by the relative movements of seat and backrest
    • A47C1/0355—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts including a leg-rest or foot-rest in combination with movably coupled seat and back-rest, i.e. the seat and back-rest being movably coupled in such a way that the extension mechanism of the foot-rest is actuated at least by the relative movements of seat and backrest actuated by linkages, e.g. lazy-tongs mechanisms
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C1/00—Chairs adapted for special purposes
    • A47C1/02—Reclining or easy chairs
    • A47C1/031—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts
    • A47C1/034—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts including a leg-rest or foot-rest
    • A47C1/035—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts including a leg-rest or foot-rest in combination with movably coupled seat and back-rest, i.e. the seat and back-rest being movably coupled in such a way that the extension mechanism of the foot-rest is actuated at least by the relative movements of seat and backrest
    • A47C1/0352—Reclining or easy chairs having coupled concurrently adjustable supporting parts the parts including a leg-rest or foot-rest in combination with movably coupled seat and back-rest, i.e. the seat and back-rest being movably coupled in such a way that the extension mechanism of the foot-rest is actuated at least by the relative movements of seat and backrest characterised by coupled seat and back-rest slidingly movable in the base frame, e.g. by rollers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates 'generally to reclining chairs and specifically to a reclining chair which provide-s three separate phases of movement and still more :specilically to a multiple position reclining chair wherein the included angle -between the seat and .back-rest can be varied at will by the chair occupant.
  • a multiple movement reclining chair is a chair which includes a body-supporting mean-s consisting of a seat and back-rest mounted on a support for movement throng-h a lirst movement phase from an upright sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and, thereafter, through a second movement phase from the intermediate, tilted sitting position to a fully lreclined position.
  • Present reclinn-g chairs which operate in this manner are of two separate types: the rester type and the lounger type.
  • the seat and back-rest form one rigid unit which tilts slightly rearwardly during the lirst movement phase and then tilts to a greater degree during the second movement phase with the seat and backrest maintaining a uniform angular relationship therebetween.
  • the normally employed leg-rest moves to an elevated leg-supporting position during the first movement .phase Iand maintains its relative position with respect to the seat yand back-rest during the second movement pbase.
  • the seat and black-rest are mounted for movement both with respect to the support and with respect to each other such that the angle between the seat and back-rest 4may be va-ried during the second movement phase.
  • the seat and back-rest tilt slightly ⁇ rearwardly :and the leg-rest is moved to an elevated leg-supporting pos-ition with substantially no change in the angular relationship between the seat and back-rest; during the second movement phase, the seat is tiltedslightly lfurther rearwardly and the back-rest is tilted t-o a greater degree rearwardly such that the angle between the seat and back-rest opens up to achieve a fully reclined position wherein the chair occupant may stretch out for maximum comfort to a much further extent than is possible in the rester type of multiple movement chair.
  • the angular relationship between the seat and the yback-rest is predetermined for every point of the reclining movement of the seat and back-rest.
  • the angle remains constant.
  • the angle :between the seat and back-rest varies, it is completely determined for each position of the body-supporting -unit dur-ing both the iirst and second movement phases.
  • the present invention is particularly concerned with providing an additional deg-ree of ilexibility an-d therefore an additional degree of comfort in multiple movement reclining chairs.
  • reclining chairs of the rester type 'are often considered inadequate because the chair occupant feels constricted in the intermediate, tilted sitting position and in the fully reclined position because of the rather sharp angle between the seat and back-rest and therefore the rather sharp angle between the oc-cupants upper legs and torso.
  • a reclining chair having a support, a body-supporting unit including a seat and back-rest which are mounted on the support ⁇ for movement from yan upright sitting position through ⁇ a first movement phase to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and then through a second movement phase to a -fully reclined position.
  • Primary mounting means are provided to appropriately guide the bodysupporting un-it for such movement with the .angle between the seat and back-rest being maintained substantially uniform.
  • a secondary mounting linkage for mounting lthe seat and back-rest on the prito through a third movement phase wherein the included ⁇ angle between the seat 4and backrest may be selectively varied.
  • the third movement phase may be superimposed on the movement of the body-supporting means, at the option of the chair occupant, during the first and second movement phases or at any fixed position of the primary mounting means.
  • Speciiically'the secondary mounting linkage may be operated as desired by 'the chair occupant in the intermediate, tilted sitting position, in the fully reclined position or at any point in the second movement phase by the simple application of pressure by the chair occupant between the seat and back-rest such as by arching of the chair occupants back.
  • the secondary mounting linkage comprises an independent carrier member which is mounted on the .primary linkage in a manner similar to the mounting of the rigid seat and back-rest of a rester chair on its linkage.
  • a seat pivot connection is formed between the 4forward portion of the seat and the forward portion of the ⁇ carrier member and a back-rest pivotal connection is formed between the ⁇ back-rest and a rearward portion of the independent carrier member.
  • a further pivotal connection conveniently termed the .seat-back-rest pivotal connection, is provided between the seat and back-rest.
  • Lost mot-ion means are provided at one of the -pivtal connections.
  • motion limiting means are operatively engaged with the secondary mounting linkage to limit -relative movement between the seat and th-e back-rest.
  • FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the first and second movement phases with no movement in the third movement phase. Specifically:
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a multiple position reclining chair according to the present invention with a chair being illustrated in an uprightsitting position and with portions broken away for the sake of clarity;
  • FIG. 2 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the ⁇ chair in an intermediate, tilted sitting position
  • FIG. 3 is an elevational view similar to FIG. l illustrating the chair in a fully reclined position
  • FIGS. 4, and 6 illustrate the result of partial or complete motion through the third movement phase in various positions of the primary mounting linkage. Specifically:
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevational view similar to that shown in FIG. 3 illustrating the chair of FIG. 1 in the fully reclined position but with the secondary mounting linkage at its maximum position and with the angle between the seat and back-rest at its maximum;
  • FIG. 5 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the chair in its intermediate, tilted sitting position, but with the secondary mounting linkage position such that the angle between the seat and back-rest is at its maximum;
  • FIG. 6 is an elevational view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 but illustrating the reclining chair with its primary mounting linkage position halfway between the intermediate, ltilted sitting positi-on and the fully reclined position and its secondary mounting linkage position halfway between the smallest and largest possible angle between the seat and back-rest;
  • FIGS. 7 through 11I are schematic views of the angular relationship between the leg-rest,v seat and back-rest of reclining chairs, in the prior art and according to the present invention, shown in a variety of their possible positions. Specifically:
  • FIG. 7 is an illustration of the -relative positions of the seat, back-rest and leg-rest and leg-rest of a typical rester type reclining chair in the upright sitting position;
  • FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating the chair in its intermediate, tilted sitting position
  • FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 7 illustrating the chair in its fully reclined position
  • FIG. 10 shows, in solid line configuration, one possible position of the seat, back-rest and leg-rest of a chair according to the present invention when the primary mounting linkage is in the intermediate, tilted sitting position and with the secondary mounting linkage in its extreme position with the angle between the seat and back-rest opened up as desired by the chair occupant.
  • ⁇ is the corresponding fixed intermediate, tilted sitting position of the seat and back-rest in a prior art chair;
  • FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 illustrating, in solid line configuration, the reclining chair according to the present invention shown in the fully reclined position and with the secondary mounting means at its maximum open position and illustrating, in dotted line configuration, the corresponding fully reclined position of the seat and back-rest of a chair according to the prior art.
  • FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 there is schematically illustrated a prior art reclining chair generally designated by the nume-ral 10 which includes ⁇ a body-supporting unit 12 having a, seat 14 and back-rest 16 and an associated leg-rest 18.
  • a characteristic of the rester type ⁇ of-reclining chair is that the seat 14 .and the back-rest 16 are rigid with each other throughout all movement of the body-supporting means 12.
  • FIG. 10 A characteristic of the rester type ⁇ of-reclining chair is that the seat 14 .and the back-rest 16 are rigid with each other throughout all movement of the body-supporting means 12.
  • FIG. 8 there is schematically illustrated the intermediate, tilted sitting position wherein the body-supporting unit 12 has been tilted slightly rearwardly and the leg-rest 18 has been elevated to bring the chair occupant into an intermediate, tilted sitting position suitable for viewing television, reading, conversing, or the like. It is specifically noted thatl the angle between the seat and the back-rest has remained uniform during the first movement phase from the upright sitting position to the intermediate, tilted sitting position.
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of the fully reclined position of the chair 10 wherein the body-supporting unit 12 has been tilted further rearwardly and wherein the leg-rest 18 has been maintained in substantially its same position with respect to the seat 14. Again it is noted that the angle between the seat and the back-rest has remained unchanged during the second movement phase.
  • the lounger type of a chair although having a seat and back-rest which are movable with respect to each other, will nevertheless have a schematic View in the upright sitting position identical to that of FIG. 7.
  • the lounge'r type of chair would also have a schematic view of its intermediate, tilted sitting position which is quite similar to that of FIG.
  • FIGS. 10 and l1 demonstrate the range of movements provided in a reclining chair according to the present invention which are unavailable in a typical rester type of chair or in the typical lounger type of reclining chair.
  • a reclining chair generally designated by the numeral 20 which has a body-supporting unit 22 comprising a seat 24, back-rest 26 and an associated leg-rest 28.
  • the reclining chair 20 is illustrated in FIG. 10 in its intermediate, tilted sitting position, it 'being understood that the upright sitting positionl is identical to that shown for the chair 10 in FIG. 7. It will be noted that movement through the first movement phase from an upright sitting position of FIG. 7 to the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG.
  • FIG. 10 contemplates a slight rearward tilting of the body-supporting unit 22 and elevation of the leg-rest 28. It will be further noticed that in FIG. 10 the angle between the seat 24 and the back-rest 26 has been increased and that its former relative position is indicated by the dotted line configuration. In accordance with the present invention the chair occupant may adjust the angle between the seat 24 and the back-rest 26 of the body-supporting unit 22 between the extremes illustrated by the dotted line configuration and the full line configuration of FIG. 10- simply by adjusting his weight on the chair.
  • This movement is referred to herein as the third movement phase and this third movement phase may be superimposed on the other movement phases or may be effected ⁇ at any given stationary position of the body-supporting means between the upright sitting and fully reclined positions.
  • FIG. l1 there is shown a schematic view of the possible positions of the body-supporting unit 22 and leg-rest 28 of the reclining chair 20 ⁇ when in its fully reclined position.
  • the second phase of movement tilts the body-supporting unit 22 further rearwardly and raises the leg-rest 28 to bring the chair into the fully reclined position.
  • the chair occupant may, at his option, alter the angular relationship between the seat 24 and back-rest 26 simply by stretching out his body, i.e. arching his back to open up the angle between the seat and back-rest or, conversely, by assuming a more upright position with a sharper angle between the body and the legs to move the body-supporting unit 22 into a smaller included angle between the seat 24 and back-rest 26.
  • the movement of the body-supporting unit 22 and leg-rest 28 from the upright sitting position to the intermediate, tilted sitting position and then to the fully reclined position is controlled by a primary mounting linkage in accordance with the prior art and the movement through what is defined as the third movement phase, is controlled by a secondary mounting linkage which operatively mounts the seat 24 and back-rest 26 on the primary mounting linkage for independent movement to selectively vary the angle between the seat and the back-rest.
  • FIGS. l through 6 Reference will now be made to FIGS. l through 6 for a description of one presently preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • a reclining chair, generally designated by numeral 30, is illustrated in FIG. l in its upright sitting position, in FIG. 2 in its intermediate, tilted sitting position and in FIG. 3 in its fully reclined position.
  • the chair 30 is basically similar in its primary mounting linkage and its operation through the first and second movement phases to the chair illustrated in a co-pending application entitled Secondary Leg-Rest Actu-ating Means, Serial No. 151,575, filed on November 10, 1961, now Patent No. 3,135,548, granted Iune 2, 1964.
  • the reclining chair 30 includes a body-supporting unit 32 having a seat 34 and a back-rest 36 which are mounted for movement within a support or frame 38 for movement from the upright sitting position of FIG. 1 to the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 2 and then to the fully reclined position of FIG. 3.
  • the conventional thin line frame 38 includes the legs 48, the top arms 42, the side 'rail 44 and the structural cross members 46.
  • the seat 34 and backrest 36 are mounted on a generally L-shaped, independent carrier member 48. The mounting of the seat 34 and back-rest 36 on the independent carrier member 48 utilizes a secondary mounting link-age and will be described in detail below.
  • the bodysupporting unit 32 is mounted on the support 38 by means of a primary mounting linkage, generally designated by the numeral 58 which functions to interconnect the support 38 and the independent carrier member 48, the independent carrier member 48 being a link of the primary mounting linkage 50.
  • the movement of the independent carrier member 48 of ⁇ the chair 30, as guided by the primary mounting linkage 50 may be characterized as movement through rst and second movement phases from an upright sitting posit-ion to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and then to a fully reclined position, completely analogous to the movement of the body-supporting unit in prior art multiple movement chairs, and specifically to the chair described in the aforementioned application.
  • the body-supporting unit 32 through the carrier member 48, is mounted on a rear guide link 51 by the pivotal connection 52 below the rearward portion of the seat.
  • the guide link 51 is secured to the frame 38 at the pivot 53 on the side member 44.
  • a front guide link 54 (best seen in FIG. 2), pivotally connected to the forward portion of the carrier member 48 at the pivot 56, is pivotally connected at 58 to a primary linkage carrier member 60.
  • the primary carrier member 60 in turn is pivotally secured at its rearward end to the mounting pivot 62 on the frame 38 and normally rests upon the front structural cross member 46 when the chair is in its upright sitting position and in its intermediate, tilted sitting position.
  • the upright sitting position of the body-supporting unit 32 is determined by the engagement of the Astop pin 63 secured to the carrier member 60 which engages a notch 63a formed on an extension 54a of the front guide link 54.
  • the notch 63a is constructed according to standard practice and provides an accurately located stop surface on the link extension 54a.
  • the independent carrier member 48 and therefore the body-supporting unit 32, is carried from the upright sitting position of FIG. 1 to the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 2 by the front guide link 54 and the rear guide link 51 pivoting in a clockwise direction about the pivots 58, 53 res-pectively.
  • This movement is effective to move the body-supporting unit rearwardly and to tilt the front of the seat 34 slightly upwardly.
  • the motion of the body-supporting unit as guided by the front and rear guide links 54, 51 is halted at the completion of this first movement phase by a stud projection from the pivot 62 which engages the rear guide link 51 halting its rotational movement about the pivot 53.
  • a sequencing mechanism is secured between the rear ⁇ guide link 51 and the carrier member 6() and is effective t-o insure the correct sequencing of the two phases of motion of the primary linkage.
  • the sequencing mechanism 64 comprises a .generally triangular-shaped plate 66 having a two-directional slot 68 formed therein.
  • the plate 66 is pivoted at 70 to the carrier member 60 and is further pivoted at 72 to a connecting link 74 which, in turn, is npivoted to the rear ⁇ guide link 51 at piv-ot 76.
  • a fixed pin or stud 78 is mounted on the frame 38 and specifically on the side member 44 and is received Within the two-directional slot 68 of the plate 66.
  • the connecting link 74 is effected to pivot the plate 66 in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot 70. Relative movement is thus effected -between the fixed pin 78 and the slot 68 and movement through the first movement phase is halted when the fixed .pin 78 reaches the central tbranching; point of the two-directional slot ⁇ 68.
  • the first portion of the slot 68 describes an arc about the pivot 70 and prevents upward movement of the carrier member 60 about the pivot 62.
  • the second portion of the slot 68 is also arcuate and is defined by the movement of the plate 66 during the second movement phase.
  • Movement of the body-supporting unit 12 from the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 2 to the fully reclined position of FIG. 3 through the second movement phase may be seen by progressively inspecting FIGS. 2 and 3.
  • the plate 66 moves sufficiently such that the pin 78 is positioned at the middle of the slot 68 (see FIG. 2), the rearward motion of the ⁇ body-supporting unit 32 is substantially blocked.
  • a further rearward shifting of the chair occupants weight is effective to pivot the body-supporting unit 32 about the pivot point 52 interconnecting the independent carrier member 48 and the rear guide link 51.
  • the pivot point 52 serves as a stationary body-supporting unit pivot during the second movement phase. The pivotal movement.
  • the second movement phase which is halted by the abutment of the xed pin 78 against the lower end of the second portion of the slot 68 within the sequencing plate 66. It will .be appreciated that the forward portion of the carrier 7 member 60 is -tilted upwardly during the second movement phase thus allowing the front 'guide link 54 and the front of the seat 34 to raise such that the body-supporting unit 32 is moved into its fully reclined position as illustrated in FIG. 3.
  • leg-rest linkage 80 which mounts a movable leg-rest 82 on the forward end of the independent carrier member 48 and the forward end of the seat 34.
  • the leg-rest linkage 80 is of the lazy tong type and includes a first pair of links 84, 86 pivotally interconnected at 88.
  • Link 84 is pivotally connected at 90 to the forward end of the independent carrier member 48 and link 86 is pivoted at 92 to a p-oint on the leg-rest 82.
  • a second pair of pivotally interconnected links includes the link 54a and the link 94 which are pivotally interconnected at 96.
  • the link 54a is an extension of the front guide link 54 which, as 4described a-bove, is pivotally connected to the independent carrier member 48 at pivot 56 which is positioned rearwar-dly of the pivot 90 and is connected to the carrier -member 60 at pivot 58.
  • the link 94 is pivotally connected at 98 to a point on the leg-rest 82 spaced from the pivotal connection 92.
  • the two pairs of links are themselves pivotally interconnected at 100 intermediate the ends of link 84 and link 94 respectively.
  • a secondary leg-rest actuating means comprising the link extension 102 of the link 84 and lthe mating pin 104 positioned at the forward end of the primary linkage ca-rrier member 60.
  • the primary mounting linkage 50 and leg-rest linkage 80 simply constitute means to move a body-supporting unit of a reclining chair from an upright sitting position through a first movement phase to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and then, through a second movement phase, to a fully reclined position with the leg-rest being elevated to a leg-supporting position during the first movement phase and maintaining its relative position with respect to the body-supporting unit during the second m-ovement phase.
  • Such pri-mary mounting linkages and legrest linkages are lnormally employed in a multiple position rester type reclining chair.
  • means are provided to mount the back-rest for movement relative to the seat such that the angle between the seat and the back-rest is automatically increased during the second movement phase.
  • a secondary mounting linkage is employed according to the present invention to mount the seat 34 and back-rest 36 upon the independent carrier member 48 such that the included angle between the seat and back-rest may be varied at the will of the chair occupant and independently of the position of the primary mounting linkage 50.
  • the independent carrier member 48 consists of a first portion or seat portion 48a and a second portion or backrest portion 48h at a sharp angle to the first portion.
  • the back-rest portion 48b is at an angle of approximately to the seat portion 48a.
  • the seat 34 is secured to a seat mounting link 112 by conventional means such as the screws 114 and the seat mounting link 112 extends substantially full length of the seat 34 from front to rear.
  • the seat 34, through the seat mounting link 112 is pivotally connected to the independent carrier member 48 at a seat pivotal connection 116 at the forward extremity of the seat portion 48a of the carrier member 48 and at the forward extremity of seating mounting link 112.
  • the seat pivotal connection 116 enables the seat 34 to be pivoted about its forward end and with respect to the independent carrier member 48.
  • a back-rest mounting link 118 is rigidly secured to the back-rest 36 by means of the screws 120 or the like.
  • the back-rest 36, through the back-rest mounting link 118, is connected to the upper extremity of the back-rest portion 48b of the independent carrier member 48 at a back-rest pivotal connection 122.
  • the back-rest pivotal connection 122 not only serves as a pivotal interconnection but also as a lost motion means.
  • a slot plate 124 is rigidly secured to the inside surfacc of the back-rest mounting link 118 and is provided with a linear slot 126.
  • the back-rest mounting link 118 and the seat mounting link 112 are joined at a seat-back-rest pivotal connection 130 such that the basic secondary mounting linkage 110 forms the equivalent of a four-bar linkage.
  • the independent carrier member 48 forms the stationary link of the four-bar linkage and the seat mounting link 112, the back-rest mounting link 118 and the pin and slider connection 128, 126 (the equivalent of a link) form the three movable elements of the equivalent four-bar linkage.
  • a limit link 132 is pivotally connected to the rearward end of the seat mounting link 112 at the pivot 134 and is also connected to the independent carrier member 48 by means of a pin 136 secured to the carrier member and a slot 138 formed along the length of the limit link 132. It will be appreciated that the engagement of the pin 136 at either end of the slot 138 will effectively define the limits of movement of the secondary mounting linkage 110. Upon movement of one of the movable links, there will be a corresponding movement of the other links.
  • the seat 34 will pivot about the seat pivotal connection 116 to increase the angle between the seat and back-rest and the back-rest 36 will translate with respect to the slider block 128.
  • FIGS. 2 and 5 A more complete understanding of the inveniton will be obtained by comparing FIGS. 2 and 5.
  • the chair 30 is shown in its intermediate, tilted sitting position with the secondary mounting linkage 110 in its position with the minimum angle between the seat and back-rest, i.e., no movement having been effected through the third movement phase.
  • the chair is also shown in the intermediate, tilted sitting position but with the angle between the seat and back-rest expanded, i.e., the chair having been moved through its third movement phase.
  • the following description of the operations of chair 30 from the upright sitting position of FIG. 1 to the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 2 and then through the third movement phase to the position shown in FIG. 5, will aid in complete comprehension of the invention.
  • the body-supporting unit 32 moves rearwardly by the pivotal action of the rear guide link 51 and the front guide link 54 pivoting in a clockwise direction about their respective pivots 52, 58.
  • This movement defined as the first movement phase, effectively actuates the leg-rest mounting linkage 80 such that the leg-rest 82 is moved from its collapsed position beneath the seat 34 to its extended leg-supporting position as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the independent carrier member 48, and therefore the seat 34 and back-rest 36 have been translated rearwardly with respect to the support 38 and have also been tilted slightly rearwardly.
  • the angle between the seat 34 and the back-rest 36 in the intermediate, tilted sitting position as shown in FIG. 2 is exactly the same as it was in the upright sitting position as shown in FIG. 1.
  • the chair occupant desires to assume a more stretched-out position with a greater angle between his legs and his body, it is simply necessary for him to straighten out his body to provide the small motivating force to the backrest 36 and to the secondary mounting linkage 110 to actuate the third movement phase.
  • the third movement phase may be initiated at any desired time and is essentially independent of the position of the primary mounting linkage 50.
  • the movement through the third movement phase offers the chair occupant a virtually infinite number of varieties of positions and enables the occupant to select that position which is most comfortable for the particular activity in which he is engaged.
  • the chair 30 ⁇ is illustrated in fully reclined position and with the second- ⁇ ary mounting linkage 110 shown in its fully extended state with the angle between the seat 34 and the backrest 36 increased to the maximum degree.
  • the position shown in FIG. 4 is analogous to the fully reclined position which is available in the lounger type reclining chair. From the foregoing it will be appreciated this position may be reached by Lmoving the chair from the upright sitting position of FIG. 1 to the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG.
  • the chair occupant may activate the third movement phase by appropriately arching his body to bring the chair into the position shown in FIG. 4.
  • the position of FIG. 4 may be achieved by activating the third movement phase -at any desired point during the first and second movement phases and subsequently completing those movement phases to reach the fully reclined position.
  • FIG. 5 Ias described above, the chair is shown in its intermediate, tilted sitting position but with the seat 34 and back-rest 36 moved through the third movement phase to provide an increased angle between the seat and back-rest.
  • the primary mounting linkage 50and the secondary mounting linkage of the chair 30 may be selectively positioned at intermediate po-ints between those defined positions.
  • the chair 30 is illustrated in .a position between the fully reclined position and the intermediate, tilted sitting position, i.e., partially through the second movement phase, and furthermore, the secondary mounting linkage 110 is shown as being at an arbitrary'intermediate position determined by the amount of movement ⁇ imparted thereto by the chair occupant.
  • a secondary body-supporting mounting means which may be utilize-d to provide :selective and independent positioning of the angle between the seat and back-rest of a reclining chair at any desired point of the movement of the chair provided by its primary mounting linkage.
  • the secondary mounting linkage according t-o the present invention may be combined with or superimposed upon any existing mounting linkage for a reclining chair in order to give the reclining chair an increased degree of fiexibility and to provide the chair occupant with increased comfort.
  • a primary mounting linkage operatively connected to said support, an independent carrier member forming a link of said primary mounting linkage and yguided by said primary mounting linkage for primary movement, a secondary mounting linkage, and a body-supporting unit including ya seat and backrest mounted by said :secondary mounting linkage on said independent carrier member for movement with said independent carrier member through said primary movement and for secondary movement independent of said independent carrier member to selectively vary the angle between said seat and back-rest
  • said secondary mounting linkage including a seat link connected to said independent carrier member at a :seat pivotal connection, a backrest link connected to said seat at a seat-back-rest pivotal connection and further connected to said independent carrier member at a back-rest pivotal connection, and lost motion means at said back-rest pivotal connection to provide relative translation between said back-rest and said independent carrier member, said seat mounted on said seat link and said back-rest mounted on side backrest link, the included angle between said seat and said back-
  • a prim-ary mounting linkage including an independent carrier member operatively mounting said bodyasupporting unit on said support for movement through a first movement phase from an upright sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and through a second movement phase from said intermediate, tilted sitting position to a fully reclined position, and a secondary mounting linkage operatively connected between said body-supporting unit and said primary mounting linkage for moving said seat and said back-rest through a third movement phase independent of .said first and second movement phases to selectively vary the angle between said seat and back-rest, said secondary mounting linkage mounted on said independent carrier member and thereby connected to said primary mounting linkage and movable therewith, said seat connected to said independent carrier member at the forward end thereof at a seat pivotal connection, said backrest pivotally connected at its lower end to the rear of said seat at a seat-back-rest pivotal connection, said backrest connected to said independent
  • a reclining chair comprising, in combination, a support, body-supporting means including a seat and a backrest, a leg-rest, and means mounting said seat, back-rest and leg-rest on said support for movement, said mounting means including a primary mounting linkage including an independent carrier member and a secondary mounting linkage mounted on said independent carrier member of said primary linkage, said seat and back-rest being mounted on said secondary mounting linkage, said primary -mounting linkage 4being pivotally mounted on vsaid support and having means for moving ⁇ said independent carrier -member and the attached secondary mounting linkage and seat and back-rest fnom an upright sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position and then to a fully reclined position and having leg-rest mounting and activating means for moving said leg-rest from a stored position to an elevated, leg-supporting position in response to movement of said seat and back-rest from said upright sitting position to said intermediate, tilted sitting position, said secondary mounting linkage including a seat link pivoted to the front lof said independent carrier member,
  • a reclining chair for providing an infinite number of body positions ⁇ for a chair occupant including an arm frame, a seat and pivotally interconnected back-rest, a leg-rest, and mounting means mounting said seat, backrest and leg-rest in said frame for movement from an upright sitting lposition to an intermediate, tilted sitting posi- ⁇ tion with said leg-rest raised in a leg-supporting position and said seat and back-rest tilted slightly rearwardly with no change in the angular relationship therebetween, and to a fully reclined position with said leg-rest in its legsupporting position and said seat and back-rest tilted urther rearwardly with no change in the angular position and to an infinite number ,of positions superimposed on said intermediate, tilted sitting Iposition, said fully reclined position and all positions therebetween with the an-gle between said seat and back-rest variable at the will of the chair occupant, said mounting means comprising a first carrier member pivotally mounted at its rearward end on said frame, a second and independent carrier member,
  • a reclining chair for providing van infinite number of ybody positions for a chair occupant including an arm frame, a seat and pivotally interconnected back-rest, a leg-rest, and mounting means mounting said seat, backrest and leg-rest in said frame for movement from an upright sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sitting position with said leg-rest raised in a leg-supporting position and said seat and back-rest tilted slightly rearwardly with no change in the angular relationship therebetween, and to a fully reclined position with said leg-rest in its legsupporting position and said seat and back-rest tilted further rearwardly with no change in the angular position andto an infinite number of positions superimposed on said Intermediate, tilted sitting position, said fully reclined position and all positions therebetween with the angle between said seat and back-rest variable at the will of the chair occupant, said mounting means comprising a first carrier member pivotally mounted at its rearward end on said frame, a second and independent carrier member, a guide link means pivotally connected Ibetween said first carr
  • a reclining chair for providing an infinite number of body positions for a chair occupant including an arm frame, a seat and pivotally interconnected back-rest, a leg-rest, and mounting means mounting said seat, backrest and leg-rest in -said frame for movement :from an upright sitting position to an intermediate, tilted sittin-g position with said legrest raised in a leg-supporting position and said seat and back-rest tilted slightly rearwardly with no change in the angular relationship therebetween, and to a fully reclined position with said leg-rest in its legsupporting p-osition and said seat and back-rest tilted furthe-r rearwardly with no change in the angular position and to an innite number of positions superimposed on said intermediate, tilted ⁇ sitting position, said ⁇ fully reclined position and all positions therebetween with the angle between said seat and back-rest increased at the will of the chair occupant, said mounting means comprising a rst carrier member pivotally mounted at its rearward end on
US319279A 1963-10-28 1963-10-28 Reclining chair with a secondary mounting linkage Expired - Lifetime US3284131A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US319279A US3284131A (en) 1963-10-28 1963-10-28 Reclining chair with a secondary mounting linkage
GB7957/66A GB1137678A (en) 1963-10-28 1966-02-23 Reclining chair with a secondary mounting linkage
DEF48674A DE1290685B (de) 1963-10-28 1966-03-17 Verstellsessel

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US319279A US3284131A (en) 1963-10-28 1963-10-28 Reclining chair with a secondary mounting linkage
GB7957/66A GB1137678A (en) 1963-10-28 1966-02-23 Reclining chair with a secondary mounting linkage
DEF48674A DE1290685B (de) 1963-10-28 1966-03-17 Verstellsessel

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US3284131A true US3284131A (en) 1966-11-08

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DE (1) DE1290685B (de)
GB (1) GB1137678A (de)

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US3858932A (en) * 1973-05-23 1975-01-07 Legget & Platt Inc Reclining chair assembly
US4249772A (en) * 1979-07-03 1981-02-10 Rogers Walter C Jr Wall-avoiding recliner chair
US4376316A (en) * 1980-12-31 1983-03-15 Joerns Furniture Company Hinge for adjustable beds and the like
US4863215A (en) * 1988-11-30 1989-09-05 Leggett & Platt, Incorporated Action furniture mechanism
US10575648B2 (en) 2015-04-13 2020-03-03 Steelcase Inc. Seating arrangement
US11096497B2 (en) 2015-04-13 2021-08-24 Steelcase Inc. Seating arrangement
US11109683B2 (en) 2019-02-21 2021-09-07 Steelcase Inc. Body support assembly and method for the use and assembly thereof
US11259637B2 (en) 2015-04-13 2022-03-01 Steelcase Inc. Seating arrangement
US11357329B2 (en) 2019-12-13 2022-06-14 Steelcase Inc. Body support assembly and methods for the use and assembly thereof
WO2022232120A1 (en) * 2021-04-28 2022-11-03 L&P Property Management Company Slim-profile, all-linkage, wall-proximity reclining mechanism allowing a wood-to-floor recliner seating unit

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DE19505117A1 (de) * 1995-02-16 1996-08-22 Klaus Peter Dipl Ing Flamme Verstelleinrichtung zum körpergerechtem Verstellen einer an einer Hebevorrichtung angebrachten kippbaren Polstereinheit zum Aufstehen und Liegen

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US121941A (en) * 1871-12-19 Improvement in reclining and folding chairs
US268941A (en) * 1882-12-12 Folding and reclining chair
US296931A (en) * 1884-04-15 Combined platform-rocker and reclining-chair
US868052A (en) * 1905-12-21 1907-10-15 John F Wilmot Adjustable reclining-chair.
US984709A (en) * 1910-12-27 1911-02-21 Bert A Ruggles Chair.
AT200751B (de) * 1957-07-31 1958-11-25 Res Interests Ltd Verstellbare Sitzgelegenheit
US3087754A (en) * 1959-09-11 1963-04-30 Anton Lorenz Reclining chair of the multiple position type
US3096121A (en) * 1961-07-21 1963-07-02 La Z Boy Chair Co Reclining platform rocking chair
US3135548A (en) * 1961-11-10 1964-06-02 Anton Lorenz Secondary leg-rest actuating means

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US121941A (en) * 1871-12-19 Improvement in reclining and folding chairs
US268941A (en) * 1882-12-12 Folding and reclining chair
US296931A (en) * 1884-04-15 Combined platform-rocker and reclining-chair
US868052A (en) * 1905-12-21 1907-10-15 John F Wilmot Adjustable reclining-chair.
US984709A (en) * 1910-12-27 1911-02-21 Bert A Ruggles Chair.
AT200751B (de) * 1957-07-31 1958-11-25 Res Interests Ltd Verstellbare Sitzgelegenheit
US3087754A (en) * 1959-09-11 1963-04-30 Anton Lorenz Reclining chair of the multiple position type
US3096121A (en) * 1961-07-21 1963-07-02 La Z Boy Chair Co Reclining platform rocking chair
US3135548A (en) * 1961-11-10 1964-06-02 Anton Lorenz Secondary leg-rest actuating means

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3858932A (en) * 1973-05-23 1975-01-07 Legget & Platt Inc Reclining chair assembly
US4249772A (en) * 1979-07-03 1981-02-10 Rogers Walter C Jr Wall-avoiding recliner chair
US4376316A (en) * 1980-12-31 1983-03-15 Joerns Furniture Company Hinge for adjustable beds and the like
US4863215A (en) * 1988-11-30 1989-09-05 Leggett & Platt, Incorporated Action furniture mechanism
US11324325B2 (en) 2015-04-13 2022-05-10 Steelcase Inc. Seating arrangement
US11096497B2 (en) 2015-04-13 2021-08-24 Steelcase Inc. Seating arrangement
US11259637B2 (en) 2015-04-13 2022-03-01 Steelcase Inc. Seating arrangement
US10575648B2 (en) 2015-04-13 2020-03-03 Steelcase Inc. Seating arrangement
US11553797B2 (en) 2015-04-13 2023-01-17 Steelcase Inc. Seating arrangement
US11963621B2 (en) 2015-04-13 2024-04-23 Steelcase Inc. Seating arrangement
US11109683B2 (en) 2019-02-21 2021-09-07 Steelcase Inc. Body support assembly and method for the use and assembly thereof
US11357329B2 (en) 2019-12-13 2022-06-14 Steelcase Inc. Body support assembly and methods for the use and assembly thereof
US11786039B2 (en) 2019-12-13 2023-10-17 Steelcase Inc. Body support assembly and methods for the use and assembly thereof
US11805913B2 (en) 2019-12-13 2023-11-07 Steelcase Inc. Body support assembly and methods for the use and assembly thereof
WO2022232120A1 (en) * 2021-04-28 2022-11-03 L&P Property Management Company Slim-profile, all-linkage, wall-proximity reclining mechanism allowing a wood-to-floor recliner seating unit
US11766124B2 (en) 2021-04-28 2023-09-26 L&P Property Management Company Slim-profile, all-linkage, wall-proximity reclining mechanism allowing a wood-to-floor recliner seating unit

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1290685B (de) 1969-03-13
GB1137678A (en) 1968-12-27

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