US3747973A

US3747973A - Rocker/recliner chair

Info

Publication number: US3747973A
Application number: US00070269A
Authority: US
Inventors: F Re
Original assignee: Dual Manufacturing and Engineering Inc
Current assignee: Dual Manufacturing and Engineering Inc
Priority date: 1970-09-08
Filing date: 1970-09-08
Publication date: 1973-07-24
Anticipated expiration: 1990-07-24
Also published as: US3802735A

Abstract

A rocker/recliner chair inclusive of a rocker base, a chassis rockably connected to the base, a body-supporting unit (i.e. a seat and a back) connected to the chassis, a leg rest, and mechanism interconnecting the body-supporting unit and leg rest and chassis for coordinated rocking and reclining motions of the body-supporting unit and extending or retracting of the leg rest, and arresting means which permits rocking of the chassis and seat and back and leg rest with respect to the base when the chair is in upright position or moving into intermediate reclined position, and which precludes rocking as the chair assumes an intermediate position or is in the intermediate or fully reclined positions or positions therebetween.

Description

United States Patent 1 1 [451 July 24, 1973 22 Filed:

[ ROCKER/RECLINER CHAIR [75] Inventor: Frank M. Re, l-lolyoke, Mass.

' [7 3] Assignee: Dual Manufacturing and Engineering, Incorporated, Holyoke,

Mass.

Sept. 8, 1970 211 App]. No.: 70,269

52 us. (:1 297/84, 297/269, 297/271, 297/DIG.7 [51] 1111. C1. ..A47c1/035 53 Field or Search. 287/84, 85, DIG. 7, a 287/269, 270, 259, 271

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS, 3,493,264 2/1970 Re ..'297/o1o.7 3,302,969 2/1967 Mizelle 297/n1e.7

3,163,464 12/1964 Martin 297/271 X 3,243,226 3/1966 Katz 297/271 X 2,746,519 5/1956 Krikorian 297/DIG. 7

Primary Examiner-Francis K. Zugel Attorney-Kenwood Ross and Chester E. Flavin 1 [57] ABSTRACT,

A rocker/recliner chair inclusive of a rocker base, a chassis rockably connected to the base, a bodysupporting unit (i.e. a seat and a back) connected to the chassis, a leg rest, and mechanism interconnecting the body-supporting unit and leg rest and chassis for coordinated rocking and reclining motions of the bodysupporting unit and extending or retracting of the leg rest,'and arresting means which permits rocking of the chassis and seat and backand leg rest with respect to the base when the chair is in upright position or moving into intermediate reclined position, and which precludes rocking as the chair assumes an intermediate position or is in the intermediate or fully reclined positions or positions therebetween.

3,243,225 3/1966 ,Katz.. 297/85 5 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures no 10s 4 321| 80 26114 2o\'\ 56 /9 8094 1294138 so I 15 Ina/11149128130 i Yea Q27:

Patented July 24, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. FRANK M. RE BY M w! 9014 a ATTORNEYS.

mv' lam Patented July 24, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORV FRANK M. RE BY Ema/001i QOIM m -12 mm; m

U I N t O mumflewm ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 24, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR; FRANK ML RE BY (ma/0a! @014 6 m 6' W ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 24, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 5; n 12 Mag i: 1% co 2% s 3 8 (X n 8 an 8-7 8 m INVENTOR. FRANK M. R BY @MMQM W mm ATTORNEYS.

ROCKER/RECLINER CHAIR CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 884,187, filed Dec. 11, I969.

The invention relates to a three-position chair associated with a rocker structure to define a rocker/recliner capable of serving selectively as a rocker or as a recliner at the will of the occupant.

Herein, a recliner chassis is uniquely combined and coordinated with the rocker mechanismof a platform rocker, wherefore, when in normal upright position, a comfortable rocking chair is defined, and when actuated toward one of its reclining positions, the natural shift in the occupants weight is such as to call into operational use arresting means wherefore rocking is pre eluded as well as anoperating mechanism wherefore the seat is automatically shifted between upright sitting and various reclining positions coincident with tilting of the back and extending of the leg rest.

Arresting means are rendered non-operative during rocking movements and are rendered operative so as automatically to lock the chair against rocking movements as the chair is shifted-into the intermediate reclined or fully reclined positions. As the body supporting structure so shifts into the intermediate reclined position, actuating means move the arresting means into a blcokirig position to-effeetively preclude rocking.

The arresting means, in certain embodiments, comprises a pin or roller which is rideable in a slotted plate which rises upwardly from the rocker base, the relationshipv between the roller, and the plate and the slot being such as to permit rocking when the chair is upright, but to preclude rocking when the chair is reclined.

In another embodiment, the arresting means comprises a pin-in-slot arrangement which is operable according to movement of the leg rest. When it is not contacted by the leg rest (i.e., when the leg rest is extended), it effectively blocks any rocking movement and when it is contacted by the leg rest (i.e., when the leg rest is retracted), it permits rocking movement.

However, I do not wish to'be limited to the specific structures shown and described as the arresting means may comprise in any of the embodiments, a pin or peg or roller or offset or shoe, all within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Thus, herefollowing, when a certain nomenclature is employed, it will be understood to encompass all of the variations as indicated above.

In the drawings:

FIG. I is a fragmentary view, in side elevation, of a rocker/recliner chair of the type embodying the invention, the chair being shown in upright, sitting and/or rocking position, with the leg rest retracted, portions of the chair being removed for purposes of clarity;

FIG; 2 is'a fragmentary view, in side elevation, of the chair in intermediate position, with the leg rest extended and the arresting means operative to preclude rocking;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary View, in side elevation, of the chair in fully-reclined position, with the leg rest extended and the arresting means operative to preclude rocking;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view, in side elevation, of a rocker/recliner chair embodying'a first modified form of the invention, the chair being shown in fully-reclined position, with the leg rest extended and the arresting means operative to preclude rocking;

FIG. 5 is a somewhat schematic, fragmentary, part sectional view, in side elevation, of a rocker/recliner chair embodying a second modified form of the invention, the chair being shown in upright, sitting and/or rocking position;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, the chair being shown in a reclined position, with the leg rest extended and the arresting means operative to preclude rocking;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view, in top plan, of the mechanism of FIG. 6, with parts omitted for clarity;

FIG. 8 is a somewhat schematic, fragmentary, part sectional view, in side elevation, of a rocker/recliner chair embodying still another modified form of the invention, the chair being shown in upright, sitting and/or rocking position; and

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, with the chair shown in a reclined position, with the leg rest extended and the arresting means operative to preclude rocking.

The chair of the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1

'3 incorporates a seat 10, a back 12, a rockable chassis 114, a two-part foldaway leg rest generally indicated by 18 and having one of its parts 20 disposed flush with the forward edge of the seat in the chair upright position, and a rocker base 22 for chassis 14 type.

Whereas a two part leg rest has been shown, a onepart leg rest could be as well employed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

At either side of the chair, an arcuate rocker 24 is secured to the respective side wall of rockable chassis l4 and is rockable upon the upper planar surface of the adjacent rail of rocker base 22, each such rocker being interassociated with the rocker base by a doublecompression spring mechanism, not shown.

Seat 10 and back 12 are pivotally secured relative to eachother and cooperantly constitute a bodysupporting subassembly having a pivotal relationship to rockable chassis 14.

The operating mechanism in a recliner normally consists of a pair of so-called linkage mechanisms operating unisonly, one being operative at each side of the chair. Alternatively, one such linkage mechanism, operative centrally of the chair, can be employed. In this disclosure, only one such linkage mechanism is described, for purposes of clarity.

A provided linkage mechanism constitutes one of a pair, there being one such mechanism at each side of the body-supporting sub-assembly and inwardly of the respective adjacent side of the rockable chassis so as to be concealed from view.

A vertically-disposed mounting bracket 26 extends along the front-to-rear chair dimension and is stationarily secured to the coplanar-disposed adjacent side wall of rackable chassis 14.

A seat bracket 28, also extending in a front-to-rear chair direction, is stationarily secured to transverselyextending front and

rear stretehers

29 and 31 respectively of seat 10, as seen in FIG. 1.

Leg rest 18 is mounted, through the linkage mechanism, relative to the forward end of the seat for movements between a fully-retracted position, as in FIG. I, and extended positions, as in FIGS. 2 and 3.

In leg rest fully-retracted position, which is also the fully-upright, or rocking position, a major leg rest part 20 is disposed vertically and substantially flush with the forwardly-facing front edge of the seat, while a cooperant minor leg rest part 21 pivotally connected thereto at 72 is disposed horizontally and extends rearwardly from the lower end of the major leg rest part and beneath the seat.

When major leg rest part 20 is elevated, advanced and extended, cooperant minor leg rest part 21 is moved therewith accordingly. When the major part is in fully-extended position, the minor part will have moved to a position forwardly of and in generally axial alignment with the major part. When the major part is forced downwardly to any degree, according to pressure exerted by the legs of the occupant, the minor part is depressed therewith.

Leg rest 18 is suspended relative to seat by a primary actuator link 30 and a secondary actuator link 32, the primary actuator link being pivoted at 34 at its upper end to seat bracket 28 and at 35,at its lower end to the lower end of a primary drive link 36, and the secondary actuator link being pivoted at 38 at its upper end to seat bracket 28 and at 40 at its lower end to the lower end of a secondary drive link 42.

Primary drive link 36 is pivoted at 44 at its upper end to the rear end of a primary propeller link 46, which primary propeller link is pivoted at 48 at its approximate midsection to the approximate midsection of secondary drive link 42. The secondary drive link in turn is pivoted .at 50 at its upper end to the rearward end of a secondary propeller link 52.

Primary propeller link 46 is pivoted at 54 at its forward end to the lower end of a major leg rest drive link 56, which major leg rest drive link is pivoted at 58 at its approximate midsection to the approximate midsection of secondary propeller link 52 and at 60 at its upper end of one end of a major-leg rest support plate 62.

Secondary drive link 42 and major leg rest drive link 56 are provided with stop surfaces for limiting the range of leg rest retraction and extension. A first stop surface 43 on link 42 contacts a first stop surface 57 on link 56 to limit the range of leg rest retraction, as shown in FIG. 1. A second stop surface 45 on link 42 contacts a second stop surface 59 on link 56 to limit the range of leg rest extension, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, a minor leg rest drive link 64 is pivoted at 66 at its lower end to the forward end of secondary propeller link 52 and is pivoted at 68 at its upper end to a minor leg rest support plate 70, which minor leg rest support plate is pivoted at 72 to major leg rest support plate 62.

A connecting link 74 is pivoted at 76 at its upper end to major leg rest support plate 62 and at 78 at its lower end to minor leg rest drive link 64 adjacent the forward end of the latter.

Control means for regulating the ease and manner of leg rest movement is in the form of a primary control link 80 pivoted at 82 adjacent its approximate midsection to primary actuator link 30 and to rise bar, (to be described), and pivoted at 84 at its forward end to the rearward end of a secondary control link 86, which secondary control link is pivoted at 88 at its approximate midsection to the approximate midsection of secondary actuator link 32. Secondary control link 86 is pivoted at 44 at its forward end to primary drive link 36.

Primary control link 80 is spring-loaded by a tension spring 90 fixed at one end to a pin 92 on the inner free end of the primary control link and at its opposite end to a pin 94 on scat bracket 28, all ensuring that the leg rest remains closed so long as the chair is upright or an occupant is rocking therein.

As seen in FIG. 1, a stop surface 81 on primary control link contacts a stop surface 33 on secondary actuator link 32 in the upright position of the chair to limit the range of leg rest retraction.

Coordinated movement of the seat and back, coincident with extension of the leg rest, is ensured by a rise bar 96 pivoted at 82 at its forward end to both primary actuator link 30 and control link 80 and pivoted at 97 at its rearward end to a plate-like coordinating link 98.

Coordinating link 98 is the focal point or hub for the operative interconnections between chassis, leg rest, back, and seat, being operatively connected to the chassis through pivotal connection 100 on mounting bracket 26, being operatively connected to the leg rest through pivotal connection 97, being operatively connected to the back by a short link 102 which is pivoted at 104 at its lower end to the coordinating link and is pivoted at 106 at its upper end to an L-shaped back link 108, which back link is fixed as by screws 110 to a side rail 112 of the back and is pivoted at 114 to mounting bracket 26, and being operatively connected to the seat by a link 116 pivoted at 118 at its lower end to-the coordinating link and having a central slot 120 therein in which a pin 122 on seat bracket 28 is slideable.

Slotted link 116 precludes reclining of the bodysupporting unit without concomitant leg rest extension and conversely precludes the closing of the leg rest without a concomitant return of the seat back.

A connecting link 124 is pivoted on pin 122 at its upper end and at 126 at its lower end on rise bar 96 for achieving an operative connection between seat and leg rest.

To raise seat bracket 28 and to move it and seat 10 forwardly so as to clear the chair arms while counterbalancing the back to preclude any objectionable falling sensation on the part of the occupant during reclination, a seat link 128 is pivoted at 130 at its rearward end to seat bracket 28 and is pivoted at 132 at its opposite end to the upper end of a pivot link 134.

The pivot link is pivoted at 136 at its approximate midsection to the approximate midsection of a seat support link 138 and is pivoted at 140 at its lower end to the upper end of a chassis link 142. The chassis link is pivoted at 144 at its lower end to mounting bracket 26.

Seat support link 138 is pivoted at 146 at its rearward end to mounting bracket 26 and is pivoted at 148 at its forward end to the lower end of a rise bar link 150. The rise bar link is pivoted at 152 at its upper end to rise bar 96.

In the upright or chair-closed position of FIG. 1, for purposes of limiting the rearward leg rest travel, secondary drive link 42 contacts major leg rest drive link 56 and secondary actuator link 32 contacts primary control link 80.

Additional stop means comprises a stop 154 on coordinating link 98 engageable with a lower surface of back link 108 for limiting the degree of angularization of the back, when the chair is in the fully-reclined position.

In the upright and intermediate reclining positions, a stop 199 of seat support link 138 rests upon an offset flange 200 on mounting bracket 26, the flange acting as a stop for supporting the seat.

I end.-

A rearward actuating link 190 is pivoted at 192 at its lower end to rearward arresting link 182 and is pivoted, as by a pivot pin 194,' at its opposite end to coordinating link 98. The rearward actuating link is the direct means for effecting movement of the rearward arresting link.

Roller 186 is receivable in and rideable relative to an arcuate, substantially vertically-disposed rearwardlyfacing slot 220 provided in a plate 222 fixed to rocker base 22 as by screws 224 and extending vertically upwardly therefrom.

The upper reach of slot 220 is of sufficient width to permit horizontal, forward-back movement of roller 186 as the chair is rocked in the upright or FIG. 1 positron.

The lower reach of slot 220, on the other hand, is only sufficiently wide to receive the roller freely but firmly therein, when the'chair is in either of the reclined positions of FIGS. 2 and 3." I

In such reclined positions, the roller is free to ride along a base wall 226 of the lower reach of the slot, but the slot is not sufficiently wide to permit vertical travel of the roller, whereby rocking is effectively precluded.

The slot is'arcuate to permit free travel of the roller as the chair, is moved between upright and reclined positions and is tapered from top to bottom to permit rocking in only one situation while precluding rocking in all others.

As best seen in FIG. 3, a pivot pin 194 passes freely In addition to stop 154 on coordinating link 98 for limiting the degree of angularization of the back, the upper end of the rearward arresting link 182 constitutes a stop which, when engaged by a curved portion of back link 108, precludes further angularization of the back.

When the chair is in upright position, as in FIG. 1, the

. arresting means is in a raised position, and disposed in through the upper end of rearward actuating link 190, I

the head of the pivot pin having a U-shaped tension spring 204 looped therearound, the ends of the spring being fixed to the actuating link.

The spring-loading of actuating link 190 by spring 204 effects a tension on rearward arresting link 1182 to pull the rearward arresting link past dead center in its movement from raised to lowered position.

The spring functions to permit the rearward arresting link 182 to collapse on rocking rearwardly and to pull it into blocking position on rocking forwardly, thus allowing the leg rest to function while the rocking motion yet continues for a single rocking cycle after reclination is initiated.

A guide pin 208 serves as a stop and extends inwardly from rearward arresting link 182 and has a flange 210 for spacing the upper end of the rearward arresting link from mounting bracket26 to preclude. binding. The side face of the flange 210 rides along on the face of mounting bracket 26 and serves to guide the rearward arresting link in its movements between raised or inoperative position and lowered or operative position.

Additionally, contact of the upper surface of mounting bracket 26 with guide pin 208 limits the motion or angularizationof rearwardarresting link 182.

When the chair occupant rocks forwardly, guide pin 208 limits the motion of the rearward arresting link as the latter swings rearwardly, same being propelled rearwardly by spring 204.

the upper reach of slot 220 in plate 222, whereby the chassis may be rocked at will. However, when the body-supporting unit is moved as the leg rest is being extended, the arresting means moves into contact with base wall 226 of the slot to preclude rocking.

Since the arresting means is operatively connected to coordinating link 98, it swings as the coordinating link rotates when the body-supporting unit is reclined, moving relative to the slot to provide arresting means to preclude rocking, when the chair is in intermediate or fully-reclined positions.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the arresting means is disposed adjacent the forward end of the chair and is generally indicated by 160. It includes a forward arresting link 162 pivoted at 164 at its upper end to mounting bracket 26 and having such as a pin or roller 166 mounted on its lower end.

A forward actuating link 170 is pivoted at 172 at its forward end to forward arresting link 162 and is pivoted at 174 at its opposite end to coordinating link 98. The forward actuating link 170 is the direct means for effecting movement of the forward arresting link.

Roller 166 is receivable in and rideable relative to an arcuate, substantially vertically-disposed forwardlyfacing slot 320 provided in a plate 322 fixed to rocker base 22 as by screws 324 and extending vertically upwardly therefrom.

The upper reach of slot 320 is of sufficient width to permit horizontal, forward-back movement of roller 166 as the chair is rocked in the upright position.

The lower reach of slot 320, on the other hand, is only sufficiently wide to receive the roller freely but firmlytherein when the chair is in either of the intermediate reclined position or the fully reclined position of FIG. 4.

In such reclined positions, the roller is free to ride along a base wall 326 of the lower reach of the slot, but the slot is not sufficiently wide to permit vertical travel of the roller, whereby rocking is effectively precluded. The slot is arcuate to permit free travel of the roller as the chair is moved between upright and reclined positions and is tapered from top to bottom to permit rocking in only one situation while precluding rocking in all others.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 7, the arresting means is generally indicated by 400 and operates independently of the chair mechanism, being actuated by the major leg rest part 20. I

Herein, the arresting means includes a pair of spaced upright plates 402 fixed at their lower ends as by bolts 404 and nuts 406 to a cross brace 408 which extends transversely between the rocker base members 22 forwardly of the arcuate rockers 24.

Plates 402 are provided at their upper ends with an integral, rearwardly-directed and inclined offset 410 having a slot 412 therein to allow the pin 416 to ride freely therein while rocking.

A push rod 414, which is disposed upwardly of and in spaced substantial parallelism to rocker base members 22, extends in a front-to-rear chair direction and passes between plates 402.

A pin or roller 416 extends transversely outwardly from each side of the push rod and is receivable in slots 412 of plates 402.

The push rod is mounted adjacent its rear end for sliding movement relative to a bracket 418 fixed to a block 420 disposed on the upper surface of a cross brace 422 which extends between rockers 24.

The push rod is spring-loaded by means of a compression spring 424 trapped between an upstanding rear wall 426 of the bracket and a pin 428 which extends transversely outwardly from either side of the push rod, the pin being engageable with an abutment 430 at each side of the bracket to limit the range of forward motion of the push rod.

A forward end 432 of the push rod 414 is engageable by the rear surface of the major leg rest part as shown in FIG. 5 when the chair is in the upright position with the leg rest retracted.

In this position, the major leg rest part drives the push rod rearwardly to clear pin 416 from engagement in a locking slot extension 434 of slot 412 in plates 402, wherefore pin 416 is free to ride relative to slot 412 as the chair is rocked in upright position.

When the chair is reclined and the leg rest extended, the major leg rest part no longer serves a blocking function against push rod 414 wherefore the action of spring 424 pushes the rod forwardly and drives pin 416 into engagement with the base of locking slot extension 434 and pin 428 into engagement with abutment 430 of bracket 418, to effectively preclude rocking while the leg rest is extended.

When the leg rest is retracted, major leg rest part drives the push rod rearwardly to clear pin 416 from its engagement in locking slot 434 and into slot 412 wherefore rocking once again becomes possible.

It is contemplated that one such arresting means 400 will be utilized and mounted so that the push rod strikes approximately centrally of the rear face of the major leg rest portion.

Of course two such units could be employed, with one being positioned at each side of the chair.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, the arresting means is generally indicated by 500 and also operates independently of the chair mechanism, being actuated by the major leg rest part 20.

Herein, the arresting means includes a pair of spaced upright plates 502, only one of which is shown, fixed at one side edge as by bolts 504 and nuts 506 to a cross brace 508 which extends transversely between the rocker base members 22 forwardly of the arcuate rockers 24.

Plates 502 are provided with an integral, substantially vertically-extending arm 510 having a slot 512 therein.

An upright pivot link 514 is pivoted as at 516 at its approximate midsection to a bracket 518 fixed to a cross brace 520 which extends between rockers 24.

A push rod 522 is fixed to the upper end of pivot link 514 and extends horizontally outwardly therefrom in a front-to-rear chair direction.

A pin or roller 524 extends transversely outwardly from each side of the pivot link adjacent its lower end and is receivable in slots 512 of plates 502, the pin riding freely in the vertical slots to permit rocking while in the chair upright position.

Pivot link 514 is spring-loaded by means of a spring 526 which extends between the pivot link and rocker 24.

A forward end 528 of push rod 522 is engageable by the rear surface of the major leg rest part 20 as shown in FIG. 5 when the chair is in the uprighted position with the leg rest retracted.

In this position, the major leg rest part drives the push rod rearwardly causing pivot link 514 to pivot at 516 to clear pin 524 from engagement in a locking slot extension 530 of slot 512 in plates 502, wherefore pin 524 is free to ride relative to slot 512 as the chair is rocked in upright position.

When the chair is reclined and the leg rest extended, the major leg rest part no longer serves a blocking function against forward end 528 of push rod 522, therefore the action of spring 526 pulls the lower end of pivot link 514 rearwardly to drive pin 524 into engagement with the base of locking slot extension 530, to effectively preclude rocking while the leg rest is extended.

When the leg rest is retracted, major leg rest part 20 drives the push rod rearwardly to clear pin 524 from its engagement in locking slot 530 and into slot 512 wherefore rocking once again becomes possible.

It is contemplated that one such arresting means 500 will be utilized and mounted so that the push rod strikes approximately centrally of the reat face of the major leg rest portion.

I claim:

1. A rocker recliner chair comprising:

a stationary rocker base,

a chassis rockably mounted on said base,

a body-supporting unit including a back rest and a seat pivotal relative to the chassis,

means mounting the body-supporting unit for movements relative to the chassis successively between an upright sitting position and an intermediate reclined position and a fully reclined position,

a leg rest movable between a retracted position beneath the seat and an extended position forwardly of the seat,

actuating means connecting the body-supporting unit and chassis and leg rest for automatically moving the leg rest responsively to movement of the bodysupporting unit,

the actuating means moving the seat forwardly and upwardly as the body-supporting unit is reclined and the leg rest is extended, and

arresting means operative when the body-supporting unit is reclined and the leg rest is extended for precluding rocking of the chassis,

the arresting means including a guided member moveable relative to a guiding member,

a link operatively connected to the actuating means and carrying the guided member, and

the guiding member comprising a stationary slotted plate fixed to the chair base.

2. In a rocker recliner chair as set forth in claim 1,

wherein the guided member is a roller.

3. In a rocker recliner chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein the slotted plate is disposed adjacent the chair rear.

4. In a rocker recliner chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein the slot is arcuate with its walls converging from top to bottom.

5. In a rocker recliner chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein the slotted plate is disposed adjacent the chair front.

Claims

1. A rocker recliner chair comprising: a stationary rocker base, a chassis rockably mounted on said base, a body-supporting unit including a back rest and a seat pivotal relative to the chassis, means mounting the body-supporting unit for movements relative to the chassis successively between an upright sitting position and an intermediate reclined position and a fully reclined position, a leg rest movable between a retracted position beneath the seat and an extended position forwardly of the seat, actuating means connecting the body-supporting unit and chassis and leg rest for automatically moving the leg rest responsively to movement of the body-supporting unit, the actuating means moving the seat forwardly and upwardly as the body-supporting unit is reclined and the leg rest is extended, and arresting means operative when the body-supporting unit is reclined and the leg rest is extended for precluding rocking of the chassis, the arresting means including a guided member moveable relative to a guiding member, a link operatively connected to the actuating means and carrying the guided member, and the guiding member comprising a stationary slotted plate fixed to the chair base.

2. In a rocker recliner chair as set forth in claim 1, wherein the guided member is a roller.