Reclining chair

Claim 2

In a reclining chair having a stationary frame, a seat mounted on the frame for movement relative to the frame between normal and reclining positions, and a backrest pivotally connected to the seat to be movable with the seat between normal and reclining positions and to be movable relative to the seat between a partially reclined position and a fully reclined position; linkage means for supporting said seat and backrest for movement relative to the frame between said normal and reclining positions thereof, the linkage means including a balance link extending below said seat, first pivot means pivotally mounting said balance link intermediate its ends to said frame for permitting said balance link to move relative to said frame, a front mounting link pivotally interconnecting front portions of said balance link and said seat, a second, rear mounting link pivotally interconnecting the backrest and a rear end portion of said balance link, said first pivot means being located intermediate the connections of said front and rear mounting links to said balance link, and restraining means preventing pivoting movement of said balance link relative to said frame when the chair moves from a normal to said partially reclined position but permitting pivotal movement of said balance link about said first pivot means relative to said frame under actuation by said rear mounting link when the backrest is moved to a further reclined position beyond said partially reclined position, said linkage means including a third, rear mounting link pivotally connected to said backrest and pivotally connected to said frame forwardly of said second rear mounting link, the pivotal connection between said third mounting link and said backrest acting as a fulcrum for said back rest when moving beyond said partially reclined position to a further reclined position, said first pivot means being located forwardly of the pivotal connection of the third mounting link to the frame.

Claim 3

The reclining chair defined in claim 1 wherein said linkage means includes a first stop means fixed to said frame engageable by said third mounting link when the chair moves into said partially reclined position for preventing further movement of said third mounting link as the chair moves beyond said partially reclined position towards a further reclined position and permitting said third mounting link to act as a fulcrum for said backrest when moving beyond said partially reclined position to said further reclined position, said linkage means including a further stop means on said seat engageable with a portion of said backrest for limiting movement of said backrest to a fully reclined position beyond said partially reclined poSition.

Claim 4

The reclining chair defined in claim 1 wherein said restraining means includes a stop on said third mounting link and a portion projecting from said second mounting link and engageable with said stop.

Claim 5

The reclining chair defined in claim 1 wherein said backrest includes a primary backrest to which said seat and rear mounting links are pivotally connected as aforesaid, and a secondary backrest movable between a retracted position behind the primary backrest and an extended position projected beyond the primary backrest when the chair is moved into said partially reclined position, and wherein there is further included a second linkage means for mounting and actuating said secondary backrest said second linkage means including a pair of secondary backrest links pivotally connected to said secondary backrest, a secondary backrest mounting link pivoted intermediate its ends to said primary backrest for rotation relative thereto, said secondary backrest links being pivotally connected to said backrest mounting link at one side of the pivot of the secondary backrest mounting link to said primary backrest, and a secondary backrest actuator link pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said secondary backrest mounting link at the side of its pivot to said primary backrest opposite the side of said secondary backrest links, one end portion of said actuator link being pivotally mounted relative to said frame while the other end of said actuator link being pivotally connected to one of said secondary backrest links.

Claim 6

The reclining chair defined in claim 4 wherein said second linkage means further includes a connecting link pivotally interconnecting said actuator link and one of said secondary backrest links.

Claim 7

The reclining chair defined in claim 4 further including a footrest movable between a retracted position underlying said seat and an extended position projected forwardly from the front of the seat, and wherein there is further included third linkage means for mounting and actuating said footrest between said extended and retracted positions thereof, said third linkage means including said front mounting link which actuates said third linkage means between extended and retracted positions of said footrest.

Claim 8

The reclining chair defined in claim 6 wherein said third linkage means includes a pair of generally parallel footrest links pivotally connected at spaced locations to said footrest, and wherein there is further included a leg support for supporting the calves of the legs and being movable between a retracted position below said seat and an extended position projected forwardly of said seat but rearwardly of said footrest, said third linkage means further including a leg support mounting link fixed to said leg support and pivotally connected to said footrest at the same location as one of said footrest links, and a leg support actuator link pivotally connected to the other of said footrest links and pivotally connected intermediate the ends of said leg support mounting link for causing actuation of said leg support between said extended and retracted positions thereof.

Claim 9

The reclining chair defined in claim 1 further including a footrest movable between a retracted position underlying said seat and an extended position projected forwardly from the front of the seat, and wherein there is further included second linkage means for mounting and actuating said footrest between said extended and retracted positions thereof, said second linkage means including said front mounting link which actuates said second linkage means between extended and retracted positions of said footrest.

Claim 10

The reclining chair defined in claim 8 wherein said second linkage means includes a pair of generally parallel footrest links pivotally connected at spaced locations to said footrest, and wherein there is further included a leg support for supporting the calves of the legs and being movable between a retracted position below said seat and an extended positioN projected forwardly of said seat but rearwardly of said footrest, said second linkage means further including a leg support mounting link fixed to said leg support and pivotally connected to said footrest at the same location as one of said footrest links, and a leg support actuator link pivotally connected to the other of said footrest links and pivotally connected intermediate the ends of said leg support mounting link for causing actuation of said leg support between said extended and retracted positions of said leg support.

Claim 11

In a reclining chair including a seat, and a primary backrest movable between a normal generally upright position and a reclining position extending at an incline to the vertical; a secondary backrest and linkage means mounting said secondary backrest to the primary backrest for movement between a retracted position located behind the primary backrest when the latter is in the upright position and an extended position projected beyond the primary backrest when the latter is in a reclined position, said linkage means including a mounting link pivoted intermediate its ends thereof to said primary backrest for rotation relative thereto, a pair of secondary backrest links pivotally connected to said secondary backrest and also pivotally connected to said mounting link at one side of the pivotal connection of the mounting link to the primary backrest, an actuator link having one end portion mounted for pivotal movement relative to the chair and an opposite end portion pivotally connected to one of said secondary backrest links, said actuator link being pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said mounting link on the opposite side of the pivotal connection of the mounting link to the primary backrest.

Claim 12

In a reclining chair including a seat, and a primary backrest movable between a normal generally upright position and a reclining position extending at an incline to the vertical; a secondary backrest and linkage means mounting said secondary backrest to the primary backrest for movement between a retracted position located behind the primary backrest when the latter is in the upright position and an extended position projected beyond the primary backrest when the latter is in a reclined position, said linkage means including a mounting link pivoted intermediate its ends thereof to said primary backrest for rotation relative thereto, a pair of secondary backrest links pivotally connected to said secondary backrest and also pivotally connected to said mounting link at one side of the pivotal connection of the mounting link to the primary backrest, an actuator link having one end portion mounted for pivotal movement relative to the chair and an opposite end portion pivotally connected to one of said secondary backrest links, said actuator link being pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said mounting link on the opposite side of the pivotal connection of the mounting link to the primary backrest.

Claim 13

The chair defined in claim 10 wherein said one of said secondary backrest links is pivotally connected to said mounting link at one of the ends thereof and wherein the other secondary backrest link is pivotally connected to said mounting link at a point intermediate the pivotal connection to the primary backrest and the pivotal connection to said one secondary backrest link.

Claim 14

The chair defined in claim 10 further including a fulcrum means about which said primary backrest moves when moving between a partially reclined position at which said secondary backrest is in the extended position and a fully reclined position and at which said secondary remains in said extended position, and wherein the pivotal connection of said actuator link and the chair is adjacent but eccentric relative to the fulcrum means when the primary backrest is in the partially and fully reclined positions such that the angle between the primary backrest and secondary backrest is greater in the fully reclined position than in the partially reclined position.

Claim 15

For use in a reclining chair having a stationary frame, a seat mounted on the frame for movement relative to the frame between normal and reclining positions, and a backrest pivotally connected to the seat to be movable with the seat between normal and reclining positions and to be movable relative to the seat between a partially reclined position and a fully reclined position; a linkage means for supporting said seat and backrest for movement relative to the frame between said normal and reclining positions thereof, the linkage means including a seat link adapted to be fixed to the seat to be movable therewith, a backrest link adapted to be fixed to the backrest to be movable therewith, said backrest link being pivotally connected to a rear end portion of said seat link, a frame link adapted to be fixed to the frame and extending generally below said seat link and rearwardly thereof, a balancing link extending generally between said frame and seat link and pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said frame link, a front mounting link pivotally connected to front portions of said seat link and said balancing link, a rear mounting link pivotally connected to said backrest link and to a rear End portion of said balancing link, and restraining means for preventing pivotal movement of said balancing link relative to said frame link when the backrest is moved from a normal generally upright position to a partially reclined position but permitting pivotal movement of said balancing link relative to said frame link under actuation by said rear mounting link when the backrest is moved to a further reclined position beyond said partially reclined position, and wherein said restraining means includes a stop on said mounting link and a portion projecting from said second mounting link and engageable with said stop.

Claim 16

For use in a reclining chair having a stationary frame, a seat mounted on the frame for movement relative to the frame between normal and reclining positions, and a backrest pivotally connected to the seat to be movable with the seat between normal and reclining positions and to be movable relative to the seat between a partially reclined position and a fully reclined position; a linkage means for supporting said seat and backrest for movement relative to the frame between said normal and reclining positions thereof, the linkage means including a seat link adapted to be fixed to the seat to be movable therewith, a backrest link adapted to be fixed to the backrest to be movable therewith, said backrest link being pivotally connected to a rear end portion of said seat link, a frame link adapted to be fixed to the frame and extending generally below said seat link and rearwardly thereof, a balancing link extending generally between said frame and seat link and pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said frame link, a front mounting link pivotally connected to front portions of said seat link and said balancing link, a rear mounting link pivotally connected to said backrest link and to a rear End portion of said balancing link, and restraining means for preventing pivotal movement of said balancing link relative to said frame link when the backrest is moved from a normal generally upright position to a partially reclined position but permitting pivotal movement of said balancing link relative to said frame link under actuation by said rear mounting link when the backrest is moved to a further reclined position beyond said partially reclined position, and wherein said restraining means includes a stop on said mounting link and a portion projecting from said second mounting link and engageable with said stop.

Claim 17

For use in a reclining chair having a stationary frame, a seat mounted on the frame for movement relative to the frame between normal and reclining positions, and a backrest pivotally connected to the seat to be movable with the seat between normal and reclining positions and to be movable relative to the seat between a partially reclined position and a fully reclined position; a linkage means for supporting said seat and backrest for movement relative to the frame between said normal and reclining positions thereof, the linkage means including a seat link adapted to be fixed to the seat to be movable therewith, a backrest link adapted to be fixed to the backrest to be movable therewith, said backrest link being pivotally connected to a rear end portion of said seat link, a frame link adapted to be fixed to the frame and extending generally below said seat link and rearwardly thereof, a balancing link extending generally between said frame and seat link and pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said frame link, a front mounting link pivotally connected to front portions of said seat link and said balancing link, a rear mounting link pivotally connected to said backrest link and to a rear end portion of said balancing link, and restraining means for preventing pivotal movement of said balancing link relative to said frame link when the backrest is moved from a normal generally upright position to a partially reclined position but permitting pivotal movement of said balancing link relative to said frame link under actuation by said rear mounting link when the backrest is moved to a further reclined position beyond said partially reclined position, and wherein the backrest includes a primary backrest to which said seat and rear mounting links are pivotally connected as aforesaid, and a secondary backrest movable between a retracted position behind the primary backrest and an extended position projected beyond the primary backrest when the chair is moved into said partially reclined position; a second linkage means for mounting and actuating said secondary backrest, said second linkage means including a secondary backrest bracket adapted to be fixed to the secondary backrest, a pair of secondary backrest links pivotally connected to said secondary backrest bracket, a secondary backrest mounting link pivoted intermediate its ends to said backrest link for rotation relative thereto, said secondary backrest links being pivotally connected to said backrest mounting link at one side of the pivotal connection to said backrest link, and a secondary backrest actuator link pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said secondary backrest mounting link at the side of its pivot to said backrest link opposite the side of said secondary backrest links, one end portion of said actuator link being pivotally connected relative to said frame link while the other end of said actuator link being pivotally connected to one of said secondary backrest links.

Claim 18

For use in a reclining chair having a stationary frame, a seat mounted on the frame for movement relative to the frame between normal and reclining positions, and a backrest pivotally connected to the seat to be movable with the seat between normal and reclining positions and to be movable relative to the seat between a partially reclined position and a fully reclined position; a linkage means for supporting said seat and backrest for movement relative to the frame between said normal and reclining positions thereof, the linkage means including a seat link adapted to be fixed to the seat to be movable therewith, a backrest link adapted to be fixed to the backrest to be movable therewith, said backrest link being pivotally connected to a rear end portion of said seat link, a frame link adapted to be fixed to the frame and extending generally below said seat link and rearwardly thereof, a balancing link extending generally between said frame and seat link and pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said frame link, a front mounting link pivotally connected to front portions of said seat link and said balancing link, a rear mounting link pivotally connected to said backrest link and to a rear end portion of said balancing link, and restraining means for preventing pivotal movement of said balancing link relative to said frame link when the backrest is moved from a normal generally upright position to a partially reclined position but permitting pivotal movement of said balancing link relative to said frame link under actuation by said rear mounting link when the backrest is moved to a further reclined position beyond said partially reclined position, and wherein the backrest includes a primary backrest to which said seat and rear mounting links are pivotally connected as aforesaid, and a secondary backrest movable between a retracted position behind the primary backrest and an extended position projected beyond the primary backrest when the chair is moved into said partially reclined position; a second linkage means for mounting and actuating said secondary backrest, said second linkage means including a secondary backrest bracket adapted to be fixed to the secondary backrest, a pair of secondary backrest links pivotally connected to said secondary backrest bracket, a secondary backrest mounting link pivoted intermediate its ends to said backrest link for rotation relative thereto, said secondary backrest links being pivotally connected to said backrest mounting link at one side of the pivotal connection to said backrest link, and a secondary backrest actuator link pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said secondary backrest mounting link at the side of its pivot to said backrest link opposite the side of said secondary backrest links, one end portion of said actuator link being pivotally connected relative to said frame link while the other end of said actuator link being pivotally connected to one of said secondary backrest links.

Claim 19

For use in a reclining chair having a stationary frame, a seat mounted on the frame for movement relative to the frame between normal and reclining positions, and a backrest pivotally connected to the seat to be movable with the seat between normal and reclining positions and to be movable relative to the seat between a partially reclined position and a fully reclined position; a linkage means for supporting said seat and backrest for movement relative to the frame between said normal and reclining positions thereof, the linkage means including a seat link adapted to be fixed to the seat to be movable therewith, a backrest link adapted to be fixed to the backrest to be movable therewith, said backrest link being pivotally connected to a rear end portion of said seat link, a frame link adapted to be fixed to the frame and extending generally below said seat link and rearwardly thereof, a balancing link extending generally between said frame and seat link and pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said frame link, a front mounting link pivotally connected to front portions of said seat link and said balancing link, a rear mounting link pivotally connected to said backrest link and to a rear end portion of said balancing link, and restraining means for preventing pivotal movement of said balancing link relative to said frame link when the backrest is moved from a normal generally upright position to a partially reclined position but permitting pivotal movement of said balancing link relative to said frame link under actuation by said rear mounting link when the backrest is moved to a further reclined position beyond said partially reclined position, and wherein the backrest includes a primary backrest to which said seat and rear mounting links are pivotally connected as aforesaid, and a secondary backrest movable between a retracted position behind the primary backrest and an extended position projected beyond the primary backrest when the chair is moved into said partially reclined position; a second linkage means for mounting and actuating said secondary backrest, said second linkage means including a secondary backrest, said second linkage means including a secondary backrest bracket adapted to be fixed to the secondary backrest, a pair of secondary backrest links pivotally connected to said secondary backrest bracket, a secondary backrest mounting link pivoted intermediate its ends to said backrest link for rotation relative thereto, said secondary backrest links being pivotally connected to said backrest mounting link at one side of the pivotal connection to said backrest link, and a secondary backrest actuator link pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said secondary backrest mounting link at the side of its pivot to said backrest link opposite the side of said secondary backrest links, one end portion of said actuator link being pivotally connected relative to said frame link while the other end of said actuator link being pivotally connected to one of said secondary backrest links, and wherein the pivotal connection of the third rear mounting link to the primary backrest link is adjacent but eccentric to the pivotal connection of the secondary backrest actuator link to said frame whereby when the backrest moves into a position beyond the partially reclined position into a fully reclined position, the angle between the secondary backrest and the primary backrest is greater in the fully reclined position than in the partially reclined position.

Claim 20

For use in a reclining chair having a stationary frame, a seat mounted on the frame for movement relative to the frame between normal and reclining positions, and a backrest pivotally connected to the seat to be movable with the seat between normal and reclining positions and to be movable relative to the seat between a partially reclined position and a fully reclined position; a linkage means for supporting said seat and backrest for movement relative to the frame between said normal and reclining positions thereof, the linkage means including a seat link adapted to be fixed to the seat to be movable therewith, a backrest link adapted to be fixed to the backrest to be movable therewith, said backrest link being pivotally connected to a rear end portion of said seat link, a frame link adapted to be fixed to the frame and extending generally below said seat link and rearwardly thereof, a balancing link extending generally between said frame and seat link and pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said frame link, a front mounting link pivotally connected to front portions of said seat link and said balancing link, a rear mounting link pivotally connected to said backrest link and to a rear end portion of said balancing link, and restraining means for preventing pivotal movement of said balancing link relative to said frame link when the backrest is moved from a normal generally upright position to a partially reclined position but permitting pivotal movement of said balancing link relative to said frame link under actuation by said rear mounting link when the backrest is moved to a further reclined position beyond said partially reclined position, and wherein the backrest includes a primary backrest to which said seat and rear mounting links are pivotally connected as aforesaid, and a secondary backrest movable between a retracted position behind the primary backrest and an extended position projected beyond the primary backrest when the chair is moved into said partially reclined position; a second linkage means for mounting and actuating said secondary backrest, said second linkage means including a secondary backrest, said second linkage means including a secondary backrest bracket adapted to be fixed to the secondary backrest, a pair of secondary backrest links pivotally connected to said secondary backrest bracket, a secondary backrest mounting link pivoted intermediate its ends to said backrest link for rotation relative thereto, said secondary backrest links being pivotally connected to said backrest mounting link at one side of the pivotal connection to said backrest link, and a secondary backrest actuator link pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said secondary backrest mounting link at the side of its pivot to said backrest link opposite the side of said secondary backrest links, one end portion of said actuator link being pivotally connected relative to said frame link while the other end of said actuator link being pivotally connected to one of said secondary backrest links, and wherein the pivotal connection of the third rear mounting link to the primary backrest link is adjacent but eccentric to the pivotal connection of the secondary backrest actuator link to said frame whereby when the backrest moves into a position beyond the partially reclined position into a fully reclined position, the angle between the secondary backrest and the primary backrest is greater in the fully reclined position than in the partially reclined position.