US3869170A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking mechanism for reclining chairs
Assignee: PONTIAC FURNITURE INDUSTRIES Inc
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Filing: 1973-06-28
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Granted: 1975-03-04
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Expires: 1993-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A locking mechanism for reclining chairs normally preventing recline of the chair and operated by or upon the extension of the footrest to permit the chair to recline, and upon recline, to lock the footrest against retraction. When the chair is shifted back to sitting position the footrest is again retractable, and when retracted, again prevents recline of the chair. Installed in a rocker-recliner, the mechanism also normally prevents recline, and when operated as above stated to permit recline, simultaneously locks the chair against rocking. Both recline and rocking locks utilize paired links alignable alternatively to prevent or permit relative movement of their associated parts. Also, recline of the chair, while locking the footrest against independent retraction, effects a slight related retraction thereof to prevent downward pull upon the occupant''s outstretched legs upon recline.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry James
- 👤 Carl B Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:22
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C1/00; A47C1/02; A47C1/031; A47C1/034; A47C1/0342; A47C3/00; A47C3/02; A47C3/025; A47C3/027; A47C3/03; A47C7/00; A47C7/50; A47C7/506
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
291 words
In a rocker-recliner chair having a base portion for supporting a chair upon the floor, a rocking portion mounted upon the base portion for rocking movement thereon, and a bodysupporting portion movable relative to said rocking portion from a generally upright sitting position to a recline position, the improvement comprising a locking linkage selectively shiftable between alternate positions to lock the chair against reclining while permitting the same to rock, and conversely, to lock the chair against rocking while permitting the same to recline, said linkage comprising a first pair of connected links each pivoted respectively to one of said base and said rocking portions on a first axis which is common to both and spaced from the rocking axis when the chair is in neutral balance, and from which the pivots of said first link pair are displaced by said rocking movement, and a second pair of connected links each pivoted respectively to one of said rocking member and said body-supporting portions on a second axis common to both when the chair is in said sitting position and from which the pivots of said second link pair are displaced by said relative movement to the recline position, the links of said pairs pivoted to the rocking portion being connected together for movement in unison between said alternate positions at one of which said second link pair is aligned in opposition to said relative movement to the recline position, and at the other of which said first link pair is aligNed in opposition to said rocking movement, each link pair being aligned to permit relative movement of its associated chair portions when the other pair is aligned in opposition as aforesaid, and means for shifting said linkage between said alternate positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
291 words
In a rocker-recliner chair having a base portion for supporting a chair upon the floor, a rocking portion mounted upon the base portion for rocking movement thereon, and a bodysupporting portion movable relative to said rocking portion from a generally upright sitting position to a recline position, the improvement comprising a locking linkage selectively shiftable between alternate positions to lock the chair against reclining while permitting the same to rock, and conversely, to lock the chair against rocking while permitting the same to recline, said linkage comprising a first pair of connected links each pivoted respectively to one of said base and said rocking portions on a first axis which is common to both and spaced from the rocking axis when the chair is in neutral balance, and from which the pivots of said first link pair are displaced by said rocking movement, and a second pair of connected links each pivoted respectively to one of said rocking member and said body-supporting portions on a second axis common to both when the chair is in said sitting position and from which the pivots of said second link pair are displaced by said relative movement to the recline position, the links of said pairs pivoted to the rocking portion being connected together for movement in unison between said alternate positions at one of which said second link pair is aligned in opposition to said relative movement to the recline position, and at the other of which said first link pair is aligNed in opposition to said rocking movement, each link pair being aligned to permit relative movement of its associated chair portions when the other pair is aligned in opposition as aforesaid, and means for shifting said linkage between said alternate positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
In a chair in accordance with claim 1 and also having a normally retracted footrest extendable to a leg-supporting position forwardly of the chair, wherein said linkage-shifting means is a connection from said locking linkage to the means for extending and retracting the footrest to shift said linkage between its alternate positions coincident with the extension and retraction of the footrest, said locking linkage being positioned to prevent reclining and to permit rocking when the footrest is retracted, and shifted to its alternate position when the footrest is extended.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The subject matter of claim 1 wherein said first and second common axes coincide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The subject matter of claim 3 wherein the said two links pivoted to the rocking portion are in fact the divergent arms of a single rock lever.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
The subject matter of claim 2 wherein the means for shifting the locking linkage comprises an operating link connected respectively to the footrest mechanism and to the link of said second pair which is connected to the body-supporting portion of the chair, said operating link by said connection effecting a slight retraction of the footrest incident to movement of the body-supporting portion from the sitting to the reclining position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The subject matter of claim 4 in which each of the divergent arms of said rock lever and its paired link when arrayed in blocking position are aligned in the direction of relative movement of their two associated, relatively movable chair portions, and substantially perpendicular thereto when in the alternate position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
107 words
The subject matter of claim 1 wherein the rocking portion includes curved runners which translate fore and aft on the base portion as the chair rocks, and in which the link of said first pair connected to the base portion has at least one slotted pivotal connection to accommodate the compound movement of the rocking portion relative to the base portion, and means providing contact between said first link pair and said base portion in the blocking position to prevent lost motion of said slotted pivotal connection to secure said chair against rocking movement in either direction from said blocking position notwithstanding the slot in said link.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
The subject matter of claim 7 in which said link is slotted at its pivotal connection to said base portion, and wherein said first link pair in blocking position is substantially aligned in the direction of movement of the rocking portion from said first mentioned common axis, and said first link pair at its end remote from said slotted connection engages the base portion of the chair as a strut and the lost motion of said slotted connection is taken up.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
111 words
In a reclining chair having a base, a body supporting portions supported upon the base, and movable relative thereto from an upright sitting position to a reclining position, and a retractable footrest movably mounted on chair to be extensible forwardly of the body-supporting portion to support the outstretched legs of the occupant, mechanism for extending and retracting the footrest while the chair is in sitting position, and a connection between said body-supporting portion and said footrest mechanism to effect a slight movement of the extended footrest toward its retracted position by the reclining of the chair to compensate for the shift of the occupant''s body rearwardly of the chair upon recline.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
111 words
In a reclining chair having a base, a body supporting portions supported upon the base, and movable relative thereto from an upright sitting position to a reclining position, and a retractable footrest movably mounted on chair to be extensible forwardly of the body-supporting portion to support the outstretched legs of the occupant, mechanism for extending and retracting the footrest while the chair is in sitting position, and a connection between said body-supporting portion and said footrest mechanism to effect a slight movement of the extended footrest toward its retracted position by the reclining of the chair to compensate for the shift of the occupant''s body rearwardly of the chair upon recline.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
218 words
In a reclining chair having a base, a body-supporting portion supported from the base and movable relative thereto from an upright sitting position to a reclining position, and a retractable footrest movably mounted on the chair to be extensible forwardly of the body-supporting portion to support the outstretched legs of the ocCupant, a locking linkage comprising a pair of connected links each pivoted respectively to one of said base and said body-supporting portion on an axis common to both when the chair is in said sitting position and from which said pivots diverge during said relative movement to the reclining position, mechanism for extending and retracting the footrest, a connection between said footrest mechanism and said locking linkage aligning said pair of links in coincidence in opposition to said relative movement when the footrest is retracted and shifting said pair of links to position the same to permit divergence of said pivots and a movement of said pair of links relative to each other simultaneously with the recline of the chair, said relative movement of said pair of links being operative through said connection to effect a slight movement of the extended footrest toward its retracted position upon the reclining of the chair to compensate for the shift of the occupant''s body rearwardly of the chair upon recline.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
218 words
In a reclining chair having a base, a body-supporting portion supported from the base and movable relative thereto from an upright sitting position to a reclining position, and a retractable footrest movably mounted on the chair to be extensible forwardly of the body-supporting portion to support the outstretched legs of the ocCupant, a locking linkage comprising a pair of connected links each pivoted respectively to one of said base and said body-supporting portion on an axis common to both when the chair is in said sitting position and from which said pivots diverge during said relative movement to the reclining position, mechanism for extending and retracting the footrest, a connection between said footrest mechanism and said locking linkage aligning said pair of links in coincidence in opposition to said relative movement when the footrest is retracted and shifting said pair of links to position the same to permit divergence of said pivots and a movement of said pair of links relative to each other simultaneously with the recline of the chair, said relative movement of said pair of links being operative through said connection to effect a slight movement of the extended footrest toward its retracted position upon the reclining of the chair to compensate for the shift of the occupant''s body rearwardly of the chair upon recline.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
64 words
The subject matter of claim 10 wherein the mechanism for extending and retracting the footrest includes at least one link movable relative to said base by the extension of the footrest, and the connection between the footrest mechanism and said locking linkage comprises an operating link connected to said one footrest link and to one of said pair of links of the locking linkage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The subject matter of claim 10 wherein the body-supporting portion includes a member rotatable on the base and supporting the back, and wherein the one of said pair of links pivoted to the body-supporting portion is pivoted to said rotatable back-supporting member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-03 | 1978-09-02 | 1979-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-03 | 1982-09-02 | 1983-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-03 | 1986-09-02 | 1987-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |