US3014756A - Leg-rest control for multipleposition reclining chair - Google Patents

Description

hum n A Dec. 26, 1961 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,014,756

LEG-REST CONTROL FOR MULTIPLE-POSITION RECLINING CHAIR Filed April 16, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.

INVENTOR F/P/DTJOF E \S'CHLIEPF/ACA E' ATTO%EY$ Dec. 26, 1961 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,014,756

LEG-REST CONTROL FOR MULTIPLE-POSITION RECLINING CHAIR Filed April 16, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR FE IDTJOF F. SCHI. lEPfi/ACKE Dec. 26, 1961 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,014,755

LEGEEST CONTROL FOR MULTIPLE-POSITION RECLINING CHAIR Filed April 16, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIGS.

FIG. 6. W

MM /74 M! m /2o //I INVENTOR W FR/DTJOF SCA/L/EPHA C/(E Dec. 26, 1961 F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,014,756

LEG-P\EST CONTROL FOR MULTIPLE-POSITION RECLINING CHAIR Filed April 16, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 4, 272 2a m w 232 zfz 24 2 INVENTOR. F I G 9 FP/DTJOF E GCHL/EPHACKE HTTORN! S United States Patent 3,014,756 LEG-REST CONTROL FOR'MUL'IIPLE- POSITION RECLINING CHAIR F ridtjofi F. Schliephacke, Berlin-Schmargendorf, Germany, assignor to Anton Lorenz, Boynton Beach, Fla.

Filed p ,1 Se m 28,869

Claims. (Cl.v 29785) The present invention relates toreclining chairs of the type including abody-supporting unit having a seat and back-rest and leg-rest mounted on a support for coordi: nated movement, and in particular to an improved leg: rest and control arrangement for a reclining chair in which the back-rest and seat are movablefrom a sitting position to an intermediate resting or. partially reclined position in which the back-rest and seat are in an angular relationship for accommodating the occupant in a partially reclined or resting attitude and in which the back-rest and seat are movable into a fully reclinedposition in which the, back-rest and'seat are in an, angular relationship for accommodating the chair occupant'in a fully reclined attitude, s

The well known reclining chair comprises a support, a body-supporting unit including a seat and back-rest movably or rockably mounted on the support, and a leg-restappropriately coordinated to the body-supporting unit for movement into an elevated leg-supporting position as a function'of the reclining movement ofth chair. One of the most recent developments in such chairs-is'a reclining; chair which is designed to provide a semi-reclined or tilted position for-the chair occupant, suitable for reading, television viewing and "the like, as well as a fully reclined position suitable for complete or total relaxation. In such double-movement chairs, it is important that the leg-rest be elevated into a legsup-; porting position forwardly of the seat when the body supporting unit of the chair moves into the intermediate semi-reclined or tilted position such that the leg-rest will cooperate with the seat and back-rest to comfortably'accommodate'the chair occupant in the proper attitude for this mode of relaxation.

It is broadly an object of the present invention to pro vide an improved leg-rest and control arrangement for a reclining chair of the aforesaid type. Specifically, it is within the contemplation of the present invention to provide aleg-rest control arrangement which moves the moves relative to the carrier into an extended positionin response to movement of the. body-supporting unit throughthe first phase of the chair movement to bring the leg-rest into the elevated leg-supporting position forwardly of the "seat in whichthe leg-rest coacts with the v body-supporting unit to accommodate the chair occupant in the partially reclined or tilted position. The carrier. and .extensible linkage turn together in response to move, ment of the body-supporting unit through the second phase. such that the leg-rest ismaintained inthe proscribed relationship to the seat as the back-rest and seal: are angularly displaced relative to eachother such that the back-rest, seat and leg-rest finally establish a fully reclined position forthe chair occupant. To advantage, the leg-rest control means includes a compensating connection to the body-supporting'unit such that the elevaleg-rest from a stored position beneath the 'seat to an 1 elevated leg-supporting position in front of the seat during a first movement phase of the body-supporting unit during which theseat and back-rest move from a sitting position to an intermediate tilted position, such' that the elevated leg-rest, in conjunction with the seat and backrest inthe required angular relationship, coact to comfortably accommodate the chair occupant in an intermediate reclined or tilted position appropriate for reading, television viewing and like: pursuits. i r

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment dem and'a second phase of movement from the tilted position to the recliningposition during, which the .back rest is angularly displaced relative to the seat, a leg-rest, and leg-rest control means mounting the leg-rest 'for movement froma stored position beneath the. seat to an elevatedleg-supportingposition infront of the seat during tion of the legrest to the leg-supportingposition does not in turn eifectthe inclination of the seat. This. facilitates the designof the chair, enables the use of a legrest which is folded back in an angular position extending downwardly and rearwardly from the forward endoftheseat to lie within the outline of the. chair frame, and facilitates the independent establishment of. the inclination of'the seat apart from the leg-rest and its-control arrangement. I v

The above brie-f description, as well as other objects, features and advantages of the present invention Willbe more fully understood'by reference to the followingdetailed description of several illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying" drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational View, with parts broken away and sectioned, of an improved'reclining chair embodying features of the present invention, the chair being shown in its upright or sitting position; I

FIGURE 2'is a view similar to FIGURE 1, with the leg-rest control linkage being shown diagrammatically showing thechair in thepartially reclined orintermediate tilted position wherein'there is no appreciable rela:

tive angular displacement between the back-restand the seat, and with the legrest disposed in the elevated legsupporting position forwardly of the seat;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, but show ing-the chair in the fully reclined position, wherein the, back-rest is angularly displaced relative to the seat, and with-the leg-rest=in the elevated leg-supporting posi: tion; w a I FIGURE 4 is an elevationalview, with parts broken awayand sectioned, of a-furtherembodiment of reclining chair in accordance with the present invention, the chair beingshown in the, upright orsitting position; FIGURE- 5' is'an elevational view, with parts shown diagrammatically, illustrating the reclining chair of FIG- URE 4 in the partially reclined or intermediate tilted position; v i

FIGURE 6 is an elevationalview, with parts brokenaway "and sectioned, of ,the reclining chair; shown in FIGURE 4 in the'fully reclined-position;

FIGURE 7 is anelevationalview, with parts' shown diagrammatically,-of a further embodiment of reclining. chair in accordance with the present invention, the chair being shown in.theupright or sitting: position;

v FIGURE 8 is an ,elevational and: diagrammatic view similarto. FIGURE 7 but showing the-chair in the partially reclinedor intermediate tilted position; and,

I-'*I( U l ZE 9 .is an elevational and a diagrammatic view similar to FIGURE 7 but showing the chair in the fully reclined position.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, there is shown in FIGURES 1 to 3 inclusive an improved reclining chair in accordance with the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 10, which includes a chair frame or support 12 having spaced apart side walls or members 14 connected by suitable cross braces 16. The chair frame 12 is supported above the level of the floor by four depending legs 18.

Movably or rockably mounted on the chair frame or support 12 is a body-supporting unit '20 including a back-rest 22 and a seat 24. The back-rest is mounted adjacent its lower end for rearward or reclining movement on a back-rest pivot 26 on the chair frame 12 such that the back-rest 22 may be moved from the upright or sitting position of FIGURE 1 into the partially reclined position of FIGURE 2 and into the fully reclined position of FIGURE 3. The seat 24 is mounted on the backrest 22 for inclining movement by a seat pivot 28 on the back-rest, the seat pivot 28 being spaced above the back-rest pivot 26 such that the seat moves rearwardly in response to rearward or reclining movement of the back-rest 22. In this embodiment, the seat pivot 28 is disposed forwardly of a dead center position vertically above the back-rest pivot 26 such that the rear portion of the seat 24 is somewhat elevated in response to the reclining movement into the intermediate or tilted position, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGURES 1 and 2, and is thereafter somewhat lowered in response to reclining movement into the fully reclined position, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGURES 2 and 3.

selected such that the seat assumes the required angular relationship relative to the back-rest'for accommodating I fully reclined position illustrated in FIGURE 3 with the proper relationship between the back-rest and seat for optimum comfort. v

Folded back beneath the seat 24 contiguous to the forward end thereof is a leg-rest 40 which is disposed in a stored position in an inclined plane, extending downwardly and rearwardly from its upper end 40a to its lower end 40b. The inclination of the leg-rest-40 is determined by general design considerations for the chair and is selected such that the leg-rest is accommodated 7 within the chair frame 12 when the chair is in the upright or sitting position of FIGURE 1, with the upper end 40a of the leg-rest disposed beneath the forward portion or edge 24a of the seat and the lower enema of the leg-rest disposed within the outline of the chair and ate: level above the under surface of the chair Operatively connected to or engaging the seat 24 is a 8 seat control means, generally designated by the reference numeral 30, which is effective to impart a prescribed inclination to the seat 24 as a function of the reclining movement. In this illustrative embodiment, the seat control means 30 includes a cam plate 32 appropriately connected to the chair frame 12 and formed on its upper surface with an upwardly and rearwardly directed cam track 34 having spaced dwell sections 34a, 34b and 34c. Riding on the cam track 34 is a roller 36 which is journaled on an axle 38 carried on the underside of theseat 24 by an appropriate mounting bracket. In the upright or sitting position of the chair illustrated in FIGURE 1, the roller 36 is in the lower dwell section 34a; and in response to a first phase of the reclining movement the roller moves up the cam track into the intermediate dwell section 34b. The'inclination of the cam track 34 and the spacing of the dwell sections 34a, 34b is such that there is no appreciable relative angular displacement between the back-rest and seat as the body-supporting unit 20 moves into the intermediate tilted or partially reclined position illustrated in FIGURE 2. It will be appreciated that the seat 24 experiences'a compound inclining movement as a function of the seat control 30 and the arrangement of the seat'pivot 28 relative to the back-rest pivot 26. Although the arrangement illustrated achieves substantially no angular displacement of the seat relative to the back-rest in the first phase of the chair movement from the sitting position to the partially reclined or intermediate tilted position of FIGURE 2, it will be appreciated that proper proportioning and arrangement of the seat controlrnay be established toachieve some angular change as may be required for one purpose or another.

In the fully reclined position illustrated in FIGURE 3, the roller 36 is in the upper dwell section 34c, the roller moving from the intermediatedwell section 34b in response to movement of the reclining chair through a second movement phase from the tilted position of FIGURE;2 to the reclined position of FIGURE 3. The inclination of the cam track 34and the spacing of the dwell s tion 34c relative'to the dwell section 34b i frame.

Operatively connected to the leg-rest 40 is a leg-rest and supporting and controlling means or linkage, generally designated by the reference numeral 42, which moves the leg-rest 40 from a stored position beneath the seat 24 to an elevated leg-supporting position in front of the seat during the first phase of the chair movement as the chair moves into the partially reclined or intermediate tilted position of FIGURE 2, with the leg-rest thereafter being supported in the leg-supporting position in front of the seat 24 during the second phase of the chair movement as the chair moves into the fully reclined position illustrated in FIGURE 3. The leg-rest supporting and controlling means or linkage 42 includes a compensating link 44 which extends substantially lengthwise of the seat and has a pivotal connection 46 at its rearward end to the seat such that a rearwardly directed thrust is imparted to the compensating link 44 in response to rearward and inclining movement of the seat 24. The linkage 42 further includes a first link pair 48, 50 pivotally connected to each other at their adjacent ends at a pivotal connection 52 and a second link pair 54, 56 pivotally connected to each other at their adjacent ends ata pivotal connection 58. The second link 56 of the second link pair 54,

56 crosses over the first link 48 of the first link pair 48, 50 and at this cross-over point there is a pivotal connection 62 for coordinating the link pairs. Still further, the linkage 42 includes a carrier link 64 which is disposed adjacent to, rearwardly of and extends substantially parallel to the first link 48 of the first link pair 48, 50 in the folded position'of the linkage 42 when the leg-rest 40 is stored within the outline of the chair frame 12. Thecarrier link 64 is mounted on the chair frame or support 12 for turning movement. Specifically, the carrier link 64 is pivoted at its lower end at a carrier .linkpivot 66 on abracketor support fixed to the-chair frame. The first link 48 of the first link pair 48, 50 is pivotally connected to the upper end of the carrier link 64 at a pivotal connection 68. The pivotal connection 68 is spaced from the,coordinatingaconnection 62 between the link pairs, the carrier link 64 having its upper end provided with a curved extension to facilitate the provision of the pivotal connection 68 between the carrier link 64 and the link 48. The first link 54 of the second link pair 54, 56 has a pivotal connection 70 to the carrier link at a point spaced from the pivotal connection 68. The links'50, 56

of the first and second link pairs have their forward ends connected to the leg-rest 40 adjacent its upper end at the spaced pivotal connections 72, 74. Still further, the link pairs are pivotally connected at 76 to the compensating link 44, and in this embodiment, the pivotal connection 76 is provided atthe upper end of the first link 48 of the first link pair 48, 50 and at the forward end of the compensating link 44.

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

When the chair occupant is seated and leans against the back-rest 22, the back-rest pivots about the back-rest pivot 26 in a rearwardly directed arc and compound movement is imparted to the seat 24 which is inclined in accordance with the design of its control arrangement, with or without angular change between the back-rest 22 and the seat 24 in response to movement from the upright or sitting position illustrated in FIGURE 1 to the partially reclined or tilted position illustrated'in FIGURE 2. As the body-supporting unit 20 moves rearwardly, a rearwardly, directed pulling force is applied to the compensating link 44 via the pivotal connection 46 which imparts a turning movement to the link 48 about the pivotal connection 68 to the carrier link 64. The turning movement of the link 48, which serves as a driver to the extensible linkage 42, causes the leg-rest control linkage to extend and moves the leg-rest 40 to the elevated leg-supporting position forwardly of the seat 24 in response to the first phase of the chair movement, as the seat and back-rest move into the partially reclined or intermediate tilted position of FIGURE 2. During this first phase'of the reclining movement the carrier link 64 remains stationary, with. the portion of the carrier link intermediate the pivotal connections 68, 70 of the first links 48, 54 of the first and second link pairs 48, 50 and 54, 56 serving as a stationary link of a suspended'double four-bar linkage or extensible lazy tong defined by the links and their respective pivotal connections to each other and to the leg-rest 40. The chair components are so coordinated and arranged such that there' is a tendency for the carrier link 64 to turn in the clockwise direction about the carrier link pivot 66 in response to the second phase of the chair movement, during which the seat and back-rest move from the partially reclined or tilted position of FIGURE 2 (with the leg-rest disposed forwardly of the seat) to the fully reclined position illustrated in FIGURE 3 (with the angle between the back-rest and seat increased and with the leg-rest disposed contiguous to the forward end of the seat but somewhat closer thereto). During the second phase of the chair movement, it is to be notedv ing and controlling linkage 42, as may be appreciated byprogressively inspecting the relative positions of the links in FIGURES.2 and 3 and the relative positions of the leg-rest 40' and the seat 24. The carrier link 64 and the remaining links of the linkage 42 turn substantially as a unit to maintain the leg-rest in the required position relative to the seat for the leg-supporting function. Although the portion of the first link 48'intermediate the pivots 68, 76 travels through a descending arc in the first phase of the chair movement (see FIGURES 1 and 2), and the carrier link 64 and the almost fully extended lazy tong linkage also travels through an ascending arc during the second phase of the chair movement (see FIGURES 2 and 3),'such movements do not affect the inclination of the seat due to the compensating effect of the link 44; and the inclination of the seat is determined by the seat control 30 and the relationship of the seat pivot 28 to the back-rest pivot 26.

'When the chair occupant desires to return from the spaced dwell sections 13 4a, 1341: and 1340.

In FIGURES 4 to 6 inclusive, there is shown a further reclining chair in accordance with the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 110. In the interests of simplicity and clarity the chair illustrated in FIGURES 4 to 6 has been illustrated by reference numerals which correspond :to those employed in FIGURES 1 to 3, but as part of a series.

The chair of this embodiment, generally designated by the referencenumeral 110, includes a chair frame or support 112 having spaced apart side walls or members 114 connected by suitable cross braces 116. The chair frame 112 is supported above the level of the floor by four depending legs 118.

Movably or rockably mounted on the chair frame or support 112 is a body-supporting unit including a back-rest 122 and a seat 124. The back-rest 122 is mounted adjacent its lower end for rearward or reclining movement on a back-rest pivot 126 on the chair frame 112 such that the back-rest 122 may be moved from the upright or sitting position of FIGURE 4 into the partially reclined position of FIGURE 5 and into the fully reclined position of FIGURE 6. The seat 124 is mounted on the back-rest 122 for inclining movement at a seat pivot 128 on the back-rest, the seat pivo-t 128 being spaced above the back-rest pivot 126 such that the seat moves rearwardly in response to rearward or reclining movement of the back-rest 122. The seat pivot 128 is disposed forwardly of the dead center position vertically above the back-rest pivot 126 such that the rear portion of the seat is somewhat elevated in response to the reclining movement int-'0 the intermediate or tilted position, as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGURES 4 and 5, and is thereafter somewhat lowered in responseto reclining movement into the fully reclined position,

as may be appreciated by progressively inspecting FIGURES 5 and 6.

Operatively connected. to or engaging the seat 124 is a seat control means, generally designated by the reference numeral 130, which is effective to impart a prescribed inclination to the seat 124 as a function of the reclining movement. The seat control means 130 includes a cam plate 132 appropriately connected to the chair frame 112 and formed on its upper surface with an upwardly and rearwardly directed cam track 134 having Riding on the. cam track 134 is a roller 1'36 which is journale'd on an -axle 138 carried on the underside of the seat by an appropriate mounting bracket. In the upright or sitting position of the chair illustrated in FIGURE 4, the roller 136 is in the lower dwell section 134a; and in response to a first phase of-the reclining movement the roller moves up the cam track into the intermediate dwell section 13412. The inclination of the cam track 134 and the spacing of the dwell sections 134a, 134b is such that there is no appreciablerelative angular displacement between the back restand seat as the body-supporting unit 120 moves into the intermediate tilted or partially reclined position illustrated in FIGURE 5. In the fully reclined position illustrated in FIGURE 6, the roller 136' is in the upper dwell section 1340, the roller moving from the intermediate dwell section 134b in response to movement of the reclining chair through a second movement phase from the tilted position of FIGURE 5 to the reclined position of FIGURE 6. The inclination of the cam track 134 and the spacing of the dwell section 1340 relative to the dwell section 1341) is selected such that the seat assumes the required angular position relative to the back-rest for accommodating the chair occupant in the fully reclined position, it being appreciated that the seat 124 experiences a compound inclining movement in fully reclined position of FIGURE 3 to either the partithat the seat pivot 128 moves past the dead center posi-' tion over the back-rest pivot 126 (see FIGURE 5) and is displaced through a somewhat descending arc.

Folded back beneath the seat 124 contiguous to the forward end thereof is a leg-rest 140 which is disposed in a stored position extending in an inclined plane, downwardly and rearwardly from its upper end to its lower end. The inclination of the leg-rest is determinedby general design considerations for the chair and is selected such that the leg-rest is accommodated within the chair frame 112 when the chair is in the upright or sitting position of FIGURE 4, with the upper end 140a of the leg-rest disposed beneath the forward portion or edge 124a of the seat and the lower end 14% of the leg-rest 140 disposed within the outline of the chair and at a level above the under surface of the chair frame.

Operatively connected to the leg-rest 140is a leg-rest control and supporting means, generally designated by the reference numeral 142, which moves the leg-rest 140 from a stored position beneath the seatduring'the first phase of the chair movement as the chair moves into the partially reclined or intermediate tilted position of FIGURE 5, with the leg-rest thereafter being supported in the leg-supporting position in front of the seat during the second phase of the chair movement during which the chair moves into the fully reclined position illustrated in FIGURE 6. The leg-rest supporting and controlling means or linkage 142 includes a compensating link 144 which extends substantially lengthwise of the seat and has a pivotal connection 146 at its rearward end to the seat such that a rearwardly directed thrust is imparted to the compensating link in response to rearward and inclining movement of the seat 124. The linkage 142 further includes a first link pair 148, 150 pivotally connected to each other at their adjacent ends at a pivotal connection 152 and a second link pair 154, 156 pivotally connected to each other at their adjacent ends at a pivotal connection 158. The second link 150 of the first link pair 143, 150 crosses over the first link 154 of the second link pair 154, 156 and at this cross-over point there is a pivotal connection 162 for coordinating the link pairs. Still further, the linkage 142 includes a carrier link 164 which is disposed adjacent to, rearwardly of and extends substantially parallel to the first link 148 of the first link pair 148, 150 in the folded position of the linkage 142. The carrier link 164 is mounted on the chair frame or support 12 for turning movement at its lower end at a carrier link pivot 166 on a bracket or support fixed to the chair frame. The first link 148 of the first link pair 148, 150 is pivotally connected to the upper end of the carrier link 164 at a pivotal connection 168. The carrier link 164 has its upper end provided with a curved extension to facilitate the provision of the pivotal connection 168 between the carrier link 164 and the link 148. The first link 154 of the second link pair 154, 156 has a pivotal connection 170 to the seat 124 at a point spaced forwardly of the pivotal connection 146. The link pairs are pivotally connected to the compensating link 144 at a pivotal connection 176, in this embodiment the pivotal connection 176 being provided at the upper end of the first link 148 of the first link pair 148, 150 and at the forward end of the compensating link 144. Finally, the links 150, 156 of the first and second link pairs have their forward ends connected to the leg-rest 140 adjacent its upper end 140a at the spaced pivotal connections 172, 174.

Since the operation of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6 inclusive is substantially identical to that of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, description of the same is dispensed with in the interests of brevity.

In FIGURES 7 to 9 inclusive, there is shown a further reclining chair in accordance with the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 210. In the interests of simplicity and clarity the chair illustrated in FIGURES 7 to 9 has been designated by the same numerals which correspond to those employed in FIG- URES l to 3 but as part of a 200 series.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, there is shown a further improved reclining chair in accordance with the present invention, generally designated by the dwell sections 234a, 2341: and 2340.

reference numeral 210, which includes a chair frame, not shown, but identical to the frame shown in th previously illustrated embodiments. l

Movably or rockably mounted on the chair frame or support is a body-supporting unit 220 including a backrest 222 and a seat 224. The back-rest is mounted adjacent its lower: end for rearward or reclining movement on a back-rest pivot 226 on the chair-frame 212 such that the back-rest 222 may be moved from the upright or sitting position ofFIGURE 7 into the partially reclined position of FIGURE 8 and into the fully reclined position ofFIGURE 9. The seat is mounted on the backrest for inclining movement at a seat pivot 228 on the back-rest, the seat pivot 228 being spaced above the back-rest pivot 226 such that the seat movesrearwardly in response to rearward .or reclining movement of the back-rest 222. Operatively connected to or engaging the seat 224 is a seat control means, generally designated by. the reference numeral 230, which is effective to impart a prescribed inclination to the seat 224 as a function of the reclining movement. As before, the seat'control means 230 includes a cam plate 232 connected to the seat 224 and formed on its under surface with an upwardly and rearwardly directed cam track 234 having spaced Riding on the cam track 234 is a roller 236 which is journaled on an axle 238 carried on the support by an appropriate mounting bracket. In the upright or sitting position of the chair illustratedin FIGURE 7, the roller 236 is in the upper dwell section 234a; and in response to a first phase of the reclining movement the roller moves up the cam track into the intermediate dwell section 2341). The'inclination of the cam track 234 and the spacing ofthe dwell sections 234a, 23411 is such that there is no appreciable relative angular displacement between the back-rest and seat as the body-supporting unit 220 moves into the intermediate tilted or partially reclined relaxation position illustrated in FIGURE 8. In the fully reclined position illustrated in FIGURE 9, the roller 236 is in the lower dwell section 2340, the roller moving from the intermediate dwell section 2254b in response to movement of the reclining chair through a second movement phase from the tilted position of FIGURE 8 to the reclined position of FIGURE 9. As before, the inclination of the cam track 234 and the spacing of i the dwell section 234b is selected such. that the seat 7 the back-rest pivot 226 (see FIGURE 8) and is displaced through a somewhat descending arc. By proper proportioning of the seat control 230 in relation to the other design considerations, the back-rest is angularly displaced relative to the'seat during the second movement phase from the tilted position to the reclining position, such that the chair occupant may be ultimately accommodated in the fully reclined position illustrated in FIGURE 9 with the proper relationship between the hack-rest and seat for optimum comfort.

Folded back 'beneath the seat 224 contiguous to th forward endthereof is a leg-rest 240 which is disposed in a stored position extending in an inclined plane downwardly and rearwardly from its upper end to its lower end. Operatively connected to the leg-rest 240 is a legrest controlling and supporting means, generally designated by-the reference numeral 242, which moves the leg-rest 240 from a stored position beneath the seatto an elevated leg-supporting position in front of the seat during the first phase of the chair movement as the chair moves into the. partially reclined or intermediate tilted position of FIGURE 8, with the leg-rest thereafter being supported in the leg-supporting position in front of the seat during the second phase of the chair movement during which the chair moves into the fully reclined posttion illustrated in FIGURE 9. The leg-rest supporting and controlling means 'or linkage 242 includes a compensating link 244 which extends substantially lengthwise of the seat and has a pivotal connection 246 at its rearward end to the seat such that a rearwardly directed thrust is imparted to the compensating link in response to rearward and inclining movement of the seat 224. The linkage 242 further include a first link pair 248, 250 pivotally connected to each other at their ad acent ends at a pivotal connection 252 and a second link pair 254,- '25s, with the link 254 being pivotally connected to the link 256 intermediate the ends thereof at the pivotal connection 258. The first link 254 of the secondlink pair 254, 256 has a pivotal connection 262 at its other end to the first-link 248 intermediate the ends thereof. Still further, the linkage 242 includes a carrier link 264 which is disposed adjacent .to, rearwardly of'and' extends substantially parallel to the first link 248 of the first link pair 248, 250 in the folded position of the linkage 242. The carrier link. 264 is mounted on the chair frame or support 212 for turning movement atits lower end at a carrier pivot 266 on a bracket or support fixed to the chair frame. .The first link 248'2of the first link pair 248,

250 is'pivotally connected to the upper end of the carrier link 264 at a pivotal connection 268. The pivotal connection 268 is spaced from the coordinating connection 262 between the link pairs. The carrier link '264 has its upper end provided with a curved extension to facilitate the provision of the pivotal connection 268 between the carrier link 264 and the link 248. The second link 256 of the second link pair 254,-25'6 has a pivotalconnection 27tlat one end to the carrier link 264 at a point spaced from .the pivotal connection 268. The links 250, 256 of the first and second link pairs have their forward ends connected to the leg-rest 240 adjacent its upper end at thespaced pivotal connections 272, 1274. Still further, the link pairs are pivotally connected to the compensating link'244, in-this embodiment a pivotal connection 276 being provided at the upper end of'the fi'rst'liiik' 248- of the fir's't link'pair 248, 250 at thefoiward endof the compensating link 2441* 1 i The embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 7 to' 9 operf ates substantially in'the manner previously described in conjunction with FIGURES '1' to 3 inclusive. Accord ingly: a description of the sequence of operations is dispensedwi-th in the'interests'of simplicity and clarity.

A latitude of modification;substitution and change'is intended in'the foregoing disclosure. In some instances, some features of' the invention will be employed without a'correspondin'g use of other features. Accordingly,' i;t is appropriate that the appended'claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and .sco'peof the invention herein. i v.-. 1 'J.

'1'. :Ina reclining "chair includingasupport, a b d supporting uni-t including aseat andback rest m unted on said support for inclining and reclining movement re 'spectively, a leg-rest disposed in a stored position beneath said-seat, and a'l'eg-restsupporting and controlling linka age operatively connected'to and mounting said leg-rest for pivotal movement from said'stored position to various elevated leg-supporting positions, said leg-rest supporting and controlling linkage'being'operativelyconnected between said body-supporting unit and said leg-rest for efiecting said pivotal movement and including a first link pair having, two links pivotally connected with each other, a second link pair'having two links pivotally connected with each other, a carrier, means movahly mounting said carrier on, said support, means pivotally connecting said first and second link pairs to said carrier, means pivotally connecting saidfirst and'second link pairs to said legrest, means pivotally connecting said first and second link pairs to each other for coordinating said link pairs,

10 andmeans' pivot-ally connecting at least one link of sai link pairs to said body-supporting unit. 2. Ina reclining chairincluding a support; a bodys'upporting unit including a seat and back rest mounted on said support for inclining'and reclining movement re spectively, a leg-rest disposed in a stored position beneath said seat, and a leg-rest supporting and controlling linkage operatively connected to and mounting said leg-rest for pivotal movement from said stored position to various elevated leg-supporting positions, said leg-rest supporting and controllinglinkage being operatively connected between said body-supporting unit and said':'leg-'rest for effecting said pivotal movement and including a first link pair having two links pivotally connected with each other, a second link pair having two links pivotally connected with each other, a carrier, means movably mounting said carrier on said support, respective means. pivotally'connecting one of said first and second link pairs'to'said carrier atspaced points thereof, respective means pivotally connecting the other linkof said first and second link pairs tosaid leg-rest at-spaced points thereof, means pivotally connecting said first and second link pairs to each other for coordinating said link pairs, and means pivotally connecting one link of said link: pairs "to said bddY-supP rting'unit. l A

3. In a reclining chair including a support, a' bodysupporting unit-including a seat and back-rest mounted on said support for inclining and reclining movement respectively', a leg-rest disposed in a stored position beneath said seat,- and a leg-rest supporting and controlling linkage o'peratively connected t'o -and mounting said legrest: for pivotalmovemen't from said stored-position to various elevated leg-supporting positionsjsaidleg-rest supporting and-controlling linkage being operatively con nected between said body-'supportingunit and said leg rest for effecting said pivotal movement and including-a rst link pairhaving two links pivotally. connected with each other, ,a second link pair, having two'links pivotally connected with eachpther, 'a" carrier, means 'm'ovably mounting 'said carrierbnflsaid' support, respective means pivotally t connecting one link of said first'and second link pairs 'to' said seatjrespctive means pivot'ally c on-' nectin'g the' other link of said first and second link pairs to said-leg-res't at spaced points thereof, means pivotally c'onnecting 'said'first and second link pairs to-eachother for coordinating said'1ink-pairs','-and means pivotally con; necting one link ofsaid link pairs to said carrier. Y

4. In a reclining chair including a support, a bodysupporting unit'including a seat and back-rest' mounted on said support for'inclining and'reclin'ing movement respectively, a leg-rest disposed a storedpositionfolded back-beneath said seat, and aleg-rest supporting and controlling linkagefloperatively connected to and mounting said-gle'g-rest for pivotal movement from saidstored positionthrough .a downward arc: to an intermediate position andw'thenthrough an upward arc-r0 various elevated legsupporting positions, said leg-rest supporting andco ntrolling linkage being operatively connected between said body-supportingunit and said leg-rest for effecting said pivotal. movement's'and including a compensating' link'; means'pivotally connecting said compensating linkto "said body-supporting unit, a first link pair having two links pivot-ally connected'with each other, a second link pair having two links pivotally connected with each' other, a carrier, means mounting said carrier on said support for turning movement, means pivotally connecting at least one link of said link pairs to said carrier, respective means pivotally connecting o'ne'link of said first and second link pairs ;.to said leg-rest at spaced points thereof, means pivotally connecting said first and second linkpairs to each other. for coordinating said link pairs, and means pivotally connecting atleast one link of said link pairs to said compensating link. I

5. A reclining chair comprising a support, a bodysupporting unit including aback-rest and seat, 'means 11 mounting :said back-rest and seat on said support for reclining and inclining movement respectively, seat-control means operatively connected between said seat and said support-for establishing a first phase of said movement from a sitting position to an intermediate tilted position during which there is no appreciable relative angular displacement between said back-rest and seat and a second phase of said movement from said tilted position to a reclining position during which said back-rest is angular'ly displaced relative to said seat, a leg-rest, leg-rest control means mounting said leg-rest for movement from a stored position beneath said seat to an elevated legsnpporting position in front-of said seat during said first phase of said movement, said leg-rest control means including a carrier mounted on said support for turning movement, :an extensible linkage 'pivotally connected to said carrierrand to said leg-rest, means pivotally connecting said extensible linkage to said'body-s'upporting unit, said extensible linkage moving relative to said: carrier into anextended position in response to movement of said body's-supportingunit-through said first phase, said carrier and said extensiblelinkage. turning as a unit in response to movement of said body-supporting unit through :saidsecond phase. a t

6. In a reclining chair including a support, a bodysupporting unit including a seat and back-rest-mounted on said support for inclining and reclining movement respectively, seat control means operatively connected to said ,seat for inclining the latter as a function of said reclining movement,'a leg-rest disposed in a stored position beneath said seat, and a-leg-rest supporting and controlling linkageloperatively connected to and mounting said leg-rest for pivotal movement irom' said stored position to \va-riousqelevated leg-supporting positions, said leg-rest supporting, and controlling linkage being operatively connected :between said bodysupporting unit and said legrest for reflecting asaid pivotal movement and including a compensating link, means pivotally connecting said compensating :link to said body-supporting unit, a first link pair having two links ,pivotally connected with each .other, a second .link pair having two links pivotallyconnected with each other, means pivotally connecting said link pairs toeach gother for coordinating said link pairs, a carrier, ;means'.-mounting said carrier on said support .for turning movement, means pivotally connecting said link pairs do said carrier, means pivotally connecting said link pairs to sai-dleg-re'st, and means piviotally connecting said link pairs -.to said compensating link.

7. In a reclining chair including .a support, a bodysupporting unit including a seat and back-rest mounted on saidsupporti'forinclining and reclining movement respeotivel y, seat control means operatively connected to said seat; fior .inclining the latter :as a function of said reclining movement, a leg-rest disposed in :a stored position Qbeneathsaid seat, a leg-rest supporting and controlling linkage pperatively connected to and mounting said=legrest tor-pivotal movement from said stored position to various elevated leg-supporting positions, said legrest supporting and controlling linkage :being operatively connected :between said body-supporting unit and said leg'rest .for eifeoting said pivotal movement and including a compensating link, means pivotally connecting said compensating link to :said body-supporting unit, a first link pair having two links pivotally connected witheach other, 'a second link pair having two links pivotally connected with each other, means pivotally connecting said link pairs to each other for coordinating said .link pairs, a c'arrier, means mounting said carrier on said-support for turning movement, :means pivotally connecting onelink of each oftsaid link pairs to said carrier at spaced points thereof, means Epivotally connecting the otherrlink of each of :said link pairs tosaid leg-rest, and means pivotally connecting said one link of one of said link pairs to said compensating link. 1 1 :8; .In a'zreoliningechairincludingna support, a bodysupporting unit including a seat and back-rest mounted on said support for inclining and reclining movement respectively, seat control means operatively connected to said sea't'for inclining the latter asa function of said reclining movement, a leg-rest disposed in a stored position beneath said seat, and a leg-rest supporting and controlling linkage operativelyconnected to and mounting said leg-rest for pivotal movement from said stored position to various elevated leg-supporting positions, said leg-rest supporting and controlling linkage being operatively connected between said body-supporting unit and said legrest :for eliecting said pivotal movement and including a compensating link, means pivotally connecting said compensating link to said-'body-supporting unit, a first link pair having two links .pivotally connected with each other, a second link pair having two links pivotally connected with each other, means pivotally connecting said link pairs to each other for coordinating said link pairs, a carrier, means mounting said carrier on said support for turning movement, means pivotally-connecting one link of one of said link pairs to said carrier, means pivotally connecting one link of the other of said link pairs to said seat, means pivotally connecting the other link of said first and second link pairs to said leg-rest, and means pivotally conmeeting said one link of said one of .saidglink pairs to said compensating link.

9. In a reclining chair including a support, a bodysupporting unit including a seat and back-rest mounted on said support for inclining and reclining movement respectively, seat control means operatively connected to said seat for inclining the latter as a function of said reclining movement, a leg-rest disposed in a stored position beneath .said seat, and a leg-rest supporting and controlling linkage operatively connected to and mounting said leg-restntor pivotal movement from said stored position to various elevated leg-supporting positions, said leg-rest supporting and controlling linkage being operatively connected between said body-supporting uni-t andsaid legrest for efiecting said pivotal movement and including a compensating link, means pivotally connecting said icompensating link to said body-supporting unit, a first link pair having two links pivotally connected with each other, a second link pair having two links pivotally conmated with each other, means pivotally connecting said .pairs to each other for coordinating said link pairs, a carrier, means mounting said carrier on said support for turning movement, means pivotally connecting one link of said first link pair to said carrier, means pivotally connecting said one link of said first link pair to said compensating link, means pivotally connecting the other of said first .link pair to said leg-rest, means pivotally connecting one link of said second link pair to said car rier, and means pivotally connecting theother link of .said second link pair to said leg-rest.

10. A reclining chair comprising a support, bodyssupporting means including a back-rest and seat, means mounting saidjsback-rest and sea-t on said support vfor reclining and inclining movement respectively, seat control means oper-atively connected to said seat for establishing affirst movement phase from a sitting position to an intermediate tilted position during which there is no appreciable relative angular displacement between said back-rest and seat and a second movement phase from said tilted position to a reclining position during which said back-rest is angularly displaced relative to-said seat, a leg-rest, means mounting said leg-rest on said chair for movement from a stored position beneath said seat to an elevated leg-supporting position in front of said seat during saidfirst movement phase and for appreciably no movement relative to said seat during said second movement phase; the mounting means including lost motion means providing a relatively stationary'carrier pivot on said support during said first movement phase, a linkage pivotally'connected to said lost motion means and to said leg-rest, means pivotall-y connecting said linkage to said seat of said body-supporting means, said linkage tuming on said carrier pivot into an extended position in response to movement of said body-supporting means through said first movement phase, said lost motion means allowing said carrier pivot and said linkage to move together relative to said support during said second movement phase.

11. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting means including a back-rest and seat, means mounting said back-rest and seat on said support for reclining and inclining movement respectively, seat-control means operatively connected between said seat and said support for establishing a first phase of said movement from a sitting position to an intermediate tilted position during which there is no appreciable relative angular displacement between said back-rest and seat and a second phase of said movement from said tilted position to a reclining position during which said back-rest is angularly displaced relative to said seat, a leg-rest, leg-rest control means mounting said leg-rest for movement from a stored position beneath said seat to an elevated legsupporting position during said first phase of said movement, said leg-rest control means including a carrier mounted on said support for turning movement about a carrier pivot, an extensible linkage pivotally connected to said carrier at a linkage pivot and pivotally connected to said leg-rest, means pivotally connecting said extensible linkage to said body-supporting means, said extensible linkage turning about said linkage pivot relative to said carrier into an extended position in response to movement of said body-supporting means through said first phase, said carrier and said extensible linkage turning together about said carrier pivot in response to movement of said body-supporting means through said second phase.

12. In a reclining chair including a support, body-supporting means including a seat and back-rest mounted on said support for inclining and reclining movement respectively, seat control means operatively connected to said seat for inclining the latter as a function of said reclining movement, a leg-rest disposed in a stored position beneath said seat, and a leg-rest supporting and controlling linkage operatively connected to and mounting said legrest for pivotal movement from said stored position to various elevated leg-supporting positions, said leg-rest supporting and controlling linkage being operatively connected between said body-supporting means and said legrest for effecting said pivotal movement and including a first link pair having two links pivotally connected with each other, a second link pair having two links pivotally connected with each other, means pivotally connecting said link pairs to each other for coordinating said link pairs, a carrier, means mounting said carrier on said support for turning movement, means pivotally connecting at least one link of one of said link pairs to said carrier, means pivotally connecting one link of each of said link pairs to said leg-rest, and means pivotally connecting one link of one of said link pairs to said body-supporting means.

13. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting means including a back-rest and seat movably mounted on said support, for reclining movement from a sitting position to a reclining position, a leg-rest, a legrest linkage mounting said leg-rest on said chair for movement from a stored position beneath said seat to an elevated leg-supporting position during a first portion of said reclining movement, said leg-rest linkage being operatively connected between said body-supporting means and said leg-rest and including at least one link pair having two links pivotally connected with each other, a carrier, means movably mounting said carrier on said support at a carrier pivot, means movably mounting one link of said link pair on said carrier at a movable pivotal mount, means pivotally connecting the other link of said link pair to said leg-rest, and means pivotally connecting said one link of said link pair to said body-supporting means, said leg-rest linkage turning relative to said carrier on said movable pivotal mount into an extended position during said first portion of said movement and in response to reclining movement of said body-supporting means, said carrier being relatively stationary during said first portion of said movement and said carrier and said leg-rest linkage being movable together during a further portion of said rearward movement about said carrier pivot.

14. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting means including a back-rest and seat niovabiy mounted on said support for reclining movement from a sitting position to a reclining position, a leg-rest, a legrest linkage mounting said leg-rest on said chair for movement from'a stored position beneath said seat to an elevated leg-supporting position during a first portion of said reclining movement, said leg-rest linkage being operatively connected between said body-supporting means and said leg-rest and including a first link pair having two links pivotally connected with each other, a second link pair having two links pivotally connected with each other, a carrier, means movably mounting said carrier on said support at a carrier pivot, means movably mounting at least one link of said first and second link pairs on said carrier at a movable pivotal mount, respective means pivotally connecting said first and second link pairs to said leg-rest at spaced points thereof, means pivotally connecting said first and second link pairs to each other for coordinating said link pairs, and means pivotally connecting said one link of said first and second link pairs to said body-supporting means, said leg-rest linkage turning relative to said carrier on said movable pivotal mount into an extended position during said first portion of said movement and in response to reclining movement of said body-supporting means, said carrier being relatively stationary during said first portion of said movement and said carrier and said leg-rest linkage being movable together during a further portion of said rearward movement about said carrier pivot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 24,849 Luckhardt July 26, 1960 2,173,283 Lorenz et al. Sept. 19, 1939 2,615,497 Luckhardt Oct. 28, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 724,644 Great Britain Feb. 23, 1955

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