US3243227A - Recliner chair - Google Patents

Description

March 29, 1966 A. J. KATZ RECLINER CHAIR 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 19. 1964 INVENTOR. ALEX J KA TZ Mar'ch 29, 1966 KATZ 3,243,227

RECLINER CHAIR Filed March 19. 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. ALEX J. K472 ATTORIVEX United States Fatent 3,243,227 RECLINER CHAIR Ale'x J. Katz, Orange, N..l., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Super Sagless Spring Corp., Amsterdam, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 19, 1964, Ser. No. 353,040 22 Claims. (Cl. 297-85) The present invention relates to improvements in multiple position reclining chairs, and has particular relation to novel and improved control means for producing the multiple position movement in chairs of this type.

One object of this invention is to improve the constructions shown in applicants copending application Serial No. 206,752 filed July 2, 1962, now U.S. Patent No. 3,162,482, granted December 22, 1964 for Reclining Furniture and Reclining Mechanism Therefor and in copending application Serial No. 292,905 filed July 5, 1963, now abandoned for Recliner Chair by applicant and Ernest S. Rosmarin.

A further object of this invention is to provide a highly improved hardware mechanism for a chair of the character described by means of which the chair can be more easily shifted into three distinct positions, namely (a) a fully retracted position in which the foot rest member of the hardware mechanism is fully retracted and in which the seat supporting member is in a substantially horizontal position; (b) a partially reclined intermediate position in which the foot rest member of the hardware mechanism is substantially fully extended and in which the latter member and the seat supporting member is tilted slightly upwardly from the horizontal and (c) a fully reclined position in which the foot rest member of the hardware mechanism is fully extended and in which the latter member and the seat supporting member are fully tilted upwardly from the horizontal the full range of the mechanism.

A further more specific object of this invention is to provide in hardware mechanism 'of the character described means for the mechanism to prevent the foot rest extension means from dropping or extending when they are fully retracted and when the chair is unoccupied.

Still another specific object of this invention is to provide the hardware mechanism with highly improved intermediate stop means which prevent the mechanism from being shifted from the fully reclined position to the fully retracted position without first passing to the partially reclined intermediate position, and vice versa.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a body-supporting unit on which is mounted the usual upholstered seat of the chair. This body-supporting unit is connected by means of a plurality of linking members to the frame member which is secured to the frame of the chair. A leg rest member is operatively connected to the body-supporting unit and the frame member by means of a plurality of members connected to each other and respectively to the body-supporting unit, to the frame member and to the leg rest member in lazy tong fashion.

In my said copending application Serial No. 206,752, the lazy tong mechanism which connects to the leg rest, is projected by movement of a long arm of a bell crank which has a short arm connected to the body (seat) supporting member. Thus a short rearward movement of the seat supporting member is accompanied by a relatively large movement of the lazy tong mechanism and hence of the leg rest, thereby sometimes causing a popping leg rest, that is the leg rest sometimes shoots out too fast for comfort and the mechanism is too sensitive. Also if the hardware is not inserted very accurately, the leg rest at one side might have a tendency to go out before the other side.

3,243,227 Patented Mar. 29, 1966 Also in said copending application Serial No. 206,752, the rear link which connects the rear of the seat supporting member to the fixed support plate, and is inclined forwardly and upwardly must be made short, which has the disadvantage that as the seat supporting member moves back, the upper end of said link arcs upwardly before it comes down. This action requires lifting of the rear of the seat supporting member, which makes the chair harder to operate when the chair is occupied. Making this rear link longer and moving its pivot to the fixed support plate, would reduce or eliminate the upward arcing of the upper pivotal connection of the link to the seat supporting member, making it easier to move the seat supporting member backward. In such case the leg rest would project too easily by reason of the long slotted arm of the bell crank acting on the lazy tong mechanism, resulting in likelihood of a drifting leg rest, which is undesirable.

Another difliculty experienced with the hardware of my said copending application Serial No. 206,752 is that the long arm of the bell crank makes an acute anglewith the link of the lazy tong mechanism to which it is connected making the initial rearward movement of the seat supporting member more diflicult (notwithstanding large movements of the lazy tongs once the seat supporting member is moved back even a little bit).

It is hence a still further object of this invention to provide an improved mechanism which will retain the good features of the structure of my said copending application Serjal No. 206,752, while obviating the difficulties inherent therein and described above.

More specifically, the structure embodying the invention comprises a central member pivoted to the front end of a lever (which is pivoted at its rear end to the support plate), said member being also pivoted to the front end of the seat supporting member thereby providing a short link between the lever and seat member and being connected by a pusher link, substantially horizontal when the leg rest is retracted, to a link of the lazy tong mechanism which is substantially vertical when said leg rest is retracted, whereby to provide a direct thrust having a greater force on the lazy tong mechanism for projecting the same and whereby rearward movement of the seat supporting member is not accompanied by large movement of the lazy tong mechanism. Further, the pivotal connection of said control member to said horizontal link is above the pivotal connection of the control member to said lever to provide an over-center construction whereby initial rearward movement of the seat member does not greatly project the leg rest, whereby to prevent a popping leg rest or a drifting leg rest. In accordance with the present invention, the slotted member is a separate member pivoted to the control member and movable relative thereto and not fixed thereto as in said copending application. Yet its slot receives a pin on a member pivoted to the support plate to provide means for locking said lever against rotation until the leg rest is projected and the seat member has moved to the intermediate reclining or TV position.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a strong and durable construction of the character described which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install and manipulate, and which shall yet be practical and eflicient to a high degree in use.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the reclining chair mechanism embodying the invention for one side of the chair;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof, which shows the mechanism in its fully retracted position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating the mechanism in the partially reclined position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 but illustrating the mechanism in the fully reclined position.

Before referring in detail to the drawings, it should be noted that only half of the hardware mechanism for one reclining chair is illustrated, it being understood that any additional matching symmetrical hardware mechanism to the one illustrated is required for each reclining chair.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, 1 designates the hardware for the reclining chair. A frame member having an upper flange 2a and vertical plate portion 2 may be attached to the wood frame 10 of the chair by means of any suitable screws, bolts or other fastening means (not shown), suitable openings 3 therefor being provided in the vertical plate 2. Said Wood frame In may have side arms 1b connected by rear rails 1c, front rails 1d and supported by legs 1e. The plate 2 may in fact be provided with slots 3a for bolts or screws to permit some adjustment of the plate. A pivot pin 4 is mounted approximately centrally on the plate 2. A main pivot link or lever 5 is pivoted on the pin 4. A stop 6 is formed near the forward end of the plate 2 and limits the downward angular movement of the main pivot link 5. A short arm portion 8 of the main pivot link 5 extends rearwardly from the pivot pin. A second stop 7 is formed near the pin 4 on the plate 2 and limits the upward angular movement of the main pivot link 5. Thus the main pivot link may move from the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to the position shown in FIG. 4.

Pivoted to the plate 2 rearwardly of the stop 7, as at 9, is a rear pivot link 10. Its upper end is pivoted as on pivot pin 11 to the rear end of a body-supporting seat member, here shown in the form of a seat angle 12. The seat angle 12 is generally secured by means of suitable bolts or screws to the upholstered or padded seat of a reclining chair, suitable slotted openings 13 being provided for this purpose.

It will be noted that when the rear pivot link swings rearwardly from the position of FIG. 2 to the positions illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, it engages an inwardly projecting stop 14 which is formed on plate 2, and which has a rearwardly and upwardly inclined stop edge engaging an undercut rear edge 10a of the rear pivot link 10.

Pivoted to the forward end of the main pivot link 5, as on pivot 15 is an actuating or control member, bell crank or connecting link 16 located at the inner side of link 5. Said connecting link 16 comprises an angularly shaped member with an upwardly extending finger portion 16a offset outwardly at the upwardly extending end and inwardly at the other end with respect to said link 5. At the upper end of the finger portion 16a of link 16, as on pivot 17, the link member is pivotally connected to the seat angle 12.

A foot or leg rest bracket 18 is connected to bodysupporting member 12, to the plate 2 and to the actuating link 16 by means of a lazy tong mechanism 19. The leg rest bracket 18 may be of angular cross-section having flanges 18a and 18b. The lazy tong mechanism 19 comprises links 20 and 21 respectively pivoted to the leg rest bracket 18 at 22 and 23. Links 24 and 25 are respectively pivoted to links 20 and 21 at 26 and 27. Furthermore, there is provided a pivot connection 28 between links 25 and 20.

The control link member 24 is pivotally connected, as at pivot 29, at its rear end to the corner portion of the angularly shaped member 16. Link member 24 is also connected to plate 2 by means of an additional link or lock member 30 which is pivoted to the plate 2 at a curved rearward portion 30a by means of the pivot connection 31. The control link member 24 in turn is connected to the link member 30 by means of a pin and slot connection, the pin 32 being formed on the link member 30 and the slot 33 being formed on the link member 24.

The link member 25 is pivotally connected, as at pivot 34, at its rear end to the forward end of the body-supporting member 12. Furthermore, there is provided a second connection between the link member 25 and the rearward end 34 of the angularly shaped member 16 respec tively by means of a pusher or drive link 38 and pivots 35 and 36.

A stop 37 is formed on the angularly shaped member 16 and is adapted to cooperate with the pusher link 38 if the mechanism loosens. When the mechanism is in the fully retracted position the stop 37 will be disposed above and spaced somewhat from the upper edge of the pusher link 38 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

A stop 39 formed on member 20 and cooperating with a matingly formed edge on link member 25 limits the retraction movement of the lazy tong device 19. The operation of the device will now be explained.

In the position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 the rester is in the upright position. It will be noted that the foot rest 18 is in the fully retracted vertical position approximately perpendicular and adjacent to the body supporting member 12. It will also be noted that in this position the stop 37 is somewhat spaced above the upper edge of the pusher link member 38 so that the foot rest 18 can not he accidentally displaced when the chair is unoccupied.

The first movement of the chair is from this upright position, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, to the partially reclined intermediate position as illustrated in FIG. 3. When pressure is exerted by the person sitting in the chair rearwardly against the back 1 of the chair, or on the seat of the rester (not shown), the link 10 swings rearwardly about the pivot 9, from the fully retracted position to the partially reclined intermediate position. It will be noted that in the fully retracted position, and until the mechanism has substantially reached the intermediate position, the pin 32 on lock member 30 prevents, via member 30 and pin 31, any upward angular movement of link member 5 about pin 4. Thus, in the shift from fully retracted to the intermediate position, the link members It and 16 swing rearwardly about their respective pivots 9 and 15 causing a concomitant rearward movement via pivots 11 and 17 of the body-supporting member 12. When the pin and slot connection 32, 33 of link members 30 and 24 has reached an angular position in which it no longer prevents a upward pivotal movement about pivot 4 by the linking member 5, then, link 5 swings up as seat member 12 swings up about pivot 11 to the fully reclined position of FIG. 4. A sequential operation of the reclining chair from fully retracted, to intermediate, to fully reclined position is thus achieved.

Similarly, the foot rest 18 cannot be fully retracted by means of the lazy tong mechanism 19 from the fully reclined position of FIG. 4 Without going through the intermediate or TV position, due to the pin and slot connection 32, 33 which locks link member 24 in place. After the chair has been substantially shifted from the fully reclined position (illustrated in FIG. 4) to the intermediate position (illustrated in FIG. 3), the pin and slot connections 32, 31 no longer prevent the movement of the lazy tong mechanism and the latter can be extended or retracted at will from that position.

The primary function of member 38 is to provide a drive for the lazy tong mechanism 19. When the lazy tong mechanism 19 is fully retracted, as illustrated in FIG. 2, any forward pull in the longitudinal direction of pusher member 38 will cause rearward movement of the seat supporting member 12. Thus, without rearward movement of member 12, the leg rest will not project. Furthermore, member 38 serves also to partially absorb an excessive concentration of weight on the forward portion of the body-supporting member 12, in case of loose pivots in the hardware, via stop 37 pressing against member 38. However, it should be noted the instant hardware mechanism of this invention can also operate without the stop member 37.

It will now be understood that the present mechanism is less sensitive, which is an advantage. The pusher link 38 is disposed above the pivot of the bell crank 16 to the lever 5. To get any substantial projection of the leg rest, there must be a substantial movement of the body supporting member 12, and hence of bell crank 16 and of pusher link 38, The pivotal connection 36 of bell crank 16 to the pusher link 38 moves down and somewhat rearwardly at the beginning of backward movement of the seat member 12.

Furthermore, because the present mechanism is not so sensitive, and because it does resist popping or extensive opening up with small movement of the seat member, the rear link 10 can and has been made longer whereby to get an easier motion. The movement is easier since the upper pivot 11 of said link 10 moves in an arc of longer radius and hence has a smaller up movement before it comes down, so that said rear link does not have to lift weight on the seat for any substantial distance, as it would have to do if a link of less radius were employed.

It will be noted that pusher link 38 is substantially at right angles to link 25 to which it is pivoted, to apply a direct thrust thereto, so that its entire thrust is useful for the initial projecting push on the lazy tong mechanism.

Summing up, it will now be seen that the present construction has means to keep the leg rest from opening up accidentally as the hardware gets loose at the pivots, or if it is installed badly. Also, it operates more easily because it takes less rearward pressure on the seat to open it. The lower end of the slotted arm 24 is no longer a pusher out means of the lazy tongs, as in my said copending application Ser. No. 206,752, but is a connection of the lazy tong mechanism and is part of the lock means for lever 5 as the mechanism moves from retracted to intermediate or TV position.

It will also be understood that pin 37 is spaced somewhat above pusher link 38 when the leg rest is in retracted position. Stop 39 on link strikes link to prevent pin 37 from striking pusher link 38 in said retracted position. However, if various rivets or pivots become loose and the leg rest has a tendency to sag, pin 37 comes into play and rests on the pusher link 38 to prevent the chair front from coming down.

It will thus be seen that there is provided an apparatus in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

Although a preferred example of the invention has been described in conjunction with a hardware mechanism for reclining chairs it will be understood that this type of mechanism can be used with other chairs and or furniture without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, as those skilled in the art will readily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the purview and scope of the invention and appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Hardware for a multiple posit-ion reclining chair comprising in combination, support means, a first link member pivoted to said support means, first stop means on said support means to limit rotary movement of said first link member in one angular direction in a first angular position, a second link member pivoted to said support means, body supporting means pivotally connected at substantially its rear end to said second link member, a third link member pivotally connected to said first link member and to said body supporting means, thereby connecting said body supporting means to said first link member, fourth and fifth link members pivoted, respectively, to said third link and to said support means, said fourth and fifth link members having a pin and slot connection with each other, a leg rest member, lazy tong means connecting said leg rest member with said fourth link member and said body supporting means, and adapted to extend said leg rest member from a retracted position of said leg rest member to a projected position of said leg rest member, with said first link member remaining in said first angular position, and said body supporting means moving rearwardly as said second link member rotates rearwardly about its pivoted connection with said support means from a first angular position thereof to a second angular position thereof, second stop means on said support means to limit the angular movement of said second link member in one angular direction in said second angular position, said fourth and fifth link members and their pin and slot connection providing means to prevent angular movement of said first link member from its first angular position until said leg rest has been extended by said lazy tong means, and to release said first link member for angular movement away from said first stop means to a second angular position after said leg rest member has been extended, to permit raising of said extended leg rest and :body supporting means as said body means rotates about its pivotal connection to said second link member, and third stop means on said support means to limit the angular movement of said first link member away from said first stop means into said second angular position thereof, and a sixth link member connecting said third link member with said lazy tong means.

2. Hardware for a multiple position reclining chair, comprising, in combination, a supporting plate adapted to be secured to the frame of the chair, a first link member pivoted to said supporting plate and extending forwardly, a second link member pivoted to said supporting plate rearwardly from the pivotal connection of said first link member to said plate, a body supporting member pivotally connected at its rear end to the upper end of said second link member, a third link member pivoted to the forward end of said first link member, said third link member, having an upwardly extending first leg portion which is pivoted to said body supporting member, fourth and fifth link members pivoted, respectively, to said third link memher and to the forward end of said supporting plate, the pivotal connections of said fourth and fifth link members, respectively, to said third link member and said supporting plate being in disaligned relationship to each other, means on said supporting plate to limit the rotation of said first link member in one direction, a pin formed at the forward end of said fifth link member, said 'fourth link member having a slot formed therein and said pin extending therein, an extensible leg rest member, means operatively connecting said fourth link member and the forward end of said body supporting member to said leg rest member, said fourth and fifth link members lying substantially along side each other and rotating together when said leg rest member is extended by said operative means, said pin in said slot preventing any angular movement of said first link member in the other direction until said operative means have substantially fully extended, said leg rest member away from said supporting member, and a sixth link member pivoted at one end to said third link member and at the other end to said operatively connecting means.

3. The combination of claim 2 and stop means on said third link member spaced above said sixth link member.

4. Hardware for a multiple position reclining chair, as set forth in claim 2, including first stop means on said supporting plate to limit the rearward angular movement of said second link member, and second stop means on said supporting plate to limit the upward angular movement of said first link member in the other direction.

5. Hardware mechanism for a multiple position reclining chair, comprising, in combination, a supporting plate, first and second link members each pivotally mounted on said supporting plate, a body supporting member pivotally connected to said second link member, a third link member pivotally connected at points spaced from each other, to said body supporting member and to said. first link member, a fourth link member having a pinand being pivotally connected to said supporting plate, a fifth link member having a slot formed therein and being pivotally connected to said third link member, said pin of said fourth link member extending into said slot of said fifth link member and forming a pin and slot connection therewith, lazy tong means operatively connected at one end to said body supporting member and to said fifth link member, leg rest means mounted on the other end said lazy tong means, said lazy tong means having means to move said leg rest means from a retracted to a projected position, and a sixth link member pivoted at one end to said third link member and at the other end to said lazy tong means.

6. The combination of claim 5, and a stop means on said third link member positioned above said sixth link member in one position of said lazy tong means.

7. The combination of claim 5, the pivotal connections between said first link member and said third link member being offset from the pivotal connection of said fourth link member to said supporting plate in the retracted position of said leg rest means.

8. The combination of claim 7, the pivotal connection of said fifth link member to said third link member being offset from the pivotal connection of said third link member to said first link member.

9. The combination of claim 5, the pivotal connection of said sixth link member to said third link member being disposed above the pivotal connection of said third link member to said first link member when the leg rest is retracted.

10. In combination, a support means, a lever pivoted thereto, a link pivoted to said support means, a body supporting member pivoted to said link, a control member pivoted to said lever, means to ivotally connect said control member to said body supporting member, a first member of a pair of members pivoted to said support means, a second member of said pair of members pivoted to said control member, said pair of members having a pin and slot connection one with the other, a leg rest, lazy tong means connecting said leg rest with said body supporting means, and With said second member of said pair of members, and a pusher link pivotally connected to said control member and pivotally connected to said lazy tong means.

11. The combination of claim means to limit retraction of said leg rest, and said control member having a stop spaced closely above said last mentioned link when said limit means is operative to limit retraction of said leg rest, and said stop being operative to contact said last named link in the event that pivotal connections between elements hereof loosen to a degree that said stop will sag into such contact.

12. The combination of claim 10, said lazy tong means comprising a first lever pivoted to said body supporting means, a link connecting said last mentioned lever to said leg rest member, a second lever crossing and pivoted to said first lever of said lazy tong means, and being pivoted to said second member of said pair of members and to said leg rest member, and the pivotal connection of said pusher link with said lazy tong means comprising a pivotal connection thereof to the first lever of said lazy tong means.

13. The combination of claim 12, the pivotal connection of said pusher link to said control member being located above and rearwardly of the pivotal connection of said control member to the lever which is pivoted to support means.

14. The combination of claim 13, in combination with stop means to limit angular movement of said lever which is pivoted to the support means, and stop means to limit angular movement of said link which is pivoted to said support means.

15. In combination, support means, body supporting means, a first member pivoted to said support means, stop means on said support means to limit rotary movement of said first member in one direction in one angular position of said first member, a second member pivoted to said support means, means to pivotally connect said second member to said body supporting means, connecting means pivoted to said first member and to said body supporting means and connecting said first member to said body supporting means, a pair of members, one of said pair of members being connected to said connecting means to be moved thereby, the other of said pair of members being pivoted to said support means, said pair of members having a pin and slot connection with each other, a leg rest member, lazy tong means connecting said leg rest member with said body supporting means and with said one of said pair of members, to extend said leg rest member from. a retracted position of said leg rest member to a projected position of said leg rest member, with said first pivoted member remaining in said one angular position, and said body supporting member moving rearwardly as said second pivoted member rotates rearwardly about its pivoted connection to said support means, from a first angular position thereof to a second angular position thereof, stop means to stop movement of said second pivoted member in said second angular position thereof, said pair of members and their pin and slot interconnection including means to prevent movement of said first pivoted member from its first angular position until said leg rest has been extended by said lazy tong means, and to release said first pivoted member for movement in an opposite direction, to a second angular position of said first pivoted member after said leg rest member has been extended, to permit raising of said extended leg rest and body supporting means as said body supporting means rotates about its pivotal connection to said second pivoted member, stop means to limit movement of said first pivoted member in said opposite direction in said second angular position thereof, and a drive link connecting said connecting means with said lazy tong means.

16. In combination, a plate, a first link pivoted to said plate and extending forwardly, a second link pivoted at its lower end to said plate rearwardly of the pivotal connection of said first link to said plate, a seat member, means to pivotally connect the upper end of said second link to the rear end of said seat member, a third link pivoted to the forward end of said first link, said third link extending upwardly and being pivoted to said seat member, a control member connected for movement by said first and third links and extending downwardly, means on the plate to stop rotation of the first link relative to said plate in one direction, a lock link pivoted to the plate, said lock link having a pin, and said control member having a slot receiving said pin, said lock link lying substantially alongside said control member while said control member and lock link rotate substantially together and said stop means stops rotation of said first link in said one direction, a leg rest member, leg rest member extending means connecting said leg rest member with said seat member and control member, and a drive link connecting said second link with said leg rest extending means.

17. In combination, a fixed support, a member pivoted thereto, a body supporting member, a link pivoted to said pivoted member and being pivoted to said body supporting member, a control member connected to said link and pivoted member, a leg rest member, extensible means connecting said leg rest member with said body supporting member and with said control member, a link pivoted to said fixed support, said link having a pin and slot connection with said control member, and lying substantially alongside of said control member, in one position of said pivoted member, and a drive link connecting said first mentioned link with said extensible means.

18. In combination, support means, a first link pivoted to said support means, first stop means on said support means to limit rotary movement of said first link in one direction, in a first angular position, second stop means on said support means to limit rotary movement of said first link in an opposite direction, in a second angular position, a second link pivoted to said support means, a movable body supporting member pivoted to said second link, a first means pivoted to said first link and being pivoted to said body supporting member, and a second means movably connected to said first link, a first lever having a first arm pivoted to said second means, a leg rest member, said first lever having a second arm pivoted to said leg rest member, a second lever crossing and interpivoted, mediately the ends thereof to an intermediate portion of the first lever, and having one arm pivoted to said body supporting member, said second lever having a second arm, a third link connecting the second arm of said second lever with said leg rest member, a fourth link pivoted to said support means, said fourth link having a pin and slot connection to the second means, and a drive link connecting said first means with said one arm of said second lever.

19. In combination, support means, a member pivoted to said support means, first stop means on said support means, to limit rotary movement of said pivoted member in one direction, in a first angular position, second stop means on said support means to limit rotary movement of said pivoted member in an opposite direction, in a second angular position, a link pivoted to said support means, a movable body supporting member pivoted to said link, link means interconnecting said pivoted member with said body supporting member, a leg rest, lazy tong mechanism, means connecting said lazy tong mechanism to said link means, body supporting member and said leg rest, for projecting and retracting said leg rest, and including a drive link connecting said link means to said lazy tong mechanism, said lazy tong mechanism including a plurality of interpivoted members, said body supporting member being movable rearwardly from a forward position thereof, with said pivoted member in its first angular position, to cause said link to rotate from one angular position to a second angular position, stop means on said support means to stop movement of said link in said second angular position thereof, said link means being so arranged that rearward movement of said body supporting member will cause said lazy tong mechanism to project said leg rest upwardly and forwardly to an intermediate projected position, means to prevent movement of said pivoted member away from its first angular position While said body supporting member is moved rearwardly away from its forward position, and to cause said pivoted member to swing away from its first angular position and to its second angular position, upon swinging said body supporting member about its pivotal connection to said link, with said link against its stop means, in its second angular position, and to cause said lazy tong mechanism to move said leg rest further upwardly to a fully projected position, said preventing means including a locking member pivoted to said support means and having a pin and slot connection with one of said interpivoted members of said lazy tong mechanism, to releasably connect said pivoted member to said support means against rotation of said pivoted member, and means controlled by movement of said lazy tong mechanism to move said locking member to releasing position,

10 when said lazy tong mechanism is in the intermediate projecting position thereof.

20. In a multiple position reclining chair, the combination comprising, support means, a first link pivotally mounted on said support means, said first link having a frontward position and a rearward position, a member pivotally mounted on said support means, actuating means pivotally mounted on said pivoted member, body support means, said body support means being pivotally connected to said first link and to said actuating means, a leg rest member; lazy tong mechanism comprising a plurality of interpivoted elements for retracting and projecting said leg rest member, interconnecting said leg rest member, said body support means and said actuating means; sequence means to releasably hold said pivoted member against rotation until said leg rest member is substantially fully extended and said first link is substantially in its rearward position, said sequence means comprising a lock link having one end pivotally mounted on said support means on a pivot spaced above and to the rear of the pivotal connections of said pivoted memher to said actuating means and said lazy tong mechanism to said actuating means in the retracted position of said leg rest and the frontward position of said first link, the other end of said lock link having a pin projecting therefrom, an element of said lazy tong mechanism being formed With a slot receiving said pin, said pin and slot connection being operative to permit movement of said pivoted member and rotation of said body support means about said first link when said leg rest member is substantially fully extended and said first link is substantially in its rearward position.

21. In combination, a support means, a member pivoted thereto, a first link pivoted to said support means, a body supporting member pivoted to said first link, an actuating member having a pivotal connection to said pivoted member, a leg rest member, lazy tong mechanism connecting said leg rest member with said body supporting member and said actuating member and including a second link having a pivotal connection to said actuating member, said second link being formed with a longitudinal slot, a lock link having a pivotal connection with said support means and carrying a pin passing through said slot, the pivotal connection of said actuating member to said pivoted member, the pivotal connection of said second link to said actuating member, and the pivotal connection of said lock link to said support means being offset from one another.

22. The combination of claim 21 and drive means responsive to rearward movement of said body supporting member to project said leg rest member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,043,621 7/1962 Fletcher 297 3,044,827 7/ 1962 Belisle 297316 X 3,069,201 12/1962 Bclisle et a1. 297316 X 3,093,408 6/1963 Fletcher 297--322 X 3,094,353 6/1963 MiZelle 297322 X 3,107,118 10/1963 Lorenz 297--89 3,134,624 5/1964 Lorenz 297322 X FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

I. T. MCCALL, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

10. IN COMBINATION, A SUPPORT MEANS, A LEVER PIVOTED THERETO, A LINK PIVOTED TO SAID SUPPORT MEANS, A BODY SUPPORTING MEMBER PIVOTED TO SAID LINK, A CONTROL MEMBER PIVOTED TO SAID LEVER, MEANS TO PIVOTALLY CONNECT SAID CONTROL MEMBER TO SAID BODY SUPPORTING MEMBER, A FIRST MEMBER OF A PAIR OF MEMBERS PIVOTED TO SAID SUPPORT MEANS, A SECOND MEMBER OF SAID PAIR OF MEMBERS PIVOTED TO SAID CONTROL MEMBER, SAID PAIR OF MEMBERS HAVING A PIN AND SLOT CONNECTION ONE WITH THE OTHER, A LEG REST, LAZY TONG MEANS CONNECTING SAID LEG REST WITH SAID BODY SUPPORTING MEANS, AND WITH SAID SECOND MEMBER OF SAID PAIR OF MEMBERS, AND A PUSHER LINK PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID CONTROL MEMBER AND PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID LAZY TONG MEANS.

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