US2617471A - Reclining article of furniture - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 11, 1952 AJLOREINZ 2,617,471

I RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed A ril 19, 1946 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Am, L-DRENZ L ATTORNEY NOY. 11, 1952 J AQLQRENZ I 2,617,471

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed April 19, 1946. .3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ANTON LORENZ BY I HIS ATTORNEY Nov. 11, 1952 QL 2,617,471

RECLiNING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed April 19; 1946 a Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR ANTON LORENZ HIS 'ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 11, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Anton Lorenz, Buffalo, N. Y.

Application April 19, 1946, Serial No. 663,550

18 Claims. 1

This is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 470,140 filed December 26, 1942.

My'invention relates to articles of furniture, and more particularly to a reclining article of furniture, wherein a seat, a back-rest, a top connecting link and a front connecting link are pivotally connected with each other so as to form the sides of a four-sided link-system, and wherein one side of said four-sided link-system is swingably mounted on a support.

In the hitherto known reclining articles of furniture of above described type means are provided for the control of the movements of the sides of the four-sided link-system during the adjustment of the movable members of the reclining article of furniture from one position into another one. It has been found, however, that reclining articles of furniture with a controlled movement of their movable members permit only a limited adjustment of their movable members.

An object of my invention is to provide. a reclining article of furniture of above described type, wherein the four-sided link-system may be moved relative to the support without a simultaneous alteration of the position of the sides of the four-sided link-system relative to each other, and wherein the sides of the four-sided linksystem may be moved relative to each other without a simultaneous alteration of the position of the top connecting link of the four-sided linksystem relative to the support.

A further object of my invention is to provide a reclining article of furniture of above described type having a leg-rest swingably mounted on the seat with means for displacing the leg-rest relative to the seat during a movement of the sides of the four-sided link-system relative to each other.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a reclining article of furniture of above described type having a leg-rest swingably mounted on the seat with means for adjusting the position of the leg-rest relative to the seat.

A further object of my invention is to provide a reclining article of furniture of above described type with a leg-rest swingably mounted on the seat and controlled by a connecting link of the four-sided link-system, which may be brought almost in line with the seat when the latter is in its extreme reclined position, so that the feet of the person resting in the article of furniture are in a level well above the head of the person resting in the article of furniture.

With the above and other objects of the invention in view, the invention consists in the novel chair shown in Fig. 1, wherein, however, the move able members thereof are in different positions, Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of a different embodiment of an adjustable reclining chair according to the invention,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a locking device of the chair shown in Fig. 1, taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a difierent embodiment of an adjustable reclining chair according to the invention,

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the support of the adjustable reclining chair shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a locking device of the chair shown in Fig. 6, taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 6,

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of an office chair according to the invention,

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section, of the office chair shown in Fig. 9, illustrating the latch mechanism of said oflice chair in an enlarged scale,

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on line ||--Il of Fig. 10,

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of a different embodiment of an adjustable reclining chair according to the invention,

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the leg-rest, seat, and connecting links of the chair shown in Fig. 12,

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the support of the chair shown in Fig. 12,

Fig. 15 is a side elevational view of a different embodiment of an adjustable reclining chair according to the invention,

Fig. 16 is an levational view of the front connecting link of the chair shown in Fig. 15,

Fi'ggl'l is a sectional view taken on line l1 l| of Fig.'16,f

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a detail of the chair shown in Fig. 15,

Fig. 19 is a sectional view taken on line 19-! of Fig. 15,

Fig. 20 is a side elevational view of a difierent embodiment of an adjustablereclining chair according to the invention, v

Fig. 21 is a sectional view taken on line 2 l-2l of Fig. 20,

Fig. 22 is a sectional view taken on line 22-22 of Fig. 20, and

Fig. 23 is a side elevational view of the chair shown in Fig. 20, wherein, however, the movable members of the chair are in a different position.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7, 25 generally indicates a support made of an integral piece of tubular material bent in suitable manner so as to form a substantially U-shaped ground-engaging portion 22, the legs of which merge into upwardly extending legs 24, one on each side of the chair. leg 24 extends toward the rear of the chair and is flattened. Two plates 28 and 30, oneon each side of the end 25, are secured to the flattened portion 25 of each leg 24 by means of rivets 32 or the like. Furthermore, each portion 25 has two upper surfaces 34 and 35 arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to each other for apurpose tobe described hereinafter. The legs 24 are connected with each other in their lower portion by means of a reinforcing cross-bar 58.

@0 indicates a back-rest pivotally connected to the rear end of a seat 42 at 44. On each side of the chair, the rear end of a top connecting link 52 is pivoted at 55 to an intermediate point of the back-rest above the plane of the seat 52. The front end of each top connecting link 52 is pivoted at 54 to the upper end of a front connecting link 55, the lower portion of which is pivoted to the front portion of the seat 52 at 58. Thus, the seat t2, the back-rest 45, the top connecting link 52 and the front connecting link 59 form a four-sided link-system. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, said four-sided link-system has sides of unequal length.

A leg-rest 45 swingably mounted on the front portion of the seat 52 at 48 is rigidly connected with the front connecting link 50 so as to participate in the movements of the latter. According to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the leg-rest 42 is integral with the front connecting link if desired, however, the leg-rest and the front connecting link could be made of two separate elements rigidly connected with each other by screws or the like.

The top connecting links 52 represent the armrests of the chair. The center portion of each top connecting link is placed between the'two plates'25 and 30 secured to the end 26 of the leg 24 (see Figs. 1 and 5). A pin 58 having a head for abutting against the plate 35 passes through registering holes 62, E4, 65 of the plates and the top connecting link, so that the foursided link- system 40, 42, 50, 52 is pivoted to the support 20 at an intermediate point of the top connecting link 52 substantially in the center thereof. The pin 58 prevented from rotation by the engagement of a projecting portion 5! with a corresponding recess of'the plates 35 has a threaded end projecting outwardly from the plate 28 and carrying a split washer 58. A looking or clamping screw H1 is screwed on the threaded end of said pin 58 for tightening the screw against the washer 68 so as to press the plates 28 and 30 against the top connecting link 52 and lock the relative position between the top connecting link and the support, if desired. If the screw Ill is not tightened against the washer, the top connecting link 52 may be freely swung about the pin 58. The extreme positions of the top connecting link 52 are limited by the sur- The free end 25 of each '4 faces 34 and 35 of the end 25, against which the top connecting link comes to rest.

Likewise, a clamping screw 12 is screwed on the threaded end of the pin 44 forming the joint between the back-rest l5 and the seat 42. If the clamping screw '52 is tightened on the pin 42 prevented from rotation by a projecting portion thereof engaged with a recess of the seat, the adjusted relative position between the members 55, 42, 55 and 52 of the four-sided link-system is locked; if the clamping screw 72 is loosened, the members of the four-sided link-system may be freely moved with respect to each other. The extreme sitting position of the members of the four-sided link-system is limited by the crossrod 38, against which the leg-rest may abut. The extreme reclined position of the members of the four-sided link-system is determined by the arrangement of these members, i. e. the members of the four-sided link-system may be moved relative to each other, until the leg-rest comes into alignment with the connecting links as shown in dash and dot lines in Fig. 6. When the members of the four-sided link-system are brought into said extreme reclined position, the feet of a person resting in the chair are in a level well above the head of the person resting in the chair.

The chair shown in Figs. 1-3 may be usedas follows:

Assume, the four-sided link-system is in the position shown in full lines in Fig. l, the clamping screw ill is tightened and the clamping screw 72 is loosened. Under these circumstances the relative position between the top connecting link 52 and the support 25 is locked, the remaining three members of the four-sided link-system, however, may be moved relative to each other. Thus, the user of the chair may swing the backrest, the seat, the front connecting link, and the leg-rest connected with said front connecting link back and forth by leaning his back against the back-rest or slightly lifting his legs from the leg-rest or by pressing his legs against the legrest. Preferably, the pivot 55 is arranged at such a, point of the top connecting link, that, in the position shown in full lines in Fig. l, the load of the user of the chair causes a slight overweight tending to turn the back-rest in clock-wise direction; this overweight may be easily balanced by a slight counter-pressure on the leg-rest. The creation of an overweight facilitates above mentioned swinging movement of three members of the four-sided link-system. The user of the chair may maintain any intermediate position of the members of the four-sided link-system which suits him, for example the position shown in dash and dot lines in Fig. l, by balancing the movable members of the four-sided link-system by means of a slight pressure on the leg-rest. If desired, however, the user of the chair may lock such an intermediate position of the movable members of the four-sided link-system by tight ening the clamping screw 72.

Now assume, the four-sided link-system is in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1, the clamping screw "i5 is loosened and the clamping screw 72 is tightened. Under these circumstances the adjusted position of the members 49, 42, 50, 52 of the four-sided link-system relative to each other is locked, and the user of the chair may use the chair as a swiveling chair swinging about the pivot 58. The extreme positions of the swiveling locked link-system are limited by the surface 34 and 35 respectively of the ends 26,

against which the top connecting link comes to rest. The full line positions of the four-sided link-.system shown in Figs, 1 and 2 indicate said two extreme positions.

.If desired, the user of the chair may look the extreme position of the top connecting link 52 shown in Fig. 2 by tightening the clamping screw 10. Now, after loosening the clamping screw 12, the user of thechair may start swinging movements of the back-rest, seat and leg-rest similar to that described above in connection with Fig. 1, with the only exception that the starting posi tion of the members of the four-sided link-system is a different one. Fig. 2 indicate one of the positions of the members of the four-sided link-system, which may be obtained by swinging the members of the four-sided link-system after tightening the clamping screw and loosening the clamping screw 12. Of course, the dash and dot line position or any other intermediate position of the members of the four-sided link-system may be locked by tightening the clamping screw 12.

Instead of locking the extreme position of the top connecting link 52 shown in Fig. 2 after a swiveling movement of the locked four-sided link-system about the pivot 58, any intermediate position of the top connecting link 52 may be locked by tightening the clamping screw 10 as shown in Fig. 3. Starting from such a locked intermediate position of the four-sided link-system, the user of the chair may carry out swinging movements of the back-rest, seat and leg-rest after loosening the clamping screw 12. The dash and dot line position of the members of the foursided link-system shown in Fig. 3 indicate one of the positions which may be obtained by such a swinging movement. It is understood that this or any other position obtained by a swinging movement of the members of the four-sided linksystem may be locked by tightening the clamping screw 12.

In order to move the four-sided link-system from the full line position shown in Fig. 1 into the dash and dot line position shown in Fig. 2 for example, as a modification, first the clamping screw 12 could be loosened to permit a movement of the members of the four-sided link-system into the position shown in dash and dot lines in Fig. 1, whereupon after tightening the clamping screw 12 and loosening the clamping screw Ill the four-sided link-system may be swung about the pivot 58 into the dash and dot line position shown in Fig. 2, which, thereupon, may be locked by tightening the clamping screw 10.

Furthermore, if desired, both clamping means 10 and '12 could be loosened for changing the position of the members of the four-sided linksystem from the full line position shown in Fig. 1 to the dash and dot line position shown in Fig. 2. Under these circumstances, the movement of the members of the four-sided link-system is composed of a movement of the top connecting link about its pivot 58 and a movement of the members 46, 42, 50, 52 relative to each other, said two movements taking place more or less at the same time.

In this connection, it may be mentioned, that clamping means such as the clamping screw 12 for locking an adjusted relative position of the members of the four-sided link-system and/or clamping means such as the clamping screw 10 for locking the position of the top connecting link 52 relative to the support may be entirely The dash and dot lines in I 6.. omitted, if desired. If the clamping screw 12 is omitted, the members of the four-sided link-system may be held in any intermediate position by the above described balancing action of the user of the chair as long as the legs of the user of the chair are not in a level higher than the head of the user of the chair. If the clamping screw 10 is omitted, intermediate positions of the top connecting link cannot be locked, but the top connecting link is held in either one of its extreme positions by the stopping surface 34 and 36 respectively of the end of the leg 24 In the embodiment of the reclining chair shown in Figs. 1-3 the clamping means 10 for locking the top connecting link 52 is coaxial with the pivot 58 between the top connecting link and the support. If desired, the clamping means for locking the top connecting link could be arranged at a place remote from the pivot 58. Furthermore, any other suitable type of clamping means could be used, if desired.

According to the embodiment of an adjustable reclining chair shown in Fig. 4, again one point of the four-sided link-system I48, I42, I59, I52 is in permanent operative engagement with the support I20, 1. e. a point of the top connecting.

link I52 of said four-sided link-system is pivoted to said support I20 at I58. According to Fig. 4, however, the front connecting link I50 and the portion of the back-rest I45 between the pivots I44 and I55 are of equal length, and, likewise, the top connecting link I52 is of the same length as the seat I42, so that the four-sided link-system is in the shape of a parallelogram. The front connecting link I50 is rigidly connected with the leg-rest I46 swingably mounted on the seat I42 at I48. The arrangement of the clamp ing screws I10 and I12 is the same as that of the clamping screws 10 and 12in the embodiment of the chair shown in Figs. 1-3. In order to limit the extreme sitting position of the members of the'four-sided link-system I48, I42, I58,

I52 of the chair shown in Fig. 4, an abutment,

I14 is arranged on the leg-rest I46 for engagement with the seat I42. If desired, said abutment could be arranged at any of the other corners of the four-sided link-system. Furthermore, such an abutment could be used in the chair shown in Figs. 1-3, if desired. The operation of the reclining chair shown in Fig. 4 is the same as the operation of the chair shown in Figs. 1-3.

The reclining chair shown in Fig. 6 is substantially the same as the reclining chair shown in Figs. 1-3. The four-sided link- system 240, 242, 250, 252 is swingably mounted on the support 220 at 258, and the front connecting link 25!] is rigidly connected with the leg-rest 245 pivoted to the seat 242 at 248. The means for limiting the extreme positions of the top connecting link 252, however, are of different type. Stops 293 and 292 secured to the end 226 of the leg-rest 224 project inwardly therefrom and serve as an abutment for the top connecting link 252 in its extreme positions. As best shown in Fig. 8, the top connecting link 252 is pivoted to the support 220 by means of a pin 258 passing through registering holes in the end 226, the top connecting link 252 and a plate 294 of suitable shape secured to the end 226 by rivets 296. A clamping screw 210 screwed on the threaded end of the pin 258 serves to lock various positions of the top connecting link relative to the support 220. The locking device 212 arranged on the pivot 244 serves to lock an adjusted position of speechthechair shown in Figs; 1-3.

Figs; 9-11 illustrate an ofilce chair according to the invention. A spindle 3M carrying-a supporting member 3&3 is screwed into the threaded bore of a pedestal 335, which may be ofany conventiona-l form. On each side of the chair anupright 3911s rigidly connectedwith said-sup=- porting mernb'er 3d3-by screws A topconnect-- ing link 352 is sW-ingably mounted on'each upright Bill at 358. The rear end of each tOp connecting link 352 is pivoted to the back-rest 349 at 356. The lower end of the back-rest 348' is pivoted to the rear portion of the seat 342 at 344. The front portion of said seat 342 is pivotally connected at 343 with the lower end oi'the front connecting link 35d, the upper end of which is pivoted at 354 to the front end of the top connecting link 352. A locking device 3'12 arranged on the pivot 344 may be used for locking the members of the four-sided link- system 345, 342, 353, 352 in an adjusted position relative to each other. Each upright is provided with an abutment 334 and an abutment 533. The abutment 334 serves to limit the substantially horizontal position of the top connecting link 852, and the abutment 336 serves to limit the extreme reclined position of said top connecting link 352.

The abutment 334 is provided with an automatic latch mechanism generally indicated by 309. Said latch mechanism 3% comprises a hook-like member 3H swingably mounted in an aperture 3 E3 of the abutment 334 at 335. A tension spring 3%? stretched between the upper end of the hook 3i I and the wall of the aperture 3i3 tends to urge the hook 3 into the vertical position in engagement with a stop SIS arranged in the aperture 353, as shown in full lines in Fig. 10. The upper end of the hook 3 I I may pass through a slot 32I at the lower wall of the top connecting link 352, and the hook itself may come into engagement with a portion of the lower wall of the top connecting link 352, when the latter is in the horizontal position shown in Fig. 10. If the hook 352 is engaged with the lower wall of the top connecting link 3522, the latter will be held in its horizontal position. If it is desired to swing the top connecting link 352 about its pivot 358 into a reclined position, the hook 3H is brought by hand against the action of the spring 3|? into the dash and dot line position 3H, whereby the top connecting link 352 is released. After a swinging movement of the top connecting link 352 about the pivot 358 into a sufficiently reclined position, the hook 3| I of the latch mechanism 38% may be released, whereupon the spring 3i? returns the hook 3II into its vertical end position, the upper end of said hook now being below the lower wall of the top connecting link 3552.

As best shown in Figs. 10 and 11, a torsion When the user of the chair 8?. edgelaszviewe'dtin Figc-lo of thei s1o't 32I in -the lower wall of the top connecting: link 352 :comes 1 into engagement with the nose of the-hook 3-I I,

whereby the latter is swung'aboutits' :pivot 3-I5 in' COUIItBTrClOCkWiSG direction, until. the: upper end of the hook SI I may pass through theisl'ot 32 I;

whereupon the springtl'l automaticallyreturn's 1: the hook 3| I into its vertical position wherein-the book comes into engagement with the lowerwallof the to}: connecting link 352 as shownin full lines in 10, thus locking the top connecting" link in said horizontal end position;

When the top connecting link 352 'is-heldinthe horizontal p'osition'by the latch mechanism ass; the-user of the chair may loosen the locking device 3l2-for adjustingthe members of the foursided link- system 340, 342, 350, 352-ina-different'" position-relative to each other'if so desired; After-- such ail-adjustment of the members'of the four sided link system, the members may be -he1d'-inthe thus adjustedposition by a tightening of the locking device 312. Now, the chair may be used" either in a stationary position of its movable members locked by the latch mechanism309, or, after a release of the latch mechanism 309 and the top connecting link 352, as 1 a swiveling chair," wherein the four-sided link system-locked byjthe locking device 312 swings about the pivot 3'58 under or against the action of the torsion spring; 323.

Furthermore, as best shownin Fig. 9, above described office chair has-on each ofits sides a" separate arm-rest-325, the rear end ofwhich pivoted to the back-rest 345 at 321. Theiront end of each arm-rest 325 is pivotedat-329 'to'thej upper end of a link 33I the lower-end of which is pivoted to the top connecting link352at 333:

According to the embodiment of a chair shown in Fig; 12, the four-sided link- system 440, 442, ass, 452 is swingably mounted on the support 420 at 458. A locking device dill may be used,for"lock-- ing the top connecting link 452 in a predetermined position relative to the support 426, and a locking device4l2 may-beused for locking the mem bers of the four-sided link-system in.a'prede-. termined position relativeto each other. As best shown in Fig. 14, the support 420 comprises two uprights 435 connected with each other by cross bars 437 and 439. The upper end ofeach upright 435 is provided with abutments 434 and 436 for? cooperation with the top connecting, link 452; said abutments 434, 435 serve to limit the extreme positions oi the top connectinglink. An adjust-'- able stop screw 44! is threaded into a'threa-ded bore of each of the abutments 436. Said'stop screw 44! may be used for altering the extreme reclined position of the top connecting'link'452, which may come into contact withthe upper end of the stop screw 444, if the latter projectsfrom' the upper surface of the abutment 436.

Furthermore, a stop 443 is attached tothe backrest :i lllby means of screws. Said stop 443 may" abut against the top'connecting link 452 for limitingthe extreme reclined position of the members of the four-sided link-system as shown in'dash and. dot lines.

A leg-rest 446 swingably mounted on the-front portion or" the seat 442 at 445 at a point spaced from the pivotal connection 448 between theseat 442 and the front connecting .link 450 has on each of its sides an extension 441 projecting beyond the pivotal connection 445 between the leg-rest. 448 and the seat 442. According to Figs. 12 and. 13,.said extension 44'! 'of the legerest l lfiha's actuating projection 449' extending inwardly for ameter.

9. loose engagement with the front connecting link 458. Said actuating projection 449 may be held in engagement with the front connecting link 45!! by means of a torsion spring (not shown) arranged between the seat 442 and the leg-rest 446. When, upon a tightening of the locking device 4'!!! and a loosening of the locking device 412 the members of the four-sided link- system 448, 442, 458, 452 are brought into a different position relative to each other, for example'into the reclined position shown in dash and dot lines in Fig. 12, the front connecting link 458 being in engagement with the actuating projection 449 of the extension 44'! of the leg-rest 446 causes a swinging movement of the leg-rest 446 aboutits pivot 445, so that the leg-rest 446 reaches a different position relative to the seat 442.

A similar displacement of the leg-rest 446 relative to the seat 442 could also be obtained by a cooperation of the actuating means on the extension of the leg-rest with a portion or a projection of the top connecting link;

According to the embodiment of an adjustable reclining chair shown in Fig.15, the four-sided link- system 548, 542, 558, 552 is swingably mounted at 558 on the support 528. Again, the locking device 5'!2 may be used to hold the members of the four-sided link-system in an adjusted position.

As best shown in Figs. 15 and 19, a member 55! having a slot 553 is rigidly connected withthe top connecting link 552, by welding, for example. A bolt 555 having a head 55? passes through the slot 553 of the member 55! and abore 559 of the support 528. A protruding portion 56! arranged on the bolt 555 for engagement with a corresponding recess of the bore 559 prevents the bolt from rotation When a locking knob 563 screwed on the projecting threaded end of the bolt 555 is turned. When said locking knob 563 is tightened, the head 55'! of the bolt 555 is pressed against the member 55! whereby said member 7 and the top connecting link 552 rigidly connected therewith are locked in a predetermined position. When the locking knob 563 is loosened, the member 55! may be displaced-relative to the head 55'!, so that the top connecting link 552 may be freely swung about its pivot 558. The extreme positions of the top connecting link 552 are limited by an engagement of the ends of the slot 553 With the bolt 555.

A leg-rest 546 is swingably mounted on the front portion of the seat 542 at a point 545 spaced from the pivotal connection 548 between the front connecting link 556 and the seat 542. Said leg-rest 546 has an extension 56? for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

As best shown in Figs. 15-17, the front connecting link 558 is provided with a series of openings 565. Each opening is composed of a cylindrical bore 56'! and lateral recesses 569. An actuating member generally indicated by 51! may be inserted into one of said openings'565. As best shown in Fig. 18, said actuating member 51!. has a cylindrical main body 513 and a cylindrical engaging portion 575 of reduced di- Said cylindrical engaging portion 515 is provided with extensions 5i! at diametrically opposite sides. The engaging portion 5l5 may be inserted into one of the openings 565, the shape of the extensions 57'! being such as to pass through the recesses 569 of such an opening 565. When the engaging portion 525 of the actuating member 51! is inserted into one of said openings 565 until the shoulder 519 of themain body 513 abuts against the surface of the front connecting link 558 as shown in Fig. 17, the actuating member 51! may be rotated through an angle of until the extensions 51'! reach the vertical position shown in Fig. 17, whereby the actuating member 51! is locked in its position on the front connecting link 556.

Now, assume the leg-rest 546 is in thejidle position shown in Fig. 15. When the user of the chair wishes to use the leg-rest, at first the actuating member 5'!! is removed from an opening 565 'of the front connecting link 558. Thereupon, the extension 54'! of the leg-rest may :be gripped by hand for swinging the leg-rest 546 about its pivot 545 into an inclined position, for example the position 546' with the extension 54'! of the leg-rest beyond an opening 565 of the front connecting link selected for receiving the actuating member 51!. Thereupon, the actuating member 5'!! may be inserted intosaid opening 565, for example into the uppermost opening as shown in Figs. 15-1'7. Now, when the leg-rest 546 is released, the extension 5410f the leg-rest will be held in loose engagement with the actuating member -5'!! by the action of-the weight of the leg-rest 546. It will be readily understood, that the position 546 of the le rest will be changed relative to the seat 542 in a similar manner as described above in connection with the leg-rest 446 shown in Fig. 12, when the members of the'four-sided link- system 548, 542, 558, 552 are adjusted in a different position. I If the user of the chair wishes to have a different initial position of the leg-rest 546 relative to the seat 542, he mayinsert the actuating member 57! into a different opening of the series of openings 565. For example, if the ac.- tuating member 51! is inserted into the-lower.- most opening 565, the leg-rest maybe brought into the position 546". I

According to the embodiment of a chair shown in Figs. 20-23, the top connecting link 652 of the four-sided link- system 648, 642, 658, 652 is swingably mounted on the support 628 at 658. A rod 68! bent to form a semi-circle carrying stops 683 and 685 is rigidly'connected with the top connecting link 652, by welding, for example. As best shown in Fig. 22, the rod 68! is in en gagement with an aperture 68'! of a ring-like end portion-689 of a bolt69! passing through a bore 693 of the'support 628-. When a looking knob 695 screwed on the threaded end of the bolt 69! is tightened, the rod 68! is tightly pressed against thesurface of the support 62.!) by means of the-ring-like end portion 689 of the bolt 69!, so that the rod 68! as well as .the top connecting link 652 are locked in their posi,- tion. When the locking knob 695 is loosened, the rod 68! may slide in the aperture 68'! of the end portion 689 of the bolt 69!, so that the top connecting link 652 maybe freely swung about its pivot 658. The extreme positions of the .top connecting link 652 are limited by an abutment of the stop 683 or the stop 685 against an edge of the support 628.

A leg-rest 646 swingably mounted on the seat 642 at 645 has an upward extension 647. One end of a connecting bar 69'! is pivoted to said extension 64'! at 699. Said connecting bar 69'! has a slot 682 capable of receiving a bolt 684 insorted with its square portion 686 intoa corresponding square aperture of the front connecting link 658, as shown in Fig. 21; Saidsquare portion 686 prevents the bolt 664 from'rotation when alocking knob 688 screwed on the threaded 650," sotthat the: latter as wellzasi'the vlegerest 646 connected with. said. connecting-z bar :are: heldt-in #:their p'osition. Such. ail.tiQhtEllilig'iOf'jthE' locki'n'g iaknob 608 causes also a; locking: of :all: mem- "bers' of theifouresidedilink system 640, 642, 65B,

*fi52i in theiri' adjusted :position, so that: it isun- "necessary to-arrangeaanya'additional locking adev ice, for -example on the pivotal connection .644 betvveemthe ba'ckerestfill and the seat 642.

-Whe'n the lockingiknob'- 608 is loosened 7 the slot the: iconnecting .bart 1691::mayr freelyzaslide g the? boit fi 04,. so that the :leg-arestsBAt may .be rtirought into-a' difierenttposition, for example into tlie extreme position E46 shownrinrdash and 'dot linesEin 'EigT ZO; Nowyiff the locking :knob .603ris tiglite'n'e'd again; so asto' hold the. leg-rest in said =po'sition '64ii""relative to 'the seat 642:.and'further- 'more" to -hold the members of'thexfour-sided linksystem in 'thein adjusted position: relativei-tozeach ether; for example" the positionshown iniulllines in Fi'g. 20, the locking knob B95 may behloosene'd, whereupon the members: of the four-sidedlinks'ystem 'flil, E42, 650 652 may-be swung about the pivot- 658' into *the extreme reclined-position shown in*Fig.'-*23, which is limited by an :abut- =ment" ofth'e stop 685* against the: support 620.

"The: members of the chair'maybe held in said position by a tightening of the locking knob- 695. "Of course; 'the-rig-ht-hand 1 end" Cas -viewed in Fig. 20) "of' the connecting bar 6 91 could be pivotiillyvconnected Withthe front "connecting link-650 and the left-hand erid-could be in shiftable engagement witha' bolton the extensionof the legrest:'if:desired; insnch a-case, the-locking knob 608could bearrange'don the bolt inserted into a holeof the extension of the leg-rest.

"WhileIPhaveshownonly chairs, I do -not' Wish thatttheiiinvention be limited to *chairs only. The; invention may also be" applied to other articles ofifurnituregsuchas-cou'chesor the like.

i Furthermore, *itis-understood; that certain partsx elements, ornnechani'sms shown in a certain' figure may besubstituted for-corresponding parts, elements, or" mechanisms or the embodimentslshownin other'figures of the'drawings.

Ifhave describedjpreferred embodiments of my invention,;but itis understood that-this disclosure is. for'ithezpurpose'of illustration, and that vari' nusaomissionstor changes in' shape, proportion, :aIidLarrangement'of parts; as wellas' the substitution ofequivaleritelements for thosef'herein "shownfand described may be'ma'de without "departing' 'frorn the spirit? and scope-of the-inventi orrassetfforth inthe appende'd claims.

What I claimis A reclining article of furniture comprising: arsupport, a seat,-a back rest, said back rest' bei-rigpivotedto the rear portion of said'seat, a pair" of "connecting-links on each side of the chair, substantially above the "plane of the seat, each pair of connecting links including atop connecting link -and-a front connecting-link, adjacent ends of such'top and front connecting links 'being pivotally connected with'each other; therear end of" each top connecting link being pivoted" to. an intermediate point ofthe" backerest above the pivotal connection between-the back-restxand the seat, the lower end of each frontconnecting'link "being-pivoted to the frontportion of the seat, said seat, saidback-rest-and said" pair: 'of connecting links forming 'a foursided' link-system' the: sides ;o1".f1which.-:.being adjustable with respect to :each other, F0111! onerpoint .of said four-sided link system .beingin .permanent operative engagement withtsaidg supportsaid point being formed by a pivotal connection .of said .top connecting. link with; saidsupport for varying the relative posi- .tion: between. the: four-sided link system and the .supportgfirst locking means associated with the top iconnecting; linkandsaidsupport for locking the top. connecting link in anradjusted position, and: second locking; means acting on the relatively movable, members of the. four-sided link. system for locking the sides; of; the linkrsystem' in an, .ad-

justedxpositionrelative, to each other.

L2. -A,rec1iningarticleof Ziurnitnraasclaimedin claim l;saidjour-sided.linmsystemmeing inxthe shape of a parallelogram- 13 Are-cliningarticle ofiiurniture; asclaimed in claim 1,:saidfouresided .link-systemshaving sides otunequal length.

.14., A reclining-articleof'iurniture:as claimed-in claim 1, said pivotaliconnection.betweenl'the'top connecting; link and'tthe support being substantially the center of said top connecting link.

'5. .Areclining' article of furniture comprising: a:.support,: a: seat, av back-rest;said'back-rest': being pivoted: to the rear portion of said seat, apair .of: connecting flinks'on eachsideiof thechair substantialiyJaboVethe"plane"of thGTSGEt; eachxzpair of; connecting links .lll'lcllldll'lg a top connecting .linki andca: flOIl'lTiC'OIlIl'GCtillg. link, adjacent .ends of; such 'top 1 and "front connecting links being .pivotallynonnectedwith each other,':the rear :end ,zofreach'top connecting linkbeing pivoted'toi an intermediate point of theJback-rest above the pivotalconnection-between the back=rest and the :seatfthe lower end of each front'connecting link 'beingvpivotedito' thefront portionof 'theseat, said seat; :saidwback-rest'and said pair of connecting linksif-orming .a'four-sided link-system the sides ofrwhich being adjustable with respect to each other, .onlyione point of said four-sided link-system being, .in' permanent operative engagement with said .supportsaid point being formed bya pivotal connection ofz'said' top connecting link with v.said: support for varying the relative position: between'the four-sided link-system and the support, 'means "on the support for limiting the extreme positions'of the top connecting link, first locking means associated with the top connecting .ilinkiandsaid support for'locking the top con- 'necting link in; an adjusted position, andsecond docking meanslactingson the relatively'movable members :oitthejour-sided linkesystemlfor lock- .ingzthe sides .of ;the link-system in 1 an adjusted position relative to. each other.

:6. Atmeclining article. of furniture; comprising: arsupport, ,af-seat; a backerest; said back-rest bein ;'pivoted to: the rear portion "of said seat, a pair ofconnecting links on each side of the chair substantially above theplane of the seatyeach pair of connecting links includinga topconnecting; link andza front connecting link, adjacent ends of suchtop andfront connecting *links being pivotally connected With each other, the rear1end of each top connecting link being pivoted --to:an intermediate :point of the back-rest above "the pivotal connection between the back-rest'and the -seat, .the-'lower end of each front connectin link being .pivotedztorthe front portion of the seat, said seat,.said back-rest and said pair of connecting links-forming a four-sided link systemthe sides of .which being adjustable with respect to each other, only one-point of saidf0ursided link-system beinginpermanent, operati-vaengagementwith. said support, said point being formed by a pivotal connection of said top connecting link with said support for varying the relative position between the four-sided link-system and the support, means on the support for limiting the extreme positions of the top connecting link, means cooperating with the four-sided link-system for limiting the extreme relative positions of the sides thereof in one direction, first locking means associated with the top connecting link for locking an adjusted position of the top connecting link, and second looking means associated with the four-sided link system for locking an adjusted position of the sides of the four-sided link system relative to each other.

7. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a seat, a back-rest, said back-rest being pivoted to the rear portion of said seat, a pair of connecting links on each side Of the chair substantially above the plane of the seat, each pair of connecting links including a top connecting link and a front connecting link, adjacent ends of such top and front connecting links being pivotally connected with each other, the rear end of each top connecting link being pivoted to an intermediate point of the back-rest above the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the seat, the lower end of each front connecting link being pivoted to the front portion of the seat, said seat, said back-rest and'said pair of connecting links forming a four-sided link-system the sides of which being adjustable with respect to each other, only one point of said four-sided linksystem being in permanent operative engagement with said support, said point being formed by a pivotal connection of said top connecting link with said support for varying the relative position between the four-sided link-system and the support, first locking means associated with the top connecting link for locking an adjusted position of the top connecting link, second locking means associated with the four-sided link-system for locking an adjusted position of the sides of the four-sided link-system relative to each other, and a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front portion of said seat, at least one of said connecting links being in operative engagement with said leg-rest.

8. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a seat, a back-rest, said back-re'stbeing pivoted to the rear portion of said seat, a pair of connecting links on each side of the chair substantially above the plane of the seat, each pair of connecting links including a top connecting link and a front connecting link, adjacent ends of such top and front connecting links being pivotally connected with each other, the rear end of each top connecting link being pivoted to an interminate point of the back-rest above the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the seat, the lower end of each front connecting link being pivoted to the front portion of the seat, said seat, said back-rest and said pair of connecting links forming 'a four-sided link-system the sides of which being adjustable with respect to each other, only one point of. said four-sided linksystem being in permanent operative engagement with said support, said point being formed by a pivotal connection of said top connecting link with said support for varying the relative position between the four-sided link-system and the support, means on the support for limiting the extreme positions of the top connecting link, first locking means associated with the top connecting link for locking an adjusted position of the top connecting link, second locking means associated with the four-sided link-system for locking an adjusted position of the sides of the four-sided linksystem relative to each other, and a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front portion of said seat, at least one of said connecting links being in operative engagement with said leg-rest.

9. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a seat, a back-rest, said back-rest being pivoted to the rear portion of said seat, a pair of connecting links on each side of the chair, substantially above the plane of the seat, each pair of connecting links including a top connecting link and a front connecting link, adjacent ends of such top and front connecting links being pivotally connected with each other, the rear end of each top connecting link being pivoted to an intermediate point of the back-rest above the pivotal connection between the backrest and the seat, the lower end of each front connecting link being pivoted to the front portion of the seat, said seat, said back-rest and said pair of connecting links forming a four-sided linksystem the sides of which being adjustable with respect to each other, only one point of said foursided link-system bein in permanent operative engagement with said support, said point being formed by a pivotal connection of said top connecting link with said support for varying the relative position between the four-sided link-system and the support, means on the support for limiting the extreme positions of the connecting link, means cooperating with the four-sided linksystem for limiting the extreme relative positions of the sides thereof in one direction, first locking means associated with the top connecting link for locking an adjusted position of the top connecting link, second locking means associated with the four-sided link-system for locking an adjusted position of the sides of the four-sided linksystem relative to each other, and a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front portion of said seat, at least one of said connectin links being in operative engagement with said leg-rest.

10. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, resilient means arranged between the support and the top connecting link for returning the latter from a reclined position into the sitting position.

11. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 7, resilient means arranged between the support and the top connecting link for returning the latter from a reclined position into the sitting position.

12. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed inclaim 1, an automatic latch mechanism associated with said top connecting link for holding same automatically in extreme positions.

13. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim '7, an automatic latch mechanism associated with said top connecting link for holding same automatically in extreme positions.

14. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim '7, said connecting link being rigidly connected with said leg-rest.

15. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 7, said operative engagement between said connecting link and said leg-rest including abutting surfaces on said two last mentioned members loosely engaged with each other.

16. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 7, said operative engagement between-said connecting link :and said leg-rest including a link arranged between and pivotally connected at its ends with said two last menclaimed in claim 7, said operative engagement between the leg-rest and at least one of the connecting links including the front connecting ink, and cooperating abutting surfaces arranged on said leg-restand said front connecting link, said cooperating abutting surfaces being loosely engaged with each other.

18. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 7, said operative engagement ANTON LORENZ.

"16 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in'the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 466,997 Berst Jan. 12, 1892 737,276 Rote Aug. 25, 1903 825,984 Schmersahl July 17, 1906 1,198,912 Haberacker Sept. 19, 1916 1,688,587 Liljedahl Oct. 23, 1928 1,704,585 Astruc Mar. 5, 1929 2,273,667 Staudt 'Feb. 17, 1942 2,429,633 Lorenz Oct.r28, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 53,406 Netherlands 'Mar. 9, 1939

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