US2857955A - Reclining chair - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 28, 1958 Filed May 18, 1954 N. DE VRIES ETAL 2,857,955

. RECLINING CHAIR 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,Z/ 37 INVENTORS 20 3,3 0(2 0mg 4 O ct,28, 1958 N. DE VRlES ET AL RECLINING CHAIR 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 18, 1954 IN V EN TOR Oct. 28, 1958 N. DE VRIES ETAL 5 RECLINING CHAIR Filed May 18, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS IZZJ- a (J/w 431%.

Oct. 28, 1958 N. DE VRlES ET AL RECLINING CHAIR 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I 'INVENTORS a6 UM afzx' gys.

United States Patent M REQUNING CHAIR Nicholas de Vries, Broolrfield, Conn, and Ernest F. Becher, East Aurora, N.

Apparatus May regress, Serial No. 430,532

11 Claims. c1. 1ss-iss This invention relates to a reclining chair and more particularly to such a chair adapted for use conventionally as anormal upholstered chair but which, when released, has movable back, seat and leg rest parts connected to one another and to the base of the chair by a linkage at each side of the chair and which linkages serve to maintain these movable parts in proper relation to one another to provide the'maximum comfort at any selected degree of reclining of these parts.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide such a reclining chair which is of attractive appearance and can be made to follow closely the de- "sir'able form and appearance of non-reclining chairs particularly in having a small base supported by high legs "so as to provide a high open space beneath the chair and thereby avoid having abase of massive appearance. This object is obtained principally by locating certain parts of the linkages in the arms of the base instead of under the base where concealment was required, and by folding the leg rest part on'top of 't he'seat part in the form of a re movable cushion instead of having it fold against the base as the front panel thereof and which, because of its necessary size to function as a leg rest, resulted in a massive and bulky base.

Another object is to provide such a reclining chair which does not have any loose lengths of cloth between the back and the base which some reclining chairs have for concealment purposes. Such pieces of cloth have a highly undesirable droopy appearance.

Another aim is to provide such a reclining chair which, when used in its erect or non-reclining position, is deeply cushioned to provide increased comfort. This is achieved by using the leg rest part as a removable seat cushion in such manner that the person seated erect in the chair is supported by both the springs of this leg rest part and also by the springs of the seat part thereby to be supported by a deep bed of springs.

Another purpose is to provide such a reclining chair which, when in its erect or non-reclining position, has its movable parts and linkages all positively locked against movement. In consequence one who is unaware of the reclining features of the chair uses the chair as a normal upholstered chair and is not startled by having the back or some other part give way as he sits down or changes his position.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a reclining chair in which the linkage causes each movable chair part to track the other chair parts in such manner that in any degree of recline of these parts they are jointly in position to support the user with the maximum degree of comfort.

Another object is to provide such a reclining chair which is smooth and trouble free in its action and in particular operates without peaks of resistance, noise or any uncertainties in action.

Another object is to provide such a reclining chair which, particularly when extended, is sturdy and free from wobbliness.

2,851,955 Patented Oct. 28, 1958 Another object is to provide such a reclining chairin which opposing leverages rather than friction is employed to control the movement of the movable chair parts. Where friction is relied on the chair in time wears into an undesirable looseness. Further such use of opposing leverages permits wide latitude in styling the chair.

Another object is to provide such a reclining chair the base of which is sturdy and strong and in particular in which the base has a crossbar at the front extrcmity of its side frames and which cross bar in many reclining chairs is required to be moved back from the front extremities of the side frames with resultant weakening of the base, in order to accommodatethe linkage.

Another object is to provide such a reclining chair in which the movable parts fold and unfold without any tendency to pull or crumple the clothing of the user, such as the tendency of some reclining chairs to pull up the shirt of the user.

Another object is to provide such a reclining chair in which the movable parts extend to an unusual length from their folded position thereby to comfortably accommodate unusually tall persons.

'Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings 'in which: i

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a reclining chair embodying the present invention and showing the same in fully extendedor reclining position.

Fig. 2 is a vertical fore-and-aft section taken generally on line 22, Fig. 1 and showing the chair in its fully erector non-reclining position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section taken generally on line 33, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3 but showing the leg rest part brought down preparatory to sitting in the chair and bringing its movable parts to reclining position.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figs. 3 and 4 and showing the chair in its full reclining position.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken generally on line s s, Fig.5.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. '4 and illustrating a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a View similar to Fig. 2 and illustrating this modified form of the invention. 7

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 5 and illustrating this modified form of the invention.

Fig. 10 is a top plan view, with the upholstering removed, of the leg rest section and a part of its supporting linkage viewed from above the left hand end of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section taken on line 11-11, Fig. 10.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-5 the numeral 15 represents the base and arms of the chair and which consists of a pair of side frames in each including vertical bars El? and upper or arm rest bars 13 and lower bars 19, these frames being supported by a pair of legs Zll and with the lower bars 19 of the side frames being connected by cross rails 21, 22 and 23. The side frames 16 can be enclosed in a fabric cover 24 as shown so as to form an arm compartment 25 the employment of which for housing certain parts of the operating linkage of the reclining chair forms an important part of the present invention. It will also particularly be noted that the front cross rail connects the front extremities of the lower bars 19 of the side frames 16. This is in distinct contrast to many reclining chairs on the market where this front cross bar is required to be located further toward the rear in order to accommodate the linkage and leg rest part and which results in a weaker base since the front extremities of the side frames are not cross connected.

The numeral 26 represents the upholstered back part or back rest of the reclining chair and which can be of any form to have the lower part fit between the side frames 16. A pivot 28 illustrated as being in the form of a horizontal pivot rod extending through the back part 26 connects the lower part of the back rest 26 with each of the side frames 16, the axis of these base pivots 28 being located parallel with and immediately in advance of and at a slightly higher elevation than the upper edge of the rear cross rail 23. The back rest 26 extends downwardly to provide a lower extension 29 for a purpose which will presently appear. The base bearing 30 for each base pivot 28 is shown in Fig, 6 as mounted in the corresponding side frame compartment 25 on block 37.

The numeral 31 represents the upholstered seat part of the reclining chair and which can be of any suitable form to fit between the side frames 16 of the chair base. Desirably this seat part 31 is spring filled so that a person either sitting upright or reclining on this seat part is resiliently and comfortably supported. A pivot 32, illustrated as being in the form of a horizontal pivot .rod extending through the rear of the seat part 31, connects this rear end of the seat part with each of the side frames 16, this base pivot 32 being located parallel with and immediately in advance of and at approximately the same elevation as the base pivot rod 28. The base bearing 33 is shown in Fig. 6 as mounted in the corresponding side frame compartment 25 on a block 37 mounted on the lower bar 19 of the corresponding side frame 16.

Also mounted on these blocks 37 in these side frame compartments 25 is a third pair of coaxial bearings 34 for a third pair of base pivots 35. These pivots or pivot pins 35 are each fast to the upper end of a pendant swinging arm 36 having an upper part 38 housed within the corresponding compartment 25, a central ofiset 39 projecting through an arcuate slot 40 in the side frame cover 24, and a lower part 41 which is shown as being of T-form to have a forwardly extending branch 42 and a rearwardly extending branch 43. A link 44 is pivotally connected, as indicated at 45, to the extremity of each rear branch 43 of the swinging arm 36, these links being each shown as being L-shaped. Each link 44 is pivotally connected, as indicated at 46, to the rear extremity of a combined leg rest part and seat cushion part 50, this part serving as a leg rest in the reclining position of the chair parts and as a seat cushion in the non-reclining position thereof.

Each forward branch 42 of the pendant swinging arm 36 is pivotally connected, as indicated at 51, to one end of a link 52. The other end of each link 52 is pivotally connected, as indicated at 53, to the central part of the leg rest part 50.

A long link 54, shown as being of slightly bent form, is arranged in each of the side frame compartments 25 and is pivotally connected, as indicated at 55, to the lower extension 29 of the back rest 26. For this connection each pivot 55 extends through an arcuate slot 56 in the cover 24 for each side frame 16. The other extremity of each long link 54 is pivotally connected, as indicated at 58, to the central part of the upper part 38 of the swinging arm 36.

A short link 59 at each side of the seat part 31 swings through a vertical position and has its upper end pivotally connected, as indicated at 6th, with the seat part 31. These pins 60 move through slots 61, Fig. 6, provided in the covers 24 of the side frames 16. Each pivot 60, as shown in Fig. 6, extends through the fabric cover 24 of the corresponding compartment 25 so that. the free end of each pivot 60, and the short link 59 connected therewith, is housed within the corresponding compartment 25. The other end of each short link 59 part of the long lever 54.

It will be seen that the reclining chair has two linkages, one at each side, which are identical except for certain of the parts necessarily being rights and lefts. The pivots 28, 32, 35, 45, 46, 51, 53, 55, 58, 60 and 61 at one-side of the chair are coaxial with the similarly numbered pivots at the other sideo-f the chair and the axes of all of these pivots are parallel, extending horizontally transversely of the chair.

The operation of the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-6 is essentially illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, which show the successive positions of the movable parts of the chair from the full erect to the full reclining position of the person in the chair. In the full erect position shown in Fig. 2, it will be noted that the leg rest part 50 is directly supported by the seat part 31 and that the back part 26 inclines rearwardly and upwardly. It will particularly be noted that in this position, the chair presents the normal appearance of an upholstered household chair. Thus it has high legs with an open space of corresponding height underneath the chair in contrast to reclining chairs where the linkage is arranged under the chair and where, accordingly, the sides of the base frame 15 must be carried down far enough to conceal this linkage but which necessarily results in a base of excessively massive appearance. Furthermore in those reclining chairs where the leg rest part 50 folds against the front of the base 15 to form the front panel thereof, this panel necessarily almost touches the floor to provide a leg rest of adequate size and hence the sides of the base have to be lowered to conform. It will also be noted that from the back there is no loose piece of cloth between the back part 26 and the base 15 which is required in many reclining chairs but which give an undesirable droopy appearance to the upholstery at this place. It will also be seen that even though a part of the high legged base design is achieved by housing a substantial part of the linkage in the arm compartments 25, the arms are not bulky but are of normal well designed appearance and can have, in fact, the front concavity or recessed appearance shown. On the matter of appearance, it will be seen that the leg rest part 50 appears merely as, and in fact merely is, a removable seat cushion. Properly designed, the cushioning of this leg rest is additive to the cushioning of the seat part 31 so that in the position shown in Fig. 2 the seat springing is of luxurious depth.

It will also be observed that in the position of the movable parts shown in Fig. 2, they are positively locked against displacement so that one sitting down in the chair has nothing to apprise him that he is not sitting in an ordinary chair. This is in contrast to the unpleasant feeling of one not initiated sitting in a chair of normal appearance and having the back move or the seat slide out or the leg rest move out or some other unexpected movement of the chair parts take place. On this feature it will be noted that the entire linkage is held immobilized because in this position shown in Fig' 2 the links 44 and 52 are held in fixed relation to the base 15 by reason of the leg rest 50 being mounted on the seat part 31 and by reason of this seat part 31-and the swinging arm 36 being pivoted to the base 15 at 32 and 35, respectively. Since the long link 54 is directly connected to the so immobilized swinging arm 36, the back part 26 is held against movement and also the front end of the seat part 31 is held by the short link 59 against moving particularly since at this time the pivots 6'!) of the short links 59 rest on the long links 54 as best shown in Fig. 6.

To use the chair as a reclining chair the first step is to manually lift the leg rest part 50 from its position as a removable cushion on theseat part 31 and lift it upwardly and forwardly and then permitting it to lower to the position shown in Fig. 4. This swinging movement of this leg rest part 50 is determined and controlled by the two links 44 and 52 which swing somewhat in the manner of parallelogram links, although this analogyto a parallelogram is by no means strictly accurate since the leg rest, Fig. 2, starts from a downwardly and rear wardly inclined position and ends up, Fig. 4, in a downwardly and forwardly inclined position and that for this purposethelinks 44, 52 are not of the same effective length nor is t-hespacing of the pivots 51, 45 equal to 'thespacing of the pivots 46, 53.

It will, however, be noted thatin the position shown 'in'Fig. 4- the leg restpart 50 is off the floor since in the 'position shown in Fig. 4- each link 44 bottoms or comes torest on the pivot 51-for its companion link 52 and which pivots thereby form stops for limiting the down- Wardmovement of the leg rest part 59. It will also be notedthat the legrest part 50, in the extended position .:-shown in Fig. .4, isrsupported wholly through its links 44,

52 from thelinkagefor the seat part and back part of wtherchair. 1 Thisimakes the. positioning of the leg .rest

.3 part Ettsresponsivetothe positioningvof theseat part 31 andback part 26 sonthat all'degrees of reclining position of'anyone .ofthese three parts results in a corresponding lpositioning of. the other two of these parts to correspond hingmostcomfortahle positions. for any selected degree of 'reclining.

With; the parts-of; the chairv so positioned as shown in ""Fig. 4, thetperson seats himself on the-seat 31, rests. his

legs-on the leg rest part50: and leans back against the aback. part 26,.so ,as'to adjust these parts to any degree of reclining.hemaychoose. -Thusas theoccupant, from -the position of the partsshown in Fig. 4,-pu,shes back pivotal connection 32 to thebase 15.

z-the back part26 .by reclining against it, thepivots 551 at the lower endgof the back-part12-6. push the pair of long .'links 54 forwardly. Since the forward, end ofaeach long link 54is=pivotally supportedat 56 on the pendant swingingarrn as, this forward movement of the long link re- -sults' in a lifting oftits forward end. This cornbinedupvwardvand. forward movement of. each long link 54 is transmitteda through the short links-59 to .lift the forward .end of. theseattpart .31, this seatpart swinging about its In this movement of the parts from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the :,position shown in Pig. in .will-be seen that the short .linkJ59 swings clockwise about 90 to a position about normal to..-the centerlineof the pivots 55, 58 of the long link 54 so that in the position shown in Fig. 5. the forward end of the seatpart 31 is elevated .to its. maximum ex- .tent. In. this position of the parts, the back pal-r26 is depressed to its maximum extent.

"As above indicated,,the forward movement of each long link54l results ina clockwise movementof its swinging T-shaped arm 36 from the pendant position shown in Fig. 4 to the forwardlyprojected position shown. in Fig. 5. This swinging ofeach t -shaped arm about its basepivot results in a change in the relative elevations of its pivots45, 51 as well as the common forward movement of .these pivots. 'Thus with each swinging armq36 moving from the position shown in Fig. 4 tothe position fshownin Fig. 5,"both pivots 45, 51 move forwardly in unison but the pivot. 51 moves up while the pivot- 1 moves down. .During this movement of these pivots 45, 5.1; the leg rest is maintained in fixed relation thereto.

Fig. 5.

Thusduring this movement each lever 44 rests on the corresponding pivot 51 for the lever 52 so that the leg rest part swings, with the pivot 51, upwardly and foroverall length of the reclining chair from the head rest of theback part 26 to the front end of the leg rest part 5t This is animportant feature of the invention. since by, this. automatic stretch of the effective length .of the I movable parts26, 31 and 50 of the chair as it approaches full reclining. position, athese parts can be made indithese parts separate to provide-a reclining structure of adequate length to support a very tall'person-frorn his head to his toes.

The parts are stopped in the full reclining position shown in'Fig. 5 by engagement of theback part 26 with the top of the rear cross rail 23 of the base 15.

The chair parts are returned to their erect or unfolded position shown in Fig. 2 by a reverse movement of the arts.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 7-11, the numeral 15a represents the base and .arms of the-chair and which consists of a pair of side frames 16a each suppo ted by a pair of'legs20a and these side frames being connected by cross rails2la and 23a. As with 'the'form of the invention shown invFigs. 1.-6, therside frame 16a can be enclosed in a fabric cover 24aso =as-ioiforrnran arm compartment in which certainparts of the operating linkage for the chair frame are-housed. As with. the form of the invention shown in Figs. l-6, it will be noted that the front cross rail lla connects the frontextremities of the side frames 16a in contrast to recliningchairs where this front cross bar is required to belocated further towardthe rear in order to accommodate the linkage and leg rest-part and-which results in an equal. base since the front extremities of the side frames .are. not cross connected.

The numeral 26a representsthe upholstered back part or back rest of the reclining. chair; andwhich'can be of any form to have its lower part fit between the sideframes A pivotZda illustratedasbeingin the form of a horizontal pivot rod extending through the back part 26a connects the lower part of the back rest; 26a with each of the side frames 16a, the axis of these base pivots ZSabeing located parallel, with and-in advance. of and at a slightly higher elevation than .the upper edge of the rear cross rai1.23a. At. each ,sidel-the back;rest 26a is provided with a downwardnextension 29a and through which the linkage, hereinafter described, connects.

The numeral 31a represents the. upholsteredseat part or seat frame of the reclining chair and which can be of any suitable form to fit between the. side frames 16a of the chair base. Dcsirably this seat part 31a isspringfilled so that a person either sitting upright or recliningon the seat part'is resiliently. and comfortably, supported. A pivot 32a illustrated as being in the form of a horizontal pivot rod extending through the rear of the: seat-part 31a connects the rear end of the seat. part with each:- of-(the side framesllGa, this base pivot 32a being locatediparallel with and in advance of and at approximately the same elevation as the base pivot rod 28a.

Also journalled' in each of these side frames l6a is a thirdbase pivot 35a, these pivots or pivot .pins35o being preferably located within the sideframes lfiaand concealed by the fabric cover 24a. These pivots or pivot pins 35a each support the upper end of a pendant swinga central oifset 39a projecting through. the. fabriccover 24a and a lower part ilia which extends forwardly sothat the lever 36a is generally in the form of the letter J. A

link 44a is pivotally connected, as indicated at45a, to the lower part of the J-shaped swinging arm 36a at a distance from the forward extremity thereof. Each link Mn is pivotally connected, as indicated at46a, to the rear extremity of a combined leg rest part and. seat cushion part 5%, this part serving as a, leg rest in the reclining position of the chair partsand as a seat cushionin the non-reclining position thereof.

The forward extremity of eachpendantswinging arm 36:: is pivotally connected, as indicated atSla, to one end of a link 52a. This link is preferably of L-shaped form and its otherextremity is pivotally connected, as

7 indicated at 53a, to the central part of the leg rest part 50a.

A long link 54a is arranged in each of the side frames 16a and is pivotally connected, as indicated at 55a, to the corresponding lower extension 2911 of the back rest 26a. The other extremity of each long link 54a is pivotally connected, as indicated at 58a, to the lower end of the upper part 38a of the swinging arm 36a.

A pair of toggle links 65, 66 at each side of the reclining chair connects each pivot 55a with a fourth base pivot 68, these toggle links 65, 66 being connected by pivots 69. A short link 59a at each side of the seat part 31a has its upper end pivotally connected, as indicated at 60a, with the seat part 31a. The other end of each short link 59a is pivotally connected, as indicated at 6111, to the central part of the toggle link 65.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 7-ll, the frame of the leg rest part 50a is illustrated in greater detail. It will be seen that this frame is of U-shaped form and is composed of a pair of side angle irons 70 connected by a front cross angle iron 71 and preferably reinforced at the corners with triangular plates 72 welded to these bars. It will also be seen that the rear ends of the arms 70, 71 are preferably yieldingly held together by a helical tension spring 73 and that the pivots 45a are in the form of the reduced ends of a cross rod 74. The swinging arms 36a and links 44a are shown as secured to the reduced ends or pivots 45a by screws 75, Fig. 11, and it will be noted that the links 44a are secured against the inner or opposing faces of the side legs or bars 70 of the leg rest part so that the tension of the spring 73 is transmitted through these arms to the rod 74, this spring thereby stiffening this part of the link, that is, the part of the linkage which connects the leg rest part 50a with the rest of the linkage.

As with the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-6, I

it will be seen that the reclining chair has two linkages one at each side which are identical except for certain of the parts necessarily being rights and lefts. The pivots 28a, 32a, 35a, 45a, 46a, 51a, 53a, 55a, 58a, 60a, 61a, 68 and 69 at one side of the chair are coaxial with the similarly numbered pivots at the other side of the chair and the axes of all of these pivots are parallel, extending transversely of the chair.

The operation of the form of the invention shown in Figs. 7-11 is essentially illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. In the full erect position shown in Fig. 8, it will be noted that the leg rest part 50a is directly supported by the seat cushion part 31a and that the back part 26a inclines rearwardly and upwardly. It will particularly be noted that in this position, the chair presents the normal appearance of an upholstered chair. the invention shown in Figs. 1-6, it has high legs 20a with an open space of corresponding height underneath in contrast to the usual reclining chairs where the skirt comes down almost to the floor either to conceal the operating linkage, or to conform to the leg rest part 59a being folded against the front of the base 15a when not in use.

As with the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-6, in the position of the movable parts shown in Fig. 8, they are positively locked against displacement so that one sitting down in the chair is not subjected to the disturbing feeling of having some part move in an unaccustomed manner. Thus the entire linkage is held immobilized because in this position shown in Fig. 8 the links 44a and 52a are held in fixed relation to the base 15a by reason of the leg rest 50a being mounted on the seat part 31a and by reason of this seat part 31a and the swinging arm 36a being pivoted to the base 15a at 32a and 35a, respectively. Since each long link 5455 is directly connected to the corresponding so immobilized swinging arm 36a, the back part 26a is held against movement.

T use the chair as a reclining chair the first step is to manually lift the leg rest part 50a from its position as Thus, as with the form of 7 8 a removable cushion on the seat part 31a and lift it upwardly and forwardly and then permit it to lower to the position shown in Fig. 7. This swinging movement of the leg rest part 5611 is determined and controlled by the two links 44a and 52a which swing somewhat in the manner of parallelogram links, although again, this anal- 1 ogy to a parallelogram is not strictly accurate since the leg rest, Fig. 8, starts from a downwardly and rearwardly inclined position and ends up, Fig. 7, in a downwardly and forwardly inclined position and that for this purpose the lint-.5 in and 52a are not of the same effective length nor is the spacing of the pivots 51a, 45a equal to the spacing of the pivots 46a, 530.

It will be noted that in the position shown in Fig. 7 the leg rest part 50a is well off the floor since one leg of each 1..shaped lever 52a engages the underside of the leg rest part 5611 to limit its downward movement. As with the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-6, the leg rest part 500, in the extended position shown in Fig. 7, is supported wholly through its links 44a, 52:: from the linkage for the seat part and back part of the chair. This makes the positioning of the leg rest section 50a responsive to the positioning of the seat part 31a and the back part 26a so that all degrees of reclining position of any one of these three parts results in a corresponding positioning of the other two of these parts to corresponding most comfortable positions for any selected degree of reclining.

With the parts of the chair so positioned as shown in Fig. 7, the person seats himself on the seat part 31a, draws his legs up on the leg rest part 50a and leans back against the back part 26a so as to adjust these parts to any degree of reclining he may choose. Thus as the occupant, from the position shown in Fig. 7, pushes back to back part 26a by reclining against it, the pivots 55a at the lower end of the back part extensions 29a push the long links 54a forwardly. Since the forward end of each long link 54a is pivotally supported at 58a on the pendant swinging arm 36a, this forward movement of the long link results in a lifting of its forward end. This combined upward and forward movement of each long link 54a is transmitted through the toggle links 65 and 66 so as to jackknife these toggle links upwardly. This lifts the short links 59a to lift the forward end of the seat part 3111, this seat part swinging about its pivotal connection 32a to the base 15a.

This forward movement of each long link 54a results in a clockwise movement of its swinging J-shaped arm to the forwardly projected position shown in Fig. 9. This swinging of each J-shaped arm about its base pivot 35a results in a change in the relative elevations of its pivots 45a, 51a as well as the common forward movement of these pivots. Thus with each swinging arm moving from the Fig. 7 to the Fig. 9 position, both pivots 45a and 51a move forwardly in unison but the pivot 51a moves upwardly well above the pivot 45a. During this movement of these pivots 45a, 51a, the leg rest' 50a is maintained in fixed relation thereto. Thus during this movement the leg rest part 50a swings, with the pivots 51a and 45a, upwardly and forwardly from the position shown in Fig. 7 to the position of its maximum elevation illustrated in Fig. 9. As with the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-6, this forward extension of the leg rest part 50a increases the effective length of the unfolded reclining chair thereby increasing its comfort for tall users. I

The parts are stopped in the full reclining position shown in Fig. 5 by engagement of the back part 260 with the top of the rear cross rail 23a of the base 15a.

The chair parts are returned to their erect or unfolded position shown in Fig. 8 by a reverse movement of the parts.

From the above it will be seen that the invention achieves a gracefully styled, light-in-appearance reclining chair which is used as a normal upholstered chair without the user being aware of its reclining features or --positions. sturdy and rugged in construction.

Wet'claim:

l. A reclining chair, comprising a 'base, a back part and a seat part .pivoted to said .base to swing about genter'ally .horiz'ontal transverse axes, a linkage interconnectrii'l'gsaidbase, back part and seat ,part to move in unison, aleg rest rpart including a U-shaped frame comprising a front horizontal crossbar, side bars projecting rearwardly from said cross bar and a helical tension spring connecting the rear ends of said side bars and urging them toward each other, a link pivotally connecting the central part of each of said side bars with said linkage, a second link pivotally connected to the rear end of said side bars against the opposing faces of said side bars whereby said spring urges said last links toward each other, and means pivotally connecting the other ends of said last links with said linkage including a pivot rod having an enlarged central part forming a spacer for said last links and reduced ends forming pivot pins for said last links and the said linkage.

2. A reclining chair, comprising a base including side frames forming arms for the chair, a back part and a seat part pivoted to said base to swing fore-and-aft and vertically with reference to said base and with reference to each other, linkage means interconnecting said base, back part and seat part and constraining said parts to move in unison, said linkage means including a pendant swinging arm pivoted at its upper end to each of said arms formed by said side frames to swing about a horizontal transverse axis, a leg rest part, and link means pivotally connecting said leg rest part to said linkage means and supporting said leg rest part in a position projected forwardly from said base, said link means constraining said leg rest part to move in unison with said back and seat parts, and said link means constraining said leg rest part, on being lifted from said forwardly projected position, to move to a position on top of said seat part.

3. A reclining chair, comprising a base including side frames forming arms for the chair, a back part and a seat part pivoted to said base to swing fore-and-aft and ve tically with reference to said base and with reference to each other, linkage means interconnecting said base, back part and seat part and constraining said parts to move in unison, said linkage means including a pendant swinging arm pivoted at its upper end to each of said arms formed by said side frames to swing about a horizontal transverse axis, a leg rest part, and a pair of links directly pivoted at corresponding ends to the lower part of each pendant swinging arm and pivotally connected at their other ends to said leg rest part to support said leg rest part in a position projecting forwardly from said base, said pairs of links constraining said leg rest part to move in unision with said seat and back parts, and said pairs of links constraining said leg rest part, on being lifted from said forwardly projected position, to move to a position on top of said seat part.

4. A reclining chair comprising a base including side frames forming arms for the chair, a back part and a seat part pivoted to said base to swing fore-and-aft and vertically with reference to said base part and with reference to each other, linkage means interconnecting said base, back part and seat part and constraining said parts to move in unision, said linkage means including a pendant swinging arm pivoted at its upper end to each of 10 said arms formed by said side franies to swing about a horizontal transverse axis, said linkage means also in eluding a long link connecting the lower-extremity of=said back part with a centralparflof-eaoh of said swinging arms, a'l'eg rest part and link means pivotally connecting said leg-rest part to said'linkage means andsupporting said leg rest part in a position'projected forwardly from said base, said link 'means constraining said leg rest part to move in unision with said "back and seat parts, and said link means constraining said leg rest part, on being lifted from said forwardly projected-position, to-move to a position on top Qfsaidseat part.

5. A reclining chair as set forth in claim'4 wherein the pivotal connection between said longlink and the lower extremity of said back part is below the axis of the pivotal connection betweensaid backz part'and base.

6. A reclining chair as set forth in claim 5 wherein said linkage means also includes a short link pivotally con nected at its upper end to said seat part in advance of the axis of the pivotal connection between said seat part and base, and wherein said short link is raised in response to forward movement of said lower extremity of said back which is pivotally connected at its upper end to said seat part in advance of the axis of the pivotal connection between said seat part and base, and a pivotal connection between the lower end of each short link and the corresponding long link, said short link being connected to the seat part at such a point that the upper end of each short link rises in response to forward movement of its long link.

8. A reclining chair as set forth in claim 5 wherein said linkage means also includes two pairs of toggle links with each pair including a front and a rear togglelink pivoted together about said horizontal transverse axis, means pivotally connecting the outer end of each of said rear toggle links with the lower extremity of said back part, means pivotally connecting the outer end of each of said front toggle links to said base, and a pair of short links each pivotally connected at its upper end to said seat part in advance of the axis of the pivotal connection between said seat part and base, and a pivotal connection between the lower end of each short link and one of said toggle links, said toggle links being arranged at such an angle as to fold upwardly in response to forward movement of said lower extremity of said back part.

9. A reclining chair, comprising a base including side frames forming arms for the chair, a back part pivoted to said base to swing about a horizontal transverse axis and having a lower extremity projecting below said axis, a seat part pivoted to said base at its rear end to swing about a horizontal transverse axis, and a linkage interconnecting said back and seat part to move in unison, comprising a pendant swinging arm pivoted at its upper end to the forward upper part of each of said side frames to swing about an axis parallel with said first axis, a long link interconnecting the central part of each of said swinging arms with said lower extremity of said back part, and separate linkage means connected with said seat part and arranged to move said seat part vertically in response to horizontal movement of said back part and long link, comprising two pairs of toggle links each pair including a front and a rear toggle link pivoted together about a horizontal axis parallel with said first axis, means pivotally connecting the outer end of each of said rear toggle links with said lower extremity of said back part, means pivotally connecting the outer end of each of said front toggle links with said base, and a pair of short links each pivotally connected at its upper end to said seat part in advance of the axis of the pivotal connection of said seat part with said base, and each short link being pivotally connected at its lower end to one of said toggle links, said toggle links being arranged to fold upwardly in response to forward movement of said lower extremity of said back part.

10. A reclining chair, comprising abase, a back part and a seat part pivoted to said base to swing fore-and-aft and vertically with reference to said base and with reference to each other, linkage means interconnecting said base, back part and seat part and constraining said parts to move in unison, a leg rest part, and link means pivotally connecting said leg rest part to said linkage means and supporting said leg rest part in a position projected forwardly from said base, said link means constraining said leg rest part to move in unison with said back and seat parts, and said link means constraining said leg rest part, on being lifted from said forwardly projected position, to move to a position on top of said seat part.

11. A reclining chair as set forth in claim 10 wherein 12 said link means comprises a pair of links having corresponding ends connected at spaced points to said leg rest part and having their opposite ends pivotally connected at spaced points to said linkage means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 195,395 Pope Sept. 18, 1877 767,059 Hauser Aug. 9, 1904 1,504,762 Hultgren Aug. 12, 1924 2,300,561 Ferreira Nov. 3, 1942 2,478,769 Lorenz Aug. 9, 1949 2,535,687 Lorenz Dec. 26, 1950 2,553,445 Eckert et al. May 15, 1951 2,650,644 Malco Sept. 1, 1953 2,672,919 Luckhardt Mar. 23, 1954

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