Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
-; 207~917
RErTT~TNG ~OFA
BACKGR~UND OF THE lNv~NllON
The present invention relates to furniture and, more
particularly, to an improved reclining mechAnism for articles of
furniture such as chairs, sofas and loveseats.
S Conventionally, recliner type seating units (i.e.
chairs, sofas, loveseats and the like), generally reguire a
predetermined distance between an adjacent wall surface and the
seat back to avoid contact therebetween during reclined
operation. In addition, loose seat cushions are not generally
used in most recliner type seating units due to the height
requirements associated with operably supporting the mech~nica
recliner mech~ni-cm under the seat.
Reclining mechA~icms typically generate a relatively
large amount of frictional drag which must be overcome for smooth
movement between an "upright" and a "tilted" position. In
particular, lighter weight seat occupants must normally exert a
deliberate leveraged thrust or force, in addition to pulling the
actuator lever, for completely exten~i~g the leg rest and moving
the seat section to its "tilted" position. Moreover, it is often
difficult for the seat occupant to return to the upright position
from the Utilted'' or a fully "reclined" position due to the
height and the upward angular tilt of the Feat relative to the
reclined ceat back. As such, the occ~lp~nt must exert a
relatively large and deliberate leveraged force to return the
reclined seat section to the full upright position. Another
drawback associated with recliners is that the leg rest assembly
cannot be retracted to its stowed position from an extended
- - -
207~91 7
elevated position until after the seat occllr~nt has completely
returned the seat section to its fully upright position.
As is known, virtually all traditional recliner type
~eating units reguire the seat occ~lp~nt to either forcibly urge
a portion of the seating section forwardly (i.e. by pulling on
an arm portion of the chair), or manually move some type of
actuating lever to initiate movement of the leg rest assembly
from a retracted position toward an extended and elevated
position. While most recliner type seating units have proven to
be generally successful, it nevertheless would be desirable to
permit the seat occupant to deliberately initiate movement of the
let rest assembly toward its extended position with virtually no
physical effort. Such a leg rest release arrangement would be
particularly advantageous for elderly or handicapped persons who
typically have difficulty, because of lack of strength, in using
conventional release means (i.e. movement of levers or gripping
an arm portion of a recliner chair) to initiate the extending
action of a leg rest assembly and/or tilting action of the seat
assembly.
An example of one type of leg rest release arrangement
commonl~ utilized in the furniture industry includes an actuator
button that is typically connected to a linkage assembly.
Actuation of the button acts to move the linkage assembly for
causing the leg rest assembly to protract and/or move the seat
assembly to a tilted position. While several actuator button
release systems currently exist, there remains a need for
continued development of alternative release systems that are
207~917
-
relatively simple in design and construction, are durable ~nd yet
are quiet and easy to operate.
Traditionally, recliners have a leg rest frame board
that are moveable between the ~stored" retracted position and a
fully ~extended" position. Typically, the elevation of the leg
rest frame board, when fully extended, is not ~djustable.
Furthermore, when the leg rest board is biasingly urged via
spring-assist me~hAn~ms toward it~ fully extended position,
there generally is no means for decreasing the amount of biasing
force that must be exerted by the seat occupant to overcome the
spring-assist mech~nism in order to initiate the return of the
leg rest board to its retracted or ~stowed" position.
SUMMARY OF T~ lNv~lloN
In accordance with the principles of the present
invention, an improved reclining type article of furniture is
disclosed which is designed to overcome various disadvantages
associated with prior art recliners.
Accordingly, it is a basic purpose of the present
invention to provide a recliner mechAni~m which permits the
chair, sofa or loveseat to be placed directly against an adjacent
wall surface without the necessity of providing a space
therebetween. As ~uch, the present invention is a ~zero wall
proximity" recliner mechanism which is fully reclinable within
the confines of its stationary frame assembly.
It is an additional object of the present invention to
provide a compact three-way recliner which permits use of loose
cushions therewith. The "three-way" recliner provides operative
2074917
linkages for "tilting" the seat unit, "reclining" the seat back
relative to the seat frame and for exte~Aing and retracting the
leg rest assembly.
It is another ob~ect of the present invention to reduce
the input force exerted by the operator for smoother operation
of the reclining me~h~ni~m. As a related object, the improved
recliner mec~Ani~m has incorporated various linkage and drive
comronents designed for substantially reducing frictional losses
in an effort to promote easier actuation. Furthermore, the
retracting movement of the leg rest assembly is utilized to
assist in completely returning the seat unit to the "upright"
position.
It is also a purpose of this invention to provide a
reclining seat unit wherein the weight of the person occupying
the seat unit is utilized as means to assist in moving a seat
assembly from the "upright" position to the "tilted" and/or
"reclined" positions and, while concurrently acting to assist in
moving the leg rest assembly from a stored position to an
elevated and operative position.
Another purpose of the invention is to provide a short-
stroke drive assembly having an actuator lever, concealed in the
upholstery, which may be easily operated by the seat occt~r~nt to
concurrently operate the leg rest assembly and generate ~tilting"
movement of the seat assembly. In a preferred embodiment of the
present invention, a sofa or loveseat has a leg rest assembly
which is operated by the seat occ~p~nt rotating the actuator
lever through a limited angle which, in turn, rotates a drive rod
assembly for actuating the leg rest linkage. An over-center
2074917
.,
toggle mech~nism is provided to assist in extenA;n~ and
retracting the leg rest assembly and in retA i n ing the leg rest
assembly in its "stowed" position. In addition, the drive rod
assembly concurrently operates a drive linkage mech~nism for
~tilting" the seat unit relative to a stationary base a~sembly.
Moreover, the included angle between the eeat back and sea~ frame
of the seat assembly remains substantially constant thro~ho~t
the "tilting" movement. Following the ~tilting~ movement, the
seat assembly can be additionally "reclined" by applying pressure
to the seat back for increasing the included angle between the
seat back and the seat frame. Therefore, ~tilting" and
"reclining" of the seat unit are independent of each other and
are generally cumulative to define a ~fullyH reclined
position.
In accordance with the present invention, forward
movement of the seat unit relative to the base assembly is
re~uired prior to "reclining" movement of the seat back to
compensate for rearward movement of the seat back 80 as to
maintain a substantially constant clearance between the seat back
of the seat unit and the adjacent wall ~urface. Furthermore, the
~reclining" movement is easily initiated by the seat occupant by
6imply leaning his body to apply or remove pressure from the geat
back. Due to the reduced frictional drag of the improved
recliner mech~n~cm, it is not necessary for the seat occupant to
apply additional leverage with his arms or feet following
sufficient rotation of the concealed actuator lever to continue
the desired movement. In addition, "tilting" of the sofa or
loveseat in conjunction with concurrent actuation of the leg rest
~ j 2~7a917
assembly contributes significantly to the ease and smoothness of
operation and also provides an added increment of comfort and
consumer satisfaction.
It is yet another purpose of the present invention to
provide a recliner mech~n~sm incorporating a push-button assigt
mech~nism operable to assist the seat sccllp~nt in initiating the
extension of the leg rest assembly and tilting of the seat
assembly.
A further object of the present invention is to provide
means by which the relative ease of moving the leg rest assembly
between its retracted and extended positions, as well as the
angle of inclination of the leg rest frame board may be
independently and selectively adjusted. Thus, seat occ~r~nts of
various sizes and having differing amounts of strength would be
able to adjust not only the angle or "cant~ of the leg rest frame
board, but also the amount of spring-biased ~assist~ that is
provided during extension and retracting movements.
The present invention is further directed to a recliner
type seat unit having assist means by which the initial movement
of the leg rest assembly toward the retracted position may be
easily initiated without significant effort by the seat occllp~nt.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the assist means is
a push-button recliner assist mechanism which is operable to
initiate and assist in extending the leg rest assembly and/or
forward movement of the seat assembly to its tilted position upon
the seat occupant merely depressing a push-button switch.
Accordingly, only minimal effort by the seat occupant is required
to initiate these movements.
-- 6 --
- 2074917
The recliner merh~nicm of the present invention
incorporates first adjustment means for adjustably limiting the
outward travel of the leg rest assembly. When used in
cooperation with other components of the recliner me~h~ni~m~ the
first adjustment means enables the angle of inclination of the
ext~n~e~ leg rest member to be adjustably moved. Second
adjustment means are provided for ~electively varying the
~assist" provided for exten~ing and retracting the leg rest
assembly. The first and second ad~ustment means are co-active
to permit the seat occ~pA~t to smoothly initiate retraction of
the leg rest assembly with decreased amounts of effort. This
feature is particularly advantageous for individuals of limited
strength who otherwise might have some degree of difficulty in
initiating retraction of the leg rest member.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Additional objects, advantages, and features of the
present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the
art from careful consideration of the following written
description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings wherein:
Figures lA through lC are perspective views of an
exemplary upholstered "loveseat~ having right and left reclining
seat units embodying the present invention and which are shown
in various upright and reclined positions;
Figures 2A through 2C are perspective views of an
exemplary upholstered "sofa" having left and right recliner seat
- 2074917
units embodying the present invention and which are shown in
various upright and reclined positions;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a frame assembly
(with upholstery removed) for the sofa unit of Figures 2A through
2C and which is adapted to receive the improved reclining
me~h~ m of the present invention therein;
Figure 4 is a perspective view with uphoistery,
springs, and other various parts removed, and which is partially
~ c~bled for clarity, of the improved recliner mech~ni~m
adapted to be installed within the frame assembly of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a plan view of the left half portion of the
recliner meçhAnism of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a plan view of the right half portion of
the recliner mech~ni~m of Figure 4;
Figure 7 is a view taken along line 7-7 of Figure 6
illustrating the recliner mech~n;sm in an "upright" position;
Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 illustrating the
leg rest assembly in an extended position and the seat assembly
in a ~tilted" (in phantom) and a fully "reclined-n position;
Figure 9 is an enlarged plan view of the wheel carriage
assembly of the present invention;
Fi-gure 10 is a plan view of the drive rod assembly
incorporated within the improved recliner mechAnism of the
present invention;
Figures llA and llB are ~ide views of the tilt linkage
mech~n;sm incorporated within the improved recliner mechanism of
the present invention shown in "locked" and "released" positions,
respectively;
207~917
Figure 12 is an exploded illustration of the
indep~n~ent seating units of a modular ~ofa, where the two
outermost end units incorporate recliner mechAn~fims:
Figure 13 is a perspective view with upholstery,
springs and other various parts removed, and which is partially
Ai~csmbled for clarity, of a second preferred embodiment of the
recliner merh~n~cm of the present invention, adapted to be
installed as part of one of the independent seat units of the
modular sofa of Figure 12;
Figure 14 is a fragmentary plan view of the right half-
portion of the recliner mech~nicm shown in Figure 13;
Figure 15 is an exploded perspective view of the
various components associated with the push-button recliner
assist me~h.~nism of the present invention;
Figure 16 is a side view of the recliner assist
mech~n;sm of the present invention in the ~locked" position it
assumes when the leg rest assembly is fully retracted;
Figure 17 is a side view, ~imilar to Figure 16, showing
the positions of the various components associated with the
recliner assist mechanism as it is initially activated for
causing the leg rest assembly to move toward its extended
position;
Figure 18 is a side view, similar to Figure 16, showing
the mech~ni~m in a fully "unlocked" position when the leg rest
assembly is extended and the seat assembly is in it~ forward
tilted position;
` 207~917
Figures 19 and 20 are side views of the tilt linkage
assemblies incorporated into the recliner meçhAnlcm of Figure 13
shown in "locked" and ~released" positions, respectively;
Figure 21 is a perspective view of a portion of still
another preferred embodiment for the modular sofa of Figure 12,
the moveable frame assembly and recliner mech~ni~m of the present
invention (with upholstery and various other parts removed, and
which is partially ~;cAcc~mbled for clarity) showing the leg rest
assembly in its retracted position; and
Figure 22 is a perspective view of the frame assembly
and recliner mechAn1sm of Figure 21 showing the leg rest assembly
and moveable frame assembly in their fully forward positions.
DETA~LED DESCRIPTION OF THE lNv~llON
In accordance with the teachings of the present
invention, an improved reclining mechanism for use in single
person (i.e., chairs) and multi-person (i.e., sofas and
loveseats) articles of furniture is disclosed. As will be
described in greater detail, the improved recliner merh~nism is
a "wall hugger" type or a "zero wall proximity" recliner unit.
More particularly, the improved recliner mechAniRm is designed
to travel within the confines of its stationary frame assembly
for substantially flush mounting against an adjacent wall surface
while permitting full reclining operation.
The recliner mechanism of the present invention is a
~three-way" mechAnism which can be independently ~tilted",
"reclined", and have its leg rest assembly operably retracted or
extended. When a person sits in a loveseat or ~ofa equipped with
-- 10 --
2074917
- the improved recliner mech~niæm, the leg rest assembly is
exten~e~ by selectively rotating an actuator lever which is
conce~led in the sofa between an outer edge of the seat cushion
and the inside arm. In addition, substantially concurrent
~tilting" movement of the seat unit is provided upon such
rotation of the actuator lever. Thereafter, independent
~reclining" movement of the seat back relative to the seat is
pocsible when the seat unit is in the ~tilted~ position. The
recliner mec~nism of the present invention is relatively compact
in size to permit use of loose upholstered cushions which are
modernly essential for marketing all ~tyles of sofa or loveseat
furniture.
With particular references to the drawings, the
operative relationship of an improved recliner mer~n~m 10 of
the type adapted to be supported within a frame assembly 12 will
now be described in greater detail. More particularly, Figure
lA shows an exemplary loveseat 14 having right and left
upholstered and reclinable seat units 16a and 16b, respectively,
both of which are in their "upright" position. Figure lB
illustrates left seat unit 16b reclined with its associated leg
rest assembly 18 being protracted to an elevated position.
Figure lC depicts reclined operation of both seat units 16a and
16b and their respective leg rest assemblies 18. Similarly, an
exemplary sofa 20 is shown in Figures 2A through 2C having right
and left upholstered and reclinable seat units 16a and 16b,
respectively, in various combinations of upright and reclined
positions.
-- 11 --
2074917
- Figure 4 is a perspective view of a right side recliner
mechAnic~ 10, with upholstery, padding, eprings, etc. removed,
which is adapted for use with right seat unitC 16a of loveseat
14 and sofa 20. It will be appreciated that the recliner
mech~n~sm to be used for left seat units 16b is substantially a
mirror-image of that shown in Figure 4. Moreover, the recliner
mech~icms associated with seat units 16a and 16b each have a
conce~led actuator lever 22 with a handle portion 24 provided
adjacent an arm portion of the sofa or loveseat that can be
easily reached by a person seated in the seating unit for
convenient actuation of recliner mechanism 10. However, it will
be appreciated that other suitable manually operable release
mer~niæm known in the art, such as a push-button cable release
or an exterior mounted actuator lever, can be readily
incorporated into the improved recliner mechanism of the present
invention. Likewise, it is to be understood that while the
preferred embodiments reflect incorporation of improved recliner
mechAni~m 10 in sofas and loveseats, recliner mechanism 10 is
likewise readily adaptable for use in other articles of furniture
such as chairs, modular components, and the like.
With particular reference to Figure 3, a ctationary
frame assembly 12 for sofa 20 is shown which is configured to
support and retain left and right recliner mechanisms 10 therein.
Frame assembly 12 defines three (3) frame sections 26, 28 and 30.
Central frame section 28 is adapted to support a non-reclinable
seat unit 17 thereon while outer cections 26 and 30 support seat
units 16a and 16b, respectively. As will be appreciated,
loveseat 14 would have a frame assembly that is substantially
- 12 -
207'1917
-
similar to frame assembly 12 except that center section 28 would
be removed. Frame assembly 12 is preferably made of numerous
wood rails that are fixedly secured together by suitable
fasteners, such as dowels, staples, nails and screws, and which
may be reinforced at critical ~oints by metal reinforcement
plates or brackets and/or wood corner blocks in a known manner.
Frame assembly 12 has left and right verticai rear
corner posts 32 and reinforcing rails 34 exten~n~ therebetween
which are affixed to posts 32. Similarly, rear bottom rails 36
extend between and are affixed to a lower portion of posts 32.
Frame sections 26 and 30 each include arm rails 38 which extend
traversely to and are supported from posts 32. A diagonal brace
piece 40 is used between arm rails 38 and an upper portion of
vertical posts 32. Left and right lower inner side rails 42
define an inner edge for locating recliner mech~nisms 10 thereon.
A suitable leg assembly 44 may be affixed to the bottom of spaced
bottom rails 46. Left and right recliner mech~nicms constructed
according to the present invention are adapted to be fixedly
secured to a top surface of bottom rails 46 for full reclining
operation within the confines of frame sections 26 and 30.
Again, it is to be noted that the recliner mechanism mounted in
left frame section 30 would be a left hand version (i.e., mirror-
image) of the recliner mech~nicm 10 illustrated. While a
~pecific frame assembly is described, it is to be understood that
it is merely exemplary for purposes of illustration only.
With particular reference now to Figures 4 through 11,
the various components of improved recliner mech~nism 10 will be
described in greater detail. In general, recliner mechanism 10
- 13 -
207~917
i8 provided to produce independent ~tiltingH and ~reclining"
movement of a seat assembly 50 within frame assembly 12 and
selective operation of leg rest assemblies 18. Seat assembly 50
includes a seat back 52 and a seat frame 54 each of which is
constructed in a manner that enables them to support springs,
padding upholstery, etc. in order to complete a stylish and
comfortable sofa or loveseat.
For pu~ of clarity, the term ~tilting" refers to
angular movement of seat unit 16 and, in turn, seat assembly 50
relative to a stationary base assembly 56 mounted to bottom rails
46 of frame assembly 12. Recliner merh~n~sm 10 i8 designed such
that during "tilting" movement, a relatively constant included
angle "A" between seat back 52 and seat frame 54 is maintained.
Such Utilting" movement occurs substantially concurrently with
protraction of leg rest assembly 18 via sufficient rotation of
actuator lever 22 by the seat occupant. Likewise, return of seat
unit 16 to the "upright" position occurs concurrently with return
of leg rest assembly 18 to it "stowed" position. The term
"reclining" refers to the relative angular movement of seat back
52 with respect to seat frame 54 for increasing the included
angle to a maximum "B" therebetween. Generally, no significant
Nreclining" movement is possible when seating units 16 is in its
normal "upright" position. However, following ~tilted" movement
of seat assembly 50 relative to base assembly 56, a predetermined
range of additional ~reclining" movement is possible for
approaching a reclined position similar to a bed (i.e., a "fully"
reclined position). Moreover, the present invention is designed
to permit infinite adjustment of the desired reclined position
- 14 -
- ~07~917
within the range of reclining movement between the included
angles "A" and "B".
Figure 7 illustrates the operative relationship of seat
assembly 50 and leg rest assembly 18 in their respective rear
"upright" and "stowed" positions in which an o~c~p~nt may en~oy
conventional seating. Figure 8 illustrates seat assembly 50 of
recliner mech~ni~m 10 in a forward fully ~reclined~ position and
a "tilted" position (phantom lines). Likewise, leg rest assembly
18 is ~hown in its extended operative position. Upon rotation
of actuator lever 22, seat assembly 50 is rearwardly "tilted"
relative to a horizontal axis upon forward longit~in~l movement
on base assembly 56 to the position ~hown. In this "tilted"
position, application of deliberate pressure by the occ~pAnt on
~eat back 52 permits the additional range of "reclining"
movement. In this "fully" reclined position, the included angle
"B" between seat back 52 and seat frame 54 is at its maximum
level.
With particular reference to Figure 4, the primary
components of recliner mechanism 10 which produees the above-
noted movement characteristics will now be described. Reclinermech~nism 10 includes a wheeled carriage assembly 60 upon which
mirror-image-left and right side rail assemblies 62 are ~ecurely
affixed for supporting seat assembly 50 therebetween. Carriage
assembly 60 is supported for longitudinal fore and aft movement
on stationary base assembly 56 for generating the "tilting"
movement of seat assembly 50. More particularly, when carriage
assembly 60 is released to move forward relative to base assembly
56, seat assembly 50 tilts to the Utilted'' position. Likewise,
- 15 -
` 2074917
rearward movement of carriage assembly 60 returns seat assembly
50 to the normal upright position.
Carriage assembly 60 is a rigid support structure
having wheeled units 64 disposed for rolling movement in left and
right tracks 66 of base assembly 56. Tracks 66 are aligned in
parallel facing relation and are ch~nnel-chApeA rectangular
members which are preferably, downwardly curved from ~ack to
front to generate a gravity-assisted ~down-hill" rolling
movement of wheel units 64 therein. Track 66 are rigidly
secured at opposite terminal ends via left and right angled
brackets 68 to bottom rails 46 of frame assembly 12. With
reference to Figure 9, carriage assembly 60 is shown to include
left and right angled brackets 69 each having a first wheel unit
64 secured to an outer forward portion thereof. Left and right
pivot levers 70 are affixed to left and right angled brackets 69,
respectively, for pivotable movement about pivot 71 and include
a second wheel unit 65 at their rear-most end. The opposite end
of pivot levers 70 is secured to its respective left and right
"tilt linkages", the structure and operation of which will be
described hereinafter. Extending transversely between left and
right angled brackets 69 is an upper reinforcement rail 74.
Similarly, transversely extenAing between left and right pivot
levers 70 is a lower reinforcement rail 76. These reinforcement
rails 74 and 76 provide structural rigidity to carriage assembly
60.
Left and right side rail assemblies 62 are affixed to
carriage assembly 60 for supporting seat assembly 50 therebetween
during "tilting" movement of seat assembly 50 upon forward
207~91~
movement of carriage assembly 60 on base assembly 56. In
addition, side rail assemblies 62 pivotably interconnect seat
back 52 and seat frame 54 for permitting independent ~recliningH
movement therebetween following ~tilted" movement. Each side
- rail assembly 62 includes a seat plate 80 fixedly secured to a
side plate bracket 81 which is, in turn, secured to its
respective angled bracket 69 of carriage ass~mbly 60. Left and
right seat swing assemblies 82 are provided for pivotally
coupling seat back 52 to seat frame 54 for "reclining" movement
therebetween.
Seat swing assemblies 82 each include a generally
rearwardly upst~n~ing back member 84 having a lower end secured
to a rearward end of its respective side plate bracket 81. The
upper end of back members 84 are pivotally coupled at pivot 85
to a first end of swing members 86 upon which seat back 52 is
mounted in a conventional manner. The opposite end of left and
right swing members 86 are pivotally connected at pivots 87 to
left and right seat brackets 88 which are, in turn, securely
mounted to left and right frame rails of seat frame 54. Left and
right extension springs 90 are attached between forward
extensions 92 on seat brackets 88 which extend below seat frame
54 and rearwardly extending extension brackets 94 secured to
angled carriage brackets 69. As such, seat assembly 50 is
normally biased in a direction to maintain the normal included
angle "A" between ~eat frame 54 and ~eat back 52 regardless of
its "upright" or "tilted" relation to base assembly 56.
Extension brackets 94 are provided with a plurality of stepped
~urfaces to which springs 90 can be ~electively attached to
- 17 -
- 2074917
permit adjustment of the spring biasing force acting on seat
assembly 50.
A front support shaft 96 extends through lost-motion
slots 98 formed in the left and right frame rails of seat frame
54 and is connected at its opposite ends to an upper end of left
and right seat plates 80. The length of slots 98 define the
range of forward movement of seat frame 54 relative to side rail
assemblies 62 upon the seat occllp~nt applying a force to
"recline" seat back 52 (see Figures 7 ~nd 8). In addition,
friction means are provided for generating slight frictional drag
upon movement of support shaft 96 within slots 98. In
particular, nylon washers 95 coaxially supported on shaft 96 on
opposite sides of slots 98, are biased to generate sufficient
frictional drag to coact with extension springs 90 for permitting
infinite reclining adjustment of seat assembly 50 between non-
reclined included angle "A" and fully reclined included angle
"B". Such interaction between springs 90 and the friction means
also produces stable and smooth reclining movement which is not
overly-sensitive to small amounts of movement. by the seat
occupant.
With reference to Figures 5 and 6, nylon washers 95 are
shown biased by the interaction of several components. In
particular, a spring 97 is provided which concentrically
surrounds support shaft 96 between right seat plate 80 and a
nylon washer 95 adjacent an outer surface of slot 98 (Figure 4).
Right and left short tubular spacer sleeves 99 and a longer
central spacer sleeve 101 are coaxially supported on support
shaft 96 and are provided for positively locating and separating
- 18 -
2074~17
portions of pantograph leg rest linkages 156, to be described
hereinafter, thereon. Wave washers 103 provide a ~light side-
lo~ing on spacer sleeves 99 and 101 and washers 95 to produce
a rigid support shaft 96.
Swing assemblies 82, extension springs 90 and the
friction means provided on gupport shaft 96 coact to
substantially maintain the normal included angle "A" (Figure 7
and Figure 8 in phantom) between seat back 52 and ~eat frame 54
upon ~tilting" of seat assembly 50 when carriage assembly 60 is
released to roll downwardly and forwardly in tracks 66 of base
assembly 56. However, to permit independent "reclining" movement
for increasing the included angle to a maximum of UB'I, Cwing
members 86 each pivot about both pivots 85 and 87 to cause
substantially synchronous rearward pivotal movement of ~eat back
52 and forward movement of seat frame 54.
As is apparent, recliner mechanism 10 is confined below
seat frame 54 with tracks 66 being affixed directly to wooden
bottom rails 46 of frame assembly 12. In this manner, an overall
reduction in the height of recliner 10 permits use of loose
cushions 106 (Figures 1 and 2) removably installed on top of seat
frame 54. In addition, recliner mech~nism 10 is designed to
cause less upward angular movement of seat frame 54 than
conventional recliners upon forward motion thereof during
Utilting'' and "reclining" which significantly reduces the effort
required for the seat occupant to return seat assembly 50 to the
upright position and return leg rest assembly 18 to the stored
position.
-- 19 --
`- 2074917
- As previously noted, the preferred embodiment includes
an actuation lever 22, which is hidden from view in the space
betw~en the outside edge of a cushion 106 and the upholstered
inside face of sofa 20, and which must only be rearwardly pivoted
a relatively small amount (approximately between 30-45 in the
- preferred embodiment) by its forwardly exten~;n~ handle 24 when
the seat occ~r~t wants to release carriage assembly 60 for
~tilting" ~eat assembly 50 and raising leg rest assembly 18.
More specifically, pulling back on handle lever 24 produces
corresponding angular movement (counterclockwise in the drawings)
of a square cross-section transverse drive rod assembly 110 which
is rotatably supported by suitable means at its opposite ends to
left and right seat plates 80 of left and right side rail
assemblies 62. The axis of rotation of drive rod 112 is
generally parallel to the axis of rotation of front and rear
wheel units 64 and 65, respectively.
According to the preferred embodiment, carriage
assembly 60, leg rest assembly 18, and drive rod assembly 110 are
operatively interconnected so that when one moves, all move,
(i.e. rotation of drive rod 112 is accompanied by movement of
carriage assembly 60 on base assembly 56 and movement of leg rest
assembly 18). Once the occupant has pivoted handle 24 through
an angle of about 30-45 which, in turn, correspondingly rotates
drive rod 112, the weight of the seat occupant in cooperation
with the force amplification and mech~nical advantage of drive
rod assembly 110 act to release (i.e. unlocks) carriage assembly
60 for forward movement on base assembly 56 for smoothly and
- 20 -
20`74917
.
_ continuously driving the various linkages until seat assembly 50
is in the forward "tilted" position with leg rest 18 extended.
Angular movement of drive rod 112 about its axiæ
results in movement of various linkage mech~n~gms for causing
actuation of leg rest assembly 18 and "tilting" movement of seat
assembly 50 by releasing carriage assembly 60 to roll in tracks
66. As will be appreciated, the various linkages are designed
to only reguire a limited range of angular movement of drive rod
112 via limited rotation of actuation lever 22 for putting
recliner mech~nicm 10 into operation. In addition, the weight
of the seat occllp~nt and the center of gravity of seat assembly
60 defined by the orientation of wheel units 64 and 65 disposed
within tracks 66 combine to generate a forwardly directed force
on carriage assembly 60 which augments the limited occ~lr~nt input
required for improved operation of recliner 10. In addition,
over-center toggle assemblies for leg rest assembly 18 and for
carriage assembly 60 are designed to selectively lock and drive
seat assembly 50 and leg rest assembly 18 between their
respective "upright" and "stowed" positions and their ~tilted"
and Nextended" positions.
Actuator lever 22 and its handle 24 are pivotally
supported for angular movement to one of seat plates 80 and are
- located slightly forward of drive rod 112. A transfer linkage
114 connects actuator lever 22 to drive rod 112 for transferring
the angular movement thereto. A stabilizer rail 116 is ~ecured
between a central portion of drive rod 112 and upper
reinforcement rail 74 of carriage assembly 60. Stabilizer rail
2~7~917
-
116 permits rotation of drive rod 112 while providing structural
rigidity with carriage assembly 60.
With particular reference now to Figures 7 and 8, means
are provided for releasably locking drive assembly 110 for
ret~i ni ng carriage assembly 60 in its rear-upright position.
More particularly, on opposite sides of stabilizer rails 116
there are provided left and right base bracket linkage assemblies
118 which are interconnected between bottom rail~ 46 of frame
assembly 12 and pantograph linkages 156 of leg rest assembly 18
for acting as an over-center m~h~ni~m for releasably ~loçk~ng"
carriage assembly 60 in its rear-upright position as shown in
Figure 7. Bracket linkage assembly 118 includes a bracket 240
affixed to bottom rail 46 of frame assembly 12 and a base link
242 pivotally supported thereto about pivot 244. The opposite
end of base link 242 is pivotably coupled to swing link 192 about
pivot point 246. A rearward portion of swing link 192 is
journally supported on drive rod 112 for free angular movement
relative thereto. The opposite rear end of ~wing link 192 is
pivotally interconnected to a first end of power link 190.
In the upright-stowed position of Figure 7, a line of
action extending through drive rod 112 and pivot 244 positions
pivot point 246 in an over-center orientation for inhibiting
forward non-actuated movement of carriage assembly 60 and leg
rest assembly 18. Upon initial angular movement of handle 24 by
the seat occupant, drive rod 112 rotates to initiate protraction
of pantograph linkages 156 of leg rest assembly 18 outwardly
toward their extended operative position. Such actuation of
pantograph linkages 156 causes power link 190 to pivotably move
- 22 -
2074917
~_~wing link 192 until pivot point 246 is positioned below the line
of action (i.e. over-center) to release carriage assembly 60 for
forward rolling movement in tracks 66 and to release leg rest
assembly 18 for movement to its fully extended position. A bent-
over tab 248 formed on bracket 240 i8 provided to engage an edge
- surface of base link 242 to limit the over-center location of
pivot point 246 relative to the line of action as ~hown in Figure
7.
A locking mech~nicm 120 i8 provided which inhibits
~reclining" movement of seat assembly 50 in the ~upright"
position and which coacts with slots 98 for limiting the range
of ~reclining" movement of seat assembly 50 once it is in the
"tilted" position. More specifically, locki ng mech~n~ ~m 120
includes a lock pivot 122 secured to rear frame rail 124 of seat
frame 54, a lock lever 126 pivotally supported at one end to lock
pivot 122, an elongated lock arm 128 pivotally connected to the
opposite end of lock lever 126 and which extends generally
parallel to side rail assemblies 62. The forward end of lock arm
128 is pivotally connected to a lock link 130 which is secured
for angular movement with drive rod 112. A notch 132 in the rear
edge of lock lever 126 is adapted to contact rear frame rail 124
for limiting the "reclining" movement of seat back 52 when
recliner mech~nism 10 is in its ~tilted" positions.
With particular reference to Figures llA and llB, drive
rod assembly 110 is shown to include left and right ~tilt"
linkages 136 which are generally coactive with bracket linkage
assemblies 118 for selectively inhibiting (i.e. locking) and
permitting (i.e. releasing) forward movement of carriage assembly
- . 2074917
- 60 on base assembly 56. In general, tilt linkages 136
interconnect the forward end of pivot levers 70 of carriage
assembly 60 to drive rod assembly 110. Nore particularly, the
forwardmost end of pivot levers 70 extend below and are generally
aligned with the axis of drive rod 112 and are pivotally
- connected to a lower end of a C-sh~p~ toggle link 138. The
other end of C-shaped toggle link 138 i8 pivotably connected to
a connector link 140 at pivot 141 and which, in turn, i8 ~ecured
on drive rod 112 for angular movement therewith.
When recliner mech~nism 10 i8 in the upright position
(Figure llA), tilt linkage assemblies 136 are inhibited against
forward movement of carriage assembly 60 until actuator lever 22
and, in turn, drive rod 112 are sufficiently rotated
(approximately 30-45) for causing bracket linkage assemblies 118
to move to the over-center position. Rotation of drive rod 112
causes corresponding rotation of connector link 140 until pivot
141 is aligned with or slightly below the rotational axis of
drive rod 112 (Figure llB). At this point, bracket linkage
assemblies 118 have gone over-center to release carriage assembly
60 such that loading acting on carriage assembly 60 (i.e. weight
of oc~lpA~t) and the mechAnical advantage of tilt linkages 136
act to forwardly drive C-shaped toggle 138 around and below drive
rod 112 so as to permit pivot levers 76 to pivot about pivot
points 71 ~uch that carriage assembly 60 is ~tiltedU upon forward
rolling movement in tracks 66.
Tilt linkages 136 provide significant force
amplification so that the force required for the occupant to
pivot handle 24 is not excessive. It will be appreciated that
- 24 -
2074917
_ left and right ~pring-assist toggle mech~n;sms 142 associated
with operation of leg rest assembly 18 which will be hereinafter
described, work coactively with bracket linkage assemblies 118
and tilt linkages 136 to smoothly and continuously drive recliner
mechAnicm 10 for exten~ing leg rest assembly 18 and for ~tilting"
- seat assembly 50 in a substantially concurrent manner.
Leg rest linkage assembly 18, pantograph linkages 156,
and left and right toggle merhAn~s 142 are ~een best in Figures
4, 7, and 8. These devices are similar to, but not identical
with, corresponding mec~Anisms shown and described in the present
assignee's U.S. Patent No. 4,367,895, issued Jan. 11, 1983,
entitled "Reclinable Chair" as well as its U.S. Patent No.
3,099,487, issued July 30, 1963, entitled "Leg Rest Fixture and
Supplemental Holding MechAnism".
With particular reference to Figure 7, leg rest
assembly 18 is shown to include a frame board 152 having an upper
æurface 154 that is padded and upholstered so that in the
finished sofa it will be as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Board 152
is supported on and moved by identical left and right hand
pantograph linkages 156. Board 152 has an angled bracket 158
secured to its bottom face 160 for each pantograph 156 whereby
board 152 is pivotally connected at a rear pivot 162 and a front
pivot 164 to board links 166 and 168, respectively, of
pantographs 156. The other end of front board link 168 is
pivoted at 170 to an end of connector link 172 which is centrally
pivoted at 174 to a portion of board link 166. The other end of
connector link 172 is pivoted at 175 to the top of a long ~upport
link 176. The other end of rear board link 166 is pivoted at 178
- 25 -
207~Y17
to one end of a curved link 180 which is pivoted at a central
pivot 182 to a central portion of long support link 176. The
other end of curved link 180 i8 pivoted at 184 to front support
shaft 96. Pivot 184 is a point of support on carriage assembly
60 for pantographs 156.
Another point of support is pivot 186 at the curved
bottom end of long support link 176 which connects support link
176 to one end of drive link 188, the other end of which has a
square aligned hole through which ~quare drive rod 112 extends
so that drive link 188 is generally driven by angular movement
of drive rod 112. Thus, rotation of drive rod 112 turns drive
link 188 which acts through pivot 186 to move long support link
176. Such movement of support link 176 causes link 180 to swing
about fixed pivot 184 by virtue of pivot connection 182 that link
180 has with long support link 176. The action of link 180
swinging about fixed pivot 184 moves rear board link 166
outwardly and upwardly while pivot 175 at the top end of long
support link 176 causes link 172 to swing about pivot 174 and
thus front board link 168 is also moved outwardly and upwardly.
This extensible action takes place simultaneously with both the
left hand and right hand pantographic linkage mech~n~sms 156 when
there is sufficient angular movement of drive rod 112 to unlock
toggle mechanism 142. The effect is to move frame board 152
between its stowed vertical position (Figures lB, 2B and 7) and
its elevated, relatively horizontal position (Figures lC, 2C and
8).
~ eft and right power links 190 are shown to extend over
drive rod 112 and are pivotally supported at their rearward end
- 26 -
207491 7
on a portion of swing links 192 mounted on drive rod 112 and at
their top ends at pivots 194 located on a central portion of
curved links 180. Upon swinging movement of curved links 180 in
the manner previously described, power links 190 act to assist
in driving pantograph linkages 156 to their extended operative
position. As mentioned, power link 192 intercQnne~ts pantograph
linkages 156 to bracket linkage assemblies 118.
Left and right hand spring-assist toggle assemblies 142
are provided which, as pointed out in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,099,487
and 4,367,895, work with leg rest assembly 18. Toggle assemblies
142 provide means for holding leg rest assembly 18 tightly in a
fully retracted (i.e. stowed) position against the front of the
sofa frame and also provides means for supplying a spring force
for driving leg rest assembly 18 to its exten~e~ position.
Toggle assemblies 142 each include a toggle lever 202 with a
square hole which is mounted by ~eans of the square hole on
square drive rod 112 for selective rotation therewith. Toggle
lever 202 is pivotally connected at 204 to front leg 206 of a C-
shaped toggle link 208 that curves around, below and to the rear
of drive rod 112 where its rear leg 210 has an opening 212 in
which one end of a helical coil spring 214 is hooked. The
opposite end of spring 214 is hooked to an eye screw 215
threadably secured to spring bracket 216 which, in turn, is
secured to upper stabilizer rail 74.
As shown in Figure 6, a wing nut 217 is provided for
adjusting the tension in spring 214. For example, the tension
A ~ ~st~bl
1~ in spring 214 can be ~j ~t-~lc relieved for a lighter weight
occupant or it can be increased for a heavier seat occupan~.
- 27 -
` 2074917
.
Such adjustment means provide an extra comfort and convenient
feature to recliner mech~nism 10. The opposite ~pring 214 is
shown in Figure 5 to be secured to a ~?con~ bracket 219 which has
steppe~ surface means for step-wise spring biasing ad~ustment
similar to bracket 94.
Operation of toggle assemblies 142 will now be
described in greater detail. The location of pivot 204 below
drive rod 112 and the line of action of springs 214 are such in
the retracted position of leg rest assembly 18 that the spring
force holds or "retains" leg rest assembly 18 retracted. As leg
rest 18 is initially slightly extended upon rotation of actuator
lever 22 and, in turn, drive rod 112, pivot 204 moves up and over
center of the drive rod axis. Once pivot 204 is over center,
tension loading on springs 214 assist in drivingly rotating drive
rod 112 for elevating leg rest assembly 18 as rear leg 210 of
link 208 is pulled toward reinforcement rail 74. In ~ddition,
A springs 214 ~ assist the occupant in pivoting handle 24 through
the require~ actuation angle. Once drive rod 112 has been
sufficiently pivoted through the limited actuation angle to
release carriage assembly 60 (via bracket linkage assemblies 118)
and leg rest assembly 18 (via toggle mechanisms 142), the weight
of the seat occupant and the biasing of springs 214 rotate handle
24 to the fully pivoted and concealed position shown in Figure
8.
Downward pressure applied manually to frame board 152
by the seat occupant serves as means to move leg rest assembly
18 back to the "stowed" position and carriage assembly 60
rearwardly for tilting seat assembly 50 to the Nupright"
- 28 -
2074917
position. Such pressure has the benefit of a long moment arm and
proAl~ces a downward rearward movement of long support links 176
which act through their pivots 186 to rotate drive links 188 in
a rearward direction. This causes corresponding angular movement
5 of drive rod 112 (i.e. clockwise in the drawings). When pivot
204 i8 rotated over center upon continued clockwise movement of
drive rod 112, C-shaped toggle links 208 and ~;prings 214 act as
loc~ring means to E;olidly hold leg rest ass~bly 18 in its stowed
position. Likewise, this came clockwise rotation of drive rod
112 causes swing links 192 and base links 242 of bracket linkage
assemblies 118 to be rotated over-center for retaining carriage
assembly 60 against forward movement which, in turn, assist in
retaining seat unit 16 in its "upright" position. It will be
appreciated that the various linkages are designed to work
15 substantially simultaneously and in a cumulative manner.
The relatively low input force to be exerted on frame
board 152 by the occupant permits smooth retraction of recliner
mech~nism 10 to the conventional seating arrangement position of
- Figures 4 and 7. Likewise, toggle mechanisms 142 and tilt
20 linkages 136 are adapted to return to their original position
(Figure 7) for assisting in locking carriage assembly 60 and leg
rest assembly 18 in their respective "upright" and Ustowed''
positions upon rearward movement of leg rest assembly 18 to a
position in close proximity to the normal "stowed" position. As
25 will be appreciated, this "locking" position is directly related
to the amount of pivotable movement of actuator lever 22 required
to actuate recliner mechanism 10.
-- 29 --
2074917
Another feature of the present invention incorporated
into recliner mechAnism 10 provides rigidity and support to the
forward end of seat assembly 50 when retained in the "upright"
position and which controls forward movement of carriage assembly
60 for supporting leg rest assembly 18 in its fully exten~eA
position. In particular, seat frame brackets 260 are affixed to
front corner surfaces of seat frame 54 and are adapted to
matingly contact brackets 262 supported from brackets 240 when
seat assembly 50 is in its rear-upright position and a load is
applied thereto. In particular, frame brackets 260 have a
surface, such as a nylon insert 264, which is adapted to engage
a facing insert 266 supported on bracket 262. Therefore, weight
transferred downwardly onto the front of seat frame 54 is
supported to inhibit "sagging" of seat assembly 50. Bracket~ 262
are also formed to include a vertical stop surface 268 adapted
to engage a forward edge surface of brackets 69 of carriage
assembly 60 when carriage assembly 60 is in its forwardmost
position relative to tracks 66. This engagement provides
additional support to leg rest assembly 18 through its linkages
to inhibit "sagging" thereof in the extended operative position.
Thus, the invention provides a sofa construction that
has a seat frame 54 and seat back 52 that move between an
"upright" position (Figure 7), a ~tilted" position (Figure 8 in
phantom) and a "reclined" position (Figure 8). Hanual force,
leveraged through leg rest pantographic linkages 156, is used to
overcome gravity and the spring force provided within recliner
mechanism 10 for smoothly and easily returning seat assembly 50
- 30 -
2074917
- from the "tilted" to the "upright" position and leg rest assembly
18 from its extended to its stowed position.
Referring now to Figure 12, there is shown a modular
æofa 300 having independent reclinable seat units 302 and 304,
and a fixed (i.e. non-reclinable) seat units 306. Reclinable
seat units 302 and 304 are of substantially identical
construction, with the principal exception being the inclusion
of arm portions 308 and 310 on opposite æides thereof.
Accordingly, for the purposes of discussion, only reclinable seat
unit 302 will be discussed. However, it will be appreciated that
the construction and operation of reclinable ~eat unit 304 will
be substantially similar to seat unit 302 with a noted exception
of the positioning of the arm rest portion 310 of seat unit 304.
With particular reference to Figure 13, a recliner
mechanism 312 is shown that is constructed in accordance with an
alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention and
which is adapted for use in seat unit 302. As will be
appreciated, recliner mechanism 312 is a modified version of
recliner mechAnism 10. More particularly, recliner mechanism 312
is a ~three-way" mechanism which can be independently "tilted",
"reclined" and have its leg rest assembly 18 operably retracted
or extended in a manner substantially similar to that previously
described. It is to be understood that while recliner mechAni~m
312 is æhown in association with sofa 300, it is likewise readily
adaptable for use in other articles of furniture such~chairs,
modular components, and the like.
As best seen from Figure 13, recliner mechAnism 312
generally includes a seat assembly 314, a pair of laterally
2074917
spaced and outwardly opening tracks 316 and 318, a drive rod
assembly 320 and leg rest assembly 18. These components are
substantially identical to corresponding components incorporated
into recliner mechAnism 10. As such, like numbers are used
hereinafter to designate those components previously described.
Accordingly, recliner mech~nism 312 also includes various other
linkages, mech~ni~ms and components that are also substantially
identical to those previously shown and described with respect
to recliner mechAnism 10. Examples of such mechAnisms and
comronents include, but are not limited to, loc~ing mechAnism
120, tilt linkage assemblies 136, spring-assist toggle mechAnicms
142, bracket linkage assemblies 118 and pantograph linkage
assemblies 156. To the extent that these previously described
mechA~isms and components are not substantially different in form
and operation in recliner mechAnism 312, they will not be
disc1lcse~ in detail.
It should also be appreciated that the recliner
mechAnism 312 incorporates various structures and features that
are similar to corresponding structures and features shown and
described in other copending applications of the present
assignee, the disclosures of which are each incorporated herein
by reference. For instance, the manually operated actuator lever
and its release linkage are substantially the same as that shown
and described in copending application Serial No. 715,851, filed
June 20, 1991, entitled HChair Mec-hAnicmn. Further the method
and apparatus for alignably mounting independent reclinable seat
units together via a pair of parallel, spaced apart frame rails
to form a modular sofa (i.e. as depicted in Figure 12) is
- 32 -
207~917
_ substantially similar to that shown and described in copending
application Serial No. 685,581, filed April 17, 1991, entitled
~Mounting Apparatus For Modular Sofa Assemblyn. The common
details and function of these various components described in the
co-pe~Aing applications set forth above, while made part of the
- present invention herein relating to recliner mech~ni~m 312, will
not be repeated.
With continued reference to Figures 13 and 14, recliner
mechAnicm 312 is shown to also include a front bottom frame rail
330 to which front end portions 332 and 334 of tracks 316 and
318, respectively, are secured. Tracks 316 and 318 also include
rear end portions 336 and 338, respectively, which are secured
via brackets 340 and 342 to a rear bottom frame rail 344.
Moreover, a pair of laterally spaced wooden side frame members
346 and 348 are secured between front and rear bottom frame rails
330 and 344, respectively. An upper stabilizer rail 350 is
fixedly secured in between the side frame members 346 and 348 and
includes first and second spring brackets 352 and 354,
respectively. In addition, spring 97 concentrically currounds
one end of support shaft 96 between wooden side rail 348 and
nylon washer 95 adjacent an outer surface of slot 98. A nylon
insert 355 is retained within slot 98 for minimizing frictional
resistance to movement of the front end of seat assembly 314 with
respect to support shaft 96. In addition, generally sinusoidal
spring clips 357 are provided for positively locating and
separating portions of pantograph leg rest linkages 156 on
support shaft 96 while inhibiting rotation of support ~haft 96.
- 33 -
207~917
Secured to each of spring brackets 352 and 354, via
adjustable wing nuts 217, are eye screws 215. In association
with left and right toggle linkage assemblies 142, means are
provided for selectively adjusting the degree or amount of biased
~assist~ generated. More æpecifically, coupled to each eyelet
portions of eye screws 215 iæ a fir~t end of helical coil springs
214 which is coupled at its opposite end to a rear leg portion
210 of C-~haped toggle links 208. Toggle link 208 is pivotally
secured to a toggle lever 202 which, in turn, is fixedly secured
for rotation with square drive rod 376 of drive rod assembly 320.
As will be described hereinafter, the tensioning on coil springs
214 can be selectively adjusted for varying the rate or ~speed"
at which the leg rest pantograph linkages 156 move between their
"stowed" and "elevated" positions. Such rate adjustment directly
corresponds to the degree of spring-biased "assist" provided by
the toggle linkage assemblies 142.
In accordance with a novel feature of the present
invention, releasable assist means are provided in associated
with recliner mechAnism 312 for permitting the seat occupant to
initiate movement of the leg rest assemb~y toward its extended
position. The releasable assist means permits the seat occupant
to deliberately initiate movement of the leg rest assembly toward
its extended and elevated position with virtually no physical
vu~t~9eou~
effort. Such an arrangement is particularly adv~ g0s for
elderly or handicapped persons or others having difficulty in
using conventional release mechanism (i.e. levers and the like).
More specifically, recliner assist mechAn~sm 328 is ~hown to
include a push-button release switch 386 coupled via a cable 388
- 34 -
207~917
- to an actuator bracket 390. Actuator bracket 390 is pivotally
coupled to an "over-center" type cocking linkage assembly 392
having first and second pivotally coupled link members 394 and
396, respectively. Actuator bracket 390 i8 also pivotably
coupled about pivot point 391 to a base bracket 398 which is, in
turn, fixedly secured to an outer sheath portion 400 of cable 388
via a threaded screw 402 and ret~ining member 404.
Recliner assist mech~ni~m 328 also includes a drive
assist bracket 406 and a drive bracket 408. Drive assist bracket
has a first end 410 which is coupled to a first end of first coil
spring 412. First coil spring 412 is coupled at its opposite end
to a spring bracket 414 with spring bracket 414 being fixedly
secured to an upper and forward portion of wooden side frame
member 348. A second end portion 416 of drive assist bracket 406
includes a transversely exten~ing shoulder portion 418 having a
button-type grommet 420 secured in an aperture 422 formed
therein. Drive assist bracket 406 is pivotally coupled about an
upper pivot point 423 to first link member 394 v1a a rivet 424
which extends through a washer 426 and an aperture 428 in drive
assist bracket 406 and an aperture 430 in first link member 394.
Furthermore, drive assist bracket 406 is journalled for
rotational movement via bushings 432 and 434, and aperture 436,
about drive rod 376.
As best seen in Figure 15, drive bracket 408 is shown
to include a first end portion 438 and a second end portion 440.
First end portion 438 includes a square-shaped opening 442
through which a portion of square drive rod 376 extends. In this
manner, drive rod 376 is secured to drive bracket 408 for direct
- 35 -
2074917
rotation therewith. A portion of drive rod 376 also extends
through a second coil spring 444, which is retained over an end
portion of drive rod 376 via a retAin~r clip 446 and a fastening
member, ~uch as a cotter pin or the like. SeCQn~ end portion 440
of drive bracket 408 includes a threaded aperture 448 th~ough
which a threaded adjusting screw 450 extends. Ad~usting screw
450 i8 also ret~ine~ on eecon~ end portion 440 via a threaded nut
452, thereby enabling threaded adjusting screw 450 to be
ad~ustably located at a predetermined position with ~e~yect to
grommet 420 ~u~ol~ed on drive assist bracket 406.
With continued reference to Figures 15 through 18, a
first end portion 454 of actuator bracket 390 is shown coupled
to an end portion 456 of cable 388. A ~qconA end portion 458 of
actuator bracket 390 is coupled to a third coil spring 460 which
is, in turn, coupled to a leg 462 of base bracket 398. As noted,
actuator bracket 390 is pivotally coupled about pivot point 391
to second link member 396 of cocking linkage assembly 392 and to
base bracket 398. More particularly, a rivet 468 extends through
washer 466, aperture 464 in actuator brackets 390, aperture 470
of second link member 396, and aperture 472 formed in base
bracket 398 to define pivot point 391. Moreover, a shoulder
portion 474 formed on actuator bracket 390 acts on an edge
- surface of second link member 396 for pivotably moving second
link member 396 in response to axial movement of cable 388.
In accordance with a preferred construction of the
present invention, first and second link members 394 and 396
define an "over-center" locking mechanism. Link members 394 and
396 are pivotally coupled about a central pivot point 475 via a
- 36 -
2074917
rivet 476, washer 478, and apertures 480 and 482 formed in second
and first link members 396 and 394, respectively. Second link
member 396 further includes a boss portion 484 having a groove
extending circumferentially therearound which retains one end of
a fourth coil spring 486 thereon. The other end of fourth coil
spring 486 is similarly adapted to be coupled to a
circumferential groove extenAing around a boss portion~488 of
base bracket 398. Base bracket 398 is adapted to be fixedly
se~-ed to wooden side frame member 348 via shoulder portion 490
and elongated openings 492 through which threaded screws or the
like may be inserted.
With particular reference now to Figures 16 through 18,
a detailed description of the operation of the recliner assist
mech~nism 328 will be provided. In general, recliner assist
mechAni~m 328 operates to initiate extension of pantograph
linkage assemblies 156, and thus leg rest frame board 154 (Figure
14), as well as initiation of forward movement of seat assembly
314 from its "upright" position to its "tilted" position. More
specifically, Figure 16 shows recliner assist mech~ni~m 328 in
an orientation it assumes when leg rest assembly 18 is fully
retracted and seat assembly 314 is in its rear ~uprightH
position. In this condition, first coil spring 412 is operable
to exert a maximum tensioning force on first end portion 410 of
drive assist bracket 406. As such, first coil ~pring 412 tends
to drive assist bracket 410 in a counterclockwise manner about
drive rod 376. Concurrently, fourth coil spring 486 is exerting
a minimum tensioning force in holding fir~t and second link
members 394 and 396 of cocking linkage assembly 392 in a ~locked"
- 37 -
-
207~917
- position. When in the "locked" position, cocking linkage
ass~mhly 392 may assume either a generally straight ~in line"
orientation, as generally shown in Figure 16, or a slightly
"over-center" orientation, with pivot point 475 of coç~ing
linkage assembly 392 being located slightly inwardly relative to
drive rod 376. As will be appreciated, coil ~pring 460 is also
under minimum tension while operating to hold f~rst end portion
454 of actuator bracket 390, and thus cable 388, taut to remove
any slack therein.
With reference to Figure 17, upon the ~eat occupant
selectively depressing push-button switch 386 (Figures 13 and
15), cable 388 is axially displaced or drawn upwardly, (i.e.
preferably by approximately 0.5 inches) thus causing actuator
bracket 390 to move pivotally in a counterclockwise direction
(i.e. as indicated by directional arrow 496). Such
counterclockwise movement of actuator bracket 390 causes shoulder
portion 474 to forcibly urge second link member 396 to pivot
about pivot point 391 in a counterclockwise direction against the
biasing force of fourth coil spring 486 and third coil spring
460. Thus, central pivot point 475 between first and second link
members 394 and 396, respectively, is rearwardly displaced out
of longit~ alignment or "over-center" alignment thereby
"unlocking" cocking linkage assembly 392. In this condition,
drive assist bracket 406 is able to freely pivot in a
counterclockwise direction about drive rod 376. Therefore, the
relatively large tensioning force provided by first coil spring
412 acts to urge drive assist bracket 406 to pivot in a
counterclockwise direction about drive rod 376 which cause
- 38 -
2074917
, _
co~-e~onding pivotable movement of drive bracket 408 and, in
turn, drive rod 376 (see directional arrow 497).
With reference to Figure 18, as drive assist bracket
406 is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction in response to the
tensioning force of first coil spring 412, first and rs~Qn~ link
members 394 and 396 are pivotally urged into a partially folded
orientation against the biasing force of fourth coil ~pring 486.
As will be appreciated, coil spring 412 is sized to provide
sufficient tension loading to cause drive assi~t bracket 406 to
be rotated counterclockwise along a generally arcuate path to
initiate and continue rotation of drive rod 376 until the
counteracting over-center biasing force provided by coil springs
214 of toggle linkage assemblies 142 has been overcome.
Moreover, first coil spring 412 is of a length and construction
lS to enable it to exert a relatively large tensioning force on
drive assist bracket 406 which is sufficient to cause drive
assist bracket 406 to rotate drive bracket 408 and drive rod 376
against the counteracting force generated by coil springs 214.
Furthermore, once drive assist bracket 406 has caused ~ufficient
movement of drive bracket 408 and drive rod 376 past the ~over-
center" point of C-shaped toggle links 208, coil springs 214 are
able to exe~t a counterclockwise driving force on drive rod 376
to thereby assist in continuing the counterclockwise rotation of
drive rod 376. As previously described, this action urges leg
rest assembly 18 to a fully extended position in a relatively
smooth and continuous fashion. However, it is contemplated that
in recliner mech~nisms which do not include rearwardly raised
tracks for assisting (i.e. gravity) in leg rest extension and
- 39 -
2074917
seat assembly tilting movement, a stronger coil spring 412 may
simply be required to initiate these movements.
In general, assist mec-hAniæm 328 causes sufficient
angular movement of drive rod 376 about its axi~ to result in
corresponding movement of various linkage merhAn~ms driven by
or drivingly coupled to drive rod 376. As previously described,
such movement of these various linkage mechAnisms permits
extension of leg rest pantograph assemblies 156 via spring-
assisted toggle linkage assemblies 142, and ~tilting" movement
of ~eat assembly 314 via operatively releasing bracket linkage
assemblies 118 and tilt linkage assemblies 504 to permit ~eat
assembly 314 to roll forward in tracks 316 and 318. Accordingly,
only minimal physical effort (i.e. depressing switch 386), is
required to initiate extension of leg rest pantographs 156.
While recliner mechanism 312 is shown with a hand lever actuator
in addition to push-button recliner assist mechAnism 328, it will
be appreciated that recliner assembly 312 could be provided with
either independently, or with both as shown, depenAing on the
preference of the end user.
Chairs embodying recliner mechanisms, of the type such
as recliner mech~nisms 10 or 312 are particularly suited for use
with push-button recliner assist mechanism 328. This is due, in
part, to the fact that recliner mechanisms 10 and 312 have the
rearward portion of their curved tracks raised to store energy
for extending leg rest assemblies 156 and simultaneously moving
the seat assembly (i.e. or carriage) from its upright to its
forward-tilted position when the seat assembly is permitted to
roll forward in the tracks.
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2071917
In accordance with another unique feature of recliner
mech~nicm 312, upper stabilizer rail 350 is shown to include a
stop bracket 378 fixedly secured thereto that extends generally
forwardly therefrom in a generally horizontal plane. Stop
bracket 378 has a transverse end surface 379 that is adapted to
make abutting contact with an adjustable locator member 380.
Adjustable locator member 380 is ~ecured to a flanged bracket 382
mounted to front bottom frame rail 330. In general, locator
member 380 is a stop screw that i~ adjustable with respect to
bracket 382 and which is secured thereto via a wing nut 384. In
operation, once drive rod 376 is released from its ~locked"
position, the entire seat assembly 314 and side frame members 346
and 348 move concurrently along tracks 316 and 318 via wheel
units 499 of tilt linkage assemblies 504. Therefore, upper
stabilizer rail 350 also moves toward locator member 380 and
flange bracket 382 until end surface 379 of stop bracket 378
comes into contact with adjustable locator member 380. This
adjustable feature is operable to control the forward movement
of seat assembly 314 and side frame members 346 and 348 and, in
turn, controls the amount of extension of pantograph linkages
156. As noted, the position of locator member 380 with respect
to end 379 of stop bracket 378 can be selectively adjusted to
cause corresponding adjustment of the "angle of inclination~ and
"height" for leg rest frame board 154. The maximum inclination
angle and height is defined by leg rest assembly 18 being allowed
to travel to its "fully" elevated position. In the "fully"
extended position, C-shaped toggle links 208 are biased by spring
214 to assume a fully over-center position relative to drive rod
207~917
-376, to thus provide a maximum force operable to maintain leg
rest assembly 18 in the "fully" extended position.
As will be appreciated, a lower inclination angle for
leg rest board 152 will make it easier for a seat occl~r~nt to
retract leg rest assembly 18. Conversely, when leg rest frame
board 152 is at its "fully" elevated position it i8 more
difficult to initiate retraction of leg rest assembly 18- since
the seat occ~lp~nt must displace or "break" spring-assisted toggle
linkage assemblies 142 from their fully over-center position.
Therefore, by controllably inhibiting C-shaped toggle links 208
from moving to their fully over-center position, the tensioning
force exerted by coil springs 214 can be controlled 80 as to
adjustably vary the amount of downward force which must be
exerted by the legs of the seat ocrl~p~nt to initiate retraction
of leg rest assembly 18. Accordingly, the amount of effort
needed to begin retraction of leg rest frame board 152 can be
controllably adjusted in accordance with the inclination angle
and height desired by the seat occupant. This feature is
particularly advantageous for individuals of limited leg strength
such as elderly and/or handicapped individual.
An additional degree of leg rest ad~ustability is
provided by the two eyelet screws 215 and wing nuts 217 of toggle
linkage assemblies 142. More particularly, wing nuts 217 enable
the tension loading of coil springs 214 to be controllably
adjusted to thus increase or decrease the amount of "assist"
developed for driving leg rest assembly 18 between its ~tored"
(i.e. retracted) position and an extended position (as defined
by the location of stop bracket 380 relative to locator ~crew
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207 1917
~ 382). For example, by tightening wing nuts 217 more tension is
produced in coil springs 214 thus generating a quicker, more
positive ~assist" characteristic upon movement of leg rest 18.
Conversely, unscrewing of wing nuts 217 serves to adjustably
reduce the tension force in coil springs 214 thereby slowing down
or raducing the amount of "assist" provided to move leg rest
assembly 18.
As will now be apparent, the various aforementioned
modes of adjustability for recliner mech~nism 312 are
substantially coactive 80 as to permit customized adjustment.
~ ~ L\ ~ J t c.9 ~V ~
This is particularly-~d~t~ r- in articles of furniture such as
sofa 300 having at least two independent reclinable seat units
302 and 304. More particularly, the amount of ~assistN developed
by toggle linkage assemblies 142 for each leg rest assembly 18
and/or the desired leg rest "inclination~ and "height" can be
individually adjusted to fit the particular needs of two distinct
individuals.
As in all reclining mechAnisms~ there i8 a certain
amount of fabric drag or friction between the moveable
upholstered seat unit and the outer frame upon activation of the
recliner. As such, gravity tends to provide greater assistance
to a heavier seat occl~p~nt in pulling seat assembly 314 down
tracks 316 and 318 80 as to more easily overcome such drag
forces. However, a lighter weight seat occ~r~nt is required to
exert a more deliberate effort for overcoming the frictional drag
forces to generate the reclining movement. Thus, a greater
spring force in coil springs 214 acts to assist the lighter
weight seat occ~p~nt in overcoming the drag characteristics. By
~ 207~917
~the same token, in order for the lighter weight seat occ~p~nt to
overcome the increased spring tension when attempting to retract
leg rest frame board 152, the lighter weight seat occ~lpAnt can
also adjust the "inclination" of leg rest frame board 152
downwardly from the "fully" extended position. In this manner,
the lighter weight seat occ~r~nt i~ not required to overcome the
increased spring tension of coil springs 214 for ~bre~k~ng" over
the over-center position of toggle linkage 142. As such,
retractive movement of leg rest board 152 and, in turn, leg rest
pantographs 156 toward the stowed position iB relatively easy and
extremely smooth.
Still yet another degree of adjustability i~ provided
by variably adjusting the length of adjusting screw 450 supported
from drive bracket 408. By threadably adjusting screw 450, the
preloading of drive bracket 408 can be adjusted while recliner
assist mech~nism 328 is in the "locked" position, thus making
drive bracket 408 more easily urged into movement by drive assist
bracket 406 via actuation of button actuator 386.
With reference now to Figures 19 and 20, tilt linkage
assembly 504 of the present invention incorporating a pivot lever
506, a connector link 508 and an intermediate bracket 510 is
shown in greater detail. One end 512 of pivot lever 506 is
pivotally coupled to one end of a C-shaped toggle link 514. The
opposite end of C-shaped toggle link 514 is, in turn, pivotally
coupled to a connector link 516 which is fixedly secured to the
drive rod 376. The length of connector link 516 is largely
responsible for the amount of angular "tilting" movement of seat
assembly 314. In addition, a rear end portion 518 of
207~gl7
intermediate link 510 is pivotally coupled with an end portion
520 of connector link 508.
The primary difference between the tilt linkage
assembly 504 of the present invention and tilting linkages 136
of recliner mechAnism 10 is that intermediate link 510 includes
a riser bracket 522 that acts to adjust the orientation of
intermediate bracket 510 relative to connector link 508. This
orientation adjustment is n~cecsAry due to the difference in
height between the front and the back of tracks 316 and 318. In
addition, front wheel 499 of each tilt linkage assembly 504 is
mounted in a slightly different location than that on bearing
link assemblies 26 to also accommodate the height difference of
the tracks. As reclinable ~eating unit 302 begins to move
forwardly, C-shaped connecting link 514 is rotated in a counter
clockwise manner when viewing Figures 19 and 20. This movement
causes pivot lever 506 to begin moving forwardly and downwardly
relatively to drive rod 376. Concurrently, intermediate bracket
510 pivots at its rear end portion 518, and also at a pivot point
520. Accordingly, rear end portion 518 of the intermediate
bracket 506 pivots slightly downwardly to "tilt" the seat back
of seat assembly 314 downwardly relative to the front of the ~eat
member as seating assembly 314 moves down tracks 316 and 318
toward its forward-tilted position. Thus, tilt linkage
assemblies 504 serve to prevent seat assembly 314 from changing
its orientation appreciably as it is moved from the elevated rear
end portions 336 and 338 of tracks 316 and 318, respectively, to
the lowered front end portions while performing the "tilting"
function of the three-way recliner mechAni~m.
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_ With reference to Figures 21 and 22, add~tional
illustrations of reclinable seat unit 302 can be ~een. In Figure
21, reclinable seat unit 302 is shown with leg rest frame member
154 thereof in a fully retracted position. In Figure 22, it can
be seen that side arm portion 308 of ~eat unit 302 moves
= concurrently outwardly with recliner mechanism 312 as extenAing
action of leg rest member 152 is initiated. The ~travelling side
body" movement of outer arm 308 or "~ide body" of a loveseat or
sofa along with seating assembly 314 as it moves between its
st~n~rd "upright" to its "forward-tilted" positions provides an
aesthetically pleasing and functional appearance that i8
frequently desired in sofas and loveseats. It should be noted
that in such an embodiment, push-button release switch 386 can
be located on moving outer arm 308 80 that there is no relative
movement between push-button release switch 386 and the rest of
recliner assist mechanism 328 as seat assembly 314 and assist
mech~ni-cm 328 move forwardly along tracks 316 and 318.
From Figure 22 it can also be ~een that ~top bracket
378 comes into abutting contact with locator screw 380 to halt
forward extending travel of leg rest frame board 152 at a
predetermined point of travel. It will be appreciated, however,
that -reclinable seat unit 302 could be readily configured to
enable recliner mech~nism 312 to move independently of arm
portion 308, and other frame-like members of the recliner chair
302, if so desired.
The foregoing discussion discloses and describes an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. One skilled in
the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the
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207~917
_ accompanying drawings and claims, that various changes,
modifications and variations can be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined
in the following claims.
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