Abstract: A seat back reclining mechanism for use in recliner and non-reclining chairs for selective movement of the seat back portion relative to and independently of the seat portion between a sitting position of the seat back portion and a reclined position of the seat back portion.

Abstract: A wall-avoiding recliner chair has a chair base, a seat and a linkage structure mounting the seat on the base to move between sitting, TV and fully extended positions. The linkage structure utilizes a carrier element in conjunction with a first linkage arrangement mounting the seat on the carrier element and a second linkage arrangement mounting the carrier element on the base. The first linkage arrangement is pivotable with respect to the carrier element to move the seat from the sitting position to the TV position substantially without movement of the carrier element and the second linkage element relative to the base. The second linkage arrangement is pivotable with respect to the base when in the TV position to move the carrier element, the seat and the first linkage arrangement from the TV position to the fully extended position substantially without movement of the carrier element and the first linkage arrangement relative to the seat.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively disabling rocking the swiveling movement of a rocker-swivel assembly includes a pivoting member coupled to the top plate of the rocker unit and movable into engagement with the swivel base plate to prevent rocking and swiveling movement. A linkage assembly connecting a rod rotatable by the chair user and the pivoting member provides for actuating of the pivoting member into and out of such engagement. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a threaded stem which selectively engages the top and bottom plates of the rocker unit and the swivel base plate.

Abstract: A safety platform arrangement for use in virtually any footrest or recliner type chair provides a safety platform pivotably attached to the footrest and supported horizontally by a transverse support rod mounted to the linkage mechanism of the chair or directly to the seat thereof to close the space which otherwise would exist between the footrest and the seat in any footrest or reclining positions of the chair. The platform prevents persons or objects from becoming entrapped and damaged or injured upon accidental or unintended closing movement of the footrest.

Abstract: A headrest arrangement to be mounted on a backrest of a chair, especially a wall-proximity reclining chair, includes a support consisting of two support members which are articulately connected to one another, and a kinematic linkage which mounts the support on the backrest for movement between a retracted and an extended position. The headrest arrangement further includes a cushion member which is affixed to the upper one of the support members, and a connecting link which connects the upper support member to the kinematic linkage and causes the upper support member to conduct angular movement relative to the lower support member which is mounted on the kinematic linkage, during and in dependence on the movement of the kinematic linkage. In the retracted position, the support members form continuations of one another and extend across the open end of a recess in the backrest which accommodates the cushion member and the kinematic linkage.

Abstract: A trigger handle assembly for a reclining chair which is movable between an end-limiting upright position to an end-limiting fully-reclined position. The handle assembly is operative for affirmatively forwardly driving the linkage system for the chair only as the latter is moved from its initial upright position to an intermediate chair position which is between the two end-limiting chair positions. The body weight of a seated user is then utilized to move the chair from the intermediate chair position to the fully-reclined position without the aid of the handle assembly. The handle assembly disengages from the linkage system when the chair reaches the intermediate position. A handle for the handle assembly is freely returnable by gravity to its initial position.