Abstract: A brake assembly to selectively allow or restrict a pivotal movement of a seat frame relative to a base frame in a reclining chair assembly is disclosed. Reclining chair assemblies applicable to the present invention have a back support member and a seat support member of the seat frame which are positionally fixed during usage of the reclining chair assembly. The seat frame moves relative to the base frame at a pivotal axis common to the base frame and the seat frame. The brake assembly attaches to the seat frame and the base frame to provide for control over the pivotal movement therebetween. In a preferred embodiment opposing arm rests of the reclining chair assembly are positionally fixed relative to the base frame. A first embodiment of the brake assembly relies upon an anchoring of positional orientations of an anchor point relative to a pivotal point.