Abstract: A modular "bridge" section is disclosed having a seat frame assembly and a detachable seat back assembly supported therefrom. The seat frame assembly and the detachable seat back assembly are upholstered to define an aesthetically-pleasing seat section which can be installed between two seat sections or, alternatively, which can be used as an armless end unit of a modular sectional arrangement. In addition, the detachable seat back assembly has a "flip-down" table and a storage bin incorporated therein wherein a linkage serves to support the flip-down table in both an upright position and an open position.

Abstract: A rocker block for use in a rocking-type chair having a base assembly and an upholstered chair frame. The rocker block is adapted for mounting to a lateral side of the chair frame's lower frame structure and has an arcuate surface engageable with the base assembly for enabling rocking movement of the chair frame relative to the base assembly. The rocker block is a molded plastic component having an alignment arrangement formed thereon for engaging a portion of the lower frame structure. In addition, a first set of apertures are formed in the rocker block for receiving suitable fasteners so as to rigidly secure the plastic rocker block to the lower frame structure. Likewise, a second set of apertures are provided for receiving suitable fasteners to couple a rocker spring mechanism to the plastic rocker block. The plastic rocker block overcomes disadvantages associated with wooden components and provides the requisite rigidity and load-bearing strength to promote enhanced rocking action.

Abstract: An improved latching mechanism for a rocking chair having an extensible leg rest assembly is disclosed. The latching mechanism is operable to releasably lock the chair frame in a rearwardly tilted position upon extension of the leg rest assembly while permitting unrestricted rocking action when the leg rest assembly is protracted. The improved latching mechanism is a pawl and ratchet latching mechanism having a spring-biased pawl member operable to lockingly engage a toothed ratchet sector for retaining the chair frame in its rearwardly tilted position. A unique actuation arrangement is disclosed having a release member that functions to pull the spring-biased pawl member to a released position. The actuation arrangement is also operable to prevent the release member from exerting any compressive biasing loading on the pawl member when the pawl member is in locked engagement with the ratchet teeth.

Abstract: A modular wall proximity reclining/tilt chair and method for assembling it are disclosed. The modular wall proximity reclining/tilt chair includes a simplified actuation mechanism which significantly reduces system complexity and weight while providing improved comfort to the seat occupant. The construction is such that the pre-assembled actuation mechanism is integrally suspended from and interdependent with box-like modular frame components. In this manner, the frame components can be upholstered prior to final assembly with the actuation mechanism.

Abstract: A power-assisted chair is disclosed having a linear actuation drive mechanism. A cam member is linearly moveable upon rotation of a power screw for selectively actuating a lift and tilt mechanism for causing forward lifting and tilting movement of the chair when the motor is operated in a first direction. Rotation of the screw shaft in a second opposite direction acts to lower the chair to the normal seating position. Continued rotation in the second direction causes sequential operative extension of a leg rest assembly followed by angular reclining movement of the chair. This sequential operation of the leg rest assembly and the reclining linkage are independent and may be easily disabled to selectively eliminate either of the features. In addition, an adjustment mechanism is provided for permitting the extended position of the leg rest assembly to be easily and simply adjusted.

Abstract: A modular reclining chair and method for assembling it are disclosed. The modular reclining chair includes a simplified actuation mechanism which significantly reduces system complexity and weight while providing improved comfort to the seat occupant. The construction is such that the pre-assembled actuation mechanism is integrally suspended from and interdependent with box-like modular frame components. In this manner, the frame components can be upholstered prior to final assembly with the actuation mechanism.

Abstract: A reclining modular seating section having a recliner assist apparatus for initiating reclining movement of the seating section and extending movement of a leg rest assembly thereof. The release assist apparatus includes an insert member fixedly secured to a drive rod of a recliner mechanism of the seating unit. A drive bracket is fixedly secured to the insert member and pivotally coupled to a L-shaped coupling bracket. The L-shaped coupling bracket is in turn coupled to a biasing spring which exerts a tensioning force to drive the drive bracket and drive rod, to thereby cause the seating section to assume a reclined position with its leg rest member in an extended position when the drive bracket reaches an over center position. A release assist bracket is disposed coaxially about the insert member and has an end thereof coupled to a handle member which is graspable by an occupant of the seating unit.

Abstract: A modular reclining/tilt chair and method for assembling it are disclosed. The modular reclining/tilt chair includes a simplified actuation mechanism which significantly reduces system complexity and weight while providing improved comfort to the seat occupant. The construction is such that the pre-assembled actuation mechanism is integrally suspended from and interdependent with box-like modular frame components. In this manner, the frame components can be upholstered prior to final assembly with the actuation mechanism.

Abstract: A detachable manual actuation handle for a recliner chair having a square-shaped drive rod. The handle comprises a metal insert having a star-shaped bore for receiving the free end of the drive rod in a plurality of alternate angular orientations. The star-shaped bore is configured such that a locking means, in the form of a threaded bore and set screw that are perpendicular to the star-shaped bore, is adapted to provide, at an acute angle, a locking force against the flat surface of the drive rod to retain the handle thereon.

Abstract: A recliner mechanism incorporating a push-button assist apparatus for initiating movement of a leg rest assembly from a retracted position to an extended position. A pair of C-shaped toggle links are fixedly coupled to a drive rod and each include coil springs, the coil springs further being coupled to an adjustable tensioning mechanism to enable the tension of both coil springs to be adjusted. A pair of tracks are provided for enabling a portion of the recliner mechanism to move forwardly upon actuation of the push-button assist apparatus. An adjustable stop bracket is provided for limiting the forward travel of the recliner mechanism along the tracks to thereby adjustably control the height and inclination angle of the leg rest member.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for securing a plurality of independent seating sections together to form a modular sofa assembly. Each of the independent seating sections has lower front and rear end portions which include front and rear cross bars, respectively. A first elongated frame rail secures to each of the rear cross bars when the independent seating sections are placed closely adjacent each other in a side-by-side configuration. A second elongated frame rail similarly attaches to the front cross bars of each chair seating section when the seating section are positioned closely adjacent each other in a side-by-side configuration. The first and second elongated frame rails are removably secured to the cross bars preferably via threaded screws and can therefore be attached quickly and easily if the sofa is to be disassembled and moved.

Abstract: A modular reclining/tilt chair and method for assembling it are disclosed. The modular reclining/tilt chair includes a simplified actuation mechanism which significantly reduces system complexity and weight while providing improved comfort to the seat occupant. The construction is such that the pre-assembled actuation mechanism is integrally suspended from and interdependent with box-like modular frame components. In this manner, the frame components can be upholstered prior to final assembly with the actuation mechanism.

Abstract: A "two-way" recliner mechanism for use in articles of furniture is disclosed. The two-way recliner mechanism provides operative first and second linkages for tilting the seat assembly relative to a stationary chair frame and for extending and retracting a leg rest assembly, respectively. The first linkage mechanism is a toggle-lock mechanism operable for holding the seat assembly in the upright position and the second linkage is an over-center toggle mechanism operable for actuating the leg rest assembly. The first and second linkages are activated by a short-stroke actuator handle concealed in the upholstery of the chair, sofa or loveseat which may be easily operated by the seat occupant.

Abstract: The chair of the present invention includes a power-assisted linear actuation drive mechanism having a modified nut or "cam guide" which is linearly moveable upon rotation of the power screw for selectively actuating the lift and tilt linkage mechanism for causing forward lifting and tilting movement of the chair when the motor is operated in a first direction. Rotation of the screw shaft in a second opposite direction acts to lower the chair to the normal seating position. Continued rotation in the second direction causes sequential operative extension of the leg rest assembly followed by angular reclining movement of the chair. This sequential operation of the leg rest assembly and the reclining linkage are independent and may be easily disabled to selectively eliminate either of the features.

Abstract: An improved locking mechanism for detachably securing a seat back to a chair frame is disclosed. The improved locking mechanism includes a pair of side brackets secured to opposite sides of the seat back. Linkage supported from the chair frame are provided for receiving the slide brackets thereon for supporting the seat back on the chair frame in a predetermined orientation relative to the seat member. A moveable locking arm is supported from the slide brackets and includes an offset arcuate cam surface which is adapted to engage an arcuate notch formed on the linkage when the locking arm is moved to a locked position. The mating engagement of the arcuate offset cam surface within the arcuate notch generates a line-of-contact therebetween which inhibits relative movement between the slide brackets and the upstanding links for rigidly securing seat member to the chair frame.

Abstract: An adjustable rocker spring apparatus for adjustably positioning a rocker block of a rocking chair relative to a stationary base of the chair. The apparatus generally comprises an L-shaped upper bracket and an L-shaped lower bracket each having forward, central and rearward portions. Each such forward, central and rearward portion include a plurality of apertures therein. A pair of independent coil springs are disposed between portions of the upper and lower brackets and secured thereto by tabs. The independent coil springs are alignably maintained and positioned by slot openings in lip portions of each of the L-shaped upper and lower brackets. The plurality of independent apertures in each of the forward, central and rearward portions of the upper and lower brackets enable the apparatus to be adjustably secured with conventional fasteners to a rocker block and stationary base of a rocking chair.

Abstract: A chaise lounge recliner chair which incorporates an intermediate leg support member for providing support to the thighs and areas behind the knees of the legs of an occupant of the chair. The intermediate leg support member is connected to a portion of the seat of the recliner chair and a portion of the leg rest member of the chair. When the leg rest member is in an extended position the intermediate leg support member provides a normal slightly convex support surface. As the seat back of the chair is reclined, it causes the seat member to be extended outwardly which causes the intermediate leg support member to assume a pronounced convex surface. A plurality of elastic straps are further included and disposed between the seat and leg rest members to prevent the intermediate leg rest member from crowning downwardly relative to the chair frame when the leg rest member is in its extended position.

Abstract: A "three-way" recliner mechanism for use in a sofa or loveseat type of article of furniture is disclosed. The present invention is a "zero wall proximity" recliner mechanism which is fully reclinable within the confines of its stationary frame assembly. The recliner mechanism provides operative linkages for "tilting" the seat unit, "reclining" the seat back relative to the seat frame and for extending and retracting a leg rest assembly. The present recliner mechanism has a short stroke drive assembly having an actuator lever, concealed in the upholstery of the sofa or loveseat, which may be easily operated by the seat occupant to concurrently operate the leg rest assembly and generate "tilting" movement of the reclinable seat unit.

Abstract: A "three-way" recliner mechanism for use in reclinable articles of furniture is disclosed. The recliner mechanism is operative for "tilting" the entire seating unit, "reclining" the seat back relative to the seat frame and for selectively extending and retracting a leg rest assembly. The recliner mechanism of the present invention incorporates separate bearing link assemblies for directly supporting the chair frame for translation movement relative to the base.

Abstract: A retro-fittable, controllably extendable leg rest apparatus for positioning an attached recliner chair leg rest member in retracted or forwardly extended positions. The apparatus includes an elongated frame bracket which may be retro-fittably secured to most conventional scissor linkage assemblies of various recliners. A mounting bracket is included having a first bracket portion secured to the leg rest member, and a second bracket portion having an elongated channel. A plurality of rivets extend through the elongated channel to secure the mounting bracket to the elongated frame bracket. The shanks of the rivets provide guide members upon which the elongated channel of the mounting bracket may slide. A spring is coupled in between a shoulder portion of the mounting bracket and the elongated frame bracket to bias the mounting bracket in a normally retracted position.