Abstract: A rocker-recliner chair including a base, rocker cams mounted on the base, a unitary seat and armrest assembly mounted on the rocker cams by a novel linkage system for movement between a closed or generally upright position with the associated footrest closed, a TV position wherein the footrest has been extended and the seat inclined relative to the rocker cam, and any one of a number of advanced reclining positions where the footrest remains extended and the backrest has moved relative to the seat while the seat has moved relative to the rocker cam. When the chair is in the TV or any advanced reclining position, a "rock-blocking" mechanism prevents forward-rearward rocking of the cams relative to the base, however, the cams are permitted to rock rearwardly to permit movement of the seat into advanced reclining positions. In the preferred embodiment, actuation of the footrest to the TV position is initiated by means of a handle positioned on one side of the chair.

Abstract: A trigger release mechanism is provided for a reclining chair especially of the type which is locked in a normal or closed position but which will automatically move into a reclining TV position upon release of a lock mechanism. The trigger release mechanism includes a small lever or trigger mounted on one side of the chair to be conveniently engaged by the chair occupant. A connecting member such as a cable depends from the trigger and is connected to the lock mechanism to actuate it to permit the chair to move to the TV position wherein the footrest is extended.

Abstract: A three-way, wall-avoiding, recliner chair having an improved actuation system which minimizes the effort and attention required of the chair occupant to actuate the chair to reclining position from the normal generally upright position of the chair. The improved actuation system is achieved by a novel seat linkage mechanism mounting the seat and backrest to a fixed base such that when the occupant sits in the chair when the chair is in the normal generally upright position with the footrest closed, the seat linkage mechanism is urged by the occupant's weight to extend the footrest while moving the seat and backrest forwardly relative to the base into the TV position. However, a releasable lock mechanism is provided to restrain the seat linkage mechanism from moving to the TV position as aforementioned.

Abstract: A recliner chair having a seat and backrest rigidly interconnected to move as a unit and being mounted on a stationary frame for movement into reclining positions by the chair occupant pulling-off the armrests which are included as part of the stationary frame. The footrest mechanism is actuated to extended position when the seat and backrest unit is moved into reclining position by means of the linkage mechanisms which mount the seat and backrest unit to the main frame; the latter being effected through a drive transmission linkage interconnecting the footrest mechanism with the mounting mechanism of the seat and backrest unit. The footrest mechanism provides dual footrest or leg supports which are positioned generally in vertical planes one behind the other at the front of the chair when in the retracted position.

Abstract: A three-way, wall-avoiding, reclining chair having an improved actuation system which minimizes the effort and attention required of the chair occupant to actuate the chair to reclining position from the normal generally upright position of the chair. The improved actuation system is achieved by a novel seat linkage mechanism mounting the seat and backrest to a fixed base such that when the occupant sits in the chair when the chair is in the normal generally upright position with the footrest closed, the seat linkage mechanism is urged by the occupant's weight to extend the footrest while moving the seat and backrest forwardly relative to the base into the TV position. However, a releasable lock mechanism is provided to restrain the seat linkage mechanism from moving to the TV position as aforementioned.

Abstract: A three-way, wall-avoiding, reclining chair having an improved actuation system which minimizes the effort and attention required of the chair occupant to actuate the chair to reclining position from the normal generally upright position of the chair. The improved actuation system is achieved by a novel seat linkage mechanism mounting the seat and backrest to a fixed base such that when the occupant sits in the chair when the chair is in the normal generally upright position with the footrest closed, the seat linkage mechanism is urged by the occupant's weight to extend the footrest while moving the seat and backrest forwardly relative to the base into the TV position. However, a releasable lock mechanism is provided to restrain the seat linkage mechanism from moving to the TV position as aforementiond.

Abstract: A three-way, handle-operated, wall-avoiding, recliner chair with dual footrests. From closed position, the chair is operated to TV position by means of a handle connected to the footrest mechanism. The handle is also connected to a rear seat mounting link to move the seat forwardly to the base during which time a restraining mechanism prevents the backrest from moving relative to the seat. Once in the TV position, the restraining mechanism is no longer effective, and the occupant may exert pressure on the backrest to recline the seat further relative to the base while also moving the backrest forwardly relative to the seat as well as the base to avoid striking any nearby wall. Novel linkage mechanisms are provided for carrying out the above, and a spring mechanism is provided to lock the footrest closed against inadvertent actuation such as when the chair is being relocated and is being pulled by its armrests.

Abstract: A three-way, handle-operated, rocker-recliner chair includes a base, a rocker frame mounted on the base, a carrier link pivotally mounted on the rocker frame, a seat and armrest unit pivotally mounted on the carrier link through a linkage which includes a backrest link fixed to the backrest, a footrest linkage mounted to the seat and armrest unit and actuated by a manual control handle. When moving from upright to TV position where the footrest is extended, a sequencing linkage prevents relative movement between the seat and backrest and the carrier link during an initial phase of such movement but later permits the seat and backrest to be moved into various advanced reclining positions when the occupant exerts pressure on the backrest which fulcrums about the carrier link. Because of chair styling and leverage requirements, the seat has a seat link with an upwardly projecting V-shaped rear portion which is pivotally connected to the backrest link.

Abstract: A wall-avoiding recliner chair wherein the seat and backrest move as a unit forwardly to a TV reclined position during which time the footrest is projected to extended position, and subsequently the seat and backrest may be moved relative to each other into advanced reclining positions with the footrest remaining extended. The chair is driven into TV position by the occupant moving the armrest forwardly while exerting pressure on the backrest. Subsequently, the chair is placed into advanced reclining positions by exerting pressure on the backrest. A carrier link is employed to suspend the seat therefrom while the carrier link is pivotally mounted to a fixed base by mounting links. The latter are actuated forwardly relative to the base by connection to the armrests. A sequencing linkage is utilized to prevent the backrest from pivoting relative to the seat until the TV position is reached.

Abstract: A handle-operated recliner chair has a seat mounting linkage consisting of two mounting links mounting the seat directly to a stationary base for movement between normal and reclining positions. A footrest is mounted to the front of the seat by a footrest linkage which is extended and retracted through means of a handle mounted relative to the seat to rotate a torque tube which is connected to the footrest linkage to operate the same. One of the links of the footrest linkage is directly connected to the front mounting link of the seat such that extension of the footrest will cause the seat mounting links to pivot forwardly to not only place the seat in an inclined position but also, to move the seat forwardly relative to the base to provide wall-avoiding action which comes in to play when the backrest is reclined to avoid striking a nearby wall with the backrest.

Abstract: A handle-operated, wall-avoiding, recliner chair having a headrest which during normal or upright position of the chair is concealed behind the backrest but which is extended upon movement of the chair to TV position or to reclining positions to support the head and upper regions of the back of the chair occupant. The chair is moved into TV position, that is, with the footrest extended, by means of a handle mounted on the side of the chair. The headrest is mounted to the backrest by a linkage which is actuated to extend or retract the headrest by means of a headrest actuating linkage connected to the handle to be driven thereby when the chair is moved to the TV position. The headrest mounting linkage is also actuated when the chair is moved to advanced reclining positions, beyond TV position, to further position the headrest in harmony with the advanced reclining position of the chair.

Abstract: A two-way wall-avoiding recliner chair including a seat and a backrest rigidly interconnected to move together as a unit relative to a fixed base to which the seat is mounted by a linkage for movement between a normal position in which the backrest is generally upright and a first reclining position in which the seat has been advanced forwardly relative to the base. A footrest is in retracted position at the front of the seat when the latter is in the normal position and is in extended position forwardly of the seat when the seat is placed into the first reclining position known as TV position. From the TV position, the seat and backrest unit may be moved into further reclined positions, including a fully reclined position with the footrest remaining extended but slightly adjusted downwardly for reclining comfort.