Abstract: A linkage for use in reclining furniture may include a back bracket supported by forward and rear back pivot links. The bottom of the rear back pivot link may be pivotably coupled to a rear lift link and the bottom of the forward back pivot link may be pivotably coupled to the rear lift link in a different location. A control link may be pivotably coupled on one end to one of the forward back pivot link and the rear back pivot link. The control link may pull the pivoting linkage of the back bracket and the forward and back pivot links as the overall linkage is moved from a closed to a TV to a full-recline position. The resulting pivot point for the back is projected upwardly and forwardly, to a point where an upholstered back and seat meet on a finished chair.

Abstract: A linkage for use in reclining furniture may include a back bracket supported by forward and rear back pivot links. The bottom of the rear back pivot link may be pivotably coupled to a rear lift link and the bottom of the forward back pivot link may be pivotably coupled to the rear lift link in a different location. A control link may be pivotably coupled on one end to one of the forward back pivot link and the rear back pivot link. The control link may pull the pivoting linkage of the back bracket and the forward and back pivot links as the overall linkage is moved from a closed to a TV to a full-recline position. The resulting pivot point for the back is projected upwardly and forwardly, to a point where an upholstered back and seat meet on a finished chair.

Abstract: A linkage for use in reclining furniture may include a back bracket supported by forward and rear back pivot links. The bottom of the rear back pivot link may be pivotably coupled to a rear lift link and the bottom of the forward back pivot link may be pivotably coupled to the rear lift link in a different location. A control link may be pivotably coupled on one end to one of the forward back pivot link and the rear back pivot link. The control link may pull the pivoting linkage of the back bracket and the forward and back pivot links as the overall linkage is moved from a closed to a TV to a full-recline position. The resulting pivot point for the back is projected upwardly and forwardly, to a point where an upholstered back and seat meet on a finished chair.

Abstract: A linkage for use in reclining furniture may include a back bracket supported by forward and rear back pivot links. The bottom of the rear back pivot link may be pivotably coupled to a rear lift link and the bottom of the forward back pivot link may be pivotably coupled to the rear lift link in a different location. A control link may be pivotably coupled on one end to one of the forward back pivot link and the rear back pivot link. The control link may pull the pivoting linkage of the back bracket and the forward and back pivot links as the overall linkage is moved from a closed to a TV to a full-recline position. The resulting pivot point for the back is projected upwardly and forwardly, to a point where an upholstered back and seat meet on a finished chair.

Abstract: A linkage for use in reclining furniture may include a back bracket supported by forward and rear back pivot links. The bottom of the rear back pivot link may be pivotally coupled to a rear lift link and the bottom of the forward back pivot link may be pivotally coupled to the rear lift link in a different location. A control link may be pivotally coupled on one end to one of the forward back pivot link and the rear back pivot link. The control link may pull the pivoting linkage of the back bracket and the forward and back pivot links as the overall linkage is moved from a closed to a TV to a full-recline position. The resulting pivot point for the back is projected upwardly and forwardly, to a point where an upholstered back and seat meet on a finished chair.

Abstract: A linkage mechanism for a reclining seating unit that provides increased back support, reduces shirt pull and decreases minimum wall clearance. The linkage mechanism may include a seat mounting plate indirectly coupled to a back bracket where the back bracket pivots around a projected pivot point located forwardly and upwardly from the back bracket when the seating unit is closed. The linkage mechanism may include an intermediate link pivotally connected to the seat mounting plate and the back bracket, a back pivot link pivotally connected to the back bracket and a rear lift link, the rear lift link pivotally connected to the seat mounting plate, and a control link pivotally connected to the back pivot link and the seat mounting plate. Forward movement of the back bracket relative to the seat mounting plate as the seating unit reclines reduces the wall clearance needed behind the seating unit below 4.5 inches.

Abstract: A quick-exit assembly for reclining furniture, including motorized versions, is provided. An exemplary quick-exit assembly may include a linkage assembly configured to move between a first position and a second position. A drive mechanism may be coupled to the linkage assembly, and may be configured to move the linkage assembly between the first position and the second position using an actuator, and also, allow movement of the linkage assembly between the first position and the second position using manual force with reduced restriction from the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A linkage for use in reclining furniture may include a back bracket supported by forward and rear back pivot links. The bottom of the rear back pivot link may be pivotally coupled to a rear lift link and the bottom of the forward back pivot link may be pivotally coupled to the rear lift link in a different location. A control link may be pivotally coupled on one end to one of the forward back pivot link and the rear back pivot link. The control link may pull the pivoting linkage of the back bracket and the forward and back pivot links as the overall linkage is moved from a closed to a TV to a full-recline position. The resulting pivot point for the back is projected upwardly and forwardly, to a point where an upholstered back and seat meet on a finished chair.

Abstract: A linkage mechanism for a reclining seating unit that provides increased back support, reduces shirt pull and decreases minimum wall clearance. The linkage mechanism may include a seat mounting plate indirectly coupled to a back bracket where the back bracket pivots around a projected pivot point located forwardly and upwardly from the back bracket when the seating unit is closed. The linkage mechanism may include an intermediate link pivotally connected to the seat mounting plate and the back bracket, a back pivot link pivotally connected to the back bracket and a rear lift link, the rear lift link pivotally connected to the seat mounting plate, and a control link pivotally connected to the back pivot link and the seat mounting plate. Forward movement of the back bracket relative to the seat mounting plate as the seating unit reclines reduces the wall clearance needed behind the seating unit below 4.5 inches.

Abstract: A quick-exit assembly for reclining furniture, including motorized versions, is provided. An exemplary quick-exit assembly may include a linkage assembly configured to move between a first position and a second position. A drive mechanism may be coupled to the linkage assembly, and may be configured to move the linkage assembly between the first position and the second position using an actuator, and also, allow movement of the linkage assembly between the first position and the second position using manual force with reduced restriction from the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A recliner chair with wall-avoiding action which permits the chair to be placed adjacent a wall without striking the wall when the chair is moved to reclining positions. The wall-avoiding action is achieved through a linkage which suspends the seat and its rigidly incorporated armrests, relative to a fixed base for swinging movement between a normal or generally upright position, and a number of reclining positions where the backrest extends rearwardly at an incline and the seat also extends at an incline. A handle-operated footrest is provided and an actuating and control link is connected between linkage which actuates the footrest and the linkage which mounts the seat to the base so as to move the latter forwardly relative to the base when the footrest is moved to extended position to provide a certain amount of wall-avoiding action. This actuating and control link prevents movement of the backrest relative to the seat when the chair is in normal position or is operated to extend the footrest.

Abstract: Linkage operated recliner chair having a TV position wherein a footrest is projected forwardly by a control handle while the seat and backrest undergoes slight reclining movement relative to a fixed base. However, due to linkage connected between the footrest linkage and the seal linkage, the seat and backrest which is pivotally mounted to the seat, also undergo forward translatory motion during movement of the footrest to extended position. Thus, while the seat and backrest undergo rearward and downward reclining movement, the backrest will not engage an adjacent wall due to the translatory movement. Such action in the trade is known as wall avoiding.Further, and more pronounced, wall avoiding action is achieved by the chair of the present invention when moving to further reclining positions beyond the TV position.

Abstract: A sofa bed including a seat and back pivotally connected to each other and mounted to a stationary base by means of a five-bar linkage located at opposite sides of the sofa bed. In the "bed position," the five-bar linkage is in an open or expanded state with the seat and back extending in coplanar relationship in horizontal plane parallel to and above the base. In the "sofa position," the five-bar linkage is closed or collapsed and the seat extends in a horizontal plane and the back extends in an upright inclined position. To actuate the sofa bed between said positions, the seat is grasped at a forward edge portion and slightly raised which activates a second linkage, namely a four-bar linkage, which actuates and controls the five-bar linkage while permitting it to either open or close depending upon the position of the sofa bed to be achieved.

Abstract: In a recliner chair having a handle operated footrest including footrest mechanisms on opposite sides of the chair, an improved linkage is provided for connecting the handle on one side of the chair with the footrest mechanism on that side of the chair to operate the same and for connecting the handle to the footrest mechanism on the other side of the chair to operate the same through means of a torque tube interconnecting the footrest mechanisms.