Abstract: Chair comprising an underframe, a back being pivotally connected to the underframe, a seat being pivotally connected to the back, the seat at its front edge also being pivotally connected to a foot rest which by a guide is so connected to the underframe that the angle which the foot rest forms with the seat varies with displacement of the seat. The control consist of sliding device being pivotally connected to the underframe and spring which impart a force impacting in the longitudinal direction to the sliding device in dependence on the position of the chair.

Abstract: A recliner chair assembly with a vertical lift that raises the seat back that in turn tilts the seat. The lower end of the back is tracked to cause the back to recline and also to shift the seat horizontally and vertically. Horizontal movement of the seat causes movement relative to the chair arms and ottoman extension and retraction.

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 double-shift carriage mechanism for supporting the seat, backrest, footrest and legrest of a full recline incliner chair includes mirror image right and left support assemblies connected by a torque tube, each support assembly including an incline frame subassembly, an extendable footrest-legrest subassembly, a toggle drive subassembly, and a recline frame subassembly, the incline frame subassembly shifting from a retracted to an extended condition to convert the chair from an upright to an inclined state and the recline frame subassembly then shifting from a retracted to an extended condition, thus moving the incline frame subassembly along a substantially straight line and converting the chair from an inclined to fully reclined state.

Abstract: Each of the left and right support assemblies for a shiftable carriage mechanism for an incliner chair includes a toggle drive subassembly that includes an upper toggle link which is pivotally connected to a mounting rail of a frame subassembly, a lower toggle link which is pivotally connected to a base member of the frame subassembly and a drive spring which is connected to the upper toggle link. The drive spring operates to position the toggle links in a locked condition when the support assembly is retracted and to drive the support assembly into an extended condition when the toggle links are manually rotated to an unlocked condition.

Abstract: An incliner chair has a back and seat unit mounted on a base by way of slanted tracks and wheels at the rear and swing links at the front so that the unit can move by gravity from a rear upright position to a front recline position. Positioning linkage means for holding the unit in the upright and recline positions is provided and this may be activated by a short stroke handle concealed between the side of the unit and the base. A leg rest assembly is connected to the unit to move with it and provide a means to return the unit from the recline position to the upright position.

Abstract: A reclining armchair having a seat articulated to a reclining chairback. The chairback is provided with a lower extension interlinked to a foot rest and articulated to the seat. An adjustable head support is assembled over the chairback. The seat (10) and the chairback (20) are articulated to the chassis (50) by pairs of lateral rods (11, 12). The lower end of the head support (40) is articulated to the chassis (50) and to the seat/chairback articulation point by erection rods (42) and erection arms (43) respectively. Movement of the armchair is controlled by a command lever (60) articulated to one lateral column of the chassis (50) and interlinked to the lower end of the chairback (20).

Abstract: An extensible legrest mechanism for a seating unit includes a movable legrest assembly mounted on a stationary support assembly. The legrest assembly has a pair of longitudinally movable struts which support a transverse leg-supporting member. The support assembly supports the struts in a cantilevered manner for longitudinal movement.The legrest assembly is biased toward its extended position by a spring, a reel, and a flexible member which is wound on the reel and is connected to one of the assemblies. A brake is mounted on the support assembly and has brake shoes which are engageable with the struts and are conformable to the struts to exclude air and to provide intimate physical contact which prevents longitudinal strut movement. The brakes are operated by a pair of brake levers which are biased to positions where the shoes engage the struts, and the levers are manually operated to oppose the bias and retract the brake shoes from the struts.

Abstract: An invalid wheelchair/litter having improvements in the areas of a cushioning cylinder that softens the lowering motion from the litter configuration to the chair configuration to protect the patient, providing removable upholstery which permits use of slip covers and quick and easy cleaning of the apparatus, improved foot rest structure having numerous advantageous features, and a toilet seat variation to permit the user to perform bodily functions while seated in the invention apparatus.

Abstract: Convertible chair of the kind consisting in a seat, a back and a foot-rest, each mobile with respect to the other and all together, characterized in that in a fixed base that assures the stability of the chair on the ground, is lodged a sole jack and all of the connecting rods that control the tilting of the seat itself, of its back and of the foot-rest, and the operation of the piston of this sole jack controls a main lever that sequentially exerts its action to tilt the back, then, either separately or simultaneously, to tilt the seat, and then, either separately or simultaneously, to tilt the foot-rest; this moving of the main lever itself results from direct contact or through the intermediary of secondary levers, with stops activating the moving of levers, each interdependent on the respective rotating axles of the three parts of the chair, in one direction or the other.

Abstract: A motor driven recliner chair in which a power transfer or drive tube is rigidly connected to the linkage actuating arms and operationally connected to the power screw of the motor by a nut threaded on the screw and slidably but non-rotatably positioned in the drive tube. A spring-biased latching member is pivotally mounted on the drive tube and captively retains the nut in the power screw-engaged position. The latching member may be withdrawn by the chair occupant whereupon the power drive is effectively disengaged and the chair may be manually operated to quickly return to the upright position.

Abstract: An invalid wheelchair/litter having improvements in the areas of a cushioning cylinder that softens the lowering motion from the chair configuration to the litter cnfiguration to protect the patient, providing removeable upholstery which permits use of slip covers and quick and easy cleaning of the apparatus, and improved foot rest structure having numerous advantageous features.

Abstract: An invalid wheelchair/litter having improvements in the areas of a cushioning cylinder that softens the lowering motion from the chair configuration to the litter configuration to protect the patient, providing removeable upholstery which permits use of slip covers and quick and easy cleaning of the apparatus, and improved foot rest structure having numerous advantageous features.

Abstract: A rocking chair whose rocking action is achieved solely through a linkage mechanism rather than rocking cams conventionally employed. In one embodiment, the chair includes upholstered seat, backrest and armrests which are united in a one-piece structure mounted on a fixed base by means of the linkage mechanism. In the preferred embodiment, the base is provided with a swivel enabling the chair to swivel about a vertical axis. The linkage mechanism allows it to be mounted within the seat frame into a compact space which permits low seat styling and yet, the linkage mechanism is concealed and still functions to provide stable rocking as well as gliding action. In another embodiment, the chair is provided with a footrest and the seat is moveable relative to the swivel into a reclining position when the footrest is extended. Additionally, the backrest may be either fixed to the seat in the manner of a "one-way" recliner or moveable relative to the seat as in a "three-way" recliner chair.

Abstract: An improved footrest extension and retraction mechanism for reclining chairs is disclosed having a footrest which follows the natural movement of an occupant's leg when moving between various chair positions. The footrest mechanism utilizes a pair of spaced substantially parallel glide bars carrying a footrest bracket which are each suspended for arcuate movement by a pair of pivoted suspension links. The glide bars and suspension links are driven in tandem through the use of a handle rotated drive bar extending across the chair frame. Rotation of the drive bar drives pairs of drive and connector links which in turn cause swinging movement of the suspension links and glide bars. A footrest bracket control rod is also disclosed which operates in conjunction with movement of a suspension link to change the orientation of the footrest bracket relative to the glide bars. The linkage arrangement disclosed serves to hold the footrest mechanism in either an extended or retracted position.

Abstract: A push-button actuator mechanism for actuating a control link of a carriage mechanism in a reclining chair so as to cause the chair to be repositioned from an upright positioning to a reclining positioning includes an actuator arm which is spring biased to move a drive arm that is connected to the control link, and a pivotally mounted hawkbill latch arm which has a curved lip at one of its ends that is capable of controlling the movement of the actuator arm and a manually operable push button at its opposite end that extends outwardly through the material forming the outer lateral side of one of the chair's sides.

Abstract: A transverse motion linkage for a patient support has a four-bar linkage connecting the seat of the support and the base for forward transverse motion upon simultaneous reclining of the backrest and lifting of the leg rest through action of a three-bar, motion-imparting linkage.

Abstract: A seat for a baby's push chair, which can be removed from a wheeled support structure of the push chair and used separately if desired. The seat comprises a support surface with two upstanding side panels, an adjustable rake backrest and an adjustable foot rest. The back rest and foot rest are interlinked by a parallelogram linkage which automatically changes the foot rest inclination when the back rest is adjusted. This linkage abuts the foot rest but is not pivotally attached to it thus premitting the foot rest to be folded right up to a collapsed configuration, and also allows a wide range of adjustment of inclination of the foot rest to be effected.

Abstract: A convertible chair which is adjustable between sitting and reclining positions features a support frame, a seat and a backrest in which the seat and backrest are tiltably mounted so that their relative inclinations can be adjusted to define the afore-mentioned sitting and reclining positions and also a series of intermediate positions. The adjustment mechanism is defined by a support element with a curved support surface which forms a support for the seat and which is pivotably mounted to the support frame at a distance from the pivot axis of the seat and a control linkage which extends between the backrest, or an extension thereof, and the support element so that on changing the inclination of the backrest the support element rotates about its pivot mount and adjusts the vertical height of the point of support of the seat.

Abstract: In a motorized reclining chair including a chair frame having arms the improvement comprising the unique mounting of a movable back and seat portion, an ottoman and a headrest thereon, whereby totally independent adjustment of those elements may be accomplished within predetermined limits by the user. Movement of the elements of the improved reclining chair is accomplished by selectively actuating any combination of three electric motors provided for this purpose. By virtue of this construction the user of the chair may repose in any of a great variety of positions varying from a substantially erect, seated position to a fully reclined, substantially supine position.

Abstract: A chair has a chair body pivoted on a carriage and a reclining back on the chair body operates linkage to move the carriage on a base and to tilt the chair body with respect to the carriage. A hand lever operates a leg rest mounted on the chair body and, at the same time, operates through linkage to tilt the chair body on the carriage.

Abstract: A reclining chair in which the backrest and seat are reclined, and the retractable footrest is extended, by the descent of the seat from the normal sitting position under the weight of the occupant and at the occupant's election, and in which all parts are restored to the sitting position by the occupant's forcible retraction of the footrest by flexing his knees.

Abstract: A spring-assisted trigger handle assembly for a three-way, wall-proximity reclining chair which is movable from an end-limiting upright position, to a TV position, and then 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. A tensioned spring assists the handle assembly in forwardly driving the linkage system once the handle assembly has moved the chair to the general vicinity of the intermediate chair position. The body weight of a seated user is thereupon conveniently utilized to assist the spring at the end of its operation to move the chair to the TV position. The tensioned spring secures the chair in the upright position in an over-center locked condition until the handle assembly causes the spring to suddenly release its stored energy.

Abstract: A combined chair and bed which can be utilized selectively as a chair and a bed comprises a frame assembly, a seat assembly including a back rest, a leg support and a seat hinged at one side edge to the back rest and at the opposite side edge to the leg support, and at least one link mechanism operable to set the combined chair and bed in selective one of chair and bed modes. While the seat assembly is mounted on the frame assembly through the link mechanism, the link mechanism comprises a fulcrum about which the back rest pivots accompanied by an angular movement of the hinge between the back rest and the seat about the same fulcrum, thereby shifting the seat selectively upwardly and downwardly depending upon the direction of the pivotal movement of the back rest and a pair of links which, when the back rest is moved to the laid-down position, are erected to support the seat in flush with any one of the back rest and the leg support.

Abstract: A leg rest operating mechanism for a recliner chair is disclosed in which the leg rest and the leg rest actuating means are mounted on the movable chair seat. A manually operable drive means is mounted on the chair frame and a linkage type lost motion means connects the drive means and the actuating means. The lost motion means permits the seat and leg rest to move relative to the chair frame and drive means without affecting the ability of the drive means and actuating means to extend or retract the leg rest.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reclining chair which moves forward on its base coincidentally with the extension of the self-contained retractable footrest to provide clearance behind the chair for the unobstructed recline of the backrest of the chair.The forward movement of the footrest and of the chair as a whole is self-propelled by energy previously stored in the mechanism by the occupant's retraction of the footrest by flexing the knees.

Abstract: A dental unit capable of positioning dental instruments at a location convenient to either a seated or standing dentist. The unit has the instrument holder mounted on a four-bar linkage for swinging the holder from a relatively low stored position to an in-use position. At a low point of the swing, the dental instruments are at a relatively low position and convenient to a seated dentist. The four-bar linkage is arranged so that at a higher point in the swing, the instrument holder is thrust to a relatively high position as may be convenient to a standing dentist.

Abstract: A rocker reclining chair has a base, a rocking frame mounted on the base for rocking movement, a seat frame suspended by linkage from the rocking frame for movement between a lower position and a forwardly raised position, a backrest connected by linkage to the seat frame to pivot relative thereto between normal upright and reclined position, the backrest linkage serving to actuate the seat frame to swing the seat frame upwardly and forwardly when the backrest is moved into reclining positions, and a footrest with the linkage mounting it to the seat frame to be operable by a handle between a retracted position and an extended position. A locking mechanism is provided between the base and the rocking frame and is operative to lock the rocking frame in one of a variety of positions within the limits of the rocking travel when the footrest is not fully retracted.

Abstract: A reclining chair adapted to be positioned in close adjacency to a wall, the chair having a frame and a body supporting unit which is movable relative to the frame between an upright sitting position and a variety of reclining positions. The frame is supported on ground engaging rollers and on rocker feet, the latter being connected by linkage arrangements to the body support unit. When the occupant moves the body supporting unit to reclining position both the chair frame and body supporting unit are caused to be moved away from the wall so that no part of the chair is in physical contact with the wall. Substantially 40% of the movement away from or toward the wall is effected by the body supporting unit and substantially 60% of the movement is effected by the frame. Upon movement to upright position the chair frame and body supporting unit return to the original position in close adjacency to the wall.

Abstract: The reclining chair disclosed is provided with a sequencing lock mechanism which prevents recline of the body support until the footrest is extended, and prevents retraction of the footrest until the body support is righted. Control is effected by a compound slot which confines a pin movable in two separate modes by the footrest and by the body support to two distinct paths corresponding to footrest and body support movement.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a mechanical interlock latch for action chairs such, for example, as reclining chairs, which prevents movement of the chair out of upright sitting position if the chair is not occupied.

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.

Abstract: A rockable against-the-wall type reclining chair includes a chair frame rockably mounted upon a carriage which is rollably supported on tracks mounted in a forwardly downward incline upon a stationary base. The chair seat, back, and foot rest are in turn supported on the chair frame by a reclining linkage. The carriage is normally retained at a rearward against-the-wall position upon the base by releasable latch means coupled between the base and a linkage supported element of the assembly to be released in response to a slight reclining movement initiated by the occupant of the chair. When the latch is released, the chair carriage rolls gravitationally away from the wall to a position where rocking and reclining can occur. A chair frame return spring system is operable to apply a relatively light biasing action against the advancing movement of the carriage toward the away-from-the-wall position.

Abstract: A rockable against-the-wall type reclining chair in which the rocking and reclining elements of the chair are mounted upon a carriage gravitationally maintained at either of a forward or rearward end limit of movement upon a carriage supporting track assembly pivotally mounted upon a stationary base. Rocking or reclining of the chair elements may take place at the option of an occupant of the chair when the carriage is at its forward end limit of movement, at which time rocking or reclining movement of the chair back will clear any wall surface which may be located closely adjacent the rear of the base. The carriage is automatically returned to its rearward limit when the occupant arises from the chair, and upon return of the carriage to its rearward limit, the chair elements are automatically latched against reclining or rearward rocking movement.

Abstract: A reclining chair is provided with a shiftable chair chassis which travels from a rearward, upright sitting position along a supporting base to a forward position from which the chair may be reclined without striking the wall behind the chair. The chair chassis is normally locked against recline from its rearward, upright sitting position but may be released by the extension of the footrest, which also unlocks the chair chassis for forward travel. Preferably, the chair chassis is mounted upon a downwardly and forwardly inclined track on the chair base so that the weight of the seated occupant is sufficient to shift the chair chassis forwardly on the base upon release of the lock, while counterbalancing means actuated by the forward movement of the chair chassis returns the chair to its rearward position when the occupant rises from the chair.

Abstract: An adjustable easy chair with variable seat inclination and variable seat angle. The chair has a frame, a seat and a back, and a multiple-element linkage mounted to the frame on both sides of the seat and back. Each linkage has two rockers which extend downwardly from a first coupling member supporting the seat of the chair. The lower end portions of the rockers are articulated to a second coupling member which is oriented in approximately the same direction as the first coupling member. The rearward end portion of the second coupling member is articulated to the lower end portion of the rocker mounted to the frame and supporting the back, and the front end portion of the seat is articulated indirectly to the frame of the chair. The linkage is a four-element linkage having two rockers of unequal lengths, the front end portion of the first coupling member being supported on the frame by the four-element linkage.