US3858932A

US3858932A - Reclining chair assembly

Info

Publication number: US3858932A
Application number: US362951A
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald Crum; Mckinley Goff; Edward L Hampton
Original assignee: Leggett and Platt Inc
Current assignee: Leggett and Platt Inc
Priority date: 1973-05-23
Filing date: 1973-05-23
Publication date: 1975-01-07
Anticipated expiration: 1992-01-07
Also published as: CA1032463A; BE807551A

Abstract

A recliner chair assembly including a stationary base and a body support means comprising a seat portion and a backrest portion. A pair of armrests are disposed alongside the seat portion and a track means movably supports the armrests on the base for forward and rearward movement. Linkage means, including a leg rest assembly, operatively interconnects the armrests and the seat portion to support the seat and backrest portions on the armrests. The seat and backrest portions move from an upright position to a rearwardly reclined position as the armrests move forwardly relative to the base and from the reclined position to the upright position as the armrests move rearwardly relative to the base. The leg rest is movable between a retracted position, which it is in when the chair is in the upright position, and an extended position forward of the seat portion when the latter is in the reclined position. There is also included control means including a pair of struts extending upwardly and rearwardly from the base, a track attached to each side of the backrest portion and a roller supported by each strut and movably retained in the adjacent track. The struts coacting with the backrest portion limits rearward movement of the backrest portion relative to the stationary base as the armrests move forwardly to move the seat and backrest portions to a reclined position.

Description

Primary Examiner-Roy D. Frazier timed States Patent 1191 1111 3,858,932 Crum et al. Jan. 7, 1975 RECLINING CHAIR ASSEMBLY [75] Inventors: Donald Crum, Louisville; McKinley [57] ABSTRACT Goff, Middletown; Edward L. A bl l I b Hampton Louisville, a of Ky. rec 1ner chair assem y me u rnga stat1onary ase and a body support means comprlsmga seat port1on [73] Assignee: Legget & Platt Incorporated, and a backrest portion. A pair of armrests are dis- Carthage, Mo. posed alongside the seat portion and a track means [22] Filed y 23 1973 movably supports the armrests on the base for forward and rearward movement. Linkage means, including a [21] Appl. No.: 362,951 leg rest assembly, operatively interconnects the armrests and the seat portion to support the seat and [52] U S Cl 297/85 297/83 297/329 backrest portions on the armrests. The seat and back- 297/383 297/259 rest portions move from an upright position to a rear- [511 Int Cl A47c 1/02 wardly reclined posit1on as the armrests move for- [58] Fieid 317 318 wardly relative to the base and from the reclmed pos1- 6 nm to the upright position as the armrests move rearwardly relative to the base. The leg rest is movable between a retracted osition, which it is in when the [56] References Cited chair is in the upright position, and an extended posi- UNITED STATES PATENTS tion forward of the seat portion when the latter is in 1, 56,8 4/1930 Blac et a 97/ 9 X the reclined position. There is also included control 2,090,436 8/1937 WhFdOR et aL 297/329 X means including a pair of struts extending upwardly 217121346 7/1955 sprmlfle 297/317 X and rearwardly from the base, a track attached to gg i g 5 3 each side of the backrest portion and a roller sup- 3284131 11/1966 Fletc her..:::::::::::: I: 297/85 Ported by each and retained in the adla" 3:690Z723 9/1972 McClain 297/85 Cent track. The struts coacting with the backrest por- 3,743,349 7/1973 Crum et al 297/85 tion limits rearward movement 0f the backrest Portion 3,758,15l 9 1973 Manuel 297 329 r ati t the s n y base as the m ts move forwardly to move the seat and lbackrest portions to a reclined position.

Assistant ExaminerPeter A. Aschenbrenner Attorney, Agent, or Firm wood, Herron & Evans 13 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 71975 saw 10F 2 PATENTED JAN 7 I975 sum 2 or 2 RECLINING CHAIR ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a reclining chair assembly I and more particularly, to a TV type recliner which are well known in the art.

The prior art TV recliner includes a body support means comprising a seat and backrest mounted through linkage on a stationary base for reclining movement. Normally the assembly also includes a leg rest which is moved from a retracted position to an extended position in front of the seat during reclining movement. In the TV recliner, the seat and backrest reclines from an upright position to an intermediate reclined position during a first phase of movement and from the intermediateposition to a fully reclined position during a second phase of movement. Normally the leg rest is moved to the fully extended position during the first phase of movement so that the leg rest is fully extended in the intermediate reclined position. The leg rest and the seat move substantially as one fixed unit during the second phase of movement as the seat moves from the intermediate position to the fully reclined position.

The major problem encountered with chairs of this general description is that when the seat and backrest pivot rearwardly from the upright to the reclining position, the backrest pivots rearwardly to a position in which it extends aft of the base. Consequently, the recliner chair must be disposed a substantial distance out from the wall or other obstruction to allow sufficient space to permit the seat to be moved to the reclining position. For the most part, the space between the back of the recliner chair, for example, is wasted when the recliner chair is in the upright position. Furthermore and as a practical matter, it is not always convenient or permissible to allow such space and therefore a recliner chair is not used, or if one is used, its ability to move to a reclining position is wasted.

It has therefore been the primary objective of this invention to provide a recliner chair which may be moved from an upright to a fully reclined position without the provision of any space behind the chair for movement of the backrest in going from the upright to the reclined position. Otherwise expressed, it has been a primary objective of this invention to provide a recliner chair which may be moved from an upright to a reclined position without any rearward movement of the backrest of the chair in going between the two positions.

The invention of this application accomplishes this objective by mounting the side portions of the chair, including the armrest, on a slide attached to the base so that the armrests together with the seat and backrest pivotally supported from the armrest may move forwardly on the slide easily while tilting the seat and backrest to an inclined position with the result that little or no space is required behind the backrest to allow for reclining movement.

Another objective of this invention has been to provide a reclining chair assembly including a base, a pair of side portions including armrests supported by the base and a body support means including a seat and backrest support for pivotal movement by the side portions such that motion of the side portions including the armrests relative to the base effects a pivoting movement of the body support means to and from an inclined position.

Another objective of this invention has been to provide a reclining chair assembly including a legrest and a body support means movable between a retracted and extended position in response to motion of the armrests relative to the base.

Other features and advantages of the instant invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional elevational view of a recliner chair assembly constructed in accordance with the instant invention and shown in the upright position;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the recliner chair assembly in the fully reclined position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the reclining chair assembly shown in the upright position of FIG. l but partially cut away and in cross-section; and V FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary, broken away view taken generally along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

Referring now to the drawings, a reclining chair assembly constructed in accordance withthe instant invention is generally shown at 10.-

The assembly includes a stationary base which is generallyv indicated at 12. The base 12 includes the parallel and spaced side rails or channel members 14 which are interconnected by the cross rails 16. Four legs 18 are disposed at the four corners of the base 12 and support the rails 14 and 16 a slight distance above a support surface. As will become more clear hereinafter, the channels 14 actually define the stationary rails or portions of a track system;

The assembly 10 also includes actuator means comprising a pair of armrests generally indicated at 20 and movably supported by the channels or rails 14. The armrests 20 include upper members 22, lower members 24, end members 26 and forward extensions 28. Additionally, the cross members 25 extend between and interconnect the pair of armrests 20. A support member 30 extends longitudinally from front to rear of each armrest 20 for-a purpose to become more clear hereinafter.

The armrests 20 are movably supported upon the base 12 by way of a track means generally indicated at 32, of which the rails 14 are components. More specifically, the rails 14 are generally C-shaped in crosssection or are rectangular or four-sided with a slot 40 extending therealong. Rollers 34 are movably retained within the rails 14 and are secured to an L-shaped rail or channel 36 by shafts 37. The lower member 24 of each armrest 20 is secured to an L-shaped rail 36 of the track means 32. Thus, the armrests 20 are movably supported by the stationary base 12 as the rollers 34 may roll along the channels or rails 14 as the shafts 37 extend through the slot 40 and are movable therealong. Thus, the track means 32 movably supports the armrests 20 on the base 12 for forward and rearward movement.

The assembly also includes a body support means generally indicated at 42 and including a seat portion 44 and a backrest portion 46.- The drawings merely show the frame for recliner chair assembly and it is to be understood that the frame is suitably adapted for receiving appropriate spring elements, cushioning, upholstery, etcQ, forcompletion of a saleable product.

The assembly also includes linkage means generally indicated at 47. The linkage means defines leg rest means generally indicated at 72 and operatively interconnects the armrests and the seat portion 44 for moving the body support means 42 from an upright position (as shown in FIG. 1) to a fully reclined position (as shown in FIG. 2). The armrests 20 move forwardly relative to the base 12 as the body support means 42 moves from the upright position to the fully reclined position shown in FIG. 2 and move rearwardly as the assembly moves from the fully reclined position to the upright position. Various different linkage assemblies may be utilized in place of that generally indicated at 47 in the reclining chair assembly of the instant invention; however, that shown is like that shown in US. Pat. No. 3,282,626. The linkage means 47 includes a seat supporting plate 50 attached to the seat 44 and a mounting plate 52 attached to the support member 30 of an armrest 20. A seat link 48 is pivotally connected at its upper end (-as shown in FIG. 1) to the seat plate 50 and is pivotally connected at its lower end to the mounting plate 52. A guide link 90 is pivoted adjacent its rear end to the mounting plate 52 and is pivoted at its forward end to a control link 82. Control link 82 is pivotally connected to the seat plate 50 at its upper end.

That portion of the linkage means 47 defining the leg rest is a double V lazy tong linkage of the conventional overlapped V-type and includes the lower extension of the link 82, link 78, link 80 and link 84. These links are arranged so that

link

78 and 80 form one V and the

links

82 and 84 form another V. The link 78 is pivotally connected at one end to the seat plate 50 and is pivotally connected at the other end to the link 80 and has a mid-portion pivotally connected to the crossing link 84. The

links

80 and 84 are pivotally connected to the members 74, which in turn support a board or the like. The link 84 is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the link 78 and is connected at its lower end to the bottom of link 82.

A control arm 86 extends from the link 82 and coacts with a pin 88 during initial reclining movement of the assembly. More specifically, when the assembly is in the upright position illustrated in FIG. 1 and is moved toward the reclining position, the arm 86 engages the pin 88 and the pin 88 forces the link 82 to rotate relative to the seat plate 50 thereby assuring that the leg rest moves toward the extended position upon initial reclining movement.

The assembly shown is a TV recliner and has three definite positions. The first is the upright position shown in FIG. 1. The second is the well known TV or intermediate position where the body support means 42 is in an intermediate reclined position and the leg rest is extended. However, during reclining movement to reach this TV position, the link 90 does not pivot upwardly out of engagement with the pin 88. The TV position is not illustrated in the drawings as the two extreme positions are believed sufficient since the intermediate position is well known. From the intermediate or TV position the assembly is furtherreclined to the fully reclined position shown in FIG. 2 and as this is accomplished the link 90 pivots upwardly relative to the mounting plate 52 until its lower end engages the stop 92. During this latter or second phase of movement to the fully reclined position, the seat 44 and the leg rest linkage move substantially in unison as a fixed unit.

The assembly also includes a control means generally indicated at which includes a lost motion connection between the body support means 42 and the stationary base 12 for controlling movement of the seat 44 and backrest 46 of the body support means 42. The control means 60 includes a generally Y-shaped bracket 56 which is riveted or otherwise secured to one of the channels 14. In other words, the bracket 56 is secured to the fixed or stationary portion of the track means 32. The bracket 56 has an elongated portion which is U-shaped so as to be wrapped around the rail or channel member 14. An arm or leg of the bracket 56 extends upwardly and rearwardly at an inclined angle and is also U-shaped in cross-sectional configuration to support an elongated strut or bar 58, the elongated strut 58 having its lower end secured to the bracket 56. A fixed pivot roller 62 is rotatably supported at the upper end of the strut 58 through an axle or shaft 64. A guide or track 68 is attached to each side of the backrest 46 the fixed pivot roller 62 is movably retained therein. Each track 68 extends downwardly and forwardly at an inclined angle when the assembly is in the upright position as shown in FIG. 1 to maximize ease of operation and forward travel of the armrests.

It will be appreciated that each track assembly 32 and control means 60, including the strut 58, are saleable as a unit for use in a reclining chair assembly, which reclining chair assembly may utilize one of various different hardware linkage assemblies for providing the reclining movement and extending the leg rest. The lost motion connection provided by the track 68 and the follower or'roller 62 provides a very versatile system easilyaccommodating specific reclining movements and allows full forward movement of the armrests 20 to maximize the forward movement at the entire backrest 46 for keeping the top of the backrest out of engagement with an adjacent wall.

As will be appreciated, an individual seated in the assembly wishing to move the assembly from the upright position shown in FIG. 1 to a reclined position exerts a forward force on the armrests 20 so that there is a reaction between the armrests 20 and the backrest 46. In this situation, if there was no connection between the stationary base 12 and the backrest 46 of the body support means 42, the body support means 42 would merely move to a reclined position relative to the armrests 20 and the armrests 20 would not move forwardly. In other words, the armrests would serve as the stationary base and the backrest and seat would move to a reclined position relative thereto. However, because of the control means 60, which includes the lost motion connection, a restraining force is applied to the strut 58 to prevent the backrest 46 from moving rearwardly and therefore the armrests 20 move forwardly to move the mounting plate 52 forwardly resulting in forward movement of the entire body support means to maintain the backrest in spaced relation to an adjacent wall. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the distance A may represent the distance between the rear of the base 12 and an adjacent wall. As will be noticed in viewing FIG. 2, the distance A has not increased when the fully reclined position is reached and therefore there is no need for space between the rear of the reclining chair assembly and an adjacent wall to accommodate the reclining movement.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Obviously, many modifications and variations in the instant invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and yet remain within the scope of the depending claims.

The embodiments of the instant invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a recliner chair assembly having,

a base,

a body support including a seat and back portion,

a pair of armrests disposed alongside said seat portion,

longitudinal tracks and rollers in said tracks interconnecting said armrests and base to permit said armrests to roll longitudinally with respect to said base,

a recliner linkage interconnecting said armrests and said body support to permit said body support to move between an upright position in which said back portion is upright and said seat portion is approximately horizontal and a reclined position in which said back is inclined toward horizontal and said seat portion is inclined toward vertical, and

a control means interconnecting said body support and said base, characterized in that said control means includes, at each side of said base, a rearwardly and upwardly projecting bar fixed to each side of said base, a roller projecting from said bar at a fixed point adjacent said back, substantially the entire portion of said bar lying forward of the rear extremity of said back in every position of said back as said back moves between upright and reclining positions, and a track fixed on each side of said back, each said track lying generally in the plane of said back and receiving one of said projecting rollers to cause said body support to swing from upright to reclined position without substantial rearward movement of said back as said armrests are moved forward relative to said base.

2. In a recliner chair assembly having,

a base,

a body support including a seat and back portion,

a pair of armrests disposed alongside said seat portion, longitudinal tracks and rollers in said tracks interconnecting said armrests and base to permit said armrests to roll longitudinally with respect to said base,

a recliner linkage interconnecting said armrests and said body support to permit said body support to move between an upright position in which said back portion is upright and said seatportion is approximately horizontal and a reclined position in which said back is inclined toward horizontal and said seat portion is inclined toward vertical, and

a control means interconnecting said body support and said base, characterized in that said control means includes, at each side of said base, a rearwardly and upwardly projecting bar fixed to each side of said base, a roller projecting from said bar at a fixed point adjacent said back, and approximately at the level of the upper extremity of said 6 tween upright and reclining positions, and a track fixed on each side of said back, each said track lying generally in the plane of said back and receiving one of saidprojecting rollers to cause said body support to swing from upright to reclined position without substantial rearward movement of said back as said armrests are moved forward relative to said base.

3. In a recliner chair assembly having a base,

a body support including a seat and back portion,

a pair of armrests disposed alongside said seat portion,

longitudinal tracks and rollers in said tracks interconnecting said armrests arid base to permit said armrests to roll longitudinally with respect to said base,

at least one cross member extending between and interconnecting said armrests, said cross member being located a substantial distance above said rollers to maintain said armrests in a substantially rigid orientation with respect to one another,

a recliner linkage interconnecting said armrests and said body support to permit said body support to move between an upright position in which said back portion is upright and said seat portion is approximately liorizontal and a reclined position in which said back is inclined toward horizontal and said seat portion is inclined toward vertical, and

a control means interconnecting said body support and said base, characterized in that said control means includes, at each side of said base, a rearwardly and upwardly projecting bar fixed to each side of said base, a roller projecting from said bar at a fixed point adjacent said back, substantially the entire portion of said bar lying forward of the rear extremity of said back in every position of said back as said back moves between upright and reclining positions, and a track fixed on each side of said back, each said track lying generally in the plane of said back and receiving one of said pro jecting rollers to cause said body support to swing from upright to reclined position without substantial rearward movement of said back as said armrests are moved forward relative to said base.

4. A recliner chair assembly according to claim 3 in which said cross member is located intermediate the forward and rearward ends of said armrests and for ward of the rear extremity of said seat portion, whereby to permit the rear extremity of said seat portion to drop below the level of said cross member when said support is shifted to areclined position.

5. In a recliner chair assembly having,

a base,

a body support including a seat and back portion,

a pair of armrests disposed alongside said seat por- 'tion, I

a longitudinal C-shaped channel on each side of said base,

at least two rollers secured to each side of said armrests and projecting into said channels to rollably support said armrests on said base and to permit said armrests to roll longitudinally with respect to said base,

a recliner linkage-interconnecting said armrests and said body support to permit said body support to move between an upright position in which said back portion is upright and said seat portion is apback as said back moves between upright and reclining positions, and a track fixed on each side of said back, each said track lying generally in the plane of said back and receiving one of said projecting rollers to cause said body support to swing from upright to reclined position without substantial rearward movement of said back as said armrests are moved forward relative to said base.

6. A recliner chair assembly as in claim further comprising,

an angle iron at each side of said chair and having one horizontal leg secured to said armrest,

said armrest rollers being rotatably mounted on a vertical leg of said angle iron.

7. A recliner chair assembly comprising,

a base,

a body support including a seat and back portion,

a pair of armrests disposed alongside said seat portion,

longitudinal C-shaped tracks mounted on said base,

rollers projecting inwardly from said armrests and engaging said track to permit said armrests to roll longitudinally with respect to said base,

a cross member extending between and interconnecting said armrests, said cross member being located a substantial distance above said rollers-whereby said cross member maintains said armrests in a substantially rigid orientation with respect to one another, recliner linkage interconnecting said armrests and said body support to permit said body support to move between an upright position in which said back portion is upright and said seat portion is approximately horizontal and a reclined position in which said back is inclined toward horizontal and said seat portion is inclined toward vertical,

a control means interconnecting said body support and said base, said control means including, at each side of said base, a rearwardly and upwardly projecting bar, the upper end of said bar having a roller mounted on it, substantially the entire portion of said barlying forward of the rear extremity of said back in every position of said back as said back moves between an upright and reclining position,

a track fixed on each side of said back, each track lying generally in the plane of said back and receiving said roller to cause said body support to swing between upright and reclined positions without substantial rearward movement of said back as said armrests are moved relative to said base,

said bar mounted rollers being located at approximately the level of the'upper extremity of said armrests.

8. A recliner chair assembly comprising,

a base,

a body support including a seat and back portion,

a pair of armrests disposed alongside said seat portion,

longitudinal C-shaped tracks mounted on said base,

a cross member extending between and interconnecting said armrests, said cross member being located a substantial distance above said rollers whereby said cross member maintains said armrests in a sub stantially rigid orientation with respect to one another,

a recliner linkage interconnecting said armrests and said body support to permit said body support to move between an upright position in which said back portion is upright and said seat portion is approximately horiziontal and a reclined position in which said back is inclined toward horizontal and said seat portion is inclined toward vertical,

a control means interconnecting said body support and said base, said control means including a rearwardly and upwardly projecting bar fixed on each side of said base, substantially the entire portion of said bar lying forward of the rear extremity of said back in every position of said back as said back moves between an upright and reclining position,

an elongated track, a roller mounted in said track for movement with respect to said track,

said roller being mounted on one of said bar and back and said track being mounted on the other of said bar and back to provide a track and roller interconnection of said bar and. back to cause said body support to swing between upright and reclined positions without substantial rearward movement of said back as said armrests are moved relative to said base.

9. A recliner chair assembly comprising,

a base,

a body support including a seat and back portion,

a pair of armrests disposed alongside said seat portion,

longitudinal C-shaped tracks mounted on said base, I

a pair of rails each having a horizontal leg fixed to an armrest and a vertical leg projecting downwardly from said armrest,

rollers projecting inwardly from said vertical legs and engaging said track to permit said armrests to roll longitudinally with respect to said base,

a cross member extending between and interconnect ing said armrests, said cross member being located a substantial distance above said rollers whereby said cross member maintains said armrests in a substantially rigid orientation with respect to one another,

a recliner linkage interconnecting said armrests and said body support to permit said body support to move between an upright position in which said back portion is upright and said seat portion is approximately horizontal and a reclined position in which said back is inclined toward horizontal and said seat portion is inclined toward vertical,

said roller being mounted on one of said bar and back and said track being mounted on theother of said bar and back to provide a track and roller interconnection of said bar and back to cause said body support to swing between upright and reclined positions without substantial rearward movement of i said back as said armrests are moved relative to said base.

10. In a recliner chair assembly having,

a base,

a body support including a seat and back portion,

a pair of armrests disposed alongside said seat portion,

longitudinal tracks fixed to said base, rollers mounted on said armrests and rollable on said tracks to interconnect said armrests and base to permit said armrests to roll longitudinally with respect to said base,

a control means interconnecting said body support and said base, characterized in that said control means includes, at each side of said base, a rearwardly and upwardly projecting bar fixed to said track at each side of said base, a roller projecting from said bar at a fixed point adjacent said back, substantially the entire portion of said bar lying forward of the rear extremity of said back in every position of said back as said back moves between upright and reclining positions, and a track fixed on each side of said back, each said track lying generally in the plane of said back and receiving one of said projecting rollers to cause said body support to swing from upright to reclined position without substantial rearward movement of said back as said armrests are moved forward relative to said base.

11. In a recliner chair assembly having,

a base,

a body support including a seat and back portion,

a pair of armrests disposed alongside said seat portion,

a recliner linkage interconnecting said armrests and said body support to permit said body support to move between an upright position in which said back portion is upright and said seat portion is ap proximately horizontal and a reclined position in which said back is inclined toward horizontal and said seat portion is inclined toward vertical,

a sliding recliner control mechanism comprising,

a longitudinal track fixed to each side of said base,

a pair of longitudinally spaced rollers rotatably mounted on a bracket and rollably engaging each said track, said bracket being fixed to said armrests to permit said armrests to move forward and rearward with respect to said base while carrying said body support,

a rearwardly and upwardly projecting bar fixed to each said track at each side of said base,

a roller projecting from each said bar at a fixed point adjacent said back, substantially the entire portion of said bar lying forward of the rear extremity of said back in every position of said back as said back moves between upright and reclining positions, and a track fixed on each side of said back, each said track lying generally in the plane of said back and receiving one of said projecting rollers to cause said body support to swing from upright to reclined position without substantial rearward movement of said back as said armrests are moved forward relative to said base.

12. In a recliner chair assembly having,

a base,

a body support including a seat and back portion,

a pair of armrests disposed alongside said seat portion,

a sliding recliner control mechanism comprising,

a longitudinal track fixed to each side of said base,

substantially the entire portion of said bar lying forward of the rear extremity of said back in every position of said back as said back moves between an upright and reclining position,

said roller being mounted on one of said bar and back and said track being mounted on the other of said bar and back to provide a track and roller interconnection of said bar and back to cause said body support to swing between upright and reclined positions without substantial rearward movement of said back as said armrests are moved relative to said base.

13. Sliding recliner hardware adapted to be applied to recliner chairs having,

a base,

a body support including a seat and back portion,

a pair of armrests disposed alongside said seat portion and,

a recliner linkage interconnecting said armrests and said body support to permit said body support to move between an upright position in which said back portion is upright and said seat portion is ap proximately horizontal and a reclined position in which said back is inclined toward horizontal and said seat portion is inclined toward vertical, said hardware comprising,

a longitudinal track adapted. to be fixed to each side of said base,

a bracket adapted to be mounted on said armrests,

a pair of longitudinally spaced rollers rotatably mounted on said bracket and rotatably engaging 1 1 12 each said track to connect said armrests to said a track adapted to be fixed on each side of said base, thereby permitting said armrests to move back and receiving one of said projecting rollers, forward and rearward with respect to said base said hardware when applied positioning substanwhile carrying said body support, tially the entire portion of said bar forward of the a rearwardly and upwardly projecting bar fixed to rear extremity of said back in every position of each said track, said back as said back moves between upright a roller projecting from the upper extremity of said and reclining positions.

bar, a

Claims

1. In a recliner chair assembly having, a base, a body support including a seat and back portion, a pair of armrests disposed alongside said seat portion, longitudinal tracks and rollers in said tracks interconnecting said armrests and base to permit said armrests to roll longitudinally with respect to said base, a recliner linkage interconnecting said armrests and said body support to permit said body support to move between an upright position in which said back portion is upright and said seat portion is approximately horizontal and a reclined position in which said back is inclined toward horizontal and said seat portion is inclined toward vertical, and a control means interconnecting said body support and said base, characterized in that said control means includes, at each side of said base, a rearwardly and upwardly projecting bar fixed to each side of said base, a roller projecting from said bar at a fixed point adjacent said back, substantially the entire portion of said bar lying forward of the rear extremity of said back in every position of said back as said back moves between upright and reclining positions, and a track fixed on each side of said back, each said track lying generally in the plane of said back and receiving one of said projecting rollers to cause said body support to swing from upright to reclined position without substantial rearward movement of said back as said armrests are moved forward relative to said base.

2. In a recliner chair assembly having, a base, a body support including a seat and back portion, a pair of armrests disposed alongside said seat portion, longitudinal tracks and rollers in said tracks interconnecting said armrests and base to permit said armrests to roll longitudinally with respect to said base, a recliner linkage interconnecting said armrests and said body support to permit said body support to move between an upright position in which said back portion is upright and said seat portion is approximately horizontal and a reclined position in which said back is inclined toward horizontal and said seat portion is inclined toward vertical, and a control means interconnecting said body support and said base, characterized in that said control means includes, at each side of said base, a rearwardly and upwardly projecting bar fixed to each side of said base, a roller projecting from said bar at a fixed point adjacent said back, and approximately at the level of the upper extremity of said armrests, substantially the entire portion of said bar lying forward of the rear extremity of said back in every position of said back as said back moves between upright and reclining positions, and a track fixed on each side of said back, each said track lying generally in the plane of said back and receiving one of said projecting rollers to cause said body support to swing from upright to reclined position without substantial rearward movement of said back as said armrests are moved forward relative to said base.

3. In a recliner chair assembly having a base, a body support including a seat and back portion, a pair of armrests disposed alongside said seat portion, longitudinal tracks and rollers in said tracks interconnecting said armrests and base to permit said armrests to roll longitudinally with respect to said base, at least one cross member extending between and interconnecting said armrests, said cross member being located a substantial distance above Said rollers to maintain said armrests in a substantially rigid orientation with respect to one another, a recliner linkage interconnecting said armrests and said body support to permit said body support to move between an upright position in which said back portion is upright and said seat portion is approximately horizontal and a reclined position in which said back is inclined toward horizontal and said seat portion is inclined toward vertical, and a control means interconnecting said body support and said base, characterized in that said control means includes, at each side of said base, a rearwardly and upwardly projecting bar fixed to each side of said base, a roller projecting from said bar at a fixed point adjacent said back, substantially the entire portion of said bar lying forward of the rear extremity of said back in every position of said back as said back moves between upright and reclining positions, and a track fixed on each side of said back, each said track lying generally in the plane of said back and receiving one of said projecting rollers to cause said body support to swing from upright to reclined position without substantial rearward movement of said back as said armrests are moved forward relative to said base.

4. A recliner chair assembly according to claim 3 in which said cross member is located intermediate the forward and rearward ends of said armrests and forward of the rear extremity of said seat portion, whereby to permit the rear extremity of said seat portion to drop below the level of said cross member when said support is shifted to a reclined position.

5. In a recliner chair assembly having, a base, a body support including a seat and back portion, a pair of armrests disposed alongside said seat portion, a longitudinal C-shaped channel on each side of said base, at least two rollers secured to each side of said armrests and projecting into said channels to rollably support said armrests on said base and to permit said armrests to roll longitudinally with respect to said base, a recliner linkage interconnecting said armrests and said body support to permit said body support to move between an upright position in which said back portion is upright and said seat portion is approximately horizontal and a reclined position is which said back is inclined toward horizontal and said seat portion is inclined toward vertical, and a control means interconnecting said body support and said base, characterized in that said control means includes, at each side of said base, a rearwardly and upwardly projecting bar fixed to each side of said base, a roller projecting from said bar at a fixed point adjacent said back, substantially the entire portion of said bar lying forward of the rear extremity of said back in every position of said back as said back moves between upright and reclining positions, and a track fixed on each side of said back, each said track lying generally in the plane of said back and receiving one of said projecting rollers to cause said body support to swing from upright to reclined position without substantial rearward movement of said back as said armrests are moved forward relative to said base.

6. A recliner chair assembly as in claim 5 further comprising, an angle iron at each side of said chair and having one horizontal leg secured to said armrest, said armrest rollers being rotatably mounted on a vertical leg of said angle iron.

7. A recliner chair assembly comprising, a base, a body support including a seat and back portion, a pair of armrests disposed alongside said seat portion, longitudinal C-shaped tracks mounted on said base, rollers projecting inwardly from said armrests and engaging said track to permit said armrests to roll longitudinally with respect to said base, a cross member extending between and interconnecting said armrests, said cross member being located a substantial distance above said rollers whereby said Cross member maintains said armrests in a substantially rigid orientation with respect to one another, a recliner linkage interconnecting said armrests and said body support to permit said body support to move between an upright position in which said back portion is upright and said seat portion is approximately horizontal and a reclined position in which said back is inclined toward horizontal and said seat portion is inclined toward vertical, a control means interconnecting said body support and said base, said control means including, at each side of said base, a rearwardly and upwardly projecting bar, the upper end of said bar having a roller mounted on it, substantially the entire portion of said bar lying forward of the rear extremity of said back in every position of said back as said back moves between an upright and reclining position, a track fixed on each side of said back, each track lying generally in the plane of said back and receiving said roller to cause said body support to swing between upright and reclined positions without substantial rearward movement of said back as said armrests are moved relative to said base, said bar mounted rollers being located at approximately the level of the upper extremity of said armrests.

8. A recliner chair assembly comprising, a base, a body support including a seat and back portion, a pair of armrests disposed alongside said seat portion, longitudinal C-shaped tracks mounted on said base, rollers projecting inwardly from said armrests and engaging said track to permit said armrests to roll longitudinally with respect to said base, a cross member extending between and interconnecting said armrests, said cross member being located a substantial distance above said rollers whereby said cross member maintains said armrests in a substantially rigid orientation with respect to one another, a recliner linkage interconnecting said armrests and said body support to permit said body support to move between an upright position in which said back portion is upright and said seat portion is approximately horiziontal and a reclined position in which said back is inclined toward horizontal and said seat portion is inclined toward vertical, a control means interconnecting said body support and said base, said control means including a rearwardly and upwardly projecting bar fixed on each side of said base, substantially the entire portion of said bar lying forward of the rear extremity of said back in every position of said back as said back moves between an upright and reclining position, an elongated track, a roller mounted in said track for movement with respect to said track, said roller being mounted on one of said bar and back and said track being mounted on the other of said bar and back to provide a track and roller interconnection of said bar and back to cause said body support to swing between upright and reclined positions without substantial rearward movement of said back as said armrests are moved relative to said base.

9. A recliner chair assembly comprising, a base, a body support including a seat and back portion, a pair of armrests disposed alongside said seat portion, longitudinal C-shaped tracks mounted on said base, a pair of rails each having a horizontal leg fixed to an armrest and a vertical leg projecting downwardly from said armrest, rollers projecting inwardly from said vertical legs and engaging said track to permit said armrests to roll longitudinally with respect to said base, a cross member extending between and interconnecting said armrests, said cross member being located a substantial distance above said rollers whereby said cross member maintains said armrests in a substantially rigid orientation with respect to one another, a recliner linkage interconnecting said armrests and said body support to permit said body support to move between an upright position in which said back portion is uprIght and said seat portion is approximately horizontal and a reclined position in which said back is inclined toward horizontal and said seat portion is inclined toward vertical, a control means interconnecting said body support and said base, said control means including a rearwardly and upwardly projecting bar fixed on each side of said base, substantially the entire portion of said bar lying forward of the rear extremity of said back in every position of said back as said back moves between an upright and reclining position, an elongated track, a roller mounted in said track for movement with respect to said track, said roller being mounted on one of said bar and back and said track being mounted on the other of said bar and back to provide a track and roller interconnection of said bar and back to cause said body support to swing between upright and reclined positions without substantial rearward movement of said back as said armrests are moved relative to said base.

10. In a recliner chair assembly having, a base, a body support including a seat and back portion, a pair of armrests disposed alongside said seat portion, longitudinal tracks fixed to said base, rollers mounted on said armrests and rollable on said tracks to interconnect said armrests and base to permit said armrests to roll longitudinally with respect to said base, a recliner linkage interconnecting said armrests and said body support to permit said body support to move between an upright position in which said back portion is upright and said seat portion is approximately horizontal and a reclined position in which said back is inclined toward horizontal and said seat portion is inclined toward vertical, and a control means interconnecting said body support and said base, characterized in that said control means includes, at each side of said base, a rearwardly and upwardly projecting bar fixed to said track at each side of said base, a roller projecting from said bar at a fixed point adjacent said back, substantially the entire portion of said bar lying forward of the rear extremity of said back in every position of said back as said back moves between upright and reclining positions, and a track fixed on each side of said back, each said track lying generally in the plane of said back and receiving one of said projecting rollers to cause said body support to swing from upright to reclined position without substantial rearward movement of said back as said armrests are moved forward relative to said base.

11. In a recliner chair assembly having, a base, a body support including a seat and back portion, a pair of armrests disposed alongside said seat portion, a recliner linkage interconnecting said armrests and said body support to permit said body support to move between an upright position in which said back portion is upright and said seat portion is approximately horizontal and a reclined position in which said back is inclined toward horizontal and said seat portion is inclined toward vertical, a sliding recliner control mechanism comprising, a longitudinal track fixed to each side of said base, a pair of longitudinally spaced rollers rotatably mounted on a bracket and rollably engaging each said track, said bracket being fixed to said armrests to permit said armrests to move forward and rearward with respect to said base while carrying said body support, a rearwardly and upwardly projecting bar fixed to each said track at each side of said base, a roller projecting from each said bar at a fixed point adjacent said back, substantially the entire portion of said bar lying forward of the rear extremity of said back in every position of said back as said back moves between upright and reclining positions, and a track fixed on each side of said back, each said track lying generally in the plane of said back and receiving one of said projecting rollers to cause said body support to swing from upright to Reclined position without substantial rearward movement of said back as said armrests are moved forward relative to said base.

12. In a recliner chair assembly having, a base, a body support including a seat and back portion, a pair of armrests disposed alongside said seat portion, a recliner linkage interconnecting said armrests and said body support to permit said body support to move between an upright position in which said back portion is upright and said seat portion is approximately horizontal and a reclined position in which said back is inclined toward horizontal and said seat portion is inclined toward vertical, a sliding recliner control mechanism comprising, a longitudinal track fixed to each side of said base, a pair of longitudinally spaced rollers rotatably mounted on a bracket and rollably engaging each said track, said bracket being fixed to said armrests to permit said armrests to move forward and rearward with respect to said base while carrying said body support, a rearwardly and upwardly projecting bar fixed to each said track at each side of said base, substantially the entire portion of said bar lying forward of the rear extremity of said back in every position of said back as said back moves between an upright and reclining position, an elongated track, a roller mounted in said track for movement with respect to said track, said roller being mounted on one of said bar and back and said track being mounted on the other of said bar and back to provide a track and roller interconnection of said bar and back to cause said body support to swing between upright and reclined positions without substantial rearward movement of said back as said armrests are moved relative to said base.

13. Sliding recliner hardware adapted to be applied to recliner chairs having, a base, a body support including a seat and back portion, a pair of armrests disposed alongside said seat portion and, a recliner linkage interconnecting said armrests and said body support to permit said body support to move between an upright position in which said back portion is upright and said seat portion is approximately horizontal and a reclined position in which said back is inclined toward horizontal and said seat portion is inclined toward vertical, said hardware comprising, a longitudinal track adapted to be fixed to each side of said base, a bracket adapted to be mounted on said armrests, a pair of longitudinally spaced rollers rotatably mounted on said bracket and rotatably engaging each said track to connect said armrests to said base, thereby permitting said armrests to move forward and rearward with respect to said base while carrying said body support, a rearwardly and upwardly projecting bar fixed to each said track, a roller projecting from the upper extremity of said bar, a track adapted to be fixed on each side of said back and receiving one of said projecting rollers, said hardware when applied positioning substantially the entire portion of said bar forward of the rear extremity of said back in every position of said back as said back moves between upright and reclining positions.