U.S. patent application number 12/813904 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-15 for reclining seating unit with wall-proximity capability.
Invention is credited to D. Stephen Hoffman, Marcus L. Murphy.
Application Number | 20110304193 12/813904 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45095653 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110304193 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Murphy; Marcus L. ; et
al. |
December 15, 2011 |
RECLINING SEATING UNIT WITH WALL-PROXIMITY CAPABILITY
Abstract
A seating unit includes: a base configured to rest on an
underlying surface; a seat; a backrest; an ottoman; and a reclining
mechanism attached to the base, seat, backrest and the ottoman. The
reclining mechanism comprises a series of pivotally interconnected
links configured and arranged to control the movement of the
seating unit between an upright position, in which the seat is
generally horizontally disposed and positioned above the base, the
backrest defines a first backrest angle relative to horizontal and
is positioned above a rear portion of the base, and the ottoman is
positioned below the seat and above a forward portion of the base,
a TV position, in which the ottoman is generally horizontally
disposed and positioned forwardly of the base and the seat, and a
fully reclined position, in which the backrest defines a second
angle relative to horizontal that is less than the first angle. The
backrest and seat are substantially stationary relative to the base
as the seating unit moves between the upright and fully reclined
positions. An uppermost portion of the backrest moves no more than
4 inches rearward relative to the base as the seating unit moves
from the TV position to the fully reclined position. In this
configuration, the seating unit can provide wall-proximity
capability.
Inventors: |
Murphy; Marcus L.;
(Lexington, NC) ; Hoffman; D. Stephen; (High
Point, NC) |
Family ID: |
45095653 |
Appl. No.: |
12/813904 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/85M ;
297/84 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 1/034 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/85.M ;
297/84 |
International
Class: |
A47C 1/035 20060101
A47C001/035 |
Claims
1. A seating unit, comprising: a base configured to rest on an
underlying surface; a seat; a backrest; an ottoman; and a reclining
mechanism attached to the base, seat, backrest and at least one
ottoman, the reclining mechanism comprising a series of pivotally
interconnected links configured and arranged to control the
movement of the seating unit between an upright position, in which
the seat is generally horizontally disposed and positioned above
the base, the backrest defines a first backrest angle relative to
horizontal and is positioned above a rear portion of the base, and
the ottoman is positioned below the seat and above a forward
portion of the base, a TV position, in which the ottoman is
generally horizontally disposed and positioned forwardly of the
base and the seat, and a fully reclined position, in which the
backrest defines a second angle relative to horizontal that is less
than the first angle; wherein the backrest and seat are
substantially stationary relative to the base as the seating unit
moves between the upright and fully reclined positions; and wherein
an uppermost portion of the backrest moves no more than 4 inches
rearward relative to the base as the seating unit moves from the TV
position to the fully reclined position.
2. The seating unit defined in claim 1, further comprising an
electrically-powered actuator that drives the seating unit between
the upright, TV and fully reclined positions.
3. The seating unit defined in claim 1, wherein the actuator is a
linear actuator.
4. The seating unit defined in claim 3, wherein the reclining
mechanism includes a front swing link pivotally mounted to the base
and to the seat and a rear swing link pivotally mounted to the base
and to the seat.
5. The seating unit defined in claim 4, wherein the actuator is
pivotally attached to a bracket fixed to the rear swing link.
6. The seating unit defined in claim 4, wherein the reclining
mechanism includes a backpost fixed to the backrest and pivotally
attached to the seat.
7. The seating unit defined in claim 6, wherein the reclining
mechanism further includes a recline link pivotally attached to the
backpost and to the rear swing link.
8. The seating unit defined in claim 3, wherein the linear actuator
moves forward relative to the base as the seating unit moves from
the TV position to the fully reclined position.
9. A seating unit, comprising: a base configured to rest on an
underlying surface; a seat; a backrest; an ottoman; and a reclining
mechanism attached to the base, seat, backrest and at least one
ottoman, the reclining mechanism comprising a series of pivotally
interconnected links configured and arranged to control the
movement of the seating unit between an upright position, in which
the seat is generally horizontally disposed and positioned above
the base, the backrest defines a first backrest angle relative to
horizontal and is positioned above a rear portion of the base, and
the ottoman is positioned below the seat and above a forward
portion of the base, a TV position, in which the ottoman is
generally horizontally disposed and positioned forwardly of the
base and the seat, and a fully reclined position, in which the
backrest defines a second angle relative to horizontal that is less
than the first angle; wherein the backrest and seat are
substantially stationary relative to the base as the seating unit
moves between the upright and fully reclined positions; and wherein
an uppermost portion of the backrest moves no more than 3 inches
rearward relative to the base as the seating unit moves from the TV
position to the fully reclined position; and wherein the seat moves
upwardly between about 3 and 6 inches relative to the base when the
seating unit moves between the TV and fully reclined positions.
10. The seating unit defined in claim 9, further comprising an
electrically-powered actuator that drives the seating unit between
the upright, TV and fully reclined positions.
11. The seating unit defined in claim 9, wherein the actuator is a
linear actuator.
12. The seating unit defined in claim 11, wherein the reclining
mechanism includes a front swing link pivotally mounted to the base
and to the seat and a rear swing link pivotally mounted to the base
and to the seat.
13. The seating unit defined in claim 12, wherein the actuator is
pivotally attached to a bracket fixed to the rear swing link.
14. The seating unit defined in claim 12, wherein the reclining
mechanism includes a backpost fixed to the backrest and pivotally
attached to the seat.
15. The seating unit defined in claim 14, wherein the reclining
mechanism further includes a recline link pivotally attached to the
backpost and to the rear swing link.
16. The seating unit defined in claim 11, wherein the linear
actuator moves forward relative to the base as the seating unit
moves from the TV position to the fully reclined position.
17. A seating unit, comprising: a base configured to rest on an
underlying surface; a seat; a backrest; an ottoman; a reclining
mechanism attached to the base, seat, backrest and at least one
ottoman, the reclining mechanism comprising a series of pivotally
interconnected links configured and arranged to control the
movement of the seating unit between an upright position, in which
the seat is generally horizontally disposed and positioned above
the base, the backrest defines a first backrest angle relative to
horizontal and is positioned above a rear portion of the base, and
the ottoman is positioned below the seat and above a forward
portion of the base, a TV position, in which the ottoman is
generally horizontally disposed and positioned forwardly of the
base and the seat, and a fully reclined position, in which the
backrest defines a second angle relative to horizontal that is less
than the first angle; and a linear actuator attached to the
reclining mechanism to drive the seating unit between the upright,
TV and fully reclined positions; wherein an uppermost portion of
the backrest moves no more than 4 inches rearward relative to the
base as the seating unit moves from the TV position to the fully
reclined position.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to seating units, and
relates more particularly to reclining seating units with gliding
capability.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Recliner chairs and other reclining seating units have
proven to be popular with consumers. These seating units typically
move from an upright position, in which the backrest is generally
upright, to one or more reclined positions, in which the backrest
pivots to be less upright. The movement of the seating unit between
the upright and reclined positions is typically controlled by a
pair of matching reclining mechanisms that are attached to the
seat, backrest and base of the chair.
[0003] One particularly popular reclining chair is the so-called
"wall-proximity" chair. In a conventional reclining chair, as the
backrest moves to the reclined position, the upper end of the
backrest moves rearwardly relative to the base of the chair. As a
result, typically the chair cannot be positioned such that the
backrest is adjacent a wall, as the reclining backrest would strike
the wall and thereby be prevented from fully reclining. A
"wall-proximity" reclining chair includes some type of mechanism
(typically either a linkage or a set of wheels that roll on a
track) that move the seat of the chair forward relative to the base
to provide additional room for the backrest to recline. Typically,
such chairs are configured so that the seat and backrest move
forward relative to the base when the chair moves from an upright
position to a partially reclined "TV" position, in which the
footrest is extended. The seat and backrest then move farther
forward relative to the base as the chair from the TV position to
its fully reclined position. Exemplary wall-proximity chairs are
illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,077,663 to Cycowicz et al.,
4,337,977 to Rogers et al., 4,531,778 to Rogers, 4,805,960 to
Tacker, 5,588,710 to Wiecek, and 5,992,930 to LaPointe et al., and
in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20080036248 to Murphy et al., the
disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated herein in
their entireties. A typical wall-proximity chair in its upright
position can be placed with the backrest within 3 to 4 inches of an
adjacent wall and still avoid striking the adjacent wall when moved
to the fully reclined position.
[0004] One potential shortcoming of wall-proximity chairs is that
the wall-proximity mechanism or wheel/rail system is typically
somewhat complex, with multiple interconnected intricate parts. As
such, production of these mechanisms can be relatively expensive.
Consequently, it would be desirable to provide a relatively
uncomplicated and inexpensive wall-proximity mechanism.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] As a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention are
directed to a seating unit. The seating unit comprises: a base
configured to rest on an underlying surface; a seat; a backrest; an
ottoman; and a reclining mechanism attached to the base, seat,
backrest and the ottoman. The reclining mechanism comprises a
series of pivotally interconnected links configured and arranged to
control the movement of the seating unit between an upright
position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed and
positioned above the base, the backrest defines a first backrest
angle relative to horizontal and is positioned above a rear portion
of the base, and the ottoman is positioned below the seat and above
a forward portion of the base, a TV position, in which the ottoman
is generally horizontally disposed and positioned forwardly of the
base and the seat, and a fully reclined position, in which the
backrest defines a second angle relative to horizontal that is less
than the first angle. The backrest and seat are substantially
stationary relative to the base as the seating unit moves between
the upright and fully reclined positions. An uppermost portion of
the backrest moves no more than 4 inches rearward relative to the
base as the seating unit moves from the TV position to the fully
reclined position. In this configuration, the seating unit can
provide wall-proximity capability.
[0006] As a second aspect, embodiments of the present invention are
directed to a seating unit, comprising: a base configured to rest
on an underlying surface; a seat; a backrest; an ottoman; and a
reclining mechanism attached to the base, seat, backrest and
ottoman. The reclining mechanism comprises a series of pivotally
interconnected links configured and arranged to control the
movement of the seating unit between an upright position, in which
the seat is generally horizontally disposed and positioned above
the base, the backrest defines a first backrest angle relative to
horizontal and is positioned above a rear portion of the base, and
the ottoman is positioned below the seat and above a forward
portion of the base, a TV position, in which the ottoman is
generally horizontally disposed and positioned forwardly of the
base and the seat, and a fully reclined position, in which the
backrest defines a second angle relative to horizontal that is less
than the first angle. The backrest and seat are substantially
stationary relative to the base as the seating unit moves between
the upright and fully reclined positions. An uppermost portion of
the backrest moves no more than 3 inches rearward relative to the
base as the seating unit moves from the TV position to the fully
reclined position. The seat moves upwardly between about 3 and 6
inches relative to the base when the seating unit moves between the
TV and fully reclined positions.
[0007] As a third aspect, embodiments of the present invention are
directed to a seating unit, comprising: a base configured to rest
on an underlying surface; a seat; a backrest; an ottoman; a
reclining mechanism attached to the base, seat, backrest and
ottoman; and a linear actuator attached to the reclining mechanism
to drive the seating unit between the upright, TV and fully
reclined positions. The reclining mechanism comprises a series of
pivotally interconnected links configured and arranged to control
the movement of the seating unit between an upright position, in
which the seat is generally horizontally disposed and positioned
above the base, the backrest defines a first backrest angle
relative to horizontal and is positioned above a rear portion of
the base, and the ottoman is positioned below the seat and above a
forward portion of the base, a TV position, in which the ottoman is
generally horizontally disposed and positioned forwardly of the
base and the seat, and a fully reclined position, in which the
backrest defines a second angle relative to horizontal that is less
than the first angle. An uppermost portion of the backrest moves no
more than 4 inches rearward relative to the base as the seating
unit moves from the TV position to the fully reclined position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reclining love seat with
wall-proximity characteristics according to embodiments of the
present invention, the love seat being shown in the upright
position.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a cutaway side view of the love seat of FIG. 1
shown in the upright position.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a cutaway side view of the love seat of FIG. 1
shown in the TV position.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a cutaway side view of the love seat of FIG. 1
shown in the fully reclined position.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a cutaway top view of the love seat of FIG. 1
shown in the upright position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention now is described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may,
however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,
these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be
thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art.
[0014] Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the
figures, the thickness of certain lines, layers, components,
elements or features may be exaggerated for clarity. Broken lines
illustrate optional features or operations unless specified
otherwise.
[0015] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such
as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be
interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their
meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and
should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense
unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or
constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or
clarity.
[0016] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As
used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of
one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, phrases
such as "between X and Y" and "between about X and Y" should be
interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, phrases such as
"between about X and Y" mean "between about X and about Y." As used
herein, phrases such as "from about X to Y" mean "from about X to
about Y."
[0017] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as
being "on", "attached" to, "connected" to, "coupled" with,
"contacting", etc., another element, it can be directly on,
attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other
element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast,
when an element is referred to as being, for example, "directly
on", "directly attached" to, "directly connected" to, "directly
coupled" with or "directly contacting" another element, there are
no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by
those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature
that is disposed "adjacent" another feature may have portions that
overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.
[0018] This invention is directed to seating units that have a
frame, a seat portion, and a backrest. As used herein, the terms
"forward", "forwardly", and "front" and derivatives thereof refer
to the direction defined by a vector extending from the backrest
toward the seat parallel to the underlying surface. Conversely, the
terms "rearward", "rearwardly", and derivatives thereof refer to
the direction directly opposite the forward direction; the rearward
direction is defined by a vector that extends from the seat toward
the backrest parallel to the underlying surface. The terms
"lateral," "laterally", and derivatives thereof refer to the
direction parallel with the floor, perpendicular to the forward and
rearward directions, and extending away from a plane bisecting the
seating units between their armrests. The terms "medial," "inward,"
"inboard," and derivatives thereof refer to the direction that is
the converse of the lateral direction, i.e., the direction parallel
with the floor, perpendicular to the forward direction, and
extending from the periphery of the seating units toward the
aforementioned bisecting plane.
[0019] The seating units illustrated and described herein comprise
a plurality of pivotally interconnected links. Those skilled in
this art will appreciate that the pivots between links can take a
variety of configurations, such as pivot pins, rivets, bolt and nut
combinations, and the like, any of which would be suitable for use
with the present invention. Also, the shapes of the links may vary
as desired, as may the locations of certain of the pivots.
Moreover, in some instances combinations of pivot points may be
replaced by equivalent structures, such as "slider-crank"
configurations, like those described in B. Paul, Kinematics and
Dynamics of Planar Machinery 4-21 (1979).
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 1, a love seat according to
embodiments of the present invention is shown therein and
designated broadly at 10. The love seat 10 includes a base 12, two
seats 18, two backrests 22, and two front and two rear ottomans
24a, 24b, all of which are interconnected with reclining mechanisms
30. The reclining mechanisms 30 are configured to move the seat 18,
backrest 22 and ottomans 24 between an upright position (FIG. 2), a
TV position (FIG. 3) and a fully reclined position (FIG. 4). These
components are described in greater detail below.
[0021] The base 12 includes arms 14 on opposite sides thereof.
Referring to FIG. 5, a cross-member 16a spans the arms 14 toward
the rear of the love seat 10, and a cross-member 16b spans the arms
14 in a lower central portion of the love seat 10.
Longitudinally-extending inner mounting panels 18a, 18b are mounted
in the center of the base 12.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 2, one of the reclining mechanisms 30
is shown therein in its upright position. The love seat 10 includes
a total of four reclining mechanisms 30, two of which are connected
with each respective backrest 22, front ottoman 24a, rear ottoman
24b and seat 18. The reclining mechanisms 30 attached to the same
backrest 18, front ottoman 24a, rear ottoman 24b and seat 18 are
mirror images of each other relative to a vertical plane that
bisects the seat 18 and backrest 22 longitudinally, and the pairs
of reclining mechanisms 30 are identical. As such, only one
reclining mechanism 30 will be described in detail herein, with the
understanding that the discussion is equally applicable to the
other reclining mechanisms 30. The reclining mechanism 30 will be
described first in its upright position (FIG. 2), with its movement
to the other positions following after.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 2, the reclining mechanism 30 includes
a mounting bracket 32 that is mounted to the inner surface of the
arm 14 (or the outer surface of the inner mounting panel 18a, 18b,
as the case may be) and, as such, is fixed relative to and forms
part of the base 12. The mounting bracket 32 includes upwardly
extending fingers at either end. A front swing link 34 is attached
to the forward end of the mounting bracket 32 at a pivot 36 and
extends downwardly and slightly forward therefrom. A rear swing
link 38 is attached to the rear end of the mounting bracket 32 at a
pivot 40 and extends downwardly and slightly forwardly therefrom. A
seat mounting assembly 42 includes an outer seat bracket 44 and an
inner seat bracket 45 that are fixed to each other, then are fixed
to a seat frame 20 that supports the seat 18 from underneath. The
lower, forward end of the outer seat bracket 44 is attached at a
pivot 46 to the front swing link 34, and the lower, rear end of the
inner seat bracket 45 is attached at a pivot 48 to the rear swing
link 38. A spring 47 extends between a pin on the inner seat
bracket 45 and a pin on the rear swing link 38. The front and rear
swing links 34, 38 control the relative movement of the seat 18
relative to the base 12.
[0024] Referring again to FIG. 2, a backpost 50 is fixed to the
backrest 22 and is attached to the outer seat bracket 44 at a pivot
52. A recline link 54 is attached to the backpost 50 at a pivot 56
and extends downwardly therefrom to attach to an intermediate
section of the rear swing link 38 at a pivot 58. These links
control the relative movement of the backrest 22 and seat 18.
[0025] Referring once again to FIG. 2, an ottoman linkage 60
includes an upper ottoman swing link 62 that is attached to the
forward end of the outer seat bracket 44 at a pivot 64, and further
includes a lower ottoman swing link 66 that is attached to the
outer seat bracket 44 at a pivot 68 that is located downwardly and
rearwardly from the pivot 64. Both of the upper and lower ottoman
swing links 62, 66 extend downwardly and rearwardly from the outer
seat bracket 44. An upper ottoman extension link 70 is attached to
the lower ottoman swing link 66 at a pivot 72 and extends upwardly
and forwardly therefrom. The upper ottoman extension link 70 is
also attached to the upper ottoman swing link 62 at a pivot 74. A
lower ottoman extension link 76 is attached to the upper ottoman
swing link 62 at a pivot 78 and extends upwardly and forwardly
therefrom. A front ottoman bracket 80, to which the front ottoman
24a is mounted, is attached to the upper and lower ottoman
extension links 70, 76 at pivots 82, 84 respectively. In this
position, the front ottoman 24a is generally vertically disposed
and serves as a front panel of the love seat 10. A rear ottoman
bracket 86, which is mounted to the rear ottoman 24b, is attached
to the lower ottoman extension link 76 at a pivot 88. The rear
ottoman bracket 86 includes a slot 86a that receives a pin 80a on
the upper ottoman extension bracket 80.
[0026] Referring yet again to FIG. 2, an electric power unit 90 (in
this instance a linear actuator) comprises a motor 92, a sleeve 94,
and a retractable rod 96. The motor 92 is mounted to a mounting
bracket 98 at a pivot 100; the mounting bracket 98 is fixed to a
cross-member 39 that extends between the rear swing links 38. The
rod 96 is attached to a bracket 102 at a pivot 104; the bracket 102
is fixed to a cross-member 67 that extends between the lower
ottoman swing links 66. In the upright position of FIG. 2, the rod
96 is retracted into the sleeve 94.
[0027] Either of the seats 18 and backrests 22 can be moved to TV
or fully reclined positions independently of the other seat
18/backrest 22. To move one of the sections of the love seat 10
from the upright position to the TV position of FIG. 3, the
occupant activates the motor 92 of the power unit 90, typically via
a push button, toggle switch, or the like. Activation of the motor
92 causes the rod 96 to begin to extend from the sleeve 94. This
action forces the lower ottoman swing link 66 to rotate
counterclockwise (from the vantage point of FIG. 2) about the pivot
68. Rotation of the lower ottoman swing link 76 drives the upper
ottoman extension link 70 forward, and also draws the upper ottoman
swing link 62 counterclockwise about the pivot 64. Relative
movement of the upper and lower ottoman extension links 70, 76
rotates the front ottoman bracket 80 (and in turn the front ottoman
24a) counterclockwise to a generally horizontal position, and also
rotates the rear ottoman bracket 86 counterclockwise until the rear
ottoman 24b is generally horizontal. Movement ceases when a pin 62a
on the upper ottoman swing link 62 strikes the upper edge of the
upper ottoman extension link 70 (see FIG. 3).
[0028] In the TV position, the front and rear ottomans 24a, 24b are
positioned forward of the seat 18 and are generally horizontally
disposed. However, the seat 18 and backrest 22 are substantially
stationary relative to each other or to the base 12 as the seating
unit 10 moves between the upright and TV positions.
[0029] To move a section of the love seat 10 from the TV position
to the fully reclined position of FIG. 4, the occupant again
activates the motor 92 of the power unit 90, which further extends
the rod 96 from the sleeve 94. Because the ottoman linkage 60 is
fully extended and is prevented from further extension by the pin
62a, additional extension of the rod 96 applies a
rearwardly-directed force on the bracket 98 mounted to the rear
swing links 38. This forces overcomes an "over-center" condition
between the pivots 48, 100 and 104 and drives the rear swing link
38 counterclockwise about the pivot 40 (which causes the power unit
90 to move forward relative to the base 12). Rotation of the rear
swing link 38 drives the seat mounting assembly 42 (and the seat 18
and backrest 22) forward and upward relative to the base 12, with
the movement of the seat 18 also being controlled by the front
swing link 34 as it rotates counterclockwise about the pivot 36.
Rotation of the rear swing link 38 also forces the recline link 54
upwardly and rotates it clockwise about the pivot 58, which causes
the backpost 50 to pivot counterclockwise about the pivot 52. In
this embodiment, the backpost 50 reclines such that its uppermost
portion moves rearwardly relative to the base 12 no more than about
4 inches. Also, the ascension of the recline link 54 causes the
seat 18 to rise (in this embodiment between about 3 and 6 inches).
Movement ceases when the rod 96 is fully extended from the sleeve
94.
[0030] The ability of the power unit 90 to move forwardly with the
rear swing link 38 enables the reclining mechanism 30 to be
relatively simple even though it can provide wall-proximity
capability. Because the power unit 90 moves with the rear swing
link 38, the rear swing link 38 can be coupled with the backpost 50
with just the recline link 54. This capability is typically much
more complicated and requires more moving parts, particularly in
seating units in which actuation of the seating unit occurs via a
handle or the like that extends through the arm of the seating
unit, as such a handle typically cannot move relative to the
arm.
[0031] The seat 18 and backrest 22 can be returned to the TV and
upright position by activating the motor 92 of the power unit 90 to
reverse its direction, thereby retracting the rod 96 into the
sleeve 94. The links of the reclining mechanism 30 reverse the
movements described above in returning to the TV and upright
position.
[0032] The foregoing embodiments are illustrative of the present
invention, and are not to be construed as limiting thereof.
Although exemplary embodiments of this invention have been
described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that
many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments
without materially departing from the novel teachings and
advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications
are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as
defined in the claims. The invention is defined by the following
claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.
* * * * *