Locking Mechanism For Reclining Chairs

Abstract

A locking mechanism for reclining chairs normally preventing recline of the chair and operated by or upon the extension of the footrest to permit the chair to recline, and upon recline, to lock the footrest against retraction. When the chair is shifted back to sitting position the footrest is again retractable, and when retracted, again prevents recline of the chair. Installed in a rocker-recliner, the mechanism also normally prevents recline, and when operated as above stated to permit recline, simultaneously locks the chair against rocking. Both recline and rocking locks utilize paired links alignable alternatively to prevent or permit relative movement of their associated parts. Also, recline of the chair, while locking the footrest against independent retraction, effects a slight related retraction thereof to prevent downward pull upon the occupant's outstretched legs upon recline.

Description

This invention relates to locking mechanism for reclining chairs and for so-called "rocker-recliner" chairs, i.e., reclining chairs which are built on rocking bases. All such chairs include a retractable footrest to support the legs of the occupant, and the operation of our locking mechanism is arranged to occur as an incident to extension and retraction of the footrest, and to prevent independent retraction of the footrest while the chair is reclined, but to effect a slight and desirable related retraction thereof as the chair is reclined.

The invention is more particularly concerned with a selective locking mechanism which prevents the recline of the chair in advance of the extension of the footrest, and which, in a rocker-recliner chain prevents reclining when the chair is adjusted for rocking, and conversely prevents rocking when the chair is reclined.

The invention contemplates the selection within the profile of the chair of a given common point on the reclining mechanism and on the chair base from which a substantial relative movement will be experienced when the chair is reclined. In the rocker-recliner chair, it is further contemplated that there will be located within the chair profile not only a given common point from which the reclining mechanism will have a substantial movement relative to the rocker portion of the base when the chair is recline, but also another given point common to the rocker and to the fixed base when the chair is in neutral balance, and from which the rocker will have a substantial movement relative to the fixed base when the chair rocks, "neutral balance" meaning the upright sitting of the chair, rocked neither forward nor back.

To each of the relatively movable chair members, e.g., the reclining mechanism and the fixed base of the ordinary reclining chair, there is respectively pivoted at the given common point one of a pair of connected links which are shiftable into blocking alignment with respect to the relative movement of the recline mechanism on the fixed base, and shiftable into an alternate position wherein the connecting pivot of the pair of links coincides with the axis of relative movement of the recline mechanism, the shifting movement, as earlier indicated, being associated with the operation of the footrest to cause the pair of connected links to block reclining movement when the footrest is retracted, and to permit recline after the footrest has been extended.

In the case of the rocker-recliner, the aforementioned relationship of the reclining mechanism, related as aforedescribed to the operation of the footrest, obtains between the reclining mechanism and the rocking portion of the base. Moreover, an additional pair of connected links is provided between the rocking portion of the base and the fixed portion of the base, and similarly shiftable into and out of blocking alignment with respect to the rocking movement, said shifting being coincident with and functionally the reserve of the shifting of the recliner lock. That is to say, in the rocker-recliner application, the links of the pairs respectively connected to the rocking portion of the base are so connected that when the one pair is shifted to prevent reclining the other permits rocking, and vice versa.

In both cases, each connected link pair permits permits relative movement of its associated chair portions when the connecting pivot of the link pair is shifted into coincidence with the axis of such relative movement, whether that axis be precise and actual, as in the case of the reclining mechanism, or approximate and virtual, as in the case of the rocking mechanism.

With respect to its application to rocker-recliner chairs, the invention further contemplates that the "given common point" on the reclining mechanism and the rocking portion of the base, on the one hand, and the "given common point" on the rocking and fixed portions of the base, on the other hand, may be selected to coincide in a single point, permitting both links pivoted to the rocker to be unified into a single locking lever connected by one link to the fixed base of the chair and by a second link to the recline linkage, and shiftable between two alternate positions. Thus, when the locking lever occupies one of its two positions, one of its arms and the link connection of that arm to the recline mechanism are aligned to prevent reclining movment of the chair parts relative to the rocker, but permit the other arm of the locking lever and its link connection to the fixed portion of the base to "toggle" idly as the chair rocks. Similarly, when the locking lever occupies its alternate position, its other arm and the link connecting the same to the fixed portion of the base of the chair are swung into alignment to prevent rocking in either direction from "neutral balance", while the locking lever and its link connection to the recline mechanism, having had their common pivot moved into coincidence with the axis of the movement of that mechanism upon recline, permit the reclining movement, and likewise "toggle" as the reclining movement proceeds.

The principles employed and their advantageous use in reclining chairs will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an "exploded" isometric assembly view of the locking linkage of our invention in its more complete form, one of a pair that we prefer to employ, one at each side of the chair, to lock the rocker of a rocker-recliner securely for the recline of the chair when the footrest is extended, and to prevent retraction of the footrest when the chair is reclined, FIG. 1 showing the normal positions of the parts, i.e., with the chair in neutral balance and the footrest retracted;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the chair showing the locking linkage positioned within the chair profile;

FIG. 3, 4 and 5 are enlarged fragmentary side elevations of our locking linkage, FIG. 3 showing the same in the position of FIG. 1 to facilitate orientation, and FIGS. 4 and 5 showing the chair rocked backward and forward, respectively, as permitted by the position of the locking linkage illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the chair showing the footrest extended, and FIG. 7 is a corresponding fragmentary side elevation of the locking linkage positioned by the extension of the footrest to prevent rocking and to permit the reclining action to proceed;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the chair both upright and in recline, and FIG. 9 an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the locking linkage positioned by the recline to prevent retraction of the footrest.

PRELIMINARY SUMMARY

Referring initially to FIG. 1 for a general summary of the locking linkage 10 of the invention, the view there shown is an interior view looking downwardly toward the left rear of the chair from the upper right, with the seat of the chair removed. To the viewer's left in the exploded assembly is an upstanding bracket 12 secured to the fixed base 14 of the chair. Midway in depth along the "exploded" assembly is an angle bracket 16 secured to the rocker bracket 18 on the rocker portion 20 of the base. Extending diagonally upwardly and rearwardly at the righthand side of the assembly are the supporting links 22 and 24, connected to guide the back bracket 26 of the reclining back of the chair.

In the rocking movement of the chair, the angle bracket 16, being secured to the rocker 20 and employed as the locking point thereof, moves up and down relative to the fixed base 14 and, because the rocker travels fore and aft on its base while rocking, describes a curvilinear path that is not a circular arc. The lockable member of the reclining mechanism, on the other hand, the upstanding boomerang-shaped link 24, is pivoted on the rocker bracket 18, and is independently rotatable thereon during the reclining movement of the chair.

The locking members per se of the locking linkage 10 include a rocking, bell-crank lock lever 28 pivoted to the angle bracket 16 on the rocker, a slotted link 30 by means of which one arm 32 of the lock lever 28 is connected to the fixed bracket 12 secured to the base of the chair, and another link 34 by means of which the other arm 36 of the lock lever 28 is connected to the rearwardly extending arm 38 of the boomerang lever 24 which supports the back of the chair.

When the lock lever 28 and the link 34 connecting it to the back-support lever 24 are positioned as shown in FIG. 1, it will be apparent that the coincidence of the rock lever arm 36 and the link 34 along the line of movement to be taken by the lower arm 38 of that lever 24 during recline effectively prevents reclining movement of the chair.

Alternatively, when the lock lever is rocked forward on its pivot to the angle bracket 16, it carries its coinciding upper arm 36 and connecting link 34 out of blocking alignment to reclining movement, and simultaneously places its other arm 32, coinciding with the slotted link 30, into blocking alignment with respect to rocking movement in either direction. (FIG. 7).

Shifting of the lock lever 28 between its alternate positions is accomplished indirectly by forming the link 34 connecting the lock lever and arm 38 of the back support link as a bell crank, and connecting the rearwardly extending arm 40 thereof to a tubular connecting link 42 extending forwardly to an arm 44 on a cross shaft 46 journalled in the forward portion of the seat bracket 48. The cross shaft 46 is associated with footrest extension linkage 50, (FIG. 6) which may, as more fully described in our co-pending application Ser. No. 374,486, filed June 28, 1973, be actuated by an operating handle 52 at the side of the chair. Such operating handle, if used, becomes the operator also for actuating the locking linkage 10 to prevent rocking of the chair and to position the same for reclining as an incident to the extension of the footrest.

Extension of the footrest with the chair in the upright position, and blocked against rocking, has become identified in trade parlance as the "TV" position, the extension of the footrest being accomplished either by manipulation of a hand lever at the side of the chair, or by a shifting of the chair seat relative to the rocking portion of the base. In the latter instance, we contemplate that the connecting link 42, by means of which the lock lever 28 of our locking linkage is positioned to prevent rocking, would be connected for actuation by and coincident to the shifting of the seat on the rocking base, either by more direct connection to the seat, or indirectly, as shown, by operation of the footrest mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For a detailed description of the locking linkage of the invention we refer again initially to the exploded assembly view of FIG. 1, showing the hardware and rocking base on the far side of the chair, the back of the chair being on the left and the front of the chair on the right. The counterbalancing springs usually also mounted interiorally to connect the fixed or floor-engaging portion 14 of the base and the upper rocker portion 20 superposed thereon, are omitted in FIG. 1 for a clearer showing of the essential parts, but it will be understood that they position the chair in the neutral balance earlier referred to.

Screwed onto the rocker portion 20 of the base is the rocker bracket 18 of angle iron which provides the mounting for the recline linkage by means of which the back of the chair and the seat are mounted for movement relative to each other and to the rocking portion of the base as an incident to recline of the chair. The recline linkage illustrated in FIG. 1 is that which is illustrated, described, and claimed in our co-pending application Ser. No. 374,355, filed June 28, 1973, and is reshown here simply for purposes of illustration. As the principles of our locking mechanism become clear from the following explanation, it will be equally apparent that the utility of our novel lock does not depend upon this particular

In any event, while for purposes of illustrating and explaining the function of our novel lock, attention should be focused upon the boomerang-shaped forward support lever 24 of the reclining mechanism, it should for completeness be explained that the back of the chair is supported by the back bracket 26 which in turn is supported from the aforementioned rocker bracket 18 by means of the link 22 and lever 24, which form a trapezoidal linkage with the back bracket 26 and the rocker bracket 18 to effect a forward lifting of the back bracket 26 (and the lower end of the back of chair) as an incident to the rearward rotation of the back-bracket upon recline.

The seat of the chair is supported upon the seat bracket 48, which in turn is supported in its forward portions by an overslung link 54 extending upwardly and rearwardly from its pivotal connection to the rocker bracket 18 to its pivotal connection in the seat bracket 48. Its angularity in the sitting position illustrated is such that when the seat bracket is shifted forwardly, the link 54 lifts the front end of the seat.

The rearward portion of the seat is carried upon a bell crank lever 56 supported from the front, boomerang-shaped back-support lever 24 and controlled in its movement relative thereto during the recilining rotation of the back by a control link 58 connected to the back bracket 36. That specific reclining chair mechanism, as earlier stated, is not a part of the locking linkage of this invention as such, and, forming the subject of our separate co-pending application, is shown here merely for illustration.

For present purposes, the important member of the recline linkage is the forward back support lever 24, whose lower, rearwardly-extending arm 38 is the point at which the locking linkage 10 of this invention is attached to the recline mechanism to perform its locking function.

The footrest extension mechanism 50 (FIG. 6) is largely omitted from FIG. 1 except to the extent it shares parts in common with the locking linkage 10, in particular, those parts necessary to operate the locking linkage to prevent rocking coincidentally with the extension of the retractable footrest to its forward position. Still referring to FIG. 1, these include the square cross shaft 46 journalled forwardly on the seat bracket 48 and extending to a seat bracket counterpart on the other side of the chair to unify the action of the footrest extension linkages 50 on opposite sides of the chair. The footrest extension mechanism illustrated in FIG. 6 is not, as such, a part of our locking linkage, and is separately fully described and claimed in another co-pending application Ser. No. 374,486 filed June 28, 1973 It is shown here only for illustration, and to the extent necessary to show how the manipulation of a separate operating lever, such as 52, for the extension of the footrest likewise actuates the locking mechanism to prevent rocking while the footrest is extended.

Referring therefore to the FIGS. 1 and 6 jointly, it will be sufficient for present purposes to note that the foorest 60 is extended on a pair of parallel rails 62 which are suitably supported from the underside of the seat of the chair for endwise movement, and are propelled to the extended position by a drive linkage comprising a hand lever operated rear drive link 64 pivoted to the seat bracket 48, a forward drive link 66 secured as an arm to the aforementioned square cross shaft 46 shown in FIG. 1, and connected for unison rotation by a connecting link 68. A multiplying lever 70 pivoted to the lower end of the rear drive link 64, and rocked relative thereto by a restraining link 72 pivoted to the lever 70 and to the forward drive link 66, has a resulting angular movement nearly twice that of the drive link 64, and, through its drag link connection 74 to the rear end of the footrest supporting rails 62, drive the same to the extended broken-line position in FIG. 6 by the rearward movement of the hand lever 52 through about 90.degree. as indicated in FIG. 6.

In the process, the front drive link 66, and the square cross shaft 46 shown in FIG. 1, are also rotated through approximately 90.degree. in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, and that rotation, through mechanism now to be described, operates our improved locking linkage 10 incident to extension of the footrest.

As earlier indicated, although we do not consider our invention limited in this respect, we prefer to use duplicate locking linkages, one at each side of the chair, just as we have duplicated the reclining linkage for the seat and the back and for the extension of the footrest as well. We could use a single locking linkage located between the sides of the chair and connected therewith by means of suitable rods and shafts, but we prefer separate locking linkages for each side, operated of course in unison, because our locking mechanism then functions solidly to block out the intended function, i.e., when the chair is reclined there is essentially no springiness in the parts, nor any rocking movement to suggest to the resposed occupant that he is insecure and in danger of tipping.

THE LOCKING LINKAGE PER SE

It has been noted preliminarily that the illustrated chair has two modes of movement, rocking and reclining, and that the function of the locking mechanism is to condition the chair for one mode while preventing the other, and vice versa, incident to extension and retraction of the footrest.

In the rocking mode, the rocker portion 20 of the base and everything supported by it, oscillates up and down and to and fro relative to the fixed base 14, whereas in the reclining mode, the seat and the back, or in any event the back, move relative to the rocker 20 upon which they are mounted. In this context, the locking linkage of our invention is such that when the footrest is retracted and the chair is in upright sitting position, the linkage permits rocking but prevents recline. On the other hand, when the footrest is extended, the rocking movement is blocked, and the locking linkage conditioned to permit recline. This is the so-called intermediate or "TV" position, i.e., with footrest extended, rocking function locked, and the chair conditioned for recline.

As the back of the chair is then reclined, the locking linkage operates to perform a slight but related retraction of the footrest, but prevents independent retraction of the footrest while the chair is reclined.

These several functions are accomplished by the following structure: The lower shorter arm 38 of the boomerang-shaped front support lever 24 of the back is in alignment with the rocker bracket 18 when the back is in the upright sitting position, being supported in that attitude by the angle bracket 16 which is secured to the underside of the rocker bracket 18 and extends inwardly therefrom to space its upstanding flange from the vertical flange of the rocker bracket. The vertical flange of the angle bracket 16 is pierced to receive a shoulder rivet to pivot the rock lever 28 on the rocker portion of the base.

The rearwardly-extending shorter arm 38 of the forward back support lever 24 is pierced at a point spaced rearwardly from its pivotal attachment to the rocker bracket 18, and on an axis which coincides with the pivotal mounting of the lock lever 28 when the chair parts are in the upright position illustrated in FIG. 1. This provides the pivotal mounting for the connecting link 34, which for other purposes yet to be described, is also formed as a bell crank, i.e., having two diverging arms. The one of those arms, 37, standing nearly upright in FIG. 1, is pivotally connected at its upper end to the similarly upstanding and coextensive arm 36 of the lock lever 28, both said arms being offset toward each other to bridge the angle bracket 16 and the clearance space provided, and being pierced and pivotally connected by a suitable shoulder rivet.

From the foregoing partial detailed description of the locking linkage, it will be apparent that inasmuch as the rearwardly extending arm 38 of the forward back support lever 24 moves perpendicularly upwardly from the rocker bracket 18 to initiate the reclining movement, the interconnected lock lever arm 36 and the associated arm 37 of the connecting link 34, the one being connected to the angle bracket 16 and the other being attached to the shorter arm 38 of the front back support lever 24, prevent any reclining movement when they are disposed as shown in FIG. 1.

The other arm 32 of the lock lever 28, extending forwardly and slightly downwardly from its pivot to the angle bracket 16 on the rocker, is pivoted at its outer end to the distal end of the connecting link 30, which has a slotted pivotal connection to the upstanding bracket 12 secured to the fixed base 14 of the chair. The fixed bracket 12 is formed with a short upstanding mounting flange 76 emplaced against the inner surface of the runner of the base 13, and a taller upstanding plate 78 spaced therefrom adequately to span the angle bracket 16 of the rocker and all of the locking linkage. At its upper end, the plate 78 supports a shoulder bolt 80 on which the slotted end of the connecting link 30 is pivoted, coaxially with the pivot of the lock lever 28 to the angle bracket 16, and with the pivot of the rearwardly extending arm 38 of the forward back-support lever 24 to its connecting link 34. That is to say, when the chair is in neutral balance, the pivot axes of the fixed bracket 12, the lock lever 28 on the angle bracket 16, and that of the connecting link 34 to the rearwardly extending arm 38 of the forward back support lever 24, are all located on the same axis, or, viewing the chair in profile, these respective axes coincide at a single point, or substantially so.

As indicated in FIG. 1, the mounting flange 76 of the fixed bracket 12 is provided with two holes spaced from front to rear, the forward hole being tapped to receive a mounting screw (not shown) passed through a drilled hole in the runner of the base 14. The rearward hole of the mounting flange is pierced oversize and an aligned tapped hole provided in the spaced upstanding plate 78 that supports the pivot bolt 80. A longer mounting screw 82 is passed through the base runner from the outside, through the rear hole in the mounting flange 76, and fitted in the tapped hole in the upstanding plate 78. This rearward screw may, if desired, be a shoulder screw, or may be surrounded by a sleeve between the two upstanding flanges of the fixed bracket 12, as may be desirable to enable the screw 82 to provide a stop for the slotted link 30 and the lock lever 28 in the alternate position of adjustment of the latter, at which the rocking of the chair is prevented and recline permitted (FIG. 7).

The coinciding lengths of the arm 36 of the lock lever 28 and the arm 37 of the connecting link 34, shown upstanding in FIG. 1, are also equal to the distance between the two pivots of the shorter arm 38 of the forward back support lever 24, so that when the locking linkage 10 is shifted to its alternate position (FIG. 7), not only will the rocker portion of the base be secured in the neutral balance position of FIG. 1, but the pivot axis of the connection of the lock lever 28 to the connecting link 34 will coincide with the axis of the pivotal connection of the forward back support lever 24 to the rocker bracket 18, and with the parts thus aligned, the forward back support lever 24 may swing freely upwardly to permit the chair to recline.

The shifting of the locking linkage between its alternate positions by the swinging of the lock lever 28 (FIG. 1, or FIG. 3, to FIG. 7) is accomplished as already indicated by the same action which extends the footrest and specifically, in the illustrated instance, is effected by the rotation of the square cross shaft 46 journalled in and extending between the seat brackets 48 at opposite sides of the chair. The rotation of the cross shaft 46 is imparted to the short arm 44 secured thereto, the arm 44 being stamped from light plate and pierced with a square hole at one end to receive the shaft 46 and a round hole at the distal end for pivotal attachment by means of a suitable rivet to the rearwardly-extending operating link 42. The operating link 42 is preferably tubular for greater rigidity, and flattened at its ends for connection forwardly to the arm 44 on the cross shaft 46, and rearwardly to the locking linkage 10.

From the foregoing description of structure and operation, it will be apparent that the primary function of the operating link 42 is to shift the lock lever 28 between its alternate positions. To serve that primary purpose, the link might suitably be connected directly to the lock lever 28 at any convenient point thereon or extension thereof, depending upon the direction of movement of the conveniently available shifting effort derived from the extension of the footrest. To enable that connection also to achieve a secondary purpose, however, we prefer to shift the lock lever 28 by means of the arm 40 on the connecting link 34 pivoted to the forward support lever 24 of the recline mechanism, that link 34, as earlier noted, being made in the form of a bell crank for this purpose.

THE OPERATING LINKAGE PER SE

As shown in FIG. 1, the rearwardly extending arm 40 of the connecting link 34 is pivoted to the rear end of the tubular operating link 42, being substantially offset toward the center of the chair to place the flattened end-portion of the operating link 42 inwardly of the lock lever 28. The slotted connecting link 30 and its associated arm 32 of the lock lever 28 are likewise offset toward each other at their distal ends to provide clearance for the flattened rear end of the operating link during rocking movement of the chair.

The primary or lever-shifting function of the operating link 42 can occur freely only when the chair is in its position of neutral balance, or more precisely, when the pivot on the angle bracket 16 and at the rear end of the lower arm 38 of the forward back-support lever 24 coincide with the pivot 80 on the fixed bracket 12, or nearly so. (The ability of the locking linkage to jack the chair into neutral balance upon attempted extension of the footrest is discussed later herein.) When that condition obtains, the rotation of the cross shaft 46 by the extension of the footrest moves the operating link 42 forwardly, and rotates the connecting link 34 clockwise as viewed in FIG. 1, carrying with it the lock lever 28, which in turn carries with it the slotted connecting link 30, turning all parts to the position of FIG. 7 coincident with the extension of the footrest. From the position of FIG. 7, the reclining motion may proceed at the occupant's discretion, inasmuch as the aligned arm 37 of the connecting link 34 and arm 36 of the lock lever 28 have been moved into alignment with the shorter arm 38 of the forward back support lever 24, and their connecting pivot is aligned with the swing pivot of the back-support lever on the rocker bracket 18. As the reclining movement proceeds (FIGS. 8 and 9) and the forward support lever 24 of the back of the chair moves forwardly on the rocker, the tubular operating link 42 is moved forwardly as the connecting link 34 rotates clockwise (as seen in FIGS. 1 and 9) with the back support lever 24. This forward movement of the operating link 42 relative to the rocker upon recline enables it to perform a secondary function now to be described.

In the particular recline mechanism here illustrated, the recline of the back is accompanied by a forward shift of the seat, and as noted, the cross shaft 46 is journalled in the seat brackets 48. During recline, however, the pivot of the lock lever 28 on the angle bracket 16 remains stationary, and the lock lever 28 immovable. Depending, therefore, upon the amount of forward movement of the seat relative to the rocker, the direct attachment of the operating link 42 to the rock lever 28 would cause reverse rotation of the cross shaft 46, and retraction of the footrest, as the seat moves forward.

Complete retraction of the footrest would, of course, be self-defeating, but we have found that a slight retraction upon recline is highly desirable to offset the tendency of the footrests of reclining chairs to pull down the socks of the occupant as his body shifts slightly rearwardly on the seat upon recline.

Accordingly, to provide for a slight retraction of the footrest upon recline, we connect the tubular operating link 42 to the arm 40 of the connecting link 34 so that the link 42 is shifted forwardly relative to the rocker 40 (FIG. 9) by the recline movement. As the forward movement of the seat proceeds upon recline we proportion the length of the arm 40 of the connecting link 34 appropriately to the forward movement of the cross shaft upon recline, and thereby effect a slight retraction of the operating link 42 relative to the seat, a slight reverse rotation of the footrest-operating cross shaft 46, and the desired corresponding slight retraction of the footrest.

The same retraction control can be achieved equally in chairs having no movement, or a different movement, of the footrest mechanism relative to the chair upon recline, by attaching the operating link 42 of the locking mechanism appropriately to the connecting link 34.

FOOTREST LOCKING

Having explained the operation of our locking linkage to prevent one or the other of the rocking or reclining movements from the upright sitting position, as well as its ability to effect a slight but desirable retraction of the footrest upon recline, we now explain by reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, 7 and 9 its further function, i.e., the forcible return of the chair to neutral position by the extension of the footrest while rocking, and the prevention of the retraction of the footrest when the chair is reclined.

In FIG. 3, which is a side elevation of the locking linkage in the same position illustrated in FIG. 1, the chair is in neutral balance in the upright sitting position, rocked neither forward nor back, although capable of doing so but incapable of reclining.

In FIG. 4, the chair is rocked back and in FIG. 5 the chair is rocked forwardly. During these movements, the slotted connecting link 30 and its associated arm 32 of the lock lever 28 simply "toggle" idly in their passage from the position of FIG. 4 to that of FIG. 5, and vice versa, passing on each rocking movement through the neutral position of FIG. 3. Because in the illustrated case the rocking element is not of the fixed axis type but actually "rolls" on the base runner during the rocking movement, the path described by the axis of the lock lever is a compound movement rather than a circular arc, wherefore it is accordingly necessary to provide a slot in the link 30 at the pivot bolt 80 to accommodate these slight fore and aft movements of the rocker on the base.

When the slotted link 30 and its associated arm 32 of the lock lever 28 are divergent, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the footrest cannot be extended, i.e., the lock lever 28 cannot be rotated by the operating link 42, without drawing the chair back to neutral. If attempted in the FIG. 4 position the arm 32 strikes the fixed bracket 12 and forces the rocker up. If attempted from the FIG. 5 position, the link 30 pulls the locker down. Some slight variation from true alignment inevitably occur as the chair is occupied by persons of different stature. If extension of the footrest is attempted while the chair is in a rocking motion, i.e., when the pivot axis of the lock lever 28 is substantially out of coincidence with the pivot of the slotted connecting link 30 to the fixed bracket 12, the rocking motion is terminated as the leverage of the operating link 42, exerted through the lock lever 28, forces the pivot axis of the lock lever into coincidence with that of the fixed bracket 12, and thus permits the shifting of the linkage into the position of FIG. 7 (and the extension of the footrest) from which the reclining action may proceed.

In FIG. 7, it will be noted that the slotted link 30 and its associated arm 32 of the lock lever 28 have been swung down approximately vertically from the pivot bolt 80 of the fixed bracket 12, and are stopped in that position by their abutment with the rearward mounting screw 82 which also secures the fixed bracket 12 to the base runner. As indicated in FIG. 7, we prefer to maintain zero clearance between the ends of the slotted link 30 and the lock lever arm 32 and the upper surface of the connecting web of the fixed bracket 12 so that all lost motion in the slotted connection of the link 30 to the pivot bolt 80 is taken up, and the rocking movement is blocked solidly, i.e., without any jiggling or springing to disquiet the occupant as he reclines in the chair.

As the linkage proceeds to the position of FIG. 9 by the reclining of the back of the chair, i.e., by the forward rotation of the forward support lever 24 upon the rocker bracket 18, the connecting link 34 to the lower arm 38, and its associated arm 36 of the lock lever 28 are likewise moved out of coincidence, which serves to prevent any shifting of the lock lever 28 while the chair is reclined, the divergence of the arm 37 of the connecting link 34 from its associated arm 36 of the lock lever 28 preventing movement of the link 34 by the operating link 42, and thus preventing independent retraction of the footrest.

CONCLUSION

In the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings, we have described and illustrated the best mode known to us for the practice of our invention. When its priciples are understood, it will be apparent that modification can be made within the scope of what we here disclose and claim as our invention.

For example, the arms of the lock lever 28 may be separated into individual links located on different axes at different locations on the rocking portion to accommodate to specifically different chairs, or the unified preferred locking linkage might be located forwardly of the rocking fulcrum and its connection to the recline mechanism of the chair made to the seat or to the seat supports if the same move relative to the rocker upon recline. We prefer the rearward location, however, inasmuch as all rocking-reclining chairs have a reclining back irrespective of what may happen to the seat.

By locating our preferred unified form of "triple link" lock, viz., the lock lever 28 and its link connections 30 and 34 respectively to the fixed base and to the recline linkage, on an axis common to both pairs of relatively movable parts when the chair is in the neutral or upright sitting position, and from which each pair has a substantial relative movement in the rocking mode and in the reclining mode, we have provided a very effective, compact, and unitary lock by means of which the two modes of movement of the chair are made assuredly mutually exclusive, yet which requires a conscious although convenient effort of the occupant to shift the locking linkage to condition the chair for one mode or the other.

Further, by associating the operation of our selective lock with the operation of the footrest mechanism, i.e., permitting the chair to rock when the footrest is retracted and preventing rocking while the footrest is extended, we have interconnected the locking mechanism with the footrest extension function in such a way that the footrest cannot be extended without terminating the rocking movement, nor can the footrest be retracted independently while the chair is reclined. That is to say, while the rocker-recliner chair is in its upright sitting position, it is a rocking chair. When the leg rest is extended, whether by manipulation of the hand lever in the specific illustration shown or by the shifting of the seat relative to the chair arms, as is also not uncommon, the chair is locked against rocking at an intermediate so-called "TV" position, with the footrest extended and the chair essentially upright. From the "TV" position, the chair may be reclined, in which case the footrest is locked against independent retraction, but experiences a related slight retraction to avoid a downward pull on the occupant's outstretched legs. Alternatively, from the "TV" position, the footrest may be retracted, in which case the chair is again conditioned for rocking, and is locked against recline.

The features of our invention believed to be new and patentable are set forth in the appended claims:

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In a rocker-recliner chair having a base portion for supporting a chair upon the floor, a rocking portion mounted upon the base portion for rocking movement thereon, and a body-supporting portion movable relative to said rocking portion from a generally upright sitting position to a recline position,

the improvement comprising a locking linkage selectively shiftable between alternate positions to lock the chair against reclining while permitting the same to rock, and conversely, to lock the chair against rocking while permitting the same to recline,

said linkage comprising a first pair of connected links each pivoted respectively to one of said base and said rocking portions on a first axis which is common to both and spaced from the rocking axis when the chair is in neutral balance, and from which the pivots of said first link pair are displaced by said rocking movement, and a second pair of connected links each pivoted respectively to one of said rocking member and said body-supporting portions on a second axis common to both when the chair is in said sitting position and from which the pivots of said second link pair are displaced by said relative movement to the recline position,

the links of said pairs pivoted to the rocking portion being connected together for movement in unison between said alternate positions at one of which said second link pair is aligned in opposition to said relative movement to the recline position, and at the other of which said first link pair is aligned in opposition to said rocking movement, each link pair being aligned to permit relative movement of its associated chair portions when the other pair is aligned in opposition as aforesaid,

and means for shifting said linkage between said alternate positions.

2. In a chair in accordance with claim 1 and also having a normally retracted footrest extendable to a leg-supporting position forwardly of the chair, wherein said linkage-shifting means is a connection from said locking linkage to the means for extending and retracting the footrest to shift said linkage between its alternate positions coincident with the extension and retraction of the footrest, said locking linkage being positioned to prevent reclining and to permit rocking when the footrest is retracted, and shifted to its alternate position when the footrest is extended.

3. The subject matter of claim 1 wherein said first and second common axes coincide.

4. The subject matter of claim 3 wherein the said two links pivoted to the rocking portion are in fact the divergent arms of a single rock lever.

5. The subject matter of claim 2 wherein the means for shifting the locking linkage comprises an operating link connected respectively to the footrest mechanism and to the link of said second pair which is connected to the body-supporting portion of the chair, said operating link by said connection effecting a slight retraction of the footrest incident to movement of the body-supporting portion from the sitting to the reclining position.

6. The subject matter of claim 4 in which each of the divergent arms of said rock lever and its paired link when arrayed in blocking position are aligned in the direction of relative movement of their two associated, relatively movable chair portions, and substantially perpendicular thereto when in the alternate position.

7. The subject matter of claim 1 wherein the rocking portion includes curved runners which translate fore and aft on the base portion as the chair rocks, and in which the link of said first pair connected to the base portion has at least one slotted pivotal connection to accommodate the compound movement of the rocking portion relative to the base portion, and means providing contact between said first link pair and said base portion in the blocking position to prevent lost motion of said slotted pivotal connection to secure said chair against rocking movement in either direction from said blocking position notwithstanding the slot in said link.

8. The subject matter of claim 7 in which said link is slotted at its pivotal connection to said base portion, and wherein said first link pair in blocking position is substantially aligned in the direction of movement of the rocking portion from said first mentioned common axis, and said first link pair at its end remote from said slotted connection engages the base portion of the chair as a strut and the lost motion of said slotted connection is taken up.

9. In a reclining chair having a base, a body supporting portions supported upon the base, and movable relative thereto from an upright sitting position to a reclining position, and a retractable footrest movably mounted on chair to be extensible forwardly of the body-supporting portion to support the outstretched legs of the occupant,

mechanism for extending and retracting the footrest while the chair is in sitting position,

and a connection between said body-supporting portion and said footrest mechanism to effect a slight movement of the extended footrest toward its retracted position by the reclining of the chair to compensate for the shift of the occupant's body rearwardly of the chair upon recline.

10. In a reclining chair having a base, a body-supporting portion supported from the base and movable relative thereto from an upright sitting position to a reclining position, and a retractable footrest movably mounted on the chair to be extensible forwardly of the body-supporting portion to support the outstretched legs of the occupant,

a locking linkage comprising a pair of connected links each pivoted respectively to one of said base and said body-supporting portion on an axis common to both when the chair is in said sitting position and from which said pivots diverge during said relative movement to the reclining position,

mechanism for extending and retracting the footrest,

a connection between said footrest mechanism and said locking linkage aligning said pair of links in coincidence in opposition to said relative movement when the footrest is retracted and shifting said pair of links to position the same to permit divergence of said pivots and a movement of said pair of links relative to each other simultaneously with the recline of the chair,

said relative movement of said pair of links being operative through said connection to effect a slight movement of the extended footrest toward its retracted position upon the reclining of the chair to compensate for the shift of the occupant's body rearwardly of the chair upon recline.

11. The subject matter of claim 10 wherein the mechanism for extending and retracting the footrest includes at least one link movable relative to said base by the extension of the footrest, and the connection between the footrest mechanism and said locking linkage comprises an operating link connected to said one footrest link and to one of said pair of links of the locking linkage.

12. The subject matter of claim 10 wherein the body-supporting portion includes a member rotatable on the base and supporting the back, and wherein the one of said pair of links pivoted to the body-supporting portion is pivoted to said rotatable back-supporting member.