US2497395A - Reclining chair - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 14, 1950 R. A. CRAMER. 512 2,497,395

RECLINING CHAIR Filed March 4, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I 1 2 P a; I

INVENTOR. Pay A Creme/z 5/.

ATTORNEYS R. A. CRAMER. SR 2,497,395

RECLINING CHAIR Feb. 14, 1950 Filed March 4, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

/?0y' A, Cramer; 5/:

Feb. 14, 1950? R. 'A. CRAMER, sR

RECLINING CHAIR 4 Sheets$heet 3 Filed March 4, 1946 INVENTOR. Roy A Owner; 5/.

ZZZAMVYMM ATTORNEYS Feb. 14, 1950 R. A. CRAMER, SR 2,497,395

RECLINING CHAIR INVENTOR.

E0 1! Owner, 5/7

A TTORNEYS Patented Feb. 14, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,497,595 ascnn mo cnsm Boy A. Cramer, 8n, Hickman Mills, Mo. Application March 4 1546, Serial No. 851,798

15 Claims.

This invention relates to chairs and particularly those of the reclining back type, the principal object being to provide a chair of this character with a seat movable in coordination with the reclining back so as to provide proper body support throughout change of position of a person when shifting from a substantially erect sitting position to a reclining position.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a chair structure wherein movement of the back and seat conforms to natural movement of a person's body when shifting from a sitting to a reclining position; to provide a structure which utilizes weight of a person for facilitating movement of the back and seat, that is, the weight of the body on the back aids in raising the seat when the person moves to a reclining position and the weight of the body on the seat aids in raising the back when the person desires toreturn to an upright position; to provide to assist in return movement of the back and seat when a person of light weight is occupying the chair; to provide means for adjusting the action of the spring; to provide a chair structure wherein the seat shifts forwardly and upwardly as the back moves downwardly so that the pivot point of the body of a person seated in the chair is held in a fixed course; to provide a chair structure wherein the back is connected with the seat by a linkage to effect tilting of the back for supporting the back of a person on moving to reclined position; to provide a reclining back chair with a back adjustable vertically for differentsized persons; to provide springs for raising the back when effecting adjustment of the back for height; and to provide the back with a vertically adjustable head rest which may be manipulated independently of adjustment of the back.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a reclining back chair wherein the cushioning material supporting member is shaped both vertically and transversely in accordance with a person's back so that the cushioning material can be of equal thickness over the entire area thereof; and to provide covers for the back, seat and head rest that are readily removable for laundering or dry cleaning.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a chair with a. spring 5 tion and showing the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein: I

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a chair constructed in accordance with the present inventhe back in reclining position, the covering plate for enclosing the operating mechanism at one side of the chair being removed for better illustration.

Fig. 2 is a similar view but showing the back in substantially erect position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the chair, the upper portion of the back I being shown in elevation.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section through the back and head rest on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3 but I showing the seat in raised position and the back a reclining back chair of simple and relatively inexpensive construction; and to provide a chair of this character wherein all main actions are controlled by a single lever.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, 1 have provided improved structure,

in reclining position.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view partially in section particularly illustrating the latch mechanism for retaining the back and seat in an adjusted position.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section through the chair and showing the seat removed, but with the position thereof indicated in dotted lines.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section through a side of the back support, particularly illustrating the spring for raising the back of the chair relative tothe seat.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of the back support, particularly illustrating the latch and lever mechanism for retaining the back in vertically adjusted position.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

l designates a chair embodying the features of the present invention and which includes a base 2, a pivoting back supporting means 3, a back 4 tiltable on the back supporting means and a seat 5. The base 2 may be constructed in various manners and of various materials, but is illustrated as composed of tubing, since tubing provides a chair frame of strong, lightweight construction. The base 2 includes laterally spaced side portions 6 and I, each formed of tubing bent to shape for providing front and rear legs 8 and 9 having the desired contour and interconnected by a rearwardly inclined arm supporting rail l0 and a lower rail I l. The front legs 8 of the sides include an inwardly extending arm I! cooperating with an arm is depending from the rail portion 10 for forming a bracket H wherefrom the back support is suspended. The arm i3 preferably extends below the arm I! and has a bifurcation l5.

The side portions of the base are interconnected memos latch mechanism, later described, the rail I1 is preferably of rectangular cross section to provide a substantially flat upper face portion II to mount the latch mechanism later described.

Carried on the rails 'III are arm rests l3 and 23 that may be upholstered or covered to conform with the seat and back covering later described.- If desired, the side portions of the base may be covered on the inner and outer sides by side plates 2| and 22 engaging the respective sides of the frame sections and having interengaging flanges 23 and 24 extending over the tubing so that the tubing forming the sides of the frame is completely enclosed. In order to accommodate the chair operating mechanism within the enclosures, the outer covering plates 2| are preferably offset outwardly above the lower cross rails II as indi cated at 23 (Fig. l).

Pivotally connected with each of the bifurcated ends I! of the arms l3 are arms 26 having lateral terminals 23 extending through arcuate slots 23 that are provided in the inside cover plates 22 of the chair frame. The arms 26 are provided with tongues 30 engaged between the ears of the bifurcated terminals of the arms l3 and are hinged thereto by pivot pins 3! The location of the hinge pins 3| relative to the movable seat and back 4 constitute an important part of the present invention to be hereinafter more fully disclosed.

Fixed to and extending laterally from the rearward sides of the arms 23 are arms 32 having terminals 33 extending laterally through the arcuate slots 29 to cooperate with the terminals 23 for suspendedly carrying the back supporting means 3. The back supporting means includes tubular side members 34 having forwardly curved ends 35 preferably corresponding with curvature of the slots 23 and which are connected with the lateral terminals of the arms 23 and 33 by welding or the like. The other ends of the side members 34 extend upwardly and rearwardly so that they terminate a short distance above the arms of the chair as shown in Fig. 3. The side members 34 of the back support are interconnected by a web 36 having the side edges thereof curved around the side members as at 31 and having flanges 33 secured to the body of the web (Fig. 6) The front edge of the web is similarly curved as at 33 (Fig. 7) about the lateral terminals 23 of the arms 26 and about a yoke-shaped cross member 43 which interconnects the inner ends of the terminals 28 as best shown in Fig. 2, so as to provide a connection for a spring assembly 4|, later described. The upper edge of the,

web terminates at the upper ends of the tubular side members of the support and is rolled inwardly as at 42 (Fig. 9) to form a finished edge.

It is obvious that the back support is pivotally suspended from the side portions of the chair frame and 'is adapted to swing in an are when the back 4 of the chair is moved toward a reclining position as later described. Slidably mounted on the back supporting means is a slide or carrier 43 having tubular guides 44 slidable within the tubular members 34 and interconnected by a web 45. The guides have heads 46, each including ears 4! and a pin 48 engaged within the upper open ends of the guides. The pins are permanently attached to the guides and form abutments for the ends of coil springs 43 that have one end housed within the tubular guides and the outer ends within the tubular side members of the back supporting means.

The back 4 includes a pan-like member 33 having substantially parallel side flanges 3i and upper flanges '32 and a lower flange 33 corresponding to the desired shape of the back. Theflanges are reinforced by a frame 34 extending therearound and having parallel sides 33 which constitute side tracks for a head rest 33.

Cooperating with the member 33 is an inner member 31 having side flanges 33 (Fig. 4) corresponding with the flanges of the member 33 and co-acting therewith to clamp the marginal edges 33 of the back covering material 33. The pan member 31 is removably secured to the pan-like member 53 by fastening devices such as screws 3|.

Attention is directed to the fact that the inner member 31 is shaped longitudinally and transversely to conform with the back of a person whereby the cushioning material 32, for example, sponge rubber or the like, may be of substantially uniform thickness over the area of the back, thereby simplifying the construction and reducing the cost of assembly.

With' the back structure thus described, the covering for the cushioning material is readily removable for laundering or dry cleaning simply by removing the fastening devices 3| so that the inner member 31 may be withdrawn to loosen the marginal edges 33 of the covering 30 so that the covering may be readily removed therefrom.

In order that the lower portion of the back is kept in supporting contact with the back of a person during movement thereof. the back is pivotally connected with'the ears 41 of the heads 43 by providing the outer back member with lugs 33 having internally threaded sockets registering with openings in the ears 41 to mount trunnions in the form of screws 34. Movement of the back is limited under control of a linkage with the seat 3 and which is later described. In order to anchor the back in any one of its positions, the inner face of the web 33 carries a bracket 35 that cooperates with one of the side members 34 in Journalling a rock shaft 33. One end of the rock shaft carries a latching arm 31 having a tooth 33 adapted to engage in any one .of a series of openings 33 formed in the web 43 of the slides 43. The opposite end of the rock shaft carries an arm 13 provided with a push button stem H. which extends rearwardly through a suitable opening in the web 33 of the back support and mounts a push button 12 whereby the shaft 33 may be rocked to effect release of the tooth 33 on the latch arm 31 from engagement with one of the openings 33. The latch arm is normally retained in position to engage one of the openings by a spring 13 having one end attached to the latch arm and the other end to the bracket 33. The web of the slide 43 operates in slots 14 located in the facing sides of the tubular menibers in which the guides of the slide are mounted.

The head rest 33 includes a frame I3 having a construction substantially conforming to that of the back of the chair so as to retain a cushioning material I3 and a removable covering I3. The frame I3 is carried for vertical movement over the cushioning of the chair back by arms 13 overlapping the sidesof the back and having tubular slides 33 engaging the side members 33 of the back frame previously described. The slides 33 are so formed relative to the tracks that the head rest is frictionally supported in its desired adjusted position.

The seat 8 includes a base plate 8I conforming to the general shape of the seat and having a depending marginal flange 82 extending along the front and sides thereof and terminating in a reversely turned edge 88 for forming a groove 84 to anchor the-marginal ing material 85.

l The cushioning material 88 for the seat is carried on the base plate and retained in position by the covering 88 that is stretched thereover. The seat is mounted on the frame of the chair for upward and forward movement upon downward swinging movement of the back whereby the movement of the back and seat are coordinated to conform with movement of the body of a person seated in the chair when the person moves to and from reclining position. Such movement of the seat is effected by providing an elevating support on the cross bar I8 including brackets 81 fixed to and extending vertically from the cross rail and having rollers 88 journalled on pins 88. The rollers 88 operate in inclined tracks 88, each including a channel 8| pivoted as at 82 (Fig. to wing-like brackets 88 fixed to and depending from a trans verse reinforcing bar 84 attached to the underface of the base plate of the seat. The channellike guide tracks extend rearwardly and downwardly from their pivot points and the rear ends are adjustably connected with the wing-like brackets to support the tracks at a selected angle relatively to the horizontal so that when the seat is shifted forwardly the forward edge thereof is raised by reason of the channel-like tracks moving upwardly and forwardly over the rollers 88. In order to provide and maintain adjustment of the tracks, the rear ends thereof carry fasten! ing devices such as bolts 85 that extend through arcuate openings 88 in the wing-like brackets and which are adapted to clamp the rear ends of the channel-like tracks against the brackets upon tightening of nuts on the bolts as will be well understood. The rear of the seat is supported on the lateral terminals 28 of the back supporting means by arm-like supports 81 that have their upper ends extending base plate 8I of the seat and pivotally secured as at 88 with brackets I88 fixed to the base of the seat. Thus, when the back is moved to a reclining position, the arms 81 being fixed to the terminals 28, lift therear of the seat and move the seat forwardly.

In order to control tilting of the back on the back support, the seat and back are interconnected by a lost motion connection including a link I8I as above mentioned. The link IN is pivoted as at I82 at its lower end to an ear-like bracket from the rear edge of the as best shown in Fig. 3. of the link extends through a slot like members of I88 (Fig. 8). The spring assembly H is to assist a light-weight person in raising the back from reclining position and includes a shoe I88 carrying a tubular stem I81 slidably mounted in a tubular guide I88 havin supported on the cross bar I6 by a bracket I88 having a portion thereof engaged around the rail and cooperating with the shoe I88 to support the tubular members therebetween. Contained within the tubular members is a coil spring no adapted to be base of the seat The upper end I84 inthe pan- I88 extending rearwardly' the back and slides in the space edge of the seat coversupporting means is through slots 88 in the its forward end pivotaily tensioned by means of a nut II I 1 whereby the shaft tained in position connection with a threaded shaft II8 that is iournalied within the forward end of the outer tube I88 as indicated at H4. The shaft. is provided with a hand wheel III may be rotated to move the nut thereon" for adjusting action of the spring II8. It is obvious that by adjusting the spring any desired balancing effect may be maintained to suit the occupant of the chair.

In order to support the back and seat in adiusted position, the arcuate portions of the side members of the back support have racks H8 and H1 fixed to the sides thereof and provided with a series of notches II8 to pass a latch bolt II8 that is slidably mounted on the upper flat face of the transverse rail I1. The latch bolt has upwardly offset ends I28 to register with the notches of the racks, the offset ends of the latch bolt being slidably mounted in guides HI and I22 located at the desired levels. The guide I22 is supported on a built-up portion I28 of the rail I1 and the guide I2I is mounted on the adjacent longitudinal rail II and on a'gusset-like plate I24 which mounts a bell crank lever I28. The bell crank lever includes an arm I28 engaged in a notch I21 of-the latch bolt so that when the bell crank is rocked on its pivot I28, the latch bolt is reciprocated to effect movement of the outer end thereof out of engagement with the rack II1 and a notch I88 in the top 'of the bolt into position for registering with the rack II8. When in this position, the back free to permit movement of the back to any one of its respective positions as governed by the notches in the racks H8 and H1.

The actuating arm I8I \of "the bell crank is connected by a link I82 with an actuating lever I88 that is'pivotally supported as at I84 on a bracket I85 carried by the longitudinal rail II at the right hand side of the chair as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The latch bolt is normally reto effect rocking of the back support by means of a coil spring I88 having one end attached to a fixed part of the side frame and its opposite end to the latch release lever I88 at a point between the pivot I84 and its connection with the link I82. The release lever is suitably formed so that the operating and I81 is adapted to project through a suitable slot I88 (Fig. '1) provided in the side cover plate at that side of the chair.

The chair constructed and assembled as described ordinarily has the back thereof raised to the position shown in Fig. 2 and secured by the latch bar. When a person seats himself in the chair, the back is adjusted for height. The back may be raised and lowered to suit the size of the person by releasing the latch 81, responsive to pressing on the button 12 and sliding the back up and down until it is at a comfortable height. During sliding mavement of the back, the guides of the slide or carriage move within the tubular members of the back support and when the back is in the desired position, pressure on the latch button is released to permit the spring 18 to move the latch 81 so that the tooth 88 thereof slides into the nearest opening 88 of the web 45.

The head rest is then adjusted to proper height on the back by sliding the guides of the rest along the side members 55 of the back frame.

when it is desired to move to a reclining position, the occupant of the chair grasps the lever I88 and shifts it against action of the spring havins threaded 7 I36 to rock the bell crank through the link Ill. Movement of the bell crank causes the arm I" thereof to shift the latch bolt lllso that the. notch I30 therein is broughtiinto registry to pass the teeth of the rack Ill and the opposite end of the latch bolt clears the teeth of the other rack. The occupant of the chair may then push against the back so that the back moves toward reclining position. During this movement of the back, the back supporting means swings on the pivot 8i and the terminal of the arms 28 and 32 move forwardly. of the arcuate slots is which carry the side members and connecting web therewith. The movement effects raising of the seat supports '1 and causes the rear of the seat toraise and shift forwardly on the rollers 88. This movement on the rollers causes the channel-like tracks to raise the forward portion of the seat so that the forward portion raises simultaneously with the rear portion of the seat. Shift of the seat and simultaneous lowering of the back conforms with-movement of the body of the person and avoids pull oi the chair on any part of the person's body or the customary disarrangement of the person's clothing. Consequently, when the person reaches the desired reclining position, he is comfortably located and there is no necessity of re-arranging his body on the chair.

Attention is directed to the fact that the suspension of the back supporting means from an s;m,ses 7 chairwhere' comm-t back supporting means for pivctally carrying the back on axis above the seat places the pivot in the path of movement of the hinge joint ofthe person's body and the space closes between the chair seat and back; consequently, there is no slipping between the person and the surface of the seat or back of the chair.

During movement of the seat, the lower portion of the back tilts upwardly toward the body of the person to provide support therefor. This is effected by the lost motion link connection between the seat and the back. When the back is in the desired reclining position, pressure on the lever in is released so that the spring I34 shifts the latch bolt into position to re-engage the teeth of the racks H8 and I I1. During movement of the person to reclining position, pressure on the back assists raising of the seat and lifting of the body by the seat controls downward movement of the back. When it is desired to return to a sitting position, the latch lever is again actuated to release the latch bolt so that weight applied on the seat supplemented by action of the spring Ill returns the back to substantially upright position as shown in Fig. 2.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided a reclining back chair wherein the seat moves in coordination with the back so as to provide proper body support throughout the change of position of a person when shifting from a substantially erectsitting position to a reclining position.

It is also obvious that the movement of the back and seat conforms to the natural movement of a person's body when shifting from a seating to a reclining position and that the weight of the person is. utilized in eil'ecting movement of the back and seat, that is, the weight of the body on the back aids in raising the seat when the person moves to a reclining position and the weight of the body on the seat aids in raising the back when the person desires to return to an upright position.

It is also obvious that the present invention is readily adapted for use in any type chair such Y andairplanes is desired.

whatlclaimanddesiretolecmebyletters Patent is:

L A chair-including a base, a back, supporting means for said back, means for suspending the swinging movement on the base froma position adapted for supporting the'back of an occupant seated in the chair to positions adapted for supporting the back of the occupant when the occupant shifts toward a reclining posture, a seat, seat supporting means on the back supporting means and on said base for raising the seatand moving the amt forwardly when the back supporting means is moved toward said reclining position, means the back supporting means, and a connection between the back and seat to effect pivotal movement of the back on said supporting means responsive to movement of said seat. a

2., A chair including a base, a back, supporting means for said back, means pivoted on the base.

-back supporting means is moved toward said reclining position, elevating means for raising the front of said seat simultaneously with forward movement of the seat, a pivotal connection between the back and the back supporting means'on which the back is adapted to rock, a connection between the back 'and seat for'controlling said rocking movement, and means for stopping movement of the back supporting means to retain said seat and back relatively immovable on said back supporting means.

3. A chair including a base, a back, supporting means for said back, means having pivotal con-- nection with the base and having connection with the back supporting means for suspending the back supporting means for swinging movement on the base from a position adapted for support of the back of an occupant seated in the chair to positions adapted to support the back of an occupant when shifting toward a reclining posture, a seat, seat supporting means on the back supporting means and having pivotal connection with said seat for raising the rear of the seat and moving the seat forwardly when the back supporting means is moved toward said reclining position, elevating means between the base and said seat for raising the front of said seat simultaneously with forward movement of the seat, means pivoting the back on the back supporting means for rocking movement of the back on a transverse axis and at a point intermediate the height of the back, and a connection between the seat and the back for effecting rocking movement of the back on said pivoted axis when the back is moved toward said reclining positions.

4. A chair including a\ base having laterally spaced sides, a back, supporting means for said back, means having pivotal support on said sides and having connection with the back supporting means for suspending the back supporting means for swinging movement between said sides of the base from a position back of an occupant seated in the chair to positions adapted to support the back of the occupant when shifting toward a reclining posture, a seat intermediate seat supporting means on the back supporting means and having pivotal connection with said seat for raising the rear of the seat and moving the seat forwardly between said side portions of the base when the back supporting means is moved toward said reclining position, elevating means between the base and said seat for raisins the front of said seat simultaneously with forward movement of the seat, means pivoting the back on'the back supporting means for rocking movement of the back on an axis transversely of said back and at a point intermediate the height of the back, a connection between the seat and the back for effecting rocking movement of theback when the back is moved toward said reclining positions, and means for stoppin! and holding the back supporting means in any of said positions and to retain said seat and back in fixedpositions with respect to the back supporting means.

5, Achair including a base, a back, supporting means for said back, means having pivotal support on the base and having connection with the back supporting means for suspending the back supporting means for swinging movement on the base from a position adapted for support of the back of an occupant seated in the chair to positions adapted occupant when shifting toward a reclining posture, a seat, seat supporting means on the back supporting means and having pivotal connection with said seat for raising the rear of the seat and moving the seat forwardly on the base when the back supporting means is moved toward said reclinin position, elevating means between the base and said seat for raising the front of said seat simultaneously with forward movement of the seat, a slide connected with said back, means pivotally connecting the back with said slide for rocking the back on the back supporting means, means on the back supporting means for movably supporting the slide to adjust the rocking point of said back with respect to said seat, and means for latching the slide relatively to the back supporting means.

6. A chair including a base, a back, supporting means for said back, means having pivotal support on the base and having connection with the back supporting means for suspending the back supporting means for winging movement on the base from a position adapted for support of the back of an occupant seated in the chair to positions adapted to support the back of the occupant when shifting toward a reclining posture, a seat, seat supportin means on the back supporting means and having pivotal connection with said seat for raising the rear of'the seat and moving the seat forwardly on the base when the back supporting means is moved toward said reclining position, elevatingmeans between the base and said seat for raising the front of said seat simultaneously with forward movement of the seat, a carrier for said back, means for pivoting the back on said carrier for rocking movement of the back on a transverse axis, a connection between the back and seat to rock said back upon movement of the seat, said carrier having movable support along said back supporting means for adjusting the rocking point relatively adapted for support of the the side portions of the base,

- relatively to the back to support the back of the 10 a said seat. and-means for latching the carrier supporting means.

'1.- A chair including a spaced sides. a back, supporting means for said backand having tubular side members, means pivoted on said sides and having .connection with the side members of the back supporting means for suspending the back supporting means for swingingv movementbetween said sides of the base from a position for supporting the back of anoccupant of the chair when seated to positions adapted to support the back of the occupant when shifting toward a reclining posture, a seat intermediate said side portions of the .base, seat supporting means on the back supporting means and having connection with said seat for raising the rear of the seat and moving the front of said seat simultaneously with forward movement of the seat, a back carrier having tubular guides slideable within the tubular side members of the back supporting means for adjustment of the back vertically with respect to said seat, pivot means connecting the back with said tubular'guides for-Irocking movement of. the back on a transverseaxis at a point intermediate the height of the back, springs housed within said tubular guides and side members for urging the carrier in a direction to assist raising of the back, and a latch for retaining the carrier in a selected position on the back supporting means.

8. A chair includinga base, a back, supporting means for said back, means pivotally connected with the base and having connection with the back supporting means for suspending the back supporting means for swinging movement from a position adapted for supporting the back of an occupant when seated in the chair to a position and movable on the back supporting means to and from said seat, means for pivoting the back on said carrier for rocking movement of the back on a transverse axis, resilient means carried by the back supporting means for urging the carrier in a direction to assist in raising the back, control means having connection with said seat and sliding connection with the back for controlling rocking movement of the back in the various positions of the carrier, and latch means between the carrier and the-back supporting means for retaining the carrier in a selected position on the back supporting means.

9. A chair including a base, a back, supporting means for said back, means. pivotally connected with the base and having connection with the back supporting means for suspending the back supporting means for swinging movement on the base from a position adapted for supporting the back of the occupant seated in the chair to positions for supporting the back of the occupant when shifting toward a reclining posture, a seat on the base, a back carrier connected with said back and movable on the back'supporting means for adjustment of the back vertically with respect to said seat, means pivoting the back on the carrier for rocking movement of the back on a transverse axis, resilient means for urging the base having laterally and sliding connection with the back for con trolling rocking movement of the back in the various positions of the carrier, and a latch means a for retaining thecarrier in a selected position on the back supporting means.

10. A chair including a base having laterally spaced sides, a back, supporting means for said back including laterally spaced tubular members having ends curving downwardly and forwardly between sides of the base, means for plvotally connecting the curved ends of said members with the sides of the base for suspending the back supporting means for swinging movement between said side portions of the base from a position adapted for supporting the back .of an occupant when seated in the chair to a position adapted to support the back of the occupant when the occupant shifts toward a reclining posture, a seat intermediate said side portions of the base, seat supporting means on the curved ends of the tubular members and having pivotal connection with the seat for raising the rear of the seat and moving the seat forwardly between said sides of the base when the back supporting means is moved toward said reclining position, elevating means between the base and said seat for raising the front of said seat simultaneously with forward movement of the seat, guides in the upper ends of said tubular members, a web connecting the guides, means for pivotally mounting the back on said guides, springs in the tubular members and engaging the guides to raise the back, a spring connecting the back supporting means with the base for assisting in raising the back supporting means and returning the seat when the occupant shifts from reclining to sitting posture, and a lost motion connection between the seat and back to control pivotal movement of the back on said guides.

11. A chair including a, base, seat and back members, means for mounting said members on the base for alternately lowering one of said members and raising the other on the base responsive to shifting weight of an occupant when in said chair, a rocking support for the back on said back mounting means, control means for controlling rocking movement of the back relative to said seat, and a spring connecting one of the members with the base for facilitating movement of said members.

12. A chair-including a base having laterally spaced sides, a back, supporting means for said back having side members provided with downwardly and forwardly curving ends positioned between said sides, arms having flxed connection with said side members and extending substantially radially with respect to the curvature oi said ends and having pivotal connection with the sides of the base on the axis of curvature of said members for suspending the back to swing between the sides of the base from a, position adapted to support the back of an occupant seated in the chair to positions adapted to support the back of the occupant when the occupant shifts toward reclining posture, a seat intermediate said side portions of the base and located above said curved ends of the back supporting means, and seat supporting means connecting terminals of said curved ends of the back supporting means with the seat for raising the seat and projecting the seat forwardly between said sides of the base when the back supporting means is moved toward said reclining position.

12 y .13; A chair including a base having laterally spaced sides, a back. supporting means for said back having side members provided with down- -wardly and forwardly curving ends positionedbetween said sides. arms having fixed connection with said side members and extending substantially radially with respect to the curvature of said ends and having pivotal connection with the sides of the base on the axis of curvature of said members for suspending the back to swing between the sides of the base from a position adapted to support the back of an occupant seated in the chair to positions adapted to support the back of the occupant when the occupant shifts toward reclining posture, a seat intermediate said side portions of the base and located above said curved ends of the back supporting means, seat supporting links connecting terminals of said curved ends of the back supporting means with the seat for raising the seat and projecting the seat forwardly between said sides of the base when the back supporting means is moved toward said reclining position, an arcuate rack on the curving end of at leastone of said side members, and latch means for engaging teeth of said rack to support the back and seat members in a selective position. 4

14. A chair including a base having laterally spaced sides, a back, supporting means for said backhaving side members provided with downwardly and forwardly curving ends positioned be-' tween said sides, arms having fixed connection with said side members and extending substan-' tially radially with respect to the curvature of said ends and having pivotal connection with the sides of the base on the axis of curvature of said members for suspending the back to swing between the sides of the base from a position adapted to support the back of an occupant seated in the chair to positions adapted to support the back of the occupant when the occupant shifts toward reclining posture, a seat intermediate said side portions of the base and located above said curved wardly of said yoke-shaped member, telescoping tubes pivotally connecting said yoke-shaped member with the cross member, a coil spring housed within said tubes, and a threaded shaft rotatably mounted in one of said tubes having an abutment for engaging one end of said spring to control action of the spring for regulating movement of the back carrying means under weight of 'the occupant.

15. A chair including a base having laterally spaced sides, a back, supporting means for said back having side members provided with downwardly and forwardly curving ends positioned between said sides, arms having fixed connection with said side members and extending substantially radially with respect to the curvature of said ends of the side members and having pivotal connection with the sides of the base on the axis of curvature of said members for suspending the back to swing between the sides of the base from a position adapted to support the back of an occupant seated in the chair to positions adapted to support the back of the occupant when the 13 occupant shifts toward reclining posture, a seat intermediate said side portions of the base and located above said curved ends of the back supp rting means, seat supporting links connecting I terminals of said curved ends of the back sun- I porting means with the seat substantially forwardly of the rear of the seat for raising the seat and projecting the seat forwardly between said sides of the base when the back supporting means is moved toward said reclining position, and means for simultaneously raising the front of the seat.

ROY A. CRAMER, Sn.

REFERENCES CITED Number Re. 8,131 5 42,858 120.110 255,432 348,654 488,773 10 718,37 2 728,141 935,844 1,187,745

14. UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Ross Mar. 19, 1878 Kimball et-al. May 24, 1864 Schindler Oct. 1'7, 1871 Starr Mar. 9, 1880 Wilt June 15, 1886 Peck Dec. 27, 1892 McKee Jan. 13, 1903 Stewart et a1 May 12, 1903 Hampton Oct. 5, 1909 Kerr June 20, 1916 Cronwall J'uly 1'7, 1928

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