US2615497A - Reclining article of furniture - Google Patents

Description

0a. 28, 1952 J, LUCKH 2,615,497

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed May 26, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. JOHANNES LUC KHARDT ATTORNEY Oct. 28, 1952 J. LUCKHARDT 2,615,497

I RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE FiledMay26, 1949 4Sheets-Sheet2 IN V EN TOR.

JOHANNES LUCKHARDT I ATTORNEY Oct. 28, 1952 J. LUCKHARDT 2,615,497

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNIIURE Filed May 26, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

JOHANNES LUCKHARDT ATTORNEY Oct. 28, 1952 J. LUCKHARDT 2,615,497

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed May 26, 1949 4 She ets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

JOHANNES LUCKHARDT ATTORNEY Patented Get. 28, 1 952 UNITE RECLINING ARTECLE OF FURNITURE Johannes LuckhardtBerlin, Germany, assignor to Anton Lorenz, Bufialo, N. Y.

Application May 26, 1949, Serial 95,413

17 Claims. (Cl. 155-106) This invention relates to articles of furniture and more particularly to a reclining article of furniture, wherein a seat and a basic-rest constitute movable members of a link-system and wherein the movements of a leg-rest swingably mounted on the seat may be controlled by a controlling mechanism responsive to movements of the back-rest.

An object of the present invention is to provide a reclining article of furniture wherein the seat and back-rest may be brought from a sitting position through a somewhat reclined or tilted position into an extreme reclined position and wherein, during the movement of the seat and back-rest into said tilted position, the leg-rest may be propelled from its sitting position into a position at a great angle relative to the seat in which relative position the leg-rest substantially remains during a movement of the seat and backrest from the tilted position into the extreme reclined position.

A further object of this invention is to provide a reclining chair with controlled relative movements of its seat, back-rest and leg-rest, which may be readily converted into a bed-like furniture.

Another object of the present invention is to improve on the art of reclining articles of furniture as now ordinarily made.

With the above and other objects of the invention in View, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of various devices, elements and parts, as described hereinafter and set forth in the claims hereof,

certain embodiments of the same being described in the specification and being illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, wherein:

Fig. 1.is a side elevational view of a reclining chair according to the invention, a portion of a side wall of the support being broken away,

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatical illustration of the linkages of the chair shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a simplified diagrammatical illustration of the type of linkages of the chair accord- Fig. '7 is a fragmentary perspective viewfof the support and mechanisms of the chair shown in Fig. 1, some parts being broken away or being omitted, I

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a detail of the mechanism of the chair shown in Fig. 1,

Figs. 9 and 10 are perspective views of thesame detail as shown in Fig. 3, wherein, however, the elements of said detail are in different positions,

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on line Il-ll of Fig. 7, illustrating the locking mechanism of the chair,

Fig. 12 is a sectional view similar to that shown in Fig. 11, wherein, however, the elementsof the locking mechanism are in releasing position, I

,Fig1'l3 is an elevational view of a portion of the locking mechanism shown in Fig. 12,

14 is 'a side elevational view of another embodiment of a reclining chair according to the invention, a portion of a side wall of" the support beingjbrolren away,

Fig. 15 is a side elevational view of the chair 7 shown in Fig. 14, wherein the movable members of the chair are in a reclined positiornand -Fig. 16 is a fragmentary elevational view of a detail ofthe chair shown in Fig. 14.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 4-7, 36 generally indicates a support made of a suitable frameworl; covered by a suitable covering material. 32

generally indicates a seat carried by a suitable seat frame, 3% generally indicates a back-rest carried by a suitable backrest-frame and 36, generally indicates a leg-rest carried by a suitable legrest-frame.

On each side of the chair the back-rest 3A is provided with a lug 38 rigidly connected with said back-rest. The rear end portion of the seat 32 is pivoted to said lugs 38 of the back-rest '34 at 49. I

The downwardly extending portions (12' ofthe frame of the back-rest 34 are connected with each other by a cross-rod M slidably and rotatably engaged with a slot 46 of a lower connecting link t8, the portion end of which is in the shape of a U (see Figs. 1 and '7). As best shown in Figs. 1, 7 and 8, the'cross-rod 44 of the backrest-frame 34 is normally held in rotatable engagement with the left-hand end of the slot 36 of the lower connesting link 48 by means of a cap-like member 59 swingably mounted on the lower connecting link 48 at 52. Said member 59 drops 'by its own weight into the locking position shown in Fig. -8

for holding the back-rest 34 in pivotal connection I with the lower connecting-link 48.

On each side of the chair the lower endof afront connecting link 54 is pivoted to an arm of 3 the lower connecting link 43 at 55. The upper end of each of said front connecting links 54 is pivoted to the seat 32 at 58.

On each side of the chair a bell-crank lever generally indicated by 60 is swingably mounted on the support at 62. The upper arm 64 of said bell-crank lever 60 pivoted to the back-rest 34 at (it acts as a first guiding link.

Moreover, on each side of the chair the lower end of a second guiding link 68 is pivoted to the lower connecting link 48 at It. The upper end of each second guidin link 68 is swingably mounted on the support 30 at 72.

When the movable members of the chair are in the sitting position shown in Fig. 1, said guiding link 68 is in loose engaging abutment with a stop 74 mounted on the support 30.

On each side of the chair the frame of the legrest 35 is swingably mounted on a forward extension 16 of the seat-frame 32 at T8. On each side of the chair, the front end portion of a 00.11- trolling link 80 is pivoted to the leg-rest 36 at 82. The rear end portion of each controllin link 80 is pivoted at 84 to the lower arm 86 of the bellcrank lever 60 acting as a controlling arm.

Fora purpose to be described hereinafter, a stop 88 is arranged on the support 30 on each side of the chair. said stop 88 is arranged for cooperation with the downward extension 42 of the back-rest 34 and for cooperation with the controlling arm 86 of the bell-crank lever 60.

Fig. 2 diagrammatically illustrates the linkages of the chair shown in Fig. 1, the links shown in Fig. 2 being of the same lengths and proportions as in said Fig. 1. For a better understanding of the link-systems of the chair according to th invention, Fig. 3 illustrates the same type of linkages as Fig. 2, the links and proportions of the links, however, being chosen differently. In Fig. 3 the various links corresponding to links shown in Fig. 2 have been indicated by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 2 with the only difference that the letter a has been added.

As may be gathered from Figs. 2 and 3, the chair comprises a series of connected links including the seat 32, the back-rest 34, the lower connecting link 48 and the front connecting link 54, said links being in pivotal connection. A first guidin link 64 swingably mounted on a stationary point of the support at 62 is pivoted at 66 to the back-rest 34 constituting a link of said series of connected links. A second guiding link 68 swingable on the stationary point 72 of the support is pivoted to the lower connecting link 48 at 10.

According to Fig. l, on each side of the chair,

the front end of an arm-rest 90 is pivoted to the extension 16 of the seat 32 at 7B. Said arm-rest 90 has a bore 92 in slidabl engagement with a rod 94 pivoted to the back-rest 34 at 96. Said arm-rest does not form a part of above-described link-systems including the back-rest 34, the seat 32 and the leg-rest 36. When an occupant rests in the chair, the weight of the seat 32 and the weight of the person resting on the seat act through the front connecting link 54 and lower connecting link 48 on the pivot Hi between the lower connecting link 48 and guiding link 68 in the direction of the arrow A (Fig. 1) whereby the guiding link 68 is urged against the stop 14.

; Now when the occupant of the chair exerts pressure on the back-rest 34, the force transmitted at this time through. the lower extension 42 of-the back-rest34 and the lower connecting link 48 on the pivot I0, which force acts in a direction opposite to the direction of the arrow A, will be smaller than the force acting in the direction of the arrow A on said pivot '10, so that the guiding link 68 wil1 be held in engagement with the stop 14 and, consequently, the pivot 10 remains in its position acting as a stationary pivot around which the lower connecting link 48 of the series of connected links 32, 34, 4B, 54 may swing. During this time the series of connected links 32, 34, 48, 54 is guided by the guiding link 64 swinging around the stationary pivot 62. Consequently, the seat 32 and back-rest 34 constituting links of said series of connecting links will reach the partly reclined or tilted position shown in Fig. 4 wherein the angle between the seat 32 and back-rest 34 is not changed at all o is only slightly changed if compared with the angle between said seat and back-rest in the sitting position of Fig. 1. Said tilted position of the seat 32 and back-rest 34 is limited by an abutment of the controlling arm 66 against the stop 88. It may be noted that in this position the guiding link 68 is still in engagement with the stop 74.

Owing to the rigid connection between the controlling arm 83 and the guiding link 64, both members forming a part of the bell-crank lever 60, the leg-rest 36 connected to the controlling arm 86 through the medium of the controlling link is propelled into the position shown in Fig. 4 during above-described movement of the seat 32 and back-rest 34 from the sitting position shown in Fig. 1 into the tilted position shown in Fig. i. It may be noted that the angle between the leg-rest 3t and seat 32 has been considerably increased during said movement from the sitting position into the tilted position, so that the leg-rest 36 is almost in a horizontal position, although the back-rest 34 has been reclined only to a small degree. Said tilted position of the seat 32, back-rest 34 and leg-rest 36 is very convenient for watching television programs, for example.

As soon as the controlling arm 86 abuts against the stop 86, as described above, the pivot 66 on the guiding link 64 rigidly connected with said controlling arm 86 becomes stationary din'ing a further movement of the back-rest 34 in counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 4). .Consequently, the pressure exerted by the occupant of the chair on the back-rest 34 overcomes the force acting on the pivot it in the direction of the arrow A (see Fig. 1), so that, now, the guiding link 68 is disengaged from the stop 74. During a movement of the back-rest 34 from the tilted position shown in Fig. 4 into an extreme reclined position shown in Fig. 5, the back-rest 34 constituting a link of the series of connected links 32, 34, 48, 54 swings about the now stationary pivot 65 and the guiding link 68 pivoted to the lower connecting link 48 swings about the pivot 12. The seat 32 is now more reclined than in the tilted position shown in Fig. l and the angle between the seat 32 and the back-rest 3A in the reclined position is larger than the angle between said two members in the tilted position.

During the movement of the seat 32 and backrest 34 from the tilted position shown in Fig. 4 into the reclined position shown in Fig. 5, the controlling arm 86 remains in abutting engagement with the stop 88. Consequently, the legrest 36 is held in an elevated position through the medium of the controlling link 88. The angle between leg-rest 36 and seat 32, although being somewhat smaller than the angle between said members in the tilted position shown in Fig.

the leg-rest (not shown in Fig. '7).

V and the clamping sleeve IE2.

4, is still large. When the movable members,

of the chair are brought into the reclined position shown in Fig. 5, they offer a comfortable "readily returned from the extreme reclined position into the tilted position and into the sitting position when the occupant of the chair shifts thew'eight of his body forwardly. A slight pressure on the leg-rest 36 may assist in returning the movable members of the chair from the tilted position shown in Fig. 4 into the sitting position shown in Fig. 1.

In order to enable the occupant of the chair to lock the movable members of the chair in any suitable position, the chair is equipped with a locking mechanism which, for clearness sake is shown only inFigs.-'7 and 11-13.

As there is a double-link-system, the series of connected links 32, 34, 43 and 54 and a linkchain 36, 80, 60, the locking mechanism is designed in such a way that it may act simultaneously on a link of said series of connected links and on a link of said link-chain.

As best shown in Fig. 7, the rear end portion of a first locking rod 98 is pivoted to the crossrod --44 of the frame of the back-rest 34 at I00.

The front end portion of said locking rod 08 is slidably engaged with a clamping sleeve I02, the

upwardly extending arms of which are provided with bores engaged with a transverse rod I04 slidably engaged with bores E06 of the side frames of-the support 30 (see Figs. 7, l1 and 12). I

Furthermore, the front end portion of a second locking rod I is pivotally connected at i I0 with The rear end portion of said second locking rod E08 is slidably engaged with a clamping sleeve M2, the upwardly extending arms of which are provided with bores slidably engaged with above-mentioned transverse rod 104. e

As best shown in Figs. 11 and 12, an abutting collar H4 is loosely arranged on the projecting end of the transverse rod I04 between the support 30 and stop nuts I I screwed on the threaded end of the transverse rod I04. A first spacing tube H8 is loosely arranged on the transverse rod I04 between the frame of the support 30 A second spacing tube I is loosely arranged on the transverse rod I04 between the two clamping sleeves I02 and H2. A third spacing tube I22 is loosely arranged between the clamping sleeve I 02 and a set collar I24 rigidly connected with the trans- How- I verse rod I04. A handle I26 provided with a nose I20 capable of engagement with a recess I30 arranged on the frame of the support 30 (see Figs. 7, 11 and 13) is rigidly connected with V the projecting end of the transverse rod I04.

' are in the position shown in Fig. 11, and shown in full lines in Fig. 13, the nose I20 of the handle I26 is in engagement with the recess I30 and the spring I32 causes a clampingeffectof the clamping sleeve I02 and H2 on the locking rods I02 and I08 through the medium of the spacing tubes I22, I20 and H0, so that the movable members of the chair are held in a predetermined position.

When the occupant of the chair desires to bring the movable members of the chair in a different position, the handle I20is turned from the position shown in Fig. 11 intothe position shown in Fig. 12, so that the nose I20 is disengaged from the recess I30 and reaches the position 128 shown in dash and dot lines in Fig. 13, wherein said nose rests on'the outer surface of the frame of the support 30. As best shown in Fig.12, said rotation of the" handle I26 results in a compression ofthe spring I32 by means of the set collar I24 and in a release of the resilient arms of the clamping sleeves I02 and H2, as the spacing tubes I22'and I20 may follow the sidewise movement of the set collar I24. Said release of the arms of the clamping sleeves I02 and H2 results, in turn, in a release of the locking rods and I00, so that the occupant of the chair may readily move the movable members of the chair from one position into another one. The movable members of the chair remain in said released condition as long as the nose of the handle I26 is in the position I28. If the movable members of the chair shall belocked in I said position, the handle I26 is returned into its starting position shown in Fig. 11 whereby the nose I28 is brought into engagement with the recess I30, permitting the spring I32 to urge the collar I24 towards the clamping sleeves I02 and H2 causing a tightening thereof on the locking rods 98 and I08, by means of the spacing tubes I22, I20 and H8. h

If desired, the occupant of the chairmay rotate the handle I25 only to a certain degree, so

that the nose of the handle reaches only an' the occupant of the chair to bring the movable members of the chair from one position into anotherone. Said intermediate position I20" of the nose of the handle I26, however, has the advantage that after release of the handle I26, the latter is automatically returned by the action of the spring I32 into the position shown in Fig. 11, wherein the locking rods 08 and I00 are locked and the movable members of the chair are held in a certain position. v

The reclining chair shown in Figs; 1-7 is also provided with means to convert same-into a bedlike furniture.

As long as the cap-like member 50 pivoted to the lower connecting link 48 is in the position shown in Figs. 1, 2-7 and 8, the cross-rod44 of the frame of the back-rest 34 is held in engagement with the left-hand end of the slot 46 of the lower connecting link 48, so as toprovide for a pivotal connection betweenthe back-rest 34 andthe lower connecting link 48. As best shown in Figs. 7-10, a handle I34 is swing'ably mounted on the cross-rod 44 at I36. A spring I38 stretched between the cross-rod Mend the handle I34 tends to urge same into the position shown in Figs. 7 and 8, wherein a lug I 40 of the latter abuts against a stop I42 arranged on the cross-rod 44 and wherein the lower end 1-44 of said handle I34 is in loose engagement with the lower surface'of a lug I46 arranged on the caplike member 50.

When it is desired to convert the reclining chair into a bed-like furniture, said handle [34 is swung about its pivot I36 against the action of the spring I38 whereby the cap-like member 50 is lifted into the position shown in Fig. 9. Now, the cross-rod 44 is released and the backrest 34 may be swung into a substantially horizontal position as shown in Fig. 6. Said substantially horizontal position of the back-rest 34 is limited by an abutment of its lower extension 42 against the stop 88. During said movement of the back-rest 34 into said substantially horizontal position, the cap-like member 50 drops automatically by its own weight into the position shown in Fig. 10 and the handle I34 is automatically returned into its starting position by the spring I33. Furthermore, during said movement of the back-rest into said substantially horizontal position, the leg-rest 36 may be propelled through the medium of the bellcrank lever 60'and the controlling link 66 into the substantially horizontal position shown in Fig. 6. The seat 32 is, likewise, in its substantially horizontal sitting position limited by the abutment of the right-hand end of the slot 46 of the lower connecting link 48 against the crossrod 44 held in turn, in its position by the abutment of the lower extension 42 of the back-rest 34 against the stop 88.

When it is desired to re-convert the article of furniture into a chair, the back-rest 34 is swung upwardly until the cross-rod 44 reaches the left-hand end of the slot 46. During said movement of the back-rest 34, the cap-like member 50 is lifted by the cross-rod 44 and drops automatically into its locking position shown in Fig. 8 by the action of its own weight.

If desired, the gap between the leg-rest 36 and the seat 32 in the positions shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 may be covered by a member (not shown) attached to the seat and resting on the leg-rest.

According to the embodiment shown in Figs. 14-16, the reclining chair again comprises a double-link-system including a series of connected links and a link-chain. The series of connected links includes the seat 232, the back-rest 234, the lower connecting link 243 and the front connecting link 254, said links being in pivotal connection at 246, 244, 256 and 258 respectively. Th link-chain comprises the leg-rest 236,- the controlling link 280 and the bell-crank lever 260 swingable on the support 2310 at 262; the leg-rest 236 is pivoted to the seat 232 at 218, one end of the controlling link 280 is pivoted to the legrest 236 at 282, the other end of said controlling link 280 is pivoted at 284 to the controlling arm 286 of the bell-crank lever 260andthe upper arm or guiding link 264 of said bell-crank lever 26!] is pivoted to the downward extension 242 of the back-rest 234 at 266.

According to the embodiment of the chair shown in Figs. 14-16, however, there is a pin and slot connection 261, 269 between the lower connecting link 248 and the support 236. The pin 261 carried by the lower connecting link 248 is slidably engaged with the slot 269 of thesupport236.

When the movable members of 'thechair are in the sitting position shown in Fig. 14, the pin 261 arranged on the lower connecting. link 248 is During a movement of the movable members of the chair shown in Fig. 14 from a tilted position corresponding to the position shown in Fig. 4 into a reclined position shown in Fig. 15, the bell-crank lever 266 is held in its position by a stop 288 against which it rests and the lower connecting link 2413 is guided by the slot 269 wherein the pin 261 slides. Y a

The movable members of the chair may be held in any desired position by a locking mechanism comprising a first locking rod 298 connected to the downward extension 242 of the back-rest and a second locking rod 299 connected to the leg-rest 236. Said locking mechanism, being of the same construction as the locking mechanism described above in connection with Figs. 7 and 11-13 is only partly shown in Figs. 14 and 15 for clearness sake.

The operation of the chair shown in Figs. 14 and 15 with respect to the displacement of its movable members corresponds entirely to the operation of the chair described above in connection with Figs. 1l3. There is only the difference that the lower connecting link 248 is guided by cooperating sliding means 261, 269 instead of by a guiding link.

In order to convert the chair shown in Figs. 14 and 15 into a bed-like furniture, the chair is provided with the following mechanism:

The lower connecting link 248 has a slot 246 at its rear end portion. As best shown in Fig. 16, the left-hand end 241 of said slot 246 is at a right angle to the main portion of the slot 246. As long as the chair is used as a chair and, consequently, the back-rest 234 should be in a pivotal connection with the lower connecting link 248, a pin or rod 244 carried by the lower extension 242 of the back-rest 234 is in rotatable engagement with said branched-oil portion 241 of the slot 246 so'as to provide for a pivotal connection between the back-rest 234 and the lower connecting link 248.

When it is desired to convert the chair into a bed-like furniture, said pivotal connection between the back-rest 234 and the lower connecting link 248 must be disengaged. For this purpose, a pushing element 235 slidably mounted on the downward extension 242 of the back-rest 234 by means of pins and slots 231, 239 is pushed downwardly by hand or foot against the action of a spring 24! stretched between said pushing element 235 and said downward extension 242 of the back-rest 234. During such a downward pushing of the pushing element 235 a lug 243 or the like projecting from the main body of the pushing element is brought into engagement with th lower connecting link 248, so that the latter is swung somewhat about the point 261 with the result that the pin or rod 244 becomes disengaged from the branched-off end 241 of the slot 246 and enters the slot proper wherein it may be shifted longitudinally for swinging the back-rest into a substantially horizontal position.

After release of the pushing element 235, the

latter is automatically returned into its Original position by means of the spring 24!.

If it is desired to re-convert the article of furniture into a chair, the back-rest is merely swung between the back-rest 234 and the lower connecting link 248 is reinstated.

I have described preferred embodiments of my invention,.but it is understood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration and that various omissions or changes in shape, proportion and arrangement of parts, as well as the substitution of equivalent elements for those herein shown and described may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

For exampleythe upper arm of the bell- crank lever 60 or 260 acting as a guiding link could also be pivoted to the seat 32 or 232 instead of to the back- rest 234 or 34.

Furthermore, instead of a pin-and-slot connection 261.269 between the lower connecting :link 248 and the-support 230 any other suitable cooperating sliding cam means could be used.

What I claim is: 1. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, connected links including a seat, a

back-rest, a lower connecting link and a front connecting link, said lower connecting link and said front connecting link being arranged below the plane of said seat and being pivotally connected with each other at one of their ends, the ,other end of said lower connecting link being in pivotal connection with said back-rest, the other end of said front connecting link being pivotally connected with the front end portion of said seat, the rear end portion of said seat being pivoted to said back-rest at a point spaced from the connection of the latter with the lower connecting link, a guiding link swingable on said support and pivoted to one of said connected links other than said connecting links, cooperating guiding means slidably engaged with each other and arranged on said support and on said lower connecting link, a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front end portion of said seat, a controlling link pivoted at one of its ends to said leg-rest, and a controlling arm in rigid connection with said guiding link, said controlling arm being in pivotal connection with the other end of said controllin link.

a support, connected links including a seat, a

back-rest, a lower connecting link and a front connecting link-said lower connectin link and said front connecting link being arranged below the plane of said seat and being pivotally connected with each other at one of their ends, the other end of said lower connecting link being in pivotal connection with said back-rest, the other end of said front connecting link being pivotally connected with the front end portion of said seat, the rear end portion of said seat being pivoted to said back-rest at a point spaced from the connection of the latter with the lower connecting link, a guiding link swingable on said support and pivoted to said back-rest, cooperating guiding means slidably engaged with each other and arranged on said support and on said lowerfconnecting link, aleg-rest swingably mounted on the front end portion of said seat, a controlling link pivoted at one of its ends to said leg-rest,and a controlling arm in rigid connection with, said guiding link, said controlling arm being in, pivotal connection with the other end of saidcontrolling link.

3. A reclining article of furniture coinprisingza support, connected links including a seat,,,a backrest, a lower connecting link .and a front connecting link, said lower connecting link and said front connectin link-bein arranged below the plane of said seat and being 'pivotally connected with each other at one of their ends,-the other end of said lower connecting link being in pivotal connection with saidbackerest, the other end of said front connecting link being pivctally connected with the front end portion of said seat, the rear end portion of said; seat being pivoted to said back-rest at a point spaced from the connection of the latter with the lower connecting link, a guiding link swingable/on said support and pivoted to one of said connectedlinks other-than said connecting links, cooperating guiding lmeans slidably engaged with each other and arranged on said support and on said lower connecting link, a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front end portion of said seat, a controllingflink pivoted at oneof itsends to said leg-rest, a controlling arm in rigidconnection with said guiding link, said controlling arm being in pivotalconnection withthe other end of said controlling link, a first stop arranged on saidsupport for loose abutting engagement with the guiding means-arrangedon the lower connectinglinkso as to limit an extreme position thereof .wherein the movable membersof the article arein a sitting position, and a secondstop arranged on. said support, said second stop acting on said guiding link so as to limit an extreme'position thereof after a movement of the movable members of the article from the sitting position into an intermediate reclined position whereby the pivotal connection between the link of the connected. links end of said slot acting as said first stop.

5. In a reclining article of furniture asclaimed in claim 3, the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the lower connecting link being disengageable, and holdin means arranged on the article for acting on said back-rest soasto hold same in a substantially horizontal position after disengagement .of said pivotal conne tion between the back-rest and the lower connecting link.

6. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 3, a pinand slot-connection between the back-rest and the lower" connejctinglink, locking means associated with said pine-(and slot-connection for holding the elements thereof in a predetermined relative position rendering said connection a pivotal connection, actuating means associated with said locking means for'releasing the elements of said pin-v and'slot-con '1 1 nection so as to permit avrelative sliding movement between the pin and the slot, and holding means arranged on the article for acting on said back-rest so as to hold same in a substantially horizontal position after a, release of the elements of said pinand slot-connection.

'7. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 3, the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the lower connecting link being disengageable, and said second stop being arranged for abutting engagement with said backrest so as to hold same in a substantially horizontal position after disengagement of said pivotal connection between the back-rest and the lower connecting link.

8. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 3, said guiding link being pivoted to said back-rest.

9. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, connected links including a seat, a back-rest, a lower connecting link and a front connecting link, said lower connecting link and said front connecting link being arranged below the plane of said seat and being pivotally connected with each other at one of their ends, the other end of said lower connecting link being in pivotal connection with said back-rest, the other end of said front connecting link being pivotally connected with the front end portion of said seat, the rear end portion of said seat being pivoted to said back-rest at a point spaced from the connection of the latter with the lower connecting link, a guiding link swingable on said support and pivoted to said back-rest, cooperating guiding means slidably engaged with each other and arranged on said support and on said lower connecting link, a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front end portion of said seat, a controlling link pivoted at one of its ends to said leg-rest, a controlling arm in rigid connection with said guiding link, said controlling arm being in pivotal connection with the other end of said controlling link, a first stop arranged on said support for loose abutting engagement with the guiding means arranged on the lower connecting link so as to limit an extreme position thereof wherein the movable members of the article are in a sitting position, and a second stop arranged on said support for abutting engagement with said controlling arm rigidly connected with said guiding link so as to limit an extreme position of said guiding link after a movement of the movable members of the article from the sitting position into an intermediate reclined position whereby the pivotal connection between the back-rest and said guiding link is held stationary during a continuation of the movement of the back-rest into an extreme reclined position while the guiding means arranged on the lower connecting link is disengaged from said first stop, the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the lower connecting link being disengageable, and said second 7 stop being arranged for abutting engagement with said back-rest so as to hold same in a substantially horizontal position after disengagement of said pivotal connection between the back-rest and the lower connecting link.

10. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 9, a second pinand slot-connection between said support and said lower connecting link, an end of said slot of. said second pinand slot-connection acting as said first stop.

11. An article of repose for supporting the body of a person, comprising in combination: a support, a linkage comprising a seat structure, a

back-rest structure and a chain of connecting links including a first connecting link at one end of the chain and a second connecting link at the other end of the chain, said first connecting link being pivoted to said back-rest structure, said second connecting link being pivoted to the front portion of said seat, the rear end portion of said seat structure being pivoted to said back-rest structure at a point spaced from thepivotal connection between the latter and the first connecting link, a double-armed guiding member swingably mounted on said support, one arm of said double-armed guiding member being pivoted to at least one structure of said seatand backrest structures, additional guiding means connected to said support and operatively engaged with at least one'connecting link of said chain of connecting links, a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front portion of said seat structure, .a controlling link pivoted at one of its ends to said leg-rest, the other end of said controlling link being pivoted to the other arm of said doublearmed guiding member, and a stop arranged on said support for abutting engagement with said double-armed guiding member upon a movement of the movable members of the article from the sitting position into an intermediate reclined position whereby said pivotal connection between one arm of the double-armed guiding member and at least one of said structures is held in a fixed position so as to act as a fulcrum during a continuation of the movement of the movable members of the article into'an extreme reclined position. I

12. An article of repose for. supporting the body of a person, comprising in combination: a support, a linkage comprising a seat structure, a back-rest structure and a chain of connecting links including a first connecting link at one end of the chain and a second connecting'link at the other end of the chain, said first connecting link being pivoted to said back-rest structure, said second connecting link being pivoted to the front portion of said seat, the rear end portion of said seat structure being pivoted to said back-rest structure at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the latter and the first connecting link, a double-armed guiding member swingably mounted on said support, one arm of said double-armed guiding member being pivoted to at least one structure of said seatand back-rest structures, additional guiding means connected to said support and operatively engaged with at least one connecting link of said chain of connecting links, said additional guiding means being capable of guiding said connecting link along a predetermined path and of causing a swinging movement of said connecting link about a predetermined axis, a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front portion of said seat structure, a controlling link pivoted at one of its ends to said leg-rest, the other end of said controlling link being pivoted to the other arm of said double-armed guiding member, limiting means associated with said guiding means for rendering same partially ineffective and limiting its effectiveness to act as a fulcrum for a swinging movement of the connecting link during a movement of the movable members of the article from the sitting position into an intermediate reclined position, and a stop arranged on said support for abutting engagement with said double-armed guiding member upon said movement of the movable members of the article from the sitting position into an intermediate reclined position whereby said pi otal connection between one arm of the double-armed guiding member and at least one of said structures is held in a fixed position so as to act as a fulcrum during a continuation of the movement of the movable members of the article into an extreme reclined position. I Y

13. An article of repose for supporting the body of a person, comprising in combination: a support, a linkage comprising a seat structure, a back-rest structure and a chain of connecting links including a first connecting link at one end of the chain and a secondconnecting link at the other end of the chain, said first connecting link being pivoted to said back-rest structure, said second connecting link being pivoted to the front portion of said seat, the rear end portion of said seat structure being pivoted to said back-rest structure at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the latter and the first connecting link, a double-armed guiding member swingably mounted on said support, one arm of said double-armed guiding member being pivoted to at least one structure of said seatand back-rest structures, an additional guiding link swingably mounted on said support and pivotally connected with at least one connecting link of said chain of connecting links, a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front portion of said seat structure, a controlling link pivoted at one of its ends to said leg-rest, the other end of said controlling link being pivoted to the other arm of said double-armed guiding member, a first stop arranged on said support for abutting engagement with said additional guiding link so as to prevent same from rotation in one direction and to hold the pivotal connection between said guiding link and said connecting link in a fixed position so as to act as a fulcrum for said connecting link during a movement of the movable members of the article from the sitting position into an intermediate reclined position, and a second stop arranged on said support for abutting engagement with said doublearmed guiding member upon said movement of the movable members of the article from the sitting position into an intermediate reclined position whereby said pivotal connection between one arm of the double-armed guiding member and at least one of said structures is held in a fixed position so as to act as a fulcrum during a continuation of the movement of the movable members of the article into an extreme reclined position.

14. An article of repose for supporting the body of a person, comprising in combination: a support, a linkage comprising a seat structure, a back-rest structure and a chain of connecting links including a first connecting link at one end of the chain and a second connecting link at the other end of the chain, said first connecting link being pivoted to said back-rest structure, said second connecting link being pivoted to the front portion of said seat, the rear end portion of said seat structure being pivoted to said back-rest structure at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the latter and the first connecting link, a double-armed guiding member swingably mounted on said support, one arm of said double-armed guiding member being pivoted to at least one structure of said seatand back-rest structure, additional guiding means connected to said support and ope'ratively engaged with at least one connecting link of said chain of connecting links, a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front portion of said seat structure, a controlling link pivoted at one of its ends to said leg-rest, the other end of said controlling link being pivoted to the other arm of said double-armed guiding member, and a stop arranged on said support for abutting engagement with said double-armed guiding member upon a movement of the movable members of the article from the' sitting position into an intermediate reclined position whereby said pivotal connection between one arm of the double-armed guiding member and the back-rest structure is held in a fixed position so as to act as a fulcrum during a continuation of the movement of the movable members or the article into an extreme reclined position. c

15. An article of respose for supporting the body of a person, comprising in combination: a support, a linkage comprising a seat structure, a back-rest structure and a chain of connecting links including a first connecting link at one end of the chain and a second connecting link at the other end of the chain, said first connecting link being pivoted to said back-rest structure, said second connecting link being pivoted to the front portion of said seat, the rear end portion of said seat structure being pivoted to said back-rest structure at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the latter and the first connecting link, a double-armed guiding member swingablymounted on said support, one arm of said double-armed guiding member being pivoted to at least one structure of said seatand back-rest structure, an additional guiding link swingably mounted on said support and pivotally connected with at least one connecting link of said chain of connecting links, a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front portion of said seat structure, a controlling link pivoted at one of its ends to said leg-rest, the other end of said controlling link being pivoted to the other arm of said double-armed guiding member, a first stop arranged on said support for abutting engagement with said additional guiding link so as to prevent same from rotation in one direction and to hold the pivotal connection between said guiding link and said connecting link in a fixed position so as to act as a fulcrum for said connecting link during a movement of the movable members of the article from the sitting position into an intermediate reclined position, and a second stop arranged on said support for. abutting engagement with said double-armed guiding member upon said movement of the movable members of the article from the sitting position into an intermediate reclined position whereby said pivotal connection between one arm of the double-armed guiding member and said back-rest structure is held in a fixed position so as to act as a fulcrum during a continuation of the movement of the movable members of the article into an extreme reclined position.

16. In an article of repose as claimed in claim 13, the pivotal connection between the back-rest structure and the first connecting link being disengageable whereby said back-rest structure together with the leg-rest connected with the former may b moved into a substantially horizontal position while said seat structure remains in its sitting position, and said second stop being arranged for abutting engagement with said back-rest structure when the latter is in its substantially horizontal position.

17. In an article of repose as claimed in claim 15 13, the pivotal connection between the back-rest structure and the first connecting link forming a part of a pinand slot-connection between said members, locking means associated with said pinand slot-connection for normally holding the elements thereof in a predetermined relative position making same a pivotal connection, and actuating means associated with said locking means for releasing the element of said pinand slot-connection so as to permit a relative sliding movement between the pin and the slot of said connection whereby said back-rest structure together With the leg-rest connected with the former may be moved into a substantially horizontal position while said seat structure remains in its sitting position, and said second stop being arranged for abutting engagement 16 with said back-rest structure when the latter is in its substantially horizontal position.

JOHANNES LUCKHARDT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 0 Number Name Date 2,353,838 Lorenz July 18, 1944 2,433,520 Lorenz Dec. 30, 1947 2,478,770 Lorenz Aug. 9, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 15 Number Country I Date 53.406 Netherlands Nov. 16, 1942

Images