Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6769734
-
Patent Number
6,769,734
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Date Filed
Tuesday, June 11, 200222 years ago
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Date Issued
Tuesday, August 3, 200420 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
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CPC
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US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 297 61
- 297 68
- 297 85
- 297 88
- 297 2713
- 297 DIG 7
- 297 2592
- 297 403
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International Classifications
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Abstract
A rocker recliner linkage mechanism having a headrest pop-up linkage is provided. The pop-up linkage includes a headrest drive link, a headrest bell crank and a toggle link. The headrest bell crank couples the headrest drive link to the toggle link and is pivotally coupled with a back support linkage. The headrest drive link is coupled with the drive linkage, and the toggle link is coupled with the headrest mounting linkage. The pop-up linkage utilizes the movement of drive linkage to move the headrest mounting linkage between the closed position to the support position as the chair moves between upright and intermediate positions. The pop-up linkage is also adapted to maintain the position of the headrest relative to the backrest as the chair is moved between intermediate and fully reclined positions.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a linkage mechanism for a rocker recliner chair. More particularly, this invention relates to a linkage mechanism for a rocker recliner chair that is capable of moving a headrest between closed and support positions as the chair moves between upright, intermediate and fully reclined positions.
Chair headrests are well known in the art. A typical chair headrest is mounted to the top of a backrest and is not capable of being moved relative to the backrest of the chair. However, there are other types of headrests available that are capable of moving relative to the backrest. For example, an automobile headrest can be manually moved upward or downward relative to the backrest to provide an adjustable head support for a passenger.
In addition, it is well known that stationary recliner chairs or zero wall chairs are also capable of moving the headrest relative to the backrest. In particular, the stationary chairs include a linkage mechanism that operates to move the headrest between retracted and extended positions when the chair is moved between upright and reclined positions. The linkage mechanisms used in the stationary recliners are able to move headrest relative to the backrest due to the long pivot lengths of the linkages, the large number of moving parts and the translation distances of the linkages when the chair moves between upright and reclined positions. The amount of mechanical advantage available in these types of chair mechanisms makes it relatively easy to move the headrest relative to the backrest.
However, it has been difficult to provide a chair mechanism that can be used with a rocker recliner chair that operates to move a headrest relative to a backrest. Specifically, the linkages that are used in rocker recliner chairs have smaller pivot lengths and translation distances compared to the linkages in the stationary chair when the chairs are moved between upright, intermediate and fully reclined positions. The smaller pivot lengths and translation distances produce a limited amount of torque and mechanical advantage to move the headrest relative to the backrest. Due to the limited amount of torque and mechanical advantage available in the rocker recliner, there have been very few attempts, if any, to provide for a chair mechanism that will move a headrest between retracted and extended positions.
Accordingly, there remains a need for a linkage mechanism for a rocker recliner chair that is capable of moving a headrest between closed and support positions as the chair is moved between upright, intermediate and fully reclined positions. The present invention fills these needs as well as various other needs.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to overcome the above-stated problems and limitations, and to achieve the noted objects, there is provided a rocker recliner chair that operates to move a headrest between a closed position and a support position as the chair moves between upright, intermediate and fully reclined positions.
In general, the rocker-recliner chair includes a base, a rocker cam assembly mounted on the base, a seat, a footrest, a backrest and a headrest and a pair of linkage mechanisms mounted to the base on opposite sides of the chair. Each linkage mechanism includes a seat mounting linkage that couples the seat to the rocker cam assembly. A footrest extension linkage is coupled with the seat mounting linkage and has the footrest mounted thereon. The seat mounting linkage is coupled with the footrest extension linkage by a drive linkage that is adapted to drive the footrest extension linkage from a retracted position to an extended position. The backrest is mounted to a back support linkage which is in turn coupled to the seat mounting linkage. A headrest mounting linkage is coupled with the back support linkage and is adapted to have the headrest mounted thereon.
A pop-up linkage is pivotally mounted to the drive link and is adapted to move the headrest between closed and support positions. The pop-up linkage includes a headrest drive link, a headrest bell crank and a toggle link. The headrest bell crank couples the headrest drive link to the toggle link and is pivotally coupled with the back support linkage. The headrest drive link is coupled with the drive linkage, and the toggle link is coupled with the headrest mounting linkage. The pop-up linkage is adapted to move the headrest mounting linkage from the closed position to the support position as the chair moves between upright and intermediate positions. In particular, the pop-up linkage utilizes the movement of the drive linkage as it moves the footrest extension linkage from the retracted position to the extended position to drive headrest into the support position. The pop-up linkage also uses the movement of drive linkage as the footrest is moved to a retracted position to move the headrest to a closed position. The pop-up linkage is also adapted to maintain the position of the headrest relative to the backrest as the chair is moved between intermediate and fully reclined positions.
Additionally, the linkage mechanism may further include a spring coupled between the headrest drive link and the back support linkage for biasing the pop-up linkage toward the support position. Still further, the chair may include a first stop pin mounted on the back support linkage and positioned to contact a portion of the headrest mounting linkage when in the closed position to prevent the headrest mounting linkage from moving beyond the closed position. A second stop pin may also be provided that is mounted on the back support linkage and positioned to contact a portion of the headrest mounting linkage when in the support position to prevent the headrest mounting linkage from moving beyond the support position.
Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawings which follows, when considered with the attached figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are employed to indicate like parts in the various views:
FIG. 1
is a front perspective view of a rocker recliner chair in an upright position having a headrest in the closed position according to the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a cross-sectional view taken along line
2
—
2
of
FIG. 1
showing the chair in an upright position with a seat, backrest, footrest, side and headrest of the chair in broken lines and a headrest mounting linkage in a closed position;
FIG. 3
is view similar to
FIG. 2
showing the chair in an intermediate position with the headrest mounting linkage in a support position;
FIG. 4
is a view similar to
FIG. 2
showing the chair in a fully reclined position with the headrest mounting linkage maintaining the support position;
FIG. 5
is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of a linkage mechanism in the upright position with a rocker cam assembly being removed and portions shown in hidden lines to show a back support linkage being coupled to a seat mounting linkage and a drive linkage;
FIG. 6
is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view similar to
FIG. 5
showing the position of the back support linkage and portions of the seat mounting linkage and drive linkage when the chair is in the intermediate position;
FIG. 7
is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view similar to
FIG. 5
showing the position of the back support linkage when the chair is in the fully reclined position;
FIG. 8
is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the linkage mechanism in the upright position with a rocker cam assembly being removed and portions shown in hidden lines to show the headrest mounting linkage coupled to the back support linkage and a pop-up linkage, and also showing the pop-up linkage being coupled to the drive linkage;
FIG. 9
is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view similar to
FIG. 8
showing the position of the headrest mounting linkage, pop-up linkage and a portion of the drive linkage when the chair is in the intermediate position; and
FIG. 10
is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view similar to
FIG. 8
showing the position of the headrest mounting linkage, pop-up linkage and a portion of the drive linkage when the chair is in the fully reclined position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings in detail, and initially to
FIG. 1
, numeral
10
generally designates a rocker recliner chair constructed in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Generally, as best seen in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, the chair
10
includes a support frame
12
that provides support for a pair of linkage mechanisms
14
positioned on opposite sides of the chair
10
. Linkage mechanisms
14
mount a seat
16
, a pair of upstanding opposed armrests
18
, a footrest
20
and a backrest
22
to frame
12
for movement between an upright position as best seen in
FIG. 2
, an intermediate position as best seen in
FIG. 3 and a
fully reclined position as best seen in FIG.
4
. Linkage mechanisms
14
also operate to move a headrest
24
between a closed position and a support position when chair
10
is moved from the upright position to an intermediate position. Furthermore, linkage mechanisms
14
maintain the position of headrest
24
relative to backrest
22
when chair
10
moves from the intermediate position to the fully reclined position.
As best seen in
FIG. 2
, support frame
12
includes a base
26
and a rocker cam assembly
28
. Base
26
includes a pair of side rails
30
positioned on opposite sides of chair
10
and extending between front and rear portions of chair
10
. A pair of cross rails
32
interconnect the rails
30
and extend between the sides of chair
10
. Rocker cam assembly
28
includes a pair of rocker cams
34
that rest on opposite sides of base
26
and allow for forward and rearward rocking of chair
10
when in an upright position. A pair of cross pieces
36
are coupled to each rocker cam
34
and are mounted to cross rails
32
by a set of springs
38
.
Seat
16
is mounted to support frame
12
on opposite sides of chair
10
by a pair of linkage mechanisms
14
. Specifically, as best seen in
FIGS. 2-4
, each linkage mechanism
14
comprises a seat mounting linkage
40
that mounts seat
16
to rocker cams
34
. Seat mounting linkage
40
includes a cam link
42
, a carrier link
44
, a front recline control link
46
and a support link
48
. Cam link
42
is fixedly mounted to rocker cams
34
and extends towards the front portion of chair
10
. Carrier link
44
is pivotally coupled to cam link
42
at a rivet
50
and extends toward the rear portion of chair
10
. Further, an intermediate portion of carrier link
44
is pivotally coupled to an end portion of front recline control link
46
at rivet
52
. The opposite end portion of front recline control link
46
is pivotally coupled to an intermediate portion of support link
48
at rivet
54
. A stop pin
56
extends outwardly from support link
48
and is positioned to contact front recline control link
46
when chair
10
is in the fully reclined position. Support link
48
has an additional stop pin
58
that is positioned to contact a top edge of carrier link
44
as chair
10
is moving between the upright and intermediate positions. Support link
48
further includes a seat mounting plate
60
that provides a surface for seat
16
to rest on so that seat
16
may be coupled to support link
48
.
The footrest
20
is connected to seat mounting linkage
40
by a footrest extension linkage
62
. It will be understood and appreciated that footrest extension linkage
62
is a conventional lazy tong linkage that is adapted to place the footrest in a retracted position as best seen in
FIG. 2
, an extended position as best seen in FIG.
3
. Footrest extension linkage
62
remains in the extended position as chair
10
moves to the fully reclined position as best seen in FIG.
4
. As best seen in
FIGS. 3 and 4
, footrest extension linkage
62
includes an upper link
64
that is pivotally coupled to a front portion of support link at rivet
66
. An intermediate portion of upper link
64
is pivotally coupled with an intermediate portion of a top footrest mounting link
68
at rivet
70
. Top footrest mounting link
68
has a stop pin
72
extending therefrom that is positioned to contact a top portion of upper link
64
when footrest
20
is in the extended position. Upper link
64
is also pivotally coupled to an intermediate link
74
at rivet
76
. A distal end of intermediate link
74
is pivotally coupled to a middle portion of a footrest mounting plate
78
at rivet
80
.
As best seen in
FIG. 4
, footrest extension linkage
62
further includes a lower link
82
that is pivotally coupled with a front portion of support link
48
at rivet
84
and is pivotally coupled with top footrest mounting link
68
at rivet
86
. Top footrest mounting link is
68
is also pivotally coupled to a top portion of footrest mounting bracket
78
at rivet
88
. A bottom footrest mounting link
90
is pivotally coupled with a bottom portion of footrest mounting bracket
78
at rivet
92
and also pivotally coupled with a link
94
at rivet
96
. Link
94
is further coupled to a middle portion of intermediate link
74
at rivet
98
. Footrest mounting bracket
78
is adapted to have footrest
20
mounted thereto.
Footrest extension linkage
62
may be selectively released to the extended position by a handle actuating mechanism
100
as best seen in FIG.
2
. Handle actuating mechanism
100
includes a handle, not shown, a shaft
102
, a connecting link
104
and a trigger link
106
. As best seen in
FIG. 2
, shaft
102
is pivotally mounted between support links
48
on each linkage mechanism
14
. The handle, not shown, is typically positioned on one side of chair
10
and is fixedly mounted to shaft
102
. Connecting link
104
is also fixedly mounted to shaft
102
and is pivotally coupled to trigger link
106
at rivet
108
. Connecting link
104
has a stop pin
105
extending therefrom that is positioned to contact trigger link
106
when handle actuating mechanism
100
retains footrest extension linkage
62
in the retracted position as shown in FIG.
2
. As best seen in
FIGS. 2 and 3
, trigger link
106
is further pivotally coupled to an intermediate portion of lower link
82
by rivet
110
. The handle may be used to rotate shaft
102
and connecting link
104
relative to support link
48
so that trigger link
106
can be released to allow footrest extension linkage
62
to move to the extended position. The handle actuating mechanism further includes a spring, not shown, that interconnects an intermediate portion of connecting link
104
to a front portion of support link
48
. The spring is adapted to bias footrest extension linkage
62
to the extended position once handle actuating mechanism is released which will be discussed in more detail below.
Each linkage mechanism
14
includes a drive linkage
112
that couples a rear portion of seat mounting linkage
40
to footrest extension linkage
62
. As best seen in
FIGS. 3 and 8
, drive linkage
112
includes a rear control link
114
, a seat bell crank
116
, an ottoman drive link
118
, a front control link
120
and a backrest bell crank
122
. Rear control link
114
is pivotally coupled with cam link
42
at rivet
124
and pivotally coupled with seat bell crank
116
at rivet
126
. Seat bell crank
116
is also pivotally coupled with ottoman drive link
118
at rivet
128
. As best seen in
FIGS. 3 and 4
, ottoman drive link
118
extends from the rear portion of chair
10
and is coupled to footrest mounting linkage
62
. Specifically, ottoman drive link
118
is pivotally coupled to an intermediate portion of lower link
82
at rivet
130
. Ottoman drive link
118
further includes a rivet
132
positioned on an intermediate portion thereof that is adapted to slide within a slot
134
formed in one end of front control link
120
. The opposite end of front control link
120
is pivotally coupled with cam link
42
at rivet
136
. As best seen in
FIGS. 5-7
, backrest bell crank
122
is pivotally coupled to a rear portion of carrier link
44
at rivet
138
. Backrest bell crank
122
is also pivotally coupled to support link
48
at rivet
140
. As best seen in
FIGS. 5
,
9
and
10
, an intermediate portion of backrest bell crank
122
is pivotally coupled with an intermediate portion of seat bell crank
116
at rivet
142
. Referring to
FIG. 6
, a stop pin
144
extends from support link
48
and is positioned to contact backrest bell crank
122
when chair
10
is in the intermediate position.
Turning to
FIG. 8
, linkage mechanisms
14
further include a rock blocker linkage
146
that prevents chair
10
from rocking relative to support frame
12
when chair
10
is in the intermediate position or fully reclined position. As best seen in
FIG. 8
, rock blocker linkage
146
is generally situated at the rear portion of chair
10
and includes a base link
148
, an anchor link
150
, a connector link
152
, a roller link
154
, a roller
156
and a securing link
158
. Base link
148
is fixedly mounted to side rails
30
by a fastener, weldment or the like. One end of anchor link
150
is pivotally coupled to base link
148
by rivet
160
and the opposite end is pivotally coupled to connector link
152
by rivet
162
. Anchor link
150
has a stop pin
164
mounted thereto that is positioned to contact connector link
152
when chair
10
is in the intermediate and fully reclined positions. Connector link
152
is also pivotally coupled to roller link
154
by rivet
166
. An intermediate portion of roller link
154
is pivotally coupled to a rear portion of cam link
42
at rivet
168
and roller
156
is rotatably mounted to the distal end of roller link
154
and is adapted to contact the flat portion of base link
148
when chair
10
is in the intermediate or fully reclined positions. One end of securing link
158
is pivotally mounted to an intermediate portion of roller link
154
by rivet
170
, and the opposite end of link
158
is pivotally coupled to the rear portion of carrier link
44
.
As best seen in
FIG. 2
, backrest
22
is carried on each linkage mechanism
14
by a back support linkage
174
. With additional reference to
FIGS. 3 and 4
, back support linkage
174
is adapted to recline backrest
22
as chair
10
moves from the upright to the fully reclined position. As best seen in
FIG. 5
, back support linkage
174
includes a mounting post
176
and a backrest support link
178
. A lower portion of mounting post
176
is pivotally mounted to support link
48
by rivet
180
and to backrest support link
178
by rivet
182
. Backrest support link
178
extends downwardly from mounting post
176
and is pivotally coupled with an intermediate portion of backrest bell crank
122
by rivet
184
(FIG.
6
).
As best seen in
FIGS. 2-4
, headrest
24
is pivotally mounted to back support linkage
174
by a headrest mounting linkage
186
. As best seen in
FIGS. 8-10
, headrest mounting linkage
186
includes an upper mounting link
188
, a lower mounting link
190
and a mounting plate
192
. One end of upper mounting link
188
is pivotally coupled to a top portion of mounting post
176
by rivet
194
and the opposite end is pivotally coupled to mounting plate
192
by rivet
196
. A first stop pin
198
extends from mounting post
176
and is positioned to contact the lower edge of upper mounting link
188
when headrest mounting linkage
186
is in the closed position as seen in FIG.
8
. First stop pin
198
is adapted to prevent headrest mounting linkage
186
from moving beyond the closed position. Mounting plate
192
is further pivotally coupled to an end portion of lower mounting link
190
by rivet
200
. The opposite end of lower mounting link
190
is in turn pivotally coupled to mounting post
176
by rivet
202
. A second stop pin
204
extends from mounting post
176
and is positioned to contact an upper edge of lower mounting link
190
when headrest mounting linkage
186
is in the support position. Second stop pin
204
is adapted to prevent headrest mounting linkage
186
from moving beyond the support position.
As best seen in
FIGS. 2-4
, headrest
24
is interconnected with headrest mounting linkage
186
by a headrest support
205
. Specifically, headrest support
205
is mounted to mounting plates
192
on each linkage mechanism
14
positioned on opposite sides of the chair through the use of mechanical fasteners, welding, adhesive or the like. In addition, headrest support
205
may be of a sufficient size to form the rear wall of chair
10
. Headrest
24
is coupled with a top portion of headrest support
205
and is recessed within backrest
22
when chair
10
is in the upright position as best seen in FIG.
2
. Furthermore, headrest
24
may be moved adjacent to the top edge of backrest
22
when chair
10
is moved to the intermediate and fully reclined positions as best seen in
FIGS. 3 and 4
.
Each linkage mechanism
14
further provides for a pop-up linkage
206
that couples drive linkage
112
to headrest mounting linkage
186
. As best seen in
FIG. 8
, pop-up linkage
206
includes a toggle link
208
, a headrest bell crank
210
and a headrest drive link
212
. An intermediate portion of headrest bell crank
210
is pivotally coupled to mounting post
176
at rivet
214
. With additional reference to
FIGS. 9 and 10
, a third stop pin
216
extends from mounting post
176
and is positioned to contact headrest bell crank
210
when headrest is in the support position. Further, third stop in
216
is adapted to maintain the position of headrest bell crank
210
relative to back support linkage
174
when chair
10
moves between the intermediate and fully reclined positions. One end of headrest bell crank
210
is pivotally coupled to toggle link
208
by rivet
218
and the opposite end is pivotally coupled to headrest drive link
212
by rivet
220
. Rivet
214
is positioned rearwardly and below rivet
220
when headrest mounting linkage
186
is in the closed position. Toggle link
208
is pivotally coupled to an intermediate portion of lower mounting link
190
by rivet
222
. Further, headrest drive link
212
is pivotally coupled to ottoman drive link
118
by rivet
224
.
In another embodiment, pop-up linkage
206
may further include a spring
226
that couples headrest drive link
212
to mounting post
176
. Specifically, a pair of holding pins
228
,
230
each having an aperture, not shown, formed therein extend from headrest drive link
212
and mounting post
176
respectively. The hooks positioned on both ends of spring
226
are placed through the apertures thereby coupling spring
226
to pins
228
,
230
.
While the above description has focused on a linkage that is used with a rocker recliner chair, it will be understood and appreciated by one skilled in the art that the novel linkage mechanism with the pop-up linkage can also be used on a lift chair.
In operation, rocker recliner chair
10
may be moved between the upright position as best seen in
FIG. 2
, the intermediate position as best seen in FIG.
3
and the fully reclined position as best seen in FIG.
4
. As best seen in
FIGS. 2 and 3
, to move chair
10
from the upright position to the intermediate position, the handle, not shown is rotated clockwise (as viewed in
FIGS. 2-4
) toward the rear portion of chair
10
, which in turn rotates shaft
102
and connecting link
104
in a clockwise direction relative to support link
48
. The rotation of connecting link
104
causes trigger link
106
to move toward the front of chair
10
thereby allowing footrest extension linkage
62
to be released to the extended position. The spring, not shown, interconnecting connecting link
104
and support link
48
operates to bias footrest extension linkage
62
to the extended position.
In addition, drive linkage
112
also operates to move footrest extension linkage
62
to the extended position. Once handle actuating mechanism
100
releases footrest extension linkage
62
allowing footrest
20
to move to the extended position, the rear control link
114
, seat bell crank
116
, front control link
120
and backrest bell crank
122
move in response to the weight of a chair occupant and to drive ottoman drive link
118
generally downwardly and toward the front of chair
10
. This translation of ottoman drive link
118
, along with the bias of the spring, causes footrest extension linkage
62
to move to the extended position.
As best seen in
FIGS. 8 and 9
, as ottoman drive link
118
generally moves downwardly and toward the front of chair
10
to extend footrest
20
, link
118
also operates to move the bottom portion of headrest drive link
212
generally downwardly and toward the front of chair
10
due to the pivotal connection at rivet
224
. The downward and forward movement of the bottom portion of headrest drive link
212
causes the top portion of link
212
to rotate headrest bell crank
210
counterclockwise about rivet
214
. If spring
226
is utilized, it operates to bias the top portion of headrest drive link
212
toward holding pin
230
thereby assisting headrest drive link
212
to rotate headrest bell crank
210
counterclockwise about rivet
214
. The counterclockwise rotation of headrest bell crank
210
about rivet
214
causes bell crank
210
to move toggle link
208
generally upwardly and towards the front of chair
10
. The upward and forward movement of toggle link
208
causes lower mounting link
190
to rotate counterclockwise about rivet
202
. Lower mounting link
190
in turn rotates upper mounting link
188
and mounting plate
192
counterclockwise about rivet
194
. Pop-up linkage
206
will continue to rotate headrest mounting linkage
186
until the top edge of lower mounting link
190
is placed in contact with second stop pin
204
. Once headrest mounting linkage
186
is stopped by second pin
204
, headrest
24
is placed adjacent to the top portion of backrest
22
in the support position. Second pin
204
operates to prevent headrest mounting linkage
186
from moving beyond the support position. A user may then use headrest
24
to support his or her head when utilizing chair
10
in the intermediate position.
Once headrest mounting linkage
186
is in the support position, rock blocker linkage
146
operates to prevent chair
10
from rocking relative to support frame
12
. Specifically, once drive linkage
112
moves footrest extension linkage
62
to the extended position, and pop-up linkage
206
moves headrest mounting linkage
186
to the support position, roller
156
is placed in contact with the flat portion of base link
148
. The contact between roller
156
and base link
148
prevents chair from rocking relative to support frame
12
when footrest
20
is extended and headrest
24
is in the support position.
Chair
10
may also be moved from the intermediate position shown in
FIG. 3
to the fully reclined position in FIG.
4
. To move chair
10
to the fully reclined position, a user may apply a rearward force against backrest
22
to recline backrest
22
. As best seen in
FIGS. 5-7
, backrest
22
is reclined and backrest support link
178
moves downwardly and forwardly to rotate backrest bell crank
122
clockwise about rivet
138
. The clockwise rotation of backrest bell crank
122
moves support link
48
towards the front portion of chair
10
. As stated above and as best seen in
FIGS. 5
,
9
and
10
, backrest bell crank
122
and seat bell crank
116
are pivotally coupled by rivet
142
. The clockwise rotation of backrest bell crank
122
causes seat bell crank
116
to rotate in a clockwise direction about rivet
126
thereby moving ottoman drive link
118
upward and toward the front portion of the chair along with support link
48
. Footrest extension linkage
62
maintains its extended position relative to seat mounting linkage
40
as the ottoman drive link
118
and support link
48
are shifted toward the front of chair
10
. Furthermore, as support link
48
and ottoman drive link
118
are shifted upwardly and towards the front portion of chair
10
, roller
156
rolls along and remains in contact with base link
148
to continue to prevent chair
10
from rocking relative to support frame
12
when in the fully reclined position.
As best seen in
FIGS. 9 and 10
, when chair
10
moves from the intermediate position to the fully reclined position, headrest drive link
212
moves upwards and towards the front portion of chair
10
along with support link
48
due to their pivotal connection by rivet
224
. Since headrest drive link
212
is moving upwards and toward the front portion of chair
10
, link
212
does not operate to rotate headrest drive crank
210
about rivet
214
. Therefore, the headrest bell crank
210
and toggle link
208
maintain the position of headrest mounting linkage
186
relative to back support linkage
174
.
In addition, headrest bell crank
210
and toggle link
208
also maintain their positions relative to back support linkage
174
when chair
10
moves from the intermediate position to the fully reclined position due to the contact between headrest bell crank
210
and third stop pin
216
. Once headrest mounting link
186
is in the support position, third stop pin
216
prevents headrest bell crank
210
from any further counterclockwise rotation about rivet
214
. Moreover, second stop pin
204
is placed in contact with the upper edge of lower mounting link
190
to prevent any further counterclockwise rotation of headrest mounting link
186
relative to back support linkage
174
. Since lower mounting link
190
and headrest bell crank
210
are generally stationary relative to back support linkage
174
as the chair
10
is moved from the intermediate to fully reclined position, toggle link
208
will maintain the position of headrest mounting linkage
186
relative to back support linkage
174
. Thus, headrest
24
will remain in constant orientation relative to the backrest
22
and provide head support as chair
10
is moved from the intermediate position to the fully reclined position.
Further, if spring
226
is utilized, it operates to bias back support linkage
174
toward the intermediate position as best seen in FIG.
9
. Specifically, holding pins
228
,
230
are moved further apart as chair
10
is moved from the intermediate position to the fully reclined position. This change in position stretches spring
226
along its longitudinal axis thereby biasing mounting post
176
to rotate counterclockwise about rivet
180
to place chair
10
in the intermediate position.
To move chair
10
from the fully reclined position to the intermediate position, a user may apply force to move the backrest
22
toward the front of the chair. This may be accomplished by sitting upright in chair
10
. Similar to the movement of chair
10
from the intermediate position to the fully reclined position, pop-up linkage
206
operates to maintain the position of headrest mounting linkage
186
relative to back support linkage
174
when chair
10
is moved from the fully reclined position to the intermediate position.
As best seen in
FIGS. 5-7
, backrest support link
178
moves upward and rearwardly to rotate backrest bell crank
122
counterclockwise about rivet
138
as backrest
22
is being moved to the upright position. The counterclockwise rotation of backrest bell crank
122
moves support link
48
towards the rear of chair
10
. As best seen in
FIGS. 5
,
9
and
10
, backrest bell crank
122
and seat bell crank
116
are pivotally coupled by rivet
142
. Therefore, the counterclockwise rotation of backrest bell crank
122
causes seat bell crank
116
to rotate in a counterclockwise direction about rivet
126
thereby moving ottoman drive link
118
downward and toward the rear of chair
10
along with support link
48
. Footrest extension linkage
62
remains in the extended position relative to seat mounting linkage
40
as the ottoman drive link
118
and support link
48
are shifted downward and toward the rear of chair
10
. Furthermore, as support link
22
and ottoman drive link
118
are shifted downwardly and towards the rear of chair
10
, roller
156
rolls along and remains in contact with base link
148
to continue to prevent chair from rocking relative to support frame
12
when in the intermediate position.
As best seen in
FIGS. 9 and 10
, when chair
10
moves from the fully reclined position to the intermediate position, headrest drive link
212
moves downward and towards the rear of chair
10
along with support link
48
due to their pivotal connection by rivet
224
. Third stop pin
216
prevents headrest drive crank
210
from rotating in a counterclockwise direction about rivet
214
even though headrest drive link
212
moves downward and towards the rear of chair
10
when chair
10
is moved from the fully reclined position to the intermediate position. Moreover, second stop pin
204
is placed in contact with the upper edge of lower mounting link
190
to prevent headrest mounting link
186
from rotating in a counterclockwise direction relative to back support linkage
174
. Since lower mounting link
190
and headrest bell crank
210
are generally stationary relative to back support linkage
174
as the chair
10
is moved from the fully reclined position to the intermediate position, toggle link
208
will also maintain the position of headrest mounting linkage
186
relative to back support linkage
174
. Thus, headrest
24
will maintain its orientation relative to the backrest
22
and provide head support as chair
10
is moved from the fully reclined position to the intermediate position. Further, if spring
226
is utilized, it operates to bias back support linkage
174
toward the intermediate position.
To move chair
10
from the intermediate position to the upright position, a user applies a downward force on footrest extension linkage
62
to place footrest
20
in the retracted position. In addition, the handle, not shown, may be rotated in a counterclockwise direction toward the front portion of chair
10
to assist in retracting footrest extension linkage
62
. In particular, the counterclockwise rotation of the handle causes shaft
102
and connecting link
104
to rotate in a counterclockwise direction relative to support link
48
. The rotation of connecting link
104
causes trigger link
106
to move toward the rear of chair
10
thereby releasably retaining footrest extension linkage
62
in the retracted position. The spring, not shown, interconnecting connecting link
104
and support link
48
is stretched as shaft is rotated in the counterclockwise direction. The spring operates to retain handle actuating mechanism
100
in the retracted position once trigger link
106
is placed in contact with stop pin
105
.
As chair
10
moves to the upright position, footrest extension linkage
62
moves ottoman drive link
118
upwardly and toward the rear of chair
10
. Specifically, as best seen in
FIGS. 8 and 9
, the upward and rearward movement of ottoman drive link
118
moves the bottom portion of headrest drive link
212
generally upward and toward the rear of chair
10
due to the pivotal connection at rivet
224
. The upward and rearward movement of the bottom portion of headrest drive link
212
causes the top portion of link
212
to rotate headrest bell crank
210
clockwise about rivet
214
. If spring
226
is utilized, it is stretched along its longitudinal axis to create a bias to resist the upward movement of the upper portion of headrest drive link
212
. The clockwise rotation of headrest bell crank
210
about rivet
214
causes bell crank
210
to pull toggle link
208
generally downwardly and towards the rear of chair
10
. The downward and rearward movement of toggle link
208
operates to rotate lower mounting link
190
clockwise about rivet
202
. Lower mounting link
190
in turn rotates upper mounting link
188
and mounting plate
192
clockwise about rivet
194
. Pop-up linkage
206
will continue to rotate headrest mounting linkage until the lower edge of upper mounting link
188
is placed in contact with first stop pin
198
. Headrest
24
is in the closed position and recessed within backrest
22
once headrest mounting linkage
186
is stopped by first stop pin
198
. First stop pin
198
is used to prevent headrest mounting linkage
186
from moving beyond the closed position.
Once headrest mounting linkage
186
is in a closed position, rock blocker linkage
146
is positioned in such a way that does not prevent chair
10
from rocking relative to support frame
12
. Specifically, roller
156
is no longer in contact with the flat portion of base link
148
. Therefore, chair
10
is free to rock relative to support frame
12
through the use of rocker cam assembly
28
when footrest
20
is retracted and headrest is in the closed position.
It can, therefore, be seen that the invention is one that is designed to overcome the drawbacks and deficiencies existing in the prior art. The invention provides a pop-up linkage for a rocker-recliner chair that moves a headrest between a closed position and a support position as the chair moves between the upright, intermediate and fully reclined positions. The pop-up linkage also maintains the position of the headrest relative to the backrest when the chair is moved from the intermediate position to the fully reclined position.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto, since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the foregoing disclosure of the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Claims
- 1. A linkage mechanism for a rocker-recliner chair having a base, a seat, a footrest, a backrest and a headrest, said linkage mechanism comprising:a rocker cam assembly mounted on the base; a seat mounting linkage coupling the seat to the rocker cam assembly; a footrest extension linkage coupled with the seat mounting linkage and having the footrest mounted thereto; a drive linkage coupling said seat mounting linkage with said footrest extension linkage, said drive linkage adapted to drive said footrest extension linkage from a retracted position to an extended position; a back support linkage coupled with said seat mounting linkage and having the backrest mounted thereto; a headrest mounting linkage coupled with said back support linkage and having the headrest coupled thereto; a pop-up linkage including a headrest drive link, a headrest bell crank and a toggle link, said headrest bell crank coupling said headrest drive link to said toggle link and being pivotally coupled with said back support linkage, said headrest drive link being coupled with said drive linkage, and said toggle link being coupled with said headrest mounting linkage; and a rock blocker linkage coupled with said seat mounting linkage and the base, wherein a portion of said rock blocker linkage is selectively coupled with said base to prevent the chair from rocking relative to the base when said footrest extension linkage is in the extended position, wherein said headrest drive linkage, said headrest bell crank and said toggle link cooperate to move said headrest mounting linkage to a support position when said drive linkage moves said footrest extension linkage to the extended position, and wherein said headrest drive linkage, said headrest bell crank and said toggle link cooperate to move said headrest mounting linkage to a closed position when said footrest extension linkage is moved to the retracted position.
- 2. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 1, further comprising a spring coupled between said headrest drive link and said back support linkage for biasing said pop-up linkage toward the support position.
- 3. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein said headrest mounting linkage includes a first mounting link, a second mounting link and a mounting plate, wherein said mounting plate is coupled with said first and second mounting links, and wherein said first and second mounting links are coupled with said back support linkage.
- 4. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 3, wherein said toggle link is coupled with an intermediate portion of said second mounting link.
- 5. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein said headrest drive link includes an upper and lower portion, wherein said lower portion is coupled with said drive linkage and said upper portion is coupled with said headrest bell crank.
- 6. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein the pivotal connection between said back support linkage and said headrest bell crank is at an intermediate portion of said headrest bell crank.
- 7. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein said headrest drive link and said toggle link are coupled to opposites end portions of said headrest bell crank.
- 8. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 1, further comprising a first stop pin mounted on said back support linkage and positioned to contact a portion of said headrest mounting linkage when in the closed position to prevent said headrest mounting linkage from moving beyond the closed position.
- 9. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 8, further comprising a second stop pin mounted on said back support linkage and positioned to contact a portion of said headrest mounting linkage when in a support position to prevent said headrest mounting linkage from moving beyond the support position.
- 10. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 9, further comprising a third stop pin mounted on said back support linkage and positioned to contact a portion of said headrest bell crank to maintain the position of said headrest bell crank relative to said back support linkage when the chair moves between an intermediate position and a fully reclined position.
- 11. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 1, further comprising a handle actuating mechanism coupled with said seat mounting linkage and said footrest extension linkage, wherein said handle actuating mechanism is selectively positioned to prevent said seat mounting linkage from moving relative to the rocker cam assembly when said footrest extension linkage is in the retracted position.
- 12. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein said pop-up linkage is adapted to recess the headrest within the backrest when footrest extension linkage is in the retracted position.
- 13. A linkage mechanism for a rocker-recliner chair having a base, a seat, a footrest, a backrest and a headrest, said linkage mechanism comprising:a rocker cam assembly mounted on the base; a seat mounting linkage coupling the seat to the rocker cam assembly; a footrest extension linkage coupled with the seat mounting linkage and adapted to have the footrest mounted thereto; a drive linkage coupling said seat mounting linkage with said footrest extension linkage, said drive linkage adapted to drive said footrest extension linkage from a retracted position to an extended position; a back support linkage coupled with said seat mounting linkage and adapted to have the backrest mounted thereto; a headrest mounting linkage coupled with said back support linkage and adapted to have the headrest coupled thereto; and a pop-up linkage including a headrest drive link having upper and lower portions, a headrest bell crank having first and second end portions, and a toggle link, said lower portion of said headrest drive link being coupled with said drive linkage and said upper portion being coupled with said first end portion of said headrest bell crank, said toggle link being coupled with said second end portion of said headrest bell crank and said headrest mounting linkage, and an intermediate portion of said headrest bell crank being pivotally coupled with said back support linkage, wherein said lower portion of said headrest drive link moves forwardly as said drive linkage drives said footrest extension linkage to the extended position whereby said upper portion of said headrest drive link rotates said headrest bell crank in a counterclockwise direction relative to said back support linkage as said drive linkage drives said footrest extension linkage to the extended position thereby rotating said headrest mounting linkage in a counterclockwise direction relative to said back support linkage to place said headrest mounting linkage in a support position, and wherein said lower portion of said headrest drive link moves rearwardly as said footrest extension linkage is moved to a retracted position whereby said upper portion of said headrest drive link rotates said headrest bell crank in a clockwise direction relative to said back support linkage when said footrest extension mechanism is moved to a retracted position thereby rotating said headrest mounting linkage in a clockwise direction relative to said back support linkage to place said headrest mounting linkage in a closed position.
- 14. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 13, further comprising a spring coupled with said back support linkage and said upper portion of said headrest drive link for biasing said pop-up linkage toward the support position.
- 15. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 13, wherein said headrest mounting linkage comprising a first mounting link, a second mounting link and a mounting plate, wherein said mounting plate is coupled with said first and second mounting links, and wherein said first and second mounting links are coupled with said back support linkage.
- 16. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 15, wherein said toggle link coupled with an intermediate portion of said second mounting link.
- 17. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 13, further comprising a first stop pin mounted on said back support linkage and positioned to contact a portion of said headrest mounting linkage when in the closed position to prevent said headrest mounting linkage from moving beyond the closed position.
- 18. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 17, further comprising a second stop pin mounted on said back support linkage and positioned to contact a portion of said headrest mounting linkage when in a support position to prevent said headrest mounting linkage from moving beyond the support position.
- 19. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 18, further comprising a third stop pin mounted on said back support linkage and positioned to contact a portion of said headrest bell crank to maintain the position of said headrest bell crank relative to said back support linkage when the chair moves between an intermediate position and a fully reclined position.
- 20. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 13, further comprising a rock blocker linkage coupled with said seat mounting linkage and the base, wherein a portion of said rock blocker linkage is selectively coupled with said base to prevent the chair from rocking relative to the base when said footrest extension linkage is in the extended position.
- 21. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 13, further comprising a handle actuating mechanism coupled with said seat mounting linkage and said footrest extension linkage, wherein said handle actuating mechanism is selectively positioned to prevent said seat mounting linkage from moving relative to the rocker cam assembly when said footrest extension linkage is in the retracted position.
- 22. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 13, wherein said pop-up linkage is adapted to recess the headrest within the backrest when said footrest extension linkage is in the retracted position.
- 23. A linkage mechanism for a rocker-recliner chair having a base, a seat, a footrest, a backrest and a headrest, said linkage mechanism comprising:a rocker cam assembly mounted on the base; a seat mounting linkage coupling the seat to the rocker cam assembly; a footrest extension linkage coupled with the seat mounting linkage and having the footrest mounted thereto; a drive linkage coupling said seat mounting linkage with said footrest extension linkage, said drive linkage adapted to drive said footrest extension linkage from a retracted position to an extended position; a back support linkage coupled with said seat mounting linkage and having the backrest mounted thereto; a headrest mounting linkage coupled with said back support linkage and having the headrest coupled thereto; and a pop-up linkage including a headrest drive link having upper and lower portions, a headrest bell crank having first and second end portions, and a toggle link, said lower portion of said headrest drive link is coupled with said drive linkage and said upper portion is coupled with said first end portion of said headrest bell crank, said toggle link is coupled with said second end portion of said headrest bell crank and said headrest mounting linkage, and an intermediate portion of said headrest bell crank is pivotally coupled with said back support linkage at a point located rearwardly and below the connection between said upper portion of said headrest drive link and said first end portion of said headrest bell crank when said footrest extension linkage is in the extended position, wherein said lower portion of said headrest drive link moves forwardly as said drive linkage drives said footrest extension linkage to the extended position whereby said upper portion of said headrest drive link rotates said headrest bell crank in a counterclockwise direction relative to said back support linkage to place said headrest mounting linkage in a support position, and wherein said lower portion of said headrest drive link moves rearwardly as said footrest extension linkage is moved to a retracted position whereby said upper portion of said headrest drive link rotates said headrest bell crank in a clockwise direction relative to said back support linkage to place said headrest mounting linkage in a closed position.
- 24. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 23, further comprising a spring coupled with said back support linkage and said upper portion of said headrest drive link for biasing said pop-up linkage toward the support position.
- 25. The linkage mechanism as recited in claims 23, wherein said headrest mounting linkage comprising a first mounting link, a second mounting link and a mounting plate, wherein said mounting plate is coupled with said first and second mounting links, and wherein said first and second mounting links are coupled with said back support linkage.
- 26. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 25, wherein said toggle link coupled with an intermediate portion of said second mounting link.
- 27. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 23, further comprising a first stop pin mounted on said back support linkage and positioned to contact a portion of said headrest mounting linkage when in the closed position to prevent said headrest mounting linkage from moving beyond the closed position.
- 28. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 27, further comprising a second stop pin mounted on said back support linkage and positioned to contact a portion of said headrest mounting linkage when in a support position to prevent said headrest mounting linkage from moving beyond the support position.
- 29. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 28, further comprising a third stop pin mounted on said back support linkage and positioned to contact a portion of said headrest bell crank to maintain the position of said headrest bell crank relative to said back support linkage when the chair moves between an intermediate position and a fully reclined position.
- 30. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 23, further comprising a rock blocker linkage coupled with said seat mounting linkage and the base, wherein a portion of said rock blocker linkage is selectively coupled with said base to prevent the chair from rocking relative to the base when said footrest extension linkage is in the extended position.
- 31. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 23, further comprising a handle actuating mechanism coupled with said seat mounting linkage and said footrest extension linkage, wherein said handle actuating mechanism is selectively positioned to prevent said seat mounting linkage from moving relative to the rocker cam assembly when said footrest extension linkage is in the retracted position.
- 32. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 23, wherein said pop-up linkage is adapted to recess the headrest within the backrest when said footrest extension mechanism is in the retracted position.
- 33. A rocker recliner chair having a base, a seat, a backrest, a headrest and a pair of linkage mechanisms for supporting the seat and backrest for movement between upright, intermediate and fully reclined positions, each of said linkage mechanisms comprising:a seat mounting linkage coupling the seat to the rocker cam assembly; a footrest extension linkage coupled with the seat mounting linkage and having the footrest mounted thereto; a drive linkage coupling said seat mounting linkage with said footrest extension linkage, said drive linkage adapted to drive said footrest extension linkage from a retracted position to an extended position; a back support linkage coupled with said seat mounting linkage and having the backrest mounted thereto, said backrest support linkage capable of moving relative to said seat mounting linkage to place the chair in the fully reclined position after said footrest extension linkage is placed in the extended position; a headrest mounting linkage coupled with said back support linkage and having the headrest coupled thereto; and a pop-up linkage including a headrest drive link having upper and lower portions, a headrest bell crank having first and second end portions, and a toggle link, said lower portion of said headrest drive link is coupled with said drive linkage and said upper portion is coupled with said first end portion of said headrest bell crank, said toggle link is coupled with said second end portion of said headrest bell crank and said headrest mounting linkage, and an intermediate portion of said headrest bell crank is pivotally coupled with said back support linkage, wherein said lower portion of said headrest drive link moves forwardly as said drive linkage drives said footrest extension linkage to the extended position whereby said upper portion of said headrest drive link rotates said headrest bell crank in a counterclockwise direction relative to said back support linkage as said drive linkage drives said footrest extension linkage to the extended position thereby placing said headrest mounting linkage in a support position, wherein said pop-up linkage operates to maintain the position of said headrest mounting linkage relative to said back support linkage as the chair moves to the fully reclined position, and wherein said lower portion of said headrest drive link moves rearwardly as said footrest extension linkage is moved to a retracted position whereby said upper portion of said headrest drive link rotates said headrest bell crank in a clockwise direction relative to said back support linkage when said footrest extension mechanism is moved to a retracted position thereby placing said headrest mounting linkage in a closed position.
- 34. The rocker recliner chair as recited in claim 33, further comprising a spring coupled with said back support linkage and said upper portion of said headrest drive link for biasing said pop-up linkage toward the support position.
- 35. The rocker recliner chair as recited in claim 33, wherein said headrest mounting linkage comprising a first mounting link, a second mounting link and a mounting plate, wherein said mounting plate is coupled with said first and second mounting links, and wherein said first and second mounting links are coupled with said back support linkage.
- 36. The rocker recliner chair as recited in claim 35, wherein said toggle link coupled with an intermediate portion of said second mounting link.
- 37. The rocker recliner chair as recited in claims 33, further comprising a first stop pin mounted on said back support linkage and positioned to contact a portion of said headrest mounting linkage when in the closed position to prevent said headrest mounting linkage from moving beyond the closed position.
- 38. The linkage mechanism as recited in claim 37, further comprising a second stop pin mounted on said back support linkage and positioned to contact a portion of said headrest mounting linkage when in a support position to prevent said headrest mounting linkage from moving beyond the support position.
- 39. The rocker recliner chair as recited in claim 38, further comprising a third stop pin mounted on said back support linkage and positioned to contact a portion of said headrest bell crank to maintain the position of said headrest bell crank relative to said back support linkage when the chair moves between the intermediate position and the fully reclined position.
- 40. The rocker recliner chair as recited in claim 33, further comprising a rock blocker linkage coupled with said seat mounting linkage and the base, wherein a portion of said rock blocker linkage is selectively coupled with said base to prevent the chair from rocking relative to the base when said footrest extension linkage is in the extended position.
- 41. The rocker recliner chair as recited in claim 33, further comprising a handle actuating mechanism coupled with said seat mounting linkage and said footrest extension linkage, wherein said handle actuating mechanism is selectively positioned to prevent said seat mounting linkage from moving relative to the rocker cam assembly when said footrest extension linkage is in the retracted position.
- 42. The rocker recliner chair as recited in claim 33, wherein said pop-up linkage is adapted to recess the headrest within the backrest when the chair is in the upright position.
- 43. A rocker-recliner chair having a base, a seat, a backrest, a headrest and a pair of linkage mechanisms for supporting the seat and backrest for movement between upright, intermediate and fully reclined positions, each of said linkage mechanisms comprising:a rocker cam assembly mounted on the base; a seat mounting linkage coupling the seat to the rocker cam assembly; a footrest extension linkage coupled with the seat mounting linkage and having the footrest mounted thereon; a drive linkage coupling said seat mounting linkage with said footrest extension linkage, said drive linkage adapted to drive said footrest extension linkage from a retracted position to an extended position; a back support linkage coupled with said seat mounting linkage and having the backrest mounted thereto, said backrest support linkage capable of moving relative to said seat mounting linkage to place the chair in the fully reclined position after said footrest extension linkage is placed in the intermediate position; a headrest mounting linkage coupled with said back support linkage and having the headrest coupled thereto; a pop-up linkage including a headrest drive link and a headrest bell crank, said headrest bell crank coupled with said headrest drive link and being pivotally coupled with said back support linkage, said headrest drive link being coupled with said drive linkage; means for rotating said headrest drive link in a counterclockwise direction relative to said back support linkage as said drive linkage drives said footrest extension linkage to the extended position to place said headrest mounting linkage in a support position; means for maintaining the position of said headrest mounting linkage relative to said back support linkage as the chair moves to the fully reclined position; means for rotating said headrest bell crank in a clockwise direction relative to said back support linkage when said footrest extension mechanism is moved to a retracted position to place said headrest mounting linkage in a closed position; and means for preventing said seat mounting linkage from rocking relative to the base when said footrest extension mechanism is in the extended position.
- 44. The chair as recited in claim 43, wherein the linkage mechanism further includes means for preventing said headrest mounting linkage from rotating beyond the support position.
- 45. The chair as recited in claim 43, wherein the linkage mechanism further includes means for preventing said headrest mounting linkage from rotating beyond the closed position.
- 46. The chair as recited in claim 43, wherein the linkage mechanism further including actuating means for allowing said footrest extension linkage to be placed in the extended position.
- 47. The chair as recited in claim 43, further comprising means for recessing the headrest within the backrest when the chair is in the upright position.
US Referenced Citations (18)