Reclining seating unit with wall-proximity capability

A wall-proximity reclining seating unit, comprising:

• a frame having a back member and a pair of arms, the back member extending between the arms;
• a backrest;
• a seat;
• a first footrest;
• a reclining mechanism connected between the frame, backrest, seat, and first footrest, the reclining mechanism comprising a series of pivotally interconnected links and configured to move the seating unit between:
• (a) an upright position, in which the backrest is disposed at a first generally upright backrest angle relative to the seat, the seat is disposed at a first generally horizontal seat angle, and the first footrest is retracted below a forward portion of the seat, (b) a TV position, in which the backrest substantially maintains the first backrest angle, the seat is disposed at a second seat angle that is steeper than the first seat angle, the first footrest is extended in front of the seat and is generally horizontally disposed, and the seat and backrest are moved forwardly relative to the frame;
• and (c) a fully reclined position, in which the backrest is disposed at a second backrest angle that is shallower than the first backrest angle, the first footrest remains extended in front of the seat, and the seat is moved forward of its position in the TV position;
• wherein the reclining mechanism includes a foundation link fixed to the frame and a carrier link pivotally attached with the foundation link, and wherein the seat includes a seat frame, and wherein (i) when the chair moves from the upright position to the TV position, the seat frame moves forwardly relative to the carrier link, and the carrier link is substantially stationary relative to the foundation link, and (ii) when the chair moves from the TV position to the fully reclined position, the carrier link moves forwardly relative to the foundation link, and the seat frame does not move substantially forwardly relative to the carrier link;
• and
• wherein the reclining mechanism further comprises a rear intermediate swing link and a front intermediate swing link, each of the rear intermediate swing link and the front intermediate swing link being directly pivotally interconnected between the carrier link and the seat frame;
• and
• wherein in the upright position, each of the rear intermediate swing link and the front intermediate swing link is inclined slightly rearwardly as it extends from the carrier link to the seat frame, and wherein in the fully reclined position, each of the rear intermediate swing link and the front intermediate swing link is inclined forwardly as it extends from the carrier link to the seat frame.

A wall-proximity reclining seating unit, comprising:

• a frame having a back member and a pair of arms, the back member extending between the arms;
• a backrest;
• a seat including a seat frame;
• a first footrest;
• a reclining mechanism connected between the frame, backrest, seat, and first footrest, the reclining mechanism comprising a series of pivotally interconnected links and configured to move the seating unit between:
• (a) an upright position, in which the backrest is disposed at a first generally upright backrest angle relative to the seat, the seat is disposed at a first generally, horizontal seat angle, and the first footrest is retracted below a forward portion of the seat, (b) a TV position, in which the backrest substantially maintains the first backrest angle, the seat is disposed at a second seat angle that is steeper than the first seat angle, the first footrest is extended in front of the seat and is generally horizontally disposed, and the seat and backrest are moved forwardly relative to the frame;
• and (c) a fully reclined position, in which the backrest is disposed at a second backrest angle that is shallower than the first backrest angle, the first footrest remains extended in front of the seat, and the seat is moved forward of its position in the TV position;
• wherein the seat frame includes an extension fixed to a rear portion thereof, and the backrest includes a backpost that is directly attached to the extension via a single pivot axis;
• and
• wherein the reclining mechanism further comprises a rear intermediate swing link and a front intermediate swing link, each of the rear intermediate swing link and the front intermediate swing link being directly pivotally interconnected between the carrier link and the seat frame;
• and
• wherein in the upright position, each of the rear intermediate swing link and the front intermediate swing link is inclined slightly rearwardly as it extends from the carrier link to the seat frame, and wherein in the fully reclined position, each of the rear intermediate swing link and the front intermediate swing link is inclined forwardly as it extends from the carrier link to the seat frame.