US 2014/0049079 A1 · ZERO-WALL CLEARANCE LINKAGE MECHANISM FOR PROVIDING ADDITIONAL LAYOUT

Abstract

A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to adjust between closed, extended, and reclined positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a seat-mounting plate mounted to a footrest assembly, a back-mounting link and a rear bellcrank both rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting plate, an activator bar that controls a footrest drive link, and a linear actuator for carrying out automated adjustment of the linkage assembly. In operation, a stroke in a first phase of the linear actuator generates a torque on the activator bar. The footrest drive link converts the torque into a laterally-directed force that pushes the footrest assembly into the extended position. A stroke in the second phase acts to push the activator bar forward and translate the seat-mounting plate forward at a consistent inclination angle. The forward translation causes the rear bellcrank to rotate, thereby biasing the back-mounting link rearward into the reclined position.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A mechanism providing recline and footrest extension for a seating unit, the mechanism comprising:

a base plate;
a seat-mounting plate spaced apart from the base plate;
a linkage mechanism that moveably interconnects the base plate and the seat-mounting plate and that includes:
a back-mounting link that supports a backrest, wherein the back-mounting link is rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting plate;
a rear control link that is pivotably coupled to the back-mounting link;
a rear pivot link that is rotatably coupled at a first end directly to the base plate;
and
a rear bellcrank that is rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting plate and is pivotably coupled to the rear control link and to a second end of the rear pivot link that opposes the first end, wherein the inter-coupling of the rear control link, the rear pivot link, and the rear bellcrank is adapted to translate the seat-mounting plate over the base plate during adjustment between a closed position, an extended position, and a reclined position.

5 more elements

A mechanism providing recline and footrest extension for a seating unit, the mechanism comprising:

a base plate;
a seat-mounting plate spaced apart from the base plate;
a linkage mechanism that moveably interconnects the base plate and the seat-mounting plate and that includes:
a front bellcrank that includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and a mid portion that is rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting plate;
a carrier link having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being pivotably coupled to the upper portion of the front bellcrank;
and
a front pivot link having an upper portion, lower portion, and a mid portion, wherein the mid portion of the front pivot link is rotatably coupled to the lower portion of the carrier link, and wherein the lower portion of the front pivot link is pivotably coupled to the base plate.

4 more elements

A mechanism providing recline and footrest extension for a seating unit, the mechanism comprising:

a base plate;
a seat-mounting plate spaced apart from the base plate;
a linkage mechanism that moveably interconnects the base plate and the seat-mounting plate and that includes:
a back-mounting link that supports a backrest, wherein the back-mounting link is rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting plate;
a rear control link that is pivotably coupled to the back-mounting link;
a rear pivot link that is rotatably coupled at a first end directly to the base plate;
a rear bellcrank that is rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting plate and is pivotably coupled to the rear control link and to a second end of the rear pivot link that opposes the first end, wherein the rear bellcrank includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and a forward portion, and wherein the rear bellcrank is rotatably coupled at the lower portion thereof to the seat-mounting plate;
a bridge link having a forward portion and a rearward portion, which is pivotably coupled to the forward portion of the rear bellcrank;
a front lift link having a rearward portion, a forward portion, and a mid portion, wherein the forward portion of the bridge link is pivotably coupled to the mid portion of the front lift link and wherein the front lift link is rotatably coupled at the rearward portion thereof to the seat-mounting plate;
a front pivot link having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion of the front pivot link is pivotably coupled to the forward portion of the front lift link and wherein the lower portion of the front pivot link is rotatably coupled to the base plate;
an activator bracket that is attachable to an activator tube;
a footrest lock link that is pivotably attached to the activator bracket;
and
a footrest assembly that is attached to the footrest lock link, wherein the footrest assembly includes a front ottoman link and a rear ottoman link that are attached to the seat plate and wherein the footrest lock link is pivotably attached to the front ottoman link.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Zero-wall clearance linkage mechanism for providing additional layout

Life of this patent

Zero-wall clearance linkage mechanism for providing additional layout

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14