US 5,312,153 A · Recline lift wall hugger chair

Abstract

A recline lift chair operates between an upright position and a reclined position under power such that the backrest moves away from an adjacent wall. The chair comprises a base to which is pivotally connected a lift mechanism. The lift mechanism is moved between an upright position and a lift position by a power actuator pivotally secured between the base and the lift mechanism. Pivotally supported on the lift mechanism is a recliner mechanism that includes a pair of four-bar linkages to which the seat and backrest are fastened. The power actuator acts through a control linkage of the recliner mechanism to move the four-bar linkages between an upright position and a reclined position. Movement of the four-bar linkages from the upright position to the reclined position locates the seat and backrest upwardly and forwardly relative to their respective locations when in the upright position to move the backrest away from the wall. An adjustment mechanism interposed between the control linkage and the four-bar linkages enables movement of the four-bar linkages without actuation of the power actuator. In a modified embodiment, the backrest is tiltable relative to the seat. The backrest does not move closer to a wall when the chair is operated between the upright position and an intermediate position, and the backrest moves only minimally toward the wall when the chair is operated from the intermediate position to a fully reclined position.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A recline lift wall hugger chair comprising:

a. a base;
b. a seat with a backrest rigidly attached thereto, the backrest having a top portion that is locatable at a predetermined distance from a vertical wall;
c. linkage means for pivotally connecting the seat and backrest to the base;
and
d. a linear actuator for selectively moving the linkage means between an upright position whereat the top portion of the backrest is located at the predetermined distance from the vertical wall, a reclined position whereat the backrest top portion is located at a distance grater than the predetermined distance from the wall, and a lift position wherein the seat and backrest are tilted forwardly and upwardly to assist the occupant of the chair from a seated position to a standing position.

2 more elements

A recline lift wall hugger chair comprising:

a. a generally planar base;
b. lift means pivotally connected to the base for moving between an upright position and a lift position that is at a higher level and tilted forwardly relative to the upright position;
c. recliner means pivotally supported by the lift means for moving between an upright position and a reclined position, the recliner means comprising a pair of laterally spaced seat links that are in a first location when the recliner means is in the upright position and in a second location upwardly and forwardly of the first location when the recliner means is in the reclined position;
d. a seat frame fastened to the recliner means seat links and having a backrest rigidly attached thereto, the backrest having a top portion that remains at least at a predetermined distance from a selected vertical surface proximate thereto when the recliner means moves between the upright and reclined positions;
and
e. power means pivotally secured to the base for selective actuation in a lift mode to move the lift means between the upright and lift positions and in a recline mode to move the recliner means between the upright and reclined positions,
so that the chair may be operated under power between the upright and reclined positions without the backrest approaching the selected vertical surface proximate thereto.

4 more elements

In combination with a chair having a base;

a seat frame with a backrest rigidly attached thereto, the backrest having a top portion locatable at a predetermined distance from a selected vertical surface;
lift means for fastening to the seat frame;
and first and second swing arm means having respective pivotal connections between the lift means and the base for moving the lift means between an upright position and a lift position,
apparatus for moving the seat frame and backrest between the upright position and a reclined position while maintaining at least the predetermined distance between the backrest top portion and the selected vertical surface comprising:
a. a pair of laterally spaced four-bar linkages pivotally supported on the lift means, each four-bar linkage having a seat links fastened to the seat frame, the four-bar linkages being operable to move the seat frame and backrest between the upright and reclined positions while maintaining the predetermined distance between the backrest top portion and the vertical surface, the seat link and the seat frame being in an upwardly and forwardly location when in the reclined position relative to their respective locations when in the upright position;
b. power means pivotally secured between the lift means and the base for selectively operating the chair in a lift mode to move the lift means, seat frame, and backrest between the upright and lift positions and in a recline mode to move the seat links, seat frame, and backrest between the upright and reclined positions;
and
c. control linkage means pivotally connected between the power means and the four-bar linkages to move the four-bar linkages in response to operation of the power means in the recline mode.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Recline lift wall hugger chair

Life of this patent

Recline lift wall hugger chair

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29