Rocker/glider recline linkage with projected back pivot point

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10653243-B2
Application number	US-201715657454-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 24, 2017
Priority date	Jul 29, 2016
Publication date	May 19, 2020
Grant date	May 19, 2020

Abstract

A linkage for use in reclining furniture may include a back bracket supported by forward and rear back pivot links. The bottom of the rear back pivot link may be pivotally coupled to a rear lift link and the bottom of the forward back pivot link may be pivotally coupled to the rear lift link in a different location. A control link may be pivotally coupled on one end to one of the forward back pivot link and the rear back pivot link. The control link may pull the pivoting linkage of the back bracket and the forward and back pivot links as the overall linkage is moved from a closed to a TV to a full-recline position. The resulting pivot point for the back is projected upwardly and forwardly, to a point where an upholstered back and seat meet on a finished chair.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A linkage for use in reclining furniture comprising:
a seat mounting plate;
a back bracket;
a rear lift link positioned below the back bracket, wherein the rear lift link is coupled to the seat mounting plate;
a forward back pivot link pivotally coupled to the back bracket at a first pivot point and pivotally coupled at a second pivot point to one of the seat mounting plate or the rear lift link;
a rear back pivot link pivotally coupled to the back bracket at a third pivot point and pivotally coupled to the rear lift link at a fourth pivot point, the third pivot point being rearward of the first pivot point, the fourth pivot point being rearward of the second pivot point; and
a control link having a first end opposite a second end, the first end pivotally coupled to the forward back pivot link at a fifth pivot point, and the second end pivotally coupled to a front lift link, the fifth pivot point being intermediate to the first pivot point and the second pivot point.

2. The linkage of claim 1 , wherein the linkage is configured to move between a closed position and a fully reclined position.

3. The linkage of claim 2 , wherein the linkage is configured to stop at one or more intermediate points between the closed position and the fully reclined position.

4. The linkage of claim 2 , whereupon movement of the linkage from the closed position to the fully reclined position, the back bracket rotates around a projected pivot point.

5. The linkage of claim 4 , wherein the projected pivot point is forward and above the first pivot point when the linkage is in the closed position.

6. The linkage of claim 4 , wherein the projected pivot point is rearward and above the first pivot point when the linkage is in the fully reclined position.

7. The linkage of claim 1 , whereupon movement of the linkage from a closed position to a fully reclined position the forward back pivot link rotates about the second pivot point and the first pivot point moves forwardly and upwardly.

8. The linkage of claim 1 , wherein the control link includes a mounting tab proximate the second end, wherein a motor is coupled to the mounting tab and is configured to move the linkage between a closed position and a fully reclined position.

9. The linkage of claim 1 further comprising:
a base;
a rocker cam coupled to the base;
a base plate coupled to the rocker cam;
a front pivot link pivotally coupled to the base plate proximate a first end of the base plate;
a rear pivot link pivotally coupled to the base plate proximate a second end of the base plate, the first end being spaced apart from the second end;
the rear pivot link pivotally coupled to the rear lift link; and
the front pivot link pivotally coupled to the front lift link.

10. The linkage of claim 1 further comprising:
a glider base;
a base plate coupled to the glider base;
the front lift link pivotally coupled to the base plate proximate a first end of the base plate;
a rear pivot link pivotally coupled to the base plate proximate a second end of the base plate, the first end being spaced apart from the second end, the rear pivot link pivotally coupled to the rear lift link.

11. A linkage for use in reclining furniture comprising:
a back bracket;
a seat mounting plate;
a rear lift link;
a forward back pivot link pivotally coupled to the back bracket at a first pivot point and pivotally coupled to the seat mounting plate at a second pivot point;
a rear back pivot link pivotally coupled to the back bracket at a third pivot point and pivotally coupled to the rear lift link at a fourth pivot point, the third pivot point being rearward of the first pivot point, the fourth pivot point being rearward of the second pivot point; and
a control link having a first end opposite a second end, the first end pivotally coupled to the rear back pivot link at a fifth pivot point, and the second end pivotally coupled to the seat mounting plate, the fourth pivot point being intermediate to the second pivot point and the fifth pivot point.

12. The linkage of claim 11 , wherein the rear back pivot link has a first end opposite a second end, the third pivot point is positioned proximate the first end of the rear back pivot link and the fifth pivot point is positioned proximate the second end of the rear back pivot link.

13. The linkage of claim 11 , wherein the second end of the control link is pivotally coupled to a tab extending from the seat mounting plate.

Assignees

• L&P Property Man Co
• Leggett & Platt

Inventors

• Lawson Gregory Mark
• Rogers Jr Walter Clark

Classifications

• A47C3/0252

  connected only by an elastic member positioned between seat and base frame · CPC title

• A47C1/0355 Primary

  actuated by linkages, e.g. lazy-tongs mechanisms · CPC title

• A47C7/00 Primary

  Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools · CPC title

• A47C7/002

  Chair or stool bases (A47C3/20 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A47C1/0352

  characterised by coupled seat and back-rest slidingly movable in the base frame, e.g. by rollers · CPC title