Reclining seating unit with wall-proximity capability

Abstract

A seating unit includes: a base configured to rest on an underlying surface; a seat; a backrest; an ottoman; and a reclining mechanism attached to the base, seat, backrest and the ottoman. The reclining mechanism comprises a series of pivotally interconnected links configured and arranged to control the movement of the seating unit between an upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed and positioned above the base, the backrest defines a first backrest angle relative to horizontal and is positioned above a rear portion of the base, and the ottoman is positioned below the seat and above a forward portion of the base, a TV position, in which the ottoman is generally horizontally disposed and positioned forwardly of the base and the seat, and a fully reclined position, in which the backrest defines a second angle relative to horizontal that is less than the first angle. The backrest and seat are substantially stationary relative to the base as the seating unit moves between the upright and fully reclined positions. An uppermost portion of the backrest moves no more than 4 inches rearward relative to the base as the seating unit moves from the TV position to the fully reclined position. In this configuration, the seating unit can provide wall-proximity capability.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates generally to seating units, and relates more particularly to reclining seating units with gliding capability.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Recliner chairs and other reclining seating units have proven to be popular with consumers. These seating units typically move from an upright position, in which the backrest is generally upright, to one or more reclined positions, in which the backrest pivots to be less upright. The movement of the seating unit between the upright and reclined positions is typically controlled by a pair of matching reclining mechanisms that are attached to the seat, backrest and base of the chair.[0003]One particularly popular reclining chair is the so-called “wall-proximity” chair. In a conventional reclining chair, as the backrest moves to the reclined position, the upper end of the backrest moves rearwardly relative to the base of the chair. As a result, typically the chair cannot be positioned such that t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]As a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a seating unit. The seating unit comprises: a base configured to rest on an underlying surface; a seat; a backrest; an ottoman; and a reclining mechanism attached to the base, seat, backrest and the ottoman. The reclining mechanism comprises a series of pivotally interconnected links configured and arranged to control the movement of the seating unit between an upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed and positioned above the base, the backrest defines a first backrest angle relative to horizontal and is positioned above a rear portion of the base, and the ottoman is positioned below the seat and above a forward portion of the base, a TV position, in which the ottoman is generally horizontally disposed and positioned forwardly of the base and the seat, and a fully reclined position, in which the backrest defines a second angle relative to horizontal that is less than the first angle. The backrest and seat are substantially stationary relative to the base as the seating unit moves between the upright and fully reclined positions. An uppermost portion of the backrest moves no more than 4 inches rearward relative to the base as the seating unit moves from the TV position to the fully reclined position. In this configuration, the seating unit can provide wall-proximity capability.

Problems solved by technology

As a result, typically the chair cannot be positioned such that the backrest is adjacent a wall, as the reclining backrest would strike the wall and thereby be prevented from fully reclining.

One potential shortcoming of wall-proximity chairs is that the wall-proximity mechanism or wheel / rail system is typically somewhat complex, with multiple interconnected intricate parts.

As such, production of these mechanisms can be relatively expensive.

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