Reclining theater seat with integrated reclining seat mechanism

Abstract

A recliner chair includes a seat portion, a back portion, an ottoman, and an actuator. The actuator is operable to move the seat portion and the back portion between a non-reclined position and a reclined position and move the ottoman between a lowered position and a raised position. The actuator is disposed within a structure outboard of the seat portion. With the recliner chair supported at a base, a region below the seat portion is devoid of any component of the actuator. With the recliner chair supported at the base, and with the seat portion and the back portion in the reclined position, at least a portion of the seat portion and at least a portion of the back portion are disposed below an upper portion of the base.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the filing benefits of U.S. provisional application No. 63 / 776,543, filed Mar. 24, 2025. The present application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18 / 929,737, filed Oct. 29, 2024, which claims priority of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63 / 594,127, filed Oct. 30, 2023, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a chair or seat for theater or auditorium seating and, more particularly, to a reclining chair at a stepped riser support.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is known to provide a recliner chair at a riser support, such as at a theater or auditorium. Examples of chairs or systems on a stepped riser and / or sloped support surface are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,888,162 and 10,507,742.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides a recliner chair positioned on a base, such as a horizontal surface of a stepped riser support or a legged base attached to the horizontal surface (or mounted to a vertical or sloped surface of the stepped riser support), with the seat of the chair disposed at or along the horizontal portion or face of the stepped riser support and the footrest or ottoman of the chair disposed (when lowered) at or along the vertical portion or face of the stepped riser support. The recliner chair includes an actuator that, when electrically operated to recline the chair, raises the ottoman upward and outward from the vertical portion of the stepped riser support and / or tilts the seat and the seat back toward a reclined position. The ottoman is raised and the seat and seat back are tilted or reclined via a single actuator.

[0005] The actuator may be disposed along an arm rest or side portion of the recliner chair and connected to a linkage or reclining mechanism at the ottoman, whereby movement of the ottoman by the actuator may impart movement of the seat and seat back. Optionally, the actuator may be connected to a linkage or reclining mechanism that connects to a frame of the seat, whereby movement of the seat frame (and thus the seat and the seat back) by the actuator imparts movement of the ottoman. The actuator is disposed outboard of the seat portion, such as along and within the arm rest or side portion of the recliner chair, such that the area of the base (e.g., the horizontal portion of the stepped riser support) beneath the seat is devoid of the actuator and mechanisms, which allows for easier cleaning of the recliner chair and base or stepped riser support.

[0006] These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a recliner chair configured for mounting to a stepped riser support, shown in a reclined state;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a side view of the recliner chair in an upright or not reclined state;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a side view of the recliner chair in the reclined state;

[0010] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the recliner chair in the upright state and showing an actuator accommodated within an arm rest of the recliner chair;

[0011] FIG. 5 is a side view of the recliner chair with the arm rest pivoted to provide access to the actuator;

[0012] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the recliner chair with the arm rest pivoted;

[0013] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the recliner chair;

[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a frame, reclining mechanism and actuator of the reclining chair in the upright state;

[0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the frame, reclining mechanism and actuator of the reclining chair in the reclined state;

[0016] FIG. 10 is a side view of the frame, reclining mechanism and actuator of the reclining chair in the upright state;

[0017] FIG. 11 is a side view of the frame, reclining mechanism and actuator of the reclining chair in the reclined state;

[0018] FIGS. 12 and 13 are side views of the frame and reclining mechanism of the reclining chair in the upright state;

[0019] FIGS. 14 and 15 are side views of the frame and reclining mechanism of the reclining chair in the reclined state;

[0020] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the actuator removed from the frame of the reclining chair;

[0021] FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the frame, reclining mechanism and actuator of the reclining chair;

[0022] FIG. 18 is a top view of the frames and actuators of two chairs attached to one another;

[0023] FIGS. 19-22 are views of the frame and actuator of the chair disposed at a legged base configured for mounting to a riser support or ground surface, with the chair in the upright state;

[0024] FIGS. 23-28 are views of the frame and actuator of the chair disposed at the legged base, with the chair in the reclined state;

[0025] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the actuator disposed at the legged base, with the arm rest covering the actuator and at least a portion of the legged base;

[0026] FIG. 30 is a plan view of the frame disposed at the riser support with the chair in the reclined state and showing a maximum reclining angle of the chair;

[0027] FIG. 31 is a plan view of the frame disposed at the legged base with the chair in the reclined state and showing a maximum reclining angle of the chair;

[0028] FIG. 32 is a plan view of the frame disposed at the legged base mounted at a horizontal surface of the riser support;

[0029] FIG. 33 is a plan view of the frame disposed at the legged base mounted at a sloped surface of the riser support;

[0030] FIG. 34 is a plan view of the frame disposed at a mounting arm mounted at a vertical portion of the riser support;

[0031] FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a recliner chair positioned on a stepped riser support, shown in the lowered or not reclined state;

[0032] FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the recliner chair of FIG. 35, shown in the reclined state;

[0033] FIG. 37 is another perspective view of the recliner chair in the reclined state, with portions of the chair removed to show additional details;

[0034] FIGS. 38-41 are views of the actuator and reclining mechanism of the recliner chair of FIG. 35;

[0035] FIG. 42 is a schematic showing the reclining mechanism when the chair is in the not reclined or closed or upright state such that the ottoman is fully lowered;

[0036] FIG. 43 is a schematic showing the reclining mechanism of the chair with the ottoman extended, but the seat not reclined;

[0037] FIG. 44 is a schematic showing the reclining mechanism when the chair is in the fully reclined state;

[0038] FIGS. 45-47 are views of the recliner chair showing the stepped riser support being free of the reclining mechanism or actuator;

[0039] FIGS. 48-50 are schematics of another recliner chair mechanism;

[0040] FIGS. 51-53 are perspective views of the recliner chair mechanism of FIGS. 48- 50;

[0041] FIGS. 54-57 are perspective views of the actuator and recliner chair mechanism of FIGS. 48-50, shown with the arm rest casing;

[0042] FIGS. 58-60 are schematics of another recliner chair mechanism;

[0043] FIGS. 61 and 62 are perspective views of another recliner chair mechanism, with the actuator disposed at the riser support beneath the ottoman; and

[0044] FIGS. 63 and 64 are perspective views of another recliner chair mechanism, with the actuator disposed at the riser support behind the seat back.DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, an individual recliner chair 10 may be part of a stadium or theater or auditorium seating configuration, which comprises a plurality of chairs arranged in rows (although only one chair is shown in FIG. 1). The individual recliner chairs of the seating configuration may be arranged one next to another at a stepped riser support structure 12 (FIG. 35), with an arm rest 14 at each side of the chair 10. Optionally, each arm rest 14 between adjacent chairs of the row of chairs may be shared by the adjacent chairs. The chair 10 includes a seat or seat portion 16, a seat back 18 and an ottoman 20, with an arm rest 14 at each side of the seat portion 16. The chair 10 includes an actuator 22 and reclining mechanism 24 (FIGS. 4-17) that function to move the ottoman 20 relative to the seat portion 16 and to tilt the seat portion 16 and seat back 18 relative to the support structure 12 to move the chair between an upright or non-reclined seating position or state (FIG. 2) and a reclined seating position or state (FIGS. 1 and 3).

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 4-18, the reclining mechanism 24 includes a mounting frame or tray 26 that has rearward brackets 26a and forward brackets 26b that mount to the horizontal portion of the support structure 12 and / or to brackets of adjacent chairs 10 (such as via threaded fasteners or the like). The mounting frame or tray 26 may include rails or plates that extend along opposing sides of the chair 10. A rotatable shaft 28 is rotatably mounted at the frame 26 at a forward portion of the frame 26 and extends across the forward portion of the frame (and rotatably mounts at opposite side portions of the frame). In the illustrated example, the shaft 28 is rotatably mounted between the forward brackets 26b. A seat and seat back frame 30 (including a seat frame portion 30a to which the seat attaches and a seat back frame portion 30b to which the seat back attaches) is mounted at the frame 26 and pivotable relative to the riser 12 with the frame 26. For example, and such as shown in FIGS. 12 and 15, the frame 26 may be pivotally mounted relative to the rearward brackets 26a at a pivot pin 31 at each side of the frame 26. The seat and seat back frame 30 supports the seat portion 16 and the seat back 18 at the frame 26 (FIGS. 7 and 8). The seat frame portion 30a may include a pair of brackets at the forward portion of the frame 26 and the seat back frame portion 30b may include a pair of supports at a rearward portion of the frame 26.

[0047] The ottoman 20 is attached at an ottoman bracket 20a that is pivotally mounted at the forward portion of the frame 26. In the illustrated example, the ottoman bracket 20a is attached to a pair of mounting arms 32 at opposing sides of the ottoman bracket 20a (FIG. 17). A pair of scissor linkages 40 pivotally attach the mounting arms 32 to the forward portion of the frame 26 (FIGS. 12-15). As discussed further below, a pair of first pivot links 34 and a pair of second pivot links 36 are pivotally connected between the rotating shaft 28 and the forward portion of the frame 26 for tilting the frame 26 (i.e., about the pivot pin 31) and extending and retracting the pair of scissor linkages 40 (FIGS. 8-11). Tilting the frame 26 causes the seat portion 16 and the seat back 18 to pivot or tilt relative to the riser 12. Extending the scissor linkages 40 causes the ottoman 20 to extend and pivot relative to the frame 26 and the seat portion 16.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 4-11, the actuator 22 may be disposed within or below one of the arm rests 14 and comprises a linear actuator (e.g., a screw-drive actuator that rotates a shaft to move a drive element along the shaft in either direction, or a hydraulic actuator that extends and retracts a piston and rod responsive to pressurized fluid at one or both ends of a hydraulic cylinder) that connects to a pivoting link 38 that is fixedly attached (such as via welding or other non-rotational attachment) at the shaft 28 of the reclining mechanism 24. When the chair 10 is in an upright or non-lowered position (e.g., FIG. 2), the ottoman 20 is retracted toward the riser 12 and the seat back 18 is substantially upright or vertical relative to the horizontal seat portion 16 to position a user in a generally upright seated position, while the actuator 22 may be in an extended position. To move the chair 10 from the upright position toward a reclined position (e.g., FIGS. 1 and 3), where the ottoman 20 is extended from the riser 12 to support the user's legs and / or feet and the seat back 18 is tilted back toward a horizontal position to position the user in a reclined or laying position, the actuator 22 may be retracted to pull on the pivoting link 38.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 8-15, pulling on the pivoting link 38 to move the chair 10 from the upright position toward the reclined position causes the shaft 28 to rotate. The first pivot links 34 are non-pivotally attached to the shaft 28 (such as via welding or other non- rotational attachment) and pivotally attached to the second pivot links 36. The second pivot links 36 are pivotally attached to the forward portion of the frame 26. As rotation of the shaft 28 rotates the first pivot links 34, the first pivot links 34 and the second pivot links 36 cause the frame 26 to pivot about the link 31 thus raising the forward portion of the frame 26 relative to the riser 12. This causes the seat portion 16 and the seat back 18 to tilt or recline together and in tandem. The seat portion 16 and the seat back 18 may pivot relative to the riser 12 by any suitable degree, such as by 5 degrees or more, 10 degrees or more, and the like.

[0050] First ends of the scissor linkages 40 are attached to the mounting arms 32 and second ends of the scissor linkages 40 are constrained to the riser 12 (e.g., via attachment at the forward bracket 26b). Thus, as the forward portion of the frame 26 raises relative to the riser 12, the scissor linkages 40 are pivoted relative to the frame 26 to pivot and extend the ottoman 20 relative to the seat portion 16. That is, the ottoman bracket 20a is pinned or constrained at the same height as the pivot pin 31 to cause substantially simultaneous movement of the ottoman 20 during tilting of the seat portion 16 and seat back 18.

[0051] In the illustrated example, the scissor linkages 40 include a connecting link 41 that is pivotally attached to the forward bracket 26b and pivotally attached to a first end of an L-shaped link 42. An opposing second end of the L-shaped link 42 is pivotally attached to a lower link 43 and an upper link 44 that are pivotally attached to the mounting arms 32. A central portion of the L-shaped link 42 between the first end and the second end may be constrained relative to the forward portion of the frame 26. A link 45 may pivotally attach at a first end of the forward portion of the frame 26 and pivotally attach at an opposing second end to the upper link 44. Thus, as the forward portion of the frame 26 raises relative to the riser 12, the first end of the L-shaped link 42 is constrained by the connecting link 41 which causes the L-shaped link 42 to pivot. As the second end of the L- shaped link 42 pivots away from the frame 26, connection between the link 45 and the upper link 44 causes the upper link 44 and the lower link 43 to pivot relative to the L- shaped link 42 and extend the ottoman 20 relative to the seat portion 16.

[0052] Thus, with the chair 10 in the upright position and when the actuator 22 is operated to pull at the end of the pivoting link 38, the seat portion 16 and the seat back 18 may tilt or pivot relative to the riser 12 and the ottoman 20 may pivot upward and extend relative to the riser 12 substantially together and in tandem with one another to move the chair 10 toward the reclined position. Similarly, with the chair 10 in the reclined position, the actuator 22 may be operated to retract the ottoman 20 and tilt the seat portion 16 and the seat back 18 back toward the upright position substantially together and in tandem. The actuator 22 and reclining mechanism 24 may function to move the ottoman 20 and the seat portion 16 and the seat back 18 between the upright position and the reclined position via a single actuation of the actuator 22. For example, the user may control operation of the actuator 22 via a switch or button or input 46 at the arm rest 14, where a first press and hold of the button 46 may move the chair 10 from the upright position toward the reclined position and releasing the button 46 may hold the chair 10 in a desired position between the upright position and the reclined position, and a second press and hold of the button 46 may move the chair toward the upright position (FIG. 1).

[0053] Optionally, the ottoman 20 and / or the ottoman bracket 20a may be mounted to the mounting arms 32 via a spring-loaded or flexible mounting plate 32a (FIG. 17). That is, the flexible mounting plate 32a may be attached at the ottoman bracket 20a and pivotable relative to the mounting arms 32 to accommodate forces experienced at the ottoman 20 and / or the ottoman bracket 20a. Optionally, the flexible mounting plate 32a is attached at the mounting arms 32 and pivotable relative to the ottoman bracket 20a. For example, if a lower portion of the ottoman 20 catches on an obstruction while the ottoman 20 is being retracted, the ottoman 20 pivots in a first direction relative to the mounting arms 32. If an upper portion of the ottoman 20 catches on the obstruction while the ottoman 20 is being retracted, the ottoman 20 pivots in an opposite second direction relative to the mounting arms 32. The flexible mounting plate 32a may move partially away from the mounting arms 32 when pivoted and the flexible mounting plate 32a may be biased toward engagement with the mounting arms 32 (e.g., via a coil spring or other biasing member) to maintain the ottoman 20 and ottoman bracket 20a against the mounting arm 32 when no obstruction is present.

[0054] As shown in FIGS. 4-7, the actuator 22 is accommodated within the arm rest 14 along one side of the chair 10, with the pivoting link 38 non-rotatably attached at an end of the shaft 28. This allows a region or space 48 beneath the seat portion 16 to be generally empty or devoid of obstructions. That is, the region 48 between the upper surface of the riser 12 and the seat portion 16 is devoid of any portion of the actuator 22 or structural support of the chair 10 and may be easily accessed when the chair 10 is moved to the reclined position, such as for cleaning of the riser 12. In some examples, the cushion may be removable from the seat portion 16 to access the region 48 with the chair 10 in the upright position. The region 48 may be bound by the upper surface of the riser 12, the lower surface of the seat portion 16, the frame 26 extending along opposing sides of the chair 10 and the seat back frame portion 30b at the rearward portion of the frame 26.

[0055] Moreover, the actuator 22 may be attachable and detachable as a separate unit from the chair 10 to allow for easier installation and maintenance. For example, the actuator 22 includes a mounting bracket or plate or rail 50 that attaches (e.g., via threaded fasteners or other suitable attachment means) to the rearward bracket 26a and the forward bracket 26b along one side of the chair 10. The pivoting link 38 includes a coupling portion 39 that fixedly attaches to the end of the shaft 28 and the pivoting link 38 is rotated via extension and retraction of an arm 52 of the actuator 22. The arm 52 is extended and retracted relative to a housing 54 (e.g., that accommodates a motor or hydraulic cylinder). To accommodate vertical movement of the arm 52 and pivoting link 38 as the pivoting link 38 pivots the shaft 28, the housing 54 is pivotally mounted to the mounting rail 50 via a pivot pin 56. That is, as the arm 52 extends and retracts relative to the housing 54 to pivot the pivoting link 38, the arm 52 and housing 54 may pivot relative to the mounting rail 50 about the pivot pin 56 to accommodate the rotation of the pivoting link 38.

[0056] The rearward brackets 26a may include slots to allow the frame 26 and the actuator 22 to be mounted at an angle relative to one another (FIG. 16). In other words, the chair 10 and the actuator 22 may be pivoted relative to one another (e.g., about the mounting point at the forward bracket 26b) via movement of the mounting rail 50 relative to the rearward bracket 26a as accommodated by movement of fasteners extending through the slots at the rearward bracket 26a. Moreover, the brackets 26a, 26b may attach between the frame 26 of one chair and the mounting rail 50 of the actuator 22 of an adjacent chair (e.g., FIG. 18). This allows for adjacent chairs 10 to be mounted at the risers 12 and angled relative to one another, such as at angles of 1 degree or more, 2.5 degrees or more, 5 degrees or more, and the like to form a radius of chairs. A pin attaching the end of the actuator arm 52 and the pivoting link 38 may provide clearance to accommodate the shaft 28 and / or pivoting link 38 being disposed at an angle relative to the arm 52.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the arm rest 14 provides a casing for the actuator 22 that attaches to the mounting rail 50. That is, the arm rest 14 includes an open end and recess or cavity that accommodates the actuator 22. To attach the arm rest 14 at the actuator 22, a rearward portion of the arm rest 14 is slidingly engaged with the mounting rail 50 so that a rear lip or tab 50a of the mounting rail 50 engages a rear inner lip 14a of the arm rest 14. The forward portion of the arm rest 14 is then lowered toward the riser 12 and a front inner lip 14b of the arm rest 14 is attached to a front lip or tab 50b of the mounting rail 50, such as via a threaded fastener or other attachment means. Thus, the rear tab 50a holds the rear inner lip 14a of the arm rest between the tab 50a and the riser 12 and the front inner lip 14b is secured to the front tab 50b. This secures the arm rest 14 relative to the actuator 22 and the chair 10 with as few as one fastener, and the arm rest 14 is readily pivoted relative to the rear tab 50a and / or removed from the mounting rail 50 to provide access to the actuator 22.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 1-18, the frame or tray 26 of the chair 10 may be mounted to an upper horizontal surface of the riser structure 12. The upper surface of the riser 12 may provide a smooth or continuous surface beneath the seat portion 16 of the chair 10, with the region 48 between the riser 12 and the seat portion 16 substantially devoid of any structure or component associated with the chair 10, the actuator 22, and the frame 26 to allow for easy cleaning procedures. Thus, the seat portion 16 may be lifted or removed for access to the region 48 beneath the seat portion 16 without obstruction from, for example, portions of the actuator 22 or associated mechanisms or linkages. This may allow for easy cleaning of the region 48, such as to clean food, dust or debris that falls beneath the seat portion 16.

[0059] Optionally, the frame 26 may be mounted to a base structure 58 attached to or extending from the riser 12 or a ground surface, such that the chair 10 is elevated or raised above the riser 12 or ground surface (FIGS. 19-29). In the illustrated example, the base structure 58 includes a pair of legs 60 and is configured to be disposed at one side of the chair 10, with another base structure 58 or portion of the base structure disposed at the other side of the chair 10. In other words, a first portion of the base structure 58 having a front leg 60a and a rear leg 60b may be disposed at a first side of the chair 10 and a second portion of the base structure 58 having a front leg 60a and a rear leg 60b may be disposed at the opposing second side of the chair 10.

[0060] The mounting bracket 50 for the actuator 22 may extend between upper end portions of the legs 60 of the base structure 58 at one side of the chair 10. The rails of the frame 26 may also extend between upper end portions of the legs 60, with the rearward brackets 26a and the forward brackets 26b of the frame 26 attaching to respective mounting tabs 62 at or near the upper end portions of the legs 60. Thus, with the chair 10 mounted to the base 58, the frame 26 extends between upper end portions of the legs 60 such that the seat portion 16 and the ottoman 20 are elevated or lifted with respect to the ground surface or upper surface of the riser 12. Moreover, the actuator 22 is elevated or lifted from the ground surface or upper surface of the riser 12. This may result in the open region 48 beneath the seat portion 16 extending between the upper surface of the riser 12 or ground surface and the lower surface of the seat portion 16 and between the legs 60 on opposing sides of the base portion 58. The increased height or vertical dimension of the open region 48 may allow for even greater cleaning access, and may allow for cleaning with the chair 10 in both the upright position and the reclined position.

[0061] The arm rest or casing 14 may attach to the mounting bracket 50 of the actuator 22, as discussed above, and may also be elevated or lifted from the ground surface (FIG. 29). Moreover, the arm rest 14 may include an elongated shell or outer surface or casing that extends past the mounting bracket 50 and at least partially along the legs 60 of the base structure 58 to hide or cover the legs 60.

[0062] FIGS. 19-22 depict the reclining mechanism 24 and the actuator 22 with the chair in the upright position and FIGS. 23-28 depict the reclining mechanism and the actuator 22 with the chair 10 in the reclined position. As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, mounting the frame 26 of the chair 10 to the elevated base structure 58 allows the pivot point or pivot pin 31 of the chair 10 to be shifted forward relative to the seat and seatback frame 30. In other words, with the frame 26 of the chair 10 mounted to the upper surface of the riser 12 (FIG. 30), a forward portion of the seat portion 16 must lift relative to the riser 12 to pivot the chair 10 from the upright position toward the reclined position and the pivot pin 31 is disposed at or near the seat and seatback frame 30 (e.g., where the seat portion 16 meets the back portion 18 of the chair 10) to enable this movement. No portion of the frame 26 may move below the mounting plane due to the position of the riser 12 directly beneath the chair 10.

[0063] With the frame 26 of the chair 10 mounted to the base portion 58 (FIG. 31), at least a portion of the frame 26 and / or the seat and seatback frame 30 may pivot downward below the mounting plane of the frame 26 and at least partially into the region 48 when the chair 10 is moved from the upright position toward the reclined position. Thus, the pivot pin 31 is disposed between the seat and seatback frame 30 and the forward mounting bracket 26b to enable this movement.

[0064] Accordingly, the chair 10 mounted to the base structure 58 may pivot or recline to a greater degree than the chair 10 mounted directly to the riser 12. For example with the chair 10 mounted directly to the upper surface of the riser 12 (FIG. 30), an angle between the rails of the frame 26 and the upper surface of the riser 12 with the chair 10 in the reclined position may be about 18.5 degrees or more. With the chair 10 mounted to the base structure 58 and elevated from the riser 12 or ground surface (FIG. 31), an angle between the rails of the frame 26 and the mounting plane at the base portion 58 may be about 22.1 degrees or more. This increased reclining angle may result in a more natural or comfortable zero gravity reclining position for the user.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 32, mounting the chair 10 to the base structure 58 may elevate or lift the chair 10 relative to an upper surface 12a of the ground (e.g., a floor) or riser 12. This may allow for easier access to the region 48 beneath the chair 10 for cleaning, and may allow for access to the region 48 both with the chair 10 in the upright position and with the chair in the reclined position. For example, food, dust, and / or debris that falls beneath the seat portion 16 may be accessible at the upper surface of the riser 12 or ground surface without removing or lifting the seat portion 16.

[0066] Optionally, the base structure 58 may allow the chair 10 to be mounted to a sloped upper surface 12a of the ground or riser 12. For example, and as shown in FIG. 33, the front leg 60a of the base structure 58 may be longer than the rear leg 60b to accommodate a downward sloping upper surface 12a. The difference in length between the front leg 60a and the rear leg 60b may be configured to establish a substantially flat mounting plane for the frame 26 at the upper end portions of the legs 60. This mounting configuration may encourage food, dust, and / or debris that falls beneath the seat portion 16 to move toward the front leg 60a and / or in front of the chair 10, allowing for better cleaning access without affecting the substantially flat mounting plane for the frame 26.

[0067] Optionally, the chair 10 may be mountable to a vertical structure. For example, and such as shown in FIG. 34, a mounting arm or bracket 64 may extend from a vertical or substantially vertical portion 12b of the riser 12, with the frame 26 of the chair 10 mounting to the mounting arm 64. Thus, no portion of the chair 10 or mounting structure is attached to the ground surface or horizontal surface 12a of the riser 12. The region 48 beneath the chair 10, and along a row of adjacent chairs 10, may thus be devoid of structure or components associated with the chair 10, actuator 22, and mounting structure. This results in improved access to the regions 48 beneath the chairs 10 and improved cleanability for a venue equipped with the chairs.

[0068] The actuator 22 and frame 26 supporting the seat portion 16, back portion 18 and ottoman 20 may thus be mounted to a variety of different base structures, such as the riser 12, the base structure 58, or a standalone base having individual legs. The side- mounted actuator 22 and reclining mechanism 24 allow the chair 10 (or optionally a plurality of chairs in a row) to be moved to the reclining position for obstruction-free access to the regions 48 beneath the seats. Moreover, the chairs 10 may be mounted at oblique angles (e.g., up to 5 degrees or more) relative to one another and / or relative to their associated actuator 22 for arranging rows of chairs in radiused or semi-circular arrangements. The actuator 22 is mountable to the chair 10 as a unit and the arm rest 14 provides a cover or casing that removably attaches to the actuator. The actuator 22 may be coupled to chairs having any suitable reclining mechanism actuated by rotation of a shaft.

[0069] Although shown and described as having a linear actuator that moves an end of a pivoting link to pivot a shaft of the reclining mechanism to move the ottoman and seat and seat back, it is envisioned that the actuator may directly rotatably drive the shaft to rotate the shaft in either direction. For example, the actuator may comprise a rotationally driving actuator that drives an output shaft that is linked (either directly connected or keyed or indirectly connected via a gear train or drive belt) to the horizontal shaft.

[0070] Optionally, with the chair in the upright position, the actuator and the reclining mechanism may function to initially extend the ottoman and then, with the ottoman extended, tilt or pivot the seat portion and the seat back toward the reclined position. For example, a chair 110 is mounted to a horizontal support surface of the riser 12 (FIG. 35). The chair 110 includes a seat or seat portion 116, a seat back 118 and an ottoman 120, with an arm rest 114 at each side of the seat portion 116. The chair 110 includes an actuator 122 and reclining mechanism 124 (FIGS. 38-47) that function to move the ottoman 120 relative to the seat portion 116 and to tilt the seat portion 116 and seat back 118 relative to the support structure 112 to move the chair between an upright or non- reclined seating position or state (FIG. 35) and a reclined seating position or state (FIGS. 36 and 37).

[0071] The reclining mechanism 124 includes a mounting frame 126 that has brackets 126a that mount to the horizontal portion of the support structure 12 (such as via threaded fasteners or the like). A rotatable shaft 128 is rotatably mounted at the frame 126 at a forward portion of the frame 126 and extends across the forward portion of the frame (and rotatably mounts at opposite side portions of the frame). A seat and seat back frame 130 (including a seat frame portion 130a to which the seat attaches and a seat back frame portion 130b to which the seat back attaches) is pivotally mounted at a rearward portion of the frame 126. For example, and such as shown in FIG. 44, the frame 126 may be pivotally mounted at a pivot pin 131 at each side of the frame 126.

[0072] The ottoman 120 is attached at an ottoman bracket 120a that is pivotally mounted at a forward portion of the seat and seat back frame 130 via mounting arms 132 that are linked to the rotatable shaft 128 via a pair of pivot links 134, 136. The mounting arms 132 are fixedly or non-pivotally attached at the ottoman bracket 120a and pivotally attached at opposite side regions of the seat frame 130a, while the pivot links 134 are non- pivotally attached at the shaft 128 (such as via welding or other non-rotational attachment) and pivotally attached to the respective links 136, which in turn are pivotally attached at the ottoman bracket 120a or at the mounting arms 132.

[0073] When the actuator is actuated to pull at the end of a pivoting link 138 (via linear or translational movement of a connecting portion of the actuator that connects to the end of the pivoting link), the pivoting link 138 pivots and rotates the horizontal shaft 128, which in turn pivots the first pivot links 134 to pivot the ottoman outward and upward (see, for example, FIGS. 38-41 and 43). As the first pivot links 134 pivot, the second pivot links 136 also pivot to extend the ottoman, which pivots relative to the frame 130 via the mounting arms 132. When initially pivoted (when the actuator is actuated to begin reclining the chair from the non-reclined position of FIG. 42), the ottoman pivots relative to the seat and seat back frame 130 (via pivoting of the mounting arms 132 relative to the seat and seat back frame 130) and the seat and seat back frame 130 (and thus the seat 116 and seat back 118) does not pivot or move relative to the frame 126 and the support structure 12 (see FIG. 43). This allows the person sitting in the chair to raise the ottoman without reclining the seat or seat back.

[0074] When the ottoman is raised a threshold amount, the mounting arms 132 contact a stop at the seat and seat back frame 130 (e.g., the mounting arms 132 may be formed at an angle such that a portion of the mounting arms 132 near the pivot attachment engages a flange or surface of the seat and seat back frame) to limit further pivotal movement of the mounting arms 132 and the ottoman relative to the seat and seat back frame 130. Further rotation of the shaft 128 (by further actuation of the actuator) causes the ottoman to raise further and to raise the forward end of the seat and seat back frame 130 upward. Such upward movement of the forward end of the seat and seat back frame 130 pivots the seat and seat back frame 130 (and the seat and seat back) about the pivot pin 131 at the rearward portion of the frame 126 to recline the chair.

[0075] Thus, the actuator and reclining mechanism function to move the ottoman and seat and seat back from a non-reclined position (where the ottoman is lowered to be along the vertical surface or portion of the riser support structure) to a reclined position (where the ottoman is raised and the seat is tilted upward and the seat back is tilted rearward), with a single actuation of the actuator (e.g., the user pushes one button and holds that one button until the ottoman and seat are in the desired position). The actuator is located at and along the side of the seat (e.g., in the arm rest structure) and thus the area immediately beneath the seat is devoid of any actuator components and reclining mechanism components. Thus, the chair and support structure can be easily cleaned by tilting up the seat or removing the seat (see, for example, FIGS. 46 and 47).

[0076] Optionally, the actuator may operate to pivot the seat and seat back along with the ottoman as the actuator is actuated to recline the chair from the fully non-reclined position. For example, and such as shown in FIGS. 48-57, the reclining mechanism 224 may have a pair of links 240, 241 (FIG. 50) that connect a forward portion of the seat and seat back frame 230 to the horizontal shaft 228 rotatably mounted at the base frame 226 (with the links 240 fixedly or non-rotationally attached at the shaft), such that rotation of the shaft 228 (rotated via actuation of the actuator) pivots the links 240 and moves the forward portion of the frame 230 (e.g., pivots the frame 230 about a pivot axis at a pivot pin or location 231 at or near or forward of the seat back bracket 230b. As the forward portion of the frame is raised / tilted, a scissor-linkage 242 that attaches the ottoman bracket 220a to the forward portion of the frame 230 extends to extend the ottoman. The scissor-linkage 242 includes two links that are pivotally attached at spaced apart portions of the forward portion of the frame 230, with one of those links 242a being connected to a link 243 (FIG. 50) that is pivotally attached at the frame 226. Link 242a is a generally L-shaped link that is pivotally attached at the frame 230 and at the distal end of the link 243 (distal from the frame 226), such that movement of the end of the L-shaped link 242a causes the link to pivot relative to the frame 230, which causes pivoting and extending / retracting of the ottoman. Thus, the ottoman extends as the frame 230 is tilted and raised toward the reclined state (FIG. 50), as the link 243 limits upward movement of the end of the L- shaped link 242a and causes the L-shaped link 242a to pivot, and the ottoman retracts as the frame is lowered toward the closed or non-reclined state (FIG. 48).

[0077] As shown in FIGS. 54-57, the actuator 222 is disposed within an arm rest casing 214a of the arm rest of the recliner chair. The actuator 222 mounts to the base frame 226 and within the arm rest casing 214a and has an end 222a connected to the pivot link 238 that is fixedly attached (such as via welding or other non-rotational attachment) at the shaft 228. As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 56 and 57, the pivot link 238 may include a coupling portion 239 that couples to the end of the shaft 228 and is non-rotatably attached at the end of the shaft 228, such that pivoting of the link 238 pivots or rotates the coupling portion 239 and the shaft 228, which imparts pivotal movement of the link 240 to raise the front end of the frame 230 and to pivot the link 242a of the scissor mechanism 242.

[0078] Optionally, and such as shown in FIGS. 58-60, the actuator may rotate the shaft 328 (that is rotatably mounted at a forward portion of a base frame 326) of a reclining mechanism 324 to raise the forward portion of the seat and seat back frame 330 while also pivoting / extending the ottoman as the actuator operates to adjust the chair from the non- reclined position (FIG. 58) toward the fully reclined position (FIG. 60). As shown in FIGS. 59 and 60, the ottoman is pivoted and extended responsive to a linkage or pair of links 342, 343 that connect to the footplate or ottoman bracket and that pivot the ottoman as the seat and seat back are reclined. In the illustrated embodiment, the link 342 is pivotally attached at the base frame 326 and the link or mounting arm 343 pivotally joins the other end of the link 342 with the ottoman bracket 320a. The mounting arm or link 343 is a generally L-shaped arm or link that is pivotally mounted at the bracket 330 (such as in a similar manner as link 242a, discussed above). As the forward portion of the frame is raised / tilted via a pair of links 344, 345 that connect the frame 330 to the shaft 328 (with links 344 fixedly attached at the shaft 328), the link 342 pivots and limits upward movement of the end of the mounting arm 343, which causes the mounting arm 343 to pivot relative to the frame 330 and thus to extend and pivot the ottoman bracket 320a relative to the frame 330 to extend the ottoman. Thus, the ottoman extends as the frame 330 is tilted and raised toward the reclined state (FIG. 60) and the ottoman retracts as the frame is lowered toward the closed or non-reclined state (FIG. 58).

[0079] Thus, the recliner chair provides pivoting movement of the seat and the seat back and the ottoman via rotational driving of a horizontal shaft at a forward portion of the base frame, with the reclining mechanism comprising a plurality of pivoting linkages or arms that impart the desired movement of the ottoman and seat and seat back when the actuator is actuated to recline or lower the chair. The reclining mechanism is disposed at the side regions of the ottoman and frame, and the actuator is disposed at the arm rest structure or other structure at a side region of the chair, such that the regions of the support surface beneath the seat portion and behind the ottoman is substantially clear or devoid of actuator components and / or reclining mechanism components, with the frame and the horizontal drive shaft being about the only components at those regions.

[0080] Optionally, in some implementations, the actuator may be disposed at the support structure, such as at the vertical portion or face of the support structure, and may operate to push the ottoman outward and upward away from the vertical face of the support structure. For example, and such as shown in FIGS. 61 and 62, the actuator 422 may extend and retract to raise and lower the ottoman, and linkages that connect the ottoman 420 to the seat and seat back frame pivot to raise and tilt the seat 416 and seat back 418 as the ottoman is raised.

[0081] Optionally, the actuator may be disposed at the horizontal portion or face of the support structure, and may operate to push or pull the seat back to pivot the seat back between the upright and reclined positions. For example, and such as shown in FIGS. 63 and 64, the actuator 522 may extend and retract to raise and lower the seat back 518, and linkages that connect the seat and seat back frame to the ottoman 520 pivot to raise and tilt the ottoman as the seat and seat back are adjusted.

[0082] Therefore, the recliner chair over riser structure has a single actuator for raising the ottoman and correspondingly tilting / reclining the seat and seat back. The actuator and reclining mechanism are arranged at the chair and support structure remote from the area or region immediately under the seat and / or behind the ottoman, such that cleaning of the chair and support structure is enhanced. The chair may simply be reclined or partially reclined (or the seat portion may be lifted or removed) to provide access to the support structure under the chair, with the support structure in that area being substantially devoid of components of the actuator and / or reclining mechanism.

[0083] Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the principles of the invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A recliner chair, the recliner chair comprising:a seat portion;a back portion;an ottoman;an actuator operable to (i) move the seat portion and the back portion between a non-reclined position and a reclined position and (ii) move the ottoman between a lowered position and a raised position;wherein the actuator is disposed within a structure outboard of the seat portion;wherein, with the recliner chair supported at a base, a region below the seat portion is devoid of any component of the actuator; andwherein, with the recliner chair supported at the base, and with the seat portion and the back portion in the reclined position, at least a portion of the seat portion and at least a portion of the back portion are disposed below an upper portion of the base.

2. The recliner chair of claim 1, wherein the structure comprises a casing of an arm rest of the recliner chair.

3. The recliner chair of claim 1, wherein the actuator operates to move the seat portion and the back portion between the non-reclined position and the reclined position together and in tandem with the actuator operating to move the ottoman between the lowered position and the raised position.

4. The recliner chair of claim 1, wherein the actuator operates to move the seat portion and the back portion between the non-reclined position and the reclined position independent of the actuator operating to move the ottoman between the lowered position and the raised position, and wherein an initial operation of the actuator moves the ottoman from the lowered position to the raised position and, with the ottoman in the raised position, continued operation of the actuator moves the seat portion and the back portion from the non-reclined position toward the reclined position.

5. The recliner chair of claim 1, wherein the seat portion and the back portion are attached at a frame, and wherein the ottoman is pivotable relative to the frame between the lowered position and the raised position, and wherein the actuator operates to rotate a drive shaft that extends horizontally between side portions of a forward region of the frame, and wherein rotation of the drive shaft pivots a reclining mechanism to move the seat portion and the back portion between the non-reclined position and the reclined position and to move the ottoman between the lowered position and the raised position.

6. The recliner chair of claim 1, wherein the seat portion and the back portion are attached at a frame, and wherein the frame is mounted to the base.

7. The recliner chair of claim 6, wherein the base comprises a plurality of legs that extend between the frame and a horizontal support surface, and wherein the frame is mounted at upper end portions of the plurality of legs.

8. The recliner chair of claim 7, wherein, with the recliner chair supported at the base, and with the seat portion and the back portion in the reclined position, at least the portion of the seat portion and at least the portion of the back portion are disposed below the upper end portions of the plurality of legs.

9. A recliner chair, the recliner chair comprising:a mounting bracket configured to mount to a base;a seat portion and a back portion attached at a frame that is pivotally attached at the mounting bracket, wherein, with the mounting bracket mounted to the base, the frame is pivotable relative to the mounting bracket to move the seat portion and the back portion between a non-reclined position and a reclined position;wherein, with the mounting bracket mounted at the base, and with the seat portion and the back portion in the reclined position, at least a portion of the seat portion and at least a portion of the back portion are disposed below the mounting bracket;an ottoman, wherein, with the mounting bracket mounted to the base, the ottoman is pivotable relative to the base between (i) a lowered position where the ottoman is 19disposed along a vertical portion of the base and (ii) a raised position where the ottoman is moved upward and outward from the vertical portion of the base;an actuator operable to pivot the ottoman between the lowered position and the raised position and to pivot the frame to move the seat portion and the back portion between the non-reclined position and the reclined position; andwherein the actuator is disposed within a structure at a side of the recliner chair and outboard of the seat portion.

10. The recliner chair of claim 9, wherein the structure at the side of the recliner chair comprises a casing of an arm rest of the recliner chair.

11. The recliner chair of claim 9, wherein a region below the seat portion is devoid of any component of the actuator.

12. The recliner chair of claim 9, wherein the actuator operates to rotate a drive shaft that extends horizontally between side portions of a forward region of the mounting bracket, and wherein rotation of the drive shaft pivots a reclining mechanism to pivot the ottoman and the frame.

13. The recliner chair of claim 12, wherein the actuator comprises a linear actuator that, when actuated, moves an end of a pivoting link that is fixedly attached at the drive shaft to impart rotation of the drive shaft.

14. The recliner chair of claim 12, wherein the actuator comprises a rotational driving actuator that, when actuated, rotatably drives the drive shaft.

15. The recliner chair of claim 12, wherein the reclining mechanism comprises (i) a pair of links that are fixedly attached at respective end regions of the drive shaft and that pivotally connect to a forward portion of the frame and (ii) a scissor linkage fixedly attached at the ottoman and pivotally connected to the forward portion of the frame.

16. The recliner chair of claim 15, wherein, when the actuator is operated to pivot the ottoman from the lowered position to the raised position and to move the seat portion and the back portion from the non-reclined position to the reclined position, rotation of the drive shaft pivots the pair of links and the frame pivots upward from the base, and wherein, as the frame pivots upward, the scissor linkage imparts pivotal movement of the ottoman relative to the frame as the frame pivots.

17. The recliner chair of claim 9, wherein, when the actuator is operated to pivot the ottoman from the lowered position to the raised position, the ottoman pivots relative to the frame and moves upward and outward from the vertical portion of the base until a portion of an ottoman bracket engages a stop portion of the frame, whereby further operation of the actuator moves the ottoman and the frame together to move the seat portion and the back portion toward the reclined position.

18. The recliner chair of claim 9, wherein the actuator operates to pivot the ottoman between the lowered position and the raised position together and in tandem with the actuator operating to pivot the frame to move the seat portion and the back portion between the non-reclined position and the reclined position.

19. The recliner chair of claim 9, wherein the base comprises a plurality of legs that extend between the frame and a horizontal support surface, and wherein the mounting bracket is mounted at upper end portions of the plurality of legs and, wherein, with the mounting bracket mounted to the base, and with the seat portion and the back portion in the reclined position, at least a portion of the seat portion and at least a portion of the back portion are disposed below the upper end portions of the plurality of legs.

20. A recliner chair, the recliner chair comprising:a mounting bracket configured to mount to a base;a frame pivotally attached to the mounting bracket, wherein a forward bracket pivotally attaches the frame to a forward region of the mounting bracket, and wherein a rearward bracket pivotally attaches the frame to a rearward region of the mounting bracket,and wherein the rearward bracket is attached to the frame at a position between the forward bracket and a rear end portion of the frame;a seat portion and a back portion attached at the frame, wherein the back portion is attached at the rear end portion of the frame;wherein, with the mounting bracket mounted to the base, the frame is pivotable relative to the mounting bracket to move the seat portion and the back portion between a non-reclined position and a reclined position;wherein, with the mounting bracket mounted at the base, and with the seat portion and the back portion in the reclined position, the rear end portion of the frame is disposed below the mounting bracket;an ottoman, wherein, with the mounting bracket mounted to the base, the ottoman is pivotable relative to the base between (i) a lowered position where the ottoman is disposed along a vertical portion of the base and (ii) a raised position where the ottoman is moved upward and outward from the vertical portion of the base;an actuator operable to pivot the ottoman between the lowered position and the raised position and to pivot the frame to move the seat portion and the back portion between the non-reclined position and the reclined position;wherein the actuator is disposed within an arm rest at a side of the recliner chair and outboard of the seat portion; andwherein a region below the seat portion is devoid of any component of the actuator.

21. The recliner chair of claim 20, wherein the actuator operates to rotate a drive shaft that extends horizontally between side portions of the forward region of the mounting bracket, and wherein rotation of the drive shaft pivots a reclining mechanism to pivot the ottoman and the frame.

22. The recliner chair of claim 21, wherein the actuator comprises a linear actuator that, when actuated, moves an end of a pivoting link that is fixedly attached at the drive shaft to impart rotation of the drive shaft.

23. The recliner chair of claim 20, wherein the actuator operates to pivot the ottoman between the lowered position and the raised position together and in tandem with theactuator operating to pivot the frame to move the seat portion and the back portion between the non-reclined position and the reclined position.

24. The recliner chair of claim 20, wherein the actuator operates to pivot the ottoman between the lowered position and the raised position independent of the actuator operating to pivot the frame to move the seat portion and the back portion between the non-reclined position and the reclined position.

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