Abstract:
A mechanism is provided that allows an assisting force to be imparted on an ottoman as the ottoman moves from an extended position back to a closed position. The linkage includes a rotatable lock bracket and an ottoman lock link pivotally coupled to the lock bracket. A rear ottoman link is pivotally coupled to an ottoman linkage, and a spring activation link is pivotally coupled to the ottoman lock link. A spring extends between the lock bracket and the first end of the spring activation link, supported by a spring retaining link. A catch finger positioned on the rear ottoman link selectively engages the second end of the spring activation link. The spring activation link operates to extend the spring as the ottoman moves from an extended position to a closed position, thereby providing an assisting force in moving the mechanism to the closed position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates broadly to motion upholstery furniture designed to support a user&#39;s body in an essentially seated disposition. Motion upholstery furniture includes recliners, incliners, sofas, love seats, sectionals, theater seating, traditional chairs, and chairs with a moveable seat portion, such furniture pieces being referred to herein generally as “seating units.” More particularly, the disclosure relates to an improved ottoman linkage mechanism that is configured to assist the user in closing the ottoman linkage. 
     Reclining seating units exist that allow a user to extend a footrest forward and to recline a backrest rearward relative to a seat. These existing seating units typically provide three basic positions (e.g., a standard, non-reclined closed position; an extended position; and a reclined position). In the closed position, the seat resides in a generally horizontal orientation and the backrest is disposed substantially upright. Additionally, the seating unit includes one or more ottomans attached with a mechanical arrangement, the mechanical arrangement is collapsed such that one or more ottomans are not extended. In the extended position, often referred to as a television (“TV”) position, the one or more ottomans are extended forward of the seat, and the backrest remains sufficiently upright to permit comfortable television viewing by an occupant of the seating unit. In the reclined position, the backrest is pivoted rearward from the extended position into an obtuse relationship with the seat for lounging or sleeping. 
     In non-motorized versions of modern seating units, the user manually adjusts the seating unit from the closed position to the TV position, and back, to extend and retract the ottoman or footrest. It would be helpful to ease the force required to return the ottoman from the TV position to the closed position. 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the mechanism pertain to an improved recliner mechanism that assists the user in moving the recliner from the TV position, with the ottoman extended, to the closed position, with the ottoman retracted. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally, a recliner will have two opposed recliner mechanisms, one on each side. The mechanisms typically have a rail that allows the mechanism to be affixed to the inner side of the chair base. The recliner mechanism also has a back mounting link that couples the chair back to the mechanism and a seat mounting plate that supports a seating surface between the sides of the chair. Finally, the recliner mechanism has an ottoman bracket that supports an ottoman from the chair. A number of links interconnect the back, seat, and ottoman for movement relative to the chair base. In operation, the recliner mechanisms are adapted to move between a closed position, an extended TV position, and a reclined position. 
     Embodiments seek to provide an improved recliner mechanism that assists the user in closing the ottoman. In an exemplary embodiment, a spring retaining link is coupled to a lock bracket. The spring retaining link is used to support, and act as the anchor point for, one end of an extension spring. The other end of the extension spring is coupled to a spring activation link, which is rotatably coupled to the ottoman lock link. A catch finger is used to selectively couple the spring activation link to the motion of a rear ottoman link. As the rear ottoman link rotates about a pivotal coupling to a seat mounting plate, the spring activation link moves with respect to the spring retaining link. When the mechanism moves from the TV position to the closed position, the relative movement of the spring activation link and the spring retaining link causes the extension spring to extend for the first part of the closing movement, and to retract during the second part of the closing movement. The retraction of the extension spring provides assistance in closing the ottoman. The overall effect of which is to enable the recliner mechanism to be returned to the closed position from the TV position with less force, making it easier for the user to return the recliner to the closed position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       In the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a mechanism for a seating unit in a closed position, shown from the outside; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the mechanism of  FIG. 1 , shown from the inside; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view of selected parts of  FIG. 1 , with other parts removed for clarity; 
         FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3 , but shown with a spring removed; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the mechanism of  FIG. 1 , shown from the outside, shown in a partially open position; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view similar to  FIG. 5 , from the inside; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged side view of selected parts of  FIG. 5 , with other parts removed for clarity; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of a mechanism for a seating unit in a TV position, shown from the outside; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view similar to  FIG. 8 , from the inside; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged side view of selected parts of  FIG. 8 , with other parts removed for clarity; 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of a mechanism for a seating unit in a partially closed position, shown from the outside; 
         FIG. 12  is a side view similar to  FIG. 11 , from the inside; 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged side view of selected parts of  FIG. 11 , with other parts removed for clarity; 
         FIG. 14  is a side view similar to  FIG. 13 , but shown with a spring removed; and 
         FIG. 15  is a side view similar to  FIG. 14 , from the inside. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1-15  illustrate a mechanism  10  for use on a motion seating unit. As described below, the linkage mechanism  10  comprises a plurality of other linkages that are arranged to actuate and control movement of the seating unit during movement between the closed, extended, and reclined positions. These linkages may be pivotally interconnected. The pivotal couplings (illustrated as pivot points in the figures) between these linkages can take a variety of configurations, such as pivot pins, bearings, traditional mounting hardware, rivets, bolt and nut combinations, or any other suitable fasteners, which are well known in the furniture-manufacturing industry. Further, the shapes of the linkages and the brackets may vary, as may the locations of certain pivot points. It will be understood that when a linkage is referred to as being pivotally “coupled” to, “interconnected” with, “attached” on, etc., another element (e.g., link, bracket, rail, and the like), it is contemplated that the linkage and elements may be in direct contact with each other or other elements, such as intervening elements, which may also be present. Not all reference numerals are listed on all figures, for clarity, but the same parts numbered in one figure correspond to similar parts numbered in other figures. 
     Generally, the linkage mechanism  10  guides the movement of a backrest, seat, and ottoman of the recliner on which it is installed. In an exemplary configuration, these movements are controlled by a pair of essentially mirror-image linkage mechanisms (one of which is shown herein and indicated by reference numeral  10 ), which comprise an arrangement of pivotal interconnected linkages. The linkage mechanisms are disposed in opposing-facing relation about a longitudinally extending plane that bisects the recliner between a pair of opposed sides. As such, the ensuing discussion will focus on only one of the linkage mechanisms  10 , with the content being equally applied to the other complimentary linkage assembly. The mechanism  10  couples the seat, the backrest, and the ottoman together to move the seating unit between closed, TV, and fully reclined positions, as is more fully described below. 
     The mechanism  10  is adjustable to three basic positions: a closed position ( FIG. 1 ), an extended position (i.e., TV position)( FIG. 8 ), and a reclined position (not shown).  FIG. 1  depicts the mechanism  10  adjusted to the closed position, which is a normal non-reclined sitting position with the seat in a generally horizontal position and the backrest generally upright and in a substantially perpendicular biased relation to the seat. Note that  FIGS. 1-15  show the mechanism  10 , with the outer parts of the seating unit removed for clarity. In addition, when adjusted to the closed position, the ottoman is positioned below the seat.  FIG. 8  depicts the extended, or TV, position. When the seating unit is adjusted to the extended position, the ottoman is extended forward so it is generally horizontal. However, the backrest remains substantially perpendicular to the seat. 
       FIGS. 1-15  illustrate details of the configuration of linkage mechanism  10 . Mechanism  10  has a pair of parallel, spaced sides, one left and one right, although only one side is shown in the figures for clarity. Each side of mechanism  10  includes a side rail  26  that extends from the front of the seating unit to the back. Rails  26  are used to mount the mechanism  10  to the base of the seating unit and operate as the base of the mechanism  10 . A rear pivot link  28  extends upwardly from the rail  26  and is pivotally connected to the rail  26  at a lower end thereof. Unless otherwise described differently, each of the rails, links, and brackets described herein are typically made of formed or stamped steel, but other materials with similar characteristics could be used. The upper end of rear pivot link  28  is pivotally coupled to a rear bell crank  32 . Rear bell crank  32  is also pivotally coupled to a rear control link  36 . Finally, rear bell crank  32  is pivotally coupled to a bridge link  40 . As can be seen, rear bell crank  32  is somewhat triangularly shaped and connects the rear pivot link  28 , the rear control link  36 , and the bridge link  40 . 
     The rear control link  36  is coupled on one end to the rear bell crank  32 . It extends upwardly and rearwardly, and is pivotally connected to a back mounting link  44  at its other end. Rear control link  36  is thus pivotally connected between rear bell crank  32  and back mounting link  44 . Back mounting link  44  has a forward end that is pivotally coupled to a seat mounting plate  48 . The upper end of back mounting link  44  is used to couple the backrest of the seating unit to the mechanism  10 . As back mounting link  44  pivots rearwardly, the backrest is reclined. 
     Returning to bridge link  40 , it can be seen that one end of bridge link  40  is pivotally coupled to rear bell crank  32 . The opposite, forward end of bridge link  40  is pivotally coupled to an L-shaped, front lift link  58 . The outer end of one leg of front lift link  58  is pivotally coupled to seat mounting plate  48 . The outer end of the other leg of front lift link  58  is pivotally coupled to a front pivot link  66 . Front lift link  58  is thus pivotally connected to bridge link  40 , seat mounting plate  48 , and front pivot link  66 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , front lift link  58  has a stop pin  59  rigidly secured thereto and extending therefrom. 
     Front pivot link  66  is thus coupled on one end to the front lift link  58  and is pivotally coupled on the opposite, lower end to side rail  26 . A carrier link  74  is pivotally coupled to front pivot link  66  generally mid-way along the link. Carrier link  74  extends rearwardly and is coupled on its other end to a front bell crank  78 . 
     Front bell crank  78  has a somewhat boomerang shape, as shown. One end of front bell crank  78  is pivotally coupled to carrier link  74 . Generally, at the mid-point, front bell crank  78  is pivotally coupled to seat mounting plate  48 . The opposite end of front bell crank  78  is pivotally coupled to ottoman drive link  86 . As best seen in  FIG. 8 , the other end of ottoman drive link  86  is pivotally coupled to rear ottoman link  90 . Rear ottoman link  90  is pivotally coupled at its top end to seat mounting plate  48 . The lower end of rear ottoman link  90  is pivotally coupled to a top ottoman link  96 . Rear ottoman link  90  has a notch to accommodate stop pin  59  when the linkage is in a closed position. The top ottoman link  96  is part of the ottoman linkage and is pivotally coupled at its opposite end to an ottoman bracket  100 . Ottoman bracket  100  is connected to and supports the ottoman of the seating unit. Top ottoman link  96  is pivotally coupled to a front ottoman link  104 . One end of front ottoman link  104  is pivotally coupled to seat mounting plate  48 . The other end of front ottoman link  104  is pivotally coupled to a lower ottoman link  110 . Opposite that pivot, lower ottoman link  110  is pivotally coupled to ottoman bracket  100 . 
     Returning to seat mounting plate  48 , a lock bracket  118  is secured to a drive tube generally around the midpoint of seat mounting plate  48 . Lock bracket  118  is used to secure a drive tube between both seat mounting plates  48  and to couple an actuation mechanism (not shown) to the mechanism  10 . Operation of the actuation mechanism rotates bracket  118  and allows movement of the mechanism between the closed, TV, and reclined positions. The outer end of lock bracket  118  is pivotally coupled to an ottoman lock link  122 . The ottoman lock link  122  extends from bracket  118  to the rear ottoman link  90 , and is pivotally coupled thereto. A spring retaining link  124  is also pivotally coupled to bracket  118 . Near the top of the bend section, spring retaining link  124  has a notch  128 , as seen in  FIG. 4 . Extending away from the bend section, spring retaining link  124  has an elongated arm  130  (as best seen in  FIGS. 14 and 15 ) that terminates in a curved end. A spring activation link  132  is pivotally coupled to ottoman lock link  122 . The lower end of spring activation link  132  has a pin  136  that extends away from link  132 . An extension spring  138  is coupled between spring retaining link  124  and spring activation link  132 . More specifically, one end of spring  138  is coupled to spring retaining link  124  at the notch  128 , although other attachment systems could be used to couple spring  138  and spring retaining link  124 . The spring  138  generally surrounds arm  130  of spring retaining link  124 . The other end of spring  138  is coupled to the pin  136  of spring activation link  132 . In the closed and TV positions, the curved end of arm  130  generally abuts pin  136 . The end of spring activation link  132  opposite pin  136  has a pin  140  coupled thereto, and extending therefrom. The function of pin  140  is discussed more fully below. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 3 , rear ottoman link  90  has a catch finger  142  pivotally coupled thereto. The catch finger  142  is spaced away from the rear ottoman link  90  by a bushing  144 . A torsion spring  146 , with one end coupled to rear ottoman link  90  and one end coupled to catch finger  142 , generally surrounds, and is supported by, bushing  144 . As viewed in  FIG. 3 , torsion spring  146  places a clockwise movement on finger  142  about bushing  144 . The end of catch finger  142  opposite bushing  144  has a curved catch surface  148  that is shaped and sized to mate with pin  140  on spring activation link  132 . Ottoman lock link  122  has a bend section  126  near the connection to rear ottoman link  90  to provide clearance for catch finger  142  and spring activation link  132 . 
     In operation, starting from the TV position of  FIG. 8 , the mechanism provides an assisting force to close the ottoman and return the mechanism to the closed position. In operation, a user provides a downward force to the ottoman, such as with the user&#39;s legs, or provides a rotational force to the lock bracket  118 , such as with a handle connected to bracket  118  (not shown). This force causes rear ottoman link  90  to rotate about the connection to the seat mounting plate  48  (clockwise as viewed in  FIG. 8 ). As the rear ottoman link  90  rotates, it causes catch finger  142  to move downward and rearward, as can be seen by comparing  FIG. 10  to  FIG. 13 . Because the curved catch surface  148  of finger  142  is engaged with pin  140 , the downward and rearward movement of catch finger  142  causes spring activation link  132  to rotate about the pivotal connection to ottoman lock link  122  (counterclockwise as viewed in  FIG. 10 ). This rotation moves pin  136  attached to spring activation link  132  away from the curved end of the elongated arm  130  of the spring retaining link  124 . At the same time, rotation of the lock bracket  118  causes the spring retaining link  124  to move in the opposite direction, or away from, pin  136 . The result is an extension, or loading, of the extension spring  138  as the ottoman begins to close. So, as the ottoman continues to close, the spring  138  will exert a countering force to pin  136 , which operates to assist in rotating rear ottoman link  90 . The end result of the spring extension is to provide assistance to the user in closing the mechanism, making it feel easier to move the mechanism from the TV to the closed position. 
     Once in the closed position, the torsion spring  146  imparts a rotational force to catch finger  142 , relative to spring activation link  132  and generally about the axis formed by bushing  144 . This action “lifts” the catch finger  142  upwardly away from pin  140 , effectively disengaging the catch finger  142  from the spring activation link  132 . If a user then initiates opening the mechanism from the closed position to the TV position, the initial downward motion of catch finger  142  (caused by rotation of the rear ottoman link being rotated by the lock bracket  118  and the ottoman lock link  122 ) results in re-engagement of the curved surface  148  of catch finger  142  with the pin  140  on spring activation link  32 . Through the addition of a few links, assistance is provided to the user in moving the mechanism from the TV to the closed position. 
     While not described in detail, those of skill in the art will recognize the mechanism shown and described will operate to also move from the TV position to the fully reclined position. 
     The present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its scope. 
     It will be seen from the foregoing that this invention is one well adapted to attain the ends and objects set forth above, and to attain other advantages, which are obvious and inherent in the device. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and within the scope of the claims. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.