Rocker reclining chair with multi-position rocker lock

A rocker reclining chair has a base, a rocking frame mounted on the base for rocking movement, a seat frame suspended by linkage from the rocking frame for movement between a lower position and a forwardly raised position, a backrest connected by linkage to the seat frame to pivot relative thereto between normal upright and reclined position, the backrest linkage serving to actuate the seat frame to swing the seat frame upwardly and forwardly when the backrest is moved into reclining positions, and a footrest with the linkage mounting it to the seat frame to be operable by a handle between a retracted position and an extended position. A locking mechanism is provided between the base and the rocking frame and is operative to lock the rocking frame in one of a variety of positions within the limits of the rocking travel when the footrest is not fully retracted. A lock release means connected to the footrest linkage automatically actuates the locking mechanism to release the rocking when the footrest is fully retracted. When the backrest is moved to reclining position independent of the extension of the footrest, the locking mechanism is rendered effective to lock the frame against rocking movement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
Heretofore, rocker reclining chairs have been limited in their operational 
range of the reclining feature by the rocker locking system which the user 
could not control. Some such chairs provide a linkage system which locks 
the chair in a predetermined single position. Other such chains employ 
various combinations of rollers and links, functional only in one 
direction and set to a single position. Still others of such chairs employ 
a ratchet and pawl device operational in only one direction and where 
positioning is determined by balance rather than by choice. 
The present invention eliminates the foregoing limitations and enhances the 
use of the mechanism of the reclining chair by adding to the normal 
operational range of the mechanism the rocking system range of motion. 
This is accomplished without limiting the operational range of the 
reclining mechanism and is effective automatically upon the initial 
operation of the linkage system, thereby allowing the user to select the 
desired starting and final positions. The locking mechanism is positively 
effective in both directions and will hold the rockable substructure in a 
fixed position until the foot rest is fully retracted, at which time the 
chair is free to rock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5 of the drawings there is shown a 
rocker-reclining chair, generally designated by the numeral 10, embodying 
the present invention. The chair 10 includes a base 11 comprised of 
opposite side members 12 extending along the underside of the chair and 
opposite end members 13 extending transversely under the chair between the 
side members 12. Mounted for rocking movement on the base, is a typical 
rocking frame 14 composed of a pair of arcuate rocking members 16 engaged 
on the base side members 12 while being interconnected by forwardly and 
rearwardly positioned cross members 17. A conventional compression spring 
assembly generally designated by the numeral 18 is provided between the 
rocker frame 14 and base 11 on opposite sides thereof in a typical manner. 
An angle bracket 19 is supported on each of the arcuate rocking members 16 
and suspended from said brackets by a linkage, hereinafter to be 
described, is a seat frame 21 including opposite parallel mounting plates 
22 positioned in vertical planes outwardly of the rocker frame. Supported 
on the mounting plates 22 is a generally rectangular upholstery frame 
including a pair of longitudinal parallel members 23 supporting frame 
members 24 connected by front and rear transverse members 26. A seat 
cushion, not shown, is supported on the seat frame 21 in any suitable 
manner. 
A back rest 27 having an upholstery frame is pivotally supported on the 
seat frame 21 and is movable between a normal, upright position, as shown 
in FIG. 6, and a plurality of inclined or reclining positions, as shown in 
FIG. 7. The back rest 27 includes a pair of mounting members 28, shaped 
substantially in elevation, as illustrated in FIG. 1, to which the back 
rest frame is secured. A pair of short links 29 are connected each at one 
end to the back rest mounting members 28 and at the other end to the seat 
frame mounting members 23. Additionally, each of the backrest mounting 
members 28 is connected to one end of a crank 31 which is pivotally 
connected intermediate its ends to a seat frame mounting member 23. The 
opposite end of each crank 31 is pivotally connected to an actuating link 
32 which is pivotally connected to a rear mounting link 33 which extends 
between the vertical flange of the angle bracket 19 and the depending 
portion of the mounting plate 22. A pair of forward mounting links 34,36 
is connected to each vertical flange of the angle bracket 19 and to the 
forward lower portion of the mounting plate 22. When the backrest 27 is 
moved into reclining position the back rest linkage connected to the seat 
frame linkage, above described, will cause the seat frame 21 to swing 
upwardly and forwardly relative to the rocking frame 14. Actuation of the 
backrest 27 into reclining position is effected by the occupant exerting 
back pressure on the backrest. Return of the backrest 27 to normal upright 
position is effected by the occupant removing pressure from the backrest 
to permit the weight of the occupant to restore the backrest frame and the 
seat frame to their normal positions. 
At the front of the chair a footrest 38 is connected by a linkage 
arrangement, presently to be described, to be movable between a retracted 
position oriented in a substantially vertical plane, as shown in FIG. 1, 
and an extended position projected forwardly from the chair, as 
illustrated in FIG. 3. 
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the footrest linkage 39 on each side of the 
chair includes a pair of extension links 41 and 42 extending in a 
forwardly direction and each connected at its rearward end to a hand 
operated crank 43, presently to be described. The upper link 41 is 
generally straight for the greater part of its length and has its forward 
portion 41a extending upwardly at a slight angle. The lower link 42 has a 
first generally straight portion 42a, a second integral portion 42b 
extending upwardly and an integral third portion 42c extending slightly 
downwardly from the second portion. Connected to the forward end 41a of 
the upper link 41 is a straight link 44 which is pivoted intermediate its 
ends to the lower link 42, as at 46. Connected to the forward end 42c of 
the lower link 42 is a link 47 having a generally straight portion and an 
end portion in angular relation thereto. Connected to the lower end of the 
straight link 44 is a link 48, generally Z-shaped, substantially as 
illustrated. A straight link 49 is connected to one end of link 47. The 
free ends of the links 48 and 49 are connected to a bracket 51 which is 
connected to the inner side of the footrest 38. 
Actuation of the footrest linkage 39 to extend and retract the footrest 38 
is achieved through a handle 52 mounted on a shaft journalled, as at 53, 
on a pin extending outwardly of the mounting plate 19. 
The handle shaft is rigidly connected to a laterally extending flange 
portion of the crank 43 to which the rearward ends of the extension links 
41 and 42 are pivotally connected. The crank 43 includes an integral 
offset portion carrying a lateral pin 54 to which is connected one end of 
a tension coil spring 56, the other end of the spring being connected to a 
pin 57 fixed on an intermediate portion of the extension link 41. The 
spring biases the footrest 38 in both extended and retracted positions. 
It is noted at this point that the backrest linkage is independent from the 
footrest linkage. 
LOCK MECHANISM TO PREVENT ROCKING MOVEMENT 
In order to prevent rocking movement of the chair when the footrest 38 is 
in extended position, or when the backrest 27 is in reclining position, 
and also to adjust the inclination of the chair to a desired position, 
locking mechanism, generally indicated by the numeral 61 is provided at 
the lower forward portion of the chair. The locking mechanism 61 includes 
a keeper member 62 fixed to the front cross member 13 of the base, 
substantially medially thereof, and having a forwardly directed arcuate 
face provided with a series of teeth 63 similar to a gear segment. The 
locking mechanism includes a forked bracket 64 mounted on cross member 17 
of the rocker frame and provided with upstanding flanges 66 defining a 
space therebetween. A pair of parallel arms 67,68 are pivotally secured to 
flanges 66 and fixed to the lower ends of said arms is a block 69 having a 
series of teeth 71 complementary to and in confronting relation to the 
teeth 63 of the keeper member 62. As will be seen clearly in FIG. 5, the 
block 69 is disposed in registration with the keeper 62 so that the 
respective teeth of the keeper and the block may interengage. One of the 
parallel arms 67 extends upwardly and terminates in a camming portion 72, 
as seen clearly in FIGS. 2 and 4. Each of the arms 67,68 is provided with 
a laterally extending pin 74 which is adapted to engage a respective 
flange of the bracket 66 and to serve as a stop to limit the movement of 
the block 69 in relation to the keeper 62. A pair of springs 76 are 
provided each connected to a respective arm 67, 68 and to a respective 
flange of the bracket 66, the springs serving to normally bias the block 
69 in the direction of the teeth of the keeper 62, as viewed in FIG. 4. 
The curvature of the face of the block 69 carrying the teeth 71 is 
concentric with and complementary to the curvature of the face of the 
keeper 62 so that a plurality of teeth of the keeper and the lock will 
normally be in engagement when locking is effected. 
Referring to FIGS. 3,4 and 5, a pair of parallel links 78 are pivotally 
supported at the forward ends of the seat frame mounting member 23. Each 
link 78 includes a latteral flange 79 and rigidly connected to each flange 
is a transverse bar 81 to which is fixed, medially thereof, a pair of 
brackets 82 supporting an actuating roller 83. As seen in FIG. 5, the 
roller 83 is in registration with the camming portion 72 of the arm 67 so 
as to engage the same, as will be hereinafter explained. The lower end of 
each link 78 is pivotally connected to the extension link 42 at the 
juncture of the first and second portions 42a, 42b. As will be apparent by 
reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, movement of the leg rest linkage 39 by the 
hand lever 52 will effect corresponding movement of the roller 83 to and 
from the positions illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4. As seen in FIG. 4, the 
roller 83 is out of engagement with the camming portion 72 of the arm 67 
and, accordingly, the teeth of the block 69 are engaged with the teeth of 
the keeper 62. As seen in FIG. 2 the roller 83 is engaged with the arm 67 
and has rocked the block 69 out of engagement with the keeper 62 so as to 
permit relative movement between the block and the keeper. 
OPERATION 
As was hereinabove noted, the backrest linkage is independent from the 
footrest linkage. When the footrest 38 is retracted and the backrest 27 is 
in normal upright position, the backrest and footrest linkage, as well as 
the locking mechanism 61 assumes the position, substantially as 
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this position, the arm 67 has been 
engaged by the roller 83 and has been rocked in a counterclockwise 
direction to effect separation of the teeth of the block 69 from the teeth 
of the keeper 62. Thus, the occupant may freely use the chair as a rocker. 
In order to extend the footrest 38, the hand lever 52 is manually 
manipulated and shifted from the position illustrated in FIG. 1 to that 
illustrated in FIG. 3. In such movement the cam roller 83 is rocked 
counterclockwise, as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4, out of engagement with the 
arm 67 so as to permit the biasing springs 76 to draw the block 69 into 
engagement with the keeper 62 to prevent rocking movement of the chair. It 
will be understood, of course, that the occupant may incline the chair to 
a desired angle by gently pressing his feet against the floor to shift the 
seat to the most comfortable position and then may actuate the lever 52 to 
lock the seat in such position. Also, it will be understood that the block 
69 will engage the keeper 62 to lock the chair against movement 
substantially at the point where the footrest just begins to extend 
forwardly from the chair. Thus, at this point the footrest still is 
disposed in close proximity to the seat so as not to interfere with the 
comfort of the occupant in sitting position. However, the chair is locked 
against rocking. Further rearward movement of the lever 52 will effect 
extension of the footrest 38 to its maximum limit, as illustrated in FIG. 
3. As the link 78 is caused to move from the retracted position 
illustrated in FIG. 1 to the extended position illustrated in FIG. 3, the 
roller 83 will be caused to rock in a counterclockwise direction so as to 
move away from engagement with the arm 67. Thus, in the extended position 
of the footrest 38 the roller 83 occupies the position in relation to the 
arm 67, as illustrated in FIG. 4. 
In order to return to normal sitting position, the occupant merely applies 
pressure on the footrest 38 with his legs to effect retraction of the 
footrest and its associated linkage to the position illustrated in FIG. 1. 
In such retractive movement the roller 83 is caused to swing in a 
clockwise direction, from the position illustrated in FIG. 4 to that 
illustrated in FIG. 2, to engage arm 67 and move the block 69 out of 
engagement with the keeper 62 so as to free the chair for rocking. 
As was hereinabove noted, the backrest linkage operates independently of 
the leg rest linkage. When the backrest 27 is inclined rearwardly from 
sitting position shown in FIG. 6 to reclining position, the associated 
linkage moves the seat frame 21 forwardly and upwardly, as shown in FIG. 
7, so that the roller 83 is moved away from engagement with the arm 67 
thereby permitting the block 69 to rock into engagement with the keeper 62 
to lock the seat frame in an inclined position. Such locking action is 
effected upon the initial upward movement of the seat frame. It will be 
understood that this action is independent of any movement of the footrest 
linkage 39 which subsequently may be extended by manipulating the hand 
lever 52. While the backrest and footrest linkages operate independently, 
either will lock the chair against rocking movement when actuated. The 
chair may be returned to normal rocking or sitting position by the 
occupant merely applying pressure with his legs on the footrest 38 and 
leaning forwardly so that the backrest 27 may return to its normal 
position. 
From the above description it will be apparent that the present invention 
provides a novel rocker reclining chair incorporating linkage assemblies 
for the backrest and footrest which are independently operable to afford a 
wider range of adjustment than heretofore possible with conventional 
chairs, yet each linkage is effective to act on a locking mechanism to 
lock the chair in a position of adjustment. 
Various changes coming within the spirit of my invention may suggest 
themselves to those skilled in the art; hence, I do not wish to be limited 
to the specific embodiments shown and described or uses mentioned, but 
intend the same to be merely exemplary, the scope of my invention being 
limited only by the appended claims.