FOOTREST ASSEMBLY FOR RECLINER CHAIRS

Abstract: A footrest assembly for a reclining chair (2) wherein the support members (14) of the footrest (12) are substantially concealed from view even when in the extended position projected forwardly from the front of the chair (2). In the preferred embodiments, the assembly includes a flexible cover (90) of sheet-like material attached between the footrest (12) and the seat frame (20). In one preferred embodiment, the cover (90) is also attached to the footrest support members (14). The footrest support members (14) are preferably formed by an extendable and retractable linkage system whose links (30,40,50,60,70,80) are arranged in a novel man­ ner to allow the cover (90) to substantially conceal the same.

Description: DESCRIPTION FOOTREST ASSEMBLY FOR RECLINER CHAIRS. The present invention is a development of the invention disclosed in our co-pending European Patent Application No. 84301757.5, filed March 24, 1983 entitled "Foot- rest Assembly for Recliner Chairs" The great majority of recliner chairs manufactured today utilize a footrest or ottoman that is mounted on a linkage mechanism which moves between a retracted, folded position below the front portion of the chair and an extended position projected forwardly from the front of the chair. The extended position of the linkage is, of course, used to place the footrest in position for receiving the feet and/or legs of the occupant of the chair as he sits in TV position br an advanced reclining position. It is highly conventional in the recliner chair industry for footrest linkages to be made from a series of steel links pivoted together in an articulated fashion so as to be operable, for example, in the manner of a lazy-tong or pantograph linkage. Moreover, the footrest proper or ottoman is typically supported by two footrest linkage systems each connected to the footrest at one end and mounted to the chair frame at the other end. When the footrest is in the extended position, both footrest linkages are usually exposed along their intermediate portions. This exposure can present a potential hazard, particularly to children or domestic pets, should their extremities become caught between the links as the links fold towards closed or retracted position. Additionally, if the edges of the links are exposed, accidental striking against the exposed edges may cause injury to persons particularly in cases where1 for example, the manufacturer has inadvertently failed to smooth or roll the edges of the metallic links during the manufacturing process. Conventional footrest linkages have also suffered over the years from being unsightly. Thus, while considerable advancements have been made over the years in the overall styling of recliner chairs as well as in the arrangement and operation of the linkage systems thereof, virtually no improvement has been made to the footrest linkage from the standpoint of safety and appearance. While various flexible covers have been attached between the footrest and the chair frame to cover the space therebetween when the footrest is extended, these covers, by necessity, do not extend laterally sufficiently to conceal the footrest linkage for otherwise, they would interfere with the operation of the linkage system. The result is that today the footrest linkages of recliner chairs still stand as an eyesore in contrast to the advanced chair styling which surrounds the same. It is an object of the present invention to provide, for recliner chairs, a new and improved footrest assembly which will enhance the appearance of the chair and yet will be safe and effective. It is another object of the present invention to provide such a footrest assembly whose supporting members may be substantially concealed from view when the footrest is in extended position projected forwardly from the associated chair. Included herein is such a footrest assembly whose supporting members may be covered by material to match the chair upholstery material or with any other suitable material of pleasing appearance. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a footrest assembly including a linkage for mounting and supporting a footrest between extended and retracted positions in a reclining chair, which linkage is safe and effective while also capable of being provided in an attractive design that will not detract from the appearance of the chair. Included herein is such a footrest linkage which presents virtually no sharp edges or other parts when in the extended position so as to minimize the potential for injury to persons nearby or using the chair. Further included herein is such a footrest linkage whose internal linkage parts may be substantially concealed from view even when in the extended position. A still further object of the present invention is to provide such a footrest linkage as described above and which may be incorporated in virtually any type of new or existing recliner chair to be mstuated by a handle or a "gravity" mechanism or by any other actuating method or system of the prior art. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a recliner chair incorporating the aforementioned footrest assembly including the linkage thereof. Another object of the present invention is to provide novel method and apparatus for covering parts of a footrest linkage to increase the safety and appearance thereof. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a footrest assembly for a recliner chair comprising a footrest, a pair of support and mounting members laterally spaced from each other and having first ends attached to the footrest and second opposite ends adapted to be mounted to the associated chair to support the footrest for extendable and retractable movement relative to the chair, and a cover extending over said members. In a preferred embodiment, the cover is of flexible sheet-like material and is attached to and between the footrest and the frame of the associated chair. Preferably the cover also spans the space between, and is attached to, opposite portions of the support members to conceal the same in the extended position of the footrest. In another preferred embodiment, the cover not only covers the space between the opposite portions of the support members but also extends beyond the support members to substantially conceal the same without being attached to the support members. In another embodiment, only the support members themselves are covered leaving the space therebetween open. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a footrest linkage for use in a reclining chair, including a bracket link adapted to be fixed to a footrest, a first pair of links extending in generally side-by-side interrelationship, linkage means pivotally interconnecting the first pair of links and further having end portions adapted to be pivotally mounted with respect to an associated chair for providing swinging movement of a second pair of links between retracted positions located under the chair and extended positions projected forwardly from the chair, said first and second pairs of links being respectively pivotally connected to each other such that said first pair of links will extend generally forwardly from the second pair of links when the second pair are in said extended positions thereof. In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a footrest assembly for a reclining chair including a footrest, opposed footrest support members connected to the footrest for mounting and supporting the footrest relative to the reclining chair, said support members including mounting portions adapted to be mounted relative to the chair and offset portions connected to the footrest while being offset a substantial distance laterally inwardly of the mounting portions. The invention will now be described further hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig.l is a perspective view of a recliner chair incorporating one preferred embodiment of the footrest assembly of the present invention, the latter being shown in the extended position thereof; Fig.2 is a cross-sectional view of the chair of Fig.l as seen from the inside looking out and with portions removed; Fig.3 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along lines 3--3 of Fig.2; Fig.4 is a view similar to Fig.2 except that the footrest assembly is shown in the retracted or closed position; Figs. 5 and 6 are views similar to Fig.3 but illustrating two different modifications of the footrest cover respectively; ; Fig.7 is a fragmented view generally similar to Fig.3 except showing another preferred embodiment of the footrest assembly of the present invention; Fig.8 is a fragmented plan view of Fig.7; and Fig.9 is a cross-sectional view across the footrest cover of the embodiment of Figs. 7 and 8. Referring now to Fig.l, there is shown for illustrative purposes only, a recliner chair 2 incorporating a footrest assembly 12, the footrest assembly being shown in an extended position where it is projected forwardly from the chair. Apart from the footrest assembly of the present invention, the recliner chair may be of any suitable type, such as a "one-way" or a "three-way" reclining chair and even a rocking reclining chair or a rocking and/or swivelling recliner chair (both not shown). In the specific embodiment shown, armrests 3 are stationary and the footrest 12 is actuated to the extended TV position by means of a handle 6 mounted on one of the armrests as is typical in the art. A seat and backrests 1 and 5 respectively, may be fixed or moveable relative to each other while being moveable relative to the armrests 3 depending on the particular design desired. It should therefore be understood that the footrest assembly of the present invention may be incorporated into various designs and styles of recliners. Fig.l also illustrates a cover 90 for support members 14 which mount and support the footrest 12 relative to the chair for movement between the extended position shown in Fig.l and a retracted position where the footrest 12 extends downwardly generally in a vertical plane below seat 1 as best shown in Fig.4. In the preferred forms of the invention shown and to be described below, footrest mounting members 14 on opposite sides of the chair take the form of linkage systems which are identical and spaced laterally from each other with one of their ends mounted to the chair frame which, in the specific embodiment, are the armrests 3, and with the other of their ends mounted to the footrest 12 as will be described in greater detail. Inasmuch as the footrest linkage systems shown on opposite sides of the chair are identical, only one system will be described below. Referring now to Figs. 2 and 4, the footrest linkage systems of the preferred embodiment includes six links, namely, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80. Links 30 and 50 may be termed "mounting links" because they are mounted at pivots 75 and 52 respectively onto the chair. In the specific embodiment shown, link 50 is mounted by pivot 52 onto the seat frame 20 by means of a seat link 22 which is elongated and extends below the seat frame 20 and is fixed thereto by screws or rivets or any other suitable fasteners so as to act as a mounting bracket for various links as will be described. The other mounting link 30 is pivoted by pin 75 also to seat link 22. Links 40 and 60 are pivotally connected to the footrest assembly; link 40 being connected by means of links 70 and 80 while link 60 being directly connected to the footrest 12 at pivot 44. Link 70 is pivotally connected to the forward end of link 40 by pivot 71 while the opposite end of link 70 is pivotally connected by pivot 72 to link 80. The latter is pivotally connected to the footrest by pivot 44. Additionally, link 70 is pivotally connected intermediate its ends by pivot 73 to link 60. In the specific embodiment shown, the footrest 12 includes an internal frame 13 of any suitable material such as wood covered by suitable upholstery 13a. The opposite sides of the armrest frames at their lower front portions are provided with panels 4 which project forwardly in parallel planes recessed inwardly from the outer surfaces of the frames where they serve to conceal portions of the footrest linkage when in extended position. The opposite sides of the footrest are provided with flanges 13b normal to the plane of the footrest body. The footrest flanges 13b straddle the panels 4 when the footrest is in closed position as shown in Fig. 4. The panels 4 are preferably upholstered in any suitable manner. It will also be noted that the footrest flanges 13b serve to further conceal links 70, 80, 46 and portions of link 60. A bracket link 46 is fixed to the backside of footrest frame 13 to act as a mounting bracket receiving the pivots 44 and 64 which serve to pivotally mount the links 60 and 80 to the footrest 12. As clearly shown in the drawings, pivots 44 and 64 are spaced from each other along a line which extends generally parallel to footrest frame 13. Moreover, links 46, 80, 70 and 60 form a four-bar linkage between pivots 44, 64, 72 and 73. It should also be noted that pivots 64 and 71 are aligned one behind the other when the footrest is in closed position shown in Fig. 4. Additionally, a stop 45 is fixed to bracket link 46 to engage the recessed edge 61 of link 60 to define the fully closed position of footrest 12 relative to links 40 and 60. The extended position of the footrest linkage is -determined by stop 84 which engages the lower edge of link 50 as shown in Fig. 2. As clearly seen in Figs. 2 and 4, links 30 and 40 are pivotally interconnected at their end portions by pivot 42. Links 50 and 60 are also pivotally interconnected, by pivot 62. Additionally, link 50 at its one end, nearest pivot 62, is pivotally connected by pivot 54 to an intermediate portion of link 40. Line 50 may, of course, be laterally offset along its body to facilitate the latter as is well-known in the recliner-linkage art. Referring to Fig. 2, it will thus be seen that two four-bar linkages are formed, one being defined between pivots 52, 75, 42 and 54 and the other being pivots 54, 62, 73 and 71. In the TV position of tne chair wherein the footrest 12 is extended as shown in Fig. 2, links 50 and 60 form an extension of one another as do links 30 and 40. Additionally, link 40 is positioned substantially behind link 60 to be substantially concealed thereby, while link 50 is positioned above link 30. Furthermore, links 30, 40, 50 and 60 extend in adjacent parallel planes. As the shapes of the links 30, 40, 50 and 60 are clearly disclosed in the drawings, they need not be described here. Actuation of the footrest linkage to place the footrest 12 into the extended position is achieved by manual rotation of handle 6 which is fixed to a shaft 7. A drive linkage including links 8 and 9 interconnects shaft 7 and link 30. Link 8 is fixed at one end to shaft 7 while its other end is pivotally connected by pivot 10 to one end of link 9. The opposite end of link 9 is pivotally connected to link 30 by pivot 11. It will therefore be seen that rotation of handle 6 cause linkage 8, 9 to swing link 30 from its folded or closed position shown in Fig. 4 to an extended position shown in Fig. 2. This, of course, will have the effect of actuating all of the four bar linkages of the footrest linkage to position them and the footrest 12 in the position shown in Fig. 2. Of course, any other suitable actuation mechanism may be employed to actuate the footrest assembly. Moreover, as noted above, any suitable recliner mechanisms may be employed with the footrest assembly of the present invention to actuate the seat and backrest relative to the base into TV or advanced reclining position (not shown). As the present invention is directed to the footrest assembly, the foregoing mechanisms need not be described. The unique footrest linkage shown and described allows the cover 90 to be applied thereto in accordance with the present invention so as to substantially conceal the footrest linkage. The opposite ends of the cover 90 are attached such as by tacking 91 to the footrest frame 13 and the seat frame 20. Additionally, and in accordance with the present invention, the cover 90 is attached along its opposite side margins to footrest links 40 and 50 so as to cover the same as shown in Fig. 3. In the preferred embodiment, means are fixed to the outer sides of links 40 and 50 to receive and fix the margins of cover 90 thereto. In the specific embodiment shown, elongated blocks or molding strips of wood 92, 94 are fixed to the outer sides of links 40 and 50 by means of fasteners 95 inserted through apertures in the links 40 and 50 and into the strips 92, 94. As is also shown in Fig. 7, the cross section of strips 92, 94 in the specific embodiment is generally cylindrical, however, other shapes may, of course, be utilized if desired. Additionally, other materials such as foam or plastic may be utilized in making the strips 92, 94. As shown in Fig. 3, the marginal sides of cover 90 are placed on and about the surface of the strips 92, 94 and secured to their underside in any suitable manner such as by tacks 96 (one shown in Fig. 3). In the specific embodiment shown, the strips 92, 94 are mitered on opposite sides of pivot 54 such as shown at 98 and 99 in Fig. 2 to allow the links 50, 60 to fold into their fully closed position as shown in Fig. 4 without interference from the strips 92, 94. The configuration and geometry of the footrest linkage is also such as to provide a cavity between links 40 and 50 when the footrest linkage is in the closed or folded position of Fig. 4. This cavity accomodates cover 90 and particularly the intermediate or transitional section 90a which is not attached to the strips 92, 94 but rather is free to fold into the cavity as shown in Fig. 4. Cover 90 may be formed from any suitable sheet-like, flexible material which may correspond or be identified to the upholstery material of the footrest 12, and the remainder of the chair parts 3 and 4. Cover 90 may also be made from a structural material such as woven polypropylene or a combination of conventional upholstery material and structural material. This would, of course, increase the strength of the cover 90 which would aid the capability of the cover 90 to minimize side sway of the footrest linkages, which capability is another advantage made possible by attaching the cover 90 to the footrest linkages. To increase the strength of the cover material in cases where it is a woven material, the material could be bias cut so that the warp and fill strands or threads would extend at an angle to the transverse or longitudinal direction of the cover 90. Use of the aforementioned structural material could also be made at the intermediate or transitional section 90a (see Fig. 4) of the cover in order to control the folding at the section so that it would fold as desired into the cavity between links 40 and 50 as shown in Fig. 2. Although the preferred embodiment utilizes a cover 90 which not only covers the footrest linkage mechanism, but also the space between the opposite footrest linkages in other embodiments it may be desirable to cover only the footrest linkages themselves while leaving the space open between the footrest linkages on opposite sidesof the chair. This is illustrated in Fig. 5 which shows a modification of the cover arrangement which leaves the space between the opposite linkage mechanisms open. In this modification, the cover 90a, which may be termed a 11shroud", is secured to strips 92 fixed to links 40 and 50 (only 40 shown in Fig. 5) and extends inwardly over links 60 and 30 and -then downwardly adjacent to and covering the inside surface of the aforementioned links. Shrouds 90a may be molded or otherwise made from self-supporting wood, rubber, plastic or fabric material or combinations thereof preferably with a self-supporting or semirigid body so as to facilitate proper positioning of the shrouds 90a in spaced-relation to links 60 and 30 as best illustrated in Fig. 5. If desired, a flexible cover 90b of any suitable material may be attached to and between shrouds 90a to cover the space between the opposite footrest linkages on opposite sides of the chair similar to the cover described above in Figs. 1 to 4. This is illustrated by the modification shown in Fig. 6. Another method of covering and concealing the footrest linkage is illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 which utilizes the same footrest linkage as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 except that the mounting links 30 and 50 are provided with laterally offset portions 30a and 50a in order to offset links 40 and 60 upwardly of the chair to conceal them from view when covered by a cover 90c shown in Fig. 9. In addition, a cross brace 100 is fixed by fasteners 101 to and between the offset portions 50a of links 50 on opposite sides of the system to strengthen the same as best shown in Fig. 8. Similarly, a cross-brace 100a is fixed between offset portions 30a of links 30. Inasmuch as links 40 and 60 are recessed substantially inwardly as shown and described, they may be easily concealed by a flexible cover 90c which need merely be extended laterally beyond the links 40 and 60 without being attached thereto as best shown in Fig. 9. Cover 90c need only be attached to the seat frame (at 91 see Fig. 7) and the footrest frame (see Fig. 2). Cover 90c may be made from any suitable material such as cover 90 described above and it may also be provided with a hem 90e on its opposite side margins as shown in Fig. 9. In one preferred embodiment, links 30 and 50 may be recessed inwardly approximately one-third the distance to the longitudinal center line between the linkages on opposite sides of the chair. For example, and with reference to Fig. 8, in one embodiment where the distance between the links 30 between pivots 75 is about 508 mm (twenty inches (20")),.the distance of offset portions 30a may be as much as about 76.2 mm (three inches (3")) thereby allowing the distance between links 40 at pivots 42 to be about 355.6 mm (fourteen inches (14")). It will thus be seen that the unique footrest linkage of the present invention allows several different methods of uniquely covering the linkage parts to enhance appearance and safety. As will be apparent from Fig. 1, the footrest assembly of the present invention in the extended position possesses a highly attractive profile with minimum linkage exposure in contrast to that of conventional footrest assemblies which utilize exposed pantograph or lazy-tong linkage systems. Additionally, the footrest linkage of the present invention eliminates or minimizes exposed spaces between links as well as link edges that would otherwise present a hazardous condition. In covering the entire area between the footrest linkages on opposite sides of the chair, the cover 90 of the present invention provides an extremely attractive as well as safe surface while also serving to minimize side sway between said linkages. It should be understood that various types of one-way"," two-way" or "three-way" recliner chairs and seat linkage systems (not shown) may be employed in conjunction with the footrest linkage of the present invention. In such other chairs, the footrest linkage may be actuated through a handle typically mounted to one side of the chair such as disclosed in U.S. Patents Nos. 4,226,469 or 4,108,491 or it may be actuated by a gravity mechanism such as shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,350,387. Additionally, the footrest linkage may be actuated through the armrests such as shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,185,869 and 4,249,772 or by other suitable means including that disclosed in the parent European patent application No.84301757.5 identified above. It therefore should be apparent that the footrest assembly of the present invention should not be limited to the specific chair and actuating system shown, described or identified herein. Additionally, while several different methods of covering the footrest linkage have been shown and described herein, the unique footrest linkage of the present invention will allow other methods of covering or concealing the linkage parts. Moreover, other modifications and variations of the present invention will no doubt become readily apparent to those skilled in the art but without departure from the scope of the present invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A footrest assembly for a recliner chair (2) comprising a footrest (12), a pair of support and mounting members (14) laterally spaced from each other and having first ends attached to the footrest and second opposite ends adapted to be mounted to the associated chair (2) to support the footrest (12) for extendable and retractable movement relative to the chair, and a cover (90) extending over said members (14). 2. A footrest assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said cover (90) extends substantially laterally beyond the members (14). 3. A footrest assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said cover (90) is not attached to said members (14) while having one end attached to the footrest (12). 4. A footrest assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said cover (90) is attached to said members (14) and there is further included another cover (90b) extending between and attached to said first-defined cover (90). 5. A footrest assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that each of said members (14) comprises a linkage system. 6. A footrest linkage for use in a reclining chair, including a bracket link (46) adapted to be fixed to a footrest (12), a first pair of links (40,60) extending in generally side-by-side interrelationship, linkage means pivotally interconnecting the first pair of links and further having end portions adapted to be pivotally mounted with respect to an associated chair (2) for providing swinging movement of a second pair of links (30,50) between retracted positions located under the chair (2) and extended positions projected forwardly from the chair (2), said first and second pairs of links (40,60; 30,50) being respectively pivotally connected to each other such that said first pair of links (40,50) will extend generally forwardly from the second pair of links (30,50) when the second pair are in said extended positions thereof. 7. A footrest linkage as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that said linkage means includes a first link (70) pivotally interconnecting said first pair of links (40,60), and a second link (80) pivotally interconnecting said first link (70) and said bracket link (46). 8. A footrest linkage as claimed in claim 6 or 7, characterised in that one (60)-of said links of said first pair (40,60) is directly connected to said bracket link (46). 9. A footrest assembly for a reclining chair (2) including a footrest (12), opposed footrest support members (14) connected to the footrest (12) for mounting and supporting the footrest relative to the reclining chair (2), said support members (14) including mounting portions (30,50) adapted to be mounted relative to the chair (2) and offset portions (30a,50a) connected to the footrest while being offset a substantial distance laterally inwardly of the mounting portions. 10. A footrest assembly as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that said offset portions (30a,50a) are offset from the mounting portions (30,50) a distance of at least twenty percent (20%) of the distance between the mounting portions (30,50) and a longitudinal axis extending midway between the mounting members (14). 11. A footrest assembly as claimed in claim 9 or 10, further including a cross brace (100,100a) extending between and fixed to the offset portions (30a,50a). 12. A footrest assembly as claimed in any of claims 9 to 11, characterised in that said members (14) each include linkage systems. 13. A footrest assembly as claimed in any of claims 9 to 12, further including a flexible cover (90) having one end attached to the footrest (12) and another end adapted to be attached to the associated chair (2), said cover (90) being dimensioned to extend over the space between the support members (14) and substantially laterally beyond the support members (14).

Inventors: ROGERS, WALTER CLARK, JR.
Applicants: PARMA CORPORATION
Application year: 1984
Main classification: A47C7
IPC codes: A47C7