Patent Publication Number: US-7594694-B2

Title: Sleep over recliner chair

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S. application Ser. No. 11/412,679 filed Apr. 27, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,445,278 entitled “SLEEP OVER RECLINER CHAIR,” the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a sleep over recliner chair, and more particularly to a sleep over recliner chair having a recliner mechanism and a footrest mechanism that operate independently of one another. 
   Sleep over recliners are common in the furniture industry. Typically, sleep over recliners are chairs with extendable footrests that allow the user to recline in several positions. Sleep over recliner chairs usually contain a linkage mechanism comprised of a footrest mechanism, a recliner mechanism, a drive mechanism, and a sequencing link. A sleep over recliner chair typically has four positions in use: a closed, stowed position; an open, reclining position; a fully-reclined position; and a trendelenberg position. 
   The sequencing link along with the drive mechanism operate to provide synchronous movement between the recliner mechanism and the footrest mechanism when the sleep over chair is moved from position to position. However, the sequencing link and drive mechanism prohibit independent movement of the recliner mechanism and the footrest mechanism. As such, the user can only move a traditional sleep over recliner chair in a specific way. For example, if the user has placed the chair in the reclining position, the fully-reclined position, or the trendelenberg position, the user may not simply close the footrest. Further, the user would also not be able to simply recline the back of the chair into the fully-reclined position without first extending the footrest mechanism. 
   Thus, while sleep over recliner chairs are known, there remains a need for an improved sleep over recliner chair with independently functioning recliner and footrest mechanisms that provide the user multiple options for movement between seating, reclining, and sleeping positions. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, the present invention provides a sleep over recliner chair having a recliner mechanism and a footrest mechanism that operate independently of one another. As such, the sleep over recliner chair can be moved between a closed, chair position, position one, as shown in  FIG. 7 ; an open, recliner TV position, position two, as shown in  FIG. 8 ; an open, fully-reclined position, position three, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 10 ; and a closed, fully-reclined position, position four, as shown in  FIG. 9 . Further, the recliner mechanism is mounted on a reverse tilt mechanism. The reverse tilt mechanism operates to place the sleep over recliner chair in a trendelenberg position, as shown in  FIG. 6 . Additionally, if the reverse tilt mechanism is moved from the first position to the second position, so will the linkage mechanism that is mounted thereon. A brief overview of the sleep over recliner chair and its components follows immediately below. A more detailed description is provided in the Detail Description of the Invention section. 
   In general, the sleep over recliner chair includes a base, a reverse tilt mechanism mounted on the base, a seat, a footrest, a backrest, and a pair of linkage mechanisms mounted on the reverse tilt mechanism on opposite sides of the chair. The reverse tilt mechanism broadly includes a pair of support brackets, a tilt bracket, and a lift mechanism. The support brackets are mounted on the base and the tilt bracket is rotatably coupled to the support brackets such that the lift mechanism moves the reverse tilt mechanism from a first position to a second position. 
   Each of the linkage mechanisms includes a recliner mechanism and a footrest mechanism. The recliner mechanism is coupled to the reverse tilt mechanism. The footrest mechanism is connected to the recliner mechanism by a footrest extension linkage. The footrest extension linkage serves to unlock the footrest mechanism thereby allowing the weight of the user, along with the drive mechanism, to move the chair from the chair position to the recliner position. 
   The recliner mechanism broadly includes a base plate, a seat mount plate, a full recline link, a lift link, a control linkage, and a back linkage. The base plate is mounted on the reverse tilt mechanism. The full recline link couples the seat mount plate to the base plate while the carrier link couples the base plate to the back linkage. The control linkage is coupled to the footrest extension linkage and cooperates therewith to move the footrest mechanism between the open and closed positions. Further, the control linkage cooperates with the back linkage to move the backrest between the upright position and the fully-reclined position. As such, the footrest mechanism and the recliner mechanism can move independently of one another. 
   In operation, to move the recliner from between the closed, chair position, position one, as shown in  FIG. 7  to the open, recliner TV position, position two, of  FIG. 8 , the user rotates a release lever or other activation means rearwardly. The rearward rotation of the lever or other activation means serves to unlock the footrest extension linkage, thereby allowing the weight of the user to move the linkage mechanism from position one to position two. The unlocking of the footrest extension linkage also allows the control mechanism to assist in moving the footrest mechanism from the closed, chair position to the open, recliner position. To fully recline the sleep over recliner the user simply applies a force to the backrest. The rearward force engages the back linkage. This rearward motion of the back linkage engages the seat mount plate and the lift link and causes the seat to rise. The rearward motion of the back linkage also moves the recliner mechanism from the upright position to the fully-reclined position. It should be understood that the user may also fully recline the recliner mechanism without the footrest being extended. Further, it should be understood that the user may close the footrest mechanism while the recliner mechanism is in the fully-reclined position. 
   As will be seen from the detailed description that follows, the invention provides a rocker recliner chair that contains a recliner mechanism and a footrest mechanism that operate independently of one another. Additional advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in a description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. 

   
     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 front perspective view of a sleep over recliner chair in the closed, chair position according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a base of the sleep over recliner chair with a foot tray assembly in an extended position; 
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the base and a reverse tilt mechanism; 
       FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the reverse tilt mechanism; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the base, the reverse tilt mechanism, and the linkage mechanism, showing the linkage mechanism in a fully-reclined position, the reverse tilt mechanism in a first position, and the foot tray assembly in the hidden position; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the base, the reverse tilt mechanism, and the linkage mechanism, showing the linkage mechanism in the fully-reclined position and the reverse tilt mechanism in a second, trendelenberg position; 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the linkage mechanism, showing the linkage mechanism in a closed, chair position; 
       FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 7 , but with the linkage mechanism in the open, recliner TV position; 
       FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIG. 7 , but with the linkage mechanism in a closed, fully-reclined position; 
       FIG. 10  is a partial perspective view of the linkage mechanism in the fully-reclined position; and 
       FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of the lift mechanism of  FIG. 4 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Generally, as best seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  5 , and  6 , the chair  10  broadly includes a base  12 , a reverse tilt mechanism  14 , and a pair of linkage mechanisms  16 . The pair of linkage mechanisms  16  are mounted on the reverse tilt mechanism  14 , which is in turn, mounted on the base  12 . The pair of linkage mechanisms  16  mount a seat  18 , a pair of upstanding opposed armrests  20 , a footrest  22 , and a backrest  24  for movement between multiple positions. Specifically,  FIG. 7  represents the linkage mechanism  16  in the closed, chair position, position one.  FIG. 8  represents the linkage mechanism  16  in the open, recliner, TV position, position two.  FIGS. 5 and 10  represent the linkage mechanism  16  in the open, fully-reclined position, position three with the reverse tilt mechanism in the first position.  FIG. 9  represents the linkage mechanism  16  in the closed, fully-reclined position, position four.  FIG. 6  represents the linkage mechanism  16  in fifth, trendelenberg position; the open, fully-reclined position, with the reverse tilt mechanism in the second position. Further, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the recliner mechanism sits on the reverse tilt mechanism  14 . Additionally, the reverse tilt mechanism  14  may be moved from the first position to the second position with the linkage mechanism  16  in any position shown in  FIGS. 7-9 . As such, it should be understood that any of the above positions, positions one through four, shown in FIGS.  5  and  7 - 9 , can be moved from the first position to the second position on the reverse tilt mechanism. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the base  12  will be discussed. The base  12  includes a wheel support assembly  26 , a pair of outer brackets  28 ,  30  and a pair of cross tubes  32 ,  34 . The pair of outer brackets  28 ,  30  are spaced apart and interconnected by the pair of cross tubes  32 ,  34 . A mount plate  38  is coupled to each end of the outer brackets  28 ,  30 . The wheel support assembly  26  contains four wheel supports, each of which are disposed at ends of the outer brackets  28 ,  30 . The wheel support assembly  26  is known in the art and includes a housing  40  and a wheel  42 . The housing  40  is rotatably coupled with the mount plate  38  via a collar  41 , and the wheel  42  is received within the housing  40 . As such, the wheel support assembly  26  provides a rotatable wheel  42  at each end of the base  12 , thereby allowing the sleep over recliner chair  10  to roll. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 3-6 , the reverse tilt mechanism  14  will be discussed. The reverse tilt mechanism  14  includes front and rear portions  44 ,  46  and is mounted on the base  12 . The reverse tilt mechanism  14  includes a pair of support brackets  48 ,  50 , a tilt bracket  52 , and a lift mechanism  54 . The pair of support brackets  48 ,  50  each include a flange  56  and a sidewall  58 . The flange  56  is oriented generally horizontally and includes a pair of apertures  60 . The apertures  60  are used to mount the pair of support brackets  48 ,  50  and, thus, the reverse tilt mechanism  14  to the pair of cross tubes  32 ,  34  on the base  12 . The sidewall  58  depends upwardly from the flange  56  and contains a rear aperture  62  for mounting the tilt bracket  52 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the tilt bracket  52  will be discussed. The tilt bracket  52  includes a pair of side flanges  64 ,  66  and a cross tube  68 . The pair of side flanges  64 ,  66  include a rear aperture  70  and a pair of mounting apertures  71 . The pair of side flanges  64 ,  66  are rotatably coupled with the pair of support brackets  48 ,  50  via the rear apertures  70 ,  62  on each respective member. As such, the side flanges  64 ,  66  of the tilt bracket  52  are rotatably coupled with the support brackets  48 ,  50  proximate the rear portion  46  of the reverse tilt mechanism  14 . Coupling occurs via a pair of pins  73 . However, it should be understood that any suitable coupling method may be used. The cross tube  68  interconnects the side flanges  64 ,  66  and is fixably coupled therewith proximate the front portion  44  of the reverse tilt mechanism  14 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 11 , the lift mechanism  54  will be discussed. The lift mechanism  54  includes a pair of mounting brackets  72 ,  74 , a rod  76 , a pair of lift links  78 , a spring  80 , and a handle  82 . The mounting brackets  72 ,  74  are fixably coupled to the sidewalls  58  proximate the front portion  44  of the reverse tilt mechanism  14 . The mounting brackets  72 ,  74  are coupled via rivets  84  and include an enlarged aperture  86  with a bearing  88  that receives the rod  76 . As such, the rod  76  is coupled with the sidewalls  58  via the mounting brackets  72 ,  74 . The rod  76  is further coupled with the lift links  78  which are, in turn coupled with the tilt bracket  52 . 
   The lift links  78  are shaped as shown and are located outwardly of side flanges  64 ,  66  of the tilt bracket  52 . The lift links  78  are coupled with the tilt bracket  52  at a first end  90  and with the rod  76  at a second end  92 . Coupling occurs via an aperture  94  and rivet  96  combination as is understood in the art. However, it should be understood that any suitable attachment method may be used. The lift link  78  further includes a centrally located aperture  98  that attaches to a spring  80  which is coupled to a protrusion  81  on sidewall  58 . An L-bracket  100  is used to couple the tilt bracket  52  with the rod  76  at the second end  92 . The L-bracket  100  includes a mounting portion  102  with an aperture  104  and a flange portion  106 . The aperture  104  of the mounting portion  102  is coupled with the second end  92  of the lift links  78  and the flange portions  106  is coupled with the rod  76  via a pair of bolts  112 . 
   The handle  82  is coupled to an end  114  of the rod  76 . As such, when the handle  82  is moved from a first position, shown in  FIG. 5 , to a second position, shown in  FIG. 6 , the movement of the L-bracket  100  coupled with the rod  76  moves the lift links  78 . Movement of the lift links  78  causes the tilt bracket  52  to rotate about the pinned connection  73  between the rear apertures  70 ,  62  located on the tilt bracket  52  and the pair of support brackets  48 ,  50  respectively, and causes the front portion  44  of the reverse tilt mechanism  14  to move upwardly with respect to the rear portion  46  of the reverse tilt mechanism  14 , as will be further discussed below. 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 5-10 , the linkage mechanism  16  will be discussed. The linkage mechanism  16  broadly includes a recliner mechanism  116  and a footrest mechanism  118 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the recliner mechanism  116  is fixably coupled to the reverse tilt mechanism  14 . The footrest mechanism  118  is rotatably coupled to the recliner mechanism  116 . However, as stated above the recliner mechanism  116  and the footrest mechanism  118  operate independently of one another.  FIG. 7  shows the footrest mechanism  118  in the closed position and the recliner mechanism  116  in the upright position.  FIG. 8  shows the footrest mechanism  118  in the open position and the recliner mechanism  116  in the upright position.  FIGS. 5 and 10  show the footrest mechanism  118  in the open position and the recliner mechanism  116  in the fully reclined position.  FIG. 9  shows the footrest mechanism  118  in the closed position and the recliner mechanism  116  in the fully reclined position. Movement between these positions will be discussed further below. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 10 , the recliner mechanism  116  is discussed in detail. The recliner mechanism  116  broadly includes a base plate  120 , a seat mount plate  122 , a full recline link  124 , a lift link  126 , a control linkage  128 , and a back linkage  130 . The base plate  120  is fixably mounted on the tilt bracket  52  of the reverse tilt mechanism  14 . The base plate  120  is an elongated piece of stamped steel, shaped as shown, with a plurality of connecting apertures  132 . The full recline link  124  serves to interconnect the base plate  120  with the seat mount plate  122 . A lower portion  134  of the full recline link  124  is rotatably coupled to the base plate  120  at connection  136 , while an upper portion  138  of the full recline link  124  is rotatably coupled to the seat mount plate  122  at connection  140 . It should be appreciated that any suitable connection method may be used. The seat mount plate  122  is an elongated piece of stamped steel, shaped as shown, with a plurality of connecting apertures  142 . The lift link  126  is coupled to the seat mount plate  122  at points  144 ,  145  and cooperates therewith to support the seat  18 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 9 , the back linkage  130  is shown. The back linkage  130  is coupled to the seat mount plate  122 . The back linkage  130  generally includes a back bracket  146 , an intermediate link  148 , and a lower link  150 . The back bracket  146  is generally L-shaped and includes a lower leg  152 , an upper leg  154 , a stop  156 , and a catch  158 . A front portion  160  of the lower leg  152  is rotatably coupled to the seat mount plate  122  at point  162 . The intermediate link  148  contains upper and lower portions  164 ,  166 . The lower link  150  contains front and rear portions  168 ,  170 . A rear portion  172  of lower leg  152  is rotatably coupled to the upper portion  164  of the intermediate link  148  at connection  174 . The lower portion  166  of the intermediate link  148  is coupled with the rear portion  170  of the lower link  150  at connection  176 . The front portion  168  of the lower link  150  is coupled with the seat mount plate  122  at connection  178 . Again, any suitable attachment mechanism could be used. The upper leg  154  of the back bracket  146  contains the catch  158  that is used to couple the back bracket  146  with the back  20 . The catch  158  is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/290,401, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. The back linkage  130  is coupled with the base plate  120  by a carrier link  180 . The carrier link  180  has a forward portion  182  that is coupled with base plate  120  at connection  184  and a rear portion  186  that is coupled with the rear portion  170  of the lower link  150  at connection  187 . 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 8 and 10 , the control linkage  128  will be discussed. The control linkage  128  includes a connector link  188 , a pivot link  190 , and a drive link  192 . The connector link  188  is shaped at shown and includes first and second ends  194 ,  196 . The first end  194  is coupled with the base plate  120  at connection  198  while the second end  196  is coupled with the pivot link  190  at connection  200 . The pivot link  190  is coupled with the lower link  150  at connection  202 . The drive link  192  contains first and second ends  204 ,  206 , the first end  204  being coupled with the pivot link  190  at connection  205  and the second end  206  being coupled with the footrest mechanism  118 . 
   Returning to  FIG. 6 , and the discussion of the linkage mechanism  16 , the footrest mechanism  118  is connected to the recliner mechanism  116  by a footrest extension linkage  208 . It will be understood that the footrest extension linkage  208  cooperates with the footrest mechanism  118  to place the footrest mechanism  118  in an open position as best seen in  FIG. 8  and in a closed position as best seen in  FIGS. 7 and 9 . Footrest extension linkage  208  further help the footrest mechanism  118  to remain in the open position as chair  10  moves to the fully-reclined position as best seen in  FIGS. 6 ,  8  and  10 . However, it should be understood that the footrest mechanism  118  and recliner mechanism  116  operate independently of one another, as will be discussed further below. 
   The discussion will next focus on the footrest extension linkage  208 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the footrest extension linkage  208  generally includes a handle, not shown, a shaft  210 , an ottoman link  212 , and a release link  214 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the shaft  210  is pivotally mounted between the seat mount plates  122  on each linkage mechanism  16 . The handle or other activation means, not shown, is typically positioned on one side of chair  10  and is fixably mounted to shaft  210 . Returning to  FIG. 6 , release link  214  is fixably mounted to the shaft  210  and is rotatably coupled to the ottoman link  212  at point  216 . Ottoman link  212  is rotatably coupled to the footrest mechanism  18  at point  218  as will be further described below. Thus, ottoman link  212  serves to interconnect the release link  214  and the footrest mechanism  118 . 
   Returning to  FIGS. 8 and 10 , the footrest mechanism  118  will now be discussed. The footrest mechanism  118  includes a front link  220 , an upper link  222 , a rocker link  224 , a mid link  226 , an intermediate link  228 , a rear link  230 , and a bracket  232 . The front link  220  includes a first end  234 , a pivot  236 , and a second end  238 . The front link  220  is coupled to the bracket  232  at second end  238  and is rotatably coupled to the upper link  222  at first end  234 . Opposite the connection to the first end  234 , the upper link  222  is coupled to a forward portion  240  of the seat mount plate  122 . 
   The rear link  230  contains a first end  242  coupled with the seat mount plate  122  and a second end  244  coupled with an end  246  of the intermediate link  228 . The ottoman link  212  is coupled with an intermediate portion of the rear link  230  at connection  218 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The intermediate link  228  is shaped as shown and is coupled with the mid link  226  at connection  250 . The intermediate link  228  is also coupled with the upper link  222  at connection  252  and, thus, forms a scissor linkage with upper link  222 . The mid link  226  is shaped as shown and includes a mounting flange  254 . It should be understood that the mounting flange  254  supports a portion of the footrest  22 , not shown. The mid link  226  is coupled with the front link  220  at connection  236  and the rocker link  224  at connection  256 . Opposite the connection of rocker link  224  to mid link  226 , the rocker link  224  is coupled with the bracket  232 . The bracket  232  is generally rectangular and contains a number of apertures  258 , see  FIG. 10 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the recliner chair further includes a foot tray assembly  276 . The foot tray assembly  276  includes a foot tray  278  and a foot tray support  280 . The foot tray  278  is generally rectangular and is slidably coupled to the base  12  via the foot tray support  280 . The foot tray support  280  contains a support bar  282 , a slide plate  284 , a pair of links  286 , and a bracket  288 . The bracket  288  is shaped as shown and is coupled with cross tube  32 . The support bar  282  is shaped as shown and includes an elongate member, a bend  292 , and a mount tab  294 . The bend  292  extends upwardly from a rear portion  296  of the elongate member and the mount tab  294  extends rearwardly from the bend  292 . The mount tab  294  contains an aperture, not shown, used to couple it with cross tube  34 . A front portion of the elongate member is coupled with an intermediate portion of the bracket  288 . The pair of links  286  are spaced apart and coupled with the foot tray  278 . The slide plate  284  is coupled with a rear portion  306  of the pair of links  286 . The arrangement of the pair of links  286  on the slide plate  284  provide a channel  308  that receives the elongate member. A top link  310  is coupled with an upper surface of the rear portion  306  of the pair of links  286 . Thus, the top link  310  along with the channel  308  and the pair of links  286  serve to guide the elongate member of the support bar  282  as the foot tray  278  is moved from the hidden position, shown in  FIG. 5  to the extended position, shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   The operation of the sleep over recliner  10  is best described with reference to  FIGS. 5-10 . Initially, as stated above the footrest mechanism  118  and the recliner mechanism  116  operate independently of one another. Accordingly, a number of positions can be afforded the user to provide maximum comfort based on individual preference. Specifically,  FIG. 7  represents the sleep over recliner chair  10  in the closed, chair position, position one; with the footrest mechanism  118  in the closed position and the recliner mechanism  116  is in the upright position.  FIG. 8  represents the sleep over recliner chair  10  in the open, recliner TV position, position two; with the footrest mechanism  118  in the open position and the recliner mechanism  116  is in the upright position.  FIGS. 5 and 10  represents the sleep over recliner chair  10  in the open, fully-reclined position, position three; with the footrest mechanism  118  in the open position and the recliner mechanism  116  is in the fully reclined position.  FIG. 9  represents the sleep over recliner chair  10  in the closed, fully-reclined position, position four; with the footrest mechanism  118  in the closed position and the recliner mechanism  116  in the fully reclined position. Further, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the linkage mechanism  16  sits on the reverse tilt mechanism  14 . Additionally, if the reverse tilt mechanism  14  is moved from the first position to the second position, accordingly, so will the linkage mechanism  16 . As such, it should be understood that any of the above positions, positions one through four, can be moved from the first position to the second position on the reverse tilt mechanism. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , if the occupant desires to convert from position one to position two, the user rotates the handle or other activation means, not shown, rearwardly. Rearward rotation of the handle or other activation means, in turn, causes a downward rotation of the release link  214  coupled thereto through shaft  210 . The downward rotation of the release link  214  unlocks the ottoman link  212 . Once the ottoman link  212  is unlocked, the weight of the user causes the recliner mechanism  116  to move forward. 
   In addition, the control linkage  128  also assists in moving the footrest extension linkage to the extended position. Once the footrest extension linkage has been released, the pivot link  190  rotates in a clockwise manner, with reference to  FIG. 7 , about point  202 . This clockwise motion of the pivot link  190  moves the drive link  192  toward the front of the recliner  10 . This translation of the drive link  192  assists in moving the footrest mechanism to the recliner TV position, position two, as shown in  FIG. 8 . It should be understood that the footrest mechanism may be returned to position one from position two by either turning the handle or other activation means in the opposite direction or by applying a downward force, as shown by reference numeral  266  on footrest  22 , not shown, attached to bracket  232 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 8 , to move from position two, shown in  FIG. 8  to position three, shown in  FIG. 5 , an additional force as represented by reference numeral  260  is applied to back bracket  146  via back  24  (not shown). The force  260  applied to the back bracket  146  causes a clockwise rotation, with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 8 , of back bracket  146 . The clockwise motion of back bracket  146  causes an upward pulling force at point  162 , represented by reference numeral  262 , and a downward pushing force at point  174 , represented by reference numeral  264 . The rotation of the back bracket  146  and the downward force  264  on the intermediate link  148  also causes an upward movement of the seat mount plate  122  and thus the lift link  126 , as the recliner moves from position two to position three. It should be understood that the footrest mechanism may be placed in position four, shown in  FIG. 9 , from position three, shown in  FIGS. 5 and 10 , by either turning the handle or other activation means in the opposite direction or by applying a downward force, as shown by reference numeral  268  on footrest  22 , not shown, attached to bracket  232 . 
   It should also be understood that the chair  10  may be moved from closed, chair position, position one; with the footrest mechanism  118  in the closed position and the recliner mechanism  116  is in the upright position to the closed, fully-reclined position, position four; with the footrest mechanism  118  in the closed position and the recliner mechanism  116  in the fully reclined position. Specifically, the user applies a force  270  to the back bracket  146  causes a clockwise rotation, with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 9 , of back bracket  146 . The clockwise motion of back bracket  130  causes an upward pulling force at point  162 , represented by reference numeral  272 , and a downward pushing force at point  174 , represented by reference numeral  274 . The rotation of the back bracket  130  and the downward force  264  on the intermediate link  148  also causes an upward movement of the seat mount plate  122  and thus the lift link  126 , as the recliner moves from position one to position four. 
   To move the sleep over recliner from the open, fully-reclined position, position three, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 10 ; to the fifth, trendelenberg position, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the user simply moves the handle  82  from a first position, shown in  FIG. 5 , to a second position, shown in  FIG. 6 . 
   Specifically, as stated above, when the handle  82  is moved from a first position, shown in  FIG. 5 , to a second position, shown in  FIG. 6 , the movement of the L-bracket  100  coupled with the rod  76  moves the lift links  78 . Movement of the lift links  78  causes the tilt bracket  52  to rotate about the pinned connection  73  between the rear apertures  70 ,  62  located on the tilt bracket  52  and the pair of support brackets  48 ,  50  respectively, and causes the front portion  44  of the reverse tilt mechanism  14  to move upwardly with respect to the rear portion  46  of the reverse tilt mechanism  14 . The upward movement of the front portion  44  with respect to the rear portion  46  further reclines the linkage mechanisms  14  and places the sleep over recliner chair  10  in the trendelenberg position. 
   Further, it should be understood that the construction of the sleep over recliner chair  10  lends itself to be easily assembled and disassembled for shipping. Specifically the nature of the linkage mechanism  16 , the reverse tilt mechanism  14 , and base  12  allow the sleep over recliner chair  10  to be broken down and the individual parts to be shipped. 
   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.