Reclining seating unit with backrest support frame and cloth backrest support deck

Abstract

A reclining seating unit includes: a base; a seat; a backrest with a skeletal backrest frame and a fabric support deck that envelopes the backrest frame; and a reclining mechanism attached to the base, seat and backrest. The reclining mechanism comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected links and being configured to move the seat and backrest relative to the base between a fully upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed above the base and the backrest is generally vertically disposed at a first angle to an underlying surface above a rear portion of the backrest, and one or more reclined positions, in which the backrest is disposed at a second angle to the underlying surface, the second angle being less than the first angle.

1 . A reclining seating unit, comprising: 
 a base;    a seat;    a backrest with a skeletal backrest frame and a fabric support deck that envelopes the backrest frame;    a reclining mechanism attached to the base, seat and backrest; the reclining mechanism comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links and being configured to move the seat and backrest relative to the base between a fully upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed above the base and the backrest is generally vertically disposed at a first angle to an underlying surface above a rear portion of the backrest, and one or more reclined positions, in which the backrest is disposed at a second angle to the underlying surface, the second angle being less than the first angle.    
   
   
       2 . The seating unit defined in  claim 1 , wherein the fabric support deck comprises a stretchable fabric.  
   
   
       3 . The seating unit defined in  claim 1 , wherein the fabric support deck comprises a mesh fabric.  
   
   
       4 . The seating unit defined in  claim 1 , wherein the fabric support deck comprises a elastomeric fabric.  
   
   
       5 . The seating unit defined in  claim 1 , wherein the backrest support frame includes an upper cross member attached to and spanning upper ends of lateral support members.  
   
   
       6 . The seating unit defined in  claim 1 , wherein the reclining mechanism is a three-way reclining mechanism.  
   
   
       7 . The seating unit defined in  claim 1 , wherein the reclining mechanism folds such that an uppermost portion thereof and a lowermost portion thereof define a vertical dimension of less than about 6.5 inches.  
   
   
       8 . The seating unit defined in  claim 7 , wherein the reclining mechanism folds such that a forwardmost and a rearwardmost portion thereof define a horizontal dimension of less than about 24 inches.  
   
   
       9 . The seating unit defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of ottomans.  
   
   
       10 . The seating unit defined in  claim 9 , wherein one of the ottomans has a length that is greater than a length of the other ottoman.  
   
   
       11 . The seating unit defined in  claim 1 , wherein the reclining mechanism includes an angled rear swing link.  
   
   
       12 . The seating unit defined in  claim 1 , wherein the base includes casters.