Reclining chair mechanism

Abstract

A reclining chair mechanism for moving a back rest of a chair between a generally upright first position and a generally reclined second position includes a first support defining a first slot coupled to a first seat frame member and an element associated with the back rest to slide within the slot as the back rest moves between the first and second position.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A reclining chair comprising:
 a seat portion supported by first and second seat frame members defining a gap therebetween;   a back rest portion supported by first and second back rest frame members, the back rest portion operatively coupled to the seat portion moveable between a generally upright first position and a generally reclined second position,   a reclining mechanism substantially disposed in the gap including a first support defining a first slot coupled to one of the first seat frame member and the first back rest frame member; and   a pin associated with the other of the first seat frame member and the first back rest frame member to slide within the slot as the back rest moves between the first and second position.   
     
     
         2 . The chair of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 front and rear ends of the slot, wherein the slot is arcuate between the front and rear ends; and   wherein the pin is adjacent the front end of the slot when the back rest is in the reclined second position and the pin is adjacent the rear end of the slot when the back rest in the upright first position.   
     
     
         3 . The chair of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second support defining a second slot coupled to one of the second seat frame member and the second back rest frame member opposite the first support;   wherein the second slot is shaped similarly to the first slot.   
     
     
         4 . The chair of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a moveable third support adjacent the first support and coupled to the other of the first back rest frame member and the first seat frame member than the first support,   a first pivot connection between the third support and the first support;   a moveable fourth support adjacent the second support and coupled to the other of the second back rest frame member and the second seat frame member than the third support;   a second pivot connection between the fourth support and the second support; and   wherein the third and fourth support move in unison along an arcuate path defined by the slot.   
     
     
         5 . The chair of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a first tab extending from the first support;   a second tab extending from the third support connected to the first back rest frame member; and   wherein the first pivot connection joins the first and second tabs.   
     
     
         6 . The chair of  claim 5 , wherein the pivot connection joining the first and second tabs is above the slot. 
     
     
         7 . The chair of  claim 5 , wherein the pivot connection joining the first and second tabs is longitudinally rearward from a forward end of the slot and is longitudinally forward from a rear end of the slot. 
     
     
         8 . The chair of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a transverse axis associated with the first and second pivot connections, wherein the pin revolves about the transverse axis along the arcuate path as the back rest moves between first and second positions.   
     
     
         9 . The chair of  claim 4 , wherein the arcuate slot is U-shaped defining an oblique angle. 
     
     
         10 . The chair of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a piston and cylinder actuator operatively coupled to a cross member connected to a moveable third support connected to the first back rest member adjacent the first support;   wherein the activation of the actuator moves the back rest between the first and second position.   
     
     
         11 . The chair of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 an end of the actuator operatively coupled to the back rest portion moving along a path defined by the slot as the back rest moves between first and second positions.   
     
     
         12 . The chair of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a lever linkage extending outwardly from the first seat frame member adapted for grasping by an operator;   an actuator coupled to an end of the lever linkage, wherein movement of the lever linkage activates the actuator.   
     
     
         13 . The chair of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a toggle activator operatively coupling the lever linkage to the actuator to operatively move the pin within the slot.   
     
     
         14 . The chair of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a height of the first seat frame member greater than a height of the reclining mechanism, such that the first seat frame member conceals the reclining mechanism when viewed from the side.   
     
     
         15 . A method for moving a back rest on a chair between a generally upright first position and a generally reclined second position, the method comprising the steps of:
 operating an actuator mounted in a gap defined between first and second seat frame members beneath a seat portion; and   moving an pin along an arcuate path defined by a slot in a support plate connected to either one of the first seat frame member and a back rest frame member.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of:
 concealing the actuator behind one of the chair frame members when viewed from the side.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of:
 rotating a lever operatively coupled to the actuator about a first transverse axis relative to the chair.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of:
 moving the pin towards a front end of the slot to move the back rest to the generally reclined second position.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the steps of:
 moving the pin towards a rear end of the slot to move the back rest to generally upright first position.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of:
 revolving the pin partially around a second transverse axis, wherein the axis is defined by a pivot connection operatively coupling a seat frame member to a backrest frame member.