Described is recline mechanism for a comfort seating assembly such as a theater seat which can be mounted on a sloped surface. In a fully recline position, the seating assembly is compact with a layout that falls generally within its profile. The recline mechanism includes a pair of each of: seat rail brackets, front pivot links, rear pivot upper lift link to control the motion of the rear end of the assembly, rear pivot links each attached to one rear pivot upper lift link, carrier links, each carrier link attached to one front pivot link and to a rear pivot link and a pair of rear pivot upper lift control links, attached to a pivot upper lift link and to a carrier link. A linear actuator attached by motor drive tubes at two ends of the linkage system transitions the recline mechanism between the closed and recline positions.

A seating unit and a mechanism for a seating unit are provided. Each seating unit has a pair of mechanisms operable to move the seating unit between a closed position and a reclined position. Each mechanism includes an extended seat plate that extends from, and connects to, the chair back to the front of a seat frame. Each mechanism also has a rear pivot link, the upper end of which is pivotally connected to the seat plate. This pivotal connection is above the seat frame, allowing the mechanism to move the seating unit to the reclined position with minimal front-to-back movement. The mechanism moves the seating unit to a zero gravity reclined position, without the use of roller tracks.

This invention relates to theater seating, and more particularly to simultaneously controlling a plurality of seats in a theater comprising a user interface and transmitter that can be used to control various elements of the seat, and a receiver and motor control unit attached to each theater seat. In some embodiments, a signal transmitter operated by an individual at a theater may simultaneously control the various elements of any group of seats.

A seating unit includes: a base; a frame including opposed arms; a backrest; a seat, the seat including a front portion and a rear portion; a footrest; a lift mechanism attached to the base, the frame and the seat; a lift drive unit attached to the lift mechanism; a reclining mechanism attached to the seat and the backrest; a recline drive unit attached to the reclining mechanism; a footrest mechanism attached to the base and the footrest; and a footrest drive unit attached to the footrest mechanism. The lift mechanism controls the movement of the frame, seat and backrest between an upright position and a lift position. The reclining mechanism is configured to control the movement of the backrest and seat between the upright position and a reclined position. The footrest mechanism is configured to control the movement of the footrest between the upright position and an extended position.

A linkage mechanism provides motion capabilities for various chair types. For example, a linkage mechanism includes a combination of links that facilitate ottoman extension/closing and backrest recline/incline. In addition a linkage mechanism includes a compact design that is usable with hi-leg style chairs having a relatively low seat height.

A motion furniture side mechanism includes a side plate and a pivotable swing arm pre-aligned with the side plate for insertion of a driver tube using an automated or manual assembly operation. The swing arm includes a pivotable driver arm, and a driver tube socket is defined on the driver arm. One or more bushings disposed between the side plate and the swing arm or driver arm provides a mechanical retainer to prevent the swing arm or driver arm from becoming inadvertently angularly misaligned prior to assembly. The pre-aligned side mechanism allows automated insertion of a driver tube without the need to identify a misaligned linkage or re-align a linkage prior to driver tube insertion. A method of assembly furniture includes providing a side mechanism with a pre-aligned linkage member such as a swing arm or driver arm positioned for driver tube insertion.

A recliner or lift and recliner chair is provided having a recline or lift and recline chair mechanism with preferably with at least one recline or lift-recline actuator that controls a reclining movement or a lifting and reclining movement. The chair mechanism has a recline or lift-recline base, a seat and a back connected thereto. For additional functionality, a cradle assembly is provided in order to provide a cradling movement to the recline or lift-recline base. The cradle assembly can be provided by a system of standoffs and pivot connections, which can be direct or use links, or can be configured with a track and roller or slide system in order to achieve a desired cradling movement. A cradle actuator is connected between the cradle base and the recline or lift-recline base. A controller is provided that controls movement of the cradle actuator and preferably at least one recline or lift-recline actuator.

A modular base system is provided that allows easy installation and maintenance in a row of motion seating units. Arms are easily removable from a base assembly. The base assembly also provides structure allowing easy installation and removal of the motion mechanism. The base assembly also allows easy installation and removal of a back panel. The motion mechanism includes a pivotal seat frame attachment allowing the seat to be pivoted upwardly, from the front of the mechanism.

A reclining mechanism for a seating unit including a base, a linkage mechanism operatively coupled to the base, the linkage mechanism configured to move between a closed position and one or more open positions, and a stop member configured to contact the linkage mechanism and the base when the linkage mechanism is in the closed position. The linkage mechanism may include a forward pivot link pivotally connected to the base. The stop member may include a pin coupled to one of the base and the forward pivot link and may contact the other of the base and the forward pivot link when the linkage mechanism is in the closed position.

A device for retracting seat leg at angle, including a leg assembly hinged to a front end of a seat frame mount, both the footrest driving link and the footrest driven link of the leg assembly are hinged to a front end of the seat frame mount respectively, an end of the first footrest link is hinged to the footrest driving link, an opposite end thereof is hinged to an end of the footrest member, an end of the second footrest link is hinged to the footrest driven link, an opposite end thereof is hinged to a middle of the footrest member including a footrest plate mounting surface used to mount a footrest plate, and the footrest plate mounting surface is retracted below the seat frame mount and is oblique with respect to a horizontal plane when the leg assembly is retracted to a limit position.