Resiliently releasing ottoman for motion chair

Abstract

The front end of each side linkage of an ottoman thrusting/retracting pantograph linkage system for a motion chair is provided by a link, pivotally mounted to respective front end links at two vertically spaced sites. For each side, an ottoman mounting bracket is provided, having a generally vertical-plane flange and a transverse flange. The ottoman is secured to the two transverse flanges, and the vertical-plane flange, which extends below the transverse flange, is pivotally secured near its lower end to a corresponding lower end site on the pantograph front end links. The vertical-plane flanges of the ottoman-mounting brackets lie outboard of and in planes parallel to those of the respective front end links. A tension coil spring is provided at each side for tending to keep the ottoman positioned across the front edges of the front end links. But if, while the mechanism is being operated in a closing sense, the upper, rear edge of the ottoman encounters unusual resistance typical of someone or something being in the space through which the ottoman must move to fully retract, the ottoman will tiltingly release, against tensioning of the springs, permitting whatever is lodged, especially if it is animate, the opportunity and facility to escape, whereupon the springs will restore the ottoman to its normal disposition. By preference a stop is provided to limit tilting of the ottoman to about 90 degrees, in order to avoid damage to the springs which could occur were the ottoman to be intentionally tilted by a chair user's feet, e.g. so the user, while having the ottoman extended, could rest his or her feet against what, normally, is the backside of the ottoman.