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A reclining chair includes a seat including a rearward portion pivoted for reclining of the chair and a backrest having an upper portion linked to the seat for pivotal motion therewith. The necessary linkage is provided by rigid arm portions of the chair, and the seat and backrest include load-beari

A reclining chair includes a seat including a rearward portion pivoted for reclining of the chair and a backrest having an upper portion linked to the seat for pivotal motion therewith. The necessary linkage is provided by rigid arm portions of the chair, and the seat and backrest include load-bearing diaphragms conforming to the user's body during the full range of motion of the chair.

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1. An articulated chair or the like, comprising: (a) a base; (b) a seat element, supported on the base, having a forward portion and a rearward portion tiltable about a first, horizontal axis relative to the forward portion; (c) a backrest element, supported on the seat, having a lower portion

1. An articulated chair or the like, comprising: (a) a base; (b) a seat element, supported on the base, having a forward portion and a rearward portion tiltable about a first, horizontal axis relative to the forward portion; (c) a backrest element, supported on the seat, having a lower portion tiltable relative to the base about said first axis and an upper portion tiltable relative to the lower portion about a second axis parallel to the first axis; and (d) a pair of unitary rigid armrests respectively disposed on opposite sides of said seat; wherein the improvement comprises: (e) each of said armrests having a forward end portion connected to said base for pivotal movement relative thereto about a third axis spaced from and parallel to said first axis and a rearward end connected to said upper backrest portion for pivotal movement relative thereto about a fourth axis spaced from and parallel to the second axis, such that said armrests constitute a linkage for tilting the backrest upper portion forwardly relative to the backrest lower portion upon rearward tilting movement of the backrest lower portion relative to the base, and (f) the seat and backrest elements each comprising (i) a peripheral frame divided, along the axis of tilting of one portion of the element relative to the other portion of the element, into two rigid frame parts pivotable relative to each other about the last-mentioned axis and cooperatively surrounding a central area of the element extending through the locality of the last-mentioned axis; (ii) a flexible load-bearing diaphragm extending substantially entirely over said area and fastened to said frame, such that when the one portion of the element is tilted relative to the other, the central portion of the diaphragm assumes a compound curved configuration comfortably supporting the user; and (iii) an upholstery body extending over and supported by the diaphragm and the frame. 2. A chair or the like as defined in claim 1, wherein the front portion of said seat element is fixedly mounted on said base and the lower portion of said backrest element is fixedly secured to the rear portion of said seat element. 3. An articulated chair or the like, comprising: (a) a base; and (b) a seat element, supported on the base, having a front portion and a rear portion tiltable about a first, horizontal axis relative to the front portion; wherein the improvement comprises: (c) the seat element comprising (i) a peripheral frame divided, along the axis of tilting of one portion of the element relative to the other portion of the element, into two rigid frame parts pivotable relative to each other about the last-mentioned axis and cooperatively surrounding a central area of the element extending through the locality of the last-mentioned axis; (ii) a flexible load-bearing diaphragm extending substantially entirely over said area and fastened to said frame, such that when the one portion of the element is tilted relative to the other, the central portion of the diaphragm assumes a compound curved configuration comfortably supporting the user; and (iii) an upholstery body extending over and supported by the diaphragm and the frame. 4. A chair as defined in claim 1, the diaphragm of said backrest element being held securely to the side portions of its frame but being free to slide along the upper portions thereof. 5. A chair as defined in claim 3, said diaphragm being held securely to side portions of said frame and being held loosely to the front and rear portion of said frame. 6. A chair as defined in either claim 1 or claim 3, the diaphragm of said seat element extending below said first axis in a tilted position of said chair. 7. A reclining chair including a seat having a rearward portion and a forward portion connected pivotally thereto, a backrest having a lower portion held to the rearward portion of said seat for movement in unison therewith and an upper portion connected pivotally to said lower portion, and a pair of arms each located on respective sides of said chair and including a forward end portion held pivotally in position adjacent the forward portion of said seat and a rearward end portion held pivotally to the upper portion of said backrest, said arms being substantially rigid along their lengths and serving as links pivoting the upper portion of said backrest forwardly during reclining of the rearward portion of said seat. 8. A chair according to claim 7, said forward and rearward portions of said seat being pivotal along a first axis, and said forward end portions of said arms being held for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to and spaced from said first axis. 9. A chair according to claim 8, said axis of the pivotal connection of said arms being spaced vertically above said first axis. 10. A chair according to claim 8, said upper and lower portions of said backrest being pivotal along a second axis, and said rearward end portions of said arms being held for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to and spaced from said second axis. 11. A chair according to claim 10, said axis of the pivotal connection of the rearward end portions of said arms being spaced forwardly and above said second axis. 12. A chair according to any of claims 7, 8 or 10, said forward and rearward portions of said seat being formed by a common frame defining a central opening, and a load-bearing diaphragm held to said frame and spanning said central opening. 13. A chair according to claim 12, said diaphragm being held securely to side portions of said frame and being held loosely to the front and rear portions of said frame. 14. A chair according to claim 12, said diaphragm extending below the pivotal connection of said forward and rearward portions of the seat when the chair is reclined. 15. A chair according to claim 12, said upper and lower portions of said backrest being formed by a common frame defining an opening, and a load-bearing diaphragm held to said frame and spanning said opening. 16. A chair according to claim 15, the diaphragm of said backrest being held securely to side portions of said frame but free to slide along the upper portion thereof.