Recliner
 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(May 2012) |
Areclineris anarmchairorsofathat reclines when the occupant lowers the chair's back and raises its front.[1][2]It has a backrest that can be tilted back, and often a footrest that may be extended by means of a lever on the side of the chair, or may extend automatically when the back is reclined.
A recliner is also known as areclining chair,loungerand anarmchair.[1]
Modern recliners often feature an adjustable headrest, lumbar support and an independent footstool that adjusts with the weight and angle of the user's legs to maximize comfort.[3]Additional features include heat, massage and vibration. Some models arewheelchair accessible.
Recliners can also accommodate a nearsupine positionfor sleeping (making themmultifunctional furniture), and are common in airplanes and trains, as well as in homes.
Etymology
[edit]The word "recline" was first used in the 1660s, derived ultimately from the Latin word reclinarereclinare.This Latin term itself combines the prefixre-re-, meaning "back," with clinare, meaningclinare"to bend." Beginning in 1880, the word "recliner" was used to describe a type of chair.[4]
History
[edit]Around 1850, theFrenchintroduced a reclining camp bed that could serve as a chair, a bed and achaise longue.It was portable and featured padded arm rests and a steel frame. In the late 1800s, many designs were found for motion chairs that were made of wood with a padded seat and back. Designs from France and America included a document or book holder.[5]The first reclining chair was reportedly owned byNapoleon III.[5]
Knabush and Shoemaker, two American cousins, are credited with gaining a patent on a wooden recliner. The design was the same wooden bench recliner found in other designs. Issued in 1928, the patent led to the founding ofLa-Z-Boy.In 1930, Knabush and Shoemaker patented an upholstered model with a mechanical movement.[5]
In 1959, Daniel F. Caldemeyer patented a recliner as owner of National Furniture Mfg. Co based inEvansville, Indiana.[6]The design was based on the science ofkineticsthat he used while serving in theUS Air Force.His design was used byNASAfor the seats in ProjectsMercury,GeminiandApollo.
His chairs were used in the ready room for these missions and can be seen in the movieApollo 13.TheSecret Servicebought 50 of them for PresidentLyndon Baines Johnsonas a Christmas gift. A Life magazine photo of President Johnson, post gall bladder surgery, has the President lifting his shirt and showing his scar while sitting in one of these chairs. The Presidential Seal was embossed on these chairs with one currently in theSmithsonian Institutionand another at theLyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.With over 300 patents, Caldemeyer added the foot lift rest, heated seating and massage features to this chair and had the patent for the first entertainment center.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]
- ^ab"recliner".The Free Dictionary.
- ^"Definition of RECLINER".www.merriam-webster.com.Retrieved2017-05-20.
- ^"Recliner".Dictionary.com.Retrieved2012-05-16.
- ^"Recliner".Online Etymology Dictionary.Retrieved2012-05-16.
- ^abc"History of the Recliner Chair".YourSource News.Retrieved19 April2024.
- ^Caldemeyer, Daniel F. (June 15, 1959)."Patent US3083996A - RECLINING CHAIR".google.com.Retrieved11 June2013.