Integrated linkage/pinch guard system for leg rests

1. A pinch-resistant four bar linkage system for a chair having a leg rest extension, the linkage system comprised of:

a first set of two linkage members of irregular geometric shapes having non-parallel opposed edges, said first set connected at one end to a leg rest platform and at a second end to a seat member, each linkage member in said first set of linkage members is displaced from one another and pivotally connected to one another by a connecting bolt, while a spacing member maintains the displacement between each of the connected linkage members; and

a second set of two linkage members of irregular geometric shapes having non-parallel opposed edges, where said second set is connected to the first set of linkage members and one end of the second set is connected to the leg rest platform and a second end to the seat member, each linkage member in said second set of linkage members is displaced from one another and pivotally connected to one another by a connecting bolt, while a spacing member maintains the displacement between each of the connected linkage members,

wherein the linkage system is movable between a stowed position in which the leg rest platform is proximate to the seat member and an extended position in which the leg rest platform is distal to the seat member such that no lateral opening is formed between opposed edges of any of the irregularly shaped linkage members when the linkage system is in the extended position.

2. The linkage system of claim 1 , wherein:

each linkage member of the first and second sets of linkage members has a first end and a second end;

the first end of one of the linkage members of each set of linkage members is pivotally attached to the chair; and

the second end of a second of the linkage members of each set of linkage members is pivotally attached to a leg rest.

3. The linkage system of claim 2 , wherein:

the first end of one of the linkage members of each set of linkage members is pivotally attached to an attachment point proximal to the chair.

4. The linkage system of claim 1 , wherein each of the linkage members has a smoothly profiled outer edge.

5. The linkage system of claim 1 , wherein each of the linkage members are displaced from one another by a distance of at least ⅜ of an inch.

6. The linkage system of claim 1 , wherein each of the linkage members has a different geometric shape.

7. A pinch-resistant four bar linkage system for a chair having a leg rest extension, the linkage system comprised of:

a first set of two linkage members of irregular geometric shapes having non-parallel opposed edges, said first set connected at one end to a leg rest platform and at a second end to a seat member;

a second set of two linkage members of irregular geometric shapes having non-parallel opposed edges, where said second set is connected to the first set of linkage members and one end of the second set is connected to the leg rest platform and a second end to the seat member;

the first and second sets of linkage members are displaced from one another;

at least one connecting bolt pivotally connects the first set of linkage members to the second set; and

a spacing member maintains the displacement between the connected first and second set of linkage members,

wherein the linkage system is movable between a stowed position in which the leg rest platform is proximate to the seat member and an extended position in which the leg rest platform is distal to the seat member such that no lateral opening is formed between opposed edges of any of the irregularly shaped linkage members when the linkage system is in the extended position.

8. A pinch-resistant four bar linkage system for a chair having a leg rest extension, the linkage system comprised of:

a first set of two linkage members of irregular geometric shapes having non-parallel opposed edges, said first set connected at one end to a leg rest platform and at a second end to a seat member; and

a second set of two linkage members of irregular geometric shapes having non-parallel opposed edges, said second set of linkage members is connected to the first set of linkage members and displaced from said first set by a distance of at least ⅜ of an inch, and one end of the second set is connected to the leg rest platform and a second end to the seat member

wherein the linkage system is movable between a stowed position in which the leg rest platform is proximate to the seat member and an extended position in which the leg rest platform is distal to the seat member such that no lateral opening is formed between opposed edges of any of the irregularly shaped linkage members when the linkage system is in the extended position.

9. A pinch-resistant four bar linkage system for a chair having a leg rest extension, the linkage system comprised of:

a first four bar linkage system comprised of:

a first set of two linkage members of irregular geometric shapes having non-parallel opposed edges, said first set connected at one end to a first side of a leg rest platform and at a second end to a seat member;

a second set of two linkage members of irregular geometric shapes having non-parallel opposed edges, where said second set is connected to the first set of linkage members and one end of the second set is connected to the first side of the leg rest platform and a second end to the seat member;

a second four bar linkage system comprised of a third and fourth set of linkage members of irregular geometric shapes that are connected to each other and to a second side of the leg rest platform opposite the first system, said third and fourth set of linkage members being displaced from one another by a distance of at least ⅜ of an inch,

wherein both the first and the second four bar linkage systems are movable between a stowed position in which the leg rest platform is proximate to the seat member and an extended position in which the leg rest platform is distal to the seat member such that no lateral opening is formed between opposed edges of any of the irregularly shaped linkage members when the linkage systems are in the extended position.

10. A pinch-resistant four bar linkage system for a chair having a leg rest extension, the linkage system comprised of:

a first set of two linkage members of irregular geometric shapes having non-parallel opposed edges, said first set connected at one end to a leg rest platform and at a second end to a seat member;

a second set of two linkage members of irregular geometric shapes having non-parallel opposed edges, where said second set is connected to the first set of linkage members and one end of the second set is connected to the leg rest platform and a second end to the seat member; and

a spacer, distinct from the linkage members, separates the first set of linkage members from the second set of linkage members,

wherein the linkage system is movable between a stowed position in which the leg rest platform is proximate to the seat member and an extended position in which the leg rest platform is distal to the seat member such that no lateral opening is formed between opposed edges of any of the irregularly shaped linkage members when the linkage system is in the extended position.

11. The linkage system of claim 10 , wherein the spacer is constructed of aluminum.

12. The linkage system of claim 10 , wherein:

the spacer has a first end and a second end;

each end of the spacer is mated to a flange bushing;

said flange bushings being pressed into a linkage member of a respective first and second linkage set.