Reclining Seating Unit with Wall-Proximity Capability

A seating unit includes: a frame having arms on opposing sides thereof, the frame located in a first position relative to an underlying surface that supports the seating unit; a backrest; a seat; and a reclining mechanism attached to the frame, backrest and seat. The reclining mechanism comprises a series of pivotally interconnected links, the links configured and arranged to move the backrest and seat between an upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed and in a first location relative to the frame and the backrest forms a first angle with the seat, and a reclined position, in which the backrest forms a second angle with the seat, the second angle being smaller than the first angle, and the seat is in a second location relative to the frame that is forwardly of the first location. The reclining mechanism includes a cam unit having a generally arcuate bearing surface in contact with a contact surface, wherein movement of the backrest to the reclined position rolls the bearing surface on the contact surface, thereby driving the backrest and seat forward.