the present invention entails a chair having a back movable between an upper operative position and a lower or retracted stowed position . the chair includes a base frame having a seat and a catch rail disposed below the seat . a retainer is spaced above the catch rail and there is defined a throughway between the catch rail and the retainer . a back is provided and is movable relative to the base frame . in the upper operative position the back engages and is supported by the catch rail while the retainer prevents the back from rotating past a predetermined position . in the lower retracted position , the back is disengaged from the catch rail and extends below the catch rail .