Patent US5288126A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5288126A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Modular reclining/tilt chair and method
Assignee: La Z Boy Inc
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Filing: 1992-07-16
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Granted: 1994-02-22
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Expires: 2012-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A modular reclining/tilt chair and method for assembling it are disclosed. The modular reclining/tilt chair includes a simplified actuation mechanism which significantly reduces system complexity and weight while providing improved comfort to the seat occupant. The construction is such that the pre-assembled actuation mechanism is integrally suspended from and interdependent with box-like modular frame components. In this manner, the frame components can be upholstered prior to final assembly with the actuation mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 Jonathan R. Saul
- 👤 Karl J. Komorowski
- 👤 Larry P. LaPointe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:59
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C1/00; A47C1/02; A47C1/031; A47C1/034; A47C1/035; A47C1/0355; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/4984; Y10T29/49844
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
301 words
A reclinable tiltable seating unit supported via a pivot means on a stationary base assembly comprising: a pair of side frame members; a support shaft transversely extending between said side frame members; a drive rod transversely extending between said side frame members; a leg rest assembly suspended from said support shaft and operatively coupled to said drive rod, said drive rod being moveable between a first position wherein said leg rest assembly is releasably retained in a retracted position and a second position wherein said leg rest assembly is permitted to move toward an extended position; a tilt mechanism journally suspended from said support shaft and operatively coupled to said drive rod and to said base assembly, wherein said seating unit is at rest when said drive rod is in said first position and said seating unit is tilted upwardly and pivoted about said pivot means when said drive rod is in said second position; a seat assembly having a seat, a detachable seat back, and swing link means for pivotally interconnecting said seat and seat back to said side frame members, said swing link means operable to permit reclining movement of said seat assembly between an upright position and a reclined position in response to pressure applied by a seat occupant to said seat back; guide means operable for guiding and limiting longitudinal movement of said seat assembly; linkage means operatively coupling said leg rest assembly to said drive rod for biasingly retaining said leg rest assembly in said retracted position when said drive rod is in said first position and for biasingly driving said leg rest assembly toward said extended position when said drive rod is in said second position; and means for permitting said seat occupant to selectively move said drive rod between said first and second positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
301 words
A reclinable tiltable seating unit supported via a pivot means on a stationary base assembly comprising: a pair of side frame members; a support shaft transversely extending between said side frame members; a drive rod transversely extending between said side frame members; a leg rest assembly suspended from said support shaft and operatively coupled to said drive rod, said drive rod being moveable between a first position wherein said leg rest assembly is releasably retained in a retracted position and a second position wherein said leg rest assembly is permitted to move toward an extended position; a tilt mechanism journally suspended from said support shaft and operatively coupled to said drive rod and to said base assembly, wherein said seating unit is at rest when said drive rod is in said first position and said seating unit is tilted upwardly and pivoted about said pivot means when said drive rod is in said second position; a seat assembly having a seat, a detachable seat back, and swing link means for pivotally interconnecting said seat and seat back to said side frame members, said swing link means operable to permit reclining movement of said seat assembly between an upright position and a reclined position in response to pressure applied by a seat occupant to said seat back; guide means operable for guiding and limiting longitudinal movement of said seat assembly; linkage means operatively coupling said leg rest assembly to said drive rod for biasingly retaining said leg rest assembly in said retracted position when said drive rod is in said first position and for biasingly driving said leg rest assembly toward said extended position when said drive rod is in said second position; and means for permitting said seat occupant to selectively move said drive rod between said first and second positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
The seating unit of claim 1 wherein said pivot means comprises a pivot bracket attached to an underside surface of each of said side frame members and a pair of clevis pins for pivotally connecting said pivot brackets to said base assembly by inserting said clevis pins through an aperture provided in said pivot bracket and into a pair of axially aligned mounting apertures provided in said side frame member of said base assembly thereby permitting pivotal movement of rigid chair frame with respect to said base assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The seating unit of claim 1 wherein opposite ends of said support shaft are seated within a first set of alignable bores formed in said side frame members, and wherein opposite ends of said drive rod are seated within a second set of alignable bores formed in said side frame members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
89 words
The seating unit of claim 3 wherein said tilt mechanism comprises a pivot lever that is journalled at an intermediate portion on said support shaft and pivotally connected at a first end to said base assembly and at a second end to a push linkage, said push linkage operable in response to rotation of said drive rod to swing said pivot lever upwardly about said first end pivot to lift said support shaft away from said base assembly and thereby tilt said seating unit upwardly about said pivot means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The seating unit of claim 4 wherein said push linkage includes a drive link that is operatively coupled at one end to said drive rod for rotation therewith and pivotally connected at its other end to a push link which is, in turn, pivotally connected to said second end of said pivot lever.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
206 words
The seating unit of claim 3 wherein said leg rest assembly includes pantograph linkage means operatively connected to said drive rod such that rotation of said drive rod moves said leg rest assembly and movement of said leg rest assembly rotates said drive rod, and wherein said linkage means includes a toggle linkage mechanism operatively connected to said drive rod, said toggle linkage mechanism being an over-center device having a toggle lever secured to said drive rod for rotation therewith, said toggle lever pivoted to a first leg of a C-shaped toggle link which curves around and above said drive rod and which has a second leg, and spring means selected between a portion of said chair frame rearward of said toggle link and said second leg thereof, whereby said spring means acts on said drive rod to bias said leg rest assembly toward its retracted position when said pivot connection between said toggle lever and said first leg of said toggle link is located below said drive rod and wherein said spring means forwardly drives leg rest assembly to its operative extended position when said pivot connection between said toggle lever and said first leg of said toggle link is rotated above said drive rod.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The seating unit of claim 3 wherein said support shaft extends through elongated slots formed in said guide means, said guide means being coupled to a forward portion of said seat such that said elongated slots are adapted to coact with said swing link means for limiting the translational movement of said seat upon reclining movement of said seat assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The seating unit of claim 7 further including nylon inserts retained within said elongated slots for minimizing excessive frictional resistance to said seat with respect to said support shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The seating unit of claim 8 wherein biasing means are provided for frictional engagement with said nylon insert, whereby said biasing means is adapted to provide a predetermined amount of resistance to longitudinal movement of said seat.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
83 words
The seating unit of claim 3 wherein said swing link means includes a pair of rear swing linkages secured to a third set of alignable bores formed in said frame members, and wherein said leg rest assembly includes a frame board and pantograph linkage means, said pantograph linkage means journally suspended on said support shaft and drivingly coupled to said drive rod for moving said leg rest frame board between retracted and extended positions in response to selective rotation of said drive rod.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The seating unit of claim 10 wherein a pair of cross frame members are coupled to said side frame members to define a chair frame within which said drive rod and support shaft are directly integrated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The seating unit of claim 11 wherein said side frame members, said cross frame members, said seat back, said seat, and said leg rest frame board member are upholstered prior to modular assembly into said reclining chair.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
151 words
A frame for a tiltable seating unit having a pair of pantograph linkages supporting a leg rest member for movement between extended and retracted positions, and a tilt linkage mechanism to simultaneously tilt said frame about a stationary base upon which said frame is supported, comprising: a pair of side frame members having forward and rearward end portions, said side frame members having a plurality of alignment bores formed therein for operably suspending a reclining/tilt actuation mechanism therebetween, said reclining/tilt actuation mechanism having a single reclining/tilt linkage assembly, a rear cross-rail member interconnected between said rearward end portions of said side frame members, a front cross-rail member interconnected between said forward end portions of said side frame members, said front cross-rail member having a pair of elongated apertures through which said pair of pantograph linkages protrude to travel during movement of said leg rest member between said extended and retracted positions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
151 words
A frame for a tiltable seating unit having a pair of pantograph linkages supporting a leg rest member for movement between extended and retracted positions, and a tilt linkage mechanism to simultaneously tilt said frame about a stationary base upon which said frame is supported, comprising: a pair of side frame members having forward and rearward end portions, said side frame members having a plurality of alignment bores formed therein for operably suspending a reclining/tilt actuation mechanism therebetween, said reclining/tilt actuation mechanism having a single reclining/tilt linkage assembly, a rear cross-rail member interconnected between said rearward end portions of said side frame members, a front cross-rail member interconnected between said forward end portions of said side frame members, said front cross-rail member having a pair of elongated apertures through which said pair of pantograph linkages protrude to travel during movement of said leg rest member between said extended and retracted positions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The frame of claim 13 wherein said front cross-rail member has outer end portions each of approximately eight inches in top to bottom dimension for abutting interconnection with said forward end portions of said side frame members.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The frame of claim 13 in which said front and rear cross-rail members and said side frame members are each one-piece members.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The frame of claim 13 wherein an angled bracket is provided at each end of said rear cross-rail member and an angled bracket is provided at each end of said front cross-rail member for increasing the interconnection surface between said cross-rails and side frame members.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
66 words
The frame of claim 16 wherein the outer ends of said rear cross-rail each have at least one dowel protruding therefrom and said rearward end portion of said side frame members have corresponding holes for receiving said dowels, and wherein said angled brackets are secured to said rear cross-rail and side frame members, and to said front cross-rail and side frame members, with conventional fastening means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
200 words
A reclinable tiltable seating unit comprising: a base pivotably supporting said seating unit; a pair of side frame members; tilt means including a drive rod, a support shaft and a linkage assembly journally supported on said support shaft and operatively coupled to said drive rod, said tilt means suspended between said side frame members and operatively coupled to said base for maintaining said seating unit in a first non-tilted position when said drive rod is in a first position and tilting said seating unit to a second position when said drive rod is moved to a second position; a seat assembly having a seat, seat back, and swing link means pivotably interconnecting said seat to said seat back, whereby said seat assembly is operable to permit reclining movement of said seat back between a first non-reclined position and a second reclined position in response to pressure applied by a seat occupant to said seat; guide means operable for guiding and limiting longitudinal movement of said seat with respect to said support shaft in response to reclining movement of said seat assembly; and means for permitting said seat occupant to selectively move said drive rod between said first and second positions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
200 words
A reclinable tiltable seating unit comprising: a base pivotably supporting said seating unit; a pair of side frame members; tilt means including a drive rod, a support shaft and a linkage assembly journally supported on said support shaft and operatively coupled to said drive rod, said tilt means suspended between said side frame members and operatively coupled to said base for maintaining said seating unit in a first non-tilted position when said drive rod is in a first position and tilting said seating unit to a second position when said drive rod is moved to a second position; a seat assembly having a seat, seat back, and swing link means pivotably interconnecting said seat to said seat back, whereby said seat assembly is operable to permit reclining movement of said seat back between a first non-reclined position and a second reclined position in response to pressure applied by a seat occupant to said seat; guide means operable for guiding and limiting longitudinal movement of said seat with respect to said support shaft in response to reclining movement of said seat assembly; and means for permitting said seat occupant to selectively move said drive rod between said first and second positions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The seating unit of claim 18 further comprising a pair of cross frame members interconnecting said side frame members to define a chair frame in which said drive rod and support shaft are suspended.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
57 words
The seating unit of claim 18 further comprising: a leg rest assembly suspended from said support shaft and operatively coupled to said drive rod whereby said leg rest assembly is biasingly retained in a retracted position when said drive rod is in said first position and biasingly extended when said drive rod is in said second position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
223 words
A frame for a tiltable seating unit having a pair of pantograph linkages supporting a leg rest member for movement between extended and retracted positions, and a tilt linkage mechanism for simultaneously tilting said frame about a stationary base upon which said frame is supported comprising: a pair of side frame members having forward and rearward end portions, said side frame members adapted for operably suspending a reclining/tilt actuation mechanism therebetween, a rear cross-rail member interconnected between said rearward end portions of said side frame members, a front cross-rail member interconnected between said forward end portions of said side frame members, said front cross-rail member having a pair of elongated apertures through which said pair of pantograph linkages protrude to travel during movement of said leg rest member between said extended and retracted positions, an angle bracket provided at each end of said rear cross-rail member and an angled bracket provided at each end of said front cross-rail member for increasing the interconnection surface between said cross-rails and said side frame members, and at least one dowel protruding from the outer ends of said rear cross-rail and corresponding holes formed in said side frame members for receiving said dowels, and wherein said angled brackets are secured to said cross-rail and side frame members, and to said front cross-rail members, with conventional fastening means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
223 words
A frame for a tiltable seating unit having a pair of pantograph linkages supporting a leg rest member for movement between extended and retracted positions, and a tilt linkage mechanism for simultaneously tilting said frame about a stationary base upon which said frame is supported comprising: a pair of side frame members having forward and rearward end portions, said side frame members adapted for operably suspending a reclining/tilt actuation mechanism therebetween, a rear cross-rail member interconnected between said rearward end portions of said side frame members, a front cross-rail member interconnected between said forward end portions of said side frame members, said front cross-rail member having a pair of elongated apertures through which said pair of pantograph linkages protrude to travel during movement of said leg rest member between said extended and retracted positions, an angle bracket provided at each end of said rear cross-rail member and an angled bracket provided at each end of said front cross-rail member for increasing the interconnection surface between said cross-rails and said side frame members, and at least one dowel protruding from the outer ends of said rear cross-rail and corresponding holes formed in said side frame members for receiving said dowels, and wherein said angled brackets are secured to said cross-rail and side frame members, and to said front cross-rail members, with conventional fastening means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-02-21 | 1997-08-23 | 1998-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-21 | 2001-08-23 | 2002-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-21 | 2005-08-23 | 2006-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |