US5570930A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recliner chair seat assembly and method of upholstering
Assignee: La Z Boy Inc
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Filing: 1994-10-12
•
Granted: 1996-11-05
•
Expires: 2014-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A modular reclining chair and method for assembling it are disclosed. The reclining chair seat assembly includes an improved seat frame which can be readily adapted for use with a variety of recliner chair configurations. The recliner chair seat assembly further includes a unique seat cushion that can be releaseably attached to a seat frame to facilitate assembly and service of the reclining chair.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry P. LaPointe
- 👤 Douglas A. Habegger
- 👤 Jonathan R. Saul
- 👤 Karl J. Komorowski
- 👤 Richard E. Marshall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:45
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C1/00; A47C1/02; A47C1/031; A47C1/034; A47C1/0342; A47C1/0345; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S297/00; Y10S297/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
In a reclining chair of the type having a seat assembly interconnected to an actuation mechanism, the actuation mechanism suspended within a chair frame for permitting a fore and aft longitudinal movement of the seat assembly relative to the chair frame, the seat assembly comprising: a seat back detachably secured to the seat assembly; a seat frame having a pair of side frames rails connecting a front frame rail and a rear frame rail to form a substantially rectangular frame and at least one seat spring disposed within said rectangular frame for supporting a seat cushion; swing link means for pivotally interconnecting said seat back and said seat frame to permit reclining movement of said seat assembly with respect to the chair frame between an upright position and a reclined position in response to pressure applied by a seat occupant to said seat back, said swing link means connected to the chair frame to suspend said seat assembly therebetween; and guide means for connecting said seat frame and the actuation mechanism and guiding the longitudinal movement of said seat frame in response to reclining movement of said seat assembly, said guide means including a pair of slide brackets having a lost-motion slot formed therein which are securable to a forward portion of said seat frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
215 words
In a reclining chair of the type having a seat assembly interconnected to an actuation mechanism, the actuation mechanism suspended within a chair frame for permitting a fore and aft longitudinal movement of the seat assembly relative to the chair frame, the seat assembly comprising: a seat back detachably secured to the seat assembly; a seat frame having a pair of side frames rails connecting a front frame rail and a rear frame rail to form a substantially rectangular frame and at least one seat spring disposed within said rectangular frame for supporting a seat cushion; swing link means for pivotally interconnecting said seat back and said seat frame to permit reclining movement of said seat assembly with respect to the chair frame between an upright position and a reclined position in response to pressure applied by a seat occupant to said seat back, said swing link means connected to the chair frame to suspend said seat assembly therebetween; and guide means for connecting said seat frame and the actuation mechanism and guiding the longitudinal movement of said seat frame in response to reclining movement of said seat assembly, said guide means including a pair of slide brackets having a lost-motion slot formed therein which are securable to a forward portion of said seat frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The reclining chair of claim 1 wherein said guide means are selectively securable to said side frame rails in a first and second position such that an angular relationship between said guide means and said seat frame can be varied thereby adjusting vertical movement of said seat frame relative to the chair frame in association with said fore and aft longitudinal movement thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The reclining chair of claim 2 wherein said side frame rails include a vertical wall portion having a front attachment hole and at least two rear attachment holes formed therethrough and wherein said guide means is secured to said side frame rails at said front attachment hole and one of said at least two rear attachment holes by threaded fasteners.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The reclining chair of claim 3 wherein said guide means further comprises a nylon insert disposed within said lost motion slots.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The reclining chair of claim 1 wherein said at least one seat spring is disposed between said front and rear frame rails and selectively positionable at a lateral location within said seat frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
113 words
The reclining chair of claim 5 further comprising: said front frame rail having a flange with a first set of holes therethrough; said rear frame rail having a flange with a second set of holes therethrough; and said at least one seat spring having a clip disposed on one end and extending through one of said first set of holes for attaching said at least one spring to said front frame rail and a hook formed on the opposite end and extending through one of said second set of holes for attaching said at least one spring to said rear frame rail, said first and second set of holes defining said lateral location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The reclining chair of claim 1 further comprising friction means operably connected between said swing link means and said seat frame for resisting the reclining movement of said seat assembly in response to relative motion between said seat frame and said seat back.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
The reclining chair of claim 7 wherein said friction means comprises a slide member disposed adjacent to said side frame rails, said slide member having a first portion pivotally coupled to said swing link means opposite said connection to said chair frame and a second portion coupled for sliding motion relative to said seat frame to an attachment formed on said side frame rails.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The reclining chair of claim 8 wherein said friction means further comprises means for adjusting the friction between said slide member and said attachment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The reclining chair of claim 9 wherein said friction means further comprising a friction disk interdisposed between said slide member and said attachment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The reclining chair of claim 1 further comprising a seat cushion having a fastener strip for capturing a portion of said seat frame to releasably secure said seat cushion to said seat frame.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The reclining chair of claim 11 wherein said fastener strip has a J-shaped cross section for engaging a flange formed on said seat frame.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
90 words
The reclining chair of claim 12 further comprising: said front frame rail having a front attachment flange formed thereon; said rear frame rail having a rear attachment flange formed thereon; and said seat cushion having a front fastener strip secured to a front portion of said seat cushion for capturing said front attachment flange and a rear fastener strip secured to a rear portion of said seat cushion for capturing said rear attachment flange to releasably secure said front and rear portions of said seat cushion to said seat frame.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
The seat assembly of claim 13 further comprising: said front frame rail having an intermediate attachment flange formed thereon and interdisposed between said front and rear attachment flanges; said seat cushion having an intermediate fastener strip secured to said seat cushion between said front and rear fastener strip for capturing said intermediate attachment flange.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
215 words
A reclining chair comprising: an actuation mechanism having first and second shafts; a chair frame having side frame members interconnectable to a front cross frame member and a rear cross frame member, wherein said front and rear cross frame members are metal components; a seat assembly including a seat frame having a pair of side frame rails connecting a front frame rail and a rear frame rail to form a substantially rectangular frame and at least one seat spring disposed within said rectangular frame for supporting a seat cushion; a seat back detachably secured to said seat assembly; swing link means for pivotally interconnecting said seat back and said seat frame to permit reclining movement of said seat assembly with respect to the chair frame between an upright position and a reclined position in response to pressure applied by a seat occupant to said seat back, said swing link means connected to the chair frame to suspend said seat assembly therebetween; and guide means suspended from said first shaft for guiding and limiting the longitudinal movement of said seat frame in response to reclining movement of said seat assembly, said guide means including a pair of slide brackets having a lost-motion slot formed therein which are securable to a forward portion of said seat frame.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
215 words
A reclining chair comprising: an actuation mechanism having first and second shafts; a chair frame having side frame members interconnectable to a front cross frame member and a rear cross frame member, wherein said front and rear cross frame members are metal components; a seat assembly including a seat frame having a pair of side frame rails connecting a front frame rail and a rear frame rail to form a substantially rectangular frame and at least one seat spring disposed within said rectangular frame for supporting a seat cushion; a seat back detachably secured to said seat assembly; swing link means for pivotally interconnecting said seat back and said seat frame to permit reclining movement of said seat assembly with respect to the chair frame between an upright position and a reclined position in response to pressure applied by a seat occupant to said seat back, said swing link means connected to the chair frame to suspend said seat assembly therebetween; and guide means suspended from said first shaft for guiding and limiting the longitudinal movement of said seat frame in response to reclining movement of said seat assembly, said guide means including a pair of slide brackets having a lost-motion slot formed therein which are securable to a forward portion of said seat frame.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
The reclining chair of claim 15 wherein said guide means are selectively securable to said side frame rails in a first and second position such that the angular relationship between said guide means and said seat frame can be varied thereby adjusting vertical movement of said seat frame relative to the chair frame in association with a fore and aft longitudinal movement thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
60 words
The reclining chair of claim 16 wherein said side frame rails include a vertical wall portion having a front attachment hole and at least two rear attachment holes formed therethrough and wherein said guide means is secured to said side frame rails at said front attachment hole and one of said at least two rear attachment holes by threaded fasteners.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The reclining chair of claim 17 wherein said guide means further comprises a nylon insert disposed within said lost-motion slots.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The reclining chair of claim 15 wherein said at least one seat spring is disposed between said front and rear frame rails and selectively positionable at a lateral location within said seat frame.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
113 words
The reclining chair of claim 19 further comprising: said front frame rail having a flange with a first set of holes therethrough; said rear frame rail having a flange with a second set of holes therethrough; and said at least one seat spring having a clip disposed on one end and extending through one of said first set of holes for attaching said at least one spring to said front frame rail and a hook formed on the opposite end and extending through one of said second set of holes for attaching said at least one spring to said rear frame rail, said first and second set of holes defining said lateral location.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
47 words
The reclining chair of claim 15 wherein said seat assembly further comprises friction means operably connected between said swing link means and said seat frame for resisting the reclining movement of said seat assembly in response to relative motion between said seat frame and said seat back.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
74 words
The reclining chair of claim 21 wherein said friction means comprises a slide member disposed on each side of said seat frame adjacent said side frame rails, each of said slide members having a first end pivotally coupled to said swing link means opposite said connection to said chair frame and a second end coupled to an attachment formed on said side frame rails and adapted for sliding motion relative to said seat frame.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The reclining chair of claim 22 wherein said friction means further comprises means for adjusting the friction between said slide member and said attachment.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The reclining chair of claim 23 wherein said friction means further comprising a friction disk interdisposed between said slide member and said attachment.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The reclining chair of claim 15 further comprising a seat cushion having a fastener strip for capturing a portion of said seat frame to releasably secure said seat cushion to said seat frame.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The reclining chair of claim 25 wherein said fastener strip has a J-shaped cross section for engaging a flange formed on said seat frame.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
86 words
The reclining chair of claim 26 further comprising: said front frame rail having a front attachment flange formed thereon; said rear frame rail having a rear attachment flange formed thereon; and said seat cushion having a front fastener strip at a front portion of said seat cushion capturing said front attachment flange and a rear fastener strip at a rear portion of said seat cushion capturing said rear attachment flange for releasably securing said front and rear portions of said seat cushion to said seat frame.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
53 words
The reclining chair of claim 27 further comprising: said front frame rail having an intermediate attachment flange formed thereon and interdisposed between said front and rear attachment flanges; said seat cushion having an intermediate fastener strip on said seat cushion in between said front and rear fastener strips capturing said intermediate attachment flange.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
53 words
The reclining chair of claim 15 further comprising a front facia for upholstering said front cross frame member, said front facia including a fabric panel for covering a portion of said front cross frame member and a fastener strip secured to said fabric panel and releasably attachable to said front cross frame member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The reclining chair of claim 29 wherein said front facia further comprises a backing board.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
44 words
The reclining chair of claim 29 wherein a lower edge of said fabric panel is releasably attachable to said front cross frame member by a J-strip and said front facia further includes a fastener for releasably attaching an upper portion of said fabric panel.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
45 words
The reclining chair of claim 15 further including a leg rest assembly operably supported between said first shaft and a drive rod, said leg rest assembly being movable between a retracted position and an extended position in response to selective rotation of said drive rod.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
56 words
The reclining chair of claim 32 wherein said leg rest assembly includes a leg rest frame board and pantograph linkage means journally suspended on said first shaft and drivingly coupled to said drive rod for moving said leg rest frame board between said retracted and extended positions in response to selective actuation of said drive rod.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
51 words
The reclining chair of claim 33 wherein said chair frame is interconnected to a base assembly so as to permit rocking movement of said chair frame with respect to said base assembly, and wherein said rocking movement is independent of said reclining movement between said seat frame and said seat back.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
60 words
The reclining chair of claim 34 further including a locking mechanism between said base assembly and said chair frame operable in a first mode for releasably locking said chair frame in a rearwardly tilted position, and in a second mode to permit said rocking movement, said locking mechanism movable between said modes in response to rotation of said drive rod.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
188 words
A reclining chair comprising: a chair frame having a pair of side frame members, a front cross rail member interconnected to a front portion of said side frame members, and a rear cross rail member interconnected to a rear portion of said side frame members; an actuation mechanism suspended within said chair frame from said side frame members and said front cross rail member; a seat assembly having a seat including a vertical flange formed on said seat to position said seat closely adjacent said actuation mechanism, a seat back, and swing link means for pivotally interconnecting said seat back and said seat; suspension means connecting said swing link means to said side frame members for suspending said seat assembly therebetween, said swing link means operable to permit reclining movement of said seat assembly with respect to said chair frame between an upright position and a reclined position in response to pressure applied to said seat back; and guide means connecting said seat to said actuation mechanism along said vertical flange for guiding longitudinal movement of said seat in response to said reclining movement of said seat assembly.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
188 words
A reclining chair comprising: a chair frame having a pair of side frame members, a front cross rail member interconnected to a front portion of said side frame members, and a rear cross rail member interconnected to a rear portion of said side frame members; an actuation mechanism suspended within said chair frame from said side frame members and said front cross rail member; a seat assembly having a seat including a vertical flange formed on said seat to position said seat closely adjacent said actuation mechanism, a seat back, and swing link means for pivotally interconnecting said seat back and said seat; suspension means connecting said swing link means to said side frame members for suspending said seat assembly therebetween, said swing link means operable to permit reclining movement of said seat assembly with respect to said chair frame between an upright position and a reclined position in response to pressure applied to said seat back; and guide means connecting said seat to said actuation mechanism along said vertical flange for guiding longitudinal movement of said seat in response to said reclining movement of said seat assembly.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
The reclining chair of claim 36 wherein said seat is a non-wooden component.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
199 words
A reclining chair comprising: an actuation mechanism having first and second shafts; a chair frame having side frame members interconnectable to a front cross rail member and a rear cross rail member wherein said front and rear cross rail members are metal components; a seat assembly including a seat back, a seat member including a vertical flange formed on said seat member to position said seat member closely adjacent said actuation mechanism, and swing linkage means for pivotably interconnecting said seat member and said seat back to permit reclining movement therebetween in response to pressure applied to said seat back; means for connecting said swing linkage means to said side frame members; guide means connecting said seat assembly to said actuation mechanism along said vertical flange for permitting fore and aft longitudinal movement of said seat member with respect to said chair frame, said guide means being operably associated with said first shaft for defining the limits of said fore and aft movement of said seat member; and detachable means for securing said seat back to said swing linkage means such that said seat back and said seat member are movable between an upright position and a reclined position.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
199 words
A reclining chair comprising: an actuation mechanism having first and second shafts; a chair frame having side frame members interconnectable to a front cross rail member and a rear cross rail member wherein said front and rear cross rail members are metal components; a seat assembly including a seat back, a seat member including a vertical flange formed on said seat member to position said seat member closely adjacent said actuation mechanism, and swing linkage means for pivotably interconnecting said seat member and said seat back to permit reclining movement therebetween in response to pressure applied to said seat back; means for connecting said swing linkage means to said side frame members; guide means connecting said seat assembly to said actuation mechanism along said vertical flange for permitting fore and aft longitudinal movement of said seat member with respect to said chair frame, said guide means being operably associated with said first shaft for defining the limits of said fore and aft movement of said seat member; and detachable means for securing said seat back to said swing linkage means such that said seat back and said seat member are movable between an upright position and a reclined position.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
The reclining chair of claim 38 wherein said guide means is connected to said seat member along said vertical flanges.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
The reclining chair of claim 39 wherein said vertical flange further includes a notch formed therein and said notch is disposed about said first shaft.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
The reclining chair of claim 40 wherein said guide means is further aligned adjacent said notch.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
26 words
The reclining chair of claim 41 wherein said seat member includes upstanding posts and wherein said swing linkage means are pivotably connected to said upstanding posts.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
30 words
The reclining chair of claim 42 further comprising means associated with said swing linkage means and said seat member for providing an adjustable amount of resistance to said reclining movement.
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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) | 1999-11-05 | 2000-05-06 | 2000-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-05 | 2004-05-06 | 2004-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-05 | 2008-05-06 | 2008-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |