Dual-Motor Recliner Chair, Love Seat, or Sofa

The present invention relates generally to powered chairs, love seats, and sofas, and more particularly to a new and improved reclining, zero gravity, and lift powered chair, love seat, or sofa.

Powered recliner chairs, love seats, and sofas have become increasingly popular within recent years as consumers choose to incorporate such furniture pieces into their homes and offices. Powered recliner chairs, love seats, or sofas, offer consumers places to relax so that they can comfortably watch TV, read a book, or even take a short nap due to the fact that the recliner chair, love seat, or sofa can be quickly transformed from an upright position to a comfortable substantially supine position by depressing a control button which will activate a linear actuator which will subsequently move the backrest, seat, and footrest sections of the recliner chair, love seat, or sofa into a substantially horizontal, or any intermediate, reclined position as a result of a linear actuator being operatively connected to various linkage members pivotally attached to each other as well as to backrest, seat, and footrest mounting brackets of the recliner chair, love seat, or sofa. In addition, the recliner chair, love seat, or sofa can also achieve lift positions or states, as well as zero-gravity positions or states. It has been realized, however, that the mechanisms for normally or conventionally achieving these various movements and positional states or orientations are often quite complex, especially when so many movements and positional states or orientations are achieved within a single chair, love seat, or sofa.

A need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair, love seat, or sofa. Another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair, loveseat, or sofa which can attain multiple positions, orientations, or states, such as, for example, an upright position, orientation, or state, and a reclined position, orientation, or state. Still another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair, loveseat, or sofa which can attain multiple positions, orientations, or states, such as, for example, an upright position, orientation, or state, a reclined position, orientation, or state, and a zero-gravity position, orientation, or state. Yet another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair, loveseat, or sofa which can attain multiple positions, orientations, or states, such as, for example, an upright position, orientation, or state, a reclined position, orientation, or state, a zero-gravity position, orientation, or state, and a lift position, orientation, or state. Still yet another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair, loveseat, or sofa which can attain multiple positions, orientations, or states, such as, for example, an upright position, orientation, or state, a reclined position, orientation, or state, a zero-gravity position, orientation, or state, and a lift position, orientation, or state, and wherein the overall operational mechanism for moving the chair, love seat, or sofa components, that is, the backrest, the seat, and the footrest, between the various positions, orientations, or states, is effectively simplified.

Accordingly, an overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair, love seat, or sofa. Another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair, loveseat, or sofa which can attain multiple positions, orientations, or states, such as, for example, an upright position, orientation, or state, and a reclined position, orientation, or state. Still another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair, loveseat, or sofa which can attain multiple positions, orientations, or states, such as, for example, an upright position, orientation, or state, a reclined position, orientation, or state, and a zero-gravity position, orientation, or state. Yet another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair, loveseat, or sofa which can attain multiple positions, orientations, or states, such as, for example, an upright position, orientation, or state, a reclined position, orientation, or state, a zero-gravity position, orientation, or state, and a lift position, orientation, or state. Still yet another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair, loveseat, or sofa which can attain multiple positions, orientations, or states, such as, for example, an upright position, orientation, or state, a reclined position, orientation, or state, a zero-gravity position, orientation, or state, and a lift position, orientation, or state, and wherein the overall operational mechanism for moving the chair, love seat, or sofa components, that is, the backrest, the seat, and the footrest, between the various positions, orientations, or states, is effectively simplified.

The foregoing and other objectives are achieved in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention wherein a chair, love seat, or sofa is provided with a pair of linear actuators wherein a first one of the linear actuators is operatively connected to the various components of overall operational mechanism so as to effectively be responsible for controlling and moving the backrest of the chair, love seat, or sofa, while the second one of the linear actuators is operatively connected to the various components of overall operational mechanism so as to effectively be responsible for controlling and moving the backrest, seat, and footrest components of the chair, love seat, or sofa so as to achieve the lift and zero-gravity positions, orientations, or states of the char, love seat, or sofa.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly tothereof, the new and improved dual-motor recliner chair, love seat, or sofa, as developed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character. While the teachings of the present invention are adaptable or applicable to chairs, love seats, or sofas, the remainder of the disclosure will be directed toward a chair for brevity. More particularly, it is seen that the chaircomprises a basewhich is formed by means of a pair of oppositely disposed, longitudinally extending legs,, wherein the legs,are connected together by means of a transversely extending front cross-memberand a transversely extending rear cross-member, and wherein a plurality of chair levelling feetare disposed underneath the corner regions of the baseas a result of being mounted beneath the free end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed, longitudinally extending legs,, the transversely extending front cross-member, and the transversely extending rear cross-member, as can best be seen in. In addition, a pair of oppositely disposed seat bases, having substantially triangular configurations, are respectively mounted upon each one of the pair of oppositely disposed, longitudinally extending legs,of the chair base.

Continuing further, it is seen that the new and improved chairalso comprises an operational system for moving the major components of the chair, that is, the backrest, the footrest, and the seat. More particularly, it is seen that a pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting bracketsare provided for mounting a backrest thereon, each one of the backrest mounting bracketshaving a substantially T-shaped configuration. One end of the base of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting bracketsis pivotally connected to a connecting linkas at, while the other end of the base of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting bracketsis pivotally connected to one of a pair of oppositely disposed seat platesas at. To complete this assembly, opposite ends of a straight linkare pivotally connected to each connecting linkand each seat plateas at,, respectively. Still further, and as can best be seen from, opposite ends of a first, transversely extending cross-tubeare respectively fixedly connected to a first pair of oppositely disposed connecting plates, and, in turn, the first pair of oppositely disposed connecting platesare fixedly connected to the pair of oppositely disposed straight links. In a similar manner, a second pair of oppositely disposed connecting platesare fixedly connected to central, internal side surface portions of the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates, and a second, transversely extending cross-tubehas its opposite ends fixedly connected to the second pair of oppositely disposed connecting plates. A pair of oppositely disposed angle ironsare fixedly mounted upon external side surface portions of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed seat platesin order to fixedly mount the seat of the chair thereon, and a first limit stop, the purpose of which will be discussed hereinafter, is fixedly mounted upon each external surface portion of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates. A pair of oppositely disposed links, having substantially V-shaped or L-shaped configurations, are respectively pivotally mounted, at a first end thereof, to an external side surface portions of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates, as at, while second, opposite ends of the V-shaped or L-shaped linksare pivotally connected to a pair of oppositely disposed seat linksas at. As can best be seen or appreciated from, a pair of oppositely disposed seat bracketsare connected to the pair of oppositely disposed seat linksby means of a pair of bolts,, wherein a vertically oriented slotis provided within each one of the pair of oppositely disposed seat bracketsso as to permit the boltsmove vertically therewithin. A second limit stop, the purpose of which will be discussed hereinafter, is fixedly mounted upon each one of the pair of oppositely disposed seat brackets, and a third, transversely extending cross-tubefixedly connects the front end portions of pair of oppositely disposed sat brackets.

With reference continuing to be made to, a pair of oppositely disposed upper lift linksare respectively pivotally connected, at the rear ends thereof, to the pair of oppositely disposed seat bases, as at, and a pair of oppositely disposed lower lift linksare respectively pivotally connected, at the rear ends thereof, to the pair of oppositely disposed seat bases, as at. In a similar manner, the front ends of the pair of oppositely disposed upper and lower lift links,are pivotally connected to the pair of oppositely disposed seat bracketsas at,. In addition, a pair of oppositely disposed drive linksare pivotally connected at their rear ends to the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates, as at, while the front ends of the pair of oppositely disposed drive linksare pivotally connected to upper end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed arcuate platesas at. Lower end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed arcuate platesare pivotally connected to the pair of oppositely disposed seat brackets, as at, while a fourth, transversely extending cross-tubefixedly interconnects upper end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed arcuate plates.

With reference now being made to, a pair of oppositely disposed connecting linksare fixedly connected at a first end thereof to the pair of oppositely disposed seat brackets, and a pair of oppositely disposed straight linksare pivotally connected, at first ends thereof, to second ends of the pair of oppositely disposed connecting linksas at, while the opposite end of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed straight linksis provided with a slot. A pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest swing linksare respectively pivotally connected at first ends thereof to the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates, as at, and to the pair of oppositely disposed seat linksas at pivot points. Still further, mid-portions of the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest swing linksare pivotally connected to second ends of the pair of oppositely disposed straight linksby means of pivot pinswhich are also disposed within the slotsdefined within the pair of oppositely disposed straight links. A pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest swing linksare connected at first ends thereof to the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates, as at, while second opposite ends of the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest swing linksare pivotally connected to first ends of a pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest extension linksas at. In turn, it is seen that the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest swing linksare respectively pivotally connected at second ends thereof to first ends of a pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest extension links, as at, as well as being pivotally connected, at junction points near the second ends thereof, to the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest extension linksas at pivot points. A pair of oppositely disposed first bracket support linksare connected, at first end portions thereof, to the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest extension links, as at, while an intermediate portion of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest extension linksis respectively pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of the pair of oppositely disposed first bracket support links, as at, while, still further, a second opposite end of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed first bracket support linksis respectively pivotally connected to a first end portion of a pair of oppositely disposed second bracket support linksas at. Second end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed second bracket support linksare pivotally connected to a pair of oppositely disposed forward footrest mounting bracketsas at, second end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest extension linksare pivotally connected to oppositely disposed ends of a pair of oppositely disposed rearward footrest mounting bracketas at, and second ends of the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest extension linksare pivotally connected to the pair of oppositely disposed forward footrest mounting brackets, as at, it being appreciated that the forward and rearward footrest mounting brackets,are adapted to have a footrest section of the chair fixedly mounted thereon. Lastly, a pair of oppositely disposed limit stops, mounted upon the pair of forward footrest mounting brackets, are adapted to be slidably disposed within a pair of oppositely disposed slotted sectionsdefined within the pair of oppositely disposed rearward footrest mounting brackets.

Reverting back to, a first linear actuatorcomprises a motor endwhich is pivotally mounted upon the second, transversely extending cross-tubeby means of a first, suitable clevis connector, and a telescopic, extendable/retractable rod or piston endwhich is pivotally mounted upon the first, transversely extending cross-tubeby means of a second, suitable clevis connector. In a similar manner, a second linear actuatorcomprises a motor endwhich is pivotally mounted upon the transversely extending rear cross-memberby means of a third, suitable clevis connector, and a telescopic, extendable/retractable rod or piston endwhich is pivotally mounted upon the fourth, transversely extending cross-tubeby means of a fourth, suitable clevis connector. It is also noted that the first and second linear actuators,are disposed within the framework of the chair so as to have opposite orientations, as can be clearly appreciated from.

Having described substantially all of the operative components comprising the new and improved powered chair, a description of the operation of the same, comprising the movements between the various positions, orientations, or states, will now be described. More particularly, the new and improved chair is disclosed at, or in, its SEATED position or state as illustrated within, and when the new and improved chair is in fact disposed at, or in, this position or state, the backrest is disposed at its upright position, the footrest is in its retracted position so as to be disposed beneath the chair seat, and the chair seat is disposed within a substantially horizontal plane. It is noted that at this point in time, the first linear actuatoris in its extended state, while the second linear actuatoris in a partially extended state. Accordingly, the V-shaped or L-shaped linkis disengaged from the first limit stop. Continuing further, when the extendable/retractable rodof the second linear actuatoris retracted, the fourth, transversely extending cross-tubeis drawn rearwardly, thereby causing the pair of oppositely disposed arcuate platesto rotate in the clockwise direction around their pivot points. In turn, this movement of the pair of oppositely disposed arcuate platescause the pair of oppositely disposed drive linksto move rearwardly which causes the rearward movement of the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates. As a result of this rearward movement of the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates, the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest swing linksand the pair of oppositely disposed straight linksare rotated in their clockwise directions, as may best be appreciated from. In turn, this action causes the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest extension links, and the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest swing links, to move forwardly and upwardly, again as can best be appreciated from. As a result of these movements, the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest extension linksare moved forwardly and upwardly, and accordingly, the pair of oppositely disposed first and second bracket support links,to move forwardly and upwardly.

Therefore, as can readily be appreciated, the pair of oppositely disposed forward and rearward footrest mounting brackets,are moved from their vertical stowed positions, states, or orientations and extended to their horizontal deployed positions, states, or orientations. At this time, it is also noted that the pair of oppositely disposed V-shaped or L-shaped linksengage the first pair of oppositely disposed limit stops, as best seen in. Hence, the footrest assembly is now disposed at its fully extended position, and the new and improved chairhas achieved its TV position as illustrated within. Continuing further, when the linear actuatoris retracted further, the movement of the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest swing linkscauses the front end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed seat linksto rise, whereby the pair of oppositely disposed boltsare able to move upwardly within the pair of oppositely disposed slotsso that the pair of oppositely disposed seat platesalso rise at the front end portions thereof while the rear end portions of the seat platesare effectively lowered, thereby disposing the pair of oppositely disposed seat plateswith a predetermined incline such that the seat of the chairis reclined with the rear portion of the seat disposed at an elevation which is lower than the front portion of the seat, and wherein the footrest is disposed at a higher elevation than that of the chair seat, all as can best be appreciated from. Accordingly, the chairhas now attained its ZERO-GRAVITY position, orientation, or state. It is of course to be appreciated that if or when the actuation of the extendable or retractable rodof the linear actuatoris reversed, that is, when the linear actuatoris extended, the chaircan be moved or returned from the ZERO-GRAVITY position, orientation, or state to the SEATED position, orientation, or state as illustrated within.

It is to be noted further that at any position intermediate the SEATED position and the ZERO-GRAVITY position, when the telescopic rodof the first linear actuatoris retracted, the first, transversely extending cross-tubewill be drawn forwardly which will cause the pair of oppositely disposed connecting plates, and the pair of oppositely disposed straight links, to be rotated in the clockwise direction thereby causing the pair of oppositely disposed connecting linksand the pair of oppositely disposed, T-shaped backrest mounting bracketsto likewise rotate in the clockwise direction, thereby moving the backrest, fixedly secured to the pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting brackets, to its RECLINED position, all as disclosed within. It can likewise be appreciated that the extension of the telescopic rodof the first linear actuatorwill cause the backrest to be moved from its reclined position back to its upright position as illustrated within.

It is lastly noted that when the chairis disposed at the SEATED position, as illustrated within, and with reference being made to, then if or when the second linear actuatoris actuated such that the telescopic rodthereof is extended further, it will be appreciated that the pair of oppositely disposed arcuate plateswill engage the pair of oppositely disposed second limit stops, which are fixedly mounted upon the pair of oppositely disposed seat brackets, thereby effectively preventing any further movement or counterclockwise rotation of the pair of oppositely disposed arcuate plates. Accordingly, the pair of oppositely disposed seat bracketswill effectively be forced to rotate in the counterclockwise direction, thereby pulling the pair of oppositely disposed upper and lower lift links,upwardly whereby the chairwill now have achieved the LIFTED position as illustrated within.

Obviously, many variations and modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.