FURNITURE MEMBER AND POWER LIFT MECHANISM

• US 20140070585A1
• Filed: 09/12/2012
• Published: 03/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
• Original Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
• Inventors: LaPointe, Larry P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,991,925 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/316
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/022 having independently-adjustable supporting parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/127 for lower legs
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/14 Standing-up or sitting-down aids
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 4/004 Press fits, force fits, interference fits, i.e. fits without heat or chemical treatment F16B4/002 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49945 by driven force fit

Abstract

A lift chair includes a frame assembly including a chair portion rotatable with respect to a base portion. A lift mechanism portion is positioned in a base portion cavity. The lift mechanism portion includes a lift motor and a drive assembly connected to the lift motor having a slide. A lift tube connects the slide to the chair portion. The lift tube upon actuation of the lift motor displaces the chair portion between a nominal and a full lift position by slide displacement in a slide lifting direction. First and second guide members are positioned on opposite sides of the drive assembly and connected to a base portion base platform. The lift tube is connected to both the first and second guide members to distribute a weight load from the chair portion via the lift tube to the slide, and by the guide members to the base platform.

Claims

1. A lift chair, comprising:

a rotatable frame assembly including a chair portion rotatable with respect to a base portion; and

a mechanism having a lift mechanism portion positioned in a cavity of the base portion, the lift mechanism portion including;

a lift motor;

a drive assembly connected to the lift motor having a slide displaceable in each of a slide lifting direction and oppositely in a slide returning direction by selective operation of the lift motor; and

a lift tube connected at a first end to the slide and connected at a second end to the chair portion, the lift tube upon actuation of the lift motor acting to displace the chair portion between a nominal position and a full lift position by displacement of the slide in the slide lifting direction.

2. The lift chair of claim 1, wherein the lift mechanism portion further includes first and second guide members positioned on opposite sides of the drive assembly and connected to a base platform of the base portion, the lift tube being connected to both the first and second guide members to distribute a weight load from the chair portion via the lift tube to the slide, and equally to the first and second guide members.

3. The lift chair of claim 2, wherein the first and second guide members are triangularly shaped, the first guide member including a first elongated slot, and the second guide member including a second elongated slot, both the first and second elongated slots located proximate to an upper edge of the first and second guide members.

4. The lift chair of claim 2, wherein the elongated slots are oriented substantially in parallel alignment with each other in installed positions of the first and second guide members.

5. The lift chair of claim 2, wherein each of the first and second guide members include a low elevation end oriented toward a front facing edge of the base portion and a high elevation end oriented toward a rear facing end of the base portion such that the elongated slots define a continuous rearward to frontward downward angle with respect to the base platform.

6. The lift chair of claim 1, wherein the lift mechanism portion further includes a gear housing directly connected between the lift motor and the drive assembly.

7. The lift chair of claim 1, wherein the lift tube is hollow and includes a substantially straight first tube portion connected to the slide and a second tube portion which is angularly oriented with respect to first tube portion and connected to a tube assembly of the chair portion.

8. The lift chair of claim 1, further including a seat back assembly rotatably connected to frame assembly, the seat back assembly rotatable by operation of the lift motor between a seat back fully upright position to a seat back fully reclined position.

9. The lift chair of claim 1, wherein the mechanism further includes a leg rest mechanism portion positioned in the chair portion, the leg rest mechanism portion including a leg rest drive motor, and a leg rest member connected to and extensible/retractable by operation of the leg rest drive motor.

10. The lift chair of claim 1, wherein the base portion is positioned interior to the chair portion in the nominal position and extends substantially outward of the base portion in the full lift position.

11. A lift chair, comprising:

a rotatable frame assembly including a chair portion rotatable with respect to a base portion; and

a mechanism having a lift mechanism portion positioned in a cavity of the base portion, the lift mechanism portion including;

a lift motor;

a drive assembly connected to the lift motor having a slide;

a lift tube connecting the slide to the chair portion, the lift tube upon actuation of the lift motor acting to displace the chair portion between a nominal position and a full lift position by displacement of the slide in a slide lifting direction; and

first and second guide members positioned on opposite sides of the drive assembly and connected to a base platform of the base portion, the lift tube being further connected to both the first and second guide members to distribute a weight load from the chair portion via the lift tube to the slide, and by the first and second guide members to the base platform.

12. The lift chair of claim 11, wherein the first and second guide members are triangularly shaped, the first guide member including a first elongated slot, and the second guide member including a second elongated slot, both the first and second elongated slots located proximate to an upper edge of the first and second guide members and downwardly angled from a rear facing end toward a forward facing end of the first and second guide members.

13. The lift chair of claim 12, wherein the elongated slots are oriented substantially in parallel alignment with each other in installed positions of the first and second guide members.

14. The lift chair of claim 12, wherein each of the first and second guide members include a low elevation end oriented toward a front facing edge of the base portion and a high elevation end oriented toward a rear facing end of the base portion such that the elongated slots define a continuous rearward to frontward downward angle with respect to the base platform.

15. The lift chair of claim 11, further including first and second shoulder bolts each including a bolt head, a bolt sleeve, and a bolt threaded shank positioned opposite to the bolt head, each of the first and second shoulder bolts received in an elongated slot created in one of the first or second guide members and threadably connected to the slide.

16. The lift chair of claim 15, further including in an installed position of the first shoulder bolt:

the bolt threaded shank and the bolt sleeve of the first shoulder bolt are disposed through the elongated slot of first guide member;

a tube connecting end of the lift tube is positioned between a first inside face of the first guide member and a first slide face of the slide;

the bolt threaded shank and the bolt sleeve of the first shoulder bolt are slidably disposed through a tube through aperture created in the tube connecting end; and

the bolt threaded shank of the first shoulder bolt extends out of the tube through aperture and is threadably engaged in a first threaded bore created in a first slide face of the slide.

17. The lift chair of claim 16, wherein different portions of the bolt sleeve of the first shoulder bolt are slidably received in the first elongated slot and rotatably received in the tube through aperture, thereby allowing sliding motion of the slide as well as rotation of the lift tube with respect to a central axis of the first shoulder bolt.

18. The lift chair of claim 15, further including in an installed position of the second shoulder bolt:

a connection flange having an offset flange fastenably engaged to a tube connecting end of the lift tube and a transverse flange contacting a second slide face of the slide;

a transverse flange aperture of the transverse flange positioned proximate to a bushing disposed between the transverse flange and a second inside face of the second guide member; and

a bushing bore of the bushing coaxially aligned with the transverse flange aperture and the second shoulder bolt extending through the elongated slot, the bushing bore, and the transverse flange aperture, with the threaded shank engaged with a threaded aperture created in the second slide face of the slide.

19. The lift chair of claim 12, wherein the lift tube is connected at a first end to the slide and connected at a second end to a clevis connected to a tube assembly of the chair portion.

20. The lift chair of claim 12, wherein the mechanism further includes a leg rest mechanism portion connected to the chair portion, the leg rest mechanism portion including a leg rest drive motor and a leg rest member connected to and extensible/retractable by operation of the leg rest drive motor independent of the operation of the lift motor.

21. A lift chair, comprising:

a rotatable frame assembly including a chair portion a base portion;

a support shaft connected to the chair portion having first and second extending portions extending outward of the chair portion each rotatably connected to the base portion permitting the chair portion to rotate with respect to the base portion; and

a mechanism having a leg rest mechanism portion connected to the chair portion and a lift mechanism portion supported by the base portion, the leg rest mechanism portion including a leg rest drive motor connected to a drive rod rotated by operation of the leg rest drive motor to extend and retract first and second pantograph linkage sets connected to the drive rod, the first and second pantograph linkage sets also connected to and supported by the support shaft.

22. The lift chair of claim 21, further including first and second base frame members of the base portion oriented substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to a base platform of the base portion.

23. The lift chair of claim 22, further including first and second chair frame members of the chair portion positioned interior to the first and second base frame members of the base portion in the nominal position and extending substantially outward of the first and second base frame members in the full lift position.

24. The lift chair of claim 21, wherein the lift mechanism portion includes a lift motor and a lift tube connected to each of the lift motor and the chair portion, the lift tube upon actuation of the lift motor acting to displace the chair portion between a nominal position and a full lift position by rotating the chair portion about the first and second extending portions of the support shaft.

25. The lift chair of claim 24, further including a drive assembly connected to the lift motor having a slide displaceable in each of a slide lifting direction and oppositely in a slide returning direction by selective operation of the lift motor, the lift tube being rotatably connected at a first end to the slide and connected at a second end to the chair portion.

26. The lift chair of claim 25, wherein the lift tube upon actuation of the lift motor acts to displace the chair portion to the full lift position by displacement of the slide in a slide lifting direction.

27. The lift chair of claim 22, further including a mounting bracket connected to the base portion, the mounting bracket connecting the lift motor to the base portion.

28. A lift chair, comprising:

a rotatable frame assembly including a chair portion rotatable with respect to a base portion, the base portion having opposed and parallel first and second base frame members oriented perpendicular to a base platform;

a mechanism having a lift mechanism portion positioned in a cavity of the base portion between the first and second base frame members, the lift mechanism portion including a lift motor, and a lift tube connected between the lift motor and the chair portion, the lift tube upon actuation of the lift motor acting to displace the chair portion between a nominal position and a full lift position; and

an intersecting corner of each of the first and second base frame members defined where a frame member forward edge of each of the first and second base frame members intersects with the base platform, the intersecting corner of each of the base frame members spatially and rearwardly positioned with respect to a forward edge of the base platform.

29. The lift chair of claim 28, wherein the frame member forward edge of each of the first and second base frame members defines an acute angle a with respect to a plane defined by an upper face of the base platform.

30. The lift chair of claim 29, wherein the intersecting corner of each of the base frame members is recessed rearwardly with respect to a base platform forward edge.

31. The lift chair of claim 30, further including:

a vertical plane defined at a forward edge of a seat frame at the full lift position is oriented perpendicular with respect to a floor surface; and

a spacing between the vertical plane and the base platform forward edge provides clearance space rearward of the vertical plane to position feet of an occupant of the lift chair toward to a center of gravity of the occupant.

32. The lift chair of claim 28, wherein the lift mechanism portion further includes a drive assembly connected to the lift motor having a slide displaceable in each of a slide lifting direction and oppositely in a slide returning direction by selective operation of the lift motor.

33. The lift chair of claim 32, wherein the lift tube is connected at a first end to the slide and connected at a second end to the chair portion, the full lift position reached by displacement of the slide in the slide lifting direction.

34. A lift chair, comprising:

a rotatable frame assembly including a chair portion a base portion;

a support shaft connected to the chair portion having first and second extending portions each oppositely extending outward of the chair portion;

first and second base frame members of the base portion oriented parallel to each other and each having one of a first or a second U-shaped journal; and

the first and second extending portions being individually received in one of the first or second U-shaped journals in an installation direction, the chair portion thereafter rotatably supported by the support shaft with respect to the base portion.

35. The lift chair of claim 34, further including:

first and second base frame members of the base portion oriented substantially parallel to each other; and

first and second receiving faces each created in one of the first or second base frame members, the first and second receiving faces oriented parallel to each other.

36. The lift chair of claim 35, further including first and second connection members each including one of the first or second U-shaped journals and each connected to one of the first or second receiving faces.

37. The lift chair of claim 35, further including:

a first receiving slot having a generally U-shape created partially in and extending downwardly from the first receiving face, the first receiving slot slidably receiving the first U-shaped journal; and

a second receiving slot having a generally U-shape created partially in and extending downwardly from the second receiving face, the second receiving slot slidably receiving the second U-shaped journal.

38. The lift chair of claim 35, wherein each of the first and second receiving faces is oriented parallel with respect to an upper face of a base platform of the base portion, and each is positioned proximate to a frame member forward edge of one of the first or second base frame members.

39. The lift chair of claim 34, wherein the first and second extending portions are received in the first and second U-shaped journals using a frictional snap fit to resist release in a direction opposite to the installation direction.

40. The lift chair of claim 34, further including a mechanism having a leg rest mechanism portion connected to the chair portion and a lift mechanism portion supported by the base portion, the leg rest mechanism portion including a leg rest drive motor connected to a drive rod rotated by operation of the leg rest drive motor to extend and retract first and second pantograph linkage sets, the first and second pantograph linkage sets also connected to and supported by the support shaft.

41. A method for assembling a lift chair, the lift chair including a frame assembly having a chair portion, a base portion, a mechanism, a lift tube, a tube assembly;

a support shaft with first and second extending portions, and first and second base frame members, the method comprising;

connecting the first and second extending portions of the support shaft to the chair portion having each of the extending portions oppositely extending outward of the chair portion;

orienting the first and second base frame members parallel to each other and providing each with one of a first or a second U-shaped journal; and

individually pressing each of the first and second extending portions into individual ones of the first or second U-shaped journals in an installation direction by a frictional snap fit such that the chair portion is thereafter rotatably supported by the support shaft with respect to the base portion, the frictional snap fit resisting removal of the first and second end portions.

42. The method for assembling a lift chair of claim 41, further comprising:

connecting the tube assembly to the chair portion; and

fixing a clevis to the tube assembly.

43. The method for assembling a lift chair of claim 42, further comprising slidably connecting a first portion of the lift tube to the mechanism.

44. The method for assembling a lift chair of claim 43, further comprising rotatably connecting a second portion of the lift tube to the clevis such that actuation of the mechanism slidably displaces the lift tube which raises the tube assembly and thereby rotates the chair portion with respect to a central axis defined by the first and second extending portions.

45. A lift chair, comprising:

a frame assembly including a chair portion rotatable with respect to a base portion; and

the base portion defining a four-sided wood structure, including;

first and second base frame members oriented parallel to each other;

a rectangular shaped base platform supported on a floor or planar surface oriented perpendicular to the first and second base frame members; and

a third base frame member defining a rear facing wall of the base portion; and

a mechanism having a lift mechanism portion positioned in a cavity of the base portion, the lift mechanism portion entirely fixedly connected to the base platform and the third base frame member and rotatably connected to the chair portion, the lift mechanism acting to rotate the chair portion between a nominal position and a full lift position.

46. The lift chair of claim 45, wherein the lift mechanism portion includes:

a lift motor; and

a drive assembly connected to the lift motor having a slide displaceable in each of a slide lifting direction and oppositely in a slide returning direction by selective operation of the lift motor.

47. The lift chair of claim 46, further including a lift tube connected at a first end to the slide and connected at a second end to the chair portion, the lift tube upon actuation of the lift motor acting to displace the chair portion between the nominal position and the full lift position by displacement of the slide in the slide lifting direction.

48. The lift chair of claim 46, wherein a load transferred from an occupant of the chair portion to the slide is supported by the base platform.

49. The lift chair of claim 45, further including a support shaft connected to the chair portion having first and second extending portions each oppositely extending outward of the chair portion and each rotatably connected to one of the first and second base frame members.

50. The lift chair of claim 45, wherein the third frame member is positioned proximate to a base platform rear edge.

51. The lift chair of claim 46, further including:

a seat back assembly forwardly and rearwardly rotated by operation of only the lift mechanism portion;

a leg rest mechanism portion of the mechanism connected to the chair portion; and

a leg rest member extended and retracted between a stowed position and an outward extended position by operation of only the leg rest mechanism portion.

52. The lift chair of claim 45, wherein the chair portion is movable to each of a forward lift position and a rearward tilt position by operation of the lift mechanism portion independent of the nominal and the full lift positions.

53. The lift chair of claim 45, wherein the chair portion defines a four-sided wood structure, including:

first and second chair frame members oriented parallel to each other;

a rear wall member connected between the first and second chair frame members; and

a front wall member connected between the first and second chair frame members.

54. The lift chair of claim 53, wherein the first and second chair frame members of the chair portion nest within the first and second base frame members of the base portion.

55. A lift chair, comprising:

a rotatable frame assembly including a chair portion rotatable with respect to a base portion;

a seat back assembly rotatably connected to the chair portion; and

a mechanism having a lift mechanism portion including a single lift motor acting to displace a lift tube, the lift tube connected between the mechanism and the chair portion, the lift tube upon actuation of the single lift motor acting to displace the chair portion and the seat back assembly between multiple positions, including;

a nominal position of the chair portion having the seat back assembly in an upright position;

a full lift position having the chair portion fully upwardly rotated with respect to the base portion and the seat back assembly in the upright position;

a chair rearward tilt position; and

a chair forward lift position.

56. The lift chair of claim 55, wherein:

the base portion includes four structural members including opposed and parallel first and second base frame members oriented perpendicular to a base platform and a rear wall; and

the lift mechanism portion is positioned in a cavity of the base portion between the first and second base frame members and is connected to both the base platform and the rear wall, and is directly supported by the base platform.

57. The lift chair of claim 55, wherein the mechanism further includes a drive assembly connected to the lift motor, and a slide slidably connected to the drive assembly, wherein the lift tube is connected to the slide.

58. The lift chair of claim 55, further including:

a leg rest mechanism portion of the mechanism connected to the chair portion operated independently of the lift mechanism portion; and

a leg rest member extended and retracted between a stowed position and an outward extended position by operation of only the leg rest mechanism portion.

59. The lift chair of claim 55, wherein the seat back assembly is rotatable from the upright position to a reclined position in either of the chair rearward tilt position or the chair forward lift position by operation of the lift mechanism portion.