Actuator control assembly for motion furniture

• US 5,497,676 A
• Filed: 04/04/1994
• Issued: 03/12/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wescon Controls, LLC (Suprajit Engineering Ltd)
• Original Assignee: Wescon Products Company (Suprajit Engineering Ltd)
• Inventors: Barnard, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US08/222,534
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: 74/501.5 R, 74/501.6, 74/500.5, 74/502, 74/506, 74/567, 411/508, 411/509, 411/913, 411/55, 297/69, 297/423.19, 297/423.2, 297/423.28, 297/463.1, 297/463.2, 297/354.1, 297/411.1, 403/256, 403/259, 403/261, 220/3.5, 220/3.6, 220/242, 220/327, 220/328, 220/241, 16/295, 16/307, 16/308
• US Class Current: 74/501.50R
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/506 of adjustable type
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 1/12 Arrangements for transmitting movement to or from the flexible member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 411/913 Self-expanding anchor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20402 Flexible transmitter [e.g., Bowden cable]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20408 Constant tension sustaining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2042 and hand operator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20486 Drum and cable

Abstract

A cable actuator control assembly for motion furniture such as lounge chairs having shiftable footrests and the like, includes a cable assembly (16), a cable actuator module (12) having a pivot assembly (46) connecting rearward base (18) and front handle (20) for shifting a cable (92) between first and second positions, a channel including an apertured bight (78) connecting opposed legs (80 and 82), and bolts (88) for biasing channel (14) into engagement with boss (28). Self-tensioning pivot assembly (52) includes coaxially aligned pins (62 and 64) connected by coiled spring (72).

Claims

1. Motion furniture presenting a panel having opposed front and rear faces, said motion furniture comprising:

structure defining a generally circular opening through said front panel; and

a selectively adjustable cable actuator control assembly, said assembly including;

an apertured based positioned within said opening and including a peripheral flange engaging the front face of said panel adjacent the opening, said base presenting a forward surface and an opposed rearward surface;

attachment structure operable for engaging the rear face of said panel adjacent said opening;

selectively rotatable connection means extending through said base and operably coupled with said attachment structure, said connection means being accessible at said forward surface of said base for selective rotation thereof, said connection means being rotatable in one direction for tightening of the attachment structure against said rear face of said panel in order to secure said base in a selected position, and being rotatable in the other direction for loosening of the attachment structure;

said base being rotatable within said circular opening upon said loosening of said attachment structure for permitting selective alteration of the rotational position of said base within said opening;

a handle pivotally coupled to said base;

an elongated, shiftable cable presenting a first end passing through said base aperture; and

means operably interconnecting said handle and said first end of said cable.

2. The invention of claim 1, said interconnecting means including means operably interconnecting said handle and said first end of said cable including means for maintaining a segment of the cable adjacent said base in a generally perpendicular relationship relative to said panel in order to accommodate said selective alteration of the rotational position of said base.

3. The invention of claim 1, said base having a generally concavoconvex shape.

4. The invention of claim 1, said attachment structure including a bight proximal to said rearward surface of said base and a pair of endmost legs engaging said rear face of said panel.

5. The invention of claim 4, said connection means comprising threaded apertures on said attachment structure.

6. The invention of claim 1, said handle being coupled to said base proximal to said flange.