Reclining lift chair

• US 6,000,758 A
• Filed: 07/26/1996
• Issued: 12/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pride Mobility Products Corporation
• Original Assignee: Pride Health Care, Inc.
• Inventors: Levi, Ronald J., Kollar, Carl A., Mulhern, James P., Schaffner, Walter E., Antonishak, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WHITE, RODNEY BARNETT
• Application Number:
  US08/686,421
• Time in Patent Office: 1,236 Days
• Field of Search: 297/344.17, 297/DIG. 10, 297/83, 297/84, 297/85, 297/180.1, 297/180.12, 601/49
• US Class Current: 297/344.17
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/0345 characterised by foot-rests actuated by lazy-tongs
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1075 tilting the whole seat backwards tilting forwards for standing-up or sitting-down aids A61G5/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/14 Standing-up or sitting-down aids
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 297/10 Occupant-arising assist

Abstract

The lift chair has a base frame, an extendable/retractable chair occupant positioning apparatus attached to the base frame, a reversible D.C. motor for extension and retraction of the chair occupant positioning apparatus relative to the base frame. A control means is connected to the D.C. motor for actuation of the chair occupant positioning device. A power supply is connected to the control means for motor control. A chair occupant carriage is supported by the base frame. The carriage has a seat and a back portion.

Claims

1. A lift chair comprising:

a. a base frame;

b. an extendable/retractable chair occupant positioning apparatus, attached to the base frame;

c. a reversible D.C. motor for extension and retraction of said chair occupant positioning apparatus relative to the base frame;

d. a control means connected to said D.C. motor for actuation of said chair occupant positioning apparatus;

e. a power supply connected to the control means for motor control;

f. a chair occupant carriage supported by the base frame, the carriage comprising at least seat and back portions;

g. an elongated cross member extending laterally below said seat portion;

h. a bell crank having two fixedly connected transverse legs intersecting one another, pivotally connected to said positioning apparatus at the intersection of the legs, the first leg being pivotal about a first axis remote from the intersection, the second leg being pivotally connected to the cross member.

2. The lift chair of claim 1 wherein the control means are designed to be hand-held by the chair occupant.

3. The lift chair of claim 1 wherein the control means extend/retract function is actuated by a single rocker-type switch.

16. The lift chair of claim 1 further comprising a battery back-up means such that the extend/retract apparatus can be retracted in the event of a power failure.

17. The lift chair of claim 16 wherein the batteries are recharged by a charging circuit connected to the power supply.

4. A lift chair comprising:

a. a base frame;

b. an extendable/retractable chair occupant positioning apparatus, attached to the base frame;

c. a reversible motor for extension and retraction of said chair occupant positioning apparatus relative to the base frame;

d. a control means connected to said motor for actuation of said chair occupant positioning apparatus;

e. a power supply connected to the control means for motor control;

f. a chair occupant carriage supported by the base frame, the carriage comprising at least seat and back portions;

g. heat radiating means on at least one carriage section;

h. a triangular bell crank having three pivotal connections, including a pivotal connection to said positioning apparatus.

5. The lift chair of claim 4 further comprising heat control means.

6. The lift chair of claim 4 further comprising a chair occupant leg horizontal support portion including heat radiating means controlled by a central means connected to the chair occupant positioning apparatus, extendable from a position beneath a lower-most chair occupant support member relative to the base, such that chair occupant leg support portion is variable in height relative to the floor.

7. A lift chair comprising:

a. a base frame;

b. an extendable/retractable chair occupant positioning apparatus, attached to the base frame;

c. a reversible motor for extension and retraction of said chair occupant positioning apparatus relative to the base frame;

e. a chair occupant carriage supported by the base, frame the carriage comprising at least seat and back portions;

f. therapeutic massage means on at least one carriage section;

g. a low voltage control means having switch means connected to said motor for actuation of said chair occupant positioning apparatus and having switch means connected to the massage means;

h. a power supply connected to the control means for motor control; and

i. a triangular bell crank pivotally connected to said positioning apparatus and said seat.

8. The lift chair of claim 7 further comprising a leg supporting portion including therapeutic massage means controlled by the control means connected to the chair occupant positioning apparatus, extendable from a position beneath a lower-most chair occupant support member relative to the base, such that chair occupant leg support is variable in height relative to the floor.

9. The lift chair of claim 7 further comprising heat radiating means on at least one carriage section and a switch means on the control means connected to each controlling the heat radiating means.

10. The lift chair of claim 8 further including a massage and heat function actuator.

11. The lift chair of claim 10 wherein the massage function is performed by a plurality of vibrating modules and means on the control means for selecting specific modules for activation.

12. The lift chair of claim 10 wherein the control means are handheld and low voltage.

13. The lift chair of claim 10 wherein the control means is actuated by a single rocker-type switch in different settings to extend or retract the chair occupant position apparatus.

14. The lift chair of claim 10 wherein the massage function is performed by a plurality of sequentially operable vibrating modules and means on the control means for varying the sequences of operation of the vibrating modules.

15. The lift chair of claim 14 wherein the plurality of massage modules are sequentially activated for a period of time then deactivated, such that activation of one deactivates the remaining modules in sequence.

18. A lift chair including:

a. an environmental control system having high current apparatus electrically isolated from a control path, comprising;

i. a support member;

ii. low voltage switching means attached to the support member; and

iii. communication means for transmitting low voltage switching signals from the support member to said lift chair.

19. The lift chair of claim 18 wherein the support member is hand operated by the chair occupant.

20. The lift chair of claim 18 wherein the low voltage switching means controls a heat radiating device.

21. The lift chair of claim 18 wherein the low voltage switching means controls a therapeutic massage unit.

22. The lift chair of claim 18 comprising a lift chair motor having extension and retraction functions, wherein the low voltage switching means controls extend/retract functions of the lift chair motor.

23. A motor driven lift chair movable through a continuous range from a recline position at which a back portion of said chair is reclined relative to a seat portion thereof and a leg support portion extends from said seat portion for horizontally supporting lower extremities of a chair occupant through a position at which said back portion is upright relative to said seat portion and said leg support portion continues to be in said lower extremities horizontal support position and further through a position at which said leg support portion extends downwardly from said seat portion thereby to permit a chair occupant'"'"'s lower extremities to extend towards the floor, to a position at which said leg support portion remains so-positioned and said back and seat portions remain at a constant angle therebetween and are lifted and pitched forward to assist an occupant in arising from said chair, comprising:

a. means for moving said seat, back and leg support portions responsively to said motor comprising;

i a base;

ii. an arm pivotally connected to said base for arcuate vertical movement with respect thereto;

iii. a frame side member connected to an end of said arm remote from said base, lifted by said arm upon arcuate motion of said arm relative to said base;

iv. a frame cross-member extending generally transversely respecting said chair, comprising;

(1) a central portion; and

(2) a vertical portion extending generally downwardly from said central portion;

b. said frame cross-member being attached to said frame side member at a position vertically removed from said central portion.

24. A lift chair comprising:

a. a seat portion;

b. a back portion forming an angle with said seat;

c. a leg support portion;

d. a D.C. motor comprising;

i. a worm gear;

ii. a rack for providing longitudinal motion via a sleeved motor extension shaft;

iii. said worm gear being connected to a motor output shaft and said rack moving said motor extension shaft and sleeve upon rotation of said worm gear, one of said worm gear and rack being metal and a remainder being plastic;

iv. a tubular member extending from said motor, said tubular member having an exit end;

v. said sleeved motor extension shaft being telescopically movable in and out of said tubular member;

vi. a bushing at the exit end of said tubular member slidably receiving said sleeved motor extension shaft;

vii. said sleeved motor extension shaft being coated with a permanent solid lubricant to facilitate sliding motion as said sleeved motor extension shaft telescopes in and out of said tubular member upon rotation of said D.C. motor and extension/retraction of said rack in response thereto;

e. a support frame comprising;

i. longitudinally spaced transversely extending front and rear frame base rails;

ii. a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending side frame base rails, rigidly connected to said front and rear frame base rails remotely from ends of said front and rear frame base rails, said side frame base rails and said front and rear frame base rails being co-planar for supporting said lift chair on a floor;

iii. pairs of upstanding transversely spaced rear frame side plates fixedly connected to respective ones of said side frame base rails at positions of connection thereof with said rear frame base rail;

f. means for lifting said seat, back and leg support portions of said chair into position at which said seat and back portions are inclined forwardly to assist a chair occupant in arising therefrom, without changing the relative angle between said seat and back portions during lifting, comprising;

i. pairs of elevator arms vertically aligned with respective ones of said side frame base rails and pivotally mounted in and retained between respective rear frame side plates of said plate pairs for co-planar arcuate vertical movement with respect thereto;

ii. ends of said elevator arms remote from said rear frame side plates being pivotally mounted and retained between pairs of front frame side plates for rotation of said elevator arms about said positions of pivotal mounting in said rear frame side plates resulting in arcuate upward movement of said remote ends of said elevator arms and said front frame side plates having said ends sandwiched therebetween;

iii. a pair of elevator frame side members retained between respective front frame side plates of said pairs and extending generally longitudinally therefrom;

iv. a one piece tubular rectangular cross section front elevator frame cross-member attached to said front frame side plates, said front elevator frame cross-member extending generally transversely respecting said chair, comprising;

(1) a transverse central portion extending between said positions of attachment to said front frame side plates,

(2) intermediate portions extending generally downwardly from transverse extremities of said central portion and being connected thereto via a gentle curvature; and

(3) extremity portions extending outwardly in a gentle curvature in a transverse direction from lower portions of said intermediate extending portions;

v. a one piece tubular rectangular cross section rear elevating frame cross-member fixedly connected to said elevating frame side members proximate rear extremities of said elevating frame side members, said rear elevating frame cross-member, comprising;

(1) a transverse central portion;

(2) generally vertical intermediate portions extending downwardly from said central portion and connected thereto via a gentle curvature and

(3) extremity portions extending transversely outwardly in a gentle curvature from respective lower vertical extremities of said intermediate portions, said rear elevating frame cross-member being connected to said elevating frame side members via complemental contact therewith along said vertical portions of said rear elevating frame cross-member below said curvature;

vi. a generally right triangular bell crank pivotally connected, at a vertex of said triangular bell crank adjoining the hypotenuse of said triangularly configured bell crank, to said front elevating frame cross-member proximate a midpoint of said transverse central portion thereof, said bell crank being pivotally connected to said motor extension shaft at a position remote from said motor and rotatable in response to extension of said motor extension shaft, said position of pivotal connection of said bell crank to said motor extension shaft being proximate to a vertex of said bell crank which is a right angle, said bell crank being rotatable about a transverse axis at said pivotal connection with said front elevating frame cross-member from a position contacting said front elevating frame cross-member to a position at which said bell crank has rotated away from and out of contact with said front elevating frame cross-member;

vii. a T-bracket pivotally connected to said bell crank at a vertex position of said triangular bell crank defining an extremity position at a second vertex adjoining the hypotenuse of said right angularly configured bell crank remote from said position of bell crank pivotal connection to said front elevating frame cross member, said T-bracket comprising;

(1) a leg support portion pivotally connected to said bell crank for pivotal motion respecting said bell crank about a transverse axis,

(2) a transversely extending cross-member;

(3) a pair of longitudinal seat portion support linkage bars fixedly connected to said cross-member at respective transverse extremities thereof, said longitudinal seat support linkage bars being parallel one with another; and

viii. a pair of chair seat portion support brackets pivotally connected to respective ones of said longitudinal seat portion support linkage bars at extremities thereof remote from connection with said cross-member of said T-bracket, said chair seat portion support brackets being fixedly secured via screw means to said seat portion of said lift chair;

g. advancement of said motor extension shaft with said bell crank contacting said front elevating frame cross member lifting said front elevating frame cross member and rotating said upper and lower elevator arms thereby lifting said chair elevating frame including said elevator frame side members and said rear elevator frame cross member to a level higher than said front elevator frame cross member thereby tilting said chair seat and back portions forwardly to assist an occupant in arising from said chair;

h. means for moving said leg support portion from a downwardly extending position to a horizontal support position prior to said back portion reclining and thereafter reclining said back portion while maintaining said leg support portion in the horizontal support position responsively to bell crank rotation in a range removed from said front elevating frame cross-member, comprising;

i. a first generally longitudinally extending bar;

ii. a second generally longitudinally extending bar pivotally connected to said first bar at a position more proximate a front end of said first bar then a rear end thereof;

iii. a third generally longitudinally extending bar fixedly connected to said seat portion of said chair;

iv. a fourth generally longitudinal bar pivotally connected to said first bar more proximate the rear end of said first bar than to the forward end of said first bar;

v. a fifth pivotally movable bar of generally triangular shape, said fifth pivotally movable bar pivotally connected to said third longitudinal bar proximate a forward end thereof, said connection being proximate one vertex of said triangularly shaped fifth pivotally movable bar, said fifth pivotally movable bar being pivotally connected to said fourth longitudinal bar proximate a forward end thereof at a second vertex of said triangularly shaped fifth pivotally movable bar;

vi. a sixth pivotally movable bar being pivotally connected to said third longitudinal bar proximate a rear end thereof and being pivotally movable respecting said third longitudinal bar and said seat portion, said sixth pivotally movable bar being pivotally connected to an end of said second pivotally movable bar remote from a point of connection with said first bar;

vii. said second bar and fourth bars being pivotally connected proximate their respective midpoints;

i. rotation of said bell crank away from said front elevator frame cross-member upon retraction of said motor shaft extension portion moving said seat portion slightly rearwardly unitarily with said chair seat support bracket thereby moving said third bar rearwardly and rotating said sixth bar and said fifth bar clockwise until sixth bar rotation is halted and lifts a rear end of said second bar causing said second bar to rotate about a point of pivotal connection with said first bar thereby causing the center portion of said second bar to lift a point of pivotal connection between the second bar and the sixth bar and raising a central portion of fourth bar due to a pivotal connection thereof with said second bar at a midpoint thereof;

i. a scissors linkage for moving said leg support portion of said chair from a vertical position to a leg horizontal support position, comprising;

(1) a first link pivotally connected to said third longitudinal bar proximate a forward end of said third bar;

(2) a second link pivotally connected to said fifth triangularly shaped pivotally movable bar at a third vertex thereof;

(3) an end of said first link remote from a point of pivotal connection with said third longitudinal bar being pivotally connected to said second link proximate the mid-point of said second link;

(4) a third link pivotally connected to said first link at a point of connection thereof with said second link;

(5) a fourth link pivotally connected to said second link at an extremity thereof remote from a point of connection of said second link with said fifth pivotally movable bar;

(6) a fifth link pivotally connected to said third link at extremity thereof remote from point of connection of said third link with said first link;

(7) said fourth link and said fifth link being pivotally connected proximate respective mid-points thereof;

(8) a sixth link pivotally connected to said fourth link at an extremity thereof remote from connection of said fourth link and said second link;

(9) extremities of said fifth link and said sixth link remote from said points of connection with said fourth link being pivotally connected to said leg support portion of said chair at separated pivotal connection points;

i. rearward movement of said third bar in response to rotation of said bell crank away from said front elevator frame cross-member resulting from retraction of said motor extension shaft rotating said fifth pivotally movable bar and causing convergence of points of pivotal connection of said first link with said third bar and said second link with said fifth bar thereby producing a scissors-type motion to extend said linkage and move said leg support portion from a vertical position to a leg horizontal support position.

25. A lift chair comprising:

a. a seat portion;

b. a reclinable back portion;

c. a leg support portion movable between a position extending downwardly from said seat portion and a position for horizontally supporting lower leg lower extremities of a chair occupant;

d. D.C. motor driven means for moving said leg support portion from said downwardly extending position to said horizontal support position prior to said back portion reclining, reclining said back portion while maintaining said leg support portion in the horizontal support position, and lifting said seat and back portions while maintaining a preselected angle therebetween into a position at which said seat and back portions pitch forwardly thereby facilitating a chair occupant in arising therefrom.

26. A lift chair comprising:

a. a seat portion;

b. a back portion;

c. a leg support portion;

d. a motor; and

e. means connecting said motor to said seat, back and leg support portions, for moving said portions sequentially in response to said motor from a position of reclinement of said back portion with said leg support portion substantially horizontally supporting lower extremities of a chair occupant through a position at which said back portion is relatively upright to define a seated position at which said leg support portion remains in position to substantially horizontally support said chair occupant'"'"'s lower extremities, through a further position at which said leg support portion extends downwardly from said seat portion so that said chair occupant'"'"'s lower extremities may extend towards the floor to a yet further position at which said chair seat, back and leg support portions have been lifted and tilted forwardly to assist a chair occupant in arising therefrom.

27. A motor driven lift chair movable through a continuous range from a recline position at which a back portion of said chair is reclined relative to a seat portion thereof and a leg support portion extends from said seat portion for horizontally supporting lower extremities of a chair occupant through a position at which said back portion is upright relative to said seat portion and said leg support portion continues to be in said lower extremities horizontal support position and further through a position at which said leg support portion extends downwardly from said seat portion thereby to permit a chair occupant'"'"'s lower extremeties to extend towards the floor, to a position at which said leg support portion remains so-positioned at said back and seat portions remain at a constant angle therebetween and are lifted and pitched forward to assist an occupant in arising from said chair, comprising:

a. a motor including an extendible shaft portion for extending or retracting according to direction of motor rotation;

b. a bell crank pivotally connected to said motor shaft for rotation responsively to extension/retraction of said motor shaft;

c. a base for supporting said chair;

d. said motor being pivotally connected to said base for arcuate motion of said motor upon extension/retraction of said motor shaft;

e. said bell crank being pivotally connected to a chair seat support member at a pivotal connection removed from said pivotal connection of said bell crank and said motor shaft;

f. said bell crank being further pivotally connected to a first bar of said four bar linkage;

g. said base defining a second bar of said four bar linkage;

h. third and fourth bars of said four bar linkage being elevator bars connecting said base with said first bar and raising said first bar relative to said base upon extension of said motor shaft rotating said bell crank into abutting disposition with said seat support member and thereafter causing said third and fourth elevator bars to elevate said first bar in response to continued extension of said motor shaft.

28. The motor driven lift chair of claim 27 wherein said axes of said pivotal connections are all parallel.

29. The motor driven lift chair of claim 27 wherein said axis of pivotal connection of said motor shaft and said bell crank is vertically above said axis of pivotal connection of said bell crank with said first bar when said bell crank initially contacts said first bar due to extension of said motor shaft.

30. The motor driven lift chair of claim 27 wherein said bell crank is triangular.

31. The motor driven lift chair of claim 27 wherein said triangular is three-four-five right triangle and said pivotal connection of said motor shaft and said bell crank is opposite the hypotenuse of said triangle.

32. The motor driven lift chair of claim 27 wherein said four side of said triangle connects said pivotal connection of said motor shaft and said bell crank with said point of pivotal connection between said bell crank and said first bar.

33. A lift chair comprising:

a. a base frame;

b. a seat vertically displaceable relative to the base frame;

c. a drive mechanism operable between retracted and extended positions wherein operation of the driving mechanism toward an extended position causes the seat to be displaced vertically upwardly;

d. an elongated cross member extending laterally beneath the seat, pivotally connected to the seat;

e. a crank arm having two transverse legs intersecting one another, pivotally connected to the drive mechanism at the intersection of the legs, one leg being pivotal about a first axis remote from the intersection, the second leg being pivotally connected to the cross member.

34. The lift chair of claim 33 comprising a stop limiting forward rotation of the crank arm when the drive mechanism is operated toward an extended position.

35. The lift chair of claim 33 comprising a connecting link pivotally connected to the second leg of the crank arm and rigidly connected to the cross member.

36. The lift chair of claim 33 wherein the crank arm is a triangularly shaped bell crank.

37. The lift chair of claim 33 wherein the two legs of the crank arm are rigidly connected.

38. The lift chair of claim 33 comprising a motor operable to drive the driving mechanism between retracted and extended positions.

39. The lift chair of claim 33 wherein the drive mechanism comprises a variable length telescoping extension rod.

40. A lift chair comprising:

a. a base frame;

b. a seat vertically displacable relative to the base frame;

c. a drive mechanism operable between extended, intermediate, and retracted positions;

d. a foot rest adjacent a forward end of the seat;

e. a triangular crank arm pivotable about a pivot axis and pivotally connected to an extension rod remote from the pivot axis, the pivot axis being generally fixed when the drive mechanism is operated between the intermediate and the retracted positions, and the pivot axis being vertically displacable when the drive mechanism is operated from the intermediate position to the extended position;

f. an extension linkage connected to the foot rest and the crank arm such that operating the drive mechanism from the intermediate to the retracted position operates to extend the foot rest away from the seat.

41. The lift chair of claim 40 comprising a cross member extending laterally beneath the seat, pivotally connected to the crank arm and the seat.

42. The lift chair of claim 41 comprising a connecting link pivotally connected to the crank arm remote from the pivot axis and rigidly connected to the cross member.

43. The lift chair of claim 40 comprising a motor operable to drive the drive mechanism between the extended, intermediate, and retracted positions.

44. The lift chair of claim 40 wherein the drive mechanism comprises a variable length telescoping extension rod.

45. A lift chair comprising:

a. a base frames;

b. a seat vertically displacable relative to the base frame;

c. a telescoping drive mechanism operable between extended and retracted positions;

d. a seat back transverse the seat, operable between an upright position and a reclined position;

e. a foot rest adjacent a forward end of the seat;

f. a foot rest linkage connecting the drive mechanism and the seat such that operation of the drive mechanism from an extended position to an intermediate retracted position extends the foot rest to an extended position away from the seat, while the seat back is maintained in the upright position;

g. a seat back linkage connecting the drive mechanism and the seat back such that operation of the drive mechanism from the intermediate retracted position to a further retracted position pivots the seat back from the upright position to the reclined position, while the foot rest is maintained in the extended position.

46. The lift chair of claim 45 comprising a triangular crank arm pivotally connected to the drive mechanism.

47. The lift chair of claim 46 comprising an elongated cross member extending laterally beneath the seat, pivotally connected to the seat and the crank arm.

48. The lift chair of claim 47 comprising a connecting link pivotally connected to the crank arm remote from the drive mechanism and rigidly connected to the cross member.

49. The lift chair of claim 45 comprising a motor operable to drive the drive mechanism between the extended and retracted positions.

50. A lift chair comprising:

a. a base frame;

b. a seat vertically displaceable relative to the base frame;

c. a telescoping drive mechanism connected to said seat and said frame and being operable between extended and retracted positions corresponding to movement of said seat relative to said frame;

d. a seat back transverse to the seat, operable between an upright position and a reclined position;

e. a foot rest adjacent a forward end of the seat;

f. a foot rest linkage connecting the foot rest to the drive mechanism such that operation of the drive mechanism from an extended position to an intermediate retracted position translates the seat linearly relative to the base frame and extends the foot rest away from the seat;

g. a seat back linkage connecting the seat back to the drive mechanism such that operation of the drive mechanism from the intermediate retracted position to the retracted position pivots the seat, seat back and foot rest about a pivot axis.

51. The lift chair of claim 50 wherein the seat is not displaced vertically upwardly when the drive mechanism is operated from the extended position to the intermediate retracted position.

52. The lift chair of claim 50 comprising a triangular crank arm pivotally connected to the drive mechanism.

53. The lift chair of claim 52 comprising an elongated cross member extending laterally beneath the seat, pivotally connected to the seat and the crank arm.

54. The lift chair of claim 53 comprising a connecting link pivotally connected to the crank arm remote from the drive mechanism and rigidly connected to the cross member.

55. The lift chair of claim 50 comprising a motor operable to drive the drive mechanism between the extended and retracted positions.

56. A lift chair comprising:

a. a base frame

b. a seat vertically displaceable relative to the base;

c. a telescoping drive mechanism operable between extended and retracted positions;

d. a seat back transverse the seat operable between an upright position and a reclined position;

e. a foot rest adjacent the forward end of the seat;

f. means for sequentially extending the foot rest away from the seat and then pivoting the seat back from the upright position to a reclined position.

57. The lift chair of claim 56 comprising a triangular crank arm pivotally connected to the drive mechanism.

58. The lift chair of claim 56 comprising an elongated cross member extending laterally beneath the seat, pivotally connected to the seat and the crank arm.

59. The lift chair of claim 58 comprising a connecting link pivotally connected to the crank arm remote from the drive mechanism and rigidly connected to the cross member.

60. The lift chair of claim 56 comprising a motor operable to drive the drive mechanism between the extended and retracted positions.

61. A lift chair comprising:

a. a base frame;

b. a seat vertically displacable relative to the base frame;

c. a telescoping drive mechanism operable between extended and retracted positions;

d. a seat back transverse the seat operable between an upright position and a reclined position;

e. a foot rest adjacent a forward end of the seat;

f. means for translating the seat linearly relative to the base frame; and

g. means for pivoting the seat, seat back and foot rest about a pivot axis.

62. The lift chair of claim 61 wherein the means for translating does not vertically displace the seat when the drive mechanism is operated from the extended position to an intermediate retracted position.

63. The lift chair of claim 61 comprising a triangular crank arm pivotally connected to the drive mechanism.

64. The lift chair of claim 61 comprising of an elongated cross member extending laterally beneath the seat, pivotally connected to the seat and the crank arm.

65. The lift chair of claim 64 comprising a connecting link pivotally connected to the crank arm remote from the drive mechanism and rigidly connected to the cross-member.

66. The lift chair of claim 61 comprising a motor operable to drive the drive mechanism between the extended and retracted positions.