| Motorized swivel recliner -> Monitor Keywords |
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Motorized swivel reclinerMotorized swivel recliner description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060087159, Motorized swivel recliner. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to furniture. More particularly, this invention relates to furniture and apparatus, and methods for making the same, for positioning individuals in relaxing, comfortable, and/or healthful positions. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The term zero gravity positioning relates to the orientation of the legs above the level of the heart. It is also called the "90-90" position and the Trendleberg position. The latter term is commonly used in hospitals when a bed is positioned with the legs elevated in order to reduce tension and improve blood circulation. The term "zero gravity," or "Z.G.," stems from suggestions that the human body naturally assumes a similar orientation with respect to the legs when relaxed and suspended in weightlessness. [0003] Chairs have existed since prehistoric times, and recliners have been manufactured for centuries. More recently, relatively speaking, chairs that pivot and chairbacks that fold have been developed. Another improvement consists of some form of leg support while a chair is in a reclined position. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] A family of reclining chair systems has been developed that features, in one aspect, a recliner motion mechanism used for positioning a recliner that includes a seat and a seat back having a fixed positional relationship to each other. According to various embodiments of the present invention, the recliner motion mechanism includes the following: a gear rack adapted to receive a gear that travels in engagement with the gear rack, a gear shaft attached to the gear and driven by a drive motor for rotating the gear and causing it to move along the gear rack, a connection between the drive motor and seat that causes the seat back to move, as the gear travels along the gear rack, at least at the seat back's lower edge, and generally in the direction of the gear rack, and a fixed position curved track, adapted to be engaged by a follower, the follower being connected to the seat back at a position for causing a rotational movement of the seat back relative to a rotational axis of the gear, to guide the seat back during movement of the gear along the gear rack. [0005] According to various embodiments, the invention also includes a gear rack and the curved track adapted to move the seat and seat back into a zero gravity position, wherein the gear is positioned by the motor at a greater distance from a recliner base when the seat back is in a generally reclined position than when the seat back is in a generally upright position, and wherein the motor is powered by a battery. It will be understood by persons versed in the field that the motor may alternatively be powered, for example, using a power cord that plugs into a power outlet. Moreover, in embodiments using a power cord, for example, various precautions may be taken to prevent the undesirable winding of the cord around the chair. [0006] Other embodiments include one or more of the following features. A base unit that supports a seat, wherein the base unit does not recline, the seat has a center of gravity, and the seat is operatively connected to a back support member and a leg support member, wherein the seat, back support member, and leg support member have a fixed relative position orientation to each other and can be reclined as a reclining unit from a generally upright sitting position to a reclined position, a motive drive including a motor that operates to move the center of gravity of the seat forward when shifting the unit to the reclined position, and a fixed position curved track, adapted to be engaged by a follower, the follower being connected to the back support member to guide the back support member down during forward movement of the center of gravity of the seat, wherein the motive drive and the curved track are adapted such that the reclined position is a zero gravity position and wherein the motor is positioned at a higher altitude level when the reclining unit is in the reclined position than when the unit is in the generally upright sitting position. A swivel mechanism is provided to permit the base unit to pivot at least partially, and preferably 360.degree., around a vertical axis. A battery is preferably provided to power the motive drive. [0007] In still other embodiments, a reclining chair further includes a base unit that supports a seat, and the seat is operatively connected to a back support member and a leg support member, wherein the seat, back support member, and leg support member have a fixed relative position orientation to each other and can be reclined as a reclining unit from a generally upright sitting position to a reclined position, a motive drive element that operates to move the reclining unit from the generally upright sitting position to the reclined position, and a fixed track guide element, the motive drive element and the fixed track guide element adapted to permit a rotation of the reclining unit with a simultaneous forward translation of the reclining unit when the reclining unit is moving from the generally upright sitting position to the reclined position, wherein the base unit is adapted to permit the unit to pivot at least partially around a vertical axis. [0008] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and from the following detailed description and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a recliner according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0010] FIG. 2 is a partial side view of a recliner in an upright position according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0011] FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the recliner shown in FIG. 2 in a partially reclined position according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0012] FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the recliner shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in a zero gravity position according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0013] FIG. 5 is a partial side view of armrest and motion bracket assemblies according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0014] FIG. 6 is a partial front view of motion bracket, armrest, and motor assemblies according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0015] Referring to FIG. 1, an example of an architecture in accordance with an aspect of the invention is depicted generally at 100. The system architecture includes a seat, seat back, and footrest member 110, wherein the seat, seat back and armrest have a fixed positional relationship to one another. Member 110 can be positioned in an upright position and reclined to a zero gravity position. Member 110 is supported by armrests 120 and by a base 130. In this example, the armrests 120 do not move as member 110 is reclined. Member 110 and the armrests 120 can pivot side-to-side on base 130 about a vertical axis. Member 110 and armrests 120 are upholstered in the view displayed in FIG. 1. [0016] Referring to FIG. 2, a side view of an embodiment of the invention in an upright position is shown. The upholstery is omitted in the drawing. A backrest frame 205 is constructed using a preferably rigid material (e.g., tubular steel) with an "S" shape to provide a user back support while upright and in the reclined Z.G. position. Backrest frame 205 is connected to a motion bracket 206, which in turn connects to a seat and footrest frame 207. In various embodiments, motion bracket 206 is also constructed using a rigid material such as steel. [0017] According to various embodiments of the invention, the connection of backrest frame 205 to motion bracket 206, and the connection of motion bracket 206 to footrest frame 207, may be permanent and/or made before the recliner chair is purchased by a user. According to other embodiments, these components may be detachably connected to one another prior to purchase. In yet other embodiments, these components may be either detachably or permanently connected by a user following the purchase of the chair (e.g., in the convenience of the user's home). In this last case, as will be appreciated by those versed in the field, transport of the partially unassembled recliner chair will generally be easier than if the chair was constructed prior to transport (e.g., by a merchandiser or manufacturer prior to the purchase of the recliner chair). Additionally, in this case, separate upholstery can be added by, e.g., the manufacturer or the user, for many or all of the various parts of the recliner chair (e.g., the backrest frame 205, the seat of the recliner chair, the footrest frame 207, the armrest 220, etc). [0018] Moreover, according to the invention, footrest frame 207 is designed for easy access to and from the chair. Mounted to motion bracket 206 is a motor 211. Motor 211 drives a shaft attached to a gear 213, which moves along a straight rack 215 within the armrest 220. According to various embodiments of the invention, straight rack 215 is made of a rigid material, such as steel. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2, straight rack 215 is positioned at a 33.degree. incline, which is important but not unique in achieving Z.G. positioning. It will be understood by persons versed in the field that other angles of incline can be used without departing from the principles of the present invention. [0019] When gear 213 is positioned at the bottom of straight rack 215 as illustrated in FIG. 2, backrest frame 205 and footrest frame 207 are oriented in the upright sitting position. By moving gear 213 along straight rack 215 to a position 221, backrest frame 205 and footrest frame 207 are reclined to a Z.G. position (vide FIG. 4). Motion bracket 206 also has mounted a wheel or follower 223, which engages a curved track 225 that forms part of armrest 220. Follower 223 guides and supports backrest frame 205 and footrest frame 207 as motor 211 positions them in sitting or reclined positions. Continue reading about Motorized swivel recliner... Full patent description for Motorized swivel recliner Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Motorized swivel recliner patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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