Patents by Inventor Gregory M. Lawson

Gregory M. Lawson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10021980
    Abstract: A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to adjust between closed, extended, and reclined positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a linear actuator primarily coupled to a seat mounting plate for carrying out automated adjustment of the linkage assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Gregory M. Lawson
  • Publication number: 20170135486
    Abstract: A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to adjust between closed, extended, and reclined positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes an adjustment mechanism having a motor and a track that is coupled to the motor and that extends from a front portion of the seating unit to a rear portion of the seating unit. The linkage mechanism also includes a motor activator block slidably coupled to the track and movable along the track using the motor, as well as a single drive link that is attached to the motor activator block. The motor activator block includes a carriage body that slidably attaches the motor activator block to the track and one or more mounting tabs that extend from the carriage body toward the rear portion of the seating unit and that are coupled to the single drive link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: GREGORY M. LAWSON
  • Publication number: 20170127834
    Abstract: A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to adjust between closed, extended, and reclined positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a seat-mounting plate mounted to a footrest assembly, a back-mounting link and a rear bellcrank both rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting plate, an activator bar that controls a footrest drive link, and a linear actuator for carrying out automated adjustment of the linkage assembly. In operation, a stroke in a first phase of the linear actuator generates a torque on the activator bar. The footrest drive link converts the torque into a laterally-directed force that pushes the footrest assembly into the extended position. A stroke in the second phase acts to push the activator bar forward and translate the seat-mounting plate forward at a consistent inclination angle. The forward translation causes the rear bellcrank to rotate, thereby biasing the back-mounting link rearward into the reclined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: GREGORY M. LAWSON, STEPHEN LAKE
  • Patent number: 9468295
    Abstract: A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to move the seating unit between closed, extended, reclined, and seat-lift positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a footrest assembly, a back-mounting link coupled to a seat-mounting plate, a base plate coupled to a lift-base assembly via a lift assembly, a motor tube, and two linear actuators for automating adjustment of the linkage mechanism. A first phase involves a second linear actuator rotating the motor tube angularly within a first range of degrees, causing the seat-adjustment assembly to bias the seat-mounting plate. A second phase involves the second linear actuator rotating the motor tube angularly within a second range of degrees, causing the footrest assembly to extend or retract without affecting the back-mounting link bias. A third phase involves a first linear actuator causing the lift assembly to raise and tilt the base plate directly over the lift-base assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Gregory M. Lawson
  • Patent number: 9386857
    Abstract: A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to adjust between closed, extended, and reclined positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a seat-mounting plate mounted to a footrest assembly, a back-mounting link and a rear bellcrank both rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting plate, an activator bar that controls a footrest drive link, and a linear actuator for carrying out automated adjustment of the linkage assembly. In operation, a stroke in a first phase of the linear actuator generates a torque on the activator bar. The footrest drive link converts the torque into a laterally-directed force that pushes the footrest assembly into the extended position. A stroke in the second phase acts to push the activator bar forward and translate the seat-mounting plate forward at a consistent inclination angle. The forward translation causes the rear bellcrank to rotate, thereby biasing the back-mounting link rearward into the reclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Gregory M. Lawson, Stephen Lake
  • Patent number: 9375089
    Abstract: A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to adjust between closed, extended, and reclined positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a seat-mounting plate mounted to a footrest assembly, a back-mounting link and a rear bellcrank both rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting plate, an activator bar that controls a footrest drive link, and a linear actuator for carrying out automated adjustment of the linkage assembly. In operation, a stroke in a first phase of the linear actuator generates a torque on the activator bar. The footrest drive link converts the torque into a laterally-directed force that pushes the footrest assembly into the extended position. A stroke in the second phase acts to push the activator bar forward and translate the seat-mounting plate forward at a consistent inclination angle. The forward translation causes the rear bellcrank to rotate, thereby biasing the back-mounting link rearward into the reclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Gregory M. Lawson, Stephen Lake
  • Publication number: 20160022040
    Abstract: A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to adjust between closed, extended, and reclined positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a linear actuator primarily coupled to a seat mounting plate for carrying out automated adjustment of the linkage assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: GREGORY M. LAWSON
  • Publication number: 20150289655
    Abstract: A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to adjust between closed, extended, and reclined positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes an adjustment mechanism having a motor and a track that is coupled to the motor and that extends from a front portion of the seating unit to a rear portion of the seating unit. The linkage mechanism also includes a motor activator block slidably coupled to the track and movable along the track using the motor, as well as a single drive link that is attached to the motor activator block. The motor activator block includes a carriage body that slidably attaches the motor activator block to the track and one or more mounting tabs that extend from the carriage body toward the rear portion of the seating unit and that are coupled to the single drive link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventor: GREGORY M. LAWSON
  • Publication number: 20150282619
    Abstract: A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to move the seating unit between closed, extended, reclined, and seat-lift positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a footrest assembly, a back-mounting link coupled to a seat-mounting plate, a base plate coupled to a lift-base assembly via a lift assembly, a motor tube, and two linear actuators for automating adjustment of the linkage mechanism. A first phase involves a second linear actuator rotating the motor tube angularly within a first range of degrees, causing the seat-adjustment assembly to bias the seat-mounting plate. A second phase involves the second linear actuator rotating the motor tube angularly within a second range of degrees, causing the footrest assembly to extend or retract without affecting the back-mounting link bias. A third phase involves a first linear actuator causing the lift assembly to raise and tilt the base plate directly over the lift-base assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventor: GREGORY M. LAWSON
  • Patent number: 9039078
    Abstract: A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to move the seating unit between seat-lift, closed, extended, reclined, and seat-lift positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a seat-mounting plate mounted to a footrest assembly, a base plate fixedly mounted to a lift assembly, a back-mounting link rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting plate, a seat-adjustment assembly with a bellcrank, and a linear actuator for automating adjustment of the linkage mechanism. In operation, a stroke in a first phase of the linear actuator generates a force on the bellcrank that translates the seat-mounting plate rearward in a consistent angle of inclination and rotates the back-mounting link from a reclined to an upright orientation. A stroke in a second phase acts to collapse the footrest assembly. A stroke in a third phase causes the lift assembly to raise and tilt the seating unit, thereby accommodating egress and ingress of an occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Gregory M Lawson, Jason Allan Bryant
  • Patent number: 8944498
    Abstract: A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to move the seating unit between closed, extended, reclined, and seat-lift positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a footrest assembly and a back-mounting link coupled to a seat-mounting plate, a base plate coupled to a lift-base assembly via a lift assembly, a drive bracket, a motor tube, and two linear actuators for automating adjustment of the linkage mechanism. In operation, a first phase involves a second linear actuator rotating the motor tube, thereby causing the seat-adjustment assembly to bias the seat-mounting plate. A second phase involves a first linear actuator rotating the drive bracket, thereby causing the footrest assembly to extend or retract without affecting the bias of the back-mounting link. A third phase involves the first linear actuator causing the lift assembly to raise and tilt the base plate directly over the lift-base assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: L & Property Management Company
    Inventor: Gregory M. Lawson
  • Publication number: 20140049079
    Abstract: A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to adjust between closed, extended, and reclined positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a seat-mounting plate mounted to a footrest assembly, a back-mounting link and a rear bellcrank both rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting plate, an activator bar that controls a footrest drive link, and a linear actuator for carrying out automated adjustment of the linkage assembly. In operation, a stroke in a first phase of the linear actuator generates a torque on the activator bar. The footrest drive link converts the torque into a laterally-directed force that pushes the footrest assembly into the extended position. A stroke in the second phase acts to push the activator bar forward and translate the seat-mounting plate forward at a consistent inclination angle. The forward translation causes the rear bellcrank to rotate, thereby biasing the back-mounting link rearward into the reclined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: L & P PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: GREGORY M. LAWSON, STEPHEN LAKE
  • Publication number: 20140049084
    Abstract: A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to adjust between closed, extended, and reclined positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a seat-mounting plate mounted to a footrest assembly, a back-mounting link and a rear bellcrank both rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting plate, an activator bar that controls a footrest drive link, and a linear actuator for carrying out automated adjustment of the linkage assembly. In operation, a stroke in a first phase of the linear actuator generates a torque on the activator bar. The footrest drive link converts the torque into a laterally-directed force that pushes the footrest assembly into the extended position. A stroke in the second phase acts to push the activator bar forward and translate the seat-mounting plate forward at a consistent inclination angle. The forward translation causes the rear bellcrank to rotate, thereby biasing the back-mounting link rearward into the reclined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: GREGORY M. LAWSON, STEVEN LAKE
  • Patent number: 8573687
    Abstract: A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to adjust between closed, extended, and reclined positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a seat-mounting plate mounted to a footrest assembly, a back-mounting link and a rear bellcrank both rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting plate, an activator bar that controls a footrest drive link, and a linear actuator for carrying out automated adjustment of the linkage assembly. In operation, a stroke in a first phase of the linear actuator generates a torque on the activator bar. The footrest drive link converts the torque into a laterally-directed force that pushes the footrest assembly into the extended position. A stroke in the second phase acts to push the activator bar forward and translate the seat-mounting plate forward at a consistent inclination angle. The forward translation causes the rear bellcrank to rotate, thereby biasing the back-mounting link rearward into the reclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Gregory M. Lawson, Stephen Lake
  • Publication number: 20130175847
    Abstract: A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to move the seating unit between closed, extended, reclined, and seat-lift positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a footrest assembly and a back-mounting link coupled to a seat-mounting plate, a base plate coupled to a lift-base assembly via a lift assembly, a drive bracket, a motor tube, and two linear actuators for automating adjustment of the linkage mechanism. In operation, a first phase involves a second linear actuator rotating the motor tube, thereby causing the seat-adjustment assembly to bias the seat-mounting plate. A second phase involves a first linear actuator rotating the drive bracket, thereby causing the footrest assembly to extend or retract without affecting the bias of the back-mounting link. A third phase involves the first linear actuator causing the lift assembly to raise and tilt the base plate directly over the lift-base assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: L & P PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory M. Lawson
  • Publication number: 20130175846
    Abstract: A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to move the seating unit between closed, extended, reclined, and seat-lift positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a footrest assembly and a back-mounting link coupled to a seat-mounting plate, a base plate coupled to a lift-base assembly via a lift assembly, a seat-adjustment assembly including a drive bracket, and a linear actuator for automating adjustment of the linkage mechanism. In operation, a stroke in a first phase of the linear actuator rotates the drive bracket a first angular increment causing the seat-adjustment assembly to bias the seat-mounting plate. A stroke in a second phase rotates the drive bracket a second angular increment causing the footrest assembly to extend or retract without affecting the bias of the back-mounting link. A stroke in a third phase causes the lift assembly to raise and tilt the base plate directly over the lift-base assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: L & P PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory M. Lawson
  • Patent number: 8419122
    Abstract: Provided is a linkage mechanism for a recliner that includes a seat-mounting plate, a base plate that is vertically supported by one or more legs, a footrest assembly adapted to extend ottoman(s) when the recliner is adjusted from a closed to an extended position, and a front lift assembly. The front lift assembly includes a front bellcrank that is rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting plate, a front pivot link that is rotatably coupled to the base plate, a carrier link that is pivotably coupled to the front pivot link and to the front bellcrank, and a front lift link that is rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting plate and is pivotably coupled to the front lift link. Additionally, the linkage mechanism includes a seat-adjustment assembly that cooperates with the front lift assembly to translate the seat-mounting plate over the base plate during adjustment between extended and reclined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Gregory M. Lawson, Robert Dean Donovan
  • Patent number: 8398165
    Abstract: A rocker-recliner-style seating unit (rocker recliner) that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to move the rocker recliner between closed, extended, and reclined positions is provided. The rocker recliner is powered by a linear actuator that facilitates automated adjustment of the linkage mechanism. This adjustment of the linear actuator is sequenced into a first phase and a second phase. A stroke of the linear actuator in the first phase acts to adjust the linkage mechanism between the closed and extended positions by extending or retracting ottoman(s) attached to a footrest assembly. A stroke in the second phase acts to adjust the linkage mechanism between the extended and reclined positions by translating a seat-mounting plate forward or rearward at a consistent inclination angle while, concurrently, tilting a back-mounting link. Accordingly, the phase sequencing ensures that the linkage mechanism commences adjustment within the second phase only once the first-phase adjustment is substantially complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Gregory M. Lawson
  • Patent number: 8398168
    Abstract: A glider-recliner-style seating unit (glider recliner) that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to move the glider recliner between closed, extended, and reclined positions is provided. The glider recliner is powered by a linear actuator that facilitates automated adjustment of the linkage mechanism. This adjustment of the linear actuator is sequenced into a first phase and a second phase. A stroke of the linear actuator in the first phase acts to adjust the linkage mechanism between the closed and extended positions by extending or retracting ottoman(s) attached to a footrest assembly. A stroke in the second phase acts to adjust the linkage mechanism between the extended and reclined positions by translating a seat-mounting plate forward or rearward at a consistent inclination angle while, concurrently, tilting a back-mounting link. Accordingly, the phase sequencing ensures that the linkage mechanism commences adjustment within the second phase only once the first-phase adjustment is substantially complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Gregory M. Lawson
  • Publication number: 20130038095
    Abstract: A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to move the seating unit between seat-lift, closed, extended, reclined, and seat-lift positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a seat-mounting plate mounted to a footrest assembly, a base plate fixedly mounted to a lift assembly, a back-mounting link rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting plate, a seat-adjustment assembly with a bellcrank, and a linear actuator for automating adjustment of the linkage mechanism. In operation, a stroke in a first phase of the linear actuator generates a force on the bellcrank that translates the seat-mounting plate rearward in a consistent angle of inclination and rotates the back-mounting link from a reclined to an upright orientation. A stroke in a second phase acts to collapse the footrest assembly. A stroke in a third phase causes the lift assembly to raise and tilt the seating unit, thereby accommodating egress and ingress of an occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: L & P PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory M. LAWSON, Jason ALLAN BRYANT