Patents Assigned to La-Z-Boy Incorporated
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Publication number: 20240032707Abstract: A smart furniture motion control system for controlling movement of one or more movable parts of a first furniture member includes one or more actuators configured to control movement of the one or more movable parts of the first furniture member; a Wi-Fi circuit configured to send and receive wireless signals; and control circuitry configured to control the one or more actuators, wherein the control circuitry is configured to, in response to receiving a smart furniture control signal from a cloud network via the Wi-Fi circuit, drive the one or more actuators such that the one or more movable parts move in accordance with one or more operations specified by the smart furniture control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Applicant: La-Z-Boy IncorporatedInventors: Robert B. WOMACK, Chandrasekar RAMASUBRAMANIAN
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Patent number: 11844432Abstract: A furniture motion control system for controlling movement of one or more movable parts of a furniture member includes a panel including one or more buttons; an actuator configured to control movement of the one or more movable parts of the furniture member; an electric motor configured to drive the actuator; and control circuitry configured to control the electric motor, wherein the control circuitry is configured to, in response to detecting that a first button, from among the one or more buttons, has been pressed, select between controlling the motor to drive the actuator and the one or more movable parts to move automatically and controlling the motor to drive the actuator and the one or more movable parts to move manually, based on a length of time the first button is held.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2021Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: La-Z-Boy IncorporatedInventors: Robert B. Womack, Amee Mayur Patel, Jason Baker, Robert C. Beilfuss
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Patent number: 11814253Abstract: A furniture handling strap assembly may be used to aid in lifting and carrying a furniture item such as a chair, sofa, or loveseat, for example. The handling strap assembly may include a strap, a bracket, and a fastener. The strap may include a first handling loop and a second handling loop. The first and second handling loops may be flexible. The bracket may be attached to the strap. The fastener may be configured to be received through an aperture in the bracket and may engage the furniture item. A person may insert his/her hand through one or both of the handling loops and gasp a portion of the strap. The person may use his/her other hand to support and stabilize the furniture member as the person lifts the furniture item. Another person may assist in lifting the furniture item using another one of the handling strap assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2021Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: La-Z-Boy IncorporatedInventors: Jason M. Baker, Jason D. Rains
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Publication number: 20230292922Abstract: A furniture member may include a seat bottom frame, a seatback frame, and a reclining mechanism. The seatback frame may be movable relative to the seat bottom frame between an upright position and a reclined position. The seatback frame may be coupled to the seat bottom frame by a pair of linkages. The reclining mechanism may include a front support member and a rear support member. The front support member may be attached to the seat bottom frame and the rear support member may be attached to the linkages. The rear support member may be movable relative to the seat bottom frame between a first position when the seatback frame is in the upright position and a second position when the seatback frame is in the reclined position. Movement of the seatback frame between the upright position and the reclined position causes movement of the rear support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2023Publication date: September 21, 2023Applicant: La-Z-Boy IncorporatedInventors: Jason D. RAINS, Larry P. LAPOINTE, Jaime A. MCPHERSON, Ryan M. Nowicki
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Patent number: 11672348Abstract: A furniture assembly may include a seat bottom, a seatback, and a lumbar adjustment assembly. The seatback is disposed adjacent the seat bottom and includes a seatback frame. The lumbar adjustment assembly may be mounted to the seatback frame and may include a rail, a threaded rod disposed within the rail, a first slider block slidably engaging the rail, a second slider block slidably engaging the rail, a lumbar pad, and links connecting the lumbar pad to the first and second slider blocks. The threaded rod may include a first threaded section having threads with a first handedness and a second threaded section having threads with a second handedness that is opposite the first handedness. The first slider block may threadably engage the first threaded section. The second slider block may threadably engage the second threaded section. One or more massaging units may be mounted to the lumbar pad.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2022Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: La-Z-Boy IncorporatedInventors: Brandon Bucholz, Alexander M. Hegedus, Larry P. LaPointe
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Patent number: 11622629Abstract: A furniture member includes a base assembly, a frame assembly, a legrest mechanism, a support rod, and a sync mechanism. The frame assembly is movable relative to the base assembly among an upright position, a partially reclined position, and a fully reclined position. The legrest mechanism is movable relative to the frame assembly between a retracted position and a fully extended position. The support rod is supported by the frame assembly. The sync mechanism is coupled to and supported by the support rod. The sync mechanism is configured to prevent the frame assembly from moving from the upright position to the partially reclined position until the legrest mechanism reaches the fully extended position.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2021Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: La-Z-Boy IncorporatedInventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Jaime A. McPherson, Christopher A. Larsen, Randy Loper, Richard D. Hartford, Chandrasekar Ramasubramanian
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Publication number: 20220257021Abstract: A furniture assembly may include a seat bottom, a seatback, and a lumbar adjustment assembly. The seatback is disposed adjacent the seat bottom and includes a seatback frame. The lumbar adjustment assembly may be mounted to the seatback frame and may include a rail, a threaded rod disposed within the rail, a first slider block slidably engaging the rail, a second slider block slidably engaging the rail, a lumbar pad, and links connecting the lumbar pad to the first and second slider blocks. The threaded rod may include a first threaded section having threads with a first handedness and a second threaded section having threads with a second handedness that is opposite the first handedness. The first slider block may threadably engage the first threaded section. The second slider block may threadably engage the second threaded section. One or more massaging units may be mounted to the lumbar pad.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2022Publication date: August 18, 2022Applicant: La-Z-Boy IncorporatedInventors: Brandon BUCHOLZ, Alexander M. HEGEDUS, Larry P. LAPOINTE
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Publication number: 20220162003Abstract: A furniture handling strap assembly may be used to aid in lifting and carrying a furniture item such as a chair, sofa, or loveseat, for example. The handling strap assembly may include a strap, a bracket, and a fastener. The strap may include a first handling loop and a second handling loop. The first and second handling loops may be flexible. The bracket may be attached to the strap. The fastener may be configured to be received through an aperture in the bracket and may engage the furniture item. A person may insert his/her hand through one or both of the handling loops and gasp a portion of the strap. The person may use his/her other hand to support and stabilize the furniture member as the person lifts the furniture item. Another person may assist in lifting the furniture item using another one of the handling strap assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2021Publication date: May 26, 2022Applicant: La-Z-Boy IncorporatedInventors: Jason M. BAKER, Jason D. RAINS
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Patent number: 11324324Abstract: A seating or furniture assembly may include a seat bottom, a seatback, and a lumbar adjustment assembly. The seatback is disposed adjacent the seat bottom and includes a seatback frame. The lumbar adjustment assembly may be mounted to the seatback frame and may include a rail, a threaded rod disposed within the rail, a first slider block slidably engaging the rail, a second slider block slidably engaging the rail, a third slider block engaging the rail, a lumbar pad, and a plurality of links connecting the lumbar pad to the first, second, and third slider blocks. The threaded rod includes a first threaded section having threads with a first handedness and a second threaded section having threads with a second handedness that is opposite the first handedness. The first and second slider blocks threadably engage the first threaded section. The third slider block threadably engage the second threaded section.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2021Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: La-Z-Boy IncorporatedInventors: Brandon Bucholz, Alexander M. Hegedus, Larry P. LaPointe
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Publication number: 20220125201Abstract: A furniture member includes a base assembly, a frame assembly, a legrest mechanism, a support rod, and a sync mechanism. The frame assembly is movable relative to the base assembly among an upright position, a partially reclined position, and a fully reclined position. The legrest mechanism is movable relative to the frame assembly between a retracted position and a fully extended position. The support rod is supported by the frame assembly. The sync mechanism is coupled to and supported by the support rod. The sync mechanism is configured to prevent the frame assembly from moving from the upright position to the partially reclined position until the legrest mechanism reaches the fully extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2021Publication date: April 28, 2022Applicant: La-Z-Boy IncorporatedInventors: Larry P. LAPOINTE, Jaime A. MCPHERSON, Christopher A. LARSEN, Randy LOPER, Richard D. HARTFORD, Chandrasekar RAMASUBRAMANIAN
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Patent number: 11284724Abstract: A seating or furniture assembly may include a seat bottom, a seatback, and a lumbar adjustment assembly. The seatback is disposed adjacent the seat bottom and includes a seatback frame. The lumbar adjustment assembly may be mounted to the seatback frame and may include a rail, a threaded rod disposed within the rail, a first slider block slidably engaging the rail, a second slider block slidably engaging the rail, a lumbar pad, and a plurality of links connecting the lumbar pad to the first and second slider blocks. The threaded rod may include a first threaded section having threads with a first handedness and a second threaded section having threads with a second handedness that is opposite the first handedness. The first slider block may threadably engage the first threaded section. The second slider block may threadably engage the second threaded section.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2021Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: La-Z-Boy IncorporatedInventors: Brandon Bucholz, Alexander M. Hegedus
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Patent number: 11197549Abstract: A furniture member includes a base assembly, a frame assembly, a legrest mechanism, a support rod, and a sync mechanism. The frame assembly is movable relative to the base assembly among an upright position, a partially reclined position, and a fully reclined position. The legrest mechanism is movable relative to the frame assembly between a retracted position and a fully extended position. The support rod is supported by the frame assembly. The sync mechanism is coupled to and supported by the support rod. The sync mechanism is configured to prevent the frame assembly from moving from the upright position to the partially reclined position until the legrest mechanism reaches the fully extended position.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2020Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: La-Z-Boy IncorporatedInventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Jaime A. McPherson, Christopher A. Larsen, Randy C. Loper, Richard D. Hartford, Chandrasekar Ramasubramanian
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Patent number: 11134778Abstract: A furniture member may include a base frame, a chaise seat bottom frame, and a seatback frame. The chaise seat bottom frame is supported by the base frame and is movable relative to the base frame between first and second positions. The chaise seat bottom frame includes an upper-leg-supporting portion and a lower-leg-supporting portion that are fixed to each other. The lower-leg-supporting portion may support an occupant's lower legs in an extended position relative to the occupant's upper legs. The seatback frame may be supported by the base frame and may be movable relative to the base frame and the chaise seat bottom frame between upright and reclined positions. Movement of the seatback frame from the upright position to the reclined position causes movement of the chaise seat bottom frame upward and forward relative to an aft end of the base frame from the first position to the second position.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2020Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: La-Z-Boy IncorporatedInventors: Larry P. LaPointe, John J. Bryson, Jason D. Rains, Mark D. McClung
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Patent number: 11137810Abstract: A charger comprises an input circuit that receives power from a power source, a converter circuit, an output circuit, and a switching circuit. The converter circuit is connected between the input circuit and a signal ground of the charger and converts the power from a first voltage to a second voltage. The signal ground is connected to a chassis ground of the charger. The output circuit is connected between an output of the converter circuit and the signal ground and the chassis ground, and outputs the second voltage to an output connector of the charger. The switching circuit is connected between the output of the input circuit and an electrically conducting casing of the output connector, and controls the converter circuit. The switching circuit and the electrically conducting casing of the output connector are not connected to the signal ground and the chassis ground of the charger.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: La-Z-Boy IncorporatedInventors: Tahir Ahmad, Jaime McPherson
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Publication number: 20210251388Abstract: A seating or furniture assembly may include a seat bottom, a seatback, and a lumbar adjustment assembly. The seatback is disposed adjacent the seat bottom and includes a seatback frame. The lumbar adjustment assembly may be mounted to the seatback frame and may include a rail, a threaded rod disposed within the rail, a first slider block slidably engaging the rail, a second slider block slidably engaging the rail, a third slider block engaging the rail, a lumbar pad, and a plurality of links connecting the lumbar pad to the first, second, and third slider blocks. The threaded rod includes a first threaded section having threads with a first handedness and a second threaded section having threads with a second handedness that is opposite the first handedness. The first and second slider blocks threadably engage the first threaded section. The third slider block threadably engage the second threaded section.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Applicant: La-Z-Boy IncorporatedInventors: Brandon BUCHOLZ, Alexander M. HEGEDUS, Larry P. LAPOINTE
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Patent number: 11071385Abstract: A control system for a piece of furniture includes a control panel configured to receive input from a user, a control module configured to control actuators coupled to movable components of the piece of furniture, and a battery system. The control module is configured to, in response to the input from the user indicating an intent to return the movable components to respective home positions, perform a homing sequence. The homing sequence includes selecting a first actuator according to a specified order, determining a home location for the selected actuator, and beginning to drive the selected actuator toward the home location. The homing sequence includes repeatedly selecting a next actuator according to the specified order and repeating the determining and the beginning. The homing sequence includes determining whether mains electricity is present and, if not, pausing the repeatedly selecting until less than a threshold number of actuators are in motion.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2020Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: La-Z-Boy IncorporatedInventors: Robert B. Womack, Robert C. Beilfuss, Jason M. Baker
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Publication number: 20210204700Abstract: A seating or furniture assembly may include a seat bottom, a seatback, and a lumbar adjustment assembly. The seatback is disposed adjacent the seat bottom and includes a seatback frame. The lumbar adjustment assembly may be mounted to the seatback frame and may include a rail, a threaded rod disposed within the rail, a first slider block slidably engaging the rail, a second slider block slidably engaging the rail, a lumbar pad, and a plurality of links connecting the lumbar pad to the first and second slider blocks. The threaded rod may include a first threaded section having threads with a first handedness and a second threaded section having threads with a second handedness that is opposite the first handedness. The first slider block may threadably engage the first threaded section. The second slider block may threadably engage the second threaded section.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Applicant: La-Z-Boy IncorporatedInventors: Brandon BUCHOLZ, Alexander M. HEGEDUS
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Patent number: 10952535Abstract: A seating or furniture assembly may include a seat bottom, a seatback, and a lumbar adjustment assembly. The seatback is disposed adjacent the seat bottom and includes a seatback frame. The lumbar adjustment assembly may be mounted to the seatback frame and may include a rail, a threaded rod disposed within the rail, a first slider block slidably engaging the rail, a second slider block slidably engaging the rail, a lumbar pad, and a plurality of links connecting the lumbar pad to the first and second slider blocks. The threaded rod may include a first threaded section having threads with a first handedness and a second threaded section having threads with a second handedness that is opposite the first handedness. The first slider block may threadably engage the first threaded section. The second slider block may threadably engage the second threaded section.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATEDInventors: Brandon Bucholz, Alexander M. Hegedus
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Patent number: 10932379Abstract: A furniture member may include a base frame, a seat assembly, a motor, and a circuit board assembly. The seat assembly is supported by the base frame. The motor is operable to drive at least one component of the seat assembly. The circuit board assembly includes a circuit board and an enclosure. The circuit board is housed within the enclosure and is in communication with the motor. The enclosure may include a body, a first clip attached to the body, and a second clip attached to the body. The first and second clips may be resiliently flexible and may removably engage a beam of the seat assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: La-Z-Boy IncorporatedInventors: Jaime A. Mcpherson, Jason D. Rains, Jason M. Baker
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Patent number: 10925404Abstract: A kit of components is provided for manufacturing a plurality of furniture members. The kit may include first and second armrest frames, a mounting cradle, a remote control device, an adaptor insert, and a control panel. The first armrest frame may include a first armrest panel having a first opening formed therein. The mounting cradle may include a first housing received through the first opening and engaging the first armrest panel. The remote control device may be removably received in the mounting cradle. The second armrest frame may include a second armrest panel having a second opening formed therein. The second opening may be identical to the first opening. The adaptor insert may be partially received through the second opening and may engage the second armrest panel. The adaptor insert may include a third opening. The control panel may include a second housing received through the third opening and engaging the adaptor insert.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: La-Z-Boy IncorporatedInventors: Jason D. Rains, Christopher A. Larsen, Mark D. McClung, Jason M. Baker