Patents Assigned to La-Z-Boy Incorporated
  • Publication number: 20180078039
    Abstract: A furniture member may include a base frame and a seat assembly mounted on the base frame. The seat assembly may include a seat frame, a seatback, a seat bottom, a rocker member, a legrest mechanism, and a tilt mechanism. The rocker member is attached to the seat frame and rollingly contacts the base frame. The rocker member supports the seat assembly relative to the base frame such that the seat assembly is movable between a rocked-back tilt position and a rocked-forward tilt position. The legrest mechanism is mounted to the seat frame and attached to a legrest platform. The legrest mechanism may include a drive rod coupled to a pantograph linkage that is movable relative to the seat frame between retracted and extended positions. The tilt mechanism selectively locks the seat assembly in one of an infinite number of tilt positions between the rocked-back and rocked-forward tilt positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LAPOINTE, Chad E. ADAMS, Chandrasekar RAMASUBRAMANIAN
  • Publication number: 20180070725
    Abstract: A furniture member may include a stationary base frame, a seat bottom frame, a seat bottom cushion, a seatback frame, and a seatback cushion. The base frame may include a forward support, an aft support, and a pair of armrests that extend between the forward support and the aft support. The forward, aft and lateral supports are stationary and fixed relative to each other. The seat bottom frame may be supported by the base frame. An upper end of the seatback frame may be pivotably coupled to the aft support such that the seatback frame is rotatable relative to the aft support and the seat bottom frame between a first position and a second position. A lower end of the seatback cushion has a greater range of motion than an upper end of the seatback cushion when the seatback frame moves between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LAPOINTE, Chad E. Adams, Jason Raines, Jason Bryson
  • Publication number: 20170347796
    Abstract: A furniture member may include a base frame, a seat assembly, a drive rod, a legrest mechanism, and a wall-proximity mechanism. The seat assembly is supported by the base frame and includes a seat frame, a seat bottom, a seatback and a legrest. The legrest is movable relative to the base frame and seat frame between a retracted position and an extended position. The seatback is movable relative to the base frame and seat frame between an upright position and a reclined position. The drive rod is rotatably mounted to the seat frame. The legrest mechanism is attached to the legrest and the seat frame and is driven by the drive rod. The wall-proximity mechanism is connected to the base frame and to the seat assembly and tilts the seat frame rearward relative to the base frame and translates the seat frame forward relative to the base frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LAPOINTE, Richard E. MARSHALL
  • Patent number: 9661927
    Abstract: A furniture member powered mechanism providing both lift and zero gravity operating positions includes a first torque tube having first and second connecting links fixed thereto. The connecting links are each rotatably connected to a first or second connecting arm. The first and second connecting arms are rotatably connected to a gear housing. A positioning motor connected to the gear housing displaces a slide member coupled to the gear housing. Slide member motion displaces the first and second connecting arms, displacing and rotating the first torque tube. First and second connecting plates are rotatably connected to the slide member. A second torque tube is fixed at opposite ends to each of first and second arm rest portions of a furniture member base portion. The first and second connecting plates are also connected to the second torque tube such that slide member displacement rotates the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Alexander M. Hegedus, Eric B. Harwood
  • Patent number: 9655450
    Abstract: A furniture member may include a base assembly, a frame assembly and a tilt mechanism. The base assembly includes rails having a track and a stop plug received in the track. The frame assembly includes a base frame, a seatback frame and a seat bottom frame. The seatback frame is rotatably coupled to the base frame. The seat bottom frame is coupled to the seatback frame such that rotation of the seatback frame causes movement of the seat bottom frame relative to the seatback frame and the base frame. The tilt mechanism is coupled to the seat bottom frame and engages the tracks such that rotation of the seatback frame relative to the base frame causes bearings of the tilt mechanism to slide along the tracks, thereby translating the base frame relative to the base assembly. The bearings contact stop plugs when the seatback is in a fully reclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard E. Marshall, Eugene Cole, II
  • Patent number: 9655451
    Abstract: A furniture member rocker spring assembly includes first and second bracket members arranged in mirror image configuration. First and second springs are positioned between and in direct contact with each of the first and second bracket members. A restrictor bolt assembly is positioned intermediately between the first and second springs. The restrictor bolt assembly includes at least one sleeve member received in an aperture of the first and second bracket members and a fastener that extends through a sleeve bore in the sleeve member. The sleeve member is arranged in sliding contact with at least one of the first and second bracket members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Eric B. Harwood, Larry P. LaPointe
  • Patent number: 9639872
    Abstract: A sales management system may include a pricing data store operable to store a manufacturer price for a sales item; a retail input device adapted to receive a margin applicable to the sales item from a retailer and operable to store the margin; a retail display device residing at a retail location and configured to display a retail price for the sales item; and a product information provider located remotely from the retail display device and in communication with the manufacturer pricing data store, the product information provider configured to receive a request for product information from the retail display device and operable to compute the retail price for the sales item based in part on the manufacturer price for the sales item and the margin associated with the retailer and to provide the retail price to the retail display device for display in relation to the sales item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Maxwell Kincaid Dyer, Daren Christopher Wilz
  • Publication number: 20170071352
    Abstract: A furniture member may include a base frame, a seat bottom and an ottoman assembly. The seat bottom is attached to the base frame and defines a seating surface. The ottoman assembly may include a drive assembly that moves an ottoman platform relative to the seat bottom and the base frame among a retracted position, an extended position and a raised position. The ottoman platform includes a support surface that faces upward and away from a ground surface in the retracted, extended and raised positions. The ottoman platform is disposed beneath the seating surface in the retracted position and moves linearly in a horizontal direction from the retracted position to the extended position. The ottoman platform moves linearly in a vertically upward direction from the extended position to the raised position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Chad E. Adams, Larry P. Lapointe, Jason Raines, Jason Bryson, Erika Norling, Tahir Ahmad
  • Publication number: 20170013961
    Abstract: A furniture member may include a stationary base frame, a seatback frame, a seat bottom frame and a linkage. The seatback frame is supported by the base frame and is pivotable relative to the base frame. The seat bottom frame maybe supported by the base frame and may be movable relative to the seatback frame and the base frame. The linkage is attached to the base frame, the seatback frame, the seat bottom frame and a legrest platform. The linkage is movable between first and second positions. Movement of the linkage toward the first position causes the seatback frame to move toward a fully upright position and simultaneously causes the legrest platform to move toward a stowed position. Movement of the linkage toward the second position causes the seatback frame to move toward a fully reclined position and simultaneously causes the legrest platform to move toward a fully extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Chad E. Adams, Jason Raines, Jason Bryson
  • Publication number: 20160344196
    Abstract: An article of furniture having an internal frame and an upholstery covering is provided with at least one transmitting resonator carried by said frame and disposed at least partially beneath said upholstery covering. The resonator is tuned for resonance at a predetermined frequency and driven by a high frequency power source also carried by said frame. The high frequency power source is adapted for coupling to a source of electric power external to the article of furniture, such as to an AC outlet. The high frequency power source and transmitting resonator producing in the near field adjacent the at least one transmitting resonator a magnetic field that couples and transfers power at the predetermined frequency. A complementary receiving resonator or a compound passive resonator having two or more coils is coupled to the load to be powered and power is transferred by magnetic induction when the receiving resonator is positioned within the near field of the transmitting resonator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Tahir Ahmad, Chad E. Adams, Larry P. LaPointe
  • Patent number: 9462887
    Abstract: A seatback member cam adjustment system includes a seat link having a first bore and a seatback link rotatably connected to the seat link. The seatback link includes an arm portion and a leg portion connected to the arm portion. The leg portion is angularly oriented to the arm portion, and includes a second bore smaller than the first bore. A cam member cam body is positioned in the first bore. A cam body obround cam surface has oppositely facing first and second cam contact points both in direct contact with a first bore inner wall. A cam mount shaft is rotatably supported in the cam member including and extends through the second bore rotatably supporting the cam mount shaft in the second bore. Cam member rotation displaces the cam contact points along the first bore inner wall changing an arm portion orientation angle and a seatback member orientation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Eric B. Harwood, Larry P. Lapointe, Richard D. Hartford
  • Publication number: 20160270537
    Abstract: A furniture member may include a base assembly, a frame assembly and a tilt mechanism. The base assembly includes rails having a track and a stop plug received in the track. The frame assembly includes a base frame, a seatback frame and a seat bottom frame. The seatback frame is rotatably coupled to the base frame. The seat bottom frame is coupled to the seatback frame such that rotation of the seatback frame causes movement of the seat bottom frame relative to the seatback frame and the base frame. The tilt mechanism is coupled to the seat bottom frame and engages the tracks such that rotation of the seatback frame relative to the base frame causes bearings of the tilt mechanism to slide along the tracks, thereby translating the base frame relative to the base assembly. The bearings contact stop plugs when the seatback is in a fully reclined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard E. Marshall, Eugene Cole, II
  • Patent number: 9414679
    Abstract: An article of furniture may include a seat link and a seatback link. The seat link may include first, second and third apertures. The seatback link may be rotatably coupled to the seat link and may include fourth, fifth and sixth apertures. The seatback link and a seatback frame may be rotatable relative to the seat link and a seat-bottom frame among a first position in which only the first and fourth apertures are coaxially aligned, a second position in which only the second and fifth apertures are coaxially aligned, and a third position in which only the third and sixth apertures are coaxially aligned. The seatback link may be rotationally locked relative to the seat link by inserting a fastener in the first and fourth apertures in the first position, the second and fifth apertures in the second position, and the third and sixth apertures in the third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. Lapointe, Eric B. Harwood, Richard D. Hartford
  • Patent number: 9408764
    Abstract: A lift chair includes a frame assembly including a chair portion rotatable with respect to a base portion. A lift mechanism portion is positioned in a base portion cavity. The lift mechanism portion includes a lift motor and a drive assembly connected to the lift motor having a slide. A lift tube connects the slide to the chair portion. The lift tube upon actuation of the lift motor displaces the chair portion between a nominal and a full lift position by slide displacement in a slide lifting direction. First and second guide members are positioned on opposite sides of the drive assembly and connected to a base portion base platform. The lift tube is connected to both the first and second guide members to distribute a weight load from the chair portion via the lift tube to the slide, and by the guide members to the base platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry P. LaPointe
  • Publication number: 20160192779
    Abstract: A furniture member rocker spring assembly includes first and second bracket members arranged in mirror image configuration. First and second springs are positioned between and in direct contact with each of the first and second bracket members. A restrictor bolt assembly is positioned intermediately between the first and second springs. The restrictor bolt assembly includes at least one sleeve member received in an aperture of the first and second bracket members and a fastener that extends through a sleeve bore in the sleeve member. The sleeve member is arranged in sliding contact with at least one of the first and second bracket members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Eric B. Harwood, Larry P. LaPointe
  • Patent number: 9358167
    Abstract: A furniture member has a base frame including first and second frame members each having a first or second frame support tube. A mechanism includes a motor connected to the base frame and a torque tube connected to first and second support brackets and the motor. A stiffening tube assembly has first and second side stiffening tubes, the first frame support tube connected to the first side stiffening tube and the second frame support tube connected to the second side stiffening tube. Multiple rotation links include a first set connected to the first frame support tube and the first side stiffening tube, and a second set connected to the second frame support tube and the second side stiffening tube. The rotation links allow mechanism rotation to a forward lift position by motor operation displacing the torque tube and thereby forwardly rotating and lifting the side stiffening tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Alexander M. Hegedus, Eric B. Harwood
  • Publication number: 20160150883
    Abstract: A furniture member powered mechanism providing both lift and zero gravity operating positions includes a first torque tube having first and second connecting links fixed thereto. The connecting links are each rotatably connected to a first or second connecting arm. The first and second connecting arms are rotatably connected to a gear housing. A positioning motor connected to the gear housing displaces a slide member coupled to the gear housing. Slide member motion displaces the first and second connecting arms, displacing and rotating the first torque tube. First and second connecting plates are rotatably connected to the slide member. A second torque tube is fixed at opposite ends to each of first and second arm rest portions of a furniture member base portion. The first and second connecting plates are also connected to the second torque tube such that slide member displacement rotates the base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Alexander M. Hegedus, Eric B. Harwood
  • Patent number: 9326606
    Abstract: A furniture member having a tilt position mechanism includes a base frame positioned on a floor surface. A first operating mechanism is connected to the base frame defining a tilt mechanism. The tilt mechanism includes a tilt motor connected to a rear member of the base frame. A torque tube positioned forward of the tilt motor is displaced by operation of the tilt motor. First and second rotation links are rotatably connected to the base frame and fixed to the torque tube. A pivot tube is positioned rearward of the torque tube and connected by first and second journal links to the support frame. The journal links are shorter than the rotation links such that torque tube forward and upward displacement forwardly rotates the journal links and displaces the pivot tube, creating a furniture member rear tilt position having the torque tube elevated above the pivot tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry P. LaPointe
  • Patent number: 9326615
    Abstract: A legrest mechanism for a furniture member may include a pantograph linkage movable between a retracted position and an extended position and a secondary linkage connected the pantograph linkage and supporting a legrest platform. The secondary linkage is rotatable relative to the pantograph linkage in response to movement of the pantograph linkage between the extended and retracted positions. The pantograph linkage may include support links, a swing link and a cross link. The swing link may be rotatably coupled to the support links. In the extended position, the secondary linkage provides additional extension for the legrest mechanism to increase a height of the legrest platform relative to a ground surface and to increase a distance between the legrest platform and a frame of the furniture member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry P. LaPointe
  • Patent number: 9314101
    Abstract: A furniture member rocker spring assembly includes first and second bracket members arranged in mirror image configuration. First and second springs are positioned between and in direct contact with each of the first and second bracket members. A restrictor bolt assembly is positioned between the first and second springs. The restrictor bolt assembly includes at least one sleeve member received in an aperture of the first and second bracket members. The sleeve member is in sliding contact with the first and second bracket members. A fastener extends through a sleeve bore of each of the first and second sleeve members. The fastener retains the first sleeve member in contact with the second sleeve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Eric B. Harwood, Larry P. LaPointe