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.

Abstract: The switched mode power supply and method has respective AC circuit and DC circuit portions, each having their own respective grounds. To each of these respective grounds an attachment point providing an energy pathway to ground is defined. A spark gap structure, coupled between the attachment points, substantially inhibits the flow of direct current between the attachment points while providing a static electricity energy path between the attachment points. The spark gap structures may be implemented by circuit board traces, by electronic circuit component leads, by spaced apart structures such as heat sinks or by other discharging components. In this way the power supply does not need to rely on an earth ground in order to protect against damage due to electrostatic discharge.

Abstract: A furniture member includes a frame, a slide member, first and second bars, an axle, and first and second leg members. The frame includes a chair portion movable relative to a base among nominal, reclined and lift positions. The slide member is connected to the motor and displaceable relative to the base. The first bar is connected to the slide member and the chair portion. The first bar moves the chair portion among the nominal, reclined and lift positions. The axle is mounted to the base portion. The leg members are attached to the axle and include fore and aft feet. The second bar is connected to the chair portion and slidably connected to the axle. The second bar rotates the axle in a first direction in response to movement into the reclined position and rotates the axle in a second direction in response to movement into the lift position.

Abstract: A furniture member leg rest assembly includes a leg rest mechanism connected to a furniture member base frame. A leg rest mount board is connected to the leg rest mechanism and is extensible by actuation of the leg rest mechanism away from a stowed position by movement in a direction coincident with a lateral centerline of the furniture member to a fully extended and a center position of the leg rest mount board. A pin rotatably connects the leg rest mechanism to the base frame such that the leg rest mount board when positioned in the fully extended and the center position is further manually rotatable with respect to a leg rest axis of rotation defined by the pin in at least one of a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction of rotation creating a furniture member occupant egress space.

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.

Abstract: A furniture member mechanism includes a base frame. A first mechanism connected to the base frame includes a first motor connected to the base frame. A torque tube is connected to the first motor and is displaced by operation of the first motor. First and second rotation links are individually rotatably connected to the base frame and are connected to the torque tube. The first and second rotation links provide for rotation of the second mechanism to one of a rear tilt position or a forward lift position by operating the first motor displacing the torque tube.

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.

Abstract: A furniture member mechanism includes a base frame. A first mechanism connected to the base frame includes a first motor connected to the base frame. A torque tube is connected to the first motor and is displaced by operation of the first motor. First and second rotation links are individually rotatably connected to the base frame and are connected to the torque tube. The first and second rotation links provide for rotation of the second mechanism to one of a rear tilt position or a forward lift position by operating the first motor displacing the torque tube.

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.

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.

Abstract: A furniture member includes a leg rest assembly connected to a base frame of a furniture member and extensible away from a stowed position by movement in a direction coincident with a lateral centerline of the furniture member to a fully extended position. A leg rest mechanism is connected to the base frame and the leg rest assembly. A linkage assembly includes a first clamshell housing rotatably connected to the leg rest mechanism having a first extension link also rotatably connected to the leg rest mechanism positioned within the first clamshell housing. A second clamshell housing is rotatably connected to the first clamshell housing and to a leg rest mount board of the leg rest assembly having a first mount board link positioned within the second clamshell housing also rotatably connected to the first clamshell housing and to the leg rest mount board.

Abstract: A furniture member leg rest assembly includes a leg rest mechanism connected to a furniture member base frame. A leg rest mount board is connected to the leg rest mechanism and is extensible by actuation of the leg rest mechanism away from a stowed position by movement in a direction coincident with a lateral centerline of the furniture member to a fully extended and a center position of the leg rest mount board. A pin rotatably connects the leg rest mechanism to the base frame such that the leg rest mount board when positioned in the fully extended and the center position is further manually rotatable with respect to a leg rest axis of rotation defined by the pin in at least one of a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction of rotation creating a furniture member occupant egress space.

Abstract: A crust breaker bath detection system includes a cylinder defining a piston chamber. A piston is slidably displaced within the piston chamber by a pressurized fluid. A crust breaker rod connected to the piston is displaced through a crust layer into a bath having a bath voltage when the piston is displaced in the cylinder in a piston drive direction. A controller is in electrical communication with the cylinder. A conductive member is retained by and in electrical contact with the piston and in continuous contact with the cylinder. The conductive member defines a portion of a bath detection circuit including the crust breaker rod, the piston, the conductive member, the cylinder and the controller. The bath detection circuit is closed when the crust breaker rod contacts the bath such that the bath voltage is communicated to the controller by the bath detection circuit.

Abstract: A furniture member includes a leg rest assembly connected to a base frame of a furniture member and extensible away from a stowed position by movement in a direction coincident with a lateral centerline of the furniture member to a fully extended position. A leg rest mechanism is connected to the base frame and the leg rest assembly. A linkage assembly includes a first clamshell housing rotatably connected to the leg rest mechanism having a first extension link also rotatably connected to the leg rest mechanism positioned within the first clamshell housing. A second clamshell housing is rotatably connected to the first clamshell housing and to a leg rest mount board of the leg rest assembly having a first mount board link positioned within the second clamshell housing also rotatably connected to the first clamshell housing and to the leg rest mount board.

Abstract: A furniture member providing powered occupant lift includes a mechanism having a mechanism support base, a support base side movably connected to the mechanism support base, and a mechanism inner portion connected to the support base side. The mechanism inner portion includes a seat back portion; a leg rest portion; and a first drive assembly connected to the mechanism inner portion sequentially operating to extend the leg rest portion from a stowed to a fully extended position followed by seat back portion rotation from an upright to a fully reclined position. A second drive assembly connected between the mechanism support base and the support base side displaces the support base side and the mechanism inner portion with respect to the mechanism support base. A frame structure connected to the support base side is moved to at least a forward fully raised position by operation of the lift/drive mechanism.

Abstract: A furniture member includes a frame, a slide member, first and second bars, an axle, and first and second leg members. The frame includes a chair portion movable relative to a base among nominal, reclined and lift positions. The slide member is connected to the motor and displaceable relative to the base. The first bar is connected to the slide member and the chair portion. The first bar moves the chair portion among the nominal, reclined and lift positions. The axle is mounted to the base portion. The leg members are attached to the axle and include fore and aft feet. The second bar is connected to the chair portion and slidably connected to the axle. The second bar rotates the axle in a first direction in response to movement into the reclined position and rotates the axle in a second direction in response to movement into the lift position.

Abstract: A glider furniture member adapted for electrically powered operation includes a frame having a plurality of upright posts. A plurality of links are individually rotatably connected to individual ones of the plurality of upright posts. An actuation mechanism suspended from the upright posts at rotatably connected free ends of each of the links permits forward and rearward gliding motions of the actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism includes a leg rest assembly movable between a fully retracted and a fully extended position inclusive. An electrically powered drive assembly connected to the actuation mechanism rotates the leg rest assembly and the seat back member independently of an occupant induced force operating to move the actuation mechanism in the forward and rearward gliding motions.

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.

Abstract: A power lift lumbar support system for a furniture member includes a lumbar pad. A scissoring portion is rotatably connected to the lumbar pad and moves the lumbar pad between a fully retracted and a fully extended position. A lumbar actuation portion is connected to the scissoring portion and drives the scissoring portion using a powered actuator to displace the lumbar pad. A carrier support rod has first and second carriers slidably disposed on the carrier support rod. The scissoring portion is connected to each of the first and second carriers. Displacement of the first and second carriers toward each other operates through the scissoring portion to displace the lumbar pad away from the carrier support rod and toward the fully extended position.

Abstract: A powered headrest operating system includes a headrest connected to a seatback frame using rotational pins. An actuation mechanism rotatably connected to the seatback frame has a power actuated member connected to the headrest operating between retracted and extended positions to rotate the headrest from a fully retracted to a forward rotated position about an axis of rotation of the rotational pins. A release system rotatably connecting the headrest to the actuation mechanism retains the headrest at any forward rotated position while the actuation mechanism returns the power actuated member from the extended to the retracted positions if the headrest encounters an object blocking return to the retracted position. A biasing member connected to the seatback frame and the headrest creating a biasing force during headrest rotation away from the retracted position operates without actuation mechanism operating force to bias the headrest frame assembly toward the retracted position.