Patents Assigned to La-Z-Boy Incorporated
  • Publication number: 20110248536
    Abstract: A furniture member having a powered gliding motion includes a frame having a plurality of upright posts. Individual ones of a plurality of links are individually rotatably connected to individual ones of the upright posts. An actuation mechanism is suspended from the upright posts at rotatably connected free ends of each of the links to permit 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. A powered glider drive assembly selectively connected to both the frame and the actuation mechanism successively moves the actuation mechanism in the forward gliding motion and the rearward gliding motion independent of the position of the leg rest assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry P. LaPointe
  • Publication number: 20110248546
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Chad E. Adams, Eric B. Harwood, Richard E. Marshall, Michael R. Mero, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110248535
    Abstract: A furniture member having powered rocking motion includes a frame and an actuation mechanism rotatably connected to the frame and movable in forward and rearward rocking motions with respect to the frame. A powered rocking drive device includes a motor connected to the actuation mechanism and a solenoid. The solenoid when energized releasably couples the motor to the frame such that operation of the motor automatically induces the forward and rearward rocking motions of the actuation mechanism. The solenoid when de-energized decouples the motor from the frame permitting an occupant to induce the forward and rearward rocking motions of the actuation mechanism with respect to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry P. LaPointe
  • Publication number: 20110248545
    Abstract: An electrically operated wall proximity furniture member includes a frame and an actuation mechanism rotatably connected to the frame. The actuation mechanism includes first and second independently rotatable seat back support members oriented to face a wall outer surface. An electrically powered drive assembly operates to rotate the seat back member between fully upright and fully reclined positions inclusive. A point of the seat back support members when positioned in the fully upright position defines a rear-most extent of the actuation mechanism. The rear-most extent defines a vertical plane having no portion of the actuation mechanism extending beyond the rear-most extent toward the wall outer surface during any operation of the actuation mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Chad E. Adams, Eric B. Harwood, Richard E. Marshall, Michael R. Mero, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110248544
    Abstract: A release system for a furniture member leg rest assembly extended from an actuation mechanism includes an actuation mechanism, the actuation mechanism having a leg rest assembly movable between a fully retracted and a plurality of extended positions inclusive, including a fully extended position. A pantograph link of the leg rest assembly is rotatably connected to the actuation mechanism. An extension link is rotatably connected to the actuation mechanism and moves in extension and retraction directions. A member is in contact with the extension link and in releasable contact with the pantograph link. The member is in contact with the pantograph link when the member is operating to push the pantograph link outward toward the fully extended position. The member is spatially separable from the pantograph link when an object is contacted by the leg rest assembly during return from any of the extended positions toward the fully retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Chad E. Adams, Larry P. LaPointe, Eric B. Harwood, Richard E. Marshall, Michael R. Mero, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110248529
    Abstract: A rocking furniture member includes an occupant support member supporting an occupant of the furniture member. A frame is connected to the occupant support member and supports the seat portion for rocking motion with respect to a furniture member support surface. An elastically resilient member connecting the occupant support member to the frame permits occupant induced rocking motion of the occupant support member with respect to the support surface. The resilient member is a monolithic bar having a uniform cross section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Chad E. Adams
  • Publication number: 20110248547
    Abstract: A rocking furniture member having an electrically powered actuation mechanism includes a frame and an actuation mechanism connected to the frame. The actuation mechanism includes an extendable and retractable leg rest assembly. A drive assembly connected to the actuation mechanism having an electric motor operates to move the leg rest assembly between a retracted position and any of a plurality of extended positions inclusive including a fully extended position by a command provided by an occupant of the furniture member. A rotation member connecting the actuation mechanism to the frame permits an occupant induced rocking motion of the actuation mechanism with respect to the frame at least when the leg rest assembly is in the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Chad E. Adams, Eric B. Harwood, Richard E. Marshall, Michael R. Mero, JR.
  • Patent number: 8025337
    Abstract: A system for moving a furniture member headrest includes an armrest fixedly connected to a base. A back support is connected to the armrest. A headrest is movably connected to the back support. A first adjustment member operates to rotate the headrest. The first adjustment member is positioned in a cavity between interior and exterior armrest frame elements and is manually movable. A second adjustment member moves the headrest upwardly or downwardly with respect to the backrest. The second adjustment member is also positioned in the cavity and manually movable by the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Chad Edward Adams, Mark D. McClung
  • Patent number: 7971934
    Abstract: An occupant lumbar support system includes a flexible lumbar support member having homogenously connected first and second connection braces. The lumbar support member is deflectable to a plurality of lumbar support positions. A rigid displacement rod is connected at a first rod end to one of the connection braces. A lumbar member actuation mechanism has a rotatable first actuation arm receiving a second displacement rod end. The actuation member translates the displacement rod causing the first and second connection braces to move toward each other, deflecting the lumbar support member to any of the lumbar support positions. A cable is connected at a first end to an actuation mechanism second actuation arm and at a second end to a displaceable lever manually movable to co-rotate the first and second actuation arms and translate the displacement rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Chad Edward Adams, Mark D. McClung
  • Patent number: 7967383
    Abstract: A furniture member swivel base includes a hollow first ring having L-shaped walls, including an outer wall vertically oriented and a ball contact wall horizontally oriented in an operating position. A hollow second ring includes ball bearing cavities proximate a second ring outer perimeter. The second ring is positioned below the first ring in the operating position. A ball bearing is rotatably received in each of the ball bearing support cavities and extends partially above the second ring to rotatably support the ball contact wall and permit the first ring to rotate with respect to the second ring. The first ring is fixed to the furniture member so the furniture member is supported on the first ring. The furniture member and the first ring are rotatable about an axis oriented transverse to the second ring with the second ring non-rotatably in contact with a floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry P. LaPointe
  • Patent number: 7866742
    Abstract: A head rest adjustment system for a furniture member includes a back support member rotatable with respect to a base member. A head rest assembly is connected to the back support member. An adjustment lever rotates the head rest assembly. An actuation link is connected at a first end to the head rest assembly and at a second end to the adjustment lever. Rotating the adjustment lever displaces the actuation link to rotate the head rest assembly to a plurality of support positions. A back support member axis of rotation is spatially separated from an adjustment lever axis of rotation. Rotating the back support member with respect to the base member can independently operate to displace the actuation link to rotate the head rest assembly without rotation of the adjustment lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry P. LaPointe
  • Patent number: 7845727
    Abstract: A furniture item includes a support member and a rotatably pinned mechanism operable in rocking and reclining motions. The mechanism includes first and second side plates; a first pair of forward link members each rotatably connected to one of the side plates; a pantograph linkage set connected to the first pair of forward link members to extend and retract a footrest assembly in the reclining motion; and a drive rod rotatable between the side plates. Rotating the drive rod extends or retracts the pantograph linkage set. An escutcheon connected to the drive rod has a snap-engaged handle to manually rotate the drive rod. At least one U-shaped spring connected between the support member and the mechanism allows rocking motion. A seat pan has flat body springs extending over a seat pan aperture to support an occupant. A detent at one end of each flat spring engages the seat pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry P. LaPointe
  • Patent number: 7806477
    Abstract: A lumbar support system for a furniture member includes a furniture member having a back seat member connected to a base member. A lumbar support system is connected to the back seat member. The lumbar support system includes first and second pivot tubes rotatably connected to the back seat member. At least one flexible occupant lumbar support member is connected to each of the first and second pivot tubes. A lumbar support adjustment device connected to a predetermined one of the pivot tubes rotates the first pivot tube to selectively position the lumbar support members in any one of a plurality of support positions. A linkage set couples the support adjustment device to the first one of the first and second pivot tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Mark D. McClung
  • Publication number: 20100171355
    Abstract: A furniture member leg rest ratcheting member for temporarily retaining a leg rest assembly in multiple extended positions includes a one-piece homogeneous member having a first portion including at least two cavities each defining a leg rest assembly extended position. A second portion has a male engagement tongue. A third portion has opposed first and second bracket engagement members spaced from each other. The third portion is elastically deflectable with respect to the first and second portions to permit a furniture mechanism bracket to be received between the first and second bracket engagement members when the male engagement tongue of the second portion is engaged with the furniture member bracket and to allow a ratcheting motion of the first and second portions with respect to the third portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard E. Marshall
  • Publication number: 20100156159
    Abstract: A furniture member mechanism includes upper and lower housing structures, the lower housing structure including first and second side frames. A mechanism is disposed within both the upper and lower housing structures, including first and second lever arms having an upper end, a body extending into both the upper and lower housing structures, and a lower end positioned in the lower housing structure and rotatably connected to the first and second side frames. A bracket is connected to the first and second side frames. First and second biasing members are connected to the first and second lever arms and the bracket. The first or second biasing member extends when the first or second lever arm is rotated from an initial position in a lever forward direction. A biasing force of the first or second biasing member biases the first or second lever arm toward the initial position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Chad E. Adams, Larry P. LaPointe
  • Publication number: 20100156158
    Abstract: An occupant lumbar support system includes a flexible lumbar support member having homogenously connected first and second connection braces. The lumbar support member is deflectable to a plurality of lumbar support positions. A rigid displacement rod is connected at a first rod end to one of the connection braces. A lumbar member actuation mechanism has a rotatable first actuation arm receiving a second displacement rod end. The actuation member translates the displacement rod causing the first and second connection braces to move toward each other, deflecting the lumbar support member to any of the lumbar support positions. A cable is connected at a first end to an actuation mechanism second actuation arm and at a second end to a displaceable lever manually movable to co-rotate the first and second actuation arms and translate the displacement rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Chad E. Adams, Mark D. McClung
  • Publication number: 20100156161
    Abstract: A system for moving a furniture member headrest includes an armrest fixedly connected to a base. A back support is connected to the armrest. A headrest is movably connected to the back support. A first adjustment member operates to rotate the headrest. The first adjustment member is positioned in a cavity between interior and exterior armrest frame elements and is manually movable. A second adjustment member moves the headrest upwardly or downwardly with respect to the backrest. The second adjustment member is also positioned in the cavity and manually movable by the occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Chad E. Adams, Mark D. McClung
  • Publication number: 20100148562
    Abstract: A cushion assembly defining a thickness direction comprises at least one covering layer and a core layer. The core layer comprises a first member and a second member. The covering layer spans continuously across both the first and second members in a direction generally transverse to the thickness direction, and the first member is disposed adjacent a forward area of the cushion assembly. The second member is disposed adjacent a back surface of the first member. The second member has a higher resistance to resilient deformation than the first member, and the first member has a higher resistance to resilient deformation than the at least one covering layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark D. McClung, Theodore R. McClure, Steven D. Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20100096453
    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: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Maxwell Kincaid Dyer, Daren Christopher Wilz
  • Publication number: 20090243368
    Abstract: A furniture item includes a support member and a rotatably pinned mechanism operable in rocking and reclining motions. The mechanism includes first and second side plates; a first pair of forward link members each rotatably connected to one of the side plates; a pantograph linkage set connected to the first pair of forward link members to extend and retract a footrest assembly in the reclining motion; and a drive rod rotatable between the side plates. Rotating the drive rod extends or retracts the pantograph linkage set. An escutcheon connected to the drive rod has a snap-engaged handle to manually rotate the drive rod. At least one U-shaped spring connected between the support member and the mechanism allows rocking motion. A seat pan has flat body springs extending over a seat pan aperture to support an occupant. A detent at one end of each flat spring engages the seat pan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy, Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry P. LaPointe