Patents by Inventor Dennis W. Wright

Dennis W. Wright 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: 5992930
    Abstract: A reclining chair is provided which includes a base, and a support linkage assembly pivotally supported from the base. A longitudinal link is operably interconnected to the support linkage assembly. A recline linkage assembly is operably coupled to the longitudinal link and to the base for controlling movement of the longitudinal link from an upright position to at least one reclined position. A rotatable drive shaft is journally supported by the longitudinal link. The reclining chair further includes a leg rest assembly supported from the longitudinal link and operably coupled to the drive shaft for movement from a retracted position to an extended position in response to rotation of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Richard E. Marshall, Jonathan R. Saul, Karl J. Komorowski, Dennis W. Wright, Ken K. Finzel
  • Patent number: 5992931
    Abstract: A modular power reclining chair is disclosed which includes a unibody chair frame supported on a power base assembly. A power-assisted linear drive mechanism is operably coupled to an actuation mechanism of the reclining chair to provide power assistance in positioning of a leg rest assembly, a tilt control mechanism and a swing linkage mechanism for moving the reclining chair through its various ranges of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Jonathon R. Saul, Dennis W. Wright
  • Patent number: 5899526
    Abstract: A tray table assembly for a chair is disclosed which is adapted for use in a health care environment. The tray table assembly enables a seated occupant or care giver to quickly and conveniently pivot the tray table in various incremental positions throughout a generally horizontal 360.degree. circular path. The tray table assembly includes a main tray assembly pivotally coupled to a mounting arm assembly to facilitate the lateral adjustments of the tray table. Furthermore, the tray table assembly includes a locking mechanism for quickly and conveniently mounting and demounting the tray table assembly from the health care chair. Still further, the tray table assembly includes positioning means for retaining the tray table in the desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Jonathan R. Saul, Dennis W. Wright, Richard E. Marshall
  • Patent number: 5857744
    Abstract: A swivel base lockout assembly for disabling the rotational degree of freedom provided by a swivel plate operably disposed between a stationary base and a chair frame is disclosed. The swivel base lockout assembly includes a threaded fastener extending between the stationary base and a support frame of the chair frame. A spacer bushing is concentrically disposed about the threaded fastener to maintain the substantially parallel orientation of the stationary base and the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Jonathan R. Saul, Dennis W. Wright
  • Patent number: 5842743
    Abstract: A modular "bridge" section is disclosed having a seat frame assembly and a detachable seat back assembly supported therefrom. The seat frame assembly and the detachable seat back assembly are upholstered to define an aesthetically pleasing seat section which can be installed between two seat sections or, alternatively, which can be used as an armless end unit of a modular sectional arrangement. The detachable seat back assembly is further defined by an improved linkage mechanism for use with a retractable or "flip-down" sofa table comprising a pair of pivotable links, a centerboard mounted on one set of the links, and an upholstered cover which covers and aesthetically conceals the linkage mechanism and centerboard from view. Counter-balance means are provided to assist movement of the table between open and closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Dennis W. Wright, Jonathan R. Saul, Larry P. LaPointe, Karl J. Komorowski
  • Patent number: 5806921
    Abstract: A modular reclining chair having an improved chair frame assembly and improved pantograph linkage is disclosed. The chair frame assembly includes a hybrid front frame member assembly having a plywood front frame board and a pair of metal front frame brackets for interconnecting a pair of side frame assemblies to define a rigid box-like chair frame. The front frame member assembly is further interconnected with the actuation mechanism to provide an integrated chair frame assembly. The improved pantograph linkage is adapted to be readily removable from a fully assembled chair for facilitating field serviceability and repair without requiring partial or complete disassembly of the reclining chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Dennis W. Wright, Karl J. Komorowski
  • Patent number: 5730494
    Abstract: A chair including a power-assisted linear actuation drive mechanism having a cam guide which is linearly movable upon rotation of a shaft for selectively actuating a lift and tilt linkage mechanism, and for causing forward lifting and tilting movement of the chair when a motor of the mechanism is operated in a first direction. Rotation of a shaft in a second opposite direction acts to lower the chair to a normal seating position. Continued rotation in the second direction causes a first cam block pivotably mounted to the cam guide to engage a first follower assembly for causing extension of a leg rest assembly and for causing a rearward tilt of the chair frame. Further rotation in the second direction causes a second cam block pivotably mounted to the cam guide to engage a second follower assembly for causing reclining movement of the chair and for causing an additional rearward tilt of the chair frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Ken K. Finzel, Jonathan R. Saul, Karl J. Komorowski, Richard E. Marshall, Dennis W. Wright