Abstract: A hand-held control device for controlling a drive having one or more d.c. motors and/or a.c. motors for adjusting a piece of furniture, includes a housing having a lower housing part and an upper housing part. A circuit board is received in the housing and has switch elements. Further accommodated in the housing is a battery pack for providing emergency power supply for operation of drive functions and/or power supply for operating the hand-held control device. A cable and/or an infrared transmitter unit operatively connects the hand-held control device with the drive, wherein the circuit board and/or the upper housing part is securable to the lower housing part in at least two positions.

Abstract: A linear drive to drive an article of furniture includes at least one drive motor that is coupled with a linearly moveable driven member and a braking system with a controlled braking element which commences the braking function without delay. The braking system can have a small footprint. According to the invention, the drive for the article of furniture can include an actuator, such as a piezo actuator coupled directly or indirectly with the braking element acting on the rotor shaft of the drive motor. The piezo actuator is preferably connected to the electric terminals of the drive motor. The linear drive can be used to adjust the support for a lath bed or a chair.