Patents by Inventor Larry P. LaPointe

Larry P. LaPointe 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: 12622521
    Abstract: A chair mechanism includes a frame structure with a seat bottom supported by the frame structure and a seat back supported by the frame structure and pivotable to a reclined position relative to the seat bottom. A leg rest assembly is supported by the seat bottom and movable between a stowed position and an extended position. A rocking support structure connects the seat frame to a base structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Chandrasekar Ramasubramanian, Jason D. Rains
  • Patent number: 12588765
    Abstract: A furniture member may include a seat base, a seat assembly, a legrest platform, a drive rod, and a sequencing mechanism. The seat assembly is movable relative to the seat base. The legrest platform is coupled to the seat assembly. The drive rod is rotatable relative to the seat assembly, and rotation of the drive rod causes the seat assembly and the legrest platform to move. The sequencing mechanism includes a cam that is attached to the drive rod and a follower wheel that is attached to the seat assembly. The cam is configured to prevent the seat assembly from moving between a first recline position and a second recline position while the seat assembly moves between first and second tilt positions and while the legrest platform moves between first and second legrest positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2026
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry P. Lapointe
  • Patent number: 12478185
    Abstract: A furniture member may include a seat bottom frame, a seatback frame, and a reclining mechanism. The seatback frame may be movable relative to the seat bottom frame between an upright position and a reclined position. The seatback frame may be coupled to the seat bottom frame by a pair of linkages. The reclining mechanism may include a front support member and a rear support member. The front support member may be attached to the seat bottom frame and the rear support member may be attached to the linkages. The rear support member may be movable relative to the seat bottom frame between a first position when the seatback frame is in the upright position and a second position when the seatback frame is in the reclined position. Movement of the seatback frame between the upright position and the reclined position causes movement of the rear support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2025
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Jason D. Rains, Larry P. LaPointe, Jaime A. McPherson, Ryan M. Nowicki
  • Publication number: 20250012285
    Abstract: A fan apparatus may include a frame, a fan, and a drive mechanism. The fan may be supported for rotation relative to the frame and may include a fan shaft and a plurality of blades extending outward from the fan shaft. The drive mechanism may include a driven wheel, a drive shaft, a first drive wheel, a second drive wheel, and a torque-transmission loop. The driven wheel may be mounted on the fan shaft. The drive shaft may be supported for rotation relative to the frame. The first drive wheel may be mounted on the drive shaft. The second drive wheel may be mounted on the drive shaft. The torque-transmission loop may be engaged with the driven wheel and a selected one of the first and second drive wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventor: Larry P. LAPOINTE
  • Publication number: 20240365982
    Abstract: A furniture member may include a seat base, a seat assembly, a legrest platform, a drive rod, and a sequencing mechanism. The seat assembly is movable relative to the seat base. The legrest platform is coupled to the seat assembly. The drive rod is rotatable relative to the seat assembly, and rotation of the drive rod causes the seat assembly and the legrest platform to move. The sequencing mechanism includes a cam that is attached to the drive rod and a follower wheel that is attached to the seat assembly. The cam is configured to prevent the seat assembly from moving between a first recline position and a second recline position while the seat assembly moves between first and second tilt positions and while the legrest platform moves between first and second legrest positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry P. LaPointe
  • Patent number: 12123422
    Abstract: A fan apparatus may include a frame, a fan, and a drive mechanism. The fan may be supported for rotation relative to the frame and may include a fan shaft and a plurality of blades extending outward from the fan shaft. The drive mechanism may include a driven wheel, a drive shaft, a first drive wheel, a second drive wheel, and a torque-transmission loop. The driven wheel may be mounted on the fan shaft. The drive shaft may be supported for rotation relative to the frame. The first drive wheel may be mounted on the drive shaft. The second drive wheel may be mounted on the drive shaft. The torque-transmission loop may be engaged with the driven wheel and a selected one of the first and second drive wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Inventor: Larry P. Lapointe
  • Publication number: 20240251950
    Abstract: A furniture member including a seat base, a seat assembly, a first and second rocker member, and a first and second rocker spring assembly. The seat assembly is movable relative to the seat base. The first and second rocker members are fixedly attached to the seat frame assembly. Each of the first and second rocker members includes a curved bottom surface in rolling contact with a surface of the seat base. The first and second rocker spring assemblies are secured to the seat base and the first and second rocker members, respectively. The first rocker spring assembly includes a first mount bracket, a second mount bracket, and a first spring that extends between the first and second mount brackets. The second rocker spring assembly includes a third mount bracket, a fourth mount bracket, and a second spring that extends between the third and fourth mount brackets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LAPOINTE, Christopher A. LARSEN
  • Publication number: 20240180332
    Abstract: A chair mechanism includes a frame structure with a seat bottom supported by the frame structure and a seat back supported by the frame structure and pivotable to a reclined position relative to the seat bottom. A leg rest assembly is supported by the seat bottom and movable between a stowed position and an extended position. A rocking support structure connects the seat frame to a base structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LAPOINTE, Chandrasekar RAMASUBRAMANIAN, Jason D. RAINS
  • Publication number: 20230292922
    Abstract: A furniture member may include a seat bottom frame, a seatback frame, and a reclining mechanism. The seatback frame may be movable relative to the seat bottom frame between an upright position and a reclined position. The seatback frame may be coupled to the seat bottom frame by a pair of linkages. The reclining mechanism may include a front support member and a rear support member. The front support member may be attached to the seat bottom frame and the rear support member may be attached to the linkages. The rear support member may be movable relative to the seat bottom frame between a first position when the seatback frame is in the upright position and a second position when the seatback frame is in the reclined position. Movement of the seatback frame between the upright position and the reclined position causes movement of the rear support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Jason D. RAINS, Larry P. LAPOINTE, Jaime A. MCPHERSON, Ryan M. Nowicki
  • Patent number: 11672348
    Abstract: A furniture assembly may include a seat bottom, a seatback, and a lumbar adjustment assembly. The seatback is disposed adjacent the seat bottom and includes a seatback frame. The lumbar adjustment assembly may be mounted to the seatback frame and may include a rail, a threaded rod disposed within the rail, a first slider block slidably engaging the rail, a second slider block slidably engaging the rail, a lumbar pad, and links connecting the lumbar pad to the first and second slider blocks. The threaded rod may include a first threaded section having threads with a first handedness and a second threaded section having threads with a second handedness that is opposite the first handedness. The first slider block may threadably engage the first threaded section. The second slider block may threadably engage the second threaded section. One or more massaging units may be mounted to the lumbar pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Brandon Bucholz, Alexander M. Hegedus, Larry P. LaPointe
  • Patent number: 11622629
    Abstract: A furniture member includes a base assembly, a frame assembly, a legrest mechanism, a support rod, and a sync mechanism. The frame assembly is movable relative to the base assembly among an upright position, a partially reclined position, and a fully reclined position. The legrest mechanism is movable relative to the frame assembly between a retracted position and a fully extended position. The support rod is supported by the frame assembly. The sync mechanism is coupled to and supported by the support rod. The sync mechanism is configured to prevent the frame assembly from moving from the upright position to the partially reclined position until the legrest mechanism reaches the fully extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Jaime A. McPherson, Christopher A. Larsen, Randy Loper, Richard D. Hartford, Chandrasekar Ramasubramanian
  • Publication number: 20230011552
    Abstract: A fan apparatus may include a frame, a fan, and a drive mechanism. The fan may be supported for rotation relative to the frame and may include a fan shaft and a plurality of blades extending outward from the fan shaft. The drive mechanism may include a driven wheel, a drive shaft, a first drive wheel, a second drive wheel, and a torque-transmission loop. The driven wheel may be mounted on the fan shaft. The drive shaft may be supported for rotation relative to the frame. The first drive wheel may be mounted on the drive shaft. The second drive wheel may be mounted on the drive shaft. The torque-transmission loop may be engaged with the driven wheel and a selected one of the first and second drive wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventor: Larry P. LAPOINTE
  • Publication number: 20220257021
    Abstract: A furniture assembly may include a seat bottom, a seatback, and a lumbar adjustment assembly. The seatback is disposed adjacent the seat bottom and includes a seatback frame. The lumbar adjustment assembly may be mounted to the seatback frame and may include a rail, a threaded rod disposed within the rail, a first slider block slidably engaging the rail, a second slider block slidably engaging the rail, a lumbar pad, and links connecting the lumbar pad to the first and second slider blocks. The threaded rod may include a first threaded section having threads with a first handedness and a second threaded section having threads with a second handedness that is opposite the first handedness. The first slider block may threadably engage the first threaded section. The second slider block may threadably engage the second threaded section. One or more massaging units may be mounted to the lumbar pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Brandon BUCHOLZ, Alexander M. HEGEDUS, Larry P. LAPOINTE
  • Patent number: 11324324
    Abstract: A seating or furniture assembly may include a seat bottom, a seatback, and a lumbar adjustment assembly. The seatback is disposed adjacent the seat bottom and includes a seatback frame. The lumbar adjustment assembly may be mounted to the seatback frame and may include a rail, a threaded rod disposed within the rail, a first slider block slidably engaging the rail, a second slider block slidably engaging the rail, a third slider block engaging the rail, a lumbar pad, and a plurality of links connecting the lumbar pad to the first, second, and third slider blocks. The threaded rod includes a first threaded section having threads with a first handedness and a second threaded section having threads with a second handedness that is opposite the first handedness. The first and second slider blocks threadably engage the first threaded section. The third slider block threadably engage the second threaded section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Brandon Bucholz, Alexander M. Hegedus, Larry P. LaPointe
  • Publication number: 20220125201
    Abstract: A furniture member includes a base assembly, a frame assembly, a legrest mechanism, a support rod, and a sync mechanism. The frame assembly is movable relative to the base assembly among an upright position, a partially reclined position, and a fully reclined position. The legrest mechanism is movable relative to the frame assembly between a retracted position and a fully extended position. The support rod is supported by the frame assembly. The sync mechanism is coupled to and supported by the support rod. The sync mechanism is configured to prevent the frame assembly from moving from the upright position to the partially reclined position until the legrest mechanism reaches the fully extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LAPOINTE, Jaime A. MCPHERSON, Christopher A. LARSEN, Randy LOPER, Richard D. HARTFORD, Chandrasekar RAMASUBRAMANIAN
  • Patent number: 11197549
    Abstract: A furniture member includes a base assembly, a frame assembly, a legrest mechanism, a support rod, and a sync mechanism. The frame assembly is movable relative to the base assembly among an upright position, a partially reclined position, and a fully reclined position. The legrest mechanism is movable relative to the frame assembly between a retracted position and a fully extended position. The support rod is supported by the frame assembly. The sync mechanism is coupled to and supported by the support rod. The sync mechanism is configured to prevent the frame assembly from moving from the upright position to the partially reclined position until the legrest mechanism reaches the fully extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Jaime A. McPherson, Christopher A. Larsen, Randy C. Loper, Richard D. Hartford, Chandrasekar Ramasubramanian
  • Patent number: 11134778
    Abstract: A furniture member may include a base frame, a chaise seat bottom frame, and a seatback frame. The chaise seat bottom frame is supported by the base frame and is movable relative to the base frame between first and second positions. The chaise seat bottom frame includes an upper-leg-supporting portion and a lower-leg-supporting portion that are fixed to each other. The lower-leg-supporting portion may support an occupant's lower legs in an extended position relative to the occupant's upper legs. The seatback frame may be supported by the base frame and may be movable relative to the base frame and the chaise seat bottom frame between upright and reclined positions. Movement of the seatback frame from the upright position to the reclined position causes movement of the chaise seat bottom frame upward and forward relative to an aft end of the base frame from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, John J. Bryson, Jason D. Rains, Mark D. McClung
  • Publication number: 20210251388
    Abstract: A seating or furniture assembly may include a seat bottom, a seatback, and a lumbar adjustment assembly. The seatback is disposed adjacent the seat bottom and includes a seatback frame. The lumbar adjustment assembly may be mounted to the seatback frame and may include a rail, a threaded rod disposed within the rail, a first slider block slidably engaging the rail, a second slider block slidably engaging the rail, a third slider block engaging the rail, a lumbar pad, and a plurality of links connecting the lumbar pad to the first, second, and third slider blocks. The threaded rod includes a first threaded section having threads with a first handedness and a second threaded section having threads with a second handedness that is opposite the first handedness. The first and second slider blocks threadably engage the first threaded section. The third slider block threadably engage the second threaded section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Brandon BUCHOLZ, Alexander M. HEGEDUS, Larry P. LAPOINTE
  • Publication number: 20200352333
    Abstract: A furniture member may include a base frame, a chaise seat bottom frame, and a seatback frame. The chaise seat bottom frame is supported by the base frame and is movable relative to the base frame between first and second positions. The chaise seat bottom frame includes an upper-leg-supporting portion and a lower-leg-supporting portion that are fixed to each other. The lower-leg-supporting portion may support an occupant's lower legs in an extended position relative to the occupant's upper legs. The seatback frame may be supported by the base frame and may be movable relative to the base frame and the chaise seat bottom frame between upright and reclined positions. Movement of the seatback frame from the upright position to the reclined position causes movement of the chaise seat bottom frame upward and forward relative to an aft end of the base frame from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LAPOINTE, John J. BRYSON, Jason D. RAINS, Mark D. MCCLUNG
  • Patent number: 10820708
    Abstract: A furniture member includes a base frame and a seat assembly supported by the base frame. The seat assembly 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 furniture member further includes a legrest mechanism attached to the legrest and the seat frame and driven by a drive rod configured to move the legrest between the retracted and extended positions in response to rotation of the drive rod. A wall-proximity mechanism is configured to translate the seat frame forward relative to the base frame. A trigger release mechanism is operable between a locked position in which a trigger limits rotation of the drive rod and a released position in which the trigger permits rotation of the drive rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Chad E. Adams, Gerald G. Stotz