Dual-motor recliner chair, love seat, or sofa

Abstract

A new and improved powered furniture piece, such as a chair, love seat, or sofa, comprises a seat, a backrest, a footrest, and a pair of linear actuators, wherein when a first one of the two linear actuators is actuated, the backrest is moved between upright and reclined positions, whereas when the second one of the two linear actuators is actuated, the components of the furniture piece are moved between a SEATED position, a TV position, a ZERO-GRAVITY position, and a LIFT position.

What is claimed and desired to be protected by Letters Patent, is: 
     
         1 . A powered furniture piece, comprising:
 a framework;   a pair of oppositely disposed seat plates, mounted upon said framework, for mounting a seat thereon;   a pair of oppositely disposed footrest mounting brackets, operatively connected to said pair of oppositely disposed seat plates, for mounting a footrest thereon;   a pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting brackets, operatively connected to said pair of oppositely disposed seat plates, for mounting a backrest thereon; and   a pair of linear actuators operatively connected to said framework and said seat such that when a first one of said pair of linear actuators is extended, while a second one of said pair of linear actuators is partially extended, said furniture piece is disposed in a SEATED position/orientation/state wherein said seat is disposed within a substantially horizontal plane, said footrest is retracted, and said backrest is disposed upright.   
     
     
         2 . The furniture piece as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 when said second one of said pair of linear actuators is retracted, said furniture piece is disposed at a TV position/orientation/state. wherein said seat is disposed within a substantially horizontal plane, said footrest is extended, and said backrest is disposed upright.   
     
     
         3 . The furniture piece as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein:
 when said second one of said pair of linear actuators is retracted further, said furniture piece is disposed at a ZERO-GRAVITY position, state, or orientation wherein said seat is reclined with a rear portion of said seat being disposed at an elevation which is lower than a front portion of said seat, and wherein said footrest is disposed at a higher elevation than that of said seat.   
     
     
         4 . The furniture piece as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 when said second one of said pair of linear actuators is extended, said furniture piece is disposed at a LIFT position/orientation/state wherein the entire chair, comprising said footrest, said seat, and said backrest, is elevated to an elevational level which is significantly above where said chair is disposed when said chair is disposed at said SEATED position/state/orientation.   
     
     
         5 . The furniture piece as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 when said first one of said pair of linear actuators is retracted, said backrest of said furniture piece is disposed at a RECLINED position, orientation, or state.   
     
     
         6 . The furniture piece as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said first and second linear actuators are mounted upon said chair framework so as to be disposed in opposite orientations.   
     
     
         7 . The furniture piece as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said pair of oppositely disposed footrest mounting brackets are operatively connected to said pair of oppositely disposed seat plates by a plurality of linkage members.   
     
     
         8 . The furniture piece as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said furniture piece is selected from the group comprising a chair, a love seat, and a sofa.   
     
     
         9 . A powered furniture piece, comprising:
 a framework;   a pair of oppositely disposed seat plates, mounted upon said framework, for mounting a seat thereon;   a pair of oppositely disposed footrest mounting brackets, operatively connected to said pair of oppositely disposed seat plates, for mounting a footrest thereon;   a pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting brackets, operatively connected to said pair of oppositely disposed seat plates, for mounting a backrest thereon; and   a pair of linear actuators operatively connected to said framework and said seat such that when said pair of linear actuators are actuated, said furniture piece can attain different positions/orientations/states, comprising a SEATED position/orientation/state, a TV position/orientation/state, a ZERO-GRAVITY position/orientation/state, a LIFT position/orientation/state, and a backrest RECLINED position/orientation/state.   
     
     
         10 . The furniture piece as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein:
 when said furniture piece is disposed at said SEATED position, orientation, or state, said seat is disposed within a substantially horizontal plane, said footrest is retracted, and said backrest is disposed upright.   
     
     
         11 . The furniture piece as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein:
 when said furniture piece is disposed at said ZERO-GRAVITY position/state/orientation, said seat is reclined with a rear portion of said seat being disposed at an elevation which is lower than a front portion of said seat, and wherein said footrest is disposed at a higher elevation than that of said seat.   
     
     
         12 . The furniture piece as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein:
 when said furniture piece is disposed at said LIFT position, state, or orientation, the entire chair, comprising said footrest, said seat, and said backrest, is elevated to an elevational level which is significantly above where said chair is disposed when said chair is disposed at said SEATED position, state, or orientation.   
     
     
         13 . The furniture piece as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein:
 when said backrest of said furniture piece is disposed at said RECLINED position/orientation/state, said backrest is disposed at a reclined position/state/orientation relative to an upright position.   
     
     
         14 . The furniture piece as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein:
 said pair of linear actuators are mounted upon said chair framework so as to be disposed in opposite orientations.   
     
     
         15 . The furniture piece as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein:
 said at least one footrest mounting bracket is operatively connected to said seat by a plurality of linkage members.   
     
     
         16 . The furniture piece as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein:
 said furniture piece is selected from the group comprising a chair, a love seat, and a sofa.