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Larry P. Lapointe, Temperance US

Larry P. Lapointe, Temperance, MI US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080231089Furniture frame with interlocking joints for use with multiple furniture members and mechanisms - A furniture member frame includes a plurality of commercial grade plywood frame members connected to create a frame sub-assembly. A plurality of interlocking joints are defined by male extending members of first ones of the frame members and receiving apertures of second ones of the frame members. The interlocking joints operate when the male extending members of selected ones of the first ones of the frame members are received in the receiving apertures of the second frame members to temporarily connect the frame members. An adhesive applied to at least the interlocking joints fixedly connects the frame members of the first frame sub-assembly.09-25-2008
20090130944Teething toy - A teething toy that is chewable and sensory stimulating uses a hollow cylinder made of a soft clear polymeric material. It is approximately half filled with a colored fluid. Shiny particle specks and different shaped multicolored floating objects are suspended in the fluid. Nipple shaped protrusions extend from each spherical end. A circular handle with oval cross section extends from the side of the cylinder. Directly opposite this handle is a rectangular shaped handle with oval cross section. The sides of both handles have small extension knobs protruding from the narrow sides of the cross sections. Options include longitudinal ribs running along the cylinder surface for easy grasp and manipulation. Additional options include rectangular grips extending from the sides of the toy. Other options include a suction cup end suspended from a flexible plastic cord that tethers the toy to a surface such as a high chair tray.05-21-2009
20090218863Furniture Member Lumbar Support System - 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.09-03-2009
20090218866Force Multiplier Device For Furniture Member Adjustment - A furniture member component drive mechanism includes a force multiplying gear assembly. A wire member can slide within a flexible sheath in opposed first and second directions. The wire member is connected to the gear assembly for axial displacement. A lever arm connected to the gear assembly defines a lever arm first axis of rotation. Rotating the lever arm in a first direction about the first axis of rotation axially incrementally displaces the wire member in the first displacement direction. The lever arm is rotatably connected to a pivot base defining a second axis of rotation of the lever arm transverse to the first axis of rotation. Rotating the lever arm about the second axis of rotation displaces the wire member in the second displacement direction.09-03-2009
20090218873Furniture Member Head Support System - 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.09-03-2009
20090243368ROCKING RECLINING CHAIR - 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.10-01-2009
20100156158LUMBAR SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR FURNITURE MEMBER - 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.06-24-2010
20100156159Lumbar Support And Head Rest Adjustment Mechanism - 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.06-24-2010
20100156161Adjustable Head Rest Assembly For Furniture Member - 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.06-24-2010
20110248529RESILIENT ROCKING ELEMENT FOR FURNITURE MEMBER - 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.10-13-2011
20110248535FURNITURE MEMBER HAVING POWERED ROCKING MOTION - 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.10-13-2011
20110248536FURNITURE MEMBER HAVING POWERED GLIDING MOTION - 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.10-13-2011
20110248544RELEASE SYSTEM FOR FURNITURE MEMBER LEG REST ASSEMBLIES - 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.10-13-2011
20110248545POWER ACTUATED WALL PROXIMITY FURNITURE MEMBER - 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.10-13-2011
20110248546POWER ACTUATED GLIDER FURNITURE MEMBER - 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.10-13-2011
20110248547POWER ACTUATED ROCKING FURNITURE MECHANISM - 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.10-13-2011
20120013161TENSION FABRIC LUMBAR SUPPORT SYSTEM - An occupant lumbar support system for a furniture member includes a belt member having a longitudinally elastically flexible first portion having opposite first and second ends and a longitudinally inelastic second portion. The first portion is connected to the second portion at the first and second ends. The second portion when spaced freely away from the first portion except at the first and second ends defines a belt member free state. The second portion has opposed first and second connecting ends extending freely away from the first and second ends. First and second tensioning members are each connected to one of the first and second connecting ends whereby operation of the first and second tensioning members longitudinally elastically stretches the first portion until the second portion moves into substantially continuous contact with the first portion between the first and second ends defining a belt member aggressive state.01-19-2012
20120068508POWER LIFT LUMBAR SUPPORT SYSTEM - A power lift lumbar support system for a furniture member includes a lumbar pad. A scissoring portion is rotatably connected to the lumbar pad and moves the lumbar pad between a fully retracted and a fully extended position. A lumbar actuation portion is connected to the scissoring portion and drives the scissoring portion using a powered actuator to displace the lumbar pad. A carrier support rod has first and second carriers slidably disposed on the carrier support rod. The scissoring portion is connected to each of the first and second carriers. Displacement of the first and second carriers toward each other operates through the scissoring portion to displace the lumbar pad away from the carrier support rod and toward the fully extended position.03-22-2012
20120086256FURNITURE MEMBER POWERED HEADREST ROTATION AND RELEASE SYSTEM - A powered headrest operating system includes a headrest connected to a seatback frame using rotational pins. An actuation mechanism rotatably connected to the seatback frame has a power actuated member connected to the headrest operating between retracted and extended positions to rotate the headrest from a fully retracted to a forward rotated position about an axis of rotation of the rotational pins. A release system rotatably connecting the headrest to the actuation mechanism retains the headrest at any forward rotated position while the actuation mechanism returns the power actuated member from the extended to the retracted positions if the headrest encounters an object blocking return to the retracted position. A biasing member connected to the seatback frame and the headrest creating a biasing force during headrest rotation away from the retracted position operates without actuation mechanism operating force to bias the headrest frame assembly toward the retracted position.04-12-2012
20130062914MECHANISM AND CHAIR FOR POWERED COMBINED AND INDEPENDENT SEAT BACK AND LEG REST MOTION - A furniture member mechanism includes a first actuator device electrically operated to displace first and second seat back actuation links connected to and operating to rotate a seat back member between upright and fully reclined positions. A pantograph linkage set connected to a leg rest member is at least partially supported in an extended position by rotational contact with a support rod. A second actuator device identical to the first actuator device is electrically operated to axially rotate a drive rod connected to a drive link. The drive link is connected to and displaces the pantograph linkage set between the stowed and extended positions. A swing lever rotatably connected to the support rod is rotated during operation of the second actuator device to extend the pantograph linkage set. The swing lever in a fully rotated position displaces the support rod creating a furniture member tilt position.03-14-2013
20130334854POWER LIFT LUMBAR SUPPORT SYSTEM - A power lift lumbar support system for a furniture member includes a lumbar pad. A scissoring portion is rotatably connected to the lumbar pad and moves the lumbar pad between a fully retracted and a fully extended position. A lumbar actuation portion is connected to the scissoring portion and drives the scissoring portion using a powered actuator to displace the lumbar pad. A carrier support rod has first and second carriers slidably disposed on the carrier support rod. The scissoring portion is connected to each of the first and second carriers. Displacement of the first and second carriers toward each other operates through the scissoring portion to displace the lumbar pad away from the carrier support rod and toward the fully extended position.12-19-2013
20140070585FURNITURE MEMBER AND POWER LIFT MECHANISM - A lift chair includes a frame assembly including a chair portion rotatable with respect to a base portion. A lift mechanism portion is positioned in a base portion cavity. The lift mechanism portion includes a lift motor and a drive assembly connected to the lift motor having a slide. A lift tube connects the slide to the chair portion. The lift tube upon actuation of the lift motor displaces the chair portion between a nominal and a full lift position by slide displacement in a slide lifting direction. First and second guide members are positioned on opposite sides of the drive assembly and connected to a base portion base platform. The lift tube is connected to both the first and second guide members to distribute a weight load from the chair portion via the lift tube to the slide, and by the guide members to the base platform.03-13-2014
20140246819RESTRICTED ROCKER SPRING ASSEMBLY - A furniture member rocker spring assembly includes first and second bracket members arranged in mirror image configuration. First and second springs are positioned between and in direct contact with each of the first and second bracket members. A restrictor bolt assembly is positioned between the first and second springs. The restrictor bolt assembly includes at least one sleeve member received in an aperture of the first and second bracket members. The sleeve member is in sliding contact with the first and second bracket members. A fastener extends through a sleeve bore of each of the first and second sleeve members. The fastener retains the first sleeve member in contact with the second sleeve member.09-04-2014
20140368011FURNITURE MEMBER AND POWER RECLINE AND LIFT MECHANISM - A furniture member includes a frame, a slide member, first and second bars, an axle, and first and second leg members. The frame includes a chair portion movable relative to a base among nominal, reclined and lift positions. The slide member is connected to the motor and displaceable relative to the base. The first bar is connected to the slide member and the chair portion. The first bar moves the chair portion among the nominal, reclined and lift positions. The axle is mounted to the base portion. The leg members are attached to the axle and include fore and aft feet. The second bar is connected to the chair portion and slidably connected to the axle. The second bar rotates the axle in a first direction in response to movement into the reclined position and rotates the axle in a second direction in response to movement into the lift position.12-18-2014
20150028646FURNITURE MEMBER WITH CENTER SUPPORT LEG REST - A furniture member leg rest assembly includes a leg rest mechanism connected to a furniture member base frame. A leg rest mount board is connected to the leg rest mechanism and is extensible by actuation of the leg rest mechanism away from a stowed position by movement in a direction coincident with a lateral centerline of the furniture member to a fully extended and a center position of the leg rest mount board. A pin rotatably connects the leg rest mechanism to the base frame such that the leg rest mount board when positioned in the fully extended and the center position is further manually rotatable with respect to a leg rest axis of rotation defined by the pin in at least one of a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction of rotation creating a furniture member occupant egress space.01-29-2015
20150028647COVERED LEG REST LINKAGE FOR FURNITURE MEMBER - A furniture member includes a leg rest assembly connected to a base frame of a furniture member and extensible away from a stowed position by movement in a direction coincident with a lateral centerline of the furniture member to a fully extended position. A leg rest mechanism is connected to the base frame and the leg rest assembly. A linkage assembly includes a first clamshell housing rotatably connected to the leg rest mechanism having a first extension link also rotatably connected to the leg rest mechanism positioned within the first clamshell housing. A second clamshell housing is rotatably connected to the first clamshell housing and to a leg rest mount board of the leg rest assembly having a first mount board link positioned within the second clamshell housing also rotatably connected to the first clamshell housing and to the leg rest mount board.01-29-2015
20150076881FURNITURE MEMBER POWER MECHANISM WITH SELECTABLE LIFT MOVEMENT AND ZERO GRAVITY POSITION - A furniture member mechanism includes a base frame. A first mechanism connected to the base frame includes a first motor connected to the base frame. A torque tube is connected to the first motor and is displaced by operation of the first motor. First and second rotation links are individually rotatably connected to the base frame and are connected to the torque tube. The first and second rotation links provide for rotation of the second mechanism to one of a rear tilt position or a forward lift position by operating the first motor displacing the torque tube.03-19-2015
20150076883FURNITURE MEMBER POWER MECHANISM WITH ZERO GRAVITY AND REAR TILT POSITIONS - A furniture member having a tilt position mechanism includes a base frame positioned on a floor surface. A first operating mechanism is connected to the base frame defining a tilt mechanism. The tilt mechanism includes a tilt motor connected to a rear member of the base frame. A torque tube positioned forward of the tilt motor is displaced by operation of the tilt motor. First and second rotation links are rotatably connected to the base frame and fixed to the torque tube. A pivot tube is positioned rearward of the torque tube and connected by first and second journal links to the support frame. The journal links are shorter than the rotation links such that torque tube forward and upward displacement forwardly rotates the journal links and displaces the pivot tube, creating a furniture member rear tilt position having the torque tube elevated above the pivot tube.03-19-2015
20150076891FURNITURE MEMBER POWER MECHANISM WITH SELECTABLE LIFT MOVEMENT AND ZERO GRAVITY POSITION - A furniture member has a base frame including first and second frame members each having a first or second frame support tube. A mechanism includes a motor connected to the base frame and a torque tube connected to first and second support brackets and the motor. A stiffening tube assembly has first and second side stiffening tubes, the first frame support tube connected to the first side stiffening tube and the second frame support tube connected to the second side stiffening tube. Multiple rotation links include a first set connected to the first frame support tube and the first side stiffening tube, and a second set connected to the second frame support tube and the second side stiffening tube. The rotation links allow mechanism rotation to a forward lift position by motor operation displacing the torque tube and thereby forwardly rotating and lifting the side stiffening tubes.03-19-2015

Patent applications by Larry P. Lapointe, Temperance, MI US

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