Method and system for converting a recliner from manual actuation to powered actuation

A method of converting a recliner from manual actuation to powered actuation that includes providing a recliner having a frame, a recliner mechanism with a base coupled to the frame and a hinged linkage movably coupled to the base, and a manual actuator that releases the hinged linkage to move under an occupant-applied force. The method also includes disconnecting and removing the manual actuator from the recliner and, without disassembly of the recliner mechanism from the frame, removing a spring assist device extending between the hinged linkage and the base, installing a drive unit to the recliner mechanism, installing a power actuator on the frame with electrical communication to the drive unit, and establishing electrical communication between the drive unit and a source of electrical power, so that activation of the power actuator causes the drive unit to move the hinged linkage under powered actuation.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to home furnishings, and in particular to recliner chairs and sofas.

BACKGROUND

Recliner chairs and sofas are popular furniture pieces found in many living rooms across the country, as they can provide a level of comfort and relaxation that is considered unmatched by traditional chairs and sofas by many users. Over the past several years, recliner chairs and sofas have continued to evolve towards larger and heavier models that provide greater cushioning and space for their occupants, often resulting in more complex and robust recliner mechanisms and frames needed to support and carry the additional weight. However, while the exterior and visible portions of reclining furniture continues to change, the underlying recliner mechanisms which elevate and carry the various support panels (i.e. the seat rest, the back rest, the foot rest, etc.) continue to be divided into two basic types; manual actuation and powered actuation.

Manually-actuated recliners are the more popular of the two types of recliners, primarily for cost and simplicity reasons. The number of recliner models that are originally manufactured for powered actuation are often only available in limited models, styles and sizes, and typically cost several hundreds of dollars more that manually-actuated models. Consequently, most recliner models are originally manufactured for manual actuation. Even if the model, style and size of a particular manually-actuated recliner includes an option for powered actuation, special modifications must be made at the factory prior to assembly to make the piece suitable for powered actuation. As a result, many recliner models with power actuation often require special ordering and extended wait times to before the furniture can be delivered to the point of sale.

There are times, however, when a customer may change his or her mind after ordering a lower-cost manually-actuated recliner, and wish instead to purchase the same recliner with powered actuation, and preferably for the same cost differential. Even if available, however, this change in the sales order may still result in additional costs and significant delivery delays, which may prompt the customer to cancel the sale altogether and purchase from another supplier. In other cases, the end user may change his mind after taking delivery and using the recliner for a period of time, and then decide that powered actuation is a preferred option and worth the additional cost. However, since the reclining furniture piece has already been delivered, the time, effort and cost to ship the recliner back to the factory for retrofitting to powered actuation, in addition to the cost of the conversion itself, is prohibitive.

Moreover, retail sellers often must pre-order either manual or powered recliners, where display floor space is limited. A customer may prefer a certain style that is only shown in manual configuration. Even if that style is available in a powered version (where often it is not), the customer is forced to wait 2-3 months for an eventual delivery. Such a delay can lead to customer frustration at the least and a lost sale at the worst. The retail seller lacks a method of converting on-site a manual recliner to a powered recliner.

Accordingly, it can be seen that a need exists for a method and apparatus for converting a recliner from manual actuation to powered actuation at a field or point-of-sale location that addresses the foregoing and various other related and unrelated problems in the art.

SUMMARY

In one representative embodiment of the disclosure, a method of converting a recliner from manual actuation to powered actuation that includes providing a recliner having a frame, a recliner mechanism with a base coupled to the frame and a hinged linkage movably coupled to the base, and a manual actuator that releases the hinged linkage to move under an occupant-applied force. The method also includes disconnecting and removing the manual actuator from the recliner and, without disassembly of the recliner mechanism from the frame, removing a spring assist device extending between the hinged linkage and the base, installing a drive mechanism to the recliner mechanism, installing a power actuator on the frame with electrical communication to the drive mechanism, and establishing electrical communication between the drive mechanism and a source of electrical power, so that activation of the power actuator causes the drive unit to move the hinged linkage under powered actuation.

In another representative embodiment of the disclosure, a system providing for the field conversion of a recliner from manual actuation to powered actuation. The system includes a series of recliner furniture pieces, with each recliner furniture piece having at least one seat frame with a control aperture formed therein, a recliner mechanism mounted within the seat frame and having a base and a hinged linkage that is movably coupled to the base, a seat rest and a back rest coupled to the hinged linkage, one or more spring assist devices configured to assist with actuating the hinged linkage under the influence of an occupant-applied force, and a manual actuator adapted for mounting within the control aperture and extending to the recliner mechanism. In addition, actuation of the recliner mechanism by the occupant-applied force causes the seat rest and the back rest to assume a reclining orientation.

The system further includes a powered actuation kit comprising a drive mechanism configured to actuate the hinged linkage upon connection to a source of electrical power, and a power actuator adapted for mounting within the control aperture and extending to the drive mechanism. Furthermore, the seat frame and the recliner mechanism are pre-configured to accept the powered actuation kit without disassembly of any of the recliner mechanism, the frame, or the recliner mechanism from the frame.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a component kit for converting a recliner from manual actuation to powered actuation, wherein the recliner includes a frame, a recliner mechanism having a base coupled to the frame and a hinged linkage movably coupled to the base, and a manual actuator mounted within an control aperture in the frame and configured to release the hinged linkage to move from a first position to a second position relative to the base and frame by way of an occupant-applied force. The component kit includes a drive mechanism configured to actuated the hinged linkage from the first position to the second position upon connection to a source of electrical power, a means for coupling the drive mechanism to the base, an electrical transformer connectable between the drive mechanism and a source of electrical power and configured to provide electrical power to the drive mechanism, and a power actuator connectable with the drive mechanism and configured to activate the drive mechanism.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate and understand that, according to common practice, various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale, and that dimensions of various features and elements of the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings described above, is provided as an enabling teaching of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many changes can be made to the embodiments described, while still obtaining the beneficial results. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the embodiments described can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the embodiments without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the embodiments described are possible and may even be desirable in certain circumstances, and are a part of the disclosure. Thus, the following description shall be interpreted as illustrative of the principles of the embodiments and not in limitation thereof, since the scope of the invention is defined by the claims.

Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views,FIGS. 1A and 1Bgenerally illustrate one embodiment of a reclining furniture piece or recliner, namely recliner chair10, oriented in an closed, upright position43(FIG. 1A) and in an open, reclined position47(FIG. 1B). The recliner chair10has been made in accordance with the present disclosure, and includes a frame20having at least two side supports22which comprises the visible, non-reclining portions of the furniture piece10. A recliner mechanism40is installed or mounted within the frame20, and includes a base50and a hinged linkage60. The base50of the recliner mechanism40is rigidly coupled to the frame20and, in one aspect, can support the frame20above the floor2. The hinged linkage60is movably coupled to base50. In turn, a seat rest44, a back rest46and a foot rest48are attached to and carried by the hinged linkage60.

The frame20, the seat rest44, the back rest46, and the foot rest48can all be upholstered with matching fabric and/or material to give the appearance of common construction, even though the seat rest44, the back rest46, and the foot rest48are not originally formed as parts of the frame20nor are they directly coupled or attached to the frame20. Generally, the recliner mechanism40, with its base50and hinged linkage60, can be manufactured separately and installed to the frame20during assembly of the recliner chair10. In addition, while the frame20, seat rest44, the back rest46, and the foot rest48are generally made of wooden frameworks covered with padding and fabric, the recliner mechanism40is generally made of rigid bars or plates made from metal, such as steel or aluminum, and joined together with welding, fasteners or heavy-duty pivot joints so as carry the weight of the other chair components and any occupants ensconced therein.

The recliner chair10also includes a manual actuator30that is coupled between the frame20and the recliner mechanism40. Generally, the manual actuator30includes an actuator housing32installed into an aperture26formed through one of the side supports22of the frame20. An actuator cable (not shown) leads from a control mechanism34, such as a release button or pull-out lever, supported in the actuator housing32, through the interior of the frame20to a latch device located on the recliner mechanism40. Operating the control mechanism34releases the latch device on the recliner mechanism40so that the hinged linkage60is free to moved from the closed, upright position43(FIG. 1A) to the opened, reclined position47(FIG. 1B), and vice versa, by way of a manually-applied force. Thus, the recliner chair10is a manually-actuated reclining furniture piece because the recliner mechanism40is moved between positions43,47by the manual application of a force that is typically generated by the occupant by leaning back on the back rest46to open the recliner10, or by leaning forward on the seat rest44to close the recliner10.

FIGS. 2A and 2Bare perspective views of a representative embodiment of the manually-actuated recliner mechanism40ofFIGS. 1A-1B, and provide more detail of the inner workings the base50and the hinged linkage60. As can be seen, the base50can include a forward strut52and a rear strut54which are joined together by side brace structures56. Each of the side brace structures56includes multiple rotating pivoting points57for the hinged linkage60, and at least one of the side brace structures can include a latch device55which locks the hinged linkage60into either the closed position43(FIG. 2A) or the open position47(FIG. 2B) relative to the base50. Other struts and cross-bracing members are also possible. The base50of the recliner mechanism may be coupled to the frame of the recliner with connection bars (not shown), and the bottom surfaces of the struts52,54and/or side bracket structures56can include floor pads58which provide a non-marking or non-skid contact surface with the floor2.

The hinged linkage60of the recliner mechanism40includes a plurality of support bars62connected together at various points by hinges or pivots63. In the illustrated embodiment, the hinged linkage60further includes seat brackets64, back brackets66and foot rest brackets68for supporting the seat rest44, back rest46and foot rest48shown inFIGS. 1A-1Babove. However, the recliner mechanism40of the present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated design, and can include a variety of hinged linkage60configurations, includes those without foot rest brackets (seeFIG. 6), or those in which the seat rest is not configured for movement with the hinged linkage and is instead attached to the side support of the frame, and the like.

The interconnection between the manual actuator30and the recliner mechanism40is also shown inFIGS. 2A-2B. As discussed above, the manual actuator30can include a control mechanism34mounted within an actuator housing32located at a first end33of the manual actuator30. An actuator cable36feeds from the actuator housing32towards the recliner mechanism40, where a hook (not shown) located at the second end37of the manual actuator30connects with the latch device55located on one of the side brace structures56. In the illustrated embodiment, activation of the control mechanism34releases the latch device55so that the hinged linkage60is free to moved from the closed, upright position43(FIG. 2A) to the opened, reclined position47(FIG. 2B), and vice versa, by way of the occupant-applied force.

The manually-actuated recliner can further include one or more spring assist devices, such as coil springs35, which can apply tension between the hinged linkage60and the base50of the recliner mechanism40to assist with the closing and/or opening of the recliner, depending on the design and configuration of the recliner mechanism. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the recliner mechanism includes three coil springs35. As appreciated by one of skill in the art, other types of spring assist devices may also be included within the manually-actuated recliner mechanism to assist with the closing and/or opening of the recliner chair, including leaf springs, spiral wound springs, pneumatic springs and the like.

Illustrated inFIGS. 3A-3His a method of converting or retrofitting the manually-actuated recliner10described above from manual actuation to powered actuation. The conversion process can be performed in a non-factory or field location, such as at the point of sale or retail location, and by employees or other personnel generally untrained in the manufacture, construction and precision assembly of recliner furniture. Moreover, the method does not require the disassembly of the recliner mechanism40from the frame20or the permanent modification of the frame20or recliner mechanism40so as to accept the powered actuation components, as with other conversion processes currently practiced in the prior art, or even the removal of the seat rest44, the back rest46, or the foot rest48from the recliner mechanism40. As described in more detail below, the method illustrated inFIGS. 3A-3Hcan also be accomplished with simple tooling, such as with screwdrivers and wrenches, and with all of the necessary components being included in pre-package conversion kits.

As shown inFIG. 3A, the back12of the recliner10can flipped or rotated onto the floor2or onto a raised horizontal working surface4to provide access to the frame20and recliner mechanism40from the bottom of the recliner10. The manual actuator housing32at the first end33of the actuator cable36can then be removed from the aperture26formed into one of the side panels22of the frame20, as shown inFIG. 3B. This can typically be accomplished by removing screws which secure the manual actuator housing32to the side panel22. A hook portion38at the second end37of the actuator cable36can also be disconnected from the latch device55that is generally located on the nearest side brace structure56. Once the hook portion38has been disconnected from the latch device55, the cable36can be withdrawn through the aperture26and the entire manual actuator assembly30removed from the recliner10.

As stated above, the following steps in the method of converting or retrofitting the recliner10described above from manual actuation to powered actuation can be accomplished without disassembly of the recliner mechanism40from the frame20. The method can also be accomplished without the need for permanent modification of the frame20or recliner mechanism40so as to accept the powered actuation components. For instance, it is not necessary to modify the aperture26that is located in the side support22of the frame20to accept the housing of a power actuator having different outer dimensions or a different shape.

With reference toFIG. 3C, one or more spring assist devices, such as coil springs35, can be removed from between the base50and hinged linkage60as they are no longer needed to assist with the opening and closing of the recliner mechanism40. Depending on the configuration of the recliner mechanism40, the hinged linkage60may be manipulated into the open position prior to removing the springs35, as this can place the springs35in a non-stretched state that makes them easier to remove.

With reference toFIG. 3D, and again depending on the configuration of the recliner mechanism40, an angle bracket90can be mounted to a movable drive strut69that extends between the side brackets56of the recliner mechanism at a height above the base50and below the seat brackets44(e.g. when the recliner mechanism is in an upright position, as inFIGS. 2A,2B). The drive strut69is coupled to the hinged linkage60in a way that movement of the drive strut69causes the hinged linkage60to extend or retract. In addition, the drive strut may be movable through translation, through rotation, or both. The angle bracket90can be attached to the movable drive strut69with fasteners, such as nuts and bolts, machine screws, self-tapping screws, and the like, and can include provision for coupling the drive mechanism to the drive strut69. As shown, the hinged linkage60may again be manipulated into the open position to provide easier access to the drive strut69by moving various components of the hinged linkage60out of the way.

With reference toFIG. 3E, a front bracket85can be attached to the forward strut52of the base50, and a rear bracket89can be attached to a rear strut54of the base50as means for coupling the drive mechanism to the frame. The front bracket85and the rear bracket89include provision for securing the two ends of the drive mechanism to the stationary base50of the recliner mechanism40. In the embodiment illustrated, for instance, the front bracket85and rear bracket89can be clamp-type brackets, and can operate to clamp and hold the ends of the drive mechanism to the forward strut52and rear strut54, respectively. Accordingly, the front bracket85and rear bracket89may first be attached to their respective struts with loosely-tightened fasteners. The fasteners can then be completely tightened after the ends of the drive mechanism have been placed within the brackets85,89and a movable swing arm92of the drive mechanism has been at least loosely coupled to the drive strut69/angled bracket90in a like manner.

In an alternative embodiment, the step of adding a front bracket85and a rear bracket89, as shown inFIG. 3Ecan be omitted. In this alternative embodiment, the drive mechanism can have front and rear mounts pre-attached to the front portion83and rear portion87of the drive mechanism80respectively. The pre-attached front and rear mounts provide an alternative means for coupling the drive mechanism to the frame. The pre-attached mounts will allow the drive mechanism to be bolted directly to the frame.

At this point, as shown inFIG. 3F, the recliner or recliner chair10is prepared to receive the drive mechanism80. In the illustrated embodiment of the present disclosure, the drive mechanism80can comprise a slide rail82having a front portion83and a rear portion87. A drive screw84is mounted proximate or interior to the slide rail82. A motor drive unit, comprising a motor drive86and a gear reducer88, is attached to the front portion83of the drive rail82, with the gear reducer88having an input end coupled to the motor drive86and an output end coupled to the drive screw84, so that activation of the motor drive causes the drive screw84to rotate within the slide rail82.

The drive mechanism80further includes a carriage94that is slidably mounted on the slide rail82and coupled with the drive screw84, so that rotation of the drive screw84causes the carriage94to translate back and forth along the slide rail82. Extending upward from the carriage (again, when the chair is in an upright position) are one or more swing arms92, each having a lower end93coupled to the carriage94and an upper end97coupled to the drive strut69or angle bracket90. Furthermore, the swing arms92can each comprise a plurality of drive bars98rotatably connected together by one or more pivot joints98. This linked assembly of drive bars98can allow for the upper ends97of the swing arms92to rotate around the drive strut69even as the linear motion of the carriage94and the lower ends93of the swing arms92along the slide rail82causes the swing arms92to move/rotate the drive strut69. In turn, the movement or rotation of the drive strut60causes the hinged linkage60to extend to an open position or retract to the closed position, depending on the direction of movement or rotation.

The drive mechanism80can be mounted to the recliner mechanism40by placing the rear portion87of the slide rail82into the rear bracket89and the front portion83of the slide rail82into the front bracket85. The drive mechanism80can be held loosely in place by the front bracket85and rear bracket89until the upper ends97of the swing arms92can be attached to the drive strut69/angle bracket90with additional fasteners, as shown inFIG. 3G. At this point, each of the fasteners which hold the brackets85,89,90to their respective struts52,54,69, can be tightened to secure the drive mechanism80underneath the hinged linkage60and extending from the front strut52to the rear strut54of the recliner mechanism40.

In the alternative embodiment, where the front85and rear89brackets are omitted, the drive mechanism80can be coupled to the recliner mechanism40by bolting a front mount (not shown), disposed on the front portion83of the drive mechanism80, to the front strut52and by bolting a rear mount (not shown), disposed on the rear portion87of the drive mechanism80, to the rear strut54. As when using the respective brackets85,89, the mounts may be loosely held in place prior to being tightened once the upper ends97of swing arms92are connected to angle bracket90.

With reference toFIG. 3H, a power actuator70can now be installed to the recliner10. This can be accomplished by threading the second end77of a power actuator communications cable76through the aperture26in the side support22of the frame. A power actuator housing72located at the first end73of the communications cable76has substantially the same footprint or outer dimensions as the manual actuator housing that was removed from the control aperture inFIG. 3Babove, and can be installed into the aperture26using the same mounting screws removed from the manual actuator housing. Attaching a connector78located at the second end77of the communications cable to the motor drive86establishes electrical communication between the motor drive86and an actuator control74located in the power actuator housing72at the first end73of the communications cable76. The actuator control74may comprise dual push buttons. Depressing the first push button could open the drive mechanism80while depressing the second push button could close the drive mechanism80.

A power cable14having a plug end18for connecting the drive mechanism80with a source of electrical power can be installed to complete the conversion. As shown inFIG. 3H, the power cable14can include a transformer16which is electrically connected to the motor drive86with electrical cable15, and a power cord17having the plug18for connection to an electrical outlet providing electricity, typically at residential voltage levels. The transformer16can step down the voltage from the electrical outlet to a voltage level suitable for use by the motor drive86.

The converted recliner or recliner chair10can then be returned to the upright position and closed position43, as shown inFIG. 4A. At this point, connection of the plug end18of the power cord17to a typical power outlet8provides power to the power actuator70, so that activation of the actuator control74located within actuator housing72in a first direction directs electrical power to the motor drive unit to activate the motor drive86. The motor drive86rotates the drive screw (not shown) located within the slide rail82in a first direction, and causes the carriage to translate forwardly along the slide rail and thereby drive the swing arms to move/rotate the drive strut and open the hinged linkage60to the open and extended position (FIG. 4B). Activating the actuator control74in a second direction reverses the power to the motor drive86and the direction of rotation of the drive screw, and causes the carriage to translate rearwardly along the slide rail and thereby pull backward on the swing arms to move/rotate the drive strut69in the opposite direction and close the hinged linkage60(FIG. 4A).

FIG. 5is a flowchart depicting a method100for converting a recliner from manual actuation to powered actuation, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. The method100generally includes the steps of providing102a recliner having a frame, a recliner mechanism having a base coupled to the frame and a hinged linkage that is movably coupled to the base, and a manual actuator that is configured to release the hinged linkage to move from a first position to a second position relative to the base and frame by way of occupant-applied force. The method also includes removing104a first end of the manual actuator from the frame and disconnecting106a second end of the manual actuator from the recliner mechanism. Without disassembly of the recliner mechanism from the frame, the method further includes removing108at least one spring assist device extending between the hinged linkage and the base, installing110a drive mechanism to the base that includes a swing arm having a first end coupled to a slide rail, with the first end being movable along the slide rail as powered by a motor drive unit, and coupling112a second end of the swing arm to a drive strut located within the hinged linkage. The method100further includes installing114a power actuator on the frame and establishing electrical communication between the motor drive unit and the power actuator, and connecting116a power cable to the motor drive unit, the power cable having a plug end for establishing electrical communication between the motor drive unit and a source of electrical power, and wherein activation of the power actuator causes the motor drive unit to actuate the swing arm relative to the slide rail and moved the hinged linkage from the first position to the second position by way of powered activation.

Although the steps of the one or more methods disclosed above for converting a recliner from manual actuation to powered actuation are provided in one or more exemplary sequences, it is to be appreciated that the steps are not limited to the order presented, and may be executed in any alternative sequence considered beneficial or necessary by a user of the present disclosure. In addition, any steps recited in any method or process claims may also be executed in any sequence and are not limited to the order presented in the claims.

The recliner of the present disclosure can be included in a series of recliner furniture pieces having variations on both the frame220and recliner mechanism240portions of the recliner, yet still have enough common characteristics between the frame220and the recliner mechanism240that allow for the field conversion from manual actuation to powered actuation. For instance, as illustrated inFIG. 6, the recliner210may comprise another recliner chair variation212that uses a separate ottoman furniture piece214as a foot rest, so that the recliner mechanism240enclosed therein only reclines a back rest246relative to a seat rest244. And as illustrated inFIG. 7, the recliner210may also comprise a recliner sofa216having one or more reclining section218surrounding a non-reclining center section219.

As stated above, the field conversion of either the chair recliner212or one or more of the reclining sections218of the recliner sofa216does not require the disassembly of the recliner mechanism240from the frame220or the permanent modification of the frame220or recliner mechanism240so as to accept the powered actuation components, and can be performed by employees or other personnel generally untrained in the manufacture, construction and precision assembly of recliner furniture.

All the necessary components for converting the recliners10,210from manual actuation to powered actuation can be provided in pre-packaged powered conversion kits300. As shown inFIG. 8, the conversion kits300may include a drive mechanism80configured to actuate the hinged linkage upon connection to a source of electrical power, an power cord14connectable between the drive mechanism and a source of electrical power and configured to provide electrical power to the drive mechanism and a power actuator70adapted for mounting within the aperture and extending to the drive mechanism.

Referring still toFIG. 8, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure the drive mechanism80included in the pre-packaged power conversion kit can comprise a slide rail82, one or more swing arms92having lower ends that are movably coupled to the slide rail82and upper ends adapted for connection to the hinged linkage60of the recliner mechanism40, a motor drive unit, and a drive screw proximate the slide rail82which is coupled to both motor drive unit and the lower ends of the swing arms. The motor drive unit can comprise a motor drive86and a gear reducer99. Activation of the motor drive unit rotates the drive screw to cause the lower end of the swing arm92to move relative to the slide rail82.

Further, the power cord14included in the exemplary pre-packaged conversion kit300can include a plug18for connecting the drive mechanism80with a source of electrical power, a transformer16to be electrically connected to the motor drive86with electrical cable15, and a power cord17having the plug18for connection to an electrical outlet providing electricity, typically at residential voltage levels. The transformer16can step down the voltage from the electrical outlet to a voltage level suitable for use by the motor drive86.

Moreover, power actuator70included in the exemplary pre-packaged power conversion kit300can include a power actuator communications cable76having a power actuator housing72located at the first end73of the communications cable76and a connector78located at the second end77of the communications cable76to establish electrical communication between the motor drive86and an actuator control74located in the power actuator housing72at the first end73of the communications cable76. The actuator control74may comprise dual push buttons. In addition to the drive mechanism80, power cord14and the power actuator70, the exemplary pre-packaged power conversion kit300can also include a front bracket85that is attachable to a front strut of the base and a rear bracket89that is attachable to a rear strut of the base, an angle bracket90that is attachable to a drive strut69and which includes provision for coupling with the second ends of the swing arms92, and any fasteners310tooling320and instructions330necessary to perform the conversion. In line with the alternative embodiment of this disclosure discussed above, the pre-packaged conversion kits300may omit the front bracket85and rear bracket89in place of a drive mechanism80having mounts predisposed on the front and rear thereof.

The foregoing description generally illustrates and describes various embodiments of the present invention. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes can be made to the above-discussed construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as disclosed herein, and it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure shall be construed to cover various modifications, combinations, alterations, etc. of the above-described embodiments and shall be considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, various features and characteristics of the present invention as discussed herein may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the invention.