Patent Publication Number: US-9408764-B2

Title: Furniture member and power lift mechanism

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/611,873 filed on Sep. 12, 2012. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to furniture members and, in particular, to chairs having a power lift mechanism to assist occupant entrance and exit to and from the chair. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. 
     Power lift chairs are known that provide motor operated transition between a seated position of an occupant to a lift position which provides approximately 50 percent or more of a transition from a seated to an occupant standing position for occupants who have difficulty directly standing from a fully seated position. 
     Known power lift chair designs can impede placement of the occupant&#39;s feet in a position close to the center of gravity of the occupant and, therefore, require greater that necessary leg strength of the occupant to stand even when at a full lift position of the chair. In addition, known power lift chair designs have complicated operating mechanisms that are expensive to build and therefore result in a high cost of purchase. Further, known power lift chair designs do not provide for multiple chair positions that maximize occupant choice of seating and/or leg rest positions. 
     SUMMARY 
     This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
     According to several aspects of the present disclosure, a lift chair includes a rotatable frame assembly including a chair portion rotatable with respect to a base portion. A mechanism has a lift mechanism portion positioned in a cavity of the base portion. The lift mechanism portion includes a lift motor. A drive assembly connected to the lift motor has a slide displaceable in each of a slide lifting direction and oppositely in a slide returning direction by selective operation of the lift motor. A lift tube is connected at a first end to the slide and connected at a second end to the chair portion. The lift tube, upon actuation of the lift motor, acts to displace the chair portion between a nominal position and a full lift position by displacement of the slide in the slide lifting direction. 
     According to further aspects, the lift mechanism portion includes a lift motor. A drive assembly having a slide is connected to the lift motor. A lift tube connects the slide to the chair portion. The lift tube, upon actuation of the lift motor, acts to displace the chair portion between a nominal position and a full lift position by displacement of the slide in a slide lifting direction. First and second guide members are positioned on opposite sides of the drive assembly and are connected to a base platform of the base portion. The lift tube is further 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 first and second guide members to the base platform. 
     According to additional aspects, a lift chair includes a rotatable frame assembly including a chair portion and a base portion. A support tube connected to the chair portion has first and second extending portions extending outward of the chair portion, each rotatably connected to the base portion, permitting the chair portion to rotate with respect to the base portion. A mechanism has a leg rest mechanism portion connected to the chair portion and a lift mechanism portion supported by the base portion. The leg rest mechanism portion includes a leg rest drive motor connected to a drive rod rotated by operation of the leg rest drive motor to extend and retract first and second pantograph linkage sets connected to the drive rod. The first and second pantograph linkage sets are also connected to and supported by the support shaft. 
     According to additional aspects, a lift chair includes a rotatable frame assembly including a chair portion rotatable with respect to a base portion. The base portion has opposed and parallel first and second base frame members oriented perpendicular to a base platform. A mechanism has a lift mechanism portion positioned in a cavity of the base portion between the first and second base frame members. The lift mechanism portion includes a lift motor and a lift tube connected between the lift motor and the chair portion. The lift tube, upon actuation of the lift motor, acts to displace the chair portion between a nominal position and a full lift position. An intersecting corner of each of the first and second base frame members is defined where a frame member forward edge of each of the first and second base frame members intersects with the base platform. The intersecting corner of each of the base frame members is spatially and rearwardly positioned with respect to a forward edge of the base platform. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments, and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a front right perspective view of a furniture member having a power lift mechanism shown in a nominal seating position; 
         FIG. 2  is the furniture member of  FIG. 1  shown in a maximum lift position; 
         FIG. 3  is a front left perspective view of a base portion of the furniture member of  FIG. 1  showing the power lift mechanism in an exploded view; 
         FIG. 4  is the front left perspective view of  FIG. 3  showing the assembled power lift mechanism; 
         FIG. 5  is a front right perspective exploded assembly view of a chair portion of the furniture member of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a right rear perspective view of the base and chair portions of  FIGS. 4 and 5  during assembly; 
         FIG. 7  is a front right perspective view of the furniture member of  FIG. 1  in a forward lift position; 
         FIG. 8  is a front right perspective view of the furniture member of  FIG. 1  in a rearward tilt and seatback rotated position; 
         FIG. 9  is a front right perspective view of the furniture member of  FIG. 1  in a leg rest extended position; 
         FIG. 10  is a front right perspective view of the furniture member of  FIG. 1  in a seatback rotated and leg rest extended position; 
         FIG. 11  is a front right perspective view of the furniture member of  FIG. 9  in the leg rest extended and further in a forward lift position; 
         FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the furniture member of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross sectional right side elevational view taken at section  13  of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross sectional rear elevational view taken at section  14  of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a left side elevational view of the furniture member of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross sectional side elevational view of the furniture member of  FIG. 2  taken at section  16  of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a partial front left perspective view of the furniture member of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a cross sectional right side elevational view of the furniture member of  FIG. 13  further showing the chair in a rearward tilt position; 
         FIG. 19  is a cross sectional right side elevational view of the furniture member of  FIG. 13  further showing the chair in a leg rest fully extended position; 
         FIG. 20  is a cross sectional right side elevational view of the furniture member of  FIG. 18  further showing the chair in a seatback fully reclined position; and 
         FIG. 21  is a cross sectional right side elevational view of the furniture member of  FIG. 20  further showing the chair in a leg rest fully extended position. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a lift chair  10  includes a rotatable frame assembly  12  having a seat back assembly  14  rotatably connected to frame assembly  12 , and a leg rest member  16  connected to and extendable/retractable with respect to frame assembly  12 . The frame assembly  12  includes a base portion  18  which is positioned interior to and rotatable with respect to a chair portion  20 . For clarity, lift chair  10  is not shown with seat support springs, padding, or upholstery which are commonly applied to lift chairs as known in the art. The lift chair  10  is supported on a floor or planar surface using a square or rectangular shaped base platform  22  which according to several embodiments is included with base portion  18 . The chair portion  20  further includes each of a first arm rest portion  24 , corresponding to a right side of an occupant seated in lift chair  10 , and a second arm rest portion  26 , corresponding to a left side of the seated occupant. Lift chair  10  also includes several components which are movably displaced using a mechanism  28 . Mechanism  28  independently or in combination controls: forward and rearward rotational displacement of seat back assembly  14 ; extension/retraction of the leg rest member  16  between a stowed position shown to an outward extended position, which is shown and described in reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 ; and rotation of the chair portion  20  upwardly and downwardly with respect to the base portion  18  to provide multiple occupant seating positions and a full lift position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  and again to  FIG. 1 , lift chair  10  is shown following an upward/forward rotation from the nominal seating position of  FIG. 1  to a maximum lift position which accommodates user exit or entrance from/to the lift chair  10 . To rotate lift chair  10  from the nominal seating position defined as a seat back fully upright and leg rest stowed position (shown in  FIG. 1 ) to the lift position (shown in  FIG. 2 ), a lift mechanism portion  30  of mechanism  28  is actuated by the occupant, causing lift and rotation of chair portion  20  with respect to a frame rotational axis  32  which rotates chair portion  20  in a lift rotational direction “A”. In the full lift position shown, the seat back assembly  14  is positioned in the fully upright position and leg rest member  16  is positioned in its stowed position. The mechanism  28  further includes a leg rest mechanism portion  34  which will be described in greater detail in reference to  FIG. 5 , which is not operational during the rotation of chair portion  20  to the full lift position. As also visible in  FIG. 2 , the chair portion  20  further includes a first inner arm rest member  36  positioned to the occupant&#39;s right hand side and a second inner arm rest member  38  positioned to the occupant&#39;s left hand side, which are nested between a first base frame member  40  and a second base frame member  42 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3  and again to  FIG. 1 , components of the lift mechanism portion  30  of mechanism  28  are positioned in a cavity defined between the first and second base frame members  40 ,  42 . The first base frame member  40  is positioned proximate to a base platform first edge  44  of base platform  22 , and second base frame member  42  is positioned proximate to a base platform second edge  46  of base platform  22 . Each of the first and second base frame members  40 ,  42  are oriented parallel with respect to each other and substantially perpendicular to base platform  22 . A third base frame member  48 , defining a rear facing wall of base portion  18 , is positioned proximate to a base platform third edge  50  of base platform  22 . A plurality of feet  51  are adjustably connected to base platform  22  at each of a plurality of feet positioning apertures  52 . Feet  51  allow for ensuring contact and equal support of the four corners of base platform  22 . 
     Each of the first and second base frame members  40 ,  42  are provided with an intersecting corner  53  where a frame member forward edge  54  of each of the first and second base frame members  40 ,  42  intersects with base platform  22 . The intersecting corner  53  of each of the first and second base frame members  40 ,  42  is spatially and rearwardly positioned with respect to a base platform forward edge  55  of base platform  22 . According to several aspects, first base frame member  40  includes a first receiving face  56  which is oriented parallel with respect to an upper face  58  of base platform  22 . The first receiving face  56  is positioned proximate to the frame member forward edge  54  of first base frame member  40 . A second receiving face  60  is similarly provided with second base frame member  42 , which is oriented parallel with respect to upper face  58  and co-planar with respect to first receiving face  56 . A first receiving slot  62 , having a generally U-shape, is created downwardly with respect to the first receiving face  56 . The first receiving slot  62  receives a first U-shaped journal  64  which is sized to be slidably received in first receiving slot  62  in a downward direction. The first U-shaped journal  64  is integrally included with a first connection member  66  which can be combined as a unitary molded plastic component. Once the first U-shaped journal  64  is received in the first receiving slot  62 , connection member fasteners  68  are inserted from the outer side or face of first base frame member  40  and are received in threaded apertures of first connection member  66  to fix the location of first connection member  66 . 
     A second U-shaped journal  70  of a second connection member  72 , defining either a duplicate of or a mirror image of first connection member  66 , is similarly positioned in a U-shaped second receiving slot created in second receiving face  60  of second base frame member  42 . Second connection member  72  is shown in its installed position. In the installed position of both first and second connection members  66 ,  72 , an upper edge  74  of both members is positioned substantially flush with or slightly above the first or second receiving face  56 ,  60 . In addition, the upper edge  74  of both first U-shaped journal  64  and second U-shaped journal  70  may extend partially into the U-shaped slot defined by the U-shaped journal  64 ,  70 . The purpose for this extension will be better described in reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     The frame member forward edge  54  of each of the first and second base frame members  40 ,  42  defines an acute angle α with respect to a plane defined by upper face  58  of base platform  22 . The purpose of angle α will be better described in reference to  FIG. 16 . It is noted that intersecting corner  53  is recessed rearwardly with respect to base platform forward edge  55  to create angle α. 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 3  and again to  FIG. 1 , lift mechanism portion  30  includes a lift motor  76  which according to several aspects is a direct current (DC) motor. A mounting bracket  78  is connected to a forward directed face  80  of third base frame member  48  and also to upper face  58  of base platform  22 . Mounting bracket  78  includes coaxial through apertures  82 , only one of which is clearly visible in  FIG. 3 , which slidably receive an assembly mount pin  84  to connect an assembly, including lift motor  76  and a gear housing  86  directly connected to lift motor  76 , which includes internal gears (not shown) which drive and are directly connected to an internal worm gear (not shown) of a worm drive assembly  88 . It is noted that throughout this disclosure the description of a “worm drive” device or gear is not limiting and can be replaced by other drive devices or gears as are known in the art. 
     Operation of lift motor  76  slidably displaces a worm gear slide  90  which is slidably disposed on and displaced during operation of the worm gear of worm drive assembly  88  in each of a slide lifting direction “B” or oppositely in a slide returning direction “C”. An assembly end  92  of worm drive assembly  88  is connected to upper face  58  of base platform  22  using an assembly end bracket  94 . Positioned on opposite sides of worm drive assembly  88  are triangularly shaped first and second guide members  96 ,  98 . According to several aspects, first and second guide members  96 ,  98  are molded plastic components; however, alternate materials can also be used. First guide member  96  includes a first elongated slot  100 , and second guide member  98  includes a second elongated slot  102 , both located proximate to an upper wall or edge  103 ,  103 ′ of first and second guide members  96 ,  98 . Elongated slots  100 ,  102  are oriented substantially in parallel axial alignment with each other in the installed positions of the first and second guide members  96 ,  98 . Each of the first and second guide members  96 ,  98  also includes a low elevation end  104  oriented toward the forward or front facing portion of base portion  18  and a high elevation end  106  oriented toward third base frame member  48  or a rear facing end of base portion  18 . The elongated slots  100 ,  102  therefore have a continuous rearward to frontward downward pitch or angle with respect to upper face  58 . Each of the first and second guide members  96 ,  98  also includes a planar support face  108  which rests on and is fastened to the upper face  58  of base platform  22 . 
     Lift mechanism portion  30  further includes a rectangular and hollow metal lift tube  110 , which includes a substantially straight first tube portion  112  and a second tube portion  114  which is angularly oriented with respect to first tube portion  112 . The lift tube  110  is connected to, and therefore displaces during the sliding motion of worm gear slide  90 . A combined weight of a substantial portion of chair portion  20  plus a substantial portion of a weight of the occupant are distributed by lift tube  110  to worm gear slide  90  and thereby to each of the first and second guide members  96 ,  98  such that bending does not occur within the length of worm drive assembly  88 . 
     To provide a sliding connection between the worm gear slide  90  and each of the first and second guide members  96 ,  98 , two shoulder bolts are provided. A first shoulder bolt  116  includes a bolt head  118 , a bolt sleeve  120 , and a bolt threaded shank  122  positioned opposite to bolt head  118 . During assembly, the bolt threaded shank  122  and bolt sleeve  120  of first shoulder bolt  116  are disposed through elongated slot  100  of first guide member  96 . A tube connecting end  124  of lift tube  110  is positioned between a first inside face  126  of first guide member  96  and a first slide face  128  of worm gear slide  90 . After the bolt threaded shank  122  and bolt sleeve  120  of first shoulder bolt  116  extend through elongated slot  100 , they are slidably disposed through a tube through aperture  130  created in the tube connecting end  124 . Bolt threaded shank  122  extends out of tube through aperture  130  and is threadably engaged in a first threaded bore  132  created in the first slide face  128  of worm gear slide  90 . Different portions of bolt sleeve  120  are slidably received in elongated slot  100  and rotatably received in the tube through aperture  130 , therefore allowing sliding motion of worm gear slide  90  as well as rotation of lift tube  110  with respect to a central axis of first shoulder bolt  116 . The sliding contact of first shoulder bolt  116  with walls of first elongated slot  100  therefore distributes half the weight received at worm gear slide  90  to first guide member  96  and base platform  22  at any sliding position of worm gear slide  90 . 
     The lift tube  110  is also connected to second guide member  98  in the following manner. An offset flange  134  is fastenably engaged to the tube connecting end  124  using bracket fasteners  136 . The offset flange  134  is integrally connected to a connection bracket  138 . Connection bracket  138  is substantially planar such that connection bracket  138  can rest on a plurality of ribs defining a slide surface  140  of worm gear slide  90 . A transverse flange  142  is oriented transverse to and integrally connected to connection bracket  138 , and contacts a second slide face  144  of worm gear slide  90  which is oriented parallel to, but oppositely facing with respect to first slide face  128 . A transverse flange aperture  146  of transverse flange  142  is positioned proximate to a bushing  148  that is disposed between transverse flange  142  and a second inside face  150  of second guide member  98 . Bushing  148  has a length which corresponds approximately with a width of lift tube  110 , thereby spacing first and second guide members  96 ,  98  substantially equally about and with respect to worm drive assembly  88 . A bushing bore  152  of bushing  148  is coaxially aligned with transverse flange aperture  146  and a second shoulder bolt  154  is assembled similar to first shoulder bolt  116  by extending second shoulder bolt  154  through the elongated slot  102 , the bushing bore  152 , the transverse flange aperture  146 , and a threaded aperture (not visible in this view) created in the second slide face  144  of worm gear slide  90 . The second shoulder bolt  154  therefore similarly provides sliding support for half the weight distributed through worm gear slide  90  to second guide member  98  and thereby to base platform  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4  and again to  FIGS. 1-3 , base portion  18  is shown following the completed assembly of lift mechanism portion  30 . In the assembled condition shown, the worm gear slide  90  is positioned in a neutral or nominal position which provides a basic seating position for the occupant of lift chair  10 . By subsequent operation of lift motor  76 , gear housing  86  and worm drive assembly  88 , worm gear slide  90  can be slidably disposed in the slide lifting direction “B” to rearwardly and upwardly displace lift tube  110 , establishing the lift chair full lift position shown with respect to  FIG. 2 . The occupant&#39;s weight, transferred via lift tube  110  to worm gear slide  90 , is distributed to each of the first and second guide members  96 ,  98  by the first and second shoulder bolts  116 ,  154 . In the nominal position of worm gear slide  90 , the first and second shoulder bolts  116 ,  154  are positioned approximately two thirds along a length of elongated slots  100 ,  102  looking forward with respect to lift motor  76 . Also, in the nominal position of worm gear slide  90 , the connection bracket  138  lays substantially flat with respect to worm gear slide  90 . In the completed assembly position of base portion  18 , the first and second U-shaped journals  64 ,  70  are fixed in place, and base portion  18  is therefore ready to receive chair portion  20  as will be described in reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5  and again to  FIG. 1 , the chair portion  20  is assembled as follows. First and second chair frame members  156 ,  158  are positioned substantially parallel with respect to each other. A chair frame structural tube  160  is fixed to rearward ends of each of the first and second chair frame members  156 ,  158  to provide a predetermined frame spacing. A chair frame front connecting member  162  connects forward ends of the first and second chair frame members  156 ,  158 . The leg rest mechanism portion  34  is positioned between and supported by the chair frame structural tube  160  and the chair frame front connecting member  162 . 
     The leg rest mechanism portion  34  includes a leg rest drive motor  164  which according to several aspects is a DC motor. The leg rest drive motor  164  is connected to a drive connecting member  166  which is used to rotate a drive rod  168  using a drive rod connecting member  170 . A support shaft  172  is positioned in parallel with drive rod  168  and includes portions which extend outwardly via apertures  173 ,  173 ′ created in each of the first and second chair frame members  156 ,  158 . The extending portions will be described in better detail in reference to  FIG. 6 . First and second pantograph linkage sets  174 ,  176  are each connected to the drive rod  168  and the support shaft  172 . Operation of the leg rest drive motor  164  causes extension of the drive rod connecting member  170  which axially rotates drive rod  168 . Rotation of drive rod  168  acts to extend or retract each of the first and second pantograph linkage sets  174 ,  176 . The first pantograph linkage set  174  extends through a first clearance opening  178  created in chair frame front connecting member  162 . Similarly, the second pantograph linkage set  176  extends through a second clearance opening  180  of chair frame front connecting member  162 . Each of the first and second pantograph linkage sets  174 ,  176  are connected to the leg rest member  16 . Extension or retraction of the first and second pantograph linkage sets  174 ,  176  therefore extends or retracts the leg rest member  16 . 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 5 , chair portion  20  further includes a seat frame  182  which is supported in part on first and second swing assemblies  184 ,  186  which are rotatably connected to a tube assembly  188 . A first rear swing assembly  190  is also connected to tube assembly  188  and a first back bracket assembly  192  is connected to first rear swing assembly  190 . Similarly, a second rear swing assembly  194  is also connected to tube assembly  188  and a second back bracket assembly  196  is connected to the second rear swing assembly  194 . The first and second back bracket assemblies  192 ,  196  are used to releasably connect the seat back assembly  14 . Rotation of the tube assembly  188  with respect to first and second rear swing assemblies  190 ,  194  displaces the first and second swing assemblies  184 ,  186 , which displace the seat frame  182  either forwardly or rearwardly. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6  and again to  FIGS. 1-5 , frame assembly  12  is assembled by inserting the assembled chair portion  20  into the assembled base portion  18  by loading the chair portion  20  in a downward installation direction “D” until a first shaft extension portion  198  and a second shaft extension portion  199  (shown in phantom in  FIG. 6 ), which are integral, extending portions of support shaft  172 , are received in the individual first and second U-shaped journals  64 ,  70  (only first U-shaped journal  64  is clearly visible in this view). By downwardly pressing the first and second shaft extension portions  198 ,  199  past the upper edges  74  which extend partially into the first and second U-shaped journals  64 ,  70  providing a clearance less than a diameter of the first and second shaft extension portions  198 ,  199 , the first and second shaft extension portions  198 ,  199  will snap into position within first and second U-shaped journals  64 ,  70 , defining a frictional snap fit, and thereafter the upper edge  74  resists removal of the shaft extension portions  198 ,  199 . A material of the U-shaped journals  64 ,  70  is selected to provide a low coefficient of friction and, as such, can be a polyamide or a polytetraflouroethylene material or similar polymeric material to provide minimal resistance to rotation of chair portion  20  with respect to base portion  18 . 
     To assemble the chair portion  20  to the base portion  18 , after the chair portion  20  is received within base portion  18 , the first shaft extension portions  198 ,  199  are individually and sequentially (in any order) snapped in the individual first and second U-shaped journals  64 ,  70 . The second tube portion  114  of lift tube  110  is then positioned in a clevis  200  fixed to the tube assembly  188 . A clevis through aperture of an insulating bushing  202  receives a tube mounting pin  204  which is also extended through a second tube aperture  206  created in second tube portion  114  such that second tube portion  114  is rotatably connected to the clevis  200 . Tube mounting pin  204  can be retained after insertion using a standard hairpin clip (not shown). Although additional structural members can be used to connect first and second chair frame members  156 ,  158 , the third base frame member  48  of base portion  18  substantially provides a rear wall when the chair portion  20  is received in base portion  18 . A motor control fob  208  is then connected to the mechanism  28  for selective operation by the occupant in directing operation of either or both the lift mechanism portion  30  and/or leg rest mechanism portion  34 . At this time, the leg rest member  16  is free to extend in a forward direction by operation of the leg rest mechanism portion  34 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7  and again to  FIG. 1 , lift chair  10  can be moved from the nominal position shown in  FIG. 1  to a forward lift position shown in  FIG. 7  by operation of the lift mechanism portion  30  which causes a forward rotation of chair portion  20  with respect to frame rotational axis  32 . Each of the first and second arm rest portions  24 ,  26  includes an arm rest outer frame  210  having a first frame lower face  212  at a rearward end of arm rest outer frame  210  and a second frame lower face  214  positioned toward a forward end of arm rest outer frame  210 . The first frame lower face  212  is oriented at an angle with respect to second frame lower face  214 . As the chair portion  20  is rotated in the lift rotational direction “A”, the second frame lower face  214  is brought into parallel alignment with base platform  22 , and the first frame lower face  212  is raised with respect to the base platform third edge  50 . In this forward lift position, the seat back assembly  14  is in its upright position, and the leg rest member  16  is in its stowed position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8  and again to  FIGS. 1 and 7 , lift chair  10  can also be positioned in a rearward tilt position by operation of lift mechanism portion  30 . As chair portion  20  is rotated in a chair downward rotational direction “E” with respect to frame rotational axis  32 , the first frame lower face  212  is brought into parallel alignment with base platform  22 , and the second frame lower face  214  is raised with respect to base platform  22 . By further operation of lift mechanism portion  30 , seat back assembly  14  is rotated in a seat back reclining direction “F”, which directly results in a forward displacement of the seat frame  182  in a seat frame extending direction “G”. The forward displacement of seat frame  182  is caused by rotation/displacement of the tube assembly  188  during operation of lift mechanism portion  30 . At this time, the leg rest member  16  is still in its stowed position. Operation of the leg rest mechanism portion  34  is therefore not required to reach the lift chair rearward tilt and seat back assembly rearward reclined positions shown. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9  and again to  FIGS. 1, 3, and 7-8 , from the nominal position of lift chair shown in  FIG. 1  with the seat back assembly  14  in the fully upright position, the leg rest member  16  can be extended by operation of leg rest mechanism portion  34 . Operation of leg rest drive motor  164  causes extension of the first and second pantograph linkage sets  174 ,  176  (only first pantograph linkage set  174  is shown for clarity). The leg rest member  16  can be extended without repositioning seat frame  182 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10  and again to  FIG. 9 , with the leg rest member  16  in the fully extended position, additional operation of lift mechanism portion  30  can be used to rotate the seat back assembly  14  from the fully upright to the seat back reclined position in the seat back reclining direction “F”. In this position, seat back assembly  14  is fully rotated in the seat back reclining direction “F”, the seat frame  182  is extended forwardly, and leg rest member  16  is fully extended. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11  and again to  FIG. 7 , with lift chair  10  already positioned in the forward lift position, the leg rest member  16  can be extended by operation of leg rest mechanism portion  34  either before or after rotation of chair portion  20  in the lift rotational direction “A” to the forward lift position. Again, in the forward lift position, the second frame lower face  214  of arm rest outer frames  210  are oriented substantially parallel or in direct contact with base platform  22 , and the first frame lower face  212  is elevated with respect to base platform  22 . From this position, either the chair portion  20  can be returned to the nominal position shown in  FIG. 1  before the return of leg rest member  16  to the stowed position, or leg rest member  16  can be returned to the stowed position before chair portion  20  is returned to the nominal position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12  and again to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , in the lift chair nominal position, the occupant seated on seat frame  182  has his or her weight distributed substantially onto worm gear slide  90  and thereby to each of the first and second guide members  96 ,  98 . During operation of lift mechanism portion  30  in either of the slide lifting direction “B” or slide returning direction “C”, the weight of the occupant remains substantially supported over worm gear slide  90  by distribution of the weight via lift tube  110 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 13  and again to  FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 12 , in the lift chair nominal position with the seat back assembly  14  in the fully upright position and the leg rest member  16  in the stowed position, a chair frame rear wall/connecting member  216  of chair portion  20  extends below and rearwardly of third base frame member  48 . A frame member lower end  218  of chair frame rear connecting member  216  is positioned substantially below an upper end  220  of the third base frame member  48 . Also, as previously noted, in the nominal lift chair seating position the first shoulder bolt  116  (and second shoulder bolt  154 , not visible in this view) is positioned substantially two thirds of the length of elongated slot  100  with respect to a rear-to-front orientation of elongated slot  100 . The chair portion defines a four-sided wood structure, including: the first and second chair frame members  156 ,  158  oriented parallel to each other; the rear wall member  216  connected to and oriented perpendicular to the first and second chair frame members  156 ,  158 ; and the front wall member  162  connected to and oriented perpendicular to the first and second chair frame members  156 ,  158 . The base portion  18  also defines a four-sided wood structure, including: the first and second base frame members  40 ,  42  oriented parallel to each other; the rectangular shaped base platform  22  oriented perpendicular to the first and second base frame members  40 ,  42 ; and the third base frame member  48  defining the rear facing wall of the base portion  18 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 14  and again to  FIG. 13 , a first portion of the weight of the occupant of lift chair  10  is partially distributed by the first and second shaft extension portions  198 ,  199  of support shaft  172  to each of the first and second base frame members  40 ,  42 . A second portion of the occupant weight is distributed, as previously described herein, via tube assembly  188  and lift tube  110 , to the components of lift mechanism portion  30  and thereby to base platform  22 . As evident in  FIG. 14 , the first base frame member  40  is positioned in a cavity between first inner arm rest member  36  and arm rest outer frame  210  of first arm rest portion  24 . Similarly, the second base frame member  42  is positioned in a cavity between second inner arm rest member  38  and an arm rest outer frame  211  (similar to arm rest outer frame  210 ) of second arm rest portion  26 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 15  and again to  FIG. 2 , when lift chair  10  is positioned at the maximum lift position by rotation of chair portion  20  about frame rotational axis  32 , a lower end  222  of leg rest member  16  is still provided with clearance to base platform  22 . It is noted again that the full lift position for lift chair  10  is achieved only with leg rest member  16  in the fully stowed position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16  and again to  FIGS. 3 and 15 , the orientation of the frame member forward edge  54  of both the first and second base frame members  40 ,  42  at angle α and the rearward positioning of the intersecting corner  53  with respect to frame member forward edge  54  provides additional clearance for the occupant&#39;s feet to be moved rearward to a position which is closer to the center of gravity of the occupant to aid in standing up from the lift chair full lift position. At the full lift position, second shoulder bolt  154  is positioned at a fully rearward end of elongated slot  102  and can be in direct contact with a slot rear end wall  224  of elongated slot  102 . The first shoulder bolt  116  (not visible in this view) is similarly positioned with respect to first elongated slot  100 . The lift tube  110  is therefore providing maximum extension height at clevis  200 . At the maximum extension height, a vertical plane  226  defined at a forward edge  228  of seat frame  182  is oriented perpendicular with respect to a floor surface  230 . The spacing between vertical plane  226  and base platform forward edge  55  provides additional space for the feet of the occupant to be positioned rearward of vertical plane  226  and therefore closer to a center of gravity of the occupant than known lift chairs. This enhances the ability of the occupant to stand and exit lift chair  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 17  and again to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , most of the structural components of lift chair  10  have been removed for clarity such that the right hand components for operation of leg rest member  16  are shown, and the components of lift mechanism portion  30  are visible when left chair is in the maximum lift position. The leg rest drive motor  164  is not operated during the rotation to the lift chair full lift position. The drive rod connecting member  170  is therefore in its fully retracted position as is first pantograph linkage set  174 . As worm gear slide  90  is displaced in the slide lifting direction “B”, which is rearward with respect to the occupant of lift chair  10 , the connection bracket  138  as well as lift tube  110  rotate such that second tube portion  114  connected to clevis  200  provides maximum lift to the tube assembly  188 . As worm gear slide  90  moves in the slide lifting direction “B”, the shoulder bolts, such as second shoulder bolt  154  shown, slide within the elongated slots, such as elongated slot  102  shown, toward the high elevation end  106  of the first and second guide members  96 ,  98 . The rearward displacement of worm gear slide  90 , as well as the increased elevation of the shoulder bolts, provides the maximum lift position. When the shoulder bolts  116 ,  154  reach the slot rear end wall  224  of each of the respective first and second elongated slots  100 ,  102 , the maximum lift position is reached. Lift chair  10  will remain at the full lift position until the occupant redirects operation of lift motor  76  to return lift chair  10  to the nominal position shown in  FIG. 1  or to any of the other operating positions described herein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18  and again to  FIG. 8 , in the chair rearward tilt position provided by operation of lift mechanism portion  30 , chair portion  20  is rotated in the chair downward rotational direction “E” until the first frame lower face  212  is parallel with or in contact with upper face  58  of base platform  22 . The chair rearward tilt position, having seat back assembly  14  in its furthest upright position, results in a lowest position for lift tube  110  with respect to base platform  22 . During the transition toward the chair rearward tilt position, the shoulder bolts  116 ,  154  displace in the first and second elongated slots  100 ,  102  in the slide returning direction “C”, moving toward a slot forward end wall  232 . At the chair rearward tilt position, the frame member lower end  218  of chair frame rear connecting member  216  is at its lowest elevation position and positioned proximate to base platform  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 19  and again to  FIG. 9 , in the chair upright leg rest extended position of lift chair  10 , the leg rest mechanism portion  34  is operated such that an extending drive shaft  234 , extended by operation of leg rest drive motor  164  from drive connecting member  166 , displaces drive rod connecting member  170  and thereby rotates drive rod  168 . Rotation of drive rod  168 , as previously described, extends leg rest member  16  to the fully extended position. Lift tube  110  and the shoulder bolts  116 ,  154 , such as first shoulder bolt  116  shown, are in positions corresponding to the nominal position of lift chair  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . The only operation required to extend leg rest member  16  is therefore operation of the leg rest mechanism portion  34  by operation of leg rest drive motor  164 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 20  and again to  FIG. 18 , to change from the chair rearward tilt position shown in  FIG. 18  to further achieve the maximum seat back assembly  14  rearward rotation in the seat back reclining direction “F”, lift mechanism portion  30  is operated to displace worm gear slide  90  in the slide returning direction “C” further forward than its position in the nominal position of lift chair  10 . Worm gear slide  90  therefore moves in the slide returning direction “C” until the shoulder bolts  116 ,  154 , such as first shoulder bolt  116  shown, contact the slot forward end wall  232  of the first and second elongated slots  100 ,  102 . At this position, lift tube  110  is elevated compared to the chair rearward tilt position shown in  FIG. 18 , which allows the full rearward rotation of seat back assembly  14  and forward displacement of seat frame  182  in the seat frame extending direction “G”. Again, a maximum chair rearward tilt position can be achieved while the leg rest member  16  is in its fully stowed position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 21  and again to  FIG. 20 , to change from the maximum chair rearward tilt position shown in  FIG. 20  to further include the full extension of leg rest member  16 , when the operation of lift mechanism portion  30  is completed, leg rest mechanism portion  34  can be further operated to extend leg rest member  16  to its fully extended position shown. 
     Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. The terms “forward” and “rearward” as used herein refer to directions faced by an occupant of the furniture member (forward) and behind the occupant (rearward) in a seated position of the occupant. 
     When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.