US20250366615A1

US20250366615A1 - Dual-motor recliner chair, love seat, or sofa

Info

Publication number: US20250366615A1
Application number: US18/731,247
Authority: US
Inventors: Hai Guo Jiang
Original assignee: Motomotion China Corp
Current assignee: Motomotion China Corp
Priority date: 2024-06-01
Filing date: 2024-06-01
Publication date: 2025-12-04
Also published as: CN222853469U

Abstract

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

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to powered chairs, love seats, and sofas, and more particularly to a new and improved reclining, zero gravity, and lift powered chair, love seat, or sofa.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Powered recliner chairs, love seats, and sofas have become increasingly popular within recent years as consumers choose to incorporate such furniture pieces into their homes and offices. Powered recliner chairs, love seats, or sofas, offer consumers places to relax so that they can comfortably watch TV, read a book, or even take a short nap due to the fact that the recliner chair, love seat, or sofa can be quickly transformed from an upright position to a comfortable substantially supine position by depressing a control button which will activate a linear actuator which will subsequently move the backrest, seat, and footrest sections of the recliner chair, love seat, or sofa into a substantially horizontal, or any intermediate, reclined position as a result of a linear actuator being operatively connected to various linkage members pivotally attached to each other as well as to backrest, seat, and footrest mounting brackets of the recliner chair, love seat, or sofa. In addition, the recliner chair, love seat, or sofa can also achieve lift positions or states, as well as zero-gravity positions or states. It has been realized, however, that the mechanisms for normally or conventionally achieving these various movements and positional states or orientations are often quite complex, especially when so many movements and positional states or orientations are achieved within a single chair, love seat, or sofa.
A need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair, love seat, or sofa. Another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair, loveseat, or sofa which can attain multiple positions, orientations, or states, such as, for example, an upright position, orientation, or state, and a reclined position, orientation, or state. Still another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair, loveseat, or sofa which can attain multiple positions, orientations, or states, such as, for example, an upright position, orientation, or state, a reclined position, orientation, or state, and a zero-gravity position, orientation, or state. Yet another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair, loveseat, or sofa which can attain multiple positions, orientations, or states, such as, for example, an upright position, orientation, or state, a reclined position, orientation, or state, a zero-gravity position, orientation, or state, and a lift position, orientation, or state. Still yet another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair, loveseat, or sofa which can attain multiple positions, orientations, or states, such as, for example, an upright position, orientation, or state, a reclined position, orientation, or state, a zero-gravity position, orientation, or state, and a lift position, orientation, or state, and wherein the overall operational mechanism for moving the chair, love seat, or sofa components, that is, the backrest, the seat, and the footrest, between the various positions, orientations, or states, is effectively simplified.

OVERALL OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair, love seat, or sofa. Another need exists in the art for a new and improved powered chair, loveseat, or sofa which can attain multiple positions, orientations, or states, such as, for example, an upright position, orientation, or state, and a reclined position, orientation, or state. Still another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair, loveseat, or sofa which can attain multiple positions, orientations, or states, such as, for example, an upright position, orientation, or state, a reclined position, orientation, or state, and a zero-gravity position, orientation, or state. Yet another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair, loveseat, or sofa which can attain multiple positions, orientations, or states, such as, for example, an upright position, orientation, or state, a reclined position, orientation, or state, a zero-gravity position, orientation, or state, and a lift position, orientation, or state. Still yet another overall objective of the present invention is to provide a new and improved powered chair, loveseat, or sofa which can attain multiple positions, orientations, or states, such as, for example, an upright position, orientation, or state, a reclined position, orientation, or state, a zero-gravity position, orientation, or state, and a lift position, orientation, or state, and wherein the overall operational mechanism for moving the chair, love seat, or sofa components, that is, the backrest, the seat, and the footrest, between the various positions, orientations, or states, is effectively simplified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing and other objectives are achieved in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention wherein a chair, love seat, or sofa is provided with a pair of linear actuators wherein a first one of the linear actuators is operatively connected to the various components of overall operational mechanism so as to effectively be responsible for controlling and moving the backrest of the chair, love seat, or sofa, while the second one of the linear actuators is operatively connected to the various components of overall operational mechanism so as to effectively be responsible for controlling and moving the backrest, seat, and footrest components of the chair, love seat, or sofa so as to achieve the lift and zero-gravity positions, orientations, or states of the char, love seat, or sofa.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top, left side perspective view of the new and improved dual-motor recliner chair, love seat, or sofa as developed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a left side elevational view of the new and improved dual-motor recliner chair, love seat, or sofa as shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the chair, love seat, or sofa from an external position and wherein the backrest is disposed at its upright position, orientation, or state, while the footrest is disposed at its retracted position;

FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view of the new and improved dual-motor recliner chair, love seat, or sofa as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating the chair, love seat, or sofa from an internal position when the chair, love seat, or sofa is disposed at its TV position, orientation, or state wherein the backrest is disposed at its upright position, orientation, or state, while the footrest is disposed at its extended position;

FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of the new and improved dual-motor recliner chair, love seat, or sofa as shown in FIGS. 1-3 illustrating the chair, love seat, or sofa from an external position when the chair, love seat, or sofa is disposed at its zero-gravity position, state, or orientation wherein the backrest is disposed at its reclined position, orientation, or state, the footrest is disposed at its extended position, and the seat is inclined such that the rear portion of the seat is disposed at a lower elevation than the front portion of the seat;

FIG. 5 is a left side elevational view of the new and improved dual-motor recliner chair, love seat, or sofa as shown in FIG. 4 illustrating the chair, love seat, or sofa from an internal position when the chair, love seat, or sofa is disposed at its zero-gravity position, state, or orientation wherein the backrest is disposed at its reclined position, orientation, or state, the footrest is disposed at its extended position, and the seat is inclined such that the rear portion of the seat is disposed at a lower elevation than the front portion of the seat; and

FIG. 6 is a left side elevational view of the new and improved dual-motor recliner chair, love seat, or sofa, similar to that shown in FIG. 1 , illustrating the chair, love seat, or sofa from an internal position and wherein the chair is disposed at its LIFT position, orientation, or state wherein the backrest is disposed at its upright position, orientation, or state, the footrest is disposed at its retracted position, and the seat has been lifted or elevated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, the new and improved dual-motor recliner chair, love seat, or sofa, as developed in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, is disclosed and is generally indicated by the reference character 100. While the teachings of the present invention are adaptable or applicable to chairs, love seats, or sofas, the remainder of the disclosure will be directed toward a chair for brevity. More particularly, it is seen that the chair 100 comprises a base 102 which is formed by means of a pair of oppositely disposed, longitudinally extending legs 104,104, wherein the legs 104,104 are connected together by means of a transversely extending front cross-member 106 and a transversely extending rear cross-member 108, and wherein a plurality of chair levelling feet 110 are disposed underneath the corner regions of the base 102 as a result of being mounted beneath the free end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed, longitudinally extending legs 104,104, the transversely extending front cross-member 106, and the transversely extending rear cross-member 108, as can best be seen in FIG. 2 . In addition, a pair of oppositely disposed seat bases 111, having substantially triangular configurations, are respectively mounted upon each one of the pair of oppositely disposed, longitudinally extending legs 104,104 of the chair base 102.
Continuing further, it is seen that the new and improved chair 100 also comprises an operational system for moving the major components of the chair, that is, the backrest, the footrest, and the seat. More particularly, it is seen that a pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting brackets 112 are provided for mounting a backrest thereon, each one of the backrest mounting brackets 112 having a substantially T-shaped configuration. One end of the base of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting brackets 112 is pivotally connected to a connecting link 114 as at 116, while the other end of the base of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting brackets 112 is pivotally connected to one of a pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 118 as at 120. To complete this assembly, opposite ends of a straight link 122 are pivotally connected to each connecting link 114 and each seat plate 118 as at 124,126, respectively. Still further, and as can best be seen from FIG. 1 , opposite ends of a first, transversely extending cross-tube 128 are respectively fixedly connected to a first pair of oppositely disposed connecting plates 130, and, in turn, the first pair of oppositely disposed connecting plates 130 are fixedly connected to the pair of oppositely disposed straight links 122. In a similar manner, a second pair of oppositely disposed connecting plates 132 are fixedly connected to central, internal side surface portions of the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 118, and a second, transversely extending cross-tube 134 has its opposite ends fixedly connected to the second pair of oppositely disposed connecting plates 132. A pair of oppositely disposed angle irons 136 are fixedly mounted upon external side surface portions of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 118 in order to fixedly mount the seat of the chair thereon, and a first limit stop 138, the purpose of which will be discussed hereinafter, is fixedly mounted upon each external surface portion of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 118. A pair of oppositely disposed links 140, having substantially V-shaped or L-shaped configurations, are respectively pivotally mounted, at a first end thereof, to an external side surface portions of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 118, as at 142, while second, opposite ends of the V-shaped or L-shaped links 140 are pivotally connected to a pair of oppositely disposed seat links 144 as at 146. As can best be seen or appreciated from FIG. 3 , a pair of oppositely disposed seat brackets 148 are connected to the pair of oppositely disposed seat links 144 by means of a pair of bolts 150, 152, wherein a vertically oriented slot 154 is provided within each one of the pair of oppositely disposed seat brackets 148 so as to permit the bolts 150 move vertically therewithin. A second limit stop 156, the purpose of which will be discussed hereinafter, is fixedly mounted upon each one of the pair of oppositely disposed seat brackets 148, and a third, transversely extending cross-tube 158 fixedly connects the front end portions of pair of oppositely disposed sat brackets 148.
With reference continuing to be made to FIG. 3 , a pair of oppositely disposed upper lift links 160 are respectively pivotally connected, at the rear ends thereof, to the pair of oppositely disposed seat bases 111, as at 162, and a pair of oppositely disposed lower lift links 164 are respectively pivotally connected, at the rear ends thereof, to the pair of oppositely disposed seat bases 111, as at 166. In a similar manner, the front ends of the pair of oppositely disposed upper and lower lift links 160,164 are pivotally connected to the pair of oppositely disposed seat brackets 148 as at 168,170. In addition, a pair of oppositely disposed drive links 172 are pivotally connected at their rear ends to the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 118, as at 174, while the front ends of the pair of oppositely disposed drive links 172 are pivotally connected to upper end portions of a pair of oppositely disposed arcuate plates 176 as at 178. Lower end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed arcuate plates 176 are pivotally connected to the pair of oppositely disposed seat brackets 148, as at 180, while a fourth, transversely extending cross-tube 182 fixedly interconnects upper end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed arcuate plates 176.
With reference now being made to FIGS. 4 and 5 , a pair of oppositely disposed connecting links 184 are fixedly connected at a first end thereof to the pair of oppositely disposed seat brackets 148, and a pair of oppositely disposed straight links 186 are pivotally connected, at first ends thereof, to second ends of the pair of oppositely disposed connecting links 184 as at 188, while the opposite end of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed straight links 186 is provided with a slot 190. A pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest swing links 192 are respectively pivotally connected at first ends thereof to the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 118, as at 194, and to the pair of oppositely disposed seat links 144 as at pivot points 196. Still further, mid-portions of the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest swing links 192 are pivotally connected to second ends of the pair of oppositely disposed straight links 186 by means of pivot pins 198 which are also disposed within the slots 190 defined within the pair of oppositely disposed straight links 186. A pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest swing links 200 are connected at first ends thereof to the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 118, as at 202, while second opposite ends of the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest swing links 192 are pivotally connected to first ends of a pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest extension links 204 as at 206. In turn, it is seen that the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest swing links 200 are respectively pivotally connected at second ends thereof to first ends of a pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest extension links 208, as at 210, as well as being pivotally connected, at junction points near the second ends thereof, to the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest extension links 204 as at pivot points 212. A pair of oppositely disposed first bracket support links 214 are connected, at first end portions thereof, to the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest extension links 204, as at 215, while an intermediate portion of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest extension links 208 is respectively pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of the pair of oppositely disposed first bracket support links 214, as at 216, while, still further, a second opposite end of each one of the pair of oppositely disposed first bracket support links 214 is respectively pivotally connected to a first end portion of a pair of oppositely disposed second bracket support links 218 as at 220. Second end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed second bracket support links 218 are pivotally connected to a pair of oppositely disposed forward footrest mounting brackets 222 as at 224, second end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest extension links 204 are pivotally connected to oppositely disposed ends of a pair of oppositely disposed rearward footrest mounting bracket 226 as at 228, and second ends of the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest extension links 208 are pivotally connected to the pair of oppositely disposed forward footrest mounting brackets 222, as at 232, it being appreciated that the forward and rearward footrest mounting brackets 222,226 are adapted to have a footrest section of the chair fixedly mounted thereon. Lastly, a pair of oppositely disposed limit stops 233, mounted upon the pair of forward footrest mounting brackets 222, are adapted to be slidably disposed within a pair of oppositely disposed slotted sections 230 defined within the pair of oppositely disposed rearward footrest mounting brackets 226.
Reverting back to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a first linear actuator 234 comprises a motor end 236 which is pivotally mounted upon the second, transversely extending cross-tube 134 by means of a first, suitable clevis connector 238, and a telescopic, extendable/retractable rod or piston end 240 which is pivotally mounted upon the first, transversely extending cross-tube 128 by means of a second, suitable clevis connector 242. In a similar manner, a second linear actuator 244 comprises a motor end 246 which is pivotally mounted upon the transversely extending rear cross-member 108 by means of a third, suitable clevis connector 248, and a telescopic, extendable/retractable rod or piston end 250 which is pivotally mounted upon the fourth, transversely extending cross-tube 182 by means of a fourth, suitable clevis connector 252. It is also noted that the first and second linear actuators 234,244 are disposed within the framework of the chair so as to have opposite orientations, as can be clearly appreciated from FIG. 1 .
Having described substantially all of the operative components comprising the new and improved powered chair 100, a description of the operation of the same, comprising the movements between the various positions, orientations, or states, will now be described. More particularly, the new and improved chair is disclosed at, or in, its SEATED position or state as illustrated within FIG. 2 , and when the new and improved chair is in fact disposed at, or in, this position or state, the backrest is disposed at its upright position, the footrest is in its retracted position so as to be disposed beneath the chair seat, and the chair seat is disposed within a substantially horizontal plane. It is noted that at this point in time, the first linear actuator 234 is in its extended state, while the second linear actuator 244 is in a partially extended state. Accordingly, the V-shaped or L-shaped link 140 is disengaged from the first limit stop 138. Continuing further, when the extendable/retractable rod 250 of the second linear actuator 244 is retracted, the fourth, transversely extending cross-tube 182 is drawn rearwardly, thereby causing the pair of oppositely disposed arcuate plates 176 to rotate in the clockwise direction around their pivot points 180. In turn, this movement of the pair of oppositely disposed arcuate plates 176 cause the pair of oppositely disposed drive links 172 to move rearwardly which causes the rearward movement of the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 118. As a result of this rearward movement of the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 118, the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest swing links 192 and the pair of oppositely disposed straight links 186 are rotated in their clockwise directions, as may best be appreciated from FIG. 4 . In turn, this action causes the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest extension links 204, and the pair of oppositely disposed upper footrest swing links 200, to move forwardly and upwardly, again as can best be appreciated from FIG. 4 . As a result of these movements, the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest extension links 208 are moved forwardly and upwardly, and accordingly, the pair of oppositely disposed first and second bracket support links 214,218 to move forwardly and upwardly.
Therefore, as can readily be appreciated, the pair of oppositely disposed forward and rearward footrest mounting brackets 222,226 are moved from their vertical stowed positions, states, or orientations and extended to their horizontal deployed positions, states, or orientations. At this time, it is also noted that the pair of oppositely disposed V-shaped or L-shaped links 140 engage the first pair of oppositely disposed limit stops 138, as best seen in FIG. 4 . Hence, the footrest assembly is now disposed at its fully extended position, and the new and improved chair 100 has achieved its TV position as illustrated within FIG. 3 . Continuing further, when the linear actuator 244 is retracted further, the movement of the pair of oppositely disposed lower footrest swing links 192 causes the front end portions of the pair of oppositely disposed seat links 144 to rise, whereby the pair of oppositely disposed bolts 150 are able to move upwardly within the pair of oppositely disposed slots 154 so that the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 118 also rise at the front end portions thereof while the rear end portions of the seat plates 118 are effectively lowered, thereby disposing the pair of oppositely disposed seat plates 118 with a predetermined incline such that the seat of the chair 100 is reclined with the rear portion of the seat disposed at an elevation which is lower than the front portion of the seat, and wherein the footrest is disposed at a higher elevation than that of the chair seat, all as can best be appreciated from FIGS. 4-5 . Accordingly, the chair 100 has now attained its ZERO-GRAVITY position, orientation, or state. It is of course to be appreciated that if or when the actuation of the extendable or retractable rod 250 of the linear actuator 246 is reversed, that is, when the linear actuator 244 is extended, the chair 100 can be moved or returned from the ZERO-GRAVITY position, orientation, or state to the SEATED position, orientation, or state as illustrated within FIG. 2 .
It is to be noted further that at any position intermediate the SEATED position and the ZERO-GRAVITY position, when the telescopic rod 240 of the first linear actuator 234 is retracted, the first, transversely extending cross-tube 128 will be drawn forwardly which will cause the pair of oppositely disposed connecting plates 130, and the pair of oppositely disposed straight links 122, to be rotated in the clockwise direction thereby causing the pair of oppositely disposed connecting links 114 and the pair of oppositely disposed, T-shaped backrest mounting brackets 112 to likewise rotate in the clockwise direction, thereby moving the backrest, fixedly secured to the pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting brackets 112, to its RECLINED position, all as disclosed within FIG. 4 . It can likewise be appreciated that the extension of the telescopic rod 240 of the first linear actuator 234 will cause the backrest to be moved from its reclined position back to its upright position as illustrated within FIGS. 2 and 3 .
It is lastly noted that when the chair 100 is disposed at the SEATED position, as illustrated within FIG. 2 , and with reference being made to FIG. 6 , then if or when the second linear actuator 244 is actuated such that the telescopic rod 250 thereof is extended further, it will be appreciated that the pair of oppositely disposed arcuate plates 176 will engage the pair of oppositely disposed second limit stops 156, which are fixedly mounted upon the pair of oppositely disposed seat brackets 148, thereby effectively preventing any further movement or counterclockwise rotation of the pair of oppositely disposed arcuate plates 176. Accordingly, the pair of oppositely disposed seat brackets 148 will effectively be forced to rotate in the counterclockwise direction, thereby pulling the pair of oppositely disposed upper and lower lift links 160,164 upwardly whereby the chair 100 will now have achieved the LIFTED position as illustrated within FIG. 6 .
Obviously, many variations and modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims

What is claimed and desired to be protected by Letters Patent, is:

1. A powered furniture piece, comprising:

a framework;

a pair of oppositely disposed seat plates, mounted upon said framework, for mounting a seat thereon;

a pair of oppositely disposed footrest mounting brackets, operatively connected to said pair of oppositely disposed seat plates, for mounting a footrest thereon;

a pair of oppositely disposed backrest mounting brackets, operatively connected to said pair of oppositely disposed seat plates, for mounting a backrest thereon; and

a pair of linear actuators operatively connected to said framework and said seat such that when a first one of said pair of linear actuators is extended, while a second one of said pair of linear actuators is partially extended, said furniture piece is disposed in a SEATED position/orientation/state wherein said seat is disposed within a substantially horizontal plane, said footrest is retracted, and said backrest is disposed upright.

2. The furniture piece as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

when said second one of said pair of linear actuators is retracted, said furniture piece is disposed at a TV position/orientation/state. wherein said seat is disposed within a substantially horizontal plane, said footrest is extended, and said backrest is disposed upright.

3. The furniture piece as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

when said second one of said pair of linear actuators is retracted further, said furniture piece is disposed at a ZERO-GRAVITY position, state, or orientation wherein said seat is reclined with a rear portion of said seat being disposed at an elevation which is lower than a front portion of said seat, and wherein said footrest is disposed at a higher elevation than that of said seat.

4. The furniture piece as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

when said second one of said pair of linear actuators is extended, said furniture piece is disposed at a LIFT position/orientation/state wherein the entire chair, comprising said footrest, said seat, and said backrest, is elevated to an elevational level which is significantly above where said chair is disposed when said chair is disposed at said SEATED position/state/orientation.

5. The furniture piece as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

when said first one of said pair of linear actuators is retracted, said backrest of said furniture piece is disposed at a RECLINED position, orientation, or state.

6. The furniture piece as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said first and second linear actuators are mounted upon said chair framework so as to be disposed in opposite orientations.

7. The furniture piece as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said pair of oppositely disposed footrest mounting brackets are operatively connected to said pair of oppositely disposed seat plates by a plurality of linkage members.

8. The furniture piece as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said furniture piece is selected from the group comprising a chair, a love seat, and a sofa.

9. A powered furniture piece, comprising:

a framework;

a pair of linear actuators operatively connected to said framework and said seat such that when said pair of linear actuators are actuated, said furniture piece can attain different positions/orientations/states, comprising a SEATED position/orientation/state, a TV position/orientation/state, a ZERO-GRAVITY position/orientation/state, a LIFT position/orientation/state, and a backrest RECLINED position/orientation/state.

10. The furniture piece as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

when said furniture piece is disposed at said SEATED position, orientation, or state, said seat is disposed within a substantially horizontal plane, said footrest is retracted, and said backrest is disposed upright.

11. The furniture piece as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

when said furniture piece is disposed at said ZERO-GRAVITY position/state/orientation, said seat is reclined with a rear portion of said seat being disposed at an elevation which is lower than a front portion of said seat, and wherein said footrest is disposed at a higher elevation than that of said seat.

12. The furniture piece as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

when said furniture piece is disposed at said LIFT position, state, or orientation, the entire chair, comprising said footrest, said seat, and said backrest, is elevated to an elevational level which is significantly above where said chair is disposed when said chair is disposed at said SEATED position, state, or orientation.

13. The furniture piece as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

when said backrest of said furniture piece is disposed at said RECLINED position/orientation/state, said backrest is disposed at a reclined position/state/orientation relative to an upright position.

14. The furniture piece as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

said pair of linear actuators are mounted upon said chair framework so as to be disposed in opposite orientations.

15. The furniture piece as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

said at least one footrest mounting bracket is operatively connected to said seat by a plurality of linkage members.

16. The furniture piece as set forth in claim 9, wherein: