Linear Actuator

Abstract

A linear actuator to provide the moving force for adjustable furniture, such as beds, chairs or tables. The linear actuator includes a drive assembly, rigid arm, and linkage assembly. The rigid arm includes a pusher block with one or more attachment means where the linkage assembly is attached.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

TABLE-US-00001 [0001] -- -- Kristin 61-862409 August, 2013 Kristin 20110298323 December, 2011 Brieschke 20090308187 December, 2009 Schmid

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC

[0003] Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION

[0004] 1. Field of the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure reveals a new design for a linear actuator that modifies the positioning in adjustable furniture. A linear actuator is an actuator that creates motion in a straight line, which is widely used within the area of adjustable furniture, where they are used to adjust the position of adjustable furniture such as the lifting and reclining of motion chairs, the height of a table, or the position of the mattress surface of a bed.

[0006] 2. Background of the Invention

[0007] Prior art of linear actuators reveals drive assembly, a rotating member and an extending member or a drive assembly and rigid arm and pusher block. In the first category, the rotating member is threaded and rotated by the drive assembly. The extending member cannot rotate and is threaded in conjunction with the rotating member. As the rotating member is rotated the extending member is extended or retracted relative to the location of the drive assembly, which also extends the overall length of the linear actuator. In the second category of prior art, the linkage assembly is attached to both sides of the pusher block.

[0008] The present disclosure reveals a linear actuator comprising a reversible drive assembly, rigid arm assembly and linkage assembly where the linkage assembly attaches to both sides of the pusher block or to one side of the pusher block and the top portion of the pusher block. The linear actuator is attached to a piece of adjustable furniture by means of a rear mounting bracket and by means of a linkage assembly. The rear mounting bracket stabilizes the linear actuator relative to the adjustable furniture, while the linkage assembly facilitates the adjustment of the adjustable furniture.

[0009] The reversible drive assembly comprises a control means for operating the linear actuator and a drive means for supplying the forces necessary to manipulate the linear actuator. The drive assembly is attached to the rigid arm assembly by an attachment means and provides the force by which the adjustable furniture is adjusted.

[0010] The rigid arm assembly comprises an outer structure, a threaded spindle, a spindle nut, and a pusher block. The threaded spindle is attached to the reversible drive assembly and the outer structure of the rigid arm in such a way as to allow the threaded spindle to rotate axially. The spindle nut is attached to the threaded spindle and the pusher block. The pusher block also straddles the outer structure and is secured in linear recesses that run the length of the outer structure. As the reversible drive assembly turns the threaded spindle, the spindle nut is moved along the threaded spindle and the spindle nut in turn moves the pusher block along the outer structure. The linkage assembly is attached to the pusher block by a plurality of attachment means located on either side of the pusher block or the top of the pusher block. As the reversible drive assembly rotates the threaded spindle, the spindle nut moves along the threaded spindle causing the pusher block to move along the outer structure. Movement of the pusher block adjusts the linkage assembly and causes the adjustment of the adjustable furniture.

[0011] Several attempts have been made to develop a linear actuator but all involve a system distinct from the present disclosure. Prior art can be generally described as including a drive assembly, a rotating member and an extending member. The rotating member is threaded and rotated by the drive assembly. The extending member cannot rotate and is threaded in conjunction with the rotating member. As the rotating member is rotated the extending member is extended or retracted relative to the location of the drive assembly, which also extends the overall length of the linear actuator.

[0012] In U.S. Pat. App. 20110298323, Brieschke discloses a linear actuator that includes an input member that rotates, an output member attached to the input member by means of a nut and with a flanged portion that extends into a guide rail that runs the length of the outer casing of the linear actuator. The flanged portion prevents the output member from rotating while the input member is rotating. As the input member is rotated, the output member moves along the axis of the input member and extends or retracts the output member away from the drive mechanism and adjusts the overall length of the linear actuator. The present disclosure reveals a pusher block attached to the threaded spindle, where the pusher block is moved along the threaded spindle as the threaded spindle is rotated but the overall length of the present disclosure never changes.

[0013] In U.S. Pat. App. 20090308187, Schmid discloses a linear actuator that includes a drive mechanism, an inner tube that rotates and an outer tube that does not rotate. As the inner tube rotates the outer tube is extended or retracted, extending the overall length of the linear actuator. The present disclosure reveals a pusher block attached to the threaded spindle, where the pusher block is moved along the threaded spindle as the threaded spindle is rotated but the overall length of the present disclosure never changes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] A linear actuator comprising a reversible drive assembly, rigid arm assembly and linkage assembly for use with adjustable furniture. The reversible drive assembly comprises a control means for operating the linear actuator and a drive means for supplying the forces necessary to manipulate the linear actuator. The drive assembly is attached to the rigid arm assembly by an attachment means and provides the force by which the adjustable furniture is adjusted.

[0015] The rigid arm assembly includes a rigid arm assembly, a threaded spindle, a spindle nut, a pusher block, and a linkage assembly. The threaded spindle is attached to the reversible drive assembly and the outer structure of the rigid arm in such a way as to allow the threaded spindle to rotate axially. The spindle nut is attached to the threaded spindle and the pusher block. The pusher block also straddles the outer structure and is secured in linear recesses that run the length of the outer structure. As the reversible drive assembly turns the threaded spindle, the spindle nut is moved along the threaded spindle and the spindle nut in turn moves the pusher block along the outer structure. The linkage assembly is attached to the pusher block by a plurality of attachment means located on either side of the pusher block or the top of the pusher block. As the reversible drive assembly rotates the threaded spindle, the spindle nut moves along the threaded spindle causing the pusher block to move along the outer structure. Movement of the pusher block adjusts the linkage assembly and causes the adjustment of the adjustable furniture.

[0016] In one preferred embodiment of the pusher block the plurality of attachment means includes the attachment means extending from the right side of the pusher block.

[0017] In a second preferred embodiment of the pusher block the plurality of attachment means includes the attachment means extending from the left side of the pusher block.

[0018] In a third preferred embodiment of the pusher block the plurality of attachment means includes the attachment means extending from the top of the pusher block.

[0019] In a fourth preferred embodiment of the pusher block the plurality of attachment means includes an attachment means extending from the right side of the pusher block and an attachment means extending from the top of the pusher block.

[0020] In a fifth preferred embodiment of the pusher block the plurality of attachment means includes an attachment means extending from the left side of the pusher block and an attachment means extending from the top of the pusher block.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0021] FIG. 1 is an objective view of the disclosed linear actuator;

[0022] FIG. 2 is an objective view of an alternative embodiment of the disclosed linear actuator;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the disclosed linear actuator;

[0024] FIG. 4 is a side view of the disclosed linear actuator;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] A linear actuator 1 comprising a reversible drive assembly 2, rigid arm assembly 3 and linkage assembly 4. The reversible drive assembly 2 comprises a controller means and a drive means 6.

[0026] The reversible drive motor assembly 2 is connected to the rigid arm assembly 3. The rigid arm assembly 3 an outer structure 7, a threaded spindle 8, a spindle nut 9, and a pusher block 10. The threaded spindle 8 is retained within the outer structure 7 and attached to the drive assembly 2 outer structure 7 in such a fashion as to facilitate the threaded spindle 8 being allowed to rotate. The spindle nut 9 is threaded onto the threaded spindle 8 and attached to the pusher block 10. The pusher block 10 is attached to the spindle nut 9 and the pusher block 10 straddles the outer structure 7. The pusher block 10 is attached to the linkage assembly 4 and the linkage assembly is attached to the adjustable portion of the adjustable portion of the adjustable furniture.

[0027] As the threaded spindle 8 is rotated by the reversible drive assembly 2 the spindle nut 9 moves along the threaded spindle 8, which moves the pusher block 10 along the outer structure 7. Movement of the pusher block 10 moves the linkage assembly 4, which causes adjustment of the adjustable furniture.

Claims

1. A linear actuator comprising a reversible drive assembly, rigid arm assembly and linkage assembly; said drive assembly comprising a controller means and a drive means; said rigid arm assembly comprising an outer structure, a threaded spindle, a spindle nut, and a pusher block, where the threaded spindle is retained within the outer structure and attached to the drive assembly and outer structure in such a fashion as to allow the threaded spindle 8 to rotate when force is applied from the drive assembly; said spindle nut is threaded onto the threaded spindle and attached to the pusher block; said pusher block is attached to the spindle nut and the pusher block straddles the outer structure; said linkage assembly is attached to the pusher block by a plurality of attachment means; as the threaded spindle is rotated by the drive assembly the spindle nut moves along the threaded spindle, which moves the pusher block along the outer structure; and movement of the pusher block moves the linkage assembly, which causes adjustment of the adjustable furniture.

2. The pusher block of claim 1 where the attachment means extends from the right side of the pusher block.

3. The pusher block of claim 1 where the attachment means extends from the left side of the pusher block.

4. The pusher block of claim 1 where the attachment means extends from the top of the pusher block.

5. The pusher block of claim 1 where the attachment means extends from the right side of the pusher block and the top of said pusher block.

6. The pusher block of claim 1 where the attachment means extends from the left side of the pusher block and the top of said pusher block.