Linear actuator and linkage system for an ottoman of riser-mounted theater seat chairs

A powered chair having a linear actuator and linkage system for moving an ottoman of said powered chair, and adapted to be mounted upon a step of a stadium-type theater seating arrangement, wherein the step of the stadium-type theater seating arrangement comprises a tread portion and a riser portion, the powered chair comprising:

• a chair frame base adapted to be affixed to the tread portion of the step of the stadium-type theater seating arrangement, wherein said chair frame base comprises a front dependent portion which defines a forward open chamber and which is adapted to be disposed in front of the riser portion of the step of the stadium-type theater seating arrangement;
• an ottoman support upon which an ottoman is to be supported;
• pairs of oppositely disposed linkage members having first end portions pivotally connected to said chair frame base, and second end portions pivotally connected to said ottoman support for operatively connecting said ottoman support to said chair frame base and for moving said ottoman support between a first closed/retracted position at which said ottoman support has a substantially vertical orientation and which is disposed within said open chamber of said front dependent portion of said chair frame base along with said plurality of linkage members, and a second open/extended position at which said ottoman support has a substantially horizontal orientation;
• and
• a linear actuator, having a first end portion mounted upon said chair frame base, and a second end portion operatively connected to said pairs of oppositely disposed linkage members, for exerting a push force, in a first horizontally oriented direction, upon said pairs of oppositely disposed linkage members, wherein said push force is effectively oriented perpendicular to said ottoman support, when said ottoman support is disposed at said first closed/retracted position, so as to move said ottoman support from said first closed/retracted position toward said second open/extended position, and for exerting a pull force, in a second oppositely oriented horizontal direction, upon said pairs of oppositely disposed linkage members, so as to move said ottoman support from said second open/extended position toward said first closed/retracted position.