Adjustable furniture

An article of adjustable furniture, comprising:

• at least one support section adjustably mounted for pivotal movement on a support frame of the adjustable furniture, and a drive mechanism including an electrically powered actuator operable to effect pivotal movement of the at least one support section to move the at least one support section between a flat lowered position and a raised position;
• the actuator having a first end and a second end;
• the drive mechanism including at least a first and a second component pivotally joined by a bearing assembly, such that operation of the actuator causes pivotal movement between the first and second components so as to effect pivotal movement of the at least one support section;
• wherein the bearing assembly comprises a bearing with an inner race and an outer race rotationally moveable relative to each other, in which the outer race is rotationally fixed relative to one of the first or second components;
• the inner race is rotationally fixed relative to the other of the first or the second components such that operation of the drive mechanism causes relative movement between the inner and outer race to cause pivotal movement between the first and second components so as to effect pivotal movement of the at least one support section;
• the actuator having a first end and a second end;
• in which the first end of the actuator is pivotally connected to the support frame and the second end of the actuator is pivotally connected to the second component;
• and
• in which the first component is the support frame of the furniture and the second component is a first connecting means which is pivotally connected to the support frame.

An article of adjustable furniture, comprising:

• an upper body support panel adjustably mounted for pivotal movement on a support frame of the adjustable furniture, and a drive mechanism including an electrically powered actuator operable to effect pivotal movement of the upper body support panel to raise the upper body support panel between a flat lowered position and a raised position;
• the drive mechanism including at least a first and a second component pivotally joined by a bearing assembly, such that operation of the actuator along an actuator direction causes pivotal movement between the first and second components so as to effect pivotal movement of the upper body support panel;
• wherein the bearing assembly comprises a bearing with an inner race and an outer race rotationally moveable relative to each other, in which the outer race is rotationally fixed relative to one of the first or second components;
• the inner race is rotationally fixed relative to the other of the first or the second components such that operation of the drive mechanism causes relative movement between the inner and outer race to cause pivotal movement between the first and second components so as to effect pivotal movement of the upper body support panel;
• the actuator having a first end and a second end;
• in which the first end of the actuator is pivotally connected to the support frame and the second end of the actuator is pivotally connected to the second component;
• and
• in which the first component is the support frame of the furniture and the second component is a first connecting means which is pivotally connected to the support frame.

An article of adjustable furniture, comprising:

• an upper body support panel adjustably mounted for pivotal movement on a support frame of the adjustable furniture, and a drive mechanism including an electrically powered actuator operable to effect pivotal movement of the upper body support panel to raise the upper body support panel between a flat lowered position and a raised position;
• the actuator having a first end and a second end;
• the drive mechanism including at least a first and a second component pivotally joined by a bearing assembly, such that operation of the actuator causes pivotal movement between the first and second components so as to effect pivotal movement of the upper body support panel;
• wherein the bearing assembly comprises a bearing with an inner race and an outer race rotationally moveable relative to each other, in which the outer race is rotationally fixed relative to one of the first or second components;
• the inner race is rotationally fixed relative to the other of the first or the second components such that operation of the drive mechanism causes relative movement between the inner and outer race to cause pivotal movement between the first and second components so as to effect pivotal movement of the upper body support panel;
• the actuator having a first end and a second end;
• in which the first end of the actuator is pivotally mounted to the support frame and the second end of the actuator is pivotally connected to the second component;
• and
• in which the first component is the support frame of the furniture and the second component is a first connecting means.

A bed comprising:

• an upper body support panel adjustably mounted for pivotal movement on a support frame of the bed, and a drive mechanism including an electrically powered actuator operable to effect pivotal movement of the upper body support panel to raise the upper body support panel between a flat lowered position and a raised position;
• the actuator having a first end and a second end;
• the drive mechanism including at least a first and a second component pivotally joined by a bearing assembly, such that operation of the actuator causes pivotal movement between the first and second components so as to effect pivotal movement of the upper body support panel;
• wherein the bearing assembly comprises a bearing with an inner race and an outer race rotationally moveable relative to each other, in which the outer race is rotationally fixed relative to one of the first or second components;
• the inner race is rotationally fixed relative to the other of the first or the second components such that operation of the drive mechanism causes relative movement between the inner and outer race to cause pivotal movement between the first and second components so as to effect pivotal movement of the upper body support panel;
• the actuator having a first end and a second end;
• in which the first end of the actuator is pivotally mounted to the support frame and the second end of the actuator is pivotally connected to the second component;
• and
• in which the first component is the support frame of the furniture and the second component is a first connecting means.