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An actuator usable in a support frame for use in a lift chair. In one embodiment, the actuator has a housing, a reversible electric motor positioned in the housing, a worm that connects with a worm wheel, wherein the worm is driven by the electric reversible motor in operation, an outer tube member

An actuator usable in a support frame for use in a lift chair. In one embodiment, the actuator has a housing, a reversible electric motor positioned in the housing, a worm that connects with a worm wheel, wherein the worm is driven by the electric reversible motor in operation, an outer tube member that extends through an opening defined in a front end of the housing and has a central axis, an activation rod configured to be telescopically movable relative to the outer tube member, a first pushing member movable with the activation rod and having a threaded opening, a first protrusion member and a second protrusion member spaced apart from the first protrusion member, a first push button switch with a push button, and a second push button switch with a push button, the first push button switch and second push button switch electrically coupled to the electric reversible motor and positioned apart in the housing such that when, during operation, the motion of the activation rod relative to the outer tube member causes the first pushing member to move along with a direction parallel to the central axis, the first protrusion member engages with or disengages from the push button of the first push button switch to cause the first push button switch to be in a first state or in a second state.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An actuator that is usable in a support frame for use in a lift chair, comprising: a. a housing having a first housing part and a second housing part, the housing defining a front end and a rear end; b. the first housing part configured to define an opening on a side and prov

What is claimed is: 1. An actuator that is usable in a support frame for use in a lift chair, comprising: a. a housing having a first housing part and a second housing part, the housing defining a front end and a rear end; b. the first housing part configured to define an opening on a side and provide a journal bearing; c. a reversible electric motor positioned in the first housing part and received by the opening; d. a worm that extends into the journal bearing and connects with a worm wheel, wherein the worm is driven by the electric reversible motor in operation; e. an outer tube member that extends through an opening defined in the front end of the housing to a free end spaced forwardly of the front end of the housing and has a central axis; f. an activation rod that extends from within the housing through and beyond the free end of the outer tube member to an opposite, second end providing a first fitting for connection to a first pushing member, the activation rod being telescopically movable relative to the outer tube member; g. the first pushing member movable with the activation rod and having a threaded opening, a first protrusion member and a second protrusion member spaced apart from the first protrusion member; h. a spindle bearing supported by a corresponding spindle bearing recess formed in the housing proximate to the rear end of the housing; i. a spindle that is mounted in the spindle bearing and extends into the threaded opening of the activation rod for connection to the activation rod, rotation of the worm and the worm wheel by the electric reversible motor causing the spindle to rotate and telescopically move the activation rod relative to the outer tube member; and j. a first push button switch with a push button and a second push button switch with a push button, the first push button switch and second push button switch electrically coupled to the electric reversible motor and positioned apart in the housing; wherein the first push button switch and second push button switch are positioned in the housing and the first protrusion member and second protrusion member of the first pushing member are configured such that when, during operation, the motion of the activation rod relative to the outer tube member causes the first pushing member to move along a direction parallel to the central axis, the first protrusion member engages with or disengages from the push button of the first push button switch to cause the first push button switch to be in a first state or in a second state that is different from the first state, respectively. 2. The actuator of claim 1, further comprising a cover member fixedly connected to the free end of the outer tube member and defining an opening in communication with the opening of the outer tube member to allow the activation rod to be movable relative to the outer tube member. 3. The actuator of claim 2, further comprising a resilient member positioned between the cover member and the second end of the second pushing member for providing a force against the second end. 4. The actuator of claim 2, further comprising a second pushing member slidably received in a corresponding recess formed in the inner surface of the outer tube member, the second pushing member having a first end, an opposite, second end and a recess formed at least partially from the first end to the second end, wherein the recess is configured to be slidably engageable with the second protrusion member of the first pushing member so that the second pushing member slidably engages with the second protrusion member of the first pushing member. 5. The actuator of claim 4, wherein one of the first push button switch and the second push button switch is an always-on push button switch and the other is an always-off push button switch. 6. The actuator of claim 5, wherein the first push button switch is an always-on push button switch, and the second push button switch is an always-off push button switch. 7. The actuator of claim 6, wherein the second pushing member is positioned and configured such that when the first protrusion member engages with the push button of the first push button switch to cause the first push button switch to be in an off state, the first end of the second pushing member engages with the push button of the second push button switch to cause the second push button switch to be in an on state. 8. The actuator of claim 7, wherein the second pushing member is positioned and configured such that when, during operation, the motion of the activation rod relative to the outer tube member causes the first pushing member to move along with a direction parallel to the central axis, the first protrusion member disengages from the push button of the first push button switch to cause the first push button switch to be in an on state, the first end of the second pushing member disengages from the push button of the second push button switch to cause the second push button switch to be in an off state. 9. The actuator of claim 8, wherein said second pushing member is positioned and configured such that when, during operation, when the first pushing member reaches the second end of the outer tube and the activation rod is fully extended, said second protrusion member disengages from said push button of said second push button switch through the second pushing member to cause said second push button switch to be in an off state. 10. The actuator of claim 9, wherein when the first push button switch is in an on state, the second push button switch is also in an on state if the first end of the second pushing member still engages with the push button of the second push button switch to cause the second push button switch to be in an off state. 11. The actuator of claim 6, wherein the first state is an off state, and the second state is an on state. 12. The actuator of claim 11, further comprising a first diode electrically coupled to the first push button switch in parallel and having an anode and a cathode, and a second diode electrically coupled to the second push button switch in parallel and having an anode and a cathode, wherein the first diode and the second diode are electrically coupled in a configuration such that the cathode of the first diode is electrically coupled to the cathode of the second diode. 13. An actuator that is usable in a support frame for use in a lift chair, comprising: a. a housing; b. a reversible electric motor positioned in the housing; c. a worm that connects with a worm wheel, wherein the worm is driven by the electric reversible motor in operation; d. an outer tube member that extends through an opening defined in a front end of the housing and has a central axis; e. an activation rod configured to be telescopically movable relative to the outer tube member; f. a first pushing member movable with the activation rod and having a threaded opening, a first protrusion member and a second protrusion member spaced apart from the first protrusion member; g. a first push button switch with a push button; and h. a second push button switch with a push button, the first push button switch and second push button switch electrically coupled to the electric reversible motor and positioned apart in the housing. 14. The actuator of claim 13, wherein the first push button switch and second push button switch are positioned in the housing and the first protrusion member and second protrusion member of the first pushing member are configured such that when, during operation, the motion of the activation rod relative to the outer tube member causes the first pushing member to move along a direction parallel to the central axis, the first protrusion member engages with or disengages from the push button of the first push button switch to cause the first push button switch to be in a first state or in a second state that is different from the first state, respectively. 15. The actuator of claim 14, further comprising a cover member fixedly connected to the free end of the outer tube member and defining an opening to allow the activation rod to be movable relative to the outer tube member. 16. The actuator of claim 15, further comprising a second pushing member slidably received in a corresponding recess formed in the inner surface of the outer tube member, the second pushing member having a first end, an opposite, second end and a recess formed at least partially from the first end to the second end, wherein the recess is configured to be slidably engageable with the second protrusion member of the first pushing member so that the second pushing member slidably engages with the second protrusion member of the first pushing member. 17. The actuator of claim 16, further comprising a resilient member positioned between the cover member and the second end of the second pushing member for providing a force against the second end. 18. The actuator of claim 16, wherein one of the first push button switch and the second push button switch is an always-off push button switch and the other is an always-on push button switch. 19. The actuator of claim 18, further comprising a first diode electrically coupled to the first push button switch in parallel and having an anode and a cathode, and a second diode electrically coupled to the second push button switch in parallel and having an anode and a cathode, wherein the first diode and the second diode are electrically coupled in a configuration such that the cathode of the first diode is electrically coupled to the cathode of the second diode and the anode of the second diode is electrically coupled to a first terminal of the motor. 20. The actuator of claim 19, further comprising a DC power supply having a first output terminal and a second output terminal, wherein the first output terminal of the DC power supply is electrically coupled to the anode of the first diode and the second output terminal of the DC power supply is electrically coupled to electrically coupled to a second terminal of the motor. 21. The actuator of claim 20, wherein the DC power supply comprises a battery. 22. The actuator of claim 21, wherein the DC power supply comprises a transformer that transforms an AC current to a DC current. 23. The actuator of claim 18, wherein the first push button switch is an always-on push button switch, and the second push button switch is an always-off push button switch. 24. The actuator of claim 23, wherein the second pushing member is positioned and configured such that when the first protrusion member engages with the push button of the first push button switch to cause the first push button switch to be in an off state, the first end of the second pushing member engages with the push button of the second push button switch to cause the second push button switch to be in an on state. 25. The actuator of claim 24, wherein the second pushing member is positioned and configured such that when, during operation, the motion of the activation rod relative to the outer tube member causes the first pushing member to move along a direction parallel to the central axis, the first protrusion member disengages from the push button of the first push button switch to cause the first push button switch to be in an on state, the first end of the second pushing member disengages from the push button of the second push button switch to cause the second push button switch to be in an off state. 26. The actuator of claim 25, wherein when the first push button switch is in an on state, the second push button switch is also in an on state if the first end of the second pushing member still engages with the push button of the second push button switch to cause the second push button switch to be in an off state. 27. The actuator of claim 23, wherein the first state is an off state, and the second state is an on state. 28. A support frame for use in a lift chair, comprising: a. a base frame having longitudinally extending front and rear frame base rails; b. a first longitudinally extending side frame base rail connected to the front and rear frame base rails and a second longitudinally extending side frame base rail connected to the front and rear frame base rails respectively, the first and second side frame base rails and the front and rear frame base rails being co-planar for supporting the lift chair on a surface; c. an actuator, the actuator comprising: (i). a housing; (ii). a reversible electric motor positioned in the housing; (iii). a worm that connects with a worm wheel, wherein the worm is driven by the electric reversible motor in operation; (iv). an outer tube member that extends through an opening defined in a front end of the housing and has a central axis; (v). an activation rod configured to be telescopically movable relative to the outer tube member; (vi) a first pushing member movable with the activation rod and having a threaded opening, a first protrusion member and a second protrusion member spaced apart from the first protrusion member; and (vii). a first push button switch with a push button; and a second push button switch with a push button, the first push button switch and second push button switch electrically coupled to the electric reversible motor and positioned apart in the housing; and d. a support member configured to engage with the actuator and mounted to the rear frame base rail. 29. The support frame of claim 28, wherein the first push button switch and second push button switch are positioned in the housing and the first protrusion member and second protrusion member of the first pushing member are configured such that when, during operation, the motion of the activation rod relative to the outer tube member causes the first pushing member to move along a direction parallel to the central axis, the first protrusion member engages with or disengages from the push button of the first push button switch to cause the first push button switch to be in a first state or in a second state that is different from the first state, respectively. 30. The support frame of claim 29, further comprising a cover member fixedly connected to the free end of the outer tube member and defining an opening to allow the activation rod to be movable relative to the outer tube member. 31. The support frame of claim 30, further comprising a second pushing member slidably received in a corresponding recess formed in the inner surface of the outer tube member, the second pushing member having a first end, an opposite, second end and a recess formed at least partially from the first end to the second end, wherein the recess is configured to be slidably engageable with the second protrusion member of the first pushing member so that the second pushing member slidably engages with the second protrusion member of the first pushing member. 32. The support frame of claim 31, wherein one of the first push button switch and the second push button switch is an always-on push button switch and the other is an always-off push button switch. 33. The support frame of claim 32, wherein the first push button switch is an always-on push button switch, and the second push button switch is an always-off push button switch. 34. The support frame of claim 33, wherein the second pushing member is positioned and configured such that when the first protrusion member engages with the push button of the first push button switch to cause the first push button switch to be in an off state, the first end of the second pushing member engages with the push button of the second push button switch to cause the second push button switch to be in an on state. 35. The support frame of claim 34, wherein the second pushing member is positioned and configured such that when, during operation, the motion of the activation rod relative to the outer tube member causes the first pushing member to move along a direction parallel to the central axis, the first protrusion member disengages from the push button of the first push button switch to cause the first push button switch to be in an on state, the first end of the second pushing member disengages from the push button of the second push button switch to cause the second push button switch to be in an off state. 36. The support frame of claim 35, wherein when the first push button switch is in an on state, the second push button switch is also in an on state if the first end of the second pushing member still engages with the push button of the second push button switch to cause the second push button switch to be in an off state. 37. The support frame of claim 33, wherein the first state is an off state, and the second state is an on state. 38. The support frame of claim 28, further comprising a first diode electrically coupled to the first push button switch in parallel and having an anode and a cathode, and a second diode electrically coupled to the second push button switch in parallel and having an anode and a cathode, wherein the first diode and the second diode are electrically coupled in a configuration such that the cathode of the first diode is electrically coupled to the cathode of the second diode and the anode of the second diode is electrically coupled to a first terminal of the motor. 39. The support frame of claim 38, further comprising a DC power supply having a first output terminal and a second output terminal, wherein the first output terminal of the DC power supply is electrically coupled to the anode of the first diode and the second output terminal of the DC power supply is electrically coupled to electrically coupled to a second terminal of the motor. 40. The support frame of claim 28, wherein the actuator further comprises an engagement member that is fixedly connected with the housing and protruding away from the rear end to engage with the support member. 41. A lift chair comprising a support frame of claim 28. 42. An actuator that is usable in a support frame for use in a lift chair, comprising: a. a reversible electric motor having a first terminal and a second terminal; b. a first push button switch having a push button, a first terminal and a second terminal; c. a second push button switch having a push button, a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the second push button switch is electrically coupled to the second terminal of the first push button switch; d. a first diode having an anode and a cathode; and e. a second diode having an anode and a cathode, wherein the first diode is electrically coupled to the first push button switch in parallel with the anode of the first diode electrically coupled to the first terminal of the first push button switch and the cathode of the first diode electrically coupled to the second terminal of the first push button switch, respectively; wherein the second diode is electrically coupled to the-second push button switch in parallel with the cathode of the second diode electrically coupled to the first terminal of the second push button switch and the anode of the second diode electrically coupled to the second terminal of the second push button switch respectively; wherein the anode of the second diode and the second terminal of the second push button switch are electrically coupled to the first terminal of the electric reversible motor; wherein the anode of the first diode and the first terminal of the first push button switch are electrically coupled to a first power terminal; and wherein the first terminal of the electric reversible motor is electrically coupled to a second power terminal. 43. The actuator of claim 42, further comprising a DC power supply having a first output terminal and a second output terminal, wherein the first output terminal of the DC power supply is electrically coupled to the first power terminal and the second output terminal of the DC power supply is electrically coupled to the second power terminal. 44. The actuator of claim 43, wherein when the first push button switch is in an off state and the second push button switch is in an on state, the motor can only rotate in a first direction. 45. The actuator of claim 44, wherein when the first push button switch is in an on state and the second push button switch is in an off state, the motor can only rotate in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. 46. The actuator of claim 45, wherein when the first push button switch is in an on state and the second push button switch is in an on state, the motor can rotate in either of the second direction and the first direction. 47. A support frame for use in a lift chair comprising an actuator of claim 46. 48. A lift chair comprising a support frame of claim 47.