US International Trade Commission Launches Investigation into Recliner Mechanisms

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The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has started an investigation into certain powered rocker-recliner and glider-recliner mechanisms. This action is due to a complaint received on August 21, 2026.

The Complaint:

  • The complaint comes from these companies:
    • Ultra-Mek, Incorporated from Denton, North Carolina.
    • Leggett & Platt, Incorporated from Carthage, Missouri.
    • L&P Property Management Company, also from Carthage, Missouri.

This complaint is under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. The complaint says some companies are violating section 337. This is through importing and selling certain recliner mechanisms in the U.S. These actions allegedly infringe on U.S. Patents No. 8,398,165, 8,398,168, 8,016,348, and 8,297,693.

Allegations:

  • Certain recliner mechanisms are being imported and sold in the U.S. illegally.
  • These products may violate the patents mentioned.
  • An industry related to these patents exists in the U.S. as required by law.

Request:

  • The complainants have asked the ITC to:
    • Investigate these claims.
    • Issue a limited exclusion order.
    • Issue cease and desist orders against the accused companies.

Investigation Details:

  • The investigation will look into whether the accused products:
    • Violate specific claims in the mentioned patents.
    • Harm an existing U.S. industry related to those patents.

The products under investigation are recliner mechanisms and seating units containing them.

Accused Companies:

The complaint names several companies as respondents. These include companies from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, and the United States.

Next Steps:

The named companies must respond to the complaint. The deadline for this response is 20 days from the notice. Not responding in time could mean they lose the right to defend against the claims.

Lisa Barton, Secretary to the Commission, issued the order. The full details are available online at the Federal Register’s official website.


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