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Nathan's Recliner

Nathan’s Recliner was a Human Touch Gravis ZG powered leather chair in the living room at the Weston home. Julia Weston bought it for Nathan’s fiftieth birthday on March 5, 2023, deliberately choosing an extravagant chair with powered positioning, heat, and air massage.

Design and Components

The chair had leather upholstery over a padded seat, back, and leg support, with a separate head pillow and a curved wooden frame. Its seat was twenty-four inches wide. Upright, the chair measured forty-five inches from front to back, thirty inches across, and forty-nine inches high. Fully reclined, it occupied sixty-seven inches from front to back and stood thirty-one inches high. Its maximum load was four hundred pounds, accommodating Nathan’s six-foot-two frame and weight of more than two hundred fifty pounds.

The headrest, backrest, and footrest each had powered adjustment. The headrest’s angle could change through forty degrees. Touch controls on the right armrest provided reclining and return-to-upright functions; a handheld controller operated the individual adjustments and the heat and massage settings. A pocket attached to the right armrest held the controller.

Function and Operation

The front right-arm control moved the chair into its zero-gravity reclining position. Holding the rear control returned the back upright and lowered the footrest for getting out. The handheld controller provided the same return function through its Power button and separate Head, Back, and Foot buttons for positioning.

Air massage offered Massage, Stretch, and Lumbar programs. Heat could be selected independently for the back, seat, and legs, or used in all three areas. The model also supported an optional phone app with stored positions and additional settings. Its battery backup could return the chair upright after a power failure.

Acquisition and Ownership

Julia’s birthday gift exceeded what Nathan thought she should have spent on him. He complained about the expense and kissed her. Amari Burns had gotten him up very early for “birthday shit,” and the day’s activities continued without a break. Nathan accidentally fell asleep in the new chair that evening.

Installation and Environment

The recliner stood in the living room and required electrical power for its powered functions. The model specified three inches of clearance behind the chair in addition to room for the extending leg support.

Maintenance, Repair, and Support

Manufacturer instructions called for unplugging the chair before cleaning and keeping the controller dry. The leather required periodic conditioning and protection from prolonged direct sunlight. Mechanical repairs belonged with an authorized service center. The battery backup required four nine-volt batteries, replaced at least annually and immediately after backup use.

Safety, Reliability, and Limitations

The manufacturer warned against operating the chair beneath a blanket or pillow because of excessive heating. Its extended foot support and moving mechanism also required clear space around them.

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