Chairs and seats – Bottom or back with means to alter contour – Providing support for lower back region
Patent
1994-05-04
1996-04-16
Nelson, Jr., Milton
Chairs and seats
Bottom or back with means to alter contour
Providing support for lower back region
2972844, 2974631, A47C 742
Patent
active
055075592
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to adjustable lumbar support systems for seats and chairs, and is particularly although not exclusively concerned with such systems as used in association with motor vehicle seats. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with particular reference to motor vehicle seats, but it is to be understood that the invention has wider application. By way of example, the invention may be adopted in aircraft seats, train seats, shipboard seats, and chairs as used for office or recreational purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Adjustable lumbar support systems have achieved wide adoption in motor vehicles, particularly for the driver's seat, because of their significant contribution to driver comfort. A wide variety of such systems are available, and they generally suffer from one or more problems. Complexity of construction and consequent expense is a common problem, and less complicated and less expensive systems are usually deficient in operation. Another problem is lack of versatility.
The adjustable function of some of the known lumbar support systems is effected through a drive mechanism, which in most cases is either mechanical or electrical in nature. Vehicle manufacturers sometimes offer either mechanical or electrical systems to their customers, and consequently need to carry the requisite components for each. Prior to the present invention however, substantial differences have existed between the nature of the basic components required for each of the two alteratives, and that has added significantly to manufacturing costs.
It is an object of the invention, according to one of its aspects, to provide a lumbar support of relatively simple form. It is a further object of that aspect of the invention to provide means whereby the various components can be relatively located to suit ergonomic requirements.
It is an object of the invention according to another one of its aspects, to provide a lumbar support which enables convenient adoption of either a mechanical or an electrical drive mechanism.
Yet another object of the invention according to one of its aspects, is to provide means whereby any one of a plurality of interchangeable sub-assemblies can be adopted in a lumbar support system, according to customer requirements. By way of example, such interchangeable sub-assemblies may include mechanically driven and electrically driven sub-assemblies respectively.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the first mentioned aspect of the invention, there is provided a lumbar support for a seat, including a lumbar support band adapted to extend across the frame of a seat back rest, mounting means at each end of said band whereby said band can be attached to each of two spaced side members of said frame, an operative portion of said band extending between said mounting means, at least one said mounting means having a static part which is attachable to said frame and a dynamic part which is attached to said operative portion and is movable relative to said static part so as to thereby vary the effective length of said operative portion, drive mechanism, and a flexible drive connection interconnecting said drive mechanism and said dynamic part so that said mechanism is operable to cause or permit said movement of the dynamic part.
The so-called "operative portion" of the band is that part of the overall length of the band which is operable to provide lumbar support, and in most cases that is essentially the portion of the band extending between the two side members of the frame to which the band is attached. The effective length of that portion is the length spanning the space between the side members and can be adjusted from a minimum length at which the operative portion is relatively taut between the frame side members to a maximum length at which the operative portion sags rearwardly under the pressure applied by the seat occupant. For the purpose of adjustment of that length, one end portion of the band may be fixed to one frame side membe
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Henderson's Industries Pty. Ltd.
Jr. Milton Nelson
LandOfFree
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