Integrated adjustable lumbar support and trim attachment system

• US 20060061170A1
• Filed: 09/15/2005
• Published: 03/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alfmeier Corporation (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Alfmeier Corporation (Gentherm Incorporated)
• Inventors: Massara, Andrew J., Vogt, Brandon R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,201,446 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/284.400
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/66 Lumbar supports
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/667 having flexible support member bowed by applied forces
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/6671 with cable actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/6673 with motor driven adjustments

Abstract

An adjustable lumbar support (10) adapted to be easily integrated into new or existing seat structures. Adjustable lumbar support (10) includes a floating plate (15) supported by a support linkage. In one embodiment, the support linkage is defined by a cable member (21) and first and second spring members (25) and (26) which engage the seat frame. In an alternate embodiment, the support linkage is defined by first and second spring members 25 engaged with first and second linkage members (52), respectively, and includes a rotary power mechanism (50) for applying a rotating motion to a shaft (54) threadably engaged with first and second linkage members (52). The degree of support provided by floating plate (15) is adjusted by adjusting the effective length of the support linkage. Lumbar support mechanism (10) can be mounted in a state of the art seat back alone or in conjunction with an integral trim attachment array (70). Trim attachment array (70) is adapted to replace the trim wires molded into the cushion foam of a standard seat. Integral trim attachment array (70) is defined by a trim ring (73) having integrated pinch clips (76). The trim ring has a rectilinear configuration adapted to conform to the outline of the seat back. Trim ring (73) is, preferably molded into the seat back foam as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Linkages (79) are utilized to link a plurality of trim rings (73) together or to link trim ring (73) to floating support plate (15).

Claims

1. An adjustable lumbar support for seats, said adjustable lumbar support comprising:

a unitary floating support plate for providing support to a lumbar region of a seat, said unitary floating support plate having a front surface and a rear surface;

a support linkage for supporting said floating support plate, wherein said support linkage is adapted for engaging a seat frame, wherein said support linkage is defined by a cable member and first and second spring members, wherein said first and second spring members are adapted for engaging a seat frame, wherein said cable member has a first end secured to said actuator mechanism and a second end secured to one of said spring members, and further wherein said cable member slides in a cable housing secured to said rear surface of said floating support plate, said support linkage supporting said floating support plate in a pivotal manner such that said floating support plate self aligns with a lumbar region of a seat occupant; and

an actuator mechanism for adjusting said effective length of said support linkage, whereby an amount of lumbar support provided by said floating support plate is increased as said effective length of said support linkage is decreased.

2. The adjustable lumbar support of claim 1 wherein said floating support plate has a curved front surface.

3. The adjustable lumbar support of claim 1 wherein said actuator mechanism is manually activated.

4. The adjustable lumbar support of claim 1 wherein said actuator mechanism is electrically powered.

5. The adjustable lumbar support of claim 1 wherein said floating support plate is constructed of a substantially rigid material.

6. The adjustable lumbar support of claim 1 wherein said floating support plate includes a projection disposed from said rear surface of said floating support plate.

7. The adjustable lumbar support of claim 1 wherein said cable housing is integral with said floating support plate.

8. An adjustable lumbar support for seats, said adjustable lumbar support comprising

a unitary floating support plate for providing support to a lumbar region of a seat, said unitary floating support plate having a front surface and a rear surface;

a support linkage for supporting said support plate such that said floating support plate self aligns with a lumbar region of a seat occupant, said support linkage having an effective length whereby an amount of lumbar support provided by said floating support plate is increased as said effective length of said support linkage is decreased, wherein said support linkage is defined by first and second spring members engaged with first and second linkage members respectively, wherein said first and second spring members are adapted to further engage a seat frame and further wherein said first and second linkage members include threaded fasteners; and

an actuator mechanism for adjusting said effective length of said support linkage, wherein said actuator mechanism is a powered mechanism for providing rotary motion to a shaft having first and second ends, said first and second ends of said shaft being oppositely threaded and said threaded fastener of said first linkage member being threadably engaged with said first end of said shaft and said threaded fastener of said second linkage member being threadably engaged with said second end of said shaft such that rotation of said shaft in a first direction draws said first and second linkage members inward thereby shortening said effective length of said support linkage, and rotation of said shaft in a second direction moves said first and second linkage members outward thereby increasing said effective length of said support linkage.

9. The adjustable lumbar support of claim 8 wherein said adjustable lumbar support is in active cooperation with an integral trim attachment array comprising a trim ring having integrated pinch clips disposed along a length of said trim ring.

10. The adjustable lumbar support of claim 8 wherein said floating support plate is molded in a seatback foam cushion.

11. An adjustable lumbar support for seats, said adjustable lumbar support comprising:

a unitary floating support plate for providing support to a lumbar region of a seat, said support plate having a curved front surface and a rear surface, said floating support plate further having a projection disposed from said rear surface of said floating support plate;

a support linkage for supporting said floating support plate, wherein said support linkage is adapted for engaging a seat frame, said support linkage having an effective length and including at least one spring member disposed between said floating support plate and the seat frame, said support linkage supporting said floating support plate in a pivotal manner; and

an actuator mechanism for adjusting said effective length of said support linkage, whereby an amount of lumbar support provided by said floating support plate is increased as said effective length of said support linkage is decreased;

wherein said adjustable lumbar support is in active cooperation with an integral trim attachment array comprising a trim ring having integrated pinch clips disposed along a length of said trim ring.

12. The adjustable lumbar support of claim 11 wherein said actuator mechanism is manually activated.

13. The adjustable lumbar support of claim 11 wherein said actuator mechanism is electrically powered.

14. The adjustable lumbar support of claim 13 wherein said actuator mechanism applies rotating motion to a shaft having first and second ends wherein said first and second ends are oppositely threaded.

15. The adjustable lumbar support of claim 11 wherein said support linkage is defined by a cable member and first and second spring members, wherein said spring members are adapted for engaging a seat frame, wherein said cable member has a first end secured to said actuator mechanism and a second end secured to one of said spring members, said cable member slides in a cable housing secured to said rear surface of said floating support plate.

16. The adjustable lumbar support of claim 15 wherein said cable housing is integral with said floating support plate.

17. The adjustable lumbar support for seats of claim 11 wherein said support linkage is defined by first and second spring members engaged with first and second linkage members respectively, wherein said first and second spring members are adapted to further engage a seat frame and further wherein said first and second linkage members include threaded fasteners, wherein said actuator mechanism is a powered mechanism for providing rotary motion to a shaft having first and second ends, said first and second ends of said shaft being oppositely threaded and said threaded fastener of said first linkage member being threadably engaged with said first end of said shaft and said threaded fastener of said second linkage member being threadably engaged with said second end of said shaft such that rotation of said shaft in a first direction draws said first and second linkage members inward thereby shortening said effective length of said support linkage, and rotation of said shaft in a second direction moves said first and second linkage members outward thereby increasing said effective length of said support linkage.

18. The lumbar support of claim 11 wherein said floating plate includes a plurality of apertures disposed in said front surface, each of said apertures including at least one inward projecting tab, said inward projecting tabs being adapted for receiving a projection molded in a foam cushion whereby said floating plate can be fixed to the foam cushion.

19. The adjustable lumbar support of claim 11 wherein said floating support plate is molded in a seatback foam cushion.

20. The adjustable lumbar support of claim 11 wherein said floating support plate is constructed of a substantially rigid material.