Adjustable lumbar support with extensive configurability
First Claim
1. An adjustable lumbar support for a seat having a seat frame, the adjustable lumbar support comprising:
- a laterally rigid floating support plate for providing support to a lumbar region of a seat, the support plate having a front surface and a rear surface;
a first support linkage and a second support linkage for supporting the floating support plate, the first support linkage being disposed laterally upward from the second support linkage along the floating support plate, wherein each support linkage is adapted for engaging the seat frame and has an effective length and at least one spring member disposed between the floating support plate and the seat frame, each support linkage supporting the floating support plate in a pivotal manner; and
an actuator for selectively adjusting the effective length of either or both of the first and second support linkages, whereby an amount of lumbar support provided by the floating support plate is increased as the effective length of the first or second support linkage is decreased via the movement of the floating support plate relative to the support frame.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An adjustable lumbar support for a seat having a seat frame is disclosed, the adjustable lumbar support including a floating support plate for providing an amount of lumbar support to a lumbar region of a seat, the support plate having a front surface and a rear surface, the floating support plate being attached to the seat frame via springs, the provided lumbar support defining an apex. A first actuator assembly and a second actuator assembly are each operatively connected to the floating support plate via respective first and second cables, the first and second cables being spaced from each other substantially vertically within the floating support plate, the first and second actuator assemblies for selectively actuating the respective cables to selectively move the apex substantially vertically and substantially horizontally forward and back relative to the seat frame. A secondary support plate may be provided, and may be hingedly and/or floatingly mounted. Adjustability may be achieved in terms of back and forth (horizontally), up and down (vertically) and by the vertical height of the lumbar support profile. Accordingly, in some aspects the present invention provides a “six-way” adjustable lumbar support.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. An adjustable lumbar support for a seat having a seat frame, the adjustable lumbar support comprising:
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a laterally rigid floating support plate for providing support to a lumbar region of a seat, the support plate having a front surface and a rear surface;
a first support linkage and a second support linkage for supporting the floating support plate, the first support linkage being disposed laterally upward from the second support linkage along the floating support plate, wherein each support linkage is adapted for engaging the seat frame and has an effective length and at least one spring member disposed between the floating support plate and the seat frame, each support linkage supporting the floating support plate in a pivotal manner; and
an actuator for selectively adjusting the effective length of either or both of the first and second support linkages, whereby an amount of lumbar support provided by the floating support plate is increased as the effective length of the first or second support linkage is decreased via the movement of the floating support plate relative to the support frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An adjustable lumbar support for a seat having a seat frame, the adjustable lumbar support comprising:
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a floating support plate for providing support to a lumbar region of a seat, the support plate having a front surface and a rear surface;
a first support linkage and a second support linkage for supporting the floating support plate, the first support linkage being disposed laterally upward from the second support linkage along the floating support plate, wherein each support linkage is adapted for engaging the seat frame and has an effective length and at least one spring member disposed between the floating support plate and the seat frame, each support linkage supporting the floating support plate in a pivotal manner;
a first actuator mechanism for selectively adjusting the effective length of the first support linkage and a second actuator mechanism for selectively adjusting the effective length of the second support linkage, whereby an amount of lumbar support provided by the floating support plate is increased as the effective length of the first or second support linkage is decreased via the movement of the floating support plate relative to the support frame; and
a secondary support plate floatingly mounted within the seat frame and pivotally connected to the floating support plate, the secondary support plate being positionable relative to the seat frame when the actuator is operated, thereby allowing for an amount of lumbar support to be provided by the secondary support plate. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An adjustable lumbar support for a seat having a seat frame, the adjustable lumbar support comprising:
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a floating support plate for providing support to a lumbar region of a seat, the support plate having a front surface and a rear surface, the floating support plate being attached to the seat frame via springs;
a secondary support plate mounted within the seat frame substantially vertically adjacent to the floating support plate and pivotally connected to the floating support plate, the secondary support plate being attached to the seat frame via springs; and
a first actuator assembly and a second actuator assembly each operatively connected to the floating support plate via respective first and second Bowden cables, the first and second Bowden cables being spaced from each other substantially vertically within the floating support plate, the first and second actuator assemblies for selectively actuating the respective Bowden cables to alter an amount of lumbar support provided by the floating support plate and secondary support plate. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. An adjustable lumbar support for a seat having a seat frame, the adjustable lumbar support comprising:
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a laterally rigid floating support plate for providing an amount of lumbar support to a lumbar region of a seat, the support plate having a front surface and a rear surface, the floating support plate being attached to the seat frame via springs, the provided lumbar support defining an apex; and
a first actuator assembly and a second actuator assembly each operatively connected to the floating support plate via respective first and second cables, the first and second cables being spaced from each other substantially vertically within the floating support plate, the first and second actuator assemblies for selectively actuating the respective cables to selectively move the apex substantially vertically and substantially horizontally forward and back relative to the seat frame. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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Specification