Flexible membrane back support
First Claim
1. A seating assembly (10) for supporting a seat cushion, said assembly comprising:
- a seat back frame (18) for supporting a seat cushion (12);
an expansion member (26) including at least one fluid bladder (28) connected to said seat back frame (18) for receiving fluid to expand said bladder (28) between an extended position and a retracted position;
a support plate (34) connected to said seat back frame (18) and having first and second ends (36,
38);
said support plate (34) including a first portion (40) operatively connected against said expansion member (26) for extending outwardly from said seat back frame (18) to a first distance in response to said expansion member (26) being in said extended position and to a second distance in response to said expansion member (26) being in said retreated position, and a second portion (42) at said second end (38); and
including a rotating member (46) operatively connected to said second portion (42) of said support plate (34) for pivoting and bending said second portion (42) between an outward position extending outwardly from said seat back frame (18) and an inward position extending in said seat back frame (18).
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A seat (10) includes a backrest portion (16) and a seat portion (14) for supporting a cushion (12). The backrest portion (16) includes a back frame (18) which supports an expansion bladder (28) for expanding and retracting to provide lumbar support. A longitudinal plate (34) is fixedly connected to the frame (18) at a first end (36) and placed over the bladder (28) to provide lumbar support in response to selective expansion of the bladder (28). A second end (38) of the plate (34) is slidably connected within a rotatable member (46). The rotatable member (46) allows bending of the second end (38) to provide thoracic support separate from the lumbar support.
152 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A seating assembly (10) for supporting a seat cushion, said assembly comprising:
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a seat back frame (18) for supporting a seat cushion (12); an expansion member (26) including at least one fluid bladder (28) connected to said seat back frame (18) for receiving fluid to expand said bladder (28) between an extended position and a retracted position; a support plate (34) connected to said seat back frame (18) and having first and second ends (36,
38);said support plate (34) including a first portion (40) operatively connected against said expansion member (26) for extending outwardly from said seat back frame (18) to a first distance in response to said expansion member (26) being in said extended position and to a second distance in response to said expansion member (26) being in said retreated position, and a second portion (42) at said second end (38); and including a rotating member (46) operatively connected to said second portion (42) of said support plate (34) for pivoting and bending said second portion (42) between an outward position extending outwardly from said seat back frame (18) and an inward position extending in said seat back frame (18). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification