Automotive seat with pneumatic pelvic stabilization
First Claim
1. An automotive seat assembly comprising:
- a generally horizontal seat cushion;
a generally upright seat back, said seat back having a lower pelvic support region and opposing sides defining a vertical center line there between;
an inflatable bladder assembly supported by said seat back in said lower pelvic support region, said inflatable bladder assembly comprising a pair of bladders positioned on opposite sides of said center line wherein each of said bladders is expandable from an uninflated condition with said bladders being substantially flat and an inflated condition forming opposing wedge-shaped bladders on each side of said center line adapted to cradle and support a spine of an occupant of said seat back along said lower pelvic support region; and
a pump in fluid communication with said bladders for expanding said bladders with a fluid medium to said inflated condition.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automotive seat assembly comprising a seat cushion and a seat back. The seat back includes opposing sides defining a center line there between and a lower pelvic support region for supporting the pelvic area of a seat occupant. An inflatable bladder assembly is supported by the seat back and includes a pair of bladders positioned on opposing sides of the center line in the pelvic support region which are expandable by a fluid medium from a generally flat uninflated condition to a generally wedge-shaped inflated condition. A controller activates a fluid pump and valve to control the bladders between the uninflated and inflated conditions. When the bladders are expanded to the inflated condition, the wedge-shape of the bladders cradles the spine and pelvic bone of the seat occupant to control pelvic rocking and reduce spinal muscle fatigue.
49 Citations
10 Claims
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1. An automotive seat assembly comprising:
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a generally horizontal seat cushion; a generally upright seat back, said seat back having a lower pelvic support region and opposing sides defining a vertical center line there between; an inflatable bladder assembly supported by said seat back in said lower pelvic support region, said inflatable bladder assembly comprising a pair of bladders positioned on opposite sides of said center line wherein each of said bladders is expandable from an uninflated condition with said bladders being substantially flat and an inflated condition forming opposing wedge-shaped bladders on each side of said center line adapted to cradle and support a spine of an occupant of said seat back along said lower pelvic support region; and a pump in fluid communication with said bladders for expanding said bladders with a fluid medium to said inflated condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A pelvic stabilization assembly for use in a seat back comprising:
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an inflatable bladder assembly adapted to be supported by the seat back, said inflatable bladder assembly comprising a pair of bladders wherein each of said bladders is expandable from an uninflated condition with said bladders being substantially flat and an inflated condition forming opposing wedge-shaped bladders adapted to cradle and support a pelvic area of an occupant seated against the seat back; and a pump in fluid communication with said bladders for expanding said bladders with a fluid medium to said inflated condition. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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Specification