# US 11,440,451 B2 · Adjustable back and lumbar support

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- Number: US 11,440,451 B2
- Document ID: US11440451B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/217,102
- Filed: 2021-03-30
- Published: 2022-03-10
- Granted: 2022-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 2020-09-04
- Assignees: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
- Applicants: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
- Inventors: Umesh B. Shingne; Shivaprasad Krishnamoorthy; Deepak Chandra Kokkalla
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11440451B2

## CPC

- B60N 2/666: {vertically adjustable}
- B60N 2/02246: {Electric motors therefor}
- B60N 2/80: Head-rests
- B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A system is disclosed. The system includes a passenger seat. The passenger seat includes a seatback comprising one or more guide tracks and a headrest configured to couple to the seatback. The headrest includes a head portion and a lumbar portion. The lumbar portion is configured to separate from the head portion and translate to a lumbar portion of the seatback. The lumbar portion includes one or more brackets configured to slide along the one or more guide tracks. The passenger seat further includes a translation assembly mechanically coupled to the seatback and the lumbar portion. The translation assembly includes a cable coupled to the one or more brackets, wherein a movement of the cable corresponds to a translation of the lumbar portion. The translation assembly further includes a cable route. The translation assembly further includes one or more pulleys configured to guide the cable through the cable route.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system comprising:
a passenger seat, wherein the passenger seat comprises:
a seatback comprising one or more guide tracks;
a headrest configured to couple to the seatback and having the appearance of a single cushion, comprising:
a head portion; and
a lumbar portion configured to separate from the head portion and translate to a lumbar region of the seatback, the lumbar portion comprising one or more brackets configured to slide along the one or more guide tracks;
a translation assembly mechanically coupled to the seatback and the lumbar portion, comprising:
a cable coupled to one or more of the one or more brackets, wherein a movement of the cable corresponds to a translation of the lumbar portion;
a cable route; and
two or more pulleys configured to guide the cable through the cable route including:
a lumbar region pulley disposed inferior to the lumbar region; and
a head region pulley disposed superior to the lumbar region and lateral or superior to the head portion;
a seat pan; and
one or more seat legs.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the translation assembly further comprises an actuator configured to actuate the cable through the cable route.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein the actuator is an electric motor.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein the actuator is a gas spring.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the translation assembly is operated manually.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a lock configured to lock the lumbar portion into position relative to the seatback.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the head portion is configured to translate vertically along the seatback.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the head portion and the lumbar portion are configured to appear as a single unit when the lumbar portion is disposed adjacent to the head portion.

### Claim 9

A seatback comprising:
one or more guide tracks;
a headrest comprising:
a head portion;
a lumbar portion configured to separate from the head portion and translate to a lumbar region of the seatback, the lumbar portion comprising one or more brackets configured to slide along the one or more guide tracks; and
a translation assembly mechanically coupled to the seatback and the lumbar portion, comprising:
a cable coupled to one or more of the one or more brackets, wherein a movement of the cable corresponds to a translation of the lumbar portion; and
a cable route; and
two or more pulleys configured to guide the cable through the cable route including:
a lumbar region pulley disposed inferior to the lumbar region; and
a head region pulley disposed superior to the lumbar region and lateral or superior to the head portion.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The seatback of claim 9, wherein the translation assembly further comprises an actuator configured to actuate the cable through the cable route.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The seatback of claim 10, wherein the actuator is an electric motor.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The seatback of claim 10, wherein the actuator is a gas spring.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The seatback of claim 9, wherein the translation assembly is operated manually.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The seatback of claim 9, further comprising a lock configured to lock the lumbar portion into position relative to the seatback.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The seatback of claim 9, wherein the head portion is configured to translate vertically along the seatback.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

The seatback of claim 9, wherein the head portion and the lumbar portion are configured to appear as a single unit when the lumbar portion is disposed adjacent to the head portion.