Passenger seat with adjustable lumbar support
AssigneeFord Motor Company
InventorsThomas M. Frusti, Daniel C. Bach, Jr., Robert F. Kukla
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A passenger seat (10) having a seat base (12) and a seam back (14) including an adjustable lumbar support member (70) is disclosed for enhancing passenger comfort and reducing passenger fatigue during long trips. The seat back (14) includes a pelvic support member (60) and a thoracic support member (74) flexibly interconnected to the lumbar support member (70) such that when the lumbar support member is adjusted, the pelvic and thoracic support members adjust to provide improved support for the back of the passenger.
Claims10
A passenger seat for a motor vehicle, said passenger seat comprising:
- a seat base;
- a seat back supported on a seat back frame having a first end attached to said seat base and a first lateral portion opposite therefrom;
- an articulating frame having right and left second ends disposed adjacent to said seat base and upwardly extending right and left portions extending beyond said first lateral portion of said seat back frame to a second lateral portion interconnecting said right and left upstanding portions;
- fastening means disposed on said right and left upstanding portions of said articulating frame, said fastening means being adapted to pivotally support said articulating frame from said first lateral portion of said seat back frame;
- a pelvic support member having a first edge disposed on a pivot rod extending between said right and left second ends of said articulating frame;
- a lumbar support member attached to said pelvic support member opposite said pivot rod;
- a thoracic support member attached to said lumbar support member opposite said pelvic support member and a cylindrical portion opposite said lumbar support member, said cylindrical portion being adapted to receive said second lateral portion of said articulating frame therethrough;
- and
- actuation means operatively engaging said lumbar support for displacing said lumbar support member, said pelvic support member and said thoracic support member from a retracted position to an extended position thereby providing a smooth back support surface for all positions of said lumbar support member.
A passenger seat for a motor vehicle, said passenger seat comprising:
- a seat base;
- a seat back supported on a seat back frame having a first end attached to said seat base and a first lateral portion opposite therefrom;
- an articulating frame having right and left second ends disposed adjacent to said seat base and upwardly extending right and left portions extending beyond said first lateral portion of said seat back frame to a second lateral portion interconnecting said right and left upstanding portions;
- fastening means disposed on said right and left upstanding portions of said articulating frame, said fastening means being adapted to pivotally support said articulating frame from said first lateral portion of said seat back frame;
- a pelvic support member having a first edge disposed on a pivot rod extending between said right and left second ends of said articulating frame;
- a lumbar support member having a flexible strip attached to said pelvic support member and a plurality of lumbar slats disposed on said flexible strip;
- a thoracic support member having attached to said flexible strip of said lumbar support member and cylindrical portion opposite said lumbar support member, said cylindrical portion being adapted to receive said second lateral portion of said articulating frame therethrough;
- and
- actuation means operatively engaging said lumbar support for flexing said lumbar support member from a first radius of curvature in a retracted position to a second radius of curvature in an extended position, thereby providing a smooth back support surface for all positions of said lumbar support member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.