US 6,631,951 B2 · Powered actuator for lumbar unit

Abstract

A powered lumbar support device includes a panel having a first end and a second end. The panel is biased in a forward direction for providing an arch in a seat back. A lumbar frame extends downwardly from a support element for slideably supoprting the panel. A first cable is affixed to one of the ends of the panel and to an arching rack of a first gear box. Linear movement of the arching rack transfers motion to one of the ends to change the distance between the ends by moving the first cable. The powered lumbar support device includes a second gear box having a moving rack and a moving pinion for vertically shifting the lumbar support device. The second gear box may also be used to actuate additional support features, such as a bolster.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A powered lumbar support device for a seat back comprising:

a panel having a first end and a second end moveable relative to one another for forming an arch therebetween, said arch having a magnitude;
a first gear box having a rack and a pinion for moving said panel into an arched position;
a first cable connected to one of said first end or said second end of said panel;
and
said first cable being attached to said rack of said first gear box such that said first cable transfers linear movement from said rack to at least one of said first end or said second end of said panel such that said first end and said second end of said panel move relative to one another changing said magnitude of said arch in response to linear movement of said rack.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

09/855,330Filed 15 May 2001 · continuation in part

Priority

21 Feb 2001

Published

US 2002/0113471 A122 Aug 2002

Granted

14 Oct 2003

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

B60N 2/6673
Having flexible support member bowed by applied forces: with motor driven adjustments
B60N 2/02246
Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation: electric motors therefor
B60N 2/66
Back-rests or cushions: lumbar supports
B60N 2/02253
Electric motors therefor: characterised by the transmission between the electric motor and the seat or seat parts

Family

Application09/790,003Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 21 Feb 2001

US 2002/0113472 A1Pre-grant publication · published 22 Aug 2002

US 2002/0113471 A1Published application

US 6,616,227 B2Related patent

US 6,631,951 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Powered actuator for lumbar unit

Life of this patent

Powered actuator for lumbar unit

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20