Providing Support For Lower Back (i.e., Lumbar) Region Patents (Class 297/284.4)
  • Patent number: 10427568
    Abstract: An actuator assembly for adjusting at least one component of a seat comprises a first traction device, a second traction device, and an actuator which comprises a spindle drive. The spindle drive comprises a first member which is rotatably mounted and a second member which is threadingly engaged with the first member and secured against rotation. Both the first traction device and the second traction device are coupled to the second member of the spindle drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: SCHUKRA GERAETEBAU GMBH
    Inventor: Maxime Samain
  • Patent number: 10406397
    Abstract: A spinal treatment system includes a traction device, an exercise device adapted for imparting curvature to the lumbar or sacral spine of a user and for manipulating the spine and intervertebral discs with decompression force, and a cushion coupled to the traction device and configured to bear against one or both of a head of the user and the thoracic spine of the user. The exercise device includes a frame for placement on the floor. A pad or inflatable bladder is carried by the top surface of the frame. A body strap attachment portion encompasses the thoracic-sacral spinal vertebrae region of the user and secures the frame to the user. The cushion includes one or more pad sections or inflatable bladder sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Inventor: Richard A. Graham
  • Patent number: 10376067
    Abstract: A back support for a chair includes a cover configured to be coupled to opposing sides of a chair frame. A strap is connected to the cover. A sled having a central portion is coupled to the strap, the sled is configured to pivot with respect to the chair frame and provide support to a user's back. The cover is configured to moveably connect to the chair frame between a low position and a high position. The sled is configured to pivot as the cover moves between the low position and the high position so that the central portion of the sled is substantially parallel to at least a portion of a membrane connected to the frame between the low position and the high position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: John Aldrich, Thomas Hornor, Elindo Castro, Adwait Bhagwat, Jeffrey Koffman
  • Patent number: 10299595
    Abstract: A chair having an articulating backrest that deforms when reclined to support an occupant's head or shoulders. A backrest assembly includes a mesh insert secured to a frame, which includes an upper frame section and a lower frame section interconnected by a pair of articulated joints. A push arm pivotally connects to the chair's seat assembly and to the backrest's upper frame section. As the chair reclines, the push arm restricts the angular movement of the upper frame section relative to a floor. The lower frame section moves forward relative to the upper frame section. Consequently, an angle formed between the lower frame section and the upper frame section decreases during recline, thereby supporting the chair occupant's head or shoulders. Optionally, a tensioning member may connect the mesh insert to the push arm to offset any loss of tension caused by the deformation of the frame during reclined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: HUMANSCALE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Niels Diffrient, James Sortor, Shaun Smith, Mesve Vardar, Jeff Theesfeld, Cory Brechbill
  • Patent number: 10278509
    Abstract: A back cushioning member having a tensile structure to reduce discomfort of a seated person. A lower lumbar support 10 installed in a lower portion of a back frame 111 and an upper lumbar support 20 installed in an upper portion of the lower lumbar support 10 are provided. Having vertically two lumbar supports 10, 20 enables a first support plate 12 of the lower lumbar support 10 to be provided so as to correspond mainly to a pelvis part where the sense of contact is hardly perceived, whereby the back cushioning member 112 having a tensile structure can be provided with a predetermined restoring force at a predetermined applicable elastic strength. Since the pelvis part located at a lower portion of a human body can be supported reliably, prevention of collapse of posture can be facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsunori Fujita, Ryuji Kuwano, Masahiro Kuromoto
  • Patent number: 10227028
    Abstract: A side protection adjusting device for a seat is disposed at a side protection portion of a seat. The side protection portion includes a side plate and a covering element covering the side plate. The device includes a limiting assembly disposed on the side plate and forming an operative space in between with the side plate, a fixing assembly for securing the limiting assembly on the side plate and including an axial portion, an air cushion arranged in the operative space and having an inflated state and a deflated state, and a rotating assembly axially disposed on the axial portion. Thus, the rotating assembly has a rotating state in which the covering element is driven to rotate while the air cushion is becoming the inflated state, and an initial state in which a position of the rotating assembly is restored while the air cushion is becoming the deflated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: TANGTRING SEATING TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Zhi-Gang Wang
  • Patent number: 10214123
    Abstract: A method of assembling a vehicle seat is provided, comprising: providing a seat back frame; forwardly movably connecting a headrest for supporting a head of a seat occupant to the seat back frame; mounting a rear-end collision detector to the seat back frame at a position behind the seat occupant, operatively connecting the rear-end collision detector to the headrest; disposing a link member at a position lateral to the rear-end collision detector; forming a front extending portion that inwardly extends in a right-to-left direction at a front end of a lateral face of the side frame; and forming a rear extending portion that inwardly extends in the right-to-left direction; wherein a protruding portion is formed from a portion of the lateral face of the side frame that faces at least the part of the bracket, the link support shaft being disposed at a same height as the protruding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Misao Omori, Kenichi Niitsuma
  • Patent number: 10178913
    Abstract: A gravity self-adapted chassis of chair has the first plug pin, second plug pin, third plug pin, forth plug pin, tilting plate, first connecting rod, and the second connecting rod of the chassis form into a four-point connecting rod mechanism so as to form the conduction of the force, the backrest is fixedly connected with the tilting plate to offer the driving force of the four-point connecting rod mechanism, the gravity applied onto the seat by the users forms into the reset force applied onto the four-point connecting rod mechanism through the third plug pin hinged with the bracket, and the driving force and the reset force of the four-point connecting rod mechanism form into the confrontation relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: UE FURNITURE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ji He, Zhengfu Ruan
  • Patent number: 10166888
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a vehicle seat which can improve degree of freedom in the design of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shinji Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 10117518
    Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to lumbar support adjustment for a chair. More specifically, the disclosure related to a lumbar support adjustment mechanism that moves forward and aft relative to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: EXEMPLIS LLC
    Inventors: Adam Huennekens, Paul Devries, Peter Jeffery, Mitchell Mulder, Ryan Dibble
  • Patent number: 10086728
    Abstract: An adjustable vehicle seat configured to support an occupant in a vehicle may include a seat cushion portion, a seat back portion including a backrest movable relative to the seat cushion portion, and a contour linkage linked to the seat cushion portion and the backrest. The contour linkage may be configured to impose force on the backrest upon movement of the seat cushion portion relative to the backrest in at least one of a fore/aft, vertical, and rotational direction. The backrest may be configured such that a backrest contour is altered based on force imposed by the contour linkage in response to movement of the seat cushion portion relative to the backrest. The backrest contour may include at least one of a contour angle of an occupant-side surface of the backrest, a maximum offset of the occupant-side surface, and vertical height of a contour apex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HOLDING S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Brennon White, Mason Pike, Ken Clark, Nathan Caruss, E J Zadina, Jeff Laho, James Hollowood, Nicholas Petouhoff, Patricia White, Dan Ridgeway, Eric Michalak, Alex Saveski, Jennifer Carlson, Brad Feiler, Mark Milner, Dalibor Dimovski
  • Patent number: 10085564
    Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support mechanism and motion upholstery furniture having the same are provided. The adjustable lumbar support mechanism includes a lumbar support member that is coupled to a lumbar support link. The lumbar support link is coupled to a lumbar support mounting plate. An actuating mechanism is coupled to the lumbar support link such that when an extendable shaft of the actuating mechanism shifts from a retracted to an extended configuration, the lumbar support member rotates away from a back portion of a seat back and towards the seat to provide lumbar support to an occupant sitting in the furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Larry I. Bullard
  • Patent number: 10046676
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile vehicle seat including a seat bottom and a seat back. The child restraint also includes an energy dissipater coupled to the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin C Oswald, Kelley L Clayburn
  • Patent number: 10004337
    Abstract: A lumbar device located inside the back of a chair that tilts back and forth as a user shifts his weight in the chair. The lumbar stimulation device includes sets of back massaging rollers to apply a focused pressure and improve the circulation of blood flowing through the lower back of the user. The lumbar stimulation device is attached to a flexible strap that extends substantially vertically inside the chair had. One end of the flexible strap is affixed to the chair base below the chair seat. The opposite end of the strap is bent backwards when the chair back tilts backwards. When the user leans back, the back of the chair will be pushed downwardly with respect to the strap and the lumbar stimulation device attached to the strap to make it appear to the user that the back massaging rollers of the lumbar stimulation device are moving upwardly along his back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventor: James E. Grove
  • Patent number: 9956897
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat base having a side bolster cover. A bolster is disposed under the side bolster cover. The bolster has a static bolster carrier and an operable portion that is operable relative to the bolster carrier to define a plurality of bolster positions. A flexible interior facing extends from the bolster carrier to an intermediate portion of the bolster cover, wherein a lower edge of the bolster cover is positioned below the bolster carrier such that the bolster cover conceals the bolster in each of the plurality of bolster positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Gagnier, S. M. Akbar Berry, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Johnathan Andrew Line, Brian Boland
  • Patent number: 9949567
    Abstract: A reversible adjustable lumbar support and headrest tilt mechanism is provided for installation on a chair. A side bracket is coupled to each side of the back frame, and a back bracket is pivotably coupled to each side bracket. An actuator is pivotably coupled to the back frame that has an extendable and retractable shaft. In a first orientation, with the actuator shaft extending toward the upper end of the back frame, a headrest back insert is couple-able to and between the back brackets, such that extension and retraction of the actuator shaft rotates the headrest back insert. In a second orientation, with the actuator shaft extending toward the lower end of the back frame, a lumbar push bar is couple-able to and between the back brackets, such that extension and retraction of the actuator shaft rotates the lumbar push bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Allen R. Sigmon, Robert Dean Donovan
  • Patent number: 9845028
    Abstract: A vehicle seat may include a protrusion member installed to a lower portion of a back frame inside a seatback to protrude forward and to absorb an impact on the hips of an occupant upon a vehicle collision, wherein a lower portion of the seatback, which has a protrusion shape due to the protrusion member, induces a sitting posture of the occupant to be modified when the occupant sits down on the vehicle seat, thereby reducing a gap between a head of the occupant and a headrest in a state that the hips of the occupant moves forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Doo Ri Kim, Gil Ju Kim, Seon Chae Na, Chan Ho Jeong, Jung Sang You
  • Patent number: 9843758
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a display apparatus that uses a display module by selectively setting the display module to a flat surface form and a curved surface form. The display apparatus includes a display module that is bendable and is configured to display an image, and a bending structure configured to deform the display module by moving at least one of a center and both ends of the display module relative to each other to form one of a flat surface form and a curved surface form of the display module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Hoo Park, Dae Sung Ko, Sung Soo Jung, Jin Jung, Gyu Sung Do, Jeong Roh Lee
  • Patent number: 9814318
    Abstract: A lordosis support for seat back rests, includes a support plate (10) held between two frame legs (14) of the back rest by tension members (12) and having on each side at least one point of attack (22) for the respective tension member (12), and an adjusting device (24) for adjusting the tension force of the tension members (12), wherein the distance between the two points of attack (22) is adjustable and the adjusting device (24) is configured to change this distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Jörg Schwarzbich
  • Patent number: 9796308
    Abstract: A flexible lumbar support for an aircraft seat includes a frame and flexible seat pad connected thereto for supporting a seat user. At least first and second rods are spaced from each other and the frame, extend across and are secured to the seat pad, and define respectively at least first and second control lines about which the seat pad is rotatable. A third rod is spaced from the seat pad, extends across and is secured to the frame, and defines a third control line. At least a first actuator extends between and is attached to the first and third rods. A second actuator extends between and is attached to the second and third rods. The actuators are movable along the frame and pivotable about the third control line for allowing a change of respective positions of the control lines to generate multiple profiles of the flexible lumbar support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: AMI INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ashish Kumar Agarwal, Satya Swaroop Panda
  • Patent number: 9764670
    Abstract: An adjustable support system for a seat having a fixed frame includes a support movable from a first position to a second position relative to the frame. An actuator is coupled to only the support and is configured to move the support between the first and second positions. A member is operatively associated with and movable by the actuator. A flexible cable has a first end coupled to the member for travel along the length of the member and a second end coupled to the fixed frame such that movement of the member by the actuator causes the flexible cable to move the support between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: LEGGETT & PLATT CANADA CO.
    Inventors: Robert J. McMillen, Horia Blendea, Paul Tindall
  • Patent number: 9687079
    Abstract: A back support assembly for the back of a chair that rocks back and forth. The back of the chair includes a front that is spaced from and pivotally coupled to a rear. The front of the chair back is rotatable towards and away from the back of a user. A back support pushing arm within the back of the chair is pivotally coupled to the rear of the chair back and rotatable between a first position at which to apply a pushing force against the front of the chair back when the chair rocks forwards and a second position when the user leans back, the chair rocks backwards, and the front of the chair rotates towards the rear. A force generating strap within the chair back contacts and urges the back support pushing arm to rotate to the first position lying against the front of the chair back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: James E. Grove
  • Patent number: 9663009
    Abstract: A conveyance seat includes a seatback frame disposed in a seatback and supporting an end of a wire member for supporting an occupant in a manner such that the wire member is movable. The seatback frame includes a supporting plane part that the end of the wire member is disposed therein, the supporting plane part being provided along a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the wire member. A support portion that supports the wire member in a manner such that the wire member is movable is formed in the supporting plane part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masato Arashi
  • Patent number: 9604560
    Abstract: An assembly for adjusting a lumbar region of a seat having a back frame. A seat support adapted for suspension in the frame is movable between first and second lumbar positions. An actuator is operatively attached to and concurrently moves with the support, and has a chassis mount and a drive mount selectively movable therewith between first and second positions. A wire extends between longitudinal ends adapted for attachment to the frame. A first guide slidably supported along the wire is coupled to the support and to the chassis mount. A second guide slidably supported along the wire is coupled to the support and to the drive mount. Movement of the drive mount from the first position urges the guides away from each other towards the ends of the wire such that the actuator and the seat support move toward the second lumbar position as a unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: KONGSBERG AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
    Inventor: Peter Ellis
  • Patent number: 9604559
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a 4-way lumbar support capable of automatically adjusting a vertical curved position and an amount of curvature of a lumbar plate, while securely supporting the lumbar plate even when a large load, such as the rear-end collision of a vehicle, is applied to the lumbar plate. In addition, the 4-way lumbar support can adjust an amount of forward curvature of the lumbar plate using a pusher including a pair of hinge members, thereby enabling the amount of forward curvature of the lumbar plate to be adjusted across a wider range without increasing the thickness of a seat back in the forward and backward directions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAE ENTERPRISE CO. LTD
    Inventor: Hong Chun Yoo
  • Patent number: 9596941
    Abstract: An office chair including a chair back assembly that is independently adjustable to adjust the vertical height of the chair back and to provide lumbar support. The chair back assembly includes a flexible back shell that is movable vertically along a back support yoke. The vertical movement of the flexible back shell adjusts the vertical height of the chair back assembly relative to the seat. The chair back assembly further includes a lumbar adjustment mechanism having an adjustment cable connected to a bottom end of the flexible back shell. Operation of the lumbar adjustment mechanism moves the bottom end of the flexible back shell vertically within a pair of spaced lower movement slots. The movement of the bottom end of the flexible back shell increases the amount that the flexible back shell protrudes from the back support yoke, thereby increasing the lumbar support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Office Master Inc.
    Inventor: Francisco Romero
  • Patent number: 9493100
    Abstract: A chair for use with a vehicle is provided. The chair includes a base and a chair assembly slidably coupled to the base. The chair assembly includes a support frame, a seat coupled to the support frame, an upper back support coupled to the support frame, and a lower back support coupled to the support frame and independently rotatable with respect to the upper back support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Joseph Wilbur Evans
  • Patent number: 9451826
    Abstract: A chair assembly includes a base structure, a seat support structure pivotably coupled to the base structure, and a back support structure pivotably coupled to the base structure and including an upwardly-extending portion adapted to move between upright and reclined positions and a lower portion extending forwardly of the upwardly-extending portion, and wherein the upwardly-extending portion is operably coupled to the forwardly-extending portion by a first quick connect assembly. The chair assembly further includes a generally forwardly-facing back support assembly and having an upper portion operably coupled to the upwardly-extending portion of the back support and a lower portion, and a back link releasably coupled to the lower portion of the back support surface by a second quick connect assembly and operably coupled to the seat support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Richard N. Roslund, Jr., Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann, Todd D. Krupiczewicz, Nathan R. Brock, Jeffrey A. Hall, Gordon J. Peterson, Todd T. Andres
  • Patent number: 9414684
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tilting type chair. The chair includes: a seat on which a user is seated; a back support configured to support a back portion of the user seated on the seat; and a tilting section interposed between the back support and the seat to couple the seat to the back support. When the user applies a load to bend the back support backward, the tilting section moves the seat upward in proportion to the load applied by the user, and when the load applied to the back support by the user is removed, the tilting section moves the seat downward in proportion to the removed load. As a result, a more comfortable seating feeling may be provided to the user seated on the seat of the chair. In addition, the tilting may be limited as needed by the user. Thus, the chair may further improve the user's convenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: SIDIZ, INC.
    Inventors: Jong Pyo Park, Young Soo Shim, Dae Jin Baik
  • Patent number: 9415714
    Abstract: A lumber support apparatus may include a base plate installed in a fixed wire installed in seatback frame to be elevated, nut units having left and right nuts coupled to upper portions of opposite sides of the base plate to be slid leftwards and rightwards, respectively, link units having left and right links located outside the nut units to be spaced apart from each other and ends of which are hinge-coupled to upper portions of opposite sides of the base plate, respectively, arm units having left and right arms leftward/rightward movements of which are restricted by the link units and raised forwards and rearwards when the nut units are slid, and a screw rod having a screw structure passing the left and right nuts leftwards and rightwards to be screw-coupled to the left nut and right units, for moving the left and right nuts in opposite directions during rotation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Ewon Comfortech Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae Jo Kim, Hoon Hee Choi
  • Patent number: 9390642
    Abstract: A flexible display includes a flexible display panel, a curved formation unit for forming a curved surface of the flexible display panel, and a curved signal generating unit which supplies a curved signal to the curved formation unit so that a radius of curvature of the flexible display panel is controlled based on at least one of user setting conditions, external environmental conditions, and displaying image conditions. The curved formation unit forms the curved surface of the flexible display panel in response to the curved signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taegung Kim, Jinyoung Bang
  • Patent number: 9381840
    Abstract: The seatback has a seat surface curving and gradually bulging in the up-down direction, along the occupant's shoulder blades, and curving in the left-right direction and receding to support the occupant's ribs. Preferably, the seat surface of the seatback extends upward to support the lower part of the occupant's neck, thus supporting the same in the up-down direction, and recedes to support the occupant's shoulder blades in the left-right direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideo Tobata, Atsushi Koike, Tomohiro Amano, Shogo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9357849
    Abstract: A dynamic lumbar support located within the back of an office or home chair to enable a user to be seated close to a work surface (e.g., a desk or a table). The chair back rocks back and forth when the user shifts his weight backwards and forwards. The dynamic lumbar support includes a cushion back support manufactured from a resilient material that is responsive to a compressive force applied thereto when the user reclines and shifts his weight against the chair back. In particular, the cushion back support is adapted to change its shape from a relaxed convex shape at which to support the user's lower back and maintain a proper posture when the user sits erect and the chair back stands upright to a compressed flattened shape at which to support the user's back when he reclines and the chair back tilts backwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventor: James E. Grove
  • Patent number: 9358913
    Abstract: A flight passenger seating device comprising a backrest having a first backrest unit. The backrest has a second backrest unit and a bearing unit which movably receives the second backrest unit relative to the first backrest unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: RECARO Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hartmut Schürg, Andreas Erb, Jens Jakubowski
  • Patent number: 9301615
    Abstract: A seating structure includes a backrest member having an upper edge, opposite side edges and a lower edge. The backrest member has a forwardly facing convex shape formed along a vertical centerline thereof between the upper and lower edges. The lower edge has a forwardly facing concave shape. The lower edge has outer portions positioned forwardly of an entirety of the upper edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Yves Behar, Bret Recor, Naoya Edahiro, Qin Li, Andrew J. Kurrasch, Christopher C. Hill, John Matthai, Brock Walker
  • Patent number: 9282825
    Abstract: A lumbar support adjustment system for a chair that allows a user to adjust the lumbar support by moving a handle on the side of the chair back. The lumbar support and handle move along separate tracks that diverge from each other as the lumbar support is adjusted upward. To compensate for this divergence, the system includes a linkage with a joint connected to the handle and another joint connected to the lumbar support. As the lumbar support is adjusted, the linkage and joint system accommodates for the divergence of the tracks to continue transmitting force from the handle to adjust the lumbar support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Exemplis LLC
    Inventors: Brett Joseph Rogers, Ken-Soh Mai, Yoshimi Yamamoto, Matthew J. Gerules
  • Patent number: 9265681
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for facilitating or enhancing a person's breathing. The method provides for supporting the person's shoulders and elevating the person's spine, so as to enable the person's body weight to be distributed in the person's shoulders, expanding the person's chest cavity to enhance oxygen intake. The apparatus is especially adapted to perform the functions of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Inventor: Deborah L. Bell
  • Patent number: 9254768
    Abstract: A lumbar support of a car seat according to the present invention includes: a support plate to support user's back and made of elastic material; a support frame to which the support plate is rotatably engaged; a slider member mounted on the support frame in a movable manner in a vertical direction; a vertically driving means to move the slider member on the support frame; a biasing force control means including an upper member moving together with the slider member, a lower member disposed below the upper member, a biasing member connecting the upper and lower members to each other and having a controllable biasing force acting on the support plate depending on a distance between the upper and lower members, and an actuating means to control the distance between the upper member and the lower member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventor: Chun Yoo Hong
  • Patent number: 9254042
    Abstract: A backrest member (e.g., a portable insert) for use with a seat member of a chair. The backrest member may include an adjustable platform attached to a substrate (e.g., frame) of the backrest member, and an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the adjustable platform along one or more locations of the platform to provide a desired contour for supporting the back of a user seated in the chair. The adjustable platform may comprise an elongate band attached to the substrate of the backrest member that is disposed along a central longitudinal axis of the backrest member. One end of the elongate band may be attached to the substrate, while an opposite end may be slidably attached to the substrate. In an embodiment, both ends may be slidably attached relative to the substrate. The device allows selection of a height and depth of a lumbar curve provided by the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventors: Michael V. Halliday, Steven R. Halliday
  • Patent number: 9199565
    Abstract: A lumbar support system for a seat backrest having a fixed frame includes a lumbar support coupled to the fixed frame that is movable from a first position to a second position and a motor for moving the lumbar support. A threaded member is operatively associated with the motor such that the motor rotates the threaded member about an axis. A traveling member is operatively associated with the threaded member such that rotation of the threaded member translates the traveling member along the threaded member. The system further includes a flexible cable having a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the traveling member for movement therewith and the second end is coupled to the fixed frame such that translation of the traveling member in response to rotation of the threaded member moves the lumbar support element from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: LEGGETT & PLATT CANADA CO.
    Inventors: Robert J. McMillen, Horia Blendea, Paul Tindall
  • Patent number: 9193287
    Abstract: A lumbar support system for a seat backrest having a fixed frame includes a lumbar support coupled to the fixed frame that is movable from a first position to a second position and a motor for moving the lumbar support. A threaded member is operatively associated with the motor such that the motor rotates the threaded member about an axis. A traveling member is operatively associated with the threaded member such that rotation of the threaded member translates the traveling member along the threaded member. The system further includes a flexible cable having a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the traveling member for movement therewith and the second end is coupled to the fixed frame such that translation of the traveling member in response to rotation of the threaded member moves the lumbar support element from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: LEGGETT & PLATT CANADA CO.
    Inventors: Robert J. McMillen, Horia Blendea, Paul Tindall
  • Patent number: 9193280
    Abstract: An adjustable support system for a seat having a fixed frame includes a support movable from a first position to a second position relative to the frame. An actuator is coupled to only the support and is configured to move the support between the first and second positions. A member is operatively associated with and movable by the actuator. A flexible cable has a first end coupled to the member for travel along the length of the member and a second end coupled to the fixed frame such that movement of the member by the actuator causes the flexible cable to move the support between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: LEGGETT & PLATT CANADA CO.
    Inventors: Robert J. McMillen, Horia Blendea, Paul Tindall
  • Patent number: 9192234
    Abstract: A progressively curved lumbar support located within the back of an office or home chair to enable a user to be seated close to a work surface (e.g., a desk or a table). The chair back tilts backwards and forwards when the user shifts his weight back and forth. The lumbar support includes a cushion back support manufactured from a resilient material that is responsive to a compressive force applied thereto when the user reclines against the chair back. In particular, a tilt pressure-responsive rod rides up and down over a pair of inclined guide blocks to cause the cushion back support to change its shape from a convex configuration at which to support the user's lower back and maintain a proper posture when the user sits erect and the chair back stands upright to a relatively flattened configuration when the chair back tilts backwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Inventor: James E. Grove
  • Patent number: 9126508
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes first and second side supports defining a seatback structure that is operable between upright and reclined positions. A motorized actuation assembly is disposed between the first and second side supports and is operably coupled to a pivot bar that is rotatably coupled with the seatback structure. An upper seatback suspension component is coupled to the pivot bar. The upper seatback suspension component automatically pivots relative to the pivot bar to a rearward position when the seatback structure is in the upright position and automatically pivots relative to the pivot bar to a forward position when the seatback structure is in the reclined position. An external peripheral gap is defined between the upper seatback suspension component and the seatback structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Ferretti, John W. Jaranson, Grant A. Compton, Kendrick Alden Harper
  • Patent number: 9033411
    Abstract: A chair including a dynamically-flexible back and seat having a shape that adjusts to the movements of a user seated in the chair to enhance user comfort. Each of the back and seat has an air gap formed therewithin and a resilient frame or liner with a spring memory. The resilient liner is adapted to flex in response to compressive forces that are generated as the user slides his body back or from side-to-side in the chair. Accordingly, some of the chair back and some of the chair seat move into respective air gaps so that the shapes of the back and seat change to conform to the movements of the user. The air gaps also establish air flow ventilation channels which run laterally through the back and seat of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Marcelo Mezzera
  • Publication number: 20150102647
    Abstract: A dynamic lumbar support located within the back of an office or home chair to enable a user to be seated close to a work surface (e.g., a desk or a table). The chair back rocks back and forth when the user shins his weight backwards and forwards. The dynamic lumbar support includes a cushion back support manufactured from a resilient material that is responsive to a compressive force applied thereto when the user reclines and shifts his weight against the chair back. In particular, the cushion back support is adapted to change its shape from a relaxed convex shape at which to support the user's lower back and maintain a proper posture when the user sits erect and the chair back stands upright to a compressed flattened shape at which to support the users back when the reclines and the chair back bits backwards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: James E. Grove
  • Patent number: 9004594
    Abstract: An actuator system for controlling a lumbar support includes a wire fixed and coupled with a lumbar support at one end; a driving motor rotatable in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction; a worm coupled with the driving shaft of a driving motor; a deceleration part having a worm gear and a screw which decelerates the power of the driving motor; a slider connected to the other end of the wire, and having a protrusion portion and a spiral groove so as to carry out rectilinear reciprocating motion according to the rotation direction of the driving motor; and a housing inserted by the slider and having a wire-passing hole, a connection hole, a mounting hole and a guide hole, wherein the bending degree of a lumbar support may be automatically controlled by rotation driving force applied in a set range, thereby providing riding comfort to passengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Cheong Myung Hong
  • Patent number: 8991926
    Abstract: A backrest for a wheelchair includes an adjustable cushion support, a backrest frame, and attachment members. The adjustable cushion support supports a backrest cushion, and substantially defines plane P1. The backrest frame holds the cushion support and has two substantially parallel side posts substantially defining a plane P2. The attachment members attach the cushion support to the backrest frame. The cushion support comprises two side bars and a plurality of transversally extending and vertically spaced apart flexible straps. Each strap is length adjustable. The cushion support comprises at least two connecting plates. Each plate being integral with one of the side bars and being provided with at least two parallel adjustment slots. The slots define an angle ?, with said plane P1 of the adjustable support cushion. The attachment members are slidably mounted on the slots, enabling depth, width and angular adjustment of the cushion support on the backrest frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Invacare International Sarl
    Inventor: Ulf Johansson
  • Patent number: 8991923
    Abstract: An adjusting device for a lumbar support includes a pair of spaced guide members. A first adjusting member is coupled to the pair of guide members and displaceable along the pair of guide members and configured such that the lumbar support is adjusted when the first adjusting member is displaced. A second adjusting member is displaceable along the pair of guide members. A drive mechanism for effecting an adjustment of the lumbar support includes a motor provided on the first adjusting member so as to be displaceable along the guide members jointly with the first adjusting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Schukra Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventors: Gunter Maierhofer, Klaus Junker, Frank Falster, Matthias Meyer
  • Patent number: 8991922
    Abstract: A lumbar support for a chair includes a member having a first portion separated from a second portion via a slit formed in the member and a slider mechanism. The slider mechanism has a slider that is moveable from a first position to a second position. The first and second portions of the member are attached to each other when the slider is at the second position via the slider. The first and second portions of the member are unattached at the second position when the slider is moved from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Formway Furniture Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Warren Bisman, Damon Gregory Burwell, Leif Robert John Roy, Paul Michael Wilkinson