Abstract: A fold down seat back has an ergonomic support device in it. A traction cable is operatively engaged at one end with the lumbar support device to actuate it. The fold down seat back includes a rotating cable tension unit and a fixed torsion bar. The rotating member moves relative to the fixed member when said fold down seat back is folded down. The traction cable is comprised of a sleeve having a first end and a second end and a wire having a first end and a second end. The wire is disposed to slide axially through the sleeve. The first sleeve end is attached to the rotating cable tension unit. The wire end is attached to the fixed torsion bar. The wire end may be attached to the torsion rod with a pulley. These attachments of the sleeve end and the wire end cause the wire to be drawn axially through the sleeve when the seat back is folded up, extending a lumbar support, and cause the wire to be relaxed when the seat back is folded down, flattening the lumbar support.

Abstract: A vehicle seat section adjusting device includes a seat section adjusting element for adjusting the width of a seat section. The adjusting device includes a mounting mechanism for movably supporting the seat section adjusting element on the seat, and a drivable adjusting mechanism for adjusting the seat section adjusting element from or to a rest position relative to the mounting mechanism.

Abstract: In the case of a sports seat (101) for a vehicle, especially for a motor vehicle, having at least one rigid seat shell (103) as a structure for the seat part, and a separately formed, rigid backrest shell (105) as a structure for the backrest, the shells are adjustable in inclination relative to each other, the adjustment of the inclination takes place by way of fittings (107), each of the fittings has a lower part connected fixedly to the seat shell (103), and an upper part which is connected to the backrest shell (105) and can be rotated relative to the lower part.

Abstract: An active bolster adjustment apparatus for use in vehicle seats includes a mounting plate connected with the vehicle seat. An adjustable bolster slider is in sliding communication with the mounting plate, and has an adjustment arm and a pressure surface. A drive unit having an actuator and a gear set and the gear set is in direct communication with the adjustable bolster slider.

Abstract: A vehicle tiredness alleviating system provided with at least one of a vehicle air-conditioning system for controlling a temperature in a passenger compartment, a seat heating system for heating the surface of a seat, and a seat vibration system for repeatedly vibrating a seat for a predetermined time, further provided with a means for judging the tiredness degree of a passenger seated on a seat in the passenger compartment and a means for performing at least one of temperature control of the vehicle air-conditioning system, temperature control of the seat heating system, and control of the vibration strength or vibration time of the seat vibration system.

Abstract: A seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle comprising a seat cushion and a eat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion for movement between a generally upright seating position and a fold flat position resting against the seat cushion. A side bolster panel is pivotally coupled to lateral opposing sides of each of the seat cushion and seat back and operable between a flexed position facing the toward the center of the seat cushion and the seat back and a relaxed position generally flush with the seat cushion and the seat back. A cam mechanism is operatively coupled to the each side bolster panel for automatically releasing the side bolster panels from the flexed position to the relaxed position in response to pivotal movement of the seat back from the seating position to the fold flat position to provide a low profile folded seat assembly.

Abstract: An air-pressure applying assembly for a seat, having an occupant holding portion, for selectively applying a desired pressure to the body of a seat occupant. This assembly includes an air-bag assembly, an air-pressure source, an inlet-conduit assembly, an exhaust valve assembly, and a control assembly. The air-bag assembly is removably mountable to the seat occupant holding portion. The inlet-conduit assembly is in fluid communication at one end to the air-pressure source and at another to the air-bag assembly. The exhaust valve assembly is in fluid communication at one end to the inlet conduit assembly and has an air-outlet at the other end. A control assembly is linked to the air pressure source and to the exhaust valve assembly.

Abstract: An automobile seat with supporting frame, upholstery, and seat cover includes a seat body and a seat back, as well as at least one seat back region, such as a side wing on the seat back, whose height and shape in its use position extends forward over the central shape of the seat back. An elastic adjustment element and actuation medium for the adjustment element are positioned within the seat back or the side wing. The adjustment element and the deformed region in the seat back such as the side wing are so deformed by the actuation medium when the seat back is tilted forward from the use position into the tilted-forward position that the height of the seat back portion, such as the side wing, extending over the central shape is less than when in the use position.

Abstract: A passenger seat for a vehicle includes a seat back; and a seat bottom, which may be mounted to a fixed backshell. The seat bottom is selectively configurable such that at least a portion of one side thereof is higher than at least a portion of the opposite side thereof, relative to a floor of said vehicle, so as to support a passenger who is seated on said seat bottom in a rotated position wherein one of said passenger's hips is higher than the other hip relative to said floor.

Abstract: An infant support structure having a seat and an adjustment mechanism that is configured to adjust the receiving area of the seat.

Abstract: An occupant protection apparatus protects an occupant sitting on a seat adjacent to a side door of a vehicle when a side collision or a rollover occurs. The occupant protection apparatus includes a push-up device for pushing up a part of a hip portion of the occupant adjacent to the side door when the side collision or the rollover occurs. In the occupant protection apparatus, when the side collision of the vehicle occurs, the push-up device pushes up the part of the occupant's hip to tilt an upper body of the occupant away from the side door. It is preferable that the push-up device includes an inflatable bag and a gas generator for inflating the bag.

Abstract: An adjustable child support structure having a seat back including side sections that fold inward to provide lateral support for an infant or remain flat to provide a wider seat back for a toddler. The structure also includes an adjuster having a user control portion and a side wing actuator portion for remotely adjusting the seat back through a range of motion between the first, wide position and the second, narrow position.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are disclosed for a planar seating apparatus having a seat support in a first plane, a back support in a second plane and coupled to the seat support, and a plurality of side supports coupled to the back support. The plurality of side supports are adjustable and capable of folding, as is the back support, to provide a compact and easily transportable and storable device.

Abstract: The headrest (2) is liftable, comprises wings (11) and (12) and is provided with passages (3) for the belting (C) of the motorcar's safety belt. The backrest (1) does also characteristically comprise passages (4) for the belting (C) of the motorcar's safety belt, these latter passages because of the fact of being positioned in a lower position as compared with those of the headrest (2) being provided to be used when the child is of a short size so that it can thus be properly held back by the safety belt. A characteristic feature also lies in the fact that the wings (11) and (12) are fitted in a linked connection to the sides of the headrest (2), this latter having a mechanism (13, 14, 15 and 18) linking them to each other and locking them thus selectively setting them at a given angle with respect to the headrest (2).

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back having a frame, and the frame has first and second bolster mounting portions. Each bolster mounting portion has first, second and third receptacles. The seat assembly also includes first and second bolsters selectively engageable with the first and second bolster mounting portions, respectively. Each bolster has first and second posts and is longitudinally adjustable with respect to the seat back between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position. When each bolster is in the first longitudinal position, the first and second posts of the first bolster are respectively engaged with the first and second receptacles of the first bolster mounting portion, and the first and second posts of the second bolster are respectively engaged with the first and second receptacles of the second bolster mounting portion.

Abstract: A fold down seat back or seat bottom has at least one ergonomic support device in it. A traction cable is operatively engaged at one end with the ergonomic support device to actuate it. The fold down seat back includes a rotating cable tension unit and a fixed torsion bar. The rotating member moves relative to the fixed member when said fold down seat back is folded up. The traction cable is comprised of a sleeve having a first end and a second end and a wire having a first end and a second end. The wire is disposed to slide axially through the sleeve. The first sleeve end is attached to the rotating cable tension unit. The wire end is attached to the fixed torsion bar. The wire end may be attached to the torsion rod with a pulley.

Abstract: An active bolster system for use in vehicle seats includes a mounting plate connected with the vehicle seat. An adjustable bolster slider is slideably connected with the mounting plate, and has an adjustment arm and a pressure surface. A drive unit is in direct communication with the adjustable bolster slider, the drive unit having an actuator and a gear set.

Abstract: An adjustable child support structure having a seat back including side sections that fold inward to provide lateral support for an infant or remain flat to provide a wider seat back for a toddler. The structure also includes an adjuster having a user control portion and a side wing actuator portion for remotely adjusting the seat back through a range of motion between the first, wide position and the second, narrow position.

Abstract: An adjustable headrest mounting plate for a seat, including a base for being attached to a seat back of the seat, and first and second pairs of side head supports mounted on the base and extending laterally away from the base. Each of the pairs of side head supports includes an upper side head support and a lower side head support. The upper side head support and lower side head support of each of the first and second pairs of side head supports are mounted on the base for independent fore and aft movement as desired by the passenger.

Abstract: A seat frame assembly for supporting an occupant in an automotive vehicle includes a pair of spaced apart, longitudinally extending side members interconnected by at least one generally transverse cross member defining a horizontal plane therebetween. The seat frame assembly also includes a side bolster frame pivotally secured to at least one of the side members. The side bolster frame is movable between a support position extending laterally outwardly from the side member and angled upwardly from the horizontal plane, and a deflected position extending generally parallel to the horizontal plane. In addition, the seat frame assembly includes a resilient trim cover extending in tension between the side bolster frame and the opposing side member for automatically pivoting the side bolster frame from the support position to the deflected position in response to a load from the occupant on the side bolster frame, thereby facilitating ingress and egress to the occupant on the seat frame assembly.

Abstract: A seat for automotive vehicles, airplanes or the like has a seat part and a backrest part. Seat part supports are arranged on both sides of a longitudinal center plane of the seat on longitudinal sides of the seat part. Backrest part supports are arranged on the longitudinal sides of the backrest part. The seat part supports and the backrest part supports provide the passenger using the seat with a lateral support. For optimizing the seat with respect to comfort and support for the passenger using it, the seat part supports as well as the backrest part supports are constructed in an adjustable manner.

Abstract: An adjustable vehicle seat may include an adjustable head support, body support, harness, or any combination thereof. A latching mechanism couples an upper portion of the vehicle seat to a seatback. The latching mechanism provides a mechanical coupling between the upper portion and a seat body. The mechanical coupling permits vertical adjustment of the upper portion, which may be configured to provide an adjustable headrest for the vehicle seat. The upper portion may further include side bolsters and harness guides associated with a attached seat harness and/or an auxiliary seat harness. In this embodiment, the latching mechanism permits simultaneous adjustment of the harness, headrest and side bolsters for accommodating a seat occupant. In the preferred embodiment, the vehicle seat is configured as a child's car seat which may be used as either a forward facing car seat with attached harness or a belt positioning booster seat.

Abstract: A car seat having a seat part and a central spring system for the seat part. The central spring system can be adjusted to vary the hardness of the seat part. Additionally, the car seat is provided with side reinforcements on the seat part that extend in the traveling direction, whose position or the position of their upper edge regions is adjustable in accordance with the hardness of the spring system of the seat. The adjustment of the spring system is such that a greater degree of hardness corresponds to a higher position of the upper edge regions of the side reinforcements.

Abstract: An arrangement in passenger vehicles, that diverts the impact energy in impacts away from the passengers to the remaining mass of the vehicle thereby protecting the passengers, and in the same arrangement provides utilitarian access to the vehicle, such utilitarian access making it possible to both install multi-element contoured surround seats for passengers and the driver, and also a safety device for head-on collision protection that obviates the need for conventional seat belts and front impact airbags. An indo-skeletal structural arrangement proposed for the vehicle, provides further benefits by targeting the strength of the vehicle to protect passengers while minimizing other massive elements in the vehicle.

Abstract: An adaptable seat having a supporting frame, and one or more supporting cushions appropriately arranged and fixed to the supporting frame to support the occupant; each supporting cushion having an outer shell and a filler; and the adaptable seat being characterized in that the outer shell of each supporting cushion has electrically controlled deforming means for selectively deforming the outer shell to adjust the shape of the supporting cushion; an electronic central control unit being provided to control the electrically controlled deforming means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for dynamic adaptation of the support of the body, in particular the lateral support, of a person seated on a vehicle seat, in which a measure of a current adaptation taking into account the current vehicle velocity is predicted and is set by an adaptation system which is integrated in the vehicle seat. In order to compensate for the inertia of the adaptation system which is inherent in the system, prediction of the adaptation is performed from stored data over the current road course, onto which data the current vehicle data are projected, and in that the adaptation system is actuated taking into account the adaptation time inherent in the system, in such a way that, when the event requiring the adaptation occurs, preferably when a bend is travelled through, at least one adaptation presetting adapted thereto is achieved.

Abstract: Nursing equipment for a child, such as an adjustable child safety seat, includes a back rest, a pair of side guards provided on opposing sides of the back rest for protecting side portions of an infant, and a pair of side head guards provided to be movable in an upward/downward direction and so as to be selectively detachable, inside the pair of side guards. By this structure, the nursing equipment helps to surely protect the head and particularly the brain of an infant as the infant grows.

Abstract: A wheelchair back assembly is provided which has a back plate held in position relative to upright wheelchair cane members by opposed independent mounting assemblies. The mounting assemblies include a support bar which carries a bracket attached to the back support plate. The assemblies further include universal cane clamp members hingedly attached to a pivot mechanism that allows for independent bi-lateral adjustment in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the seat of the wheelchair. The clamping member further includes a through bore, which is seated on the spindle of a compression latch secured to the upright canes of a wheelchair. A pivotable lever acts as a latch member as it compresses elastomeric O-rings in order to latch the hinge in position relative to the spindle member and to provide for a resilient attachment. The lever also has a locking position to retain the lever in its latched position.

Abstract: A torso support assembly is adapted to be mounted to the back of the frame of a wheelchair. The assembly includes a longitudinally extending support tube which is removably attachable to the back of the wheelchair. Integral to the tube and located at each end of it is a quick release locking mechanism. At the ends of the support tube, and insertable within the ends of the support tube, is a pair of support rod members. Each support rod member is rotatable within its respective end of the support tube. Each support rod member is engagable with the quick release mechanism at one end and is fixably attached to a support arm at the other end. Each support arm includes a forwardly extending pad support member. At the end of each support member is mounted a pad member. Each pad member is limitedly rotatable about the pad support member such that its position is adjustable. Each pad member is movable inwardly and outwardly of the pad support member.

Abstract: A seat for automotive vehicles, airplanes or the like has a seat part and a backrest part. Seat part supports are arranged on both sides of a longitudinal center plane of the seat on longitudinal sides of the seat part. Backrest part supports are arranged on the longitudinal sides of the backrest part. The seat part supports and the backrest part supports provide the passenger using the seat with a lateral support. For optimizing the seat with respect to comfort and support for the passenger using it, the seat part supports as well as the backrest part supports are constructed in an adjustable manner.

Abstract: The infant product of the invention is of the type having an infant receptacle suspended from a frame. The infant product is foldable between a deployed position for use and a compact configuration for shipping and storage. In the assembled configuration, the infant receptacle is convertible between a bassinet configuration in which the infant receptacle has a substantially planar support surface and an infant seat configuration in which the support surface of the infant receptacle is partially titled or disposed at an angle such that the infant can be supported in an elevated or seated position. The infant product may include a fabric canopy incorporating floating webs and a quick connect system for securing the canopy in an open position. When the canopy is closed, it is folded so as to lie flat against the infant receptacle. The infant receptacle may also include a lateral support assembly to cradle the infant.

Abstract: A seating system, for example a paediatric seating system for wheelchairs, provides appropriate support for a person using the chair by providing adjustable components to support specific anatomical areas of the back, pelvis and upper leg and, more specifically, three components that stabilize the pelvis of that person. These components comprise an elevation change in the seat, a pad at the back that provides resistance to the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) and a pair of anterior pelvic pads that stabilize below the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS).

Abstract: The present invention is a support arm mechanism that is simpler, more durable and more reliable in use than support arm mechanisms of the prior art. The invention also relates to an improved hinge that can be used in a trunk support arm mechanism, and in other applications. One embodiment of the present invention is a locking trunk support hinge that is convenient to lock and unlock. For example, the hinge can have a lock with a front hinge portion and a rear hinge portion. A locking member, having a locking head and an angled lever, is rotatably mounted to one of hinge portions, and a locking channel extends in the other one. The hinge has a locked mode in which the locking head is engaged in the locking channel and the hinge cannot be opened, and an unlocked mode in which the locking head is not engaged in the locking channel and the hinge can be swung open.

Abstract: Nursing equipment for a child, such as an adjustable child safety seat, includes a back rest, a pair of side guards provided on opposing sides of the back rest for protecting side portions of an infant, and a pair of side head guards provided to be movable in an upward/downward direction and so as to be selectively detachable, inside the pair of side guards. By this structure, the nursing equipment helps to surely protect the head and particularly the brain of an infant as the infant grows.

Abstract: A wheelchair back assembly is mounted from the vertical post of a wheelchair. The assembly has a back member comprising one or more rigid shells which are mounted by laterally extending adjustable clamping members. These clamping members permit a variety of adjustment angles, height and depth. Further, lateral support members can be independently adjusted to accommodate a particular user.

Abstract: A child seat, in particular for a motor vehicle, has a seat-surface structure, which extends generally in a longitudinal direction and defines the seat surface, and a backrest. One part of the seat-surface structure can be adjusted and secured in the longitudinal direction relative to those remaining parts of the seat-surface structure which define the seat surface. A substructure that carries the seat-surface structure is operative so that the inclination of the seat-surface structure can be adjusted relative to the substructure. A belt-retaining device is carried by the backrest and operative in one operating mode to clamp the seatbelt, in response to the seatbelt traveling in a first pulling direction, and to release the seatbelt, in response to the seatbelt traveling in a second pulling direction. In another operating mode, the belt-retaining device loosely surrounds the seatbelt.

Abstract: An adjusting method for a vehicle seat having at least one seat component to which a drive is assigned as well as a pressure sensor in the seat component which interacts with the drive. The end of the adjustment is determined by a defined contact pressure of the user. The adjustment of the seat component is carried out in any starting position in an operating direction being a function of the contact pressure of the present user at the beginning of the adjustment determined by the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A child safety seat for use in a vehicle, comprises a seat body having a seat portion, a backrest and side wings projecting from each side of the backrest at the level of the head of a child occupant of the seat. The side wings are moveable relative to the backrest so as to be displaceable between a normal position and a fully deployed position in which they project from the backrest to a greater extent than when in their normal position.

Abstract: The chair for handicapped individuals has an undercarriage with a descending and ascending track system, and a tiltable assembly equipped with track followers for riding the descending and ascending track system of the undercarriage. A brake shiftable between a locked condition for holding the tiltable assembly against movement on the track system and an unlocked condition for allowing movement of it on the track system is provided. The tiltable assembly includes a seat assembly and an adjustable hip-limiting assembly at each lateral side of the seat assembly, plus a back assembly pivotally mounted to the seat assembly and an adjustable leg assembly mounted at each lateral side of the seat assembly. No power assistance is required to accomplish tilting of the tiltable assembly or any adjustment of any feature of the chair. The variety of chairs incorporating features of the invention include shower and commode chairs.