Abstract: The actuator has a housing with a longitudinal passage between a first end and an opening at a second end. A spindle, supported and moveable in the passage, has oppositely handed, first and second threaded portions each nearer a respective end of the housing. A first nut fixed relative to the housing is engaged with the first threaded portion. The spindle is rotated and moved relative to the first nut by a handle at the housing first end. A second nut fixed against rotation relative to the housing and engaged with the second threaded portion moves relative to and in the same direction as the spindle as the spindle rotates. The second nut is connectable through the opening to a device, and the spindle is rotatable by the handle for adjusting the device by movement of the spindle and the second nut.

Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support, for use in the back rest of a seat, includes a flexible band which in use extends longitudinally across the back rest so that opposite ends of the band are adjacent respective opposite sides of the back rest and further includes adjusting means operable to vary the extent to which the flexible band is able to curve rearwardly relative to the seat back rest. The flexible band includes a plurality of elongate members which are spaced along, and extend transversely with respect to, the longitudinal extent of the band, and a respective resiliently compressible bridging element joining together successive elongate members.

Abstract: An adjustable headrest for a seat backrest having a mounting system includes a frame structure adapted to be secured on the mounting system for up and down movement relative to the seat backrest. The headrest also includes a drive mechanism having a height adjustment drive system for controlling height adjustment of the headrest by moving a height adjuster section, and a fore/aft adjustment drive system for controlling fore/aft adjustment by moving the fore/aft adjuster section. The fore/aft drive system has an adjustment member constrained to up and down movement, and the adjustment member is engaged with the adjuster section so as to permit for/aft movement of the adjuster section relative to the adjuster section and the adjustment member.

Abstract: A seat arrangement includes a backrest frame and a base frame with the backrest frame connectable, adjacent the lower extent of each of opposite sides thereof, to respective mounting that facilitate pivotable mounting of the backrest frame to the base frame. Each mounting includes a respective load dispersing member and the backrest frame is connected to the mounting by fasteners inserted laterally of the frame, through the frame and the load dispersing member of the mounting. The fasteners draw each load dispersing member into a respective recess defined by the backrest frame, with each recess having a form complementary to the load dispersing member to define respective base surfaces through which the fasteners extend, and opposing side surfaces.

Abstract: A seat backrest frame (10) having an integrally formed rigid peripheral frame structure which, relative to an in-use orientation, has a plurality of frame portions, namely a pair of side portions (20) and transverse portions (22 and 24). Each of the frame portions (20, 22 and 24) has an elongate channel form defined by respective side flanges (20a, 22a, 24a, 20b, 22b, 24b), and an interconnecting web (20c, 22c, 24c). Each web (20c, 22c, 24c) being disposed forwardly of the frame structure with the channel of each frame portion opening rearwardly. Each side portion (20) defines a forwardly projecting wing (36) over at least the lower half of its length, such that the depth of each side portion channel in at least the region of the wing (36) is substantially greater than the depth of the channels of the transverse portions (22 and 24).

Abstract: An actuator for adjustment of a flexible line such as a cable or rope. The actuator includes a screw threaded spindle and a cooperatively engaging adjustment member having a nut with an internal screw thread that is in threaded engagement with an external screw thread of the spindle. The adjustment member is rotatable relative to the spindle to cause axial movement of the spindle. A turning block or pulley is mounted on an end of the spindle for rotation on an axis extending transversely with respect to the axis of the spindle and the flexible line is retained in relation to the spindle. The flexible line is passed around the turning block or pulley for adjustment of the flexible line by axial movement of the spindle.

Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support for the backrest of a seat, including an elongate flexible band having first and second ends attachable to sides of a backrest. A drive member is connected to the band so as to tension the band and so decrease the extent to which the band curves rearwardly with respect to the ends thereof. The band includes a plurality of pleats, extending transverse to the length of the band and arranged to expand or collapse in response to changes in the longitudinal tension in the band. As shown, the pleats form part of a shield overlying a tensionable strap. In another arrangement (not shown) the pleats are disposed between and interconnect adjacent relatively rigid rib-like elements. The drive may include a motor driving a screw-threaded spindle arranged at right angles thereto and connected to the band so that the spindle extends in the longitudinal direction of the band. A carriage responds to rotation of the spindle so as to tension the band.

Abstract: A seat mounting mechanism for mounting a seat for adjustable fore and aft movement, the mechanism having an elongate fixed rail which is adapted to be securable to a substructure, pan or floor, a movable rail which is engageable with the fixed rail and adapted to be securable to a seat, and at least one locking member mounted on a first one of the fixed rail and the movable rails. The locking member is pivotable between an engagement position in which it locks the movable rail relative to the fixed rail and a retracted position in which it frees the movable rail for adjustment along the fixed rail. The locking member is mounted on the first rail for pivotable movement, between the engagement and retracted positions, about a pivot axis extending substantially parallel to the rails. The locking member has an engagement mechanism by which it is selectively engageable with an engagement mechanism of, and disposed along, a second one of the rails when the locking member is in its engagement position.

Abstract: A seat headrest assembly including a headrest (1) mounted on at least one support post (3) which is connectable to a seat backrest (2). The headrest (1) is mounted on the support post (3) so as to be movable relative thereto in the longitudinal direction of the post (3). Electrically powered drive mechanism (18) including a motor (15) is contained within the headrest (1). A screw threaded spindle (19) is drivably connected to the motor (15) through a worm drive (18) and cooperatively engages with a nut (20) attached to the post (3). The arrangement is such that rotation of the spindle (19) causes the headrest (1) to move along the post (3). A source or electrical power is connectable to the motor (15) through an electric conductor which is provided on or is formed by the support post (3).

Abstract: A seat height adjustment system particularly adapted for use with vehicle seats and which permits the elevation of one side of the seat base to be adjusted relative to the elevation of an opposite side of that base. The system employs spring assemblies to provide an upwardly directed bias on the seat base which urges that base towards a position of maximum elevation. An actuator is operable to effect downward adjustment of the seat base elevation by imposing a force on the seat base which acts counter to the bias force. Actuator may include two electric motors each of which is connected to a respective two corners of the seat base through flexible drive cables. The arrangement is such that the seat base corners controlled by a respective one of the motors move up or down according to whether the motor is operated in a forward or a reverse mode respectively.

Abstract: A lumbar support adjustment device is disclosed comprising a bracket (11) adapted to slidably restrain a lumbar support belt means (13) adapted to extend between first (12) and second (12') side frames of a seat, said bracket being adapted to be secured to the first side frame and having associated cam means (16) operable to slidably move said belt means between a first and a second position to provide lumbar support adjustment in which said cam means cooperates directly with cam follower means formed in or on said belt means.

Abstract: Lumbar support assemblies are disclosed including a support band extending across a seat backrest, a mounting mechanism at at least one end of the support band, and a drive mechanism interconnecting the mounting mechanism for adjusting the band between relaxed and tension conditions, the drive mechanism including a pair of movable parts for adjusting the band tension. The axis of the drive mechanism extends longitudinally of the support band and includes a pair of spindles arranged telescopically so that their longitudinal extent varies in response to relative rotation about the axis.

Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support which includes an elongate flexible band arranged to extend between and be connected to opposite sides of a seat back rest. The connection with the seat back rest and least one end of the band is such that the end of the band is movable in the longitudinal direction of the band relative to the seat back rest so as to vary the degree to which the band curves rearwardly. Control of that movement is effected through a flexible cable connected to the band at one end and connected to an actuator at its opposite end. The cable has a tubular cover and a wire core slidable longitudinally within the cover, and the cable connections are such that the wire core forms a static part of a drive connection between the band and the actuator, and the cable cover forms a dynamic part of that connection. It is preferred that a respective cable is connected to each end of the band, and that each of those cables is connected to a common actuator.

Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support of the kind including a flexible band which in use extends transverse of a seat backrest. The lumbar support has means for adjusting the rearward curvature of the band in a fore and aft direction and also has means for adjusting the relative effective lengths of the upper and lower regions of the band. An intermediate portion of the band is made up of a number of interconnected segments, and the location of the connection between adjacent segments may alternate between the upper and lower regions of the band. A flexible frame is connected to the band to support the band and associated components such as the adjusting means actuators, in a configuration such as to permit convenient attachment of the band assembly to a seat backrest. The frame can also function as biasing means such as to bias the band towards a condition of minimum rearward curvature.

Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support (1) for the back rest (3) of a seat is disclosed which is formed from a band which extends longitudinally across the back rest, and which supports a plurality of convex shaped support elements (10). The band incorporates regions (4, 5) which extend in the longitudinal direction of the band and there are actuators (7) for varying the effective length of at least one of the regions. Adjustment of the support (1) is effected by changing the relationship between the effective lengths of the regions causing the support elements (10) to tilt.

Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support for use in the backrest of a seat, the lumbar support having an elongate flexible band which extends longitudinally between the sides of the seat backrest and which has an effective length capable of variation so as to thereby vary the rearward curvature of the band when the lumbar support is in use. The band includes two parts which overlap in a region intermediate the length of the band and which are interconnected through a drive device including a rotatable cam. The cam interacts with the band parts in such a way that rotation of the cam causes a change in the degree of overlap between those parts and thereby changes the effective length of the band. The cam is contained in a housing and an actuator such as an electric motor can be mounted on that housing to form an integral part of the lumbar support assembly.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for the moulding of a product formed from the mixing of a plurality of different feedstocks where different ratios of the feedstock materials are required in different areas or sections of a mould to produce a product with different properties in the different areas or sections of the final moulded product. A plurality of streams of the different feedstocks, each from separate feedstock supply vessels, are combined to form a mixed feedstock in a delivery head or heads prior to delivery to the mould. Separate pumps are provided to deliver, at constant speed of operation, a predetermined volume of each feedstock at a predetermined flow rate to the mould during a moulding cycle, driven by an electric motor operating at constant speed under constant load.

Abstract: A lumbar support subassembly is disclosed including a support band extending across a seat back rest, the lumbar support band being releasably connectable at both ends, and relatively movable between a number of positions, including a position in which the support band can be separated from the seat back rest in a mounted position, and the effective length of the band can be varied by a motor whereby one end of the band can be moved with respect to the other end.

Abstract: There is disclosed a lumbar support mechanism for a seat having a bracket adapted to be fixed on one side frame of a seat, a waistband adapted to extend across the seat between the bracket and the other side frame of the seat behind cushioning material of the seat, said bracket including an adjustment device to either alter the distance between the ends of a fixed length waistband or to alter the length of a portion of the waistband extending between the bracket and the other side frame of the seat which includes the improvement of providing a friction reducing device between the cushioning material of the seat and the waistband which friction reducing device extends from the bracket towards the other side frame of the seat.

Abstract: An cut-resistant seat or seating material is disclosed together with methods of forming such a material. The material comprises at least one layer of flexible metal or non-metal matrix material embedded within a compressed flexible foam material. The foam material may be a fire retardant flame material.