Abstract: A system for inflating e.g. a pair of lumbar support bags of a vehicle seat comprises two pumps each connected to a respective bag and controlled by a common electronic control system. The control system causes each bag to be inflated over a period of between 1 and 10 minutes, the inflation of one bag taking place while the other bag is deflated and vice versa to produce alternating pressure zones in the lumbar region. Inflation of each bag is produced by a multiplicity of individual spaced apart energizations of the associated pump. The duration and spacing of the energizations is variable to produce the desired complete inflation of a bag within the required period. In the preferred embodiment the duration of each energization is preset during manufacture of the system but the spacing of the energizations is under the control of the user of the seat to vary the duration of the inflate/deflate cycle.

Abstract: A seating platform e.g. for domestic furniture or motor vehicle seats comprises at least one moulded elastic element mounted on a frame member and covered by a non-stretch sheet which, upon installation, is only lightly tensioned. The elastic element is of a substantially incompressible material, e.g. a rubber composition high in natural rubber, and includes spaced apart grooves which permit controlled transverse deformation of the element upon loading of the platform.

Abstract: A seat frame comprises a resilient seating platform attached to first, second and third horizontal frame members, the first member being at the front of the seat and at seat level and the second and third members being at the back of the seat and respectively above and below seat level. The resilient platform comprises first sheet means, including a full-width elastic portion, secured along one edge to the first frame member and along an opposite second edge to a second sheet means. The second sheet means comprises a first portion secured along its opposite edges to the second frame member and the second edge of the first sheet means respectively and a second portion secured along its opposite edges to the third frame member and the second edge of the first sheet means respectively.