Abstract: A belt-type lumbar support includes a belt having first and second end portions. A first attachment tab is located at the first end portion, and a second attachment tab is located at the second end portion. A spring is located at the first end portion and is connected to the first attachment tab. A cable is located at the second end portion and is connected to the second attachment tab. A first belt extension is located at the first end portion and proximate to the first attachment tab and has a first belt extension tongue, wherein at least a portion of the belt extension tongue extends over the spring. A second belt extension is located at the second end portion and proximate to the second attachment tab and has a second belt extension tongue, wherein at least a portion of the second belt extension tongue extends over the cable.

Abstract: An actuator is disclosed. The actuator includes: an output gear, a pinion, a drive shaft, a housing, and a spring. The output gear is adapted to receive a traction element. The pinion is in driving communication with the output gear. The drive shaft is interconnected with the pinion. The housing is adapted to receive the output gear and the drive shaft. The coil spring is circumjacent the drive shaft and located in a position intermediate the drive shaft and the housing, whereby rotation of the drive shaft causes the coil spring to frictionally disengage from the housing such that the output gear may rotate.

Abstract: An actuator for a lumbar support device possessing a symmetrical housing in that key holes are present on both sides of such housing. The present invention's housing, with key hole slots diametrically opposed on one end, allows the actuator to be installed more easily in any orientation, in either driver or passenger side seats. With the dual key hole housing, the extra time and effort associated with ensuring that the correct side of the housing is being used is eliminated as the dual key holes allow the tension cable wire and tension cable wire end to be inserted into either side of the housing during assembly of the lumbar support system. The elimination of this concern will save valuable time and money in the actuator assembly process.

Abstract: An actuator is disclosed. The actuator includes: an output gear, a pinion, a drive shaft, a housing, and a spring. The output gear is adapted to receive a traction element. The pinion is in driving communication with the output gear. The drive shaft is interconnected with the pinion. The housing is adapted to receive the output gear and the drive shaft. The coil spring is circumjacent the drive shaft and located in a position intermediate the drive shaft and the housing, whereby rotation of the drive shaft causes the coil spring to frictionally disengage from the housing such that the output gear may rotate.

Abstract: An ergonomic support system for a seat has a resilient seat suspension platform with a pair of side margins and a plurality of transverse wires. Ergonomic supports are mounted on the seat adjacent to and/or within the side margins. A bracket has a slot extends along the bracket. One end of a support arm is attached to the ergonomic support and the other end connects the ergonomic support to the bracket through a slide clip. The slide clip is seated in the slot and provides a means for sliding engagement between the support arm and the bracket. A mounting clip engages the support arm at a region intermediate between the ends of the support arm. A spring can be operatively connected between the bracket end and the ergonomic support, and a hinge arm may also connect the ergonomic support to the bracket through the mounting clip.

Abstract: An actuator is disclosed. The actuator includes two main assemblies: (1) a motor assembly; and (2) a gearbox assembly. The gearbox assembly includes multiple stages of gear reduction and a dividing plate. In some embodiments, the gearbox assembly has a single-lead worm, a worm gear with a right-hand helix tooth direction, and a worm gear with a left-hand helix tooth direction. The worm gears are driven by the single-lead worm. The single-lead worm has two ends, one end has a right-hand tooth helix direction, and the other end has a left hand helix direction.

Abstract: An adjustable seat basket for providing lumbar support mountable on a seat back has mounting tabs, hinges adjacent the mounting tabs, a basket adjacent the hinge, and pivoting tabs for attaching an adjustment mechanism, all of a unitary construction of a resilient material, preferably spring steel. The hinge is a living hinge formed by bending the resilient material between the mounting tabs and the basket in a gentle curve. The basket is trapezoidal when in a flat position and viewed from the side.

Abstract: A shape-adjusting mechanism for a backrest has a lumbar basket which includes a pair of supports spaced apart along a predetermined axis. Resilient axial ribs are fastened between the brackets, and resilient transverse ribs are fastened to the anal ribs. The axial ribs are structured to flex as the supports are drawn together, to achieve a profile that better conforms to the shape of a user's spine. To that end, each axial rib is stamped with reinforcing flanges that extend partially along its length and produce lengthwise rib sections of different bending resistance that determine the profile of the lumbar basket in its flexed state.

Abstract: An adjusting mechanism is provided for a basket used in a portion of a seat to adjust the shape of the seat. The mechanism includes a handle that is rotatably engaged to a shaft. The shaft is slidably engaged within a bore in a gear that is part of a gear mechanism. The gear mechanism is connected to a first end of the basket and a link is connected from the gear mechanism to a second end of the basket. The bore has a complementary cross sectional profile to the shaft to permit rotation thereby. The shaft is slidable along the axis of the bore to permit changes in the relative position between the handle and the gear mechanism.

Abstract: A four-way power lumbar support system which provides for both an in-out directional adjustment and an up-down directional adjustment including a pair of directional one-way locking clutches that slip in one direction and lock in another direction, a single motor, and a single gearbox assembly. The motor output drives the two directional one-way locking clutches setup to slip and lock in opposite directions of rotation causing one to engage for clockwise rotation of the motor and the other to engage for counterclockwise rotation of the motor.

Abstract: The apparatus stimulates the muscles of a seat occupant. The apparatus includes a flexible supporting element adapted to be coupled to a seat for movement relative thereto and driving means for automatically and repeatedly moving the flexible supporting element through an adjustment cycle. The adjustment cycle includes a plurality of first incremental movements in a first direction followed by a plurality of second incremental movements in a second direction. Each of the first and second incremental movements are separated by a first time interval. The method relieves muscle fatigue in a seat occupant by incrementally adjusting the curvature of the supporting element and generally includes the steps of placing a supporting element in a first position operatively engaging a muscle of the seat occupant wherein the first position defines a first degree of curvature of the supporting element.

Abstract: The apparatus stimulates the muscles of the a seat occupant. The apparatus includes a flexible supporting element adapted to be coupled to a seat for movement relative thereto and driving means for automatically and repeatedly moving the flexible supporting element through an adjustment cycle. The adjustment cycle includes a plurality of first incremental movements in a first direction followed by a plurality of second incremental movements in a second direction. Each of the first and second incremental movements are separated by a first time interval. The method relieves muscle fatigue in a seat occupant by incrementally adjusting the curvature of the supporting element and generally includes the steps of placing a supporting element in a first position operatively engaging a muscle of the seat occupant wherein the first position defines a first degree of curvature of the supporting element.