Abstract: A lumbar support device includes a flexible grid that can be bowed to provide additional curvature and axially moved on a track. The flexible grid is bowed and moved by brackets on the track in combination with cables and actuators. For bowing the flexible grid, a cable segment pulls a pair of brackets together which bow the flexible grid. The segment is wrapped around one of the brackets and is attached at its ends to the other bracket and an actuator, thereby providing a mechanical advantage to the bowing resistance of the flexible grid. For axially moving the flexible grid, a cable in a fixed bracket directly pulls on the pair of brackets and the flexible grid moves with the pair of brackets; a compression spring is used to provide resistance to the cable and movement in an opposite direction. In another embodiment, a lumbar support device includes a flexible grid that is bowed without any change in axial position.

Abstract: An actuator for manipulating a bowden cable assembly of a lumbar support structure includes a housing having a longitudinal passage and a screw coupled to a cable and operable for moving in the housing passage. A threaded nut is operable for rotating and moving the screw through the housing passage. A barrel is configured for receiving the bowden cable assembly and is operable for providing movement of the cable of a bowden cable assembly completely therethrough and further operable for engaging a sleeve of the bowden cable assembly for preventing movement of the sleeve completely therethrough. The barrel is fixedly coupled to the housing to fix the movement of the bowden cable sleeve with respect to the housing passage such that movement of the screw in the housing is operable for drawing the cable through the fixed sleeve of the bowden cable structure for manipulating a lumbar support structure.

Abstract: A lumbar support mechanism for incorporating in a seat comprises a pair of opposing triangular brackets each having a base and a peak, wherein the brackets are positioned such that said peaks are facing one another. Elongated flexible border elements have ends pivotally coupled proximate the base of each of said brackets. One of the brackets is movable with respect to the other of the brackets to move said peaks together, and the flexible border elements pivot at their ends and flex outwardly away from the brackets to thereby provide support to the lumbar region of a person in the seat.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing netted materials composed of spaced apart strands consisting of extruding a pair of plastic strands, either or both of which may include a steel core wire, respectively at opposite sides of a sheet of the net material, and fusing the strands together intermediate the strands of the net sheet while the former are still in a highly plastic, nearly molten condition, immediately after their extrusion.

Abstract: A spring base for upholstered seating, particularly automotive seats having upwardly and outwardly inclined "wings" or bolsters at the sides thereof, consisting of a pair of spaced apart side bolster wires each adapted to be supported by spaced helical springs attached thereto and extending outwardly therefrom for connection at their outer ends to a fixed frame, and a series of relatively closely spaced spring cross wires extending between the bolster wires and connected thereto, certain of the cross wires being of relatively small gauge and extending only between the bolster wires, and certain of the cross wires being relatively heavy gauge and extending beyond the bolster wires and being angled upwardly and outwardly to provide spring support for the bolsters, all with the purpose of providing the necessary spring strength in the various areas of the seat, as well as the necessary closeness of the wires to provide adequate support for the helical springs and adequate support for the cushioning material appl

Abstract: A machine operable to twist the end portion of a cross wire around a longitudinal wire disposed at right angles to the cross wire, and then to twist the cross wire end portion about the standing portion of the cross wire, to form a "knot". The machine consists of a knotter die rotatable about the axis of the longitudinal wire to form the first twist, and to force the end portion of the cross wire operatively against an anvil configurated to form the second twist so that both twists are formed in a single operation, although the two twists lie in substantially right angled planes. This substantially doubles the speed at which the knots may be formed in automatic machinery. As optional equipment, other dies may be added for pressing the wire bend formed in the second twist, and the raw end of the cross wire, closely adjacent the longitudinal wire, so that the raw wire ends are shielded.