Abstract: A seat which is conformable to the shape and position of a user. A conformable apparatus is mountable within the seat and includes a plurality of belts which extend laterally across the seat. A plurality of sensors, one associated with each of the belts, are provided to detect the shape and position of selected portions of the user's torso on the seat. A control circuit, responsive to the sensors, controls movement of sliders mounted within channels within the conformable apparatus to control the length and shape of the belts so as to vary the length of the belts to conform the belts and the overlying seat fabric to the shape of the user.

Abstract: A linear motor provides stepwise, incremental advance of a movable member. The linear motor includes an electric coil surrounded by a magnetic core. A magnetic movable pole member is coaxially aligned with a magnetic plunger member and extends through the core and coil. Opposed faces of the movable pole member and the plunger are separated by an air gap. An incremental advance member is fixedly attached to the plunger and extends outward from the movable pole member. A biasing spring is connected between the incremental advance member and the pole member to bias the pole member away from the plunger when electric current has been removed from the coil to re-establish the air gap between the pole member and the plunger.