Abstract: A simplified, low-cost actuator used in conjunction with a lumbar support device designed to significantly decrease manufacturing costs and assembly time. The present invention produces similar movement as the more expensive actuators but does so with a considerably smaller number of parts. The actuator consists merely of four pieces—a handle, a spring, a plunger, and a mounting bracket. The symmetry of design of this actuator allows it to be installed more easily in any orientation and on either side of the seat. Furthermore, the actuator may be adapted for use with a tension cable or a drive rod. The simplicity, low-cost, and ease of use associated with this actuator makes it an attractive alternative to other actuators disclosed in the prior art. Finally, this actuator allows adjustable lumbar support to be offered in a cost effective manner in lower tier seating.

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: A seat having a seat bottom; a seat back pivotally connected to the seat bottom, the seat back having a frame; at least one bracket mounted to the frame; at least one actuator housing mounted to the at least one bracket, the at least one actuator having a slot; a drive member rotationally mounted in the at least one actuator housing; an arm rest operatively connected to the drive member; and at least one Bowden cable extending through the slot and connected to drive member such that the at least one Bowden cable rotates the drive member and the arm rest when a tractive force is applied to the Bowden cable.

Abstract: A belt lumbar for a vehicle seat has a pair of brackets that are respectively located at opposite ends of the belt, a platform that extends between the brackets, and hinges that connect the platform to the brackets. A bowden cable extends between and pulls the brackets toward each other from a first position to a second position. The hinges are living hinges which have more flexibility than the pair of brackets and the platform. In response to the brackets moving toward each other, the hinges rotate relative to the platform and the brackets and extend the platform away from the brackets. Springs connect the ends of the belt to the sides of the seat frame.

Abstract: A ventilation, temperature regulation, and ergonomic comfort system for a vehicle seat, comprising a cushion comprising a ventilation layer comprising non-woven plastic fibers fused together in such a manner as to permit airflow therethrough, the ventilation layer having a seat surface side and a reverse side, wherein the ventilation layer is disposed within a substantially air-tight compartment having an access hole for air input on the reverse side of the ventilation layer and a plurality of output holes on the seat surface side; an adjustable ergonomic support device, wherein the ergonomic support device is disposed on the reverse side of the ventilation layer and moves together with the cushion; a temperature regulation system comprising an air-moving device operably coupled to the access hole on the reverse side of the ventilation layer, such that the air-moving device moves conditioned air into the ventilation layer and out through the plurality of output holes; and a control module comprising controls

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: A dual drive actuation system includes a driver gear, a pair of actuators with driven gears, and a transmission for switching the driver gear between the pair of actuators. The transmission is controlled by a solenoid, and the driver gear is powered by a motor. The dual drive actuation system can be used with different actuators that are changed based on their required usage, sizing and range of motion.

Abstract: A scissors lumbar support includes a hinge axle and two arms each having a forward portion and a rearward portion. The forward portions are lumbar support pads. At least one of the rearward portions of the arms are adapted to operatively engage a force applicator. Each of the arms hinge around a hinge axle upon application of force by a force applicator. At least one of the rearward portions of the arms are mountable on a seat frame.

Abstract: A seat back cushion support presenting device for use in a foldable vehicle seat moves a cushion support member from a position within the seat back frame to a position extended from the seat back frame such that the entire cushion is presented. A pair of presenting members, each including a side bolster support portion, are provided in overlapping arrangement for translation along a presenting device support member and rotation with respect to a cushion support member such that as an activation member moves the presenting members together, the cushion support member is extended along with the side bolster support portions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for thermally developing a photosensitive element. The thermal development method includes heating the photosensitive element to a temperature sufficient to cause a portion of a composition layer in the element to liquefy, soften, or melt, contacting the heated photosensitive element with a development medium to absorb the liquefied portion at a contact location, and removing the development medium from the photosensitive element with a remover at a location away from the contact location.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for thermally developing a photosensitive element. The thermal development method includes heating the photosensitive element to a temperature sufficient to cause a portion of a composition layer in the element to liquefy, soften, or melt; supporting a development medium with a non-rotating surface to provide contact of the development medium with the heated photosensitive element; and providing relative movement between the development medium and the non-rotating surface.

Abstract: A multistage interconnect network (MIN) capable of supporting massive parallel processing, including point-to-point and multicast communications between processor modules (PMs) which are connected to the input and output ports of the network. The network is built using interconnected switch nodes arranged in 2 [logb N] stages, wherein b is the number of switch node input/output ports, N is the number of network input/output ports and [logb N] indicates a ceiling function providing the smallest integer not less than logb N. The additional stages provide additional paths between network input ports and network output ports, thereby enhancing fault tolerance and lessening contention.

Abstract: A simplified, low-cost actuator used in conjunction with a lumbar support device designed to significantly decrease manufacturing costs and assembly time. The present invention produces similar movement as the more expensive actuators but does so with a considerably smaller number of parts. The actuator consists merely of four pieces—a handle, a spring, a plunger, and a mounting bracket. The symmetry of design of this actuator allows it to be installed more easily in any orientation and on either side of the seat. Furthermore, the actuator may be adapted for use with a tension cable or a drive rod. The simplicity, low-cost, and ease of use associated with this actuator makes it an attractive alternative to other actuators disclosed in the prior art. Finally, this actuator allows adjustable lumbar support to be offered in a cost effective manner in lower tier seating.

Abstract: Optimization for improved construction and execution of state machines configured to identify lexemes in data files is disclosed. This optimization includes, for example, systems and methods for disambiguating between overlapping matches found in data files, using trailing context regular expressions, removing stall states from state machines, selecting between a plurality of sets of regular expressions, analyzing multiple data files concurrently, analyzing portions of a single data file concurrently, representing state machines using instructions representative of transitions between states, and using virtual terminal instructions.

Abstract: A system for tokenizing a document, such as, for example, an XML document. A classifier is configured to assign the at least one character to at least one of a plurality of character classes. Each of a plurality of token logic units is configured to concurrently perform a comparison as specified by an instruction. A comparison may comprise comparing the at least one character class to an operand. An execution unit is configured to select an action from the instruction in response to performing the comparisons and to perform the action. A method of tokenizing a document includes assigning at least one character from a document to at least one of a plurality of character classes and concurrently performing a plurality of comparisons. At least one of the plurality of comparisons comprises comparing the assigned character class to the character from the document.

Abstract: A dual drive actuation system includes a driver gear, a pair of actuators with driven gears, and a transmission for switching the driver gear between the pair of actuators. The transmission can be controlled by a solenoid, and the driver gear can be powered by a motor. The dual drive actuation system can be used with different actuators that are changed based on their required usage, sizing and range of motion.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method and apparatus for thermally developing a photosensitive element, and particularly to a method and apparatus for supporting the photosensitive element with a removable flexible support member during thermal treatment.

Abstract: An ergonomic weight support device for a seat has a flexible pressure plate attached to an extending paddle for lumbar support. The paddle extends from a housing having a channel into which the paddle may be retracted for the lumbar support to be flat, or from which the paddle may be extended for lumbar support. The flexible pressure plate distributes lumbar supporting pressure across a greater area for comfort.

Abstract: A lumbar support for a seat includes an archable pressure surface having an upper region and a lower region and a force actuator such as an electric motor. The force actuator is held in a housing. The actuator housing is fixedly attached to said archable pressure surface in a compact design. A force transmission element such as a cable is connected to at least one of the upper and lower regions of the pressure surface and the force transmission element is also connected to the actuator. When force is applied by the force actuator to the cable, the pressure surface arches from a substantially flat position to an arched position.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method and an apparatus for thermally developing a photosensitive element, and particularly to a method and apparatus for controlling vapor and condensate created during thermal treating of the photosensitive element.