Abstract: A seatback assembly is provided having a thoracic support structure. The thoracic support structure includes a center portion extending in an upright direction and is adapted to be positioned adjacent the seatback to align adjacent a thoracic region a user's spine. The center portion is formed of a first foam material having a first hardness. A pair of side portions are disposed adjacent to and connected with the center portion. The side portions are formed of a second foam material having a second hardness. The first hardness is greater than the second hardness for providing support to the user's spine. An adjustment mechanism is connected to the thoracic support structure for positioning the support structure along the seatback so that the center portion provides support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.

Abstract: A thoracic support for a seat back of a seat is provided. The thoracic support structure is pivotally attached to the seat back and pivots between a first position and a second position. In the second position the support structure supports at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine. An actuator disposed between a support surface and the support structure pivots the support structure from the first position to the second position upon actuation.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided, in at least one embodiment, comprising a seatback comprising a cushion having a first hardness, and a pneumatic thoracic support structure positioned adjacent the cushion. In at least one embodiment, the pneumatic thoracic support structure comprises a first bladder selectively inflatable to provide a first area having a second hardness higher than the first hardness, with the first area being disposed along a thoracic region of a user's spine when a user is seated in the seat to provide support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.

Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with a translatable seat cushion, a pivotal seat back, and a head restraint adapted to be mounted for translation adjacent the seat back. An actuator is operably connected to at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back for adjustment of a plurality of settings of the seat assembly. A controller is in electrical communication with the actuator and is configured to receive input indicative of occupant anthropometry data, current physical condition and/or activity level, compare the input with predetermined data ranges, and adjust at least one of the plurality of settings of the actuator to a predetermined setting based on the predetermined range. A computer-program product is programmed for automatically adjusting a seat assembly. A method for adjusting a seat assembly receives anthropometry data for an occupant.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided, in at least one embodiment, comprising a seatback comprising a cushion having a first hardness, and a pneumatic thoracic support structure positioned adjacent the cushion. In at least one embodiment, the pneumatic thoracic support structure comprises a first bladder selectively inflatable to provide a first area having a second hardness higher than the first hardness, with the first area being disposed along a thoracic region of a user's spine when a user is seated in the seat to provide support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.

Abstract: A thoracic support for a seatback of a seat is provided. The thoracic support has a center portion extending in an upright direction and adapted to be positioned adjacent the seatback to align adjacent a thoracic region a user's spine and having a first hardness. A pair of side portions are each disposed on opposing lateral sides of the center portion. The side portions have a second hardness less than the first hardness of the center portion. The pair of side portions and the center portion to define a smooth forward support surface.

Abstract: A thoracic support for a seatback of a seat is provided. The thoracic support has a center portion extending in an upright direction and adapted to be positioned adjacent the seatback to align adjacent a thoracic region a user's spine and having a first hardness. A pair of side portions are each disposed on opposing lateral sides of the center portion. The side portions have a second hardness less than the first hardness of the center portion. The pair of side portions and the center portion to define a smooth forward support surface.

Abstract: A thoracic support for a seatback of a seat is provided. The thoracic support includes a center portion extending in an upright direction and adapted to be positioned adjacent the seatback to align adjacent a thoracic region a user's spine. The center portion is formed of a first foam material having a first hardness. A pair of side portions each disposed adjacent to and are connected with the center portion. The side portions are formed of a second foam material having a second hardness. The first hardness is greater than the second hardness so that the center portion provides support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a seat bottom that includes first and second side frame members and a front cushion module. The front cushion module has a support member and a cushion. The support member has first and second ends that are disposed proximate the front end of the first and second side frame members, respectively. The cushion receives and is supported by the support member and has a front end. The vehicle seat assembly may have an actuator cooperable with the support member for tilting the front end of the cushion relative to the frame members.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a seat bottom that includes first and second side frame members and a front cushion module. The front cushion module has a support member and a cushion. The support member has first and second ends that are disposed proximate the front end of the first and second side frame members, respectively. The cushion receives and is supported by the support member and has a front end. The vehicle seat assembly may have an actuator cooperable with the support member for tilting the front end of the cushion relative to the frame members.

Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with a seat cushion, a seat back, and a head restraint. A plurality of sensors is operably connected to at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back to detect a seating position of an occupant. A media device is provided. A controller is in electrical communication with the plurality of sensors and the media device, and is configured to receive data from the plurality sensors, compare the data to determine if the occupant is seated evenly, and operate the media device to inform the occupant of an uneven posture seating position. A computer-program product is programmed for automatically displaying a pressure distribution upon a seat assembly. The displayed pressure distribution of the seat assembly is from measured pressure values from a plurality of sensors in a plurality of zones of the seat assembly.

Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with a translatable seat cushion, a pivotal seat back, and a head restraint adapted to be mounted for translation adjacent the seat back. An actuator is operably connected to at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back for adjustment of a plurality of settings of the seat assembly. A controller is in electrical communication with the actuator and is configured to receive input indicative of occupant anthropometry data, current physical condition and/or activity level, compare the input with predetermined data ranges, and adjust at least one of the plurality of settings of the actuator to a predetermined setting based on the predetermined range. A computer-program product is programmed for automatically adjusting a seat assembly. A method for adjusting a seat assembly receives anthropometry data for an occupant.

Abstract: A thoracic support for a seat back of a seat is provided. The thoracic support structure is pivotally attached to the seat back and pivots between a first position and a second position. In the second position the support structure supports at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine. An actuator disposed between a support surface and the support structure pivots the support structure from the first position to the second position upon actuation.

Abstract: A thoracic support for a seatback of a seat is provided. The thoracic support includes a center portion extending in an upright direction and adapted to be positioned adjacent the seatback to align adjacent a thoracic region a user's spine. The center portion is formed of a first foam material having a first hardness. A pair of side portions each disposed adjacent to and are connected with the center portion. The side portions are formed of a second foam material having a second hardness. The first hardness is greater than the second hardness so that the center portion provides support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.

Abstract: A system that generates a dynamic seating body pressure distribution data includes a seat and a stimulus applying mechanism that is adapted to apply a stimulus to the seat. A human biofidelic manikin is provided on the seat. A seat pressure distribution sensor array is responsive to the human biofidelic manikin for generating a dynamic seating body pressure distribution data when the stimulus applying mechanism applies a stimulus to the seat.

Abstract: A seatback assembly is provided having a thoracic support structure. The thoracic support structure includes a center portion extending in an upright direction and is adapted to be positioned adjacent the seatback to align adjacent a thoracic region a user's spine. The center portion is formed of a first foam material having a first hardness. A pair of side portions are disposed adjacent to and connected with the center portion. The side portions are formed of a second foam material having a second hardness. The first hardness is greater than the second hardness for providing support to the user's spine. An adjustment mechanism is connected to the thoracic support structure for positioning the support structure along the seatback so that the center portion provides support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided, in at least one embodiment, comprising a seatback comprising a cushion having a first hardness, and a pneumatic thoracic support structure positioned adjacent the cushion. In at least one embodiment, the pneumatic thoracic support structure comprises a first bladder selectively inflatable to provide a first area having a second hardness higher than the first hardness, with the first area being disposed along a thoracic region of a user's spine when a user is seated in the seat to provide support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.

Abstract: A deformable structure for automotive interior components includes a substrate and a cushion element. The cushion element is disposed over the substrate. The cushion element includes a fiber pad and a fibrous cushion section, each of which has cellulosic fibers. The deformable structure also includes a cover disposed over the cushion element. The cushion element is substantially free of any resinous foams. A vehicle seat and trim laminate incorporating the deformable structure is also provided.

Abstract: A system that generates a dynamic seating body pressure distribution data includes a seat and a stimulus applying mechanism that is adapted to apply a stimulus to the seat. A human biofidelic manikin is provided on the seat. A seat pressure distribution sensor array is responsive to the human biofidelic manikin for generating a dynamic seating body pressure distribution data when the stimulus applying mechanism applies a stimulus to the seat.

Abstract: Method of computer-assisted assessment of seat design. The method being applicable to any type of seating, including but not limited to vehicle seating commonly employed in automobiles, watercraft, aircraft, etc. The method may include overlaying a shaped data object relative to an architectural drawing to facilitate assessing component comportment with desired structural boundaries.