Abstract: A seat assembly is provided having a seat bottom and at least one bladder mounted to the seat bottom adjacent a forward surface and filled with a compressible material. The bladder is moveable between a storage position and at least one leg-support position. A valve is in fluid communication with the at least one bladder. A vacuum pump in fluid communication with the valve. The compressible material is compressed under vacuum pressure generated by the pump when the valve is closed in the storage position. The compressible material is expanded when the valve is open to move the at least one bladder to the leg-support position.

Abstract: A seat assembly is provided having a seat bottom and at least one bladder mounted to the seat bottom adjacent a forward surface and filled with a compressible material. The bladder is moveable between a storage position and at least one leg-support position. A valve is in fluid communication with the at least one bladder. A vacuum pump in fluid communication with the valve. The compressible material is compressed under vacuum pressure generated by the pump when the valve is closed in the storage position. The compressible material is expanded when the valve is open to move the at least one bladder to the leg-support position.

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 seat assembly having a seat back and a thoracic support mechanism. The thoracic support mechanism may have a flex plate that may be movably disposed on a support member of the seat back frame. A first actuator may flex the flex plate. A second actuator may actuate the flex plate along the support member.

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 seat assembly is provided with a seat bottom and a seat back mounted adjacent the bottom. The seat back and seat bottom are provided with an occupant seating surface. At least one air bladder is oriented in a sacral region the seat bottom or the seat back. The air bladder has a support surface defined by a enlarged width portion and extends to an elongated tapered portion. When the air bladder is inflated, the support surface is inclined from the taper portion to the enlarged width portion relative to the seating surface.

Abstract: A seat assembly having a seat back and a thoracic support mechanism. The thoracic support mechanism may have a flex plate that may be movably disposed on a support member of the seat back frame. A first actuator may flex the flex plate. A second actuator may actuate the flex plate along the support member.

Abstract: An air bladder assembly for a seat comprising is provided. A central sacral bladder has a support surface defined by an enlarged width portion connected to an elongated tapered portion, wherein the tapered portion is defined by elongated lateral sides. A pair of side iliac bladders is provided so that one of the side bladders is positioned adjacent each of the elongated sides of the central bladder. A support surface of the central air bladder is not parallel to a support surface of the side air bladders when the air bladder assembly is inflated.

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 seat assembly is provided with a seat bottom and a seat back mounted adjacent the bottom. The seat back and seat bottom are provided with an occupant seating surface. At least one air bladder is oriented in a sacral region the seat bottom or the seat back. The air bladder has a support surface defined by a enlarged width portion and extends to an elongated tapered portion. When the air bladder is inflated, the support surface is inclined from the taper portion to the enlarged width portion relative to the seating surface.

Abstract: An air bladder assembly for a seat comprising is provided. A central sacral bladder has a support surface defined by an enlarged width portion connected to an elongated tapered portion, wherein the tapered portion is defined by elongated lateral sides. A pair of side iliac bladders is provided so that one of the side bladders is positioned adjacent each of the elongated sides of the central bladder. A support surface of the central air bladder is not parallel to a support surface of the side air bladders when the air bladder assembly is inflated.

Abstract: A thoracic support assembly for a seat back of a seat assembly. The thoracic support assembly may include a cover and a thoracic support pad. The thoracic support pad may be movable with respect to the cover and may be configured to support at least a portion of a thoracic region of a user's spine.

Abstract: A thoracic support assembly for a seat back of a seat assembly. The thoracic support assembly may include a cover and a thoracic support pad. The thoracic support pad may be movable with respect to the cover and may be configured to support at least a portion of a thoracic region of a user's spine.

Abstract: A thoracic support assembly for a seat back of a seat assembly. The thoracic support assembly may include a cover and a thoracic support pad. The thoracic support pad may be movable with respect to the cover and may be configured to support at least a portion of a thoracic region of a 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 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 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: An extricable seat assembly attachable to a cockpit of a vehicle is configured to allow a driver to be supported in an outstretched position and to allow removal of portions of the seat assembly. The seat assembly generally includes a bottom portion to support the lower torso of the driver, a back portion to support the spinal column of the driver, a left portion to support the left paraspinal area of the driver, and a right portion to support the right paraspinal area of the driver. The bottom portion has a hingedly connectable upper edge. The back portion has a lower edge hingedly and detachably connected to the upper edge of the bottom portion. The back portion further has hingedly connectable left and right edges.