Abstract: A chair having a back support arrangement which incorporates therein a height adjustable lumbar mechanism. The lumbar mechanism includes a vertically movable slide assembly which non-positively mounts thereon a lumbar support and a handle for adjusting the vertical position thereof. A detent mechanism is provided which cooperates between the slide assembly and a rigid upright of the chair to enable the adjustment of the height of the lumbar support by the user.

Abstract: A back for a seating unit, such as a chair, includes a back frame and a compliant back that is flexibly bendable to define different curvilinear shapes for sympathetically and ergonomically supporting a seated user's back. The back includes a bracket with forwardly-extending flanges pivotally connecting the compliant back to the back frame at a bottom connection generally aligned with a seated user's hip joint. The back also includes a top connection pivotally connecting the back to the back frame above the first connection. An adjustable torsional force-generating mechanism is connected to the first connection that biases a lumbar portion of the compliant back forward with respect to the chair. The top and bottom connections, in combination with the adjustable force generating mechanism, constrain the compliant back to move over a range that provides excellent ergonomic lumbar support to a seated user.

Abstract: A seating unit includes a flexible back including a concavely-shaped lumbar region, and a tensioned cover stretched over the concavely-shaped lumbar region. A lumbar device is fit between the front surface and the covering, with a tension of the covering biasing the lumbar device against the lumbar region and resulting in a frictional force retaining the lumbar device in a selected vertical position. In one form, the lumbar device is sufficiently stiff to maintain its vertical cross sectional shape and to change a shape of the lumbar region as the lumbar device is adjusted vertically, but is sufficiently flexible to conform to a horizontal shape of the lumbar region as a seated user moves and twists while seated in the seating unit.

Abstract: A seating system, for example a paediatric seating system for wheelchairs, provides appropriate support for a person using the chair by providing adjustable components to support specific anatomical areas of the back, pelvis and upper leg and, more specifically, three components that stabilize the pelvis of that person. These components comprise an elevation change in the seat, a pad at the back that provides resistance to the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) and a pair of anterior pelvic pads that stabilize below the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS).

Abstract: Ergonomic chair-armchair structure, particularly for office, of the type with an adjustable kidneyrest and headrest, including a base with related support vertical column of a seat and a back, the latter of the type obtained by a tensioned sheet between the two sides of the chair-armchair, in which a support element of the headrest and of the kidneyrest, extended according to the profile of the back is closed to the back side of the latter, being, on one side, downwardly fixed to the seat, and on the other to a connecting cross element between the sides of the armchair; and furthermore in which said kidneyrest and headrest are adjustable along the said support element, providing selective locking means.

Abstract: A spine support comprises at least one bending element (20, 20′) a plurality of supporting elements (30) essentially orthogonal arranged to the at least one bending element (20) and connected with it; and a first operating element (40, 40′) arranged such that its operation leads to a bending of the at least one bending element (20). Two pairs of bowden cables (40, 60) for adjusting the spine support are operated by a control unit (90) comprising two coaxially arranged axles (91, 92). Preferably on at least one of the axles (91, 92) a receiver (96) for the inner steel cables of one of the two pairs of bowden cables and a receptacle (97) for the corresponding covers of the bowden cables are provided. The receiver (96) and the receptacle (97) approach each other or move away from each other under a rotation of the axle, depending on the direction of the rotation.

Abstract: A waistrest assembly comprises two adjusting seats securely attached to two lateral sides of a backrest, respectively, two connecting blocks, and a waistrest. Each adjusting seat includes a vertical guide slot. Each connecting block is snugly held in and slidable along an associated vertical guide slot. The waistrest comprises a support plate and a pad securely attached to a side of the support plate. The support plate includes a connecting portion in each of two ends thereof. A fastener is extended through an associated connecting block and an associated connecting portion to thereby secure the support plate and the connecting block together. The connecting blocks are movable in the vertical guide slots to thereby adjust a vertical position of the pad of the waistrest.

Abstract: A seating unit is provided having a base assembly, a back frame pivoted to the base assembly for movement between upright and reclined positions, and a seat slidably supported on the base assembly and pivoted to the back frame so that the seat moves forwardly and its rear moves forwardly and downwardly with the back frame upon recline. A flexible back is connected to the back frame at top and bottom locations and is provided with lumbar adjustment for improved lumbar force/support and shape. A seat is provided with seat depth adjustment and with active and passive thigh flex support. A novel energy mechanism is provided that includes a moment arm shift adjuster for adjusting the spring tension on the back frame. The moment arm shift adjuster is readily adjustable and includes an overtorque device to prevent damage to components of the energy mechanism.

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: A lumbar support employing a supporting member having a plurality of elastic support wings interposed between upper and lower car seat frames wherein the plurality of support wings are folded at both side end parts. A support plate having a center portion which is curved and protrudes substantially outward from the center and includes locking grooves formed at both upper and lower ends. Preferably, a support height control member is operably disposed at one side of the support plate for controlling the height of the protruded center portion of the support plate. A lumbar support locking apparatus is also provided which includes members for fixing the respective upper and lower locking grooves of the support plate in relative engagement with the locking grooves of the locking member. The lumbar support locking apparatus also includes a pair of front fixing pieces formed on opposing sides which are adapted to be inserted into engagement with the seat frames.

Abstract: A chair back is provided with an adjustable lumbar support member. The vertical height of the lumbar support member and/or the amount of lumbar support which is provided by the chair back may be adjusted. The controls for adjusting the lumbar support member are positionable on the sides and the rear surface of the chair back.