Abstract: A seat back for a vehicle seat comprising a panel (4) and a frame structure (6, 8, 10), the frame structure being formed of two metal tubes (6, 8) having first ends joined together by a crossmember ((10) and second ends joined together by a first member to form a tapering framework which is wide at the bottom of the seat back and narrow at the top of the seat back, wherein there is no cross-bracing of the frame between the top and bottom of the seat back. The framework is mounted to the panel such that in use the second ends are positioned near the lower portion of the seat back and the first ends are positioned towards the upper portion of the seat back.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing at least one of a vehicle seat structure, a vehicle seat and a vehicle seat bench. The method may include forming at least one back shell extending in a direction transverse to a direction of travel and having a front side relative to the direction of travel and a back side relative to the direction of travel, a frame structure, reinforcement ribs arranged on the front side of the back shell, absorption ribs arranged on the back side of the back shell, and structural insertion components arranged on the back shell and/or the frame structure. The forming includes molding at least the back shell and the frame structure as a one-piece integrated structural component.

Abstract: A composite component (110) for a vehicle seat (1), in particular a motor vehicle seat, having a plurality of fabric layers (116) of a fiber material and a matrix material (118) fixing the fabric layers (116). The outer component contour of the composite component (110) is at least in some sections formed by a fabric strand (125) embedded into the matrix material (118). A vehicle seat (1), in particular a motor vehicle seat, includes a composite component, in particular with a backrest structure (110) designed as the composite component.

Abstract: A chair strengthens core muscle groups and promotes circulation along the gluteal and piriformis muscle groups. Locking castors enable the chair to be moved in busy environments, yet fix the position of the chair when needed. A user of the chair may activate a number of massaging elements by rocking side to side, and may perform back stretches while in the seated position. Additional active massaging elements may alert the user and further promote proper use. Adjustable elements allow users to tailor the chair to their specific needs. Embedded energy harvesters supply power to record and transmit data to users to enhance their awareness of their seating position. Thus a versatile seat is provided that is better suited to active environments while broadening the range of elements of core strengthening, massaging, circulation, and seated exercise.

Abstract: A chair including a dynamically-flexible back and seat having a shape that adjusts to the movements of a user seated in the chair to enhance user comfort. Each of the back and seat has an air gap formed therewithin and a resilient frame or liner with a spring memory. The resilient liner is adapted to flex in response to compressive forces that are generated as the user slides his body back or from side-to-side in the chair. Accordingly, some of the chair back and some of the chair seat move into respective air gaps so that the shapes of the back and seat change to conform to the movements of the user. The air gaps also establish air flow ventilation channels which run laterally through the back and seat of the chair.

Abstract: A backrest mechanism for a chair includes a pair of left and right side rods, each having a folded portion in a laid-V shape in a side view at a portion for supporting a sitting person around his or her lumbar, and a back plate that connects opposing surfaces of the side rods. An upper portion of the back plate above the folded portions serves as a flexible portion that is elastically deformable in a backward direction and that has smaller rigidity than the left and right side rods, and a lower portion of the back plate below the flexible portion serves as an inflexible portion that has greater rigidity than the flexible portion.

Abstract: A waist receiving portion, which is provided at a support member, is curved to form a convex shape toward a front side in a seat front and rear direction in side view. Accordingly, when a waist portion of an occupant is pressed against the waist receiving portion, the change of the shape of lumbar vertebrae is suppressed. For this reason, since it is possible to reduce the difference between a timing when a head portion of the occupant is pressed against a headrest and a timing when a neck portion of the occupant is pressed against a neck receiving portion, it is possible to suppress swing of the head portion of the occupant about the neck portion as a fulcrum in the seat front and rear direction. Therefore, a burden to the neck portion of the occupant is reduced.

Abstract: An aircraft seat back including a composite material seat back frame element and a composite seat back diaphragm molded to the seat back frame element during a molding step to provide a composite aircraft seat back formed of a seat back frame element and a seat back diaphragm.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat back having a backrest, a backrest support, and a linkage arranged to interconnect the backrest and the backrest support. The linkage is configured to support the backrest for movement relative to the backrest support.

Abstract: A seat back frame for the vehicle seat, includes a pair of side frames that are disposed on both sides in a seat width direction; and a supporting plate that has both ends connected to a bottom section of each of the side frames, wherein the supporting plate is at least disposed along an interval between a first height that corresponds to an upper part of a lumbar vertebra of an occupant seated in the seat and a second height that corresponds to a lower part of the lumbar vertebra, and curves in a manner such that, in a cross-section along with a vertical direction, the supporting plate bulges forward along a line from the first height to the second height.

Abstract: A backrest includes a shell having a first, forwardly facing support surface being more pronounced along upper and lower portions of a central, spine region relative to a middle portion of the central spine region and relative to side regions adjacent the central, spine region. A cushion is disposed over the first support surface. In one aspect, the cushion has a second, forwardly facing support surface being free of any corresponding pronounced portions overlying the pronounced upper and lower portions of the central, spine region of the underlying shell. In another aspect, a chair includes a backrest as disclosed. Methods of use and assembly also are provided.

Abstract: A backrest device for a chair, in which a backboard is easily flexible without a reduction in its strength, thus making the chair comfortable to sit on. The lower ends of both right and left sides of the back frame are supported at both sides at the back of a leg body, and the flexible back board is formed on the inside of rear frames. A large number of openings are formed in the backboard so as to be close to each other in the top-bottom and left-right directions. Between openings adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, there is formed a connection section continuing in the top-bottom direction, and the dimension in the front-back direction of the connection section is made larger than the dimension in the left-right direction of the connection section.

Abstract: A cushion for a chair includes a cushion body (20) having a mediate position provided with a convex waist support portion (21), an upper end provided with an inclined backrest support portion (22) and a lower end provided with a concave resting portion (24). Thus, the backrest support portion and the waist support portion of the cushion body are designed to fit the user's back and waist ergonomically so that the cushion body can support the user's back and waist smoothly and exactly. In addition, the upper buffering space (202) and the lower buffering space (201) of the cushion body provide a buffering effect to allow deformation of the cushion body so as to regulate the user's seating posture and to provide a comfortable sensation to the user.

Abstract: A waist receiving portion, which is provided at a support member, is curved to form a convex shape toward a front side in a seat front and rear direction in side view. Accordingly, when a waist portion of an occupant is pressed against the waist receiving portion, the change of the shape of lumbar vertebrae is suppressed. For this reason, since it is possible to reduce the difference between a timing when a head portion of the occupant is pressed against a headrest and a timing when a neck portion of the occupant is pressed against a neck receiving portion, it is possible to suppress swing of the head portion of the occupant about the neck portion as a fulcrum in the seat front and rear direction. Therefore, a burden to the neck portion of the occupant is reduced.

Abstract: A body support structure includes a support frame having at least first and second opposite side portions and defining an opening therebetween. A molded elastomeric member is connected to the first and second side portions and suspended over the opening. The molded elastomeric member includes a mechanical structure decoupling the molded elastomeric member in first and second directions such that the molded elastomeric member has different load bearing characteristics in the first and second directions, wherein the first direction is different than the second direction. A method for forming a load bearing structure is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a chair capable of providing protection to an occupant in the event of an explosion. The chair may provide a protective “cocoon” for an occupant and may intercept projectiles such as debris, fragments and glass shards. The chair may also reduce blast over-pressure acting on an occupant's ears, reduce shock levels acting on an occupant's lungs and provide protection against an occupant being unseated by an explosion.

Abstract: A tiltable chair including a base, a fulcrum member having a curved support surface, a back support pivotally connected to the base at a pivot axis and pivotable between at least an upright position and a rearward tilt position, and at least one leaf spring having first and second ends, with the first end being restrained by the base. The at least one leaf spring engages the curved support surface of the fulcrum member at a first contact point when the back support is in the upright position and at a second contact point when the back support is in the rearward tilt position, wherein the second contact point is positioned rearwardly on the at least one leaf spring relative to the first contact point. A link member is pivotally connected to the back support at a first pivot location and is pivotally connected to the at least one leaf spring at a second pivot location. The link member defines a vector between the first and second pivot locations and the first pivot location and the pivot axis define a plane.

Abstract: A cushion subassembly includes a support, a cushion of non-woven polymeric (PET) or PETE fibers with a formed edge that wraps over an edge of the support, and an upholstery sock pulled onto and covering the support and the cushion. The formed edge has sufficient structure to retain the cushion in place on the support as the upholstery sock is pulled onto the support. A back support shell supports the cushion assembly, and has first fasteners that engage in a first direction and second fasteners that prevent disengagement. The cushion assembly is stressed during assembly, especially at corners, but is thermally stress-relieved after assembly to relax the polymeric fibers and the upholstery sock to a state of minimized balanced tension. The back support shell includes a shallow depression on its face. The cushion fills the depression sufficient to eliminate loose fabric but provides a same force deflection curve across its shape.

Abstract: A seating structure includes a plurality of boss structures arranged in a pattern and a plurality of web structures joining adjacent boss structures within the pattern. At least some of the web structures are spaced apart such that they define openings therebetween. Adjacent rows of said web structures are spaced or staggered.

Abstract: The present invention is a lumbar and bolster support for a seat, especially for an automotive second row seat or a chair back rest. The lumbar and bolster support has a lumbar support member adjustable between a retracted position and an extended position, and a first bolster member and a second bolster member adjustable between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat back frame of a rectangular shape having a pair of side frames, upper and lower seat springs mounted between the side frames, and a flexible cushion plate in the form of a single plate attached to the seat springs. The cushion plate has a lower wide section supporting the vicinity of ilia (S) of a seated occupant (P), and a narrow middle section for reducing hold performance for the vicinity of a waist of the seated occupant (P). The cushion plate has an upper edge projecting slightly higher than a ninth dorsal vertebra (R) of the seated occupant (P).

Abstract: A back for a patient chair having a back shell with a substantially rigid central S-shaped central portion and laterally extending wing portions which have sufficient flexibility to allow deflection in the direction of the front surface upon imposition of a force. The back consists of a formed back shell, a cushion layer laid thereover and an upholstery layer covering the cushion, with the upholstery layer adhered to the cushion and having edge margins wrapped around the outer edge margins of the cushion. The cushion and upholstery material are secured to the back shell through adhesive applied between the wrapped over edge margin portions of the upholstery material and the back shell.

Abstract: In the case of a vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, with a seat part and a backrest as seat components, of which at least one seat component has a structure (11) and at least one adapter (15) arranged on the structure (11), the adapter (15) bears extensively and with a form-fitting connection on the structure (11).

Abstract: A tiltable chair including a housing, a back support pivotally attached to the housing about a first horizontal axis and a seat support pivotally attached to the back support about a second horizontal axis and moveably supported by a curved track formed on the housing. A leaf spring includes a first end supported by the housing and a second end biasing the back support and seat support in an upward direction. Preferably, a fulcrum member, which includes a support surface having a curvilinear contour, is moveably supported in the housing and engages a bottom surface of the spring intermediate the first and second ends of the spring. Preferably, a linkage mechanism including a first and second link is adapted to adjust the position of the fulcrum. In another preferred embodiment, a gear housing is removably disposed in said housing and coupled to the fulcrum. In one preferred embodiment, rearward and forward tilt limiters are provided.

Abstract: A back construction includes a back shell having stiff thoracic and pelvic regions connected by a flexible lumbar region in a manner adapted to ergonomically support a seated user. The back shell includes spaced-apart resilient edge strips and leaf springs attached to or embedded into the edge strip. The springs match a curvature of the strips and span the lumbar region, biasing the lumbar region of the back shell forwardly in a manner distributing stress applied to the lumbar region by the seated user.

Abstract: A back construction includes an inverted U-shaped back frame and a back shell supported on the back frame and having stiff thoracic and pelvic regions connected by a flexible lumbar region in a manner adapted to ergonomically support a seated user. The lumber section includes a plurality of vertically spaced slots to increase its flexibility. The back shell has a complex curved shape that is forwardly concave in horizontal cross section and forwardly convex in vertical cross section. A force-generating mechanism biases the lumber section forwardly for lumbar support to a seated user.

Abstract: The core (1) of a seat back, which will be upholstered to form the complete back, is a moulded plastics sheet bowed forwardly and with attachment points (12) near top and bottom for securing to a rigid support. The sheet is constructed to be stiffer over its upper portion then over the lower and, when secured, to be able to ripple or alter its curvature between the attachment points. It may have wings (2) inclining forwardly at each side with closed end slots (3) between the wings (2) and the central zone (8) of the core. The wings can be divided into generally horizontal sections carried by integrally moulded transverse ribs (4) spanning the slots (3), the division between sections being by slots (13) or narrow membranes (6). The top of the core may also be divided into side-by-sections, the division being by slots (14) or narrow membranes (11).

Abstract: A back construction includes a back shell having stiff thoracic and pelvic regions connected by a flexible lumbar region in a manner adapted to ergonomically support a seated user. The back shell includes springs that press on a rear surface of the back shell to bias the flexible lumbar region forwardly so as to support a seated user, thus biasing the lumbar region of the back shell forwardly in a manner distributing stress applied to the lumbar region by the seated user.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a seating unit, such as a chair, includes manufacturing a cushion made from a non-woven fibrous material, and attaching the cushion to the seating unit for comfortable support. The cushion is made by cutting a blank from non-woven fibrous sheet material, steam-forming the blank into a pre-formed cushion shaped to support a user, and attaching a stiffener panel to the pre-formed cushion to provide a stiffened cushion assembly. The cushion assembly is aesthetically covered and assembled to seating unit. Advantageously, trimmings from the fibrous material can be recycled.

Abstract: The core (1) of a seat back, which will be upholstered to form the complete back, is a moulded plastics sheet bowed forwardly and with attachment points (12) near top and bottom for securing to a rigid support. The sheet is constructed to be stiffer over its upper portion then over the lower and, when secured, to be able to ripple or alter its curvature between the attachment points. It may have wings (2) inclining forwardly at each side with closed end slots (3) between the wings (2) and the central zone (8) of the core. The wings can be divided into generally horizontal sections carried by integrally moulded transverse ribs (4) spanning the slots (3), the division between sections being by slots (13) or narrow membranes (6). The top of the core may also be divided into side-by-sections, the division being by slots (14) or narrow membranes (11).

Abstract: A wheelchair backrest assembly is attachable to a wheelchair to replace the standard web or sling-type back. The backrest assembly is comprised of a rectangular frame having a central opening defined within it, the rectangular frame has sides curved forwardly to accommodate users of various sizes and shapes. A plurality of support members are attached to the frame and mountable to the upright cane portions of the wheelchair. The front portion of the rectangular frame, or that portion facing the wheelchair user, is covered by a cushioned pad, the back of which has a plurality of pockets designed to accommodate formable stays. The shape of each stay may be molded by hand and should be of a material resilient enough to withstand frequent reforming and yet should be strong enough such that when a user reclines against the backrest, the stays remain in place.

Abstract: A furniture component, such as a chair back or seat, includes a panel component made of a flexible compliant plastic, and a rigid tubular perimeter frame integrally molded onto and hence bonded to a perimeter flange of the panel component to structurally support the panel component. The panel component includes horizontally extending flexible strips shaped to provide comfortable support for a seated user. The perimeter frame extends continuously around the enlarged show area and is made by gas assist processes, which cause the perimeter frame to be tubular and hollow for increased strength-to-weight ratio. Methods related to the above are also disclosed.

Abstract: The backrest of a chair comprises an inner low rigidity flexible back-receiving portion and an outer high-rigidity side frame spaced from the back-receiving portion via a slit. The backrest is integrally molded by synthetic resin, thereby shortening manufacturing process and reducing its cost. Comfort of a sitting person is also attained.

Abstract: An article, particularly of furniture, such as a chair, at least a portion of which is shaped and decorated whereby to simulate an equivalent article having a fabric article such as a shirt arranged over it. The simulation may be achieved by the shape of the portion and/or the texture of its surface and/or surface decoration. A lower part of the chair back is formed as a suspended flap to provide flexible support of the lumbar region of a person sitting on the chair.

Abstract: A chair includes a base, a back, and a seat with at least one of the back and seat including a cushion made from a non-woven fibrous material. A method includes steps of cutting a blank from a sheet of non-woven fibrous material, forming the blank into a preformed cushion shaped to support one of a user's back or buttock and thighs, and attaching the preformed cushion to a support panel to provide a stiffened cushion assembly and covering the cushion assembly to provide an aesthetically covered chair component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seat back for a vehicle with a one-piece supporting structure made of light metal alloy, with a frame having an essentially rectangular contour and defining the upper, the lower and the two lateral delimitations of the seat back. A particularly stable embodiment is achieved by having a cross-shaped reinforcement rib accommodated in the frame in the vicinity of its diagonals, said rib being provided with rib structures arranged thereon in a grid-like configuration.

Abstract: A chair including a seat, a support member, an outwardly extending projection and a chair back. A support member extends upward adjacent a rear portion of the seat. An outwardly extending projection is attached the support member. The chair back includes front, back, top and bottom surfaces. The chair back has a cavity opening downwardly toward the bottom surface and an aperture is the back surface. The aperture extends in a direction from the cavity to the back surface and communicates with the cavity. The top portion of the support member extends into the cavity and the projection extends into the aperture.

Abstract: A plastic contoured seat back includes an inner and an outer shell affixed together. The inner shell includes a three dimensionally curved front surface and a two dimensionally curved back surface. The inner shell may include an internal rib adjacent the top of the shell that is shaped differently from the top edge of the inner shell. The internal rib is adapted to allow the inner shell to be cut adjacent the internal rib so that the inner shell can be varied in shape. The shell may also include indentations on the back side of the shell adjacent the corners of the inner shell. The indentations are dimensioned to receive overlapping fabric that is pulled around the corners such that the fabric on the back of the shell adjacent the corners does not project outwardly more than the fabric elsewhere, despite the over lapping of the fabric at the corners.