AU2003293256B2 - Apparatus and method for bi-directional cable adjustment of an ergonomic support - Google Patents

Description

WO 2004/049869 PCT/US2003/038330 Apparatus and Method for Bi-directional Cable Adjustment of an Ergonomic Support Cross-Reference to Related Applications This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Applications Nos. 10/307,627 and 10/307,665 both filed December 2, 2002 Statement Regarding Federally Sponsored Research or Development.

Not Applicable.

Appendix.

Not Applicable.

Background of the Invention Field of the Invention The present invention is in the field of adjustable ergonomic supports for seats, especially automobile seats. This invention relates generally to an apparatus for reducing muscle fatigue and discomfort of a seated occupant and, more particularly, to an adjustable ergonomic support structure in a seat. The support structure in a seat may be adjusted to relieve muscle fatigue and discomfort.

Related Art A variety of adjustable ergonomic supports for seating are known. These systems involve movement of an ergonomic support towards and away from the seat occupant in order to support various portions of the seat occupant's body. Many such ergonomic support devices, especially lumbar supports, also move vertically, so that apex of a lumbar supporting arch may be adjusted up and down so that the supports may be custom adjusted to particular individuals spine.

WO 2004/049869 PCTIUS2003/038330 Individuals who remain seated for an extended period of time may develop symptoms of muscle fatigue and blood circulation problems. It is known that such muscle fatigue and circulation problems may be relieved, in part, by a lumbar support whose position is adjustable along a guide track.

Such lumbar supports may be roughly divided into four classes. There is an arching basket type, see, U.S. Patent No. 5,498,063; a push paddle type see, U.S. Patent Application No.

09/798,657; a tensioning strap type, see, U.S. Patent No. 5,769,490; and pneumatic systems, see, U.S. Patent No. 5,637,076, all incorporated by reference herein. All of these various types may be mounted on vertical slides so that they can be adjusted vertically. It is common for arching pressure surface type lumbar supports to be mounted on vertical guide rods. A pressure surface may be flexed or bowed outwards to provide a lumbar support, generally through the application of traction via a cable. The release of cable traction allows the natural bias of the pressure surface, usually stamped metal or molded plastic, to flatten it into a rest position, which action is augmented by the weight of the seat occupant.

There is not any natural bias or external force that helps the arching pressure surface type lumbar support to move in either vertical direction however. Prior art lumbar supports have achieved vertical movement of the arching pressure surface by biasing it towards a rest position, usually a bottom position, with springs. Vertical movement into a higher position has been achieved by attaching a single traction cable to the arching pressure surface. This mechanism requires a traction cable and an actuator for applying traction to the cable that are of a heavy enough gauge and great enough power can overcome the opposing tensioning force of the spring.

Conventional adjustable lumbar support systems typically employ a mechanical adjusting means or a motor and gearbox assembly, commonly referred to as actuators, as an WO 2004/049869 PCTiUS2003/038330 adjusting means. A four-way power lumbar support system may provide a level adjustment in a vertical direction and an arching adjustment of a flexible, resilient support element in a horizontal direction toward and away from a seat occupant. Such a system requires two separate actuators, that is, one for each adjustment direction.

Conventional variable lumbar support devices have generally included two traction cables for applying the force of the actuators to the lumbar support. Bowden cables are commonly used as traction cables for such devices. Lumbar supports employing Bowden type or other traction cable assemblies as part of a means for adjusting the lumbar support in a seat are known. Bowden or traction cables are coaxial mechanical devices wherein a wire slides axially through a sleeve or conduit. Traction cables have been found to be an efficient means for applying traction to moving parts of a lumbar support.

It is known to anchor a traction cable sleeve end to one part of the lumbar support device and to anchor the traction cable wire end to another part of the movable lumbar support device.

When so anchored, drawing the traction cable wire through the traction cable sleeve causes the moving parts of the lumbar support device to travel from a relaxed, substantially flat and nonsupporting position to a tensioned, supporting position such as a bowed arch. In the more expensive lumbar support systems, traction is applied via an electric motor, which acts on the end of the traction cable opposite the lumbar support device to draw the wire of a traction cable through the sleeve of the traction cable. For devices to be installed in more economical seats, mechanical actuators are used.

Prior art devices are known which provide lumbar supports that are slidable along a guide track. The support elements may be rigid or flexible. In some of these prior art devices, a traction cable is used to apply force to the support member for adjustment of the support member WO 2004/049869 PCTUS2003/038330 in one direction. Such an arrangement in conventional lumbar support systems has typically required the use of a spring to counteract the force of the traction cable, to bias the support member towards a rest position and to apply force to the support member in the return direction.

Use of a spring to counteract the force of the traction cable is disadvantageous because overcoming the spring requires higher operating forces for the lumbar support system.

Such devices include several other drawbacks and limitations as well. Many of the commonly used adjustable lumbar support devices are composed of a relatively large number of parts. This is problematic because it renders these types of devices difficult to manufacture, package and assemble. Weight and expense are increased. Furthermore, these relatively complex conventional lumbar support devices are expensive to manufacture and may be unreliable and prone to breakdown. More powerful motors are required to overcome the forces of the springs, further increasing weight and expense. In mechanically actuated devices, complicated linkages become necessary to overcome the spring force.

Highly competitive markets for automobile seats and furniture place a premium on optimization of weight, cost and durability. There is a need in the industry for reducing the complication of assemblies, reducing packaging size, reducing cost and increasing durability.

Accordingly, the need exists to provide an improved power lumbar support system that is costeffective and light weight, yet still provides the quality of performance equal to that of conventional lumbar support systems.

In the lumbar support field, as in auto parts in general, there is a continuing need for reducing costs, complexity and expense and also a continuing need for increasing durability, simplicity, compactness and ease of assembly. There is a need in the lumbar support arts for WO 2004/049869 PCTiUS2003/038330 achieving vertical movement for a lumbar support in a manner that avoids the expense, complexity and weight of prior art single cable and spring apparatuses.

Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least z ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art or at least to provide a useful alternative.

Summary of the Invention The present invention relates to an ergonomic support device intended for use in In automobile seats and furniture. The present invention, at least in its preferred forms, provides a power lumbar support system having improved the packaging dimensions and Nq lighter weight, and lower cost. Use of this cable assembly may also allow for the use of 0 smaller diameter cables and a less expensive, lower power actuator.

N In a first aspect, the present invention provides a variable ergonomic support comprising: a support assembly mountable on a seat frame; a pressure element engaged with said support assembly to move in relation to Is said support assembly in a first direction and in a second direction, said directions being substantially parallel and opposite; a first traction element engaged with said support assembly and said pressure element such that a first tractive force exerted by said first traction element moves said pressure element in said first direction; a second traction element engaged with said support assembly and with said pressure element such that a second tractive force exerted by said second traction element moves said pressure element in said second direction; and 6a at least one actuator engaged with said first traction element and with said second traction element.

O In second aspect, the present invention provides a variable ergonomic support zq comprising: a support assembly mountable on a seat frame; a pressure element engaged with said support assembly to move in relation to tsaid support assembly in a first direction and in a second direction, said directions being Cc substantially parallel and opposite; I a first traction element engaged with said support assembly and said pressure element such that a first tractive force exerted by a first actuator on said first traction C element moves said pressure element in said first direction; and a second traction element engaged with said support assembly and with said pressure element such that a second tractive force exerted by a second actuator on said second traction element moves said pressure element in said second direction.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a variable ergonomic support comprising: at least one guide rod; a support element slidably engaged with said guide rod; means for engaging a first traction cable with said support element such that traction on said first traction cable moves said support element in a first direction; and means for engaging a second traction cable with said support element such that traction on said traction cable moves said support element in a second direction substantially parallel and opposite said first direction.

In alternative embodiments, two separate traction cables may be used, or a single traction cable disposed in a loop fashion may be used.

Traction cables, such as the commonly used Bowden cable, are coaxial mechanical devices having a conduit or sleeve inside of which a wire is disposed to slide axially. In all embodiments, an end of a Bowden cable sleeve (or wire) is mounted to a fixed, non-moving support bracket and an end of the Bowden cable wire (or sleeve) is fixed to the arching pressure surface. An actuator at WO 2004/049869 PCT/US2003/038330 the other end of the Bowden cable applies traction, drawing the wire into the cable. At the first end of the Bowden cable the wire, now under traction, draws the pressure surface to which it is attached towards the fixed mounting of the Bowden cable sleeve end. The pressure surface slides vertically along the guide rails. The second Bowden cable sleeve end is also fixedly mounted to a bracket and a second Bowden cable wire end is also attached to the pressure surface and disposed to pull the pressure surface in the opposite vertical direction when tension is applied to the second Bowden cable wire. The fixed mounting of the Bowden cable sleeves may be on opposite vertical ends of the pressure surface. Alternatively, the fixed mounting of the Bowden cable sleeves may be on the same vertical end of the arching pressure surface, with the direction of one end of one of them redirected 180° by a pulley or other deflection apparatus fixedly mounted on the opposite end of the lumbar support. The two Bowden cable sleeve ends and wire ends may be opposite ends of a single Bowden cable, with an actuator remotely engaged thereto in order to pull it in either direction.

Alternatively, two separate Bowden cables may be used. Two separate Bowden cables may be driven by a single actuator capable of bi-directional action, or by two separate actuators.

In an alternative embodiment, this device includes a fixed mounting bracket having a first sleeve support, a second sleeve support and a slider guide; a traction cable having a wire disposed to slide axially through a first sleeve and second sleeve, with the first sleeve having a first sleeve end attached to the first sleeve support and a second sleeve end attached to an actuator operatively engaged with the wire, and the second sleeve having a first sleeve end attached to the second sleeve support and a second sleeve end attached to the actuator. The device further includes a slider that is attached to the wire. The slider is operatively engaged to the slider guide and adjusts an axial position of a flexible support element as it slides along the slider guide.

WO 2004/049869 PCT/US2003/038330 Additional features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various preferred embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

WO 2004/049869 PCTiUS2003/038330 Brief Description of the Drawings The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 illustrates a back view of a prior art four way lumbar support; Figure 2 illustrates a back view of a first embodiment of the two cable four way lumbar support of the present invention; Figure 3 illustrates a back view of another embodiment of the four way lumbar support of the present invention; and Figure 4 illustrates a side view of the second embodiment of two cable lumbar support of the present invention.

Fig. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the lumbar support system of the present invention.

Fig. 6 illustrates a rear view of the lumbar support system of the present invention.

Fig. 7 illustrates a front view of the lumbar support system of the present invention, without the basket attached.

Fig. 8 illustrates a rear view of the lumbar support system of the present invention, without the basket attached.

Fig. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the slider of the present invention.

Fig. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional bottom view of the slider of the present invention.

Fig. 11 illustrates front view of an embodiment of the present invention without the basket attached, having a two-cable assembly for height adjustment of the flexible support element.

WO 2004/049869 PCT/US2003/038330 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers indicate like elements, Figure 1 depicts a prior art four way lumbar support from a back view. An arching pressure surface 2 is mounted on guide rails 4 at slide mounts 6. The slide mounts 6 allow vertical or "up and down" travel of the entire arching pressure surface 2. Up and down are two of the "four way" directions in which such a lumbar support may move. The other two of the four ways are "in and out." That is, towards a seat occupant and away from the seat occupant. Movement towards the seat occupant is achieved by arching the flexible pressure surface 2. It is achieved by moving the two pairs of slide guide rail mounts 6 towards one another. This movement is achieved by a traction cable drawing an upper portion and a lower portion of the arching pressure surface together.

Accordingly, there is a traction cable 8 consisting of traction cable conduit 10 (also called a "sleeve" or "sheath"). A wire 12 is drawn coaxially through the conduit 10, applying traction to the lumbar support. Traction is applied at the other end of the traction cable 8, most commonly a Bowden cable, by an actuator (not shown).

In the depicted embodiment, the arching or "in and out" movement is achieved by traction that is applied to the arching pressure surface 2 by traction assembly 14. There is a great variety of traction application assemblies, of which assembly 14 is only one. The feature common to all of them is that they apply traction to draw the upper portion and lower portion of the arching pressure surface 2 towards one another.

In the depicted embodiment, the mount 16 is hingedly attached to the arching pressure surface 2 at hinge 18. Mount 16 has a Bowden cable conduit mount 20 and a Bowden cable wire mount 22. At the opposite end portion of the arching pressure surface 2, is a hinge 24, and a WO 2004/049869 PCTUS2003/038330 deflection mount member 26. The deflection mount member 26 has a deflector 28 which redirects the path of the Bowden cable wire 12 from the Bowden cable conduit mount 20 around the deflector 28 and back to the Bowden cable wire mount 22. In operation, when an actuator (is not shown) applies forced to draw the Bowden cable wire 12 into Bowden cable conduit 10, the mount 16 and mount 26 are drawn together, correspondingly drawing the ends of the arching pressure surface together, thereby causing the arch or bow that provides lumbar support.

The two cable system of the present invention is directed not towards the "in and out" movement but the "up and down" movement of the four way lumbar support. Accordingly, those of skill in the art will appreciate that arching traction application assembly 14 may be replaced by any other such assembly known in the art, or to be developed in the future. The two cable vertical motion system described below will work equally well with any such arching traction application assembly.

As with prior art systems, the vertical motion of the arching pressure surface may be effected regardless of the profile to which the arching pressure surface 2 has been bowed.

Guide rails 4 have mounted on them an upper bracket 30 and a lower bracket 32.

(Orientation is a design choice. Whether the brackets, mounts, and other elements of the present invention are installed as the "upper" or "lower" end is immaterial to the operation of the present invention.) The depiction of the prior art in figure 1 illustrates that springs 34 bias the pressure surface towards what is there shown as its lower position. The springs 34 are mounted at one end on bracket 32 and at their other end to the upper portion of arching pressure surface 2 with mounts 33.

In order to move the arching pressure surface from its lower most position, traction must be applied by a traction cable 36 in an upward direction. Accordingly, the vertical motion Bowden cable 36 has a conduit 38 with a wire 40 sliding coaxially through it. The conduit 38 is mounted on bracket WO 2004/049869 PCTiUS2003/038330 at mount 42. Mount 42 allows wire 40 to proceed past or through it to where wire 40 is mounted on arching pressure surface 2 at mount 44. An actuator (not shown) at the other end of cable 36 draws wire 40 into conduit 38. The arching pressure surface 2 is pulled as a whole, upwards towards bracket 30, against the force of springs 34.

It is apparent that traction cable 36 and the actuator that applies traction to it must be of sufficient power and size to overcome the tensioning force of springs 34 in order to move the arching pressure surface 2 vertically and thereafter to maintain it in a selective position.

The two cable vertical motion system of the present invention allows elimination of the prior art springs 34, and allows the use of smaller, lighter and less expensive components corresponding to cable 36 and the actuators for it.

Figure 2 depicts a back view of a first embodiment of the two cable vertical motion system of the present invention. As with the prior art, an arching pressure surface 102 slides vertically on guide rails 104 via mounts 106.

The novel two cable vertical motion system of the present invention uses one cable end to pull the arching pressure surface 2 upwards, and another cable end to pull it downwards, eliminating the need for springs. In the embodiment depicted in figure 2, bracket 130 has mounts for not one traction cable, 136, but two, including also traction cable 110. Traction cable 136 has a conduit 138 mounted at mount 142 on bracket 130. Second traction cable 110 has a conduit 112 mounted on bracket 130 at mount 114.

Another mount, 144 serves to fix Bowden cable wire ends to the arching pressure surface 102. The present invention may be achieved by using either two Bowden cables with two wires having two ends, or, alternatively, by a single Bowden cable having a single wire arranged in a loop so that the two ends of the single wire may be applied for vertical movement of the arching pressure WO 2004/049869 PCT/US2003/038330 surface. Figure 2 depicts an embodiment wherein a single Bowden traction cable wire is arranged in a loop having a first end 120A and the second end 120B, both of which are mounted to arching pressure surface 102 at mount 144. Between its end regions 120A and 120B, the wire proceeds as a loop through the Bowden cable conduit 138 and through actuator 150, powered by electric motor 152. A variety of actuators are known in the art, including those that can apply traction in either direction to a continuous Bowden cable wire loop. After travelling through its engagement with actuator 150, a single Bowden cable wire loop may proceed back through conduit 112, around a deflection point or pulley 116 and back to a single mounting 144 to the arching pressure surface 120. Alternatively, a separate mount may be used.

In operation, actuator 150 can pull the Bowden cable wire 120 A/B in a first direction to apply traction to mount 144 and raise the arching pressure surface 102. The actuator 150 can also apply traction to Bowden cable wire 120 A/B in the opposite direction to apply vertical traction to arching pressure surface 102 at mount 144 to draw it downwards.

Figure 3 depicts an alternative embodiment of the two cable vertical motion system of the present invention. Therein, arching pressure surface 202 rides on guide rails 204 at mounts 206. In this embodiment, the upper traction cable 236 has a conduit 238 mounted to upper bracket 230 at mount 242. Wire 220 proceeds from conduit 238 through or past mount 242 to mount 244 fixing wire 220 to arching pressure surface 202 at one end. In the depicted embodiment, actuator 250, powered by motor 252 may draw wire 220 into conduit 238 in order to vertically raise the arching pressure surface 202.

A second traction cable 210 is attached to the opposite end of the arching pressure surface 202. In this depicted embodiment, the second wire 222, which travels axially through conduit 212, is not a continuous loop with the upper wire 220, but rather an entirely separate wire. Out from WO 2004/049869 PCTiUS2003/038330 conduit 212 and through or past mount 214, which may be placed on transverse section of guide rails 204 or, alternatively, placed on a separate bracket (not shown), wire 222 proceeds to mount 224 where wire 222 is fixed to arching pressure surface 202. An actuator 226, powered by electric motor 228, draws wire 222 into conduit 212. This traction draws the arching pressure surface 202 downward. In operation, by coordinating the alternative operation of actuators 250 and 226 by known methods, two separate cables may raise and lower the arching pressure surface 202 without the presence of springs.

Figure 4 is a side view of an arching pressure surface lumbar support incorporating the two cable system of the present invention. Figure 4 shows the arching pressure surface 202 in a lower vertical position and, in phantom, in a raised position. The arching pressure surface 202 may be raised and lowered whether it is minimally arched or relatively flat, and when it is maximally arched. Actuators, not shown in figure 4, may be electrical, or, alternatively, may be manual.

Fig. 5 shows a flexible support element 302 slidably connected to a guide wire 303. The support element is sometimes known as a "basket" by those of skill in the art. The support element 302 is capable of adjustment in an in/out direction and an up/down direction relative to and along the guide wire 303. The support element 302 may be made of any general material including plastic, metal or any combination thereof and is naturally biased towards a substantially flat shape.

The substantially parallel guide wire members 303' have end stops 304 which prevent the support element 302 from sliding beyond the end stops 304. In the embodiment depicted in Fig.

the guide wire 303 is comprised of a single wire member fabricated in a substantially Ushaped manner to provide two substantially parallel guide wire members 303' that guide the support element 302 as it is adjusted in an up/down direction. The guide wire 303 is adaptable to WO 2004/049869 PCTiUS2003/038330 mount the entire assembly in a seat frame (not shown). A mounting bracket 305 is connected to each of the guide wire members 303' at a position between the opposite end stops 304 of the parallel guide wire members 303'. Any type of attachment device may be used to secure the mounting bracket 305 to the guide wire members 303'. For example, as shown in Fig. 7, the mounting bracket 305 may be attached to the parallel guide wire members 303' via a plurality of anti-friction sleeve basket slots 306. The mounting bracket 305 also includes a plurality of sleeve supports 307 for receiving and securing traction cable sleeves.

A slider 308 is slidably arranged on the mounting bracket 305. The means by which the slider 308 is arranged on the mounting bracket 305 may vary. By way of example, Fig. 5 shows the slider engaged in a slider guide slot 309 of the mounting bracket 305, which allows for the sliding of the slider 308 along the slider guide slot 309 mounting bracket 305. The slider guide may comprise a number of different structures designed to engage the slider 308 as it slides along the slider guide 309, such as the slot shown in Fig. 5, or alternatively, a guide rail (not shown).

The depicted flexible support element 302 is capable of adjustment in a horizontal direction toward and away from a seat occupant. This adjusting in a horizontal direction is accomplished by virtue of a traction cable arrangement. The traction cable arrangement includes a first traction cable 310 comprised of a first wire 311 in a first sleeve 312, wherein the first cable is attached to a first actuator 313. The first actuator 313 may be any actuator used in conventional mechanical lumbar support systems for the purpose of providing arching directional adjustment of a flexible support element. The first wire 311 of the traction cable arrangement extends from the first sleeve 312 and is fixed at one end to the first actuator 313 and fixed at its other end to the support element 302. The first wire 311 may be attached to the WO 2004/049869 PCTUS2003/038330 support element 302 in a number of different ways known in the art, including by way of a hook 314, as shown in Fig. 5. Traction drawing the first wire 311 into the first sleeve 312 will draw the bottom of support element 302 upwards, shortening the distance between the top and bottom ends of the support element 302. This causes the support element 302 to bow outwards and create an arch to support the seat occupants' lumbar spine. Reversing the first actuator 313 to extend the first wire 311 out of the first sleeve 312 will lengthen the distance between the top and bottom ends of the support element 302 and, along with the natural force that is created by the support element 2 as it returns to its natural, relaxed shape, will cause the support element 302 to move toward an unsupporting, substantially flat shape.

The first actuator 313 engages the first wire 311 in order to put traction on the first wire 311. The rotating action of the first actuator 313 may be accomplished by a variety of means, including hand wheels or levers. The first actuator 313 may also be driven via an electric motor.

The first actuator 313 may be mounted on the seat frame (not shown) or may advantageously be mounted to the bracket 305, as shown in the embodiment seen in Fig. 5. Attaching the first actuator 313 to the bracket 305 is advantageous for ease of packaging, shipping and installation of the lumbar support device 1.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, there is provided a second traction cable 315 that is a closed loop single cable (depicted) or, alternatively two separate, substantially opposing cables.

The second traction cable 315 is comprised of a second wire 316 in an upper sleeve 317 and a lower sleeve 318. The upper sleeve 317 is fixed at one end to a sleeve support 307 of the mounting bracket 305, as shown in Fig. 5, and is fixed at its other end to a second actuator 319.

The sleeve support 307 is positioned to align sleeve 317 and wire 316 with the slider 308 and slider guide slot 309. The lower sleeve 318 is fixed to sleeve support 307' at the bottom end of WO 2004/049869 PCTiUS2003/038330 the slider guide slot 309 and is fixed at its other end to the second actuator 319. Like the first actuator 313, the second actuator 319 may be mounted on the seat (not shown) or may advantageously be mounted to the bracket 305, as shown in Fig. 5. The end of the upper sleeve 317 and the end of the lower sleeve 318 may be fixed to the mounting bracket 305 a number of different ways, such as via sleeve supports 307, 307', as shown in Fig. 5. The second wire 316 is operably engaged with the second actuator 319 and is attached to the slider 308.

Actuators known in the art, such as the depicted actuator 319, may engage a central portion of a single wire such as wire 316 progressing through opposing Bowden cable sleeves such as the depicted sleeves 317 and 318. In such a case, as in the depicted embodiment, the two ends of wire 316 are both attached to slider 308. Alternatively, two separate traction cables with two separate sleeves and two separate wires may be attached to two separate actuators. In this case each cable would have a sleeve and a wire end attached to one actuator and an opposite end of each cable would have the opposite sleeve end attached to sleeve support 307 or 307' and the opposite end of the wire would proceed from the sleeve end to be attached to the slider 308.

Hence slider 308 would be drawn in a first direction, for example upwards, by traction applied to it through one Bowden cable wire and the slider 308 would be drawn in a second direction, for example downwards, by traction on it by a second Bowden cable wire end. Accordingly, whether the slider 308 is acted upon by the two ends of a single wire, as depicted wire 316, or whether it is acted upon by two separate wires, traction in a first direction will draw the slider upwards and the traction in the second direction would draw the slider downwards.

A yoke wire 320 has two engaging hooks 321, shown in Figs. 5,6 and 7, at one of its ends that engage two holes 322, at the top end of the support element 302. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the slide 8 includes a third engaging hook 323, which engages the yoke wire 320. Yoke 320 WO 2004/049869 PCTiUS2003/038330 serves to rigidly attach slider 308 with support surface 302. Alternative attachments may be used. Accordingly, when slider 308 moves in either a first or second direction, the support element 302 will also move in the same first or second direction. Since the engagement of the first Bowden cable 310 which achieves the arching of the flexible support surface 302, is through the slider 308, the user selected degree of curvature of the flexible support element 302 will be preserved as the second Bowden cable(s) 315 moves the support element 302 upwards and downwards. Alternatively, a fixed (non-flexing) support may be used.

The device shown in Fig. 5 operates in the following manner. The support element 302 is shown in a substantially flat, undeflected shape. As the first actuator 313 is activated to retract the first wire 311, the distance between the top and bottom ends of the support element 302 decreases, resulting in the bowing of the support element 302 in an outward direction and thus providing additional lumbar support. The first actuator 313 may be activated by the occupant of a seat by use of a variety of equivalent activating means that are known in the art. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that that a variety of equivalent activating means may be used with the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims herein.

When the desired amount of lumbar support is achieved, the seat occupant may discontinue activation of the first actuator 313. The tension between the first cable mount fixation to slider 308 and the first wire 311 mount 314 on support surface 302, will maintain the degree of curvature selected by the user after the user disengages that actuator. Likewise, the first actuator 313 may be reversed to extend the first wire 311, thus increasing the distance between the top and bottom ends of the support element 302. As a result, the flexible support element 2 begins to relax in an inward direction, thereby flattening the support element 302.

WO 2004/049869 PCT/US2003/038330 The system may also be operated to provide for adjustment of the support element 302 in a vertical direction. This is achieved by activating the second actuator 319 in a first direction, thereby resulting in the pulling of the second wire 316 in the first direction, for example, upwards. The linear movement of the second wire 316 is transferred to the slider 308 and causes the slider 308 to slide in an upward direction, along the slider guide 9 of the mounting bracket The slider 308, in turn, transfers the force of the movement of the second wire 316 to the support element 302 through the fixed yoke wire 320. This transferred force causes the support element 302 to move in an upward direction along the guide wire members 303'.

Because the slider 308 and flexible pressure surface 302 move in unison, the selected degree of arching of the support element 302 will be maintained during vertical movement of it by tension of actuator 319 through 316. Adjustment of the support element 302 in a downward direction is likewise achieved by activating the second actuator 319 in a second direction to cause a second, opposing tractive force pulling the second wire 316 in a downward direction, again moving support element 302 through the linkage of Yoke 320.

Figures 9 and 10 are a close up and a cross section, respectively, illustrating a closer view of the slider 308 and its connections with the other elements of the present invention. Vertical traction wire 316 is mounted to a upper portion of slider 308 at mounts 330. Any of a variety of mounts known in the art may be used. Typically, bullets on the ends of wire 16 would be seated in a recess molded or cut into the top of slider 308. In the depicted embodiment the slider guide slot has been fabricated by cutting guide slot 309 from mounting bracket 305, also producing the upturn edges of metal bracket 305 from where slot 309 has been cut. The upturn flanges 332 of mounting bracket 305 which define the edges of slot 309 slidingly engage slider 308 by means of their complementary cooperation with slider extensions 334. Yoke 320 is fixed to the lower WO 2004/049869 PCTiUS2003/038330 portion of slider 308 at yoke mount 323. Underneath slider 308 and obscured by it in the perspective view of figure 305, is a sleeve support for first sleeve 310. The end of first sleeve 310 is thereby attached to slider 308 so that arching tension may be applied to the support element. From the end of first cable sleeve 310 proceeds first cable wire 311 which proceeds to mount to support element 302 at hook 314 as shown previously in figure 305.

In another embodiment shown in Fig. 11, the cable assembly for the adjustment of the support element 402 in the vertical direction includes two separate traction cables-an upper traction cable 424 and a lower traction cable 425, shown in broken lines. This embodiment is similar to the other embodiment described herein, except that this embodiment employs two separate traction cables 424, 425 for level adjustment in a vertical direction. The upper traction cable 424 has one end operably coupled to an actuator 428 having a two-cable output and an opposite end operably coupled to the slider 408. The upper traction cable 424 is comprised of an upper traction cable wire 426 in an upper sleeve 429. The lower traction cable 425, likewise, has one end operably coupled to the two-cable output actuator 428 and an opposite end operably coupled to the slider 8 and is comprised of a lower traction cable wire 427 in a lower sleeve 430.

Adjustment in a vertical direction is achieved by activation of the actuator 428, which pulls either the upper traction cable wire 426 or the lower traction cable wire 427 to cause upward or, alternatively, downward travel. The linear movement of the upper traction cable wire 426 and the lower traction cable wire 427 is transferred to the slider and 408 causes the slider 408 to slide in either an upward or downward direction, along the slider guide 409 of the mounting bracket 405. The slider 408, in turn, transfers the force of the movement of the wires 426, 427 to the support element 402 through the fixed yoke wire 420. This transferred force causes the support element 402 to move in an upward or downward direction along the guide wire members 403'.

WO 2004/049869 PCTiUS2003/038330 The lumbar support device may be used for providing lumbar support in the seat of an automobile. However, the present invention is not limited to use in automobile seats and may be used in any type of seat.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several advantages of the invention are achieved and attained.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims (23)

1. A variable ergonomic support comprising: 0 z a support assembly mountable on a seat frame; a pressure element engaged with said support assembly to move in relation to said support assembly in a first direction and in a second direction, said directions being substantially parallel and opposite; t a first traction element engaged with said support assembly and said pressure element such that a first tractive force exerted by said first traction element moves said N pressure element in said first direction; ¢€3 a second traction element engaged with said support assembly and with said (N pressure element such that a second tractive force exerted by said second traction element moves said pressure element in said second direction; and at least one actuator engaged with said first traction element and with said second traction element. is

2. The variable ergonomic support of claim 1, wherein said first traction element is a first Bowden cable end and said second traction element is a second Bowden cable end.

3. The variable ergonomic support of claim 2, wherein said first and second Bowden cable ends are of the same Bowden cable.

4. The variable ergonomic support of claim 2, wherein said first Bowden cable end and said second Bowden cable end are ends of separate Bowden cables.

A variable ergonomic support according to claim 1, wherein said first traction element and said second traction element are each engaged with separate actuators.

6. A variable ergonomic support according to claim 1, wherein said actuator is selected from the group consisting of: manual and electric.

7. A variable ergonomic support according to claim 1, wherein said first direction and said second direction are substantially vertical.

8. The variable ergonomic support of claim 1, wherein said pressure element is flexible.

9. The variable ergonomic support of claim 8, wherein a third traction cable is engaged with said flexible pressure element such that traction on said third traction cable flexes said flexible pressure element.

The variable ergonomic support of claim 1, wherein said pressure element is a lumbar support. 0 z

11. The variable ergonomic support of claim 1, wherein: N, said support assembly is a guide rod adaptable to mount on a seat frame; said pressure element is mounted to slide on said guide rod, said pressure element having at least one traction application point; t at least one fixed mounting bracket mounted on said guide rod, said fixed Cc, mounting bracket having at least one traction anchor; I a first traction cable and a second traction cable, each being engaged with an actuator and each having a wire disposed to slide axially through a sleeve, said first I traction cable having a first wire end and said first traction cable having a first sleeve end and said second traction cable having a second wire end, and said section traction cable having a second sleeve end; one of said first wire end or said first sleeve end of said first traction cable being Is attached to one of said traction anchor or said traction application point, and the other of said first wire or said first sleeve end being attached to the other of said traction anchor or said traction application point; one of said second wire end or said second sleeve end of said second traction cable being attached to one of a second traction anchor or a second traction application point, and the other of said second wire end or said second sleeve end being attached to the other of said section traction anchor or said traction application point. whereby a first tractive force on said first traction cable draws said pressure element in a first direction and a second tractive force on second traction cable draws said pressure element in a second direction; and a third traction cable engaged with a second actuator and having a third wire end disposed to slide axially from a third sleeve end, said third wire end and said third sleeve end being engaged with said pressure element; whereby traction on said third traction cable flexes said pressure element into a selectable degree of lumbar supporting arch, said selectable degree of lumbar support arch being maintained upon movement of said pressure element in said first direction and in said second direction.

12. The variable ergonomic support of claim 1, further comprising: a fixed mounting bracket having a first sleeve support, a second sleeve support and a slider guide; Sa slider engaged with said slider guide, said slider being attached to said pressure element such that movement of said slider moves said support element; and 0 z a first traction cable and a second traction cable, each being engaged with an actuator and each having a wire disposed to slide axially through a sleeve, said first traction cable having a first wire end attached to said slider and said first traction cable having a first sleeve end attached to said first sleeve support and said second traction t cable having a second wire end attached to said slider, and said second traction cable having a second sleeve end attached to said second sleeve support; Nwhereby traction on said first traction cable draws said slider and said support 0 o10 element in a first direction and traction on said second traction cable draws said slider and N said support element in a second direction.

13. The variable ergonomic support of claim 12, wherein said first wire end and said second wire end are ends of the same wire.

14. The variable ergonomic support of claim 12, wherein said traction cable is a Bowden cable.

The variable ergonomic support of claim 12, wherein said slider guide is a slot.

16. The variable ergonomic support of claim 12, wherein said pressure element is slidably engaged with a guide wire.

17. The variable ergonomic support of claim 12, wherein said first traction cable and said second traction cable are each engaged with separate actuators.

18. The variable ergonomic support of claim 12, wherein said first direction and said second direction are substantially vertical, and substantially opposing.

19. The variable ergonomic support of claim 12, further comprising a yoke wire having a first yoke end connected to said support element and a second yoke end connected to said slider, wherein upon displacement of said traction cable and said slider, force is transferred to said support element through said yoke, causing adjustment of the position of said support element.

The variable ergonomic support of claim 12, further comprising: said slider having a third sleeve support and said slider being attached to said pressure element such that movement of said slider moves said pressure element; a third traction cable engaged with a second actuator and having a third wire end disposed to slide axially from a third sleeve end, said third sleeve end being attached to said third sleeve support on said slider and said third wire end being attached to said pressure element; whereby traction on said third traction cable flexes said pressure element into a selectable degree of lumbar supporting arch, said selectable degree of lumbar supporting 0 z arch being maintained upon movement of said pressure element in said first direction and in said second direction. s

21. A variable ergonomic support comprising: a support assembly mountable on a seat frame; In a pressure element engaged with said support assembly to move in relation to Cc said support assembly in a first direction and in a second direction, said directions being N substantially parallel and opposite; a first traction element engaged with said support assembly and said pressure N element such that a first tractive force exerted by a first actuator on said first traction element moves said pressure element in said first direction; and a second traction element engaged with said support assembly and with said pressure element such that a second tractive force exerted by a second actuator on said second traction element moves said pressure element in said second direction.

22. A variable ergonomic support comprising: at least one guide rod; a support element slidably engaged with said guide rod; means for engaging a first traction cable with said support element such that traction on said first traction cable moves said support element in a first direction; and means for engaging a second traction cable with said support element such that traction on said traction cable moves said support element in a second direction substantially parallel and opposite said first direction.

23. A variable ergonomic support substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one embodiment, as that embodiment is shown in Figs. 2-11 of the accompanying drawings. Dated 8 November, 2007 L P Property Management Company Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON