Patent ID: 7874616
Filing Date: 2011-01-25
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
1. An adjustable lumbar assembly for a vehicle seat comprising: a wireframe for attachment to a frame of a vehicle seat, the wireframe having first and second spaced apart side members; a flexible lumbar support band having a first outboard portion affixed to the first wireframe side member, a first lateral portion extending inboard from the first outboard portion and pivotally connected to the first outboard portion offset from the first wireframe side member, a central portion pivotally connected to the first lateral portion and extending laterally across a central region of the wireframe towards the second wireframe side member, a second lateral portion pivotally connected to the central portion extending laterally towards the second wireframe side member, a second outboard portion affixed to the second wireframe side member and pivotally connected to the second lateral portion offset from the second wireframe side member, and a pair of hinges each providing the pivotal connection between one of the outboard portions and the corresponding lateral portion; and a cable assembly mounted to each of the outboard portions of the lumbar support band and cooperating with each of the lateral portions and the central portion for extension and retraction of the lateral portions and the central portion relative to the wireframe for providing adjustment of the lumbar assembly; wherein the lumbar support band is structurally enhanced between each hinge and an attachment of the corresponding outboard portion to the wireframe side member; and wherein each structural enhancement further comprises a first segment extending in a fore/aft direction from the attachment to the wireframe side member, a second segment extending laterally from the first segment, a third segment extending in a fore/aft direction from the second segment, and a plurality of ribs extending between the first and third segments.