Abstract:
The present invention is a lumbar support system that retreats into the seat back when reclined, providing a constant pressure support. The lumbar support system has a lumbar support basket that can retreat into the seat back. The lumbar support basket is supported by a crossbar that is pivotably connected to opposite sides of a seat frame via a pair of connecting members. A spring is provided for biasing the connecting members to a biased position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority of provisional application No. 61/066,803 filed on Feb. 22, 2008. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates to lumbar support systems for recliner chairs and, more particularly, to a constant pressure lumbar support system. 
         [0006]    2. Related Art 
         [0007]    In recliner chairs with lumbar support systems, a great many systems use a sinuous wire type of lumbar support. As the chair is placed into a reclining position, the wire may collapse as the weight of the user bears fully on the wire. When the wire collapses, its convex shape relative to the user reverses and the wire may assume a concave shape. This can ruin the lumbar support, and also fails to provide the user with any meaningful support for his or her lumbar region. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a lumbar support system for a recliner chair that can provide meaningful support for a user&#39;s lumbar region when the chair is placed into a reclining position. 
         [0009]    To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a constant pressure lumbar support system that retreats into the seat back when the weight of a user increases from a shift to a reclining position. Due to this retreat, the lumbar support system may maintain a constant supporting position for the lumbar region of a user. 
         [0010]    In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lumbar support system. The lumbar support system has a lumbar support basket supported by a crossbar. The crossbar is pivotably connected to opposite sides of a seat frame via a pair of connecting members. The lumbar support system also has a bias system for biasing the connecting members to a biased position. 
         [0011]    The bias system, having for example springs, further allows a variable retreat into the seat depending on the weight of the user. As the seat is reclined, the weight pressure of the user forces the spring-loaded connecting members, for example two-bar pivots, to pivot into the seat back. As the lumbar system drops backwards into the seat back, the top of the lumbar system may slide at the top. Thus, as the recliner assumes a progressively reclining position, the pressure exerted by the weight of the user will increase, and the lumbar support will extend further into the seat back. Retreating into the seat back, the lumbar support will continue to provide support to the lumbar region of the user. 
         [0012]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lumbar support basket is adjustable. Preferably, the lumbar support system further has a guide wire connected to the seat frame. In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion, preferably a top portion, of the lumbar support basket is slideably connected to the guide wire such that the lumbar support basket can be adjusted by sliding along the guide wire. Preferably, the lumbar support system further has a flexible lumbar top mount for connecting the guide wire to the seat frame in a suspended manner. Preferably, the lumbar support system has a Bowden cable for adjusting the lumbar support basket such that when a tension is applied to the Bowden cable the lumbar support basket can arch into a convex shape facing toward the seat user. 
         [0013]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connecting members are a pair of two-bar links for pivotably connecting the crossbar to opposite sides of the seat frame. Preferably, the lumbar support system has a pair of brackets fixed to the opposite sides of the seat frame. The two-bar links are pivotably connected to the pair of brackets, respectively. Preferably, the bias member is a pair of springs connected between the pair of two-bar links and the pair of brackets, respectively. 
         [0014]    In a preferred embodiment, the lumbar support system can have a pair of suspension cables connected between the pair of two-bar links and a seat base of the seat frame, respectively. 
         [0015]    In a preferred embodiment, the connecting members are pivotable independently of each other so that one of the two-bar links can pivot to a greater degree than the other does. In other words, when the user is seated leaning to one side, the same side of the lumbar support system retreats into the seat back deeper than the other side thereof. 
         [0016]    In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reclining chair. The reclining chair has a reclining seat frame, a lumbar support basket, and a crossbar for supporting the lumbar support basket. The crossbar is pivotably connected to opposite sides of the reclining seat frame via a pair of connecting members. The reclining chair also has a bias member for biasing the connecting members to a biased position. 
         [0017]    In a preferred embodiment, the lumbar support basket is adjustable. Preferably, the reclining chair has a guide wire connected to the reclining seat frame. A portion, preferably a top portion, of the lumbar support basket is slideably connected to the guide wire. Preferably, the reclining chair has a Bowden cable for adjusting the lumbar support basket. 
         [0018]    In a preferred embodiment, the reclining chair has a lumbar top mount for connecting the guide wire to the reclining seat frame in a suspended manner. 
         [0019]    In a preferred embodiment, the connecting members are pivotable independently of each other so that one of the two-bar links can pivot to a greater degree than the other does. In other words, when the user is seated leaning to one side, the same side of the lumbar support system retreats into the seat back deeper than the other side thereof. 
         [0020]    It should be noted that the lumbar support may be one of different varieties: a two-way power (for example, in-and-out or up-and down motion), four-way power (for example, in-and-out and up-and-down motion), or four-way power with massage. 
         [0021]    Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a frame of recliner seat wherein a lumbar support system is installed according to the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the frame of recliner seat of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the frame of recliner seat of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the frame of recliner seat taken along the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a partial, enlarged view of the circle  5  of  FIG. 1  showing the lumbar support system installed in the frame of recliner seat according to the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of the lumbar support system according to the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the lumbar support system of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the lumbar support system of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the lumbar support system of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  is a rear view of the lumbar support system of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  is a top view of the lumbar support system of  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
         [0035]    Shown in  FIGS. 1-5  is an example of a frame of recliner seat  10  where a lumbar support system  20  according to the present invention is installed.  FIGS. 6-11  illustrate in more details the lumbar support system  20  where the seat frame  10  is omitted. 
         [0036]    The lumbar support system  20  has a lumbar support basket  21  for providing support to the lumbar region a user. In the illustrated embodiment, the lumbar support system  20  has a guide wire  23  on to which the lumbar support basket  21  is slideably mounted. The guide wire  23  is connected to the seat frame  10 . The guide wire  23  can be connected to the seat frame  10  via an optional sinuous lumbar top mount  11 . Preferably, the lumbar support basket  21  is connected to the seat frame  10  in a suspended manner via the guide wire  23  and the optional sinuous lumbar top mount  11 . 
         [0037]    The lumbar support basket  21  is preferably adjustable. In the illustrated embodiment, the lumbar support system  20  has a Bowden cable assembly  24 . One end  24   a  of the Bowden cable assembly  24  is attached to a top portion  21   a  of the lumbar support basket  21 . The other end of the Bowden cable assembly  24  is connected to an adjust lever (not shown) that can be located in an armrest portion of the recliner seat. When a tension is applied to the Bowden cable assembly  24  through the adjust lever, the top portion  21   a  of the lumbar support basket  21  is forced to slide along the guide wire  23  downwardly toward a bottom portion  21   b  of the lumbar support basket  21  so that the lumbar support basket  21  can arch into a convex shape facing toward the user so as to provide more support to the lumbar region of the user. This enables the user to adjust the in-out (back-forward) position of the lumbar support basket  21 . Additionally or alternatively, the lumbar support system  20  can have up-down adjustment means (not shown) so as to enable the user to activate the lumbar support basket  21  to slide along the guide wire  23  to adjust the up-down position of the lumbar support basket  21 . 
         [0038]    In the illustrated embodiment, the lumbar support basket  21  is mounted on a crossbar  22 , which extends horizontally. Instead of being mounted, the lumbar support basket  21  may simply lie on the crossbar  22  so that the crossbar  22  supports the lumbar support basket  21 . In either case, each end of the crossbar  22  is pivotably connected to a pivot  31 . In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot  31  is in the form of a two-bar link. Each pivot is also pivotably connected to a bracket  16 , which is fixed to the seat frame  10 . The pivot  31  can swing relative to the bracket  16  around a pivot axis  31   a.  This enables the crossbar  22  to move between a position relatively close to the user and a position relatively distant from the user. 
         [0039]    In the illustrated embodiment, there is a spring  33  connected between the pivot  31  and the bracket  16 . The spring  33  allows the pivot  31  to assume a biased position. When the recliner seat is reclined, the weight of the user exerted on the lumbar support basket  21  increases. The weight is translated through the crossbar  22  and the pivot  31  to the spring  33 . The spring  33  then deforms, and then the pivot  31  pivots the crossbar  22  and thus the lumbar support basket  21  away from the user. As the lumbar support basket  21  pivots away from the user, the top of the lumbar support basket  21  slides deeper into the seat. The retreating distance of the lumbar support basket  21  into the seat back varies depending on the weight of the user exerted on the lumbar support basket  21 . As the recliner chair assumes a progressively reclining position, the pressure exerted on the lumbar support basket  21  also progressively increases, and the lumbar support system  20  continues to provide a reliable lumbar pressure support, while retreating into the seat back away from the user. 
         [0040]    It will be appreciated that the retreating distance will also vary depending on the weight of the user. It is presently considered that for a 400 pound person, the lumbar support basket  21  retreats into the seat back up to 100 mm. For a 100 pound person, the lumbar support basket  21  will retreat into the seat back by 10 mm. An optimal level of retreat based on weight may be determined and then implemented by varying the rating of the spring  33 . 
         [0041]    In a preferred embodiment, the two pivots  31  can pivot independently of each other. In other words, one of the pivots  31  can pivot to a greater degree than the other does. Accordingly, when the user is seated leaning to one side, the same side of the lumbar support basket  21  retreats into the seat back deeper than the other side thereof does. 
         [0042]    In the illustrated embodiment, there are also shown two suspension cables  35  that are connected between their respective pivot  31  and a seat base. 
         [0043]    As various modifications could be made to the exemplary embodiments, as described above with reference to the corresponding illustrations, without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description and 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.