Patent Publication Number: US-2021170927-A1

Title: Upper thoracic support for vehicle seating assembly

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a vehicle seating assembly. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an upper thoracic support for a vehicle seating assembly. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Vehicles are typically provided with one or more vehicle seating assemblies. Consumers are increasingly looking for additional features and additional comfort options when occupying vehicles. Accordingly, additional solutions are needed that provide additional features and/or additional comfort options for vehicle seating assemblies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seating assembly includes a seat and a seatback pivotably coupled to the seat. The seatback includes a frame, a sub-frame member, a carrier, a cushion, and an inflatable member. The sub-frame member is pivotably coupled to an occupant-facing surface of the frame by a bracket. The carrier is coupled to the frame such that the sub-frame member is positioned between the frame and the carrier. The cushion is coupled to an occupant-facing surface of the carrier. The inflatable member is positioned between the occupant-facing surface of the frame and an interior surface of the sub-frame member. The inflatable member is operable between a deflated state and an inflated state. The inflatable member initiates pivotable motion of the sub-frame member about an axis defined by the bracket. 
     Embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features: 
     the carrier is pivotable about the axis defined by the bracket; 
     a retention member is coupled to the bracket and an arm portion of the sub-frame member to retain the sub-frame member to the frame; 
     the retention member couples the bracket and the arm portion of the sub-frame member and defines an aperture that receives a fastener that couples the carrier to the bracket such that the carrier is pivotable about the axis that is defined by the bracket; 
     the sub-frame member directly contacts the occupant-facing surface of the frame when the inflatable member is in the deflated state; 
     a position of the sub-frame member is adjustable independent of a rotational position of the seatback relative to the seat; 
     a surface area of contact between the inflatable member and the interior surface of the sub-frame member is greater when the inflatable member is in the deflated state than the surface area of contact between the inflatable member and the interior surface of the sub-frame member when the inflatable member is in the inflated state;
         the frame of the seatback further comprises a recess defined by the frame, the inflatable member being positioned within the recess of the frame;   the interior surface of the sub-frame member comprises a recess defined by the sub-frame member, the inflatable member being received by the recess defined by the sub-frame member such that the inflatable member is received between two recessed surfaces;   the inflatable member comprises a plurality of inflatable members;   the plurality of inflatable members are arranged along a vertical axis of the seatback; the plurality of inflatable members are arranged along the vertical axis such that the individual inflatable members that make up the plurality of inflatable members abut adjacent others of the individual inflatable members;   a highest one of the inflatable members along the vertical axis is inflated to effect initial actuation of the sub-frame member from the stowed position;   a lowest one of the inflatable members along the vertical axis is inflated to effect actuation of the sub-frame member from an intermediate position to the deployed position;   a pressure gauge is fluidly coupled to the inflatable member and is monitored by a control module;   the axis defined by the bracket is a fixed rotational axis; and the inflatable member, the sub-frame member, the carrier, and the cushion are positioned in an upper thoracic region of the seatback.       

     According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback pivotably coupled to a seat. The seatback includes a frame, a sub-frame member, a retention member, a carrier, a fastener, a cushion, and an inflatable member. The sub-frame member is pivotably coupled to an occupant-facing surface of the frame by a bracket. The bracket defines an axis about which the sub-frame member pivots. The retention member is coupled to the bracket and the sub-frame member. The retention member retains the sub-frame member to the frame. The retention member defines an aperture. The carrier is coupled to the frame such that the sub-frame member is positioned between the frame and the carrier. The carrier is pivotable about the axis defined by the bracket. The fastener is received within the aperture defined by the retention member. The fastener couples the carrier to the bracket such that the carrier is pivotable about the axis that is defined by the bracket. The cushion is coupled to an occupant-facing surface of the carrier. The inflatable member is positioned between the occupant-facing surface of the frame and an interior surface of the sub-frame member. The inflatable member is operable between a deflated state and an inflated state. The sub-frame member directly contacts the occupant-facing surface of the frame when the inflatable member is in the deflated state. The inflatable member initiates pivotable motion of the sub-frame member about the axis defined by the bracket. A surface area of contact between the inflatable member and the interior surface of the sub-frame member is greater when the inflatable member is in the deflated state than the surface area of contact between the inflatable member and the interior surface of the sub-frame member when the inflatable member is in the inflated state. The inflatable member, the sub-frame member, the carrier, and the cushion are each positioned in an upper thoracic region of the seatback. 
     Embodiments of the second aspect of the present disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:
         the frame of the seatback further includes a recess defined by the the inflatable member being positioned within the recess of the frame; and   the interior surface of the sub-frame member includes a recess defined by the sub-frame member, the inflatable member being received by the recess defined by the sub-frame member such that the inflatable member is received between two recessed surfaces.       

     These and other aspects, Objects, and features of the present disclosure will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a vehicle seating assembly with a cushion of a seatback removed, illustrating a carrier of the seatback of the vehicle seating assembly, according to one example; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the seatback with the carrier removed, illustrating a frame and a sub-frame member, according to one example; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective and schematic representation of the frame, the sub-frame member, and an inflatable member, according to one example; 
         FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view of the seatback, taken along line IVA-IVA of  FIG. 2 , illustrating the inflatable member in a deflated state, according to one example; 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view, taken along line IVA-IVA of  FIG. 2 , illustrating the inflatable member in an inflated state, according to one example; 
         FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view, taken along line IVA-IVA of  FIG. 2 , illustrating a plurality of the inflatable members each of which are in a deflated state, according to another example; 
         FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view, taken along line IVA-IVA of  FIG. 2 , illustrating a plurality of the inflatable members, some of which are in an inflated state, according to another example; and 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of components of the seatback of the vehicle seating assembly, according to one example. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the concepts as oriented in  FIG. 1 . However, it is to be understood that the concepts may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a vehicle seating assembly. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements. 
     As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items, can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination. 
     In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article; or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. 
     As used herein, the term “about” means that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. When the term “about” is used in describing a value or an end-point of a range, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or end-point referred to. Whether or not a numerical value or end-point of a range in the specification recites “about,” the numerical value or end-point of a range is intended to include two embodiments: one modified by “about,” and one not modified by “about.” It will be further understood that the end-points of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other end-point, and independently of the other end-point. 
     The terms “substantial,” “substantially,” and variations thereof as used herein are intended to note that a described feature is equal or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a “substantially planar” surface is intended to denote a surface that is planar or approximately planar. Moreover, “substantially” is intended to denote that two values are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, “substantially” may denote values within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other. 
     As used herein the terms “the,” “a,” or “an,” mean “at least one,” and should not be limited to “only one” unless explicitly indicated to the contrary. Thus, for example, reference to “a component” includes embodiments having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , a vehicle seating assembly  10  includes a seat  14  and a seatback  18 . The seatback  18  is pivotably coupled to the seat  14 . The seatback  18  can include a frame  22 , a sub-frame member  26 , a carrier  30 , a cushion  34 , and/or an inflatable member  38 . The sub-frame member  26  is pivotably coupled to an occupant-facing surface  42  of the frame  22  by a bracket  46 . The carrier  30  is coupled to the frame  22  such that the sub-frame member  26  is positioned between the frame  22  and the carrier  30 . The cushion  34  is coupled to an occupant-facing surface  50  of the carrier  30 . The inflatable member  38  can be positioned between the occupant-facing surface  42  of the frame  22  and an interior surface  54  of the sub-frame member  26 . Alternatively, in examples where the sub-frame member  26  is omitted, the inflatable member  38  can be positioned between the occupant-facing surface  42  of the frame  22  and an interior surface  58  of the carrier  30 . The inflatable member  38  is operable between a deflated state or stowed state ( FIGS. 4A and 5A ) and a deployed or at least partially inflated state ( FIGS. 4B and 5B ). The inflatable member  38  initiates pivotable motion of the sub-frame member  26  and/or the carrier  30  about an axis  62  defined by the bracket  46 . In various examples, a biasing member may be provided that is coupled to the frame  22  and the sub-frame member  26  and provides a biasing force to return the sub-frame member  26  to a stowed position when the inflatable member  38  is deflated. The biasing member may be a spring, elastic, or any other suitable structure or material that provides a returning force to the sub-frame member  26  upon deflation of the inflatable member  38 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the frame  22  can be made of a rigid material that is substantially unyielding to external forces. The carrier  30  may be made of a semi-rigid material that provides a degree of compliance in response to external forces. The carrier  30  can include an upper thoracic region  66  and a lower lumbar region  70 . The upper thoracic region  66  and the lower lumbar region  70  may each be provided with bolsters  74  arranged on lateral sides of the carrier  30 . The bolsters  74  can aid in retention of an occupant of the vehicle seating assembly  10  during vehicle maneuvers. With the carrier  30  being made of a semi-rigid material, the bolsters  74 , the upper thoracic region  66 , and/or the lower lumbar region  70  may yield to external forces, which may be applied by the occupant of the vehicle seating assembly  10 . For example, as vehicle maneuvers are performed, the weight of the occupant of the vehicle seating assembly  10  may be shifted in a lateral direction and thereby cause an increase in the external force experienced by the bolsters  74  of the carrier  30 . Accordingly, in response to the increased external force experienced by the carrier  30  due to the shifting of the weight of the occupant during vehicle maneuvers, the bolsters  74  of the carrier  30  may give way or otherwise comply or deform temporarily. In various examples, a space may be provided between the interior surface  58  of the carrier  30 , and the occupant-facing surface  42  of the frame  22  to allow the carrier  30  to temporarily deform in response to external forces. The upper thoracic region  66  and the lower lumbar region  70  of the seatback  18  are separately formed from one another. By separately forming the upper thoracic region  66  and the lower lumbar region  70  from one another, it is possible to provide the rotatable or pivotable actuation of the upper thoracic region  66  while maintaining the lower lumbar region  70  as fixedly coupled to the seatback  18 . The upper thoracic region  66  is pivotable or rotatable about the axis  62  that is defined by the bracket  46 , as indicated by arrow  78 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-3 , the sub-frame member  26  may be generally U-shaped and can include an arm portion  82  that is interconnected by a connecting member  86 . The arm portion  82  extend downward from the connecting member  86  to engage with the bracket  46  in a manner that permits pivotable or rotatable motion about the axis  62 . The sub-frame member  26  is coupled to the bracket  46  by way of a retention member  90 . The bracket  46  can be positioned on lateral sides of the frame  22  such that the arm portion  82  of the sub-frame member  26  each engage with one of the brackets  46 . The retention member  90  is coupled to the bracket  46  and the arm portion  82  of the sub-frame member  26 . Accordingly, the retention member  90  retains the sub-frame member  26  to the frame  22  by way of the bracket  46 . In various examples, the retention member  90  may define an aperture  94 . The aperture  94  that is defined by the retention member  90  can receive a fastener that couples the carrier  30  to the bracket  46 , such that the carrier  30  is pivotable about the axis  62  that is defined by the bracket  46 . In examples where the retention member  90  defines the aperture  94 , the sub-frame member  26  may not be fully retained to the bracket  46  until such time that the fastener that couples the carrier  30  to the bracket  46  is inserted into the aperture  94 . The fastener that is received within the aperture  94  of the retention member  90  may provide a degree of force that extends radially outward from a centerline of the aperture  94 . Such that the retention member  90  experiences an expansive force provided by the insertion of the fastener and/or a compressive force experienced as a result of the retention member  90  being pressed against the bracket  46  due to the insertion of the fastener. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the sub-frame member  26  may directly contact the occupant-facing surface  42  of the frame  22  when the inflatable member  38  is in the deflated state. Alternatively, in some examples, the sub-frame member  26  may be prevented from directly contacting the occupant-facing surface  42  of the frame  22  when the inflatable member  38  is in the deflated state in an effort to reduce noise that may result from the sub-frame member  26  bouncing or otherwise being jostled away from contact with the frame  22  as a result of vibrations associated with the operation of the vehicle. In such an example, the inflatable member  38  may provide a standoff function to prevent the sub-frame member  26  and the frame  22  from making direct physical contact in regions where the inflatable member  38  does not extend. The standoff function that may be provided by the inflatable member  38  can be provided by either slightly inflating the inflatable member  38 , or by way of the thickness of the inflatable member  38  in the deflated state such that the sub-frame member  26  and the frame  22  are separated by a distance that is provided by a thickness of the inflatable member  38  when the inflatable member  38  is in the deflated state. In various examples, a position of the sub-frame member  26  may be adjusted independent of a rotational position of the seatback  18  relative to the seat  14 . Said another way, in various examples, the inflatable member  38  may remain deflated throughout a rotational displacement of the seatback  18  relative to the seat  14 , unless and until the occupant of the vehicle seating assembly  10  initiates inflation of the inflatable member  38  to adjust a rotational position of the sub-frame member  26  relative to the frame  22 . It is contemplated that a controller or control module  108  may be utilized that associates a degree of inflation of the inflatable member  38  with a particular rotational displacement of the seatback  18  relative to the seat  14  based upon predetermined settings and/or assumptions regarding occupant comfort at the various rotational positions of the seatback  18  relative to the seat  14 . In some examples, the inflatable member  38  positioned between the sub-frame member  26  and the frame  22  may include a plurality of the inflatable members  38 . The plurality of inflatable members  38  may be arranged along a vertical axis  98  of the seatback  18 , in a manner similar to those depicted in the lower lumbar region  70  and air bladders  102  of the seatback  18 . The vehicle seating assembly  10  may be provided with a pressure gauge  106  that fluidly couples with the inflatable member  38 . The pressure gauge  106  may be monitored by a control module  108 . The control module  108  can be utilized to monitor a current pressure within the inflatable member  38  and may compare the current pressure with a list of predetermined pressures that are associated with various degrees of actuation of the sub-frame member  26  relative to the frame  22  as the sub-frame member  26  is actuated from a stowed position to a fully deployed position. The pressure gauge  106  may be coupled to the control module  108  by a conductive member  110  that extends between the pressure gauge  106  and the control module  108 . A conduit  114  extends between the inflatable member  38  and an air supply  118 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , a surface area of contact between the inflatable member  38  and the interior surface  54  of the sub-frame member  26  may be greater when the inflatable member  38  is in the deflated state ( FIG. 4A ) than the surface area of contact between the inflatable member  38  and the interior surface  54  of the sub-frame member  26  when the inflatable member  38  is in the inflated state ( FIG. 4B ). The frame  22  of the seatback  18  may include a recess  122  that is defined by the frame  22 . The inflatable member  38  can be positioned within the recess  122  of the frame  22 . Such an arrangement may facilitate direct contact between the sub-frame member  26  and the occupant-facing surface  42  of the frame  22  when the inflatable member  38  is in the deflated state. For example, when the inflatable member  38  is in the deflated state and contained within the recess  122  of the frame  22 , the interior surface  54  of the sub-frame member  26  and the occupant-facing surface  42  of the frame  22  may come into direct physical contact in regions of the sub-frame member  26  where the inflatable member  38  is not positioned between the sub-frame number  26  and the frame  22  (e.g., along a periphery or perimeter of the sub-frame member  26 ). As inflatable member  38  is transitioned from the deflated state ( FIG. 4B ) toward a fully-deployed inflated state (shown in phantom in  FIG. 4B ) the inflatable member  38  and ultimately the sub-frame member  26  and/or the carrier  30  move through a number of intermediate states. As shown in  FIG. 4B , the inflatable member  38  is depicted in solid lines in one of these intermediate states. Additionally, the inflatable member  38  is shown at first phantom lines  126  in another intermediate state that represents a further inflated state from that which is depicted in solid lines. Further, the inflatable member  38  is depicted with second phantom line  130  in the fully-deployed inflated state. As the inflatable member  38  is transitioned from the deflated state toward the fully-deployed inflated state, the inflatable member  38  acts upon the occupant-facing surface  42  of the frame  22 , which may be within the recess  122 , as well as the interior surface  54  of the sub-frame member  26  or the interior surface  58  of the carrier  30 . As the inflatable member  38  fills the space between the frame  22  and either the sub-frame member  26  or the carrier  30 , the inflatable member  38  begins to act upon the sub-frame member  26  or the carrier  30  to affect rotational or pivotable motion about the axis  62 , defined by the bracket  46 . As the inflatable member  38  is inflated beyond the space available between the frame  22  and either the sub-frame member  26  or the carrier  30 , the sub-frame member  26  or the carrier  30  are actuated to a greater extent about the axis  62  as a result of the further inflation of the inflatable member  38 . In some examples, the interior surface  54  of the sub-frame member  26  may be provided with a recess that is defined by the sub-frame member  26 . In such an example, the inflatable member  38  can be received by the recess defined by the sub-frame member  26  such that the inflatable member  38  is received between two recessed surfaces. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , in some examples, rather than a single one of the inflatable members  38  being employed, a plurality of the inflatable members  38  may be utilized. The plurality of inflatable members  38  can be arranged along the vertical axis  98  of the seatback  18  (see  FIG. 2 ). In such an example, the plurality of inflatable members  38  can be arranged along the vertical axis  98  such that the individual inflatable members  38  abut adjacent others of the individual inflatable members  38 . For example, the plurality of inflatable members  38  can include a lower inflatable member  134 , a middle inflatable member  138 , and an upper inflatable member  142 . An upper edge of the lower inflatable member  134  may be adjacent to or abut a lower edge of the middle inflatable member  138  and an upper edge of the middle inflatable member  138  may be adjacent to or abut a lower edge of the upper inflatable member  142 . The inflatable member  38  that is positioned as the highest one of the inflatable members  138  along the vertical axis  98 , such as the upper inflatable member  142 , can be inflated to affect initial actuation of the sub-frame member  26  or the carrier  30  from the stowed position on its way to the fully deployed position. The lowest one of the inflatable members  38  along the vertical axis  98 , such as the lower inflatable member  134 , can be inflated to affect actuation of the sub-frame member  26  or the carrier  30  from an intermediate position to the fully deployed position. In various examples, the middle inflatable member  138  may be inflated to affect actuation of the sub-frame member  26  or the carrier  30  through a variety of intermediate positions between the stowed position and the fully deployed position. In various examples, the axis  62 , defined by the bracket  46  is a fixed rotational axis relative to the seatback  18 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the upper thoracic region  66  of the seatback  18  is shown in an exploded view, according to one example. The cushion  34  engages with the occupant-facing surface  50  of the carrier  30 , both of which are positioned forward of the sub-frame member  26  when the sub-frame member  26  is employed. The inflatable member  38  is positioned adjacent to the interior surface  54  of the sub-frame member  26  and adjacent to the occupant-facing surface  42  of the frame  22 . In the depicted example, the inflatable member  38  is positioned between the two recessed surfaces of the recess  122  of the frame  22  and a recess  146  that can be defined by the interior surface  54  of the sub-frame member  26 . 
     In various examples of the first aspect of the present disclosure, the carrier  30  may be pivotable about the axis  62  that is defined by the bracket  46 . In some examples, the retention member  90  may be coupled to the bracket  46  and the arm portion  82  to retain the sub-frame member  26  to the frame  22 . The retention member  90  that couples the bracket  46  and the arm portion  82  of the sub-frame member  26  can define the aperture  94  that receives a fastener, where the fastener couples the carrier  30  to the bracket  46  such that the carrier  30  is pivotable about the axis  62  that is defined by the bracket  46 . In various examples, the sub-frame member  26  can directly contact the occupant-facing surface  42  of the frame  22  when the inflatable member  38  is in the deflated state. A position of the sub-frame member  26  can be adjustable independent of a rotational position of the seatback  18  relative to the seat  14 . In various examples, a surface area of contact between the inflatable member  38  and the interior surface  54  of the sub-frame member  26  can be greater when the inflatable member  38  is in the deflated state than the surface area of contact between the inflatable member  38  and the interior surface  54  of the sub-frame member  26  when the inflatable member  38  is in the inflated state. In some examples, the frame  22  of the seatback  18  can include the recess  122  that is defined by the frame  22 . The inflatable member  38  may be positioned within the recess  122  of the frame  22 . In some examples, the interior surface  54  of the sub-frame member  26  can include the recess  146 , which is defined by the sub-frame member  26 . The inflatable member  38  may be received by the recess  146  defined by the sub-frame member  26  such that the inflatable member  38  may be received between two recessed surfaces (e.g., recess  122  and recess  146 ). In some examples, the inflatable member  38  can include a plurality of inflatable members  38 , such as lower inflatable member  134 , middle inflatable member  138  and/or upper inflatable member  142 . In examples where the inflatable member  38  includes a plurality of inflatable members  38 , it is contemplated that the plurality of inflatable members  38  may be interconnected by material and/or may be interconnected in a manner that permits fluid coupling between the plurality of inflatable members  38  such that air may be redistributed among the plurality of inflatable members  38 . Alternatively, the examples where a plurality of the inflatable members  38  are employed may provide the inflatable members  38  as separate or discrete inflatable members  38 . In examples that employ a plurality of the inflatable members  38 , the inflatable members  38  may be arranged along the vertical axis  98  of the seatback  18 . When the plurality of inflatable members  38  are arranged along the vertical axis  98 , the plurality of inflatable members  38  can be positioned such that the individual inflatable members  38  that make up the plurality of inflatable members  38  abut adjacent others of the individual inflatable members  38 . In various examples, a highest one of the inflatable members  38  along the vertical axis  98 , such as upper inflatable member  142 , may be inflated to effect initial actuation of the sub-frame member  26  from the stowed position. Some examples, a lowest one of the inflatable members  38  along the vertical axis  98 , such as lower inflatable member  134 , can be inflated to effect actuation of the sub-frame member  26  from an intermediate position to a fully-deployed position. In various examples, the pressure gauge  106  can be fluidly coupled to the inflatable member  38  and monitored by the control module  108 . The axis  62  that is defined by the bracket  46  may be a fixed rotational axis. The inflatable member  38 , the sub-frame member  26 , the carrier  30 , and the cushion  34  may each be positioned in the upper thoracic region  66  of the seatback  18 . 
     According to examples of the second aspect, the frame  22  of the seatback  18  may include the recess  122  that is defined by the frame  22 . In such an example, the inflatable member  38  may be positioned within the recess  122  of the frame  22 . In some examples, the interior surface  54  of the sub-frame member  26  can include the recess  146  that is defined by the sub-frame member  26 . In examples where the recess  122  and the recess  146  are both employed, the inflatable member  38  may be received by the recess  146  defined by the sub-frame member  26  such that the inflatable member  38  is received between two recessed surfaces (e.g., recess  122  and recess  146 ). 
     Modifications of the disclosure will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the concepts disclosed herein. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents. 
     It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described concepts, and other components, is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the concepts disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms: couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly, or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature, or may be removable or releasable in nature, unless otherwise stated. 
     It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure, as shown in the exemplary embodiments, is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts, or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, and the nature or numeral of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations. 
     It will be understood that any described processes, or steps within described processes, may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting. 
     It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and further, it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims, unless these claims, by their language, expressly state otherwise.