Patent ID: 7905547

Claim:
A manipulable lumbar support adapted for use with a seat upright, wherein the upright defines an engagement surface, and the surface presents a first condition, said support comprising: a reconfigurable structure for being disposed within the upright, and presenting a first position, configuration, and orientation relative to the surface; and an actuator drivenly coupled to the structure and including at least one active material element operable to undergo a reversible change when exposed to or occluded from an activation signal, wherein the element is comprised of shape memory alloy, electro-active polymers, piezoelectric composites, magneto-restrictive, electro-restrictive material or a combination of the foregoing materials said actuator being configured to cause or enable the structure to achieve to a second position, configuration, or orientation, wherein the condition is modified, as a result of the change, wherein said at least one element includes a shape memory alloy wire, the structure includes at least one set of lateral stirrups presenting a longitudinally overlapping area in a first cooperative configuration, the actuator is drivenly coupled to the stirrups and configured to cause them to inwardly translate to a second cooperative configuration, wherein the area is increased, as a result of the change.