An adjustable support system for a seat having a fixed frame includes a support movable from a first position to a second position relative to the frame. An actuator is coupled to only the support and is configured to move the support between the first and second positions. A member is operatively associated with and movable by the actuator. A flexible cable has a first end coupled to the member for travel along the length of the member and a second end coupled to the fixed frame such that movement of the member by the actuator causes the flexible cable to move the support between the first position and the second position.

An occupant protection device includes: a lumbar support section that is displaceable between an upper limit position and a lower limit position, and is displaceable between an advanced position pressing against the lumbar region and a retreated position further to a seatback rear side than the advanced position; a displacement mechanism that displaces a frontmost location of the lumbar support section; a rear collision prediction section that predicts a rear-end collision to a vehicle; and an actuation controller that, in cases in which a vehicle rear-end collision has been predicted by the rear collision prediction section in a state in which the frontmost location of the lumbar support section is not at the lower limit position, controls the displacement mechanism, and sets the frontmost location at the lower limit position and at the advanced position.

A mechanical lumbar system for vehicle seating. The lumbar system may be compact in size so as to require a smaller space within vehicle seating. The lumbar system may be adjustable in 4-ways. The lumbar system may be adjustable in an in and out fashion so as to decrease and increase, respectively, the amount of lumbar support. The lumbar system may be adjustable vertically so as to allow the vertical position of the lumbar support to be moved to accommodate the occupant. The lumbar system may utilize a U-shaped lower bridge member that allows the motors to be positioned vertically higher in the seat back while also allowing the lumbar support to be positioned below the motors. The legs of the lower bridge may extend below the lower frame cross member in the vehicle seat.

A seatback includes a pressure-receiving member and a drive mechanism. The pressure-receiving member includes a first pressure-receiving portion configured to support a lumbar region of an occupant, and a second pressure-receiving portion joined to an upper part of the first pressure-receiving portion and configured to support a back of the occupant in cooperation with the first pressure-receiving portion. The drive mechanism is configured to displace the pressure-receiving member between a support position and a non-support position, which is a position rearward of the support position. The pressure-receiving member is configured, when in the support position, to be bent at a joining portion where the first pressure-receiving portion and the second pressure-receiving portion are joined together to become convex toward a seat front side.

An articulating chair and a method of using same, include at least one actuator, a programmable controller, and movable upper back, lower back and seat bottom sections. In another aspect, an articulating wheelchair and a method of using same, include a seat bottom section, a lower frame to which the seat bottom section is coupled, floor-contacting wheels rotatably coupled to the lower frame, an upper back section, a lower back section, a back frame to which the upper back section and the lower back section are movably coupled, electromagnetic actuators coupled to the back sections, a battery mounted to at least one of the frames, and a programmable controller connected to the actuators and the battery.

A vehicle seatback assembly includes an outer shell coupled to a seatback carrier via a releasable coupling arrangement. The releasable coupling arrangement can take various forms in order to securely couple the outer shell to the seatback carrier. A seatback frame is disposed between the seatback carrier and the outer shell in assembly. An airbag module is coupled to the seatback frame, and the releasable coupling arrangement is configured to release upon deployment of an airbag from the airbag module to define a peripheral gap between the outer shell and seatback carrier through which the airbag can be deployed.

Disclosed herein is a 4-way lumbar support capable of automatically adjusting a vertical curved position and an amount of curvature of a lumbar plate, while securely supporting the lumbar plate even when a large load, such as the rear-end collision of a vehicle, is applied to the lumbar plate. In addition, the 4-way lumbar support can adjust an amount of forward curvature of the lumbar plate using a pusher including a pair of hinge members, thereby enabling the amount of forward curvature of the lumbar plate to be adjusted across a wider range without increasing the thickness of a seat back in the forward and backward directions thereof.

An assembly for adjusting a lumbar region of a seat having a back frame. A seat support adapted for suspension in the frame is movable between first and second lumbar positions. An actuator is operatively attached to and concurrently moves with the support, and has a chassis mount and a drive mount selectively movable therewith between first and second positions. A wire extends between longitudinal ends adapted for attachment to the frame. A first guide slidably supported along the wire is coupled to the support and to the chassis mount. A second guide slidably supported along the wire is coupled to the support and to the drive mount. Movement of the drive mount from the first position urges the guides away from each other towards the ends of the wire such that the actuator and the seat support move toward the second lumbar position as a unit.

A lumbar support device comprises a carrier, a pair of arching elements molded to the carrier, and a support basket supported by the pair of arching elements. To produce the lumbar support device, the pair of arching elements may be molded to the carrier in a molding tool and the support basket may be formed in the same molding tool.

An actuator assembly for adjusting at least one component of a seat comprises a first traction device, a second traction device, and an actuator which comprises a spindle drive. The spindle drive comprises a first member which is rotatably mounted and a second member which is threadingly engaged with the first member and secured against rotation. Both the first traction device and the second traction device are coupled to the second member of the spindle drive.