US5651584A — Lumbar support structure for automotive vehicle

Claim 1

Independent Claim 267 words

A lumbar support structure for supporting the lumbar region of a seated person comprising: a resilient lumbar grid with opposing ends, the lumbar grid configured for being coupled to a back support of a seat and having a fixed end and an opposing free end; at least one cable coupled to the free end of the lumbar grid, the cable operable to pull the lumbar grid free end toward the grid fixed end to bow the resilient lumbar grid in an outward direction against the back support and against the lumbar region of a person in the seat; a rotating clutch mechanism coupled to the cable and being freely rotatable in at least one direction to a selected position to draw the cable and bow the resilient lumbar grid, the clutch mechanism comprising a housing, a clutch rotatable within the housing, and at least one locking pin positioned around the clutch between a surface of the clutch and a surface of the housing, the locking pin operable to wedge between the clutch surface and the housing surface when the clutch is rotated in one direction for locking the clutch in the selected position and maintaining the bowed lumbar grid in a selected shape to provide lumbar support to a seated person, the clutch mechanism further comprising a radially extending finger passing through an opening in the clutch to engage said locking pin, the finger, when rotated in said one direction, operable to simultaneously engage said locking pin and a portion of said clutch to thereby simultaneously unwedge the pin and rotate the clutch in said one direction.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 267 words

A lumbar support structure for supporting the lumbar region of a seated person comprising: a resilient lumbar grid with opposing ends, the lumbar grid configured for being coupled to a back support of a seat and having a fixed end and an opposing free end; at least one cable coupled to the free end of the lumbar grid, the cable operable to pull the lumbar grid free end toward the grid fixed end to bow the resilient lumbar grid in an outward direction against the back support and against the lumbar region of a person in the seat; a rotating clutch mechanism coupled to the cable and being freely rotatable in at least one direction to a selected position to draw the cable and bow the resilient lumbar grid, the clutch mechanism comprising a housing, a clutch rotatable within the housing, and at least one locking pin positioned around the clutch between a surface of the clutch and a surface of the housing, the locking pin operable to wedge between the clutch surface and the housing surface when the clutch is rotated in one direction for locking the clutch in the selected position and maintaining the bowed lumbar grid in a selected shape to provide lumbar support to a seated person, the clutch mechanism further comprising a radially extending finger passing through an opening in the clutch to engage said locking pin, the finger, when rotated in said one direction, operable to simultaneously engage said locking pin and a portion of said clutch to thereby simultaneously unwedge the pin and rotate the clutch in said one direction.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 46 words

The lumbar support structure of claim 1 wherein the resilient lumbar grid comprises two flexible and generally vertical members and at least one generally horizontal cross member extending between the vertical members, the lumbar grid members cooperating to provide a relatively large area of lumbar support.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 39 words

The lumbar support structure of claim 1 further comprising a cable wheel coupled with the clutch mechanism and the cable, the cable wheel operable for rotating with the clutch mechanism to wind the cable thereon and draw the cable.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 60 words

The lumbar support structure of claim 3 wherein the cable wheel includes an elongated radial portion which provides an effective moment arm greater than another effective moment arm created by another portion of the wheel, the elongated radial portion effectively reducing the rotational force required to rotate the cable wheel and draw the cable as the lumbar grid is bowed.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 36 words

The lumbar support structure of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of locking pins positioned at spaced positions around the clutch between clutch surfaces and the housing surface to evenly lock the clutch at several points.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 49 words

The lumbar support structure of claim 1 wherein the clutch is configured such that the locking pin automatically unwedges and the clutch unlocks when the clutch is rotated in a direction opposite said one direction and the pin again subsequently wedges when the clutch rotates in said one direction.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 34 words

The lumbar support structure of claim 1 wherein the clutch mechanism further comprises a biasing device to bias the locking pin to wedge between the clutch surface and housing surface to lock the clutch.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 20 words

The lumbar support structure of claim 1 further comprising a rotatable shaft coupled to the clutch for rotating the clutch.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 31 words

The lumbar support structure of claim 1 further comprising a rotatable handle coupled to the clutch for manually rotating the clutch to bow the resilient lumbar grid and provide lumbar support.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 29 words

The lumbar support structure of claim 1 further comprising a motor coupled to the clutch for rotating the clutch to bow the resilient lumbar grid and provide lumbar support.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 36 words

The lumbar support structure of claim 1 further comprising an upper back grid coupled to the fixed end of the lumbar grid, the upper back grid providing support to the upper back of the seated person.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 54 words

The lumbar support structure of claim 1 further comprising two cables, an end of each cable coupled to a respective opposing corner of the free end of the lumbar grid, the other ends of the cables coupled to the clutch mechanism for being drawn to bow the lumbar grid from the free end corners.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 260 words

A lumbar support structure for supporting the lumbar region of a seated person comprising: a resilient lumbar grid with opposing ends, the lumbar grid configured for being coupled to a back support of a seat and having a fixed end and an opposing free end; a linkage device coupled to the free end of the lumbar grid and operable to force the lumbar grid free end toward the grid fixed end to bow the resilient lumbar grid in an outward direction against the back support and against the lumbar region of a person in the seat; a clutch mechanism coupled to the linkage device, the clutch mechanism movable to a selected position to move the linkage and bow the resilient lumbar grid, the clutch mechanism comprising a housing, a clutch rotatable within the housing, and at least one locking pin positioned around the clutch between a surface of the clutch and a surface of the housing, the locking pin operable to wedge between the clutch surface and the housing surface when the clutch is rotated in one direction for locking the clutch in the selected position and maintaining the bowed lumbar grid in a selected shape to provide lumbar support to a seated person, the clutch mechanism further comprising a radially extending finger passing through an opening in the clutch to engage said locking pin, the finger, when rotated in said one direction, operable to simultaneously engage said locking pin and a portion of said clutch to thereby simultaneously unwedge the pin and rotate the clutch in said one direction.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 260 words

A lumbar support structure for supporting the lumbar region of a seated person comprising: a resilient lumbar grid with opposing ends, the lumbar grid configured for being coupled to a back support of a seat and having a fixed end and an opposing free end; a linkage device coupled to the free end of the lumbar grid and operable to force the lumbar grid free end toward the grid fixed end to bow the resilient lumbar grid in an outward direction against the back support and against the lumbar region of a person in the seat; a clutch mechanism coupled to the linkage device, the clutch mechanism movable to a selected position to move the linkage and bow the resilient lumbar grid, the clutch mechanism comprising a housing, a clutch rotatable within the housing, and at least one locking pin positioned around the clutch between a surface of the clutch and a surface of the housing, the locking pin operable to wedge between the clutch surface and the housing surface when the clutch is rotated in one direction for locking the clutch in the selected position and maintaining the bowed lumbar grid in a selected shape to provide lumbar support to a seated person, the clutch mechanism further comprising a radially extending finger passing through an opening in the clutch to engage said locking pin, the finger, when rotated in said one direction, operable to simultaneously engage said locking pin and a portion of said clutch to thereby simultaneously unwedge the pin and rotate the clutch in said one direction.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 48 words

The lumbar support structure of claim 13 wherein the linkage device includes at least one cable coupled to the free end of the lumbar grid, the clutch mechanism operable to draw the cable and pull the free end toward the grid fixed end to bow the lumbar grid.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 276 words

A seat structure for comfortably supporting a seated person, the seat structure comprising: a bottom section to support the buttocks and legs of a person; a seat back section to support the back of a person; a resilient lumbar grid with a fixed end and an opposing free end, the lumbar grid coupled to the seat back section; a linkage device coupled to the free end of the lumbar grid and operable to force the lumbar grid free end toward the grid fixed end to bow the resilient lumbar grid in an outward direction against the seat back section and against the lumbar region of a person in the seat structure; a clutch mechanism coupled to the linkage device, the clutch mechanism movable to a selected position to move the linkage and bow the resilient lumbar grid, the clutch mechanism comprising a housing, a clutch rotatable within the housing, and at least one locking pin positioned around the clutch between a surface of the clutch and a surface of the housing, the locking pin operable to wedge between the clutch surface and the housing surface when the clutch is rotated in one direction for locking the clutch in the selected position and maintaining the bowed lumbar grid in a selected shape operable to provide lumbar support to a seated person, the clutch mechanism further comprising a radially extending finger passing through an opening in the clutch to engage said locking pin, the finger, when rotated in said one direction, operable to simultaneously engage said locking pin and a portion of said clutch to thereby simultaneously unwedge the pin and rotate the clutch in said one direction.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 276 words

A seat structure for comfortably supporting a seated person, the seat structure comprising: a bottom section to support the buttocks and legs of a person; a seat back section to support the back of a person; a resilient lumbar grid with a fixed end and an opposing free end, the lumbar grid coupled to the seat back section; a linkage device coupled to the free end of the lumbar grid and operable to force the lumbar grid free end toward the grid fixed end to bow the resilient lumbar grid in an outward direction against the seat back section and against the lumbar region of a person in the seat structure; a clutch mechanism coupled to the linkage device, the clutch mechanism movable to a selected position to move the linkage and bow the resilient lumbar grid, the clutch mechanism comprising a housing, a clutch rotatable within the housing, and at least one locking pin positioned around the clutch between a surface of the clutch and a surface of the housing, the locking pin operable to wedge between the clutch surface and the housing surface when the clutch is rotated in one direction for locking the clutch in the selected position and maintaining the bowed lumbar grid in a selected shape operable to provide lumbar support to a seated person, the clutch mechanism further comprising a radially extending finger passing through an opening in the clutch to engage said locking pin, the finger, when rotated in said one direction, operable to simultaneously engage said locking pin and a portion of said clutch to thereby simultaneously unwedge the pin and rotate the clutch in said one direction.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 47 words

The seat structure of claim 15 wherein the linkage device includes at least one cable coupled to the free end of the lumbar grid, the clutch mechanism operable to draw the cable and pull the free end toward the grid fixed end to bow the lumbar grid.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 85 words

The seat structure of claim 16 further comprising a cable wheel coupled to the clutch mechanism and the cable, the cable wheel being rotatable by the clutch mechanism to wind the cable thereon, the cable wheel including an elongated radial portion which provides an effective moment arm greater than an effective moment arm created by another portion of the wheel, the elongated radial portion effectively reducing the rotational force required to rotate the cable wheel and wind the cable as the lumbar grid is bowed.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 48 words

The seat structure of claim 15 wherein the clutch is configured such that the locking pin automatically unwedges and the clutch unlocks when the clutch is rotated in a direction opposite said one direction and the pin again subsequently wedges when the clutch rotates in said one direction.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 30 words

The seat structure of claim 15 further comprising a rotatable handle coupled to the clutch for manually rotating the clutch to bow the resilient lumbar grid and provide lumbar support.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 28 words

The seat structure of claim 15 further comprising a motor coupled to the clutch for rotating the clutch to bow the resilient lumbar grid and provide lumbar support.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 229 words

A lumbar support structure for supporting the lumbar region of a seated person comprising: a resilient lumbar grid with opposing ends, the lumbar grid configured for being coupled to a back support of a seat and having a fixed end and an opposing free end; at least one cable coupled to the free end of the lumbar grid, the cable operable to pull the lumbar grid free end toward the grid fixed end to bow the resilient lumbar grid in an outward direction against the back support and against the lumbar region of a person in the seat; a cable wheel operable for rotating to wind the cable thereon and draw the cable; a rotating clutch mechanism coupled to the cable wheel and being freely rotatable in at least one direction to a selected position to rotate the wheel and draw the cable for bowing the resilient lumbar grid, the clutch mechanism operable to lock at said selected position to maintain the bowed lumbar grid in a loaded state; the cable wheel including an elongated radial portion which provides an effective moment arm greater than another effective moment arm created by another portion of the wheel, the elongated radial portion effectively reducing the rotational force required to rotate the cable wheel and draw the cable as the lumbar grid is bowed for providing lumbar support to a seated person.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 229 words

A lumbar support structure for supporting the lumbar region of a seated person comprising: a resilient lumbar grid with opposing ends, the lumbar grid configured for being coupled to a back support of a seat and having a fixed end and an opposing free end; at least one cable coupled to the free end of the lumbar grid, the cable operable to pull the lumbar grid free end toward the grid fixed end to bow the resilient lumbar grid in an outward direction against the back support and against the lumbar region of a person in the seat; a cable wheel operable for rotating to wind the cable thereon and draw the cable; a rotating clutch mechanism coupled to the cable wheel and being freely rotatable in at least one direction to a selected position to rotate the wheel and draw the cable for bowing the resilient lumbar grid, the clutch mechanism operable to lock at said selected position to maintain the bowed lumbar grid in a loaded state; the cable wheel including an elongated radial portion which provides an effective moment arm greater than another effective moment arm created by another portion of the wheel, the elongated radial portion effectively reducing the rotational force required to rotate the cable wheel and draw the cable as the lumbar grid is bowed for providing lumbar support to a seated person.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 244 words

A seat structure for comfortably supporting a seated person, the seat structure comprising: a bottom section to support the buttocks and legs of a person; a seat back section to support the back of a person; a resilient lumbar grid with a fixed end and an opposing free end, the lumbar grid coupled to the seat back section; at least one cable coupled to the free end of the lumbar grid, the cable operable to pull the lumbar grid free end toward the grid fixed end to bow the resilient lumbar grid in an outward direction against the seat back section and against the lumbar region of a person in the seat structure; a cable wheel operable for rotating to wind the cable thereon and draw the cable; a rotating clutch mechanism coupled to the cable wheel and being freely rotatable in at least one direction to a selected position to rotate the wheel and draw the cable for bowing the resilient lumbar grid, the clutch mechanism operable to lock at said selected position to maintain the bowed lumbar grid in a loaded state; the cable wheel including an elongated radial portion which provides an effective moment arm greater than another effective moment arm created by another portion of the wheel, the elongated radial portion effectively reducing the rotational force required to rotate the cable wheel and draw the cable as the lumbar grid is bowed for providing lumbar support to a seated person.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 244 words

A seat structure for comfortably supporting a seated person, the seat structure comprising: a bottom section to support the buttocks and legs of a person; a seat back section to support the back of a person; a resilient lumbar grid with a fixed end and an opposing free end, the lumbar grid coupled to the seat back section; at least one cable coupled to the free end of the lumbar grid, the cable operable to pull the lumbar grid free end toward the grid fixed end to bow the resilient lumbar grid in an outward direction against the seat back section and against the lumbar region of a person in the seat structure; a cable wheel operable for rotating to wind the cable thereon and draw the cable; a rotating clutch mechanism coupled to the cable wheel and being freely rotatable in at least one direction to a selected position to rotate the wheel and draw the cable for bowing the resilient lumbar grid, the clutch mechanism operable to lock at said selected position to maintain the bowed lumbar grid in a loaded state; the cable wheel including an elongated radial portion which provides an effective moment arm greater than another effective moment arm created by another portion of the wheel, the elongated radial portion effectively reducing the rotational force required to rotate the cable wheel and draw the cable as the lumbar grid is bowed for providing lumbar support to a seated person.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2000-07-28	2001-01-27	2001-07-29	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2004-07-28	2005-01-27	2005-07-29	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2008-07-28	2009-01-27	2009-07-29	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Lumbar support structure for automotive vehicle

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