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US6682144B2 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Support with adjustable arch, especially a lumbar support for any type of seat or bed

Assignee: Schukra Geratebau GmbH
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Filing: 2000-12-04
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Granted: 2004-01-27
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Expires: 2020-12-04
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Abstract

Abstract The invention relates to a support with adjustable arch, especially a lumbar support for seats, in particular motor vehicle seats and chair back rests as well as for any type of bed, the structure of which comprises an arching element and an adjustment device for setting and readjusting the arching of the arching element.

Inventors

  • 👤 Knud Klingler

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-06 14:53
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/64; B60N2/66; B60N2/667; B60N2/6671

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 147 words
A lumbar support mechanism comprising: a frame member being flexiable through a range of flexion, said frame member having a variable resilience, said variable resilience varying through said range of flexion such that increased flexion stiffens said variable resilience of said frame member, said frame member being adapted to be supported at an upper portion and a lower portion; an adjustment device operatively engaged with said upper portion and said lower portion of said frame member such that adjustment of said adjustment device varies said flexion; and two partial panels, said partial panels being disposed in opposite directions; said partial panels being integral with and circumscribed by said frame member, said partial panels being further defined by two U-shaped slots in said frame member, said partial panels having a panel resilience, wherein said panel resilience remains substantially unchanged through said range of flexion of said frame member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 147 words
A lumbar support mechanism comprising: a frame member being flexiable through a range of flexion, said frame member having a variable resilience, said variable resilience varying through said range of flexion such that increased flexion stiffens said variable resilience of said frame member, said frame member being adapted to be supported at an upper portion and a lower portion; an adjustment device operatively engaged with said upper portion and said lower portion of said frame member such that adjustment of said adjustment device varies said flexion; and two partial panels, said partial panels being disposed in opposite directions; said partial panels being integral with and circumscribed by said frame member, said partial panels being further defined by two U-shaped slots in said frame member, said partial panels having a panel resilience, wherein said panel resilience remains substantially unchanged through said range of flexion of said frame member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
The lumbar support mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein said partial panels and said frame members are sheet metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 18 words
The lumbar support mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said partial panels include at least one bent edge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 32 words
The lumbar support mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein said frame member further comprises a plurality of stiffening formations selected from the group consisting of ribs, beads, and bent over portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 16 words
The lumbar support mechanism of claim 1 wherein said adjustment device is a traction cable assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 47 words
The lumbar support mechanism of claim 5 in which said frame member further comprises: a first rebate operatively engaged with one end of a cable of said traction cable assembly and a second rebate operatively engaged with one end of a sleeve of said traction cable assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 22 words
The lumbar support mechanism according to claim 6 , wherein said first and second rebates are integrally formed with said frame member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 28 words
The lumbar support mechanism according to claim 6 , wherein said frame member further comprises: a groove corresponding to a path for operation of said traction cable assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 33 words
The lumbar support mechanism according to claim 1 , further comprising: a plurality of plastic fastening elements for affixing said frame member to a mounting structure adapted to mount in a seat frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 14 words
The lumbar support mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein said panels are asymmetric.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 14 words
The lumbar support mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein said slots are asymmetric.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2007-01-26 2007-07-28 2008-01-27 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2011-01-26 2011-07-28 2012-01-27 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2015-01-26 2015-07-28 2016-01-27 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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