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

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 adjustable device for setting and readjusting the arching of the arching element.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A lumbar support mechanism comprising: 
 a frame member being flexible 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.    
     
     
         2 . The lumbar support mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein said partial panels and said frame members are sheet metal.  
     
     
         3 . The lumbar support mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein said partial panels include at least one bent edge.  
     
     
         4 . 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.  
     
     
         5 . The lumbar support mechanism of  claim 1  wherein said adjustment device is a traction cable assembly.  
     
     
         6 . 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.    
     
     
         7 . The lumbar support mechanism according to  claim 6 , wherein said first and second rebates are integrally formed with said frame member.  
     
     
         8 . 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.    
     
     
         9 . 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.    
     
     
         10 . The lumbar support mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein said panels are asymmetric.  
     
     
         11 . The lumbar support mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein said slots are asymmetric.