Lumbar Support and Method for Manufacturing a Lumbar Support

Abstract

A lumbar support to be integrated in a seat frame is proposed, in particular in a seat frame for a motor vehicle seat, the lumbar support comprising a correspondingly bent guide wire ( 4 ) onto which a plurality of finger-like support elements ( 6 ) made from plastics and extending transversely to the lumbar support are injection moulded. Bracing wires ( 8, 10 ) for fastening a seat cover or seat upholstery, as well as a transverse wire ( 12 ) for the automatic actuation of a head restraint, can also be attached to the guide wire ( 4 ) by overmouldings ( 9, 11, 13 ). All plastics components can be made in a single step with the aid of a suitable injection mould.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
   
   
       25 . A lumbar support, comprising
 a first longitudinal wire portion and a second longitudinal wire portion, and   a plurality of support elements made from plastics, which extend in a transverse direction of the lumbar support between the first and second longitudinal wire portions and protrude laterally in a finger-like manner beyond the first and second longitudinal wire portions in the transverse direction of the lumbar support,   wherein the support elements are injection moulded onto the first and second longitudinal wire portions and thereby fixed to the first and second longitudinal wire portions.   
   
   
       26 . A lumbar support according to  claim 25 ,
 wherein the first and second longitudinal wire portions are formed by a single correspondingly bent wire.   
   
   
       27 . A lumbar support according to  claim 26 ,
 wherein a resilience is incorporated in the bent wire.   
   
   
       28 . A lumbar support according to  claim 27 ,
 wherein the resilience is formed by at least one bent portion of the wire.   
   
   
       29 . A lumbar support according to  claim 25 ,
 wherein the lumbar support comprises fastening means to fasten the lumbar support to a seat frame.   
   
   
       30 . A lumbar support according to  claim 29 ,
 wherein the fastening means are injection moulded from plastics onto a lower portion of the bent wire.   
   
   
       31 . A lumbar support according to  claim 25 ,
 wherein the lumbar support comprises at least one wire extending transversely to the lumbar support to fasten seat upholstery or a seat cover.   
   
   
       32 . A lumbar support according to  claim 31 ,
 wherein the at least one wire is fastened to the first and second longitudinal wire portions by overmouldings made from plastics.   
   
   
       33 . A lumbar support according to  claim 32 ,
 wherein the overmouldings protrude in a pin-like manner from the first and second longitudinal wire portions.   
   
   
       34 . A lumbar support according to  claim 31 ,
 wherein at least two wires extending transversely to the lumbar support are provided to fasten seat upholstery or a seat cover, a first wire in an upper region of the lumbar support and a second wire in a lower region of the lumbar support being attached to the first and second longitudinal wire portions.   
   
   
       35 . A lumbar support according to  claim 25 ,
 wherein at least one wire extending transversely to the lumbar support is attached to the first and second longitudinal wire portions for the automatic actuation of a head restraint.   
   
   
       36 . A lumbar support according to  claim 35 ,
 wherein the at least one wire for the automatic actuation of the head restraint in an upper region of the lumbar support is attached to the first and second longitudinal wire portions by at least one overmoulding made from plastics.   
   
   
       37 . A lumbar support according to  claim 36 ,
 wherein the at least one overmoulding extends transversely to the lumbar support from the first longitudinal wire portion to the second longitudinal wire portion.   
   
   
       38 . A lumbar support according to  claim 35 ,
 wherein the at least one wire extends outwardly beyond the support elements transversely to the lumbar support for the automatic actuation of the head restraint.   
   
   
       39 . A lumbar support according to  claim 25 ,
 wherein on at least one support element a connecting means is provided for a heated seat plug.   
   
   
       40 . A lumbar support according to  claim 39 ,
 wherein the connecting means is made from plastics and is constructed in one piece with the corresponding support element.   
   
   
       41 . A lumbar support according to  claim 25 ,
 wherein cable receiving means are constructed on at least one support element to receive a cable.   
   
   
       42 . A lumbar support according to  claim 25 ,
 wherein the support elements are provided with embossed portions to prevent slippage on the first and second longitudinal wire portions.   
   
   
       43 . A seat according to  claim 31  comprising:
 a seat frame; and   a lumbar support installed in the seat frame.   
   
   
       44 . A method for manufacturing a lumbar support, comprising the steps of:
 providing a first longitudinal wire portion and a second longitudinal wire portion which extend substantially in a longitudinal direction of the lumbar support, and   fixing a plurality of support elements made from plastics to the first and second longitudinal wire portions, such that the support elements extend in the transverse direction of the lumbar support between the first and second longitudinal wire portions and protrude laterally in a finger-like manner beyond the first and second longitudinal wire portions in the transverse direction of the lumbar support,   wherein the plurality of support elements are fixed to the first and second longitudinal wire portions by injection moulding onto the first and second longitudinal wire portions.   
   
   
       45 . A method according to  claim 44 ,
 wherein the first and second longitudinal wire portions are provided by a single wire being bent in order to construct the first and second longitudinal wire portions.   
   
   
       46 . A method according to  claim 44 ,
 wherein at least one wire extending transversely to the lumbar support is attached by overmouldings made from plastics to the first and second longitudinal wire portions to fasten a seat cover or seat upholstery.   
   
   
       47 . A method according to  claim 44 ,
 wherein at least one wire extending transversely to the lumbar support is attached by at least one overmoulding made from plastics to the first and second longitudinal wire portions for the automatic actuation of a head restraint.