Guiding Element, Support Assembly and Corresponding Seat Structure

Abstract

A guiding element for attaching a cable having a sleeve ( 2 ) and a wire ( 3 ) running in the sleeve ( 2 ) to a seat frame is provided, said guiding element ( 1 ) comprising first coupling means ( 4 ) for coupling the guiding element ( 1 ) with the seat frame ( 10 ), second coupling means ( 5 ) for coupling said guiding element ( 1 ) with said cable, said second coupling means ( 5 ) comprising an abutting area ( 9 ) against which an end of said sleeve ( 2 ) abuts when said cable is coupled with the guiding element ( 1 ), and guiding means ( 6, 8 ) for guiding said wire extending from said abutting area. Such a guiding element ( 1 ) may be used to guide said cable around a seat frame for adjusting a lumbar support structure.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . A guiding element for attaching a cable having a sleeve and a wire running in the sleeve to a seat frame, said guiding element comprising
 first coupling means for coupling the guiding element with the seat frame,   second coupling means for coupling said guiding element with said cable, said second coupling means comprising an abutting area against which an end of said sleeve abuts when said cable is coupled with the guiding element, and   guiding means for guiding said wire exiting from said sleeve at said abutting area,   wherein said guiding means comprise an arc-shaped element adapted to guide said wire around a side portion of said seat frame to a front side of said seat frame.   
   
   
       14 . The guiding element according to  claim 13 ,
 wherein said guiding means comprises a through hole adapted to accommodate the wire.   
   
   
       15 . The guiding element according to  claim 13 ,
 wherein said first coupling means comprise at least one extension for positioning the guiding element relative to the seat frame.   
   
   
       16 . The guiding element according to  claim 13 ,
 wherein said first coupling means comprise a through hole for accommodating a fastening means for fastening the guiding element to said seat frame.   
   
   
       17 . The guiding element according to  claim 16 ,
 wherein said fastening means comprise a screw or a rivet.   
   
   
       18 . The guiding element according to  claim 13 ,
 wherein said second coupling means comprise a through hole having a first diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of said sleeve at one end and a second diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of said wire, said abutting area being formed as a step narrowing said through hole from said first diameter to said second diameter.   
   
   
       19 . A support assembly for a seat, comprising:
 a support structure to be accommodated in said seat,   a cable having a sleeve and a wire running in said sleeve,   an actuator for reversibly shortening said wire,   the guiding element according to claim I for attaching said cable to a seat frame of said seat such that said sleeve ends at said guiding element and said wire further extends from said guiding element, and   coupling means for coupling said wire with said support structure.   
   
   
       20 . The support assembly according to  claim 19 ,
 wherein said attachment means comprises two attachment elements coupled with the support structure at opposing lateral sides thereof.   
   
   
       21 . The support assembly according to  claim 20 ,
 wherein the support assembly comprises a further sleeve surrounding said wire between said attachment elements.   
   
   
       22 . A support assembly according to  claim 19 ,
 wherein said attachment means comprises at least one attachment element which is designed to be attachable to said support structure by clipping said element on a wire of said support structure, said element further comprising a through hole for guiding said wire.   
   
   
       23 . A support assembly according to  claim 21 ,
 wherein said through hole comprises a step against which said further sleeve abuts.   
   
   
       24 . A seat structure comprising a seat frame and a support assembly according to  claim 19 ,
 wherein said guiding element of said support assembly is coupled with a first lateral side portion of said seat frame and an end portion of said wire of said support assembly is coupled with a second lateral side portion of said seat frame opposing said first lateral side portion.