Reversible headrest tilt, lumbar mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10123625-B2
Application number	US-201815925434-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 19, 2018
Priority date	Sep 26, 2014
Publication date	Nov 13, 2018
Grant date	Nov 13, 2018

Abstract

A reversible adjustable lumbar support and headrest tilt mechanism is provided for installation on a chair. A side bracket is coupled to each side of the back frame, and a back bracket is pivotably coupled to each side bracket. An actuator is pivotably coupled to the back frame that has an extendable and retractable shaft. In a first orientation, with the actuator shaft extending toward the upper end of the back frame, a headrest back insert is couple-able to and between the back brackets, such that extension and retraction of the actuator shaft rotates the headrest back insert. In a second orientation, with the actuator shaft extending toward the lower end of the back frame, a lumbar push bar is couple-able to and between the back brackets, such that extension and retraction of the actuator shaft rotates the lumbar push bar.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A lumbar support mechanism, comprising:
a spring;
a motor having a clevis located at an upper end of the motor and an extending shaft located at an opposite end of the motor;
a motor bracket that is coupled to a back frame post, the motor bracket extending inwardly from the back frame post, wherein the motor bracket has a motor bracket tab that extends downwardly from the motor bracket, and wherein the motor bracket tab is pivotally coupled to the clevis of the motor;
a first side bracket having a locating notch;
a back bracket having an upper end, a lower end, a cam protruding inwardly, and a locating stop protruding outwardly, wherein the back bracket is pivotally coupled to the first side bracket, and wherein the lower end of the back bracket is fixedly coupled to a lumbar push bar; and
a motor slide hinge having a retaining notch, a retaining finger, first pivot and a second pivot, wherein the motor slide hinge is pivotally coupled to the extending shaft of the motor at the first pivot, and wherein the motor slide hinge is pivotally coupled to the back bracket at the second pivot.

2. The lumbar support mechanism of claim 1 , further comprising a second side bracket, wherein the second side bracket is a mirror image of the first side bracket, and wherein the first side bracket is mounted in a first position and the second side bracket is mounted in a second position, the second position being laterally opposite the first position.

3. The lumbar support mechanism of claim 2 , wherein the first side bracket and the second side bracket comprise two reversible side brackets, the reversible side brackets each having two holes configured to pivotally couple the reversible side bracket to the back bracket such that the reversible side bracket can be mounted in either the first position or the second position.

4. The lumbar support mechanism of claim 1 , wherein, while in a closed position, the locating stop of the back bracket rest within the locating notch of the first side bracket.

5. The lumbar support mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the motor is sized to overcome a force of the spring and to move the lumbar support mechanism from an extended position to a closed position.

6. The lumbar support mechanism of claim 1 , wherein, while in an extended position, the notch of the motor slide hinge presses against the cam of the back bracket.

7. The lumbar support mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the retaining finger is configured to prevent the mechanism from entering an over-center condition by resting against the cam of back bracket.

Assignees

• L&P Property Man Co

Inventors

• Sigmon Allen R
• Donovan Robert Dean

Classifications

• A47C1/02

  Reclining or easy chairs · CPC title

• A47C7/38

  for the head, e.g. detachable · CPC title

• A47C7/462 Primary

  adjustable by mechanical means · CPC title

• A47C1/036

  the parts including a head-rest · CPC title