Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A lumbar support includes a pocket within the chair back and a lumbar cushion, of a particular cross-sectional shape is completely disposed within that pocket and sited approximately complementary to a person's lumbar region. The lumbar cushion includes a unitary, open-cell, elastically-resilient cushion of foam, the cushion of foam being fixed within a flexible, air-impermeable envelope. The foam has an air inlet/outlet conduit directly leading thereinto, and an opening extending through the flexible, air-impermeable envelope. A valve structure in the inlet/outlet tube is provided for controlling gas pressure within the cushion of foam for adjusting the firmness of the lumbar support means in the chair in a position accessible to a chair occupant. The valve structure includes a guide tube secured to the opening in the air inlet/outlet conduit. An air-impermeable plug, is manually-slidable within the guide tube between an open position, allowing flow of air, and a resiliently-biased closed position stopping flow of air. A manually-actuatable member is disposed within the tubular member and is secured to the air-impermeable plug for moving the air-impermeable plug between the two positions. An outer flange forming part of the guide tube is secured by its side face to a side of the chair back.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim