摘要 |
A lumbar support device (10) includes a flexible grid (12) that can be bowed to provide additional curvature and axially moved on a track. The flexible grid (12) is bowed and moved by brackets on the track in combination with cables (36) and actuators (30). For bowing the flexible grid (12), a cable segment pulls a pair of brackets (20, 22) together which bow the flexible grid. The segment (30) is wrapped around one of the brackets and is attached at its ends to the other bracket and an actuator, thereby providing a mechanical advantage to the bowing resistance of the flexible grid. For axially moving the flexible grid, a cable in a fixed bracket directly pulls on the pair of brackets and the flexible grid moves with the pair of brackets; a compression spring (34) is used to provide resistance to the cable and movement in an opposite direction. In another embodiment, a lumbar support device includes a flexible grid that is bowed without any change in axial position. In yet another embodiment, a lumbar support device includes a grid that is moved axially without any change in curvature. |