| 摘要 |
An adjustable lumbar support assembly, particularly suitable for the backs of vehicle seats, which is relatively simple in construction and which is durable, reliable and non-jamming in operation. The assembly includes a mounting bracket having laterally-spaced side portions defining a pair of aligned, horizontally-spaced channels which slidably receive a pair of glide blocks. A tensioned and outwardly-bowed leaf spring has its opposite end portions connected to the glide blocks, and an operating mechanism urges the blocks towards and away from each other to selectively adjust the curvature of the spring and the position of a lumbar support plate centrally connected to the spring. In a preferred embodiment, the operating mechanism includes a threaded shaft rotatably supported by the mounting bracket. A nut carried by the shaft is connected to the glide blocks by a flexible cable to shift those blocks, and thereby alter the curvature of the leaf spring, as the shaft is rotated in one direction or the other. Abutments provided by the shaft and stops provided by the nut abut each other to block further shaft rotation at the limits of travel of the nut. Most advantageously, the leaf spring has its ends connected to the glide blocks in a manner which promotes automatic release of the spring in response to applied forces of a magnitude sufficient to substantially reverse the curvature of the mid-portion of the spring as, for example, in the case of a severe rear end impact against a vehicle in which the assembly is mounted.
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