Seatback for an article of adjustable furniture
The invention concerns a seat back ( 10 ) for an article of adjustable furniture comprising: a frame ( 12 ), at least one movable support section ( 14, 80 ) mounted for angular adjustment with respect to the frame; cam means ( 64 ) associated with one of the frame and the movable support section, cam follower means ( 58 ) associated with the other of the frame and the movable support section; actuator means ( 38 ) for moving said cam means or cam follower means associated with the frame with respect to the frame; whereby movement of said actuator means effects relative movement of said cam means with respect to said cam follower means and said relative movement effects angular adjustment of said support section relative to the frame to alter the seat back configuration. The present invention contemplates embodiments where the support section(s) comprise(s) an adjustable head rest ( 14 ), an adjustable lumbar support ( 80 ) or both.
1. An adjustable seat back for an article of furniture, comprising:
a frame;
a support member pivotally mounted upon said frame for undergoing angular movement with respect to said frame between fully extended and fully retracted positions;
one of a cam or a cam follower fixedly connected to said support member;
an actuator connected to said frame;
the other one of said cam or cam follower fixedly connected to said actuator, and separate and apart from said cam or cam follower so as not to be fastened to said cam or cam follower but which is constantly engaged with said cam or cam follower such that when said actuator is extended, said cam or cam follower will cause said cam or cam follower to cause said support member to be moved toward said fully extended position, while when said actuator is retracted, said cam or cam follower will follow said cam or cam follower so as to permit said support member to return toward said fully retracted position.
2. The adjustable seat back as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising:
a biasing member connected at one end thereof to said frame and at an opposite end thereof to said cam or cam follower so as to constantly bias said cam or cam follower into engagement with said cam or cam follower.
3. A seat back as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
said cam is associated with said movable support section and said cam follower is associated with said frame.
4. A seat back as claimed in claim 3 wherein:
said cam is fixed in relation to said at least one movable support section.
5. A seat back as claimed in claim 3 wherein:
said cam follower is movably mounted on or with respect to said frame.
6. A seat back as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
said cam comprises a guide ramp.
7. A seat back as claimed in claim 6 , wherein:
the guide ramp comprises an inclined guide.
8. A seat back as claimed in claim 7 , wherein:
the guide ramp has an angle of inclination in the range of 20 to 45 degrees, preferably 25 to 35 degrees, most preferably 30 degrees+1-1 degree.
9. A seat back as claimed in claim 7 wherein:
the guide ramp is linear.
10. A seat back claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
said cam follower is fixed in relation to a moving part of said actuator.
11. A seat back as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
said actuator comprises a linear actuator arranged to move said cam follower in the longitudinal direction of the frame.
12. A seat back as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
said at least one movable support section is pivotally mounted for angular adjustment with respect to said frame.
13. A seat back as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
said at least one movable support section comprises an adjustable lumbar support.
14. A seat back as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
said at least one movable support section comprises an adjustable head rest.
15. A seat back as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
said at least one movable support section comprises an adjustable lumbar support and an adjustable head rest.
16. A seat back as claimed in claim 15 wherein:
said actuator comprises first and second actuators, said first actuator for independent movement of said adjustable head rest, and said second actuator for independent movement of said adjustable lumbar support.
17. A seat back as claimed in claim 16 , wherein:
said first and second actuators are arranged side by side on said seat back frame.
18. A seat back as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
said frame comprises first and second spaced apart parallel side frame members.
19. A seatback for an article of adjustable furniture comprising;
a frame;
at least one movable support section pivotally mounted with respect to said frame;
a cam follower operatively associated with said movable support section, and a cam operatively associated with said frame;
an actuator for moving said cam, operatively associated with said frame, with respect to the said cam follower wherein said cam and cam follower are constantly engaged with each other but are not fastened together;
whereby movement of said actuator effects relative movement of said cam with respect to said cam follower and said relative movement effects angular adjustment of said movable support section relative to said frame so as to adjust the configuration of said seat back.
20. A seatback for an article of adjustable furniture according to claim 19 , wherein:
said movable support section is mounted upon and pivotally movable about a fixed point upon said frame.
21. A seatback for an article of adjustable furniture according to claim 19 , wherein:
said cam is provided upon a distal end of a ram of said actuator.