Ligon Brothers Manufacturing Company

Mccord Winn Textron Inc.

Textron Automotive Company Inc.

Ligon Brother Manufacturing Company

Schukra Usa, Inc.

Stephen P Porter

James T Ligon, Sr

Andrew L Patrius, Jr

William M Prendergast

Anthony R Haba

Andrew L Patrias, Jr

A one-way valve includes a plate and a flexible vane. The plate has a vent opening of a first size and shape. The plate has a first curvature. The flexible vane has a second curvature distinct from the first curvature. The vane is fixed to the plate in a manner facilitating the deflection of the vane between an open position and a closed position. The vane is in a bent condition in the closed position. The vane conforms to the first curvature of the plate over the vent opening, and covers the vent opening in the closed position. The vane is elastic throughout a range of deflection associated with the vane moving between the closed position and the open position.

One way anti-back flow valve

One way anti-backflow valve

A lumbar support mechanism includes a flexible support member, a spring and a cable assembly. The flexible support member has oppositely disposed first and second ends. The spring has a first end and a second end. The first end of the spring is connected to one of the first end and second ends of the flexible support member. The cable assembly includes a sleeve and a cable slidably disposed therein. The sleeve has a first end connected to the second end of the spring. The cable has a first end connected an other of the first and second ends of the flexible support member.

Cable attachment for a lumbar support

An adjustable lumbar support mechanism includes a flexible support member, a cushioning yoke, and a cable assembly. The flexible support member has oppositely disposed first and second longitudinal ends. The cushioning yoke has a first end attached to the flexible support member proximate to the first longitudinal end of the flexible support member. The cushioning yoke extends to its second end which is disposed between the first end of the cushioning yoke and the second end of the flexible support member. The yoke has a plurality of undulations disposed between the yokes first end and second end. The cable assembly has a sleeve and a cable slidably disposed therein. The sleeve has a first end attached to one of the second end of the cushioning yoke and the second end of the flexible support member. A first end of the cable is attached to the other of the second end of the cushioning yoke and the second end of the flexible support member.

Lever actuator assembly includes the use of at least one clutch member for providing selective adjustment of the length or tension of a cable. The clutch member provides for a stationary position of a item such as a cable relative to the assembly housing absent any rotational force. Applying a rotational force in a selected manner results in an adjustment through movement of the clutch member relative to the housing. A disclosed embodiment is particularly useful for applications that require adjusting a relative length of a cable.

Lever actuator

An adjustable lumbar support mechanism includes a flexible support member, a device for longitudinally subtending the support member, an apex shift linkage, and a loading device engaging the apex shift linkage. The flexible support member has oppositely disposed first and second longitudinal ends. The device for longitudinally subtending the support member is disposed between the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end and causes the support member to arch outwardly to define an apex engaging a users back. The apex shift linkage includes a first shift link and a second shift link. The first shift link has a first end pivotably connected to the flexible support member proximate to the first longitudinal end. The second shift link is pivotably connected on a first end thereof to the flexible support at a point between the second longitudinal end and the first end of the apex shift link. The second shift link is also pivotably connected to the first shift link at a hinge point wherein the first shift link and the second shift link define an obtuse angle therebetween. The loading device engages one of the first shift link and the second shift link at a load point wherein applying a load at the load point in a direction toward the flexible support mechanism tends to shift the apex toward the second longitudinal end.

Four-way lumbar support

A single-piece strong, flexible back support for use in seats such as automobile seats or office chairs, includes a central body portion with outwardly extending support fingers such that an arch having a variable apex is formed when the back support is subtended longitudinally. The longitudinal location of an apex and the shape of the arch formed on the back support changes responsively to a load imposed by a person's back. The inventive back support is capable of taking a variety of shapes thereby providing maximum comfort and support regardless of the user's spinal curvature or posture and position relative to the back support.

Growing community of inventors

Imlay City, MI, United States of America

Stephen P Porter