Headrest Interconnected With Back For Relative Concurrent Movement Patents (Class 297/61)
  • Patent number: 11912184
    Abstract: A vehicle seat including a seatback, and headrest including a shell member. A release mechanism is mounted to the shell member. The release mechanism selectively locks the headrest relative to the seatback. An actuator system extends between the seatback and the headrest. The actuator system includes a sleeve having a first end fixedly connected relative to the seatback, a second end fixedly connected relative to the headrest shell, and an intermediate portion defining a longitudinal length of the sleeve, and a cable extending through the sleeve. The cable has a first end section arranged in the seatback and a second end section coupled to the release mechanism. The longitudinal length of the sleeve includes a first dimension when the seatback is in an upright position and the longitudinal length has a second, longer dimension, when the seatback is in a folded configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Edeena Alicia Reader
  • Patent number: 11396251
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to headrest assemblies for passenger vehicles. More specifically, the present disclosure describes a headrest assembly that provides adjustment between a raised position and a lowered position by way of a pair of compression springs or an over-centering linkage. Also provided herein is a method for using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Reinhold Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Clough, Sergio Millan
  • Patent number: 11267377
    Abstract: An auxiliary member attachment structure for a vehicle seat. The auxiliary member attachment structure includes an auxiliary member at an outer side of the vehicle seat. The vehicle seat has a seat cushion that is capable of transitioning from a seating position to a storage position aligned with a seat back. The auxiliary member being rotatable, about a shaft in the vehicle seat extending along the seat width direction, between a reference position at which the auxiliary member is upright and a holding position at which the auxiliary member is rotated closer to a front side of a vehicle. The auxiliary member attachment structure further includes a rotation restriction unit configured to restrict rotation of the auxiliary member at the reference position when the seat cushion is at the seating position, and cease the restriction of rotation of the auxiliary member when the seat cushion is at the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Ogawa, Satoshi Nonoyama
  • Patent number: 11203276
    Abstract: An occupant support a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat back includes a backrest including and an upper-back adjuster coupled to the backrest at least partially movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The occupant support is at least partially covered in an outer trim including a backrest portion and an adjuster portion that moves relative to the backrest portion. The outer trim blocks view of an interior of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Sachin Ubale, Yogesh Shitole, Tushar Wandhare
  • Patent number: 11124100
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat bottom, a seat back, and a head restraint. The seat back is connected to the seat bottom and is configured to pivot relative to the seat bottom between an unfolded position and a folded position. The head restraint is connected to the seat back and is configured to pivot relative to the seat back between an unfolded position and a folded position. The head restraint is configured to automatically pivot from its folded position to its unfolded position when the seat back pivots from its folded position to its unfolded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ranjit V. Kangane, Pramod Lokhande, Anand V. Iyer, Dan Negrut
  • Patent number: 11000129
    Abstract: A flip headrest device adapted for a sofa includes a sofa frame and a flip mechanism. The sofa frame includes a sofa frame top and two sofa frame sides that are cooperatively connected. The flip mechanism includes a driver rotatably connected in the sofa frame, a flip lever rotatably connected to the driving member, a planar link mechanism cooperatively connected to both ends of the flip lever, and a headrest portion disposed at an upper end of the sofa frame top. The planar link mechanism includes a crank rod, a first link and a second link. The crank rod has one end being fixedly connected to the flip lever, a middle portion being rotatably connected to the first link, and the other end being rotatably connected to the second link. The first and second links pass through the sofa frame top and are rotatably connected to the headrest portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: OKIN REFINED ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Pengfei He, Kangming Tao, Long Li
  • Patent number: 10857917
    Abstract: The reclining child car seat with adjustable head support is a child safety seat. The reclining child car seat with adjustable head support comprises a seat structure, a harness, a locking hinge, and a rack and pinion structure. The seat structure further comprises a bench, a backrest, and a headrest. The reclining child car seat with adjustable head support is a reclining structure that is further defined with a cant. The reclining child car seat with adjustable head support is further configured such that the protective structure of the headrest automatically adjusts as a function of the cant of the reclining structure of the reclining child car seat with adjustable head support. The locking hinge attaches the backrest to the bench such that the backrest rotates relative to the bench. The rack and pinion structure forms a mechanical linkage that adjusts the headrest as a function of the cant. The harness secures the client in the seat structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventor: Ellen Edwards
  • Patent number: 10843606
    Abstract: A reversible seat for an automotive vehicle having a head restraint which rotates between a forward-facing position and a rearward-facing position as the seat is moved between the forward-facing position and the rearward-facing position. The head restraint folds towards the seat back as the reversible seat passes through the peak of its locus to increase clearance with a headliner of the automotive vehicle. The head restraint returns to an upright rotated position as the seat reaches the opposing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc
    Inventor: Louis Vetere, II
  • Patent number: 10836289
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a headrest folding device, more particularly, to a headrest folding device comprising a housing, a link rotatably installed in the housing, and a lifting member installed in the housing in a way that it can be lifted or lowered, wherein a stay rod is connected to the link, and wherein the stay rod is slidingly installed in the lifting member, so that the structure becomes significantly simplified, the device becomes compact, and the headrest is stably folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Woobo Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hae Il Jeong
  • Patent number: 10759318
    Abstract: A head restraint for a seat being adjustable in a vertical direction, and angularly adjustable with regard to lateral portions of the head restraint. A mechanism providing this adjustability is a linear and rotational locking mechanism with a shaft and a slide. The slide is selectively slidably and rotatably mounted on the shaft. The slide has a locked state which linearly and rotationally fixes the slide on, and with respect to, the shaft. The slide has a release state where the slide is linearly and rotatably movable on the shaft. The slide is fixable in a plurality of linear and rotational positions on the shaft in the locked state. The number of linear and rotational positions on the shaft is considered infinite since for all practical purposes, the slide is not restricted to individual discrete positions, but is continuously adjustable to practically any linear and rotational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.รก r.l.
    Inventors: Michael Kapusky, Eric Michalak, Nathan Caruss, Jennifer Carlson, Brent Burton, Matthew McClelland
  • Patent number: 10232756
    Abstract: A leg rest apparatus is provided. A leg rest panel is configured to be adjusted between a deployed position and a stored position. The apparatus includes a lift link that articulates a rear end and a front end rotatably coupled to the seat and the leg rest panel, respectively. A link base with a rear end fixed to the seat is separated from the lift link and a front end is disposed toward a front side of the seat. A front guide link with a front end and a rear end is rotatably connected to a first coupling portion of the leg rest panel and the link base, respectively. A rear guide link with a length less than the front guide link and a front end and a rear end rotatably connected to a second coupling portion separated from the first coupling portion and the link base, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Bong-Ku Kim, Young-Bok Sung, Sang-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 10178912
    Abstract: A seat includes a base frame, seat frame, and footrest, the seat frame retained on a sliding member and pivotable about a first axis. The sliding member is displaceably guided between first and second positions in a guiding profile. The footrest is articulated to the seat frame by a rod mechanism to be adjusted between a folded-in and folded-out position. A drive for displacing the sliding member and adjusting the footrest is provided between the base frame and rod mechanism. A dual-arm lever arm having a first end, second end, and central region is rotatably supported on the sliding member in the central region and is connected with the first end to the rod mechanism and the second end to the seat frame. Movement of the footrest between the folded-in and folded-out position causes a pivot movement of the seat frame about the first axis between basic and inclined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: CIAR S.P.A.
    Inventor: Massimo Carrera
  • Patent number: 10173559
    Abstract: A conveyance seat includes: a seat base; a support portion which supports the occupant from the back side; a flip-up mechanism which flips up the seat base; a biasing member which biases the support portion forward; an engagement portion which is engaged with the support portion to hold the support portion in a upright state against the biasing force; a cancel mechanism which cancels the engagement between the engagement portion and the support portion; and a return mechanism which returns the support portion from a state where the engagement with the engagement portion is canceled by the cancel mechanism to a state where the support portion is engageable with the engagement portion. The return mechanism performs the return operation in accordance with the inclination angle of the support portion inclined forward by the biasing member after the engagement between the engagement portion and the support portion is canceled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichi Tachikawa, Masato Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10006239
    Abstract: A window control arrangement for operating two or more windows in a vehicle includes one or several manually operated window control switches set as default to be associated with a specific one of the windows, a window actuator associated with each of the windows and configured for raising or lowering a corresponding window, a control unit connected to the window actuators for controlling raising or lowering of the windows, and an input device connected to the control unit, the input device having a multitude of input modes of which at least one mode is configured for receiving input concerning operation of the windows. The arrangement is configured for activating the input device to be in the at least one mode configured for receiving input concerning operation of the windows as a result of a detected intention from a driver or passenger in the vehicle to activate a window actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Disley, Niklas Palm, Mikael Gordh, Patrik Lundgren, Conny Blomme
  • Patent number: 9980570
    Abstract: Provided is a headrest folding apparatus. An oblique face is formed on a support for supporting a headrest. When the headrest is in an upright position, the oblique face comes into contact with a first member. The headrest folding apparatus prevents a loose gap from occurring in an upright state, simplifies components to be made compact, and allows a seat to be easily assembled and a manufacturing cost to be cut down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Woobo Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hae Il Jeong
  • Patent number: 9572430
    Abstract: An item of seating furniture, including a base, a seating unit, a backrest unit having a back contact surface, and a headrest unit with a head contact surface. The headrest unit is movable between a storage position and an operating position. The headrest unit is arranged in the storage position in such that the head contact surface is fully behind the back contact surface and below the top edge thereof. The headrest unit is pivotable about a headrest rotation axis along a nonlinear movement path, or is movable along a linear movement path opposite the base. The backrest unit is movable along a second movement path deviating from the movement path of the headrest unit, wherein the movement of the backrest unit is coupled to the movement of the headrest unit via a movement mechanism of the headrest unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: VEL VEGAโ€”DESIGN E TECNOLOGIA IND. UNIP. LDA.
    Inventor: Matthias Fischer
  • Patent number: 9504326
    Abstract: A reclinable chair featuring a weight-sensitive recline mechanism is disclosed. The reclinable chair can comprise a base a support frame pivotally mounted to the base, and a support surface mounted to the support frame. The support frame can include a seat frame portion disposed between and pivotally connected to both a front frame portion and a back frame portion. The back frame portion of the support frame can also be pivotally attached to a rear end of the base, while the front frame portion can also be pivotally attached to a front end of the base. In this arrangement, the support frame and the base can cooperatively function as a linkage system capable of providing a weight-sensitive recline mechanism in a low-profile, stackable chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Humanscale Corporation
    Inventors: Emilian Cartis, Mark McKenna
  • Patent number: 9486079
    Abstract: An office chair including a linking mechanism between a movable chair seat and a pivotable chair back. The mounting arrangement between the chair back and the chair seat includes swing arm assembly that is pivotally connected to the chair seat. When the chair seat moves forward, the swing arm assembly moves with the chair seat and causes the chair back to pivot and move relative to a stationary support arm. The stationary support arm includes a curved support face that moves within a movement slot formed on the swing arm assembly. The movement slot includes a roller that helps guide relative movement between the two components. The chair seat includes a thigh support portion that allows the user to adjust the seat depth as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Office Master Inc.
    Inventor: Francisco Romero
  • Patent number: 9480336
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a seat. The seat may include a stationary support frame at least partially defining a cavity. The seat may also include a backrest cushion, a headrest, and a motion mechanism. The motion mechanism has a headrest assembly allowing movement of the headrest between a retracted position and an extended position. When the headrest is in the retracted position, the headrest is hidden from view within the cavity of the support frame. When the headrest is in the extended position, the headrest is visible above the backrest cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: American Leather Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Garland, Glenn Wiecek, Douglas L. Gasal, Kevin Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8931833
    Abstract: A vehicle seat may include a seat bottom, a seatback and a head restraint. The seatback may engage the seat bottom and may be movable relative thereto between a normal use position and a second position. The head restraint may be coupled to the seatback and may include front and rear portions attached to each other for relative movement therebetween. The front and rear portions may define a first thickness when the seatback is in the normal use position and a second thickness when the seatback is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Mahendra Raja K, Kannan Subramanian, Manoranjan Kanakaraj
  • Publication number: 20140333098
    Abstract: A vehicle seat that is foldable includes a lockout mechanism to prevent movement of a head rest to a folded position if an occupant is present in the vehicle seat. In response to pivoting of a back rest relative to a bottom seat cushion, the head rest normally moves to the folded position, except if the occupant is present. A sensor determines whether the occupant is present, and if the occupant is present, prevents actuation of the head rest. The lockout mechanism can incorporate a lockout pin that is spring biased to fit within a recess of a plunger, such that when the lockout pin is engaged in the recess of the plunger, the head rest is permitted to move to the folded position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: KONGSBERG AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
    Inventor: Jason DeForest
  • Publication number: 20140312660
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the movement of resting components of a sofa, an armchair or the likes, such as a headrest movable between a lowered position and a raised position, a back movable between a substantially erected configuration and a downwardly inclined configuration, a seat movable between a backward position and a forward position, and a footrest movable between a lowered, substantially vertical position and a raised position. Such a device comprises a telescopic member equipped with a movable portion controlled by a motor and able, jointly with further connection members, to place in reciprocal relation and to move said headrest, back seat and footrest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: Pasquale Natuzzi
  • Patent number: 8851562
    Abstract: A vehicle head restraint on a seat back is adjustable in height from a non-usage position to a usage position. The head restraint is disposed on a retaining element formed from a U-shaped tubular section and of which a horizontally disposed section forms the axis of rotation of the head restraint. The head restraint and retaining element are coupled by means of a spring element such that a biasing force of the spring element is applied to the head rest, wherein sections of the spring element engage in respective cutouts disposed on both sides in the region of rounded portions of the retaining element, and the biasing force generated rotates a lower end of the head rest automatically in the direction of the retaining element as the head rest is moved from the non-usage position to the usage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Miroslav Rezbarik, Michal Martinka, Ivan Jakubec
  • Publication number: 20140265460
    Abstract: An ergonomic workstation that includes a base; an effective hip axis affixed to the base; a seat bottom that rotates about the effective hip axis; a seat back that rotates about the effective hip axis; an effective shoulder axis positionally fixed to the seat back; an effective elbow axis positionally fixed to the seat back; a monitor support having a monitor mount that rotates about the shoulder axis; and an input device tray support configured such that an input device tray on the support rotates about the elbow axis. As the workstation moves through a broad range of operational zones, it maintains a fixed eye-to-monitor distance and fixed angle between the user's head and the monitor throughout a significant portion of the range of motion, and a fixed distance from the user's elbow to an input device throughout the entire range of motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SV TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Che Voigt, John M. Speicher
  • Patent number: 8727442
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back operatively coupled to a seat cushion for pivotal movement between an upright seating position, a folded position disposed forwardly of the upright seating position, and a spring engagement/disengagement position between the upright seating position and the folded position. A recliner return mechanism is operatively coupled to the seat back during pivotal movement of the seat back between the upright seating position and the spring engagement/disengagement position such that the recliner return mechanism biases the seat back forwardly toward the spring engagement/disengagement position. The recliner return mechanism is operatively decoupled from the seat back during pivotal movement of the seat back between the spring engagement/disengagement position and the folded position such that the seat back pivots freely between the spring engagement/disengagement position and the folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Runde
  • Patent number: 8672399
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly for supporting an occupant having a seat bottom, a seat back connected to the seat bottom and a reclining mechanism configured to adjustably position the seat back relative to the seat bottom. A head restraint assembly adjustably connected to the seat back includes a headrest and one or more guides connected to and cooperating with the seat back to position the head restraint adjacent an occupant's head. A headrest adjustment mechanism for adjustably positioning the headrest relative to the seat bottom includes a locking member that releasably engages the one or more guides and a cable that cooperates with the release mechanism and the locking member to adjustably position the head restraint when the release mechanism is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Stefan Brunner, Markus Koidl, Tobias Bokelmann
  • Patent number: 8662578
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat back operatively coupled to a seat cushion and a head restraint operatively coupled to the seat back. A bell-crank is pivotally coupled to the seat back and operatively coupled to the seat cushion and a head restraint latch mechanism. Initial pivotal movement of the seat back from a seating position toward a folded position pivots the bell-crank from a first position actuating the latch mechanism to disengage with the head restraint. Continued pivotal movement of the seat back to the folded position pivots the bell-crank to a second position operably disconnecting the bell-crank and seat cushion. Pivotal movement of the seat back from the folded position to the seating position pivots the bell-crank from the second position to the first position actuating the latch mechanism to a position for engagement with the head restraint upon return of the head restraint to a use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J Szybisty, David M Runde
  • Publication number: 20140015288
    Abstract: A conveyance seat is provided that includes: a folding mechanism that performs a folding operation for folding the headrest forward; a first receiving portion that receives a first operation when folding only the headrest forward; a second receiving portion that receives a second operation when storing the conveyance seat; a first driving portion that drives only the folding mechanism by the first operation received by the first receiving portion to permit the folding mechanism to perform the folding operation; and a second driving portion that drives the folding mechanism along with the movement of at least one of the seat cushion and the seatback to the storing position permitting the folding mechanism to perform the folding operation when the second receiving portion receives the second operation, wherein the folding mechanism, the first driving portion, and the second driving portion are all attached to the seatback frame provided inside the seatback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicants: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoichi Tachikawa, Yusuke Ogata, Koki Sato, Nobuo Yokochi
  • Patent number: 8616625
    Abstract: A seat assembly having headrest that includes an expansion assembly that operates to expand the cushion when the headrest is in the lower position. As the headrest is raised, the expansion assembly retracts, removing the bulge and creating a more planar surface for comfortably resting the head of a seat occupant. The headrest is also configured to reduce expansion of flatten as the seatback is folded flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Antonio Buccinna
  • Patent number: 8579368
    Abstract: A seat for a vehicle includes a seat cushion frame reciprocating between seating and retracted positions, a seat back frame rotatable between standing and forward-tilted positions, a head rest movable between stationary and retracted positions, a pair of links provided at both end portions of the seat cushion frame on a floor in a lateral direction of the vehicle, a guide member including a guide groove extending between the seating and retracted positions, a slide member arranged at the seat cushion frame and sliding along the guide groove, a head rest retaining device retaining the head rest in the stationary position, a rotary member supported by the seat back frame and rotated by the slide member, and an interlocking device arranged between the rotary member and the head rest retaining device and releasing the head rest from the stationary position in accordance with a rotation of the rotary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motohiro Kokubo, Masaki Hatano, Hideki Fujisawa, Kazuya Iwasa, Hiroaki Hayahara
  • Patent number: 8573686
    Abstract: A retractable headrest exhibiting a plate shaped support embedded within a seatback. A scissor linkage includes a plurality of interconnecting and overlapping link arms pivotally secured to the plate support at one end thereof. A spring biased rivet is disposed at an overlapping intermediate location of the link arms for travel along a linear extending channel defined in the support. A carriage connects to the other end of the scissor linkage and is linearly displaceable along the plate support. A headrest support rod is connected to the carriage and extends from the seatback. A spring loaded and rotatable pawl is pivotally supported proximate a base end of the scissor linkage and includes a catch location in engagement with a first pin extending from the support. A first cable extends from a first remote location and connects to the pawl. A second cable extends from a second remote location and connects to the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: BAE Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen C. Bruck
  • Patent number: 8465098
    Abstract: A vehicle head restraint assembly includes a head restraint support adapted to be mounted to a seat back frame. A transverse shaft is pivotally mounted to the support. A post is connected to the shaft for supporting a head restraint. A biasing member is connected to the support and the shaft for biasing the post to a collapsed position. An eccentric projection extends from a central region of the shaft. A latching mechanism is provided on the support and oriented within a path of rotation of the projection to engage the projection and maintain the head restraint in an upright position. Retraction of the latching mechanism permits the biasing member to pivot the head restraint to the collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Arjun Yetukuri, Scott Andrew Willard
  • Patent number: 8459731
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat back operatively coupled to a seat cushion. The seat back is pivotally movable between a first seating position and a second folded position. A head restraint is operatively coupled to the seat back for pivotal movement between a use position and a stowed position. A handle assembly includes a handling having a first slot operatively coupled to the head restraint and a second slot operatively coupled to the seat back. Operating the handle actuates the head restraint to move from the use position to the stowed position prior to actuating the seat back to move from the first seating position to the second folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Runde
  • Publication number: 20130140856
    Abstract: A reclining seating unit includes: a base; a seat; a backrest; a reclining mechanism attached to the base, seat and backrest, the reclining mechanism configured to move the seating unit between an upright position and a fully reclined position; a headrest that is positioned in front of an upper portion of the backrest; and a headrest mechanism attached to the headrest and to the reclining mechanism. The headrest mechanism is configured to move the headrest from a retracted position when the seating unit is in its upright position to an extended position when the seating unit is in its fully reclined position. In the retracted position the headrest is generally parallel with the backrest and in the extended position the headrest defines an angle with the backrest in which the front surface of headrest is rotated to partially face the front surface of the backrest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Marcus L. Murphy, D. Stephen Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20130140855
    Abstract: A reclining seating unit includes: a base configured to rest on an underlying surface; a seat; a backrest; a reclining mechanism attached to the base, seat and backrest, the reclining mechanism configured to move the seating unit between an upright position, in which the seat is disposed above the base and the backrest defines a first backrest angle relative to the seat, and a fully reclined position, in which the backrest has reclined relative to the seat to a second backrest angle that exceeds the first backrest angle; a headrest that is positioned above the backrest; and a headrest mechanism attached to the headrest and to the reclining mechanism. The headrest mechanism is configured to move the headrest from a retracted position when the seating unit is in its upright position to an extended position when the seating unit is in its fully reclined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Marcus L. Murphy, D. Stephen Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8434822
    Abstract: A device for an adjustable piece of seating and reclining furniture with an adjustable angle between the seat and the back of the piece of furniture, wherein on each side of the piece of furniture there is located a fitting projecting upwards from its base, the seat being tiltable about a forward suspension point on the fitting, and the back being tiltable about a rear suspension point on the fitting, wherein the back upon tilting backwards causes the seat to tilt backwards in that a link is pivotally fastened to a rear part of the seat frame and pivotally fastened to a lower part of the back frame, the pivotal connection of the link to the back frame being located behind and below said rear suspension point. On an increase in the angle between the seat and the back, the angle that the neck rest of the piece of furniture forms with the back is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: SAPDesign AS
    Inventor: Svein Asbjรธrnsen
  • Publication number: 20130093218
    Abstract: A seat assembly having a seat bottom, a seat back, and a head restraint assembly. The head restraint assembly may be disposed on the seat back and may move from a first position to a second position when the seat bottom is rotated about a first axis of rotation with respect to the seat back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arjun Yetukuri, Scott Andrew Willard
  • Patent number: 8408639
    Abstract: A vehicle seat and head restraint assembly is disclosed in which the configuration of the seat back is automatically adjusted as the position of the head rest is changed. Upon lowering the head restraint, a forwardly directed face of the seat back is urged outward to thereby decrease a torso angle associate with the seat assembly. Additional versions are described in which the torso angle is decreased by raising the head rest. And, versions are described in which horizontal or pivotal movement of the head restraint causes movement of a forward face of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Wilms
  • Patent number: 8388069
    Abstract: A headrest for an automobile seat has a headrest body and an attachment member to be attached to a back of the seat to allow the headrest body to be moved up and down with respect to the seat back in a standing posture, while allowing the headrest body to be rotated about a pivot shaft to move a lower end of the headrest body in a frontward-rearward direction of the automobile. The headrest body has an expanded rear portion thereof to expand rearwardly and configured so that a distance between the surface of the expanded portion and the pivot shaft gradually decreases toward an upper edge of the expanded portion. The expanded portion is opposed to an upper surface of the seat back in the standing posture and contacts the upper surface when the attachment member is moved down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Kajimoto
  • Patent number: 8317259
    Abstract: There are provided a seatback supporting backs of plural passengers seated on a bench type of seat cushion, a headrest provided at an upper portion of a first portion of the seatback and supporting a head of the passenger seated in front of the first portion, a pressure-receiving portion provided at a second portion of the seatback which is arranged beside the first portion so as to move rearwardly when being pressed by a rearward move of the passenger seated in front of the second portion, and a headrest moving mechanism provided to connect the pressure-receiving portion to the headrest so that the headrest is moved forwardly or upwardly in accordance with a rearward move of the pressure-receiving portion. Accordingly, the passenger's head can be protected with a simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kouichi Nakaya, Akihiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8292363
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism for selectively transmitting a force applied thereto may include an operation bracket that is rotatably connected to the vehicle seat via a first pivot shaft and is connected to a force output cable, a rotatable arm that is rotatably connected to the operation bracket via the first pivot shaft and is connected to a force input cable, and a swing arm that is rotatably connected to the operation bracket via a second pivot shaft. The operation bracket includes a curved slot formed therein. The rotatable arm includes an elongated slot that has a toothed portion. The swing arm includes an engagement portion that movably engages both of the curved slot of the operation bracket and the elongated slot of the rotatable arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Yamaguchi, Atsuki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8276983
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat back pivotally coupled to a seat cushion for movement between a generally upright seating position and a folded position overlying the seat cushion. A head restraint is slidably coupled to an upper end of the seat back for vertical movement between a use position spaced apart from the upper end and a stowed position adjacent the upper end. A mechanism is operative for automatically moving the head restraint between the use and stowed positions in response to pivoting the seat back between the seating and folded positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc.
    Inventor: Omar D. Tame
  • Publication number: 20120161479
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat back operatively coupled to a seat cushion and a head restraint operatively coupled to the seat back. A bell-crank is pivotally coupled to the seat back and operatively coupled to the seat cushion and a head restraint latch mechanism. Initial pivotal movement of the seat back from a seating position toward a folded position pivots the bell-crank from a first position actuating the latch mechanism to disengage with the head restraint. Continued pivotal movement of the seat back to the folded position pivots the bell-crank to a second position operably disconnecting the bell-crank and seat cushion. Pivotal movement of the seat back from the folded position to the seating position pivots the bell-crank from the second position to the first position actuating the latch mechanism to a position for engagement with the head restraint upon return of the head restraint to a use position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Magna Seating Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Szybisty, David M. Runde
  • Patent number: 8197001
    Abstract: A pivoting headrest assembly incorporated into a rear row vehicle seat including a base and a pivotally supported seatback. A first bracket is fixedly supported atop the seatback and exhibits a striker. A second bracket is pivotally supported to the first bracket in a biased direction away from the striker and includes a headrest bun support. A hook is supported upon the second bracket in a first biased direction engaging the striker. A release element associated with the second bracket is biased direction and which, upon being actuated in a second counter-biased direction, engages a projecting portion associated with the hook. A cable is secured at a first end to a fixed location associated with the seat and extends through a redirection location an offset distance from a pivot location of the seatback, the cable securing at a second end to the release element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: BAE Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David Grable, Stephen Bruck, Jason Hamilton, David L. Quittschreiber
  • Patent number: 8182037
    Abstract: A fold-and-dive seat assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The fold-and-dive seat assembly includes a seat cushion dived downward toward a floor panel by means of a dive link, a seat back connected to the seat cushion by a connection link, and rotatably connected to the floor panel to be folded toward the seat cushion, a head rest provided on an upper end of the seat back, a sliding unit, connected to the head rest and the seat back, for moving the head rest in a back and forth direction in a sliding manner, and a slid driving member for operating the sliding unit in link with the dive link, upon folding and diving, to slide the head rest in a rearward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Lear Korea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chan Ho Jeong, Gil Ju Kim, Mi Sun Kwon, Seon Chae Na, Cheol-Ho Jung, Soon-Man Jang
  • Patent number: 8177165
    Abstract: An aircraft seat in a cubicle able to provide privacy via a hidden, sliding/pocket door drawn to a seat-side end of a divider between adjacent seats from within a facing panel of the next divider in the line of seats. The divider provides a recessed backing for the seat; whilst a return recess provides foot rest space opposite the seat. The dividers are generally S-shaped in one form. The seat in one form is a double seat, in that it comprises a convertible seat and a fixed seat immediately next to each other. The fixed seat provides an alternative seating position when the convertible seat is in bed configuration and a seat for a friend when the convertible seat is in seat configuration. In one form not only the convertible seat, but also the fixed seat have seat belts, the latter seat's belts being provided in case of turbulence during use. The convertible seat has a seat squab, a backrest and a leg rest both pivotally connected to the seat squab that are reclinable via a reclining mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: Ray Bettell
  • Patent number: 8172315
    Abstract: Device for a reclining chair or functional sofa with an adjustable back support and an adjustable headrest, where the device when the back support is moved is adjusted to influence the headrest angle relative to the back support in such a way that the headrest is rotated from an almost vertical plane to an angle in relation to the back support when the back support is reclined, while at least one rotatable joint in between the headrest and the back support is connected with at least one frictional part by the use of at least one strut in such a way that a user with his/her head or other force can rotate the headrest backwards or forward as so desired when the back support is in desired reclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Mobel Design AS
    Inventors: Rune Jonsen, Lars Inge Jakobsen
  • Patent number: 8157320
    Abstract: There are provided a headrest that can be tilted from a head support state to a storage state by an operation at a position separate from the headrest, and an associated vehicle seat. The headrest includes a pillar mounted on the upper part of the seat back; a headrest frame turnably engaged with the pillar; a spring that urges the headrest frame to one side; a locking element or elements that hinder turning the headrest frame with respect to the pillar; a remote control section provided at a position separate from the headrest; and an inner cable one end part of which is connected to the locking element and the other end part of which is attached to the remote control section. The locking element or elements release by pulling the inner cable by the operation of the remote control section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuo Sayama
  • Patent number: 8152242
    Abstract: A head restraint actuation system includes a head restraint positionable in an upright and folded position. Repositioning of the head restraint is accomplished through the action of a head restraint actuator. The head restraint actuator is in communication with the head restraint. An actuating cable system includes a cable that is in communication with the head restraint actuator and a user operated handle. User initiated movement of the handle causes movement of the cable thereby causing the head restraint to be positioned in the folded position. The activation system is able to simultaneously actuate a plurality of head restraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Arjun Yetukuri, Mladen Humer, Ted Smith, Marc Stauske
  • Publication number: 20120056451
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a bracket for mounting to a vehicle body. A seat back frame is pivotally connected to the bracket for movement between an upright position and a collapsed position. A head restraint is mounted to the seat back frame to translate relative to the frame. A transmission is connected to the bracket, the frame and the head restraint to provide a geared engagement between the head restraint and the bracket such that translation of the head restraint relative to the seat back frame is a direct relationship of a pivotal position of the seat back frame relative to the bracket in order to extend the head restraint at the upright position and to retract the head restraint in the collapsed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Achim Tscherbner