Headrest Interconnected With Back For Relative Concurrent Movement Patents (Class 297/61)
  • Patent number: 8128162
    Abstract: An armrest assembly for a vehicle seat 5 comprises an armrest portion 11a, 11b, 11c, a shingle head restraint portion 12 moveably attached to one end of the armrest portion 11a, 11b, 11c, to permit the shingle head restraint 12 to be moved towards and away from the one end of the armrest portion 11a, 11b, 11c, and a height adjuster to selectively secure the head restraint 12 in one of a number of predetermined displaced positions relative to the armrest portion 11a, the armrest portion being moveable from a folded up position 11a to a folded down position 11c.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Torsten Gerhardt, Andrew John Murray, Will Farrelly, John K. Harding
  • Patent number: 8103415
    Abstract: A headrest apparatus for a vehicle includes a headrest rear portion supported at a seatback, a headrest front portion movable between a fully closed position and a fully open position, a driving device for moving the headrest front portion, a capacitance sensor detecting a change in capacitance in association with an approach of the head of an occupant, and a controlling device for controlling the headrest front portion to move to the fully open position in response to information that a vehicle is approaching from the rear, the controlling device controlling the driving device to stop a movement of the headrest front portion when the head of the occupant is detected on the basis of a detection signal from the capacitance sensor, the controlling device including a first filter having a first cutoff frequency and a second filter having a second cutoff frequency lower than the first cutoff frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Morio Sakai, Koji Aoki
  • Patent number: 8095278
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a particular vehicle function, for example the adjustment of a vehicle seat, using a graphical user interface (GUI) is provided. The GUI is activating by toggling a control, switch intuitively linked to the particular vehicle function. The control switch is separate from, and not proximate to, the GUI. When the GUI is activated by toggling the control switch, a control screen specific to the particular vehicle function is displayed on the GUI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Timothy Schaaf, Vineet Haresh Mehta
  • Patent number: 8083287
    Abstract: A headrest apparatus may include a headrest fixing member connected to a headrest assembly, a guide member connected to a seatback frame inside the seat back, wherein the guide member including a guide portion and a locking portion guides forward and backward movement of the headrest fixing member, at least an elastic member coupling the guide member and the headrest fixing member and configured to bias the headrest fixing member in the forward direction of the seat back so that the headrest fixing member moves in the forward direction and then is locked to the locking portion of the guide member by the elastic member when the seat back is unfolded, and a locking release unit pivotally coupled to the guide member and configured to release the headrest fixing member from the locking portion of the guide member in accordance with the seat back when the seat back is folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sang Uk Yu, Chan Ho Jeong, Jung Sang You
  • Publication number: 20110221239
    Abstract: A seat assembly for supporting an occupant above a floor includes a support mechanism operatively coupled between a seat back and a seat cushion. A rear end of the seat cushion is released from the support mechanism to pivot the seat cushion from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position in response to pivotal movement of the seat back from an upright seating position to a forwardly folded position. The support mechanism is released from the floor and a stand-up link pivotally coupled between the floor and the support mechanism moves the seat cushion from the generally horizontal position to the generally vertical position and simultaneously urges the seat back to pivot relative to the seat cushion, thereby maintaining the seat back in a generally vertical orientation defining a stand-up position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Carl J. Holdampf, Ronald A. Zimmerman, Douglas A. Dingel, Brian Adwell
  • Publication number: 20110221238
    Abstract: A headrest apparatus may include a headrest fixing member connected to a headrest assembly, a guide member connected to a seatback frame inside the seat back, wherein the guide member including a guide portion and a locking portion guides forward and backward movement of the headrest fixing member, at least an elastic member coupling the guide member and the headrest fixing member and configured to bias the headrest fixing member in the forward direction of the seat back so that the headrest fixing member moves in the forward direction and then is locked to the locking portion of the guide member by the elastic member when the seat back is unfolded, and a locking release unit pivotally coupled to the guide member and configured to release the headrest fixing member from the locking portion of the guide member in accordance with the seat back when the seat back is folded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sang Uk Yu, Chan Ho Jeong, Jung Sang You
  • Patent number: 8016354
    Abstract: A seat assembly has a seat cushion that is pivotally mountable to a vehicle floor. The seat cushion is selectively movable between an operative condition and a standup condition. A seat back is pivotally mounted to the seat cushion and is selectively movably angularly relative to the seat cushion. A pair of hinges pivotally receives the seat back and is linked to the seat cushion, whereby movement of the seat cushion from the operative condition to the standup condition rotates the pair of hinges, generally aligning the seat cushion and the seat back when the seat cushion is tumbled forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc
    Inventors: Selvakumaresan Veluswamy, Xiao Jun Wei, John Scholl, William John Gregory, Omar D. Tame
  • Publication number: 20110181025
    Abstract: A headrest-adjusting mechanism is adapted for use with a stroller. The stroller includes a headrest-supporting tube and a backrest-supporting tube. The headrest-adjusting mechanism is adapted to be connected between the headrest-supporting tube and the backrest-supporting tube in such a manner to allow for rotation of the headrest-supporting tube relative to the backrest-supporting tube from a usable position to a folded position in a predetermined direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventor: Rui-Bin CHEN
  • Publication number: 20110163574
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat cushion and seat back for supporting a seat occupant. The seat back is operatively coupled to the seat cushion for selective pivotal movement between a plurality of reclined seating positions. The seat back includes a seat back frame. A head restraint is coupled to the seat back frame and defines a backset distance between the head restraint and the seat occupant's head. A mechanism operatively interconnects the seat back frame and the seat cushion for automatically tilting the seat back in response to pivotally adjusting the seat back in order to maintain the backset distance constant. When the seat back pivots rearward the seat back tilts forward, moving the head restraint toward the seat occupant's head. When the seat back pivots forward the seat back tilts rearward, moving the head restraint away from the seat occupant's head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Omar D. Tame, Imtiyaz Syed
  • Patent number: 7967375
    Abstract: A headrest apparatus may include a headrest fixing member connected to a headrest assembly, a guide member connected to a seatback frame inside the seat back, wherein the guide member including a guide portion and a locking portion guides forward and backward movement of the headrest fixing member, at least an elastic member coupling the guide member and the headrest fixing member and configured to bias the headrest fixing member in the forward direction of the seat back so that the headrest fixing member moves in the forward direction and then is locked to the locking portion of the guide member by the elastic member when the seat back is unfolded, and a locking release unit pivotally coupled to the guide member and configured to release the headrest fixing member from the locking portion of the guide member in accordance with the seat back when the seat back is folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sang Uk Yu, Chan Ho Jeong, Jung Sang You
  • Publication number: 20110101738
    Abstract: A head rest system for an automotive vehicle seat movable between an extended position when the seat back of the vehicle seat is in its upright position and a retracted position when the seat back is in its lowered position. The system includes a seat base, a seat back pivotably attached to the seat base, a head rest movably attached to the seat back by a head rest attachment assembly, and a head rest movement balancing portion. The head rest attachment assembly includes a fixed portion attached to the seat back and a movable portion. The fixed portion includes a spool assembly. The movable portion includes a pair of spaced apart posts attached to the underside of the head rest and a latching assembly. The spaced apart posts are slidably attached to the fixed portion. The head rest movement balancing portion includes a pair of spaced apart constant force springs. Each of the springs has a spool attachment end and a latching assembly attachment end. A cable is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew T. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20110074185
    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: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouichi Nakaya, Akihiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7901007
    Abstract: A vehicle seat that is foldable can include a linkage mechanism for operatively withdrawing the headrest during fold down procedures and automatically extending the headrest to a use position during unfolding procedures of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Derek Lindsay
  • Patent number: 7887094
    Abstract: A tensioner mechanism that winds a webbing to restrain a passenger seated in a seat when a vehicle crash is detected is provided near the seat. A headrest body is provided to protect the passenger at the vehicle rear crash. A drive mechanism is coupled to the tensioner mechanism via a connection member, and configured to drive the headrest body in accordance with a webbing-winding operation of the tensioner mechanism. Accordingly, the seat structure can be simple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Masafumi Sakaida
  • Patent number: 7883144
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided with a guide within a seat back frame for movement between extended and retracted positions. A biasing member within the seat back frame biases the guide toward the retracted position. A cable extends the guide toward the extended position. A rotary actuator extends and retracts the cable. A release mechanism secures the guide in the extended position. A rod extends from the frame and has a plurality of notches for providing a series of height adjustment positions. A locking member within the guide retains the rod at one of the series of height adjustment positions. A head restraint is mounted on the rod. Actuation of the release mechanism and the rotary actuator releases the guide to retract the head restraint. Return actuation of the rotary actuator returns the guide and the rod to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Stefan Brunner
  • Patent number: 7866742
    Abstract: A head rest adjustment system for a furniture member includes a back support member rotatable with respect to a base member. A head rest assembly is connected to the back support member. An adjustment lever rotates the head rest assembly. An actuation link is connected at a first end to the head rest assembly and at a second end to the adjustment lever. Rotating the adjustment lever displaces the actuation link to rotate the head rest assembly to a plurality of support positions. A back support member axis of rotation is spatially separated from an adjustment lever axis of rotation. Rotating the back support member with respect to the base member can independently operate to displace the actuation link to rotate the head rest assembly without rotation of the adjustment lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry P. LaPointe
  • Patent number: 7862110
    Abstract: A reclining seating unit includes: a seat; a backrest, the backrest including a frame having a top edge; a reclining mechanism attached to the seat and backrest that moves the seat and backrest between upright and reclined positions; a headrest including a headrest panel; and a headrest mechanism attached to the backrest and the headrest. The headrest mechanism comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected links and is configured to move the headrest between a retracted position, in which the headrest panel is generally horizontally disposed and overlies the top edge of the backrest frame, and an extended position, in which the headrest panel is vertically disposed and is separated from the top edge of the backrest frame. Movement of the seating unit from the upright position to a reclined position moves the headrest from the retracted position to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventor: W. Clark Rogers
  • Patent number: 7802851
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a method and an apparatus for adjusting mutual position of two structural elements of a patient chair, like the back rest and the head rest, articulated with each other, in which method the mutual position of the two structural elements (3, 4, 5) connected with each other by articulation is adjusted by a drive device (13). With the help of the drive device (13) it is possible to produce, for example, an essentially high rotational motion that can be converted to a linear motion with the help of a thread. The linear motion is converted to an essentially slow rotational motion with the help of a thread element (9) functionally connected to an articulated shaft (6, 7) belonging to the position adjustment mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Planmeca Oy
    Inventor: Pentti Hyvarinen
  • Publication number: 20100213743
    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: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: MØBEL DESIGN AS
    Inventors: Rune Jonsen, Lars Inge Jakobsen
  • Publication number: 20100078972
    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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuo Sayama
  • Publication number: 20100072791
    Abstract: A vehicle head restraint system for a vehicle seat has a support rod with a lateral portion. A head restraint is moveable relative to the lateral portion in a fore/aft direction. A first locking plate and a second locking plate are each moveably mounted to the head restraint to engage the support rod to lock the head restraint relative to the support rod. A rotary link is pivotally connected to the head restraint and interconnects the first and second locking plates. A biasing member is mounted to at least one of the first and second locking plates to bias the head restraint towards a retracted position. An actuator on the head restraint moves one of the first and second locking plates. The rotary link moves the other of the first and second locking plates for disengaging the first and second locking plates from the support rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stefan Brunner, Thomas Frank
  • Publication number: 20100052372
    Abstract: A headrest apparatus may include a headrest fixing member connected to a headrest assembly, a guide member connected to a seatback frame inside the seat back, wherein the guide member including a guide portion and a locking portion guides forward and backward movement of the headrest fixing member, at least an elastic member coupling the guide member and the headrest fixing member and configured to bias the headrest fixing member in the forward direction of the seat back so that the headrest fixing member moves in the forward direction and then is locked to the locking portion of the guide member by the elastic member when the seat back is unfolded, and a locking release unit pivotally coupled to the guide member and configured to release the headrest fixing member from the locking portion of the guide member in accordance with the seat back when the seat back is folded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sang Uk Yu, Chan Ho Jeong, Jung Sang You
  • Patent number: 7669921
    Abstract: A reclining seating unit includes: a base configured to rest on an underlying surface; a seat; a backrest that includes a body and a headrest that is positioned above the body; a reclining mechanism that interconnects the base, seat and backrest that controls the movement thereof between an upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed above the base and the backrest is generally vertically disposed at a first angle to the underlying surface above a rear portion of the backrest, and a fully reclined position, in which the backrest is disposed at a second angle to the underlying surface, the second angle being less than the first angle; and a headrest mechanism coupled to the reclining mechanism and attached to the body and headrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Ultra-Mek, Inc.
    Inventors: D. Stephen Hoffman, Marcus L. Murphy
  • Patent number: 7665693
    Abstract: An aircraft seat, which is convertible into a bed, is divided from adjacent seats by partitions 2 and has a movable squab 11, a movable leg rest 12, a fixed foot rest 14 and a movable backrest 15 to which a headrest 17 is pivotally connected. A control panel 21 is provided on a partition 2 for controlling the disposition of the seat. The seat has front legs 29 and rear legs 28 pivoted to aircraft deck 27 and is actuated by slide actuator 29 and recline actuator 30 (which extends or retracts rear legs 28). In the normally sitting up position of the seat, the squab back is held towards cabin wall 48 with a slide actuator 29 and a recline actuator 30 extended. When the seat is partially reclined the headrest 17 is pivoted forward to lie at an obtuse angle with respect to the front face of backrest 15 to keep headrest 17 clear of cabin wall 48. In the fully reclined position of the seat, the headrest 17 is lowered into recess 51 in shelving 52 at the rear of the seat unit along cabin wall 48.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Premium Aircraft Interiors (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Ray Bettell
  • Publication number: 20100013275
    Abstract: In a seat back with movable headrest, a pressure receiving element is movably provided, which includes pressure receiving regions for receiving loads applied from lumber and dorsal parts of seat occupant The pressure receiving element is movably connected with a crank member which is movably provided between two lateral frame members of seat back frame. Further, that pressure receiving element is connected with a support shaft extended between a par of rotating links rotatably arranged on the respective afore-said two lateral frame members. A biasing element is provided to normally bias the headrest to a home position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaaki Yokota, Atsushi Koike
  • Patent number: 7640090
    Abstract: A headrest control apparatus includes: a headrest moving mechanism that supports a headrest in such a manner that at least one of a rotation of the headrest about an axis of the headrest, which extends in the vehicle-height direction, and a movement of the headrest in the vehicle-width direction is permitted; a drive unit that causes at least one of the rotation and the movement of the headrest; and a control unit that controls the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyoyuki Uchida, Yuichi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7631930
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back connected to the seat bottom. A reclining mechanism is configured to adjustably position the seat back. A head restraint assembly includes a head restraint and one or more supports pivotally connected to and cooperating with the seat back to position the head restraint adjacent an occupant's head. A headrest adjustment mechanism includes a spring connected to the one or more supports that biases the shaft from an unlocked toward a locked position and a release mechanism cooperating with the one or more supports which allows the one or more supports to be unlocked so that the headrest can be adjusted relative to the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Karsten Muller, Stefan Brunner
  • Publication number: 20090243347
    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: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Michael Wilms
  • Patent number: 7594693
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a device in a chair (1), especially a chair with an adjustable back of the chair (2) and head rest (3), in that in between a section of the head rest (3) and an attachment section on the chair construction is arranged a connecting element (18) with for example a rod (17), which by movement of the adjustable back of the chair (2) is arranged to affect the angle of the head rest (3) in relation to the back of the chair (2), and for the purpose of giving instructions on a head rest that by simple means be uncoupled in a reclined position of the back of the chair, there is according to the invention proposed a groove (21), a blocking device (22) and a coupling organ (24) which come into effect in the reclined position of the back of the chair, either in a manual or automatic way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Ekrones ASA
    Inventors: Arve Ekornes, Jostein Bueide, Jan Kare Kroval
  • Publication number: 20090160226
    Abstract: A headrest for a vehicular seat has a base member, a headrest main body and a cable. The base member has a stay held by a side of a seat back. The headrest main body is movably attached to the base member. The cable is pulled when the headrest main body is moved relative to the base member. The cable includes an outer cable and an inner cable inserted to the outer cable. The outer cable is attached with a cap at an end portion thereof. A fixing structure for fixing the cap to an end portion of the stay is provided between the cap and the end portion of the stay. And the inner cable penetrates a shaft hole of the stay by exceeding the outer cable and is moved relative to the outer cable and the stay by being pulled when the headrest main body is moved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akinori SUZUKI, Hideyuki OZEKI
  • Publication number: 20090102255
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (1) having an active headrest mechanism (20) actuated by a lower lumbar mechanism (30). A seat back frame (10) mounts the active headrest mechanism (20) and the lower lumbar mechanism (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Roberto D'Agostini, Angelo Falchero
  • Patent number: 7517009
    Abstract: A headrest assembly in combination with a vehicle seat assembly, the combination including a vehicle seat assembly having a seat bottom and a seat back assembly connected to the seat bottom. The combination also includes a headrest assembly connected to the seat back assembly. The headrest assembly has a head receiving portion that is configured for movement between a first position and a second position with respect to the seat back assembly. The seat back assembly obstructs downward adjustment of the headrest assembly below a predetermined height when the head receiving portion is in the first position. The headrest assembly can be downwardly adjustable below the predetermined height when the head receiving portion is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Andre Mauro, David Karl Williams, Eric A. Woods, Michael Ferrari, Mark Allyn Folkert, Syed Z. Haider, Alan Daniel Novrocki
  • Publication number: 20090072593
    Abstract: A reclining seating unit includes: a base configured to rest on an underlying surface; a seat; a backrest that includes a body and a headrest that is positioned above the body; a reclining mechanism that interconnects the base, seat and backrest that controls the movement thereof between an upright position, in which the seat is generally horizontally disposed above the base and the backrest is generally vertically disposed at a first angle to the underlying surface above a rear portion of the backrest, and a fully reclined position, in which the backrest is disposed at a second angle to the underlying surface, the second angle being less than the first angle; and a headrest mechanism coupled to the reclining mechanism and attached to the body and headrest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: D. Stephen Hoffman, Marcus L. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20090058149
    Abstract: A vehicle seat that is foldable can include a linkage mechanism for operatively withdrawing the headrest during fold down procedures and automatically extending the headrest to a use position during unfolding procedures of the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Derek Lindsay
  • Publication number: 20080258512
    Abstract: A reclining seating unit includes: a seat; a backrest, the backrest including a frame having a top edge; a reclining mechanism attached to the seat and backrest that moves the seat and backrest between upright and reclined positions; a headrest including a headrest panel; and a headrest mechanism attached to the backrest and the headrest. The headrest mechanism comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected links and is configured to move the headrest between a retracted position, in which the headrest panel is generally horizontally disposed and overlies the top edge of the backrest frame, and an extended position, in which the headrest panel is vertically disposed and is separated from the top edge of the backrest frame. Movement of the seating unit from the upright position to a reclined position moves the headrest from the retracted position to the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: W. Clark Rogers
  • Publication number: 20080211267
    Abstract: A headrest for a seat back for a seat back of an automobile vehicle seat, comprising a rod, likely to be at least party driven into the seat back, and a body linked to the rod. The rod is linked to a lower portion of the body by a pivoting link and the headrest comprises means, triggered by a driving of the rod into the seat back down to a driving-in position, capable of automatically pivoting the body with respect to the rod from a use position to a non-use position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Matthieu Linardi, Fabrice Lesbats
  • Patent number: 7344189
    Abstract: A head restraint (20) having a front surface (22) for supporting the head of the occupant seated on the seat assembly (10) is pivotally coupled to the upper portion (15) of the seat back (12) and moveable relative to the seat back between a plurality of angled head supporting positions (A) and a forwardly folded stowed position (B) defined by the front surface (22) of the head restraint (20) being generally perpendicular to the front surface (17) of the seat back (12). The seat assembly further includes a mechanism operatively interconnecting the head restraint to the seat back for providing automatic and continuous pivotal movement of the head restraint between one of the head supporting positions and the stowed position in response to pivotal adjustment of the seat back between one of the reclined seating positions and the forwardly folded positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc
    Inventors: Steven James Reed, Kevin John Ventura, Jacob Aaron Bentekoe
  • Patent number: 7325877
    Abstract: The foldable headrest assembly includes a first and second support and a first and second paddle. A first and second plate extending from the supports and supported by the paddles rotate in unison about a first axis (A1) from an upright to a forwardly folded position. A lock lever rotatably supported by the first plate rotates about a second axis (A2) between a locked position and an unlocked position. A first biasing member (FBM) is disposed between the plates and a second biasing member (SBM) is supported by the first plate engaging the lock lever. The FBM rotatably biases the supports about the A1 toward the forwardly folded position and the SBM rotatably biases the lock lever about the A2 toward the locked position in a common rotational direction as the rotation of the supports about the A1. A release mechanism for rotating the lock lever is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Windsor Machine & Stamping Limited
    Inventors: Mark Anthony Brockman, Jerry Scott Barko, Evan Murray Kayahara
  • Patent number: 7322641
    Abstract: A device positioned within in a chair, especially a chair with an adjustable back of the chair and head rest, is disclosed. The device is configured such that between a section of the head rest and an attachment section on the chair construction is arranged a connecting element with, for example, a rod, which by movement of the adjustable back of the chair is arranged to affect the angle of the head rest in relation to the back of the chair. Further, the head rest, through use of a blocking device and a coupling organ which come into effect in the reclined position of the back of the chair, may be so adjusted either in a manual or automatic way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ekornes ASA
    Inventors: Arve Ekornes, Jostein Bueide, Jan Kare Krovel
  • Patent number: 7226124
    Abstract: A headrest height adjustment device includes a base member fixed on a seatback of a seat body, a pulley rotatably supported by the base member, the pulley being rotatable in a first direction by unwinding a first end of a rope member wound around the pulley and winding a second end of the rope member in conjunction with sliding movement of the seat body, and the pulley being rotatable in a second direction by winding the first end of a rope member and unwinding the second end of the rope member in conjunction with sliding movement, a rotational arm rotatably supported by the base member and rotated by the pulley by a rotation transmission member, and a conversion member engaged with the rotational arm for operating a headrest in an upward or downward direction by converting rotational movement of the rotational arm into linear movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Aisin Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masatoshi Mori, Takemi Hattori
  • Patent number: 7210734
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back pivotally attached to the seat bottom. The seat bottom includes a track having a longitudinal track axis. The seat assembly further includes a head restraint moveably attached to the track such that the head restraint is moveable longitudinally along the track from a use position to a stowed position. An actuation device is associated with the head restraint for moving the head restraint from the use position toward the stowed position when the seat back pivots toward the seat bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Nagarjun V. Yetukuri, Mladen Humer, Gerald S. Locke
  • Patent number: 7201438
    Abstract: A chair has a frame, a seat on the frame, a back on the frame, and a link between the seat and the back for shifting the seat and back between a sitting position with the back generally vertical and the seat generally horizontal and a relaxed position with the back less vertical and the seat shifted forward on the frame. A pivot defines a horizontal pivot axis carrying the headrest for pivoting between a generally horizontal position extending rearward from the pivot axis and an erect position extending upward from an upper end of the back. A linkage connected between the headrest and the back pivots the headrest about the axis into the erect position on shifting of the back and seat into the relaxed position and pivots the headrest about the axis into the horizontal position on shifting of the back and seat into the sitting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Stanzwerk Wetter Sichelschmidt GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Reinsch, Martin Wolowski, Martin Kristen
  • Patent number: 7201437
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly including a lower seat cushion supported by the vehicle and a seat back supported for movement between an upright position and a stowed position. The seat assembly also has a headrest supported for movement relative to the seat back. A locking mechanism engages the headrest to retain the headrest in a raised position when the seat back is in the upright position. The locking mechanism also disengages the headrest for allowing movement of the headrest away from the raised position when the seat back is moved toward the stowed position. The seat assembly also has a biasing mechanism that biases the headrest toward the raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Nizar Freijy
  • Patent number: 7172255
    Abstract: Vehicle seat includes a seat portion and a backrest having a height-adjustable headrest. To facilitate the height adjustment of the headrest, two retaining rods are fit into nonreclining sleeves, and have spaced apart arresting notches on a lower portion of the retaining rods. The headrest can be set at any height by use of a locking mechanism on the upper surface of the backrest. The locking mechanism includes a base nonrotably secured to the backrest that includes a base portion and a spaced apart covering portion. The base portion and covering portion are connected via a central pillar to form one piece. The locking mechanism includes a spring with an arresting arm and a retaining arm configured to be mated with respective walls of the column, and biased by a bulge on the column. A cover ring having engaging elements engages the base, and may have spaced apart engaging fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jürgen Wanke
  • Patent number: 7159934
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back connected to the seat bottom. A reclining mechanism is configured to adjustably position the seat back. A head restraint assembly includes a head restraint and one or more supports receiving the head restraint extending through one or more slots in an upper frame member of the seat back frame. A head restraint adjustment mechanism cooperates with the seat back to position the head restraint adjacent an occupant's head. The head restraint adjustment mechanism includes a guide rotatably mounted to the seat back frame receiving the one or more head restraint supports, a cam rotatably mounted to the seat back frame and a linkage having a first end connected to the guide and a second end adjustably connected to the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Farquhar, Kar K. Low, Kenneth McQueen, Mark S. Sebby, Nagarjun Yetukuri
  • Patent number: 7140687
    Abstract: A headrest assembly that includes a head support connected to a rail that is adjustably mounted to a housing so that the headrest assembly is capable of moving between a use position and a stow position. A lock member engages the rail in the use position and operably disengages the rail to initiate the movement from the use position to the stow position. Specifically, the rail is biased to a stow position so that disengaging the lock member from the rail moves the headrest assembly from the use position to the stow position. The headrest assembly is also coordinated into a seat assembly such that the movement of a seatback from a use position to a stow position concurrently causes the headrest assembly to move from the use position to the stow position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Fisher Dynamics Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Hoekstra, David L. Robinson
  • Patent number: 7131698
    Abstract: A passenger seat for a vehicle, including a frame for being attached to a floor of the vehicle, a fixed backshell attached to the frame, and a seat back attached to the backshell. A seat bottom is attached to the backshell, and a headrest assembly attached to the backshell at a position above the seat back. The headrest assembly includes left and right spaced-apart side wings, each of the side wings comprising a rigid support and a wedge-shaped cushion attached to the rigid support by a pivot. The left and right cushions are each translatable in a direction parallel to the rigid support to selectively increase or decrease the effective width of the headrest assembly by increasing or decreasing the distance between the left and right side wings. The left and right cushions are each mounted for rotation about the pivot for selectively changing the angle of a forward face of the cushion relative to the rigid support to thereby permit selection by a seat occupant of a desired cushion position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: BE Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Brian Dowty, Christopher Augustine Luomanen, Kurt R. Heidmann
  • Patent number: 7118171
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat back that is pivotable from an upright use position to a stowed position. A head restraint includes first and second portions, each of which are movable from a respective upright use position to a respective stowed position. Each of the portions includes a respective contact surface for contacting an occupant of the seat assembly. A release mechanism is configured to facilitate movement of the first and second portions from their respective upright use positions to their respective stowed positions. An automatic return mechanism is provided to automatically return the first and second portions from their respective stowed positions to their respective upright use positions when the seat back is pivoted from its stowed position to its upright use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Fowler, Nagarjun Yetukuri, Dale Smallwood
  • Patent number: 7108323
    Abstract: A seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle comprising a seat cushion and a eat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion for movement between a generally upright seating position and a fold flat position resting against the seat cushion. A side bolster panel is pivotally coupled to lateral opposing sides of each of the seat cushion and seat back and operable between a flexed position facing the toward the center of the seat cushion and the seat back and a relaxed position generally flush with the seat cushion and the seat back. A cam mechanism is operatively coupled to the each side bolster panel for automatically releasing the side bolster panels from the flexed position to the relaxed position in response to pivotal movement of the seat back from the seating position to the fold flat position to provide a low profile folded seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Welch, Ben Delphia, Jeffrey I. Pontiatowski
  • Patent number: 7066545
    Abstract: A headrest device includes a headrest provided over a seatback of a seat, a sliding means for slidably adjusting the seat in back and forth directions, a position-adjusting means for adjusting position of the headrest, and a connecting mechanism connecting the sliding means and the position-adjusting means. The connecting mechanism operates the position-adjusting means in conjunction with operation of the sliding means. The connecting mechanism moves in a first direction when the sliding means moves forward, and the connecting mechanism moves in a second direction when the sliding means moves backward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takami Terada, Masatoshi Mori, Yoshihiko Nakamura, Masaharu Tanino, Masato Ohchi