Abstract: A head restraint assembly for a seat, the assembly including: At least one support for mounting a bun assembly above the seat back; a bun assembly including a core portion, the core portion having integral first bearing surfaces; a stationary hub mounted on the at least one support, the stationary hub disposed at least substantially within the core portion and pivotally supporting the core portion via the integral first bearing surfaces; and a lock pivotally supported within the core portion. The lock is selectively pivotally moveable between positions of engagement with, and disengagement from, the stationary hub. The position of engagement is characterized in that the core portion is fixed relative to the stationary hub and at least one support, and the position of disengagement is characterized in that the core portion is pivotally moveable relative to the stationary hub and at least one support.

Abstract: A foldable head restraint apparatus for connecting to a seat of a vehicle. The foldable head restraint apparatus includes a pair of brackets for being connected to a cover. A pivot tube rotatably supports the brackets along a first axis. At least one seat connector is connected to the pivot tube for non-rotatably supporting the pivot tube relative to the seat of the vehicle. A pair of latches are each non-rotatably disposed about the pivot tube adjacent to each of the brackets. A pair of cams are each rotatably connected to one of the brackets and are rotatable between a latched position and an unlatched position. At least one release connector is connected to each of the cams and is moveable for providing the rotating movement of the cams in response to movement of the release connector to provide synchronized rotation of the cams.

Abstract: A foldable head restraint assembly, including: a bracket assembly adapted for fixed disposition in a seat back; a head restraint support for mounting a bun assembly above the seat back, the head restraint support pivotally mounted to the bracket assembly so as to be pivotally movable relative to the bracket assembly in at least first and second directions between upright and folded positions; at least one biasing element biasing the head restraint support into one of the upright and folded positions; and at least one rotary damper which retards the motion of the head restraint support during at least a portion of the head restraint support's pivotal movement in at least one of the first and second directions.

Abstract: A head restraint assembly, comprising: a support configured to mount the head restraint above a seat back; a bun assembly pivotally mounted on the head restraint support for movement in first and second directions relative to the head restraint support, the limit of the first and second directions of movement defining fully forward and fully upright positions, respectively, of the bun assembly; and an adjustment mechanism disposed at least substantially within the bun assembly, the adjustment mechanism configured to permit the pivotal movement of the bun assembly in either of the first and second directions.

Abstract: A head restraint assembly, comprising: a support for mounting the head restraint above a seat back; a bun assembly pivotally mounted on the head restraint support for movement in first and second directions relative to the head restraint support; and an adjustment mechanism disposed at least substantially within the bun assembly, the adjustment mechanism operative to permit (i) the selective pivotal movement of the bun assembly in either of the first and second directions and, as the bun assembly is moved in either of the first and second directions, (ii) the incremental positioning of the bun assembly in any of a plurality of predefined positions along a path of travel of the bun assembly in the first and second directions.

Abstract: A head restraint assembly for pivotally supporting a head restraint above a seat back comprises a bracket pivotally mounting at least one head restraint support, a lock element linearly movably disposed in the bracket, and a spring element biasing the lock element in a position of engagement with the at least one head restraint support. The spring element includes a portion extending beyond the lock element and associated with the bracket to fix the position of the spring element relative to the bracket. The head restraint support is pivotally moveable between upright and folded positions. The lock element is selectively linearly movable from a position of engagement with the head restraint support, in which position of engagement the head restraint support is fixed in the upright position, to a position of disengagement in which the head restraint support is pivotally moveable between the upright and folded positions thereof.

Abstract: A foldable head restraint has two head restraint supports set within a bracket. A latch is made integral with at least one of the head restraint supports. The latch rests against a stop to prohibit rotation of the head restraint support in a first direction. The latch rests against a rotational cam to prohibit movement of the head restraint support in a second direction. By rotating the cam, the head restraint support may be folded. The head restraint support is comprised of a metal substrate with over-molded plastic geometry to accept a mating part configured within the head restraint bun. The geometry of the metal substrate and over-molded plastic geometry allow for a reduction, or even elimination, of the slots that are normally required for such a folding head restraint. This ability to fold can yield greater rearward visibility and aid in the kinematic motion of the seat.

Abstract: Articulating/folding head restraint assemblies that include modular brackets that function as modules and allow for platformability and customization by varying auxiliary components. The modular brackets can be molded or cast using conventional manufacturing processes, and are designed to receive and/or house various components of the assembly such as pivotal head restraint supports, pivotal shafts, locking assemblies, etc. The modular brackets are designed to integrate a number of components that are typically separate in prior art devices and have to be individually assembled together.

Abstract: A foldable head restraint has two head restraint supports set within a bracket. A latch is made integral with at least one of the head restraint supports. The latch rests against a stop to prohibit rotation of the head restraint support in a first direction. The latch rests against a rotational cam to prohibit movement of the head restraint support in a second direction. By rotating the cam, the head restraint support may be folded. The head restraint support is comprised of a metal substrate with over-molded plastic geometry to accept a mating part configured within the head restraint bun. The geometry of the metal substrate and over-molded plastic geometry allow for a reduction, or even elimination, of the slots that are normally required for such a folding head restraint. This ability to fold can yield greater rearward visibility and aid in the kinematic motion of the seat.

Abstract: A foldable head restraint has two head restraint supports set within a bracket. A latch is made integral with at least one of the head restraint supports. The latch rests against a stop to prohibit rotation of the head restraint support in a first direction. The latch rests against a rotational cam to prohibit movement of the head restraint support in a second direction. By rotating the cam, the head restraint support may be folded. The head restraint support is comprised of a metal substrate with over-molded plastic geometry to accept a mating part configured within the head restraint bun. The geometry of the metal substrate and over-molded plastic geometry allow for a reduction, or even elimination, of the slots that are normally required for such a folding head restraint. This ability to fold can yield greater rearward visibility and aid in the kinematic motion of the seat.

Abstract: A foldable head restraint has two head restraint supports set within a bracket. A latch is made integral with at least one of the head restraint supports. The latch rests against a stop to prohibit rotation of the head restraint support in a first direction. The latch rests against a rotational cam to prohibit movement of the head restraint support in a second direction. By rotating the cam, the head restraint support may be folded. In another embodiment, an articulating head restraint could also include an armature with a cam. The cam has a lock acumination and a stop acumination. The lock acumination engages a slide to prevent movement of the head restraint in one direction, and the stop acumination engages a bracket to prevent movement in the other direction.

Abstract: An animal resistant trash container lid has several transverse ridges cross the top. Longitudinal ridges are on the front of the trash container lid. Within the trash container lid is a frame. Holes in the front of the trash container lid are disposed to receive locks. The locks fasten the lid to the trash container. The trash container lid also has a handle and hinges integral with the frame and extending through the outer wall of the lid.

Abstract: An articulating head restraint includes an armature with a cam. The cam has a lock acumination and a stop acumination. The armature fits within a structure composed of a bracket and a slave bracket. A slide, which is attached to a cable, rides within a slot on the bracket. When the slide is in the locked position, the lock acumination of the cam presses against the slide, restraining movement of the slide. When sufficient force is applied to the cable, the slide moves within the slot to an unlocked position. A torsion spring wrapped around the armature causes the armature to rotate to a stowed position.

Abstract: A headrest attached to a seatback automatically pivots to a stowed position as the seatback is folded forward. The headrest pivots to a stowed position so that the seat back may lay flat when folded. When the seatback is returned to the upright position, the headrest is returns to its original extended position.

Abstract: A drilling sub is provided in a drill string above a drill bit. The drilling sub includes a nozzle oriented to eject drilling fluid from said drill string into an annulus between the drill string and a well bore hole at an elevation above the drill bit with a horizontal velocity component tangential to said annulus to thereby impart a swirling motion to drilling fluid in the annulus. This creates a vortex extending down to the drill bit to enhance the cleaning of cuttings from the bore hole and to reduce a pressure differential thereby increasing a penetration rate of the drill bit.

Abstract: An improved construction is provided for a transverse passageway and a nozzle of a drilling sub of the type used to eject drilling fluid from the transverse passageway to create a vortex in an annulus surrounding the drilling sub.

Abstract: A drilling sub is provided in a drill string above a drill bit. The drilling sub includes a nozzle oriented to eject drilling fluid from said drill string into an annulus between the drill string and a well bore hole at an elevation above the drill bit with a horizontal velocity component tangential to said annulus to thereby impart a swirling motion to drilling fluid in the annulus. This creates a vortex extending down to the drill bit to enhance the cleaning of cuttings from the bore hole and to reduce a pressure differential thereby increasing a penetration rate of the drill bit.