Abstract: A headrest assembly for use in a vehicle includes a housing having a front portion and a rear portion. The headrest assembly also includes an armature operatively coupling the rear portion to a seatback of an automobile seat. The front portion includes a central panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel, wherein the first side panel pivots relative to the central panel about a first vertical axis, and the second side panel pivots relative to the central panel about a second vertical axis. The headrest assembly also includes a first spring clip assembly connecting the first side panel to a side of the central panel and a second spring clip assembly connecting the second side panel to an opposite side of the central panel, the first and second spring clip assemblies maintaining an angular position of the first and second side panels absent manual adjustment.

Abstract: A multi-direction power actuated head restraint assembly includes a head restraint mountable to a vehicle seat. The head restraint assembly also includes a fore-aft power actuation mechanism including a fore-aft electric motor to adjust a fore-aft position of the head restraint, the fore-aft electric motor programmed to adjust the fore-aft position at a first fore-aft speed during manual adjustment of the head restraint and at a second fore-aft speed upon detection of an imminent impact by an impact detection system, the second fore-aft speed greater than the first fore-aft speed.

Abstract: A head restraint assembly includes a base portion including a first post portion extending in a vertical direction. Also included is a head restraint operatively coupled to the base portion. Further included is a housing comprising a front shell and a rear shell. Yet further included is a lock slide manually moveable between a locked condition and an unlocked condition. Also included is at least one armature biasing member surrounding a portion of the base portion and biasing the base portion to be in constant contact with the front shell. Further included is at least one journal friction spring disposed within at least one of the front shell and the rear shell to control a manual adjustment effort, the at least one armature biasing member and the at least one journal friction spring biasing the housing in the same direction.

Abstract: A head restraint assembly includes a base portion including a first post portion extending in a vertical direction. The assembly also includes a head restraint operatively coupled to the base portion. The assembly further includes a lock slide manually moveable between a locked condition and an unlocked condition, the locked condition disposing a portion of the lock slide within one of a plurality of recesses of the first post portion, the unlocked condition defined by removal of the lock slide from the plurality of recesses to allow adjustment of the head restraint in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A vehicle head restraint assembly includes a base portion coupleable to a vehicle seat back, the base portion including a cross member portion. Also included is a head restraint operatively coupled to the cross member portion and rotatable about the cross member portion. Further included is a helical drive assembly for translating the head restraint during rotation of the head restraint.

Abstract: A head restraint assembly includes a one-piece armature including a cross member having an offset portion. Also included is a ratcheting mechanism having a pivot plate directly and fixedly engaged with the offset portion of the cross member. Further included is a pivot pin extending through an aperture defined by the pivot plate and tangentially contacting a forward portion of the one-piece armature.

Abstract: A head restraint assembly includes a base portion mountable to a vehicle seat. Also included is a frame plate disposed within a cover. Further included is a vertical power actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the frame plate for vertical adjustment of the frame plate. Yet further included is a fore-aft power actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the frame plate for fore-aft adjustment of the frame plate.

Abstract: A lockable armrest includes a main body. The lockable armrest also includes a latch assembly operatively coupled to the main body. The latch assembly includes a latch coupled to the main body with a spring resisting movement of the latch during acceleration events below a predetermined acceleration threshold. The latch assembly also includes a locking member operatively coupled to the main body, the latch moveable into engagement with the locking member in response to an acceleration event greater than the predetermined acceleration threshold to lock the lockable armrest in a stowed condition.

Abstract: A ratcheting armrest assembly includes an articulating frame assembly. Also included is a ratchet anchor operatively coupled to the articulating frame assembly for rotation with the articulating frame assembly. Further included is an anchor assembly operatively coupled to the articulating frame assembly. Yet further included is a ratchet operatively coupled to the anchor assembly. The ratchet includes a first plurality of teeth and the ratchet anchor including a second plurality of teeth, wherein the first plurality of teeth and the second plurality of teeth are engageable with each other, the second plurality of teeth free to rotate relative to the first plurality of teeth in a first rotational direction and self-locking with the first plurality of teeth in a second rotational direction. Also included is a directional spring biasing the ratchet in the second direction in a first orientation and in the first direction in a second orientation.

Abstract: A head restraint assembly is provided and includes a base including a cross member. Also included is a head restraint having a housing. Further included is an internal cavity at least partially defined by the housing. Yet further included is a lock mechanism assembly retained within the internal cavity, the lock mechanism assembly comprising first and second lock members, the first lock member including a first plurality of teeth and the second lock member including a second plurality of teeth, wherein the pluralities of teeth are engageable with each other and selectively rotatable with respect to each other in first and second directions. Also included is an actuator arm engaged with the second lock member and configured to selectively permit rotation of the second lock member relative to the first lock member.

Abstract: A head restraint assembly includes a locking mechanism that is electromagnetically actuated and is selectively moveable between a locked and an unlocked position, thereby allowing the head restraint to move between an upright and a folded position. The locked position comprises engagement of a first lock member with a second lock member to prevent rotation of the head restraint relative to a base portion of the head restraint and the unlocked position comprises disengagement of the first lock member from the second lock member to allow rotation of the head restraint relative to the base portion. An electromagnet is operatively connected to the head restraint and positioned to exert a magnetic force on the second lock member that urges the second lock member toward the unlocked position when the electromagnet is in an energized condition.

Abstract: A head restraint assembly includes a locking mechanism that is electromagnetically actuated and is selectively moveable between a locked and an unlocked position, thereby allowing the head restraint to move between an upright and a folded position. The locked position comprises engagement of a first lock member with a second lock member to prevent rotation of the head restraint relative to a base portion of the head restraint and the unlocked position comprises disengagement of the first lock member from the second lock member to allow rotation of the head restraint relative to the base portion. An electromagnet is operatively connected to the head restraint and positioned to exert a magnetic force on the second lock member that urges the second lock member toward the unlocked position when the electromagnet is in an energized condition.

Abstract: A ratcheting pivot mechanism for coupling a head rest portion of a vehicle head restraint assembly to a post portion of a vehicle head restraint assembly includes a first pivot arm, a second pivot arm pivotably connected to the first pivot arm, a movable ratchet member pivotably connected to the second pivot arm, and a spring disposed between the second pivot arm and the movable ratchet member. The first pivot arm has a fixed ratchet member, which the movable ratchet member is configured to selectively engage. The spring is configured to apply an engaging force to the movable ratchet member when the movable ratchet member is in a first position, and configured to apply a disengaging force to the movable ratchet member when the movable ratchet member is in a second position.

Abstract: A foldable seat headrest assembly including a locking mechanism that includes a lock lever that can be manipulated by a manual release handle that selectively locks the headrest pad component against a groove formed in a portion of a lock post so as to keep the headrest assembly in an upright position. The groove provides both a back stop and a forward stop for the lock lever. When the lock lever is disengaged from the groove by manipulating the release handle in a downward motion, a dump spring allows the headrest portion to assume a folded or dumped position. In the folded or dumped position, the headrest portion fits compactly against the back portion of the seat. The manual release handle can be associated with either the left or the right side of the headrest assembly allowing the same assembly to be used on either side of a vehicle, e.g., the driver or passenger side of the vehicle, as well in the front and rear seats.