Abstract: An active head restraint for supporting the head of an occupant, includes a shell, and an actuator disposed within the shell, wherein the actuator further includes a spring-biased bar linkage system pivotally coupled to the shell, a radial ratcheting sector coupled to the linkage system, a pawl selectively engaging the sector, and a solenoid drivenly coupled to the pawl, and configured, when activated, to cause the pawl to disengage the sector.

Abstract: An active headrest for selectively supporting the head of an occupant, includes a shell, and an actuator disposed within the shell, including a bar linkage system drivenly coupled to the shell, so as to adjust the distance or engagement between the shell and head when displaced, and an active material element drivenly coupled to the system, so as to cause or enable the displacement of the system, and preferably further including a ratchet sector/pawl and latch cooperating to present plural achievable deployment positions.

Abstract: An active head restraint for supporting the head of an occupant, includes a shell, and an actuator disposed within the shell, wherein the actuator further includes a spring-biased bar linkage system pivotally coupled to the shell, a radial ratcheting sector coupled to the linkage system, a pawl selectively engaging the sector, and a solenoid drivenly coupled to the pawl, and configured, when activated, to cause the pawl to disengage the sector.

Abstract: An active headrest for selectively supporting the head of an occupant, includes a shell, and an actuator disposed within the shell, including a bar linkage system drivenly coupled to the shell, so as to adjust the distance or engagement between the shell and head when displaced, and an active material element drivenly coupled to the system, so as to cause or enable the displacement of the system, and preferably further including a ratchet sector/pawl and latch cooperating to present plural achievable deployment positions.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for convertible vehicles, detaches from the header by a manually-applied, moderate, releasing force applied in the downward direction. This detachment is further enhanced by a unique mechanical linkage that employs cam action between the engaging member and the releasing member. The latch mechanism is mounted in the side-rail of the foldable top of a convertible vehicle. The latch mechanism includes a stationary member, a release member, and an engaging member. The stationary member has a pedestal and a foot extending from the pedestal. The engaging member has a keeper which attaches to the header, and a lip opposite the keeper. The release member is rotatably mounted to the stationary member and pivotally mounted to the engaging member. To detach the latch mechanism from the header, the release member is actuated by applying a disengaging force to the release member in a downward direction.