Abstract: According to one aspect, a releasable roller clutch includes a shaft and a clutch housing positioned around the shaft. The shaft and clutch housing together defining a space there between with rollers positioned in said space. The rollers permit rotation of the shaft relative to the clutch housing when in an unlocked position in which the rollers are not wedged and prevent rotation of the shaft relative to the clutch housing when in a locked position in which the rollers are wedged. A cage extends into the space defined between the shaft and clutch housing. The cage is moveable relative to the clutch housing between an unlocking position and a locking position. The cage has a contact edge positionable to prevent the rollers from moving from the unlocked position to the locked position when the cage is in an unlocking position. The releasable roller clutch permits rotation of the shaft relative to the clutch housing in both directions when the cage is in the unlocking position.

Abstract: Adjustable headrest including a guide configured to be coupled to a seat; a head support coupled to the guide and configured to be movable along an adjustment path relative to the seat; and a slider having a surface defining a recess receiving the guide. A retainer is positioned to urge a surface of the slider against a surface of the guide, thereby maintaining friction between the surface of the slider and the surface of the guide. Additionally, the adjustable headrest includes a bracket that is fixable relative to the head support or fixed relative to the seat. The bracket has a mounting section positioned for fixation relative to the head support or for fixation to the seat and a guide receiving portion receiving the guide. The slider and the bracket are separate components and are formed from the same material or different materials.

Abstract: This invention provides a hinge assembly having variable friction resistance. The hinge assembly includes an elongated element having a generally cylindrical surface extending longitudinally. It also includes at least one torque element having a generally cylindrical surface compressively engaged with the cylindrical surface of the elongated element, the cylindrical surface of the at least one torque element having end portions. An actuator of the hinge assembly is configured for changing friction resistance generated by the at least one torque element by changing the relative position of the end portions of the at least one torque element, thus reducing compressive engagement between the cylindrical surface of the at least one torque element and the cylindrical surface of the elongated element.

Abstract: Adjustable headrest including a guide configured to be coupled to a seat; a head support coupled to the guide and configured to be movable along an adjustment path relative to the seat; and a slider having a surface defining a recess receiving the guide. A retainer is positioned to urge a surface of the slider against a surface of the guide, thereby maintaining friction between the surface of the slider and the surface of the guide. Additionally, the adjustable headrest includes a bracket that is fixable relative to the head support or fixed relative to the seat. The bracket has a mounting section positioned for fixation relative to the head support or for fixation to the seat and a guide receiving portion receiving the guide. The slider and the bracket are separate components and are formed from the same material or different materials.

Abstract: Adjustable headrest including a guide configured to be coupled to a seat; a head support coupled to the guide and configured to be movable along an adjustment path relative to the seat; and a slider having a surface defining a recess receiving the guide. A retainer is positioned to urge a surface of the slider against a surface of the guide, thereby maintaining friction between the surface of the slider and the surface of the guide. Additionally, the adjustable headrest includes a bracket that is fixable relative to the head support or fixed relative to the seat. The bracket has a mounting section positioned for fixation relative to the head support or for fixation to the seat and a guide receiving portion receiving the guide. The slider and the bracket are separate components and are formed from the same material or different materials.

Abstract: An adjustable headrest 300 includes a guide 360 configured to be coupled to a seat, a head support 302 coupled to the guide and configured to be movable along an adjustment path relative to the seat, and a slider 370 having a surface defining a recess 373 receiving the guide such that the surface of the slider contacts a surface of the guide. The adjustment headrest further includes a retainer 390 positioned to urge the surface of the slider against the surface of the guide, thereby maintaining friction between the surface of the slider and the surface of the guide and resisting unintended movement of the slider with respect to the guide along the adjustment path. Also, a friction module and a friction hinge are provided, which can be incorporated into an adjustable headrest or other assemblies in which sliding and/or hinged components are desired.

Abstract: A pivot device having asymmetric friction torque is provided. The pivot device includes a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis, a sleeve surrounding the shaft, the sleeve defining a gap extending longitudinally, the sleeve and the shaft being configured for rotation with respect to one another about the longitudinal axis, and a helical compression element surrounding the sleeve and exerting a compressive force onto the sleeve, wherein a first torque required to rotate the sleeve and the shaft with respect to one another in a first direction differs from a second torque required to rotate the sleeve and the shaft with respect to one another in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A method for providing a pivot device asymmetric friction torque is also provided.

Abstract: Adjustable headrest including a guide configured to be coupled to a seat; a head support coupled to the guide and configured to be movable along an adjustment path relative to the seat; and a slider having a surface defining a recess receiving the guide. A retainer is positioned to urge a surface of the slider against a surface of the guide, thereby maintaining friction between the surface of the slider and the surface of the guide. Additionally, the adjustable headrest includes a bracket that is fixable relative to the head support or fixed relative to the seat. The bracket has a mounting section positioned for fixation relative to the head support or for fixation to the seat and a guide receiving portion receiving the guide. The slider and the bracket are separate components and are formed from the same material or different materials.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a releasable roller clutch includes a shaft and a clutch housing positioned around the shaft. The shaft and clutch housing together defining a space there between with rollers positioned in said space. The rollers permit rotation of the shaft relative to the clutch housing when in an unlocked position in which the rollers are not wedged and prevent rotation of the shaft relative to the clutch housing when in a locked position in which the rollers are wedged. A cage extends into the space defined between the shaft and clutch housing. The cage is moveable relative to the clutch housing between an unlocking position and a locking position. The cage has a contact edge positionable to prevent the rollers from moving from the unlocked position to the locked position when the cage is in an unlocking position. The releasable roller clutch permits rotation of the shaft relative to the clutch housing in both directions when the cage is in the unlocking position.

Abstract: An adjustable headrest 300 includes a guide 360 configured to be coupled to a seat, a head support 302 coupled to the guide and configured to be movable along an adjustment path relative to the seat, and a slider 370 having a surface defining a recess 373 receiving the guide such that the surface of the slider contacts a surface of the guide. The adjustment headrest further includes a retainer 390 positioned to urge the surface of the slider against the surface of the guide, thereby maintaining friction between the surface of the slider and the surface of the guide and resisting unintended movement of the slider with respect to the guide along the adjustment path. Also, a friction module and a friction hinge are provided, which can be incorporated into an adjustable headrest or other assemblies in which sliding and/or hinged components are desired.

Abstract: A pivot device having asymmetric friction torque is provided. The pivot device includes a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis, a sleeve surrounding the shaft, the sleeve defining a gap extending longitudinally, the sleeve and the shaft being configured for rotation with respect to one another about the longitudinal axis, and a helical compression element surrounding the sleeve and exerting a compressive force onto the sleeve, wherein a first torque required to rotate the sleeve and the shaft with respect to one another in a first direction differs from a second torque required to rotate the sleeve and the shaft with respect to one another in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A method for providing a pivot device asymmetric friction torque is also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides a hinge assembly having variable friction resistance. The hinge assembly includes an elongated element having a generally cylindrical surface extending longitudinally. It also includes at least one torque element having a generally cylindrical surface compressively engaged with the cylindrical surface of the elongated element, the cylindrical surface of the at least one torque element having end portions. An actuator of the hinge assembly is configured for changing friction resistance generated by the at least one torque element by changing the relative position of the end portions of the at least one torque element, thus reducing compressive engagement between the cylindrical surface of the at least one torque element and the cylindrical surface of the elongated element.

Abstract: This invention provides a hinge assembly having variable friction resistance. The hinge assembly includes an elongated element having a generally cylindrical surface extending longitudinally. It also includes at least one torque element having a generally cylindrical surface compressively engaged with the cylindrical surface of the elongated element, the cylindrical surface of the at least one torque element having end portions. An actuator of the hinge assembly is configured for changing friction resistance generated by the at least one torque element by changing the relative position of the end portions of the at least one torque element, thus reducing compressive engagement between the cylindrical surface of the at least one torque element and the cylindrical surface of the elongated element.

Abstract: This invention provides a hinge assembly having variable friction resistance. The hinge assembly includes an elongated element having a generally cylindrical surface extending longitudinally. It also includes at least one torque element having a generally cylindrical surface compressively engaged with the cylindrical surface of the elongated element, the cylindrical surface of the at least one torque element having end portions. An actuator of the hinge assembly is configured for changing friction resistance generated by the at least one torque element by changing the relative position of the end portions of the at least one torque element, thus reducing compressive engagement between the cylindrical surface of the at least one torque element and the cylindrical surface of the elongated element.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a display mounting apparatus for mounting a flat screen television monitor or the like to a wall. The mounting apparatus provides four degrees of freedom for the flat screen display in lateral translation, tilt, swivel and pan directions. The combination of two two-link arms, counterbalancing torsion springs and friction mechanisms provides for ±20 degrees in the tilt and swivel directions.

Abstract: A friction hinge assembly includes a spring that assists the opening of a first member relative to a second member by storing energy in the spring during the closing operation. The spring is of a unique multilayered torsion bar design.

Abstract: A friction hinge assembly includes a spring that assists the opening of a first member relative to a second member by storing energy in the spring during the closing operation. The spring is of a unique multilayered torsion bar design.

Abstract: A detent hinge assembly includes a spring that biases one or more needle rollers into engagement with the outer surface of the hinge shaft. The needle rollers engage one or more grooves in the surface of the hinge shaft to provide the detent function of the hinge. The spring is in the form of a resilient band that surrounds at least a portion of the circumference of the hinge shaft. The spring is provided with a depression that faces the surface of the hinge shaft and that receives a portion of the needle roller.

Abstract: A friction hinge assembly includes a spring that assists the opening of a first member relative to a second member by storing energy in the spring during the closing operation. The spring is of a unique multilayered torsion bar design.

Abstract: A detent hinge assembly includes a spring that biases one or more needle rollers into engagement with the outer surface of the hinge shaft. The needle rollers engage one or more grooves in the surface of the hinge shaft to provide the detent function of the hinge. The spring is in the form of a resilient band that surrounds at least a portion of the circumference of the hinge shaft. The spring is provided with a depression that faces the surface of the hinge shaft and that receives a portion of the needle roller.