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.

Abstract: An automotive seat assembly is provided including a seatback and a motion translation element pivotably mounted within. The motion translation element includes a back engagement portion, movable between a back engagement stable position and a back intrusion position, and a translation portion, movable from a translation stable position to a translation actuated position in response to the back engagement portion movement. A intermediary element is rotatably attached to the translation portion, such that it is moved between an intermediary stable position and an intermediary actuated position. The intermediary element is additionally movable between a disengagement position and a engagement position. A momentum cam is utilized to move the intermediary element into the engagement position during vehicle impact. A trigger arm is positioned within said seatback and engages the intermediary element when in said engagement position.

Abstract: An automotive seat assembly is provided including a left rear seat portion including a left rear seat base and a left rear seatback, a right rear seat portion including a right rear seat base and a right rear seatback, and a center rear seat portion including a center rear seat base and a center rear seatback. A head restraint assembly is mounted to the center rear seatback and defines a head restraint protrusion distance above the upper seatback surface. The head restraint assembly is movable between a head restraint operational position and a head restraint stowed position. The head restraint stowed position reduces the head restraint protrusion distance for improved visibility. A convenience feature assembly is formed within the center rear seatback and is movable between an convenience feature stowed position and an convenience feature deployed position.

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.

Abstract: A head restraint assembly for a vehicle seat assembly including a post to operatively engage a vehicle seat and provide vertical movement relative thereto. The post includes a control leg, a slave leg and a contoured cross member disposed therebetween. Each of the legs has a terminal end and an offset disposed between the terminal end and the contoured cross member. The head restraint assembly further includes a bun attached to the post. The offsets advance a portion of the post and the contoured cross member toward a seat occupant to facilitate placement of a predetermined portion of the bun relative thereto and substantially reduce head displacement during a rear end vehicular collision.

Abstract: A head restraint assembly for a vehicle seat assembly including a post to operatively engage a vehicle seat and provide vertical movement relative thereto. The post includes a control leg, a slave leg and a contoured cross member disposed therebetween. Each of the legs has a terminal end and an offset disposed between the terminal end and the contoured cross member. The head restraint assembly further includes a bun attached to the post. The offsets advance a portion of the post and the contoured cross member toward a seat occupant to facilitate placement of a predetermined portion of the bun relative thereto and substantially reduce head displacement during a rear end vehicular collision.

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.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly that is disposable in a vehicle rearward of a front seat includes a seat bottom, a seat back attached to the seat bottom, and a head restraint attached to the seat back and having a head restraint body that is moveable from a raised position to a lowered position. The seat assembly further includes an actuator associated with the head restraint for enabling movement of the head restraint body from the raised position to the lowered position. The actuator is located proximate a front portion of the seat bottom such that the actuator is accessible by an occupant of the front seat when the seat assembly is installed in the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle seat for use with a vehicle. The vehicle seat includes a seatback having a frame, a head restraint arrangement, an impact target arrangement, and a ratchet screw mechanism. The impact target arrangement is attached to the head restraint arrangement and moveably attached to the frame. The ratchet screw mechanism includes a first threaded member and a second threaded member. Upon application of a rearward force on the impact target arrangement, the first threaded member at least partially disengages the second threaded member to allow the head restraint arrangement to move from an initial position to a support position.

Abstract: An infinitely adjustable head restraint assembly that includes a head restraint adapted for movement between a first position and a second position relative to a seatback of a vehicle seat assembly. The head restraint assembly also includes at least one biasing member that biases the head restraint away from the first position toward the second position. Furthermore, the head restraint assembly includes a retainer mechanism operable to retain the head restraint in any position between the first position and the second position and operable to release the head restraint for movement between the first position and the second position. The head restraint assembly can be incorporated in a vehicle seat assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly that includes a seatback frame and an active head restraint system operatively supported by the seatback frame. The active head restraint system includes an upper armature moveably mounted to the seatback frame and a head restraint mounted to the upper armature. The active head restraint system also includes a lower armature operatively attached to the upper armature. The lower armature is operable to move toward the upper armature in response to a predetermined force applied to the lower armature and act on the upper armature to move the head restraint toward the occupant.

Abstract: An automotive seat assembly is provided including a seatback assembly including an upper seatback surface and a guide stem positioned within. A head restraint post is positioned within the guide stem, and includes a head restraint mount end and a seatback insertion end. A head restraint element is mounted to the head restraint mount end. A roller guide is mounted in proximity to the upper seatback surface and comprises a bezel element inserted into the guide stem. A primary roller housing is mounted to said bezel element and forms a center cylindrical path through which the head restraint post passes. A primary roller element is rotatably mounted within the primary roller housing and is biased into communication with the head restraint post by way of a roller bias such that the head restraint post is restrained from motion absent the application of a vertical adjustment force. A housing cap is mounted over the bezel element.

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.

Abstract: An automotive seat assembly is provided including a left rear seat portion including a left rear seat base and a left rear seatback, a right rear seat portion including a right rear seat base and a right rear seatback, and a center rear seat portion including a center rear seat base and a center rear seatback. A head restraint assembly is mounted to the center rear seatback and defines a head restraint protrusion distance above the upper seatback surface. The head restraint assembly is movable between a head restraint operational position and a head restraint stowed position. The head restraint stowed position reduces the head restraint protrusion distance for improved visibility. A convenience feature assembly is formed within the center rear seatback and is movable between an convenience feature stowed position and an convenience feature deployed position.

Abstract: An automotive seat assembly is provided including a seatback and a motion translation element pivotably mounted within. The motion translation element includes a back engagement portion, movable between a back engagement stable position and a back intrusion position, and a translation portion, movable from a translation stable position to a translation actuated position in response to the back engagement portion movement. A intermediary element is rotatably attached to the translation portion, such that it is moved between an intermediary stable position and an intermediary actuated position. The intermediary element is additionally movable between a disengagement position and a engagement position. A momentum cam is utilized to move the intermediary element into the engagement position during vehicle impact. A trigger arm is positioned within said seatback and engages the intermediary element when in said engagement position.

Abstract: An automotive seat assembly is provided including a seatbase defining a seatbase plane and a seatback defining a seatback plane. The automotive seat assembly includes an automotive head restraint assembly comprising a head restraint support member configured to extend vertically from the seatback. The head restraint support member has a vertical extension portion extending generally parallel to the seatback plane and at least one horizontal travel arm generally perpendicular to the seatback plane. The vertical extension portion positioned between the seatback and the at least one horizontal travel arm. A head restraint inner structure engages the at least one horizontal travel arm such that the head restraint inner structure is movable linearly to a plurality of positions along the at least one horizontal travel arm. A head restraint outer structure surrounds said head restraint inners structure to provide a comfortable outer surface.

Abstract: An automotive seat assembly is provided including a seatbase defining a seatbase plane and a seatback defining a seatback plane. A head restraint support member is configured to extend vertically from the seatback. The head restraint support member has a vertical extension portion extending generally parallel to the seatback plane, at least one horizontal travel arm generally perpendicular to the seatback plane, and a horizontal base arm. A head restraint inner structure engages the at least one horizontal travel arm and is movable linearly to a plurality of positions along the at least one horizontal travel arm. An active head restraint element is mounted to the head restraint inner structure and the horizontal base arm and is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The active head restraint element moves the head restraint inner structure to a head restraint forward position in response to moving into the deployed position.

Abstract: A test assembly for evaluating vehicle head restraints comprises a carriage adapted to be coupled to a drive member capable of moving the test assembly, a head restraint coupled to the carriage and a manikin assembly having a head portion and a neck portion with an upper and lower end. The head portion couples to the upper end of the neck portion and the manikin assembly couples to the carriage at the lower end of the neck assembly. The head restraint is positioned adjacent the manikin assembly so that movement of the drive member causes the head portion of the manikin assembly to contact the head restraint. The manikin assembly may further include a load cell and accelerometer for evaluating the effectiveness and performance of a particular head restraint design.

Abstract: A vehicle seat for use with a vehicle. The vehicle seat includes a seatback having a frame, a head restraint arrangement, an impact target arrangement, and a ratchet screw mechanism. The impact target arrangement is attached to the head restraint arrangement and moveably attached to the frame. The ratchet screw mechanism includes a first threaded member and a second threaded member. Upon application of a rearward force on the impact target arrangement, the first threaded member at least partially disengages the second threaded member to allow the head restraint arrangement to move from an initial position to a support position.

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.