U.S. patent application number 09/804126 was filed with the patent office on 2001-07-26 for vehicle safety collision headrest system.
Invention is credited to Zeigler, Gary D..
Application Number | 20010009327 09/804126 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26707838 |
Filed Date | 2001-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010009327 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zeigler, Gary D. |
July 26, 2001 |
Vehicle safety collision headrest system
Abstract
A vehicle safety collision headrest system which substantially
instantaneously moves a headrest of a seat from any manually
adjusted position to a fully extended position. The system includes
a pressure actuation assembly having combustible propellant or
fluid tank fluidly connected to a cylinder. The cylinder is rigidly
connected to a bottom of the headrest and upon the occurrence of a
collision or abrupt stopping the pressure actuation system fires
the cylinder upwardly which causes the headrest to extend to a
properly adjusted position behind a passenger's head and neck. The
pressure actuation system inflates a front airbag which extends
between a bottom of the headrest and a top of the seat to fill the
gap therebetween. The front airbag cushions the passenger's head
and neck as the passenger is thrust rearward and protects the
passenger's head and neck from contacting the cylinder and poles
rigidly mounted to the bottom of the headrest. A rear airbag may be
optionally provided to protect back seat passengers from contacting
the rear of the front seat and its hardware as the back seat
passenger is thrust forward. The safety collision headrest system
can be installed in rear seats as well as in front seats.
Inventors: |
Zeigler, Gary D.; (Canton,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mark A. Watkins, Esq.
Oldham & Oldham Co., L.P.A.
Twin Oaks Estate
1225 West Market Street
Akron
OH
44313-7188
US
|
Family ID: |
26707838 |
Appl. No.: |
09/804126 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09804126 |
Mar 12, 2001 |
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09031974 |
Feb 26, 1998 |
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6199900 |
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60049203 |
Jun 9, 1997 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/735 ;
280/730.2; 297/216.12; 701/49 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 21/207 20130101;
B60N 2/888 20180201; B60N 2/882 20180201; B60R 2021/0048 20130101;
B60R 2021/23153 20130101; B60R 2021/23161 20130101; B60R 2021/0011
20130101; B60N 2/829 20180201; B60R 2021/2615 20130101; B60R
2021/0004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/735 ;
280/730.2; 297/216.12; 701/49 |
International
Class: |
B60R 021/32 |
Claims
1. A vehicle safety collision system comprising: a seat backrest
having a front, a rear and a top; a headrest attached to said seat
and extendable to an upper position; and pressure actuation means
for moving said headrest to the upper position upon occurrence of
an event.
2. The vehicle safety collision system recited in claim 1 further
comprising a first airbag which is inflated between said headrest
and said seat upon occurrence of the event.
3. The vehicle safety collision system recited in claim 1 further
comprising a rear airbag which is inflated between said headrest
and said seat, said rear airbag extending from said rear of said
seat backrest.
4. The vehicle safety collision system recited in claim 1, wherein
said pressure actuation means includes a cylinder connected to said
headrest for moving said headrest to the upper position.
5. The vehicle safety collision system recited in claim 1, wherein
said pressure actuation means is comprised of an airbag which is
inflated between said headrest and said seat upon occurrence of the
event.
6. The vehicle safety collision system recited in claim 2, wherein
said first airbag is positioned at the front of said seat between
said cylinder and a passenger sitting in said seat.
7. The vehicle safety collision system recited in claim 6 further
comprising a second airbag which is inflated between said headrest
and said seat upon the occurrence of the event.
8. The vehicle safety collision system recited in claim 6 wherein
said first and said second airbags are in fluid communication.
9. The vehicle safety collision system recited in claim 7, wherein
said second airbag is positioned at the rear of said seat between
said cylinder and a passenger sitting behind said seat.
10. The vehicle safety collision system recited in claim 9, wherein
said pressure actuation means includes a combustible propellant
which is fluidly connected to said cylinder for supplying fluid to
said cylinder for moving said headrest to the upper position.
11. The vehicle safety collision system recited in claim 9, wherein
said pressure actuation means includes a pressurized fluid supply
which is fluidly connected to said cylinder for supplying
pressurized fluid to said cylinder for moving said headrest to the
upper position.
12. The vehicle safety collision system recited in claim 2, further
comprising at least one collision sensor which detects the
occurrence of an event and thereafter actuates said pressure
actuation means to deploy said first airbags.
13. The vehicle safety collision system recited in claim 6, further
comprising at least one collision sensor which detects the
occurrence of an event and thereafter actuates said pressure
actuation means to deploy said first and second airbags.
14. The vehicle safety collision system recited in claim 2, wherein
said first airbag has a generally U-shaped configuration which
cradles and guides a passenger's head and neck to a centered
position relative to said headrest.
15. The vehicle safety collision system recited in claim 2, wherein
said first airbag includes an extension which extends laterally
relative to said passenger in at least one direction and partially
fills the area between seats to cushion and support a passenger
seated between said seats.
16. The vehicle safety collision system recited in claim 2, further
comprising a passenger detection sensor embedded within said seat
which detects whether said seat is occupied by a passenger and
allows actuation of said pressure actuation means during an
occurrence of an event if said seat is occupied by a passenger and
prohibits actuation of said pressure actuation means during an
occurrence if said seat is empty.
17. The vehicle safety collision system recited in claim 2, further
comprising a controller operatively coupled to said at least one
collision sensor, said passenger detection sensor, and said
pressure actuation means, wherein said controller monitors said at
least one collision sensor and said passenger detection sensor to
thereby selectively control actuation of said pressure actuation
means.
18. A vehicle safety collision system comprising: a seat backrest
having a front, a rear and a top; a first airbag stored within the
top of said seat backrest, wherein said first airbag is inflated
from said top of said backrest upon occurrence of an event.
19. A vehicle safety collision system as recited in claim 18,
further comprising a second airbag stored within the rear of said
seat backrest, wherein said second airbag is inflated from said
rear of said backrest upon the occurrence of the event.
20. A vehicle safety collision system as recited in claim 18,
further comprising a second airbag stored within the top of said
seat backrest, wherein said second airbag is inflated from said top
of said backrest upon the occurrence of the event, said second
airbag extending outward in the rear direction of said seat
backrest.
21. A vehicle safety collision system as recited in claim 18,
further comprising a second airbag stored within the top of said
seat backrest, wherein said second airbag is inflated from said top
of said backrest upon the occurrence of the event, and wherein said
first and said second airbags are comprised of a single airbag
formed into said first and second airbags upon inflation.
22. A vehicle safety collision system comprising: a plurality of
seats, each seat having a backrest with a front surface, a back
surface and a top, said plurality of seats consisting of a set of
first seats and a set of second seats, said second seats located
behind either a first or second vehicle seat; a plurality of
headrests wherein one of said headrests is attached to each of said
plurality of seat backrests and extendable to an upper position; a
plurality of pressure actuation means operatively coupled to each
of a plurality of seat backrests for moving said headrest to the
upper position upon occurrence of an event; a first airbag
operatively disposed within each of said headrests which is
inflated between said headrest and said seat backrest upon
occurrence of the event; and a second airbag operatively disposed
within each of said headrests which correspond with said first
seats of said vehicle and is inflated between said headrest and
said seat backrest upon occurrence of the event.
23. The vehicle safety collision system recited in claim 22,
further comprising: at least one collision sensor which detects the
occurrence of the event and thereafter actuates said pressure
actuation means and said first and second airbags; and a plurality
of passenger detection sensors embedded within said seats which
detects which of said seats are occupied by a passenger and allows
actuation of said corresponding pressure actuation means during an
occurrence of an event if said seat is occupied by a passenger and
prohibits actuation of said corresponding pressure actuation means
during an occurrence if said seat is empty.
24. The vehicle safety collision system recited in claim 23,
further comprising: a controller operatively coupled to said at
least one collision sensor, said plurality of passenger detection
sensors, and said plurality of pressure actuation means, wherein
said controller monitors said at least one collision sensor and
said plurality of passenger detection sensors to thereby
selectively control actuation of each of said plurality of pressure
actuation means.
25. The vehicle safety collision system recited in claim 24,
wherein said controller consists of a microprocessor system which
receives and processes information in substantially real time from
said at least one collision sensor and said plurality of passenger
detection sensors to thereby selectively control actuation of each
of said plurality of pressure actuation means.
26. A method of providing safety in a vehicle during a collision
comprising the steps of: (a) detecting the occurrence of a
collision by a vehicle; (b) moving a headrest of said vehicle's
seat to its upper position upon the detection of the collision; and
(c) inflating an airbag.
27. A method as recited in claim 26 wherein said airbag is
positioned between said headrest and said seat of the vehicle to
fill the gap formed between the headrest and the seat to protect
the head and neck of a passenger of the vehicle during the
collision.
28. A method recited in claim 26, further comprising, between steps
(a) and (b), the steps of: detecting the presence of a passenger in
each seat of the vehicle; and prohibiting headrest movement and
airbag inflation in each seat of the vehicle in which a passenger
is not present.
28. A method of providing safety in a vehicle during a collision
comprising the steps of: (a) detecting the occurrence of a
collision by a vehicle; (b) detecting the presence of a passenger
in each seat of the vehicle; (c) determining whether each passenger
present in the vehicle is greater than a predetermined weight; (d)
selectively moving each headrest of the vehicle that corresponds to
a seat in which a passenger greater than a predetermined weight is
present to its upper position; and (e) inflating an airbag between
each headrest and seat of the vehicle that corresponds to a seat in
which a passenger greater than a predetermined weight is present to
fill the gap formed between each headrest and seat to protect the
head and neck of each passenger of the vehicle during the
collision.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to headrests, and more particularly to
a headrest system having the standard adjustment features that
allow a headrest to be adjusted to the desired height of a driver
or passenger, while further including a collision activated firing
mechanism coupled with an airbag system which inflates between the
headrest and the seat. Specifically, the invention is a safety
collision headrest system that includes a collision activated
actuation or firing mechanism for substantially instantaneously
moving the headrest from any manually adjusted position to an upper
position upon the occurrence of a collision or similar event, and
an airbag which inflates to fill the gap formed between the
headrest and seat when the headrest is moved to an upper position,
whereby the combination of the headrest, actuation mechanism, and
airbag provides for a safety system in which the head and neck of
the driver or passenger seated in the front, middle or rear seat is
protected from whiplash, neck, head or spinal related injury due to
an improperly designed and/or positioned headrest. Additionally,
the airbag or an additional airbag may inflate in the rear or
middle of a front seat to further provide a back seat passenger
airbag to protect back seat passengers from being injured upon the
occurrence of a collision or similar event.
[0002] The safety collision headrest system may also include
sensors in each seat thereby allowing the airbags to be selectively
fired only when a passenger is in the specified seat and if that
passenger is over a predetermined weight set point. The safety
collision headrest system also improves driver visibility by
allowing smaller headrests to be used since the airbags and not the
headrest are being relied upon for protection of the passenger.
This in turn improves overall safety for passengers of all types of
vehicles, including, but not limited to automobiles, trucks, vans,
sport utility vehicles and so on.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0003] Personal injury claims from head and neck injuries due to
automobile accidents and collisions amount to billions of dollars
per year. For this reason, any system that would function to
prohibit and/or reduce such injuries has been long sought after by
the automobile, medical, and insurance industries.
[0004] For the better part of history, most automobile seats were
bench-type seats which extended upward from the floor of the
vehicle only to approximately the mid-section or upper section of
an adult's back. This substantially vertical back portion of the
seat provides support for the body of the passenger allowing the
passenger to be seated in a relatively upright position. However,
these standard bench seats do not provide support for the neck and
head of the passenger.
[0005] One of the reasons that seats do not extend to the full
sitting height of a passenger is that such a structure would
obstruct the view of the driver during vehicle operation. In
addition, seats extending to the full sitting height can interfere
with the driver hearing conversations within the vehicle causing
the driver to strain or concentrate his or her attention elsewhere
rather than on the road. Furthermore, each and every passenger is
of a different sitting height. It would be very difficult to size
and design a seat which comfortably and safely accommodates all
potential passengers. The headrest system of the present invention
substantially increases driver visibility by allowing smaller
headrests to be used throughout the vehicle without sacrificing
passenger safety.
[0006] In more recent years, headrests and particularly adjustable
headrests have attempted to solve this problem of accommodating
drivers and passengers (hereinafter collectively referred to as
passengers) of different sizes. Basically, an adjustable headrest
is a vertically adjustable padded body against which the passenger
may rest his or her head. The padded body may be adjusted
vertically upwardly from the top of the seat along one or two
adjustment posts, supports or rods. In use, the specific passenger
is required to move the headrest up or down to properly position
the headrest behind his or her head.
[0007] Literally hundreds of prior art patents exist in this area
of technology which, in theory, should substantially reduce the
quantity of head and neck injuries. However, in reality, most
passengers improperly position the headrest with reference to his
or her individual body size or fail to adjust the headrest at all.
Often, the headrest remains at its lowermost position against the
top side of the seat. In some cases, to improve visibility, the
headrest is removed from the vehicle altogether.
[0008] As a result, these headrests not only fail to prevent head
and neck injuries, in many instances additional injuries have been
incurred due to improperly positioned head rests. For instance, a
headrest that is positioned too high will cause the passenger to
not only miss the headrest when his or her neck is forced back
towards the seat, but the passenger's head and neck will make
contact with the rigid supports upon which the headrest is
supported resulting in further injuries which would not have
occurred had the headrest not been adjustable. Any contact with
these rigid support structures, which are typically made out of
metal or hard plastic, can cause significant injury to the head
and/or neck, particularly when the head and/or neck makes contact
with the support structures following an abrupt stop or a
collision.
[0009] Clearly, the invention of the adjustable headrest is an
advancement in the area of safety to the head and/or neck during
the operation of or riding in an automobile, but this advancement
is only applicable when the headrest is used properly. That is, the
adjustable headrest is only effective when it is properly adjusted
for each individual's height. Since such an adjustment is generally
not properly done, further safety precautions are clearly
needed.
[0010] Additionally, in certain vehicles individual or bucket seats
have replaced the bench seat. These bucket seats often have a
built-in headrest which is, in effect, an extension of the seat
upward beyond the mid to upper section of the back. This extension
acts to provide some head and neck support but a large percentage
of visibility is lost due to the upward extension which creates a
blind spot in relation to oncoming passing vehicles. In addition,
these bucket seats are generally of a standard height such that
very tall passengers are still at risk for head and/or neck
injuries because height of the passenger exceeds that of the bucket
seat. Furthermore, the general design of the bucket seat is such
that the head and/or neck are generally several inches to a foot
away from this upper part of the seat whereby a collision of the
vehicle still causes rapid acceleration of the head and neck toward
the seat. Due to this rapid acceleration and non-optimal design of
the headrest portion of the bucket seat, injuries still occur.
[0011] Several headrest systems have been developed which attempt
to properly position a passenger's headrest behind the passenger's
neck or attempt to cushion the rearward thrusting of the
passenger's head and neck. Examples of these prior art headrest
systems include U.S. Pat. No. 3,397,991 which discloses an
automobile safety device having a spring loaded headrest and a
pendulum which senses a sudden stopping or collision of the
vehicle. When the pendulum springs forward the springs are released
to force the headrest upwardly.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 3,586,366 discloses a inertia-responsive
retractable head restraint device which rotates to an erect and
supportive position when the headrest senses a sudden stop or
collision of the vehicle.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 3,779,577 discloses a safety installation for
the passengers of vehicles especially passengers of motor vehicles.
The headrests of the front seats includes front and rear airbags
which inflate upon sudden stopping or collision of the vehicle. One
airbag inflates towards the front seat passenger to cushion the
rearward thrust of the front seat passenger and the other airbag
inflates towards the back seat passenger to cushion the forward
thrust of the back seat passenger.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,185 discloses a vehicle seat which
provides rollover protection in convertible or removable roof
vehicles. When a sensor senses a rollover condition, a coil spring
is released which forces a headrest upwardly beyond the height of
the passenger's head to prevent the passenger's head from striking
the ground during rollover of the vehicle.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,355 discloses a seat integrated
inflatable neck support having a generally U-shaped inflatable
airbag. The airbag is selectively inflatable by the passenger and
wraps around the passenger's head and neck to support the passenger
5 head and neck during transit.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,001 discloses an airbag system for an
automobile vehicle which senses the presence of a front seat or
back seat passenger and inflates the airbags accordingly upon a
collision of the vehicle.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,189 discloses a retractable pop-up
headrest usable with a vehicle passenger seat. A spring is attached
to the headrest and upon rapid deceleration of the vehicle the
spring is activated permitting the headiest to move upwardly
towards an operative position.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,129 discloses a vehicle seat back which
includes a head side impact air bag. The seat includes a tower
extending upwardly from the seat back upper end which contains an
inflatable air bag which is deployable to provide head and
head/body side impact protection for a seat occupant.
[0019] Although these prior art headrest systems are adequate for
the purpose for which they were intended, these headrest systems
fail to move the headrests in the proper position in a quick enough
manner. During collisions, a passenger's head and neck are thrust
back in a fraction of a second. Spring loaded mechanisms fail to
react in the split second between the time of impact and the
backward thrusting of the passenger's head and neck. Further, the
pendulum mechanism used on several of these headrest systems are
unreliable and often malfunction. For these reasons the prior art
cited fails to adequately protect passengers and increase vehicle
safety both before and during an accident.
[0020] Additionally, many automobiles are manufactured with back
seat headrests. Typically, these back seat headrests are not
vertically adjustable because any upward movement of the back seat
headrest would obstruct the view of the driver out the rear window
of the vehicle. Instead of vertically adjustable headrests,
manufacturers have been extending the height of fixed backseat
headrests in an attempt to provide protection while maintaining
some measure of visibility out of the rear window of the vehicle.
The larger headrests have continued to decrease visibility without
any measurable increase in safety being provided to backseat
passengers. These unadjustable back seat headrests also fail to
adequately protect medium tall to tall passengers because the
headrests do not fully extend to an appropriate height to protect
the head and neck of these taller passengers. The headrest system
of the present invention substantially instantaneously moves the
back seat headrest upwardly to the fully extended position to
provide support to these back seat passengers upon the occurrence
of a collision or abrupt stopping, thereby providing head and neck
protection along with better driver visibility in general.
[0021] Finally, standard head rests are generally made of the same
material as the seat which includes some type of cloth, padded
foam, or other material which is relatively comfortable to rest
one's body against while still providing substantial support and
rigidity as is needed by the seat, During a collision or other
similar abrupt stop, the passenger's head and/or neck will often
impact the headrest at a high speed. This rigid properties of the
headrest cause the headrest to function as a rather hard stop even
though it is covered with a cloth or padded foam. It would
obviously be preferable to provide a more cushioned stop for the
head and/or neck during such a collision or abrupt stop while
simultaneously providing sufficient support during standard
seating.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0022] It is an objective of the present invention to provide an
improved headrest system capable of reducing or eliminating head
and/or neck injuries.
[0023] It is a further objective of the present invention to
provide an improved headrest system that functions as a safety
collision headrest.
[0024] It is a further objective of the present invention to
provide an improved headrest system that is actuatable to an upper
position by various events including a collision or other abrupt or
sudden stops.
[0025] It is a further objective of the present invention to
provide an improved headrest system which after being actuatable to
an upper position provides for inflation of an airbag which fills
the gap formed between the extended headrest and the top of the
seat.
[0026] It is a further objective of the present invention to
provide an improved headrest system which provides airbag
protection to all occupied seats of a vehicle including front,
middle and back seats.
[0027] It is a further objective of one embodiment of the present
invention to provide an improved headrest system which may be
retrofitted to current car seats.
[0028] It is a further objective of one or more embodiments of the
present invention to provide an improved headrest system in which
an airbag is inflatable over a rear portion of a front seat so as
to provide a protective airbag to back seat passengers.
[0029] It is a further objective of one embodiment of the present
invention to provide an improved headrest system that selectively
deploys airbags based on the selective presence of a passenger
detected in a seat.
[0030] It is a further objective of the present invention to
provide an improved headrest system that is cost efficient to
install in a vehicle, making the vehicle more cost efficient to
insure while improving overall passenger safety due to the systems
simplicity and selective deployment of airbags.
[0031] It is a further objective of the present invention to
provide an improved headrest system capable of selectively
controlling individual airbags in a vehicle so each airbag can be
made to deploy or prevented from deploying to protect children and
infants in restraining car seats.
[0032] It is a further objective of the present invention to
provide an improved headrest system which is of simple
construction, which achieves the stated objectives in a simple,
effective and inexpensive manner, and which solves problems and
satisfies needs existing in the art.
[0033] These and other objectives and advantages are obtained by
the safety collision headrest system of the present invention, the
general nature of which may be stated as including a seat having a
front, a rear and a top; a headrest removably attached to the seat
and extendable to an uppermost position; pressure actuation means
for moving the body to the uppermost position; and an airbag
deployed upon occurrence of an event.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of
the best mode in which Applicant has contemplated applying the
principles, are set forth in the following description and are
shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed
out and set forth in the appended claims.
[0035] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the safety collision
headrest system of the present invention showing the headrest
properly positioned in a passenger-specific adjusted position
behind the lower portion of the head and adjacent the neck;
[0036] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the safety collision
headrest system of FIG. 1 immediately after a collision or abrupt
stop showing the headrest in an upper position and showing front
and rear airbags inflated to fill the gap formed between the
headrest and the seat to provide a cushion for the head and neck of
both a front seat passenger, preventing the passenger's head and
neck from making contact with the rigid support structures, and a
back seat passenger, preventing the back seat passenger's head from
contacting the rear of the seat or rigid support structures;
[0037] FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the headrest system of
FIG. 1;
[0038] FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the headrest system
shown in FIG. 2 with the optional or supplemental rear airbag
removed for clearly showing the front airbag in the inflated
position, the compression cylinder as well as the rigid support
structures of the headrest;
[0039] FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the headrest system
shown in FIG. 2 with the rear airbag inflated behind the front
seat;
[0040] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the inflated headrest
shown in FIG. 2;
[0041] FIG. 7 is a top plan view showing the location of the front
and back seat airbags contained within the respective head rests
and showing the position of the collisions sensors on the
vehicle;
[0042] FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the back seat airbags
in the inflated position;
[0043] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of front and back seat
passengers sitting within the vehicle showing the airbags in the
inflated position;
[0044] FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view in section of the
headrest system shown in FIG. 2 with the optional or supplemental
rear airbag removed to show the use of combustible propellants to
raise the headrest and inflate the airbags;
[0045] FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view in section of the
headrest system shown in FIG. 2 with the optional or supplemental
rear airbag removed to show the use of pressurized fluid to raise
the headrest and inflate the airbags;
[0046] FIG. 12 is a top plan view showing the location of the
controller for the headrest system including the electrical
conductors and combustible propellant charges of the front and back
seat airbags and the sensors for detection of seat occupancy;
[0047] FIG. 13 is a rear elevational view in section similar to
FIG. 10 showing a second embodiment of the cylinder mounted to the
frame of the front seat;
[0048] FIG. 14 is a top plan view showing the location of the
controller for the headrest system including the pressurized fluid
supply lines and tank for inflation of the front and back seat
airbags and the sensors for detection of seat occupancy;
[0049] FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of a single elongated
airbag in the inflated position used to protect all the occupants
of a bench-type seat of a vehicle;
[0050] FIG. 16 is a rear elevational view showing the headrest in
an extended position with the supplemental rear airbag deployed
from within the top of the front seat as opposed to from within the
headrest;
[0051] FIG. 17 is a front elevational view showing an alternate
embodiment of airbags in the inflated position used to protect
occupants of a bench-type seat of a vehicle;
[0052] FIG. 18 is a front elevational view of a further embodiments
of airbags in the inflated position used to provide additional
protection to the head and neck of a vehicle occupant; and
[0053] FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of front and back seat
passengers sitting within the vehicle showing an alternative means
for raising the headrest in which inflation of the airbags performs
the headrest raising function;
[0054] FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of an alternative
embodiment of the safety collision headrest system showing the
headrest disposed within the backrest of a seat during normal
conditions;
[0055] FIG. 21 is a side elevational view of the safety collision
headrest system of FIG. 20 immediately after a collision or abrupt
stop showing the headrest extended from within the backrest in an
upper position and showing front and rear airbags inflated to fill
the gap formed between the headrest and the seat; and
[0056] FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the safety collision
headrest system of FIG. 1 immediately after a collision or abrupt
stop showing front and rear airbags configured from a single airbag
structure.
[0057] Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the
drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0058] Accordingly, the improved safety collision headrest system
of the present invention is shown generally in FIGS. 1-6 and is
indicated at 10. System 10 generally includes an occupant headrest
12 and a pressure actuation assembly 50 (FIG. 10). In the event of
a collision, the present invention is intended to move the occupant
headrest 12 to an upper or extended position and deploy one or more
injury saving airbags.
[0059] Although headrest system 10 is shown in FIGS. 1-6 installed
within a front seat for deployment of airbag 58, headrest system 10
could be installed within a back seat to protect back seat
passengers in a similar manner. Airbag 59 is similar in structure
and function to airbag 58 and provides a cushion for the back seat
passenger's head and neck when the passenger is thrust rearwardly
against the back seat. Other than possibly the shapes, all airbags
described herein are constructed in a traditional manner from
common materials known by those of ordinary skill in the airbag
airs.
[0060] FIG. 2 illustrates that, when inflated, front airbag 58
fills the gap formed between headrest 12 and the top of seat 20 at
the front of seat 20. Inflated airbag 58 is positioned in front of
poles 14 and piston rod 64 between headrest 12 and the passenger to
cushion the backward thrust of the passenger's head and neck upon a
collision or abrupt stopping. Further, inflated front airbag 58
protects the passengers head and neck from contacting rigidly
mounted poles 14 and sleeve 66 as the passenger is thrust backwards
against seat 20.
[0061] An optional rear airbag 90 (FIGS. 2, 5 and 6) may be
positioned within airbag chamber 60, or within a separate airbag
chamber, and is deployed in a manner similar to airbags 58 and 59,
as will be explained later herein. Rear airbag 90 inflates toward
the rear of seat 20, at substantially the same time front airbag 58
inflates, to fill the gap formed between headrest 12 and the top of
seat 20. Airbag 90 is positioned between the back of headrest 12
and seat 20 on one hand and the back seat passenger to cushion the
forward thrust of the back seat passenger (FIG. 9) into the rear of
front seat 20. Further, inflated rear airbag 90 protects the back
seat passenger's head, face and neck from contacting the rigid
hardware of headrest 12 such as the head mounted poles 14 and
piston 62 (FIG. 4) as the passenger is thrust forward toward the
rear of front seat 20. Front and rear airbags 58 and 90,
respectively, are connected to headrest 12 within common or
separate chambers 60 in such a manner which directs the airbags to
their respective positions as shown in FIG. 2 and prevents the
airbags from expanding in an undesired off-centered position. It is
to be appreciated that airbag 90 could serve alone in certain
embodiments without front airbag 58.
[0062] Headrest 12, as described herein generally resembles those
currently in use in passenger vehicles and includes one or more
adjustment poles 14 rigidly attached thereto and extending
outwardly from a bottom surface 16 of headrest 12. Headrest 12 is
attachable to and extendable from seat or seat backrest 20 in a
vehicle 21 (FIG. 7) as is shown in the figures. Seat 20 is
typically formed with one or more pole receiving holes 22 (FIG. 4)
along its upper surface. The number of pole receiving holes
corresponds to the number of steel adjustment poles 14 of headrest
12. Holes 22 are formed substantially vertically downward into the
backrest thereby providing a cylindrical or similarly shaped
chamber in which the entire pole 14 may extend when headrest 12 is
in a fully retracted position (FIG. 1).
[0063] Each pole receiving hole 22 is formed with an entrance
opening 24 formed in the top surface of seat or backrest 20. A stop
plate 26 is positioned at the base of each pole 14 which functions
to prohibit further outward movement of headrest 12 when stop
plates 26 move adjacent entrance openings 24. Entrance openings 24
are of a smaller diameter than stop plates 26 thus defining a
collar or stop which limits the upward movement of headrest 12 and
prevents poles 14 from sliding out of engagement with their
respective holes 22. As is well known in the art, stop plates 26
may be of any configuration so as to serve the requirement that the
headrest have a defined outer and uppermost point where it may
extend no further from the seat. Headrest 12 is extendable from a
retracted or seated position against the top of seat or seat
backrest 20 (FIG. 1) to a fully extended position (FIG. 4) or to
any position therebetween. The passenger may manually adjust
headrest 12 by merely pulling headrest 12 upwardly or pushing
headrest 12 downwardly to place headrest 12 in an optimal safety
position.
[0064] In a preferred embodiment, airbags 58 of the present
invention are located in the front seats of vehicle 21 and
optionally in the back seats (FIG. 7). One or more airbag chambers
60 (FIGS. 3 and 4) formed within headrest 12 each store a
respective airbag 58. A pressure actuation assembly, generally 50
(FIG. 10), is intended to quickly move headrest 12 to an extended
position in the event of a collision and includes a compression
cylinder 56 of any type such as pneumatic or hydraulic, and
includes an extendable piston 62. Piston 62 is rigidly attached to
headrest 12 spaced from and parallel to adjustment poles 14. In a
preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4, headrest 12 includes a pair
of spaced and parallel adjustment poles 14 with piston 62 of
compression cylinder 56 being positioned therebetween.
[0065] Fluidly expanding combustible propellant provides a
pressurized fluid to cylinder 56 causing piston 62 to "fire" to its
extended position upon actuation. Pressure actuation assembly 50,
detailed in FIGS. 10 and 12, includes fluidly expanding combustible
propellant in combination with charge 85, a compression cylinder
56, and one or more airbags 58. Thus, it is recommended that the
outermost point defined by stops 26 be defined such that when
compression cylinder 56 is fired, as described below, the pressure
from cylinder 56 pushes headrest 12 to the predefined outer
point.
[0066] Most vehicles today employ a combustible propellant such as
sodium oxide to inflate currently used front airbags. A
predetermined amount of sodium oxide is operatively coupled to a
charge or blasting cap which in turn is connected to a collision
sensor within the vehicle. Upon the occurrence of a collision, the
sensor triggers the charge or blasting cap causing the sodium oxide
to explode. The explosion causes the sodium oxide to expand rapidly
in a gaseous state thereby inflating the airbag. The advantage to
using an electrically triggered combustible propellant is that
electrical signals travel very quickly allowing a faster and safer
reaction time by the airbags.
[0067] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12 in the preferred embodiment, a
combustible propellant is used as the pressure actuation mechanism
for raising the headrest to an upper position and/or inflating the
airbags. In FIG. 10 a charge or blasting cap 85 is matched with a
pre-determined amount of combustible propellant and then
operatively coupled with an airbag in chamber 60 of headrest 12.
Another charge/propellant combination is operatively coupled with
piston 62. Both charges 85 are coupled to electrical conductors 81
which transmit the electrical signals used to ignite charges 85.
The combustible propellant (for example sodium oxide) when ignited
by charge 85 create a rapidly expanding gas or fluid. Because
electrical conductors 81 are relatively small and malleable, they
can be run within seat back 20 and through poles 14 which protects
conductors 81 from tampering and maintains an aesthetically
pleasing environment within the vehicle.
[0068] Sodium oxide is a currently preferred propellant because it
is a solid substance making it easy to handle, package and
operatively mount within headrest 12 and seat back 20. Combustion
converts the sodium oxide into a gas which expands more than twice
as fast as compressed air. However, it is to be appreciated that
Applicant contemplates the use of other propellants in varying
states, such as gases, liquids or solids.
[0069] FIG. 12 shows connection of airbags 58 and 59 to charges 85
which are in turn connected to electrical interface 83 and
controller 40. Controller 40 instructs electrical interface 83 to
provide the appropriate deployment signal to each of the various
airbags and headrest pistons. For instance, headrest pistons
require deployment which is a fraction of a second prior to
deployment of the airbags so that the headrest can be moved to its
upper position, thereby creating room for the airbag. However, it
should also be noted that headrest 12 and piston 62 could be
operatively configured so both are activated from a single source
of combustible propellant. Further, in alternative embodiments
charges 85 may be directly coupled to the various collision sensors
to directly deploy the airbags and raise the headrests without the
assistance of a separate controller.
[0070] The preferred actuation assembly fully illustrated in FIG.
10 will now be described in more detail. Piston 62 includes a
single piston and piston rod 64 which when fired extends outwardly
from cylinder 56 to thrust headrest 12 upwardly to the predefined
upper position. In the preferred embodiment, piston rod 64 is
enclosed within a piston sleeve 66. Piston sleeve 66 includes an
inner portion 68 engaged by an outer portion 70. Outer portion 70
slides over and along inner portion 68 when piston 62 moves to the
extended position. A piston chamber 72 is formed in seat 20 for
receiving cylinder 56, and inner and outer portions 68 and 70,
respectively, of sleeve 66. Chamber 72 must have a diameter large
enough to receive cylinder 56 and outer portion 70 of sleeve 66
when headrest 12 is in the downward most position. A collar 73
extends around the opening of chamber 72 to guide sleeve 66 and
piston rod 64 extending therein.
[0071] Compression cylinder 56 is rigidly attached to the inner
frame of seat 20 by a pair of brackets 74 (FIG. 10) which bolt or
otherwise attach to cylinder 56 and the frame of seat 20.
Alternatively, a bracket 76 (FIG. 13) may be mounted to a top of
the frame of seat 20 to affix cylinder 56 to the seat frame. It is
understood that cylinder 56 may be of various types of actuator
mechanisms having one part rigidly mounted to the seat frame and a
second part which is movable under a supply of combustible
propellant or pressurized fluid.
[0072] Compression cylinder 56 is fluidly connected to a
combustible propellant coupled with a charges 85 which detonates to
cause the combustible propellant to explode. The fluid rapidly
expands and exerts pressure on cylinder 56. Compression cylinder 56
could also be configured so that it is fluidly connected via fluid
line 52 to a pressurized fluid tank. This tank may be a CO.sup.2
cartridge as will be detailed later herein or any similar device
capable of supplying pressurized fluid to cylinder 56.
[0073] One or more collision sensors 80 (FIG. 7) are located
throughout vehicle 21 which sense collisions or abrupt and sudden
stopping and which activate pressure actuation system 50. These
sensors may be adjustable or may be of varying sensitivity to
correspond to collisions at different locations on vehicle 21. When
the sensors as indicated above, sense a collision or other
potentially injurious event, charges 85 are detonated causing the
combustible propellant to rapidly expand whereby compression
cylinder 56 fires piston 62 to the fully extended safety position
of FIGS. 2 and 4-6. Because headrest 12 is attached to the free end
of piston 62 (the other end being rigidly affixed within the back
of seat 20), the firing or extension of piston rod 64 moves
headrest 12 to its upper position.
[0074] Collision sensors 80 could be one or more of any number of
different types of sensors capable of detecting a collision of a
vehicle. The actual number and positioning of such sensors within a
vehicle can also vary widely depending on the type of sensors
actually used. Collision and/or impact sensors are found throughout
the prior art and Applicant's invention is not intended to be
limited by the disclosures provided herein.
[0075] In further accordance with one of the other features of the
invention, simultaneous or substantially simultaneously with the
expansion of the compression cylinder 56 is the inflation of front
airbag 58, and optionally rear bag 90. Pressurized fluid from the
combustible propellant fills airbags 58 and/or 90 expanding and
inflating the airbags. Airbags 59 may be operated in a manner
substantially identified to that used in conjunction with airbag
58.
[0076] One advantage of safety collision headrest system 10 is the
split-second timing from the occurrence of a collision or similar
event to the upward movement of headrest 12 to its upper position,
and the inflation of airbags 58, 59 and 90. Collision sensors 80
(FIG. 7) sense a collision and generate a signal which is
transferred to controller 40. Collision sensors 80 (FIG. 7) and
combustible propellant charges 85 are both electrically coupled to
controller 40, shown in FIG. 12, which typically is a
microprocessor capable of substantially real time monitoring and
operating of a number of systems within vehicle 21. Controller 40
is used to process the information received from sensors 80 and as
required coordinate deployment of headrest assemblies 10 located
within the vehicle.
[0077] Controller 40 can be a separate device installed in vehicle
21 if headrest system 10 is retrofit as an aftermarket component
for the vehicle or controller 40 could simply be an extension of an
already existing control system when headrest system 10 is
installed during production of vehicle 21. Most vehicles today
include computer control systems which monitor and direct engine
functions, electrical systems and numerous other systems. It may
also be advantageous to keep controller 40 independent from other
computer control systems in a vehicle thereby allowing controller
40 to only control and monitor headrest system 10. Controller 40
could also be configured to work in tandem with preexisting vehicle
control systems thereby creating redundant control ensuring that a
technical problem with one controller doesn't prevent the headrest
system from operating during an emergency.
[0078] One feature made possible by controller 40 is the selective
activation and deactivation of various airbags within vehicle 21.
Referring to FIG. 12, controller 40 is shown coupled to electrical
interface 83 and passenger detection sensors 42. A passenger
detection sensor 42 is a weight actuated sensor located within each
of the front and back seats of vehicle 21 and is designed to sense
when and if a person is occupying the seat. Seat occupancy
information is provided to controller 40 through coupling wires 44
which are run below the floor or carpeting of vehicle 21 for
aesthetic purposes. By knowing which seats in vehicle 21 are
occupied when a collision occurs, controller 40 can selectively
actuate only the needed airbags, thereby saving the cost associated
with reinstalling and charging the airbags afterwards. The costs
associated with reassembling airbags is quite considerable and
typically born by insurance companies. By only activating the
airbags as needed, insurance companies will pay less on accident
claims which in turn should lower driving insurance rates for
vehicle owners. This type of selective actuation is especially
needed for the headrest system of the present invention because it
can double or triple the number of airbags in the vehicle.
[0079] When headrest system 10 is installed in a vehicle during its
production the front dashboard airbags can also be incorporated
into and operated by controller 40 thereby providing complete and
efficient deployment of the various airbags depending on the
current circumstances. As an example, if the vehicle is only
occupied by the driver then during a collision only the front
driver side dashboard airbag and front airbag 58 on the drivers
side need to be activated. If a person is in the back seat on the
passengers side but the front seat on the passengers side is empty
then only front airbag 59 and rear airbag 90 on the passengers side
need to be activated for the occupant of the back seat.
[0080] Another feature made possible by controller 40 in
association with passenger detection sensors 42 is detection of
children or other individuals whose body size and weight are too
small to endure the force with which airbags are expelled when
activated. One recurring problem now that airbags have become
standard equipment on most automobiles is that children are being
injured and killed by the force with which the airbag inflates. To
overcome this problem, passenger detection sensors 42 are designed
to not only detect whether the seat is occupied but also the amount
of weight occupying the seat. By comparing the weight occupying the
seat with one or more predetermined set points, controller 40 can
determine whether or not to activate the airbags associated with a
specific seat, thereby preventing injury due to high velocity
actuation of the airbags. While not shown, controller 40 can also
be configured to receive commands from the occupants of the vehicle
through switches and/or other input devices mounted within the dash
of the vehicle. A driver could disable the airbags associated with
a particular seat if a small child or a childrens car seat is
occupying the seat. Selected airbags could also be disabled if a
heavy, non-human object is placed within a seat. Because the object
does not need to be protected, the airbag can be disabled thereby
saving replacement costs if a collision occurs.
[0081] Controller 40 may optionally include a safety panel readout
installed within the dashboard. Although not shown, the safety
panel readout would be installed so as to be visible to the driver
enabling him or her to easily determine which airbags are enabled
or disabled and whether or not the system as a whole is functioning
properly. Through the safety panel readout, controller 40 can alert
the driver of any malfunctions of the safety collision system by
performing self diagnostic checks. This allows the driver to detect
and have problems serviced before the system is needed in a
collision. The safety panel readout would be comprised of one or
more standard electronic display devices such as indicator lights,
digital display panels and/or audible alarms or signals.
[0082] After the activation of cylinder 56 and airbags 58, 59 and
90 when vehicle 21 has come to a stop, a release valve (not shown)
of some type is actuated to release the pressure within cylinder 56
allowing headrest 12 to be pushed down to a normal operative
position and/or allowing airbags 58 to deflate, if required.
Alternatively, headrest 12 may be detachable allowing the repair
shop to merely remove headrest 12, replace headrest 12 with a new
headrest, complete with an undeployed air bag assembly.
[0083] As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 11 and 14, alternate pressure
actuation assemblies 50 may be used. One such embodiment is
comprised of at least one fluid line 52, and a centralized
pressurized fluid container or tank 54 which contains a pressurized
supply of fluid such as CO.sup.2. Tank 54 provides a supply of
pressurized fluid through fluid line 52 to cylinders 62 and/or
airbags 58 and 59. Fluid lines 52 (FIGS. 2, 11 and 14) which extend
from tank 54 to airbags 58, 59 and 90 extend from the bottom of
seat 20 upwardly through the inside of seat 20 and within sleeve 66
or poles 17 protecting the air lines from possible damage and
hiding the airlines to provide an attractive hidden safety
collision headrest system. In response to a signal generated by
sensors 80 (FIG. 7) and within a fraction of a second after impact,
pressurized fluid from tank 54 pushes cylinder 56 against headrest
12 forcing it to the predetermined upper point and inflates airbags
58 and 59 rapidly deploying them before the front and/or rear seat
passenger is thrust rearwardly into seat 20 and headrest 12. In
certain embodiments airbag 90 is deployed in a manner similar to
airbags 58 and 59 to prevent injury to the rear seat passenger as
the passenger is thrust forward toward the rear of front seat 20.
FIG. 14 shows the embodiment in which pressurized fluid tank 54 is
coupled to controller 40. While Applicant contemplates the use of
controller 40 in implementing the safety collision headrest system
10 of the present invention, collision sensors 80 (FIG. 7) could be
directly coupled to combustible propellant charges 85 or
pressurized fluid tank 54 in such a manor that collision sensors 80
directly trigger inflation of airbags 58, 59 and/or 90 without any
intermediary signal manipulation. In this embodiment controller 40
is also coupled to passenger detection sensors 42. Headrest system
10 is greatly simplified without controller 40 but several
advantageous features can be implemented if controller 40 is
included.
[0084] Yet another embodiment for a pressure actuation method is
shown in FIG. 13 wherein headrest system 10 could include a
pressurized canister 100 screwed or otherwise attached to the frame
of seat 20. A piston 102 has a diameter slightly larger than
canister 100 and is sealed therewith. When a collision is detected,
canister 100 releases pressurized fluid forcing air upward in the
direction of arrow A which, in turn, forces piston 102 upwardly.
The top of piston 102 is attached to headrest 12 and forces
headrest 12 to its predetermined outermost position. Canister 100
may be unscrewed from seat 20 and replaced with a new canister.
Canister 100 could either contain a combustible propellant such as
sodium oxide in combination with a charge 85 to detonate the
combustible propellant or fluid under pressure such as
CO.sup.2.
[0085] The embodiment shown in FIG. 19, eliminates the use of a
separate pressure actuation assembly 50 but instead relies on the
expansion of the airbag(s) to extend the headrest 12 to its upper
position. Airbags 58, 59 and/or 90 are stored in airbag chambers
60, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, but include an alignment ring 51
which is slidable along adjustment pole 14. Fluidly expanding
combustible propellants, as previously described in detail herein,
provide pressured fluid to airbags 58, 59 and/or 90 upon selective
deployment causing the airbags to "fire" to their inflated
position. The airbags deploy in the space between the top of
backrest 20 and headrest 12 thereby moving one or more alignment
rings 51 against the bottom of headrests 12 forcing headrest 12 to
an upper position, while inflating to protect the
occupant/passenger against injury. Further, airbag 58 and airbag 90
could also be formed from a single airbag structure, such as shown
in FIG. 22 and in this embodiment as well the airbag itself is used
as the primary or sole means of moving the headrest to an upper
position.
[0086] While the applicant has described several different pressure
actuation mechanisms for movement of headrest 12 to an extended
upper position, the invention should not be so limited,
understanding that other actuating means could also be used
including mechanical arrangements such as tensioned springs.
Applicant does not consider the invention as limited to fluid
operated devices. Any of the above means is intended for use in the
movement of headrest 12 into an upper or extended position and used
cooperatively with or exclusive of any mechanism chosen for the
inflation of airbags 58, 59 and/or 90. As shown in the various
figures, airbags 58 and 59 are preferably a rectangular shape and
extend slightly beyond the sides of seat 20. Airbags 58 and 59 have
a height slightly larger than the gap formed between the bottom of
headrest 12 and the top of seat 20 when headrest 12 has been forced
to its predetermined outermost position. The airbag(s) overlap
headrest 12 and seat 20 to assure the entire gap is filled. Rear
airbag 90 is generally preferred to be circular and is
substantially larger than the gap formed between headrest 12 and
seat 20 when headrest 12 is in the predetermined upper position.
Larger airbag 90 gives a greater surface area or target to cushion
the back seat passenger. Because the back seat passenger has a
greater distance to travel from a normal sitting position to the
rear of front seat 20, and because back seat passengers rarely wear
their seat belts, it is unlikely that the back seat passengers will
be thrust directly forward in-line with the rear of front seat 20.
The larger surface area of rear airbag 90 increases the likelihood
that the back seat passenger will contact the airbag rather than
the hard rigid seat. It should be appreciated that this disclosure
is not limited to the shape of either airbag 58, 59 or 90.
[0087] FIG. 17 shows alternate airbags 58 in which each of the
right and left front seat airbags 58 include inwardly extending
narrow extensions 82 which are intended to cover the middle area
between headrests 12 in a bench-type seat. Bench-type seats
typically do not have middle headrests for middle front seat
passengers thus exposing the middle front seat passengers to a
greater degree of injury. The extensions 82 of each airbag 58 fill
a portion of the middle area of the front seat intending to provide
cushioned support for the middle front seat passenger.
[0088] FIG. 15 shows a front or rear seat airbag 88 inflating
upwardly from a single bench-type front seat to fill the gap
between headrest 12 and the top of seat 20. In this embodiment,
airbag 88 is contained within a chamber in the top of front seat 20
which is loosely sealed using a fastener such as a hook and pile
material (one type of such a material being sold under the
trademark VELCRO). The same configuration, shown in FIG. 16, can be
used for individual front seat airbags 58 enabling them to inflate
upwardly from a single front seat 20 to fill the gap between
headrest 12 and the top of seat 20. Upon inflation of front seat
airbag 58, the airbags expand against the loosely sealed top of
seat 20 forcing the airbag upwardly between the seat and the
headrest. Airbag 58 could be one elongated airbag having enlarged
outer sections to fill the gap between seat 20 and headrest 12 and
a narrower middle section which functions as a headrest for a
middle front seat passenger to cushion the middle front seat
passenger's bead and neck. The elongated airbag which extends
across the middle portion of the bench seat would function as a
middle headrest. Additionally, front seat 20 could have three
separate airbags which inflate upwardly. A pair of outer airbags
extend between the seat and the headrest, as described above while
a middle airbag inflates between the two outer airbags to cushion
the rearward thrust of the middle front seat passenger.
[0089] In a further embodiment shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, headrest
12 is recessed within a chamber 13 of seat backrest 20. FIG. 20
shows headrest 12 in its position within chamber 13 which provides
for improved visibility to the driver. During a collision, headrest
12 extends upward from within chamber 13 using mechanisms similar
to those described previously herein with other embodiments and
airbags 58 and 90 (and/or airbag 59) inflate to protect the
passengers within the vehicle. In this embodiment, headrest 12
could be replaced with any similar structural element which would
provide support for airbags 58, 59 and/or 90.
[0090] In an additional embodiment (not shown) of the back seat
headrest system described above, airbags 59 of the back seats
resemble that of the bench-type seat described previously herein.
The right and left back seat airbags 59 each include an inwardly
extending extension 82 which fills the area between the right and
left back seat headrests to cushion and support the middle back
seat passenger.
[0091] Airbags 58 and 59, whether they are used in the front or
back seats, may also have a generally U-shaped configuration, as
shown in FIG. 18, consisting of curved extensions 84 which cradle
the passenger's neck and which guides the passenger's head and neck
to a centered position relative to headrest 12. U-shaped airbags 58
and 59 further support the passenger's head and neck to reduce
lateral straining of the neck during side-impact collisions.
[0092] The headrest system of the present invention may be used on
headrests having configurations other than those illustrated herein
such as headrests having one center post rather than the pair of
poles 14 described above. In this instance, piston rod 64 functions
as the center post and is manually adjustable during normal
operation of the vehicle. Upon the occurrence of a collision or
abrupt stopping headrest 12 is moved upwardly on piston rod 64 and
is stopped by a stop plate attached to piston 64 within seat 20 or
automatically stops at the piston rod's maximum extension point.
The length of piston rod 64 is designed such that headrest 12 is
properly positioned behind the passenger's head and neck when
piston rod 64 is in the predetermined upper position.
[0093] Headrest system 10 can also be installed on high-back bucket
or van-type seats. The upper portion of high-back seats are
removably attached to the lower portion and loosely sewn or
attached using a hook and pile type fabric. Upon impact or a sudden
stopping, cylinder 56 fires piston rod 64 which raises the upper
portion of the high-back seat to properly position the upper
portion of the seat behind the passenger's head and neck. Airbag 58
is stored within the lower portion of the seat and inflates
upwardly to cushion the passenger's head and neck as the passenger
is thrust rearwardly. The upper portion of the seat is re-attached
to the lower portion after use to provide a concealed and
aesthetically attractive headrest system.
[0094] Accordingly, headrest system 10 provides a pressure actuated
cylinder which substantially instantaneously moves headrest 12 from
any manually adjusted position to an extended upward position to
protect passengers from head and neck injuries during collisions or
abrupt stopping. Front airbags 58 and 59 inflate to fill the gap
formed between the top of seats 20 and headrests 12 to further
cushion the passenger's head and neck as the passenger's head and
neck are thrust rearward. Front airbags 58 and 59 are inflated at a
position between the passenger and poles 14 and sleeve 66 to
prevent the passenger's head and neck from contacting the rigidly
mounted support structures. Rear airbag 90 inflates at the rear of
seat 20 to prevent back seat passengers from contacting the rear of
front seat 20 and the back of poles 14 and sleeve 66.
[0095] Accordingly, the safety collision headrest system of the
present invention is simplified, provides an effective, safe,
inexpensive, and efficient device which achieves all the enumerated
objectives, provides for eliminating difficulties encountered with
prior devices, and solves problems and obtains new results in the
art.
[0096] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used
for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary
limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of
the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes
and are intended to be broadly construed.
[0097] Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention
is by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited
to the exact details shown or described.
[0098] Having now described the features, discoveries and
principles of the invention, the manner in which the improved
safety collision headrest system is constructed and used, the
characteristics of the construction, and the advantageous, new and
useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices,
elements, arrangements, parts and combinations, are set forth in
the appended claims.
* * * * *