U.S. patent application number 11/623856 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-19 for articulating headrest assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to WINDSOR MACHINE & STAMPING LIMITED. Invention is credited to Mark Anthony Brockman.
Application Number | 20070164593 11/623856 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38262514 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070164593 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brockman; Mark Anthony |
July 19, 2007 |
ARTICULATING HEADREST ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A headrest assembly that is rotatable to various positions
includes a support defining a horizontal axis. A shell is rotatably
mounted to the support. Notches are disposed on the support, and
each notch is associated with one of the positions. A lever is
mounted to the shell and has a locking portion rotatable about the
pivot axis and partially disposed in one of the notches to prevent
movement of the shell. An actuator is mounted to the shell and
rotates the locking portion of the lever about a pivot axis in a
direction transverse to the horizontal axis. The actuator moves the
locking portion out of one of the notches to allow the shell to
rotate about the horizontal axis. Furthermore, the actuator moves
the locking portion into one of the notches to prevent the shell
from rotating about the horizontal axis.
Inventors: |
Brockman; Mark Anthony;
(Belle River, ON) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOWARD & HOWARD ATTORNEYS, P.C.
THE PINEHURST OFFICE CENTER, SUITE #101
39400 WOODWARD AVENUE
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48304-5151
US
|
Assignee: |
WINDSOR MACHINE & STAMPING
LIMITED
5725 Outer Drive R.R. #1
Windsor
ON
N9A 6J3
|
Family ID: |
38262514 |
Appl. No.: |
11/623856 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60759422 |
Jan 17, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/408 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/847 20180201 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/408 |
International
Class: |
A47C 7/38 20060101
A47C007/38 |
Claims
1. A headrest assembly rotatable to a plurality of positions, said
headrest assembly comprising: a support defining a horizontal axis;
a shell rotatably mounted to said support about said horizontal
axis; a plurality of notches defined by said support and each
associated with one of the plurality of positions about said
horizontal axis; a lever mounted to said shell about a pivot axis
and having a locking portion rotatable about said pivot axis and
partially disposed in one of said plurality of notches for locking
said shell in one of the plurality of positions to prevent movement
of said shell about said horizontal axis; and an actuator mounted
to said shell and abutting said lever to rotate said locking
portion of said lever about said pivot axis in a direction
transverse to said horizontal axis for moving said locking portion
out of one of said plurality of notches to allow said shell to
rotate about said horizontal axis when said actuator is actuated
and for moving said locking portion into one of said plurality of
notches to prevent said shell from rotating about said horizontal
axis when said actuator is deactivated.
2. A headrest assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lever
further includes a contact portion in direct contact with said
actuator.
3. A headrest assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said contact
portion is integrally formed with said locking portion.
4. A headrest assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said lever
defines said pivot axis between said locking portion and said
contact portion.
5. A headrest assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lever
has a substantially L-shaped configuration and wherein said locking
portion is integrally formed with said lever.
6. A headrest assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said
actuator is mounted to said shell parallel to said horizontal axis
to abut said lever.
7. A headrest assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking
portion is parallel to said horizontal axis when said actuator is
actuated.
8. A headrest assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said locking
portion is transverse relative to said horizontal axis when said
actuator is deactivated.
9. A headrest assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including a
lever spring extending between said lever and said support for
biasing said lever into one of said plurality of notches and
prevent said shell from rotating about said horizontal axis.
10. A headrest assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including
at least one post integrally formed with and extending
perpendicularly from said support through said shell.
11. A headrest assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said
actuator includes a collar extending through said shell and a
plunger disposed in said collar.
12. A headrest assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said
actuator further includes a plurality of retaining clips disposed
on said plunger and engaging said collar for holding said plunger
in said collar.
13. A headrest assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said
plunger includes a tab engaging said collar for preventing said
plunger from rotating relative to said collar to align said
plurality of retaining clips into engagement with said collar.
14. A headrest assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said
actuator further includes an actuator spring disposed about said
plunger in said collar for biasing said plunger away from said
lever.
15. An actuator for use with a headrest assembly rotatable to a
plurality of positions about a horizontal axis, the headrest
assembly having a support, a shell rotatably mounted to the
support, a plurality of notches disposed on the support and each
associated with one of the plurality of positions, and a lever
mounted to the shell and defining a pivot axis and having a locking
portion rotatable about the pivot axis and partially disposed in
one of the plurality of notches, said actuator comprising: a
collar; a plunger extending through said collar for moving the
locking portion out of one of the plurality of notches to allow the
headrest assembly to rotate about the horizontal axis and for
moving the locking portion into one of the plurality of notches to
prevent the headrest assembly from rotating about the horizontal
axis; and a plurality of retaining clips disposed on said plunger
and engaging said collar for holding said plunger inside said
collar.
16. An actuator as set forth in claim 15 wherein said plunger
includes a shaft and an end cap disposed on said shaft for rotating
the locking portion of the lever about the pivot axis in a
direction transverse to the horizontal axis for moving the locking
portion out of one of the plurality of notches and for moving the
locking portion into one of the plurality of notches to prevent the
shell from rotating relative to the horizontal axis.
17. An actuator as set forth in claim 16 wherein said wherein said
plurality of retaining clips are integrally formed with said
shaft.
18. An actuator as set forth in claim 16 wherein said tab is
integrally formed with said shaft.
19. An actuator as set forth in claim 16 further including an
actuator spring disposed about said shaft in said collar for
biasing said plunger away from the lever.
20. An actuator as set forth in claim 16 wherein said shaft is
integrally formed with said end cap.
21. An actuator as set forth in claim 15 wherein said plunger
includes a tab engaging said collar for preventing said plunger
from rotating relative to said collar to align said plurality of
retaining clips into engagement with said collar.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/759,422 filed Jan. 17, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention generally relates to a headrest
assembly rotatable to a plurality of positions.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] As both the number and speed of vehicles on the road
increase, the potential for serious occupant injury during a
vehicle crash also increases. Vehicles now offer standard occupant
restraint and protection devices to mitigate the effects of a
vehicle crash on an occupant. Such devices include seatbelts,
airbags, and headrest assemblies for vehicle seats. A headrest
assembly situated on the top of a vehicle seat offers safety
protection from crash-related injuries and provides comfort for an
occupant. Vehicle headrest assemblies are categorized as integral,
active, or adjustable. An adjustable headrest assembly typically
includes a headrest frame and a headrest, and is vertically
adjustable to accommodate varying occupant seating heights, and
horizontally positionable to decrease a gap between the headrest
assembly and the head of the occupant.
[0006] Adjustable headrest assemblies offer safety protection from
common crash-related occupant injuries such as whiplash. Whiplash
injuries involve the soft tissues of the head, neck, and spine of
an occupant, and may cause short-term muscle and ligament trauma or
long-term nerve damage. Evidence suggests that whiplash may be
caused by smaller amounts of head and neck movements relative to
the torso of an occupant. An adjustable headrest assembly allows
for correct vertical and horizontal positioning of the headrest
relative to the head of an occupant to better control these head
and neck movements. Adjustable headrest assemblies also provide
comfort for a vehicle occupant. Proper headrest alignment decreases
neck and shoulder fatigue, increases the field of vision of the
occupant, and allows a vehicle driver to comfortably manipulate the
steering wheel and vehicle controls.
[0007] Although various headrest assemblies are disclosed by the
prior art, there remains an opportunity to provide a headrest
assembly that has fewer parts and is more durable. In addition, a
headrest assembly is needed that is easier to adjust than those of
the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES
[0008] The subject invention provides a headrest assembly rotatable
to a plurality of positions. The headrest assembly includes a
support defining a horizontal axis and a shell rotatably mounted to
the support about the horizontal axis. A plurality of notches are
defined by the support and each notch is associated with one of the
plurality of positions about the horizontal axis. A lever is
mounted to the shell about a pivot axis and the lever has a locking
portion rotatable about the pivot axis and is partially disposed in
one of the plurality of notches for locking the shell in one of the
plurality of positions to prevent movement of the shell about the
horizontal axis. An actuator is mounted to the shell and the
actuator abuts the lever to rotate the locking portion of the lever
about the pivot axis in a direction transverse to the horizontal
axis for moving the locking portion out of one of the plurality of
notches to allow the shell to rotate about the horizontal axis when
the actuator is actuated and for moving the locking portion into
one of the plurality of notches to prevent the shell from rotating
about the horizontal axis when the actuator is deactivated.
[0009] The headrest assembly provides several advantages over the
headrest assemblies of the prior art. The headrest assembly
includes fewer parts, which reduces manufacturing cost and
complexity. In addition, the actuator abutting the lever to rotate
the locking portion of the lever about the pivot axis in a
direction transverse to the horizontal axis is more durable than
the headrest assemblies of the prior art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily
appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to
the following detailed description when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a headrest assembly
rotatable to a plurality of positions;
[0012] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the headrest assembly
of
[0013] FIG. 1 in a full back position;
[0014] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the headrest assembly
of
[0015] FIG. 1 in a full forward position; and
[0016] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of an actuator used with
the headrest assembly of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate
corresponding parts throughout the several views, a headrest
assembly rotatable to a plurality of positions is shown generally
at numeral 10. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, the headrest
assembly 10 includes a support 12 defining a horizontal axis 14. A
shell 16 is rotatably mounted to the support 12 about the
horizontal axis 14. The shell 16 may also include a cover (not
shown) to hide the inside of the headrest assembly 10 and provide a
cushioned surface. Preferably, the support 12 extends laterally
through the shell 16 along the horizontal axis 14. However, those
skilled in the art realize that the support 12 may be spaced from
the horizontal axis 14. The support 12 defines a plurality of
notches 18 and each notch is associated with one of the positions
about the horizontal axis 14. The notches 18 are fixed relative to
the support 12. In other words, the notches 18 do not rotate about
the horizontal axis 14 as the headrest mechanism rotates about the
horizontal axis 14.
[0018] An arm 20 disposed in the shell 16 may extend from the
support 12 and the notches 18 may be defined by the arm 20. The arm
20 may extend perpendicularly from the support 12 or be integrally
formed with the support 12. However, those skilled in the art
realize that the arm 20 may extend at other angles relative to the
support 12 or be a separate piece so long as the arm 20 is fixed
relative to the support 12. In other words, the arm 20 does not
rotate about the support 12 as the headrest mechanism rotates about
the horizontal axis 14.
[0019] At least one post 22, 24 is integrally formed with the
support 12. The at least one post 22, 24 extends perpendicularly
from the support 12 through the shell 16 and into a seat (not
shown). Preferably, the headrest assembly 10 includes a first post
22 and a second post 24, each extending from the support 12 through
the shell 16 and into the seat. The posts may further allow
translational movement of the headrest assembly 10 relative to the
seat. Either the posts 22, 24 or the support 12 may be fixed
relative to the shell 16 during translational movement of the
headrest assembly 10. For instance, the support 12 may be partially
embedded in the headrest assembly 10 such that the shell 16 is able
to rotate about the horizontal axis 14 without the shell 16 moving
relative to the support 12 during translational movement. However,
those skilled in the art realize other ways to prevent the shell 16
from moving relative to the support 12 during translational
movement while still allowing the shell 16 to rotate about the
horizontal axis 14.
[0020] The headrest assembly 10 further includes a lever 26 mounted
to the shell 16 about a pivot axis 28. The pivot axis 28 is defined
by the shell 16. For instance, the shell 16 may include a
protrusion 30 that extends in the direction of the pivot axis 28,
and the lever 26 may be disposed on the protrusion 30 such that the
lever 26 is able to rotate about the pivot axis 28. The lever 26
prevents or allows movement of the shell 16 about the horizontal
axis 14. The lever 26 has a locking portion 32 rotatable about the
pivot axis 28. To prevent movement of the shell 16 about the
horizontal axis 14, the locking portion 32 is partially disposed in
one of the notches 18 for locking the shell 16 in one of the
positions. When disposed in one of the notches 18, the locking
portion 32 of the lever 26 physically prevents the shell 16 from
rotating about the horizontal axis 14. To allow movement of the
shell 16 about the horizontal axis 14, the locking portion 32 is
removed from the notches 18 to release the lever 26 from the
support 12. When released from the support 12, the shell 16 may
freely rotate about the horizontal axis 14 as the locking portion
32 does nothing to physically prevent the shell 16 from
rotating.
[0021] The lever 26 further includes a contact portion 34 that may
be integrally formed with the locking portion 32. However, those
skilled in the art realize that the contact portion 34 may be
separate from the locking portion 32. In a preferred embodiment,
the lever 26 has a substantially L-shaped configuration.
Specifically, the locking portion 32 and the contact portion 34
form the "L-shape". However, other configurations for the lever 26
may also be used with the headrest assembly 10. Also, it is
preferred that the lever 26 define the pivot axis 28 between the
locking portion 32 and the contact portion 34. In other words, it
is preferred that the protrusion 30 of the shell 16 that defines
the pivot axis 28 extend through the lever 26 between the locking
portion 32 and the contact portion 34. However, those skilled in
the art realize that protrusion 30 defining the pivot axis 28 need
not extend through the lever 26 be between the locking portion 32
and the contact portion 34.
[0022] A lever spring 36 extends between the lever 26 and the
support 12 for biasing the lever 26 into one of the notches 18 and
prevents the shell 16 from rotating about the horizontal axis 14.
The lever spring 36 is attached to both the lever 26 and the
support 12. Specifically, one end of the lever spring 36 is
attached to the locking portion 32 of the lever 26 and another end
of the lever spring 36 is attached to the support 12. The lever
spring 36 is normally compressed to bias the locking portion 32 of
the lever 26 into one of the notches 18.
[0023] The headrest assembly 10 further includes an actuator 38
mounted to the shell 16 and abutting the lever 26 to rotate the
locking portion 32 of the lever 26 about the pivot axis 28 in a
direction transverse to the horizontal axis 14. Generally, the
actuator 38 is mounted to the shell 16 parallel to the horizontal
axis 14 to abut the lever 26. The contact portion 34 is in direct
contact with the actuator 38, and movement of the contact portion
34 causes movement of the locking portion 32. In other words, as
the contact portion 34 is rotated about the pivot axis 28, the
locking portion 32 is also rotated about the pivot axis 28.
Preferably, the actuator 38 moves the contact portion 34 and the
locking portion 32 in the same direction about the pivot axis 28.
For instance, the actuator 38 may move both the contact portion 34
and the locking portion 32 in a clockwise direction about the pivot
axis 28. Alternatively, those skilled in the art realize that the
actuator 38 may move both the contact portion 34 and the locking
portion 32 in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot axis 28.
In a preferred embodiment, when the actuator 38 is actuated, the
actuator 38 pushes on the contact portion 34 to rotate the lever
26, causing the locking portion 32 to move out of one of the
notches 18. This allows the shell 16 to rotate about the horizontal
axis 14. The locking portion 32 of the lever 26 is generally
parallel to the horizontal axis 14 when the actuator 38 is
actuated. However, when actuated, the locking portion 32 is moved
from being generally parallel to the horizontal axis 14 to being
transverse to the horizontal axis 14. In other words, the locking
portion 32 is transverse relative to the horizontal axis 14 when
the actuator 38 is deactivated. When the actuator 38 is
deactivated, the actuator 38 stops pushing on the contact portion
34 of the lever 26 and the lever spring 36 pulls the locking
portion 32 into one of the notches 18. The locking portion 32 moves
into one of the notches 18 to prevent the shell 16 from rotating
about the horizontal axis 14.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 2A, the headrest assembly 10 is shown
in a full back position. In other words, the shell 16 is rotated to
the full back position relative to the seat. The locking portion 32
of the lever 26 is disposed in the notch associated with the full
back position. Alternatively, referring to FIG. 2B, the headrest
assembly 10 is shown in a full forward position. In other words,
the shell 16 is rotated to the full forward position relative to
the seat. The locking portion 32 of the lever 26 is disposed in the
notch associated with the full forward position. It is to be
understood that the shell 16 may be rotated to an intermediate
position between the full back position and the full forward
position by disposing the locking portion 32 of the lever 26 into
the notch associated the intermediate position. Also, it is to be
understood that the shell 16 may be rotated to any number of
intermediate positions.
[0025] As best shown in FIG. 3, the actuator 38 includes a collar
40. The collar 40 extends through the shell 16 and a plunger 41
extends through the collar 40. The collar 40 extends through the
shell 16 to provide access to the lever 26. The plunger 41 includes
a shaft 42 and an end cap 44 disposed on the shaft 42 for rotating
the locking portion 32 of the lever 26 about the pivot axis 28 in a
direction transverse to the horizontal axis 14 for moving the
locking portion 32 out of one of the plurality of notches 18 and
for moving the locking portion 32 into one of the plurality of
notches 18 to prevent the shell 16 from rotating relative to the
horizontal axis 14. Preferably, the shaft 42 is integrally formed
with the end cap 44, although those skilled in the art realize that
the shaft 42 and the end cap 44 may be separate pieces.
[0026] The plunger 41 extends through the collar 40 for moving the
locking portion 32 out of one of the notches 18 to allow the
headrest assembly 10 to rotate about the horizontal axis 14 and for
moving the locking portion 32 into one of the notches 18 to prevent
the headrest assembly 10 from rotating about the horizontal axis
14. The plunger 41 abuts the contact portion 34 of the lever 26 and
causes the contact portion 34 and the locking portion 32 to rotate
about the pivot axis 28. In other words, as the plunger 41 moves
parallel to the horizontal axis 14 inside the collar 40, the
plunger 41 pushes the contact portion 34 of the lever 26 to rotate
the locking portion 32 of the lever 26. This releases the locking
portion 32 from the notches 18 to allow the headrest assembly 10 to
rotate about the horizontal axis 14. However, those skilled in the
art realize that the plunger 41 may move in other directions than
parallel to the horizontal axis 14. For instance, the plunger 41
may move in a direction transverse to the horizontal axis 14.
Typically, a person may exert a force on the plunger 41 (i.e.,
pushes the plunger 41) to cause the plunger 41 to move inside the
collar 40. The force exerted on the plunger 41 must be enough to
overcome the bias of the lever spring 36 into one of the notches
18. When the person ceases to exert the force on the plunger 41
(i.e., releases the plunger 41), the lever spring 36 pulls the
locking portion 32 into one of the notches 18. Alternatively, an
actuator spring 46 may be disposed about the shaft 42 in the collar
40 for biasing the plunger 41 away from the lever 26. Therefore,
when the user releases the plunger 41, the actuator spring 46
pushes the plunger 41 away from the contact portion 34 of the lever
26.
[0027] A plurality of retaining clips 48 are disposed on the
plunger 41 and the retaining clips 48 engage the collar 40 to hold
the plunger 41 inside the collar 40. For instance, the collar 40
may include a recessed portion (not shown). The plurality of
retaining clips 48 may engage the recessed portion to hold the
plunger 41 inside the collar 40. The retaining clips 48 are
integrally formed with the shaft 42, although it is to be
understood that the retaining clips 48 and the shaft 42 may be
separate pieces. The plunger 41 includes a tab 50 slideably
disposed with the collar 40 for preventing the plunger 41 from
rotating relative to the collar 40 to align the plurality of
retaining clips 48 into engagement with the collar 40. For
instance, the collar 40 may define a groove (not shown) and the tab
50 is disposed on the plunger 41 and slideably disposed within the
groove for preventing the plunger 41 from rotating relative to the
collar 40. Like the retaining clips 48, the tab 50 is integrally
formed with the shaft 42, although it is to be understood that the
tab 50 and the shaft 42 may be separate pieces. The tab 50 may
align the retaining clips 48 with the at least one recessed portion
of the collar 40 and to prevent the plunger 41 from rotating inside
the collar 40.
[0028] The headrest assembly 10 described herein provides several
advantages. The headrest assembly 10 includes fewer parts, which
reduces manufacturing cost and complexity. In addition, the
actuator 38 abutting the lever 26 to rotate the locking portion 32
of the lever 26 about the pivot axis 28 in a direction transverse
to the horizontal axis 14 is more durable than the headrest
assemblies of the prior art.
[0029] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner,
and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used
is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than
of limitation. As is now apparent to those skilled in the art, many
modifications and variations of the present invention are possible
in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood
that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be
practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
* * * * *