U.S. patent application number 11/363710 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-30 for head restraint adjustment and trim closeout apparatus and method.
Invention is credited to Daniel W. Booth, Robert L. Demick.
Application Number | 20070200413 11/363710 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38443289 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070200413 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Demick; Robert L. ; et
al. |
August 30, 2007 |
HEAD RESTRAINT ADJUSTMENT AND TRIM CLOSEOUT APPARATUS AND
METHOD
Abstract
An apparatus and method for adjusting the height of a vehicle
head restraint includes a top cover, latch assembly, and bottom
cover. The top cover is connected to the head restraint. A latch
assembly is moveable in a lateral direction relative to a latch
post, and a bottom cover connects to the top cover, sandwiching the
latch assembly between the top and bottom covers. When the button
portion of the latch assembly is actuated, the latch assembly
unlatches from the latch post, allowing the height of the head
restraint to be adjusted. By directly connecting to the underside
of the head restraint, the apparatus is further operative to close
out the bottom closeout opening on the underside of the head
restraint and provide an aesthetically pleasing finish.
Inventors: |
Demick; Robert L.; (Macomb,
MI) ; Booth; Daniel W.; (Warren, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION;LEGAL STAFF
MAIL CODE 482-C23-B21
P O BOX 300
DETROIT
MI
48265-3000
US
|
Family ID: |
38443289 |
Appl. No.: |
11/363710 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/410 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/38 20130101; B60N
2/815 20180201 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/410 |
International
Class: |
B60N 2/48 20060101
B60N002/48; A47C 7/36 20060101 A47C007/36 |
Claims
1. A height adjuster for a head restraint having outer upholstery
forming a bottom opening at an underside of the head restraint, the
head restraint being configured for use with a vehicle seat having
at least one head restraint latch post attached thereto, the height
adjuster comprising: a bottom closeout cover attachable to the
underside of the head restraint and sufficiently coextensive with
the bottom opening to aesthetically trim the bottom opening; and a
latch assembly entrapped between said bottom closeout cover and the
head restraint when said bottom closeout cover is attached to the
underside of the head restraint, at least one portion of said latch
assembly being moveable in one direction with respect to said at
least one head restraint latch post for latching the head restraint
at a first height and movable in another direction with respect to
said at least one head restraint latch post for unlatching the head
restraint so that the height of the head restraint can be adjusted
to a different second height; wherein said latch assembly includes
a button portion for actuating said latch assembly, and said bottom
closeout cover has a bezel portion framing said button portion and
facing an external surface of the head restraint for a finished
aesthetic appearance, said button portion being in a position for
easy accessibility at or beneath said external surfaces of the head
restraint; and wherein the height adjuster is positioned
substantially external to the head restraint and substantially
adjacent to said underside of the head restraint.
2. (canceled)
3. The height adjuster of claim 1, wherein said latch assembly
includes a spring for biasing said at least one portion of said
latch assembly for movement in said one direction.
4. The height adjuster of claim 1, wherein said button portion is
covered by the outer upholstery of the head restraint, and is
actuated by pressing the outer upholstery covering said push button
thereby further improving the aesthetic trim by concealing said
button portion.
5. (canceled)
6. A method of adjusting the height of a head restraint, wherein
said head restraint connects with a seat assembly via at least one
latch post extending longitudinally from said seat assembly into
the head restraint, the method comprising: configuring a latch
assembly with a button for actuating said latch assembly; providing
a bottom closeout cover having a bezel portion; entrapping said
latch assembly between said bottom closeout cover and the underside
of the head restraint so that said bezel portion frames said button
and faces a lateral surface of the head restraint for a finished
aesthetic appearance; actuating said button to thereby move said
latch assembly in one direction with respect to said at least one
latch post, to unlatch said latch assembly from said at least one
latch post and allow said head restraint to move longitudinally
along said at least one latch post.
7. The method of claim 6, including biasing said button during
movement of said latch assembly to provide counterforce sufficient
to relatch said latch assembly to said at least one latch post at a
desired height setting of said head restraint upon release of said
button.
8. A method of aesthetically trimming a bottom opening formed in an
upholstery covering for a height-adjustable head restraint the
bottom opening being positioned on the underside of the
height-adjustable head restraint, the method comprising: providing
a bottom closeout cover having a bezel portion; entrapping a
height-adjusting latch assembly between a substantially flat top
cover and a substantially flat bottom close out cover so that said
bezel portion frames said button and faces a lateral surface of the
head restraint; and connecting said one of said substantially flat
top cover and substantially flat bottom close out cover to the
underside of the height-adjustable head restraint to sufficiently
coextensively cover the bottom opening and thereby aesthetically
trim the bottom opening.
9. (canceled)
10. A height adjuster for a head restraint having a lateral surface
and a bottom surface, and being movable with respect to at least
one latch post extending from a seat assembly, the height adjuster
comprising: a latch assembly at least one portion of which is
actuatable in one direction with respect to the at least one latch
post for latching the head restraint and actuatable in another
direction with respect to the at least one latch post for
unlatching the head restraint so that the height of the head
restraint can be adjusted; and a bottom closeout cover and a
separate top cover adapted to snap together without the use of
fasteners or adhesives to thereby sandwich said latch assembly
between said top cover and said bottom closeout cover; wherein said
one of said top cover and said bottom cover is attached to the
bottom surface of the head restraint and is positioned external to
the head restraint, and wherein the head restraint is actuated by
applying pressure at an easily accessible portion positioned along
the lateral surface of the head restraint.
11. The height adjuster of claim 10, wherein said easily accessible
portion is a button on a back or side of the head restraint.
12. The height adjuster of claim 1, including a substantially flat
top cover connectable to the underside of the head restraint,
wherein said bottom closeout cover and said top cover are adapted
to snap together without the use of fasteners or adhesives to
thereby entrap said latch assembly between said top cover and said
bottom closeout cover.
13. The height adjuster of claim 12, wherein said top cover is
connectable to the underside of the head restraint using a fastener
selected from the group consisting of rivets, ribbed push clips,
and snaps.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for
adjusting the height of a vehicle head restraint wherein the height
adjustment apparatus is designed to trim out the underside of the
head restraint, providing an aesthetically pleasing finish.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Automotive seat head restraints typically contain at least
one notched post wherein one end of the post is permanently
attached to a substructure contained within the head restraint
body. The exposed surface of the notched post is sleeved within a
pocket contained within the automobile seat body, the pocket
opening typically being situated on the top surface of the
automotive seat body. The occupant of the vehicle adjusts the head
restraint position by actuating a button located on the seat body
immediately adjacent to the latch post pocket. This action
unlatches the notched post from the seat body, and as long as the
button is depressed, the head restraint can be vertically adjusted.
Once the head restraint reaches the desired height, the button is
released, and the post is then latched at the nearest notch on the
post. The weight of the head rest and latch post is supported by
the latch assembly at a point just above the surface of the seat
body. The underside of the head restraint is never in direct
functional contact with the height adjustment apparatus.
[0003] Due to the presence of protruding head restraint latch
posts, the underside of a vehicle head restraint body is in a
relatively unfinished state compared to the more visible external
surfaces of the automotive seat assembly. Specifically, head
restraint latch posts necessitate the use of an equivalent number
of openings in the fabric trim of the head restraint. Also, the
underside of the head restraint may contain a seam where the edges
of the upholstery wrapping converge. Various methods are used to
finish, trim, or close out, these openings, in the attempt to
provide an aesthetically pleasing, closely mated fit between latch
post and fabric opening. Standard finishing methods include sewing,
surging, and the application of unsightly j-clips and j-arrows to
pull the opposing fabric trim edges together. Additionally, j-clips
and j-arrows have the disadvantage of having to be sewn to the
fabric, adding extra labor and/or time to the manufacturing
process.
[0004] The repeated movement of the latch posts can cause fraying
of the fabric of the head restraint body or bagging of the
underlying trim material. Another problem associated with the prior
art is the protrusion of head restraint fill material through the
latch post openings. Fraying, bagging, and protrusion of fill
material combine to produce a potentially unsightly head restraint
finish, as the underside of the head restraint is clearly visible
when the latch post is extended more than a few notches above the
fully retracted position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides an apparatus and method for
adjusting the height of an automotive seat head restraint and using
the height adjustment apparatus to trim the underside of the
restraint in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
[0006] A height adjuster for a head restraint in accordance with
the invention includes an external surface for easy accessibility
and is movable with respect to at least one latch post extending
from a seat assembly. A latch assembly may be in or on the head
restraint, at least one portion of the latch assembly being
actuatable in one manner with respect to the latch post for
latching the head restraint and actuatable in another manner with
respect to the latch post so that the height of the head restraint
can be adjusted.
[0007] The latch assembly is actuatable by applying pressure at an
easily accessible portion on an external surface of the head
restraint, such as a button or pressure point on a back or side of
the head restraint.
[0008] An apparatus for adjusting the height of a vehicle head
restraint includes a latch assembly containing a button and a
latch. The latch assembly is operative to move laterally in one
direction with respect to a latch rod, thereby unlatching the latch
assembly from the rod upon depression or actuation of the button,
which in turn allows the head restraint to move longitudinally
along the axis of the latch rod or series of rods. The latch
assembly is operative to re-latch to the latch post upon release of
the button, thereby setting the height of the head restraint at the
desired level.
[0009] Preferably, the latch assembly is biased by a spring, which
provides the requisite lateral counterforce to the button, thereby
returning the button to its starting position upon release.
[0010] The button is configured to face an external surface of the
head restraint, providing a finished aesthetic appearance.
Preferably, the button is framed by a bezel to further improve on
the desired aesthetic trim.
[0011] Another aspect of the invention provides a method for
closing out the underside of a vehicle head restraint using a head
restraint height adjustment apparatus. The method includes: A)
providing a bottom cover sufficiently coextensive with the closeout
opening on the underside of the head restraint; B) sandwiching a
latch assembly between the bottom cover and the underside of the
head restraint; and C) connecting the bottom cover to the underside
of the head restraint to aesthetically trim out the closeout
opening.
[0012] The above features and advantages, and other features and
advantages of the present invention, are readily apparent from the
following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out
the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. I is a fragmentary, perspective, rear schematic
illustration from the bottom of a vehicle head restraint head
adjustment apparatus in accordance with the invention, wherein the
head restraint adjustment apparatus is exploded with respect to the
head restraint, and showing the latch assembly in a schematically
latched position; and
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic illustration from another
angle showing a side of the vehicle head restraint apparatus of
FIG. 1, wherein the apparatus is shown in both an exploded
pre-attached condition and, in phantom, as it would be oriented in
a fully attached and concealed condition.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic illustrations of a height
adjuster and trim closeout 10 for a head restraint 19. The height
adjuster and trim closeout 10 controls the movement of the head
restraint 19 along the longitudinal axis of a latch post 16 which
is affixed within and extends upwardly from an automotive seat
assembly 11, depicted in FIG. 1. Those skilled in the art will
recognize a variety of materials that may be employed to form the
externally visible portions of height adjuster and trim closeout
10, including various metals and plastics, which may be burnished,
stippled or otherwise finished in an aesthetically pleasing
manner.
[0016] The position of the head restraint 19 is adjusted by
actuating a button portion 13 of a latch assembly 12 having a latch
portion 14 operatively connected to the push button 13. The latch
portion 14 of latch assembly 12 is moveable laterally or actuatable
in a manner or direction relative to the latch post 16, as
indicated by the block arrow in FIG. 1. This action selectively
separates the latch portion 14 of assembly 12 from one of the
notches 24 of latch post 16, allowing the head restraint 19 to move
upwardly or downwardly along the longitudinal axis of the latch
post 16 to different positions.
[0017] A spring portion 17 of the latch assembly 12 provides a
biasing counterforce to the latch portion 14 of assembly 12,
allowing the latch portion 14 of latch assembly 12 to return in
another manner or direction to its initial position in one of the
notches 24 upon release of the button 13. The spring 17 is
compressed between the unitary button 13/latch portion 14 and a
spring stop 18, so that when the button 13 is released, the spring
17 pushes the button 13 outboard, allowing the latch portion 14 of
latch assembly 12 to re-latch in one of the notches 24 in the latch
post 16.
[0018] The spring stop 18 is molded, stamped or otherwise formed
into or on the upper surface of the bottom cover 15. The latch
assembly 12 including spring 17 is sandwiched or entrapped between
the bottom cover 15 and a top cover 22. The bottom cover 15 and top
cover 22 are designed with mating surfaces or edges 26, 28 to allow
them to snap together without separate fasteners or adhesives,
thereby enclosing or entrapping the latch assembly 12 with its
spring portion 17. The bottom closeout cover 15 of the height
adjuster and trim closeout 10 is sufficiently coextensive with the
bottom closeout opening 20 and /or latch post opening 39 on the
underside of the head restraint 19 to aesthetically trim the bottom
closeout opening 20 and latch post opening 39 when cover 15 is
connected to the underside of the head restraint 19. The preferred
method of connection is the "Christmas tree" style prongs 23 into
mating holes 27 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, although rivets, snaps,
and similar fasteners would also suffice.
[0019] To further improve the aesthetic trim, the button portion 13
of the latch assembly 12 may be framed by a bezel 21. The button 13
and bezel 21 are preferably aligned in a 90 degree angle facing
outward, so as to allow their inner surfaces to conform to the
external surface of the head restraint 19, as depicted in FIG. 1 at
35. However, the button 13 and bezel 21 portion of the bottom cover
15 may be formed so as to align with varying angles of the external
surface of the head restraint 19 other than 90 degrees. While the
best mode discloses a design suitable for positioning the button 13
and bezel 21 on a lateral surface 33 of the head restraint 19 for
ease in accessibility, it is possible, by modifying latch assembly
12, to situate the button on the front or rear surfaces of head
restraint 19. As depicted in phantom at 37 in FIG. 2, it may also
be desirable to conceal or hide the button 13 and/or bezel 21
beneath the fabric/upholstery material covering 32 of the head
restraint 19 to further improve aesthetic appeal, and/or to mark
the location of a concealed button 13 exposed on the external
surface of the head restraint in a suitable manner consistent with
vehicle aesthetics to indicate a press-point for actuating the
latch button portion 13.
[0020] The latch assembly 12 may also be within the head restraint
19 at least one portion of which assembly such as a button or
actuator 13 is actuatable in one manner with respect to the latch
post for latching the head restraint and actuatable in another
manner with respect to the latch post so that the height of the
head restraint can be adjusted. In such an arrangement, the one
portion 13 of latch assembly 12 may be actuated by applying
pressure at an easily accessible portion such as 37 on an external
surface of the head restraint which could be an easily accessible
portion on a back or side of head restraint 19 such as at 35. Then
the occupant in the seat could reach back and grasp the head rest
with their hands, the fingers curling around to the back of the
head restraint at which point or button, a squeeze or forward pull
with their fingers would actuate the latch assembly so that the
unlatched head restraint could slide up or down.
[0021] This invention also includes an improved method of making an
adjustable height adjuster and trim closeout 10 with an
aesthetically trimmed closeout opening 20. The method comprises
sandwiching or entrapping the latch assembly 12 and the spring 17
between the top cover 22 and the bottom closeout cover 15 and then
connecting the bottom closeout cover 15 including the sandwiched or
entrapped latch assembly 12 to head restraint 19 in a sufficient
manner so that the bottom cover sufficiently coextensively covers
the bottom closeout opening 20 to aesthetically trim bottom
closeout opening 20 and the latch post opening 39 which receives
the latch post 16.
[0022] While the best modes for carrying out the invention have
been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this
invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and
embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *