U.S. patent application number 13/273491 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-18 for seat assembly having a folding seat bottom and head restraint.
This patent application is currently assigned to LEAR CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Scott Andrew Willard, Arjun Yetukuri. Invention is credited to Scott Andrew Willard, Arjun Yetukuri.
Application Number | 20130093218 13/273491 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48085490 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130093218 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yetukuri; Arjun ; et
al. |
April 18, 2013 |
Seat Assembly Having a Folding Seat Bottom and Head Restraint
Abstract
A seat assembly having a seat bottom, a seat back, and a head
restraint assembly. The head restraint assembly may be disposed on
the seat back and may move from a first position to a second
position when the seat bottom is rotated about a first axis of
rotation with respect to the seat back.
Inventors: |
Yetukuri; Arjun; (Rochester
Hills, MI) ; Willard; Scott Andrew; (Rochester,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Yetukuri; Arjun
Willard; Scott Andrew |
Rochester Hills
Rochester |
MI
MI |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
LEAR CORPORATION
Southfield
MI
|
Family ID: |
48085490 |
Appl. No.: |
13/273491 |
Filed: |
October 14, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/61 ;
297/311 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/859 20180201;
B60N 2/305 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/61 ;
297/311 |
International
Class: |
A47C 1/036 20060101
A47C001/036; A47C 3/00 20060101 A47C003/00; A47C 7/38 20060101
A47C007/38; A47C 1/00 20060101 A47C001/00 |
Claims
1. A seat assembly comprising: a seat mounting bracket; a seat
bottom disposed proximate the seat mounting bracket and configured
to rotate about a first axis of rotation; a seat back disposed
proximate the seat bottom; a head restraint assembly disposed on
the seat back and configured to move between a first position and a
second position; wherein the head restraint assembly moves from the
first position to the second position when the seat bottom is
rotated about the first axis of rotation with respect to the seat
back.
2. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the seat back rotates
toward the seat bottom when the seat bottom is rotated toward the
seat back.
3. The seat assembly of claim 2 wherein the seat back is configured
to rotate about a second axis of rotation.
4. The seat assembly of claim 3 wherein the first axis of rotation
is spaced apart from and disposed below the second axis of
rotation.
5. The seat assembly of claim 3 wherein the second axis of rotation
moves with respect to the first axis of rotation when the seat
bottom is folded toward the seat back.
6. The seat assembly of claim 3 further comprising an L-shaped
bracket that is disposed on the seat back, wherein the L-shaped
bracket is coupled to the mounting bracket with a mounting feature
that is disposed along the second axis of rotation.
7. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the head restraint assembly
rotates about a third axis of rotation toward the seat bottom when
the head restraint assembly moves from the first position to the
second position.
8. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the head restraint assembly
includes a headrest, wherein the headrest is spaced apart from a
top of the seat back when in the first position and wherein the
headrest engages the top of the seat back in the second
position.
9. A seat assembly comprising: a seat mounting bracket; a seat
bottom having a seat bottom frame that is rotatably disposed on the
seat mounting bracket and that includes a cam; a seat back having a
seat back frame that is disposed on the seat bottom frame; a head
restraint assembly disposed on the seat back frame that is
configured to move between a first position and a second position;
and an actuator unit disposed on the seat back frame; wherein the
head restraint assembly moves from the first position to the second
position when the seat bottom is rotated with respect to the seat
back and the cam actuates the actuator unit.
10. The seat assembly of claim 9 wherein the seat bottom frame is
configured to rotate about a first axis of rotation and the seat
back frame is configured to rotate about a second axis of
rotation.
11. The seat assembly of claim 10 wherein the cam is fixedly
disposed along the second axis of rotation.
12. The seat assembly of claim 9 wherein the actuator unit includes
a lever and a linkage that has a first end disposed on the lever
and a second end that engages the head restraint assembly, wherein
the lever is coupled to the seat back frame and configured to
rotate about a lever axis of rotation and wherein the cam rotates
the lever when the seat bottom is folded toward the seat back.
13. The seat assembly of claim 12 wherein the lever includes a
convex portion having an apex, wherein the head restraint assembly
moves from the first position toward the second position when the
cam is disposed proximate the apex.
14. The seat assembly of claim 13 wherein the lever includes a
concave portion disposed adjacent to the convex portion, wherein
the lever is disposed proximate the concave portion after the head
restraint assembly moves from the first position toward the second
position.
15. The seat assembly of claim 9 wherein the actuator unit includes
a switch coupled to the seat back frame and an electrical machine
disposed in a headrest of the head restraint assembly, wherein the
electrical machine permits the head restraint assembly to move from
the first position to the second position when the seat bottom is
rotated toward the seat back such that the cam closes the
switch.
16. A seat assembly comprising: a seat mounting bracket; a seat
bottom having a seat bottom frame disposed on the seat mounting
bracket and configured to rotate about a first axis of rotation; a
seat back disposed on the seat bottom frame; and a head restraint
assembly disposed on the seat back and configured to move between a
first position and a second position; wherein the head restraint
assembly moves from the first position to the second position when
the seat bottom is rotated about the first axis of rotation toward
the seat back.
17. The seat assembly of claim 16 wherein the head restraint
assembly does not move from the second position to the first
position when the seat bottom is rotated about the first axis of
rotation away from the seat back.
18. The seat assembly of claim 16 wherein the seat is configured to
rotate about a second axis of rotation, wherein the seat back
rotates about the second axis of rotation toward the seat bottom
when the seat bottom is rotated about the first axis of rotation
toward the seat back.
19. The seat assembly of claim 18 wherein the seat back rotates
about the second axis of rotation away from the seat bottom when
the seat bottom is rotated about the first axis of rotation away
from the seat back.
20. The seat assembly of claim 18 wherein the second axis of
rotation moves with respect to the first axis of rotation when the
seat bottom is rotated with respect to the seat mounting bracket.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application relates to a seat assembly having a
folding seat bottom and a head restraint.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A seat assembly having a moveable head restraint is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,210,734.
SUMMARY
[0003] In at least one embodiment a seat assembly is provided. The
seat assembly may include a seat mounting bracket, a seat bottom, a
seat back, and a head restraint assembly. The seat bottom may be
disposed proximate the seat mounting bracket and may be configured
to rotate about a first axis of rotation. The seat back may be
disposed proximate the seat bottom. The head restraint assembly may
be disposed on the seat back and may be configured to move between
a first position and a second position. The head restraint assembly
may move from the first position to the second position when the
seat bottom is rotated about the first axis of rotation with
respect to the seat back.
[0004] In at least one embodiment a seat assembly is provided. The
seat assembly may include a seat mounting bracket, a seat bottom, a
seat back, a head restraint assembly, and an actuator unit. The
seat bottom may have a seat bottom frame that is rotatably disposed
on the seat mounting bracket. The seat bottom frame may include a
cam. The seat back may have a seat back frame that may be disposed
on the seat bottom frame. The head restraint assembly may be
disposed on the seat back frame and may be configured to move
between a first position and a second position. The actuator unit
may be disposed on the seat back frame. The head restraint assembly
may move from the first position to the second position when the
seat bottom is rotated with respect to the seat back and the cam
actuates the actuator unit.
[0005] In at least one embodiment a seat assembly is provided. The
seat assembly may include a seat mounting bracket, a seat bottom, a
seat back, and a head restraint assembly. The seat bottom may have
a seat bottom frame that may be disposed on the seat mounting
bracket and may rotate about a first axis of rotation. The seat
back may be disposed on the seat bottom frame. The head restraint
assembly may be disposed on the seat back and may be configured to
move between a first position and a second position. The head
restraint assembly may move from the first position to the second
position when the seat bottom is rotated about the first axis of
rotation toward the seat back.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary seat
assembly.
[0007] FIGS. 2-4 are fragmentary side views illustrating movement
of the seat assembly.
[0008] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side view of another embodiment of a
seat assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention
are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that
may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are
not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or
minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore,
specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not
to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis
for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present
invention.
[0010] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary seat assembly 10 is shown.
The seat assembly 10 may be configured for use in a vehicle, such
as a motor vehicle like a car or truck. In at least one embodiment,
the seat assembly 10 may be configured as a rear seat, such as a
second or third row seat that may be disposed behind a driver seat.
Moreover, the seat assembly 10 may have a bench seat configuration
that may include seating positions for multiple occupants.
[0011] The seat assembly 10 may include a seat bottom 12 and a seat
back 14 that may cooperate to support a seat occupant. The seat
bottom 12 and seat back 14 may each include a trim cover 16 that
may provide an exterior surface upon which a seat occupant may sit.
Each trim cover 16 may at least partially cover or conceal a
cushion 18.
[0012] Referring to FIG. 2, the seat bottom 12 may include at least
one seat mounting bracket 20 and a seat bottom frame 22.
[0013] The seat mounting bracket 20 may facilitate attachment or
mounting of the seat assembly 10 to a mounting surface 24, such as
a floor pan of a vehicle. Two seat mounting brackets 20 may be
provided that are disposed along opposing lateral sides of the seat
bottom 12. The seat mounting bracket 20 may be fixedly or removably
disposed on the mounting surface 24.
[0014] The seat bottom frame 22 may be rotatably disposed on the
seat mounting bracket 20 to facilitate storage or stowing of the
seat assembly 10. More specifically, the seat bottom 12 and seat
bottom frame 22 may be configured to rotate or pivot about a first
axis of rotation 26 with respect to the seat mounting bracket 20.
The seat bottom frame 22 may have a unitary construction or may be
assembled from multiple components. In at least one embodiment, the
seat bottom frame 22 may include a first frame member 30 and a
second frame member 32.
[0015] The first frame member 30 may have any suitable
configuration. For example, the first frame member 30 may be
generally U-shaped and may generally extend along front and lateral
sides (e.g., left and right sides) of the seat bottom 12. The first
frame member 30 may be provided with wires or any suitable surface
to support the cushion 18 of the seat bottom 12. In addition, the
first frame member 30 may be integrally formed with or fixedly
disposed on one or more second frame members 32. For example, each
end of the first frame member 30 may be fixedly disposed on a
corresponding second frame member 32 in any suitable manner, such
as with one or more fasteners or by welding. In addition, the first
frame member 30 may extend from the second frame member 32 such
that the first frame member 30 is disposed at an angle with respect
to the mounting surface 24 and positioned below the first axis of
rotation 26.
[0016] The second frame member 32 may be configured to rotate about
the first axis of rotation 26. For example, the second frame member
32 may be rotatably disposed on a seat mounting bracket 20 with a
mounting feature 34, such as a pin or bushing. The mounting feature
34 may be fixedly disposed on or integrally formed with the seat
mounting bracket 20 or the second frame member 32 in one or more
embodiments. In at least one embodiment, a mounting feature 34 may
be provided with each seat mounting bracket 20 such that the
mounting features 34 are coaxially disposed along the first axis of
rotation 26.
[0017] A cam 36 may also be provided with the seat bottom frame 22.
The cam 36 may be located above the first axis of rotation 26 and
may facilitate actuation of a head restraint assembly as will be
discussed in more detail below. In at least one embodiment, the cam
36 may be fixedly disposed on or with respect to the second frame
member 32.
[0018] The seat back 14 may be configured to support the back of a
seat occupant. The seat back 14 may include a seat back frame 40
and a head restraint assembly 42. The seat back 14 may or may not
be configured to move when the seat bottom 12 is moved. For
instance, the seat back 14 may be fixedly disposed on the seat
mounting bracket 20 or another mounting surface in embodiments
where the seat back 14 does not move in response to actuation of
the seat bottom 12. In the embodiment shown, the seat back 14 is
configured to move when the seat bottom 12 is moved as will be
discussed in more detail below.
[0019] The seat back frame 40 may have a unitary construction or
may be assembled from multiple components. In at least one
embodiment, the seat back frame 40 may include a pair of side
members 50, an upper cross member 52, and a lower cross member 54.
The upper and lower cross members 52, 54 may be spaced apart from
each other and may interconnect the side members 50.
[0020] The seat back 14 and seat back frame 40 may be configured to
move or pivot with respect to a second axis of rotation 56. As
such, the seat bottom 12 and seat back 14 may pivot about different
axes of rotation when the seat bottom 12 is actuated. For example,
the seat back frame 40 may be pivotally coupled to the seat bottom
12 with a bracket 60. In at least one embodiment, the bracket 60
may be generally L-shaped and may include a first arm and a second
arm that may extend at an angle from the first arm. The first arm
may be fixedly disposed on a side member 50 in any suitable manner,
such as with a fastener or by welding. The second arm may be
pivotally coupled to a portion of the seat bottom frame 22, such as
the second frame member 32. For instance, a mounting feature 62,
such as a pin, may be provided to couple the second frame member 32
to the bracket 60. The mounting feature 62 may be coaxially
disposed with or extend along the second axis of rotation 56. In
addition, the second axis of rotation 56 may be disposed above the
first axis of rotation 26.
[0021] The head restraint assembly 42 may be moveably disposed on
the seat back frame 40. The head restraint assembly 42 may move in
different manners or directions in various embodiments. For
instance, the head restraint assembly 42 may rotate about an axis
or retract with respect to the seat back 14. The head restraint
assembly 42 may include a support post 70 and a headrest 72 that
may be disposed on the support post 70. In at least one embodiment,
the support post 70 may be fixedly disposed on a portion of the
seat back frame 40, such as the upper cross member 52, and the
headrest 72 may move with respect to the support post 70.
Alternatively, the support post 70 may be moveably disposed on a
portion of the seat back frame 40, which may allow the head
restraint assembly 42 to be extended away from or retracted toward
the top of the seat back 14. An example of and
extendable/retractable head restraint assembly is shown in FIG. 1,
which shows a headrest 72 in an exemplary retracted position in
solid lines and in an exemplary extended position in phantom. In
addition, the head restraint assembly may be provided with a
thinner profile or "shingle" configuration than is shown in FIG. 1
in one or more embodiments.
[0022] In at least one embodiment, the headrest 72 may be
configured to rotate about a third axis of rotation 74. In one or
more embodiments, the third axis of rotation 74 may extend
substantially parallel to the first and/or second axes of rotation
26, 56. In addition, the third axis of rotation 74 may be coaxially
disposed with or may extend substantially parallel to a cross
member portion of the support post 70 that may be at least
partially disposed in the headrest 72.
[0023] The headrest 72 may include a latching mechanism 76 that may
be configured to control movement of the headrest 72. Examples of
exemplary latching mechanisms are disclosed in U.S. Patent
Publication No. 2010/0283305 which is assigned to the assignee of
the present application and is incorporated by reference. In at
least one embodiment, the latching mechanism 76 may be disposed in
the headrest 72 and may include a biasing member and a moveable
latch.
[0024] The biasing member, which may be a torsion spring, may be
disposed in the headrest 72 and may be disposed about the cross
member of the support post 70. The biasing member may exert a
biasing force that may urge the headrest 72 to rotate about the
third axis of rotation 74 and toward the seat bottom 12, or in a
counterclockwise direction from the perspective shown.
[0025] The latch may also be disposed in the headrest 72 and may
move between a latched position and an unlatched position. Rotation
of the headrest 72 about the third axis of rotation 74 in at least
one direction may be inhibited when the latch in the latched
position. Rotation of the headrest 72 about the third axis of
rotation 74 may be permitted when the latch is in the unlatched
position. For example, the latch may retain the headrest 72 in a
predetermined initial position when in the latched position.
Movement of the latch to the unlatched position may release the
headrest 72 and allow the headrest 72 to pivot toward the seat
bottom 12 in response to the biasing force exerted by the biasing
member. In addition, the latching mechanism 76 may be configured to
permit manual repositioning of the headrest 72. For instance, the
headrest 72 may be manually pivoted back to the initial position
where the latch may reset to the latched position to inhibit
pivotal movement of the headrest 72 until the latch is
unlatched.
[0026] An actuator unit 90 may be provided to selectively control
movement of the head restraint assembly 42 when the seat bottom 12
is moved with respect to the seat back 14. Various actuator unit
embodiments are contemplated. In FIG. 2, the actuator unit 90 may
include a lever 92 and a linkage 94.
[0027] The lever 92 may be configured to pivot about a lever axis
or a fourth axis of rotation 96 and with respect to the seat back
frame 42. For example, the lever 92 may be pivotally disposed on a
mounting feature such as a pin 98 that may extend along the fourth
axis of rotation 96. The pin 98 may be disposed on or engage the
bracket 60 or a linkage mounting bracket 100 that may be fixedly
positioned with respect to the seat back frame 42.
[0028] In at least one embodiment, the lever 92 may include a first
end 110, a second end 112, a first surface 114, and a second
surface 116. The first and second ends 110, 112 may be disposed
opposite each other and may be disposed on opposite sides of the
fourth axis of rotation 96. The first surface 114 may be disposed
opposite the second surface 116 and may extend from the first end
110 to or toward the second end 112. The first surface 114 may face
toward and may be configured to engage the cam 36. The first
surface 114 may include a convex portion 120 that may extend from
the first end 110 and a concave portion 122 that may extend from
the convex portion 120. The convex portion 120 may have an apex
124, or point along the convex portion 120 that may be disposed at
the greatest distance from the second surface 116.
[0029] The linkage 94 may be configured to transmit force from the
lever 92 to the latching mechanism 76 to facilitate movement of the
head restraint assembly 42. In at least one embodiment, the linkage
94 may be a cable such as a Bowden cable. A first end of the
linkage 94 may be disposed proximate the second end 112 of the
lever 92. For instance, the second end 112 of the lever 92 may
include a tab having an opening that receives and retains the first
end of the linkage 94. A second end of the linkage 94 may be
coupled to the latching mechanism 76. For example, the linkage 94
may extend through the seat back 14 and the support post 70 and
into the headrest 72 such that a second end is coupled to the latch
of the latching mechanism 76. As such, rotation of the lever 92 may
actuate the linkage 94 to release the latching mechanism 76 as will
be discussed in more detail below.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 2-4, operation of at least one embodiment
of the seat assembly will now be described in more detail. In these
figures an outline of seat assembly is shown in phantom. This
embodiment is described primarily with respect to an embodiment in
which the headrest may move when the seat bottom is folded toward
the seat back, but may also be applied to embodiments in which
movement occurs when the seat bottom is unfolded away from the seat
back, either alone or in combination with movement when the seat
bottom is folded toward the seat back.
[0031] In FIG. 2, the seat assembly 10 is shown in an initial
configuration in which the seat bottom 12 is in an unfolded
position. The seat bottom 12 may be positioned at a maximum
distance from the seat back 14 when in the unfolded position. In
addition, the head restraint assembly 42 is shown in an exemplary
first position or initial position in which the head restraint
assembly 42 is positioned to support the head of a seat occupant.
As such, the headrest 72 may generally extend upward or away from
the seat bottom 12 when in the first position. Moreover, the
latching mechanism 76 may be in a latched position to inhibit
movement of the head restraint assembly 42. As such, the latching
mechanism 76 may inhibit rotation of the headrest 72 about the
third axis of rotation 74. The cam 36 may be positioned near the
first end 110 of the lever 92. As such, the cam 36 may generally
rest against a portion of the first surface 114 located between the
first end 110 and the apex 124.
[0032] In FIG. 3, the seat bottom 12 is shown partially folded
toward the seat back 14. As the seat bottom 12 is folded, the seat
bottom frame 22 rotates about the first axis of rotation 26.
Movement of the seat bottom frame 22 moves the cam 36 along the
first surface 114 of the lever 92 toward the apex 124. Movement of
the cam 36 toward the apex 124 rotates the lever 92 about the
fourth axis of rotation 96 in a clockwise direction from the
perspective shown. Rotation of the lever 92 actuates the linkage
94, which moves the latching mechanism 76 from the latched position
to the unlatched position, thereby allowing the headrest 72 to
rotate about the third axis of rotation 74 and toward the seat
bottom 12, or in a counterclockwise direction from the perspective
shown. In at least one embodiment, the latching mechanism 76 may be
unlatched when the lever 92 is sufficiently rotated about the
fourth axis of rotation 96, such as when the cam 36 engages or is
disposed proximate the apex 124. In addition, the seat back 14 and
seat back frame 40 may begin to pivot about the second axis of
rotation 56 when the seat bottom 12 is folded toward the seat back
14 due to the interconnection between the seat back frame 40 and
the second frame member 32. The seat back 14 may pivot or rotate
toward the seat bottom 12 before the head restraint assembly 42
moves with respect to the seat back 14 in one or more
embodiments.
[0033] In FIG. 4, the seat bottom 12 is shown fully folded toward
the seat back 14 or in a folded position. As such, the seat bottom
12 and seat bottom frame 22 may be rotated about the first axis of
rotation 26 such that the seating surfaces of the seat bottom 12
and seat back 14 face toward and are positioned in close proximity
to each other to reduce the package space of the seat assembly 10.
In addition, movement of the seat bottom frame 22 moves the cam 36
past the apex 124 such that the cam 36 may be positioned proximate
the concave portion 122 of the lever 92. As such, the lever 92 may
rotate about the fourth axis of rotation 96 in a counterclockwise
direction with respect to FIG. 3 from the perspective shown. The
headrest 72 rotates about the third axis of rotation 74 toward the
seat bottom 12 and to a second position. The headrest 72 may extend
toward and may engage or be positioned in close proximity to the
seat bottom 12 when in the second position to reduce the package
space of the seat assembly 10. In addition, the seat back 14 and
seat back frame 40 are pivoted further about the second axis of
rotation 56 and move closer to the seat bottom 12. In one or more
embodiments, the seat back 14 and/or seat back frame 40 may be
disposed in a substantially vertical position when the seat bottom
12 is fully folded. In addition, the seat bottom 12 and the first
frame member 30 may be disposed in a substantially vertical
position when the seat bottom 12 is fully folded.
[0034] The head restraint assembly may be returned to the initial
configuration by generally reversing the sequence depicted in FIGS.
2-4. For instance, the seat bottom 12 may be manually rotated about
the first axis of rotation 26 in a counterclockwise direction from
the perspective shown to return the seat bottom 12 and the seat
back 14 to the initial positions shown in FIG. 2. Movement of the
seat bottom 12 may or may not actuate the headrest 72 from the
second position to the first position depending on the
configuration of the seat assembly 10. In at least one embodiment,
the headrest 72 may not move from the second position to the first
position when the seat bottom 12 is unfolded. Rather, the headrest
72 may be manually moved back to the first position where the
latching mechanism 76 may reengage the headrest 72 and be in the
latched position to inhibit movement of the headrest 72. In at
least one other embodiment, the actuator unit 90 may be configured
to move the head restraint assembly 42 and/or headrest 72 back to
the first position. For example, a second cable may be provided
with the actuator unit 90 to pull the headrest 72 back to the first
position when the seat bottom is 12 returned to the unfolded
position.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 5, a second embodiment of a seat assembly
is shown. In this embodiment, the actuator unit 90 includes a
switch 130, a wire 132, and an actuator 134. The switch 130 may be
mounted on the seat back frame 42 and/or the bracket 60. The switch
130 may be normally open and may include a lever arm 136 and a
contact 138. The switch 130 may be configured to close when the cam
36 engages and actuates the lever arm 136 against the contact 138
when the seat bottom 12 is moved from the unfolded position toward
the folded position. An electrical signal or current may then be
provided via the wire 132 to the actuator 134. The actuator 134 may
be disposed in the head restraint assembly 42 and may be configured
as an electrical machine, such as a solenoid or motor. The actuator
134 may actuate the latching mechanism 76 to the unlatched position
when the switch 130 is closed to permit the headrest 72 to move as
previously described. Moreover, in embodiments in which the
actuator 134 is a motor, the electrical signal may be used to move
the headrest 72 from the unfolded position to the folded position
or vice versa.
[0036] In at least one other embodiment, the head restraint
assembly may be configured such that the headrest 72 moves toward
or away from the seat back 14 rather than rotating. As such, the
headrest 72 may move between a first position or extended position
in which the headrest 72 is spaced apart from the top of the seat
back 14 and a second position or retracted position in which the
headrest 72 is moved toward and may be disposed against the top of
the seat back 14. Such movement may be realized by actuating the
support post 70 with respect to the seat back frame 40. Such
actuation may be accomplished using an actuator unit having one or
more cables. An example of such a mechanism is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 7,210,734, which is assigned to the assignee of the
present application and is incorporated by reference. For example,
one or more cables may be used to couple the seat bottom 12 and the
support post 70. Folding of the seat bottom 12 may actuate a cable
which in turn may pull on the support post 70 and hence retract the
headrest 72 toward the top of the seat back 14.
[0037] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not
intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the
invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of
description rather than limitation, and it is understood that
various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various
implementing embodiments may be combined to form further
embodiments of the invention.
* * * * *