U.S. patent application number 14/602972 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-28 for seat headrest.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sergio Millan. Invention is credited to Sergio Millan.
Application Number | 20160214513 14/602972 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56381503 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160214513 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Millan; Sergio |
July 28, 2016 |
SEAT HEADREST
Abstract
An adjustable headrest that provides both support and comfort to
the user and one that can be used in connection with various types
of passenger vehicles. The headrest includes slide mechanisms for
permitting easy height adjustment of the headrest and also includes
an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the headrest forwardly and
rearwardly. Further, the headrest includes easily adjustable,
wing-like, side-support members that are pivotally connected to a
centrally located, vertically adjustable head support member by
means of specially designed hinges.
Inventors: |
Millan; Sergio; (Santa Fe
Springs, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Millan; Sergio |
Santa Fe Springs |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56381503 |
Appl. No.: |
14/602972 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/885 20180201;
B60N 2/824 20180201; B60N 2/838 20180201 |
International
Class: |
B60N 2/48 20060101
B60N002/48 |
Claims
1. A seat headrest assembly interconnectable with a seat
comprising: (a) a connector member; and (b) a support assembly
connected to said connector member, said support assembly
comprising: (i) a first support panel; (ii) a second support panel
pivotally connected to said first support panel for enabling said
second support panel to be disposed at varying angular positions
relative to said first support panel; (iii) a shaft connected to a
selected one of said first and second support panels, said shaft
having a detent; and (iv) a band connected to the other of said
first and second support panels, said band including a portion
wrapped about said shaft, said portion including a detent engaging
segment engagable with said detent, said detent engaging segment
comprising a flat formed upon said portion wrapped about said
shaft.
2. The seat headrest as defined in claim 1 in which said headrest
assembly further comprises: (a) a plurality of rollers connected to
said first support panel; and (b) an elongated guide connected to
said connector member and disposed in rollable engagement with said
plurality of rollers for movement between a first lowered position
and a second elevated position.
3. The seat headrest assembly as defined in claim 2 in which said
headrest assembly further comprises a resistance imparting assembly
connected to said central support panel for yieldably resisting
movement of said headrest assembly between said first lowered
position and said second elevated position.
4. The seat headrest assembly as defined in claim 3, in which said
resistance imparting assembly comprises a spring connected to said
first support panel proximate said rollers.
5. The seat headrest assembly as defined in claim 3 in which said
first support panel is pivotally connected to said elongated guide
for movement between a first position and a second position.
6. The seat headrest assembly as defined in claim 3 in which said
plurality of rollers comprise two transversely spaced apart sets of
grooved rollers connected to said first support panel.
7. The seat headrest assembly as defined in claim 6 further
comprising a transversely extending connector member connected to
and spanning said two transversely spaced apart sets of
rollers.
8. A seat headrest assembly interconnectable with an aircraft seat
comprising: (a) a mounting assembly, including a connector member;
and (b) a support assembly connected to said mounting assembly,
said support assembly comprising: (i) a central support panel; and
(ii) first and second side panels, each connected to said central
support panel by a hinge assembly, said hinge assembly comprising:
a. a shaft having a detent; and b. a band rotatably carried by said
shaft, said band having a detent engaging segment engageable with
said detent of said shaft to prevent rotation of said band relative
to said shaft said detent engaging segment comprising a flat formed
on said band.
9. The seat headrest assembly as defined in claim 8 in which said
mounting assembly further includes an elongated guide connected to
said connector member and in which said headrest assembly further
comprises a plurality of rollers connected to said central support
panel, said elongated guide being disposed in rolling engagement
with said plurality of rollers for movement between a first lowered
position and a second elevated position.
10. The seat headrest assembly as defined in claim 9 in which said
plurality of rollers comprise two transversely spaced apart sets of
grooved rollers connected to said central support panel.
11. The seat headrest assembly as defined in claim 10 in which said
elongated guide includes oppositely disposed guide rails engageable
by said plurality of grooved rollers.
12. The seat headrest assembly as defined in claim 10, further
comprising a transversely extending connector member connected to
and spanning said two transversely spaced apart sets of grooved
rollers.
13. The seat headrest assembly as defined in claim 10 in which said
headrest assembly further comprises a resistance imparting assembly
connected to said central support panel, said resistance imparting
assembly yieldably resisting movement of said headrest assembly
between said first lowered position position and said second
elevated position.
14. The seat headrest as defined in claim 13, in which said
resistance imparting assembly comprises a generally T-shaped leaf
spring connected to said central support panel proximate said
rollers.
15. The seat headrest as defined in claim 13 in which said central
support panel and each of said first and second side panels are
provided with a plurality of spaced apart, weight reduction
apertures.
16. A seat headrest assembly interconnectable with a seat
comprising: (a) a mounting assembly comprising a connector member
and an elongated guide connected to said connector member; and (b)
a support assembly connected to said elongated guide, said support
assembly comprising: (i) a central support panel; and (ii) first
and second side panels, each connected to said central support
panel by a hinge assembly, said hinge assembly comprising: a. a
shaft having a pair of circumferentially spaced flats; and b. a
band rotatably carried by said shaft, said band having a flat
engageable with said pair of circumferentially spaced flats of said
shaft to prevent rotation of said band relative to said shaft.
17. The seat headrest assembly as defined in claim 16 in which said
headrest assembly is pivotally connected to said elongated guide
for pivotal movement between first and second positions.
18. The seat headrest assembly as defined in claim 17 in which said
headrest assembly further comprises a plurality of rollers
connected to said central support panel, said elongated guide being
disposed in rolling engagement with said plurality of rollers for
movement between a first lowered position and a second elevated
position.
19. The seat headrest assembly as defined in claim 18 in which said
headrest assembly further comprises a resistance imparting assembly
connected to said central support panel, said resistance imparting
assembly yieldably resisting movement of said headrest assembly
between said first lowered position position and said second
elevated position.
20. The seat headrest assembly as defined in claim 19, in which
said resistance imparting assembly comprises a generally T-shaped
leaf spring connected to said central support panel proximate said
rollers.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT
DISC
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates generally to headrests for
seats. More particularly, the invention concerns a fully adjustable
headrest for use in connection with furniture and with passenger
vehicles such as aircraft, trains and busses.
[0006] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art
[0007] Various types of headrests for use in passenger vehicles
have been suggested in the past. As the general rule, these
headrests are designed primarily to satisfy safety aspects rather
than to provide a comfortable seating posture. Typically, the prior
art vehicle headrests comprise only a vertically adjustable head
support panel designed to provide protection against injury in the
event of an accident. However, some vehicle headrests have also
been provided with lateral headrest elements. Exemplary of such a
headrest is that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,091 issued to
Rech et al.
[0008] Even more complex headrests have been designed for use in
military aircraft and, more particularly in military aircraft for
use in conjunction with ejection seats. Typical of this class of
headrest design are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,883,243 and
U.S. Pat. No. 4,899, 961 both issued to Herndon. Another such
headrest design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,466,662 issued to
McDonald et al.
[0009] In addition to the development of headrests for use in
military aircraft, significant advances have been made in recent
years in the design of headrests for use in commercial aircraft.
Exemplary of such headrests are those described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,250,716, 6,467,846, 6,666,517, 7,040,705, 7264,313 and 7,364,239
issued to Clough.
[0010] As will become clear from the discussion that follows, the
headrest of the present invention represents a substantial
improvement over the prior art headrests and provides significantly
greater ease of adjustability and therefore greater support and
comfort to the user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front view of one form of the seat headrest
apparatus of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the seat headrest apparatus shown
in FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged, generally perspective,
exploded view of the area designated in FIG. 1 as 3-3.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged, generally perspective,
exploded view of the area designated in FIG. 3 as 4-4 showing the
construction of one form of the friction detent hinge of the seat
headrest apparatus.
[0015] FIG. 4A is a greatly enlarged view taken along lines 4A- 4A
of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 4B is a view similar to FIG. 4A, but showing the
friction detent hinge moved from a first, at rest position, to a
second position.
[0017] FIG. 4C is a view similar to FIG. 4B, but showing the
friction detent hinge moved from the second position to a third
position.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a generally perspective, exploded rear view of the
seat headrest shown in FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a generally perspective, exploded rear view of the
seat headrest shown in FIG. 5 illustrating the upward movement of
the headrest relative to the elongated guide of the apparatus.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a generally perspective, exploded rear view of the
seat headrest shown in FIG. 6 illustrating the manner of
interconnection of the seat connector plate of the apparatus to the
elongated guide.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a front view of an alternate form of seat headrest
apparatus of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a rear view of the alternate form of seat headrest
apparatus of the invention shown in FIG. 8.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a generally perspective, exploded rear view of
the alternate form of seat headrest shown in FIG. 9.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a front view of the alternate form of seat
headrest apparatus of the invention shown in FIG. 8 showing the
headrest assembly pivoted forwardly relative to the elongated guide
of the apparatus.
[0025] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view taken along lines 12-12 of FIG.
11.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0026] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
adjustable headrest that provides both support and comfort to the
user and can be used in connection with furniture including
household and office furniture and also in connection with various
types of passenger vehicles.
[0027] Another object of the invention is to provide a headrest of
the aforementioned character that includes slide means for
permitting easy height adjustment of the headrest and also includes
a friction imparting assembly for holding the headrest in a desired
elevated position.
[0028] Another object of the invention is to provide easily
adjustable, wing like, side support panels that are pivotally
connected to a centrally located, vertically adjustable head
support panel by means of novel friction hinges that include detent
features that permit the wing like side support panels of the
headrest to be locked into predetermined angular orientations.
[0029] Another object of the invention is to provide a seat
connector that can be readily connected to a vehicle seat.
[0030] Another object of the invention is to provide a headrest
construction of the class described that is of a simple
construction and one that can be inexpensively produced and
maintained.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2,
one form of the seat headrest of the invention is there illustrated
and generally designated by the numeral 14. The seat headrest here
comprises a support assembly 16 that includes a first, centrally
disposed head support panel 18, a second side panel 20 that is
connected to panel 18 by a novel friction hinge assembly 22 and a
third side panel 24 that is connected to central panel 18 by a
novel friction hinge assembly 22. To reduce the overall weight of
the headrest, central head support panel 18, as well as side panels
20 and 24, are each provided with a multiplicity of weight
reduction apertures 25.
[0032] As will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, side
panels 20 and 24 are pivotally movable from an at rest position
wherein they are substantially coplanar with the central head
support panel 18 to selected angularly extending forward positions.
When side panels 20 and 24 are pivoted into selected angularly
forward positions, they can provide a comfortable lateral support
to the passenger's head. As best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 of the
drawings, support assembly 16 is connected to a mounting assemblage
26 that here comprises an elongated guide 28 and a connector plate
30 that can be connected to a seat "S" by any suitable means such
as suitable connectors 33 (FIGS. 1 and 5). Elongated guide 28
includes oppositely disposed guide rails 28a that are adapted to be
rollably engaged by two sets of transversely spaced apart roller
assemblies 38 that are mounted on central head support panel 18.
The roller assemblies 38, each of which are of identical
construction, include grooved rollers 38a that roll along guide
rails 28a so that the headrest assembly 16 can be adjustably moved
upwardly and downwardly so as to enable the desired adjustment in
the height of the assembly. A transversely extending connector
member 40 spans the spaced apart rollers in the manner illustrated
in FIG. 5 and defines a guide channel 41 within which guide 28 is
disposed (see also FIG. 6). To reduce the overall weight of the
assembly, connector plate 30 is provided with a multiplicity of
weight reduction apertures 31.
[0033] Forming an important aspect of the headrest assembly of this
latest form of the invention is a resistance imparting assembly for
imparting resistance to the movement of headrest assembly 16
upwardly and downwardly relative to guide 28. In the present form
of the invention, this novel resistance imparting assembly
comprises a uniquely configured, generally T-shaped leaf spring
designated in the drawings by the numeral 43. As best seen in FIGS.
3 and 4, spring 43 includes a transverse connector portion 43a that
is affixed to central head support panel 18 and a downwardly
extending, curved central portion 43b that extends into channel 41.
When the headrest assembly 16 is mounted on guide 28 in the manner
shown in FIG. 5, the curved central portion 43b of the spring will
be yieldably deformed so that it is brought into pressural
engagement with the guide. With this construction, as the headrest
assembly is moved upwardly and downwardly, the central portion 43b
of the spring will frictionally engage the surface of the guide 28
and will yieldably resist sliding movement of headrest assembly 16
relative to the guide.
[0034] Referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the
friction hinge assemblies 22 of this embodiment of the invention
can be seen to comprise an elongated, generally cylindrical shaped
shaft 42 and first and second bands 44 and 46 that are rotatably
carried by shaft 42 (see FIG. 3). Importantly, shaft 42 is provided
with a pair of circumferentially spaced detents, or flats 42a and
42b (FIGS. 4 and 4A). As used herein, the term "detent" means a
device for positioning and holding one part in relation to another
in a manner such that the device can be released by force applied
to one of the parts.
[0035] First and second bands 44 and 46 of each of the hinge
assemblies 22 are connected to central panel 18 by suitable
connectors "C", while one of the shafts 42 of the hinge assemblies
22 is connected to the side panel 20 and the other of the shafts is
connected to the side panel 24. As best seen in FIG. 3 of the
drawings, the shafts 42 are connected to the side panels by means
of connector leaves 48 and suitable connectors 49.
[0036] Importantly, band 44 of each of the hinge assemblies is
provided with a detent engaging segment, or flat 50 that, as the
band is rotated, is engageable with a selected one of the detents
42a and 42b of shaft 42 to prevent rotation of the band relative to
the shaft. This novel detent feature of the friction hinges allows
the user to feel the hinge snap into position when the hinge is
rotated to a certain angle. More particularly, when the band is
rotated around the shaft to the point where the detent engaging
segment aligns with the detent on the shaft, the hinge snaps into
place giving the user a positive indication that the hinge is in a
selected position. The strength and feel of the detent feature is
dependent on various factors including the depth of the flat on
both the shaft and the band, the size of the shaft, the thickness
of the band material, the hardness on both the shaft and the band,
the type of grease used, the type of surface treatment done on the
shaft and the band and the amount of interference between the shaft
and the band. Hinge assemblies 22 are readily commercially
available from Hanaya Inc. of Ponte Vedra, Fla.
[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 4A of the drawings, when the central
panel 18 and the side panels are disposed in an at rest, coplanar
configuration, the flat 50 on the band 44 resides in engagement
with the cylindrical surface of the shaft 42. It is to be noted
that FIGS. 4A through 4C of the drawings show only part of central
panel 18 and side panel 24 and illustrate only the angular
adjustment of side panel 24. However, it is to be understood that
the angular adjustment of side panel 20 is accomplished in exactly
the same manner as the angular adjustment of side panel 24.
Referring particularly to FIG. 4A, when the side panel 24, along
with shaft 42 is rotated approximately 30 degrees into the position
shown in FIG. 4B, flat 50 on the band 44 will snap into engagement
with detent, or flat 42a on the shaft 42, thereby locking the side
panel into the angularly inwardly extending position. Further
rotation of the side panel, along with shaft 42, will cause the
flat 50 to move out of engagement with detent 42a and into the
position shown in FIG. 4C. In this position, the flat 50 on the
band will snap into engagement with detent, or flat 42b provided on
shaft thereby locking the side panel into the approximately 90
degree angularly inwardly extending position shown in FIG. 4C.
[0038] Referring next to FIGS. 8 through 12, an alternate form of
seat headrest of the invention is there illustrated and generally
designated by the numeral 54. This alternate form of the seat
headrest is similar in many respects that illustrated in FIGS. 1
through 7 and like numbers are used in FIGS. 8 through 12 to
identify like components. Seat headrest 54 here comprises a support
assembly 56 that includes a central head support member 58, a first
lateral, or side panel 20 that is connected to member 58 by a novel
friction hinge 22 and a second lateral, or side panel 24 that is
connected to central member 58 by a novel friction hinge 22. As
before, to reduce the weight of the central head support member 58,
and side panels 20 and 24, each is provided with a multiplicity of
weight reduction apertures 25.
[0039] As in the earlier described embodiment of the invention,
side panels 20 and 24 are pivotally movable from an at rest
position wherein they are substantially coplanar with the central
head support member 58 to selected angularly extending forward
positions. Angular movement of side panels 20 and 24 is
accomplished substantially identical manner to that described in
connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 7.
[0040] The primary difference between this latest embodiment of the
invention and that illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7 resides in the
fact that support assembly 56 is pivotally connected to a mounting
assembly 60 that is of a slightly different construction from
mounting assembly 26(FIG. 10). More particularly, support assembly
56 is pivotally connected to mounting assembly 60 by a
conventional, generally commercially available tilt hinge assembly
62 that includes a first leaf 62a that is connected to the front
surface of head support member 58 (see FIG. 8) and a second
connector assembly 62b that is connected to the rear surface of the
central panel (see FIG. 10). Tilt hinge assembly 62 includes a
shaft 63a and a pair of bands 63b.
[0041] Second connector assembly 62b is, connected to a connector
member 64 which forms a part of mounting assembly 60 (see FIG. 10).
As indicated in FIG. 10, connector member 64 is connected to a
connector member 66 which is, in turn, connected to an elongated
guide 68. Guide 68 is of similar construction to guide 28 and can
be connected to a seat "S" by any suitable means. Elongated guide
68 includes oppositely disposed guide rails 68a that are adapted to
be rollably engaged by two pairs of spaced apart roller assemblies
38 that are mounted on central head support member 58. The roller
assemblies 38, each of which are of identical construction, include
grooved rollers 38a that roll along guide rails 68a so that the
headrest assembly 56 can be adjustably moved upwardly and
downwardly so as to enable the desired adjustment in the height of
the assembly. A connector member 40 spans the spaced apart rollers
and defines a channel 71 within which guide 68 is disposed (see
also FIG. 9).
[0042] Forming an important aspect of the headrest assembly of this
latest form of the invention is a resistance imparting spring for
imparting resistance to the movement of headrest assembly 56
upwardly and downwardly relative to guide 68. As before, this novel
resistance imparting spring comprises a uniquely configured leaf
spring 43 that includes a transverse connector portion 43a that is
affixed to connector member 66 and a downwardly extending central
portion 43b that extends into channel 41. When the headrest
assembly 56 is mounted on guide 68 in the manner shown in the
drawings, the central portion 43b of the spring will be yieldably
deformed so that it is brought into pressural engagement with the
guide. With this construction, as the headrest assembly is moved
upwardly and downwardly, the central portion 43b of the spring will
frictionally engage the surface of the guide 68 and will yieldably
resist sliding movement of headrest assembly 56 relative to the
guide. As before, guide 68 is connected to a connector member 30
which is connected to seat "S" in the manner illustrated FIG.
12.
[0043] Having now described the invention in detail in accordance
with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this
art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in
the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet
specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications
may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention, as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *