U.S. patent application number 14/609296 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-04 for headrest with retainer.
The applicant listed for this patent is Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.. Invention is credited to Lauren M. Abro, Angela Piculi.
Application Number | 20160221484 14/609296 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56553802 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160221484 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Abro; Lauren M. ; et
al. |
August 4, 2016 |
HEADREST WITH RETAINER
Abstract
The present disclosure describes both a headrest and a seat
including the headrest for use in a vehicle. The headrest is
configured to retain a user device and is mountable both in a
forward-facing orientation and a rearward-facing orientation
relative to the vehicle. The headrest can secure the user device
and allow a rear-facing passenger to view the user device from a
rear-facing car seat. Alternatively, the headrest can be mounted on
a seat directly in front of a front-facing passenger to allow the
front-facing passenger to view and manipulate the user device.
Inventors: |
Abro; Lauren M.; (Farmington
Hills, MI) ; Piculi; Angela; (Novi, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America,
Inc. |
Erlanger |
KY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56553802 |
Appl. No.: |
14/609296 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/879 20180201;
B60N 2/815 20180201; B60N 2/58 20130101; B60R 2011/0017 20130101;
B60R 11/0235 20130101; B60N 2/818 20180201 |
International
Class: |
B60N 2/48 20060101
B60N002/48; B60R 11/02 20060101 B60R011/02 |
Claims
1. A headrest for use in a vehicle, comprising: a first side
comprising a cushioned portion; a second side opposing the first
side; a retainer portion formed as an integral unit with the
headrest, the retainer portion overlaying at least a portion of the
second side, a pocket being defined between the retainer portion
and the second side, the pocket being configured to receive a user
device therein, the pocket including a plurality of sides, one of
the sides being open to allow the user device to be selectively
inserted into or removed from the pocket, the retainer portion
including an opening through which the user device is viewable; and
a mounting portion, the mounting portion including at least one
post extending from the headrest, wherein the headrest has a
forward-facing orientation with the first side facing forward
within the vehicle and a rearward-facing orientation with the
second side facing forward within the vehicle, whereby, in the
forward-facing orientation, the user device received in the pocket
is viewable to a front-facing passenger in a second seat located
behind the first seat, and whereby, in the rearward-facing
orientation, the user device received in the pocket is viewable to
a passenger in a rear-facing child seat supported on the first
seat.
2. The headrest of claim 1, wherein the retainer portion includes a
film extending substantially across at least the opening of the
retainer portion.
3. The headrest of claim 2, wherein the film is comprised of a
translucent material.
4. The headrest of claim 2, wherein the film is comprised of a
touch-sensitive material.
5-7. (canceled)
8. A seat for use in a vehicle, comprising: a backrest; and a
headrest mounted on the backrest, the headrest comprising: a first
side comprising a cushioned portion; a second side opposing the
first side; a retainer portion formed as an integral unit with the
headrest, the retainer portion overlaying at least a portion of the
second side, a pocket being defined between the retainer portion
and the second side, the pocket being configured to receive a user
device therein, the pocket including a plurality of sides, one of
the sides being open to allow the user device to be selectively
inserted into or removed from the pocket, the retainer portion
including an opening through which the user device is viewable; and
a mounting portion, the mounting portion including at least one
post extending from the headrest, the headrest being selectively
removable and mountable on the backrest in a forward-facing
orientation with the first side facing forward in the vehicle and a
rearward-facing orientation with the second side facing forward in
the vehicle, whereby, in the forward-facing orientation, the user
device received in the pocket is viewable to a front-facing
passenger in a second seat located directly behind the seat, and
whereby, in the rearward-facing orientation, the user device
received in the pocket is viewable to a passenger in a rear-facing
child seat supported on the seat.
9. The seat of claim 8, wherein the retainer portion includes a
film extending substantially across at least the opening of the
retainer portion.
10. The seat of claim 9, wherein the film is comprised of a
translucent material.
11. The seat of claim 9, wherein the film is comprised of a
touch-sensitive material.
12-13. (canceled)
14. The seat of claim 8, wherein the seat is any one of a second
row seat and a third row seat.
15. A seat for use in a vehicle comprising: a base configured to
receive and support a rear-facing car seat; a backrest comprising
an engaging portion; and a headrest comprising: a first side
comprising a cushioned portion; a second side opposing the first
side; a retainer portion formed as an integral unit with the
headrest, the retainer portion overlaying at least a portion of the
second side, a pocket being defined between the retainer portion
and the second side, the pocket being configured to receive a user
device therein, the pocket having a plurality of sides, one of the
sides being open to allow the user device to be selectively
inserted into or removed from the pocket, the retainer portion
including an opening through which the user device is viewable; and
a mounting portion for securing the headrest to the engaging
portion of the backrest; the headrest being selectively removable
and mountable in a forward-facing orientation and a rearward-facing
orientation on the backrest, wherein, in the forward-facing
orientation, the first side faces the rear-facing car seat, whereby
the user device received in the pocket is viewable to a
front-facing passenger in a second seat located behind the seat,
and wherein, in the rearward-facing orientation, the second side
faces away from the rear-facing car seat, whereby the user device
received in the pocket is viewable to a passenger in the
rear-facing car seat.
16. The seat of claim 15, wherein the retainer portion of the
headrest includes a film extending substantially across at least
the opening of the retainer portion.
17. The seat of claim 16, wherein the film is comprised of a
translucent material.
18. The seat of claim 16, wherein the film is comprised of a
touch-sensitive material.
19. The seat of claim 15, wherein the mounting portion of the
headrest comprises at least one post extending from the headrest
into the engaging portion of the backrest.
20-22. (canceled)
23. The headrest of claim 1, wherein the second side is angled
relative to the at least one post at less than about 180
degrees.
24. The seat of claim 8, wherein the second side is angled relative
to the backrest at less than about 180 degrees when the headrest is
in the rearward-facing orientation.
25. The seat of claim 15, wherein the second side being angled
relative to the backrest at less than about 180 degrees when the
headrest is in the rearward-facing orientation.
26. The headrest of claim 1, wherein the headrest includes
upholstery, and wherein the retainer portion is formed as part of
the upholstery of the headrest.
27. The seat of claim 8, wherein the headrest includes upholstery,
and wherein the retainer portion is formed as part of the
upholstery of the headrest.
28. The seat of claim 15, wherein the headrest includes upholstery,
and wherein the retainer portion is formed as part of the
upholstery of the headrest.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a headrest for
use in a vehicle, and more specifically, to a reversible headrest
including a retainer portion configured to secure a user
device.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In many modern vehicles, passengers may want to operate user
devices in order to pass time. The user devices can be tablets,
cell phones, smartphones, MP3 players, DVD players, Blu-ray
players, and the like. However, it may be inconvenient for
passengers to hold on to user devices for long periods of time.
This can be especially problematic where the passenger is a young
child in a rear-facing car seat. Allowing a child to hold onto a
user device can result in the child dropping or damaging the user
device, distracting the driver, or creating a safety concern.
[0003] As more children at greater ages are required to ride in a
vehicle in a rearward-facing position, having a secure place to
mount a user device accessible to rear-facing children may be
advantageous both to the driver and the other passengers in the
vehicle.
SUMMARY
[0004] A headrest configured to secure a user device both in a
forward-facing and rearward-facing orientation and two embodiments
of a seat including the headrest are disclosed. The user device can
be secured in a retainer portion of the headrest. The headrest can
be mountable on a seat in a vehicle both in a forward-facing
orientation and a rearward-facing orientation relative to the
vehicle.
[0005] In one example, the headrest can include a first side
including a cushioned portion and a second side opposing the first
side including a retainer portion operative to secure a user
device. The headrest can have a forward-facing orientation with the
first side facing forward within the vehicle and a rearward-facing
orientation with the second side facing forward within the
vehicle.
[0006] In another example, a seat for use in a vehicle is
disclosed. The seat can include a backrest and a headrest. The
headrest can be mounted on the backrest. The headrest can include a
first side including a cushioned portion and a second side opposing
the first side including a retainer portion operative to secure a
user device. The headrest can have a forward-facing orientation
with the first side facing forward in the vehicle and a
rearward-facing orientation with the second side facing forward in
the vehicle.
[0007] In another example, a seat for use in a vehicle is
disclosed. The seat can include a base configured to receive and
support a rear-facing car seat. The seat can also include a
backrest including an engaging portion and a headrest. The headrest
can have a first side including a cushioned portion, a second side
including a retainer portion and opposing the first side, and a
mounting portion for securing the headrest to the engaging portion
of the backrest. The headrest can have a forward-facing orientation
where the first side faces the rear-facing car seat and a
rearward-facing orientation where the second side faces the
rear-facing car seat.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The description herein makes reference to the accompanying
drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts
throughout the several views, and wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a top view of a vehicle;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a seat in the vehicle of
FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a headrest of the seat of FIG.
2;
[0012] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of
the headrest of FIG. 3;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a backside perspective view of the headrest of
FIG. 3;
[0014] FIG. 6 is an alternative backside perspective view of the
headrest of FIG. 3 including a user device; and
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the seat of FIG. 2 including
the headrest of FIG. 5 and a rear-facing car seat.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The present disclosure describes a headrest for use in a
vehicle configured to retain a user device and operable both in a
forward-facing orientation and a rearward-facing orientation
relative to the vehicle. In the rearward-facing orientation, the
headrest can secure the user device and allow a rear-facing
passenger, such as a child in a rear-facing car seat, to view and,
optionally, manipulate, the user device secured in the headrest.
Alternatively, in the forward-facing orientation, the headrest can
be installed in a seat directly in front of a passenger, such as an
older child in a front-facing car seat or booster, to allow the
front-facing passenger to view and manipulate the user device.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, a top-view of a vehicle 10 is shown. An
interior of the vehicle 10 can be divided into several sections,
both laterally and longitudinally, based on a location respective
to a steering wheel 12. The interior can be divided laterally into
a first row 14, a second row 16, and a third row 18. Additionally,
the interior can be divided longitudinally into a driver's side 20
and a passenger's side 22. Thus, each section can be referred to by
its respective lateral and longitudinal section. For example, the
section directly behind the driver's seat can be referred to as the
second row 16 driver's side 20.
[0018] Each section can include at least one seat 24. In the
example of FIG. 1, there are two seats 24 in the first row 14, two
seats 24 in the second row 16, and two seats 24 having a common
bench base in the third row 18. Thus, in this example, there are at
least four positions where a rear-facing passenger could be seated
within a car seat: the second row 16 driver's side 20, the third
row 18 driver's side 20, the second row 16 passenger's side 22, and
the third row 18 passenger's side 22. Other seating configurations
are also possible.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of the seat 24
in the vehicle 10 is shown, for example, as located in either the
second row 16 or the third row 18 as described in FIG. 1. The seat
24 can include a base 26, a backrest 28, and a headrest 30. The
base 26 can be operative to support, for example, a passenger, a
car seat, groceries, or any other objects that can be located on a
seat 24. The backrest 28 can support a passenger's upper body in a
comfortable position when seated in a forward-facing orientation.
The headrest 30 can support the passenger's head and neck when
seated in a forward-facing orientation.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 3, an exploded view of the headrest 30
of the seat 24 is shown. The headrest 30 can include a mounting
portion 32, a first side 34, and a second side 36. The mounting
portion 32 can support the headrest 30 in a fixed position. The
mounting portion 32 can include at least one post 38 extending from
the headrest 30 in order to attach the headrest 30 to the backrest
28 of the seat 24. FIG. 3 shows the mounting portion 32 having two
posts 38. The two posts 38 in this example can be mechanically
aligned and selectively inserted into engaging portions 40 on the
backrest 28 of the seat 24. The posts 38 can pass through openings
42 in the engaging portions 40 and lock into place when at least
one notch 44 on the surface of each post 38 is engaged by a spring
arm 46 positioned in the respective engaging portions 40. The
spring arms 46 can be disengaged from the respective notches 44 via
a release button 48. Here, a single release button 48 is shown,
though other locking and unlocking mechanisms are also
possible.
[0021] The first side 34 of the headrest 30 can include a cushioned
portion 50. The cushioned portion 50 can be comprised of any one of
stiff foam, softer foam, gel, feathers, or any other means of
forming a cushioned surface for use in supporting a passenger's
head and neck. When a passenger is seated on the seat 24 in a
front-facing position, the first side 34 of the headrest 30 can
face forward relative to the interior of the vehicle 10, that is,
the headrest 30 can have a forward-facing orientation. In this
configuration, the head and neck of the passenger may be supported
both for comfort and safety reasons while the passenger is
seated.
[0022] The headrest 30, including the mounting portion 32, can be
symmetrical along an axis A-A. The headrest 30, in being
symmetrical about the axis A-A, can be mounted both in the
forward-facing orientation described above and a rearward-facing
orientation relative to the interior of the vehicle 10. For
example, when the headrest 30 is positioned on the second row 16
driver's side 20 seat 24, the first side 34 of the headrest 30 can
face the first row 14 in the forward-facing orientation.
Alternatively, the second side 36 of the headrest 30 can be
positioned to face the first row 14, this being consistent with the
rearward-facing orientation for the headrest 30.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 4, an exploded view of an alternative
embodiment of the headrest 30 is shown. The headrest 30 again
includes the mounting portion 32, the first side 34, and the second
side 36. In this example, the mounting portion 32 includes a single
post 38. The single post 38 passes through the opening 42 of the
engaging portion 40 in order to attach the headrest 30 to the
backrest 28 of the seat 24. The headrest 30, including the mounting
portion 32, is symmetrical about the A-A axis, allowing the
headrest 30 to be inserted into the backrest 28 of the seat 24 both
in the forward-facing orientation and the rearward-facing
orientation
[0024] The headrest 30 may be selectively mounted to the backrest
28 by inserting the single post 38 into the opening 42 of the
engaging portion 40 of the backrest 28 of the seat 24. The at least
one notch 44 on the surface of the single post 38 may be engaged by
the spring arm 46. The spring arm 46 may be disengaged from the at
least one notch 44 and the headrest 30 removed when the release
button 48 is selected. Any means of mounting the headrest 30 known
in the art is contemplated in the present disclosure, so long as
the headrest 30 is capable of being mounted both in the
forward-facing orientation and the rearward-facing orientation.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 5, a backside perspective view of the
headrest 30 of FIG. 3 is shown. The second side 36 of the headrest
30 can oppose the first side 34. Also, the second side 36 can
include a retainer portion 52. The retainer portion 52 can be a
pocket or a series of smaller pockets positioned on the perimeter
of the second side 36 of the headrest 30. The retainer portion 52
can be secured or bonded to the second side 36 of the headrest 30
via any one of adhesive, stitching, stapling, or any other means of
bonding. As shown in this example, the retainer portion 52 can
include two side portions 54 and a bottom portion 56, each of the
individual portions 54, 56 serving as part of a larger singular
pocket.
[0026] The retainer portion 52 can also include a film 58. The film
58 can cover an opening 60 between the side portions 54 and the
bottom portion 56. The film 58 can be comprised of a translucent
material. As used here, translucent can include translucent,
semi-transparent, and transparent. Additionally, the film 58 can be
comprised of a touch-sensitive material. By touch-sensitive
material, it is contemplated that the material can be configured to
receive touch gestures from a user and allow the user to operate a
user device. A touch gesture can include a physical touch by the
user, or any other means, such as non-touch motion, meant to
operate the user device.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternative backside perspective
view of the headrest 30 of FIG. 3 including a user device 62 is
shown. The user device 62 can be, but is not limited to, a tablet,
a cell phone, a smartphone, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a Blu-ray
player, and the like. In use, the retainer portion 52 can be
stretched or pulled open by a passenger, and the passenger can
insert or slide the user device 62 into the opening 60 between the
retainer portion 52 and the second side 36 of the headrest 30. Once
the user device 62 is positioned within the retainer portion 52,
the user device 62 is secured against the headrest 30 for safety
and convenience. The passenger can then view and manipulate the
user device 62 while it is secured in the retainer portion 52
through the opening 60 and, optionally, through the film 58 if the
film 58 is present across the retainer portion 52.
[0028] The film 58 can extend substantially across the retainer
portion 52. The film 58 can extend between the side portions 54 and
down to the bottom portion 56, where a screen 64 on the user device
62 is viewable or substantially viewable by the user through the
opening 60. Again, the film 58 is optional and may be omitted where
the user device 62 is sized substantially the same as the retainer
portion 52. When present, the film 58 can be permanently attached
to the retainer portion 52, or the film 58 can be removable from
the retainer portion 52 by a passenger. The film 58 can also retain
the user device 62 where the user device 62 is smaller than or up
to the same size as the opening 60.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 7, a perspective view of the seat 24
of FIG. 2 including the headrest 30 and a rear-facing car seat 66
is shown. As stated above, the seat 24 includes the base 26, the
backrest 28, and the headrest 30. The headrest 30 can have a
forward-facing orientation and a rearward-facing orientation. The
forward-facing orientation can be designed for the first side 34 of
the headrest 30 to face forward relative to the orientation of the
seat 24 within the vehicle 10. The rearward-facing orientation can
be designed for the second side 36 of the headrest 30 to face
forward relative to orientation of the seat 24. Note here that, in
FIG. 7, the headrest 30 is mounted in the rearward-facing
orientation, whereas in FIG. 2, the headrest 30 is mounted in the
forward-facing orientation.
[0030] The seat 24 also includes the rear-facing car seat 66
mounted on the base 26. The rearward-facing orientation of the
headrest 30 is such that the second side 36 of the headrest 30
faces the rear-facing car seat 66. The rear-facing car seat 66 can
be secured to the base 26 of the seat 24 using anchors 68
positioned on opposing sides of the rear-facing car seat 66. When a
rearward-facing passenger is occupying the rear-facing car seat 66,
he or she can view and interact with the user device 62, for
example, viewing the screen 64 on the user device 62 while the user
device 62 is secured in the headrest 30.
[0031] In an alternative embodiment, the rear-facing car seat 66
can instead be a front-facing car seat or a seated passenger. Here,
the headrest 30 can be positioned in the forward-facing orientation
on a different seat 24 so that a passenger seated in the seat 24
can view the user device 62 on the headrest 30 positioned on a seat
24 directly in front of him or her. Referring to FIG. 1 for an
example, a passenger seated in the third row 18 driver's side 20
seat 24 can view a user device 62 secured in the headrest 30 of the
second row 16 driver's side 20 seat 24 when the headrest 30 has a
forward-facing orientation.
[0032] The foregoing description relates to what are presently
considered to be the most practical embodiments. It is to be
understood, however, that the disclosure is not to be limited to
these embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover
various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within
the spirit and scope of the claims, which scope is to be accorded
the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such
modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the
law.
* * * * *