Infinite adjustment mechanism for a head restraint

Abstract

A head restraint for a seat being adjustable in a vertical direction, and angularly adjustable with regard to lateral portions of the head restraint. A mechanism providing this adjustability is a linear and rotational locking mechanism with a shaft and a slide. The slide is selectively slidably and rotatably mounted on the shaft. The slide has a locked state which linearly and rotationally fixes the slide on, and with respect to, the shaft. The slide has a release state where the slide is linearly and rotatably movable on the shaft. The slide is fixable in a plurality of linear and rotational positions on the shaft in the locked state. The number of linear and rotational positions on the shaft is considered infinite since for all practical purposes, the slide is not restricted to individual discrete positions, but is continuously adjustable to practically any linear and rotational position.

Claims

1. A head restraint assembly for a seat, the head restraint assembly comprising: a linear and rotational locking mechanism with a shaft and a slide, said slide being selectively slidably and rotatably mounted on said shaft, said slide having a locked state which linearly and rotationally fixes said slide on, and with respect to, said shaft, said slide having a release state where said slide is linearly and rotatably movable on said shaft, said slide being fixable in a plurality of linear and rotational positions on said shaft in said locked state; an attachment device on said slide of said locking mechanism, said attachment device being adapted to mount to a portion of the seat; a head restraint portion mounted on said shaft of said locking mechanism, said head restraint portion, said shaft, said slide, and said attachment device being arranged to position said head restraint portion in a head area of an occupant of the seat, said locking mechanism fixing said head restraint portion into a plurality of linear and rotational positions with respect to the seat in the head area of the occupant.

2. A head restraint assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said slide of said locking mechanism is rotatable around an axial direction of said shaft; said slide of said locking mechanism is linearly movable along the axial direction of said shaft.

3. A head restraint assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said attachment device arranges an axial axis of said shaft in a predominately vertical position.

4. A head restraint assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said attachment device arranges an axial axis of said shaft along a predominately axial position of a seat back of the seat.

5. A head restraint assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein: another linear and rotational locking mechanism with another shaft and another slide, said another slide being selectively slidably and rotatably mounted on said another shaft, said another slide having a release state which linearly and rotationally fixes said another slide on, and with respect to, said another shaft, said another slide having a release state where said another slide is linearly and rotatably movable on said another shaft, said another slide being fixable in a plurality of linear and rotational positions on said another shaft in said locked state; another attachment device on said another slide of said another locking mechanism, said another attachment device being adapted to mount to the portion of the seat; another head restraint portion mounted on said shaft of said another locking mechanism, said another head restraint portion, said another shaft, said another slide, and said another attachment device being arranged to position said another head restraint portion in the head area of the occupant of the seat, said another locking mechanism fixing said another head restraint portion into a plurality of linear and rotational positions with respect to the seat in the head area of the occupant.

6. A head restraint assembly in accordance with claim 5, further comprising: a user interface selectively switching said locking mechanism and said another mechanism into said locked state by a single action.

7. A head restraint assembly in accordance with claim 5, further comprising: a user interface substantially simultaneously and selectively switching said locking mechanism and said another locking mechanism into said locked state.

8. A head restraint assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein: said user interface includes a cable performing said single action.

9. A head restraint assembly in accordance with claim 5, further comprising: a synchronous mechanism connecting said two head restraint portions and synchronizing rotation of said head restraint portion with said another head restraint portion.

10. A head restraint assembly in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: another head restraint portion pivotally mounted on said attachment device, a synchronous mechanism connecting said two head restraint portions and synchronizing rotation of said head restraint portion with said another head restraint portion, said another head restraint portion and said attachment device being arranged to position said another head restraint portion in the head area of the occupant of the seat, said locking mechanism and said synchronous mechanism fixing said two head restraint portions into a plurality of linear and rotational positions with respect to the seat in the head area of the occupant.

11. A head restraint assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein: said locking mechanism only rotationally fixes said slide to said shaft in a single rotational direction about said axial direction on said shaft in said locked state.

12. A head restraint assembly in accordance with claim 11, wherein: said single rotational direction is chosen to have said head restrain portion movable toward the head of the occupant regardless of the state of the locking mechanism.

13. A head restraint assembly in accordance with claim 10, wherein: said locking mechanism only rotationally fixes said slide to said shaft in a single rotational direction about said axial direction on said shaft in said locked state, said single rotational direction is chosen to have said two head restrain portions movable toward the head of the occupant regardless of the state of the locking mechanism.

14. A head restraint assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said slide is fixable in a continuous plurality of linear and rotational positions on said shaft in said locked state; said locking mechanism fixing said head restraint portion into a continuous plurality of linear and rotational positions with respect to the seat in the head area of the occupant.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat that can be disposed in a vehicle;

(2) FIG. 2 is a side view of a vehicle seat that can be disposed in a vehicle;

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a head restraint;

(4) FIG. 4 is a top sectional view of a head restraint in one pivotal or contour position;

(5) FIG. 5 is a top view of a head restraint in another pivotal or contour position;

(6) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the head restraint in the pivotal or contour position of FIG. 5;

(7) FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the head restraint mounted on a support in the pivotal or contour position of FIG. 4, and in a lowered vertical position;

(8) FIG. 7B is a back view of the head restraint in the position of FIG. 7A without the support;

(9) FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the head restraint mounted on a support in the pivotal or contour position of FIG. 5, and in a lowered vertical position;

(10) FIG. 8B is a back view of the head restraint in the position of FIG. 8A without the support;

(11) FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the head restraint mounted on a support in the pivotal or contour position of FIG. 4, and in a raised vertical position;

(12) FIG. 9B is a back view of the head restraint in the position of FIG. 9A without the support;

(13) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the linear locking mechanism in one end position;

(14) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the linear locking mechanism in another end position;

(15) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the slide of the linear locking mechanism in the locked position;

(16) FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the slide of the linear locking mechanism in the released position;

(17) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of two linear locking mechanisms mounted to the back of the front surface of the head restraint;

(18) FIG. 15 is a back view of two linear locking mechanisms mounted to the back of the front surface of the head restraint;

(19) FIG. 16 is a sectional view along the line XVI-XVI in FIG. 15;

(20) FIG. 17 is a sectional view along the line XVII-XVII in FIG. 15;

(21) FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the cable release connected to the linear locking mechanisms in the locked state;

(22) FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the cable release connected to the linear locking mechanisms in the unlocked state;

(23) FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an embodiment with a single linear locking mechanism mounted to the back of the front surface of the head restraint in the lower vertical position; and

(24) FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the embodiment with a single linear locking mechanism mounted to the back of the front surface of the head restraint in the raised vertical position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(25) Referring to the drawings in particular, the seat 1 includes a seat cushion 2, a seat back 4, and a head restraint or headrest 10. All of these components are directly or indirectly connected to the vehicle through mounts 14. The head restraint 10 is movably mounted on a support 12 which is connected to the mounts 14.

(26) The head restraint 10 includes an adjustment mechanism with at least one of a vertical adjustment and a contour, or wing/lateral portion, adjustment in order to adjust the vertical position and/or the contour or wing/lateral portion position of a frame, or head restraint portion, 31 (shown in FIG. 3) of the head rest 10. The vertical adjustment allows the vertical position or height of the frame 31 to be adjusted relative to the seat back 4. The contour adjustment allows the curvature or contour of the frame 31 to be adjusted.

(27) The frame 31 may include trim, foam, padding, and/or other protective or decorative members. A front side of the frame 31 may be configured to support and/or contact a head of a passenger/seat occupant. A back side of the frame 31 may be configured to attach to a portion of the seat 1, such as a seat support 12.

(28) The frame 31 includes a center portion 35, a first lateral side portion, or wing, 32, and a second lateral side portion, or wing, 33 that are adjustable relative to the center portion 35 and to each other substantially about, or symmetrical with a center axis 36. The center axis 36 may be substantially vertical (e.g., extending along the z-axis) and disposed substantially at the middle or a center portion of the frame 31 for equal adjustment of the first and second lateral portions 32 and 33, and a smaller overall package of the frame 31. The center axis 36 can also be somewhat parallel to the plane of the seat back 4 so that it provides better comfort to the occupant.

(29) As shown in FIG. 3, while the first and second wings/lateral portions 32 and 33 pivot substantially about/symmetrical to the center axis 36, their precise pivot axes can be slightly offset from the center axis 36. In particular, the first lateral portion 32 can pivot about axis 36L, and the second lateral portion 33 can pivot about axis 36R. This slight offset of the pivot axes 36L and 36R can allow the frame 31 to include the center portion 35 that is positioned between the first and second lateral portions 32 and 33. The center portion 35 may provide additional support and/or an attachment area for the first and second lateral portions 32 and 33.

(30) The head restraint 10 and the first and second lateral portions 32 and 33 are shown in FIG. 4 in the flat or rearward position. In FIG. 5, the head restraint 10, and the first and second lateral portions 32 and 33 are shown at an angle of less than 180 between each other, or in a more forward position. The forward or angled position shown in FIG. 5 is beneficial for at least two reasons. One reason is that the angled position helps to prevent left and right, or lateral, movement of the occupant's head. Another reason is that depending on the angle of the lateral portions 32 and 33, the head of the occupant can be positioned adjustable in the fore and aft direction. When the lateral portions 32 and 33 are in the flat or rearward position, the head is positioned as far back as it can go. As the lateral portions 32 and 33 are angularly moved closer and closer together, the position of the head moves forward as the space between the lateral portions 32 and 33 becomes smaller in the area of the center portion 35. This places the contact between the head and the head restraint 10 further forward.

(31) In addition to the lateral portions 32 and 33 moving from a flat to an angular position as shown in FIGS. 7A and 8A, is also desirable for the head restraint 10 to be able to move linearly along the axis 36. The head restraint 10 can position the axis of the shaft 36 in a predominately vertical position for vertical linear movement, i.e. up-and-down. The head restraint 10 can also be arranged to have the axis of the shaft 36 be along a predominately axial position of the seat back 4 of the seat 1, if that would be more comfortable for the occupant. In FIGS. 7A and 8A, the head restraint 10 is in a lower, or lowest, position. In FIG. 9A, the head restraint 10 is in an upper, or highest, position, especially with respect to the support 12. The height of the head restraint is preferably infinitely, or continuously, adjustable to any position between the lowest and the highest position. Likewise the lateral portions 32 and 33 are preferably infinitely angularly adjustable between the flat rearward position and a smallest angled/forward position.

(32) In the rearward direction from the front surface of the head restraint 10, or arranged behind the front surface, are the mechanisms for allowing the head restraint to move vertically, and for the lateral portions 32 and 33 to move angularly, as shown in FIGS. 7B, 8B and 9B. A user interface 40 is preferably mounted on the head restraint 10 to lock and unlock the head restraint 10 in one of the infinite vertical and angular positions. The mechanisms providing the guiding/allowing of the linear and angular movement and the locking/unlocking are described further herein, and with reference to further drawings.

(33) One of the mechanisms involved in the head restraint 10, is linear and rotational locking mechanism 16, as especially shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The linear and rotational locking mechanism 16 includes a shaft, or rod, 18 and a slide, or housing, 20. The slide 20 is selectively movable along the shaft 18 in a linear directions 22, 28 and in rotational directions 24, 30. In FIG. 10, the slide 20 is shown in one linear position on the shaft 18 which is towards the left, and could be the left most position. In FIG. 11, the slide is shown in a more rightwards position with respect to linear direction 22 of the shaft 18. The slide 20 can also selectively rotate about the shaft 18 in the rotational direction 24. This particular linear and rotational locking mechanism 16 is advantageous in that it does not require a separate track and/or rotational bearing to provide and support movement in the linear and rotational directions. The slide 20 and shaft 18 provide these guiding functions the linear and rotational directions in addition to the locking and releasing functions.

(34) Incorporated into the slide 20 is a selection arm 26, which is movable between two positions, the locked position as shown in FIG. 12, and the release or movable position as shown in FIG. 13. In the release position, the slide 20 is free to move on the shaft 18 in both linear directions 22, 28 and both rotational directions 24, 30. The locked position of the selection arm 26 locks the slide 20 on the shaft 18 in both of the linear directions 22, 28. The locked position of the selection arm 26 also locks the slide 20 on the shaft 18 in one of the rotational directions 24, 30. A linear locking mechanism which locks in both rotational directions 24 and 30 could also be used.

(35) A linear and rotational locking mechanism 16 which locks in both linear directions 16, 28, and one of the rotational directions 24, 30 is preferred because such a linear locking mechanism 16 is simpler in design, more rugged in construction, and more economical to manufacture than many other linear locking mechanisms which lock in both linear and rotational directions. These linear and rotational locking mechanisms are often used in other fields for just their linear locking features. The characteristic of also selectively locking and unlocking in only one rotational direction is usually ignored, and considered unimportant.

(36) A preferred linear and rotational locking mechanism is manufactured by Porter Systems LLC having an address at 28700 Cabot Drive, Suite 800 Novi, Mich. 48377. This locking and rotational mechanism offers infinite adjustment because it uses the forces created from two torsional springs working in tandem with two bushings to lock on a solid shaft. These linear and rotational locking devices lock in only one direction rotationally because of the orientation of the torsional springs. These linear locking devices are described further in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,157,826, 5,794,470, 8,038,220, 5,794,470, 5,441,129, 5,219,045, 5,157,826, 5,150,771, 4,880,084, 4,577,730, 4,457,406, 4,425,987, 4,411,339, 3,874,480, 5,568,843, which are herein incorporated by reference. Other linear and rotational locking mechanism could be used.

(37) In one embodiment of the present invention, two linear and rotational locking mechanisms 16 are incorporated into the head restraint 10, as shown in FIG. 14. A bracket, or brackets, form an attachment device 34, and are fixed to the slides 20 of the two linear and rotational locking mechanisms 16. The bracket(s) is (are) then fixed to the support 12 in the installed state of the head restraint 10. The shafts 18 of the linear locking mechanism 16 are fixed to the lateral portions 33 and 32 by anti-rotation features 44 as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. These anti-rotation features 44 can be set screws, pins etc. that linearly and rotationally fix the respective lateral portion 32, 33 to the respective shaft 18. In this way, the lateral portions 32 and 33 move with the linear and rotational movement of the shafts 18 with respect to the slides 20. The angular movement of the lateral portions 32 and 33 are synchronized with each other by a synchronization connection 42 such as gear teeth. A synchronization connection 42 can be present at the top and bottom of the head restraint 10.

(38) The user interface 40 is preferably a paddle or lever which is mounted on one of the lateral portions 32, 33 and connected to a cable 38 which is connected to the slides 20 and the selection arm 26. When the user interface 40 is moved with respect to the respective lateral portion 32, 33 the cable 38 is activated to move the selection arm 26 relative to the slides 20 and change the position of the selection arm 26 between the release position and the locked position.

(39) Because the linear and rotational locking mechanism 16 may only selectively fix rotation in one direction, two linear locking mechanisms 16 are used in one embodiment. In FIG. 17 for example, the leftmost locking and rotational mechanism can be used to lock the leftmost shaft 18 and a corresponding lateral portion 32 in one rotational direction. Since the lateral portion 32 is synchronized with the opposite lateral portion 33 through the synchronization connection 42, this also prevents a rotation of lateral portion 33 in that one rotational direction. The rightmost locking and rotational mechanism 16 in FIG. 17 can be used to lock the rightmost shaft 18 and the corresponding lateral portion 33 in the other and opposite rotational direction. Then, again through the synchronization connection 42, the lateral portion 32 is also locked in that corresponding rotational direction. One linear and rotational locking mechanism 16 therefore locks the lateral portions 32, 33 in one of the fore and aft directions of the seat, and the other linear and rotational locking mechanism 16 locks the lateral portions 32, 33 in the other of the fore and aft directions of the seat.

(40) The cable 38 has one end connected to the user interface 40, and the other end connected to the slides 20 of the linear and rotational locking mechanisms 16. Preferably the cable 38 is a Bowden type with the inner cable 46 connected to the selection arms 26 and the outer cable 48 connected to the slides 20. When the user interface 40 is activated to pull the inner cable 46, this moves the selection arms 26 relative to the slides 20. Preferably, this puts both slides 20 in the release state at the same time, and allows the slides 20, and correspondingly the lateral portions 32, 33 to move in the linear directions 22, 28, as well as in the rotational directions 24 and 30 at the same time. When the user interface 40 is released, this preferably places the selection arms 26 in the locked position at the same time. The slides 20 as well as the corresponding lateral portions 32, 33 are then locked in the linear directions 22, 28 and the rotational directions 24, 26 at the same time. A single cable 38 can be used to control both linear and rotational locking mechanisms 16, and also control movement of lateral portions 32, 33 in linear directions 22, 28, and rotational directions 24, 30. There can be some flexing of the cable 38 during movement of the head restraint 10, and during operation of the user interface 40. Constraints can be added to the cable 38 to restrict this flexing during the motion of the head restraint 10, and even during motion of the vehicle when the seat 1 is used in a moving vehicle. This can also prevent unintended noise coming from movement of the cable 38.

(41) In another preferred embodiment, only a single linear and rotational locking mechanism 16 is used, as shown by example in FIGS. 20 and 21. In this embodiment, a linear and rotational locking mechanism 16 is only used on one of the lateral portions 32, 33. In the example of FIGS. 20 and 21, the linear and rotational locking mechanism 16 is only used on lateral portion 33. The lateral portion 32 is connected to a non-locking shaft 50 and a non-locking slide 52. The non-locking shaft 50 and slide 52 are directly non-locking to each other. Lateral portion 32 is fixed to non-locking shaft 50, and non-locking slide 52 is fixed to bracket 34. For fixing the angular position of lateral portion 32, the single linear locking and rotational mechanism 16 on the lateral portion 33 is used through the synchronization connection 42. Likewise fixing of the linear position is also done by the single linear locking and rotational mechanism 16 on lateral portion 33.

(42) The single linear and rotational locking mechanism 16 only locks, or blocks, the slide 20 and the lateral portion 33 in a single rotational direction. The other lateral portion 32 is correspondingly blocked in a corresponding rotational direction through the synchronization connection 42. The single rotational direction that is blocked in the this embodiment is chosen, so that the lateral portions 32 and 33 are prevented from moving rearward when the linear and rotational locking mechanism 16 is locked. This prevents the occupant's head from moving rearward and provides desired support. Usually there is no force applied to the lateral portions 32, 33 which would cause them to move in the forward direction by themselves. Where there is no force that would move the lateral portions 32, 33 forward unintendedly, a single linear locking mechanism 16 can be used to reduce costs, complexity, weight and space.

(43) The use of a single linear and rotational locking mechanism 16 and its blocking of a single rotational direction, allows the lateral portions 32 and 33 to be angularly adjusted in the other rotational direction without operating the user interface 40. If the unblocked rotational direction allows forward movement of the lateral portions 32, 33, then the occupant can increase the forward position of the head restraint 10 simply by moving either of the lateral portions 32 and 33. This increases the convenience of the head restraint 10.

(44) Pressing the user interface 40 allows the occupant to move the head restraint 10 up/down infinitely, return the lateral portions 32, 33 to the full rearward position, or move them to a more rearward position. The lateral portions 32, 33 can also be spring loaded rearward such as by torsional spring at shafts 18, 50 or an extension spring(s). Other possibilities are possible using known biasing elements. In this way, whenever the user interface 40 is activated, the lateral portions 32, 33 snap rearward.

(45) FIG. 20 shows the slides 20, 52 arranged on the shafts 18, 50 so that the head restraint 10 is in a lower, or lowest position relative to the seat. FIG. 21 shows the slides 20, 52 arranged on the shafts 18, 50 so that the head restraint 10 is in an upper or highest position relative to the seat. In particular, the bottom right portion of the head restraint 10 and center portion 35 in FIGS. 20 and 21 would be the portion arranged closest to the seat back 4, with the support 12 extending from the bracket 34 in a direction down and to the right in FIGS. 20 and 21.

(46) While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

(47) 1 seat 2 seat cushion 4 seat back 10 head restraint 12 support 14 mounts 16 linear locking mechanism 18 shaft 20 slide 22 first linear direction 24 first rotational direction 26 selection arm 28 second linear direction 30 second rotational direction 31 frame 32 first wing 33 second wing 34 bracket 35 center portion 36 center axis 38 cable 40 User interface 42 synchronization connection 44 anti-rotation features 46 inner cable 48 outer cable 50 non-locking shaft 52 non-locking slide