Adjustable headrest for dental chairs

Claim 2

In combination, a backrest for a chair, said backrest having a generally vertical passage opening at the top thereof, a headrest equipped with a depending bar slidably received in said passage, said bar having a pair of opposite surfaces spaced substantially closer together than the corresponding dimension of said passage to permit limited tipping movement of said bar within the passage, said passage having at least one slipresistant member positioned for contact with one of said opposite surfaces of said bar when said bar is urged into engagement therewith, and spring means disposed within said passage and slidably engaging the other of said opposite surfaces of said bar to urge said one surface into frictional contact with said slipresistant member, said bar being releasable for vertical adjustment by manually tipping the same out of contact with said member.

Claim 3

The structure of claim 1 in which said slip-resistant member is disposed adjacent the top opening of said passage.

Claim 4

The structure of claim 2 in which at least one bearing element is secured within said passage at a substantial distance below said slip-resistant element for sliding pivotal engagement with said one side of said bar.

Claim 5

The structure of claim 3 in which said spring engages said bar at a point spaced below said slip-resistant member and above said bearing element.

Claim 6

The structure of claim 1 in which said member comprises a pad of resilient slip-resistant material.

Claim 7

The structure of claim 1 in which said bar is of substantially uniform cross section throughout its entire length.

Claim 8

The structure of claim 6 in which said bar is of generally rectangular cross section.

Claim 9

The structure of claim 1 in which handle means are provided by said headrest for manually gripping and shifting the same into selected positions of adjustment.

Claim 10

In combination, a backrest for a chair, said backrest having a generally vertical passage extending downwardly from an opening at the top thereof, a headrest equipped with a depending bar slidably received in said passage, said bar having front and rear surfaces spaced substantially closer together than the front-rear dimension of said passage to permit limited forward-rearward tipping movement of said bar within said passage, said passage having at least one slip-resistant member engagable with the rear surface of said bar, spring means disposed within said passage and slidably engaging the front surface of said bar to urge said rear surface into frictional engagement with said slip-resistant member, said headrest being releasable for vertical adjustment by manually tipping the upper portion thereof forwardly out of frictional contact with said slip-resistant member and thereafter sliding said bar within said passage.

Claim 11

In combination, a backrest for a chair, said backrest having a generally vertical passage extending downwardly from an opening at the top thereof, a headrest equipped with a depending bar slidably received in said passage, said bar having front and rear surfaces spaced substantially closer together than the front-rear dimension of said passage to permit limited forward-rearward tipping movement of said bar within said passage, said passage having at least one slip-resistant member engagable with the rear surface of said bar, spring means disposed within said passage and slidably engaging the front surface of said bar to urge said rear surface into frictional engagement with said slip-resistant member, said headrest being releasable for vertical adjustment by manually tipping the upper portion thereof forwardly out of frictional contact with said slip-resistant member and thereafter sliding said bar within said passage.

Claim 12

The structure of claim 9 in which said slip-resistant member is disposed adjacent the top opening of said passage.

Claim 13

The structure of claim 10 in which a second slip-resistant member is disposed within said passage adjacent the top opening thereof, said slip-resistant members being positioned to contact said bar at laterally-spaced contact points.

Claim 14

The structure of claim 10 in which said slip-resistant member is provided with a generally flat surface engagable with said bar.

Claim 15

The structure of claim 12 in which said member comprises a pad of resilient slip-resistant material.

Claim 16

The structure of claim 9 in which at least one bearing element is secured within said passage at a substantial distance below said slip-resistant member for sliding pivotal engagement with the rear surface of said bar.

Claim 17

The structure of claim 14 in which said spring engages said bar along said front surface at a point spaced below said slip-resistant member and above said bearing element.

Claim 18

The structure of claim 9 in which said bar is of generally rectangular cross section, said cross section being uniform along substantially the entire longitudinal extent of said bar.