US4720146A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle seat headrest apparatus and method
Assignee: Lear Corp
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Filing: 1986-08-28
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Granted: 1988-01-19
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Expires: 2006-08-28
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides an apparatus and method of utilization of the same of a vehicle seat headrest with an adjustable tilt provided by a pneumatic bladder captured between a headrest frame and a pivotally attached cushion support. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the present invention provides an artificially powered headrest also adjustable in a generally horizontal plane.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald W. Mawbey
- 👤 Robert L. Shinaberry, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:36
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/80; B60N2/806; B60N2/838; B60N2/853; B60N2/90; B60N2/914; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S297/00; Y10S297/03; Y10S297/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A vehicle seat headrest, said headrest in combination comprising: a frame connected to said vehicle seat; a cushion support for providing a surface of contact for a vehicle seat occupant, said cushion support being pivotally connected with said frame adjacent an upper end of said cushion support; and a first selectively inflatable pneumatic bladder captured between said cushion support and said frame whereby inflation of said pneumatic bladder causes said cushion support to be angularly displaced with respect to said frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A vehicle seat headrest, said headrest in combination comprising: a frame connected to said vehicle seat; a cushion support for providing a surface of contact for a vehicle seat occupant, said cushion support being pivotally connected with said frame adjacent an upper end of said cushion support; and a first selectively inflatable pneumatic bladder captured between said cushion support and said frame whereby inflation of said pneumatic bladder causes said cushion support to be angularly displaced with respect to said frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A vehicle seat headrest as described in claim 1 further including stop means to limit the amount said cushion support is angularly displaced with respect to said frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A vehicle seat headrest as described in claim 1 further including an air passage within said frame for supplying air to said pneumatic bladder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
115 words
A vehicle seat headrest, said headrest in combination comprising; a frame having tubular air passage and said frame being connected to said vehicle seat; a cushion support for providing a surface of contact for a vehicle seat occupant, said cushion support being pivotally connected with said frame adjacent an upper end of said cushion support; stop means to limit the amount of said cushion support may be angularly displaced with respect to said frame; and a first selectively inflatable pneumatic bladder capture between said cushion support and said frame fluidly connected with said frame air passage whereby inflation of said pneumatic bladder causes said cushion support to be angularly displaced with respect to said frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
115 words
A vehicle seat headrest, said headrest in combination comprising; a frame having tubular air passage and said frame being connected to said vehicle seat; a cushion support for providing a surface of contact for a vehicle seat occupant, said cushion support being pivotally connected with said frame adjacent an upper end of said cushion support; stop means to limit the amount of said cushion support may be angularly displaced with respect to said frame; and a first selectively inflatable pneumatic bladder capture between said cushion support and said frame fluidly connected with said frame air passage whereby inflation of said pneumatic bladder causes said cushion support to be angularly displaced with respect to said frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
A vehicle seat headrest, said headrest in combination comprising; a frame having a first portion connected to said seat and a second portion relatively connected with said first portion; a cushion support for providing a surface of contact for a vehicle seat occupant, said cushion support being connected with said frame second portion; first artificial power means whereby said cushion support may be selectively angularly displaced with respect to said first frame portion; and second artificial power means whereby said cushion support may be selectively linearly displaced with respect to said first frame portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
94 words
A vehicle seat headrest, said headrest in combination comprising; a frame having a first portion connected to said seat and a second portion relatively connected with said first portion; a cushion support for providing a surface of contact for a vehicle seat occupant, said cushion support being connected with said frame second portion; first artificial power means whereby said cushion support may be selectively angularly displaced with respect to said first frame portion; and second artificial power means whereby said cushion support may be selectively linearly displaced with respect to said first frame portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A headrest as described in claim 5 wherein said cushion support is angularly displaced with respect to said frame first portion by a first pneumatic bladder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A headrest as described in claim 5 wherein said cushion support is linearly displaced with respect to said first frame portion by a second pneumatic bladder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
124 words
A vehicle seat headrest, said headrest in combination comprising: a frame having a first portion vertically adjustably connected to said vehicle seat and having as second portion slidably connected to said first portion in a generally horizontal plane; a cushion support pivotally connected adjacent an upper end of said cushion support with said frame second portion; a first bladder captured between said cushion support and said second frame portion, said first bladder being selectively inflatable whereby said cushion support is angularly displaced with respect to said first frame portion; and a second bladder captured between said first frame portion and said second frame portion, said second bladder being selectively inflatable whereby said cushion support is linearly displaced with respect to said first frame portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
124 words
A vehicle seat headrest, said headrest in combination comprising: a frame having a first portion vertically adjustably connected to said vehicle seat and having as second portion slidably connected to said first portion in a generally horizontal plane; a cushion support pivotally connected adjacent an upper end of said cushion support with said frame second portion; a first bladder captured between said cushion support and said second frame portion, said first bladder being selectively inflatable whereby said cushion support is angularly displaced with respect to said first frame portion; and a second bladder captured between said first frame portion and said second frame portion, said second bladder being selectively inflatable whereby said cushion support is linearly displaced with respect to said first frame portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A headrest as described in claim 8 wherein said second bladder has dual chambers fluidly connected.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A headrest as described in claim 8 wherein said second frame portion is spring biased to a predetermined position with respect to said first frame portion.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of adjusting a vehicle seat headrest, said method in combination comprising: connecting a frame to a vehicle seat; pivotally connecting a cushion support to said frame adjacent an upper end of said cushion support to provide a surface of contact for a vehicle seat occupant; and selective inflating a pneumatic bladder captured between said cushion support and said frame whereby said cushion support is angularly displaced with respect to said frame.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of adjusting a vehicle seat headrest, said method in combination comprising: connecting a frame to a vehicle seat; pivotally connecting a cushion support to said frame adjacent an upper end of said cushion support to provide a surface of contact for a vehicle seat occupant; and selective inflating a pneumatic bladder captured between said cushion support and said frame whereby said cushion support is angularly displaced with respect to said frame.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of adjusting a vehicle seat headrest, said method in combination comprising: connecting a first portion of a frame to said seat and slidably connecting a second portion of said frame to said first portion; pivotally connecting a cushion support with said frame second portion along an upper end of said cushion support to provide a surface of contact for a vehicle seat occupant; selectively inflating a first pneumatic bladder captured between said cushion support and said second frame portion whereby said cushion support is angularly displaced with respect to said first frame portion; and selectively inflating a second pneumatic bladder captured between said frame first and second portions whereby said cushion support is linearly displaced with respect to said first frame portion.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of adjusting a vehicle seat headrest, said method in combination comprising: connecting a first portion of a frame to said seat and slidably connecting a second portion of said frame to said first portion; pivotally connecting a cushion support with said frame second portion along an upper end of said cushion support to provide a surface of contact for a vehicle seat occupant; selectively inflating a first pneumatic bladder captured between said cushion support and said second frame portion whereby said cushion support is angularly displaced with respect to said first frame portion; and selectively inflating a second pneumatic bladder captured between said frame first and second portions whereby said cushion support is linearly displaced with respect to said first frame portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-01-18 | 1991-07-20 | 1992-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-01-18 | 1995-07-20 | 1996-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-01-18 | 1999-07-20 | 2000-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |