US5378043A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle pivotal headrest
Assignee: Lear Corp
•
Filing: 1993-06-01
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Granted: 1995-01-03
•
Expires: 2013-06-01
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle seat and headrest arrangement is provided including a seat bun frame having fore and aft ends, a seatback frame joined to the bun frame adjacent the aft end of the bun frame, and a headrest pivotally attached with the seatback frame along a pivotal axis generally perpendicular to the fore and aft direction whereby, upon a rear vehicle impact, the headrest moves in a forward direction toward the head of a vehicle seat occupant.
Inventors
- 👤 David C. Viano
- 👤 Richard J. Neely
- 👤 Mladen Humer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 19:34
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/80; B60N2/888; B60N2/806; B60N2/809; B60N2/838
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A vehicle seat and headrest arrangement comprising: a seat bun frame having fore and aft ends; a seatback frame joined to the bun frame means adjacent the aft end of the bun frame; and a headrest pivotally attached with the seatback frame along a pivotal axis generally perpendicular to the fore and aft direction whereby, upon a rear impact of a vehicle in which the arrangement is mounted, the pivotal attachment allows the headrest to move in a forward direction toward the head of an occupant of the vehicle seat, wherein the headrest has a cushion portion and an impact target operatively associated with the cushion portion and pivotally associated with the seatback frame, wherein a force upon the impact target causes the headrest to rotate forwardly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A vehicle seat and headrest arrangement comprising: a seat bun frame having fore and aft ends; a seatback frame joined to the bun frame means adjacent the aft end of the bun frame; and a headrest pivotally attached with the seatback frame along a pivotal axis generally perpendicular to the fore and aft direction whereby, upon a rear impact of a vehicle in which the arrangement is mounted, the pivotal attachment allows the headrest to move in a forward direction toward the head of an occupant of the vehicle seat, wherein the headrest has a cushion portion and an impact target operatively associated with the cushion portion and pivotally associated with the seatback frame, wherein a force upon the impact target causes the headrest to rotate forwardly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An arrangement as described in claim 1 further comprising a spring operatively associated with the seatback frame biasing the headrest against pivotal movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An arrangement as described in claim 2 wherein the spring elastically biases the headrest against pivotal movement up to a predetermined limit and thereafter plastically deforms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An arrangement as described in claim 1 wherein the headrest effectively extends upwardly upon its pivotal movement toward the head of a seat occupant.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An arrangement as described in claim 8 wherein the headrest is connected with a post, and the headrest extends rearwardly of the pivotal axis of the headrest.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An arrangement as described in claim 1 wherein the headrest cushion portion is separated from the seatback frame by a post.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
An arrangement as described in claim 6 wherein the post is positionably held by a clamp having a generally fixed pivotal axis with a cross member of the seatback frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
An arrangement as described in claim 6 having said impact target operatively associated with at least one cam guide member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
An arrangement as described in claim 6 further including the seatback frame having a cross member and wherein the post is operatively associated with the impact target and a cam guide to direct the impact target and wherein the post has a pivotal axis with respect to the cross member which is non-fixed with respect to the post upon impact upon the impact target, causing the headrest to pivot forwardly and extend upwardly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
93 words
A vehicle seat and head rest arrangement comprising: a seat bun frame having fore and aft ends; a seatback frame joined to the bun frame adjacent the aft end of the bun frame; a headrest pivotally attached with the seatback frame along a pivotal axis generally perpendicular to fore and aft direction; and a target pivotally mounted to the seatback along a pivotal axis generally perpendicular to the fore and aft direction underneath the headrest and operatively associated with the headrest wherein rearward loading of the target causes the headrest to pivot forwardly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
93 words
A vehicle seat and head rest arrangement comprising: a seat bun frame having fore and aft ends; a seatback frame joined to the bun frame adjacent the aft end of the bun frame; a headrest pivotally attached with the seatback frame along a pivotal axis generally perpendicular to fore and aft direction; and a target pivotally mounted to the seatback along a pivotal axis generally perpendicular to the fore and aft direction underneath the headrest and operatively associated with the headrest wherein rearward loading of the target causes the headrest to pivot forwardly.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of providing a headrest for a vehicle seat having a seatback frame connected to an aft end of a fore and aft seat bun frame, the method comprising: pivotally attaching a headrest which is operatively associated with an impact target, with a pivotal axis generally perpendicular to the fore and aft direction of the seat; and upon a rear impact of a vehicle in which the vehicle seat is mounted, contacting the impact target, thereby pivoting the headrest forward to contact a head of a seat occupant.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of providing a headrest for a vehicle seat having a seatback frame connected to an aft end of a fore and aft seat bun frame, the method comprising: pivotally attaching a headrest which is operatively associated with an impact target, with a pivotal axis generally perpendicular to the fore and aft direction of the seat; and upon a rear impact of a vehicle in which the vehicle seat is mounted, contacting the impact target, thereby pivoting the headrest forward to contact a head of a seat occupant.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as described in claim 11 further comprising extending the headrest upwardly.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-02 | 1998-07-04 | 1999-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-02 | 2002-07-04 | 2003-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-02 | 2006-07-04 | 2007-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |