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US5398996A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Blow-molded headrest armature assembly

Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1992-08-12
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Granted: 1995-03-21
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Expires: 2012-08-12
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Abstract

Abstract An improved motor vehicle headrest structure is disclosed wherein individual support posts are securely attached to a plastic armature. The armature is formed separately from the support posts, which are subsequently attached by rivets or other suitable means, and includes a shroud about the end of each support post. A conventional foam-filled cover surrounds the armature assembly.

Inventors

  • 👤 Thomas J. Steiner

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 22:05
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/80; B60N2/806; B60N2/809

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim 52 words
An armature assembly for use in a motor vehicle headrest comprising two substantially straight support posts joined to a preformed hollow elongated armature having angular indentations formed therein for receiving one end of each support post and to permit retention of the support posts in a fixed position relative to each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 52 words
An armature assembly for use in a motor vehicle headrest comprising two substantially straight support posts joined to a preformed hollow elongated armature having angular indentations formed therein for receiving one end of each support post and to permit retention of the support posts in a fixed position relative to each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 14 words
The armature assembly of claim 1 in which the support posts are solid steel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 16 words
The armature assembly of claim 1 in which the support posts are parallel to each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 23 words
The armature assembly of claim 1 in which the armature is formed to provide a shroud about the end of each support post.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 23 words
A motor vehicle headrest comprising the armature assembly of claim 1, a suitable amount of foam disposed around the armature, and a cover.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 18 words
The armature assembly of claim 1 in which the support posts include a curved portion adjacent the armature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 31 words
The armature assembly of claim 1 in which the support posts have multiple notches to permit adjustment of the height of the headrest with respect to a motor vehicle seat back.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 24 words
The armature assembly of claim 1 in which one end of each support post is provided with a substantially flattened surface adjacent the armature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 16 words
The armature assembly of claim 1 in which the armature is made of blow molded plastic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 49 words
The armature assembly of claim 1 in which each support post has a formed upper end, and the armature is provided with at least two attachment ports, each having a surface shaped to contact flush to at least a portion of the formed upper end of each support post.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 24 words
The armature assembly of claim 10 in which the armature is provided with front and back angular indentations formed therein at each attachment port.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 21 words
The armature assembly of claim 1 in which the support posts are joined to the armature by one or more rivets.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 21 words
The armature assembly of claim 1 in which each support post is joined to the armature by at least two rivets.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 106 words
An armature assembly for use in a motor vehicle headrest comprising: two substantially straight support posts, wherein a formed upper end of each support post has a substantially flattened surface adjacent the armature; and, a blow molded hollow elongated plastic armature, preformed with attachment ports comprising paired angular indentations formed therein each said attachment port being adapted to receive one end of one of said support posts to permit retention of the support posts in a fixed position relative to each other and, a fastener extending through each of said support posts and said attachment ports and firmly securing said support posts to said attachment ports.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 106 words
An armature assembly for use in a motor vehicle headrest comprising: two substantially straight support posts, wherein a formed upper end of each support post has a substantially flattened surface adjacent the armature; and, a blow molded hollow elongated plastic armature, preformed with attachment ports comprising paired angular indentations formed therein each said attachment port being adapted to receive one end of one of said support posts to permit retention of the support posts in a fixed position relative to each other and, a fastener extending through each of said support posts and said attachment ports and firmly securing said support posts to said attachment ports.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 155 words
An armature assembly for a headrest comprising two steel support posts joined to a plastic armature having one or more attachment ports, wherein: each of said support posts has a formed upper end; said armature, comprising essentially a hollow elongated box, forms a shroud about the formed upper end of each said support post; said armature further includes at least one angular indentation formed therein at each attachment port with a surface formed to mate with a corresponding surface of the formed upper end of a corresponding one of said support posts; each attachment port is shaped to receive the formed upper end of the corresponding one of said support posts such that the support posts are retained in a fixed and essentially parallel position relative to each other; and, each of said support posts, being essentially straight along most of its length, has a curved portion near said formed upper end adjacent the armature.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 155 words
An armature assembly for a headrest comprising two steel support posts joined to a plastic armature having one or more attachment ports, wherein: each of said support posts has a formed upper end; said armature, comprising essentially a hollow elongated box, forms a shroud about the formed upper end of each said support post; said armature further includes at least one angular indentation formed therein at each attachment port with a surface formed to mate with a corresponding surface of the formed upper end of a corresponding one of said support posts; each attachment port is shaped to receive the formed upper end of the corresponding one of said support posts such that the support posts are retained in a fixed and essentially parallel position relative to each other; and, each of said support posts, being essentially straight along most of its length, has a curved portion near said formed upper end adjacent the armature.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 23 words
A motor vehicle headrest comprising the armature assembly of claim 15, a suitable amount of foam disposed around the armature, and a cover.
Claim 20
Independent Claim 109 words
A method for manufacturing an armature assembly for use in a motor vehicle headrest, comprising the steps of: forming by blow molding a hollow elongated plastic armature, comprising essentially a box having a front surface which is slightly concave, the box forming a plastic armature having angular attachment ports; fabricating a support post for each attachment port of said armature, each support post having a formed upper end with a surface for flush contact with at least a portion of the attachment port of said armature; and, attaching the formed end of one such support post to each attachment port of the armature by rivet or other suitable means.
Claim 21
Independent Claim 109 words
A method for manufacturing an armature assembly for use in a motor vehicle headrest, comprising the steps of: forming by blow molding a hollow elongated plastic armature, comprising essentially a box having a front surface which is slightly concave, the box forming a plastic armature having angular attachment ports; fabricating a support post for each attachment port of said armature, each support post having a formed upper end with a surface for flush contact with at least a portion of the attachment port of said armature; and, attaching the formed end of one such support post to each attachment port of the armature by rivet or other suitable means.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1998-03-20 1998-09-19 1999-03-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2002-03-20 2002-09-19 2003-03-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2006-03-20 2006-09-19 2007-03-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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