US5398996A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Blow-molded headrest armature assembly
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
•
Filing: 1992-08-12
•
Granted: 1995-03-21
•
Expires: 2012-08-12
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.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE1592141A1
Cited
US3537750A
Cited
US3706472A
Cited
DE2208224A1
Cited
US3910634A
Cited
DE2405775A1
Cited
GB2012570A
Cited
DE3018927A1
Cited
US4385783A
Cited
US4805962A
Cited
JPS59118437A
Cited
DE3407776A1
Cited
US4607744A
Cited
GB2176098A
Cited
US4671570A
Cited
US4732244A
Cited
US4674797A
Cited
GB2188541A
Cited
US4822102A
Cited
US4779929A
Cited
US4693516A
Cited
US4721316A
Cited
US4693515A
Cited
GB2204234A
Cited
US4848836A
Cited
GB2221153A
Cited
US5199765A
Cited
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 |