Patent US5590929A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5590929A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking system for a device adjustable by translational motion, such as a headrest
Assignee: Faurecia Sieges dAutomobile SAS
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Filing: 1995-06-15
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Granted: 1997-01-07
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Expires: 2015-06-15
Abstract
Abstract A vertically adjustable vehicle headrest has at least one slider translationally mounted in a guide. The slider has a plurality of locking notches regularly spaced along its length and a bistable headrest locking system is provided that includes a movably mounted cam that normally rests in a stable unlocked position relative to the notches thus allowing adjustable translational displacement of the slider relative to the guide. The cam is alternately movable to a stable locked position relative to the notches thus inhibiting translational displacement of the slider relative to the guide. A spring is mounted at a first end to a stationary member and at a second end to the cam for maintaining the cam in one of two bistable positions, namely, in a stable locked position or a stable unlocked position. The resilient device overcomes a biasing force when in the stable unlocked position and in response to rear impact to a vehicle that causes displacement of the cam to the stable locked position.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruno Hamelin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:46
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/80; B60N2/806; B60N2/809; B60N2/812; B60N2/818
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
In a vehicle headrest that is vertically adjustable and having at least one slider translationally mounted in a guide, a bistable headrest locking system comprising: plurality of locking notches regularly spaced along the length of the slider; a movably mounted locking means for normally resting in a stable unlocked position relative to the notches thus allowing adjustable translational displacement of the slider relative to the guide, and movable to a stable locked position relative to the notches thus inhibiting translational displacement of the slider relative to the guide; resilient means mounted at a first end to a stationary member and at a second end to the locking means for maintaining the locking means in one of two bistable positions, namely, in a stable locked position or a stable unlocked position; the resilient means overcoming a biasing force when in the stable unlocked position in response to rear impact to a vehicle and causing displacement of the locking means to the stable locked position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
In a vehicle headrest that is vertically adjustable and having at least one slider translationally mounted in a guide, a bistable headrest locking system comprising: plurality of locking notches regularly spaced along the length of the slider; a movably mounted locking means for normally resting in a stable unlocked position relative to the notches thus allowing adjustable translational displacement of the slider relative to the guide, and movable to a stable locked position relative to the notches thus inhibiting translational displacement of the slider relative to the guide; resilient means mounted at a first end to a stationary member and at a second end to the locking means for maintaining the locking means in one of two bistable positions, namely, in a stable locked position or a stable unlocked position; the resilient means overcoming a biasing force when in the stable unlocked position in response to rear impact to a vehicle and causing displacement of the locking means to the stable locked position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein surfaces of the locking means cam against surfaces of the notches thereby displacing the locking means from a stable locked position to a stable unlocked position in response to vertically upward slider displacement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein the notches further have a first surface orthogonal to the direction of vertical slider displacement, and a second surface inclined to the direction of vertical slider displacement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the locking means is a cam pivotally mounted within the guide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the resilient means is an omega shaped spring having a first end connected within the guide, and a second end connected to the locking means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein each end of the spring comprises a fastening hook oriented perpendicularly to the plane of the spring, each fastening hook being inserted in an opening within the guide and locking means, respectively; and further wherein a plate member overlaps the spring to retain the hooks within the openings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the slider further includes a plurality of indexing notches for receiving mating elastic means extending from the interior of the headrest guide thereby acting as a detent for releasably maintaining the slider in a preselected vertical position while the locking means is in a stable unlocked position, the indexing notches having the same pitch as the locking notches.
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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) | 2000-01-07 | 2000-07-08 | 2001-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-07 | 2004-07-08 | 2005-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-07 | 2008-07-08 | 2009-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |