US5964505A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Detachable cantilevered headrest having a ratchet mechanism
Assignee: Lear Corp
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Filing: 1997-02-28
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Granted: 1999-10-12
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Expires: 2017-02-28
Abstract
Abstract An adjustable headrest assembly including a mounting post for mounting the headrest assembly to a vertically adjustable tower. The headrest including an elongated body portion extending horizontally between first and second ends and defining a tubular opening for receiving a mounting post for securing the headrest to the tower. A cavity is integrally formed in the first end of the body portion and a ratchet mechanism is disposed in the cavity for pivoting the headrest in both the forward and rearward direction. The ratchet mechanism including a ratchet pivotally support by the mounting post and a rack having a plurality of rack teeth mounted along an arcuate path in the cavity of the headrest body. The assembly further including a tower cover including an expandable window portion connected between the tower and the seat back for automatically expanding coverage of the tower upon movement of the tower between a lower position and a raised position.
Inventors
- 👤 Kirk P. Koenig
- 👤 Ricardo O. Quincoses
- 👤 Dean Rinke
- 👤 Don H. Bernhardt
- 👤 Mark Alan Farquhar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:05
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/24; B60N2/42; B60N2/433; B60N2/02; B60N2/04; B60N2/06; B60N2/07; B60N2/0702; B60N2/0715; B60N2/0735; B60N2/0747; B60N2/4207; B60N2/4214; B60N2/4221; B60N2/4249; B60N2/427; B60N2/42709; B60N2/68; B60N2/688; B60N2/80; B60N2/888
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
An adjustable and detachable cantilevered headrest assembly adapted to be mounted on a vehicular seat comprising: a horizontally extending mounting post adapted to be attached to the vehicular seat; an elongated headrest body extending horizontally between opposing first and second side ends and defining a tubular opening receiving said mounting post therethrough between said first and second side ends, said first side end including a cavity formed integrally with said headrest body; a ratchet mechanism disposed within said cavity of said first side end and operatively connected between said mounting post and said headrest body for providing forward ratcheting pivotal movement of said headrest body relative to said mounting post while locking said headrest body against pivotal rearward movement; said mounting post including a distal end extending from said tubular opening in said first end of said headrest body, a proximal end extending to said second side of said headrest body; and a raised ridge extending between said distal and proximal ends, said ridge including a notch; and an elongated headrest guide sleeve having a tubular opening receiving said distal end of said mounting post to detachably connect said headrest assembly to the vehicle seat, said guide sleeve including a detente selectively received into said notch of said raised ridge of said mounting post to prevent said mounting post from being removed from said guide sleeve, said detente also selectively released from said notch of said raised ridge to remove said mounting post from said guide sleeve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
An adjustable and detachable cantilevered headrest assembly adapted to be mounted on a vehicular seat comprising: a horizontally extending mounting post adapted to be attached to the vehicular seat; an elongated headrest body extending horizontally between opposing first and second side ends and defining a tubular opening receiving said mounting post therethrough between said first and second side ends, said first side end including a cavity formed integrally with said headrest body; a ratchet mechanism disposed within said cavity of said first side end and operatively connected between said mounting post and said headrest body for providing forward ratcheting pivotal movement of said headrest body relative to said mounting post while locking said headrest body against pivotal rearward movement; said mounting post including a distal end extending from said tubular opening in said first end of said headrest body, a proximal end extending to said second side of said headrest body; and a raised ridge extending between said distal and proximal ends, said ridge including a notch; and an elongated headrest guide sleeve having a tubular opening receiving said distal end of said mounting post to detachably connect said headrest assembly to the vehicle seat, said guide sleeve including a detente selectively received into said notch of said raised ridge of said mounting post to prevent said mounting post from being removed from said guide sleeve, said detente also selectively released from said notch of said raised ridge to remove said mounting post from said guide sleeve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cavity in said first side end includes an upper portion and a lower portion, said opening for said mounting post extending through said lower portion to said second side end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 2 further including a biasing member mounted on the mounting post for constantly urging said headrest body toward said rearward pivotal movement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said biasing member includes a torsion spring supported on said mounting post and having one end engaging said headrest body and having an opposite end engaging said mounting post.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said ratchet mechanism comprises a ratchet pivotally coupled to said mounting post and a rack having a plurality of directional teeth fixedly secured to said headrest body within said cavity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said ratchet includes a support member fixedly mounted to said mounting post and a pawl pivotally coupled to said support member and selectively engaging said rack teeth.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said ratchet further includes a spring member having a first end connected to said support member and a second end connected to said pawl for normally biasing said pawl toward operational engagement with said rack teeth.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said rack includes a disengaging member defined by a forward projection of said rack, said disengaging member engaging said pawl and automatically pivoting said pawl out of engagement with said rack teeth in response to tilting said headrest body to a predetermined limit of forward pivotal travel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 8 further including at least one retaining clip engaging and retaining said mounting post in said tubular opening between said first and second ends of said headrest body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
221 words
A detachable cantilevered headrest assembly for a vehicular seat comprising: a generally horizontal mounting post adapted to be connected to the vehicular seat, said mounting post including distal and proximal ends and a raised ridge extending between said distal and proximal ends, said ridge including a notch; an elongated headrest body extending between a first side end and a second side end and defining a tubular opening receiving the mounting post, the first side end including a cavity formed integrally with the headrest body; a ratchet mechanism received in the cavity of the first side end and operatively connected between the mounting post and the headrest body providing forward ratcheting pivotal movement of the headrest body relative to the mounting post while locking the headrest body against pivotal rearward movement; and an elongated headrest guide sleeve having a tubular opening receiving said distal end of the mounting post, said distal end of the mounting post extending from the cavity to detachably connect the headrest assembly to the vehicle seat, said guide sleeve including a detente selectively received into said notch of said raised ridge of said mounting post to prevent said mounting post from being removed from said guide sleeve, said detente also selectively released from said notch of said raised ridge to remove said mounting post from said guide sleeve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
221 words
A detachable cantilevered headrest assembly for a vehicular seat comprising: a generally horizontal mounting post adapted to be connected to the vehicular seat, said mounting post including distal and proximal ends and a raised ridge extending between said distal and proximal ends, said ridge including a notch; an elongated headrest body extending between a first side end and a second side end and defining a tubular opening receiving the mounting post, the first side end including a cavity formed integrally with the headrest body; a ratchet mechanism received in the cavity of the first side end and operatively connected between the mounting post and the headrest body providing forward ratcheting pivotal movement of the headrest body relative to the mounting post while locking the headrest body against pivotal rearward movement; and an elongated headrest guide sleeve having a tubular opening receiving said distal end of the mounting post, said distal end of the mounting post extending from the cavity to detachably connect the headrest assembly to the vehicle seat, said guide sleeve including a detente selectively received into said notch of said raised ridge of said mounting post to prevent said mounting post from being removed from said guide sleeve, said detente also selectively released from said notch of said raised ridge to remove said mounting post from said guide sleeve.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The headrest assembly defined in claim 10 wherein said detente is operatively connected to said guide sleeve and includes an opening for receiving said distal end of said mounting post therethrough.
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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) | 2002-10-11 | 2003-04-12 | 2003-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-11 | 2007-04-12 | 2007-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-11 | 2011-04-12 | 2011-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |