Patent ID: 6692071
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: B60N,B60R

Abstract:
A vehicle headrest assembly comprising:a headrest pad having a front surface; a side portion of the headrest pad having a first position, the side portion being shiftable in a forward direction to a second position forward of the front surface; a shift mechanism for moving the side portion from the first position to the second position; and a trigger actuated in response to a vehicle impact that causes the shift mechanism to move the side portion from the first position to the second position; wherein a ratchet connection is provided between the side portion and the headrest pad that permits the side portion to be locked in one of a plurality of angular positions relative to the headrest pad, the trigger is a hook mounted on a slide that is secured to the headrest pad, and a torsion spring is secured between the hook and the slide, so that when the vehicle impact exerts an inertial load to the headrest pad above a predetermined level the hook is displaced and the torsion spring exerts a force on the shift mechanism that locks the side portion in one of the angular positions.