Patent ID: 7448678
Filing Date: 2008-11-11
Classification: A47C,B60N

Abstract:
1. A headrest adapted for use with the head of an occupant, the headrest comprising: a post extending from a seatback; a padded covering defining an engaging surface at a first location relative to the head, wherein the surface presents a first modulus property; a frame disposed within the padded covering; and an active material selected from the group consisting essentially of shape memory alloy, a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a magnetorheological elastomer, an electrorheological elastomer, an electroactive polymer, a piezoelectric material, a magnetorheological fluid, an electrorheological fluid, a shear thickening fluid, a shear thinning fluid, and combinations thereof, disposed within the padded covering, in operative communication with a portion of the surface, and presenting a first condition, said material being configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, so as to achieve a second condition, said covering, frame, and material being cooperatively configured such that the change in at least one property is effective to re-position the surface to a second location relative to the head or change the modulus property of the surface to a second modulus property, and deactivating the signal autonomously returns the surface to the first location or first modulus property.