SEAT WITH NECK SUPPORT

A neck support system includes a seat having a seatback and a headrest positioned on an upper portion of the seatback. A neck bolster is movable from a stowed position to a deployed position. In the deployed position, the neck bolster provides neck support for the occupant of the seat. The seat has a cavity accessible between the seatback and the headrest, and the neck bolster fits in the cavity in the stowed position. When the neck bolster is in the stowed position and the headrest is positioned against the upper portion of the seatback, the neck bolster is hidden from view.

BACKGROUND

The disclosed subject matter relates generally to seats. More particularly, the disclosed subject matter relates to seats incorporating neck support systems.

Traditional headrests, or head restraints, on seats are adjustable up and down, and in the fore aft directions. The main purpose of headrests on vehicle seats is to protect the head and neck of the seat occupant in the event of a crash. The headrests are not always configured for optimal comfort in all use conditions. Some rear vehicle seats have a pillow attached to the front of the headrest to improve comfort. However, some such pillow arrangements may impact the performance of the seats.

It is common for vehicle occupants to rest or sleep in a vehicle while the vehicle is parked or if the occupants are not driving the vehicle. Passengers of autonomous vehicles may also desire to rest comfortably while traveling. When resting in a vehicle with the traditional seats, an occupant's neck may not be adequately supported, and the headrest position may not provide good support for resting or sleeping. Some known applications of neck supports contain a mechanism within the headrest that utilizes the shape and form change of the main surface of the headrest to provide additional support. These arrangements may be expensive to manufacture and may affect the appearance, comfort, and potentially the safety of the headrest.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a neck support system for seats that is comfortable and that requires minimal materials, mechanical parts, hardware, and electronics to construct and operate. It would also be desirable to provide a neck support system that is easy to understand and simple to operate. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide a neck support system that is completely concealed when stowed, and that provides the appearance, feeling, and function of a typical headrest. For example, it would be beneficial to provide a neck support in which the headrest has no break lines, gaps, or hard surfaces or edges impacting the general styling surfaces of the headrest, and one in which the shape or form of the headrest itself does not change. It would also be desirable to provide a neck support system with a neck bolster that is attached to the seat so that it cannot be lost, and so that it can be located within reach of the seat occupant. In such arrangement, the neck bolster can always be available on-demand as opposed to similar head restraint “pillows” or neck supports that can be easily misplaced. It would also be desirable to provide a neck support system for a seat that does not negatively impact the functionality of the seat.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a neck support system includes a seat having a seatback and a headrest positioned on an upper portion of the seatback. A neck bolster is movable from a stowed position to a deployed position. The seat has a cavity accessible between the seatback and the headrest, and the neck bolster fits in the cavity in the stowed position. When the neck bolster is in the stowed position and the headrest is positioned against the upper portion of the seatback, the neck bolster is hidden from view.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a neck support system includes a seat having a seatback and a headrest positioned on an upper portion of the seatback. A neck bolster is movable from a stowed position to a deployed position. The headrest has a cavity, and the neck bolster compresses to fit in the cavity in the stowed position. The neck bolster expands to a size larger than the cavity when removed from the cavity in the deployed position.

In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the present disclosure, a neck support system includes a seat having a seatback and a headrest positioned on an upper portion of the seatback. The headrest has a lower surface for facing an upper surface of the seatback. The seat has a forward facing surface and a rearward facing surface. A neck bolster is movable from a stowed position to a deployed position. The seat has a cavity accessible between the seatback and the headrest, and the neck bolster fits in the cavity in the stowed position. The neck bolster is joined to the seat at a connection positioned between the forward facing surface and the rearward facing surface so that the neck bolster extends from the connection to a position in front of the forward facing surface and between the lower surface of the headrest and the upper surface of the seatback when the neck bolster is in the deployed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

A few inventive aspects of the disclosed embodiments are explained in detail below with reference to the various figures. Exemplary embodiments are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description that follows. Embodiments are hereinafter described in detail in connection with the views and examples ofFIGS.1-12, wherein like numbers indicate the same or corresponding elements throughout the views.

FIG.1illustrates a perspective view of a seat, indicated generally at10, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The seat10is shown as a vehicle seat. However, other types of seats may be used in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

The seat10may include a seat bottom12, a seatback14and a headrest16positioned on an upper portion of the seatback14. The seat10may also include a neck bolster18as shown inFIG.2, which depicts a front perspective view of the seat10with the neck bolster18in a deployed position. The neck bolster18may be sized, shaped and positioned to provide additional support to the neck of an occupant of the seat10. One embodiment of the neck bolster18may be substantially cylindrical in shape to meet a seat occupant's neck when the occupant leans back into the upper area of the seatback14and the headrest16. It will be appreciated however, that the neck bolster18can have various different configurations within the scope of the present disclosure.

The seatback14may have a forward facing surface20, a rearward facing surface22, and an upper surface26. The headrest16may have a lower surface24configured to face or contact the upper surface26of the seatback14. When the neck bolster18is deployed, the neck bolster18extends to a position in front of the forward facing surface20and between the lower surface24of the headrest16and the upper surface26of the seatback14.

As shown inFIGS.3and4, which depict bottom perspective views of a headrest16and neck bolster18, the headrest16may include a cavity28accessible from an underside of the headrest16. The neck bolster18may be stored in the cavity28in a stowed position as shown inFIG.3. When desired to use the neck bolster18, the neck bolster18can be removed from the cavity28to the deployed position, as shown inFIG.4. The headrest16may also include a headrest frame30for joining the headrest16to the seatback14in a manner known to those skilled in the art.

Referring toFIGS.5and6, schematic side sectional views of a portion of the seat10are shown.FIG.5shows the neck bolster18in the stowed position, whereasFIG.6depicts the neck bolster18in the deployed position. As shown inFIG.5, the neck bolster18can be compressed to fit in the cavity28. When the neck bolster18is removed from the cavity28, the neck bolster18can expand to encompass a volume larger than that of the cavity28. To allow the neck bolster18to compress and expand, the neck bolster18may be formed of a highly compressible foam material, for example. Accordingly, some embodiments of the neck bolster may be configured to expand to twice the volume of the cavity28, or more.

The neck bolster18may be joined to the headrest16along a connection32extending in a width direction of the seat10, as shown most clearly inFIGS.6and7. The connection32may be positioned between the forward facing surface20of the seatback14and the rearward facing surface22of the seatback14. The neck bolster18may be sewn, for example, to the headrest16along the connection32. However, it will be understood that other methods of joining may be used. In such arrangement, the neck bolster18can be configured to rotate about the connection32when the neck bolster18moves from the stowed position to the deployed position, and from the deployed position to the stowed position.

To facilitate removing the neck bolster18from the cavity28, a handle34may be provided on the neck bolster18. For example, the handle34may be formed as a strap with both ends sewn or otherwise attached on an outer surface of the neck bolster18as shown most clearly inFIG.7. Accordingly, when the headrest16is raised above the seatback14, a user may reach underneath the headrest16to grasp the handle34and pull the neck bolster18between the headrest16and the seatback14to a position in front of the forward facing surface20of the seatback14on the front side of the seat10. The neck bolster18can thereby be positioned for use in supporting the occupant's neck. It will be appreciated that the handle34may have various different configurations, one of which will be described in greater detail below.

The headrest16may also include a cavity liner36on a surface of the cavity28. The cavity liner36may be formed of a material to provide a low friction surface to aid in insertion and removal of the neck bolster18from the cavity28. One embodiment of the cavity liner36may include a fabric material that may be sewn or otherwise attached to the headrest trim cover. Alternatively, the cavity liner36may be molded in place during the headrest urethane mold foaming process. Additionally, the cavity liner36may be a plastic injection molded component and may be inserted in the headrest foam mold. Accordingly, some embodiments of the cavity liner36may provide structural integrity to the headrest16, which may be particularly beneficial when the cavity28is empty.

Referring toFIG.7, which depicts a front view of the headrest16and neck bolster18in a deployed position, the dimension of the neck bolster18may also expand in a width direction of the seat when the neck bolster18is removed from the cavity28such that the neck bolster18has a longitudinal dimension that is greater than that of the cavity28to provide a larger support area for the occupant of the seat10.

FIG.8shows a perspective view of one embodiment of an internal portion38of the neck bolster18. The internal portion38may be covered by any suitable covering, such as fabric, vinyl, leather or the like to form the neck bolster18. The internal portion38may be formed of a polyurethane foam material and may have air voids40to increase the ability of the neck bolster18to compress to a smaller size. The air voids40can be arranged in a variety of different shapes, sizes or patterns to provide the desired compression and expansion characteristics. Similarly, the urethane foam formula properties of hardness and density may be specified to also improve the compressed and expanded size. Both hardness and density may be tuned to balance the compressibility of the neck bolster18for the stowed position and the support characteristics of the neck bolster18in the deployed position.

Referring now toFIG.9, which discloses a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the headrest16with interior portions shown in dashed lines, andFIG.10, which depicts a schematic side sectional view of a portion of the seat10showing the headrest16ofFIG.9and the neck bolster18in a stowed position. The embodiment of the headrest16shown inFIGS.9and10may include a reinforcement member42joined to the headrest frame30and extending in front of the cavity28. The reinforcement member42may be a steel wire, for example, that may be welded or otherwise joined to the headrest frame30in a manner known to those skilled in the art. The reinforcement member42may be configured to maintain the integrity of the headrest16when the neck bolster18is deployed and the cavity28is empty. Likewise, the reinforcement member42may be configured to provide additional support and load distribution during an impact.

The embodiment of the disclosure shown inFIGS.9and10may also include a reinforcement plate44joined to the reinforcement member42positioned in front of the cavity28. The reinforcement plate44may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic, metal, composite materials, or the like, and may be configured to further maintain the integrity of the headrest16when the neck bolster18is deployed and the cavity28is empty. The reinforcement plate44may also be configured to provide additional support and load distribution of the head/hands during user contact. One embodiment of the reinforcement plate44may be formed by plastic injection molding. Moreover, the reinforcement plate44may be placed into the headrest foam mold and molded in place.

It will be understood that some embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided without the reinforcement member42, while other embodiments may include the reinforcement member42without the reinforcement plate44. Additionally, some embodiments may include both the reinforcement member42and the reinforcement plate44.

For example, with reference toFIGS.11a front perspective view of an additional alternative embodiment is shown of the headrest16with interior portions shown in dashed lines.FIG.12depicts a schematic side sectional view of a portion of the seat10showing the headrest16ofFIG.11and the neck bolster18in a stowed position. The embodiment of the headrest16depicted inFIGS.11and12includes the reinforcement member42without a reinforcement plate.

The embodiment of the neck bolster18depicted inFIG.12includes a handle in the form of a strap46. The strap46may be joined to the neck bolster18at one end and may have a length to extend between the headrest16and the seatback14to either the forward facing surface20of the seatback14, or the rearward facing surface22of the seatback14. In this way, the strap46can be visible when the neck bolster18is in the stowed position and the headrest16is positioned against the seatback14to thereby serve as an indicator of the presence of the neck bolster18. The strap46can also make it easier for a user to grasp and move the neck bolster18to the deployed position. To facilitate grasping the strap46, one end of the strap46may include a loop or other type of grip. Moreover, the strap46can provide a visual indicator of the manner used to deploy the neck bolster18.

In use, as shown inFIG.1, when the neck bolster18is in the stowed position and the headrest16is positioned against the upper portion of the seatback14, the neck bolster18is hidden from view. Accordingly, the appearance of the seat10is not altered by the neck bolster18when the neck bolster18is not in use. To move the neck bolster18to the deployed position, a user can lift the headrest16so that the headrest16is spaced apart from the seatback14thereby exposing the neck bolster18. The user can then grasp the handle34and pull the neck bolster18between the lower surface24of the headrest16and the upper surface26of the seatback14to a position in front of the forward facing surface20of the seatback14. The headrest16can then be lowered to hold the neck bolster18in place. Once the neck bolster18is removed from the cavity28, the internal portion38of the neck bolster18expands to a size larger than the cavity28. The neck bolster18can then be used to provide support to the neck of an occupant of the seat10.

When the seat occupant no longer wants to use the neck bolster18, the neck bolster18can be manually compressed, rotated, and stuffed into the cavity28in the underside of headrest16to the stowed position. Once the headrest16is lowered so that the lower surface24of the headrest16contacts the upper surface26of the seatback14, the neck bolster18is hidden from view and the seat10has an appearance of a typical seat without the neck support system.

It will be appreciated that various alternative embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the drawings and description above disclose the cavity28in the headrest16. However, it will be understood that an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cavity in the upper portion of the seatback14. Accordingly, the neck bolster18could be stowed in the seatback14and function in a similar manner.

An additional alternative embodiment of the neck bolster18may include an adjustment member, such as a strap with a buckle, that allows the distance from the connection32to an end of the neck bolster18to be adjusted. The adjustment member may be positioned as indicated at element48inFIG.6, for example. Thus, the position of the neck bolster18on the seat10can be modified to allow for enhanced comfort.

It will be understood that the present disclosure provides a neck support system for seats that is comfortable and that requires minimal materials, mechanical parts, hardware, and electronics to construct and operate. The present disclosure provides a neck support system that is simple for the seat occupant to understand and operate. Additionally, the present disclosure provides a neck support system that is completely concealed when stowed. Moreover, the present neck support system provides the appearance, feeling, and function of a typical seatback and headrest when the neck bolster is stowed. The disclosed neck support system provides a seat in which the headrest has no break lines, gaps, or hard surfaces or edges impacting the general styling surface of the headrest. Additionally, the shape or form of the headrest itself does not change to allow additional neck support when the neck bolster is deployed. Also, the neck bolster is attached to the seat so that it cannot be lost or located out of reach of the seat occupant. Therefore, the neck bolster can always be available on-demand as opposed to similar head restraint “pillows” or neck supports that can be easily misplaced. Also, the neck support system does not negatively impact the functionality of the seat.

The foregoing description of embodiments and examples has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the forms described. Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. Some of those modifications have been discussed and others will be understood by those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best illustrate certain principles and various embodiments as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The scope of the invention is, of course, not limited to the examples or embodiments set forth herein, but can be employed in any number of applications and equivalent devices by those of ordinary skill in the art. Rather it is hereby intended the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.