Seat back headrest

A headrest includes at least one seat back mounting member and a connector coupling a cushion to the mounting member. The cushion connector is movable when the mounting member is invertingly mounted on the seat back to deploy the cushion at different angular positions. The mounting member may be a flexible wire bendable to accommodate different seat back sizes and to mount the headrest about the seat back. Alternately, the cushion connector is mountable in one or more different angled bores for deploring the cushion at different angles. Alternately, a hinge may be coupled to the connector to movably deploy a cushion at different angular positions. Alternately, the cushion may be pivotally mounted in a recess in the seat back and deployable from a retracted position to at least one forward extending deployed position. The cushion is also extensible relative to the seat back.

BACKGROUND

In order to alleviate the neck strain associated with a person trying to sleep while seated in a seat, such as a vehicle seat, airplane seat, train seat, etc., and maintaining his or her head in a generally upright, vertical position, a variety of different headrests have been devised for supporting a portion of the user's head, such as each side cheek or in a fully face encircling manner.

Maintaining a sleeping person's head in a generally upright position while the person is sleeping in a seat is particularly important from a safety standpoint for small children who frequently fall asleep while riding in a vehicle, airplane, or train.

The various devised headrests are either designed as part of the vehicle head restraint or are portable and removably attachable to the seatback for deployment and use. However, the previously devised headrests are either cumbersome or unsightly to deploy and attach to a seat back or, do not have easily adjustable positions to enable use of the headrest with different sized individuals or with children as the children grow.

It would be desirable to provide a seat headrest which overcomes these difficulties and provides ease of attachment and ease of adjustability.

SUMMARY

A seat back headrest is mountable on a seat back for supporting a portion of a user's head when seated in the seat.

In one aspect, the headrest includes:

A seat back mounting member invertingly mountable over a top edge of a seat back in one of first and second positions.

A cushion is adapted to support the weight of a portion of a user's head.

A cushion connector couples the cushion to the mounting member.

The cushion connector is movable between a first position when the mounting member is in a first position on the seat back and a shifted second position when the mounting member is in the second positions on the seat back to orient the cushion in one of first and second positions relative to the seat back.

The cushion can be a single cushion for supporting a side of a user's head or a continuous cushion extending between two ends coupled to two seat back mounting members for supporting either side or a front portion of the user's head.

In one aspect, the cushion connector includes:

A hinge having first and second pivotally connected hinge portions, the first hinge portion fixedly coupled to the mounting member; and the second hinge portion being pivotally movable from a first position relative to the first hinge member when the mounting member is in the first position on the seat back and a second position relative to the first hinge portion when the mounting member is in the inverted second position to deploy the cushion in one of two angular positions relative to the seat back. The hinge has a generally horizontally extending pivot axis when mounted on the seat back. In another aspect a flexible rod having a portion carrying the cushion and a mounting portion engagable with a seat back. The rod is a flexible rod capable of bending to a different shape.

The rod may have an inverted generally U-shaped channel between a pair of seat back engagement portions.

In another aspect, the rod has a pair of mounting portions coupled to opposite ends of the rod, the cushion extending substantially between the pair of mounting portions on the rod. Interlocking portions are carried on the two free ends of the connector for releasably locking a connector about a seat back.

In another aspect, a combination of a vehicle seat and a headrest includes:

In combination a vehicle seat having a generally upright seat back with an upper end, opposed side edges, a front surface and a back surface, and a headrest. At least one bore extending into the seat back from an open end at the front surface of the seat back, a portable headrest having a connector releasably mountable in the bore in the seat back and a cushion carried by the connector for weight bearing support of a seat user's head.

In a modification of this aspect, the at least one bore includes two generally horizontally spaced bores formed in the seat back, each extending from an open end at the front surface of the seat back. Another connector removable in one of the bores in the seat back and a cushion carried by the connectors for weight bearing support of a seat user's head.

A separate cushion may be coupled to each connector. Alternately, a single cushion may be coupled to both connectors.

The connector may include a hinge having first and second pivotally connected hinge portions, the first hinge portion fixedly coupled to the connector; and the second hinge portion coupled to the cushion and pivotally movable from a first position relative to the first hinge member when the mounting member is in the first position on the seat back and a second position relative to the first hinge portion when the mounting member is in the inverted second position to deploy the cushion in one of two angular positions relative to the seat back.

In one aspect, the one bore and the seat back extends substantially horizontally into the seat back. In another aspect, a second is disposed in the seat back at a down extending angle relative to the first bore. The two different angled bores allow selective insertion of the cushion connector therein for disposing the cushion at different angles relative to the seat back.

In another aspect, a combined vehicle seat and headrest includes a recess formed in the front surface of the seat back; and a cushion movable mountable in the recess for movement between a retracted position wherein the cushion is disposed in the recess in the seat back to at least one forward extending use position for weight bearing support of a seat user's head.

Alternately, a spring biased detent pin fixedly carried by the seat back; and a plurality of circumferentially spaced detents carried on a member fixed about a pivot axis of the cushion for movable positioning of the cushion between a plurality of use positions defined by the detents.

In another aspect, extension members telescopingly engage each other and one end of the cushion to provide extensible movement of the cushion relative to the seat back. Alternately, one or both cushion ends are mounted on sliders movable within a fixed track in the seat back for extension and retraction movement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawing and toFIG. 1in particular, there is depicted one aspect of a headrest usable on a seat20. By way of example only, the seat20may be any type of seat, such as vehicle seat, an airplane seat, a train seat or a seat used in an office, work space or home. The seat20has a seat back22and a seat bottom24. Depending upon the application, the seat back22may be rigidly fixed to the seat bottom24or may be pivotal from in a more generally upright position shown inFIG. 1to an angled position over the seat bottom24.

For purposes of the following description, the seat back22includes a top edge26, opposed side edges28and30, a front surface32and an opposed rear surface34.

One aspect of a headrest40is shown inFIGS. 1-5. The headrest40is designed as a portable headrest for removable mounting over the top edge26of the seat back22. The headrest40includes one or a pair of mounting members42and44. The mounting members42and44are configured for releasable mounting over the top edge26of the seat back22and are in substantial contact with the front surface32and the rear surface34of the seat back22.

By way of example only, each mounting member42and44is identically constructed of a front seat engagement member46in a form of a planar plate and a like rear seat engagement member48, also in the form of an enlarged planar plate. The large surface area of the front and rear plates46and48provides a secure mounting for the headrest40on the seat back22.

A strap50is fixed to and interconnects the front and rear plates46and48. The strap50may be a single strip of plastic or metal material which is integrally formed with or attached to the front and rear plates46and48.

Alternately, the strap50may be formed of two members, one attached to each of the front and rear plates46and48and telescopingly engaged in a tight friction fit. This enables the strap50to be telescopingly elongated or reduced in length so as to vary the spacing between the front and rear plates46and48to enable the mounting members42or44to be securely affixed to any thickness of the seatback22.

For purposes of the following description of the use and operation of the headrest40, in the first mounting or use position where the mounting members42and44are securely mounted over the top edge26of the seat back24, the front member46has an upper edge52and a lower edge54. Similarly, the rear plate or member48of each mounting member42and44has an upper edge56and a lower edge58.

As shown more clearly inFIGS. 3-5, the upper edges52and56of the front and rear plates46and48extend above the strap50on the top edge26of the seat back22. In the illustrated mounting position, shown inFIG. 4, the lower edges54and58of the front and rear plates46and48extend below the top edge26of the seat back22.

A cushion connector60is affixed to the front plate46of each mounting member42and44. In one aspect, the cushion connector60includes a wire rod62, formed of plastic, metal, etc., which extends into or is otherwise affixed to one end of a cushion64.

A hinge70is formed as part of the cushion connector60. The hinge70includes first and second hinge portions or leaves72and74. The first hinge portion or leaf72is fixedly attached by adhesive, integral molding fasteners to the front plate46, etc. It will be understood that the first hinge leaf72may also constitute part of the front plate46itself. As is conventional, the first hinge leaf72includes a plurality of cylindrical, hollow spaced sleeves76adapted for receiving a hinge pin68.

The second hinge leaf74also includes a plurality of cylindrical sleeves78which are linearly spaced apart and intermeshed with the sleeves76on the first hinge leaf72for receiving the pivot pin68therethrough and forming a pivot axis which extends in a substantially horizontal orientation when the headrest40is mounted over the top edge26of the seat back22.

In this aspect, as shown inFIG. 3, the rod62is fixedly attached to one of the cylindrical sleeves78on the second hinge leaf74, such as the central most sleeve78. This causes the rod62to pivot with movement of the second hinge leaf74as described hereafter.

A stop80, shown inFIG. 3, is fixed at one end to the second hinge leaf74and extends to an opposite free end adapted to abut one of the cylindrical sleeves76on the first hinge leaf72to limit the open pivotal movement of the second hinge leaf74with respect to the first hinge leaf72to a predetermined angle as shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 3depicts a first mounting position of the headrest40on the seat back22. In this position of the headrest40, the second hinge leaf74will pivot by gravity and the weight of the cushion64to the angularly open position angularly spaced from the first hinge leaf72. This causes the rod62to orient the cushion64in a substantially horizontal position as shown inFIGS. 1 and 4with respect to the seat back22and the seat bottom24. This position of the cushion64would be suitable for adults or older children.

For smaller height individuals, such as children the headrest40can be inverted 180° from the mounting position shown inFIGS. 1 and 2by flipping the mounting members42and44end over end until the mounting member44is in the prior position of the mounting member42on the seat back22as shown inFIG. 5. When the mounting members42and44are reengaged with the top edge26of the seat back22, the weight of the cushion64will cause a second hinge leaf74to pivot about the pivot pin68until it is disposed in close abutment or engagement with the first hinge leaf72. This collapsing movement of the hinge70causes the rod62and the cushions64to pivot in a downward direction relative to the seat back22to a smaller acute angle with respect to the seat back22. This lowers the sides and front of the portions of the cushion64for shorter height individuals.

It should be noted that the cushion64can take a variety of shapes, such as the general by U-shape shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The U-shaped cushion64defines a smoothly curved semi-circle including opposed side portions65and67and a central, front end portion69. The free ends of the side portions65and67are connected to the rods62on the mounting members42and44as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. Alternately other shapes are possible for the cushion64, such as a D shape, oval, triangular, etc.

Alternately, as shown inFIG. 6, individual cushions90and92may be coupled to each rod62on each of the mounting members42and44. The cushions90and92may also take a variety of shapes and lengths. For example, the cushions90and92are illustrated inFIG. 6, by exampled, as having a general J-shape. Free ends94and96of the cushions90and92may be disposed in close proximity to or even in contact with each other to form a chin support for a person in the seat.

Alternately, the cushion90and92may have generally planar or slightly curved side members, without a central portion, so as to be capable of supporting only the sides of a user's head.

The cushions64,90, or92may be formed in any conventional manner, depending upon the construction and use of the seat. Foam or other soft, compliant materials may be used for the entire cushion or an internal core of the cushion. Decorative outer covers, formed of leather, plastic, fabric, and complimentary to materials used in conventional vehicle, airplane, train or home seats, maybe employed.

Referring now toFIG. 7A, there is depicted another aspect of a headrest120. In this aspect, the mounting member and the cushion connector are formed of a single pre-shaped or bent rod122. The rod122can be made of any suitable material, such as moldable plastic as well as plastic covered metal, etc. The rod122is bent or pre-shaped into a mounting portion including first and second mounting legs124and126configured to respectively engage the front surface32and the rear surface34of the seat back22. Each mounting leg124and126is formed of two adjacent bent portions of the rod122for stability and adjustability. An end portion128of the rod122is disposed within a cushion130for supporting the cushion130on the mounting rod122.

As in previous aspects of the present headrest, the cushion130may take a variety of shapes, including straight, slightly curved, or the J-shape shown by way of example inFIG. 7A.

An enlarged pad or plate132is fixed to the front mounting leg124to provide an enlarged surface area for securely supporting the headrest122on the seat back22. Depending on the materials used to form the rod122and the pad132, welding, adhesive, fasteners, or other joining techniques may be employed to fixedly join the pad132to the front mounting leg124.

Where the rod122is made of a flexible metal, the front end portion124of the rod120due to angled, two part form of the front mounting leg122maybe easily bent in a downward position to lower the angle of the cushion130relative to the seat back22as by reference number24shown in phantom inFIG. 7A. This enables the position if the cushion130to be adjusted to suit the height of the user of the seat.

Another aspect of the wire connector122is shown inFIG. 7B. In this aspect of the headrest, the second leg126shown inFIG. 7Ais replaced by an initially shaped straight portion with the connector portion122. A form125having an internal bore size to slidably fit the form over the end of123of the rod122is provided with an edge125A.

In use, with the end portion123of the rod122extending perpendicularly away from the rear surface of the seat back27, which has a smaller thickness than the seat back22shown inFIG. 7A, the form125is slid over the end portion123of the rod122until the end125A of the form125abuts the rear edge of the seat back27. The form125is then used to bend the free end123of the rod122in a downward position until the form and/or the free end123of the rod122is bent at a downward extending angle relative to the connector portion of the rod122a lane over the top edge of the seat back27to snugly conform the rod122to the shape and thickness of the seat back127.

Another modification to the wire connector122is shown inFIG. 7C. In this aspect of the headrest, the rod122also has the straight rearward extending portion123. Rather than bending the rod122around the top edge of the seat back27, a clip129is provided. The clip129is formed of a spring material, such as a spring steel or plastic and has a V-shape formed with first and second angularly disposed legs131and132. Coaxially aligned apertures131A and133A are respectively formed in the legs131and133and are sized to fit over the free end123of the rod122.

In use, after the rod122is mounted over the top edge of the seat back127, the apertures131A and133of the clip129are slid over the free end of the rod122by bending the legs131and133of the clip129together. This coaxially aligns the apertures131A and133A to allow easy sliding insertion of the clip129over the free end123of the rod122. The clip129is slid along the length of the free end123until the leg131contacts the rear surface of the seat back27. The force holding the end of the legs131and133is then released which the causes the legs131and133to spring outward to the position shown inFIG. 7C. This moves the apertures131A and133A out of coaxially alignment and brings edges of the legs131and133surrounding the apertures131A and133A into friction contact with the end portion123of the rod122to forcibly hold the clip129on the rod and thereby the entire mounting member and cushion130on the seat back27.

This arrangement allows easy adaptability of the mounting member to any thickness seat back. The free end123extending rearward of the clip129can be covered a cushion, such as the form125shown inFIG. 7B. Alternately, user of the mounting member with the clip129can be reserved for seat backs in the rear seat of a vehicle, such as the rear most seat of a mini van or SUV or the rear seat of a vehicle having only front and rear seats.

FIG. 8depicts another aspect of a headrest140which can be considered a modification of the aspect shown inFIG. 7A. The headrest140shown inFIG. 8includes a first seat mount member142and a second seat mount member144. The seat mount members142and144are substantially identical in that each includes an end portion146engagable with one end148or150of a cushion152and a mounting leg portion154formed of a U-shaped bend in a rod156. An enlarged pad158and160is coupled to the mounting leg154in each mounting member142and144for engagement with the front surface32of a seat back22.

The rod156is formed as a continuous member with freely movable second end portions159and161which are formed with interconnecting means162and164in the form of interlocking hooks or loops. This arrangement allows the enlarged pads158and160to be engaged with the front surface32of the seat back22and then the free ends159and160of the rod156looped around the head restraint or upper portion of the seat back22and interlocked to secure the headrest142on the seat20.

If the rod152is formed of a flexible material, such a flexible metal, not only can the angle of the end portions146of the rod156be changed to vary the angle of the cushion152relative to the seat back22, but the free end portions159and160of the rod156may also be bent to any desired shape to fit the headrest142securely about the upper portion of any size or shape seat back22.

Another aspect of a headrest is shown inFIGS. 9-11in which the headrest is integrally coupled to the seat back22.

In this aspect, the seat back22is formed with a hollow bore180which maybe contained within a rigid cylinder182fixedly mounted in the upper portion of the seat back. The bore180in the cylinder182has an open end through the front surface32of the seat back22.

The hinge members46and rods62and64of the headrest40shown inFIG. 2are also employed in this aspect of the headrest. An additional rod184extends from a first hinge leaf72and is removably insertable into the bore180in the cylinder182mounted in the seat back22. The rods62and64support a cushion190. The cushion190is shown by example only as being a continuous semi-circular cushion extending between each of the rods62and64. It will be understood that each rod62and64may support a separate cushion, such as the straight or J-shaped cushions shown inFIG. 6.

When the rods184coupled to the hinge members46are inserted into the bores180in the seat back22in a first orientation, shown inFIG. 10, the second hinge leaf74will pivot to an open position, angularly spaced from the first hinge leaf72to orient the cushion190in a substantially horizontal position relative to the seat back22.

The rods184may be removed from the bores180in the seat back22and the entire head rest188inverted as shown inFIG. 11before the rods184are reinserted into the bores180of the seat back22. In this orientation, the second hinge leaf74pivots into close proximity to or in contact with the first hinge leaf72thereby dropping the cushion190to a smaller acute angle relative to the seat back22then when the mounting members are in the opposite position shown inFIG. 10.

The varying angular position of the cushion190may also be achieved by employing two pairs of cylindrical members182and192, as shown inFIG. 12, on one side or both sides of the upper portion of the seat back22. The second cylindrical sleeve192is angled at a more downward angle then the generally horizontally disposed sleeve182. The rods62, which do not have the hinge members46, may then be simply inserted into the bores in either cylindrical sleeve182or192to place the cushion190at the desired one of two angular positions relative to the seat back22to accommodate the height and size of the user of the seat.

Another aspect of a headrest is shown inFIGS. 13 and 14. In this aspect, a seat back222of a seat220has a recess224formed along the upper portion of the seat back22and extending inward into the seat back222from the front surface232. The recess224may have an inverted U-shape to accommodate a continuous semicircular U-shaped cushion230shown by way of example inFIG. 13. In the case of only a single side cushion or a pair of separate side cushions which are independently movable relative to other, the recess224would have a shape complimentary to the shape of the cushions employed in the headrest.

The cushion230is formed with a pair of opposed side arms232and234which interconnected at one end by an end segment236. A pivot pin238and240is mounted in the end of each arm232and234, respectively. A metal sleeve may be mounted in the end of each of the cushion arms232and234to provide an easily slidable connection to the pivot pins238and240. The pins238and240are fixedly mounted within the internal structure of the seat back22and form co-axial pivot axes about which the entire cushion230can pivot.

The pivot connections provided by the pivot pins238and240on the arms230and234of the cushion230enable the cushion230to be pivoted from a first position, shown in solid inFIGS. 13 and 14in which the cushion230is completely seated in the recess224in the seat back222thereby forming an integral part of the seat back222. The cushion230can be easily pivoted by hand force from the retracted position shown inFIG. 13to a first deployed position shown in phantom by reference number242inFIG. 13. Although this first deployed position242of the cushion230is shown as being substantially perpendicular to the seat back22or parallel to the seat bottom224, it will be understood that the bottom edge of the recess224can be angled downward a greater amount to allow further pivoting movement of the cushion230below the horizontal to a more angled position relative to the seat back232.

Alternately, an electric motor can be coupled to the side arms232or234and mounted in the seat back or seat bottom for automatically extending and retracting the cushion230through activation of a remotely located control switch.

In a modification to this design shown inFIGS. 13 and 14, a detent mechanism is mounted in the seat back222and the cushion230to provide discrete angular positioning of the cushion230in one of several distinct deployed positions. The detent mechanism includes a spring based pin244projecting from the seat back222into the recess224. A cylindrical disc is mounted in each cushion arm end around the pivot pins238and240and carries a plurality of circumferentially spaced detent recesses labeled A, B, and C. When the cushion230is rotated so that the pin244engages detent recess A, the cushion230will be in the full retracted position within the recess224. However, hand force on the cushion230can easily pull the cushion230from the recess224and rotate the cushion230until the pin244engages detent recess B. This defines the first angular deployed position of the cushion230. Further downward force on the cushion230will cause the cushion230to rotate about the pivot pins238and240until the detent pin244engages the detent recess C to provide a lower angled deployed position C of the cushion230.

Further, it is possible to connect extensible and retractable devices, such as electric motor driven linear rods or extensible and retractable fluid operated cylinders, to the pivot connections at the ends of the side arms232and234of the cushion230. The extensible and retractable devices which are operated simultaneously from a vehicle occupant activated switch, similar to switches used to control the up and down movement of the vehicle windows, enable the entire cushion230, after the cushion has been moved at least partially out of the recess in the seat back232, to be elevated from the lowermost position shown inFIG. 13to a more elevated or vertical spaced position so as to selectively position the entire cushion230at the desired height for the particular size occupant of the seat220.

The extensible and retractable mechanisms are operated in a reverse manner to lower the pivot connections at each of the side arms232and234back to the lowermost position shown inFIG. 13prior to pivotal movement of the cushion230in an upward direction into the recess in the seatback232.

Referring now toFIGS. 15-18there is depicted another aspect of a headrest270. As with previous aspects of the present headrest, the headrest270includes a cushion271depicted has having a generally U-shape formed of a central end portion272which transitions into angularly disposed side cheek portions274and276. The headrest270may alternately be in the form of a single side cheek which may have a linear shape, a slightly curved or arcuate shape, or a J-shape having a side cheek portion and a partial front end which may extend into close proximity or contact with the end of a mirror image J-shaped side check portion mounted in the seat back220. A single J-shaped cushion may be employed all by itself on one lateral side of the seat back220.

A recess286is formed in the seat back220opening from an open end at the front surface232of the seat back220. The recess286has a depth suited for completely receiving the entire depth of the end portion272of the cushion271when the cushion271is in the fully retracted position.

Apertures278and280are formed on opposite sides of the back surface of the recess286. The apertures278and280and open either into the interior of the seat back220or into the interior of receptacles282and284, respectively, fixed within the interior of the seat back220, generally within the cushion material, such as foam, for example, used to fill the interior of the seat back220.

It will be understood that in a case of a headrest in the form of a single side cheek cushion, only one aperture278or280is formed in the seat back220adjacent either side edge of the seatback232.

By way of example only, a slide mechanism is mounted in the seat back220in the form of one or multiple box members, with two box members288and290provided, by example, on each side of the headrest270. The box members288may have any suitable cross-section, such as square, rectangular, circular, etc. Each box member288has a one or more first end flange292which extend laterally outward from the longitudinal center line of the box member288and opposed second flanges294which extend inward into the interior of the box member. The box member288has a hollow interior size for receiving the second box member290or, in the case of the use of only the single box member288, the end of one of the side cushion portions274or278of the cushion271. The box member280has a sidewall296which extends between the flanges292and294.

The flanges292and294may comprise a pair of two laterally opposed flanges or a continuous or discontinuous series of multiple flanges in the case of a square cross-section box member288or290. The function of the flanges292and294is to control the extension and retraction position of the box members288and290as described hereafter.

The second box member290has shape complimentary to the shape of the first box member288, but with a smaller diameter or width dimension so that the flange or flanges298at a first end of the second box member290nest within the interior of the first box member288and are engageable with the second flanges294on the first box member288when the first and second box members288and290are pulled to their extended position as shown inFIGS. 17 and 18.

The second box member290includes a second flange or flanges300at an opposite end of a sidewall301which define an opening through which an enlarged end302of the side cushion274or276nests.

In use, the headrest270will assume to be in the retracted, non-use position shown inFIG. 15. In this position, the front end portion272of the cushion271fits substantially flush with the front surface232of the seatback220when the end portion272nests within the recess286opening from the front surface232of the seatback220. This provides a substantially flush front surface232for the seat back220when the headrest270is not in use.

When use of the headrest270is desired, a user merely grasps the end portion272and pulls the end portion272outward away from the front surface232of the seat back220. Although extension to the fully extended position shown inFIGS. 17 and 18is the usual end position, it will be understood that the headrest270may be extended to any intermediate position to fit the size of the person seated in the seat.

During the extension sliding motion, the flanges292,294,298and300of the box members288and290move from the nested position shown inFIG. 16. The initial outward force on the end portion272cause the side cushions274and276of the headrest270and their associated enlarged ends302to slide within the interior of the second box member290until the outer portions of the enlarged ends302engage the second flanges300on the second box member290.

Continued outward force on the end portion272of the headrest270then causes the second box member290to slide through the interior of the first box member288from the nested, retracted position shown inFIG. 16until the opposite end flanges294engage the second end flanges298of the first box288. Continued extension movement then pulls the first box member288from the nested position shown inFIG. 16to a fully extended position limited by engagement of the first end flanges292with a rigid plate or structure310formed within the seat back220. This position, shown inFIGS. 17 and 18, defines the fully extended, use position of the headrest270.

In the fully extended position shown inFIG. 17, the cushion271and the pairs of opposed box members288and290forms a opening in front of the front surface232of the seat back270suitable for receiving a least a portion of a user's head. The shape of the cushion270and the box members288and290surrounds the entire user's head so as to provide a cushion regardless of the position of the user's head.

When use of the headrest is no longer desired, the user simply exerts a pushing force on the end portion272of the cushion271which causes a reverse operation in which the ends302of the side cushions274and276slide through the interior of the second box member290until the laterally extending end portion272of the headrest270engages the flanges300on the second box member290. This engagement and continued inward pushing force by the user, then causes the second box member290to move with the headrest270through the interior of the first box member288until the end portion272of the cushion271engages the second flanges294on the first box member288. Continued inward pushing force then causes the first box member288to retract through the apertures278or280in the seatback220. The inward pushing force is exerted on the headrest270until the front end portion272nests completely within the recess286.

Referring now toFIGS. 19-23, there is depicted another aspect of a headrest330which is extensibly mounted within the seat back220

As in previous aspects, the headrest330is shown as being in the form of a continuous U-shaped member only by way of example as having cushion36with a portion327and two side portions328and329. The headrest330may also be in the form of a single side cheek cushion of linear, slightly curved or J-shaped, or two side cushions of like, minor image shape.

The seat back220has a configuration similar to that shown inFIGS. 15-18and includes the recess286formed in the upper portion of the front surface232of the seat back270. Opposed apertures332, only one of which is shown inFIG. 19, are formed within the interior of the recess286and open to the interior of the seat back220.

In this aspect, the headrest330extensibly and retractably moves on a slide mechanism denoted generally by reference number340. The slide mechanism includes a lower track342and a slidably engaged upper slider344which is fixedly connected to and supports the end portion of the sides328and329of the cushion326.

As shown in detail inFIG. 21, the lower track342, which may be formed of rigid, high strength plastic, metal or other suitable seat construction materials, has a bottom346, a pair of opposed sides348and350and inward extending upper flanges352and354which are formed as an integral part or extension of the respective sides348and350. The inner edges356and358of the upper flanges352and354, respectively, are spaced apart to form a slot360which runs longitudinally along the entire length of the upper flanges352and354.

The bottom346includes an extension362which projects from one end of the sides348and350and the inward extending flanges352and354.

A recess364is formed substantially over the entire length of the bottom346of the lower track342. The recess364is defined by a slot-like aperture368formed by upper inward extending flanges370and372. The inner ends of the upper flanges370and372are spaced apart to define a slot374which runs along the length of the recess364.

The upper slider344is slidably disposed within the interior of the sidewalls348and350and the inward extending flanges352and354of the lower track342. A portion of the upper slider380projects through the slot360formed between the inner spaced edges356and358of the flanges352and354.

As shown inFIG. 22, the upper slider344includes a central stem382from which projects a pair of longitudinally and oppositely extending upper flanges or lobes384and386and an opposed pair of longitudinally and oppositely or outwardly extending lower flanges or lobes388and390. The lower flanges388and390slide within the opening extending above the bottom346and within the inner surface of the sides348and350and below the upper flanges352and354of the lower track342as shown inFIG. 22. A portion of the central stem382projects through the slot360formed between inner edges356and358of the upper flanges352and354to position the upper flanges384and386above the upper flanges352and354of the lower track342.

The dimensions of the lower track342and the slider344are selected to provide a snug but freely movable fit. A friction fit maybe provided to enable the upper slider344to be pulled out any desired distance relative to the lower track346and remain in a relatively stable position.

When the headrest330in the fully retracted position, the front end portion of the headrest330will be substantially disposed within the recess286and substantially flush with the front surface232of the seatback220.

To use the headrest330, the user grasps the end portion327and pulls outward away from the seat back220. This outward movement causes the upper slider344to slide along the lower track342until the headrest330reaches the fully extended position shown inFIG. 19. It will be understood that if a friction fit is employed between the upper slider344and the lower track342, the headrest330may be disposed in any intermediate position between the full retracted position and the fully extended position.

An internal stop, not shown, may be coupled between the upper slider344and the lower track342to limit sliding movement of the upper slider344in a forward direction relative to the lower track342to prevent the headrest330from being pulled completely out of the slide mechanism340.

A reverse operation using an inward pushing force causes the headrest330to move to the fully retracted position within the recess286in the seat back220.

FIGS. 21,22and23depict a modification to the slide mechanism340which enables a downward pivoting of the cushion326when the cushion326is in the fully extended position to accommodate shorter height users of the seat, such as small children.

The modification utilizes the recess364formed in the lower track342and a pivot member, such as a hinge380, formed of a first hinge leaf382and a second hinge leaf384pivotally connected by a pivot pin386. The first leaf382is fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the upper slider344. The second hinge leaf384slides within the recess364and is captured within the recess364by the inward facing flanges370and372in the lower track342.

In use, with the cushion326in the fully retracted position within the seat back220, the first and second hinge leaves382and384will be in a collapsed position either in contact with each other or in non-contacting, but overlaying position. This allows normal sliding movement of the upper track344and the headrest330along the length of the lower track342between the retracted or extended positions.

After the headrest330has been pulled to the fully extended position, as shown inFIG. 22, a downward force can be exerted on the end327of the cushion326. This downward force causes the hinge leaves382and384to separate, with the first hinge leaf382pivoting away from the second hinge leaf384which is held captured within the recess364in the lower track342. This causes the entire headrest330to pivot about the hinge pin386bringing the front end portion327of the cushion326at a downward angle and at a lower position relative to the top edge of the seat back220to accommodate shorter height seat users, especially smaller children.

To retract the headrest330, the headrest330is first pivoted upward bringing the upper slider344in line with the lower track342. The upper slider344and the headrest330are then slid inward along the length of the lower track342, as described above, until the fully retracted position is reached.