The invention relates to a headrest for a seat, in particular for a vehicle seat, having a base (11) mounted on at least one support post (12a, 12b) on the seat and displaceable relative to the support post, having a latch (16) moveable between a locking position and a release position and capable of locking the base in at least one position relative to the support post, the latch comprising first holding means (46) on the base (11) and second holding means (47) on the support post (12a, 12b), the first holding means being formed on a slide (19) moveably mounted on the base (11) such that the first holding means and the second holding means are in engagement in the locking position and are in disengagement in the release position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priorities of German patent applications 102015001995.3 filed 20 Feb. 2015, 102015006340.5 filed 19 May 2015, and 102015011477.8 filed 8 Sep. 2015.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a headrest for a seat, in particular for a vehicle seat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The headrest comprises at least one support post and a base on which a head contact surface is directly or indirectly mounted. The base is mounted on a seat by the support post, the support post being held in place by a fixed bearing and the base is mounted on the support post. The base is vertically adjustable relative to the support post. According to the present invention, vertically adjustable means that the positioning movement has vertical elements. The motion does not mandatorily have to be purely vertical.

A latch can lock the headrest at different height positions in at least one direction. For this purpose, a slide guided on the base is provided with first holding means. The first holding means act together with second holding means on the support post. If the latch is in a locking position, the first and the second holding means are engaged with each other. If the latch is in a release position, the first and the second holding means are disengaged from each other.

Such a headrest is known from the known prior use.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a headrest in which manufacturing complexity is reduced. Moreover, it is the object of the present invention to provide a headrest that does not cause bothersome noises. In addition, it is the object of the present invention to provide a headrest having a latch for which large tolerances can be chosen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is achieved by the headrest in which the base is adjustably mounted on the support post so that it is movable into different height positions. A latch can lock the base in at least one position relative to the support post. First holding means of the latch are formed on a slide that is part of the locking mechanism. According to the present invention, “formed on a slide” means that the first holding means can be integrally formed with the slide or for example be attached to the slide. The slide is movably mounted on the base between a locking position and a release position. In the locking position, movement of the base is prevented in at least one adjustment direction while, while, in the release position, the base is movable. In the locking position for example upward movement of the base can be possible and downward movement can be prevented.

The slide for example forms together with the base and/or the support post a guide and mount with respect to at least one spatial direction. For example, the slide forms at least one first guide surface acting together with at least one second guide surface of the base or of the support post. For example, the base forms at least one guide surface for at least one guide surface of the slide that borders a guide groove for the slide formed on the base. The guide surfaces of the slide and of the base acting together can prevent movement of the slide in at least one direction and enable movement of the slide in at least one spatial direction. The slide can for example be slidably mounted in the guide groove and, in this manner, can be movably mounted between the locking position and the release position.

Moreover, the slide can for example have at least one guide surface that is in contact with at least one guide surface of the support post. The slide engages around the support post, for example at least partially, and at least one guide surface of the slide is in contact with the surface of the support post. The support post engages through for example a hole, in particular a slot, of the slide. The hole or the slot can for example form guide surfaces that are in contact with the surface of the support post. An edge of the slot is for example in contact with the support post. For example, the slot can allow movement of the slide in a first direction and prevent a movement in a second direction. For example, two opposite guide surfaces of the slot engage the support post and prevent movement in a second direction.

The guide surfaces are, at least in areas, formed for example by ribs or contact points. Alternatively or additionally for example at least one area of the guide surface can be configured such that it abuts in large areas against the slide.

The guide forms for example between the slide and the base and/or between the slide and the support post a tight fit. For example, the support post is oversized relative to the opposite lying guide surface of the slot of the slide so that the guide surfaces abut against the support post. For example, the slide is oversized relative to the guide of the base.

At least one of the guide surfaces of the base and/or of the slide is for example elastic and can be elastically deformed when making the tight fit.

The first or the second guide surface is for example at least partially part of a web that is elastically deformable into an adjacently formed deflection space. When guided between the slide and the base and/or between the slide and the support post, the web can elastically deform. For example, the web can form an edge of the hole. The deflection space can also be formed by a cavity. In this manner, the slide is guided free of play on the support post and/or the base at least with regard to one spatial direction.

In doing so for example a tight fit can be chosen and deviations in shape and position owing to manufacturing tolerances can be compensated out in this manner so that the slide is free of play at least with regard to one direction of movement.

One of the interengaging guide surfaces can form a bump that is in contact with the other guide surface. For example, bumps can project into a guide groove or a guide rail of the base from a plurality of sides or in different spatial directions so that the slide is guided free of play in a plurality of spatial directions.

For example, the web has at least one bump that is facing the respective other guide surface. In this case, the bump is in contact with the other guide surface.

According to one embodiment, the base has a guide groove. The guide groove forms a guide rail for the slide, on which the slide is movable between the locking position and the release position. The guide groove is for example molded in the base. For example, the slide is movable in a straight line like a drawer in the guide groove. For assembly, the slide can be simply inserted into the guide groove.

In principle, the slide can be mounted on the base such that forces from the base are transferrable to the slide at least in one spatial direction for example in spatial direction z. These forces then can be transferred from the slide to the support post. For example, the slide is mounted on the base in a movable manner in a first spatial direction and not movable in a second and third spatial direction. Forces in the second and third direction then can be transferred from the base to the slide.

The headrest has for example an actuating element. According to the present invention, the actuating element is any actuator by means of which the user can move the latch between the locking position and the release position from the outside. For example, the actuating element can be formed by a push button.

The actuating element of the latch is pivoted for example by a joint on the slide. The joint has for example a first joint member on the actuating element and a second joint member on the slide. The first joint member and the second joint member are for example interlockable and then form a positive connection. One joint member can for example be formed by a claw, in which the other joint member formed as a cylinder or a hollow cylinder is concentrically positioned. For example, the outer hollow cylinder can be configured in a C-shape and form two elastic arms that are spreadable for mounting the inner cylinder or hollow cylinder. According to an alternative embodiment, one joint member can be configured as a ball gripper and the other joint member as a ball segment. A joint can compensate out differences in the relative position between actuating element and slide and to permit larger tolerances.

The slide for example has a contact surface that in the locking position is in contact with a surface of the support post and is positioned relative to the first holding means such that the first holding means when in the locking position is moveable into the notch only to the extent short of contact with a notch floor. The contact surface is for example formed by a bump on the slide.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In all figures, the headrest is indicated at reference character10. The same reference characters in the different figures denote respective parts, even if lower-case letters are added or omitted.

FromFIG. 1ais a perspective view of a base11of headrest10. The headrest10comprises support posts12aand12bon which a base is mounted. The base11is provided with a cushion13. Lower ends14of the support posts12aand12bare fixed in unillustrated sockets of a vehicle seat. An upper end15(seeFIG. 1b) of each support post12aand12bis accommodated in a respective bearing of the base11.

The base11is adjustable relative to the support posts12aand12bin directions z1and z2. A latch16adjustable between a locking position and a release position can lock the base11at different height positions. The latch16has an actuating element17in the form of a push button that is operable from outside of the base11. The base11forms a head contact surface18for resting or abutting the head of an unillustrated seat occupant.

FIG. 1bis an exploded view of the headrest10showing individual parts of the headrest10.

FIG. 1cis a front view of the headrest10. In this illustrated embodiment, the actuating element17for operating the latch16is on the left side of the base11because the headrest is for the driver seat. According to another shown embodiment, for a headrest for the passenger seat, the actuating element can be on the right side of the base11.

FIG. 2ais a section through the base11. The cushion13is not shown. A slide19of the latch16is guided by ribs20of the base11to move between the locking position shown inFIGS. 2aandband an unillustrated release position of the latch16in directions y1and y2. The slide19is urged in the direction y2into the locking position, in particular by a spring. The actuating element17can push the slide19in the direction y1into the release position.

The ribs20are cut out such that a guide groove22is formed. Guide surfaces21of the base11are turned toward the guide groove22and act together with outer surfaces56of the slide19. The slide19is positioned in the guide groove22such that it is substantially not movable in directions x1and x2or in directions z1and z2(that is, it is only movable in one direction) while it is movable in directions y1and y2.

To compensate for play in directions z1and z2, the slide19has a spring web57that is formed by a part of the slide19pushed out in the direction z1. The pushed-out part is between two slots58so that the pushed-out part forms a web that is connected to the slide at ends59and60. Its side edges61are separated from the slide19by the slots58so that the spring web57can elastically deform in the direction z2opposite its spring elastic return force. The spring web57is in contact with a part28of an upper wall62limiting the guide groove22(seeFIGS. 1band9). The spring web57urges the slide19in the direction z2against a lower guide surface of the guide groove22.

According toFIG. 2a, the slide19has two slot-shaped holes23. The support post12aengages through one of holes23, and the support post12bengages through the other hole23.

FIG. 3shows an enlarged view of a detail ofFIG. 2a. An outside diameter D of the support post12bis slightly bigger than the inside diameter d of the hole23. An area24of an outer surface25of the hole23is part of a web26that is formed in the slide19between outer surface25and a hole27. The web26is elastically deformable and can elastically deform into the hole27. In this manner, the slide19fits, despite shape and position deviations of the base11and/or of the slide19and/or of the support posts12aand12bowing to dimensional tolerances, always free of play in the directions x1and x2on the support post12b.

FIGS. 4aand 4bshow that an area of an outer surface28of the base11facing the guide groove22is part of an elastically deformable web29. The web29is formed by a hole30adjacent the outer surface28. The web29is provided with a bump31that projects into the guide groove22and abuts the outer surface56of the slide19. In this manner, the slide19fits, despite manufacturing dimensional tolerances of the base11and the slide19, free of play in the guide groove22with regard to directions z1and z2.

An extension32of the slide19projects downward from the slide19in the direction z2, and a projection33extending in the direction y2adjacent a hollow C-shaped claw63whose center axis a is perpendicular to the x/y plane. The C-shaped claw63has an aperture64and arms65that are elastically spreadable as shown by arrows68.

According toFIG. 5, the actuating element17is movably guided in a housing41in directions y1and y2. The housing41has a floor42against which one end of a spring43is braced. The other end of the spring43N bears against the actuating element17and urges it and for this reason also the slide19in the direction y2into the locking position.

The actuating element17has an extension38whose free end is shaped as a cylindrical segment66. This cylindrical segment66is engaged in the C-shaped claw63and forms together with it a joint67. Limited movement in directions x1and x2and in the directions z1and z2is possible between the cylindrical segment66and the C-shaped claw63. In this manner, dimensional deviations based on shape and position tolerances between the position of the slide19and the position of the actuating element17can be compensated out.

According to an alternative embodiment (seeFIGS. 10athrough 10c), a ball gripper34having a cavity can be formed on the extension33. At a free end, ball gripper34is provided with a socket35. The areas of ball gripper34adjacent the socket35have elastically deformable arms36between which slots37are formed. The arms36are radially elastically deformable so that the socket is enlargeable by elastic deformation of the arms36.

In this case, the free end of extension38of the actuating element17is shaped as a ball segment39. This ball segment39fits in the ball gripper34and forms together with it a ball joint40. The ball joint40can compensate out dimensional deviations owing to shape and position tolerances in directions x1and x2and/or z1and z2between the position of the slide19and the position of the actuating element17.

The bores44of the slide19hold first holding means46in the form of locking pins45transversely movable in the directions y1and y2of the slide19(see for exampleFIGS. 6 and 7). The bores44are configured complementarily to the outer surface of the cylindrical locking pin45so that no relative movement between the locking pins45and the slide19can occur in directions y1and y2and z1and z2. The fit of the locking pin45is selected such that the locking pin45cannot inadvertently move out of the bore44. Forces acting upon the base11can be transferred by the locking pin45of the slide19to the support post12aor12b.

According toFIG. 1b, the support post12ahas an array75aand the support post12bhas an array75bof holding means47that are formed by notches48. The two locking pins45of the slide19are in the locking position of the slide19in engagement with a respective one of the notches48(see for exampleFIG. 7a). In the release position according toFIG. 7b, the locking pins45are not in engagement with the notches48.FIG. 6shows that from the outer surface25of the hole23a bump49projects in the direction y2into the hole23. The bump49is formed in only one of holes23. This bump49is oriented relative to the respective locking pin45such that it abuts in the locking position against a surface50of the support post12band prevents the slide19from moving so far in the direction y2that the locking pin45comes into contact with the notch floor51. Thus, the bump49eliminates a noise on locking of the pin45.

Despite the contact of the bump49with the surface50, the locking pin45in the locking position is positioned in the notch such that the locking pin45is in contact with at least one latch face52that prevents a movement of the base11in direction(s) z1and/or in the direction z2.

In this illustrated embodiment, each notch48is provided with two opposite latch faces52, as a result of which a movement of the base11in directions z1and z2is prevented. According to an alternative unillustrated embodiment, the notches can also only have one latch face52and, for this purpose, have an inclined flank, the slide19being moved in the direction y1into the release position by the locking pin45in contact with the inclined plane of the slide19. In this case, only a movement in the direction z2would be blocked in the locking position; however, a movement in the direction z1would be possible.

FIG. 9shows a perspective view of the base11from behind. For mounting the base11on the support posts12aand12b, guide sleeves76aand76bare molded in the base11. The support post12ais received in the guide sleeve76aand the support post12bis received in the guide sleeve76b. The guide sleeves76aand76ballow the base11to slide on the support posts12aand12bin directions z1and z2. A spring69ais part of the guide sleeve76aand a spring69bis part of the guide sleeve76b. Each spring69aand69bis attached with a respective bracket70to the base11.

The spring69ahas a free upper end71and a free lower end72. The upper free end71is in contact with a guide element73and urges the same in the direction x1against the support post12a. Free lower end72acts together with a guide element74and urges it in the direction x1against the support post12a. In a similar manner, the spring69bacts together with guide elements73and74and urges them in the direction x1against the support post12b. The guide elements73and74are held on the base11and are movably configured such that they can be moved when in contact with the support posts12aand12b. The springs69aand69burge the base11in the direction x2such that the support posts12aand12bare kept in contact with an inner wall of respective guide sleeve76aor76b.

In the following, mounting the headrest10is described (seeFIG. 2).

After mounting the locking pins45in the respective bores44, the slide19is inserted in the direction y1into the guide groove22of the base11. Subsequently, the support posts12aand12bare inserted into the guide sleeves76aand76bof the base11so that they engage through the holes23of the slide19. Finally, a traverse53is guided through apertures and slots55of base13and the ends of the traverse53are fastened on upper ends15of the support posts12aand12b. The fastener can be formed for example by a welded connection, a wobble riveting connection or other conventional connections.

Subsequently, the cushion13is mounted on the base11. The housing41, the spring43and the actuating element17are pre-mounted and are attached to the base11as a component group in that the cylindrical segment66is interlocked with the C-shaped claw63. For this purpose, the cylindrical segment66is moved through aperture64to engage with the C-shaped claw63so as to spread the arms65as indicated by arrow pair68. If the cylindrical segment66is in its seat, the arms36engage behind the cylindrical segment66. Between the cylindrical segment66and the C-shaped claw63a joint67is formed that enables the actuating element17with reference to its intended position to be situated minimally offset in the direction z1or z2and/or in the direction x1or x2relative to the slide.

The function of the headrest10is described below. According toFIG. 9, the base11is in the lowest position. The traverse53is in an upper region54from which slots55are formed into the ribs20of the base11. If the base11is to be moved upward from the lowest position, first, the latch16is to be adjusted from the locking position into a release position by pressure on the actuating element17.

In the locking position, the slide19is in the position as shown for example inFIG. 7. The locking pins45are engaged with the notches48so that movement of the base11in directions z1and z2is prevented by opposite latch faces52of the notches48.

On actuation, the element17moves opposite to the force of the spring43in the direction y1. The slide19is also moved via the joint67in the direction y1into the release position. In the release position (seeFIG. 7b) the slide19is, with reference to the shown position inFIG. 7, moved in the direction y1and the locking pins45are out of engagement with the notches48. The base11can now be moved in the direction z2.

As soon as the desired vertical position is attained, the pressure onto the actuating element17can be released. The actuating element17is then moved by the spring43in the direction y2, the slide19also being moved in the direction y2. For this purpose, the locking pins45are, depending on the height position of the base11, engaged with the notches48against the surface50of the support post12aor12band lock in one of the notches48. The latch16is then again in the locking position. In the locking position, the bump49abuts a the surface50of the support post12band prevents the locking pin45from moving when in contact with notch floor51(seeFIGS. 3 and 6). In the locking position, a gap is formed between locking pin45and notch floor51.