Patent Publication Number: US-2022219586-A1

Title: Adjustable headrest

Description:
FIELD 
     Several embodiments of an adjustable headrest for a seat, such as for a seat in a vehicle, including but not limited to a passenger-type vehicle, like a car or truck, are disclosed. The headrests may have applicability in other vehicles as well. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Vehicles, including passenger-type vehicles, include seats for occupants. The seats often have headrests for both passenger comfort and safety. 
     Prior art headrest designs can be complex structures with complex connection mechanisms to the seat. The complexity of the prior art designs contributes to several disadvantages, including at least their high cost, weight and complexity. 
     The complexity of the prior art designs may also makes it difficult for users to adjust the headrest. For example, prior art headrest designs may require the user to reach behind them, find a small button where the headrest connects with the seat, engage the button and then adjust the headrest to the desired position. Some users have difficulty reaching behind their head, particularly if they are driving. Even if the users can reach behind their head, most will have difficulty finding the small headrest release button that must be engaged often while simultaneously moving the headrest either up or down. 
     In view of the disadvantages associated with the prior art designs, it would be advantageous to have a headrest that was lightweight, as well as simple in its design so it was easy and cost effective to manufacture. It would also be advantageous for the new headrest to be at least as comfortable and safe, if not more, than the prior art designs. Further, it would be advantageous for the headrest to be easily adjustable by a large number of users. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a headrest assembly may have a connecting member extending between a headrest and a seat back of the headrest assembly. The connecting member may have a plurality of teeth. A mechanism may be located in the headrest or the seat back. A portion of the mechanism may be adapted to selectively pivot about the connecting member. A pivot in a first direction may release the mechanism from the plurality of teeth and may permit the connecting member or the mechanism to move with respect to one another. A pivot in a second direction, opposite the first direction, may lock the mechanism to the teeth to prevent the headrest from moving vertically with respect to the seat back. 
     In another aspect, the connecting member may be a rod fixed with respect to the headrest. 
     In another aspect, the mechanism may comprise a tooth that is selectively biased into engagement with the plurality of teeth on the rod. 
     In another aspect, the tooth may be biased by a leaf spring located between a front guide containing the tooth and a front wall of the mechanism. 
     In another aspect, the front guide may extend substantially parallel the rod. 
     In another aspect, a pivot point for the headrest may be located on the rod in the headrest, where the pivot point may be located above the tooth. 
     In another aspect, a headrest assembly may have a connecting member extending between a headrest and a seat back of the headrest assembly. The connecting member may have a plurality of windows. The assembly may also have a mechanism located in the headrest. A portion of the mechanism may be adapted to selectively pivot about the connecting member. A pivot in a first direction may release the mechanism from the plurality of windows and permit the connecting member or the mechanism to move with respect to one another. And, a pivot in a second direction, opposite the first direction, may lock the mechanism to windows to prevent the headrest from moving vertically with respect to the seat back. 
     In another aspect, the connecting member may comprise a back portion fixed with respect to the seat back. The back portion may have C-shaped side portions. The mechanism may comprise an adjustment plate moveable with respect to the back portion within the C-shaped side portions. 
     In another aspect, the adjustment plate may comprise a pin extending through a slot in at least one of the C-shaped side portions. The pin may be a pivot point for the adjustment plate. 
     In another aspect, extensions may be connected to the adjustment plate that are selectively pivoted within one of the plurality of windows at a time to lock the adjustment plate with respect to the connecting member. 
     In another aspect, the windows may be located one above the other in the back portion in a parallel fashion. 
     In another aspect, a headrest assembly may have a connecting member extending between a headrest and a seat back of the headrest assembly. The connecting member may have a plurality of teeth. The assembly may also have a mechanism located in the seat back. A portion of the connecting member may be adapted to selectively pivot about the mechanism. A pivot in a first direction may release the connecting member from the mechanism and may permit the connecting member to move with respect to the mechanism. A pivot in a second direction, opposite the first direction, may lock the connecting member to the mechanism to prevent the headrest from moving vertically with respect to the seat back. 
     In another aspect, the connecting member may comprise a rod with teeth formed thereon. 
     In another aspect, the mechanism may comprise a front guide at least partially located within a fixed guide. 
     In another aspect, the front guide may be pivotally connected to the fixed guide at lower portions of both the front guide and the fixed guide. 
     In another aspect, the rod may extend through both the front guide and the fixed guide where the rod may be adapted for selective vertical movement with respect to both guides. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above, as well as other advantages, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a headrest; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a front perspective view of one embodiment of a frame for a headrest; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a frame and sleeve assembly for a headrest; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a schematic side view of one embodiment of a sleeve assembly for a headrest in one state; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a schematic side view of one embodiment of a sleeve assembly for a headrest in a second state; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a schematic side view of one embodiment of a sleeve assembly for a headrest in a third state; 
         FIG. 7  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a portion of a sleeve assembly; 
         FIG. 8  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a portion of a sleeve assembly; 
         FIG. 9A  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a portion of a sleeve assembly in a first state; 
         FIG. 9B  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a portion of a sleeve assembly in a second state; 
         FIG. 10  depicts a top view of one embodiment of a portion of a sleeve assembly; 
         FIG. 11  depicts a cutaway side view of another embodiment of a headrest assembly in one state; 
         FIG. 12  depicts a cutaway side view of another embodiment of the headrest assembly of  FIG. 11  in a second state; 
         FIG. 13  depicts a cutaway side view of another embodiment of the headrest assembly of  FIG. 11  in a third state; 
         FIG. 14  depicts a cutaway side view of another embodiment of a headrest assembly in a first state; and 
         FIG. 15  depicts a cutaway side view of another embodiment of the headrest assembly of  FIG. 14  in a second state. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It is to be understood that the device may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments. Hence, specific dimensions, directions or other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless the expressly stated otherwise. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 1-10 , one embodiment of a headrest assembly  20  is schematically depicted. The headrest assembly  20  may be adapted to be selectively attached to, and removed from, a seat, such as a vehicle seat  22 . While a vehicle seat  22  is mentioned, and discussed below, the headrest assembly  20  is not limited to vehicle seats  22  but instead can be used with any seat. If adapted to a vehicle, the headrest assembly  20  can be used in many kinds of vehicles, including, but not limited to, passenger vehicles, such as cars and trucks. 
     The headrest assembly  20  may have a forward portion  24  and a rear portion  26  (relative to the x-axis), opposite the forward portion  24 . Side portions  28  may connect the forward portion  24  to the rear portion  26 . The headrest assembly  20  may be generally be one piece, or it may be comprised of two or more pieces, such as separate forward and rear portions  24 ,  26  that have been joined together. 
     The forward portion  24  may be the side facing the seat occupant (the x direction). As such, the forward portion  24  may have a concave design that may assist in centering the seat occupant&#39;s head on the forward portion  24 . Other shapes and sizes for the forward portion  24  are also permissible. The rear portion  26  may be generally planar but other shapes may be permissible. 
     The side portions  28  and/or the rear portion  26  may have hand holds  30 . One embodiment of such hand holds  30  may be seen in  FIG. 1 . In this example, the hand holds  30  may be such as indentations integrally formed in the side portions  28  or the rear portion  26 . The indentations make it easier for the occupant to grasp the forward portion  24  and move the headrest assembly  20  as described and depicted in the other figures and below. The hand holds  30  may also be separately formed and attached to the headrest assembly  30 . 
     It may also be possible for the headrest assembly  20  to have one or more fluid channels (not shown), such as air flow channels, extending at least partially through the headrest assembly  20 . The fluid channels may begin on any of the portions and extend to any other portions. 
     In some embodiments, a frame may extend at least partially into the headrest assembly  20 .  FIGS. 2 and 3  show two embodiments for headrest frames  32 A,  32 B. In these embodiments, the frames  32 A,  32 B may be hollow (in whole or in part) or solid (in whole or in part) with any cross-section, including but not limited to round, square or rectangular. 
     The frames  32 A,  32 B may have two mounting posts  34 , which connect with the seat frame  36 . The mounting posts  34  may be the same as one another, or they may be different. 
     The two mounting posts  34  may be connected by a hoop portion  38 . The hoop portion  38  may be integrally formed, unitary and one piece with the mounting posts  34 , or it may be a separately connected component. In either case, the hoop portion  38  is designed to extend into the headrest assembly  20 . In some embodiments, the hoop portion  38  may be stationary within the headrest assembly  20 . 
     While the term hoop is used, is it not limited to only circular perimeters but instead the hoop portion  38  can take most any shapes, two of which are shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
     Regardless of the size, shape or orientation of the frames  32 A,  32 B, the frames  32 A,  32 B are designed to provide rigidity to the headrest assembly  20  and provide a connection point between the headrest assembly  20  and the seat frame  36 . 
     The mounting posts  34  may be selectively received within a seat  22 . In some embodiments, such as shown in at least  FIGS. 4-6 , each mounting post  34  may be selectively received within a sleeve assembly  40  where each sleeve assembly  40  is located within the seat  22 . 
     In  FIG. 2 , the sleeve assemblies  40  are shown as attached to the seat frame  36 . In this embodiment, except as being attached to the seat frame  36 , the assemblies  40  may be separate modules and otherwise not connected. However, in other embodiments, the sleeve assemblies  40  (both) may form a single module that is attached to the seat frame  36 . 
     Each sleeve assembly  40  may be comprised of a fixed receiver  42 . The receiver  42  may have a hollow interior  44  defined by, or bounded by, a perimeter wall  46 . The perimeter wall  46  may be partial or complete and the perimeter wall  46  may define a tubular or cone shaped structure. 
     Each sleeve assembly  40  may also be comprised of a fixed guide  48  and a front guide  50 . Both guides  48 ,  50  are at least partially located within the receiver  42 . The fixed guide  48  may be stationary with respect to the mounting post  34 , which is free to selectively move at least vertically (the y-direction) with respect to the fixed guide  48 , as can be appreciated from  FIGS. 9A and 9B . Further, the fixed guide  48  may be stationary with respect to the front guide  50 . More particularly, in some embodiments, the front guide  50  may selectively move, such as pivot, with respect to the fixed guide  48 . 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  show one embodiment of the front guide  50  and the fixed guide  48 . The fixed guide  48  may have aligned pin apertures  52  in a lower portion  54  thereof. The front guide  50  may have aligned pins  56  on a lower portion  58  thereof that are complementary to the pin apertures  52  and are designed to fit therein. The pins  56  and pin apertures  52  permit the front guide  50  to selectively pivot, such as in the forward direction (x-direction), with respect to the fixed guide  48 . Indeed, the pins  56  and pin apertures  52  may create a pivot point, or pivot axis  60 , between the front guide  58  and the fixed guide  54 . More particularly, an upper portion  62  of the front guide  50  may pivot in the x-direction away from and out from the fixed guide  48 . The lower portion  58  of the front guide  50  while permitted to pivot, is otherwise secured as noted to the fixed guide  48 .  FIG. 9A  depicts the front guide  50  having its y axis  57  aligned with the y axis  59  of the fixed guide  48 .  FIG. 9B  depicts the front guide  50  tilted with respect to the fixed guide  48  to create angle  61  between the respective axis  57 ,  59 . 
     From  FIGS. 9A, 9B  it can also be appreciated that the front guide  50  may selectively fit at least partially within the fixed guide  48 . By way of one example, the front guide  50  may have a casing  64  that at least partially surrounds a generally hollow interior  66 . Similarly, the fixed guide  48  may have a casing  68  that at least partially surrounds a generally hollow interior  70 . The front guide casing  64  may have a smaller outer diameter  72  than an inner diameter  74  of the fixed guide casing  68  so that the front guide  50  may at least partially nest within the fixed guide  48 , which may be appreciated from  FIG. 9 . This nested relationship may also be appreciated from  FIG. 10 . 
     Looking again at  FIGS. 9A and 9B , it can be appreciated that the fixed guide casing  68  may not entirely enclose the front guide casing  64 ; instead, a portion, such as a front portion  76  of the fixed guide casing  68  may be open. The opening  78  in the fixed guide casing  68  may extend continuously from the lower portion  58  of the fixed guide casing  68  to an upper portion  82  of the fixed guide casing  68 . The opening  78  in the fixed guide casing  68  permits the upper portion  62  of the front guide casing  68  to selectively pivot out of the nested relationship with the fixed guide casing  68 . 
     In a further embodiment, the upper, front portion  76 ,  82  of the fixed guide casing  68  may have a collar  84 . The collar  84  may bound the opening  78  and be located above it. The collar  78  may be a ring or a partial ring. The collar  84  may prevent the front guide casing  64  from pivoting beyond a predetermined limit with respect to the fixed guide casing  68  as a front portion of the upper portion  68  of the front guide  62  comes in selective contact with an interior surface  86  of the collar  84 . 
     The front guide  50  may be biased into the nested relationship with the fixed guide  48 , such as by one or more biasing members  88 , including springs, which may include leaf springs.  FIGS. 4-6  depict one embodiment of a biasing member  88  in one of the sleeve assemblies  40 . In these embodiments, a leaf spring  88  may be positioned between a front wall  90  of the receiver  42  and the front guide  50 . While only a single leaf spring  88  is shown, additional leaf springs, or entirely different types of springs, or biasing members, including foam, may be used. 
     Biasing members (not shown), such as leaf springs, or even a foam material, may be located between a rear wall  92  of the receiver  42  and the fixed guide  48 . These biasing members may assist in locating the fixed guide  48 , and the other structures it contacts, into the correct position. 
     At least one of the sleeve assemblies  48  or  50  may have a cap  94  located above the fixed and front guides  48 ,  50  as shown in at least  FIGS. 4-9A , B. A locking pin, or lever  96 , may be at least partially located within, or otherwise associated with, the cap  94 . One embodiment of a locking lever  96  may be seen in  FIGS. 4-8 . The locking lever  96  may be spring biased with a wire-type spring, as shown in  FIG. 8 . The locking lever  96  may have a lower catch  100  that is biased into a mounting post  102 . The mounting post  102  may have a plurality of spaced apart teeth  104  longitudinally (along the y-axis) arranged on at least a portion thereof. The spring  98  on the locking lever  96  is designed to bias the catch  100  into one of the teeth  104  by default so as to fix the mounting post  102 , and thus the headrest assembly  20 , in a particular vertical orientation. 
     In some embodiments, the headrest assembly  20  can be selectively laterally (e.g., forward and back, which is the x direction) moved via the structures described above. By way of one example,  FIG. 4  depicts the headrest assembly  20  in a lowered position. In another position, the headrest assembly  20  may be biased, or tilted, forward in the x-direction as shown in  FIG. 5 . This causes the mounting posts  34  to also tilt forward within the fixed receiver  42  and forward with respect to the fixed guide  48 . The front guide  50 , however, moves with the mounting posts  34  and tilts at the same or similar angle. The tilt takes the catch  100  of the locking lever  96  out of engagement with the teeth  104  on the mounting post  102 . As a result, the mounting post  34 , or headrest assembly  20 , is no longer constrained by the locking lever  96  and the headrest assembly  20 , with the mounting post(s)  34  can be moved vertically in the y direction with respect to the receiver  42 . From the foregoing, it can also be appreciated that the headrest assembly  20  does not have to move vertically in the y direction to be biased, or tilted, forward. 
     The amount of tilt needed to disengage the catch  100  of the locking lever  96  out of engagement with the teeth  100  on the mounting post  102  may vary. In one embodiment, a deviation from vertical of the mounting post  102  of approximately 1-4 degrees may be sufficient. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting post  102  may be moved approximately 2-3 degrees to disengage the catch from the teeth  104 . 
     Once the catch  100  is free of the teeth  104  the headrest assembly  20  can be moved vertically with respect to the receiver  42 . As such, the headrest assembly  20  can be move upwardly, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . This permits the user to adjust the headrest assembly  20  to the desired position. 
     Once in the desired position, the user can reverse the tilt direction of the headrest assembly  20 . After a few degrees of rearward tilt, such as in the x-direction, the catch  100  on the locking lever  96  reengages with the teeth  104  on the mounting post  102  which locks the mounting post  102 , and thus the headrest assembly  20 , in a fixed vertical orientation. 
     Of course, if the headrest assembly  20  is too high or too low, the process essentially as described above can also be used to adjust the headrest assembly  20  to a different position. 
       FIGS. 11-13  depict an alternative embodiment for a headrest assembly  106 . In this embodiment a fixed rod  108 , which may be part of a headrest frame  110 , essentially as described above, may extend into the headrest assembly  106 . The fixed rod  108  may be comprised of at least one mounting post  112  which extends into a seat back  114  of the seat  116 . A portion  118  of the fixed rod  108  that extends from the seat back  114  may have a plurality of teeth  120  faxing the x-direction as the teeth  20  are provided one above the other in the y-direction. 
     The headrest assembly  106  may also have a sleeve/slide bushing assembly  122 . The assembly  122  may be fixed within the headrest assembly  106 . The sleeve/slide bushing assembly  122  may be the same, or similar to, the receiver  42 , the fixed guide  48  and/or front guide  50  discussed and depicted in the embodiments above. 
     A rear biasing, or cushioning, material  124  may be located between a rear wall  126  of the sleeve/side bushing assembly  122  and the fixed rod  108 . This material  124  may be such as foam, or it may be such as a leaf-type spring. The material  124  may assist in locating and cushioning the parts of the assembly  122  with respect to one another. 
     Additionally, a front biasing material  128  may be located between a front wall  130  of the sleeve/side bushing assembly  122  and the fixed rod  108 . The front biasing material  128  may be such as a leaf-type spring as described and depicted in the previous embodiment. 
     The front biasing material  128  may bias a front guide  132 , or a structure associated with a locking member, into teeth located on the fixed rod. In one embedment, the front guide  132  may located directly by the fixed rod  108 . A lower portion of the front guide  132  may have a tooth  138  directed toward the teeth  134  on the fixed rod  108 . The front guide  132 , and the tooth  138 , may be biased by the front biasing material  128  toward the teeth  120  on the fixed rod  108 . A release lever  140 , located below the tooth  138 , may also be used to release the tooth  138  from the teeth  134 . Namely, the release lever  140  may be moved to move the tooth  138  from the teeth  134  in the x direction. The lever  140  can also be used to release the headrest assembly  106  from the fixed rod  108 . The tooth  138  may also be as the locking lever  96  and catch  100  as described and depicted above. In any case, the tooth  138  secures the headrest assembly  106  to the rod  108  preventing the headrest assembly  106  from moving up or down on the rod  108 . 
     In some embodiments, the headrest assembly  106  can be selectively laterally (e.g., front to back in the x direction) moved. By way of one example,  FIG. 11  depicts the headrest assembly  106  in a lowered position. In another position, the headrest assembly  106  may be biased, or tilted, forward in the x direction, as shown in  FIG. 12 . The tilt takes the tooth  138  out of engagement with the teeth  120  on the fixed rod  108 . As a result, the headrest assembly  106  is no longer constrained by the tooth  138  and the headrest assembly  106  can be moved vertically with respect to the fixed rod  108 . The headrest assembly  106  can also be tilted without being raised, or appreciably raised, through the mechanisms mentioned above. 
     As noted above in the previous embodiment, the amount of tilt of the headrest assembly  106  needed to disengage the tooth  138  may vary. As shown in the figures, the headrest assembly  106  may tilt, or pivot, about a pivot point  142  within the headrest assembly  106 . The pivot point  142  may be located on the fixed rod  108  at a location within the headrest assembly  106 . In some embodiments, the pivot point  142  may be located with the receiver/sleeve/slide bushing assembly  122 . Further, the pivot point  142  may be located on the fixed rod  108  and adjacent an upper, or top, wall  144  of the receiver/sleeve/slide bushing assembly  122 . 
     Once the tooth  138  is free of the teeth  120  the headrest assembly  106  can be moved vertically in the y direction with respect to the sleeve/slide bushing assembly  122 . As such, the headrest assembly  106  can be move upwardly, as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . This permits the user to adjust the headrest assembly  106  to the desired position. 
     Once in the desired position, the user can reverse the tilt direction of the headrest assembly  106 . After a few degrees of rearward tilt in the x direction, the tooth  136  reengages with the teeth  120  on the mounting post  112  which locks the headrest assembly  106  in a fixed vertical orientation. 
     Of course, if the headrest assembly  106  is too high or too low, the process essentially as described above can also be used to adjust the headrest assembly  106  to a different position. 
       FIGS. 14 and 15  depict yet another embodiment of a headrest assembly  146 . This embodiment may have a fixed plate  148  that is secured to a seat back  150 . It may be that the fixed plate  148  is bolted to the seat back  150 , such as to the seat back frame  152 , but other attachment structures are permissible. The fixed plate  148  may generally extend in the y direction. 
     The fixed plate  148  may have a rear portion  154  bounded by two side portions  156 . The side portions  156  may be formed, with the rear portion  154 , to create channels  158 . The channels  158  may be continuous or there may be gaps along walls that form the channels  158 . In some embodiments, the channels  158  may have a generally C-shaped cross section when viewed in the y direction. 
     The rear portion  154  of the fixed plate  148  may have spaced apart windows  160  located generally parallel one another. The windows  160  may be equally spaced apart and they may be of the same size and shape as one another. The figures depict three windows  160  but a greater or fewer number of windows  160  is permissible. 
     An adjustment plate  162  may be located adjacent the fixed plate  148 . In some embodiments, the adjustment plate  162  may be at least partially nested with fixed plate  148 . In one example, the adjustment plate  162  may be located between the side portions  156  so that the side portions  156  retain the adjustment plate  162  in a side-to-side, or z, direction, but the side portions  156  do not prevent the adjustment plate  162  from moving or vertically in the y direction. The side portions  156  may permit the adjustment plate  162  to at least partially move, such as tilt or pivot, in the x-direction. 
     At least one biasing member  164 , such as, but not limited to, a leaf spring, may be located between the adjustment plate  162  and the fixed plate  148 . In one embodiment, the biasing member  164  may be positioned between one of the side portions  156  and the adjustment plate  160 . The biasing member  164  urges the adjustment plate  162  rearwardly in the x direction toward the fixed plate  148 . 
     A rear surface  166  of the adjustment plate  162  may be provided with at least one extension  168 . The extension  168  may extend the adjustment plate  162  in a rearward direction such as the x direction. The extension  168  may be integrally formed, one piece and uniform with the rest of the adjustment plate  162 , or it may be separately attached. The extension  168  may be such as a flange or hook-like member designed to be selectively inserted and removed from the windows  160  in the fixed plate  148 . The extension  168  may extend generally parallel the windows  160 , but it has a smaller z direction so that it may fit within the windows  160 . 
     In one embodiment, at least one slot  170  may be provided in at least one of the side portions  156  of the fixed plate  148 . The slot  170  may be substantially vertically oriented such as in the y direction. 
     At least one pin  172  connected to the adjustment plate  162  may be located within the slot  170  and adapted for vertical movement within the slot  170 . The at least one pin  172  may be spring biased to extend outwardly in the z direction. 
     The adjustment plate  162  may be at least partially located within a headrest  174 . Similarly, the fixed plate  148  may be at least partially located within the headrest  174 . Both may be housed within the headrest  174  in an insert  176  located within the headrest  174 . The insert  176  may extend substantially the length of the headrest  174  within the internal volume of the headrest  174  and have a complementary shape to both the fixed plate  148  and the adjuster plate  162 . 
     In order to adjust the vertical, or y, position of the headrest  174 , a user may tilt the headrest  174  forward. The tilt disengages the extension on the adjustment plate  162  with the window  160  in the fixed plate  148 . More particularly, the adjustment plate  162  tilts about the pin  172  located within the slot  172 , where the pin  172  functions as a pivot point  178  for the adjustment plate  162 . The user may then raise or lower the adjustment plate  162 , along with the attached headrest  174 , to the desired position. 
     When the headrest  174  is in the desired position, the user tilts the headrest  174  rearwardly so that the extension  168  on the adjustment plate  162  engages with a window  160  in the fixed plate  148 . Once located in a window  160  the extension  168  holds the adjustment plate  166 , and thus the headrest  174 , in the desired vertical, or y axis, location. 
     A bezel  180  may be located at least about the fixed plate  148  as it extends from the seat back  150  to the headrest  174  to at least partially hide the fixed plate  148 . The bezel  180  may extend at least partially into the insert  176 . 
     To remove the headrest  174  from the seat back  150 , the user can push the at least one pin  172  inwardly to release it from its slot  170 . The headrest  174 , along with the attached adjustment plate  162 , can then be removed from the fixed plate  148  and the seat back  150 . 
     The systems described above are advantageous because they do not need the user to reach behind their head and try to find a button, or other release device, to adjust the headrests  20 ,  106 ,  146 . Instead, as can be appreciated from the above, the headrests  20 ,  106 ,  146  are the adjustment mechanisms, which permits the user to simply grasp the headrests  20 ,  106 ,  146 , tilt them to release them from their locked positions, move the released headrests  20 ,  106 ,  146  up or down to the desired position and then move the headrests  20 ,  106 ,  146  back against the initial tilt direct to reengage the lock. 
     In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present device has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiments. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.