Patent Publication Number: US-2019168650-A1

Title: Foldable head restraint

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/593,520, filed on Dec. 1, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The subject matter disclosed herein relates to head restraints and, more particularly, to a foldable head restraint. 
     Many vehicles, such as automobiles, include a headrest or head restraint atop an occupant&#39;s seat and in a position adjacent the occupant&#39;s head. Head restraints are typically cushioned for comfort, are height adjustable, and most are commonly finished in the same material as the rest of the seat. Some head restraints are adjustable in one or more manners. Mechanisms that facilitate such adjustment must meet packaging and operating constraints, which is often challenging. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     According to one aspect of the disclosure, a vehicle head restraint assembly includes a base portion coupleable to a vehicle seat back, the base portion including a cross member portion. Also included is a head restraint operatively coupled to the cross member portion and rotatable about the cross member portion. Further included is a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a lock surrounding the cross member portion and fixed in a non-rotatable thereto. The locking mechanism also includes a lock slide having at least one lock tooth engageable with the lock, the lock tooth moveable relative to the lock between a locked condition and an unlocked condition. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosure, a vehicle head restraint assembly includes a base portion coupleable to a vehicle seat back, the base portion including a cross member portion. The assembly also includes a head restraint operatively coupled to the cross member portion and rotatable about the cross member portion. The assembly further includes a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a lock surrounding the cross member portion and fixed in a non-rotatable manner thereto, the lock including a first protrusion and a second protrusion spaced from each other to define a lock tooth path therebetween. The lock mechanism also includes a lock slide having a tooth moveable relative to the lock between a locked condition and an unlocked condition, the locked condition defined by misalignment of the lock tooth and the lock tooth path, the unlocked condition defined by alignment of the lock tooth and the lock tooth path. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front, elevational view of a head restraint assembly; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear, elevational view of the head restraint assembly; 
         FIG. 3  is a partially disassembled view of the head restraint assembly; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a frame member of the head restraint assembly; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a push button of the head restraint assembly; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the head restraint assembly in an upright position; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the head restraint assembly in a folded position; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a locking mechanism within the head restraint assembly in an upright, locked condition; 
         FIG. 9  is a rear, perspective view of the locking mechanism in the upright, locked condition; 
         FIG. 10  is a front, perspective view of the locking mechanism in the upright, locked condition; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism illustrating positioning of lock teeth in the upright, locked condition; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the locking mechanism within the head restraint assembly in an upright, unlocked condition; 
         FIG. 13  is a rear, perspective view of the locking mechanism in the upright, unlocked condition; 
         FIG. 14  is a front, perspective view of the locking mechanism in the upright, unlocked condition; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism illustrating positioning of lock teeth in the upright, unlocked condition; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the locking mechanism within the head restraint assembly in a folded position; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the locking mechanism in the folded position; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the locking mechanism in the folded position according to another aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a partially disassembled view of a base assembly and lock of the head restraint assembly; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the base assembly and the lock in an assembled condition; 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the head restraint assembly with a cam, the head restraint assembly in the upright, locked condition; 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the head restraint assembly with the cam, the head restraint assembly in the upright, unlocked condition; 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the head restraint assembly with the cam, the head restraint assembly in the folded position; 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the head restraint assembly with a cable connected to the cam; 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view illustrating a partially disassembled view of the base assembly and the lock of the head restraint assembly according to another aspect of the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 26  is a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism illustrating positioning of lock teeth in the upright, locked condition according to another aspect of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a head restraint assembly  10  is depicted. The head restraint assembly  10  is illustrated without a cover to show components partially or completely disposed therein. The head restraint assembly  10  includes a base portion  14  (which may also be referred to as an “armature”) that is mountable to a vehicle seat (not shown), and, more specifically, to the upper portion of the seatback of the vehicle seat. In the illustrated embodiment, the base portion  14  is formed from a single piece of metal and includes two parallel post portions  18  that are mounted, or mountable, to the top of the seatback of the vehicle seat, as understood by those skilled in the art. Each of the post portions  18  includes a respective elongated, straight portion. Each of the straight portions extends into a respective hole formed in the top of the seatback to attach the head restraint assembly  10  to the vehicle seat. The base portion  14  is also illustrated in detail in  FIGS. 19 and 20 . 
     As shown, the base portion  14  also includes a cross member portion  26  that interconnects the two post portions  18 . The cross member portion  26  extends substantially transversely relative to the post portions  18 . For example, when the base portion  14  is connected to a vehicle seat, the post portions  18  are generally vertical, and the cross member portion  26  is generally horizontal. 
     The head restraint assembly  10  further includes a head restraint  40  operatively connected to the base portion  14 . In the embodiment depicted, the head restraint  40  includes a frame structure  44  that provides rigid structure to the head restraint  40 . A head restraint cushion (not shown) is comprised of soft foam or a like material to provide a cushion between the head of a human occupant of the vehicle seat and the head restraint frame structure  44 . The head restraint cover covers at least part of the cushion and the housing to enhance the aesthetics of the head restraint. Exemplary cover materials include cloth, vinyl, leather, etc. 
     The frame structure  44  includes one or more components, such as the illustrated first frame member  46 , second frame member  48 , and shell  50 . The frame structure  44  may be formed of numerous contemplated materials. In one embodiment, the frame structure  44  is formed of plastic. Two apertures are defined by the cover and/or at least one other internal component, with each aperture configured to receive one of the posts  18 . The posts  18  of the base portion extend through a respective one of the apertures to enter an internal cavity of the head restraint  40 . The cross member portion  26  extends through the internal cavity. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the head restraint assembly  10  is shown in a partially disassembled condition. In particular, the first frame member  46  is separated from the second frame member  48  and the shell  50 . The first frame member  46  may be operatively coupled to the second frame member  48  and/or the shell  50  in multiple contemplated manners. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame members are coupled in a snap-fitting manner. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first frame member  46  includes protrusions  52  that are received within receiving features of the second frame member  48 . It is to be appreciated that the second frame member  48  may have the protrusions, with the first frame member  46  having receiving features. Although a snap-fit assembly is described above and illustrated, it is to be understood that alternative coupling methods may be employed, such as the use of mechanical fasteners, for example. 
     A push button  54  ( FIG. 5 ) is also shown removed from the frame structure  44  in  FIG. 3 . The push button  54  may be coupled to the frame structure  44  in several different manners. In the illustrated embodiment, the push button  54  is press fit into a push button housing  56  that is coupled to, or integrally formed with, the frame structure  44 . The push button  54  protrudes from the cover of the head restraint  40  to be accessible to a user at an exterior of the head restraint  40 . As described herein, the push button  54  allows a user to manually unlock the head restraint  40  in preparation for rotation of the head restraint  40  from an upright position to a folded position. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the head restraint  40  is pivotable (also referred to herein as foldable) about the cross member portion  26  between a substantially upright position ( FIG. 6 ) and a downwardly rotated position ( FIG. 7 ). The upright position is defined by a range of angular positions that are closer to a vertical orientation of the head restraint  40  than a horizontal orientation of the head restraint  40 , with the top of the head restraint  40  disposed above the bottom of the head restraint  40 . The downward position is defined by a range of angular positions that are closer to the horizontal orientation of the head restraint  40  than the vertical orientation of the head restraint  40 . Such embodiments include the head restraint  40  being rotatable about 90 degrees from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position. In alternative embodiments, the head restraint  40  is pivotable about more than 90 degrees, such as 180 degrees to position the top of the head restraint  40  below the bottom of the head restraint  40  in a substantially vertical orientation. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , frame members  46 ,  48  are removed to better illustrate a locking mechanism  60  that locks the head restraint  40  with respect to the base portion  14 , thereby preventing rotation of the head restraint  40  relative to the base portion  14 , but is selectively unlocked to allow rotation of the head restraint  40 , relative to the base portion  14 . For example, the locking mechanism  60  locks the head restraint  40  in the upright position and may be selectively operated to allow the head restraint  40  to rotate forwardly. The locking mechanism  60  includes a lock slide  62  and a lock  64 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , the lock  64  is fixedly coupled to the cross member portion  26  of the base portion  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lock  64  is a two-piece assembly that is split in half into a first lock part  70  and a second lock part  72 , but it is to be appreciated that different constructions may be utilized. The first and second lock parts  70 ,  72  surround a portion of the cross member portion  26  and are coupled to each other to retain the lock parts together and to secure them to the cross member portion  26 . The lock parts  70 ,  72  may be coupled with mechanical fasteners  74 , as shown. The portion of the cross member portion  26  to which the lock  64  is secured to includes a shape or feature(s) that do not permit rotation of the lock  64  relative to the base portion  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cross member portion  26  includes a flattened portion  76  that is non-cylindrical to provide the non-rotational coupling of the lock  64  to the base portion  14 . Alternative geometries are contemplated, with the lock  64  having complementary features and/or geometry to ensure non-rotation, as shown in  FIG. 25 .  FIG. 25  includes a substantially cylindrical cross member portion  26 , but recesses  100 ,  102  are provided as key features that mate with protrusions extending from an inner surface  104  of the lock  64 . Any number of key features may be provided and in numerous contemplated geometries. 
       FIGS. 8-11  illustrate the head restraint  40  in an upright and locked condition. The lock slide  62  is in direct or indirect contact with the push button  54 , or an extension of the push button  54 . In the illustrated example, an arm  78  of the push button housing  56  receives a tab  80  of the lock slide  62  to facilitate coordinated movement of the push button  54  and the lock slide  62 . A biasing member  82 , such as a coil spring or the like, is engaged with the lock slide  62  to bias the lock slide  62  toward an extended position of the push button  54 , as shown in  FIGS. 21-24 . Manual depression of the push button  54  must overcome the biasing force of the biasing member  82  to translate the lock slide  62  out of the locked condition shown in  FIGS. 8-11 . 
     In the locked condition, one or more lock teeth  90  extending from the lock slide  62  are disposed within a groove  92  that extends along a longitudinal direction of the cross member portion  26 . In the illustrated embodiment, three lock teeth  90  are included, but it is to be appreciated that more or fewer lock teeth may be present. The groove  92  is defined by a continuous wall  93  that extends continuously in the longitudinal direction of the groove  92  and by a discontinuous wall  94 . The discontinuous wall  94  is formed with ends  95  of protrusions  96 . The protrusions  96  extend circumferentially around the lock  62  and define annular lock teeth paths  98 . In the locked position, the lock teeth  90  are aligned with the ends  95  of the protrusions  96  to sandwich the lock teeth  90  between the continuous wall  93  and the discontinuous wall  94 . To facilitate a meshed engagement of the lock teeth  90  with the walls  93 ,  94 , one or more of the lock teeth  90  may be tapered. As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , only the outer lock teeth  90  are tapered in some embodiments, but it is to be appreciated that all or none of the lock teeth  90  are tapered in some embodiments. The extent to which the lock teeth  90  are tapered may differ depending upon the application. In one example, the lock teeth  90  are tapered about 4 degrees. As shown in  FIG. 26 , some embodiments of wall  93  include a discontinuous wall  106 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 12-15 , the locking mechanism  60  is shown in a disengaged condition with the head restraint  40  in the upright position. In this position, the push button  54  has been depressed to translate the lock slide  62  to an extent necessary to misalign the lock teeth  90 , relative to the ends  95  of the discontinuous wall  94 . The lock teeth  90  are then axially aligned with the annular lock teeth paths  98 , thereby allowing the lock slide  62  to rotate relative to the lock  64 , and hence the base portion  14 . Such movement imparts rotation of the head restraint  40  to which the lock slide  62  is operatively coupled to. Rotation moves the head restraint  40  to a folded position. In the illustrated embodiment, rotation is urged with two springs  100 ,  102 , but in some embodiments a single spring is employed or more than two springs are included. Therefore, with springs  100 ,  102 , once the lock teeth  90  are aligned with the annular lock teeth paths  98  the lock slide  62  is automatically rotated to the folded position, as shown in  FIGS. 16-18 . A stop surface is provided to cease rotation of the head restraint  40  at a desired position. For example, as discussed above, the stop surface may be positioned to halt movement of the head restraint  40  after a 90 degree rotation. The stop surface may be integrated with the lock  64  or some other component of the head restraint  40 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 21-24 , another aspect of the locking mechanism  60  is illustrated. As described above, folding of the head restraint  40  may be actuated manually by depressing the push button  54 , which initiates translation of the lock slide  62  to align the lock teeth  90  with the annular lock teeth paths  98 . Alternatively, a cam  110  may be operatively coupled to the shell  50  in a position that allows the cam  110  to interact with the lock slide  62 . The cam  110  in the illustrated embodiment is a rotatable cam that is secured to a pin  112  of the shell  50  that the cam  110  is rotatable about. The cam  110  includes a surface  114  that is disposed in contact with, or in close proximity to, an engagement surface  116  of the lock slide  62  when the locking mechanism  60  is in the locked condition ( FIG. 21 ). Rotation of the cam  110  exerts a force on the lock slide  62  that is sufficient to overcome the biasing force of the biasing member  82 , thereby translating the lock slide  62 . As described above, translation of the lock slide  62  moves the lock teeth  90  into alignment with the annular lock teeth paths  98  to unlock the head restraint  40  ( FIG. 22 ). In this position, as with actuation with the push button  54 , the spring(s)  100 ,  102  bias the head restraint  40  to the folded position ( FIG. 23 ). 
     Actuation of the cam  110  may be initiated in different manners in various embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 24 , a cable  120  may be routed through the head restraint assembly  10  to be connected to the cam  110 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cable  120  is routed through the post  18 , but this is merely an example. The cable  120  may be placed into sufficient tension to rotate the cam  110  with a strap or other structural feature that a user may manipulate. Alternatively, an electric actuator may be in contact with the cable  120  or directly with the cam  110 . Additionally, a cam arrangement may respond to motion of the vehicle seat to which the head restraint  40  is attached to actuate the cam  110  to automatically rotate the head restraint  40  to the folded position in response to certain motion of the seat, such as stowing of the seatback, for example. The cam  110  includes a return spring  122  that returns the cam  110  to a default position. 
     It is to be appreciated that some embodiments of the locking mechanism  60  include only the push button actuation capability. In other embodiments, the locking mechanism includes only the cam actuation capability. In yet further embodiments, both the push button and the cam are present and may be selectively used. 
     While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.