Patent Publication Number: US-2009218874-A1

Title: Headrest for a vehicle seat

Description:
The invention relates to a headrest for a passenger seat according to the identical preambles of dependent claims  1  to  3 . 
     Such a headrest, which is in particular used in relation with motor-vehicle seats, is described for example in DE 30 39 934 C2 (cf. DE 196 53 516 A1). 
     In the basic form of the known headrest (DE 30 39 93 C2) a side part is mounted on each side of the central part containing a cushion support such that they can pivot around respective adjustment axes oriented in the upper region of the central part and extending parallel to the horizontal pivot axis of the cushion support. The two side parts can be pivoted together or separately such that the passenger&#39;s head is supported laterally as well as in the back, as is the case for a wing headrest (cf. e.g. DE 103 17 036 B3). 
     Starting from the headrest according to DE 30 39 934 C2 the invention is based on the object of improving the known headrest such that additional advantageous applications are possible. 
     This object is solved by means of the corresponding features of the corresponding identical preamble and the features of the respective characterizing parts of claims  1  to  3 . 
     According to claim  1 , which describes a first embodiment according to the invention, the adjustment axis extends at a first angle relative to the pivot axis in a horizontal plane that includes the pivot axis and extends backward relative to the head support region so the adjustment axis is located in a horizontal plane is parallel to the pivot axis. 
     In such a headrest, the two pivoted side parts together with the head support region form a space that opens outward away from the head support region or a cavity with an approximately trapezoidal horizontal cross section. 
     The advantage of such a first embodiment according to the invention consists in that the passenger&#39;s head is not as closely surrounded as it is the case in the generic known headrest with side parts that can be pivoted toward each other. In fact, in the first embodiment according to the invention, the passenger&#39;s head benefits from an additional side tolerance that is considered to be comfortable like in the above mentioned wing headrest. 
     Herein, it is substantial that the passenger&#39;s back of the head still can be supported on the head support region of the central part such that in case of acceleration due to a crash a sudden impact on the passenger&#39;s head can be avoided to a large extent. Moreover, the passenger&#39;s head is centered in the cavity that is formed between the side parts pivoted upward and the head support region that corresponds to the requirements of the passenger as far as comfort and safety are concerned. 
     According to the characterizing part of claim  2  that describes a second embodiment according to the invention, the adjustment axis extends with a second angle relative to the pivot axis in a vertical plane that includes the pivot axis and extends downward relative to the head support region, the adjustment axis being located in a vertical plane that is parallel to the pivot axis. 
     A headrest according to the invention disposing of the above-described features provides a cavity when the side parts between the latter and the head support region are pivoted upward, which is designed as downward trapezoid-like convergent cavity in the vertical section. Such a cavity with its side inclined surfaces formed by the two side parts offers, the advantage of a maximum supporting adjustment of the cavity to the individual body sizes of the passengers, independently on the possible height adjustability of a headrest. 
     The convergent design of the side head support surfaces formed by the two pivoted side parts is also advantageous since the passenger benefits from an exact side guiding when displacing his/her body lightly downward in order to achieve the non-operation position that, in fact, does not give to the passenger the feeling of being jammed in. 
     Finally, according to the characterizing part of claim  3  that describes a third embodiment according to the invention, the advantages associated to the features of claims  1  and  2  are combined with each other such that the adjustment axis extends with a first angle relative to a pivot axis in a horizontal plane that includes the pivot axis and backward relative to the head support region and that additionally the adjustment axis extends with a second angle relative to the pivot axis in a vertical plane that is in common with the pivot axis and downward relative the head support region. 
     Further features of the invention are set out in the sub-claims. 
    
    
     
       The drawings show preferred illustrated embodiments according to the invention. In the drawings 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic side view of a headrest with side parts pivoted back; 
         FIG. 2  is the headrest according to  FIG. 1  with side parts pivoted forward and upward; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematically illustrated partial top view of a first embodiment of the headrest; 
         FIG. 4  is a back view of the headrest according to arrow IV of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematically illustrated partial top view of a second embodiment of the headrest; 
         FIG. 6  is a back view of the headrest according to arrow VI of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematically illustrated partial top view of a third embodiment of the headrest; 
         FIG. 8  is a back view of the headrest according to arrow VIII of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a three-dimensional illustration of a headrest according to the illustrated embodiment and according to arrow IX of  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 10  is the headrest according to  FIG. 9 , with pivoted side parts, and according to arrow X of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  show elevational partly broken-away front views of the headrest shown in  FIG. 9  from two different angles; 
         FIG. 13  is the headrest shown in  FIG. 9  shown in perspective view with the left side part pivoted back and the right side part pivoted out; and 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of a headrest according to  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     In the drawings, every headrest, regardless of its individual design, is always indicates at the reference number  10 . Analogous components as far as their function is concerned are also identified with the same reference numbers in spite of different design. 
     According to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the headrest  10  is provided with a central part  11 , two side parts  12  (in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , only one side part  12  can be seen), a neck support  13 , as well as with two mounting bars  15  having adjustment notches  14  (in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  only one mounting bar  15  can be seen). 
       FIG. 1  shows a side part  12  in its rest position pivoted back and  FIG. 2  shows the side part  12  in its use position pivoted forward. 
     In  FIGS. 3 and 4  the substantial features of a first embodiment are shown. The central part  11  is shown only partially. Also in  FIGS. 3 and 4  only one side part  12  can be seen (see also  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ;  FIGS. 7 ,  8 ). The horizontal pivot axis, shown by a dot-dash line, around which the central part  11  can be pivoted or inclined, is indicated at x, while the adjustment axis of the adjustment shaft ends  16  (or one adjustment shaft end) is indicated at y. In  FIGS. 3 and 4  also only one adjustment shaft end  16  can be seen (see also  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ;  FIGS. 7 ,  8 ). 
     In both  FIGS. 3 and 4  can be seen that the adjustment axis y extends at a first angle α relative to the pivot axis x in a horizontal plane (not shown) that includes the pivot axis and backward in the direction h relative to the head support region  17 . Simultaneously, the adjustment axis y is located in a horizontal plane (not shown) that is parallel to the pivot axis x. 
     Thus, when the side part  12  is pivoted forward in the direction y and upward in the direction o, such that for example the position indicated by a dotted line in  FIG. 3  is formed, the two pivoted side parts  12  with their side head support surfaces  18  together with their head support surfaces  18  form a space R that is opened away from the head support region  17  outward or forward in the direction v or a cavity with an approximately trapezoidal horizontal cross-section. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  according to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the adjustment axis y at first extends parallel to the pivot axis x ( FIG. 5 ) and extends with a second angle β relative to the pivot axis in a vertical plane (not shown) that includes the pivot axis x and downward relative to the head support region  17  ( FIG. 6 ). Simultaneously, the adjustment axis y is located in a vertical plane (not shown) that is parallel to the pivot axis x. 
     The central part  11  forms a guide surface  19 , and the side part  12  forms a complementary guide surface  20 . By means of the dotted line shown in  FIG. 5  between the points a and b, it can be seen to what extent the side part  12  supports the central part  11 . The position indicated by dotted lines between the points b, c, d and e is intended to show how the side part  12  is pivoted upward in the direction o and forward in the direction v such that between the head support surfaces  18  of the side parts  12  and the head support region  17  a cavity or space R that is designed downwardly trapezoidal and tapered vertically, is formed. 
     Such a space R provides, due to its side head support surfaces  18  formed by the two side parts  12 , the advantage of a supporting adaptation of the space R to different individual body sizes of passengers, independently of optional height adjustability of the headrest  10 . 
     In  FIG. 6  a particular embodiment is indicated according to which a connecting shaft  21  is located in the central part  11  or in the cushion support  26  that is not further defined in  FIG. 6 , the two ends of the connecting shaft  22  being coupled with respective adjustment shaft ends  16  by means of universal joints  23 . 
     Moreover, the connecting shaft  21  is surrounded by a clamp-like brake element  24 . Such a clamp-like brake element made of spring steel sheet is for example seen in EP 0764 557 B1. 
     In  FIGS. 7 and 8  a third embodiment is schematically shown. The third embodiment is sort of a combination of the first embodiment ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) and the second embodiment ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ). 
     In fact, the adjustment axis y extends with a first angle α relative to the pivot axis x in the horizontal plane (not shown) that includes the pivot axis x and backward in the direction h relative to the head support region  17 , the adjustment axis y also extending at a second angle β relative to the pivot axis x in a vertical plane (not shown) that includes the pivot axis x and downward (direction u) relative to the head support region  17 . 
     By means of the dotted line between the points a and b that is shown in  FIG. 7 , it is understood to what extent the side part  12  extends under the central part  11 . Simultaneously, by means of the dotted line between the points b, c, d and e it can be seen that a space R is formed between the head support region  17  and the head support surfaces  18 , the horizontal cross section of which forms a trapezoid that widens outward or forward in the direction v. 
     Moreover, as seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8  it is understood that in case of pivoted side parts  12  their head support regions  18  form together with the head support region  17  a space R, the vertical cross section of the space R forming a trapezoid that is downward is convergent in the direction u. 
       FIG. 9  shows in particular the central part  11 , the two side parts  12  and the neck support  13  that is pivoted forward in the direction v and upward in the direction h. The components  11 ,  12 ,  12  as well as  13  are each designated by the reference number  25  (e.g. textile cloth or leather). Unlike  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10  shows the side parts  12  that are pivoted forward in the direction v as well as upward in the direction h by means of a combined pivoting movement. In  FIG. 10  also the complementary guide surfaces  20  of the side parts  12  can be seen. 
     In  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a structure of the headrest can be seen that has a cushion support  26  as well as foam cushioning  27  enveloped by the cover  25 . The adjustment shaft end  16  is coaxial with the adjustment axis x, the inner end  28  of the adjustment shaft end  16  is laterally secured inside the cushion support  26  and the outer end  29  in the side part  12 , in fact on a base plate  30 , against axial displacement. Here the outer end  29  is mounted on the base plate  30  so that it cannot pivot and the inner end  28  of the adjustment shaft end  16  is pivotally mounted in a bearing bush  31  in the cushion support  26 , in fact in its side wall  32 . 
     Between the inner end  28  and the outer end  29  of the adjustment shaft end  16  a brake element  33  is mounted, the primary part of which, a circular brake disk  38 , is firmly connected with the adjustment shaft end  16  and the secondary part, namely a region  39  of the side wall  32  of the cushion support  26  that is turned outward, is firmly connected with the latter. 
     The base plate  30  of the side element  12  is provided with a guide bolt  34  that is guided in a slotted piece  35  formed by the side wall  32  of the cushion support  26 . The guide bolt  34  is secured axially to the slotted piece  35  by means of its bolt head  36  and by means of a plain washer  37 . By means of the arrangement of bolt and slotted piece  34 ,  35  the associated side part  12  can be pivoted relative to the central part  11  by means of the base plate  30  of the side part without the risk of getting jammed and in a safe manner. Simultaneously, a continuous pivotal locking is realized by means of the brake element  33 . 
       FIG. 11  clearly shows that the adjustment axis y of the adjustment shaft end  16  can be inclined downward, i.e. in  FIG. 11  in the view plane, as well as simultaneously downward in the direction u. The headrest  10  according to  FIG. 9-14  corresponds to the third embodiment that is schematically shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
     Whereas in particular according to the arrangement shown in  FIG. 6  provided with a universal joint  23 , the two side parts  12  are coupled to each other in a movable manner and can only be pivoted together, other embodiments such as also the embodiment according to  FIG. 9-14  adapted to the individually desired adjustment relations enable an independent pivoting movement of the two side parts  12 . 
     Thus,  FIGS. 13 and 14  show that the left side part  12  has pivoted back into its rest position, whereas the right side part  12  is completely pivoted out. In  FIGS. 13 and 14  also the guide surfaces  19  and the complementary guide surfaces  20  are shown.