Patent Abstract:
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.

Full Description:
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&#39;s head, such as each side cheek or in a fully face encircling manner. 
     Maintaining a sleeping person&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       The various features, advantages and other use of the present invention become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawing in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one aspect of a seat back head rest; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of the head rest shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a further enlarged view of one portion of the headrest of claim  1  shown in an inverted position; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of one portion of the headrest shown in  FIG. 1  deployed in a first employed position; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of one portion of the headrest shown in  FIG. 1  deployed in a second employed position; 
         FIG. 6  is a modification of the headrest shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of another aspect of a headrest; 
         FIG. 7B  is a side elevational view of a modification to the headrest shown in  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 7C  is a side elevational view of another medication to the headrest shown in  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another aspect of a headrest; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another aspect of a headrest; 
         FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of a headrest shown in  FIG. 9  depicted in a first deployed position; 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of a headrest shown in  FIG. 9  depicted in a second deployed position; 
         FIG. 12  is another aspect of a headrest; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of another aspect of a headrest; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view generally taken along lines  14 - 14  in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of another aspect of a headrest depicted in a recessed, non-use position; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view generally taken along line  16 - 16  in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the headrest shown in  FIG. 15  deployed in an extended, use position; 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-section view generally taken along line  18 - 18  and  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19 . is a perspective view showing another aspect of a headrest deployed in a partially extended use position; 
         FIG. 20  is side cross-sectional view of the headrest shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is an enlarged, perspective view showing the lower track of the headrest depicted in  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 22  is an end view of the slide mechanism for the headrest shown in  FIG. 20 ; and 
         FIG. 23  is a side cross-sectional view showing another aspect of the headrest of  FIG. 20  depicted in a deployed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawing and to  FIG. 1  in particular, there is depicted one aspect of a headrest usable on a seat  20 . By way of example only, the seat  20  may 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 seat  20  has a seat back  22  and a seat bottom  24 . Depending upon the application, the seat back  22  may be rigidly fixed to the seat bottom  24  or may be pivotal from in a more generally upright position shown in  FIG. 1  to an angled position over the seat bottom  24 . 
     For purposes of the following description, the seat back  22  includes a top edge  26 , opposed side edges  28  and  30 , a front surface  32  and an opposed rear surface  34 . 
     One aspect of a headrest  40  is shown in  FIGS. 1-5 . The headrest  40  is designed as a portable headrest for removable mounting over the top edge  26  of the seat back  22 . The headrest  40  includes one or a pair of mounting members  42  and  44 . The mounting members  42  and  44  are configured for releasable mounting over the top edge  26  of the seat back  22  and are in substantial contact with the front surface  32  and the rear surface  34  of the seat back  22 . 
     By way of example only, each mounting member  42  and  44  is identically constructed of a front seat engagement member  46  in a form of a planar plate and a like rear seat engagement member  48 , also in the form of an enlarged planar plate. The large surface area of the front and rear plates  46  and  48  provides a secure mounting for the headrest  40  on the seat back  22 . 
     A strap  50  is fixed to and interconnects the front and rear plates  46  and  48 . The strap  50  may be a single strip of plastic or metal material which is integrally formed with or attached to the front and rear plates  46  and  48 . 
     Alternately, the strap  50  may be formed of two members, one attached to each of the front and rear plates  46  and  48  and telescopingly engaged in a tight friction fit. This enables the strap  50  to be telescopingly elongated or reduced in length so as to vary the spacing between the front and rear plates  46  and  48  to enable the mounting members  42  or  44  to be securely affixed to any thickness of the seatback  22 . 
     For purposes of the following description of the use and operation of the headrest  40 , in the first mounting or use position where the mounting members  42  and  44  are securely mounted over the top edge  26  of the seat back  24 , the front member  46  has an upper edge  52  and a lower edge  54 . Similarly, the rear plate or member  48  of each mounting member  42  and  44  has an upper edge  56  and a lower edge  58 . 
     As shown more clearly in  FIGS. 3-5 , the upper edges  52  and  56  of the front and rear plates  46  and  48  extend above the strap  50  on the top edge  26  of the seat back  22 . In the illustrated mounting position, shown in  FIG. 4 , the lower edges  54  and  58  of the front and rear plates  46  and  48  extend below the top edge  26  of the seat back  22 . 
     A cushion connector  60  is affixed to the front plate  46  of each mounting member  42  and  44 . In one aspect, the cushion connector  60  includes a wire rod  62 , formed of plastic, metal, etc., which extends into or is otherwise affixed to one end of a cushion  64 . 
     A hinge  70  is formed as part of the cushion connector  60 . The hinge  70  includes first and second hinge portions or leaves  72  and  74 . The first hinge portion or leaf  72  is fixedly attached by adhesive, integral molding fasteners to the front plate  46 , etc. It will be understood that the first hinge leaf  72  may also constitute part of the front plate  46  itself. As is conventional, the first hinge leaf  72  includes a plurality of cylindrical, hollow spaced sleeves  76  adapted for receiving a hinge pin  68 . 
     The second hinge leaf  74  also includes a plurality of cylindrical sleeves  78  which are linearly spaced apart and intermeshed with the sleeves  76  on the first hinge leaf  72  for receiving the pivot pin  68  therethrough and forming a pivot axis which extends in a substantially horizontal orientation when the headrest  40  is mounted over the top edge  26  of the seat back  22 . 
     In this aspect, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the rod  62  is fixedly attached to one of the cylindrical sleeves  78  on the second hinge leaf  74 , such as the central most sleeve  78 . This causes the rod  62  to pivot with movement of the second hinge leaf  74  as described hereafter. 
     A stop  80 , shown in  FIG. 3 , is fixed at one end to the second hinge leaf  74  and extends to an opposite free end adapted to abut one of the cylindrical sleeves  76  on the first hinge leaf  72  to limit the open pivotal movement of the second hinge leaf  74  with respect to the first hinge leaf  72  to a predetermined angle as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts a first mounting position of the headrest  40  on the seat back  22 . In this position of the headrest  40 , the second hinge leaf  74  will pivot by gravity and the weight of the cushion  64  to the angularly open position angularly spaced from the first hinge leaf  72 . This causes the rod  62  to orient the cushion  64  in a substantially horizontal position as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4  with respect to the seat back  22  and the seat bottom  24 . This position of the cushion  64  would be suitable for adults or older children. 
     For smaller height individuals, such as children the headrest  40  can be inverted 180° from the mounting position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  by flipping the mounting members  42  and  44  end over end until the mounting member  44  is in the prior position of the mounting member  42  on the seat back  22  as shown in  FIG. 5 . When the mounting members  42  and  44  are reengaged with the top edge  26  of the seat back  22 , the weight of the cushion  64  will cause a second hinge leaf  74  to pivot about the pivot pin  68  until it is disposed in close abutment or engagement with the first hinge leaf  72 . This collapsing movement of the hinge  70  causes the rod  62  and the cushions  64  to pivot in a downward direction relative to the seat back  22  to a smaller acute angle with respect to the seat back  22 . This lowers the sides and front of the portions of the cushion  64  for shorter height individuals. 
     It should be noted that the cushion  64  can take a variety of shapes, such as the general by U-shape shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The U-shaped cushion  64  defines a smoothly curved semi-circle including opposed side portions  65  and  67  and a central, front end portion  69 . The free ends of the side portions  65  and  67  are connected to the rods  62  on the mounting members  42  and  44  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Alternately other shapes are possible for the cushion  64 , such as a D shape, oval, triangular, etc. 
     Alternately, as shown in  FIG. 6 , individual cushions  90  and  92  may be coupled to each rod  62  on each of the mounting members  42  and  44 . The cushions  90  and  92  may also take a variety of shapes and lengths. For example, the cushions  90  and  92  are illustrated in  FIG. 6 , by exampled, as having a general J-shape. Free ends  94  and  96  of the cushions  90  and  92  may 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 cushion  90  and  92  may 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&#39;s head. 
     The cushions  64 ,  90 , or  92  may 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 to  FIG. 7A , there is depicted another aspect of a headrest  120 . In this aspect, the mounting member and the cushion connector are formed of a single pre-shaped or bent rod  122 . The rod  122  can be made of any suitable material, such as moldable plastic as well as plastic covered metal, etc. The rod  122  is bent or pre-shaped into a mounting portion including first and second mounting legs  124  and  126  configured to respectively engage the front surface  32  and the rear surface  34  of the seat back  22 . Each mounting leg  124  and  126  is formed of two adjacent bent portions of the rod  122  for stability and adjustability. An end portion  128  of the rod  122  is disposed within a cushion  130  for supporting the cushion  130  on the mounting rod  122 . 
     As in previous aspects of the present headrest, the cushion  130  may take a variety of shapes, including straight, slightly curved, or the J-shape shown by way of example in  FIG. 7A . 
     An enlarged pad or plate  132  is fixed to the front mounting leg  124  to provide an enlarged surface area for securely supporting the headrest  122  on the seat back  22 . Depending on the materials used to form the rod  122  and the pad  132 , welding, adhesive, fasteners, or other joining techniques may be employed to fixedly join the pad  132  to the front mounting leg  124 . 
     Where the rod  122  is made of a flexible metal, the front end portion  124  of the rod  120  due to angled, two part form of the front mounting leg  122  maybe easily bent in a downward position to lower the angle of the cushion  130  relative to the seat back  22  as by reference number  24  shown in phantom in  FIG. 7A . This enables the position if the cushion  130  to be adjusted to suit the height of the user of the seat. 
     Another aspect of the wire connector  122  is shown in  FIG. 7B . In this aspect of the headrest, the second leg  126  shown in  FIG. 7A  is replaced by an initially shaped straight portion with the connector portion  122 . A form  125  having an internal bore size to slidably fit the form over the end of  123  of the rod  122  is provided with an edge  125 A. 
     In use, with the end portion  123  of the rod  122  extending perpendicularly away from the rear surface of the seat back  27 , which has a smaller thickness than the seat back  22  shown in  FIG. 7A , the form  125  is slid over the end portion  123  of the rod  122  until the end  125 A of the form  125  abuts the rear edge of the seat back  27 . The form  125  is then used to bend the free end  123  of the rod  122  in a downward position until the form and/or the free end  123  of the rod  122  is bent at a downward extending angle relative to the connector portion of the rod  122  a lane over the top edge of the seat back  27  to snugly conform the rod  122  to the shape and thickness of the seat back  127 . 
     Another modification to the wire connector  122  is shown in  FIG. 7C . In this aspect of the headrest, the rod  122  also has the straight rearward extending portion  123 . Rather than bending the rod  122  around the top edge of the seat back  27 , a clip  129  is provided. The clip  129  is formed of a spring material, such as a spring steel or plastic and has a V-shape formed with first and second angularly disposed legs  131  and  132 . Coaxially aligned apertures  131 A and  133 A are respectively formed in the legs  131  and  133  and are sized to fit over the free end  123  of the rod  122 . 
     In use, after the rod  122  is mounted over the top edge of the seat back  127 , the apertures  131 A and  133  of the clip  129  are slid over the free end of the rod  122  by bending the legs  131  and  133  of the clip  129  together. This coaxially aligns the apertures  131 A and  133 A to allow easy sliding insertion of the clip  129  over the free end  123  of the rod  122 . The clip  129  is slid along the length of the free end  123  until the leg  131  contacts the rear surface of the seat back  27 . The force holding the end of the legs  131  and  133  is then released which the causes the legs  131  and  133  to spring outward to the position shown in  FIG. 7C . This moves the apertures  131 A and  133 A out of coaxially alignment and brings edges of the legs  131  and  133  surrounding the apertures  131 A and  133 A into friction contact with the end portion  123  of the rod  122  to forcibly hold the clip  129  on the rod and thereby the entire mounting member and cushion  130  on the seat back  27 . 
     This arrangement allows easy adaptability of the mounting member to any thickness seat back. The free end  123  extending rearward of the clip  129  can be covered a cushion, such as the form  125  shown in  FIG. 7B . Alternately, user of the mounting member with the clip  129  can 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. 8  depicts another aspect of a headrest  140  which can be considered a modification of the aspect shown in  FIG. 7A . The headrest  140  shown in  FIG. 8  includes a first seat mount member  142  and a second seat mount member  144 . The seat mount members  142  and  144  are substantially identical in that each includes an end portion  146  engagable with one end  148  or  150  of a cushion  152  and a mounting leg portion  154  formed of a U-shaped bend in a rod  156 . An enlarged pad  158  and  160  is coupled to the mounting leg  154  in each mounting member  142  and  144  for engagement with the front surface  32  of a seat back  22 . 
     The rod  156  is formed as a continuous member with freely movable second end portions  159  and  161  which are formed with interconnecting means  162  and  164  in the form of interlocking hooks or loops. This arrangement allows the enlarged pads  158  and  160  to be engaged with the front surface  32  of the seat back  22  and then the free ends  159  and  160  of the rod  156  looped around the head restraint or upper portion of the seat back  22  and interlocked to secure the headrest  142  on the seat  20 . 
     If the rod  152  is formed of a flexible material, such a flexible metal, not only can the angle of the end portions  146  of the rod  156  be changed to vary the angle of the cushion  152  relative to the seat back  22 , but the free end portions  159  and  160  of the rod  156  may also be bent to any desired shape to fit the headrest  142  securely about the upper portion of any size or shape seat back  22 . 
     Another aspect of a headrest is shown in  FIGS. 9-11  in which the headrest is integrally coupled to the seat back  22 . 
     In this aspect, the seat back  22  is formed with a hollow bore  180  which maybe contained within a rigid cylinder  182  fixedly mounted in the upper portion of the seat back. The bore  180  in the cylinder  182  has an open end through the front surface  32  of the seat back  22 . 
     The hinge members  46  and rods  62  and  64  of the headrest  40  shown in  FIG. 2  are also employed in this aspect of the headrest. An additional rod  184  extends from a first hinge leaf  72  and is removably insertable into the bore  180  in the cylinder  182  mounted in the seat back  22 . The rods  62  and  64  support a cushion  190 . The cushion  190  is shown by example only as being a continuous semi-circular cushion extending between each of the rods  62  and  64 . It will be understood that each rod  62  and  64  may support a separate cushion, such as the straight or J-shaped cushions shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     When the rods  184  coupled to the hinge members  46  are inserted into the bores  180  in the seat back  22  in a first orientation, shown in  FIG. 10 , the second hinge leaf  74  will pivot to an open position, angularly spaced from the first hinge leaf  72  to orient the cushion  190  in a substantially horizontal position relative to the seat back  22 . 
     The rods  184  may be removed from the bores  180  in the seat back  22  and the entire head rest  188  inverted as shown in  FIG. 11  before the rods  184  are reinserted into the bores  180  of the seat back  22 . In this orientation, the second hinge leaf  74  pivots into close proximity to or in contact with the first hinge leaf  72  thereby dropping the cushion  190  to a smaller acute angle relative to the seat back  22  then when the mounting members are in the opposite position shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     The varying angular position of the cushion  190  may also be achieved by employing two pairs of cylindrical members  182  and  192 , as shown in  FIG. 12 , on one side or both sides of the upper portion of the seat back  22 . The second cylindrical sleeve  192  is angled at a more downward angle then the generally horizontally disposed sleeve  182 . The rods  62 , which do not have the hinge members  46 , may then be simply inserted into the bores in either cylindrical sleeve  182  or  192  to place the cushion  190  at the desired one of two angular positions relative to the seat back  22  to accommodate the height and size of the user of the seat. 
     Another aspect of a headrest is shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . In this aspect, a seat back  222  of a seat  220  has a recess  224  formed along the upper portion of the seat back  22  and extending inward into the seat back  222  from the front surface  232 . The recess  224  may have an inverted U-shape to accommodate a continuous semicircular U-shaped cushion  230  shown by way of example in  FIG. 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 recess  224  would have a shape complimentary to the shape of the cushions employed in the headrest. 
     The cushion  230  is formed with a pair of opposed side arms  232  and  234  which interconnected at one end by an end segment  236 . A pivot pin  238  and  240  is mounted in the end of each arm  232  and  234 , respectively. A metal sleeve may be mounted in the end of each of the cushion arms  232  and  234  to provide an easily slidable connection to the pivot pins  238  and  240 . The pins  238  and  240  are fixedly mounted within the internal structure of the seat back  22  and form co-axial pivot axes about which the entire cushion  230  can pivot. 
     The pivot connections provided by the pivot pins  238  and  240  on the arms  230  and  234  of the cushion  230  enable the cushion  230  to be pivoted from a first position, shown in solid in  FIGS. 13 and 14  in which the cushion  230  is completely seated in the recess  224  in the seat back  222  thereby forming an integral part of the seat back  222 . The cushion  230  can be easily pivoted by hand force from the retracted position shown in  FIG. 13  to a first deployed position shown in phantom by reference number  242  in  FIG. 13 . Although this first deployed position  242  of the cushion  230  is shown as being substantially perpendicular to the seat back  22  or parallel to the seat bottom  224 , it will be understood that the bottom edge of the recess  224  can be angled downward a greater amount to allow further pivoting movement of the cushion  230  below the horizontal to a more angled position relative to the seat back  232 . 
     Alternately, an electric motor can be coupled to the side arms  232  or  234  and mounted in the seat back or seat bottom for automatically extending and retracting the cushion  230  through activation of a remotely located control switch. 
     In a modification to this design shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , a detent mechanism is mounted in the seat back  222  and the cushion  230  to provide discrete angular positioning of the cushion  230  in one of several distinct deployed positions. The detent mechanism includes a spring based pin  244  projecting from the seat back  222  into the recess  224 . A cylindrical disc is mounted in each cushion arm end around the pivot pins  238  and  240  and carries a plurality of circumferentially spaced detent recesses labeled A, B, and C. When the cushion  230  is rotated so that the pin  244  engages detent recess A, the cushion  230  will be in the full retracted position within the recess  224 . However, hand force on the cushion  230  can easily pull the cushion  230  from the recess  224  and rotate the cushion  230  until the pin  244  engages detent recess B. This defines the first angular deployed position of the cushion  230 . Further downward force on the cushion  230  will cause the cushion  230  to rotate about the pivot pins  238  and  240  until the detent pin  244  engages the detent recess C to provide a lower angled deployed position C of the cushion  230 . 
     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 arms  232  and  234  of the cushion  230 . 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 cushion  230 , after the cushion has been moved at least partially out of the recess in the seat back  232 , to be elevated from the lowermost position shown in  FIG. 13  to a more elevated or vertical spaced position so as to selectively position the entire cushion  230  at the desired height for the particular size occupant of the seat  220 . 
     The extensible and retractable mechanisms are operated in a reverse manner to lower the pivot connections at each of the side arms  232  and  234  back to the lowermost position shown in  FIG. 13  prior to pivotal movement of the cushion  230  in an upward direction into the recess in the seatback  232 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 15-18  there is depicted another aspect of a headrest  270 . As with previous aspects of the present headrest, the headrest  270  includes a cushion  271  depicted has having a generally U-shape formed of a central end portion  272  which transitions into angularly disposed side cheek portions  274  and  276 . The headrest  270  may 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 back  220 . A single J-shaped cushion may be employed all by itself on one lateral side of the seat back  220 . 
     A recess  286  is formed in the seat back  220  opening from an open end at the front surface  232  of the seat back  220 . The recess  286  has a depth suited for completely receiving the entire depth of the end portion  272  of the cushion  271  when the cushion  271  is in the fully retracted position. 
     Apertures  278  and  280  are formed on opposite sides of the back surface of the recess  286 . The apertures  278  and  280  and open either into the interior of the seat back  220  or into the interior of receptacles  282  and  284 , respectively, fixed within the interior of the seat back  220 , generally within the cushion material, such as foam, for example, used to fill the interior of the seat back  220 . 
     It will be understood that in a case of a headrest in the form of a single side cheek cushion, only one aperture  278  or  280  is formed in the seat back  220  adjacent either side edge of the seatback  232 . 
     By way of example only, a slide mechanism is mounted in the seat back  220  in the form of one or multiple box members, with two box members  288  and  290  provided, by example, on each side of the headrest  270 . The box members  288  may have any suitable cross-section, such as square, rectangular, circular, etc. Each box member  288  has a one or more first end flange  292  which extend laterally outward from the longitudinal center line of the box member  288  and opposed second flanges  294  which extend inward into the interior of the box member. The box member  288  has a hollow interior size for receiving the second box member  290  or, in the case of the use of only the single box member  288 , the end of one of the side cushion portions  274  or  278  of the cushion  271 . The box member  280  has a sidewall  296  which extends between the flanges  292  and  294 . 
     The flanges  292  and  294  may 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 member  288  or  290 . The function of the flanges  292  and  294  is to control the extension and retraction position of the box members  288  and  290  as described hereafter. 
     The second box member  290  has shape complimentary to the shape of the first box member  288 , but with a smaller diameter or width dimension so that the flange or flanges  298  at a first end of the second box member  290  nest within the interior of the first box member  288  and are engageable with the second flanges  294  on the first box member  288  when the first and second box members  288  and  290  are pulled to their extended position as shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 . 
     The second box member  290  includes a second flange or flanges  300  at an opposite end of a sidewall  301  which define an opening through which an enlarged end  302  of the side cushion  274  or  276  nests. 
     In use, the headrest  270  will assume to be in the retracted, non-use position shown in  FIG. 15 . In this position, the front end portion  272  of the cushion  271  fits substantially flush with the front surface  232  of the seatback  220  when the end portion  272  nests within the recess  286  opening from the front surface  232  of the seatback  220 . This provides a substantially flush front surface  232  for the seat back  220  when the headrest  270  is not in use. 
     When use of the headrest  270  is desired, a user merely grasps the end portion  272  and pulls the end portion  272  outward away from the front surface  232  of the seat back  220 . Although extension to the fully extended position shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18  is the usual end position, it will be understood that the headrest  270  may be extended to any intermediate position to fit the size of the person seated in the seat. 
     During the extension sliding motion, the flanges  292 ,  294 ,  298  and  300  of the box members  288  and  290  move from the nested position shown in  FIG. 16 . The initial outward force on the end portion  272  cause the side cushions  274  and  276  of the headrest  270  and their associated enlarged ends  302  to slide within the interior of the second box member  290  until the outer portions of the enlarged ends  302  engage the second flanges  300  on the second box member  290 . 
     Continued outward force on the end portion  272  of the headrest  270  then causes the second box member  290  to slide through the interior of the first box member  288  from the nested, retracted position shown in  FIG. 16  until the opposite end flanges  294  engage the second end flanges  298  of the first box  288 . Continued extension movement then pulls the first box member  288  from the nested position shown in  FIG. 16  to a fully extended position limited by engagement of the first end flanges  292  with a rigid plate or structure  310  formed within the seat back  220 . This position, shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , defines the fully extended, use position of the headrest  270 . 
     In the fully extended position shown in  FIG. 17 , the cushion  271  and the pairs of opposed box members  288  and  290  forms a opening in front of the front surface  232  of the seat back  270  suitable for receiving a least a portion of a user&#39;s head. The shape of the cushion  270  and the box members  288  and  290  surrounds the entire user&#39;s head so as to provide a cushion regardless of the position of the user&#39;s head. 
     When use of the headrest is no longer desired, the user simply exerts a pushing force on the end portion  272  of the cushion  271  which causes a reverse operation in which the ends  302  of the side cushions  274  and  276  slide through the interior of the second box member  290  until the laterally extending end portion  272  of the headrest  270  engages the flanges  300  on the second box member  290 . This engagement and continued inward pushing force by the user, then causes the second box member  290  to move with the headrest  270  through the interior of the first box member  288  until the end portion  272  of the cushion  271  engages the second flanges  294  on the first box member  288 . Continued inward pushing force then causes the first box member  288  to retract through the apertures  278  or  280  in the seatback  220 . The inward pushing force is exerted on the headrest  270  until the front end portion  272  nests completely within the recess  286 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 19-23 , there is depicted another aspect of a headrest  330  which is extensibly mounted within the seat back  220   
     As in previous aspects, the headrest  330  is shown as being in the form of a continuous U-shaped member only by way of example as having cushion  36  with a portion  327  and two side portions  328  and  329 . The headrest  330  may 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 back  220  has a configuration similar to that shown in  FIGS. 15-18  and includes the recess  286  formed in the upper portion of the front surface  232  of the seat back  270 . Opposed apertures  332 , only one of which is shown in  FIG. 19 , are formed within the interior of the recess  286  and open to the interior of the seat back  220 . 
     In this aspect, the headrest  330  extensibly and retractably moves on a slide mechanism denoted generally by reference number  340 . The slide mechanism includes a lower track  342  and a slidably engaged upper slider  344  which is fixedly connected to and supports the end portion of the sides  328  and  329  of the cushion  326 . 
     As shown in detail in  FIG. 21 , the lower track  342 , which may be formed of rigid, high strength plastic, metal or other suitable seat construction materials, has a bottom  346 , a pair of opposed sides  348  and  350  and inward extending upper flanges  352  and  354  which are formed as an integral part or extension of the respective sides  348  and  350 . The inner edges  356  and  358  of the upper flanges  352  and  354 , respectively, are spaced apart to form a slot  360  which runs longitudinally along the entire length of the upper flanges  352  and  354 . 
     The bottom  346  includes an extension  362  which projects from one end of the sides  348  and  350  and the inward extending flanges  352  and  354 . 
     A recess  364  is formed substantially over the entire length of the bottom  346  of the lower track  342 . The recess  364  is defined by a slot-like aperture  368  formed by upper inward extending flanges  370  and  372 . The inner ends of the upper flanges  370  and  372  are spaced apart to define a slot  374  which runs along the length of the recess  364 . 
     The upper slider  344  is slidably disposed within the interior of the sidewalls  348  and  350  and the inward extending flanges  352  and  354  of the lower track  342 . A portion of the upper slider  380  projects through the slot  360  formed between the inner spaced edges  356  and  358  of the flanges  352  and  354 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 22 , the upper slider  344  includes a central stem  382  from which projects a pair of longitudinally and oppositely extending upper flanges or lobes  384  and  386  and an opposed pair of longitudinally and oppositely or outwardly extending lower flanges or lobes  388  and  390 . The lower flanges  388  and  390  slide within the opening extending above the bottom  346  and within the inner surface of the sides  348  and  350  and below the upper flanges  352  and  354  of the lower track  342  as shown in  FIG. 22 . A portion of the central stem  382  projects through the slot  360  formed between inner edges  356  and  358  of the upper flanges  352  and  354  to position the upper flanges  384  and  386  above the upper flanges  352  and  354  of the lower track  342 . 
     The dimensions of the lower track  342  and the slider  344  are selected to provide a snug but freely movable fit. A friction fit maybe provided to enable the upper slider  344  to be pulled out any desired distance relative to the lower track  346  and remain in a relatively stable position. 
     When the headrest  330  in the fully retracted position, the front end portion of the headrest  330  will be substantially disposed within the recess  286  and substantially flush with the front surface  232  of the seatback  220 . 
     To use the headrest  330 , the user grasps the end portion  327  and pulls outward away from the seat back  220 . This outward movement causes the upper slider  344  to slide along the lower track  342  until the headrest  330  reaches the fully extended position shown in  FIG. 19 . It will be understood that if a friction fit is employed between the upper slider  344  and the lower track  342 , the headrest  330  may 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 slider  344  and the lower track  342  to limit sliding movement of the upper slider  344  in a forward direction relative to the lower track  342  to prevent the headrest  330  from being pulled completely out of the slide mechanism  340 . 
     A reverse operation using an inward pushing force causes the headrest  330  to move to the fully retracted position within the recess  286  in the seat back  220 . 
       FIGS. 21 ,  22  and  23  depict a modification to the slide mechanism  340  which enables a downward pivoting of the cushion  326  when the cushion  326  is in the fully extended position to accommodate shorter height users of the seat, such as small children. 
     The modification utilizes the recess  364  formed in the lower track  342  and a pivot member, such as a hinge  380 , formed of a first hinge leaf  382  and a second hinge leaf  384  pivotally connected by a pivot pin  386 . The first leaf  382  is fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the upper slider  344 . The second hinge leaf  384  slides within the recess  364  and is captured within the recess  364  by the inward facing flanges  370  and  372  in the lower track  342 . 
     In use, with the cushion  326  in the fully retracted position within the seat back  220 , the first and second hinge leaves  382  and  384  will 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 track  344  and the headrest  330  along the length of the lower track  342  between the retracted or extended positions. 
     After the headrest  330  has been pulled to the fully extended position, as shown in  FIG. 22 , a downward force can be exerted on the end  327  of the cushion  326 . This downward force causes the hinge leaves  382  and  384  to separate, with the first hinge leaf  382  pivoting away from the second hinge leaf  384  which is held captured within the recess  364  in the lower track  342 . This causes the entire headrest  330  to pivot about the hinge pin  386  bringing the front end portion  327  of the cushion  326  at a downward angle and at a lower position relative to the top edge of the seat back  220  to accommodate shorter height seat users, especially smaller children. 
     To retract the headrest  330 , the headrest  330  is first pivoted upward bringing the upper slider  344  in line with the lower track  342 . The upper slider  344  and the headrest  330  are then slid inward along the length of the lower track  342 , as described above, until the fully retracted position is reached.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1