Patent ID: 8066331

Claim:
A headrest mechanism for a vehicle seat, the headrest mechanism comprising: a post associated with a vehicle seat; a pad that is moveably attached to the post; and a locking subassembly positioned at least partially within the pad, the locking subassembly having a disengaged configuration and an engaged configuration, the disengaged configuration allowing movement of the pad relative to the post and the engaged configuration inhibiting movement of the pad relative to the post, the pad being continuously displaceable to any position between a first position and a second position, the locking subassembly including: an elongate housing having an aperture defined within the housing, the aperture defining a post-receiving surface including an inner arcuate segment, an outer arcuate segment and a generally radially extending notch lying therebetween; a frusto-tubular sleeve having a complementary inner surface that mates with the post and an axially extending V-shaped groove; a wedge having a leading end that is received by the V-shaped groove and a trailing end, the wedge being displaceable between an engaged and disengaged position; and means for urging the wedge into the engaged position, the means for urging exerting an engagement force upon the wedge so that it frictionally engages the post and that the pad is firmly positioned in relation thereto.