Cable actuator for retractable headrest

Details Cable actuator for retractable headrest Cable actuator for retractable headrest

2002-05-15

2003-05-06

Brown, Peter R. (Department: 3636)

Chairs and seats

Headrest interconnected with back for relative concurrent...

Reexamination Certificate

active

06557933

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to seat for motor vehicles, and relates more specifically to a cable actuator for a retractable headrest of a motor vehicle seat.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many motor vehicles, particularly sport utility vehicles and minivans, are equipped with rear seats that can be moved from a seating configuration, in which passengers can sit in the seat, to a so-called “load floor” configuration where the back support of the seat is folded downwardly to assume a horizontal orientation and thereby facilitate cargo stowage in the van. Typically, locking mechanisms are provided for holding the seat in the seating configuration, and the locking mechanisms can be released to permit moving the seat to the load floor configuration.
Various arrangement have been proposed for retracting a headrest of the seat in order to provide the seat with a more compact profile when folded. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,940 shows several embodiments of a seat having an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the height of a headrest according to the pivoting of a seatback relative to a seat cushion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a motor vehicle seat frame assembly having a headrest movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The frame assembly comprises a seatback frame operatively engaged with the headrest, a cable, and a rod having an extension. The seatback frame is pivotable from a use position to a lowered position, while the cable extends between the headrest and a fixed point. A tensioner is attached to the seatback frame, and is adapted to wind the cable on the extension when the seatback frame is pivoted toward the lowered position.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an assembly of the type described above which can be moved to a seating configuration and to a load floor configuration.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an assembly of the type described above that presents a retractable headrest.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an assembly of the type described above that facilitates the storage of relatively compact rear seats of the motor vehicle.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an assembly of the type described above which is easy to use and cost-effective.


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