1999-09-21
2000-09-19
Barfield, Anthony D.
Chairs and seats
Headrest
297406, A47C 110, B60R 2228
Patent
active
061200999
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a head-rest, and more particularly relates to a head-rest for use in a motor vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is common to provide a head-rest on a seat in a motor vehicle. A principal function of the head-rest is to prevent the head of the occupant moving rearwardly, relative to the torso of the occupant, in the event that a rear impact should arise. Also, the head-rest prevents the head of an occupant of the vehicle moving in an undesirable way when the occupant moves back into the seat after being restrained by a seat-belt and/or air-bag, following a frontal impact. However, a head-rest may also find an additional use, especially by a passenger in a motor vehicle, where the head-rest may provide support for the head of the passenger, especially if the passenger wishes to rest or sleep.
A typical head-rest only provides a relatively small area upon which to rest the head. One reason for this is to enable rear seat passengers to enjoy a forward view. In order to provide improved comfort it has been proposed to provide, on a head-rest, elements which move from a retracted position to an extended position, in order to provide more support. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,205,878 discloses an arrangement in which two elements are provided, one located on each side of the central part of the head-rest, the elements being movable axially, that is to say in a direction extending towards the front of the seat, in order to provide improved support. However, the the forwardly extended position, is relatively small.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide an improved head-rest.
According to this invention there is provided a head-rest for a motor vehicle seat, the head-rest defining a front face adapted to support the head of an occupant of the seat, and side parts located on either side of the front face, the head-rest having two extendable elements, each adapted to move from a retracted position to an extending position, the extendable elements being adapted to move, with an arcuate sliding motion, from the retracted position through the side parts of the head-rest to an extended position in which the elements extend laterally relative to the head-rest and forwardly relatively to the head-rest.
Preferably each extendable element comprises means adapted to engage a rail of arcuate form associated with the head-rest, each element being movable in a slidable manner along the rail.
Conveniently the rail is defined within the headrest.
Advantageously the rail comprises two opposed arcuate recesses, and each movable element has an arcuate plate, the opposed edges of which are received within the opposed recesses.
In one embodiment the recesses are formed in the upper and lower walls of a substantially hollow tubular housing that extends transversely of the head-rest.
Preferably the front face of each extendable element is upholstered.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a head-rest for a seat in a motor vehicle in a first condition,
FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing the head-rest in a second condition,
FIG. 3 is a view showing part of the head-rest of FIGS. 1 and 2 (with parts being cut away for the sake of clarity of illustration) illustrating the interior of the head-rest,
FIG. 4A is a horizontal sectional view of the head-rest in the condition of FIG. 1, and
FIG. 4B is a horizontal sectional view of the head-rest in the condition of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, a head-rest 1 to be mounted on a vehicle seat presents a front face 2 which may be constituted by fabric, or by a thin layer of plastic material, which may simulate leat
REFERENCES:
patent: 4205878 (1980-06-01), Wooten
Lindstrom Martin
Reiker.ang.s Karen
AB Volvo
Autoliv Development
Barfield Anthony D.
Kinberg Robert
Spencer George H.
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