Chairs and seats – Headrest – Angularly movable about horizontal axis
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-09
2001-10-16
Nelson, Jr., Milton (Department: 3636)
Chairs and seats
Headrest
Angularly movable about horizontal axis
C297S391000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302485
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to a head rest device. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a head rest device to be mounted on the seat back of the rear seat of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The head rest device is an important element for keeping an occupant seated in a vehicle seat in a comfortable position by supporting the occupant's head. The head rest device installed on the central seat of the vehicle rear seats is usually foldable downward while no one is seated in the central seat to give a wide rear field of view to the driver or a passenger seated in the front seat.
An example of a known head rest device for a rear seat is disclosed in Japanese Published Patent Application No. 1(1989)-164310. This known head rest device is designed to be folded downwardly in a rearward direction by operating an element biased by a spring force for releasing a locking mechanism.
Another example of a known head rest device of this type is disclosed in Japanese Published Utility Model Application No. 62(1987)-111453. The head rest device described in this publication is pushed down or pulled up for effecting disengagement or engagement of a latch and pawl mechanism.
These conventional head rest devices are constructed of many components, and it is difficult to design them with a proper adjusting spring force for keeping the head rest in the folded position upon encountering an accidental force.
In light of the foregoing, a need exists for a head rest device that is not susceptible to the disadvantages and drawbacks pointed out above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The head rest device of the present invention generally involves a rotating element rotatable relative to a horizontal axis of a head rest stay member and provided with an operating lever. A stopper element is secured to the horizontal axis of the stay member and a locking element control engagement and disengagement between the stopper element and the operating lever. In accordance with the present invention, undesired movement of the head rest device due to an unexpected large external force is inhibited or prevented by the engagement of the locking element with the stopper element.
The head rest device of the present invention further includes a torsion bar or coil spring for biasing the rotating element in one direction. One end of the spring is secured to the stopper element and the other end is engaged with an engaging portion provided on the rotating element for slidable engagement of the spring with the engaging portion of the rotating element. The head rest device is thus able to adjust a load applied thereon in response to the head rest device positions by changing the fulcrum point of the spring.
According to the present invention, the vehicle seat head rest device includes a head rest body against which is to be rested a head of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat, a stay member on which is mounted the head rest body, with the stay member being fixed to a seat back frame of a seat back of the vehicle seat, a stopper member fixed to the stay member and having a stopper portion, and a rotating member rotatably mounted on the stay member and supporting the head rest body. An operating member slidably engages the rotating member and has a locking mechanism engageable with the stopper portion of the stopper member. A spring member has one end in engagement with the stopper member and another end in engagement with the rotating member, with the rotating member being rotatable upon release of engagement between the locking mechanism and the stopper portion of the stopper member by sliding movement of the operating member.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a head rest device mountable on a seat back of a vehicle seat includes a head rest body against which is to be rested a head of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat, a stay member adapted to be fixed at a seat back of a vehicle seat, and a rotating member on which is supported the head rest body, with the rotating member being rotatably mounted on the stay member to permit the head rest body to be rotated between an upright position and folded position. A stopper member is fixed to the stay member, and a locking mechanism is movably mounted on the rotating member for movement between a first position in which the locking mechanism engages the stopper member to prevent the head rest body from rotating and a second position in which the locking mechanism is disengaged from the stopper member to permit the head rest body to rotate between the upright and folded positions.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a head rest device mountable on a seat back of a vehicle seat includes a head rest body against which is to be rested a head of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat, a stay member adapted to be fixed at a seat back of a vehicle seat, and a rotating member on which is supported the head rest body, with the rotating member being rotatably mounted on the stay member to permit the head rest body to be rotated between an upright position and folded position. A stopper member is fixed to the stay member, and a locking mechanism is movably mounted on the rotating member for movement between a first position in which the locking mechanism engages the stopper member to prevent the head rest body from rotating and a second position in which the locking mechanism is disengaged from the stopper member to permit the head rest body to rotate between the upright and folded positions. A torsion bar engages the stopper member and the rotating member, with the torsion bar slidably engaging the rotating member so that the torsion bar engages the rotating member at an engaging point that varies as the head rest body rotates between the upright and folded positions.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4576411 (1986-03-01), Kitamura
patent: 4623166 (1986-11-01), Andres et al.
patent: 4674797 (1987-06-01), Tateyama
patent: 5590933 (1997-01-01), Andersson
patent: 6045181 (2000-04-01), Ikeda et al.
patent: 62-111453 (1987-07-01), None
patent: 1-164310 (1989-06-01), None
Kawaguchi Satoshi
Nakane Hidetoshi
Takeda Nobuhiko
Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
Burns Doane , Swecker, Mathis LLP
Jr. Milton Nelson
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