Chairs and seats – Chair hardware or attachment
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-22
2001-08-14
Brown, Peter R. (Department: 3624)
Chairs and seats
Chair hardware or attachment
C297S216120, C297S216130, C297S354110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273511
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a seat and headrest arrangement for a vehicle comprising a backrest frame having an upper and a lower part which are connected to one another via a joint, with a headrest being mounted at the upper part (cf. DE 197 43 339).
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Conventional vehicle seats usually consist of a seat frame and a backrest frame which is pivotally connected thereto and which can be adjusted in its inclination with respect to the seat frame in order to enable an adaptation to the anatomy and to the individual requirements of the vehicle passengers. In these conventional arrangements there exists the basic problem that the distance between the head of the vehicle passenger and the headrest which is mounted on the backrest frame varies in dependence on the inclination of the backrest frame. Therefore the distance between the back of the head of a vehicle passenger and the headrest can be determined in conventional vehicle seats for one theoretical seat position only. This however represents a compromise between safety and comfort since the theoretically safest position with a completely upright backrest is uncomfortable and the most comfortable seat position with a completely inclined backrest offers the least protection, since the distance between the headrest and the back of the head of the vehicle passenger is a maximum in this case.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a seat and headrest arrangement of the initially named kind in which a risk of injury to the neck and cervix region of a vehicle passenger is minimised.
This object is satisfied by the features of claim
1
and in particular in that a setting device is provided which adjusts the inclination of the upper part in dependence on the inclination of the lower part.
In accordance with the invention the setting device automatically produces an adjustment of the upper part, at which the headrest is fastened, when the lower part is adjusted, through which the distance between the back of the head of the vehicle passenger and the headrest, which increases as the inclination of the backrest increases, can be compensated through a contrary movement of the upper part. Through this a system is provided through which a constant distance remains between the head of the vehicle passenger and the headrest independently of the inclination of the backrest so that the ideal distance can always be maintained between the head and the backrest even when the backrest is set at different inclinations.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the description, in the drawings and in the subordinate claims.
In accordance with a first advantageous embodiment the setting device is fastened with one end at a carrier of the seat or at an inclination adjustment of the lower part. Through this it is effected that the setting device is simultaneously and automatically actuated through an inclination adjustment of the backrest frame, which in the one case takes place through a relative movement between the seat carrier and the backrest frame and in the other case through the movement of the inclination adjustment. An inclination adjustment of this kind can be formed by a hand wheel or by an electric motor.
In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention the setting device acts on a cam which is articulatedly arranged at the lower part of the backrest frame, with the upper part abutting at the cam. In this embodiment a mechanical adjustment of the upper part takes place with respect to the lower part through the pivoting of the cam, which is actuated by the setting device.
It is particularly advantageous when the upper and the lower part are subjected to a bias force with respect to one another and when the cam curve is formed in such a manner that the force which is exerted by the upper part on the cam passes substantially in the direction of the pivot axis of the cam. In this embodiment it is ensured that no excessive forces are exerted on the setting device when the head of the vehicle passenger is pressed with a large force against the headrest. In this case the force which is exerted by the upper part on the cam—independently of the inclination of the cam—always acts substantially in the direction of the pivot axis, which can take up this force. Through this the forces acting on the setting device are reduced. At the same time it is excluded that the vehicle passenger involuntarily influences the position of the upper part with his head, since the cam is always in a blocking position in which no or only a slight force can be exerted via the cam on the setting device.
In accordance with a further advantageous embodiment of the invention an impact means is provided at the upper part which preferably extends in the direction of the lower part. Through this in the event of an accident the back of the vehicle passenger, which dips into the backrest frame, can exert a force on the impact element so that the upper part is pivoted about the joint in order thereby to bring the headrest closer to the back of the head of the vehicle passenger. Alternatively or additionally an impact means, preferably a mat, which extends along the lower part can be provided at the lower part. A mat of this kind is stretched inside the backrest frame and additionally reduces the impact of the back of the vehicle passenger.
It is particularly advantageous when a pivot element which is pivotally connected at the lower part and which cooperates with the impact element of the upper part is associated with the impact means of the lower part, for example the mat. Through this it is provided for that a definite force is exerted on the impact element of the upper part in that the pivot element is incident on the impact element of the upper part.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3494663 (1970-02-01), Flint
patent: 4353594 (1982-10-01), Lowe
patent: 4655471 (1987-04-01), Peek
patent: 5181762 (1993-01-01), Beumer
patent: 5531503 (1996-07-01), Hughes
patent: 5671972 (1997-09-01), Tedesco
patent: 6213549 (2001-04-01), Wieclawski
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
Brown Peter R.
Lear Corporation
Vu Stephen
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