GB2315409A - Vehicle headrest adjustment - Google Patents

Vehicle headrest adjustment Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2315409A
GB2315409A GB9615586A GB9615586A GB2315409A GB 2315409 A GB2315409 A GB 2315409A GB 9615586 A GB9615586 A GB 9615586A GB 9615586 A GB9615586 A GB 9615586A GB 2315409 A GB2315409 A GB 2315409A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
vehicle seat
end cap
spring
head restraint
seat assembly
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9615586A
Other versions
GB9615586D0 (en
Inventor
Paul Sharman
Kenneth Douglas Alex Macandrew
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
MG Rover Group Ltd
Original Assignee
MG Rover Group Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by MG Rover Group Ltd filed Critical MG Rover Group Ltd
Priority to GB9615586A priority Critical patent/GB2315409A/en
Publication of GB9615586D0 publication Critical patent/GB9615586D0/en
Publication of GB2315409A publication Critical patent/GB2315409A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D49/00—Brakes with a braking member co-operating with the periphery of a drum, wheel-rim, or the like
    • F16D49/02—Brakes with a braking member co-operating with the periphery of a drum, wheel-rim, or the like shaped as a helical band or coil with more than one turn, with or without intensification of the braking force by the tension of the band or contracting member
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/80—Head-rests
    • B60N2/806—Head-rests movable or adjustable
    • B60N2/809—Head-rests movable or adjustable vertically slidable
    • B60N2/812—Head-rests movable or adjustable vertically slidable characterised by their locking devices
    • B60N2/815—Release mechanisms, e.g. buttons
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/80—Head-rests
    • B60N2/806—Head-rests movable or adjustable
    • B60N2/809—Head-rests movable or adjustable vertically slidable
    • B60N2/812—Head-rests movable or adjustable vertically slidable characterised by their locking devices
    • B60N2/821—Head-rests movable or adjustable vertically slidable characterised by their locking devices with continuous positioning
    • B60N2/824—Head-rests movable or adjustable vertically slidable characterised by their locking devices with continuous positioning using springs

Abstract

A vehicle seat assembly is disclosed having an adjustable head restraint assembly in which a head support is securable in position between a lowered position and a raised position by means of two securing means 6, 7 each engaging a vertical rod supporting the headrest. Each of the securing means 6, 7 includes a coil spring 26 which engages a support rod. Each of the springs 26 is, in a normally relaxed state, of smaller internal diameter than the external diameter of the support rods 4, 5 with which it is engaged. By rotation of the end portions 32, 33 of the spring with respect to one another the spring 26 is partially unwound thereby releasing its locking grip on the support rods 4, 5. The rotation of the spring 26 is effected by rotation of the spring 26 is effected by rotation of a cap 21 thus releasing the rod for vertical adjustment of the headrest.

Description

A Vehicle Seat Assembly This invention relates to seat assemblies and in particular to a seat assembly having a movable head restraint and means for securing said head restraint in a pre-determined position.
It is well known to provide a motor vehicle seat with an adjustable head restraint that can be vertically displaced with respect to the seat to which it is attached.
Such a prior art head restraint is shown in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawing. It will be seen that the head restraint comprises of a head support 10 from which two support rods 13 extend for engagement with support tubes (not shown) fixed to a backrest of the seat (not shown) to which the head restraint is attached. Each of the support rods has a number of notches 12 formed therein which are engageable with a lock mechanism fixed to the backrest.
Such an arrangement has the disadvantages that the head restraint can only be locked in pre-determined discrete positions and that the support rods need to be of greater diameter than would otherwise be the case due to the weakening effect of the notches 12.
It is an object of this invention". to provide an improved seat assembly for a motor vehicle.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle seat assembly comprising of a sot frame having a backrest portion, a head restraint movably connected to the backrest portion by means of one or more support rods to allow adjustment of the head restraint between a lowered position in which the head restraint is positioned adjacent to an upper edge of the backrest portion to an extended position in which the head restraint is displaced upwardly with respect to the upper edge of the backrest portion and securing means to hold the head restraint in any position between said lowered and said extended positions wherein the securing means comprises a housing having a body portion arid an end cap and a coil locking spring engaged with a respective support rod to be gripped, said coil spring having an internal diameter in a relaxed state which is less than the diameter of the support rod with which it is engaged and having a first end portion for abutment with said body portion and a second end portion for abutment with said end cap such that upon rotation of the end cap relative to the body portion in a pre determined direction the internal diameter of the coil spring is thereby increased so as to reduce the gripping effect on the support rod with which it is engaged and allow the support rod to be moved relative to the backrest portion.
The head restraint may have two support rods engaged with the backrest portion at least one of which is fitted with a securing means to hold the head restraint in position.
Preferably, both support rods may be fitted with a securing means.
The body portion may have a shank portion for securable engagement with the backrest portion and a spring chamber to house the coil locking spring.
The spring chamber may have a cylindrical side portion in which is formed a slot to accommodate the first end portion of the coil locking spring.
The shank portion may be of a smaller diameter than the spring chamber there being a step formed therebetween.
The end cap may have an inwardly directed rib for engagement with the step on the body portion thereby to rotatably secure the two parts together.
The end cap may have a cylindrical side wall portion in which there is formed a step providing an abutment surface against which said second end portion of the coil locking spring can abut.
Each end cap may be formed with one or more upstanding finger grips to assist with rotation of the end cap relative to the body portion against the action of the coil locking spring.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a securing means for a motor vehicle seat head restraint of the type that is supported by one or more support rods the securing means comprising of a housing having a body portion and an end cap and a coil locking spring for engagement with a respective support rod to be gripped, said coil spring having an internal diameter in a relaxed state which is less than the diameter of the support rod with which it is engaged and having a first end portion for abutment with said body portion and a second end portion for abutment with said end cap such that upon rotation of the end cap relative to the body portion in a pre determined direction the internal diameter of the coil spring is thereby increased so as to reduce the gripping effect on the support rod.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing of which: Fig.1 is a front view of a prior art head restraint; Fig.2 is a partial front view of a seat assembly according to a first aspect of the invention; and Fig.3 is an enlarged exploded view of a securing means forming part of the seat assembly shown in Fig.2.
With reference to Figs. 2 and 3 there is shown a seat assembly having a backrest portion 9 in which is located a backrest portion of a seat frame 8. The backrest portion of the seat frame 8 having a substantially horizontal upper edge member 3 defining two apertures into each of which there is secured a respective securing means 6, 7.
A head restraint assembly 10 comprising of a foam filled head support 12, a support frame 11 and two outwardly projecting support rods 4, 5 is movably connected to the backrest portion of the seat frame 8 for movement between a lowered position 1, in which the head support is positioned adjacent to the upper edge 3 of the backrest portion of the seat frame 8, to an extended position la, in which the head support 12 is displaced upwardly with respect to the upper edge 3 of the backrest portion of the seat frame 8. In said extended position la there is a considerable gap between the lower edge of the head support 12 and the upper edge of the seat backrest 9.
To hold the head support 12 in any position between the lowered position 1 and the extended position la each of the support rods 4, 5 is engaged with a respective one of the securing means 6, 7.
Each of the securing means 6, 7 comprises of a housing having a body portion 20 and an end cap 21.
The body portion 20 has a shank portion 23 for securable engagement with the aperture in the upper edge 3 of the backrest portion of the seat frame 8 and a cylindrical spring chamber 22 of greater diameter than the diameter of the shank portion 23. At the juncture of the shank portion 23 with the spring chamber 21 a step 25 is formed which is used to secure the end cap 21 to the body portion 20.
A coil locking spring 26 is located within the bore of the spring chamber 21 which is of a greater internal diameter than the external diameter of the coil locking spring 26. The coil locking spring 26 has a first end portion 33 extending radially outwardly for engagement with a slot 24 in the cylindrical wall of the spring chamber 21 and a second radially outwardly extending end portion 32 for abutment against a step 27 formed in a cylindrical side wall portion 30 of the end cap 21.
The end cap 21 has said cylindrical side wall portion 30 and an annular end plate portion 31 on which is formed two finger grips 29 to assist with rotation of the end cap 21 relative to the body portion 20.
At the lower end of the cylindrical side wall portion 30 there is formed an inwardly directed rib 28 for engagement with the step 25 on the body portion 20.
Engagement of the rib 28 with the step 25 secures the end cap 21 to the body portion 20 so that the coil spring 26 is retained within the spring chamber 22 but allows relative rotation between the end cap 21 and the body portion 20.
The inner diameter of the coil locking spring 26 in its normally relaxed state is less than the external diameter of the respective support rod 4, 5 with which it is engaged. The head support 12 is therefore maintained in position between said lowered and extended positions 1 and la by the gripping effect of the coil locking springs 26 upon the respective support rods 4, 5.
To release the head support 12 the end caps 21 are rotated in a clockwise direction "R" relative to the body portion 20. This rotation of the end caps 21 relative to the body portion 20 causes the springs 26 to be partially unwound thereby increasing their internal diameter and releasing the gripping force on the support rods 4, 5 with which they are engaged. So long as the coil springs 26 are maintained in this unwound condition the head support 12 can be adjusted freely between said lowered and extended positions 1 and la.
When the unlocking torque applied to the end cap 21 via the finger grips 29 is released the end caps 21 will automatically be urged back in the opposite direction by the natural tendency of the coil springs 26 to return to a relaxed and hence locking state.
Such a mechanism therefore provides a cost effective way of providing an infinitely variable adjustment of a head support and because there are no stress raising notches formed in the support rods 4, 5 the diameter of the support rods can be reduced relative to the diameter of a prior art head restraint assembly.

Claims (12)

1. A vehicle seat assembly comprising of a seat frame having a backrest portion, a head restraint movably connected to the backrest portion by means of one or more support rods to allow adjustment of the head restraint between a lowered position in which the head restraint is positioned adjacent to an upper edge of the backrest portion to an extended position in which the head restraint is displaced upwardly with respect to the upper edge of the backrest portion and securing means to hold the head restraint in any position between said lowered and said extended positions wherein the securing means comprises a housing having a body portion and an end cap and a coil locking spring engaged with a respective support rod to be gripped, said coil spring having an internal diameter in a relaxed state which is less than the diameter of the support rod with which it is engaged and having a first end portion for abutment with said body portion and a second end portion for abutment with said end cap such that upon rotation of the end cap relative to the body portion in a pre determined direction the internal diameter of the coil spring is thereby increased so as to reduce the gripping effect on the support rod with which it is engaged and allow the support rod to be moved relative to the backrest portion.
2. A vehicle seat assembly as claimed in Claim 1 in which the head restraint has two support rods engaged with the backrest portion at least one of which is fitted with a securing means to hold the head restraint in position.
3. A vehicle seat assembly as claimed in Claim 2 in which both support rods are fitted with a securing means.
4. A vehicle seat assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which the body portion has a shank portion for securable engagement with the backrest portion and a spring chamber to house the coil locking spring.
5. A vehicle seat assembly as claimed in Claim 4 in which the spring chamber has cylindrical side portion in which is formed a slot to accommodate the first end portion of the coil locking spring.
6. A vehicle seat assembly as claimed in Claim 4 or in Claim 5 in which the shank portion is of a smaller diameter than the spring chamber there being a step formed therebetween.
7. A vehicle seat assembly as claimed in Claim 6 in which the end cap has an inwardly directed rib for engagement with the step on the body portion thereby to rotatably secure the two parts together.
8. A vehicle seat assembly as claimed in any preceding claim in which the end cap has a cylindrical side wall portion in which there is formed a step providing an abutment surface against which said second end portion of the coil locking spring can abut.
9. A vehicle seat assembly as claimed in any preceding Claim in which each end cap is formed with one or more upstanding finger grips to assist with rotation of the end cap relative to the body portion against the action of the coil locking spring.
10. A vehicle seat assembly substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.
11. A securing means for a motor vehicle seat head restraint of the type that is supported by one or more support rods the securing means comprising of a housing having a body portion and an end cap and a coil locking spring for engagement with a respective support rod to be gripped, said coil spring having ' an internal diameter in a relaxed state which is less than the diameter of the support rod with which it is engaged and having a first end portion for abutment with said body portion and a second end portion for abutment with said end cap such that upon rotation of the end cap relative to the body portion in a pre determined direction the internal diameter of the coil spring is thereby increased so as to reduce the gripping effect on the support rod.
12. A securing means for a motor vehicle seat head restraint of the type that is supported by one or more support rods substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.
GB9615586A 1996-07-24 1996-07-24 Vehicle headrest adjustment Withdrawn GB2315409A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9615586A GB2315409A (en) 1996-07-24 1996-07-24 Vehicle headrest adjustment

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9615586A GB2315409A (en) 1996-07-24 1996-07-24 Vehicle headrest adjustment

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9615586D0 GB9615586D0 (en) 1996-09-04
GB2315409A true GB2315409A (en) 1998-02-04

Family

ID=10797458

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9615586A Withdrawn GB2315409A (en) 1996-07-24 1996-07-24 Vehicle headrest adjustment

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2315409A (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2824115A1 (en) * 2001-04-27 2002-10-31 Cera Locking and sliding system for automobile seat headrest rod sliding in sleeve comprises spring connected to sleeve and unlocking device causing spring compression
GB2418848A (en) * 2004-09-23 2006-04-12 Lear Corp Adjustable head restraint guide
US8038220B2 (en) * 2008-01-23 2011-10-18 Porter Group, Llc Adjustable positioner for vehicle seat back headrest

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4589698A (en) * 1984-03-29 1986-05-20 Tachikawa Spring Co., Ltd. Head-rest device for a vehicle seat
US4657425A (en) * 1985-02-14 1987-04-14 Nifco, Inc. Device for locking rod against movement in extending and contracting directions
WO1988006244A1 (en) * 1987-02-17 1988-08-25 Hume, Catherine, Gillies Inter-locking mechanism for telescopic members

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4589698A (en) * 1984-03-29 1986-05-20 Tachikawa Spring Co., Ltd. Head-rest device for a vehicle seat
US4657425A (en) * 1985-02-14 1987-04-14 Nifco, Inc. Device for locking rod against movement in extending and contracting directions
WO1988006244A1 (en) * 1987-02-17 1988-08-25 Hume, Catherine, Gillies Inter-locking mechanism for telescopic members

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2824115A1 (en) * 2001-04-27 2002-10-31 Cera Locking and sliding system for automobile seat headrest rod sliding in sleeve comprises spring connected to sleeve and unlocking device causing spring compression
GB2418848A (en) * 2004-09-23 2006-04-12 Lear Corp Adjustable head restraint guide
US7108327B2 (en) 2004-09-23 2006-09-19 Lear Corporation Adjustable head restraint guide
GB2418848B (en) * 2004-09-23 2008-01-02 Lear Corp Adjustable head restraint guide
US8038220B2 (en) * 2008-01-23 2011-10-18 Porter Group, Llc Adjustable positioner for vehicle seat back headrest

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9615586D0 (en) 1996-09-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4589698A (en) Head-rest device for a vehicle seat
US5788325A (en) Locking mechanism for a vehicle seat, and a seat including such a mechanism
US4545618A (en) Head-rest device
US4854642A (en) Head restraint guide assembly
US4923250A (en) Headrest apparatus
US5934755A (en) Adjusting mechanism for a vehicle seat headrest
GB2418848A (en) Adjustable head restraint guide
US4099779A (en) Vehicle head support
US6648415B2 (en) Automobile seat back with height-adjustable headrest
DE10030386A1 (en) Seat hinge device with emergency locking device and vehicle seat equipped with it
US5039166A (en) Vehicular seat assembly
EP1046541A1 (en) Adjusting mechanism for a vehicle's seat headrest
GB2315409A (en) Vehicle headrest adjustment
JP2001517968A (en) A device for locking the headrest, especially for automobile seats, with respect to height
WO2008046198A1 (en) Head restraint sleeve
JPH11301542A (en) Saddle posture adjustment mechanism, saddle lock mechanism, and bicycle using these mechanisms
JP3690592B2 (en) Headrest locking mechanism
GB2304559A (en) Vehicle head restraint system
JP2003259935A (en) Headrest device
GB2373435A (en) Vehicle seat support frame with tilt and height adjust
CN215621529U (en) Automobile seat
KR200330534Y1 (en) Reclining device of seat for vehicle
JPH026846Y2 (en)
KR200143061Y1 (en) Headrest for a car
JPH1016707A (en) Mechanism for adjusting height of headrest and seat belt on vehicle seat

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)