GB2576763A

GB2576763A - Headrest Assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2576763A
Application number: GB1814211.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kimberley Jason
Original assignee: Rescroft Ltd
Current assignee: Rescroft Ltd
Priority date: 2018-08-31
Filing date: 2018-08-31
Publication date: 2020-03-04
Also published as: GB201814211D0

Abstract

Vehicle seat headrest assembly 10 comprises headrest 12; support member 14 connected to headrest 12 at one end, and to the back 101 of a seat 100 at its other end via a connection member (104, Fig. 11); and adjustment device 16 for moving headrest 12 between at least two positions. Support member 14 moves relative to connection member (104, Fig. 11) when a force is applied to headrest 12. Adjustment device 16 also prevents separation of support member 14 from the connection member (104, Fig. 11), and comprises member 18 for engaging with either of two structures 22, 24, which may be domed recesses, to lock support member 14 in one of the two positions. Also disclosed is passage 81 for receiving support member 14, the opening 82 of which is located between two walls 83, 84 that can resiliently move towards/away from each other.

Description

Title: Headrest assembly

Description of Invention

This invention relates to a headrest assembly and in particular to a headrest assembly for connection to a seat, e.g. a vehicle seat.

A headrest is typically provided so as to increase comfort for a vehicle passenger and/or as some form of protection/mitigation against neck injuries in the event of a vehicle collision. A headrest is generally provided as part of a seat assembly where it is either fixed relative to a seat back or adjustable relative to the seat back.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved headrest assembly, particularly, although not exclusively, for use in a vehicle.

According to a first aspect of the invention, we provide a headrest assembly including;

a headrest member;

an elongate headrest support member connected at one end to the headrest member;

a connection member for connecting the elongate headrest support member to a seat back or squab of a seat; and an adjustment device for permitting adjustment of the position of the headrest member relative to the connection member, the adjustment device permitting at least first and second distinct positions of the elongate headrest support member relative to the connection member, wherein the adjustment device includes a moveable engaging member for engaging with either of a first or second formation of the connection member for holding the elongate headrest support member in the first or second distinct positions, wherein the adjustment device is configured such that movement of the elongate headrest support member from the first distinct position to the second distinct position, and vice versa, is achieved by applying a manual force to the headrest member to move the headrest member towards or away from the connection member, characterised in that the adjustment device prevents the elongate headrest support member from separating from the connection member under said manual force.

According to a second aspect of the invention, we provide a seat assembly including a headrest assembly according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the invention, we provide a receiving member for receiving an elongate headrest support member of a headrest assembly.

Further features of the first, second and third aspects of the invention as set out in the claims appended hereto.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of examples only with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a seat assembly according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a partially exploded view of the seat assembly of figure 1;

Figures 3 and 4 are front and rear perspective views of a headrest assembly according the present invention;

Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the headrest assembly with a moveable engaging member shown in a disengaged position;

Figure 6 is a cutaway perspective view of the headrest assembly corresponding to figure 5;

Figure 7 corresponds to figure 5, but with the with a moveable engaging member shown in an engaged position;

Figure 8 corresponds to figure 6, but with the with a moveable engaging member shown in an engaged position;

Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the component parts of the headrest assembly;

Figure 10 is a partially exploded front perspective view of component parts of the seat assembly;

Figure 11 is a further front perspective view of component parts of the seat assembly;

Figure 12 is a partially exploded rear perspective view of component parts of the seat assembly;

Figure 13 is a side view of a part of the elongate headrest support member of the headrest assembly;

Figure 14 is a plan view of a receiving member of the seat assembly;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a headrest assembly according to the present invention;

Figure 16 is a side cross-sectional view of the headrest assembly of figure 15 with a moveable engaging member shown in a disengaged position;

Figure 17 is a cutaway perspective view of the headrest assembly corresponding to figure 16;

Figure 18 corresponds to figure 16, but with the with a moveable engaging member shown in an engaged position;

Figure 19 corresponds to figure 17, but with the with a moveable engaging member shown in an engaged position; and

Figure 20 is a partially exploded rear perspective view of component parts of a second embodiment of a seat assembly for connecting to the first or second embodiments of headrest assembly.

Referring to figures 1 and 2, these show a first embodiment of a seat assembly 100 having a typical seat construction of a base 102 and a seat back or squab 101. The base 102 and seat back 101 are pivotally connected to each other and are adjustable in their angular position, as is common on vehicle seats. The seat 100 is connectable to a vehicle chassis (not shown). The backrest 101, as can be seen from figures 1 to 12 includes a seat frame 101c which is covered with a cushioning and cover materials, as is typical in the art.

The seat assembly 100 has a headrest assembly 10 which includes a headrest member 12 and an elongate headrest support member 14 connected at one, lower, end to the headrest member 12. The elongate headrest support member 14 passes into an interior of the seat back 101 through an aperture 101b. The elongate headrest support member 14 passes into the aperture 101b and into engagement with a connection member 104 (discussed in more detail later).

In the present embodiment the headrest assembly only includes a single elongate support headrest support member 14 which is positioned substantially centrally under the headrest member 12. Other embodiments are envisaged with two or more such members 14, e.g. positioned side-by-side and spaced from each other.

The elongate headrest support member is provided with an adjustment device 16 the purpose of which is for connecting the elongate headrest support member 14 to the connection member 104 and for permitting adjustment of the position of the headrest member 12 relative thereto. In this example, the adjustment device 16 permits first, second and third distinct positions of the elongate headrest support member 14 relative to the connection member 104. It should be appreciated that embodiments are envisaged where there are only first and second distinct positions, or more than three distinct positions.

As can be seen from figures 3 to 9, the headrest member includes a frame including a squircular peripheral frame member 12a and a generally horizontally extending central frame support member 12b. A lower portion of the peripheral frame member 12a is connected, e.g. by welding or bonding, to an upper end of the elongate headrest support member 14. The frame is connected to a plate 101a which is embedded within, for example, a foam (not shown) of the headrest 12 and provides a support for a headrest covering/trim (not shown).

The adjustment device 16 is provided so that a user is able to adjust the relative height of the headrest member 12 in relation to the seat back 101. In order to achieve this functionality the adjustment device 16 includes component parts positioned on/in the elongate headrest support member 14.

In more detail, the adjustment device 16 includes a moveable engaging member 18. The moveable engaging member 18 is generally cylindrical and has a domed or hemispherical free end. The moveable engaging member 18 is at least partially positioned within an interior 14a of the elongate support member 14. The moveable engaging member 18 projects through an aperture 20 in a rear surface of the elongate headrest support member 14. The purpose of the moveable engaging member 18 is to engage with one of first 22, second 24 or third 26 formations provided by the connection member 104, and thus positioned in an interior of the seat back 101, for holding the elongate headrest support member 14 in respective first, second or third distinct positions. The first distinct position corresponds to the highest position of the headrest member 12, whereas the third distinct position corresponds to the lowest position of the headrest member 12.

The adjustment device 16 is configured such that movement of the elongate headrest support member 14 from:

a. the first distinct position (downwardly) to the second distinct position,

b. from the second distinct position (downwardly) to the third distinct position,

c. from the third distinct position (upwardly) to the second distinct position, and

d. from the second distinct position (upwardly) to the first distinct position is achieved by applying a manual force to the headrest member 12 to move the headrest member 12 towards or away from the connection member 104 and seat back 101 (i.e. up or down). However, the adjustment device 16 is advantageously configured such that it prevents the elongate headrest support member 14 from separating from the connection member 104 under said manual force. In other words, the adjustment device 16 advantageously configured such that accidental removal of the headrest assembly (from the seat) is not possible.

The moveable engaging member 18 is moveable between engaged and disengaged positions by a user actuatable member 30 which is positioned at a rear surface of the elongate headrest support member 14 close to the headrest member 12 and between the headrest member 12 and the seat back 101. The user actuatable member 30 extends through an aperture 30a and into the interior 14a where it is connected to an elongate extension part 31. The elongate extension part 31 extends downwardly through the interior 14, close to a rear interior surface of the elongate headrest support member 14. The actuatable member 30 is slidably moveable between first and second conditions, e.g. slidable substantially vertically, within the aperture 30a. In other words, the aperture 30a limits the range of movement of the user actuatable member 30.

A lowermost end of the elongate extension part 31 is provided with a first camming surface 32 in the form of a substantially triangular-shaped recess (when viewed in side cross-section; see figure 5). The purpose of the camming surface 32 will become apparent later. A free end of the elongate extension part 31 is provided with a guide formation 33 with guide walls 33a and 33b which face each other.

The moveable engaging member 18 is supported for its movement by a biasing member 40 positioned within the interior 14a, which is made from a resilient material, e.g. metal, composite or a suitable plastics material. The biasing member is substantially n-shaped in side cross-section. In other words, the biasing member 40 includes first 41 and second 42 portions which are connected to each other by a direction transitioning member 44. The portion 44 is preferably curved although it need not be. A free end of the portion 41 is fixed (by an appropriate fastener, although any other connection means could be utilised) to the elongate headrest support member 14. The moveable engaging member 18 is connected to a free end of the portion 42. The free end 42 of the biasing member 40 is received in the guide formation 33, between the walls 33a, 33b. The shape of the biasing member 40 and its material means that it biases the moveable engaging member 18 outwardly away from the interior 14a and through the aperture 20.

In a similar fashion to the elongate extension part 31, the biasing member is provided with a second camming surface 43 in the form of a substantially triangular-shaped recess (when viewed in side cross-section; see figure 5). The camming surfaces 32 and 43 are configured to nest within each other when the moveable engaging member 18 is in its engaged position.

Sliding movement of the elongate extension part 31 upwardly from its first condition to its second condition causes the camming surface 32 to slide upwardly over the camming surface 32. As the interior 14a is a confined space, the biasing member 40 compresses with the free end of the portion 42 moving transversely towards the free end of the fixed portion 41. This movement causes the moveable engaging member 18 to move inwardly towards the interior 14a. Sliding movement of the elongate extension part 31 downwardly from its second condition to its first condition causes the camming surface 32 to slide downwardly so that it again mates with the camming surface 32. The resilience of the biasing member 40 means that it decompresses with the free end of the portion 42 moving transversely away the free end of the fixed portion 41. This movement causes the moveable engaging member 18 to once again move outwardly through the aperture 20.

As mentioned above, the seat assembly 100 includes a connection member 104 which is fixed relative to the frame 101c. The purpose of the a connection member is for connecting the elongate headrest support member 14 to the seat back 101 and for interacting with the adjustment device 16 to permit adjustment of the height of the headrest member 12.

The connection member 104 in the embodiment shown in the drawings includes a number of component parts which are connected to each other to generally provide a passage for receipt of the elongate headrest support member 14. It should be appreciated, however, that the connection member 104 could take many other forms. For example, it could be of a unitary construction. In the present example, the connection member 104 includes front 101e and rear 101d holding parts which sandwich therebetween a receiving member 80. In the present example, the parts 101d and 101e are made from metal, e.g. steel, with the member 80 being made from a resilient material, e.g. plastic. However, it should be appreciated that other materials could be used for the various components.

Turning first to the receiving member 80, this component part is shaped so as to receive the elongate headrest support member 14 and for permitting sliding movement of the member 14 relative thereto. The receiving member 80 is, in this example, an extruded plastics part having a substantially uniform crosssection along its length (see figure 14). The receiving member 80 has an elongate passage 81 into which the elongate headrest support member 14may be received, the passage 81 being defined at least partially by a generally Cshaped wall (see references 83, 84 and 85 in figures 10, 12 and 14) which extends around the elongate headrest support member 14. The wall includes an opening 82 therein defined between the free ends of first 83 and second 84 wall portions. The opening 82 is opposite a wall portion 85 which connects the wall portions 83 and 84 to each other. The opening 82 extends along the complete length of the receiving member 80, although in other embodiments it need not be the entire length. The passage 81 is, in cross-section, oval or substantially oval, although it need not necessarily be that shape.

The receiving member 80 is formed such that the first 83 and second 84 wall portions are resiliently moveable towards and away from each other. This means that the cross-sectional size of the passage 81 and the width of the opening 82 can change. It also means that the size of the passage 81 can be configured such that it is, in an unflexed state, slightly smaller than the crosssectional size of the elongate headrest support member 14, thus providing some frictional resistance to its movement therethrough. Such frictional resistance means that the elongate headrest support member 14 moves with a predictable “feel” when the user wishes to move the headrest 12 up or down.

The width of the opening 82 is sized such so as to permit the moveable engaging member 18 of the headrest assembly to pass therethrough when the elongate headrest support member 14 is positioned within the passage. The purpose of this will become apparent later.

Connected to and extending away from each opposite side of the wall portion 85 are third 86 and fourth 87 walls which provide for connection of the receiving member 80 to the frame 101c. The third 86 and fourth 87 walls include portions (their main free ends) which are positioned substantially in the same plane A (see figure 14) and these walls are sandwiched between the front 101e and rear 101d holding parts with a plurality of fasteners 101f passing therethrough. The plane A lies to the opposite side of the receiving member 80 as the opening 82. Other means for connecting these component parts together may be utilised.

The front 101e and rear 101d holding parts and the receiving member 80, once joined together, provide a stable anchorage for receiving the elongate headrest support member 14.

As can be seen from figure 12, the rear facing surface of the rear holding part 101d is provided with a plurality of formations 22, 24, 26 which engage with the moveable engaging member so as to hold the headrest 12 in a desired position. In this example there are three formations, but it should be appreciated that there could also be two or a number greater than three. The formations 22, 24, 26 are positioned stacked one above each other and are aligned with the opening 82 so that the moveable engaging member 18 can pass through the opening 82 and into engagement with one of the formations.

The third formation 26 is positioned lowermost (i.e. farthest from the headrest 12) and is formed as a domed or hemi-spherical recess in the part 101 d. The second formation 24 is positioned above the third formation 24 and is also formed as a domed or hemi-spherical recess in the part 101 d. The second and third formations are therefore identical or substantially identical to each other in function and/or form. They each represent a height adjusted position of the headrest 12, and the headrest 12 can be moved between the second and third distinct positions (which correspond to the second and third formations, respectively) by applying a manual force to the headrest member 12 to move the headrest member 12 towards or away from the seat back 101. The domes recesses cooperate with the domed end of the moveable engaging member 18 such that the headrest member 12 is held in position, but ensure that manual force applied to the headrest member can permit the moveable engaging member 18 to become disengaged from the domed recess 24 or 26. Essentially, the domed surfaces cam over each other, thus moving the moveable engaging member 18 slightly inwardly towards the interior 14a until it is moved (upwardly or downwardly into engagement with one of the adjacent formations 22, 24, 26.

The first formation 22 is shaped differently from the second and third formations 24, 26. The first formation 22 includes a part-domed or part-hemispherical recess 27, which is positioned close to the second formation 24, and an aperture 28 above the recess 27 through which at least a portion of the moveable engaging member 18 may extend. At the junction between the recess 27 and the aperture 28 there is an arcuate shoulder 29 which engages with an underside of the moveable engaging member 18 when the latter has passed through the aperture 28. The shoulder 29 prevents the elongate headrest support member 14 from being moved under a manual force, up or down, unless the user moves the member 30 downwardly. Thus, the first formation 22 prevents the elongate headrest support member 14 from separating from the connection member 104 under manual force.

Figure 13 shows the engaged position of the moveable engaging member 18 with each of the formations 22, 24, 26.

Movement of the member 30 downwardly (in the direction of arrow B, from the position shown in figure 7 to the position shown in figure 5) slides the camming surface 32 past the camming surface 43, which, in turn moves the moveable engaging member 18 away from and out of engagement with the formation 22 and towards the interior 14a. Once that is achieved, the user can either remove the headrest member 12 and the elongate headrest support member 14 completely or the headrest member 12 can be moved downwardly to either the second or third distinct position. The biasing member 40 ensures that the moveable engaging member 18 is moved outwardly again, towards the formations 24, 26 once the user releases the member 30 (which then slides upwardly to its original position.

Referring to figures 15 to 19, these show a second embodiment of a headrest assembly 10’ according to the present invention. Like features, either physically or functionally, to those of the embodiments shown in figures 1 to 14 have been given the same reference numeral but with the additional of a prime (‘) symbol.

The second embodiment of headrest assembly 10’ includes a moveable engaging member 18’, but in this embodiment the member 18’ is moved between its engaged (figures 18 and 19) and disengaged (figures 16 and 17) positions by a depressible user actuatable member 30’. The user actuatable member 30’ extends through an aperture 30a’ and into the interior 14a’ where it is connected to a midpoint of an elongate biasing member 40’, which is made from a resilient material, e.g. metal, composite or a suitable plastics material. An upper end of the biasing member 40’ is fixed (by an appropriate fastener 41, although any other connection means could be utilised) to the elongate headrest support member 14’. An opposite, lower, end of the biasing member 40’ supports the moveable engaging member 18’.

Movement of the depressible user actuatable member 30’ inwardly, in the direction of arrow B’ towards the interior 14a’ (see figures 16 and 17), causes the lower end of the elongate biasing member 40’ also to move inwardly, but to a greater extent, meaning that the moveable engaging member 18’ moves through the aperture 20’ and into the interior 14a’. This ensures that the headrest assembly 10’ can be moved relative to the seatback, in a functionally similar way to the first embodiment. For the avoidance of doubt, the headrest 10’ may also be used in combination with the seatback 101 of the first embodiment.

Referring to figure 20, this shows a partially exploded rear perspective view of component parts of a second embodiment of a seat assembly 10T for connecting to the first 10 or second 10’ embodiments of headrest assembly discussed above.

As can be seen from figure 20, the rear facing surface of the rear holding part 101 d’ is provided with a plurality of formations 22’, 24’, 26’ which engage with the moveable engaging member 18 or 18’ so as to hold the headrest 12 or 12’ in a desired position. In this example there are three formations, but it should be appreciate that there could only be two or a number greater than three. The formations 22’, 24’, 26’ are positioned stacked one above each other and are aligned with an opening 82' in a receiving part 80’ so that the moveable engaging member 18, 18’ can pass through the opening 82’ and into engagement with one of the formations.

The first formation 22 is shaped identically to the formation 22 of the first embodiment and operates in the same way. The third formation 26’ is positioned lowermost (i.e. farthest from the headrest 12 or 12’) and is formed as a circular aperture in the part 101 d’. The second formation 24’ is positioned above the third formation 24 and is also formed as a circular aperture in the part 101d. The second and third formations are therefore identical or substantially identical to each other in function and/or form. They each represent a height adjusted position of the headrest 12, 12’, and the headrest 12, 12’ can be moved between the second and third distinct positions (which correspond to second and third formations, respectively). The apertures 24’, 26’ permit the end of the moveable engaging member 18, 18’ to pass therethrough (in a similar way to the aperture 28, 28’) such that the headrest member 12, 12’ is held in position. Thus, in this embodiment, movement of the headrest 12, 12’ between the second a third positions, or from the second position to the first position, requires a user to depress the user actuatable member 30’. However, the formations 24’, 26’ could be configured such that manual force applied to the headrest 12, 12’ can permit the moveable engaging member 18, 18’ to become disengaged from the aperture 24’ or 26’. In other words, they could be configured to function in the same way as the domes 24, 26 of the first embodiment.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms comprises and comprising and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for 5 attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A headrest assembly including;

a headrest member;

2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein moveable engaging member is at least partially positioned within an interior of the elongate support member.

3. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the elongate support member includes an aperture communicating with the interior thereof through which the moveable engaging member extends.

4. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein the moveable engaging member is biased to a position in which is extends through the aperture in the elongate support member.

5. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the first formation is shaped differently from the second formation.

6. An assembly according to any preceding claim the first and/or second formation includes a recess, e.g. a domed or hemi-spherical recess in part of the connection member, into which at least a portion of the moveable engaging member is received.

7. An assembly according to any preceding claim the first formation is or includes an aperture through which at least a portion of the moveable engaging member extends.

8. An assembly according to any preceding claim the first formation includes both a recess, e.g. a part-domed or part-hemi-spherical recess in part of the connection member, into which at least a portion of the moveable engaging member is received and an aperture through which at least a portion of the moveable engaging member extends.

9. An assembly according to any preceding claim the first formation prevents the elongate headrest support member from separating from the connection member under said manual force.

10. An assembly according to any preceding claim, when the moveable engaging member is engaged with the first formation, the first formation prevents movement of the moveable engaging member away from the second formation, e.g. when a manual force is applied to the headrest to move the headrest away from the connection member.

11. An assembly according to any preceding claim, when the moveable engaging member is engaged with the first formation, the first formation permits movement of the moveable engaging member towards the second formation, e.g. when a manual force is applied to the headrest to move the headrest towards the connection member.

12. An assembly according to any preceding claim the connection member includes a third formation for engagement with the engaging member for holding the elongate headrest support member in the device for holding the elongate headrest support member in a third distinct position.

13. An assembly according to claim 12 wherein the third formation is identical or substantially identical in function and/or form to the second formation.

14. An assembly according to claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the adjustment device is configured such that movement of the elongate headrest support member from the first distinct position to the second distinct position, from the second distinct position to the third distinct position, from the third distinct position to the second distinct position and from the second distinct position to the first distinct position, is achieved by applying a manual force to the headrest to move the headrest either towards or away from the connection member, characterised in that the adjustment device prevents the elongate headrest support member from separating from the connection member under said manual force.

15. An assembly according to any preceding claim including a user actuatable member moveable between a first condition and a second condition, wherein when in the second condition the moveable engaging member is disengaged from the respective first or second formation.

16. An assembly according to claim 15 wherein movement of the user actuatable member from its first condition to its second condition moves the moveable engaging member away from the formation with which it is engaged.

17. An assembly according to claim 15 or claim 16 wherein the user actuatable member is slidably moveable between its first and second conditions, e.g. substantially vertically in normal use.

18. An assembly according to claim 15, 16 or 17 wherein movement of the user actuatable member from its first condition to its second condition moves the moveable engaging member in a direction transverse to said sliding movement.

19. An assembly according to claim 15, 16, 17 or 18 wherein the user actuatable member is connected to an elongate extension part which includes a (first) camming surface which engages with a (second) camming surface provided on or connected to the moveable engaging member so as to effect said transverse movement.

20. An assembly according to any one of claims 15 to 19 wherein the user actuatable member is:

a) biased to adopt its second position; and/or

b) positioned on or adjacent the elongate headrest support member; and/or

c) positioned on or adjacent the elongate headrest support member close to the headrest member.

21. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the moveable engaging member is biased to engage the first or second formations.

22. An assembly according to claim 21 where said biasing is provided by a biasing member which is connected to the moveable engaging member.

23. An assembly according to any preceding claim as dependent directly or indirectly on claim 19 wherein the elongate extension part is positioned in an interior of the elongate headrest support member.

24. An assembly according to any preceding claim as dependent directly or indirectly on claim 19 wherein the elongate support part includes a guide(s) at or near its end remote from the user actuatable member for receiving the biasing member.

25. An assembly according to any preceding claim as dependent directly or indirectly on claim 19 wherein the elongate extension part provides the first camming surface and wherein the biasing member provides the second camming surface.

26. An assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the moveable engaging member includes a domed or hemi-spherical surface which engages with the first and second formations.

27. An assembly according to any preceding claim as dependent directly or indirectly on claim 3 wherein the moveable engaging member includes a cylindrical portion, a portion of which may extend through the aperture in the first formation.

28. An assembly according to any preceding claim as dependent directly or indirectly on claim 22 wherein the biasing member is connected to the elongate headrest support member at or near one end and is connected to the moveable engaging member at or near its opposite end.

29. An assembly according to any preceding claim as dependent directly or indirectly on claim 22 wherein the biasing member includes a first portion which extends away from its connection to the elongate headrest support member and towards the headrest member, and a second portion, connected to the first portion, which extends away from the moveable engaging member and towards the headrest member.

30. An assembly according to claim 29 wherein the first and second portions of the biasing member are connected to each other by a direction transitioning member, which is preferably curved.

31. An assembly according to any preceding claim including only one elongate headrest support member, e.g. a single elongate support headrest support member positioned substantially centrally under the headrest member.

32. A seat assembly including a headrest assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the connection member is connected to a seat back or squab of the seat.

33. A seat assembly according to claim 32 wherein the first and second formations are positioned in an interior of the seat back or squab.

34. A seat assembly according to claim 32 wherein the user actuatable member is slidably moveable towards and away from the seat back or squab.

35. A seat assembly according to any one of claims 32 to 34 wherein the user actuatable member is positioned on or adjacent the elongate headrest support member close to the headrest member and between the headrest member and the seat back or squab.

36. A receiving member for receiving an elongate headrest support member of a headrest assembly, the receiving member including:

an elongate passage into which the elongate headrest support member may be received, the passage being defined at least partially by a wall which extends around the elongate headrest support member, wherein the wall includes, in cross-section, an opening therein defined between first and second wall portions, wherein the first and second wall portions are resiliency moveable towards and away from each other.

37. A receiving member according to claim 36 wherein the opening in the receiving member:

a) extends along the entirety of or substantially along the entirety of the elongate passage; and/or

b) is sized so as to permit a moveable engaging member of the headrest assembly to pass therethrough.

38. A receiving member according to claim 36 or 37 wherein the passage is, in cross-section, oval or substantially oval.

39. A receiving member according to any one of claims 36 to 38 wherein the receiving member includes third and fourth walls for permitting connection of the receiving member to a seat back or squab of a seat, wherein the third and further walls are connected to the wall which defines the elongate passage and extends away therefrom.

40. A receiving member according to claim 39 wherein the third and fourth walls are positioned at an opposite side of the receiving member to the opening.

5

41. A receiving member according to claim 39 or claim 40 wherein the third and fourth walls include portions which are positioned substantially in the same plane.

42. A receiving member according to claim 41 wherein the portions of the 10 third and fourth walls which are positioned substantially in the same plane are free ends of those walls.

43. A headrest assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 31 and including a receiving member according to any one of claims 36 to 42.