US20010026091A1 - Headrest apparatus for vehicle seat - Google Patents
Headrest apparatus for vehicle seat Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20010026091A1 US20010026091A1 US09/770,300 US77030001A US2001026091A1 US 20010026091 A1 US20010026091 A1 US 20010026091A1 US 77030001 A US77030001 A US 77030001A US 2001026091 A1 US2001026091 A1 US 2001026091A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- frame
- headrest
- horizontal rod
- vehicle seat
- frame piece
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- 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
- B60N2/838—Tiltable
- B60N2/841—Tiltable characterised by their locking devices
- B60N2/85—Tiltable characterised by their locking devices with continuous positioning
Definitions
- the present invention generally relates to vehicle seats. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a headrest apparatus for a vehicle seat.
- the headrest apparatus disclosed in this published application includes a headrest main body comprised of a stay, a headrest frame and a pad.
- the stay has a pair of vertical stick portions and a horizontal stick portion connecting together both of the vertical stick portions.
- Each of the vertical stick portions is supported by the seat back of the vehicle.
- the width of the headrest frame is shorter than the length of the horizontal stick portion.
- a connecting portion is provided at the bottom end of the headrest frame. This connecting portion connects the headrest frame with the stay in a manner allowing relative rotation via a frictional material.
- the pad is made from polyurethane and covers the entire headrest frame, the horizontal stick portion of the stay and the upper portions of each of the vertical stick portions.
- the pad includes two slits portions which allow the stay to move without interfering with the pad, when the headrest main body swings on the horizontal stick portion of the stay.
- the passenger head be supported by the head rest with a minimal clearance at the point A as shown in FIG. 1.
- the surface of the headrest below point A which is along the passenger head profile for supporting the passenger head with wide head rest surface can give the passenger a more comfortable feeling.
- This head rest arrangement can also provide better absorption of impact in an emergency such as a collision.
- the connecting portion between the frame of the headrest and the stay must be disposed at the upper portion of the frame.
- This structure requires longer vertical stick portions covered by the pad. Accordingly, the core dies for forming large width and depth of the slits of the pad become larger. As a result, the manufacture of the headrest apparatus not only becomes expensive, but also makes the mold forming process more complex.
- the present invention provides a headrest apparatus for a vehicle seat that includes a stay, a headrest frame and a headrest pad covering the headrest frame.
- the stay has a pair of vertical posts to be supported by the seat back of the vehicle seat and a horizontal rod connecting the vertical posts.
- the headrest frame includes a body portion, a connecting portion which hangs the body portion on the horizontal rod in a manner allowing the headrest frame to swing, and spaces between the body portion and the vertical posts to permit the swinging movement of the headrest frame.
- a headrest assembly for a vehicle seat includes a stay, a headrest frame, and a headrest pad covering the headrest frame.
- the stay has a pair of vertical posts and a horizontal rod, with each of the vertical posts being adapted to be supported by a seat back of the vehicle seat and the horizontal rod connecting together the vertical posts.
- the headrest frame includes first and second frame pieces connected together by a connecting portion. The first and second frame pieces define a body portion.
- the connecting portion frictionally engages the horizontal rod to permit the connecting portion to be rotated in the forwarded and backward direction relative to the horizontal rod to adjust the position of the headrest frame relative to the stay while also permitting the headrest frame to be maintained at a desired position through the frictional engagement between the connecting portion and the horizontal rod.
- a part of the body portion surrounds the vertical posts and has an internal dimension in the forward and backward directions that is greater than an outer dimension of the vertical posts to permit the headrest frame to rotate relative to the stay over a range of movement.
- a method for assembling a vehicle seat headrest assembly involves positioning at least one vertical post of a stay in a channel of one frame piece forming part of a headrest frame while also positioning a horizontal rod of the stay that is connected to the vertical post in a connecting portion of the headrest frame that connects the one frame piece to another frame piece.
- the one frame piece and the other frame piece are then brought together to cause the connecting portion to encircle and frictionally engage the horizontal rod while the vertical post is positioned in the channel with a space existing between an interior surface of the channel and an exterior surface of the vertical post to permit the vertical post to move in a forward and backward direction in the channel.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a headrest apparatus in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a front view of the headrest frame and stay of the headrest apparatus of the present invention
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the headrest frame and stay in accordance with the present invention illustrating a jig that is used to fasten or secure the stay;
- FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the section line IV-IV of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the frame and the stay used in the headrest apparatus in accordance with the present invention, illustrating the frame being burring-caulked;
- FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the section line VI-VI of FIG. 2.
- the headrest apparatus 1 includes a stay 2 and a headrest main body 3 .
- the stay 2 supports the headrest main body 3 over or above the seat back 10 of the vehicle seat.
- the stay 2 is comprised of a pair of vertical posts or stick portions 22 , 22 and a horizontal rod or stick portion 21 .
- Each end of the horizontal rod 21 is connected to one of the vertical posts 22 .
- the stay 2 thus possesses a generally upside-down U-shaped configuration.
- the cross section of the horizontal rod 21 and preferably also the vertical posts 22 , 22 is round. Both of the vertical posts 22 are supported by or extend into the seat back 10 .
- the headrest main body 3 is comprised of a frame 4 which is connected with the horizontal rod 21 and is able to swing on the horizontal rod 21 , and a pad 5 which covers the frame 4 .
- the frame 4 forms a rigid body member of the headrest apparatus 1 .
- the frame 4 hangs from the horizontal rod 21 of the stay 2 at its connecting portions 6 .
- the pad 5 is made from polyurethane foam and covers the entire frame 4 .
- the frame 4 is made from a piece of steel sheet, for example by a stamping operation.
- the frame 4 is comprised of a front frame piece or first frame piece 41 , a rear frame piece or second frame piece 42 and a trough-shaped or generally U-shaped bending portion 45 located between the front frame piece 41 and the rear frame piece 42 .
- a jig hole or cutout 78 is disposed at the center of the frame 4 .
- the jig hole 78 separates the bending portion 45 into two separated bending portions as shown in FIG. 2.
- the front frame piece 41 is provided with a pair of first holes 72 , a pair of second holes 74 and a pair of channels 47 a (only one of which is shown in FIG. 3).
- the rear frame piece 42 is provided with a pair of first holes 75 , and a pair of channels 48 a (only one of which is shown in FIG. 3).
- the diameter of each of the first holes 75 in the rear frame piece 42 is the same as or generally the same as that of the first holes 72 in the front frame piece 41 .
- each raised cylindrical portions 73 is smaller than that of the second holes 74 in the front frame piece 41 so that each of the cylindrical burring portions 73 can be inserted into one of the first holes 74 in the front frame piece 41 .
- Each channels 47 a , 48 a gradually deepens (i.e., becomes gradually deeper) from the bending portion 45 to the end portions 47 , 48 of the channels 47 a , 48 a shown in FIG. 5.
- a jig 8 includes a clamp 80 and one pair of pins 86 (only one of which is shown in FIGS. 3 - 5 ).
- the clamp 80 is comprised of an upper nail 81 and a lower nail 82 .
- the upper nail 81 and the lower nail 82 of the clamp 80 fix the horizontal rod 21 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5.
- Each pin 86 is inserted into one of the holes 75 of the rear frame piece 42 to hold the horizontal rod 21 against the strong bending force applied when the bending portion 45 is bent.
- the bending portion 45 is tightly bent around the horizontal rod 21 of the stay 2 , with the frame 4 being rotatable on the horizontal rod 21 in the presence of a friction force. As shown in FIG.
- each of the first holes 72 of the front frame place 41 becomes generally aligned with a respective one of the first holes 75 of the rear frame piece 42 and so each of the pins 86 in the first holes 75 of the rear frame piece 42 also extend or become inserted into respective ones of the first holes 72 of the front frame place 41 to thus hold the stay 2 and the frame 4 .
- spaces 50 exist around the vertical posts 22 , 22 at both sides of the frame 4 .
- each of the second holes 74 in the front frame piece 41 becomes generally aligned with the respective one of the raised cylindrical portions 73 so that the raised cylindrical portions 73 are each positioned in the respective second hole 74 in the front frame piece 41 .
- each raised cylindrical portion 73 is, for example, pressed downwardly or otherwise deformed in the manner shown in FIG. 4 (so-called burring-caulked) to fix the folded shape of the frame 4 in the illustrated configuration.
- burring-caulked a friction force exists or is generated between the bending portion 45 of the frame 4 and the horizontal rod 21 .
- the frame 4 is held around the horizontal rod 21 within a predetermined angular range defined by the width or depth of the spaces 50 in the fore and aft direction. The frame 4 can thus rotate around the horizontal rod 21 of the stay 2 until the vertical posts 22 contact the front or rear end portions 47 , 48 of the spaces 50 .
- the bending portion 45 forms a connecting portion of the frame 4 that hangs from the horizontal rod 21 and is able to swing about the horizontal rod 21
- the front and rear frame pieces 41 , 42 form a body portion of the frame 4 that is connected to the connecting portion 45 and able to swing with the connecting portion.
- the jig 8 is unfastened from the stay 2 , and the pad 5 is formed on the assembly that includes the frame 4 in the manner shown in FIG. 1.
- the forming method for forming the pad 5 involves so-called injection molding. This involves inserting the frame 4 with the stay 2 into an injection molding die and injecting polyurethane foam which constitutes the material of the pad 5 . A slight flow of the polyurethane foam into the space between the bending portion 45 and the horizontal rod 21 through the jig hole 78 , the holes 72 or the holes 75 does not disturb the rotatable nature of the frame 4 with respect to the stay 2 .
- the part of the body portion of the frame that surrounds the vertical posts has an interior dimension that is greater than the outer dimension of the vertical posts 22 , thus allowing the body portion (i.e., the front and rear frame pieces 41 , 42 ) to swing about the horizontal rod 21 .
- the channels 47 a , 48 a which form the spaces 50 between the vertical posts 22 and the frame 4 and which allow the frame to rotate on the horizontal rod 21 have a depth that varies, becoming deeper towards the ends 47 , 48 as shown in FIG. 5.
- the space 50 possesses a varying width or depth in the fore and aft direction that increases towards the ends 47 , 48 , thus allowing the pivoting or rotating movement of the frame 4 and the pad 5 on the horizontal rod 21 . It can this be seen that the bending portion 45 of the frame 4 frictionally engages the horizontal rod 21 of the stay 2 whereas the channels 47 a , 48 a are spaced from the vertical posts 22 in a way that defines the spaces 50 .
- the bending portion 45 of the frame 4 engages the horizontal rod 21 of the stay 2 with a frictional force.
- This frictional force allows the stay 2 to support the frame 4 at an adjusted position. That is, when a passenger desires to change the angle of the frame and pad, he or she can rotate the frame 4 or pad 5 around the horizontal rod 21 within the predetermined angle against this frictional force.
- the vertical posts 22 , 22 are covered or enclosed by the frame 4 , the vertical posts 22 , 22 do not interfere with the frame 4 .
- molding core dies are not needed to form spaces in the pad 5 in the same manner as the known headrest apparatus described above.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Chair Legs, Seat Parts, And Backrests (AREA)
- Seats For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
A headrest apparatus for a vehicle seat includes a stay, a headrest frame and a headrest pad covering the headrest frame. The stay has a pair of vertical posts to be supported by the seat back of the vehicle seat and a horizontal rod connecting the vertical posts. The headrest frame includes a body portion, a connecting portion which hangs the body portion on the horizontal rod in a manner allowing the headrest frame to swing, and spaces between the body portion and the vertical posts to permit the swinging movement of the headrest frame.
Description
- This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 with respect to Japanese Application No. 2000-020647 filed on Jan. 28, 2000, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention generally relates to vehicle seats. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a headrest apparatus for a vehicle seat.
- An example of a known headrest apparatus for a vehicle seat is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 9(1997)-382. The headrest apparatus disclosed in this published application includes a headrest main body comprised of a stay, a headrest frame and a pad. The stay has a pair of vertical stick portions and a horizontal stick portion connecting together both of the vertical stick portions. Each of the vertical stick portions is supported by the seat back of the vehicle. The width of the headrest frame is shorter than the length of the horizontal stick portion. A connecting portion is provided at the bottom end of the headrest frame. This connecting portion connects the headrest frame with the stay in a manner allowing relative rotation via a frictional material. The pad is made from polyurethane and covers the entire headrest frame, the horizontal stick portion of the stay and the upper portions of each of the vertical stick portions. The pad includes two slits portions which allow the stay to move without interfering with the pad, when the headrest main body swings on the horizontal stick portion of the stay.
- In this known headrest apparatus, complex injection mold forming dies are needed for forming the pad because two core dies must be inserted into the injection mold forming dies to form the two slits. Therefor, the cost associated with making the headrest assembly is increased and the manufacturing process is relatively time consuming.
- Further, based on human engineering research, it is desirable that the passenger head be supported by the head rest with a minimal clearance at the point A as shown in FIG. 1. Also, the surface of the headrest below point A which is along the passenger head profile for supporting the passenger head with wide head rest surface can give the passenger a more comfortable feeling. This head rest arrangement can also provide better absorption of impact in an emergency such as a collision.
- To realize the above-mentioned requirements, the connecting portion between the frame of the headrest and the stay must be disposed at the upper portion of the frame. This structure requires longer vertical stick portions covered by the pad. Accordingly, the core dies for forming large width and depth of the slits of the pad become larger. As a result, the manufacture of the headrest apparatus not only becomes expensive, but also makes the mold forming process more complex.
- A need thus exists for a vehicle seat headrest apparatus which is not as expensive to manufacture and not as complex in structure, while at the same time providing the desired degree of support and comfort for the seat occupant.
- In light of the foregoing, the present invention provides a headrest apparatus for a vehicle seat that includes a stay, a headrest frame and a headrest pad covering the headrest frame. The stay has a pair of vertical posts to be supported by the seat back of the vehicle seat and a horizontal rod connecting the vertical posts. The headrest frame includes a body portion, a connecting portion which hangs the body portion on the horizontal rod in a manner allowing the headrest frame to swing, and spaces between the body portion and the vertical posts to permit the swinging movement of the headrest frame.
- According to another aspect of the present invention, a headrest assembly for a vehicle seat includes a stay, a headrest frame, and a headrest pad covering the headrest frame. The stay has a pair of vertical posts and a horizontal rod, with each of the vertical posts being adapted to be supported by a seat back of the vehicle seat and the horizontal rod connecting together the vertical posts. The headrest frame includes first and second frame pieces connected together by a connecting portion. The first and second frame pieces define a body portion. The connecting portion frictionally engages the horizontal rod to permit the connecting portion to be rotated in the forwarded and backward direction relative to the horizontal rod to adjust the position of the headrest frame relative to the stay while also permitting the headrest frame to be maintained at a desired position through the frictional engagement between the connecting portion and the horizontal rod. A part of the body portion surrounds the vertical posts and has an internal dimension in the forward and backward directions that is greater than an outer dimension of the vertical posts to permit the headrest frame to rotate relative to the stay over a range of movement.
- In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method for assembling a vehicle seat headrest assembly involves positioning at least one vertical post of a stay in a channel of one frame piece forming part of a headrest frame while also positioning a horizontal rod of the stay that is connected to the vertical post in a connecting portion of the headrest frame that connects the one frame piece to another frame piece. The one frame piece and the other frame piece are then brought together to cause the connecting portion to encircle and frictionally engage the horizontal rod while the vertical post is positioned in the channel with a space existing between an interior surface of the channel and an exterior surface of the vertical post to permit the vertical post to move in a forward and backward direction in the channel.
- The foregoing and additional features and characteristics of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description considered with reference to the accompanying drawing figures in which like reference numerals designate like elements and wherein:
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a headrest apparatus in accordance with the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a front view of the headrest frame and stay of the headrest apparatus of the present invention;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the headrest frame and stay in accordance with the present invention illustrating a jig that is used to fasten or secure the stay;
- FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the section line IV-IV of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the frame and the stay used in the headrest apparatus in accordance with the present invention, illustrating the frame being burring-caulked; and
- FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the section line VI-VI of FIG. 2.
- The drawing figures illustrate various features and details associated with the headrest apparatus or assembly1 for a vehicle seat in accordance with the present invention. The headrest assembly is adapted to support the head of the passenger sitting on the vehicle seat. Referring to FIG. 1, the headrest apparatus 1 includes a
stay 2 and a headrest main body 3. Thestay 2 supports the headrest main body 3 over or above the seat back 10 of the vehicle seat. As shown in FIG. 2, thestay 2 is comprised of a pair of vertical posts orstick portions stick portion 21. Each end of thehorizontal rod 21 is connected to one of thevertical posts 22. Thestay 2 thus possesses a generally upside-down U-shaped configuration. The cross section of thehorizontal rod 21 and preferably also thevertical posts vertical posts 22 are supported by or extend into the seat back 10. - The headrest main body3 is comprised of a
frame 4 which is connected with thehorizontal rod 21 and is able to swing on thehorizontal rod 21, and apad 5 which covers theframe 4. Theframe 4 forms a rigid body member of the headrest apparatus 1. Theframe 4 hangs from thehorizontal rod 21 of thestay 2 at its connectingportions 6. Thepad 5 is made from polyurethane foam and covers theentire frame 4. - The method of assembling the headrest main body3 is as follows. As shown in FIG. 3, the
frame 4 is made from a piece of steel sheet, for example by a stamping operation. Theframe 4 is comprised of a front frame piece orfirst frame piece 41, a rear frame piece orsecond frame piece 42 and a trough-shaped or generally U-shapedbending portion 45 located between thefront frame piece 41 and therear frame piece 42. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, a jig hole orcutout 78 is disposed at the center of theframe 4. Thejig hole 78 separates thebending portion 45 into two separated bending portions as shown in FIG. 2. Thefront frame piece 41 is provided with a pair offirst holes 72, a pair ofsecond holes 74 and a pair of channels 47 a (only one of which is shown in FIG. 3). Therear frame piece 42 is provided with a pair offirst holes 75, and a pair ofchannels 48 a (only one of which is shown in FIG. 3). The diameter of each of thefirst holes 75 in therear frame piece 42 is the same as or generally the same as that of thefirst holes 72 in thefront frame piece 41. - In addition, the
rear frame piece 42 is provided with a pair of cylindrical burring portions or raisedcylindrical portions 73. The diameter of each raisedcylindrical portions 73 is smaller than that of thesecond holes 74 in thefront frame piece 41 so that each of thecylindrical burring portions 73 can be inserted into one of thefirst holes 74 in thefront frame piece 41. Eachchannels 47 a, 48 a gradually deepens (i.e., becomes gradually deeper) from the bendingportion 45 to theend portions channels 47 a, 48 a shown in FIG. 5. - Referring to FIGS.3-5, a
jig 8 includes aclamp 80 and one pair of pins 86 (only one of which is shown in FIGS. 3-5). Theclamp 80 is comprised of anupper nail 81 and alower nail 82. Theupper nail 81 and thelower nail 82 of theclamp 80 fix thehorizontal rod 21 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Eachpin 86 is inserted into one of theholes 75 of therear frame piece 42 to hold thehorizontal rod 21 against the strong bending force applied when the bendingportion 45 is bent. The bendingportion 45 is tightly bent around thehorizontal rod 21 of thestay 2, with theframe 4 being rotatable on thehorizontal rod 21 in the presence of a friction force. As shown in FIG. 4, thefront frame piece 41 is folded onto therear frame piece 42 while the bendingportion 45 is bent. During this bending process, each of thefirst holes 72 of thefront frame place 41 becomes generally aligned with a respective one of thefirst holes 75 of therear frame piece 42 and so each of thepins 86 in thefirst holes 75 of therear frame piece 42 also extend or become inserted into respective ones of thefirst holes 72 of thefront frame place 41 to thus hold thestay 2 and theframe 4. As shown in FIG. 5,spaces 50 exist around thevertical posts frame 4. During the bending process, each of thesecond holes 74 in thefront frame piece 41 becomes generally aligned with the respective one of the raisedcylindrical portions 73 so that the raisedcylindrical portions 73 are each positioned in the respectivesecond hole 74 in thefront frame piece 41. - After the bending process described above, the top of each raised
cylindrical portion 73 is, for example, pressed downwardly or otherwise deformed in the manner shown in FIG. 4 (so-called burring-caulked) to fix the folded shape of theframe 4 in the illustrated configuration. In the illustrated configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a friction force exists or is generated between the bendingportion 45 of theframe 4 and thehorizontal rod 21. In addition, theframe 4 is held around thehorizontal rod 21 within a predetermined angular range defined by the width or depth of thespaces 50 in the fore and aft direction. Theframe 4 can thus rotate around thehorizontal rod 21 of thestay 2 until thevertical posts 22 contact the front orrear end portions spaces 50. Thus, in the finished state, the bendingportion 45 forms a connecting portion of theframe 4 that hangs from thehorizontal rod 21 and is able to swing about thehorizontal rod 21, while the front andrear frame pieces frame 4 that is connected to the connectingportion 45 and able to swing with the connecting portion. - Once the configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 is achieved, the
jig 8 is unfastened from thestay 2, and thepad 5 is formed on the assembly that includes theframe 4 in the manner shown in FIG. 1. The forming method for forming thepad 5 involves so-called injection molding. This involves inserting theframe 4 with thestay 2 into an injection molding die and injecting polyurethane foam which constitutes the material of thepad 5. A slight flow of the polyurethane foam into the space between the bendingportion 45 and thehorizontal rod 21 through thejig hole 78, theholes 72 or theholes 75 does not disturb the rotatable nature of theframe 4 with respect to thestay 2. - The part of the body portion of the frame that surrounds the vertical posts has an interior dimension that is greater than the outer dimension of the
vertical posts 22, thus allowing the body portion (i.e., the front andrear frame pieces 41, 42) to swing about thehorizontal rod 21. In addition, as noted above, thechannels 47 a, 48 a which form thespaces 50 between thevertical posts 22 and theframe 4 and which allow the frame to rotate on thehorizontal rod 21 have a depth that varies, becoming deeper towards theends space 50 possesses a varying width or depth in the fore and aft direction that increases towards theends frame 4 and thepad 5 on thehorizontal rod 21. It can this be seen that the bendingportion 45 of theframe 4 frictionally engages thehorizontal rod 21 of thestay 2 whereas thechannels 47 a, 48 a are spaced from thevertical posts 22 in a way that defines thespaces 50. - According to the present invention, as the bending
portion 45 of theframe 4 is bent around thehorizontal rod 21, the bendingportion 45 engages thehorizontal rod 21 of thestay 2 with a frictional force. This frictional force allows thestay 2 to support theframe 4 at an adjusted position. That is, when a passenger desires to change the angle of the frame and pad, he or she can rotate theframe 4 orpad 5 around thehorizontal rod 21 within the predetermined angle against this frictional force. In addition, as thevertical posts frame 4, thevertical posts frame 4. Thus, molding core dies are not needed to form spaces in thepad 5 in the same manner as the known headrest apparatus described above. - The principles, preferred embodiment and mode of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. However, the invention which is intended to be protected is not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiment disclosed. Further, the embodiment described herein is to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes and equivalents which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims, be embraced thereby.
Claims (17)
1. A headrest apparatus for a vehicle seat comprising:
a stay that includes a pair of vertical posts and a horizontal rod, each of the vertical posts being adapted to be supported by a seat back of the vehicle seat, the horizontal rod connecting together the vertical posts;
a headrest frame that includes a connecting portion hanging on the horizontal rod in a manner allowing the connecting portion to swing on the horizontal rod and a body portion connected to the connecting portion to swing on the horizontal rod with the connecting portion, portions of the body portion surrounding portions of the vertical posts with spaces between portions of the body portion and portions of the vertical posts surrounded by the body portion; and
a headrest pad covering the headrest frame.
2. The headrest apparatus for a vehicle seat according to , wherein each of the spaces provide clearance between an inside surface of the headrest frame and an outside surface of the vertical posts, the spaces having an elongated shape in a front and rear direction to define a range of swinging movement of the headrest frame relative to the stay.
claim 1
3. The headrest apparatus for a vehicle seat according to , wherein the body portion of the headrest frame is comprised of a front frame piece and a rear frame piece, the front frame piece and the rear frame piece being connected by virtue of at least one raised cylindrical portion on the rear frame piece passing through a hole in the front frame piece.
claim 2
4. The headrest apparatus for a vehicle seat according to , wherein both side ends of each of the front frame piece and the rear frame piece have channel portions that define the spaces.
claim 3
5. The headrest apparatus for a vehicle seat according to , wherein the headrest frame is made of a stamped metal sheet.
claim 3
6. The headrest apparatus for a vehicle seat according to , wherein the body portion of the headrest frame includes a cutout portion.
claim 5
7. A headrest assembly for a vehicle seat comprising:
a stay that includes a pair of vertical posts and a horizontal rod, each of the vertical posts being adapted to be supported by a seat back of the vehicle seat, the horizontal rod connecting together the vertical posts;
a headrest frame that includes first and second frame pieces connected together by a connecting portion, the first and second frame pieces defining a body portion, the connecting portion frictionally engaging the horizontal rod to permit the connecting portion to be rotated in a forwarded and backward direction relative to the horizontal rod to adjust the position of the headrest frame relative to the stay while also permitting the headrest frame to be maintained at a desired position through the frictional engagement between the connecting portion and the horizontal rod, a part of the body portion surrounding the vertical posts and having an internal dimension in the forward and backward directions that is greater than an outer dimension of the vertical posts to permit the headrest frame to rotate relative to the stay over a range of movement; and
a headrest pad covering the headrest frame.
8. The headrest apparatus for a vehicle seat according to , wherein the internal dimension of the part of the body portion surrounding the vertical posts varies.
claim 7
9. The headrest apparatus for a vehicle seat according to , wherein the second frame piece includes an upstanding extension that is positioned in a hole in the first frame piece.
claim 7
10. The headrest apparatus for a vehicle seat according to , wherein the connecting portion is defined by two spaced bending portions that are separated by a cutout.
claim 7
11. The headrest apparatus for a vehicle seat according to , wherein the headrest frame is made of a stamped metal sheet.
claim 7
12. A method for assembling a vehicle seat headrest assembly, comprising:
positioning at least one vertical post of a stay in a channel of one frame piece forming part of a headrest frame while also positioning a horizontal rod of the stay that is connected to the vertical post in a connecting portion of the headrest frame that connects the one frame piece to another frame piece; and
folding together the one frame piece and the another frame piece to bring the frame pieces together and cause the connecting portion to encircle and frictionally engage the horizontal rod while the vertical post is positioned in the channel with a space existing between an interior surface of the channel and an exterior surface of the vertical post to permit the vertical post to move in a forward and backward direction in the channel.
13. The method according to , including fixing the stay in position prior to folding together the two frame pieces by clamping the horizontal rod with a clamp.
claim 12
14. The method according to , including fixing the headrest frame in position prior to folding together the two frame pieces by positioning a pin of a jig in a hole in the one frame piece.
claim 13
15. The method according to , wherein the folding together of the two frame pieces involves fixing the one frame piece and bending the another frame piece relative to the one frame piece.
claim 13
16. The method according to , including positioning an upstanding extension extending from the one frame piece in a hole in the another frame piece as the two frame pieces are folded together.
claim 13
17. The method according to , including deforming an upper end of the upstanding extension after folding together the two frame pieces to keep the two frame pieces together.
claim 16
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2000-020647 | 2000-01-28 | ||
JP2000020647A JP4411715B2 (en) | 2000-01-28 | 2000-01-28 | Headrest device |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20010026091A1 true US20010026091A1 (en) | 2001-10-04 |
US6419322B2 US6419322B2 (en) | 2002-07-16 |
Family
ID=18547175
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/770,300 Expired - Lifetime US6419322B2 (en) | 2000-01-28 | 2001-01-29 | Headrest apparatus for vehicle seat |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US6419322B2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4411715B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE10103562C2 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2804387B1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060125297A1 (en) * | 2002-09-27 | 2006-06-15 | Vasilios Orizaris | Motor vehicle seat |
US20100072803A1 (en) * | 2007-03-31 | 2010-03-25 | Ts Tech Co., Ltd. | Headrest and vehicle seat provided with the same |
Families Citing this family (22)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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-
2000
- 2000-01-28 JP JP2000020647A patent/JP4411715B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2001
- 2001-01-25 FR FR0101024A patent/FR2804387B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-01-26 DE DE10103562A patent/DE10103562C2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-01-29 US US09/770,300 patent/US6419322B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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US20060125297A1 (en) * | 2002-09-27 | 2006-06-15 | Vasilios Orizaris | Motor vehicle seat |
US20100072803A1 (en) * | 2007-03-31 | 2010-03-25 | Ts Tech Co., Ltd. | Headrest and vehicle seat provided with the same |
US8864236B2 (en) * | 2007-03-31 | 2014-10-21 | Ts Tech Co., Ltd. | Headrest and vehicle seat provided with the same |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE10103562C2 (en) | 2003-10-30 |
FR2804387A1 (en) | 2001-08-03 |
DE10103562A1 (en) | 2001-08-09 |
US6419322B2 (en) | 2002-07-16 |
JP4411715B2 (en) | 2010-02-10 |
JP2001204577A (en) | 2001-07-31 |
FR2804387B1 (en) | 2004-03-12 |
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