WO2018064686A1

WO2018064686A1 - Thin headrest

Info

Publication number: WO2018064686A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/055555
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark MILNER; Joel JAMISON; Dalibor Dimovski; Raza Bashir; Yashpal KADAM; Joseph GASKO; Kenneth Clark; Michael DEARMAH; Lokendra AWASTHI; Sujit BHOSALE
Original assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.à.r.l.
Priority date: 2016-09-30
Filing date: 2017-10-06
Publication date: 2018-04-05
Also published as: WO2018064686A9

Abstract

A head restraint for an occupant's head in a seat with a back rest. A support rod has one end mounted in the back rest of the seat, and another end arranged above the back rest. A back panel is arranged on one side of the support rod. An inner substrate is arranged on another side of the support rod diametrically opposite from the back panel. The inner substrate and the back panel are connected to the support rod. The inner substrate has a trim surface arranged on a side of the inner substrate diametrically opposite the support rod. Trim material is arranged on the trim surface to suspend the trim material across the inner substrate and away from the inner substrate in a center area of the inner substrate. The suspending of the trim material provides support and cushioning for the head of the occupant.

Description

THIN HEADREST

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application

62/402,360 filed September 30, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a head restraint for a seat with a seat back rest, and in particular to a head restraint for the seat of a motor vehicle, that is thin and light weight. This application incorporates herein by reference the entire contents of the U.S. Provisional Application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Head restraints are desirable in the seats of motor vehicles because they protect the head of the seat occupant during large accelerations. In particular when the car accelerates in the forward direction of the seat, the occupant of the seat experiences a force through the seat. If the head of the occupant is not supported when the main body of the occupant is forced forward, the head can be relatively forced backwards because of the inertia of the head. The larger the forward acceleration, the larger the relative force on the head forcing it backward. Large forward acceleration occurs when a motor vehicle is hit in the back by another vehicle, especially if the forward vehicle is stopped. Large acceleration in the forward direction is also felt if the motor vehicle spins out of control, and the back of the vehicle hits another object, especially a stationary object such as a tree, wall or sloped ground.

[0004] The forcing of the head of the occupant relatively backward, can cause the head to move far enough relatively backward to cause injury to the neck of the occupant. The neck of the occupant includes the spinal column, and the nerves leading to and from the brain pass through the spinal column. Injury to the spinal column can damage these nerves causing paralysis and in severe cases death. For this reason, head restraints are desirable, and in many cases required, in motor vehicles.

[0005] Occupants of motor vehicles desire large amounts of space, good fuel economy and unobstructed views. Providing head restraints in a motor vehicle decreases the amount of space, adds weight which decreases fuel economy, and blocks the view of other occupants of the motor vehicle. Purchasers of motor vehicles desire low-cost. However, providing head restraints increases the cost of a motor vehicle. The present invention desires to provide the benefits of a head restraint while minimizing the disadvantages of providing a head restraint.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention accomplishes the above desires by providing a head restraint that has a back panel and an inner substrate formed around a support rod that is mounted on the top of the back rest of the seat. Trim material or fabric is stretched/suspended across the inner substrate, and away from portions of the inner substrate, to provide support to the head of the occupant. The trim material has elasticity, and is fastened to the inner substrate tight enough, but not too tight, so that the suspension of trim material provides a comfortable cushioning effect to the head of the occupant when the head is rested against the trim material. The trim material being suspended away from the inner substrate acts similar to a hammock to provide support and cushioning to the head of the user without requiring foam. Foam can also be used in combination with the suspension of the trim material between the trim material and the inner substrate. The support and cushioning provided by the suspension of the trim material can be provided in a smaller space than that provided by foam alone. A smaller, and especially thinner headrest can therefore be provided. [0007] In particular, the inner substrate has a trim surface which is generally arranged around a central area of the front of the head restraint. The trim surface is shaped and positioned so that when the trim material is placed and fastened on the trim surface, the trim material is suspended across and away from the inner substrate in the central area. In one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the trim surface is shaped and positioned to cause the trim material to have a saddle like shape. This provides right and left sides or lateral portions that protrude forward to center the head of the occupant, provide lateral support, and to increase the comfort of the occupant by having the trim material conform to the occupant's head. The trim surface is also shaped and positioned to have the top part of the trim material directed towards the rear of the seat. This gradually transitions support for the occupant's head if the head restraint is positioned lower than the occupant's head, instead of having a harsh/abrupt transition of support in such a situation, which can be damaging to the occupant in the case of large acceleration, and uncomfortable for the occupant to use as a head rest.

[0008] The trim surface does not need to be positioned and arranged to have the bottom of the trim material directed as far back as the top portion of trim material.

Transitioning of support at the bottom portion of the trim material is not as significant as the top portion, since less support is needed at the bottom portion both during large acceleration and for comfort. The trim surface should be positioned and arranged so that the trim material is directed backwards in the center part of the bottom portion, so as to form the lateral sides. [0009] The support rod has a mounting section that is mounted in the back rest of the seat, preferably in the top side of the back rest of the seat. The mounting section is preferably adjustably positioned in the back rest to accommodate different head positions of the occupant. The support rod has a head section which extends outward from the back rest, preferably in a generally upwards direction. In a preferred embodiment, the support rod has a general upside down U-shape, with ends of the support rod forming the mounting section and being inserted in the back rest. The head section then includes the base of the U-shape. Other shapes are also possible. [0010] The inner substrate and the back panel are fastened to each other and to the support rod. The inner substrate and the back panel preferably surround and encapsulate or entrap the head section of the support rod to mount the inner substrate, the back panel and the trim material onto the support rod, so that the support rod can support all of these elements. The inner substrate and back panel can be two separate components joined by a mechanical fastener. The mechanical fastener can be parts of the inner substrate and back panel that conform to the shape of the head section of the support rod, and interlock with each other. The interlocking of the inner substrate and the back panel through a mechanical fastener is preferably provided by snap fasteners, but other fasteners such as bolts, screws, pins, adhesives, etc. are possible. The inner substrate and back panel can also be molded as one component, with the molding occurring around the head portion/section of the support rod.

In the embodiment using a single molded component, the homogeneous molding of the back panel and the inner substrate forms the connection between the back panel and the inner substrate. This molding can also create a chemical and mechanical bonding of the support rod to the back panel and inner substrate depending on the materials of the support rod and the material of the single component molding.

[0011] The trim material can be fastened to the inner substrate by a retainer arrangement, preferably arranged around the outer edges of the trim material. Portions of the retainer arrangement are on the edges of the trim material, and other portions are incorporated in the inner substrate so that both of these portions of the retainer arrangement form a mechanical fixing of the trim material to the inner substrate so that the trim material is sufficiently tight to be suspended above and across the inner substrate, especially in a center area. The retainer arrangement is also positioned so that the trim surface of the inner substrate can shape the trim material into a desired shape, such as a saddle like shape.

Adhesive/chemical fixing of the trim material to the inner substrate or back panel is also possible.

[0012] The head section of the support rod, and the fastening of the back panel to the inner substrate are preferably arranged in the center section, which is can be defined by the area radially inward of the trim surface. The support rod can be shaped, to especially have several bends that place the head section advantageously in this center area, while still allowing the trim material to be suspended above, away from, and spaced from the support rod and portions of the inner substrate arranged in the center area.

[0013] The retainer arrangement for the trim material can also have a portion incorporate into the back panel, where the back panel clamps portions of the retainer arrangement on the trim material, or even the trim material itself, between the inner substrate and the back panel. The retainer arrangement also can use other fastening elements such as screws, bolts, pins, adhesives etc.

[0014] The head restraint can also include foam positioned between the trim material and the inner substrate to provide additional support during large acceleration and increase the comfort of the occupant when the head restraint is used as a head rest. All of these portions provide a low profile and low cost head restraint that offers adjustable positions with light weight, with or without foam, which improve visibility, especially to the rear of the seat, and increase spacious feel of the interior. This provides a minimal head restraint that is thin, low cost, light weight, and can be provided with or without foam. The foam may be omitted, or used in combination with, the suspended trim material that is pulled tight around the inner substrate. The stretching of the trim material can be used to lift the trim material away from the inner substrate into a position somewhat similar to where the trim material would be if foam was used without a stretching of trim material.

[0015] The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a head restraint;

[0017] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of a head restraint;

[0018] Figure 3 is an exploded view of a head restraint;

[0019] Figure 4 is a vertical cross sectional view of a head restraint shown on the back rest of a seat, and in relation to a schematic head of an occupant;

[0020] Figure 5 is a horizontal cross sectional view of a head restraint;

[0021] Figure 6 is a cross sectional view through a rod fastener which fastens the inner substrate and back panel to the support rod;

[0022] Figure 7 is a cross section through the upper part of the head restraint showing a different embodiment of the inner substrate and back panel encompassing the support rod;

[0023] Figure 8 is a horizontal cross-section through the head restraint showing a different embodiment of the rod fastener;

[0024] Figure 9 is a rear perspective view of the back panel;

[0025] Figure 10 is a front/inside perspective view of the back panel;

[0026] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the front/inside of the back panel showing in detail have the support rod is connected to the back panel;

[0027] Figure 12 is a another view of the front/inside of the back panel with the support rod;

[0028] Figure 13 is an enlarged view showing the support rod connected to the back panel;

[0029] Figure 14 is a horizontal cross sectional view showing enlarged/thick lateral portions of the inner substrate;

[0030] Figure 15 is an exploded view of the head restraint showing another embodiment of the retainer arrangement; and

[0031] Figure 16 is an exploded view of the head restraint showing still another embodiment of the retainer arrangement. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Referring to the drawings in particular, Figure 1 shows a head restraint 10 with trim material 12 stretched across the front of the head restraint 10. The front of the head restraint being considered to be the side of the head restraint that faces in the same direction as an occupant of the seat would face when the occupant is sitting in the seat to which the head restraint 10 is attached to. A support rod 14 is used to mount the head restraint 10 to a top of a back rest of a seat. The support rod 14 has a mounting section which is adapted to connect to the back rest of the seat. A back panel 18 is arranged on the back side of the head restraint 10. The back panel 18 can help hold the trim material 12 in place.

[0033] Figure 3 shows the head restraint 10 in an exploded view. The support rod 14 has a head section 22 in addition to the mounting section 16. On a front side of the head section 22 is an inner substrate 20. The back panel 18 is arranged on a back side of the head section 22. The inner substrate 20 and back panel 18 preferably encapsulate the head section 22 in order to mount the back panel 18, the inner substrate 20 and the trim material 12 to the support rod 14. [0034] The trim material 12 is arranged on a side of the inner substrate 20 which is diametrically opposite the back panel 18. The trim material 12 is fixed to the inner substrate 20 by a retainer arrangement 24, which can include portions on the trim material 12, the inner substrate 20, and the back panel 18. In one embodiment, the retainer arrangement 24 has tabs 26 which fit into slots 28 on the inner substrate 20. It is also possible for the back panel 18 to have an edge 30 which comes into contact with the trim material 12 to contribute to the fixing of the trim material 12 to the inner substrate 20.

[0035] Figure 4 is a vertical cross-section of the head restraint 10 taken approximately in a center of the head restraint. The back plate 18 is shown fasten to the inner substrate 20 so as to encapsulate the head section 22 of the support rod 14, and securely mount the inner substrate 20, the back panel 18 and the trim material 12 to the support rod 14. The support rod 14 is then mounted at the top of the back rest 32 of the seat by the mounting section 16 being inserted into the back rest 32 of the seat. The support rod 14, is positioned and shaped with respect to the back rest 32 to have the head restraint 10 be positioned behind the head 34 of the occupant of the seat.

[0036] The inner substrate 20 has a trim surface 36 upon which the trim material 12 is placed. In the portions shown in Figure 4, this trim surface 36 is at the top and bottom edges of the inner substrate 20. There are additional sections of the trim surface 36 on the right and left sides of the inner substrate 20 as shown in Figure 5. The trim surface 36 on the right and left side of the substrate 20 hold the trim material away from the head section 22 of the support rod 14. In the view shown in Figure 4, the right lateral side of the head restraint 10 is not shown in order to simplify the understanding of the vertical cross-section. It is understood that the right lateral side of the head restraint 10 would extend in the background to the left in actuality. [0037] Figure 5 is a horizontal cross sectional view of the head restraint 10. The right and left lateral sides/portions 56 of the head restraint 10 with their corresponding sections of the trim surface 36 are shown on the right and left sides of Figure 5. The forward direction is in the upwards direction of Figure 5, and the rearward direction is in a downward direction of Figure 5. As one can see from Figure 5, the trim surfaces 36 on the right and left lateral portions 56 of the head restraint 10 hold the trim material away from the head section 22 of the support rod 14, especially when the trim material 12 is pulled tight across the inner substrate 20. Looking back to Figure 4, the trim surface 36 on the upper and lower edges of the inner substrate 20 pull the trim material in the rearward direction. As a result of the trim surface 36 being specifically shaped and positioned, the trim material 12 is formed into a saddle like shape.

[0038] In particular, the trim surface 36 on the inner substrate 20 has a curve 38 on its upper and lower edges which open into the forward direction. This curve 38 increasingly pulls the trim material 12 in the rearward direction from the lateral portions 56 towards the center. The trim surface 36 on the right and left lateral portions 56 have a curve 40 that opens in the rearward direction. The curve 40 pulls the trim material 12 forward as a function of position from the top and bottom towards the center. The curves 40 of the right and left trim surface 36 pulling the trim material forward, and the curve 38 of the upper and lower trim surface 36 pulling the trim material rearward gives the trim material 12 the saddle like or hyperbolic paraboloid type shape that is very beneficial for the front surface of a head restraint 10.

[0039] This satellite shape of the trim material 12 is beneficial because it holds the trim material 12 away from the center area of the head restraint 10. Depending on the material of the trim material 12, especially the elasticity of the trim material 12, and how tight the trim material 12 is stretched across the trim surface 36, the flexibility of the trim material 12 in the center area can be adjusted. This allows the trim material 12 to provide flexible support for the head 34 of the occupant, and prevents the head 34 of the occupant from immediately contacting the inner substrate 20. The head 34 of the occupant than experiences a cushioning effect from the trim material 12.

[0040] The pulling rearward of the trim material 12 by the curves 38 of the trim surface allows a valley to be formed between the lateral portions 56. When the head 34 rests in this valley, the lateral portions 56 provide lateral support to the head 34. This is especially advantageous when the motor vehicle is making a sharp or high speed turn. The rearward pulling of the trim material 12 also allows the top and bottom edges of the head restraint 10 to provide a transitioning of support for the head 34. If the head restraint 10 is not properly positioned, especially at the vertical center of the head 34, support for the head gradually decreases as the head restraint 10 is further positioned away from its proper position. Head restraints 10 often need to be repositioned for each new occupant of the seat, and the occupant of the seat often fails to properly reposition the head restraint 10. Therefore, the saddle like shape of the trim material 12 provides a gradual decreasing of support, instead of a sharp decrease in support which would occur if there was no rearward curve. [0041] Forming this satellite shape with just the trim surfaces 36, and holding the trim material 12 away from the inner substrate 20 in a center area 42, provides a head restraint with a minimal amount of material, and a minimal amount of weight, as well as being thin, while the trim material 12 can provide substantial support and comfort to the head 34. In an alternative, foam 58 can be placed between the trim material 12 and the inner substrate 20 to provide additional support and comfort, beyond that which is already provided by the stretched and shaped trim material 12.

[0042] The inner substrate 20 and back panel 18 can be formed as a single or multi- component structure. The inner substrate 20 and the back panel 18 are attached to the support rod 14 by entrapment, encapsulation, and/or by the support rod being molded into/with the molding of the substrate 20 and the back panel 18 either as separate pieces, or as both in one homogeneous molding. If not molded in, the inner substrate 20 and back panel 18 can be formed as two injection molded parts that are attached to the head restraint.

[0043] The back panel 18 is fastened to the inner substrate 20 and to the support rod

14 by a rod fastener. If the back panel 18 and the inner substrate 20 are molded together as a single homogeneous structure around the support rod 14, the rod fastener can be the chemical structures encapsulating or entrapping the head section 22 of the support rod 14. It is also possible depending on the shape and material of the support rod 14 and the back panel 18 and inner substrate 22 to have a chemical and mechanical fastening to the support rod 14. The material of the head section 22 and inner substrate 20/back panel 18 can be chosen so that the materials interact with each other during molding to provide chemical fastening to each other. The shape of the head section 22 and substrate 20/back panel 18 can be chosen so that the materials interlock with each other during molding forming a mechanical fastening. [0044] Mechanical fastening of the head section 22 to the back panel 18/inner substrate 20 can be performed by a rod fastener such as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The back panel 18 has a back fastener surface 44 which is shaped and positioned to come in contact with the head section 22, and limit movement of the head section 22 relative to the back plate 18. The inner substrate 20 has a front fastener surface 46 which is shaped and positioned to come into contact with the head section 22 and limit movement of the head section 22 relative to the inner substrate 20. The rod fastener also has a snap connection 48 where a portion of the inner substrate 20 snaps into connection with a portion of the back panel 18 to connect the back panel 18 to the inner substrate 20, and encapsulate/entrap the head section 22. [0045] The back fastener surface 44 can either be formed by a solid portion of the back panel 18 as shown in Figure 5, or the back fastener surface 44 can also be formed by a hollow portion of the back panel 18 as shown in Figure 8. One advantage to the back fastener surface 44 being formed from a hollow portion, is that the back fastener surface 44 can be flexible to encompass more than 180° of the head section 22. This allows the head section 22 to snap into the back fastener surface 44 and provide additional holding/fastening. This is especially advantageous during the manufacture of the head restraint 10, in that the support rod 14 and the back plate 18 can be preassembled easily. The front fastener surface 46 can be formed on a T-shaped portion of the inner substrate 20 as shown in Figure 5, or the front surface 46 can be formed on a solid portion of the inner substrate 20 as shown in Figure 8. The rod fastener in the embodiment of Figure 8 includes a connection 50 between the back panel 18 and the inner substrate 20. This connection 50 can be many different kinds of connections, such as an additional snap connection, an adhesive connection, a welding connection, as well as fasteners such as bolts, screws and pins, etc.. The rod fastener of Figure 8 can also be used in addition to the snap connection 48 shown in Figure 5. A plurality of the back fastener surfaces 44 can be arranged around the path of the head section 22 as shown in Figure 10.

[0046] The back panel 18 can also be connected to the inner substrate 20 by another connection 52, as shown in Figure 3. This is preferably in the form of another snap arrangement with tabs on one of the back panel 18 and substrate 20 fitting into slots on the other of the back panel 18 and substrate 20. Other types of connections can be used for this second connection 52, such as an adhesive connection, a welding connection and fasteners such as bolts, screws and pins, etc.. This provides an additional connection between the back panel 18 and the inner substrate 20, so that the whole head restraint 10 is more secure. This second connection 52 is preferably arranged around the outside edges of the back panel 18 and inner substrate 20, in order to provide a uniform connection between the back panel 18 and the inner substrate 20.

[0047] The second connection 52, especially being placed around the edges, can be arranged to force the edge 30 against the trim material 12 in the area of the retainer arrangement 24. This helps hold the trim material 12 tightly in place. Furthermore, when the tabs 26 are made thicker than the trim material 12, the edge 30 can be arranged on one side of the tabs 26. The extra thickness of the tabs 26 is arranged to butt up against the edge 30, and thus block movement of the trim material 12 between the inner substrate 20 and the back panel 18. This helps keep the trim material 12 tightly stretched across the inner substrate 20. [0048] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the retainer arrangement 24 is shown using a relatively large number of tabs 26 that are spaced apart by a distance that is equal to or greater than the length of the tabs 26. In an alternative embodiment, such as shown in Figure 15, the retainer arrangement 24 can include a relatively smaller number of tabs 26. In the embodiment of Figure 15, relatively large tabs 26 are arranged on each of the sides of the rectangular or square like shape of the trim material 12. These relatively large tabs 26 fit into correspondingly relatively large slots 28 on the inner substrate 20. Furthermore, the embodiment of Figure 15 has smaller tabs 26 arranged in the corners that fit into

correspondingly smaller slots 28. [0049] In the embodiment of Figure 16, the trim material 12 can have a retainer arrangement 24 that consists of a retainer edge 54 that attaches to a retainer surface 56 on the inner substrate 20. The attachment of the retainer edge 54 to the retainer surface 56 can be an adhesive connection, a mechanical connection, and/or a combination of both.

[0050] The saddle like shape of the trim material 12 is formed by the upper and lower curves 38 and the right and left curves 40. The curvature of these curves 38 and 40 can be increased or decreased to adjust the saddle like shape, especially to adjust the size or depth of the lateral portions 56. The saddle like shape can further be adjusted by adjusting the size or depth of the lateral portions 56 of the inner substrate 20, as shown in Figure 14. The lateral portions 56 of the substrate 20 in Figure 14 are much larger, especially in the depth or the forward /rearward direction than the lateral portions 56 shown in Figure 5. This varying of the depth of the lateral portions 56 of the inner substrate 20 provide a parameter, in addition to the curves 38 and 40, and the tightness/tension and elasticity of the trim material 20 to adjust the satellite shape, and also the amount of support and comfort that the trim material 12 provides.

[0051] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

10 head restraint

12 trim material

14 support rod

16 mounting section

18 back panel

20 inner substrate

22 head section

24 retainer arrangement

26 tabs

28 slots

30 edge

32 seat backrest

34 head of occupant

36 trim surface

38 upper and lower curve

40 right and left curve

42 center area

44 back fastener surface

46 front fastener surface

48 snap connection

50 connection

52 another connection

54 retainer edge

56 lateral portions

58 foam

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A head restraint for a head of an occupant in a seat with a back rest, the head restraint comprising:

a support rod adapted to have a mounting section mounted in the back rest of the seat, the support rod adapted to have a head section arranged above the back rest providing support to the head of the occupant;

a back panel arranged on one side of said support rod;

an inner substrate arranged on another side of said support rod diametrically opposite from said back panel, said inner substrate having a trim surface arranged on a side of said inner substrate diametrically opposite said support rod;

a trim material arranged on said trim surface, said trim material and said trim surface being arranged to suspend said trim material across said inner substrate.

2. A head restraint in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a rod fastener mounted on said inner substrate and said back panel, said rod fastener connecting said inner substrate to said back panel to fix said inner substrate and said back panel to said support rod.

3. A head restraint in accordance with claim 2, wherein:

said rod fastener directly connects said inner substrate to said back panel.

4. A head restraint in accordance with claim 2, wherein:

said rod fastener fixes said inner substrate to said back panel by encapsulating said head section of said support rod between said inner substrate and said back panel.

5. A head restraint in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a retainer arrangement on said trim material and said inner substrate to fasten said trim material on said inner substrate.

6. A head restraint in accordance with claim 5, wherein: said retainer arrangement holds said trim material tight to said inner substrate to suspend said trim material across said inner substrate and have said suspended trim material support the head of the occupant.

7. A head restraint in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said trim surface extends around a center area of said inner substrate, said trim material being suspended across said center area.

8. A head restraint in accordance with claim 7, wherein:

said rod fastener and said head section of said support rod are arranged in said center area.

9. A head restraint in accordance with claim 7, wherein:

said trim material is spaced from said rod fastener and said head section of said support rod in said center area.

10. A head restraint in accordance with claim 7, wherein:

said trim material is spaced from said inner substrate in said center area.

11. A head restraint in accordance with claim 1 , wherein:

said trim surface forms said trim material into a saddle shape across said inner substrate

12. A head restraint in accordance with claim 7, wherein:

said trim surface forms said trim material into a saddle shape across said center area.

13. A head restraint in accordance with claim 5, wherein:

said retainer arrangement also has a back panel portion on said back panel, said back panel portion contacting said trim material to fix said trim material on said inner substrate.