SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACTUATION OF A HEAD RESTRAINT
First Claim
1. A system for remote actuation of at least one vehicle head restraint movable from a respective raised position to a respective lowered position, the vehicle including a rearview mirror, the system comprising:
- a first head restraint;
a first actuator arrangement configured to effect movement of the first head restraint from its raised position to its lowered position; and
a first sensor defining a first area and configured to output signals to the first actuator arrangement to facilitate movement of the first head restraint from its raised position to its lowered position when an object comes within a predetermined distance of the first area, the first sensor being disposed proximate the mirror such that a vehicle operator can simultaneously view the first head restraint in the mirror and the first area.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for remote actuation of a vehicle head restraint includes an actuator arrangement configured to effect movement of a head restraint from a raised position to a lowered position. A sensor defines a first area, and is configured to output signals to the actuator arrangement to facilitate movement of the head restraint from its raised position to its lowered position when an object comes within a predetermined distance of the first area. The sensor is disposed proximate a rearview mirror in the vehicle such that a vehicle operator can simultaneously view the head restraint in the mirror and the first area.
26 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for remote actuation of at least one vehicle head restraint movable from a respective raised position to a respective lowered position, the vehicle including a rearview mirror, the system comprising:
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a first head restraint;
a first actuator arrangement configured to effect movement of the first head restraint from its raised position to its lowered position; and
a first sensor defining a first area and configured to output signals to the first actuator arrangement to facilitate movement of the first head restraint from its raised position to its lowered position when an object comes within a predetermined distance of the first area, the first sensor being disposed proximate the mirror such that a vehicle operator can simultaneously view the first head restraint in the mirror and the first area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for remote actuation of a plurality of vehicle head restraints movable from a respective raised position to a respective lowered position, the vehicle including a rearview mirror, the system comprising:
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a plurality of head restraints visible in the mirror to a vehicle operator;
a plurality of actuator arrangements, each of the actuator arrangements being configured to effect movement of a respective head restraint from its raised position to its lowered position; and
a plurality of sensors configured to be independently actuated by the vehicle operator, each of the sensors being associated with a respective head restraint such that actuation of any one of the sensors effects actuation of a respective actuator arrangement, thereby facilitating movement of a respective head restraint from its raised position to its lowered position independently from the movement of any of the other head restraints, each of the sensors defining a respective sensor area and being disposed proximate the mirror such that the vehicle operator can simultaneously view the head restraints in the mirror and the sensor areas. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for remote actuation of at least one vehicle head restraint from a respective raised position to a respective lowered position, the vehicle including a sensor and an actuator arrangement for each of the at least one head restraints to facilitate movement of a respective head restraint from its raised position to its lowered position, the vehicle further including a rearview mirror, the method comprising:
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viewing an image of a first head restraint at a first location in the mirror; and
disposing an object within a predetermined distance of the first location to actuate a first one of the sensors, thereby sending a signal from the first sensor to a first one of the actuator arrangements to effect movement of the first head restraint from its raised position to its lowered position. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification