OCCUPANT CONTROLLED MULTI-SURFACE HEAD RESTRAINT FOR IMPROVED COMFORT

• US 20110227387A1
• Filed: 03/16/2010
• Published: 09/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Kolich, Michael
• Application Number:
  US12/724,500
• Publication Number:
  US 20110227387A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/408
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/58 Seat coverings
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/803 fixed
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/806 movable or adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/838 Tiltable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/865 providing a fore-and-aft movement with respect to the occupant's head
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/882 detachable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/894 with rods solidly attached to the back-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/022 the seat or seat part turning about or moving along a vertical axis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A vehicle head restraint that includes a first surface and a second surface. The second surface includes at least one property distinct from the first surface, wherein the at least one property includes surface geometry and material. The head restraint is capable of adjusting between a first surface user accessible position and a second surface user accessible position, wherein each surface is designed to support a user head during a collision.

Claims

1. A vehicle head restraint comprising:

a first surface; and

a second surface having at least one property distinct from the first surface, wherein the at least one property comprises at least one of surface geometry and material, wherein the head restraint is capable of adjusting between a first surface user accessible position and a second surface user accessible position, wherein each surface is designed to support a user head during a collision.

2. The head restraint of claim 1, wherein the head restraint is attached to a seatback by a single post, wherein the single post is substantially vertically aligned, and wherein the head restraint is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the single post.

3. The head restraint of claim 1, wherein the head restraint is removably attached to a seatback by a plurality of posts, wherein the plurality of posts are substantially vertically aligned.

4. The head restraint of claim 1, wherein the head restraint is attached to a seatback by at least one post, at least a portion of the at least one post substantially horizontally aligned, and wherein the head restraint is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis.

5. The head restraint of claim 1, further comprising:

a third surface, wherein the third surface includes at least one property distinct from the first surface and the second surface, wherein the at least one property comprises surface geometry and material; and

a fourth surface, wherein the fourth surface includes at least one property distinct from the first surface, the second surface and third surface, wherein the at least one property comprises surface geometry and material, and wherein the head restraint is capable of adjusting between a first surface user accessible position, a second surface user accessible position, a third surface user accessible position, and a fourth surface user accessible position.

6. The head restraint of claim 1, wherein the first surface geometry includes a concave surface geometry, and wherein the second surface includes a convex surface geometry.

7. The head restraint of claim 6, wherein the second surface has a lower hardness value than the first surface.

8. The head restraint of claim 1, wherein the first surface includes a leather material, and wherein the second surface includes a fabric material.

9. A seat comprising:

a seatback; and

a head restraint attached to an upper portion of the seatback, comprising;

a first surface comprising a concave surface geometry; and

a second surface comprising a convex surface geometry, wherein the head restraint is movable between a first surface user accessible position and a second surface user accessible position, wherein each surface is designed to support a user head during a collision.

10. The seat of claim 9, wherein the head restraint is attached to the seatback by a single post, wherein the single post is substantially vertically aligned, and wherein the head restraint is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the single post.

11. The seat of claim 9, wherein the head restraint is removably attached to the seatback by a plurality of posts, wherein the plurality of posts are substantially vertically aligned.

12. The seat of claim 9, wherein the head restraint is attached to the seatback by at least one post, at least a portion of the at least one post substantially horizontally aligned, and wherein the head restraint is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis.

13. The seat of claim 9, further comprising:

a third surface, wherein the third surface includes at least one property distinct from the first surface and the second surface, wherein the at least one property comprises surface geometry and material; and

a fourth surface, wherein the fourth surface includes at least one property distinct from the first surface, the second surface and third surface, wherein the at least one property comprises surface geometry and material, and wherein the head restraint is capable of adjusting between a first surface user accessible position, a second surface user accessible position, a third surface user accessible position, and a fourth surface user accessible position.

14. The seat of claim 9, wherein the second surface has a lower hardness value than the first surface.

15. The seat of claim 9, wherein the first surface includes a leather material, and wherein the second surface includes a fabric material.

16. A method for manufacturing a head restraint comprising:

providing an interior;

sealably surrounding the interior with a plurality of surfaces, wherein at least one of the plurality of surfaces includes at least one property distinct from at least one of the other surfaces, wherein the at least one property comprises surface geometry and material;

removably attaching the head restraint to a seatback, wherein the head restraint is capable of adjusting between a plurality of surface user accessible positions, wherein each surface is designed to support a user head during a collision.

17. The method for manufacturing a head restraint of claim 16, wherein the step of removably attaching the head restraint to the seatback further includes attachment by a single post, wherein the single post is substantially vertically aligned, and wherein the head restraint is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the single post.

18. The method for manufacturing a head restraint of claim 16, wherein the step of removably attaching the head restraint to the seatback further includes attachment by at least one post, at least a portion of the at least one post substantially horizontally aligned, and wherein the head restraint is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis.

19. The method for manufacturing a head restraint of claim 16, wherein the step of removably attaching the head restraint to the seatback further includes attachment by a plurality of posts, wherein the plurality of posts are substantially vertically aligned.

20. The method for manufacturing a head restraint of claim 19, further comprising the step of adjusting between the plurality of surface user accessible positions by slidably elevating the head restraint along the plurality of posts to a point of complete removal, rotating the head restraint about a substantially vertical axis, positioning a plurality of post receiving apertures, located within the head restraint, above the plurality of posts, and inserting the plurality of posts within the post receiving apertures, thereby attaching the head restraint to the seatback.