Activating headrest

• US 7,118,174 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2003
• Issued: 10/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Lee, Keun-Bae
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): EDELL, JOSEPH F
• Application Number:
  US10/749,218
• Publication Number:
  US 20040245814A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,015 Days
• Field of Search: 297/216.12, 297/216.13, 297/216.14, 297/216.19, 297/284.7
• US Class Current: 297/216.12
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/838 Tiltable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/888 with arrangements for protecting against abnormal g-forces, e.g. by displacement of the head-rest

Abstract

An activating headrest comprises a headrest including a detecting link integrally connected to the headrest. The detecting link is pivotally mounted to a seat frame so as to be shifted when pressed by an occupant'"'"'s back. A return spring is installed between the detecting link and the seat frame. A stopper means installed between the seat frame and the detecting link fixes the state of the headrest tilted in the forward and upward position to prevent the neck from being thrust backward.

Claims

1. An activating headrest comprising:

a headrest;

a detecting link integrally linked to said headrest and pivotally mounted to a seat frame to pivot in a vertical pivoting range plane when pressed by a back of an occupant, wherein said detecting link comprises;

a headrest supporting pipe into which a headrest rod, protruding out at said headrest, is inserted;

a horizontal rod for being fixed with the lower end of said headrest supporting pipe;

a pair of pivot arms installed at both ends of said horizontal rod;

a detecting rod protruded underneath said horizontal rod, wherein said detecting rod has a plurality of fixing holes at a constant interval; and

a detecting plate installed at said detecting rod, wherein said detecting plate is integrally mounted with an insertion pipe for allowing said detecting rod to be inserted therein;

wherein said insertion pipe has a location determining hole and a welding nut, and said welding nut is fastened with a fixing bolt for fixing the location of said detecting plate in relation to said detecting rod;

a return spring installed between said detecting link and said seat frame; and

means, installed between said seat frame and said detecting link, for fixing a state of said headrest which has been shifted in a forward and upward position, wherein said means for fixing a state of the headrest comprises;

a slider of which a sliding surface contacts with said detecting link in relation to a pivoting direction of said detecting link being pivoted by the occupant'"'"'s back, and which prevents said detecting link from pivoting to a direction opposite the pivoting direction;

a linear guide fixed to said seat frame for guiding a linear movement of said slider in a direction perpendicular to the vertical pivoting range plane of said detecting link; and

a slider spring for resiliently supporting said slider.

2. The activating headrest as defined in claim 1, wherein a pair of supporting brackets integrally fixed to said seat frame for supporting each of said pair of pivot arms via a pair of hinges is further installed between said pair of pivot arms and said seat frame.

3. The activating headrest as defined in claim 1, wherein one end of a releasing cable further couples to said slider for pulling said slider in a direction opposite to where said slider spring is resiliently supported.