Selective remote head restraint actuation

• US 8,152,242 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2009
• Issued: 04/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Yetukuri, Arjun, Humer, Mladen, Smith, Ted, Stauske, Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Peter R.
• Application Number:
  US12/358,910
• Publication Number:
  US 20090184555A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,173 Days
• Field of Search: 297/61, 297/378.12, 297/408, 297/410
• US Class Current: 297/408
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/853 characterised by their adjusting mechanisms, e.g. electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/859 specially adapted for rear seats

Abstract

A head restraint actuation system includes a head restraint positionable in an upright and folded position. Repositioning of the head restraint is accomplished through the action of a head restraint actuator. The head restraint actuator is in communication with the head restraint. An actuating cable system includes a cable that is in communication with the head restraint actuator and a user operated handle. User initiated movement of the handle causes movement of the cable thereby causing the head restraint to be positioned in the folded position. The activation system is able to simultaneously actuate a plurality of head restraints.

Claims

1. A remote head restraint actuation system comprising:

a seat back;

a head restraint positionable in an upright and folded position, the head restraint moveably attached to the seat back;

a rod assembly in communication with the head restraint and the seat back, the rod assembly having a moveable rod that moves within a hollow support member;

a biasing bushing attached to an end of the rod assembly, the biasing bushing having at least one biasing member that is attached to a moveable rod, the biasing bushing permitting movement of the moveable rod through the biasing bushing while the biasing member provides a restoring force to the biasing bushing;

a head restraint actuator in communication with the rod assembly, the head restraint actuator operable to move the head restraint from the upright to the folded position;

an actuating cable system having a cable, the cable having a first end in communication with the head restraint actuator; and

a handle attached to a second end of the cable such that user initiated movement of the handle causes movement of the head restraint actuator causing the head restraint to be positioned in the folded position.

2. The head restraint actuation system of claim 1 wherein the biasing member includes a spring.

3. The head restraint actuation system of claim 1 wherein the biasing member has at least one biasing band.

4. The head restraint actuation system of claim 1 wherein the moveable rod further includes a stop that limits movement of the moveable rod towards the biasing bushing.

5. The head restraint actuation system of claim 1 further comprising a lever having a first position and a second position, the lever in communication with the first end of the cable such that operation of the handle causes placement of the lever in the second position thereby causing the head restraint to be positioned in the folded position.

6. The head restraint actuation system of claim 1 operable to actuate a plurality of head restraints.

7. The head restraint actuation system of claim 6 wherein each head restraint of the plurality of head restraints has an associated actuating cable system.

8. The head restraint actuation system of claim 1 wherein a single cable is in communication operable to actuate plurality of head restraints.

9. The head restraint actuation system of claim 1 wherein the handle is positionable in a first handle position and second handle position, the first handle position actuating a first head restraint and the second handle position actuating a second head restraint.