Active head restraint for a vehicle seat
First Claim
1. A head restraint for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle seat, the head restraint comprising:
- a base frame connectable with the vehicle seat; and
a cushion carrier supported on the base frame by a track assembly that facilitates movement of the cushion carrier relative to the base frame along a deployment axis from a non-deployed condition to a deployed condition, the track assembly comprising;
a fixed track member that forms a portion of the base frame, the fixed track member comprising spaced axially extending beam portions with opposing surfaces that define a channel between the beam portions; and
a sliding track member that forms a portion of the cushion carrier, the sliding track member comprising a sliding frame positioned in the channel and having portions positioned in sliding contact with portions on the opposing surfaces defining the channel, wherein the beam portions each have a generally squared C-shaped configuration and are positioned facing each other such that the opposing surfaces provide the channel with a generally rectangular configuration.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A head restraint (14) for helping to protect an occupant (60) of a vehicle seat (20) includes a base frame (150) connected to the vehicle seat. A cushion carrier (350) is supported on the base frame (150) by a track assembly (440) that facilitates movement of the cushion carrier (350) relative to the base frame (150) along a deployment axis (18) from a non-deployed condition to a deployed condition. The track assembly (440) includes a fixed track member (182) that forms a portion of the base frame (150). The fixed track member (182) includes spaced axially extending beam portions (190) with opposing surfaces (200) that define a channel (184) between the beam portions (190). The track assembly (440) also includes a sliding track member (370) that forms a portion of the cushion carrier (350). The sliding track member (370) includes a sliding frame (372) positioned in the channel (184) and having portions (442) positioned in sliding contact with portions (444) on the opposing surfaces (200) defining the channel (184).
181 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A head restraint for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle seat, the head restraint comprising:
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a base frame connectable with the vehicle seat; and a cushion carrier supported on the base frame by a track assembly that facilitates movement of the cushion carrier relative to the base frame along a deployment axis from a non-deployed condition to a deployed condition, the track assembly comprising; a fixed track member that forms a portion of the base frame, the fixed track member comprising spaced axially extending beam portions with opposing surfaces that define a channel between the beam portions; and a sliding track member that forms a portion of the cushion carrier, the sliding track member comprising a sliding frame positioned in the channel and having portions positioned in sliding contact with portions on the opposing surfaces defining the channel, wherein the beam portions each have a generally squared C-shaped configuration and are positioned facing each other such that the opposing surfaces provide the channel with a generally rectangular configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A head restraint for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle seat, the head restraint comprising:
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a base frame connectable with the vehicle seat; and a cushion carrier supported on the base frame by a track assembly that facilitates movement of the cushion carrier relative to the base frame along a deployment axis from a non-deployed condition to a deployed condition, the track assembly comprising; a fixed track member that forms a portion of the base frame, the fixed track member comprising spaced axially extending beam portions with opposing surfaces that define a channel between the beam portions; and a sliding track member that forms a portion of the cushion carrier, the sliding track member comprising a sliding frame positioned in the channel and having portions positioned in sliding contact with portions on the opposing surfaces defining the channel, wherein the sliding frame comprises first interface portions that engage corresponding second interface portions on the opposing surfaces of the beam portions, the first interface portions comprising elongated projections that extend along the length of the sliding frame, the second interface portions comprising elongated projections that extend along the length of the opposing surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A head restraint for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle seat, the head restraint comprising:
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a base frame connectable with the vehicle seat; and a cushion carrier supported on the base frame by a track assembly that facilitates movement of the cushion carrier relative to the base frame along a deployment axis from a non-deployed condition to a deployed condition, the track assembly comprising; a fixed track member that forms a portion of the base frame, the fixed track member comprising spaced axially extending beam portions with opposing surfaces that define a channel between the beam portions; and a sliding track member that forms a portion of the cushion carrier, the sliding track member comprising a sliding frame positioned in the channel and having portions positioned in sliding contact with portions on the opposing surfaces defining the channel, the head restraint further comprising a release mechanism having a first condition maintaining the cushion carrier in the non-deployed condition, the release mechanism being actuatable to release the cushion carrier to move to the deployed condition, the release mechanism comprising; a tongue member movable with the cushion carrier; a latch mechanism operatively connected to the base frame, the latch mechanism comprising a latch member that engages the tongue member to maintain the cushion carrier in the non-deployed condition, and a blocking member that maintains the latch member in engagement with the tongue member; and an actuator actuatable to move the blocking member to effectuate movement of the latch member out of engagement with the tongue member to thereby release the cushion carrier for movement toward the deployed condition. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A head restraint for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle seat, the head restraint comprising:
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a base frame connectable with the vehicle seat; and a cushion carrier supported on the base frame by a track assembly that facilitates movement of the cushion carrier relative to the base frame along a deployment axis from a non-deployed condition to a deployed condition, the track assembly comprising; a fixed track member that forms a portion of the base frame, the fixed track member comprising spaced axially extending beam portions with opposing surfaces that define a channel between the beam portions; and a sliding track member that forms a portion of the cushion carrier, the sliding track member comprising a sliding frame positioned in the channel and having portions positioned in sliding contact with portions on the opposing surfaces defining the channel, the head restraint further comprising indicia for providing a visual indication that the cushion carrier is in the deployed condition, wherein the indicia is hidden from view by the cushion carrier when the cushion carrier is in the non-deployed condition, the indicia being revealed when the cushion carrier moves away from the non-deployed condition.
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Specification