Foldable head restraint

• US 7,845,731 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2009
• Issued: 12/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2004
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gill Industries, Inc. (Gill Holding Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Gauthier, Jeremy J., Sutter, Robert R. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): BARFIELD, ANTHONY DERRELL
• Application Number:
  US12/460,772
• Publication Number:
  US 20090289489A1
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 297/391, 297/408
• US Class Current: 297/391
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/876 specially adapted for rear seats B60N2/835, B60N2/859 take precedence

Abstract

A foldable head restraint has two head restraint supports set within a bracket. A latch is made integral with at least one of the head restraint supports. The latch rests against a stop to prohibit rotation of the head restraint support in a first direction. The latch rests against a rotational cam to prohibit movement of the head restraint support in a second direction. By rotating the cam, the head restraint support may be folded. The head restraint support is comprised of a metal substrate with over-molded plastic geometry to accept a mating part configured within the head restraint bun. The geometry of the metal substrate and over-molded plastic geometry allow for a reduction, or even elimination, of the slots that are normally required for such a folding head restraint. This ability to fold can yield greater rearward visibility and aid in the kinematic motion of the seat.

Claims

1. A head restraint support of a foldable head restraint assembly, which head restraint support comprises:

a substantially elongated first portion;

a curved second portion that is integrally formed with and extends from a lower end of the substantially elongated first portion; and

a plastic layer molded over the substantially elongated first portion and no more than a portion of the curved second portion, thereby leaving uncovered by the plastic layer a remainder of the curved second portion that is connectable to a bracket of the foldable head restraint assembly for rotational movement of the head restraint support relative thereto.

2. A head restraint support of a foldable head restraint assembly according to claim 1, wherein the substantially elongated first portion has a cross-sectional shape and the plastic layer has a cross-sectional shape, and the cross-sectional shape of the substantially elongated first portion is different from the cross-sectional shape of the plastic layer.

3. A head restraint support of a foldable head restraint assembly according to claim 2, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the substantially elongated first portion is generally rectangular.

4. A head restraint support of a foldable head restraint assembly according to claim 2, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the plastic layer is generally circular.

5. A head restraint support of a foldable head restraint assembly according to claim 1, wherein the substantially elongated first portion and the curved second portion have common opposed planar surfaces.

6. A head restraint support of a foldable head restraint assembly according to claim 5, wherein the substantially elongated first portion has a narrower width than the curved second portion.

7. A head restraint support of a foldable head restraint assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plastic layer is molded only over the substantially elongated first portion.

8. A head restraint support of a foldable head restraint assembly according to claim 1, wherein the curved second portion includes a first through-hole adjacent a free end and about which the head restraint support is rotatably moveable relative to a bracket of the foldable head restraint assembly.

9. A head restraint support of a foldable head restraint assembly according to claim 8, wherein the curved second portion includes a second through-hole for receiving a shaft to couple the head restraint support to a second head restraint support.

10. A head restraint support of a foldable head restraint assembly according to claim 1, wherein a latch is integrally formed with and extends outward from the curved second portion.

11. A head restraint support of a foldable head restraint assembly according to claim 10, wherein the latch has a first edge surface that is configured to abut a fixed structure of a foldable head restraint assembly and a second opposite edge surface that is configured to be engaged by a movable structure of a foldable head restraint assembly.

12. A head restraint support of a foldable head restraint assembly according to claim 11, wherein the first and second edge surfaces are planar.

13. A head restraint support of a foldable head restraint assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plastic layer extends beyond the free end of the substantially elongated first portion and forms an extension of the head restraint support.

14. A head restraint support of a foldable head restraint assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plastic layer includes structural features provided on a portion of the outer surface thereof.

15. A head restraint support of a foldable head restraint assembly according to claim 14, wherein the structural features comprise notched areas.

16. A head restraint support of a foldable head restraint assembly, which head restraint support comprises:

a substantially elongated first portion;

a curved second portion that is integrally formed with and extends from a lower end of the substantially elongated first portion, the curved second portion being connectable to a bracket of the foldable head restraint assembly for rotation of the head restraint support relative thereto; and

wherein the substantially elongated first portion is provided with an outer plastic layer molded thereover and has a first cross-sectional shape, and the curved second portion is at least substantially uncovered by the outer plastic layer and has a second cross-sectional shape that is different from the first cross-sectional shape.

17. A head restraint support of a foldable head restraint assembly according to claim 16, wherein the substantially elongated first portion and integrally formed curved second portion are made of metal.

18. A head restraint support of a foldable head restraint assembly according to claim 16, wherein a latch is integrally formed with and extends radially outwardly from the curved second portion.

19. A head restraint support of a foldable head restraint assembly according to claim 16, wherein the plastic layer extends beyond the free end of the substantially elongated first portion and forms an extension of the head restraint support.

20. A head restraint support of a foldable head restraint assembly, which head restraint support comprises:

A metal substrate comprising a substantially elongated first portion and a curved second portion that is integrally formed with and extends from a lower end of the substantially elongated first portion, and the curved second portion including a latch integrally formed therewith and extending radially away from the curved second portion; and

a plastic layer molded over the substantially elongated first portion and no more than a portion of the curved second portion, thereby leaving uncovered by the plastic layer a remainder of the curved second portion that includes the latch.