FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an headrests and specifically to an headrests which can be adjustable in six ways manually to support and safeguard the occupants head during the frontal and rear crash.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The headrests are generally used in the moving vehicles to provide support and safeguard the occupants head during the crash. The drawback of the available headrests is that they can be moved only in the upward and the downward directions and the protection provided by the available headrests is limited. Headrests are necessary to ensure the safety of the passengers at times the headrest protected the life of the occupants while accident.
A major issue in whiplash prevention is the lack of proper adjustment of the seat safety system by both drivers and passengers. Studies have shown that a well designed and adjusted headrest could prevent potentially injurious head-neck kinematics in rear-end collisions by limiting the differential movement of the head and torso. The primary function of a headrest is to minimize the relative rearward movement of the head and neck during rear impact. During a rear-end collision, the presence of an effective headrest behind the occupant's head can limit the differential movement of the head and torso. A properly placed headrest where one can sufficiently protect one's head lower the chances of neck injury by up to 43% during a rear-end collision.
In contrast to a properly adjusted headrest, research suggests that there may be an increased risk of neck injuries if the headrest is incorrectly positioned. More studies by manufacturers and automobile safety organizations are currently 2undergoing to examine the best ways to reduce head and torso injuries during a rear-end impact with different geometries of the headrests and seat-back systems.
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In most passenger vehicles where manually adjustable headrests are fitted, proper use requires sufficient knowledge and awareness by occupants. When driving, the height of the headrest is critical in influencing injury risk. The support should be at least as high as the head's center of gravity. The backset, or distance behind the head, should be as small as possible. Backsets of more than 100 mm have been associated with increased symptoms of neck injury in crashes. Due to low public awareness of the consequence of incorrect positioning of headrests, some passenger vehicle manufactures have designed and implemented a range of devices into their models to protect their occupants.
US4191422A discloses an adjustable headrest for a vehicle seat comprises a stationary guide rail, a slide rail slidable along the guide rail forwardly and backwardly of the seat among several adjusting positions, and means locking the slide rail in one of the adjusting positions, so that the headrest is adjustable back and forth to comfortably adapt to the desired postures of a seat occupant.
US4278291A discloses an adjustable headrest is disclosed in which a slider forming a headrest is slidably inserted into a hollow open ended casing or a space formed between left and right holding walls, or a sliding casing formed as a headrest is slidably fitted to the outside of a support fixed at the back of the seat. Disposed at suitable places between the casing and the slider are a sliding guide mechanism for the slider and engagement means for fixing the slider at the desired position in order to effect adjustment. A sliding guide mechanism permits the headrest to readily move telescopingly out of the casing. In particular, when the device of the present invention is used in conjunction with the headrest of a car seat, such headrest may be positioned so as to be generally always in contact with the head of a driver. Furthermore, in at least one embodiment there is a provision of springs for normally spring-loading the slider to the forward direction which permits the shock produced when a car is struck from behind, to be absorbed by such springs, thus increasing safety and minimizing injury.
US28178857A discloses a headrest comprising a support, said support consisting of a rectangular frame having a bottom and functioning as a compartment for various and sundry articles, a headrest panel including a frame hingedly connected at one edge to
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said support and having sides, a web secured to said frame and extending thereacross, means for holding said headrest panel in selected angular positions with respect to said support and comprising racks on the confronting surfaces of said sides, and pawls pivoted to the sides of said headrest panel frame, a cushion secured to said frame including a resilient body, a cover on said body, straps on said cover, snap fasteners carried by said straps and said panel frame for releasably securing said cover and body to said panel frame.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the invention is to remove all the above mentioned drawbacks.
An objective of the present invention is to provide an adjustable headrest mechanism for the safety of occupants while on drive.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a safe and comfortable drive for the occupants with added features to the headrest which can be operated in 6 ways of direction to support and safeguard the occupants head.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide the headrest at low cost, which can be used in variety of vehicles without doing any structural change in vehicle body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to an headrests and specifically to an headrests which can be adjustable in six ways manually to support and safeguard the occupants head during the frontal and rear crash.
An embodiment of the present invention is to provide an adjustable headrest comprising a headrest frame (1) mounted thereon a headrest support frame (2) fixed with a headrest frame clamp (3) through nut and bolt (4, 5), a wing (8) configured on right side fixed with a wing clamp (9) on right side fixed with headrest support frame (2) through nut and bolt (6,7), another wing (10) configured on left side fixed with a wing clamp (11) on left side fixed with headrest support frame (2) through nut and bolt (6,7); and a headrest pad (12) configured on headrest support frame to provide support and
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safeguard the occupants head during the crash characterized in that the headrest can be rotated about horizontal pivot axis forward and rear ward direction and the wing support brackets can be adjusted in forward and rearward direction up to 30 degrees to support the occupant head.
Another embodiment of the present invention is to provide an adjustable headrest wherein a metal tube assembly is attached to the main headrest tube with a plastic bracket under transition fit.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is to provide an adjustable headrest wherein a wing support brackets are attached to metal tube under transition fit at both ends.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is to provide an adjustable headrest wherein the said assembly can be rotated about horizontal pivot axis in forward and rearward direction.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is to provide an adjustable headrest wherein the wing support brackets can be adjusted in forward and rearward direction up to 30 degree.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is to provide an adjustable headrest wherein the height of the headrest can be adjusted in z-direction.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is to provide an adjustable headrest wherein said assembly can be adjusted in forward and backward direction of Support frame mechanism to support the occupant head in forward & backward direction in X-direction and simultaneously in angular direction to adjust the backset based on the seating position of the occupant for better head support and comfort.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is to provide an adjustable headrest wherein a foam assembly is provided to support the head during the crash and prevent the whiplash injuries.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and featurs described above, further aspects, embodiments and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrative exemplary embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and/or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
Fig. 1 illustrates an adjustable headrest assembly.
Fig. 2 illustrates an exploded view of an adjustable headrest assembly.
Fig. 3 illustrates the different stages of operating the adjustable headrest assembly.
Fig. 4 illustrates the fixing procedure of Headrest clamp by Nut and Bolt .
Fig. 5 illustrates the assembly sequence of fixing the flap Wing RH Side & flap Wing LH Side With the help of RH flap Wing Clamp and LH flap wing Clamp by Nut & Bolt.
It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present subject matter. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow chart, flow diagrams, state transition diagram, pseudo code, and the like readable medium and executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herefin is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments: on the contrary, the intention is to cover all
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modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
In addition, the description of “first”, “second”, “third”, and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number f technical features indicated. Thus features defining “first” and “second” may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
It should be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
Unless otherwise defines, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g. those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
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Fig. 1 illustrates an adjustable headrest assembly. The adjustable headrest provides comfort and safety to the occupant while driving. The headrest can save the life of the occupant by providing neck shear during the sudden impact to the occupant. Said headrest provides support and comfort for the occupant in the aspect of 6 respective movements.
1. Up & down – To adjust the headrest as per the height of the occupant.
2. Front & Rear ward – To adjust the gap between the headrest and occupant’s head as per occupant comfortable position on seat.
3. Forward and Rearward Tilt about vertical pivot axis – To provide the support to the occupant head in Y-direction during the curvilinear drive for better comfort.
The Headrest mechanism consists of a metal tube assembly which is attached to the main headrest tube with a plastic bracket under transition fit. The wing support brackets are attached to this oval shape metal tube under transition fit at both the ends which can be rotated about vertical pivot axis.
This complete unit can be rotated about horizontal pivot axis forward and rear ward direction and the wing support brackets can be adjusted in forward and rearward direction up to 30 degrees to support the occupant head.
This Headrest would serve the occupant in the following ways:
(a) Height wise the headrest should stay directly behind the driver’s head, at ear level. This headrest can serve the purpose to adjust the height to meet the requirement.
(b) Headrests should be ideally positioned 50mm or less from the rear end of the Driver’s head, and never more than 100mm. This headrest can serve to adjust the backset to meet the requirement.
The headrest consist of the following parts & features; a basic adjustable headrest tube for height adjustment; A complete sub assembly with wing brackets which can be rotated about pivot axis; Foam assembly with trim to support the head during the crash and prevent the whiplash injuries.; Backset of the headrest can be adjusted to support the head form by adjusting the headrest in forward angular direction.; Lateral support for the head for better comfort during the curvilinear drives. Height of the headrest can
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be adjusted in z-direction to suit for the different height requirements. Easily removable from the seat.
2 Way: - By adjusting the headrest Up & Down in Z-direction, occupant can adjust the headrest according to the seating position of the occupant for better head support and comfort.
4 Way: - By adjusting (rotating) in forward and backward direction of Support frame mechanism to support the occupant head in forward & backward direction in X-direction and simultaneously in angular direction to adjust the backset based on the seating position of the occupant for better head support and comfort. The headrest unit can be rotated along the horizontal pivot axis as much as possible to the comfort position of the occupant.
6 Way: - By adjusting the side flap mechanism in angular direction about vertical pivot axis. The left & right side support brackets which are embedded in the foam can be rotated till 30 degree to support the occupant head during the curvilinear travel
Fig. 2 illustrates an exploded view of an adjustable headrest assembly.
The Headrest mechanism consists of a metal tube assembly which is attached to the main headrest tube with a plastic bracket under transition fit. The wing support brackets are attached to this oval shape metal tube under transition fit at both the ends which can be rotated about vertical pivot axis.
This complete unit can be rotated about horizontal pivot axis forward and rear ward direction and the wing support brackets can be adjusted in forward and rearward direction up to 30 degrees to support the occupant head.
The headrest consist of the following parts & features; a basic adjustable headrest tube for height adjustment; A complete sub assembly with wing brackets which can be rotated about pivot axis; Foam assembly with trim to support the head during the crash and prevent the whiplash injuries.; Backset of the headrest can be adjusted to support the head form by adjusting the headrest in forward angular direction.; Lateral support for the head for better comfort during the curvilinear drives. Height of the headrest can be adjusted in z-direction to suit for the different height requirements. Easily removable from the seat.
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Fig. 3 illustrates the different stages of operating the adjustable headrest assembly. the 1 is main frame and 2 is support frame and 3 is headrest clamp which are using for assembling the 1 main frame and 2 support frame in an assembly sequencing.
Fig. 4 illustrates the fixing procedure of Headrest clamp by Nut and Bolt. The 4 is M5 bolt, 5 is M5 nut and 6 is M6 bolt, 7 is M6 nut which are using for tightening the 3 headrest clamp for assembling the headrest 1 main frame and 2 support frame. This figure 4 is also representing the assembly sequencing.
Fig. 5 illustrates the assembly sequence of fixing the flap Wing RH Side & flap Wing LH Side With the help of RH flap Wing Clamp and LH flap wing Clamp by Nut & Bolt. The 6 is M6 bolt, 7 is M6 nut and 8 is RH flap wing, 10 is LH flap wing and 9 is RH flap wing clamp, 11 LH flap wing clamp. Both 8 RH flap wing and 10 LH flap wings are assembling with the help of 9 RH flap wing clamp and 11 LH flap wing clamp by 6 M6 bolt and 7 M6 nut. This figure 5 is also representing the assembly sequencing step by step.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and featurs described above, further aspects, embodiments and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above,
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further aspects, embodiments and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
The above description does not provide specific details of the manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art can choose suitable manufacturing and design details.
It should be understood, however that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the discussion herein, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussion utilizing terms such as “receiving” or “determining”, or “retrieving” or “controlling” or the like refer to the action and processes of an control unit or similar electronic device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the control unit’s registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the control unit memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.
Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-described and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teaching described herein, including those that re presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.

CLAIMS:

We claim:

1. An adjustable headrest comprising :
- a headrest frame (1) mounted thereon a headrest support frame (2) fixed with a headrest frame clamp (3) through nut and bolt (4, 5);
- a wing (8) configured on right side fixed with a wing clamp (9) on right side fixed with headrest support frame (2) through nut and bolt (6,7);
- another wing (10) configured on left side fixed with a wing clamp (11) on left side fixed with headrest support frame (2) through nut and bolt (6,7); and
- a headrest pad (12) configured on headrest support frame to provide support and safeguard the occupants head during the crash.
characterized in that the headrest can be rotated about horizontal pivot axis forward and rear ward direction and the wing support brackets can be adjusted in forward and rearward direction up to 30 degrees to support the occupant head.
2. An adjustable headrest as claimed in claim 1 wherein a metal tube assembly is attached to the main headrest tube with a plastic bracket under transition fit.
3. An adjustable headrest as claimed in claim 1 wherein a wing support brackets are attached to metal tube under transition fit at both ends.
4. An adjustable headrest as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said assembly can be rotated about horizontal pivot axis in forward and rearward direction.
5. An adjustable headrest as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wing support brackets can be adjusted in forward and rearward direction up to 30 degree.
6. An adjustable headrest as claimed in claim 1 wherein the height of the headrest can be adjusted in z-direction.
7. An adjustable headrest as claimed in claim 1 wherein said assembly can be adjusted in forward and backward direction of Support frame mechanism to support the occupant head in forward & backward direction in X-direction and simultaneously in angular direction to adjust the backset based on the seating position of the occupant for better head support and comfort.
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8. An adjustable headrest as claimed in claim 1 wherein a foam assembly is provided to support the head during the crash and prevent the whiplash injuries.