Claims:
1. An adjustable side support assembly for headrest comprising:
a first side support assembly (101) and a second side support assembly (102) configured to provide side support on right and left side of the headrest respectively wherein each first side support assembly (101) and the second side support assembly (102) comprises;
a fixed flap (206 a) configured to be rigidly secured on each of the right and left side of the headrest;
an adjustable flap (206 b) configured to be hinged to the fixed flap (206 a) wherein the adjustable flap (206 b) is free to rotate about a hinge;
at least one torsional spring (204) configured to provide predefined rotation to the adjustable flap (206 b);
a back cover (207) configured to enclose a spring and CAM mechanism;
at least one manual switch (103) configured to be mounted on said back cover (207); and
a rod (205) configured to provide hinge action between back cover (207), the fixed flap (206 a) and the adjustable flap (206 b).

2. The adjustable side support assembly for headrest as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one torsional is configured to be provided on either side of the adjustable flap (206 b).

3. The adjustable side support assembly for headrest as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixed flap (206 b) is configured with a depression (211) and the adjustable flap (206 b) is configured with a protrusion (212).

4. The adjustable side support assembly for headrest as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rod (205) is configured to be inserted through the back cover (207), the fixed flap (206 b), at least one torsional spring (204) and the adjustable flap (206 b) for establishing a hinged connection.

5. The adjustable side support assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mechanism enclosed in the back cover (207) is configured to be a spring and CAM mechanism comprising a spring (208), a spring (209) and a CAM (210).

6. The adjustable side support assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each adjustable side support assembly is configured with separate manual switch (103) for actuating said mechanism.

7. The adjustable side support assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring (208) is configured to be inserted in the manual switch (103) and the spring (209) is configured to be inserted in the CAM (210).

8. The adjustable side support assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the manual switch (103) comprises a tapered profile (501) configured to be in continuous slidable contact with a tapering (502) of the CAM (210) and for pushing the CAM (210) in ‘-X’ direction (figure 5).

9. The adjustable side support assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the CAM (210) with a cylindrical protrusion (301) is configured to restrict movement of the torsional spring (204) in folded condition.

10. The adjustable side support assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the depression of the manual switch (103) is configured to push the CAM (210) to disconnect contact between the cylindrical protrusion (301) and the torsional spring (204) to allow a free rotation of the torsional spring (204) to a predefined angle of rotation.
, Description:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of invention:
AN ADJUSTABLE SIDE SUPPORT ASSEMBLY FOR HEADREST

Applicant:
Tata Motors Limited
A company Incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 1956
Having address:
Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400001, Maharashtra, India

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present subject matter described herein, in general, relates to a side support headrest assembly and more specifically relates to an adjustable side support assembly for headrest which can be used on demand.
BACKGROUND
[002] In a vehicle, one of the important components concerned with the comfort of the occupant is headrest. Headrests also known as head restraints are integrated or mounted on top of seats of automotive to restrict backward movement of head of occupants and to provide comfort to the occupants while travelling. In a long road journey, the occupant except driver falls asleep resting their head on headrest and reclining the seats in case of reclinable seats. However, these conventional headrest fails to provide side support to the occupant in sleeping position.
[003] Generally, during travelling, occupants fall asleep and they lean or incline to sideways of headrest. However, due to unavailability of space on the headrest they feel discomfort in keeping their head in intact position which may lead to neck problems.
[004] Hence, there is a need of headrest that is capable of providing support to the occupant’s head in any position.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[005] It is a main object of the present invention to improve a conventional headrest by integrating side support mechanism.
[006] It is another object of the present invention to provide on demand side support of headrest to an occupant.
[007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a simple mechanical mechanism including springs for a side support of headrest.
[008] It is another object of the present invention to enhance comfort and prevent neck injury of an occupant in sleeping position.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
[009] Accordingly, the present invention discloses an adjustable side support assembly for headrest comprising a first side support assembly (101) and a second side support assembly (102) configured to provide side support on right and left side of the headrest respectively wherein each first side support assembly (101) and the second side support assembly (102) comprises a fixed flap (206 a) configured to be rigidly secured on each of the right and left side of the headrest, an adjustable flap (206 b) configured to be hinged to the fixed flap (206 a) wherein the adjustable flap (206 b) is free to rotate about a hinge, at least one torsional spring (204) configured to provide predefined rotation to the adjustable flap (206 b), a back cover (207) configured to enclose a spring and CAM mechanism, at least one manual switch (103) configured to be mounted on said back cover (207) and a rod (205) configured to provide hinge action between back cover (207), the fixed flap (206 a) and the adjustable flap (206 b).
[0010] Further, in the adjustable side support assembly for headrest, at least one torsional is configured to be provided on either side of the adjustable flap (206 b). Said fixed flap (206 b) is configured with a depression (211) and the adjustable flap (206 b) is configured with a protrusion (212). Said rod (205) is configured to be inserted through the back cover (207), the fixed flap (206 b), at least one torsional spring (204) and the adjustable flap (206 b) for establishing a hinged connection. The mechanism of the present invention is enclosed in the back cover (207) is configured to be a spring and CAM mechanism comprising a spring (208), a spring (209) and a CAM (210). Said each adjustable side support assembly is configured with separate manual switch (103) for actuating said mechanism. The spring (208) is configured to be inserted in the manual switch (103) and the spring (209) is configured to be inserted in the CAM (210). Said manual switch (103) comprises a tapered profile (501) configured to be in continuous slidable contact with a tapering (502) of the CAM (210) and for pushing the CAM (210) in ‘-X’ direction (figure 5). The CAM (210) with a cylindrical protrusion (301) is configured to restrict movement of the torsional spring (204) in folded condition. Furthermore, the depression of the manual switch (103) is configured to push the CAM (210) to disconnect contact between the cylindrical protrusion (301) and the torsional spring (204) to allow a free rotation of the torsional spring (204) to a predefined angle of rotation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Before the present system and method are described, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to the particular machine or apparatus, and methodologies described, as there can be multiple possible embodiments that are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosures. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to side support mechanism of a headrest. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the proposed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the proposed subject matter.
[0012] The present subject matter relates to an adjustable side support assembly provided on a headrest of vehicles. The proposed adjustable side support assembly can be integrated to existing headrests. Said assembly comprises a simple mechanism including spring and CAM arrangement. The assembly further consists of a manual switch or knob or button to actuate said mechanism wherein the flaps or wings open to provide support to head of an occupant on depressing the manual switch. Each adjustable side support assembly consists of separate manual switch. Further, a torsional spring is provided at a hinge connection for allowing the flap to open to a predefined degree of rotation which is up to 220 degrees in the present case.
[0013] Further, the spring and CAM mechanism is enclosed in a back cover which is rigidly secured on side of the headrest wherein the back cover of the present invention is in the form of rectangular box. The manual switch comprises a tapered profile which is in slidable contact with a tapering of the CAM. The spring is configured to be inserted into each of the manual switch and the CAM wherein the actuation of manual switch will compress the spring of the manual switch and slides the tapered profile of the manual switch. As the CAM and manual switch are in continuous contact, the CAM tends to move such that the contact between the CAM and the torsional spring is lost. The above-mentioned disconnection would release the flap to open in a desired position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawing. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, example constructions of the disclosure are shown in the present document, however, the disclosure is not limited to the specific methods and apparatus disclosed in the document and the drawing.
[0015] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figure. The suitable reference numbers are given in the figures and the same numbers are used throughout the drawing to refer like features and components.
[0016] Figure 1 (a) illustrates a headrest with an adjustable side support assembly in open condition, in accordance with the present invention.
[0017] Figure 1 (b) illustrates an isometric view of a headrest with an adjustable side support assembly in close condition, in accordance with the present invention.
[0018] Figure 2 illustrates an isometric exploded view of an adjustable side support assembly, in accordance with the present invention.
[0019] Figure 3 illustrates a cross-section of an adjustable side support assembly with front and side view, in accordance with the present invention.
[0020] Figure 4 illustrates an isometric view for detailed view of an adjustable side support assembly, in accordance with the present invention.
[0021] Figure 5 illustrates an isometric view across a cross-section of an adjustable side support assembly with tapered arrangement of a manual switch and CAM, in accordance with the present invention.
[0022] Figure 6 illustrates an isometric view of a spring and CAM mechanism of an adjustable side support assembly, in accordance with the present invention.
[0023] Figure 7 illustrates an isometric view of a torsional spring arrangement of an adjustable side support assembly, in accordance with the present invention.
[0024] The figure depicts various embodiments of the present disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognise from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising", “having”, and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. Although any system and method similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary, systems and methods are now described. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms.
[0026] Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
[0027] The present invention proposes a design methodology wherein integrated side structures are provided to a headrest. Basically, an additional headrest support is provided on both sides of the headrests and said supports can be mounted to an existing headrest. During travelling, when an occupant feels drowsiness and wants to fall asleep, the occupant has to actuate a manual switch mounted on the side support of the headrest. The manual switch actuates a torsional spring to open a flap or a wing of the side support for resting the occupant head on to the side support and enhances comfortably of the occupant. Further, when there is no requirement of the side support, the occupant has to operate the manual switch again to fold the opened flap to its original folded position. The side support assembly of the headrest mainly comprises a simple spring and CAM mechanism wherein the manual switch is in contact with the CAM and the CAM is configured to be in contact with the torsional spring such that the CAM restricts the torsional spring movement in folded condition of the side support.
[0028] Referring to figure 1 (a) and 1 (b), the side supports of the headrest in open/unfolded and closed/folded condition are shown respectively. The side supports of the headrest are adjustable and operable on demand. The side support assembly is mounted on each right and left side of the headrest. Herein after, the right and left side support assembly is referred as a first side support (101) and a second side support (102) respectively. A manual switch (103) is configured to be provided on each first side support (101) and the second side support (102) to actuate the mechanism and to open the respective side support (101/102). In normal condition, the first side support (101) and the second side support (102) remain in folded condition and the headrest will act like the conventional headrest. An adjustable side support assembly of the proposed invention is configured with two switches each on right and left side of the headrest. This provides privilege to the occupant to selectively open either of the side support assembly or to open both the sides as per requirement. In the proposed invention, configuration of the first side support (101) and the second side support (102) is same.
[0029] Referring to figure 2, an exploded view of the side support assembly is depicted. Each of the first side support (101) and the second side support (102) is comprising a fixed flap (206 a) configured to be rigidly secured to a side of the headrest and an adjustable flap (206 b) configured to freely rotate to a desired position. A rod (205) configured to connect the fixed flap (206 a) and the adjustable flap (206 b). A torsional spring (204) configured to be held by the rod (205) in order to rotate freely to a desired position up to 220 degree about a hinge point formed by the rod (205). The manual switch (103) to actuate the spring and CAM mechanism wherein a spring (208) configured to be inserted into the manual switch (103). A CAM (210) configured to be in contact with the torsional spring (204) at one of the protruded sides and a spring (209) configured to be inserted into the CAM (210) at other protruded side. A back cover (207) rigidly secured on the side of the headrest is configured to enclose the spring and CAM mechanism and to facilitate mounting of the manual switch (103). In the present embodiment, the fixed flap (206 a) and adjustable flap (206 b) are configured to be of rectangular shape. However, different shape of the flaps would be obvious for a person skilled in the art. The fixed flap (206 a) is rigidly secured on the side of the headrest. The adjustable flap (206 b) comprises of a protrusion (212) at one end configured to be rotatably secured in a depression (211) of the fixed flap (206 a). Along with the protrusion (212) the torsional spring (204) each at right and left side of the protrusion (212) are configured to be mounted in the depression (211). Further, the rod (205) is configured to be passed through the back cover (207), the torsional springs (204), the protrusion (212) and the depression (211) in order to hold said parts together by forming a hinge connection for constituting the assembly.
[0030] . Referring to figure 3, a cross-section of the side support assembly in front view and side view is shown. The Figure 3 basically shows the arrangement of the mechanism of the proposed invention. The CAM (210) comprises a cylindrical protrusion (301) configured to restrict and allow the rotation of the torsional springs (204). As shown in front view of figure 3, the cylindrical protrusion (301) is the restriction for the torsional spring (204) to keep the first and second side support (101, 102) in folded condition. Further, the CAM (210) is configured to be in contact with the manual switch (103) and the spring (209). Hence, on depressing or pressing the manual switch (103), the CAM (210) moves downward as shown in side view of figure 3. Due to spring (209) compression, the cylindrical depression (301) moves downward thereby releasing the adjustable flap (206 b). The spring (209) is configured to compress against the back cover (207) when the manual switch (103) is depressed and pushes the CAM (210). In the present embodiment, the torsional springs (204) are configured to be of predefined tension that allows predefined degree of rotation to the adjustable flap (206 b). A selection of torsional springs (204) may vary based on desired degree of rotation of the adjustable flap (206 b), which is obvious for the person skilled in the art to utilize appropriate torsional springs.
[0031] Referring to figure 4, figure 5, figure 6 and figure 7, the details of the adjustable first and second side supports (101, 102) are depicted. As mentioned in above paragraphs, the mechanism of the adjustable first and second side supports (101, 102) is enclosed in the back cover (207) wherein the back cover (207) may configured to be in a form of rectangular box. Further, the spring (208) and the spring (209) are placed such that they are compressed against the back cover (207) upon actuation. For more clarity of the invention, here we are explaining the mechanism in detail. The manual switch (103) comprises a tapered profile (501) and the CAM (210) is also configured with a tapering (502) wherein the tapered profile (501) and tapering (502) are in continuous sliding contact with each other and are enclosed in the back cover (207). Further, to open the adjustable flap (206 b), the occupant is required to just press the manual switch (103) and remove the hand from the manual switch (103) wherein the opened adjustable flap provides a rigid surface that allows the occupant to rest their head. On depressing the manual switch (103), the tapered profile (501) slides over the tapering (502) tending to force the CAM (210) to move in ‘-X’ direction as shown in figure 5. The movement of the CAM (210) causes the cylindrical protrusion (301) to move in ‘-X’ direction thereby disconnecting the contact between the cylindrical protrusion (301) and the torsional spring (204) wherein the spring action allows the adjustable flap (206 b) to open in the desired predefined position. Furthermore, to bring back the adjustable flap (206 b) to its original folded condition, the occupant is required to depress the manual switch (103) and rotate the adjustable flap (206 b) manually towards its original position wherein the cylindrical protrusion (301) moves to its position and restricts the movement of the adjustable flap (206 b) and locks the adjustable flap (206 b) in folded condition.
[0032] Exemplary embodiments discussed above may provide certain advantages. Though not required to practice aspects of the disclosure, these advantages may include those provided by the following features.
• The present invention integrates an adjustable side support to an existing headrest.
• The present invention enhances comfort of an occupant by providing support to head in sleeping position.
• The present invention provides a rigid surface for resting head of an occupant on sides of headrest.
• The present invention prevents head and neck pain of an occupant caused due to absence of side support.
• The present invention provides simple mechanical spring and CAM mechanism which is cost effective.
• The present invention provides a well-designed restraint to reduce risk of whiplash injury by reducing a differential motion of an occupant’s head.
• The present invention provides improved neck and cervical support to an occupant.
[0033] Following is the list of reference numerals referred in the present invention.

Reference Numerals Part Name
101 First side support
102 Second side support
103 Manual switch
204 Torsional spring
205 Rod
206 a Fixed flap
206 b Adjustable flap
207 Back cover
208 Spring for manual switch
209 Spring for CAM
210 CAM
211 Depression of fixed flap
212 Protrusion of adjustable flap
501 Tapered profile of manual switch
502 Tapering of CAM