FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
AND
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10; rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
"AN IMPROVED PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR MEASUREMENT OF BACKSET OF A SEAT HEAD RESTRAINT"
APPLICANT
TATA MOTORS LIMITED of BOMBAY HOUSE, 24 HOMI MODY STREET, Mumbai-400001 MAHARASHTRA India; AN INDIAN COMPANY
The following specification particularly describes the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed

Field of invention:
The present invention relates to an apparatus for measurement of height of a seat head restraint by using an improved portable apparatus for measurement of backset of a seat head restraint.
Background of invention
Whiplash injuries are one of the significant injuries in rear impact crashes. In a whiplash, there is an unsynchronized movement of occupant's head with respect to the chest. Such an excessive movement of head results into serious injuries to the neck which needs a long term medical treatment. The vehicle seats are provided with head restraints, also known as head rests, to provide adequate support to the head to minimize the relative movement of the head and to reduce the possibility of serious injuries to the neck of occupant. Backset and height of the head restraint has been identified as important parameters which define the effectiveness of the head restraints to control the whiplash injuries. The head restraint backset is measured by an apparatus which is aligned with the seat reference point i.e. R point of a seat. Patent has been filed for the said apparatus, known as RMD vide patent application number 1959/MUM/2009. The said apparatus comprises of provisions to measure the backset of the seat but it does not have any provisions for measurement of height of a head restraint. Another apparatus, known as Head Restraint Measurement Device (HRMD) is used for measuring the backset & the height of the head restraints. However the said HRMD has to be used with an H point machine and it is difficult to position the machine at the said R point of the seat. The said HRMD is not portable & therefore its setting is time consuming. Further the said HRMD doesn't have the provisions to measure the height of taller head restraints particularly when the head restraint is taller than the reference probe. Said HRMD measures the height of the head restraint for a given anthropometry i.e. 50th percentile of adult American male.

Objects of the invention
The main object of the present invention is to provide an improved portable apparatus for the measurement of backset of a seat head restraint.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide an improved portable apparatus for the measurement of backset of a seat head restraint which comprises the provision for measurement of height of a head restraint.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved portable apparatus for the measurement of backset of a seat head restraint which comprises slidable reference probe for measurement of height of a head restraint.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved portable apparatus for the measurement of backset of a seat head restraint which is simple in construction and portable.
Statement of invention
An improved portable apparatus for measurement of backset of a seat head restraint comprises; an upper arm (1), a top block (2), an extension member (3) provided on top end of said upper arm (1), a reference probe member (4) provided in perpendicular relationship to said extension member (3), a measuring means (5) provided in perpendicular relationship to said reference probe member (4) for measuring the height of head restraint.
An improved portable apparatus for measurement of backset of a seat head restraint, in accordance with this invention, wherein said upright extension member (3) comprising a base plate (3.1), vertical member (3.2) and top plate (3.6).

An improved portable apparatus for measurement of backset of a seat head restraint, in accordance with this invention, wherein vertical member (3.2) is having at least one lower guide bush (3.3a) and upper guide bush (3.3) provided to receive said reference probe which is disposed there through during height measurement of said head restraint.
An improved portable apparatus for measurement of backset of a seat head restraint, in accordance with this invention, wherein said top plate (3,6) is having a spirit level (3.7), said top plate is rigidly attached to said vertical member (3.2).
An improved portable apparatus for measurement of backset of a seat head restraint, in accordance with this invention, wherein said reference probe member (4) having a slit (4.1) through which said measuring means is disposed and positioned, said measuring means includes a measuring scale.
An improved portable apparatus for measurement of backset of a seat head restraint, in accordance with this invention, wherein said base plate (3.1) is having plurality of holes (3.4) for mounting onto top end of said top block (2) of said upper arm(1).
An improved portable apparatus for measurement of backset of a seat head restraint, in accordance with this invention, wherein said vertical member (3.2) is rigidly connected to said base plate (3.1) preferably with the help of welding process.
An improved portable apparatus for measurement of backset of a seat head restraint, in accordance with this invention, wherein said bushes (3.3) are firmly provided on said vertical member (3.2) preferably with the help of a brazing.
An improved portable apparatus for measurement of backset of a seat head restraint, in accordance with this invention, wherein lower bush (3.3a) is located at a height as per the height of the head of reference anthropometry of interest and said upper bush (3.3b) is positioned at a predetermined height from said

lower bush so that the height of a taller head restraint can be established with the head of a reference anthropometry.
The method of measurement of measuring the height of a head restraint comprising the steps of:
> Mounting said extension member to the top block (2);
> Installing the said RMD on a seat;
> Positioning the said head restraint;
> Checking the vertical positioning of the extension member (3) with the help of the said spirit level (3.7);
> Inserting the said reference probe member (4) through one of said guide bushes (3.3) such that the side containing the slit is on the head restraint side based on the height of the head restraint to be measured;
> Placing a measuring scale in the said slit (4.1) of said reference probe member (4) such that its end is in contact with the top of the head restraint;
> Reading the measurement on the said measuring scale along the lower edge of the said reference probe member (4).

Brief description of drawings
According to the present invention
Figure - 01 shows side view of an RMD with & without an extension member in
accordance with this invention
Figure - 02 shows view of the RMD fitted with the said extension member during
measurement of height of a head restraint,
Figure - 03 show views of the said extension member in accordance with this
invention,
Figure - 04 show details of the reference probe for measurement of height of a
head restraint in accordance with this invention,
Brief description of the invention
In accordance with the present invention an, improved portable apparatus for measurement of backset of a seat head restraint comprises; an upper arm (1), the top block (2), an upright extension member (3) provided on top end of said upper arm (1), a reference probe member (4) provided in perpendicular relationship to said extension member (3), a measuring means (5) provided in perpendicular relationship to said reference probe member (4) for measuring the height of head restraint.
Detail description of the invention
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting the same.
An improved portable apparatus for measurement of backset of a seat head restraint comprises; an upper arm (1), a top block (2), an upright extension

member (3) provided on top end of said upper arm (1), a reference probe member (4) provided in perpendicular relationship to said extension member (3), a measuring means (5) provided in perpendicular relationship to said reference probe member (4) for measuring the height of head restraint.
Referring to figure-01 which shows side views of the top end of the said RMD fitted with an upright extension member (3). The said upright extension member (3) is fitted in place of the top cover of the said top block (2).
Referring to figure-02 which shows side view of RMD fitted with the said extension member for the measurement of height of a head restraint. The present apparatus comprises an upper arm (1), an upright extension member (3), a reference probe member (4), a measuring means (5) such as measuring scale etc.
Said extension member (3) comprises a base plate (3.1), vertical member (3.2), and top plate (3.6).
Said vertical member (3.2) is having at least one lower guide bush (3.3a) and upper guide bush (3.3a) configured to receive said reference probe which is disposed there through during height measurement of said head restraint. During height measurement of a head restraint, the said reference probe member (4) is extended through the said guide bushes (3.3) till it is positioned on the top of the said head restraint to measure the height of the head restraint (7) through said measuring means
Referring to figure-03 which shows views of said upright extension member (3).
Said upright extension member (3) which is having a base plate (3.1), vertical
member (3.2) and top plate (3.6). The said top plate (3.6) is having a spirit level
(3.7).
Said base plate (3.1) is having plurality of through holes (3.4) for mounting onto
top end of said top block (2) of upper arm (1) of the said RMD with the help of
appropriate fasteners.

The said vertical member (3.2) is rigidly connected to said base plate (3.1) preferably with the help of welding process. The said bushes (3.3) are firmly provided on said vertical member (3.2) by suitable joining process, preferably with the help of a brazing.
The said top plate (3.6) is rigidly attached to the said vertical member (3.2). The
said spirit level (3.7) is installed on the said top plate (3.6).
The lower guide bush (3.3a) is located at a height as per the height of the head
of reference anthropometry of interest. The said lower and upper guide bushes
(3.3) are provided with through hole (3.5) for the insertion of the said reference
probe member (4).
Said vertical member (3.2) is having at least one lower guide bush (3.3a) and
upper guide bush (3.3a) configured to receive said reference probe which is
disposed there through during height measurement of said head restraint.
The said upper guide bush (3.3b) is provided to facilitate the height
measurements ,in case, the head restraint height is more than the location of the
said lower bush (such as when the head restraint is adjusted to a higher
position).
The said upper bush (3.3b) is positioned at a predetermined height from said
lower bush so that the height of a taller head restraint can be established with the
head of a reference anthropometry.
Referring to figure-04 which shows views of the said reference probe member (4). Said reference probe member (4) having a slit (4.1) through which said measuring means is disposed and positioned. The said measuring means is preferably a measuring scale. The said measuring scale is passed through the said slit till its end contacts the top of the said head restraint. The distance between the bottom end of said reference probe member (4) to the top end of the head restraint is the height of the head restraint (7).
The said vertical member (3.2) is made up of a square tube. The said square tube and the said base plate (3.1) are made up of aluminium to keep the mass of

the apparatus low. The said square tube is positioned such that adequate space is available for the top end of the said mounting fasteners. The said, lower guide bush (3.3a), said upper guide bush (3.3b) and the said reference probe member(4) are made up of steel to reduce on the possible wearing of the said reference probe member (4) and/or said guide bushes (3.3) and improve the accuracy of the measurements.
In accordance with the present invention, The method of measurement of measuring the height of a head restraint comprising the steps of:
> Mounting said extension member to the top block (2);
> Installing the said RMD on a seat;
> Positioning the said head restraint;
> Checking the vertical positioning of the extension member (3) with the help of the said spirit level (3.7);
> Inserting the said reference probe member (4) through one of said guide bushes (3.3) such that the side containing the slit is on the head restraint side based on the height of the head restraint to be measured;
> Placing a measuring scale in the said slit (4.1) of said reference probe member (4) such that its end is in contact with the top of the head restraint;
> Reading the measurement on the said measuring scale along the lower edge of the said reference probe member (4).
The foregoing description is a specific embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that this embodiment is described for purpose of illustration only, and that numerous alterations and modifications and combinations may be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come within the scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalents thereof.

We Claim:
1. An improved portable apparatus for measurement of backset of a seat head restraint comprises; an upper arm (1), a top block (2), an extension member (3) provided on top end of said upper arm (1), a reference probe member (4) provided in perpendicular relationship to said extension member (3), a measuring means (5) provided in perpendicular relationship to said reference probe member (4) for measuring the height of head restraint.
2. An improved portable apparatus for measurement of backset of a seat head restraint as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upright extension member (3) comprising a base plate (3.1), vertical member (3.2) and top plate (3.6).
3. An improved portable apparatus for measurement of backset of a seat head restraint as claimed in claim 1, wherein vertical member (3.2) is having at least one lower guide bush (3.3a) and upper guide bush (3.3) provided to receive said reference probe which is disposed there through during height measurement of said head restraint.
4. An improved portable apparatus for measurement of backset of a seat head restraint as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top plate (3.6) is having a spirit level (3.7), said top plate is rigidly attached to said vertical member (3.2).
5. An improved portable apparatus for measurement of backset of a seat head restraint as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reference probe member (4) having a slit (4.1) through which said measuring means is disposed and positioned, said measuring means includes a measuring scale.
6. An improved portable apparatus for measurement of backset of a seat head restraint as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base plate (3.1) is having plurality of holes (3.4) for mounting onto top end of said top block (2) of said
upper arm(1).
7. An improved portable apparatus for measurement of backset of a seat head
restraint as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vertical member (3.2) is rigidly

connected to said base plate (3.1) preferably with the help of welding process.
8. An improved portable apparatus for measurement of backset of a seat head restraint as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bushes (3.3) are firmly provided on said vertical member (3.2) preferably with the help of a brazing.
9. An improved portable apparatus for measurement of backset of a seat head restraint as claimed in claim 1, wherein lower bush (3.3a) is located at a height as per the height of the head of reference anthropometry of interest and said upper bush (3.3b) is positioned at a predetermined height from said lower bush so that the height of a taller head restraint can be established with the head of a reference anthropometry.
10,The method of measurement of measuring the height of a head restraint comprising the steps of:
> Mounting said extension member to the top block (2);
> Installing the said RMD on a seat;
> Positioning the said head restraint;
> Checking the vertical positioning of the extension member (3) with the help of the said spirit level (3.7);
> Inserting the said reference probe member (4) through one of said guide bushes (3.3) such that the side containing the slit is on the head restraint side based on the height of the head restraint to be measured;
> Placing a measuring scale in the said slit (4.1) of said reference probe member (4) such that its end is in contact with the top of the head restraint;
> Reading the measurement on the said measuring scale along the lower edge of the said reference probe member (4).