FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTES RULES, 2005
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10, rule 13)
1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION
"Semi Automatic Sliding Head Rest"
2. APPLICANT(S)
(a) Name : MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LIMITED
(b) Nationality : Indian Company registered under the provisions
of the Companies Act, 1956
(c) Address : R&D Center, Automotive Sector,
89, M.I.D.C., Satpur, NASHIK - 422 007 Maharashtra State, India
3. PREAMBLE OF THE DESCRIPTION
COMPLETE
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

Semi Automatic Sliding Head Rest Field of invention
The present invention relates to a headrest in an automobile, and more particularly, to a semi-automatic sliding mechanism for the headrest which provides comfort to the passenger due to correct height of the headrest.
Background of the invention
Seats in many passenger vehicles, such as automobiles, include headrests which provide added comfort to a passenger. In addition to the comfort feature, the headrests also provide a safety feature. The headrests are typically mounted to a top portion of a seat back as either an integral part of the seat back or as a separate unit mounted to the seat back.
Generally, while seating in an automobile, the passengers don't adjust headrest to its correct position due to uneasy operation. Incorrect positioning of the headrest leads to discomfort to the passenger. For example, incorrect positioning of the headrest may lead to awkward body posture causing muscle spasm. Further, nonuse of the headrest may cause neck injuries to the occupant during a crash event.
Currently, the headrest has plastic sleeve which includes a spring loaded lock. The passenger has to press this lock to adjust the headrest. Also, there are few power operated (using electric motor) headrest available, but mostly in luxury vehicles only.
It is a need therefore to provide a mechanism for adjusting the headrest of the seat in the automobile, which overcomes drawbacks of the prior art.
Objects of the invention

An object of the present invention is to adjust the headrest semi- automatically and provide comfort to the occupant.
Another object of the present invention is to promote increased use of head restraint and that too at correct position which aids in minimizing whiplash injuries.
Summary of the invention
Accordingly, the present invention provides a semi-automatic sliding mechanism for a seat. The semi-automatic sliding mechanism is supported on a housing that includes a bracket assembled on a seat back of a vehicle. The semiautomatic sliding mechanism includes a headrest that includes at least one rod with a notch, the rod therefrom extends through the bracket. A lever mounted on the bracket, the lever is configured with a locking profile that is disengagbly coupled with the notch of the rod. It further comprises of a spring have one end secured with the headrest and another end that adaptably engages with the lever. The spring mounted on the bracket. It also includes an actuating means engaging the lever with the notch on the rod of the headrest. The semi-automatic sliding mechanism includes a cable that links with the lever at one end and the actuating mean at other end. The cable actuates the lever by working against the spring;
Further in a first operation position, the rod of the headrest disengages from the locking profile of the lever by moving upwards. It further allows headrest to slide in assistance with an another actuator. Still further in a second operation position, the rod of the headrest engages from the locking profile of the lever by moving downwards that locks the headrest from further the movement.
Brief description of drawings

Figure 1 illustrates a front view of a semi automatic sliding mechanism for headrest of a seat an automobile, in accordance with present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a rear view of the semi automatic sliding mechanism for headrest, of figure 1; and
Figure 3 illustrates a lever engagement with headrest rod of the semi automatic sliding head rest mechanism.
Detailed description of the invention
The foregoing objects of the invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiment.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a semi-automatic sliding mechanism for headrest which adjusts the headrest as per convenience of the passenger and provides comfort. The semi-automatic sliding head rest mechanism increases use of head restraint and that too at correct position which aids in minimizing whiplash injuries.
The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description.
Referring now to figure 1-3, there are shown various views of a semi-automatic sliding mechanism (100) (hereinafter referred as 'mechanism (100)'), in accordance with the present invention. Specifically, the mechanism (100) uses a

cable operated locking system for arresting a headrest (50). The mechanism (100) includes a lever (10) and an actuating means (20).
The headrest (50) is upholstered on top of housing. The housing may be directly or indirectly connected to a seat. The housing includes a bracket (40) which is assembled on a seat back (60). The bracket (40) supports the headrest (50). The headrest (50) includes at least one rod (30) that extends through the bracket (40). However, it is understood that a plurality of rods may be used to ensure better locking of the headrest (50). The rod (30) is configured with a profile or an indentation or a notch (30a) (hereinafter referred as 'the notch (30a)') that is adaptably designed to easily engage and disengage with a locking profile present with the lever (10). The notch (30a) of the rod (30) and the locking profile of the lever (10) ensures proper matching and locking of the headrest (50).
The lever (10) in an embodiment of the present invention is a pawl. In the present embodiment there are two levers, it is however understood that number of levers may increase in accordance with requirement of manufacturer for obtaining better locking. The lever (10) is made from steel, plastic or any other similar material which can meet the structural requirement of locking and releasing as well as strength. The lever (10) when gets engaged with headrest rod (30), the locking profile is kept in its locking position with help of a spring (12). The spring (12) is configured to have one end secured with the headrest (50) and another end adaptably engaging with the lever (10). The lever (10) and the spring (12) are mounted on the bracket (40) assembled on the seat back (60).
In another embodiment, the matching locking profile for the lever (10) is provided on the headrest rod (30) or any other component associated with headrest directly or indirectly. The locking lever is provided with locking rollers for better noise level and smooth operation. The lever (10) includes the locking profile which specifically enables the lever (10) to lock and release from

matching locking notch (30a) provided in the rod (30) of the headrest (50) when actuated by the actuated means (20),
The actuating means (20) actuates the lever (10) to engage with the notch (30a) on the rod (30) of the headrest (50). In an embodiment, the actuating means (20) may be a spring actuator, a gas actuator, a pneumatic actuator and the like. In an embodiment, the actuating means (20) is positioned near a seat cushion (80). It is however understood, the location of actuating means (20) can be anywhere on the seat to provide ease of operation based on packaging on seat and/or vehicle and human ergonomics. Further, the mode of actuation of the actuating means (20) is through a cable (22) or any other suitable linkages known in the art.
The cable (22) actuates the lever (10) by working against the spring (12). The cable (22) is linked to the lever (10) at one end and the actuating mean (20) at other end.
In a first operating position, the headrest (50) is in a downward position. In this downward position, upon using actuating means (20), it disengages the lever (10) from the notch (30a) of the rod (30), the lever move/slide upwards. The sliding of the lever (10) sliding upwards allows the headrest (50) to slide in assistance with an another actuator. The slide or movement is achieved using another actuators (24). The actuators (24) in the present embodiment are springs.
In a second operating position, the headrest (50) is positioned at full up position of the headrest (50). In this upward position upon using actuating means (20), it engages the lever (10) with the notch (30a) of the rod (30). The lever (10) further Jocks into the notch (30a) of the rod (30) to stop further the movement of the headrest (50). The actuator (24) stores the energy when it is coming down from up position and release the energy while going upwards.

The mechanism (100) also includes a dampening means (not shown) to control the headrest (50) movement so that the headrest (50) does not hurt the passenger or becomes too fast. To lower the headrest (50), the passenger has to release the actuating means (20) and push it down. This motion automatically pushes the lever (10) out of engagement. The headrest (50) then travels till the non-use position or storing position.
Advantages of the present invention
1. The mechanism (100) allows the occupant in the automobile to adjust the
headrest to his comfort without awkward body posture causing muscle spasm as
observed in conventional manual adjustment.
2. The mechanism (100) allows increased use of head restraint and that too at correct position would aid in minimizing whiplash injuries.
3. The mechanism (100) utilizes cost-effective mechanical actuation means, therefore occupant in the automobile is benefited of this comfort without significance premium
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application. to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

We Claim
1. A semi-automatic sliding mechanism for a seat, the semi-automatic
sliding mechanism supported on a housing, the housing includes a bracket
assembled on a seat back of a vehicle, the semi-automatic sliding mechanism
comprising:
a headrest having at least one rod with a notch, the rod extending through the bracket;
a lever mounted on the bracket, the lever having a locking profile that disengagbly couple with the notch of the rod;
a spring mounted on the bracket, the spring having one end secured with the headrest and another end adaptably engaged with the lever;
an actuating means capable of engaging the lever with the notch on the rod; and
a cable linked with the lever at one end and the actuating means at other end, the cable being capable of actuating the lever by working against the spring,
wherein, in a first operational position, upon using the actuating means, the lever disengages from the notch of the rod thereby moving upwards allowing the headrest to slide in assistance with an another actuator, and further in a second operational position, upon using the actuating means, the lever engages with the notch of the rod thereby moving downwards to lock the headrest from further the movement.
2. The semi-automatic sliding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lever is a pawl.
3. The semi-automatic sliding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the semi-automatic sliding mechanism further comprises a dampening means to control the headrest.