Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080315636 | INTEGRATED VEHICLE SEAT WITH ACTIVE HEAD RESTRAINT SYSTEM - A seat back for a vehicle seat is provided. The seat back has a frame, a head restraint, and an active head restraint system. The frame provides structure for the seat back and is adapted to be mounted within a vehicle. The frame has a back support portion to support a back of an occupant, and a head restraint portion to support a head of an occupant. In one embodiment, the head restraint is supported by the head restraint portion of the frame and is moveable relative to the frame to an extended position to provide support to the head of the occupant during an impact condition. The active head restraint system is operatively connected to the head restraint for moving the head restraint to the extended position when the active head restraint system is activated. | 12-25-2008 |
20090071283 | SELECTIVE REMOTE HEAD RESTRAINT ACTUATION - A head restraint actuation system includes a head restraint positionable in an upright and folded position. Repositioning of the head restraint is accomplished through the action of a head restraint actuator. The head restraint actuator is in communication with the head restraint. An actuating cable system includes a cable that is in communication with the head restraint actuator and a user operated handle. User initiated movement of the handle causes movement of the cable thereby causing the head restraint to be positioned in the folded position. The activation system is able to simultaneously actuate a plurality of head restraints. | 03-19-2009 |
20090150259 | Collection of Magazine Articles - A method of doing business of creating a collection of magazine articles selectively collected from multiple magazines and converted to audio mode is disclosed. Several magazines are available for specific areas of interest. However, all articles in all magazines may not be of interest to all readers. So, if a reader wanted to read all the articles related to a particular topic from multiple magazines, the reader, currently, has to get all those magazines from a library or purchase them. The current invention supports the demand and interest for audio versions and solves two potential customer problems: lack of enough time to read multiple magazines and cost incurred by the customer in purchasing several magazines for all articles of interest. So, the customers who are interested in multiple articles from multiple magazines can receive them as a collection of articles or in other words, a personalized magazine in audio mode. | 06-11-2009 |
20090184555 | SELECTIVE REMOTE HEAD RESTRAINT ACTUATION - A head restraint actuation system includes a head restraint positionable in an upright and folded position. Repositioning of the head restraint is accomplished through the action of a head restraint actuator. The head restraint actuator is in communication with the head restraint. An actuating cable system includes a cable that is in communication with the head restraint actuator and a user operated handle. User initiated movement of the handle causes movement of the cable thereby causing the head restraint to be positioned in the folded position. The activation system is able to simultaneously actuate a plurality of head restraints. | 07-23-2009 |
20090243354 | ACTIVE HEAD RESTRAINT FOR A VEHICLE SEAT - An active head restraint system is disclosed with an actuator, a sensor, and a controller. The controller receives an impact signal from a triggering element, receives the position of an occupant's head, actuates the head restraint to move towards the occupant's head, and controls actuation to optimize head restraint movement as the head restraint moves proximate to the occupant's head. In another embodiment, the controller also manipulates head restraint velocity to optimize the velocity toward the occupant's head. Also presented is a method for actuating an active head restraint system for a vehicle seat. The method includes sending an impact signal to a controller, receiving the position of an occupant's head, transmitting the received position of the occupant's head to a controller, actuating the head restraint to move towards the occupant's head, and controlling head restraint actuation to optimize head restraint movement as it moves proximate to the occupant's head. | 10-01-2009 |
20100078983 | SUPPORT MEMBER FOR VEHICLE SEAT HEAD RESTRAINT - A head restraint assembly for a vehicle seat has a head restraint post adapted to be mounted to the vehicle seat. A support member is coupled to the head restraint post. The support member having a plurality of attachment receptacles to mount the head restraint post to one of the plurality of attachment receptacles. A compressible pad member is mounted to the support member. A convex outer surface provides support for a head of an occupant. The support member is mounted to head restraint post at one of the plurality of attachment receptacles positions the compressible pad at a distance from the convex outer surface. | 04-01-2010 |
20100179728 | FOLDING HEAD RESTRAINT ASSEMBLY FOR CONVERTIBLE VEHICLE - A vehicle head restraint assembly is provided with a folding head restraint mechanism for pivoting a head restraint between use and folded positions. A head restraint is mounted to the folding head restraint mechanism. A controller for a convertible roof may be provided in electrical communication with the folding head restraint mechanism and configured for electrical communication with the convertible roof. The controller has computer executable instructions for producing a first output to actuate the convertible roof and for producing a second output to actuate the folding head restraint mechanism. An actuator may be provided and connected to the folding head restraint mechanism and to the convertible roof. The actuator has a first output to actuate the folding head restraint mechanism and a second output to actuate the convertible roof of the vehicle. A method for actuating a convertible roof and a folding head restraint assembly is provided. | 07-15-2010 |
20110006578 | ADJUSTABLE HEAD RESTRAINT ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE SEATS - An adjustable head restraint assembly for a vehicle seat is provided with a pair of shells. Each shell is sized to mate with the other and collectively retain a pair of posts therebetween. A frame adapted to mate with the pair of shells for retaining the pair of shells upon the pair of posts. A locking mechanism is provided on at least one of the frame and the pair of shells for locking the pair of shells and the frame to the pair of posts, and for permitting adjustment of the pair of shells and the frame along the posts. | 01-13-2011 |
20110095592 | Folding Vehicle Head Restraint Assembly - A vehicle head restraint assembly is provided with a cross member. A head restraint is supported by the cross member. A fixed locking member is mounted within the head restraint. A latch is moveably mounted on the cross member at a first latch position and at a second latch position. An actuator is mounted within the head restraint to move the latch between the first latch position and the second latch position. The head restraint is pivotable when the latch is in the second latch position. Another vehicle head restraint assembly is provided with a lateral support rod and a head restraint pivotally mounted thereon. A locking member is pivotally mounted within the head restraint. A latch is mounted on the support rod. An actuator disengages the locking member from the latch. A biasing member pivots the head restraint upon disengagement of the latch and the locking member. | 04-28-2011 |
20120025582 | SEAT ASSEMBLY HAVING AN ADJUSTABLE HEAD RESTRAINT ASSEMBLY - A seat assembly having a seat back and a head restraint assembly. The head restraint assembly includes a headrest, a support post, and a drive assembly that may have a rotatable element. The drive assembly engages the support post and actuates the headrest away from the seat back when the rotatable element is rotated in a first direction and actuates the headrest toward the seat back when the rotatable element is rotated in a second direction. | 02-02-2012 |
20120104821 | SUPPORT MEMBER FOR VEHICLE SEAT HEAD RESTRAINT - A head restraint assembly for a vehicle seat has a head restraint post adapted to be mounted to the vehicle seat. A support member is coupled to the head restraint post. The support member having a plurality of attachment receptacles to mount the head restraint post to one of the plurality of attachment receptacles. A compressible pad member is mounted to the support member. A convex outer surface provides support for a head of an occupant. The support member is mounted to head restraint post at one of the plurality of attachment receptacles positions the compressible pad at a distance from the convex outer surface. | 05-03-2012 |
20120235452 | SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A VEHICLE HEAD RESTRAINT - A vehicle seat assembly is provided with a support structure and a head restraint supported by the support structure and being movable relative to the support structure between a first position and a second position. An actuator is connected to the head restraint for moving the head restraint, and a controller is in communication with the actuator. A sensor array is supported by one of the support structure and the head restraint and in communication with the controller. The sensor array has a first region and a second region. The sensor array is configured to sense an input of the first region and second region being sequentially activated. The sensor array communicates the input to the controller, and the controller causing the actuator to move the head restraint. | 09-20-2012 |
20120235459 | Automatic Head Restraint Adjustment System for a Vehicle Seat - A seat assembly having an automatically adjustable head restraint is provided. A seat back is mounted within a vehicle and a head restraint assembly is adjustably mounted to the vehicle and disposed adjacent the seat back. The seat back includes a sensor mounted adjacent an upper portion of the seat back for detecting the presence and position of a passenger relative to the head restraint. A controller is in communication with the sensor and receives the output signal of the sensor. The controller then generates a control signal in order to position the head restraint based on the output signals of the sensor. An actuator is connected to the head restraint for positioning the head restraint based on a control signal received from the control module. | 09-20-2012 |
20120268665 | Vehicle with Flexible Display - A vehicle has self-contained, stand-alone flexible displays in a wide variety of locations and serving a wide variety or purposes, such as entertainment, safety warnings, operating instructions, maps, vehicle information, etc. The displays may be positioned on a vehicle interior component having a contoured surface profile, or may be movable from a generally concealed storage position to an extended position. The display may be rolled like a scroll in a storage position. The displays may show a single picture, multiple pictures on sequential frames, interactive videos, etc. and may include audio information, touch screen switches, etc. | 10-25-2012 |
20120280547 | RETRACTING AND FOLDING VEHICLE HEAD RESTRAINT - A head restraint is supported by a vehicle seat assembly having a support structure including a guide. The head restraint is movable between a design position and a stowed position. The head restraint has a support member that is received in the guide, a head restraint body attached to the support member, and a locking mechanism. The support member moves with respect to the guide to translate the body with respect to the support structure. The body rotates with respect to the support member. The locking mechanism locks the body in the first or second position. | 11-08-2012 |
20120326481 | ADJUSTABLE HEAD RESTRAINT ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE SEATS - A vehicle head restraint assembly includes a head restraint support adapted to be mounted to a seat back frame. A transverse shaft is pivotally mounted to the support. A post is connected to the shaft for supporting a head restraint. A biasing member is connected to the support and the shaft for biasing the post to a collapsed position. An eccentric projection extends from a central region of the shaft. A latching mechanism is provided on the support and oriented within a path of rotation of the projection to engage the projection and maintain the head restraint in an upright position. Retraction of the latching mechanism permits the biasing member to pivot the head restraint to the collapsed position. | 12-27-2012 |
20130049429 | ADJUSTABLE VEHICLE HEAD RESTRAINT - A vehicle seat with an adjustable head restraint assembly is provided with a controller configured to receive an instruction signal to actuate a head restraint from a use position to a stowed position. A detection signal indicates whether an object is within a predetermined range of the head restraint. A stow signal is transmitted to an actuator to actuate the head restraint to the stowed position in response to the instruction signal and in response to the detection signal indicating that an object is not within the predetermined range of the head restraint. A use signal is transmitted to the actuator to maintain the head restraint in the use position in response to the instruction signal and in response to the detection signal indicating that an object is within the predetermined range of the head restraint. | 02-28-2013 |
20130093218 | Seat Assembly Having a Folding Seat Bottom and Head Restraint - A seat assembly having a seat bottom, a seat back, and a head restraint assembly. The head restraint assembly may be disposed on the seat back and may move from a first position to a second position when the seat bottom is rotated about a first axis of rotation with respect to the seat back. | 04-18-2013 |
20130134761 | ADJUSTABLE HEAD RESTRAINT ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE SEATS - An adjustable vehicle head restraint assembly is provided with a post mounted in a vehicle proximate to a seat back. A transverse shaft is mounted to the post. A head restraint is pivotally connected to the transverse shaft. An actuator is mounted to the head restraint. A striker is mounted to one of the transverse shaft and the head restraint. A latch is mounted to the other of the transverse shaft and the head restraint in engagement with the striker, such that actuation of the actuator in the transverse direction disengages the latch from the striker for rotation of the head restraint relative to the transverse shaft. Rotation of the head restraint from a collapsed position to an upright position causes the latch to engage the striker, which retracts the latch until the head restraint reaches the upright position, and the latch extends thereby locking the head restraint. | 05-30-2013 |
20130140866 | Folding Vehicle Head Restraint Assembly - A head restraint assembly is provided to be mounted within a vehicle. A head restraint is supported by the cross member in a lateral direction and adapted to rotate about a lateral axis of the cross member. A fixed locking member is mounted within the head restraint. A latch is mounted to slide on the cross member between a first latch position engaged with the locking member and at a second latch position released from the fixed locking member. A lever is provided proximate the latch to move the latch between the first latch position and the second latch position. A motor is in communication with the lever such that the motor moves the lever to translate the latch from the first latch position to the second latch position. The head restraint is rotatable about the cross member when the latch is in the second latch position. | 06-06-2013 |
20130341987 | Power Return Folding Head Restraint - A head restraint assembly includes a post assembly which has a first post section, a second post section, and a cross member section connecting the first post section and the second post section. The first post section and the second post section are adapted to engage a vehicle seat. The head restraint includes a bun moveably attached to the post assembly, a first gear, and a motor that rotates the first gear in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. Rotation of the first gear drives a second gear which drives a third gear. Rotation of the second gear in a first direction causes movement of the bun to a tilted position while movement of the second gear in a second direction causes movement of the bun to an upright position. | 12-26-2013 |
20140054944 | VEHICLE SEAT HEAD RESTRAINT ACTUATION - A vehicle seat controller is provided and configured to receive an input indicative of a seat back having pivoted forward to a predetermined position. The vehicle seat controller conveys a signal to an actuator to pivot a head restraint in response to the input. Another vehicle seat controller is provided and configured to receive an input indicative of a seat back having pivoted rearward to a predetermined position. The vehicle seat controller conveys a signal to an actuator to pivot a head restraint in response to the input. Another vehicle seat controller is provided and configured to receive an input indicative of a rear seat assembly having adjusted to a slouch position. The vehicle seat controller conveys a signal to an actuator to stow a head restraint of a front seat assembly in response to the input. | 02-27-2014 |
20140203616 | ADJUSTABLE HEAD RESTRAINT ASSEMBLY - A head restraint assembly is provided with a first guide member mounted proximate to a vehicle seat back. A second guide member is mounted to the first guide member for translation along the first guide member. A locking mechanism is mounted to the second guide member in cooperation with the first guide member for locking the second guide member relative to the first guide member. The first and second guide members are the only guide members to minimize binding. The locking mechanism includes a torsion spring connected to the first guide member and oriented about the second guide member for locking the second guide member relative to the first guide member. A lever is mounted to the torsion spring for unlocking the torsion spring. | 07-24-2014 |
20140265477 | VEHICLE SEAT ADJUSTMENT ASSEMBLY - A vehicle seat adjustment assembly has an actuator adapted to move a component of the vehicle seat assembly, and a generally planar sensor array in communication with the controller and accessible from an outer surface of the vehicle seat assembly. The sensor array has a plurality of adjacent sensors accessible from an outer surface of the vehicle seat assembly. A controller is in communication with the actuator for controlling the actuator and in communication with the sensor array. The controller is configured to control the actuator to move the component in response to receiving a signal indicative of a touch input of the sensor array by a user such that the movement of the component correlates with the input to the sensor array. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277952 | System and Method for Controlling Vehicle Seat Movement - A system and method are disclosed for controlling movement of a seat in a vehicle. A sensor assembly includes a sensor configured to sense a presence of an object and to generate an output signal representing a proximity of the object to the sensor. A control unit is configured to receive the sensor output signal and to generate a control signal for use in controlling movement of the seat. | 09-18-2014 |