| Articulating headrest assembly -> Monitor Keywords |
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Articulating headrest assemblyArticulating headrest assembly description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070164593, Articulating headrest assembly. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/759,422 filed Jan. 17, 2006. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention generally relates to a headrest assembly rotatable to a plurality of positions. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] As both the number and speed of vehicles on the road increase, the potential for serious occupant injury during a vehicle crash also increases. Vehicles now offer standard occupant restraint and protection devices to mitigate the effects of a vehicle crash on an occupant. Such devices include seatbelts, airbags, and headrest assemblies for vehicle seats. A headrest assembly situated on the top of a vehicle seat offers safety protection from crash-related injuries and provides comfort for an occupant. Vehicle headrest assemblies are categorized as integral, active, or adjustable. An adjustable headrest assembly typically includes a headrest frame and a headrest, and is vertically adjustable to accommodate varying occupant seating heights, and horizontally positionable to decrease a gap between the headrest assembly and the head of the occupant. [0006] Adjustable headrest assemblies offer safety protection from common crash-related occupant injuries such as whiplash. Whiplash injuries involve the soft tissues of the head, neck, and spine of an occupant, and may cause short-term muscle and ligament trauma or long-term nerve damage. Evidence suggests that whiplash may be caused by smaller amounts of head and neck movements relative to the torso of an occupant. An adjustable headrest assembly allows for correct vertical and horizontal positioning of the headrest relative to the head of an occupant to better control these head and neck movements. Adjustable headrest assemblies also provide comfort for a vehicle occupant. Proper headrest alignment decreases neck and shoulder fatigue, increases the field of vision of the occupant, and allows a vehicle driver to comfortably manipulate the steering wheel and vehicle controls. [0007] Although various headrest assemblies are disclosed by the prior art, there remains an opportunity to provide a headrest assembly that has fewer parts and is more durable. In addition, a headrest assembly is needed that is easier to adjust than those of the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES [0008] The subject invention provides a headrest assembly rotatable to a plurality of positions. The headrest assembly includes a support defining a horizontal axis and a shell rotatably mounted to the support about the horizontal axis. A plurality of notches are defined by the support and each notch is associated with one of the plurality of positions about the horizontal axis. A lever is mounted to the shell about a pivot axis and the lever has a locking portion rotatable about the pivot axis and is partially disposed in one of the plurality of notches for locking the shell in one of the plurality of positions to prevent movement of the shell about the horizontal axis. An actuator is mounted to the shell and the actuator abuts the lever to rotate the locking portion of the lever about the pivot axis in a direction transverse to the horizontal axis for moving the locking portion out of one of the plurality of notches to allow the shell to rotate about the horizontal axis when the actuator is actuated and for moving the locking portion into one of the plurality of notches to prevent the shell from rotating about the horizontal axis when the actuator is deactivated. [0009] The headrest assembly provides several advantages over the headrest assemblies of the prior art. The headrest assembly includes fewer parts, which reduces manufacturing cost and complexity. In addition, the actuator abutting the lever to rotate the locking portion of the lever about the pivot axis in a direction transverse to the horizontal axis is more durable than the headrest assemblies of the prior art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: [0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a headrest assembly rotatable to a plurality of positions; [0012] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the headrest assembly of [0013] FIG. 1 in a full back position; [0014] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the headrest assembly of [0015] FIG. 1 in a full forward position; and [0016] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of an actuator used with the headrest assembly of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0017] Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a headrest assembly rotatable to a plurality of positions is shown generally at numeral 10. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, the headrest assembly 10 includes a support 12 defining a horizontal axis 14. A shell 16 is rotatably mounted to the support 12 about the horizontal axis 14. The shell 16 may also include a cover (not shown) to hide the inside of the headrest assembly 10 and provide a cushioned surface. Preferably, the support 12 extends laterally through the shell 16 along the horizontal axis 14. However, those skilled in the art realize that the support 12 may be spaced from the horizontal axis 14. The support 12 defines a plurality of notches 18 and each notch is associated with one of the positions about the horizontal axis 14. The notches 18 are fixed relative to the support 12. In other words, the notches 18 do not rotate about the horizontal axis 14 as the headrest mechanism rotates about the horizontal axis 14. [0018] An arm 20 disposed in the shell 16 may extend from the support 12 and the notches 18 may be defined by the arm 20. The arm 20 may extend perpendicularly from the support 12 or be integrally formed with the support 12. However, those skilled in the art realize that the arm 20 may extend at other angles relative to the support 12 or be a separate piece so long as the arm 20 is fixed relative to the support 12. In other words, the arm 20 does not rotate about the support 12 as the headrest mechanism rotates about the horizontal axis 14. [0019] At least one post 22, 24 is integrally formed with the support 12. The at least one post 22, 24 extends perpendicularly from the support 12 through the shell 16 and into a seat (not shown). Preferably, the headrest assembly 10 includes a first post 22 and a second post 24, each extending from the support 12 through the shell 16 and into the seat. The posts may further allow translational movement of the headrest assembly 10 relative to the seat. Either the posts 22, 24 or the support 12 may be fixed relative to the shell 16 during translational movement of the headrest assembly 10. For instance, the support 12 may be partially embedded in the headrest assembly 10 such that the shell 16 is able to rotate about the horizontal axis 14 without the shell 16 moving relative to the support 12 during translational movement. However, those skilled in the art realize other ways to prevent the shell 16 from moving relative to the support 12 during translational movement while still allowing the shell 16 to rotate about the horizontal axis 14. Continue reading about Articulating headrest assembly... Full patent description for Articulating headrest assembly Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Articulating headrest assembly patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Articulating headrest assembly or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Rotatable automotive seat apparatus Next Patent Application: Multi-functional armrest assembly Industry Class: Chairs and seats ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Articulating headrest assembly patent info. 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