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[0001] The present invention relates to a headrest for a motor-vehicle seat. More particularly this invention concerns such a headrest which is vertically adjustable.
[0002] As described in German patent 3,050,958 of E. Butz, a motor-vehicle headrest is comprised of a cushion, a vertical support rod having an upper portion carrying the cushion and a lower portion, and a socket in which the lower rod portion is seated and which is itself seated in the seat frame. The socket, has a wide head that bears downward on the seat's upholstery and is otherwise formed as a thin stem extending down through the upholstery to the seat frame in which it is set. Typically two rods, connected together as an inverted U-frame are seated in respective such sockets with a bight joining the legs of the frame carrying the head cushion.
[0003] The head cushion can often be tilted on the headrest frame and can even be vertically moved on the upper ends of the rods. Furthermore the rods typically can be vertically displaced in the socket to adjust the level of the cushion. Spring-loaded latches are provided to hold the headrest frame and the cushion in the desired positions.
[0004] There is a gap between the relatively wide head and the similarly wide seat frame that is filled by the seat's upholstery. Thus the padding of the seat extends into this gap, and the covering comes right under the socket's head so that all that is visible of each socket is the upper annular surface of its head, with the respective rod exposed between this surface and the lower surface of the cushion.
[0005] Such a structure is not particularly strong. In addition in an accident the head of a short person sitting in the seat can strike with some force in the region below the headrest, driving back into the upholstery and hitting the head of the socket for a sometimes serious injury.
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved motor-vehicle seat headrest.
[0007] Another object is the provision of such an improved motor-vehicle seat headrest which overcomes the above-given disadvantages, that is which is of robust construction and which is particularly safe in an accident.
[0008] A motor-vehicle seat having a frame covered by upholstery is provided with a headrest having according to the invention a cushion, a vertical support rod having an upper portion carrying the cushion and a lower portion, and a socket in which the lower rod portion is seated. In accordance with the invention the socket is formed with a relatively slim stem seated in the frame, an upper head bearing downward on the seat upholstery and spaced above the frame, and a relatively thick body between the stem and the head.
[0009] This relatively thick filler body greatly increases the overall strength of the socket. In addition in an accident as described above it prevents direct contact with the sharp edge of the socket head. Instead the thick body will be engaged first so that any injury will be substantially less grave.
[0010] According to the invention the upholstery includes padding and a covering and the socket forms between the head and the body an outwardly open groove into which the covering fits. A portion of the upholstery can fit into the groove. Nonetheless most of the space between the socket head and stem is filled by the thick body which in accordance with the invention is of such a thickness relative to the head and stem that a test ball of predetermined diameter cannot engage the body and both the stem and head simultaneously. This diameter is about 165 mm or 6-7 inches.
[0011] The body according to the invention is of a greater thickness measured transversely of the rod than the head and the stem. It can be formed by a plurality of fixed-together segments or by a plurality of fixed-together disks. Furthermore it can be solid or hollow. The body, head, and stem can be unitarily formed of plastic.
[0012] Alternately the head and stem are formed with interfitting formations and are separable thereat. These formations include a downward tubular extension on the head and an upward tubular extension on the stem. The extensions surround the rod and have interfitting barbs.
[0013] The above and other objects, features, and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which:
[0014]
[0015]
[0016]
[0017] As seen in
[0018] Each of the legs
[0019] Between the integral flange
[0020] The body
[0021] In