阅读说明：本技术 用于车辆乘客座椅的侧向头部支撑件 (Lateral head support for a vehicle passenger seat ) 是由 S·C·拉迪翁 D·W·布斯 S·里朗斯 D·阿里科 于 2019-05-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：用于车辆的乘客座椅包括位于乘客座椅的上部的头枕和侧向头部支撑件,侧向头部支撑件可选择地配置在其中侧向头部支撑件为乘客头部的至少一侧提供侧向支撑的展开配置和其中侧向支撑件折叠到乘客座椅中使得侧向头部支撑件不再为乘客头部提供侧向支撑的收起配置之间。(A passenger seat for a vehicle includes a headrest and a lateral head support located at an upper portion of the passenger seat, the lateral head support being selectively configurable between a deployed configuration in which the lateral head support provides lateral support for at least one side of the passenger's head and a stowed configuration in which the lateral head support folds into the passenger seat such that the lateral head support no longer provides lateral support for the passenger's head.)

1. A passenger seat for a vehicle, comprising:

an upper portion of a seat back of the passenger seat;

the lateral head support is selectively configurable between a deployed configuration in which the lateral head support provides lateral support for at least one side of the passenger's head and a stowed configuration in which the lateral support is folded into the passenger seat such that the lateral head support no longer provides lateral support for the passenger's head.

2. The passenger seat of claim 1, wherein an upper portion of the seat back comprises a headrest.

3. The seat of claim 1, further comprising a shoulder strap, and wherein the lateral head support is attached to one of the shoulder strap and an upper portion of the seat back, and wherein the lateral head support is selectively securable to the other of the shoulder strap and the upper portion of the seat back.

4. A seat as claimed in claim 3, in which the lateral head support includes hook fasteners for selective fastening to the other of the shoulder straps and the upper portion of the seat back.

5. The seat of claim 1 wherein the lateral head support comprises a flexible fabric.

6. The seat of claim 5, further comprising a flexible rod attached at a distal end to an edge of the flexible fabric and attached at a proximal end to the shoulder strap and an upper portion of the seat back.

7. A seat according to claim 5 in which the flexible fabric comprises a top portion connected between two opposite sides of the lateral head support.

8. The seat of claim 5, the lateral head support further comprising a rope support connected to the flexible fabric.

9. The seat of claim 8, wherein the length of the rope support is adjustable to adapt the shape of the flexible fabric to the head of the occupant.

10. A seat according to claim 5 wherein the lateral head support further comprises a retractable support arm attached to an edge of the flexible fabric and the upper portion of the seat back comprises a winding mechanism operable to selectively extend and retract the support arm from and to the upper portion of the seat back.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a lateral head support for a vehicle passenger seat. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a lateral head support for a vehicle passenger seat that is selectively configurable into a stowed configuration in which the head support does not interfere with or interact with a seated passenger and a deployed configuration in which the head support provides comfortable subsequent support for the head of the seated passenger.

Background

This introduction generally provides background to the present disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this specification, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

Automotive vehicles include passenger seats that do not include an integrated device that laterally supports the head of the passenger for comfort. Accordingly, there is a need to provide and install lateral head supports, respectively, for passengers of interest with comfortable lateral head supports. Once installed in a passenger seat, these lateral head supports may be undesirable for passengers who do not desire lateral head support. There is a need for a comfortable lateral head support that is fully integrated into a vehicle passenger seat and that can be easily deployed by a passenger who wishes to use the support, and that is also stowable for passengers who do not want to use the lateral head support.

Disclosure of Invention

In an exemplary aspect, a passenger seat for a vehicle includes an upper portion of a seat back of the passenger seat and a lateral head support that is selectively configurable between a deployed configuration in which the lateral head support provides lateral support for at least one side of a passenger's head and a stowed configuration in which the lateral head support folds into the passenger seat such that the lateral head support no longer provides lateral support for the passenger's head.

In this manner, the passenger may deploy the comfortable lateral head support to provide comfortable lateral head support when desired, while also providing the ability to stow the lateral head support out of the path of the passenger when the comfortable lateral head support is not needed.

In another exemplary aspect, the upper portion of the seat back includes a headrest.

In another exemplary aspect, the seat further includes a shoulder strap, and the lateral head support is attached to one of the shoulder strap and an upper portion of the seat back, and the lateral head support is selectively securable to the other of the shoulder strap and the upper portion of the seat back.

In another exemplary aspect, the lateral head support includes a hook fastener for selectively fastening to the other of the shoulder strap and the upper portion of the seat back.

In another exemplary aspect, the lateral head support comprises a flexible fabric.

In another exemplary aspect, the seat further comprises a flexible rod attached at a distal end to an edge of the flexible fabric and attached at a proximal end to the shoulder straps and an upper portion of the seat back.

In another exemplary aspect, the flexible fabric includes a top portion connected between two opposing sides of the lateral head support.

In another exemplary aspect, the lateral head support further comprises a rope support connected to the flexible fabric.

In another exemplary aspect, the length of the rope support is adjustable to adapt the shape of the flexible fabric to the head of the passenger.

In another exemplary aspect, the lateral head support further comprises a retractable support arm attached to an edge of the flexible fabric, and the upper portion of the seat back includes a winding mechanism operable to selectively extend and retract the support arm from and to the upper portion of the seat back.

In another exemplary aspect, the lateral head support is attached to an upper portion of the seat back and includes a fan folded fabric.

In another exemplary aspect, the headrest includes a first engagement member located at an upper portion of the seat back and a second engagement member located at a lower portion of the upper portion of the seat back.

In another exemplary aspect, the lateral head support further comprises a fastener selectively engageable with the first engagement member to place the lateral head support in the deployed configuration, and the second engagement member to place the lateral head support in the stowed configuration.

In another exemplary aspect, the lateral head support includes an outward facing panel connected to a surface of an upper portion of the seat back by at least one flexible rib.

In another exemplary aspect, the lateral head support further comprises a fastener on the outward facing panel, a first set of connectors on a surface of the upper portion of the seat back adapted to engage the fastener in a deployed configuration, wherein the outward facing panel is spaced apart from the surface of the upper portion of the seat back, and a second set of connectors on the surface of the upper portion of the seat back adapted to engage the fastener in a stowed configuration, wherein the outward facing panel is spaced closer to the surface of the upper portion of the seat back than in the deployed configuration.

In another exemplary aspect, the lateral head support includes a bi-stable flexible rod that is stable in both a deployed configuration in which the bi-stable flexible rod is positioned forward of an upper portion of a seat back of the seat and in an intermediate configuration in which the bi-stable flexible rod is positioned rearward of the upper portion of the seat back.

In another exemplary aspect, the lateral head support further comprises a support post fastener that connects the bi-stable flexible rod to a headrest support post in the upper portion of the seat back.

In another exemplary aspect, the lateral head support further comprises a flexible fabric extending between the extended portions of the bi-stable flexible rods.

In another exemplary aspect, the lateral head support further comprises a plurality of clip fasteners located on a rearward facing surface of the upper portion of the seat back adapted to engage the bi-stable flexible rod in the stowed configuration.

Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, including the claims and the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a lateral head support for a vehicle passenger seat in a deployed configuration;

FIG. 2 is a close-up perspective view of the lateral head support of FIG. 1 in a stowed configuration;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a lateral head support for a vehicle passenger seat in a deployed configuration;

FIG. 4 is a schematic elevational view of another exemplary embodiment of a lateral head support for a vehicle passenger seat in a deployed configuration;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a lateral head support for a vehicle passenger seat in a deployed configuration;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a lateral head support for a vehicle passenger seat in a deployed configuration;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a lateral head support for a vehicle passenger seat;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a lateral head support for a vehicle passenger seat in a deployed configuration;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the lateral head support of FIG. 8 in a stowed configuration;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a lateral head support for a vehicle passenger seat in a deployed configuration;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional plan view of the lateral head support of FIG. 10; and is

Fig. 12 is a rear elevational view of the lateral head support of fig. 10 in a stowed configuration.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to several examples of the present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same or similar reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. Directional terminology, such as top, bottom, left, right, upper, above, below, rear, and front, may be used with respect to the accompanying drawings for convenience and clarity only. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals correspond to like or similar components throughout the several figures.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a lateral head support 100 for a vehicle passenger seat 102 in a deployed configuration. Lateral head support 100 includes a first side 104 and a second side 106, each configured in substantially the same manner. The first side 104 of the lateral head support 100 includes a flexible webbing 108, the flexible webbing 108 being attached proximally on one edge to a shoulder strap 110 and including a fastener 112 on a distal region of the webbing 108. In the deployed configuration shown in fig. 1, the fastener 112 is fastened to an upper portion of a headrest 114 of the vehicle passenger seat 102. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 1, the fastener 112 has a hook shape that hooks around a small rod in the upper portion of the headrest 114. It should be understood that the fastener 114 and the means to fasten on the headrest 114 are not limited to any particular form of fastener.

In this deployed configuration, the flexible fabric 108 extends from the shoulder straps 110 to an upper portion of the headrest 114, thereby forming a comfortable lateral head support for the head of an occupant seated in the passenger seat 102. In a preferred embodiment, the fabric 108 is flexible and stretchable such that it provides a soft and comfortable surface against which a passenger may rest his head and be laterally supported by the fabric 108.

Fig. 2 provides a close-up perspective view of the lateral head support 100 of fig. 1 in a stowed configuration. When the fasteners 114 are released from the head restraint 114, the fabric 108 may elastically retract and fold neatly over the shoulder straps 110. In an alternative aspect, a small ring (not shown) may be attached to the shoulder straps 110, and fasteners 112 may be fastened to the small ring to hold the lateral head support 100 in the stowed configuration.

Alternatively, rather than attaching the shoulder straps 110 on one edge of the fabric 108, an alternative embodiment of a lateral head support (not shown) may have one edge of the fabric 108 attached to the headrest 114 (rather than fastening the fasteners 112 to the headrest 114) to deploy the lateral head support 100, and the fasteners 112 may be fastened to the shoulder straps 110 to deploy the lateral head support 100. Then, to stow the lateral head support 100, the fastener 112 may be secured to an upper portion of the head rest 114. In other words, the orientation of deployment and stowing shown in fig. 1 may be reversed and still be within the scope of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 provides a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a lateral head support 300 for a vehicle passenger seat 302 in a deployed configuration. The lateral head support 300 is substantially the same as that shown in fig. 1 and 2, however, the lateral head support 300 includes a flexible rod 304. The flexible rod 304 is attached at a distal end 306 to the edge of a fabric 308 and at a proximal end to one of the shoulder straps or the headrest. The flexible rod 304 is substantially rigid in the axial direction such that it serves to increase the surface area of the fabric 308 in the deployed state, thereby improving the ability of the lateral head support 300 to comfortably support the head of an occupant in the vehicle seat 302. The flexible rods 304 are sufficiently flexible in the non-axial direction such that the flexible rods 304 readily conform to the contours of the shoulder straps or head restraint when the lateral head support 300 is in the stowed configuration.

Fig. 4 is a schematic elevational view of another exemplary embodiment of a lateral head support 400 for a vehicle passenger seat in a deployed configuration. The head support 400 includes an extendable and retractable support arm 402 attached to an edge of a flexible fabric 404 attached at an edge of a headrest 406 adjacent a vehicle passenger seat. The support arm 402 extends into the headrest 406 and engages a winding mechanism (not shown) embedded within the headrest 406. The winding mechanism can be manually operated by rotating a knob 408 located on the lateral outer surface of the headrest 406, where the knob 408 can be easily accessed and operated by the occupant. In this manner, the head support 400 may be selectively stowed in the headrest 406 by rotating the knob 408 in a direction to operate the winding mechanism to retract the support arms 402 into the headrest 406, or the head support 400 may be deployed by rotating the knob 408 in the opposite direction to extend the support arms 402 from the headrest 406. Alternatively, the winding mechanism may be spring loaded for automatic retraction and/or mechanization and still form an exemplary embodiment of the invention, but is not limited thereto.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a lateral head support 500 for a vehicle passenger seat 502 in a deployed configuration. The lateral head support 500 is similar to the embodiment previously described with reference to fig. 1, however, the flexible fabric 504 of the head support 500 includes a top 506, which top 506 may connect both sides of the support 500. In this manner, the head support 500 provides a hood shape that may improve the level of lateral support of the occupant's head, thereby increasing occupant comfort.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a lateral head support 600 for a vehicle passenger seat 602 in a deployed configuration. The head support 600 is similar to the head support 500 described with reference to fig. 5, however, the head support 600 includes one or more flexible rope supports 604. Each rope support 604 may be attached to the flexible fabric 606 in a manner that conforms to the shape of the flexible fabric 606 to more comfortably fit the head of the occupant, thereby improving the comfort of the occupant. In addition, the length of one or more of the rope supports 604 may be adjustable to adapt the overall size of the shape of the flexible fabric 606 to the size and shape of the occupant, which further improves the ability of the head support 600 to laterally support the head of the occupant and further improves the comfort of the occupant.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a lateral head support 700 for a vehicle passenger seat 702. The lateral head support 700 includes two sides, one for each side of the passenger's head. Fig. 7 shows a first side 704 of the head support 700 in a stowed configuration and a second side 704 in a deployed configuration. The two sides 704 and 706 are attached to a headrest 708 of the seat 702. Each side of the head support 700 includes a fan-folded fabric 710 that comfortably provides lateral support to the head of the occupant when in the deployed configuration and folds neatly against the headrest 708 when in the stowed configuration. Each side of the head support 700 may include a fastener 712, the fastener 712 selectively engaging a first engagement member 714 on an upper portion of the headrest 708 and/or a second engagement member (not shown) on a lower portion of the headrest 708. In this manner, the occupant may selectively deploy or stow each side of the head support 700 in the stowed configuration by engaging the fastener 712 with the first engagement member 714 to place the respective side in the deployed configuration or by engaging the fastener 712 with the second engagement member.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a lateral head support 800 for a vehicle passenger seat in a deployed configuration, and fig. 9 is a side view of the lateral head support 800 in a stowed configuration. The head support 800 may include an outwardly facing panel 802 connected to a surface 804 of the headrest by one or more flexible ribs 806. The end 808 of the outward facing panel 802 may include one or more fasteners 810 that may selectively engage a first set of connectors 812 or a second set of connectors 814, each positioned on the surface 804 of the headrest. In this manner, the occupant may selectively deploy or stow the head support 800 by engaging the fasteners 810 with the first set of connectors 812 to deploy the head support 800 (as shown in fig. 8) or stow the head support 800 by engaging the fasteners 810 with the second set of connectors 814 (as shown in fig. 9).

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a lateral head support 1000 for a vehicle passenger seat in a deployed configuration. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional plan view of the lateral head support taken along section a of figure 10. The head support 1000 includes a flexible rod 1002, the flexible rod 1002 being bi-stable in a deployed configuration, as shown in fig. 10, or in a rearward position relative to a headrest 1004 of the seat. The head support 1000 may be attached to the headrest support post 1006 by support post fasteners 1008. A flexible fabric 1010 may be provided that flexibly extends between portions of the flexible rods 1002 that extend away from the headrest 1004. In the deployed configuration shown in fig. 10, the flexible rods 1002 and flexible fabric 1010 provide comfortable lateral support for the head of the occupant.

The flexible rods 1002 of the head support 1000 are also stable in configurations where the flexible rods 1002 extend to the rear (not shown) of the head support 1000. This is an intermediate configuration between the deployed configuration of fig. 10 and the stowed configuration shown in fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a rear elevational view of the lateral head support 1000 in a stowed configuration. The flexible rods 1002 engage clip fasteners 1012, the clip fasteners 1012 being positioned at the rear of the headrest 1004. In this manner, the occupant may selectively transition the head support 1000 from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration by releasing the flexible rods 1002 from the clip fasteners 1012 and moving the flexible rods 1002 from a stable rearward direction to a stable forward direction. The occupant may transition the head support 1000 from the deployed configuration to the stowed configuration by merely reversing the process.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to any particular configuration of passenger seats, which may or may not include a headrest integrated into an upper portion of a seat back of a passenger seat. It should also be understood that although the illustrations in fig. 7-9 show embodiments connected to a headrest, the invention is not so limited. Rather, the exemplary embodiment of fig. 7-9 may also be modified to connect to a shoulder harness in a manner similar to that previously described, or other connection to an upper portion of a vehicle passenger seat and/or seat back, which may or may not include a headrest, without limitation. For example, the passenger seat may include a head rest, but the head support may be connected to the upper portion of the seat back instead of the head rest.

The description is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. The broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent upon a study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims.