Transformable headrest for aircraft seating

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10703485-B2
Application number	US-201815924481-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 19, 2018
Priority date	Mar 19, 2018
Publication date	Jul 7, 2020
Grant date	Jul 7, 2020

Abstract

A headrest assembly having at least one articulated cushion section that is deployable from a recess in a stowed position, a passenger seat comprising the headrest assembly and cushion section, as well as vehicles comprising the seat, and methods of installation are disclosed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A seat comprising:
a headrest in communication with the seat, said headrest comprising;
a first outer cushion section;
a second outer cushion section;
a recess located between the first outer cushion section and the second outer cushion section;
an articulated central cushion section;
a topline extending across an upper perimeter of the seat;

wherein the articulated central cushion section is positioned in the recess in a stowed state;
wherein the articulated central cushion section is positioned out of the recess in a deployed state;
wherein at least a portion of the articulated central cushion section is configured to be positioned above the topline in the deployed state and the articulated central cushion is configured to be positioned below the topline in the stowed state; and
wherein the articulated central cushion section in the deployed state is adjustable to a plurality of angles relative to the first and second outer cushion sections.

2. The seat of claim 1 , wherein the articulated central cushion section comprises an outer surface and an inner surface.

3. The seat of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface comprises a cushioned surface.

4. The seat of claim 1 , wherein the articulated central cushion section is in communication with a positioning mechanism.

5. The seat of claim 4 , wherein the positioning mechanism comprises a locking feature to maintain the articulated central section in a desired position.

6. The seat of claim 1 , wherein the articulated central cushion section comprises at least a first cushion material having a first central cushion material density and a second central cushion material having a second cushion material density, with said first central cushion material density differing from the second central cushion material density.

7. A vehicle comprising the seat of claim 1 .

8. The seat of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first outer cushion section and second outer cushion section is articulated;
wherein at least one of the first outer cushion section and second outer cushion section is configured to be moveable from the stowed state to the deployed state; and
wherein at least a portion of the first outer cushion section and at least a portion of the second outer cushion section is configured to be positioned above the topline in the deployed state and the first outer cushion and the second outer cushion is configured to be positioned below the topline in the stowed state.

9. The seat of claim 8 , wherein the first outer cushion section, the second outer cushion section, and the articulated central cushion are configured to share a common topline.

10. A headrest for a seat comprising;
a first outer cushion section;
a second outer cushion section;
a recess located between and adjacent to the first outer cushion section and the second outer cushion section;
an articulated central cushion section; and
a topline extending across an upper perimeter of the headrest;
wherein the articulated central cushion section is configured to be positioned in the recess in a stowed state; and
wherein the articulated central cushion section is configured to be positioned out of the recess in a deployed state;
wherein at least one of the first outer cushion section and second outer cushion section is articulated;
wherein at least one of the first outer cushion section and second outer cushion section is moveable from the stowed state to the deployed state;
wherein at least a portion of the articulated central cushion section is configured to be positioned above the topline in the deployed state and the central cushion is below the topline in the stowed state;
wherein at least a portion of the first outer cushion section and at least a portion of the second outer cushion section is configured to be positioned above the topline in the deployed state and the first outer cushion and the second outer cushion are configured to be positioned below the topline in the stowed state.

11. The headrest of claim 10 , wherein the articulated central cushion section in the deployed state is configured to adjust to a plurality of angles relative to the first and second outer cushion sections.

12. The headrest of claim 10 wherein the articulated central cushion section comprises an outer surface and an inner surface.

13. The headrest of claim 12 , wherein at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface comprises a cushioned surface.

14. The headrest of claim 10 , wherein the articulated central cushion section is in communication with a positioning mechanism.

15. The headrest of claim 14 , wherein the positioning mechanism comprises a locking feature to maintain the articulated central section in a desired position.

16. The headrest of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first outer cushion section and second outer cushion section are configured to move from a first position positioned against a seat back to a second position extended away from the seat back.

17. A method comprising:
installing a headrest to a seat, said headrest comprising:
a first outer cushion section;
a second outer cushion section;
a recess located between and adjacent to the first outer cushion section and the second outer cushion section;
an articulated central cushion section; and

a topline extending across an upper perimeter of the headrest;
wherein the articulated central cushion section is configured to be positioned in the recess in a stowed state;
wherein the articulated central cushion section is configured to be positioned out of the recess in a deployed state; and
wherein at least a portion of the articulated central cushion section is configured to be positioned above the topline in the deployed state and the central cushion is configured to be positioned below the topline in the stowed state; and
wherein the articulated central cushion section in the deployed state is adjustable to a plurality of angles relative to the first and second outer cushion sections.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein at least one of the first outer cushion section and second outer cushion section is articulated.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein at least one of the first outer cushion section and second outer cushion section is configured to be moveable from a stowed state to a deployed state; and
wherein at least a portion of the articulated central cushion section is configured to be positioned above the topline in the deployed state and the articulated central cushion is configured to be positioned below the topline in the stowed state.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Wilcynski Paul Joseph
• Lee Sunghoon
• Ho Chevy

Classifications

• B60N2/885 Primary

  provided with side-rests · CPC title

• B60N2002/899

  characterised by structural or mechanical details not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• B60N2205/30

  Seat or seat parts characterised by comprising plural parts or pieces · CPC title

• B64D11/0642 Primary

  Adjustable headrests · CPC title

• B60N2/874

  movable to an inoperative or stowed position (B60N2/832, B60N2/856 take precedence) · CPC title