Head restraint mechanism for reversible seat

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10843606-B2
Application number	US-201816191522-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 15, 2018
Priority date	Nov 16, 2017
Publication date	Nov 24, 2020
Grant date	Nov 24, 2020

Abstract

A reversible seat for an automotive vehicle having a head restraint which rotates between a forward-facing position and a rearward-facing position as the seat is moved between the forward-facing position and the rearward-facing position. The head restraint folds towards the seat back as the reversible seat passes through the peak of its locus to increase clearance with a headliner of the automotive vehicle. The head restraint returns to an upright rotated position as the seat reaches the opposing position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A reversible seat for an automotive vehicle having a forward-facing position and a rearward-facing position, said reversible seat comprising a seat cushion, a seat back, and a head restraint operatively coupled to said seat back by a shaft having a rotating mechanism, said head restraint having a forward-facing position and a rearward-facing position and a front surface and rear surface, wherein said front surface faces an occupant of said seat when said seat is in said forward-facing position and in said rearward-facing position;
wherein moving said seat back between one of said forward-facing and rearward-facing positions automatically actuates said rotating mechanism to rotate said head restraint about said shaft between said respective forward-facing position and said rearward-facing position with respect to a rotational axis extending longitudinally through said shaft; and
wherein said head restrain moves between an upright position and a folded position when said head restraint is rotated away from one of said forward-facing position and said rearward-facing position.

2. The reversible seat as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said head restraint is in a forward-facing upright position when said reversible seat is in said forward-facing position, said head restraint is in a rearward-facing upright position when said reversible seat is in said rearward-facing position, and said head restraint is in said folded position when said seat is about midway between said forward-facing position and said rearward-facing position.

3. The reversible seat as set forth in claim 2 , wherein said head restraint rotates about 180 degrees about a longitudinal axis of said shaft when said head restraint moves between said forward-facing position and said rearward-facing position.

4. The reversible seat as set forth in claim 3 , wherein said head restraint is in said folded position when said head restraint has rotated about 90 degrees from one of said forward-facing and rearward-facing positions.

5. The reversible seat as set forth in claim 4 , wherein said head restraint rotates about a folding axis when moving between said upright position and said folded position;
wherein said folding axis is generally orthogonal to said rotational axis.

6. A head restraint for an automotive seat comprising:
a head restraint frame rotatably coupled with a folding shaft about a first rotational axis extending through said folding shaft;
said head restraint frame rotatably coupled with a rotating stay tube about a second rotational axis extending longitudinally through said stay tube transverse to said first rotational axis;
wherein rotation of said stay tube automatically actuates rotation of said head restraint frame about said folding shaft.

7. The head restraint as set forth in claim 6 , said head restraint comprising a rotating mechanism to rotate said stay tube about said second rotational axis.

8. The head restraint as set forth in claim 7 , said rotating mechanism comprises a rotational pulley operatively coupled to a reversing cable;
wherein movement of said reversing cable rotates said rotational pulley about a head restraint rotational axis to rotate said head restraint about said second rotational axis.

9. The head restraint as set forth in claim 8 , said rotating mechanism comprising a rotational lock having a locked position and an unlocked position;
wherein said rotational lock prevents rotation of said head restraint about said second rotational axis when said rotational lock is in said locked position.

10. The head restraint as set forth in claim 9 , said rotational lock operatively coupled with a actuation release handle and/or strap;
wherein movement of said actuation release handle and/or strap to an unlocked position repositions said rotational lock into said respective unlocked position.

11. The head restraint as set forth in claim 10 , said automotive seat comprising a seat back, a seat cushion, a seat frame, and reversing linkage operatively coupled between said seat back and said seat frame;
wherein said reversing linkage repositions said seat back between a forward-facing position and a rearward-facing position.

12. The head restraint as set forth in claim 11 , wherein said reversing cable is operatively coupled to said reversing linkage such that movement of said reversing linkage repositions said reversing cable to rotate said rotational pulley.

13. The head restraint as set forth in claim 12 , said head restraint comprising a folding mechanism to rotate said head restraint frame about said folding shaft.

14. The head restraint as set forth in claim 13 , said folding mechanism comprising a folding pulley fixedly coupled to said folding shaft and operatively coupled to a folding cable.

15. The head restraint as set forth in claim 14 , said folding cable operatively coupled with said rotating mechanism;
wherein movement of said rotating mechanism repositions said folding cable which rotates said folding pulley to rotate said head restraint frame about a longitudinal axis of said folding shaft.

16. The head restraint as set forth in claim 15 , said folding mechanism comprising a folding lock operatively coupled with said head restraint frame; and
said folding lock having a locked position and an unlocked position;
wherein said folding lock prevents rotation of said head restraint frame about said longitudinal axis of said folding shaft when said folding lock is in said locked position.

17. The head restraint as set forth in claim 16 , wherein said folding lock is operatively coupled with a folding lock release cable;
said folding lock release cable being operatively coupled with said rotating mechanism;
wherein rotation of said rotating mechanism repositions said folding lock release cable which moves said folding lock to said unlocked position.

18. A method of reversing an automotive seat between one of a forward-facing position and a rearward-facing position, said method comprising:
providing a reversible seat having a rotatable and foldable head restraint wherein rotation of said head restraint and wherein said folding of said head restraint are automatically actuated by moving said reversible seat between said forward-facing and rearward-facing positions;
pulling an actuation strap and/or handle to release said reversible seat which also releases a rotational lock on said head restraint;
articulating seat reversing links which drives rotation of said head restraint about a head restraint rotational axis;
rotating said head restraint to a first rotational position with respect to said head restraint rotational axis releases said head restraint folding lock;
rotating said head restraint to a second rotational position with respect to said head restraint rotational axis folds said head restraint about a folding axis towards an upper portion of said seat;
rotating said head restraint to a third rotational position with respect to said head restraint rotational axis moves said head restraint to an upright position about said folding axis; and
articulating said seat reversing links to one of said forward-facing and rearward-facing positions which locks said seat in said respective position, locks said head restraint in a rotational locked position, and locks said head restraint in an upright position.

Assignees

• Magna Seating Inc

Inventors

• Vetere Ii Louis

Classifications

• B60N2/203 Primary

  taking a position opposite to the original one · CPC title

• B60N2002/948

  the actuation of the positioning or locking mechanism for one seat part being dependent on the position of another seat part, e.g. the seats floor lock being unlocked when the back-rest is inclined or the backrest can be tilted only when the seat is in its rear position · CPC title

• B60N2/806

  movable or adjustable · CPC title

• B60N2/844 Primary

  Release mechanisms, e.g. buttons · CPC title

• B60N2/143

  taking a position opposite to the original one · CPC title