Inflatable headrest

US6474733B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG · DE

Inventors

• Alexander Heilig · Schwäbisch Gmünd, DE
• Lothar Zink · Alfdorf, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 20, 2000
• Grant date: Nov 5, 2002
• Expiry date: Apr 20, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R2021/21518
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A headrest in a vehicle seat includes an inflatable protective cushion in which the contact surface area is increased and caused to approach the head without needing to provide burst seams in the upholstery or in the cover or to make use of an elastic covering material. The protective cushion is arranged between the headrest frame member and the upholstery. The cover or the upholstery is joined at its outer circumference by jointing means to the headrest frame member. The jointing means maintain the cover, or the upholstery, tensioned in the non-activated condition of the protective cushion and permit a limited displacement of the outer circumference of the cover, or upholstery, from the headrest frame member in the activated condition of the protective cushion. The upholstery may thus be brought by the protective cushion nearer to the head and the contact surface area may be enlarged without destroying the cover or upholstery.