Active material actuated headrest assemblies

US7448678B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US

Inventors

• Alan L. Browne · Grosse Pointe, US
• Adrian B. Chernoff · Boulder, US
• Rainer A. Glaser · Big Rapids, US
• Nancy L. Johnson · Northville, US
• James Y. Khoury · Chesterfield Township, US
• Ukpai I. Ukpai · Beverly Hills, US
• Pablo D. Zavattieri · Ann Arbor, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 17, 2007
• Grant date: Nov 11, 2008
• Expiry date: Apr 17, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60N2002/981
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A headrest assembly including active material drivenly coupled to a headrest component, such as for example, an interior frame member, bag, or gear device ,wherein the material is actuated upon receipt of an activation signal, and configured to morph, reposition, reduce the resistance of, change a modulus property of, or otherwise modify an engaging surface defined by the headrest when actuated, and autonomously restore the headrest upon the deactivation of the material.