# US 2014/0152057 A1 · Heated headrest

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- Number: US 2014/0152057 A1
- Document ID: US20140152057A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/690,060
- Filed: 2012-11-30
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2012-11-30
- Inventors: Scott E. Truant; Stefano Ranalli
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140152057A1

## CPC

- B60N 2/879: with additional features not related to head-rest positioning, e.g. heating or cooling devices or loudspeakers
- B60N 2/5685: {Resistance}
- B60N 2/809: vertically slidable
- B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A vehicle seat is provided that may include a seat cushion, a seatback, a headrest and a heating element. The seatback may extend upward from the seat cushion. The headrest may extend from the seatback. The heating element embedded in one of the seat cushion, the seatback and the headrest. The heating element may be electrically coupled with an electrical power source and a pressure-sensitive switch. The pressure-sensitive switch may selectively allow and prevent electrical communication between the heating element and the electrical power source.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A headrest for a seat comprising:
a resiliently compressible member;
a heating element in electrical communication with a power source;
a pressure-sensitive switch electrically connected with the heating element and the power source; and
an upholstery layer encasing the compressible member, the heating element and the pressure-sensitive switch.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The headrest of claim 1, further comprising a thermostat electrically connected to the heating element and deactivating the heating element in response to sensing a predetermined temperature.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The headrest of claim 1, wherein the upholstery layer includes one or more of leather, suede, cloth and vinyl.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The headrest of claim 1, further comprising a mounting post adapted to adjustably engage a seatback of the seat, and wherein wires electrically connected to the heating element extend through the mounting post.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The headrest of claim 4, wherein the wires include first ends coupled with the heating element and second ends coupled to an electrical connector, and wherein the electrical connector is adapted to engage a corresponding connector attached to the seatback.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The headrest of claim 1, wherein the heating element is disposed between the resiliently compressible member and the upholstery layer.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The headrest of claim 1, wherein the resiliently compressible member includes a foam material.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The headrest of claim 1, wherein the heating element is electrically coupled to a manual-override switch that is configured to control the heating element independently of the pressure-sensitive switch.

### Claim 9

A vehicle seat comprising:
a seat cushion;
a seatback extending upward from the seat cushion;
a headrest extending from the seatback; and
a heating element embedded in one of the seat cushion, the seatback and the headrest, the heating element being electrically coupled with an electrical power source and a pressure-sensitive switch selectively allowing and preventing electrical communication between the heating element and the electrical power source.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The vehicle seat of claim 9, wherein the heating element and the pressure-sensitive switch are disposed in the headrest.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The vehicle seat of claim 10, wherein the headrest includes a resiliently compressible member and an upholstery layer encasing the compressible member, the heating element and the pressure-sensitive switch.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The vehicle seat of claim 11, wherein the heating element is disposed between the resiliently compressible member and the upholstery layer.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The vehicle seat of claim 11, wherein the upholstery layer includes one or more of leather, suede, cloth and vinyl.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The vehicle seat of claim 11, wherein the resiliently compressible member includes a foam material.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The vehicle seat of claim 9, wherein the electrical power source is disposed remotely from the seat cushion, the seatback and the headrest.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

The vehicle seat of claim 9, wherein the headrest includes a thermostat electrically connected to the heating element to deactivate the heating element in response to sensing a predetermined temperature.

### Claim 17 (depends on 9)

The vehicle seat of claim 9, wherein the headrest includes a mounting post adapted to adjustably engage the seatback, and wherein wires electrically connected to the heating element extend through the mounting post.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The vehicle seat of claim 17, wherein the wires include first ends coupled with the heating element and second ends coupled to an electrical connector.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The vehicle seat of claim 18, wherein the electrical connector is adapted to engage a corresponding connector attached to the seatback.

### Claim 20 (depends on 9)

The vehicle seat of claim 9, wherein the heating element is electrically coupled to a manual-override switch that is configured to control the heating element independently of the pressure-sensitive switch.