# US 2019/0168650 A1 · Foldable head restraint > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0168650 A1 - Document ID: US20190168650A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/206,215 - Filed: 2018-11-30 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-01 - Assignees: Windsor Machine and Stamping (2009) Ltd. - Applicants: Windsor Machine and Stamping (2009) Ltd. - Inventors: Collins Angelo; Mark Little - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190168650A1 ## CPC - B60N 2/856: movable to an inoperative or stowed position - B60N 2/841: characterised by their locking devices - B60N 2/844: Release mechanisms, e.g. buttons - B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A vehicle head restraint assembly includes a base portion coupleable to a vehicle seat back, the base portion including a cross member portion. Also included is a head restraint operatively coupled to the cross member portion and rotatable about the cross member portion. Further included is a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a lock surrounding the cross member portion and fixed in a non-rotatable manner thereto. The locking mechanism also includes a lock slide having at least one lock tooth engageable with the lock, the lock tooth moveable relative to the lock between a locked condition and an unlocked condition. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle head restraint assembly comprising: a base portion coupleable to a vehicle seat back, the base portion including a cross member portion; a head restraint operatively coupled to the cross member portion and rotatable about the cross member portion; and a locking mechanism comprising: a lock surrounding the cross member portion and fixed in a non-rotatable manner thereto; and a lock slide having at least one lock tooth engageable with the lock, the lock tooth moveable relative to the lock between a locked condition and an unlocked condition. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the lock slide is actuated with a push button assembly accessible to a user. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The assembly of claim 2, wherein the push button assembly includes an arm in contact with a portion of the lock slide to actuate movement of the lock slide during depression of the push button assembly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the lock is a multi-piece assembly comprising a first lock part and a second lock part surrounding a portion of the cross member portion and coupled to each other. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cross member portion further includes at least one geometrical feature that does not permit rotation of the lock relative to the base portion of the head restraint. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The assembly of claim 5, wherein the at least one geometrical feature is a flattened portion of the cross member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The assembly of claim 5, wherein the at least one geometrical feature is at least one recess defined by the cross member portion which is engageable with at least one protrusion extending from an inner surface of the lock. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein a biasing member is located on a side of the lock slide that is opposite the push button assembly, the biasing member biasing the lock slide toward an extended position of the push button assembly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the lock contains a groove defined by a continuous wall that extends in the longitudinal direction of the groove and by a discontinuous wall formed by ends of a plurality of protrusions. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The assembly of claim 9, wherein at least one tooth of the lock slide is one of a plurality of lock teeth, the lock teeth moveable within the groove of the lock. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The assembly of claim 10, wherein at least one of the lock teeth are tapered. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The assembly of claim 11, wherein the at least one tapered lock tooth has a taper angled of about 4 degrees. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the lock includes a stop surface is provided to set a rotatable stop location of the head restraint. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The assembly of claim 13, wherein the rotatable stop location is about 90 degrees from an upright position of the head restraint. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein the lock slide is actuated with a cam disposed within an interior of the head restraint, the cam having a cam surface in contact with an engagement surface of the lock slide. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The assembly of claim 16, wherein the cam is a rotatable cam that is rotatable about a pin of the shell. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The assembly of claim 17, further comprising: a cable in operative contact with the cam to actuate rotation of the cam; and a return spring that returns the cam to a default position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The assembly of claim 18, wherein an electric actuator automatically rotates the cam in response to a motion of the seat. ### Claim 20 A vehicle head restraint assembly comprising: a base portion coupleable to a vehicle seat back, the base portion including a cross member portion; a head restraint operatively coupled to the cross member portion and rotatable about the cross member portion; and a locking mechanism comprising: a lock surrounding the cross member portion and fixed in a non-rotatable manner thereto, the lock including a first protrusion and a second protrusion spaced from each other to define a lock tooth path therebetween; and a lock slide having a tooth moveable relative to the lock between a locked condition and an unlocked condition, the locked condition defined by misalignment of the lock tooth and the lock tooth path, the unlocked condition defined by alignment of the lock tooth and the lock tooth path.