# US 2019/0379956 A1 · Headrests > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0379956 A1 - Document ID: US20190379956A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/433,719 - Filed: 2019-06-06 - Published: 2019-12-12 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-08 - Assignees: Bose Corporation - Applicants: Bose Corporation - Inventors: Bradford Kyle Subat - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190379956A1 ## CPC - H04R 1/025: {Arrangements for fixing loudspeaker transducers, e.g. in a box, furniture} - B29C 44/08: using several expanding {or moulding} steps - B60N 2/879: with additional features not related to head-rest positioning, e.g. heating or cooling devices or loudspeakers - B60R 11/0217: {for loud-speakers} - H04R 1/023: {Screens for loudspeakers} - H04R 1/345: {for loudspeakers} - B29K 2075/00: Use of {PU, i.e.} polyureas or polyurethanes {or derivatives thereof}, as moulding material - B29K 2105/0014: {Catalysts} - B29K 2105/0026: {Flame proofing or flame retarding agents} - B29K 2105/046: {with closed cells} - B29K 2105/16: Fillers - B29L 2031/3023: {Head-rests} - B60N 2002/899: {characterised by structural or mechanical details not otherwise provided for} - B60R 2011/0017: {Head-rests} - B60R 2011/0288: {Apparatus made of several modules independently mounted} - H04R 2400/11: Aspects regarding the frame of loudspeaker transducers - H04R 2499/13: Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract A vehicle headrest includes an electro-acoustic transducer and an acoustic enclosure that supports the electro-acoustic transducer. A unitary foam member is coupled to the acoustic enclosure. The foam member has regions of contrasting firmness including a first region having a first firmness and a second region having a second firmness that is greater than the first firmness. The second region defines a speaker grille that is configured to overlie the electro-acoustic transducer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle headrest comprising: an electro-acoustic transducer; an acoustic enclosure supporting the electro-acoustic transducer; and a unitary foam member coupled to the acoustic enclosure, the foam member having regions of contrasting firmness including a first region having a first firmness and a second region having a second firmness that is greater than the first firmness, wherein the second region defines a speaker grille that is configured to overlie the electro-acoustic transducer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle headrest of claim 1, wherein the foam member has a first foam density, and the second region has a second foam density that is greater than the first foam density. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The vehicle headrest of claim 2, wherein the second foam density is at least twice (2×) the first foam density foam density. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The vehicle headrest of claim 3, wherein the first region has a foam density of about 2 PCF to about 8PCF, and wherein the second region has a foam density of at least about 12 PCF. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The vehicle headrest of claim 1, wherein the first and second regions each have a hardness less than or equal to Shore A 50. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The vehicle headrest of claim 1, wherein the foam member is formed of a closed cell foam ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The vehicle headrest of claim 1, wherein the foam member is formed of polyurethane. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The vehicle headrest of claim 1, wherein the second region overlies a portion of the first region, such that the portion of the first region is disposed between the second region and the electro-acoustic transducer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The vehicle headrest of claim 1, wherein the electro-acoustic transducer comprises a frame for mounting the electro-acoustic transducer to the acoustic enclosure; and wherein the foam member defines a recess that is formed in a portion of the first region that underlies the second region, wherein the recess conforms to a shape of the frame, and wherein the foam member further defines an opening within the recess that provides a clear path from the electro-acoustic transducer to the grille. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The vehicle headrest of claim 9, wherein the foam member is configured to engage the frame so as to form an acoustic seal therebetween. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The vehicle headrest of claim 9, further comprising a pad ring coupled to the frame, wherein the recess has a depth that accommodates the pad ring between the frame and the foam member, and wherein the foam member engages the pad ring so as to form an acoustic seal therebetween. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The vehicle headrest of claim 1, wherein the first region further defines at least a portion of an acoustic channel that helps to divert acoustic energy radiated from the electro-acoustic transducer toward a desired direction. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The vehicle headrest of claim 1, wherein the first and second regions are formed concurrently in a two-shot molding process. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The vehicle headrest of claim 1, wherein one of the first region and the second region is formed around the other of the first region and the second region in an insert molding process. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The vehicle headrest of claim 1, wherein the grille has a thickness of 5 mm to 10 mm. ### Claim 16 A method comprising: molding a unitary foam member for a headrest using a foam molding process, the unitary foam member having regions of contrasting firmness including a first region having a first firmness and a second region having a second firmness that is greater than the first firmness, wherein the second region defines a speaker grille, wherein the molding comprises molding a first part in a first foam molding step, and, then, molding a second part directly onto the first part in a second foam molding step, wherein the first part defines one of the first region and the second region, and wherein the second part defines the other one of the first region and the second region. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein molding the first part comprises combining a polyol, an isocyanate, and water in a first set of proportions, and molding the second part comprises combining the polyol, the isocyanate, and water in a second set of proportions that is different from the first set of proportions. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein molding the first part comprises combining a polyol, an isocyanate, and water, and molding the second part comprises combining the polyol, the isocyanate, water and an additive selected from the group consisting of: a catalyst, a surfactant, a flame retardant, a filler, and combinations thereof.