US 4,466,662 AGranted

Powered articulated headrest system

AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force

InventorsAlexander B. McDonald, Joseph T. Mannix

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Abstract

A powered articulated headrest system for use with a seat structure having a backrest, such as the ejection seat of a high performance aircraft, e.g., a combat aircraft. The headrest system includes: a headrest assembly which is movably connected to the backrest; and, an electro-hydraulic actuator assembly for moving the headrest from an original (and normal) position above the backrest to any one of an infinite variety of positions which are rearward and downward of the headrest, and for moving the headrest from these other positions to the original position. The actuator assembly is controlled by the occupant of the seat, e.g., the pilot of the aircraft. When the headrest is moved rearwardly, unlike the prior art, the width of the headrest decreases thereby reducing any interference with aft visibility, and the height of the headrest also decreases thereby further reducing any interference with aft visibility and also eliminating any scrubbing action between the headrest and the head of the occupant of the seat.

A powered headrest system for use with a seat structure having a backrest, wherein said headrest system comprises:

a. means for supporting the head of an occupant of said seat structure, wherein this head support means is movably connected to said backrest and is originally positioned above said backrest, and wherein this means includes a plurality of headrest pad assemblies attached to and extending upwardly from said backrest, and also wherein each of said headrest pad assemblies includes a post, and a headrest pad mounted on said post;
and
b. means, operably associated with said head support means, for selectively moving said head support means from said original position to another position located rearwardly of said backrest, downwardly from said backrest, and inwardly toward said seat occupant's head, and for selectively moving said head support means from said other position forwardly to said original position, wherein this means for selectively moving said head support means is controllable by said seat occupant and includes:
(1) means for pivotally connecting each post in a skewed relationship to said backrest;
(2) means, operably associated with said means for pivotally connecting each post, for interconnecting said plurality of posts;
(3) means for slidably moving each headrest pad along its corresponding post;
(4) means, operably associated with said means for slidably moving each headrest pad, for interconnecting said plurality of headrest pads;
and
(5) actuator means, operably associated with said means for interconnecting said plurality of posts and also operably associated with said means for interconnecting said plurality of headrest pads, for imparting motion to both of these interconnecting means;
whereby said seat occupant can move said head support means to a plurality of positions rearward and downward to said backrest without obscuring his vision;
and
whereby said posts are pivotally movable rearwardly and downwardly of said backrest, said headrest pads are movable downwardly along said posts, and said posts with said headrest pads thereon are movable inwardly toward each other, with all said movements being in one continuous motion;
and
thereby said height of said head support means decreases, and said width of said head support means also decreases.

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Abstract

Claims8