US 5,346,277 A · Foldable headrest mechanism

Abstract

A headrest mechanism suitable for use in a seating unit comprising a headrest plate movable between a retracted position and an extended position having a lower front edge, means for actuating the headrest plate between the retracted position and the extended position pivotally interconnected to the headrest plate, and means for fixedly mounting the headrest mechanism onto the seating unit pivotally connected to the actuating means is disclosed. In the retracted position, the headrest plate is disposed generally horizontally, with the lower front edge being separated from a fixed point on the mounting means by a first distance, and in the extended position, the headrest plate is disposed generally vertically, with the lower edge being separated from the same fixed point on the mounting means by a second distance, the second distance being substantially greater than the first distance.

Claims31

Dependent claims

A headrest mechanism suitable for use in a seating unit comprising:

(a) a headrest plate movable between a retracted position and an extended position having a lower front edge;
(b) means for actuating said headrest plate between the retracted position and the extended position pivotally interconnected to said headrest plate;
(c) means adapted for fixedly mounting said headrest mechanism onto a seating unit pivotally connected to said actuating means;
wherein in the retracted position, said headrest plate is disposed generally horizontally, with said lower front edge being separated from a fixed point on said mounting means by a first distance, and in the extended position, said headrest plate is disposed generally vertically, with said lower edge being separated from said fixed point on said mounting means by a second distance, the second distance being between about 2.5 and 6 inches greater than the first distance.

1 more element

A headrest mechanism suitable for use in a seating unit comprising:

(a) means adapted for mounting said headrest mechanism to a seating unit;
(b) an elevating link pivotally interconnected at its forward end with said mounting means;
(c) a rear extension link pivotally interconnected at its lowermost portion to said elevating link on the end thereof opposite said pivot with said mounting means;
(d) a front extension link pivotally interconnected at its lowermost portion to said elevating link intermediate said pivots thereon with said mounting means and said rear extension link;
(e) a headrest plate pivotally interconnected to said rear extension link and to said front extension link;
(f) means for pivoting said elevating link about said pivot with said mounting means, so that the pivoting of said elevating link causes said rear extension link to translate substantially vertically a first distance and said front extension link to translate substantially parallel to said rear extension link a second distance, said first distance being sufficiently greater than said second distance to pivot said headrest plate from a generally horizontally disposition to a generally vertical disposition.

3 more elements

A seating unit comprising:

(a) a seat frame including a backrest having an upper edge, a seat, and a base;
(b) a headrest plate movable between a retracted position and an extended position having a lower front edge;
(c) means for actuating said headrest plate between the retracted position and the extended position pivotally interconnected to said headrest plate;
(d) means for fixedly mounting said headrest mechanism onto said backrest of said seat frame pivotally interconnected to said actuating means;
wherein in the retracted position, said headrest plate is disposed generally horizontally and adjacently overlies said upper edge of said backrest, and in the extended position, said headrest plate is disposed generally vertically, with said lower front edge being separated from said upper edge of said backrest by a gap of between about 2.5 to 6 inches.

2 more elements

A seating unit comprising:

(a) a seat frame including a backrest, a seat, and a base;
(b) mounting means fixed to said backrest of said seat frame;
(c) an elevating link pivotally interconnected at its forward end with said mounting means;
(d) a rear extension link pivotally interconnected at its lowermost portion to said elevating link on the end thereof opposite said pivot with said mounting means;
(e) a front extension link pivotally interconnected at its lowermost portion to said elevating link intermediate said pivots thereon with said mounting means and said rear extension link;
(f) a headrest plate pivotally interconnected to said rear extension link and to said front extension link;
(g) means for pivoting said elevating link about said pivot with said mounting means, so that the pivoting of said elevating link causes said rear extension link to translate substantially vertically a first distance and said front extension link to translate substantially parallel to said rear extension link a second distance, said first distance being sufficiently greater than said second distance to pivot said headrest plate from a generally horizontally position adjacent overlying said backrest to a generally vertical position.

4 more elements

A headrest mechanism suitable for use in a seating unit, said mechanism movable between a retracted and an extended position, comprising:

(a) means adapted for mounting said headrest mechanism to a seating unit;
(b) an elevating link pivotally interconnected at its forward end with said mounting at a first pivot, wherein said first pivot moves forwardly and reardwardly relative to said mounting means as said mechanism moves between the retracted and extended positions;
(c) a rear extension link pivotally interconnected with said elevating link on the end of said elevating link opposite said pivot with said mounting means;
(d) a front extension link pivotally interconnected with said elevating link intermediate said pivots thereon with said mounting means and said rear extension link;
(e) a headrest plate pivotally interconnected to said rear extension link and to said front extension link, said headrest plate being movable between the retracted position, in which said headrest plate is disposed generally horizontally, and the extended position, wherein said headrest plate is disposed generally vertically;
(f) means for actuating said elevating link about said first pivot;
wherein rotation of said elevating link about said first pivot causes said rear extension link to translate substantially vertically a first distance and said front extension link to translate substantially parallel to said rear extension link a second distance, said first distance being sufficiently greater than said second distance to pivot said headrest plate between retracted and extended positions.

4 more elements

A seating unit comprising:

(a) a seat frame including a backrest, a seat, and a base;
(b) mounting means fixed to said backrest of said seat frame;
(c) an elevating link pivotally interconnected at its forward end with said mounting at a first pivot, wherein said first pivot moves forwardly and rearwardly relative to said mounting means as said mechanism moves between the retracted and extended positions;
(d) a rear extension link pivotally interconnected with said elevating link on the end of said elevating link opposite said pivot with said mounting means;
(e) a front extension link pivotally interconnected with said elevating link intermediate said pivots thereon with said mounting means and said rear extension link;
(f) a headrest plate pivotally interconnected to said rear extension link and to said front extension link, said headrest plate being movable between the retracted position, in which said headrest plate is disposed generally horizontally, and the extended position, wherein said headrest plate is disposed generally vertically;
(g) means for actuating said elevating link about said first pivot;
wherein rotation of said elevating link about said first pivot causes said rear extension link to translate substantially vertically a first distance and said front extension link to translate substantially parallel to said rear extension link a second distance, said first distance being sufficiently greater than said second distance to pivot said headrest plate between retracted and extended positions.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Foldable headrest mechanism

Life of this patent

Foldable headrest mechanism

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31