US 6,641,219 B2 · Reduced cost head restraint support tube to improve system function

Abstract

An improvement in an apparatus used to retain a plastic guide that guides the post of a vehicle head restraint during vertical adjustment. The improved head restraint support tube formed from a flat sheet having two interlocking sides. The sheet formed into a tubular body that retains a plastic guide. The plastic guide used to guide the head restraint post within the hollow tube. The tubular body further having a necked down region with a smaller inner diameter when compared to the remainder of the tube to improve its retaining capability. Additionally, the improved head restraint support tube has a series of lances located at one or both ends to further retain the plastic guide and reduce lateral movement.

Claims8

Dependent claims

An apparatus for retaining a guide that supports and guides a vertical post of a vehicle head restraint, the apparatus comprising:

a tubular body, formed from a flat metal sheet having a first side and a second side, the flat metal sheet being then shaped to form a generally hollow cylindrical configuration with the hollow cylindrical configuration having a longitudinal axis and a seam extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis and interlocking the first and second sides, the tubular body also having a first end having a first inner diameter, and a second end, the second end having
a necked down portion having a second inner diameter smaller than the first inner diameter.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Reduced cost head restraint support tube to improve system function

Life of this patent

Reduced cost head restraint support tube to improve system function

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8