Seat headrest

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention is generally directed to vehicle seats including headrests and more particularly rear seats having headrests commonly referred to as “shingle” style headrests, which include cushion bulges to incentivize an occupant to relocate the headrest to a proper height.

#2. Related Art

#FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary prior art seat and headrest;

#FIG. 2 is a front view of an exemplary prior seat and headrest with the headrest in a lowered position;

#FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the problems associated with folding a seat with a fixed STO headrest cushion;

#As illustrated in the Figures, the present invention is directed to a seat assembly 20 for a vehicle 10. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the seat assembly 20 is generally directed to rear seat assemblies or mid row seat assemblies. The seat assembly 20 generally includes a seat cushion 30 and a seat back 40 pivotally coupled together at a seat pivot axis 50. A headrest 60 is coupled to the seat back 40 and generally includes an expansion assembly 80 that is configured to expand or flatten headrest 60 depending on the location of the headrest 60, or the seatback 40, relative to the seat cushion 30.

#The seat assembly 20 can take on a variety of designs, styles and configurations and the seat assembly 20 represented in the figures is only exemplary. The seat cushion 30 and seatback 40 generally include a seating surface 32 formed by a surface material that surrounds a cushion, as well known in the art. The seat assembly 20 is not directed to the front seats of vehicles but instead to seats behind the driver where the headrest 60 may obstruct the rear view of the driver if it isn't lowered during operation of the vehicle.

#The headrest 60 is generally styled or designed similar to many other shingled style headrests, but includes an expansion assembly 80 that allows the headrest to expand, or increase in width, and retract or decrease in width. The illustrated headrest is formed in an “L” shape with at least one extension rod or tube 70, preferably two, extending from the inner side of the L-shape and in particular from the shorter leg of the L-shape. The headrest 60 includes a cushion portion 64 that is surrounded by a surface material forming an outer covering 62. The outer covering 62 may be configured to stretch or flex, thereby allowing for easy expansion and retraction. The outer covering may be formed from two different surface materials, such as leather outer and sides with the inner side being formed from an elastic material that allows expansion while keeping the visible portions while the headrest is installed of the outer pulled tight to minimize wrinkles in the surface material. The extension rods 70 may be any style desired.