MOVABLE HEAD RESTRAINT FOR IMPROVED VISION
Various head restraints are disclosed, such as one embodiment with a central head restraint portion extending from a vehicle seat back for supporting a head of an occupant. A lateral head restraint portion is oriented at a lateral side of the central head restraint portion for also supporting the head of the occupant. An actuator cooperates with the lateral head restraint portion for moving the lateral head restraint portion out of a lateral line of sight of the occupant in response to an input from the vehicle.
1 . A head restraint for a vehicle seat comprising:
a central head restraint portion extending from a seat back of a vehicle seat for supporting a head of an occupant seated upon the vehicle seat;
at least one lateral head restraint portion oriented at a lateral side of the central head restraint portion for supporting the head of the occupant, the lateral head restraint portion being movable relative to the central head restraint portion; and
an actuator in operable engagement with the lateral head restraint portion for moving the lateral head restraint portion out of a lateral line of sight of the occupant in response to an input from the vehicle.
2 . The head restraint of claim 1 further comprising a second lateral head restraint portion oriented at another lateral side of the central head restraint portion spaced apart from the other lateral head restraint portion, for supporting the head of the occupant, the second lateral head restraint portion being movable relative to the central head restraint portion, the second lateral head restraint portion being in operable engagement with the actuator for being moved by the actuator in response to an input from the occupant.
3 . The head restraint of claim 1 wherein the input is generated in response to the occupant actuating a gear shifter into reverse so that the lateral head restraint portion moves out of the lateral line of vision for improving the view of the occupant for driving in reverse.
4 . The head restraint of claim 1 wherein the input is generated in response to the occupant actuating a turn signal indicator so that the lateral head restraint portion moves out of the lateral line of vision for improving the view of the occupant to a lateral side of the vehicle.
5 . The head restraint of claim 1 wherein the input is provided by a processor of the vehicle, which receives a signal from the occupant.
6 . The head restraint of claim 1 wherein the lateral head restraint portion moves laterally and rearward relative to the central head restraint portion.
7 . The head restraint of claim 1 wherein the actuator further comprises a solenoid.
8 . The head restraint of claim 1 wherein the lateral head restraint portion is mounted on a track on the central head restraint portion for movement relative to the central head restraint portion.
9 . The head restraint of claim 1 further comprising a biasing member in operable engagement with the central head restraint portion and the lateral head restraint portion for maintaining the lateral head restraint portion in a rest position in absence of actuation by the actuator.
10 . The head restraint of claim 1 wherein the actuator further comprises a cable mounted to the lateral head restraint portion and the central head restraint portion for moving the lateral head restraint portion relative to the central head restraint portion.
11 . The head restraint of claim 1 wherein the lateral head restraint portion is pivotally connected to the central head restraint portion for rotary movement relative to central head restraint portion.
12 . The head restraint of claim 1 wherein the lateral head restraint portion is retractable within the central head restraint portion.
13 . The head restraint of claim 1 wherein the actuator further comprises a rotary solenoid.
14 . The head restraint of claim 1 wherein the actuator further comprises a slider-crank mechanism for moving the lateral head restraint portion.
15 . The head restraint of claim 1 further comprising a stationary lateral head restraint portion, wherein the movable lateral head restraint portion telescopes relative to the stationary lateral head restraint portion.
16 . The head restraint of claim 15 wherein the stationary lateral head restraint portion is oriented beneath the movable head restraint portion.
17 . The head restraint of claim 15 wherein the stationary lateral head restraint portion is oriented rearward of the movable head restraint portion.
18 . The head restraint of claim 15 wherein the movable lateral head restraint portion telescopes into the stationary lateral head restraint portion.
19 . A head restraint for a vehicle seat comprising:
a rod adapted to extend from a seatback;
a head restraint mounted to the rod for lateral movement relative to the seatback; and
an actuator in operable engagement with the rod and the head restraint for moving the head restraint laterally in response to an input from the occupant.
20 . A vehicle seat comprising:
a seat bottom for supporting an occupant seated thereon;
a seat back oriented adjacent to the seat bottom for supporting a back of the occupant;
a central head restraint portion extending from the seat back of a vehicle seat for supporting a head of the occupant seated upon the vehicle seat;
a pair of lateral head restraint portions, each oriented at one of a pair of lateral sides of the central head restraint portion for supporting the head of the occupant, the pair of lateral head restraint portions each being movable relative to the central head restraint portion; and
an actuator in operable engagement with the pair of lateral head restraint portions for moving the lateral head restraint portions out of a lateral line of sight of the occupant in response to an input from the vehicle.