The field to which the disclosure generally relates to includes vehicle seats.
A vehicle may include one or more seats.
A number of variations may include a product comprising: a neck rest comprising: an air bladder; wherein the air bladder comprises a first valve and a second valve.
A number of variations may include a method comprising: providing a neck rest adjacent a headrest and a seat back; wherein the neck rest includes an adjustable air bladder having a first valve and a second valve; wherein the air bladder has a first pressure which is equal to an outside pressure; adjusting the first pressure to a second pressure comprising opening the first valve and forcing air out of the air bladder and closing the first valve so that the second pressure is less than the first pressure.
Other illustrative variations within the scope of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while disclosing variations within the scope of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
Select examples of variations within the scope of the invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The following description of the variations is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention, its application, or uses.
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In any of a number of variations, an air bladder 70 may be constructed and arranged to remain in a fully inflated condition 96 in its natural state, for example as illustrated in
In any of a number of variations, the air bladder 70 may be adjusted so that it is partially inflated 98 depending on a passenger's desired preference. The amount of air in the air bladder 70 may adjusted comprising opening the first valve 78 and manually forcing air out of the air bladder 70 in any of a number of variations including, but not limited to, squeezing the air bladder 70, which may release air out of the air bladder 70 to a third pressure P3 which may be less than the first pressure P1 and the second pressure P2 and which may reduce the size of the air bladder 70, for example as illustrated in
In one variation, the first valve 78 may also be constructed and arranged to automatically open in the event that the air bladder 70 is loaded to a fourth pressure, which is greater than the first, second, or third pressures P1, P2, P3 but less than a fifth pressure required to blow out the second valve 80 as will be discussed hereafter. The first valve 78 may comprise any of a number of types of valves including, but not limited to, a plug valve, a squeeze valve, a pull valve, a twist valve, or a push valve.
In another variation, an optional third valve 92 may be attached to any of a number of locations on the air bladder 70 including, but not limited to, the first end 74 or the second end 76 of the air bladder 70 and may be constructed and arranged to open in the event that the air bladder 70 is loaded to a fourth pressure which is greater than the first, second, and third pressures P1, P2, P3, but less than a fifth pressure which is required to blow out the second valve 80 as will be discussed hereafter.
In one variation, the third valve 92 may comprise a plug feature 94 which may automatically push out of the air bladder 70 if the pressure inside of the air bladder reaches a fourth pressure which may allow air to release from inside the air bladder 70. In this variation, if the plug feature 94 is pushed out of the air bladder 70, the plug feature 94 may require manual reinsertion back into the air bladder 70. The use of a plug type first valve 78 or a plug type third valve 92 may allow the air bladder 70 to be used multiple times by eliminating the use of the second valve 80 which if activated may render the air bladder 70 inoperable, as will be discussed hereafter. This may eliminate or reduce the need for replacement where an occupant 64 adds pressure to the neck rest 68 which reaches a fourth pressure including, but not limited to, an occupant 64 leaning or pressing on the neck rest 68, stepping on the neck rest, and/or any event which may cause the pressure in the air bladder 70 to reach a fourth pressure which is less than a fifth pressure.
In any of a number of variations, the air bladder 70 may include a second valve 80. The second valve 80 may be used in the event that either the first valve 78 or the third valve 92 does not open in the event of a vehicle rear impact event or a quick stopping event so that the function of the headrest 48 may not be compromised by the neck rest 68. The second valve 80 may be located in any of a number of variations on the air bladder 70 including, but not limited to, the front portion 73 of the air bladder body 72, for example as illustrated in
In any of a number of variations, a cover 100 may be placed over the air bladder 70 so that the first valve 78 may be exposed for passenger access. The cover 100 may comprise a top surface 102, a bottom surface 104, a front surface 106, a rear surface 108, a first side surface 114, and a second side surface 116. The cover 100 may comprise a plurality of panels which may be attached together in any of a number of variations including, but not limited to, sewing, or the cover 100 may comprise one piece which may be shaped into a cover in any of a number of variations including, but not limited to, sewing. The cover 100 may comprise any of a number of materials including, but not limited to, cloth, leather, and/or vinyl. One or more logos 216 may be placed onto the front surface 106 of the cover 100 or integrated into the cover 100 material (best illustrated in
In any of a number of variations, the neck rest 68 may be removeably attached to the seat 40. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 11-12, in one variation, a first strip of hook and loop tie fasteners 118 may be attached to the top surface 102 of the cover 100, for example as illustrated in
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In another variation, the neck rest 68 may include a first tensioned linkage 204 and a second tensioned linkage 206. The first and second tensioned linkages 204, 206 may include a first end 208 and a second end 210 and may be constructed and arranged to wrap around both the first side 50 of the headrest 48 and the second side 52 of the headrest 48 respectively. The first end 208 of the first tensioned linkage 204 may attach to the first side surface 114 of the cover 100 and the second end 210 may be constructed and arranged to hook into a first receptacle 212 on the headrest 48 which will be discussed hereafter. The first end 208 of the second tensioned linkage 206 may be attached to the second side surface 116 of the cover 100 and the second end 210 of the second tensioned linkage 206 may be constructed and arranged to hook into a second receptacle 214 located on the headrest 48 which will be discussed hereafter. The headrest 48 may include a first and a second receptacle 212, 214 which may each be attached to or integrated into the headrest 48 and which may each be constructed and arranged to mate with the first and/or second tensioned linkages 204, 206. The first receptacle 212 may be located on the first side 50 of the headrest 48 and the second receptacle 214 may be located on the second side 52 of the headrest 48. The first and second tensioned linkages 204, 206 and the first and second receptacles 212, 214 may comprise any of a number of materials including, but not limited to, polymeric material.
The following description of variants is only illustrative of components, elements, acts, products and methods considered to be within the scope of the invention and are not in any way intended to limit such scope by what is specifically disclosed or not expressly set forth. The components, elements, acts, products and methods as described herein may be combined and rearranged other than as expressly described herein and still are considered to be within the scope of the invention.
Variation 1 may include a product comprising: a neck rest comprising: an air bladder; wherein the air bladder comprises a first valve and a second valve.
Variation 2 may include a product as set forth in Variation 1 wherein when the first valve is closed the first valve retains air inside of the air bladder.
Variation 3 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-2 wherein the air bladder is in a fully inflated condition in its natural state and has a second pressure equal to a first pressure outside of the air bladder.
Variation 4 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-3 wherein the first valve can be manually opened and closed to decrease the second pressure inside of the air bladder to a third pressure which is less than the first and the second pressure.
Variation 5 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-4 wherein the first valve automatically opens if the air bladder reaches a fourth pressure which is greater than the first, the second, and the third pressure and wherein the second valve opens if the air bladder reaches a fifth pressure which is greater than the fourth pressure.
Variation 6 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-5 wherein the air bladder further comprises a third valve which is attached to the air bladder.
Variation 7 may include a product as set forth in Variation 6 wherein the third valve automatically opens if the pressure in the air bladder reaches a fourth pressure which is greater than the first and the second pressure and wherein the second valve opens if the air bladder reaches a fifth pressure which is greater than the fourth pressure.
Variation 8 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 6-7 wherein the third valve is a reusable plug-type valve.
Variation 9 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-8 further comprising a cover, wherein the cover encloses the air bladder body and the second valve.
Variation 10 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-9 wherein the cover includes a means for attaching to a seat.
Variation 11 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-10 further comprising a seat attached to the neck rest.
Variation 12 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-11 wherein the cover includes one or more elastic strips which are constructed and arranged to secure the neck rest against one or more headrest guides.
Variation 13 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-12 wherein the cover includes one or more hook and loop tie fastener strips which are constructed and arranged to attach to at least one hook and loop tie fastener strip on a headrest or a seatback.
Variation 14 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-13 wherein the cover includes a plurality of hook and loop features which are constructed and arranged to attach to one or more hook and loop features on one or more elastic strips which are constructed and arranged to secure the neck rest onto a seat.
Variation 15 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-14 wherein the cover includes a locking channel which is constructed and arranged to attach to a locking channel on a headrest.
Variation 16 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-15 wherein the cover includes a plurality of tensioned linkages which are constructed and arranged to attach to a headrest.
Variation 17 may include a method comprising: providing a neck rest adjacent a headrest and a seat back; wherein the neck rest includes an adjustable air bladder having a first valve, and a second valve; wherein the air bladder has a second pressure which is equal to a first pressure outside of the air bladder; adjusting the air bladder to a third pressure comprising opening the first valve and forcing air out of the air bladder and closing the first valve so that the third pressure is less than the first and the second pressure.
Variation 18 may include a method as set forth in Variation 17 wherein the first valve automatically opens if the air bladder reaches a fourth pressure which is greater than the first and the second pressure and wherein the second valve automatically opens if the air bladder reaches a fifth pressure which is greater than the fourth pressure.
Variation 19 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 17-18 further comprising: providing a third valve, wherein the third valve automatically opens if the air bladder reaches a fourth pressure which is greater than the first, the second, and the third pressure; and wherein the second valve automatically opens if the air bladder reaches a fifth pressure which is greater than the fourth pressure.
Variation 20 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 17-19 further comprising a cover, wherein the cover encloses the air bladder body and the second valve.
Variation 21 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-16 wherein the first valve is a squeeze type valve.
Variation 22 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-16 wherein the first valve is a twist type valve.
Variation 23 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-16 wherein the first valve is a pull type valve.
Variation 24 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-16 wherein the first valve is a push type valve.
Variation 25 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-16 and 21-24 wherein the second valve is a breakaway valve.
Variation 26 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-11, 13, and 21-25 wherein the cover further comprises first strip of hook and loop tie fasteners; a first piece of elastic material having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the first strip of hook and loop tie fasteners; a second strip of hook and loop tie fasteners; a second piece of elastic material having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the second strip of hook and loop tie fasteners; wherein the second end of the first piece of elastic material is attached to an upper portion of the rear surface of the cover and the second end of the second piece of elastic material is attached to a lower surface of the rear surface of the cover; and wherein the first strip of hook and loop tie fasteners is constructed and arranged to attach to a strip of hook and loop tie fasteners attached to a head rest and the second strip of hook and loop tie fasteners is constructed and arranged to attach to a strip of hook and loop tie fasteners attached to a strip of hook and loop tie fasteners attached to a seat back.
Variation 27 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-11, 13, and 21-25 wherein the cover further comprises a strip of hook and loop tie fasteners attached to the top surface of the cover which is constructed and arranged to attach to a strip of hook and loop tie fasteners on a headrest.
Variation 28 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-11, 14, and 21-25 wherein the cover includes a first, second, third, and fourth elastic strip, wherein each strip includes a first end and a second end; wherein the first end of the first elastic strip is attached to an approximate first upper corner; wherein the first end of the second elastic strip is attached to an approximate second upper corner; wherein the first end of the third elastic strip is attached to an approximate first lower corner; wherein the first end of the fourth elastic strip is attached to an approximate second lower corner; wherein each of the second ends is attached to a hoop; and wherein the hoop on the first elastic strip is constructed and arranged to attach to a hook on a first side of a headrest, the hoop on the second elastic strip is constructed and arranged to attach to a hook on a second side of the headrest, the hoop on the third elastic strip is constructed and arranged to attach to a hook on a first side of a seat back, and the hoop on the fourth elastic strip is constructed and arranged to attach to a hook on a second side of the seat back.
Variation 29 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-11, 14, and 21-25 wherein the cover includes a first, second, third, and fourth elastic strip, wherein each strip includes a first end and a second end; wherein the first end of the first elastic strip is attached to an approximate first upper corner; wherein the first end of the second elastic strip is attached to an approximate second upper corner; wherein the first end of the third elastic strip is attached to an approximate first lower corner; wherein the first end of the fourth elastic strip is attached to an approximate second lower corner; wherein each of the second ends is attached to a hook; and wherein the hook on the first elastic strip is constructed and arranged to attach to a hoop on a first side of a headrest, the hook on the second elastic strip is constructed and arranged to attach to a hoop on a second side of the headrest, the hook on the third elastic strip is constructed and arranged to attach to a hoop on a first side of a seat back, and the hook on the fourth elastic strip is constructed and arranged to attach to a hoop on a second side of the seat back.
Variation 30 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-11, 15, and 21-25 wherein the cover locking channel is attached to the rear surface of the cover and is constructed and arranged to attach to a locking channel on a lower portion of the headrest.
Variation 31 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-11, 16, and 21-25 wherein the cover further comprises a first tensioned linkage and a second tensioned linkage; wherein the first tensioned linkage includes a first end which is attached to the first side surface of the cover and a second end which is constructed and arranged to attach to a receptacle in a headrest; and wherein the second tensioned linkage includes a first end which is attached to a second side surface of the cover and a second end which is constructed and arranged to attach to a receptacle in a headrest.
Variation 32 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-16 and 21-31 wherein the cover comprises cloth.
Variation 33 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-16 and 21-31 wherein the cover comprises leather.
Variation 34 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-16 and 21-31 wherein the cover comprises vinyl.
The above description of select variations within the scope of the invention is merely illustrative in nature and, thus, variations or variants thereof are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.