David J Shumate

US Patent:

7048337, May 23, 2006

Filed:

Feb 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/366723

Inventors:

Jürgen Steinle - Augsburg, DE
Scott P. McManigal - Pacific Palisades CA, US
Felix Nagelin - Malibu CA, US
John W. Krieger - Oxnard CA, US
David J. Shumate - Los Angeles CA, US
Randall C. Lewis - Simi Valley CA, US

Assignee:

Designworks/USA, Inc. - Newbury Park CA

International Classification:

B60R 22/28

US Classification:

297409

Abstract:

A retractable headrest is movable between an extended position for protecting a passenger and a retracted position for improving rearward visibility. In a first embodiment, the headrest is positioned below a stretchable fabric panel which allows a headrest shell to be raised into the extended position by stretching the panel. A second embodiment incorporates an extending cushion that can be moved between the extended and retracted positions by an extending arm. A third embodiment incorporates a support frame that can be folded or bowed by a drive mechanism to move between the retracted and extended positions. A fourth embodiment is a hybrid between the second and third embodiments.

US Patent:

7172254, Feb 6, 2007

Filed:

Mar 29, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/391459

Inventors:

Jurgen Steinle - Augsburg, DE
Scott P. McManigal - Pacific Palisades CA, US
Felix Nagelin - Malibu CA, US
John W. Krieger - Oxnard CA, US
David J. Shumate - Los Angeles CA, US
Randall C. Lewis - Simi Valley CA, US

Assignee:

Designworks/USA, Inc. - Newbury Park CA

International Classification:

A47C 7/36

US Classification:

297409

Abstract:

A retractable headrest is movable between an extended position for protecting a passenger and a retracted position for improving rearward visibility. In a first embodiment, the headrest is positioned below a stretchable fabric panel which allows a headrest shell to be raised into the extended position by stretching the panel. A second embodiment incorporates an extending cushion that can be moved between the extended and retracted positions by an extending arm. A third embodiment incorporates a support frame that can be folded or bowed by a drive mechanism to move between the retracted and extended positions. A fourth embodiment is a hybrid between the second and third embodiments.