INTEGRATED, THIN, FLEXIBLE COMPOSITE HEADREST ASSEMBLY

Abstract

Vehicle headrest assembly (10), comprising: a headrest (12) which is operationally connected to a vehicle seat backrest (14) and has a head support surface (22); a flexible element (16), comprising: an upper section (18) which is operationally connected to the headrest (12); an intermediate section (20) next to the head support surface (22); and a lower section (24); an upper back support (26) which is arranged on the vehicle seat backrest (14) and defines an elongated slot (28) through which the flexible element (16) extends; and an actuating system (30) which is operationally coupled to the lower section (24) of the flexible element (16), wherein the actuating system (30) acts to extend the flexible element (16) through the gap (28) between an extended position (32) and to move to a non-extended position (34).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a vehicle headrest assembly and, more particularly, to an integrated thin, flexible seatback headrest assembly.

[0002] Vehicle seat assemblies typically include a headrest assembly connected to an upper portion of the seatback to support a passenger's head. In some cases, the headrest assemblies may include supports extending from the headrest to the seatback, allowing the headrest to be adjusted up and down relative to the seatback. Accordingly, these seat assemblies have limited adjustability to support the passenger's head. Documents US 6,382,720 B1 and US 4,790,592 A disclose extendable seat covers for a vehicle seat.

[0003] According to one aspect of the invention, a vehicle head restraint assembly includes a head restraint operably coupled to a vehicle seatback. The head restraint has a head support surface. A flexible member includes an upper portion operably connected to the head restraint. The flexible member also has an intermediate portion adjacent to the head support surface and a lower portion. An upper back support is disposed on the vehicle seatback and defines an elongated slot through which the flexible member extends. An actuation system is operably coupled to the lower portion of the flexible member. The actuation system operates to move the flexible member through the gap between an extended position and a non-extended position.

[0004] According to another aspect of the invention, a vehicle headrest assembly includes a headrest operably coupled to a vehicle seatback. A flexible member includes an upper portion operably connected to the headrest, an intermediate portion, and a lower portion. An actuation system is operably coupled to the lower portion of the flexible member. The actuation system operates to move the flexible member between an extended position and a non-extended position.

[0005] According to yet another aspect of the invention, a vehicle headrest includes a body portion having a head-supporting surface. A flexible member includes an upper portion operably connected to the body portion, a flexible intermediate portion located proximate the head-supporting surface, and a lower portion operably connected to an actuation system. Actuation of the actuation system moves the flexible intermediate portion of the flexible member a predetermined distance away from the head-supporting surface.

[0006] These and other aspects, objects and features of the invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following description, claims and accompanying drawings.

[0007] The drawings are as follows: Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of a vehicle seat assembly in a vehicle; Fig. 2 is a top perspective view of a headrest assembly including portions of the vehicle seat assembly shown in dashed lines; Fig. 3 is a front view of the headrest assembly with a portion of an upper back support showing a lower portion of a flexible member in cutaway; Fig. Figure 4 is a side view of the headrest assembly, with a portion of the vehicle seat assembly and the headrest assembly shown in cross section along line IV-IV of Fig. 3 is shown; Fig. 4A is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the headrest assembly as shown in Fig. 4 shown; Fig. 5 is an exploded top front perspective view of the headrest assembly and a seatback of the vehicle seat assembly; Fig. 5A is an exploded top rear perspective view of the headrest assembly and seatback; Fig. 6 is a side view of the headrest assembly in a non-deployed position, with portions of the vehicle seat assembly in an upright position shown in dashed lines; Fig. 6A is a top perspective view of the headrest assembly and the vehicle seat assembly as shown in Fig. 6 shown; Fig. 7 is a side view of the headrest assembly in an extended position with portions of the vehicle seat assembly in a reclined intermediate position shown in dashed lines; Fig. 7A is a top perspective view of the headrest assembly and the vehicle seat assembly as shown in Fig. 7, with the headrest assembly in the non-extended position and the vehicle seat assembly shown in the upright position in dashed lines; Fig. 8 is a side view of the headrest assembly in a further extended position, with portions of the vehicle seat assembly in a further reclined position shown in dashed lines; Fig. 8A is a top perspective view of the headrest assembly and the vehicle seat assembly as shown in Fig. 8, with the headrest assembly in the extended position and the vehicle seat assembly in the reclined intermediate position shown in dashed lines; and Fig. 9 is a side view of another embodiment of the headrest assembly in an extended position, with portions of the vehicle seat assembly in a reclined position shown in dashed lines.

[0008] For the purpose of description herein, the terms “top”, “bottom”, “right”, “left”, “rear”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and derivatives thereof refer to the invention as in Fig. 1. Oriented. However, it is to be understood that the invention is capable of various alternative orientations, unless expressly stated to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and methods illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following description are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Therefore, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered limiting unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0009] Referring to Fig. 1-9, reference numeral 10 generally designates a vehicle head restraint assembly including a head restraint 12 operably coupled to a vehicle seat back 14. A flexible member 16 has an upper portion 18 operably coupled to the head restraint 12. The flexible member 16 includes an intermediate portion 20 adjacent a head support surface 22 of the head restraint 12 and a lower portion 24. An upper back support 26 is disposed on the vehicle seat back 14 and defines an elongated slot 28 through which the flexible member 16 extends. An actuation system 30 is operably connected to the lower portion 24 of the flexible member 16. The actuation system 30 operates to move the flexible member 16 through the slot 28 between an extended position 32 and a non-extended position 34.

[0010] With reference to Fig. 1, the vehicle seat assembly 11 is disposed in a driver's side of a vehicle 36. The vehicle seat assembly 11 includes a seat 38 pivotally coupled to the seatback 14 via a reclining mechanism 40 for rotatably adjusting the seatback 14 relative to the seat 38. The seat 38 is slidably coupled to a floor 42 of the vehicle 36 via a track assembly 44. The track assembly 44 is configured to allow the vehicle seat assembly 11 to be adjusted in a forward and rearward direction relative to the vehicle 36. It should be understood that the vehicle seat assembly 11 may be positioned at various locations throughout the vehicle 36 other than the illustrated location, such as a passenger side, a mid-row position, and a rear seating position.It is also conceivable that the seat 38 may not encompass the rail assembly 44 and may be fixedly or alternatively connected to the floor 42 of the vehicle 36.

[0011] As in the Fig. 2, the seatback 14 of the vehicle seat assembly 11 includes a seatback structure 46 having a first side support 48 and a second side support 50 extending upwardly in a generally parallel alignment from a recliner bracket 52 to couple with an upper bracket 54 of the seatback structure 46 extending therebetween. The first and second side supports 48, 50 pivotally connect to the recliner brackets 52 about a recline mechanism 40 configured to adjustably lock the seatback 14 at various pivot angles relative to the seat 38. The upper bracket 54 of the seat back structure 46 extends generally perpendicularly between the first and second side supports 48, 50. The headrest 12 of the headrest assembly 10 couples to the upper bracket 54 of the seat back structure 46 and is centrally positioned between the first and second side supports 48, 50.It is also conceivable that the headrest 12 may be integrated with the side supports 48, 50 and / or support the upper bracket 54 of the seat back structure 46 to provide a similar configuration.

[0012] As in Fig. 2, the seat back 14 includes a suspension assembly 56 coupled between the first and second side supports 48, 50 and extending forward to engage a passenger support 58. The suspension assembly 56 includes an upper suspension component 60 proximate the upper bracket 54 of the seat back structure 46 and a lower suspension component 62 between the upper suspension component 60 and the recliner brackets 52. The upper and lower suspension components 60, 62 extend forward to couple, respectively, to the upper back support 26 of the passenger support 58 and a lower back support 64 of the passenger support 58. The flexible member 16 of the headrest assembly 10 extends downwardly from the headrest 12 to couple to a pivot rod 68 of the upper suspension component 60, as described in more detail below.

[0013] As in Fig. 3, the flexible member 16 of the headrest assembly 10 extends through the elongated slot 28 in the upper back support 26 to couple with the actuation system 30. More specifically, the intermediate portion 20 of the flexible member 16 extends over the headrest surface 22 of the headrest 12 above the elongated slot 28. The lower portion 24 of the flexible member 16 couples with a central bracket 66 below the elongated slot 28. The central bracket 66 is connected to the pivot bar 68 extending between the first and second side supports 48, 50 of the seatback structure 46. The flexible member 16 generally tapers in width from the upper portion 18 to the intermediate portion 20 and to the lower portion 24 as it extends downwardly through the elongated slot 28.As shown, the flexible member 16 includes a first elastic member 70 and a second elastic member 72, which extend independently of one another from the headrest 12 toward the pivot rod 68. Thus, the first and second elastic members 70, 72 are separated by an intermediate slot 76 defined by a space between the first and second elastic members 70, 72. The intermediate gap 76 between the first and second elastic members 70, 72 provides a recess configured to receive the head of a passenger resting on the flexible member 16. It is contemplated that the flexible member 16 may include more or fewer elastic members 70, 72 than shown in the illustrated embodiment. The first and second independent elastic members 70, 72 each include an elongated spring steel member 74.However, it is contemplated that the elastic members 70, 72 may comprise elongated members made of a polymeric material or other conceivable flexible material.

[0014] A base section cover 78, as in Fig. 4, is arranged over the elongated spring steel elements 74 of the flexible element 16, which the first and second elastic elements 70, 72 ( Fig. 3) and provides a padded support for the passenger's head. The base section cover 78 may conceivably comprise a fabric material, a leather material, a vinyl material, or other vehicle upholstery materials, as generally known in the art. It is also contemplated that the base section cover 78 may be arranged separately on the individual elastic members, so that the intermediate gap 76 between the flexible member 16 may extend to the head support surface.

[0015] As in Fig. 4, the headrest 12 of the headrest assembly 10 includes a support column 80 connected to the upper bracket 54 of the seatback structure 46 and extending from the upper bracket 54 to operably couple with a body portion 82 of the headrest 12. The flexible member 16 operably couples with a rear wall 84 of the body portion 82 and wraps over an upper edge 83 of the body portion 82 to extend downwardly over the headrest surface 22 of the body portion 82. The flexible member 16 extends from the lower edge 85 of the headrest 12 to curve in a somewhat S-shaped curve through the elongated slot 28 in the upper seatback 14. When passing through the elongated slot 28, the flexible element 16 engages a rear surface of the central bracket 66 which is connected to the pivot rod 68.It is conceivable that the flexible element 16 may alternatively be arranged with the drive system 30 to move the flexible element 16 through the slot 28, as described further below.

[0016] As detailed in Fig. 4A, the support column 80 of the headrest 12 includes an inner bracket 86 that projects vertically from a metal frame 88 of the seatback structure 46 and bends forward to a generally horizontal portion 90. The inner bracket 86 is concealed by a trim piece 92 that encloses the support column 80. The horizontal portion 90 of the inner bracket 86 is operably coupled to the body portion 82 of the headrest 12 about a tilt mechanism 94. The tilt mechanism 94 is configured to pivot the body portion 82 about a pin 96 that is coupled to the horizontal portion 90 of the inner bracket 86. The body portion 82 is spring-loaded to a rearward position 98, such that the spring force must be overcome to pivot the upper edge 83 of the body portion 82 forward about the pin 96.The tilt mechanism 94 is configured to releasably lock the body portion 82 in various forward tilted positions about the pin 96. It is contemplated that the headrest assembly 10 may be configured without the tilt mechanism 94 to provide the headrest 12 locked in the rearward position 98.

[0017] Now with reference to the Fig. 5-5A, the metal frame 88 of the seatback structure 46 is substantially enclosed by a polymeric trim shroud 100 that generally obscures the edge portions of the metal frame 88. The trim shroud 100 includes a rear trim bolster 101 that extends across the rear portion of the metal frame 88 and connects to a front trim bolster 103 of the trim shroud 100 proximate the first and second side supports 48, 50 of the seatback structure 46. The metal frame 88 includes a first side member 102 and a second side member 104 that curve upwardly and rearwardly from the recliner bracket 52 to provide a curved shape similar to a passenger's spine.The first and second side members 102, 104 of the metal frame 88 are more robust near the recliner bracket 52 and taper as they extend upward, where they connect to an upper member 106 extending perpendicularly therebetween. The first and second side members 102, 104 correlate with the first and second side supports 48, 50 of the seatback structure 46, respectively, and consequently, the upper member 106 correlates with the upper bracket 54 of the seatback structure 46.

[0018] How to continue in the Fig. 5-5A, the suspension assembly 56 couples with and extends generally forwardly from the seat back structure 46 to removably connect to the passenger support 58 and define an outer peripheral gap 108 ( Fig. 4) between the passenger support 58 and the seatback structure 46. The outer peripheral gap 108 is configured to compress upon rearward deformation of the suspension assembly 56. The lower suspension component 62 includes a first side portion 110 and a second side portion 112 that are separate and distinct from one another. The first and second side portions 110, 112 each have three outwardly extending flexible fingers 114 that connect to the lower back support 64 at the distal ends of each of the flexible fingers 114. The upper suspension component 60 of the suspension assembly 56 includes a first arm 116, a second arm 118, and a central body 120 disposed therebetween. The first and second arms 116, 118 each include a pair of flexible fingers 114 that similarly connect to the upper back support 26 of the passenger carrier 58.The central body 120 of the first suspension component is connected to the central bracket 66. The central bracket 66 is fixedly coupled to the pivot rod 68, which extends laterally between and is pivotally connected to the first and second side portions 110, 112 of the lower suspension component 62. It is contemplated that the suspension assembly 56 may include more, fewer, or alternatively shaped flexible fingers 114 extending from the seatback structure 46 to couple to the passenger support 58. For example, the first and second side portions 110, 112 and the first and second arms 116, 118 may each include a single rib-shaped flexible finger 114, interconnecting the three separate finger-shaped flexible fingers 114 and substantially eliminating them.

[0019] Further with reference to the Fig. 5-5A, the upper back support 26 and the lower back support 64 of the passenger support 58 each include a trim support 122 and a cushion 124 disposed thereon. The cushion 124 has a flexible portion 125 that conceivably comprises a matrix of woven fibers, an open-cell foam, a closed-cell foam, or other materials. A base portion cover 127 is disposed over the flexible portion 125 and may conceivably comprise leather, vinyl material, or other cushioning materials. The trim support 122 removably connects to the distal ends of the flexible fingers 114 in a force-fitting snap-in connection. The passenger support 58 has an outer edge portion that extends generally forward to form side bolsters 126 on the upper and lower back supports 26, 64.The side bolsters 126 are angled and configured to prevent lateral movement of a passenger's back relative to the passenger support 58, such as lateral movement of an occupant's back when subjected to centrifugal force due to cornering of the vehicle. The upper back support 26 includes an elongated slot 28 positioned horizontally at an upper portion of the upper back support 26 centrally between the side bolsters 126. It is contemplated that the elongated slot 28 may alternatively be arranged or configured to allow the flexible member 16 to pass through the slot. Furthermore, the elongated slot 28 may be formed between separate passenger support segments 58, such as between the upper back support 26 and the lower back support 64 or in a space between the upper back support 26 and the head restraint 12.Accordingly, it is also conceivable that the passenger support 58 may vary in shape and / or may include more or fewer passenger support segments 58 that match or differ from the number of potentially variable suspension components.

[0020] As in Fig. 5-5A, the pivot rod 68 is operatively coupled to a motor 128 to move the pivot rod 68 between a first position 130 ( Fig. 6) and a second position 132 ( Fig. 7). The coupling between the motor 128 and the pivot rod 68 includes a connecting assembly 134 with an upper linkage 136, which is fixedly connected to the pivot rod 68, and a lower linkage 138, which is pivotally coupled between the upper linkage 136 and a worm drive 140. The worm drive 140 meshes with a gear that is attached to a drive shaft of the motor 128. The worm drive 140 moves linearly between a first position 144 ( Fig. 6) and a second position 146 ( Fig. 7) to drive the linkage assembly 134 and rotate the pivot rod 68. It is conceivable that the motor 128 is directly connected to the pivot rod 68, or an alternative linkage assembly 134 or gear arrangement may be used to allow the motor 128 to rotate the pivot rod 68. It is also conceivable that the pivot rod 68 may be rotated manually using an alternative arrangement.

[0021] In an upright position 148, as in Fig. 6-6A, the seatback 14 of the vehicle seat assembly 11 includes the vehicle head restraint assembly 10 with the flexible member 16 in the non-extended position 34. The non-extended position 34 is defined by the upper back support 26 of the suspension assembly 56 in a rearward position 150 such that the upper back support 26 is substantially aligned with the lower back support 64 of the passenger support 58. Additionally, the body portion 82 of the head restraint assembly 10 is in the rearward position 98. Thus, the intermediate portion 20 of the flexible member 16 is in abutting contact with the head support surface 22 of the head restraint 12 and similarly conforms to the contour of the head support surface 22 of the head restraint 12. In this position, the worm drive 140 is also in the first position 144, which aligns the linkage assembly 134 and the pivot rod 68 in the first position 130.

[0022] When moving from the upright position 148 to a reclined intermediate position 152, as in Fig. 7-7A, the seatback 14 pivots rearwardly relative to the seat 38 about the recliner bracket 52, allowing the reclining mechanism 40 to pivotally move the seatback 14 and locking the seatback 14 in the intermediate reclined position 152. Synchronously with the movement of the intermediate reclined position 152, the motor 128 is actuated to drive the worm drive 140 to the second position 146. The second position 146 of the worm drive 140 is aligned with the longitudinal extent of the seatback structure 46 below the first position 144. The downward movement of the worm drive 140 to the second position 146 causes the lower linkage 138 of the linkage assembly 134 to similarly move downward in the seat back 14 relative to the suspension assembly 56.Accordingly, the downward movement of the lower linkage 138 pulls the lower end of the upper linkage 136 to pivot downward and rearward away from the passenger support 58 of the vehicle seat assembly 11. The rigid connection between the upper end of the upper linkage 136 and the pivot rod 68 causes the pivot rod 68 to rotate forward to the second position 132, which pivots the central bracket 66 and the upper suspension component 60 of the suspension assembly 56 forward. The forward movement of the upper suspension component 60 causes the upper back support 26 to move forward, pushing the flexible member 16 away from abutting contact with the head support surface 22 of the head restraint 12. This movement, caused by the actuation system 30, causes the flexible member 16 to move from the non-extended position 34 to the extended position 32.Given the somewhat rigid nature of the flexible member 16, a passenger's head can rest in contact with the flexible member 16 and keep the passenger's head away from the head support surface 22 of the headrest 12.

[0023] How to continue in Fig. 8-8A, the seat back 14 is pivoted to a further reclining position 154 relative to the seat 38. The further reclining position 154, which is again achieved by the reclining mechanism 40, allows the seat back 14 to be pivoted further rearwardly via the reclining bracket 52. The reclining mechanism 40 can lock the seat back 14 in the further reclining position 154 relative to the seat 38. In synchronous movement with the movement of the seat back 14 to the further reclining position 154, the upper suspension component 60 of the actuation system 30 is caused to rotate further forward about the pivot rod 68, pulling the flexible member 16 further away from the head support surface 22 of the head restraint 12. This movement is again caused by the motor 128, which actuates the worm drive 140 and moves it linearly downward relative to the seat back 14.This additional movement of the linkage assembly 134 causes the pivot rod 68 to rotate further forward into the extended position 32. Thus, the worm drive 140 has pulled the lower linkage 138 of the linkage assembly 134 downward to the extent that the upper linkage 136 is substantially linearly aligned with the lower linkage 138, thereby preventing further downward movement of the lower linkage 138 or further forward rotation of the pivot rod 68. It is contemplated that the actuation system 30 can move the flexible member 16 between the extended and non-extended positions 32, 34 regardless of the angular position of the seat back 14 relative to the seat 38.It is further contemplated that the head restraint assembly 10 may be actuated from the non-extended position 34 to the extended position 32 when the seat back 14 is in a stationary, upright position; and similarly, it may be actuated from the extended to the non-extended position 32, 34 when the seat back 14 is in a stationary, reclined position. It is also contemplated that the seat back 14 may assume additional reclined and upright orientations besides those shown, as well as that the flexible member 16 may assume additional and alternative extended and non-extended positions 32, 34 to those illustrated herein.

[0024] In an alternative embodiment, as in Fig.As shown in Figure 9, the actuation system 30 of the head restraint assembly 10 includes a spool 156 rotatably mounted between the first and second side supports 48, 50 of the seat back structure 46 near the upper support 54 of the seat back structure 46. Other similarly numbered components of the vehicle head restraint assembly 10 and the vehicle seat assembly 11 include similar features and characteristics to those in the previously described embodiment. The spool 156 has a cylindrical shape, and the flexible member 16 is fixedly connected to the curved surface of the spool 156 so that the spool 156 can be rotated about its axis to wrap the flexible member 16 around the curved surface.In this embodiment, the actuation system 30 may operate to rotate the spool 156, such as by actuating an alternative motor 158 coupled to the spool 156, to wind and unwind the flexible member 16 circumferentially wound around the spool 156, thereby moving the flexible member 16 between the unextended and extended positions 34, 32. As also contemplated, such a further embodiment of the actuation system 30 may move the flexible member 16 between the extended and unextended positions 32, 34 independent of the position of the upper back support 26 or the reclining position of the seatback 14.

[0025] It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the construction of the described invention and other components is not limited to any particular material. Other exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be formed from a variety of materials, unless otherwise described.

[0026] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" (in all its forms, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the direct or indirect connection of two components to each other (electrical or mechanical). Such a connection may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such a connection may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members integrally formed from a single unitary body with each other or with the two components. Such a connection may be permanent in nature or may be removable or detachable in nature, unless otherwise specified.

[0027] It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the invention, as shown in the exemplary embodiments, is merely exemplary. Although only a few embodiments of the innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who examine this disclosure will readily recognize that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes, and proportions of the various elements, values ​​of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the presented novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter of the invention.For example, elements shown as being integrally formed may be constructed from multiple elements, or elements shown as being constructed from multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise altered, the length or width of the structures and / or elements or connectors or other elements of the system may be varied, the type or number of adjustment positions between the elements may be varied. It should be understood that the elements and / or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any variety of materials having sufficient strength or durability, in any variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of innovation.Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the construction, operating conditions and arrangement of the desired and other embodiments without departing from the spirit of innovation.

[0028] It is understood that any described methods or steps in the described methods may be combined with other disclosed methods or steps to form structures within the scope of the invention. The exemplary structures and methods disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting.

[0029] It is also to be understood that variations and modifications may be made to the foregoing structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the invention, and it is further understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless such claims expressly state otherwise by their language.

Claims

[1] Vehicle headrest assembly (10) comprising: a headrest (12) operatively connected to a vehicle seat back (14) and having a head support surface (22); a flexible element (16) comprising: an upper portion (18) operatively connected to the headrest (12); an intermediate section (20) adjacent to the head support surface (22); and a lower section (24); an upper back support (26) disposed on the vehicle seat back (14) and defining an elongated slot (28) through which the flexible member (16) extends; and an actuation system (30) operatively coupled to the lower portion (24) of the flexible member (16), the actuation system (30) acting to move the flexible member (16) through the gap (28) between an extended position (32) and a non-extended position (34). [2] The vehicle headrest assembly (10) of claim 1, further comprising: a covering piece (92) which is arranged over the flexible element (16). [3] The vehicle headrest assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein the flexible member (16) comprises an elongated spring steel member. [4] The vehicle headrest assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein the lower portion (24) is operatively coupled to a pivot rod (68) extending across the vehicle seat back (14). [5] The vehicle headrest assembly (10) of claim 4, wherein the actuation system (30) comprises a motor (128) configured to rotate the pivot rod (68) between a first position corresponding to the extended position (32) and a second position corresponding to the non-extended position (34). [6] The vehicle headrest assembly (10) of claim 5, wherein the motor (128) is operatively coupled to a worm drive (140) that linearly moves between a first position and a second position. [7] Vehicle headrest assembly (10) comprising: a headrest (12) operably coupled to a vehicle seat back (14); a flexible element (16) comprising: an upper portion (18) operatively connected to the headrest (12); an intermediate section (20); and a lower section (24); and an actuation system (30) operatively coupled to the lower portion (24) of the flexible member (16), the actuation system (30) acting to move the flexible member (16) between an extended position (32) and a non-extended position (34), the flexible member (16) comprising first and second independent spring members (70, 72) defining an intermediate gap (76) therebetween. [8] The vehicle headrest assembly (10) of claim 7, wherein the flexible member (16) extends between an upper portion (26) of the vehicle seat back (14) and the headrest (12). [9] The vehicle headrest assembly (10) of claim 8, wherein the upper portion (26) of the vehicle seat back (14) generally defines a horizontal slot (28) through which the lower portion (24) of the flexible member (16) extends. [10] A vehicle headrest assembly (10) according to claim 7, wherein the headrest (12) is operable between forward and rearward positions. [11] The vehicle headrest assembly (10) of claim 7, wherein the flexible member (16) extends over an upper portion of the headrest (12). [12] The vehicle headrest assembly (10) of claim 7, wherein the flexible member (16) is operatively coupled to an upper seatback support assembly (46) operable between an extended position (32) and a retracted position (34). [13] Vehicle headrest (12), comprising: a body portion (82) having a head support surface (22); and a flexible element (16) comprising: an upper portion (18) operatively connected to the body portion (82); a flexible intermediate section (20) near the head support surface (22); and a lower portion (24) operatively coupled to an actuation system (30), wherein operation of the actuation system (30) moves the flexible intermediate portion (20) of the flexible member (16) a predetermined distance away from the head support surface (22). [14] Vehicle headrest (12) according to claim 13, further comprising: a support column (80) operatively coupling a rear wall (84) of the body portion (82) to a vehicle seat back (14). [15] Vehicle headrest (12) according to claim 13, further comprising: a covering piece (92) which is arranged over the flexible element (16). [16] A vehicle headrest (12) according to claim 13, wherein the flexible member (16) comprises an elongated spring steel member. [17] The vehicle headrest (12) of claim 14, wherein the lower portion (24) is operatively coupled to a pivot rod (68) disposed in the vehicle seat back (14). [18] A vehicle headrest (12) according to claim 13, wherein the body portion (82) is operable between forward and rearward positions. [19] A vehicle headrest (12) according to claim 13, wherein the flexible member (16) extends over an upper portion of the headrest (12).

Images