Foldable head restraint

Abstract

A foldable head restraint has two head restraint supports set within a bracket. A latch is made integral with at least one of the head restraint supports. The latch rests against a stop to prohibit rotation of the head restraint support in a first direction. The latch rests against a rotational cam to prohibit movement of the head restraint support in a second direction. By rotating the cam, the head restraint support may be folded. The head restraint support is comprised of a metal substrate with over-molded plastic geometry to accept a mating part configured within the head restraint bun. The geometry of the metal substrate and over-molded plastic geometry allow for a reduction, or even elimination, of the slots that are normally required for such a folding head restraint. This ability to fold can yield greater rearward visibility and aid in the kinematic motion of the seat. An articulating head restraint could also include an armature with a cam. The cam has a lock acumination and a stop acumination. The armature fits within a structure composed of a bracket and a slave bracket. A slide, which is attached to a cable, rides within a slot on the bracket. When the slide is in the locked position, the lock acumination of the cam presses against the slide, restraining movement of the slide. When sufficient force is applied to the cable, the slide moves within the slot to an unlocked position. A torsion spring wrapped around the armature causes the armature to rotate to a stowed position.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . An articulating vehicle head restraint comprising:
 a bracket;   an armature contained within the bracket;   a head restraint support attached to the armature, the head restraint support having a first portion or attachment to a bun and a second portion attached to the armature, the first and second portions together forming a J shape, the second portion having a curved shape, the first portion being at an angle to any radius of the armature;   a lock acumination, fixedly attached in an immovable relationship to the second portion;   a movable locking element for engagement with the lock acumination to prevent rotation of the armature;   and   a first spring for urging the movable locking element into engagement with the lock acumination.   
   
   
       14 . The articulating vehicle head restraint of  claim 13  further comprising a cable attached to the movable locking element and configured such that a force applied to the cable will tend to disengage the movable locking element from the lock acumination. 
   
   
       15 . The articulating vehicle head restraint of  claim 13 , further comprising an over-molded geometry on the first portion of the head restraint support for attachment to a bun.