GB2466030A

GB2466030A - Inflatable head support for vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2466030A
Application number: GB0822793A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ulf Sandon
Original assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Current assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Priority date: 2008-12-08
Filing date: 2008-12-08
Publication date: 2010-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 2028-12-08
Also published as: GB2466030B; GB0822793D0

Abstract

Inflatable device for arranging inside a vehicle, comprises an inflatable cushion (10), which is convertible between a used and unused position. The inflatable. cushion (10) is arranged in such a way that it can serve as resting support for the head of a passenger. Preferably the inflatable cushion is arranged in a pocket of the head rest 14 of the seat 16, and/or the B or C pillar of the body of the vehicle. Preferably the inflatable cushion is stored in the pocket when unused. Preferable the inflatable cushion is converted between the used and unused positions by mechanical or electronic means. A pump can be located within the head rest with a lever 18 on the head rest and a tube 20 running between the pump and the inflatable cushion within the head rest.

Description

Inflatable Device

Description

The invention relates to an inflatable device for arranging inside a vehicle to improve the comfort for the passengers inside the vehicle.

Especially by long car journeys the passengers in a vehicle sometimes feel for a nap or want to rest a little bit. The seats inside a vehicle are usually very uncomfortable for having a nap or to rest, since it is difficult for a passenger to find a comfortable position for its head without cricking the passenger's neck.

It is the object of the invention to provide an inflatable device for arranging inside.a vehicle, whereas the inflatable device is able to achieve an increase of the comfort for a passenger inside a vehicle.

The solution of the object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are given by the dependent claims.

The inflatable device according to the invention for arranging inside a vehicle comprises an inflatable cushion, which is convertible in a used position and in an unused position, wherein the inflatable cushion is arranged inside the vehicle in such a way that the inflatable cushion can serve as resting support for the head of a passenger inside the vehicle.

With the inflatable cushion it is possible to increase the comfort for a passenger inside a vehicle. In the used position the inflatable cushion is inflated, especially by filling with air, whereas the inflated cushion serves as a soft and comfortable resting support for the head of a passenger, so that the passenger can lean its head against the inflated cushion without cricking its neck. So it is possible for the passenger to have a relaxed nap or rest. If the inflatable cushion is not needed, the air in the inflated cushion can be removed so that the inflatable cushion can easily be stored without bothering the passengers.

Preferably, the inflatable cushion is positioned at a seat arranged inside a vehicle, especially positioned at a headrest of the seat, and/or at a B-pillar and/or at a C-pillar of the body of the vehicle. The inflatable cushion is positioned in the area of the head of the passenger. The cushion can be positioned at the front seats, especially the driver or the co-driver seat, and/or at the back seats of the vehicle. The cushion can be positioned at a headrest of a seat, especially at the lateral surface of the headrest.

In the unused position the cushion can be positioned inside the headrest. By inflating a cushion, which is positioned at a seat, the cushion will be positioned between two seats or between the seat and the B-pillar or C-pillar of the body of the vehicle. The cushion can also directly be positioned at the B-pillar or between the seat and the C-pillar of the body of the vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment the inflatable cushion is stored in a pocket in the unused position. The pocket can be integrated in the seat or the B-pillar or the C-pillar of the body of the vehicle, whereas the pocket can be arranged inside or at the surface of the seat and/or the B-pillar and/or the C-pillar of the body of the vehicle. By storing the cushion in a pocket in the unused position, the cushion is securely stored in the pocket and does not bother the passengers inside the vehicle.

Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention the inflatable cushion is made of a flexible material. The cushion is preferably made of a flexible, elastic material so that the cushion is easily adjustable to different positions. The material of the cushion can tighten, if the cushion is converted from the used position to the unused position, so that only small space is needed for storing the deflated cushion. By converting the cushion from the unused position to the used position the material of the cushion lengthen so that the size of the inflated cushion is optimal adjustable to the need of the passenger.

Preferably, the inflatable cushion is convertible in the used position and in the unused position by mechanical means or by electronically means.

For example a pump for pumping air in the cushion and out of the cushion can be arranged at the seat or the B-pillar or the C-pillar of the body of the vehicle. The pump can be operated mechanically, for example by a lever, or electronically, for example by pushing a button, which automatically releases the inflating and deflating process.

Additionally, the invention relates to a seat for a vehicle comprising an inflatable cushion as previously described, whereas the inflatable cushion is arranged at a headrest of the seat.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising an inflatable cushion as previously described, wherein the inflatable cushion is arranged at a headrest of a seat and/or at a B-pillar and/or at a C-pillar of a body of the vehicle.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to a preferred embodiment described hereinafter.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 a schematic view of an inflatable device according to the invention shown in an unused position; Fig. 2 a schematic view of the inflatable device according to the invention shown in an used position and Fig. 3 another schematic view of the inflatable device according to the invention arranged on a back seat configuration of a vehicle.

Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of an inflatable device according to the invention. In Fig. 1 the inflatable device is shown in an unused position. The inflatable device comprises an inflatable cushion 10, which is stored in a pocket 12 when the cushion 10 is not inflated. The pocket 12 is arranged at a headrest 14 of a passenger seat 16. The cushion 10 can be inflated by pumping air inside the cushion 10. Pumping air in the cushion 10 can be manually achieved by mechanically means or automatically by electronically means. In Fig. 1 a small lever 18 is shown, which is arranged at the headrest at the opposite side to the cushion 10. The cushion 10 is connected with the lever 18 by a connection mean 20, especially a small tube through which air can be transported. The connection mean 20 can be arranged inside the headrest 14 of the seat 16.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of the inflatable device shown in a used position. The inflated cushion 10 is arranged laterally to the headrest 14 in such a way that a passenger can lean its head against the inflated cushion 10 without cricking its neck. The inflatable cushion 10 is made of a soft material for a comfortable resting support for the head of the passenger.

The inflatable cushion 10 is preferably made of an elastic material so that the cushion 10 is easily adjustable to different positions. The material of the cushion 10 can tighten, if the cushion 10 is converted from the used position to the unused position, so that only small space is needed for storing the deflated cushion 10. By converting the cushion 10 from the unused position to the used position the material of the cushion lengthen so that the size of the inflated cushion 10 is optimal adjustable to the need of the passenger.

The inflatable device can be arranged at the front seats and/or at the back seats of the vehicle.

Fig. 3 shows a possible configuration of inflatable device at the back seats.

Advantageously, by the inventive inflating device it is easy to adapt the shape of the inflating device to the different types of headrests 14.

Furthermore, the inflating device can be arranged at the B-pillar and/or at the C-pillar of the body of the vehicle (not shown).

Claims

Claims 1. Inflatable device for arranging inside a vehicle, comprising an inflatable cushion (10), which is convertible in an used position and in an unused position, wherein the inflatable cushion (10) is arranged inside the vehicle in such a way that the inflatable cushion (10) can serve as resting support for the head of a passenger inside the vehicle.
2. Inflatable device according to claim 1, wherein the inflatable cushion (10) is positioned at a seat (16) arranged inside the vehicle, especially positioned at a headrest (14) of the seat (16), and/or at a B-pillar and/or at a C-pillar of a body of the vehicle.
3. Inflatable device according to anyone of claims 1 or 2, wherein in the unused position the inflatable cushion (10) is stored in a pocket (12).
4. Inflatable device according to anyone of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inflatable cushion (10) is made of a flexible material.
5. Inflatable device according to anyone of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inflatable cushion (10) is convertible in the used position and in the unused position by mechanical means or by electronically means.
6. Seat for a vehicle, comprising an inflatable cushion according to anyone of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inflatable cushion (10) is arranged at a headrest (14) of the seat (16) .
7. Vehicle, comprising an inflatable cushion (10) according to anyone of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inflatable cushion (10) is arranged at a headrest (14) of a seat (16) and/or at a B-pillar and/or at a C-pillar of a body of the vehicle.