Headrest

Headrest

In an automobile, the headrest or head restraint is a device attached to the top of the seat behind the occupant's head.cite web|url=http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/safety/articles/105554/article.html|title=Headrest terminology, Edmunds.com|accessdate=2006-11-28] Headrests started to appear as an option on American cars in the late 60's. Headrests were required by NHTSA in all cars sold in the US, effective January 1, 1969.

Headrests are featured for comfort as well as safety, as they can break the backlash movement of the occupant's head during a collision; thus preventing potentially fatal whiplash neck injury.

When travelling in an automobile a properly adjusted headrest can reduce the severity of the neck injury. The top of the headrest should be in line with the top of the occupant's head. The headrest should "not", however, be placed behind the occupant's neck. Maintaining an adequate separation from the vehicle in front while driving and pressing your back against the seat while facing forward if a collision appears imminent might also be advisable. [ [http://www.ntf.se/Tidning/pdf/Whiplash%202005.pdf Bilars skydd mot pisksnärtskada (Protection against whiplash injury in cars) PDF] , Swedish National Road Administration and Folksam, August 22, 2006 sv icon] This helps prevent the neck being forced backwards, and decreases the risk of whiplash.Today, most headrests are cushioned for comfort, height adjustable and most commonly finished in the same material as the rest of the seat. "(as seen in the picture to the right)"

Ancient World

In parts of the Ancient Near East such as Egypt, the local population invented wooden headrests instead of pillows to sleep on due to the warmth of the weather. The funerary burial goods of Queen Hetepheres, the mother of Khufu, for example, features a bed and a headrest.

References


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • headrest — ► NOUN ▪ a padded support for the head on the back of a seat or chair …   English terms dictionary

  • headrest — [hed′rest΄] n. a support for the head, as on a dentist s chair, automobile seat, etc …   English World dictionary

  • headrest — UK [ˈhedˌrest] / US noun [countable] Word forms headrest : singular headrest plural headrests the top part of a chair or car seat that you lean your head against …   English dictionary

  • headrest — [[t]he̱drest[/t]] headrests N COUNT A headrest is the part of the back of a seat on which you can lean your head, especially one on the front seat of a car …   English dictionary

  • headrest — noun Date: 1853 1. a support for the head 2. head restraint …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • headrest — /hed rest /, n. 1. a rest or support of any kind for the head. 2. Also called head restraint. a padded part at the top of the back of a seat, esp. in an automobile, to protect one s head against whiplash in a collision. [1850 55; HEAD + REST1] *… …   Universalium

  • headrest — noun The part of a seat designed to support the head …   Wiktionary

  • headrest — head|rest [ˈhed rest] n the top part of a chair or of a seat in a car, plane etc that supports the back of your head …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • headrest — head|rest [ hed,rest ] noun count the top part of a chair or car seat that you lean your head against …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • headrest — n. head support, device which supports the head …   English contemporary dictionary

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