What do you think of this headrest design?

[zzmac]

I'm no artist but I'd like your feedback on this first draft for a headrest I'm designing for my car. I'm kind of working backwards because if the look isn't right I won't be doing it. It would have matching leather upholstery & the Superformance logo also in leather.

The idea behind this is to have it attached to the rollbar and the headrest will extend out little closer to the top of the seat (not between the rollbars but not past the body). As the rollbar is still exposed, having the headrest closer to the seat, it will hopefully catch the back of the head before it hits chrome. The seatbelts would be attached to the rollbar as well.

I prefer critical if there's something wrong with the design.

Thanks.

[SunDude]

I think others have gone before you.

Check out this thread for ideas about roll bar headrests.

[SunDude]

And here's another one: CLICK HERE.

[zzmac]

Originally Posted by SunDude

And here's another one: CLICK HERE.

Sundude, I'm aware there are headrests out there. I was kind of looking for input on my design.

[vatdevil]

If your concerned about safety just install full back seats. Put them in mine and very comfy. Surprisingly most comment on how good they look.

[zzmac]

Originally Posted by zzmac

I'm no artist but I'd like your feedback on this first draft for a headrest I'm designing for my car. I'm kind of working backwards because if the look isn't right I won't be doing it. It would have matching leather upholstery & the Superformance logo also in leather.

The idea behind this is to have it attached to the rollbar and the headrest will extend out little closer to the top of the seat (not between the rollbars but not past the body). As the rollbar is still exposed, having the headrest closer to the seat, it will hopefully catch the back of the head before it hits chrome. The seatbelts would be attached to the rollbar as well.

I prefer critical if there's something wrong with the design.

Thanks.

...bump

[Dimis]

If you have an SPF... perhaps just going the standard Aussie seats will do the trick for you.
These were invented to meet the safety design rules in Aus.

They have head rests built in, that are removable.

They are costly, but you could probably sell off your other seats to recoup some of the costs. No?

Shop Superformance.com

[SunDude]

Originally Posted by Dimis

If you have an SPF... perhaps just going the standard Aussie seats will do the trick for you.
These were invented to meet the safety design rules in Aus.

They have head rests built in, that are removable.

They are costly, but you could probably sell off your other seats to recoup some of the costs. No?

Shop Superformance.com

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by SunDude

Two things to note here:

1) I've got to get better at posting pics

2) Good to see a cobra with the Steering wheel on the correct side


Thanks SunDude

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by zzmac

...bump

I like it. What's more, if you used long velcro straps to fasten it, it would be easily removable as well. Plus, one added benefit is that I think it will significantly cut the wind buffeting on the highway too!

[bobcowan]

I like the design. I like the way it matches the seat. I wonder what it would look like if the bottom line of the head rest matched the line of the body?

[rodneym]

I think you're on to something cool. Those pleats (tuck and roll or whatever it's called) look sharp.

My $.02 says to make it a circle or oval. Think retro.

[Flygirl]

I feel like, if your head moves back far enough to contact the head rest, your neck would likely already be hard against the rim of the cockpit and it might actually cause your head to pivot backward, making the whiplash worse. But if it were positioned farther forward, that wouldn't be an issue.

[fordracing65]

Creator comforts, PITOSH?

[SunDude]

Originally Posted by Flygirl

I feel like, if your head moves back far enough to contact the head rest, your neck would likely already be hard against the rim of the cockpit and it might actually cause your head to pivot backward, making the whiplash worse. But if it were positioned farther forward, that wouldn't be an issue.

I think you're right.

The more I think about it, I think that Superformance should offer the Australian-style headrests here in North America, as a dealer upgrade at a reasonable up-charge. If customers are really concerned about whiplash protection, this seems like the best solution. Well designed and integrated, and effective.

[STEVE-O]

I've been looking for the rollbar plexiglas windscreen that was around a few years back. Not really a headrest to prevent whiplash as these are but more to help cut back the wind buffeting.
I believe they had nice looking aluminum brackets and plexiglas cut to fit the rollbar.
Anyone know if these are still around and who makes / sells them?
thanks

[zzmac]

Originally Posted by bobcowan

I like the design. I like the way it matches the seat. I wonder what it would look like if the bottom line of the head rest matched the line of the body?

I tried that first and the curve of the body is too pronounced and it didn't look right. It would also possibly take away the space needed for hardware and seat belts.

[zzmac]

Originally Posted by Flygirl

I feel like, if your head moves back far enough to contact the head rest, your neck would likely already be hard against the rim of the cockpit and it might actually cause your head to pivot backward, making the whiplash worse. But if it were positioned farther forward, that wouldn't be an issue.

The plan is to extend it out to the edge of the rim.

When I'm sitting in the car, the rim is what actually concerns me the most as it's lined up with the middle of my neck. Although I believe your head can hit the rollbar in a rear end collision, it looks like the neck would take a big impact first with the rim. I had an opportunity about a month ago to test out my theory when a woman came to a screeching halt inches from the rear of my car while I was stopped at a light. She was watching another accident that had happened on the other side of the road.

[zzmac]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I like it. What's more, if you used long velcro straps to fasten it, it would be easily removable as well. Plus, one added benefit is that I think it will significantly cut the wind buffeting on the highway too!

On my next draft I'll be working on the positioning of the headrest and how to connect it to the rollbar. I'm just not sure what color velcro straps I should buy.

[Buzz]

Cobras by nature and design will never be "safe" cars and efforts to engineer safety in and to festoon them with multiple bars, pads and bulky bodies with extra long wheelbases might work, but eventually you end up with something other than a Cobra - sort of like bolting training wheels, bumpers onto a motorcycle.

At that point, one might begin to question whether they wanted a Cobra at all, or just some car with cool bulging fenders, sidepipes and a big opening in the front.

Having said that, a roll bar pad like the one you're designing looks good and makes sense from a practical point of view and I also like the SPF seats with the discreet, removable, period-looking headrests. Far nicer than the incongruity of cramming in a pair of huge, modern high back seats.