Headrest assembly which can move to a non-operative position to allow full downward movement of the headrest assembly

A sliding headrest assembly 24 which in use is mounted to a vehicle seat 22 has a head receiving portion 32 which is movable from an operative position [Fig. 1], to a non-operative position [Fig. 4]. When in the operative position the headrest assembly 24 is physically blocked by the top of the seat back from moving fully downwards towards the seat back 28 [as shown in Fig. 2]. Once the head receiving portion 32 is moved or rotated to the non-operative position, the headrest assembly 24 can be positioned closer towards the seat back 28 to increase rear visibility and/or to allow the seat back to be folded down [Fig. 5]. The head receiving portion 32 is biased into the non-operative position by a spring [46, Fig. 7] but can be held in the operative position by a locking mechanism [48, Fig. 7]. A second locking mechanism 36 may be provided to allow height adjustment of the headrest assembly. If the seat back is folded down, the head receiving portion may be automatically moved from the non-operative position partially towards the operative position.