Head restraints - why removable?

[dax]

Hi, have fabricated a pair of head restraints in accordance with the specs but I note that they say that if mounted on the body (ie not the seat), then they must be removable without tools.

Although this may seem like an odd question, what's the rationale behind this rule? I had planned on bolting them permanently to the roll bar which is the most robust structure to be found.

Thanks.

[Dan]

There isn't an issue with doing this: headrests fixed to the structure have been accepted in the past - for example on Cobras with roll bars and rear seats in motor-homes.

As for the wording, this is the section of the headrest standard that you are referring to:
2.3(4) Attachment of head restraints to seat structures fitted to low volume vehicles may be either:
(a) incorporated as a permanently fixed part of the seat structure; or
(b) if the head restraints are an addition to the seat structure, removable without the use of tools.

This was written before my time so I can't explain the wording, but I suspect it was taken from the Australian Standard for headrests, which has similar wording.

Your situation is a headrest on the vehicle structure, not the seat - so strictly speaking the above section doesn't cover your scenario.

The way I read it, for a headrest on a seat, you are not restricted by the above, it just gives two options:
(a) A permanently fixed headrest (i.e. need to use tools to remove), or
(b) Removable without the use of tools