HEADREST MOUNTED VIDEO DISPLAY

• US 20040004378A1
• Filed: 07/02/2002
• Published: 01/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Savv Corporation
• Original Assignee: Savv Corporation
• Inventors: Park, Eric, Son, Jung Ho
• Granted Patent: US 6,669,285 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/217.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/809 vertically slidable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/847 with stepwise positioning
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/879 with additional features not related to head-rest positioning, e.g. heating or cooling devices or loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0017 Head-rests

Abstract

The invention resides in a pre-fabricated OEM replacement vehicle headrest with a built-in active matrix TFT LCD monitor. The data input cable is run through the seat, through a hollow headrest support tube and into the monitor. The headrest device eliminates the need to modify the original equipment headrests to accommodate the monitor and thereby reduce its safety capabilities. The abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Claims

1. A vehicle headrest with built in display device comprising:

a frame, said frame having a head rest support and at least one hollow engagement post, said at least one hollow engagement post attaches said head rest support to said seat;

a headrest pillow being attached to said frame, said headrest pillow having a rearward structure and a yielding forward structure, said yielding forward structure being sized, shaped and located to prevent the back of the seat occupant'"'"'s head from a sudden, whipping rearward motion, said headrest pillow being attached to said frame;

a display monitor being provided, said display monitor having a display screen and a combination power and video input cable, the rearward structure of said headrest pillow being sized and shaped to accommodate said display monitor; and

said power and video input cable runs through said at least one hollow engagement post.

2. A vehicle headrest with built in display device according to claim 1 wherein said at least one hollow engagement post having a means that allows it to be adjusted vertically to a plurality of vertical positions in relation to the seat on which it is mounted.

3. A vehicle headrest with built in display device according to claim 1 wherein said combination power and video input cable being run up through the seat, through said at least one hollow engagement post and connected into said display monitor.

4. A vehicle headrest with built in display device according to claim 1 wherein said headrest pillow comprising a shaped foam pad covered by a material similar in appearance, color and texture to the material covering the seat onto which it is mounted.

5. A vehicle headrest with built in display device according to claim 1 wherein said headrest pillow comprising a shaped foam pad covered by a material complementary in appearance, color and texture to the material covering the seat onto which it is mounted.

6. A vehicle headrest with built in display device according to claim 1 wherein said display monitor being an active matrix TFT LCD monitor.

7. A vehicle headrest with built in display device according to claim 1 wherein said frame having two engagement posts with at least one being hollow.

8. A vehicle headrest with built in display device according to claim 1 wherein said at least one hollow engagement post being fabricated from chrome-moly tubing.

9. A vehicle headrest with built in display device according to claim 1 wherein said head rest support can be tilted in relation to said at least one hollow engagement post to a plurality of forward tilted positions.

10. A vehicle headrest with built in display device according to claim 1 wherein there are three forward tilted positions.

11. A vehicle headrest with built in display device according to claim 9 wherein each forward tilted position being locked into place by a ratcheting mechanism.

12. A vehicle headrest with built in display device according to claim 1 wherein said rearward structure of said headrest pillow contains an opening, said opening having a first side, a second side, a third side, a fourth side and a fifth side.

13. A vehicle headrest with built in display device according to claim 12 further comprising a headrest housing, said headrest housing being sized and shaped to fit snuggly within said opening in said headrest pillow.

14. A vehicle headrest with built in display device according to claim 13 wherein said headrest housing being fabricated from ABS plastic.

15. A vehicle headrest with built in display device according to claim 13 further comprising a monitor attachment bezel, said monitor attachment bezel being mounted into said headrest housing, said display monitor being attached to said monitor attachment bezel.

16. A vehicle headrest with built in display device according to claim 15 wherein said display monitor being attached to said monitor attachment bezel by two brackets.

17. A vehicle headrest with built in display device according to claim 1 wherein said combination power and video input cable being a DIN cable.

18. A vehicle headrest with built in display device according to claim 17 wherein said DIN cable being a 5-pin DIN cable.

19. A vehicle headrest with built in display device according to claim 17 wherein said DIN cable being a 8-pin DIN cable.