Housing for an automobile entertainment system

• US 20050110313A1
• Filed: 07/21/2004
• Published: 05/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Original Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Inventors: Vitito, Christopher J., Brawner, Jeffrey
• Application Number:
  US10/895,086
• Publication Number:
  US 20050110313A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/217.300
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/879 with additional features not related to head-rest positioning, e.g. heating or cooling devices or loudspeakers

Abstract

A housing is provided for an automobile entertainment system mounted within an automobile headrest. The headrest includes a headrest body and a first downwardly extending extension arm including a passage therethrough. The housing includes a support frame having a rectangular shell in which a video monitor is pivotally mounted. The support frame includes a top wall and a bottom wall connected by a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The first sidewall and second sidewall are respectively provided with bearing slots shaped and dimensioned for receiving lateral posts extending from sides of the video monitor in a manner permitting controlled pivoting of the video monitor within the support frame. Structure is also provided for controlling movement of the video monitor within the support frame.

Claims

1. A housing for an automobile entertainment system mounted within an automobile headrest, the headrest including a headrest body and a first downwardly extending extension arm including a passage therethrough, the housing comprising:

a support frame including a rectangular shell in which a video monitor is pivotally mounted, the support frame includes a top wall and a bottom wall connected by a first sidewall and a second sidewall;

the first sidewall and second sidewall are respectively provided with bearing slots shaped and dimensioned for receiving lateral posts extending from sides of the video monitor in a manner permitting controlled pivoting of the video monitor within the support frame; and

means for controlling movement of the video monitor within the support frame.

2. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the means for controlling movement includes selectively engageable members respectively formed on the support frame and the video monitor.

3. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the means for controlling movement includes selectively engageable recesses and detents respectively formed on the support frame and the video monitor, wherein the detents are shaped and dimensioned for engagement with the various recesses as the video monitor is pivoted relative to the support frame.

4. An automobile entertainment system, comprising:

a video system mounted within an automobile headrest, the headrest including a headrest body and a first downwardly extending extension arm including a passage therethrough;

the video system including a housing having a support frame including a rectangular shell in which a video monitor is pivotally mounted, the support frame includes a top wall and a bottom wall connected by a first sidewall and a second sidewall;

the first sidewall and second sidewall are respectively provided with bearing slots shaped and dimensioned for receiving lateral posts extending from sides of the video monitor in a manner permitting controlled pivoting of the video monitor within the support frame; and

means for controlling movement of the monitor within the support frame.

5. The entertainment system according to claim 4, wherein the means for controlling movement includes selectively engageable members respectively formed on the support frame and the video monitor.

6. The entertainment system according to claim 4, wherein the means for controlling movement includes selectively engageable recesses and detents respectively formed on the support frame and the video monitor, wherein the detents are shaped and dimensioned for engagement with the various recesses as the video monitor is pivoted relative to the support frame.

7. The entertainment system according to claim 4, wherein the video system includes at least one cable extending therefrom and the cable passes through the first extension arm.

8. The entertainment system according to claim 7, wherein the video system includes a video source.

9. The entertainment system according to claim 8, wherein the video source is a DVD player.

10. The entertainment system according to claim 7, wherein the cable includes a power source wire and at least one audio wire

11. The entertainment system according to claim 7, wherein the cable includes a connector shroud at a distal end the cable, and the connector shroud is provided with a selectively removable eyelet allowing the connector shroud to be gripped and pulled through a back of a vehicle seat.

12. The entertainment system according to claim 11, wherein the eyelet includes a cylindrical housing shaped and dimensioned to fit over the connector shroud, the housing including a coupling member shaped and dimensioned for engagement with a wire puller.

13. The entertainment system according to claim 7, further including a power adaptor for connecting the cable and video system to a power source.

14. The entertainment system according to claim 13, wherein the power adaptor is shaped and dimensioned for coupling with an automobile power adaptor outlet.

15. The entertainment system according to claim 14, wherein the power adaptor includes a first connector and a second connector shaped and dimensioned for engagement with a power supply wire of the cable, and the power adaptor also includes a power plug shaped and dimensioned for selective connection with an automobile power adaptor outlet.

16. The entertainment system according to claim 13, wherein the power adaptor is shaped and dimensioned for direct connection to the vehicle power source.

17. The entertainment system according to claim 16, wherein the power adaptor includes a first connector and a second connector shaped and dimensioned for engagement with a power supply wire of the cable, and the power adaptor also includes a pair of electrical lines for connection to an automobile power supply.