Overhead mountable sliding video display assembly and method

• US 20060262189A1
• Filed: 05/17/2005
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Boundy, Timothy M., Pirrami, Eugene O. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,903,180 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0084 with adjustment by linear movement in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position

Abstract

A mountable sliding video display assembly is provided for a vehicle in which the longitudinal position of the video display screen unit can be adjusted in the vehicle. The video display screen unit may be mounted behind the last row of occupants in a vehicle. An occupant may slide the video display screen unit to and fro in front of him/her to a comfortable viewing distance. A method for pivoting the video display screen unit is also provided so that the video display screen unit, in addition to longitudinal movement, can be rotated from a stowed position to a display position.

Claims

1. A mountable sliding video display assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a video display screen unit;

a pair of tracks, including a first track and a second track, relatively longitudinally movable with respect to each other;

said first track being adapted for mounting said pair of tracks to the vehicle; and

said second track having said video display screen unit mounted thereto.

2. The mountable sliding video display assembly of claim 1, including ball bearings between said pair of tracks to accommodate longitudinal movement of said first track and said second track with respect to each other;

and

a carrier plate between said ball bearings and said first track.

3. The mountable sliding video display assembly of claim 1, wherein said video display screen unit is pivotally mounted to said first track.

4. The mountable sliding video display assembly of claim 3, further comprising an end bracket, wherein said video display screen unit is pivotally mounted to said first track through said end bracket.

5. The mountable sliding video display assembly of claim 4, further comprising a retainer bracket, wherein said retainer bracket is between said video display screen unit and said end bracket to accommodate pivoting of said video display screen unit.

6. The mountable sliding video display assembly of claim 1, further comprising a vehicle and wherein said second track is mounted to an overhead compartment or roof of said vehicle.

7. The mountable sliding video display assembly of claim 1, further comprising the vehicle and a mounting bracket, wherein said second track is mounted to an overhead compartment or roof of said vehicle through said mounting bracket;

and

wherein said mounting bracket has at least one tab extending into a straddling configuration with said second track.

8. The mountable sliding video display assembly of claim 1, further comprising electrical wiring connected for transmitting signals to said video display screen unit;

wherein said electrical wiring is flat.

9. The mountable sliding video display assembly of claim 2, further comprising electrical wiring connected for transmitting signals to said video display screen unit;

wherein said electrical wiring is flat and said carrier plate has a raised portion configured to accommodate the movement of said flat wiring when said pair of said tracks moves relatively with respect to each other.

10. The mountable sliding video display assembly of claim 8, wherein said electrical wiring is in a loop, the length of which is longer than the relative longitudinal movement of said pair of said tracks, whereby to further accommodate the movement of said flat wire when said pair of said tracks moves relatively with respect to each other.

11. A method for adjusting the position of a mountable video display screen unit for a vehicle comprising:

providing a video display screen unit in said vehicle; and

longitudinally moving said video display screen unit with respect to said vehicle.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising pivoting said video display screen unit with respect to said vehicle.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

providing a sunroof in said vehicle sufficiently close to said video display screen unit that the longitudinal movement of said video display screen unit is also with respect to said sunroof.

14. A vehicle comprising:

a sunroof;

an overhead sliding video display unit mountable with respect to said sunroof;

a pair of tracks relatively longitudinally movable with respect to each other;

one of said pair of tracks being mounted to said vehicle adjacent said sunroof;

the other of said pair of tracks being pivotally mounted to said video display screen unit and movable with respect to said sunroof; and

wherein said pair of tracks are sufficiently slideable such that said video display screen unit may be positioned below said sunroof.