Vehicle entertainment system with retaining mechanism

• US 20060288382A1
• Filed: 06/15/2006
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Original Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Inventors: Vitito, Christopher J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,699,376 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/77
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• 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: Y10S 248/917 Video display screen support

Abstract

A vehicle includes a ceiling with a headliner, a cradle secured within the ceiling of the vehicle and a video system selectively secured to the cradle for movement between a use position and a storage position. A retaining mechanism is provided maintaining the video system adjacent the headliner and the cradle when the video system is in its storage position.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a ceiling with a headliner;

a cradle secured within the ceiling of the vehicle;

a video system selectively secured to the cradle for movement between a use position and a storage position; and

a retaining mechanism maintaining the video system adjacent the headliner and the cradle when the video system is in its storage position.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the retaining mechanism includes the cradle having a magnetically active metal portion that aligns with magnets formed in the video system when the video system is rotated to its storage position.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the retaining mechanism includes the cradle having an electromagnet that aligns with an electromagnetic magnet formed in the video system when the video system is rotated to its storage position.

4. The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the electromagnets of the respective cradle and the video system are activity upon movement of the video system to its storage position.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a latch extending between the cradle and the video system.

6. The vehicle according to claim 1, further including a rotation control mechanism adjustably controlling the use position and the storage position of the video system.

7. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein edges of the video system are exposed with no surrounding structure when in its storage position.

8. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the video system includes a video source and a video monitor.

9. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the video system includes a base that includes means for pivoting the video monitor.

10. The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the base includes means for pivoting the video monitor about multiple axes.

11. An entertainment system for a vehicle having a ceiling with a headliner, comprising:

a cradle shaped and dimensioned for securing within the ceiling of the vehicle;

a video system selectively secured to the cradle for movement between a use position and a storage position;

a retaining mechanism maintaining the video system adjacent the headliner and the cradle when the video system is in its storage position.

12. The entertainment system according to claim 11, wherein the retaining mechanism includes the cradle having a magnetically active metal portion that aligns with magnets formed in the video system when the video system is rotated to its storage position.

13. The entertainment system according to claim 11, wherein the retaining mechanism includes the cradle having an electromagnet that aligns with an electromagnetic magnet formed in the video system when the video system is rotated to its storage position.

14. The entertainment system according to claim 13, wherein the electromagnets of the respective cradle and the video system are activity upon movement of the video system to its storage position.

15. The entertainment system according to claim 11, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a latch extending between the cradle and the video system.

16. The entertainment system according to claim 11, further including a rotation control mechanism adjustably controlling the use position and the storage position of the video system.

17. The entertainment system according to claim 11, wherein edges of the video system are exposed with no surrounding structure when in its storage position.

18. The entertainment system according to claim 11, wherein the video system includes a video source and a video monitor.

19. The entertainment system according to claim 11, wherein the video system includes a base that includes means for pivoting the video monitor.

20. The entertainment system according to claim 19, wherein the base includes means for pivoting the video monitor about multiple axes.