Vehicle entertainment system with tensioning mechanism

• US 20060288385A1
• 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 7,604,276 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, 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. The video system includes a base shaped and dimensioned for selectively coupling with the cradle. The base includes a first hinge facilitating rotation of the video system, wherein the first hinge includes a tensioning mechanism controlling vibration of the video system as the vehicle moves and allowing for controlled positioning of the video system at a variety of angular orientations by simply releasing and reapplying the tensioning mechanism.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a ceiling;

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, the video system includes a base shaped and dimensioned for selectively coupling with the cradle, the base includes a first hinge facilitating rotation of the video system, wherein the first hinge includes a tensioning mechanism controlling vibration of the video system as the vehicle moves and allowing for controlled positioning of the video system at a variety of angular orientations by simply releasing and reapplying the tensioning mechanism.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the first hinge also includes a safety lock preventing movement of the video system from the storage position to the use position.

3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the base further includes a second hinge permitting rotation of the video system about an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the first hinge.

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

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the video system includes a housing in which a video monitor and video source are housed, the housing depending from the base shaped and dimensioned for selectively attachment to the cradle.

6. The vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the base includes a means for pivoting the video monitor.

7. The vehicle according to claim 1, further including a cover for covering the cradle when it is not in use, the cover being substantially flush with the headliner and conforming with a profile thereof.

8. The vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the cover includes a light.

9. The vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the cover includes a power source.

10. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the cradle is substantially flush with a headliner of the vehicle.

11. An entertainment system for a vehicle, comprising:

a cradle secured within a ceiling of the vehicle; and

a video system selectively secured to the cradle for movement between a use position and a storage position, the video system includes a base shaped and dimensioned for selectively coupling with the cradle, the base includes a first hinge facilitating rotation of the video system, wherein the first hinge includes a tensioning mechanism controlling vibration of the video system as the vehicle moves and allowing for controlled positioning of the video system at a variety of angular orientations by simply releasing and reapplying the tensioning mechanism.

12. The entertainment system according to claim 11, wherein the first hinge also includes a safety lock preventing movement of the video system from the storage position to the use position.

13. The entertainment system according to claim 12, wherein the base further includes a second hinge permitting rotation of the video system about an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the first hinge.

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

15. The entertainment system according to claim 11, wherein the video system includes a housing in which a video monitor and video source are housed, the housing depending from a base shaped and dimensioned for selectively attachment to the cradle.

16. The entertainment system according to claim 15, wherein the base includes a means for pivoting the video monitor.

17. The entertainment system according to claim 11, further including a cover for covering the cradle when it is not in use, the cover being substantially flush with a headliner of the vehicle and conforming with a profile thereof.

18. The entertainment system according to claim 17, wherein the cover includes a light.

19. The entertainment system according to claim 17, wherein the cover includes a power source.

20. The entertainment system according to claim 11, wherein the cradle is substantially flush with a headliner of the vehicle.