ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM MOUNTABLE IN A VEHICLE SEAT AND METHODS FOR MOUNTING AND DISPLAYING SAME

• US 20070070192A1
• Filed: 11/07/2006
• Published: 03/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Original Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Inventors: Shalam, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,780,231 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/61
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0264 characterised by the type of electrical connection, e.g. wiring, plugs or USB
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0047 using hidden fastening means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space

Abstract

A media system for a vehicle having a seat comprises a housing mounted to the seat, and a media unit that is capable of being coupled to the housing, wherein the housing includes a receiving portion that pivots with respect to the housing and receives the media unit in the receiving portion.

Claims

1. A media system for a vehicle having a seat, the media system comprising:

a housing mounted to the seat; and

a media unit capable of being coupled to the housing, wherein the housing includes a receiving portion that pivots with respect to the housing and receives the media unit therein.

2. The media system according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion comprises a first side portion and second side portion.

3. The media system according to claim 2, wherein the first and second side portions include first and second extensions for engaging respective grooves on a first side surface and a second side surface of the media unit.

4. The media system according to claim 3, wherein the first and second extensions each comprise a folded portion positioned at an angle with the first and second side portions, respectively.

5. The media system according to claim 3, wherein the grooves have different widths along the length of the grooves.

6. The media system according to claim 2, wherein the media unit includes a first groove and a second groove for engaging the first side portion and the second side portion.

7. The media system according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion comprises a hole in a side thereof for receiving a flexible member formed on a surface of the media unit.

8. The media system according to claim 7, wherein the flexible member includes a lip portion that passes through the hole.

9. The media system according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion is attached to the housing with a hinge.

10. The media system according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion comprises a bottom side, a left side, a right side, and a rear side.

11. The media system according to claim 1, wherein the media unit comprises a media player and a display for displaying video from the media player.

12. The media system according to claim 1, wherein the media unit comprises a first electrical connector positioned therein.

13. The media system according to claim 12, wherein the receiving, portion comprises a second electrical connector mounted thereto, and the second electrical connector mates with the first electrical connector.

14. The media system according to claim 13, wherein the second electrical connector protrudes from a surface of the receiving portion and is inserted through a hole in the media unit to mate with the first electrical connector when the media unit is received by the receiving portion.

15. The media system according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion includes a plurality of protruding portions positioned on a side thereof, and the protruding portions fit in a corresponding plurality of holes formed in the media unit for securing the media unit to the receiving portion.

16. The media system according to claim 2, wherein the receiving portion further comprises a tab portion extending from each of the first and second side portions, and each tab portion fits into any one of a plurality of indentations formed on corresponding first and second sides of the housing to restrict an angle of rotation of the receiving portion with respect to the housing.

17. The media system according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of indentations are formed along a curve corresponding to the rotation of the receiving portion with respect to the housing.

18. The media system according to claim 1, wherein the housing is mounted to a headrest of the seat.

19. The media system according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion surrounds the media unit on at least two sides of the media unit.

20. A housing for a media system mounted to a seat in a vehicle, the housing comprising:

a receiving portion pivotably coupled to the housing for receiving a media unit therein, wherein the media unit is inserted into the receiving portion to couple the media unit to the housing.

21. The housing according to claim 20, wherein the media unit includes a groove formed in a surface thereof for engaging an extended portion of the receiving portion to secure the media unit to the receiving portion.

22. The housing according to claim 20, wherein the media unit includes a flexible member and the receiving portion includes a hole formed therein through which at least part of flexible member passes to secure the media unit to the receiving portion.

23. The housing according to claim 20, wherein the receiving portion comprises an electrical connector mounted thereto and protruding from a surface of the receiving portion, wherein, when the media unit is inserted into the receiving portion, the electrical connector passes through a hole in the media unit to mate with an electrical connector positioned in the media unit.

24. The housing according to claim 20, wherein the receiving portion is pivotably coupled to the housing using a hinge.

25. The housing according to claim 20, wherein the receiving portion comprises a bottom side, a left side, a right side, and a rear side.

26. A method for displaying a media system for a vehicle seat, comprising:

installing a housing having a pivotable receiving portion in a headrest;

securing the headrest to the vehicle seat; and

inserting a mock-up media unit into the receiving portion.

27. The method according to claim 26, further comprising removing a factory headrest from the vehicle prior to securing the headrest including the housing to the vehicle seat.

28. The method according to claim 27, further comprising removing the headrest including the housing from the vehicle seat and replacing it with the factor headrest if a consumer determines that it does not want the media system.

29. The method according to claim 26, further comprising removing the mock-up media unit from the housing and replacing the mock-up media unit with an actual media unit.

30. The method according to claim 29, further comprising electrically connecting the media system including the actual media unit to the vehicle.