HEADREST-MOUNTED ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS

• US 20080246320A1
• Filed: 04/15/2008
• Published: 10/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Original Assignee: Chung Lung Chang
• Inventors: Chang, Chung Lung
• Granted Patent: US 7,762,627 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/217.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/80 Head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0229 for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0247 for microphones or earphones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0017 Head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0078 Quick-disconnect two-parts mounting means

Abstract

In certain embodiments, a mobile entertainment system includes a housing configured to be coupled with a mounting plate of a headrest. The housing can define a first hinge portion. In some embodiments, the system further includes a screen assembly. The screen assembly can define a second hinge portion that cooperates with the first hinge portion to pivotally couple the screen assembly with the housing such that the screen assembly can rotate relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the system further includes a retaining harness fixedly attached to the mounting plate at a first end and fixedly attached to the screen assembly at a second end. The retaining harness can be configured to limit rotation of the screen assembly relative to the housing. Optionally, in some embodiments, the system includes a headrest configured to be installed in a vehicle. The headrest can include a mounting plate.

Claims

1. A mobile entertainment system comprising:

a headrest configured to be installed in a vehicle, the headrest comprising a mounting plate;

a housing coupled with the mounting plate, the housing defining a first hinge portion;

a screen assembly defining a second hinge portion that cooperates with the first hinge portion to pivotally couple the screen assembly with the housing such that the screen assembly can rotate relative to the housing; and

a retaining harness fixedly attached to the mounting plate at a first end and fixedly attached to the screen assembly at a second end, the retaining harness configured to limit rotation of the screen assembly relative to the housing.

2. The mobile entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the retaining harness is configured to prevent separation of the screen assembly from the headrest by more than a predetermined distance.

3. The mobile entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the screen assembly comprises a metallic frame, the retaining harness being coupled with the metallic frame.

4. The mobile entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the screen assembly includes a media reader.

5. The mobile entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the housing further defines an opening, the retaining harness extending from the screen assembly to the mounting plate through the opening in the housing.

6. The mobile entertainment system of claim 5, wherein the housing defines a channel configured to accept at least a portion of the retaining harness when the screen structure is in a closed configuration, the retaining harness being substantially outside of the channel when the screen structure is rotated to a maximum angle relative to the housing.

7. The mobile entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a plurality of walls that define a cavity, substantially all of the screen structure being accepted within the cavity when the screen structure is in a closed configuration.

8. The mobile entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the retaining harness comprises at least one cord coupled with the mounting plate at a first end and coupled with the screen assembly at a second end.

9. The mobile entertainment system of claim 8, wherein the at least one cord comprises at least one of metal and nylon.

10. The mobile entertainment system of claim 8, wherein the retaining harness is configured to remain fixedly attached to the mounting plate and fixedly attached to the screen assembly when a tension in the at least one cord is less than about 2000 pounds.

11. The mobile entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the retaining harness is configured to remain fixedly attached to the mounting plate and fixedly attached to the screen assembly when the mobile entertainment system is subjected to less than 60 G'"'"'s of acceleration.

12. The mobile entertainment system of claim 11, wherein the retaining harness is configured to remain fixedly attached to the mounting plate and fixedly attached to the screen assembly when the mobile entertainment system is subjected to less than 20 G'"'"'s of acceleration.

13. A mobile entertainment system comprising:

a headrest configured to be installed in a vehicle, the headrest comprising a mounting plate;

a housing coupled with the mounting plate, the housing defining a first hinge portion;

a screen assembly comprising a metallic frame, the screen assembly defining a second hinge portion that cooperates with the first hinge portion to pivotally couple the screen assembly with the housing such that the screen assembly can rotate through a range of angles relative to the housing, the screen assembly configured to rotate independent of movement of the headrest;

and

a retaining harness coupled with both the mounting plate of the headrest and the metallic frame of the screen assembly, the harness configured to limit said range of angles through which the screen assembly can rotate, the harness further configured to prevent movement of the screen assembly beyond a predetermined distance from the mounting plate.

14. The mobile entertainment system of claim 13, wherein the screen assembly includes a media reader.

15. The mobile entertainment system of claim 13, wherein the screen assembly includes a media reader that defines an external surface area, the metallic frame defining an external surface area having a value no less than about one third the value of the external surface area of the media reader.

16. The mobile entertainment system of claim 13, wherein the housing defines a channel configured to accept at least a portion of the retaining harness when the screen structure is in a closed configuration.

17. The mobile entertainment system of claim 13, wherein the housing further defines an opening, the retaining harness extending from the screen assembly to the mounting plate through the opening in the housing.

18. The mobile entertainment system of claim 17, wherein the housing defines a channel configured to accept at least a portion of the retaining harness when the screen structure is in a closed configuration.

19. The mobile entertainment system of claim 18, wherein the retaining harness is substantially outside of the channel when the screen structure is rotated to a maximum angle relative to the housing.

20. The mobile entertainment system of claim 13, wherein the housing includes a plurality of walls that define a cavity, substantially all of the screen structure being accepted within the cavity when the screen structure is in a closed configuration.

21. The mobile entertainment system of claim 13, wherein the retaining harness comprises at least one of metal and nylon.

22. A method of restraining movement of an entertainment system, the method comprising:

providing a headrest having a mounting plate;

coupling a housing with the mounting plate of the headrest;

coupling a screen assembly with the housing such that the screen assembly can rotate relative to the housing; and

connecting a retaining harness at a first end with the mounting plate and at a second end with the screen assembly.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the housing includes a first hinge portion and the screen assembly includes a second hinge portion, said coupling of the screen assembly with the housing comprising coupling the first hinge portion with the second hinge portion.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said coupling of the first hinge portion with the second hinge portion comprises attaching a metallic fastener to both the first and second hinge portions.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising rotating the screen assembly to substantially hide the retaining harness from view.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the housing further defines a channel, the method further comprising rotating the screen assembly to a closed configuration such that at least a portion of the harness is within the channel.

27. An entertainment system manufactured via the method of claim 22.