Mounting system for releasably and securely mounting an entertainment accessory within an automobile

• US 6,216,927 B1
• Filed: 06/23/1999
• Issued: 04/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ronald R. Meritt
• Original Assignee: Nissho Iwai American Corporation (Sojitz Corporation)
• Inventors: Meritt, Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): Vidovich, Gregory M.
• Application Number:
  US09/338,728
• Time in Patent Office: 664 Days
• Field of Search: 224/275, 224/572, 224/539, 224/563, 224/929, 224/930, 348/837, 190/110, 273/148.B, 297/188.04, 297/188.05, 297/188.06, 297/188.07, 297/188.2, 297/188.21, 463/46, 463/47, 296/37.6, 296/37.15, 296/37.16
• US Class Current: 224/275
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0211 for record carriers apparatus, e.g. video recorders, tape players or CD players
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0015 Back-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0017 Head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0059 using clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0276 for rear passenger use
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/929 Article carrier for electrical device

Abstract

A mounting device for releasably and securely mounting an entertainment accessory within an automobile having a headrest extending from a seat. The mounting device includes an entertainment accessory and a case that can be releasably attached to the headrest. The entertainment accessory is positioned within the case and the case has a front side, a rear side, and a bottom side. A quick connect device is attached to the case for releasably engaging the headrest. A cover has one edge attached to the case. The cover is movable between a first position and second position. The cover overlaps the bottom side and the front side of the case while in the first position, and the cover serves as a spacer between the seat and the rear side of the case, while in the second position, to orient the case in a generally vertical position.

Claims

1. A mounting device for releasably and securely mounting an entertainment accessory within an automobile having a headrest extending from a seat, comprising:

an entertainment accessory;

a case for being releasably attached to the headrest, said entertainment accessory being positioned within said case, said case having a front side, a rear side, and a bottom side;

a quick connect device attached to said case for releasably engaging the headrest; and

a cover having one edge attached to said case, said cover being movable between a first position and a second position, said cover overlapping said bottom side and said front side of said case while in said first position and said cover serving as a spacer between the seat and said rear side of said case while in the second position to orient said case in a generally vertical position.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said quick connect device comprises at least one strap.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a pair of bands releasably attached to said case for attaching said case to at least one seat rail of the seat.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising an enclosure attached to said cover for holding a power inverter between said case and said cover while said cover is positioned to serve as said spacer.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said case comprises:

said rear side formed substantially of at least one mesh material; and

a pair of end portions each engaging an opposite end of said entertainment accessory.

6. The device of claim 5, further comprising at least one restraining strap attached to each of said pair of end portions for securing the entertainment accessory within the case.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said entertainment accessory is any one of a video cassette player, a video cassette recorder, a digital video disk player, a video disk player, a compact disk player, and an electronic game.

8. A device for releasably and securely mounting an entertainment accessory within an automobile having a headrest extending from a seat, comprising:

a case for being releasably attached to the headrest and for receiving the entertainment accessory, said case having a front side oriented generally rearwardly from said seat and a bottom side generally facing an internal floor of the automobile;

at least one strap attached to said case for releasably engaging the headrest;

a cover attached to said case and comprising a first rigid panel and a second rigid panel, said first rigid panel interposed between said case and said second rigid panel; and

said cover being positionable to serve as a spacer between the seat and said case to orient said case in a generally vertical position, wherein said cover is moveable between a closed position, wherein said first rigid panel is positioned adjacent said bottom side of said case and said second rigid panel is positioned adjacent said front side to form a front panel of said case, and an open position, where said first rigid panel and said second rigid panel cooperate to form said spacer that is positioned between the seat and said rear panel of said case.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said case comprises:

a rear panel formed substantially of at least one mesh material;

a pair of end portions each attached to opposite edges of said rear panel for engaging the entertainment accessory; and

at least one restraining strap attached to each of said pair of end portions to secure the entertainment accessory therebetween.

10. The device of claim 8, further comprising a display device for being releasably engaged with the seat, said display device being operatively coupled with the entertainment accessory.

11. A device for releasably and securely mounting an entertainment accessory within an automobile having a headrest extending from a seat, comprising:

a case for being releasably attached to the headrest and for receiving the entertainment accessory, said case comprising;

a rear panel formed substantially of at least one mesh material;

a pair of end portions each attached to opposite edges of said rear panel for engaging the entertainment accessory; and

at least one restraining strap attached to each of said pair of end portions to secure the entertainment accessory therebetween;

at least one strap attached to said case for releasably engaging the headrest;

a cover attached to said case and comprising a first rigid panel and a second rigid panel, said first rigid panel interposed between said case and said second rigid panel;

said cover being positionable to serve as a spacer between the seat and said case to orient said case in a generally vertical position, wherein said cover is moveable between a closed position, where said first rigid panel is positioned adjacent said bottom side of said case and said second rigid panel is positioned adjacent said front side to form a front panel of said case, and an open position, where said first rigid panel and said second rigid panel cooperate to form said spacer that is positioned between the seat and said rear panel of said case; and

a display device operatively coupled with the entertainment accessory.