Lateral track movement system

• US 6,863,326 B1
• Filed: 12/08/2003
• Issued: 03/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Dykman, Michael C., Mestemaker, Jim, Tiesler, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): MORROW, JASON S
• Application Number:
  US10/730,293
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 296/190.08, 296/1.07, 296/210, 296/214
• US Class Current: 296/1.07
• 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: B60R 2011/0084 with adjustment by linear movement in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position

Abstract

A lateral track movement system for a display screen attached to the ceiling of a motor vehicle utilizing a dockable connector. This system allows the display screen to slide across tracks to any desired position along the track for more comfortable viewing of the display screen by the passengers in the motor vehicle. This system allows for the display screen to utilize a dockable connection so that the electrical connection is made at the point of connection, which is outside of the interior of the ceiling or side panels. This lateral track movement system comprises an upper reinforcement assembly, a carrier assembly, a lower reinforcement assembly, at least one wire, and a spool.

Claims

1. In a motor vehicle having a ceiling and a passenger seating area, a lateral track movement system for a dockable connector of a display screen comprising:

upper reinforcement assembly;

a carrier assembly;

a lower reinforcement assembly;

at least one wire, and

a spool.

2. The lateral track movement system of claim 1, wherein said lateral track movement system is mounted to said ceiling.

3. The lateral track movement system of claim 2, wherein said lateral track movement system is mounted in a generally forward position from said passenger seating area.

4. The lateral track movement system of claim 3, wherein said lateral track movement system is mounted parallel to said passenger seating area.

5. The lateral track movement system of claim 1, wherein said upper reinforcement assembly further comprises an upper base attached to a roof bow, at least one track rail attached to said upper base and said carrier assembly comprising a tube, a locking assembly, and said dockable connector of said display screen, said carrier assembly holds said dockable connector of said display screen and fits through said lower reinforcement assembly, said lower reinforcement assembly comprises a lower base, trim snapped onto said lower base, at least one rib fixedly attached to said lower base, and said spool, said at least one wire runs through said ceiling said upper reinforcement assembly into said carrier assembly, said dockable connector of said display screen, and said spool.

6. The lateral track movement system of claim 5, comprising two tracks rails.

7. The lateral track movement system of claim 5, comprising a number of ribs fixedly attached and spaced along said lower base.

8. The lateral track movement system of claim 5, wherein said carrier assembly is slidably associated with said upper base and said at least one track rail, said carrier assembly slides along said at least one track rail and ramps up to engage in a locked position over said at least one rib.

9. The lateral track movement system of claim 8, wherein said carrier assembly is locked over said rib by said locking assembly comprising a lower lock and a spring loaded upper lock, said carrier assembly disengaged from said rib when said lower lock is pushed in an upward position thereby pushing up said spring loaded upper lock releasing said carrier assembly to slide along said at least one track rail.

10. The lateral track movement system of claim 5, wherein in said at least one wire allows for electrical connection of said dockable connector of display screen.

11. The lateral track movement system of claim 1, wherein said spool prevents entanglement of said at least one wire.