Mounting assembly for night vision display unit

• US 6,909,408 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2001
• Issued: 06/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC (Estate of Heinz Hermann Thiele)
• Original Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC (Estate of Heinz Hermann Thiele)
• Inventors: Matko, Mark A., Johnson, Duane R., Haehn, Craig S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lao, Lunyi
• Application Number:
  US10/034,203
• Publication Number:
  US 20040021618A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,279 Days
• Field of Search: 345 7- 9, 345/903, 361681-683, 362/492, 362/142, 362/135, 359/844, 359/872, 296/97.1, 296/97.2, 296/97.5, 296/97.12, 296/37.6, 296/37.7, 296/37.8, 296/97.6, 296/97.8, 296/97.9, 340/980, 248917-924, D14/126, D14/132, D14/371, D14/374, D12/345, D12/415, D12/418
• US Class Current: 345/7
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 3/0204 Sun visors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/21 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/334 Projection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/21 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/334 Projection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/67 Foldable or movable displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/53 Movable instruments, e.g. slidable
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification

Abstract

A mounting assembly for a night vision display unit uses friction hinges to effectively position the display unit at a desired position relative to the vehicle operator. In a dashboard mounting arrangement, the friction hinge dampens movement of the display unit. In the visor mounted arrangement, the friction hinge assembly and catch assembly ensure convenient, effective storage and deployment of the visor or display unit without one component adversely impacting on the operation and use of the other component.

Claims

1. A mounting assembly for a night vision display unit in a vehicle compartment, the mounting assembly comprising:

a visor pivotally mounted in the associated vehicle compartment position adjacent an upper region of an associated windshield, the visor movable between a storage position and a use position;

a display unit pivotally mounted in the associated vehicle compartment position adjacent an upper region of an associated windshield, the display unit movable between a storage position and a deployed position;

a first catch for securing at least one of the display unit and visor in their respective storage positions; and

a second catch for securing the display unit in the storage position when the visor is deployed

wherein said display pivots towards said visor such that when said visor is in said storage position and said display is in said storage position, the display captures the visor between the display and a portion of said associated vehicle compartment.

2. The mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the first catch includes a magnet disposed on one of the visor and the display unit, and a striker mounted on the other of the visor and display unit.

4. The mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the visor includes a hinge along one edge disposed adjacent the windshield.

5. The mounting assembly of claim 4 wherein the display unit includes a hinge along one edge disposed in spaced relation from the windshield.

9. The mounting assembly of claim 1 further comprising a friction hinge that dampens movement of the display unit.

3. A mounting assembly for a night vision display unit in a vehicle compartment, the mounting assembly comprising:

a visor pivotally mounted in the associated vehicle compartment position adjacent an upper region of an associated windshield, the visor movable between a storage position and a use position;

a display unit pivotally mounted in the associated vehicle compartment position adjacent an upper region of an associated windshield, the display unit movable between a storage position and a deployed position; and

a first catch for securing at least one of the display unit and visor in their respective storage positions;

wherein the first catch includes a magnet disposed on one of the visor and the display unit, and a striker mounted on the other of the visor and display unit;

wherein the striker is mounted in the vehicle compartment for securing the display unit in a storage position when the visor is in a use position

wherein said display pivots towards said visor such that when said visor is in said storage position and said display is in said storage position, the display captures the visor between the display and a portion of said associated vehicle compartment.

6. A mounting assembly for a night vision display unit in a vehicle compartment, the mounting assembly comprising:

a visor pivotally mounted in the associated vehicle compartment position adjacent an upper region of an associated windshield, the visor movable between a storage position and a use position;

a display unit pivotally mounted in the associated vehicle compartment position adjacent an upper region of an associated windshield, the display unit movable between a storage position and a deployed position; and

a first catch for securing at least one of the display unit and visor in their respective storage positions;

wherein the first catch includes a magnet secured to one face of the display unit opposite a display face of the display unit

wherein said display pivots towards said visor such that when said visor is in said storage position and said display is in said storage position, the display captures the visor between the display and a portion of said associated vehicle compartment.

7. The mounting assembly of claim 6 wherein the visor includes a striker secured to a first face of the visor that faces outwardly when the visor is disposed in the storage position.

8. The mounting assembly of claim 6 wherein the display unit includes a friction hinge that dampens the display unit in a desired orientation between the storage and deployed positions.