Detachable vehicle monitor

• US 7,019,794 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2002
• Issued: 03/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Epsilon Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Epsilon Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Norvell, Gene, Rochel, Jack
• Primary Examiner(s): Kostak, Victor R.
• Application Number:
  US10/281,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20030137584A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,247 Days
• Field of Search: 348/836, 348/838, 348/61, 348/837, 725 75- 77, 248/917, 248/918, 224/275, 345/7, 362/681, 362/682, 362/725, 297/217.3, 297/217.6, 361/681, D14/239, D14/133
• US Class Current: 348/838
• 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: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1612 Flat panel monitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen

Abstract

A monitor-housing assembly designed to removably mount a video monitor to facilitate disengaging of the monitor from the vehicle backrest for storage or use in a different location thereby minimizing theft and maximizing monitor utility.

Claims

1. An assembly for removably holding a video monitor behind a vehicle seat wherein the vehicle seat includes a headrest, said assembly comprising:

a video monitor,

a housing for mounting in the headrest of the vehicle seat,

the video monitor and the housing cooperating to hold the video monitor in the housing and have the video monitor be removed from the housing,

an electrical connection of the video monitor and an electrical connection of the housing being mutually aligned and removably interconnected between the housing and the video monitor for transfer of power and a video signal from remote sources when the video monitor is located in the housing, and

a switch assembly locking the video monitor in the housing for connecting and releasing the video monitor from the housing and separating the electrical connection of the video monitor and the electrical connection of the housing.

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing includes a biased push bar for pushing the video monitor out of the housing.

3. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the video monitor includes an opening for receipt of the push bar.

4. The assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the opening is on a rear surface of the video monitor.

5. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch assembly is biased to hold the video monitor in the housing.

6. In combination, an assembly for removably holding a video monitor in a vehicle seat including a headrest, said assembly including

a video monitor,

a housing mounted in a rear surface of the headrest of the vehicle seat,

the video monitor and the housing cooperating to hold the video monitor in the housing and have the video monitor be removed from the housing,

an electrical connection of the monitor and an electrical connection of the housing being mutually aligned and removably interconnected between the housing and the video monitor for transfer of power and a video signal from remote sources when the video monitor is located in the housing, and

a switch assembly locking the video monitor in the housing for connecting and releasing the video monitor from the housing and separating the electrical connection of the video monitor and the electrical connection of the housing.

7. The assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the housing includes a biased push bar for pushing the video monitor out of the housing.

8. The assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the video monitor includes an opening for receipt of the push bar.

9. The assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the opening is on a rear surface of the video monitor.

10. The assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the switch assembly is biased to hold the video monitor in the housing.