Headrest mountable video system

• US 7,245,274 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2003
• Issued: 07/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Original Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Inventors: Schedivy, George C.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, NITIN
• Application Number:
  US10/438,724
• Publication Number:
  US 20040227695A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,524 Days
• Field of Search: 296/24.1, 296/37.8, 340/691.1, 340/461, 340/435, 224/275, 224/929, 224/572, 439/131, 361/681, 361/683, 361837-838, 386/46, 345/7, 345/905, 348/837, 348/838, 349/58, 349149-152, 297/188.04, 297/188.05, 297/217.3, 297/217.4, 297/217.1, 248/226.11, 248/228.8, 248/205.2, 725/75
• US Class Current: 345/7
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/64 Back-rests or cushions B60N2/2222 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/879 with additional features not related to head-rest positioning, e.g. heating or cooling devices or loudspeakers
• 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 11/0258 for navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0225 self supporting head liners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/025 Pillars; Roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0275 comprising removable or hinged parts for accessing storage compartments B60R7/04; for airbag deployment B60R21/215
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0015 Back-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0017 Head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0073 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

A video system comprises a base unit coupled to an internal headrest support structure, wherein the base unit comprises a media player, and a display mounted in a door pivotally connected to the base unit by a hinge and in a closed position concealing the media player.

Claims

1. A video system comprising:

a base unit coupled to an internal headrest support structure; and

a door pivotally connected to the base unit by a hinge, the door comprising a display and a media player comprising at least one of a DVD player, an MPEG player or a video game player.

2. The video system of claim 1, further comprising a docking station disposed between the base unit and the internal headrest support structure, for selectively coupling the video system to the internal headrest support structure, wherein the video system can be selectively un-coupled from the base unit.

3. The video system of claim 2, further comprising a power source coupled to the docking station, the docking station providing power to a coupled video system.

4. The video system of claim 2, wherein the video system is coupled to an external device through the docking station, wherein the docking station and the video system are coupled by a pin array.

5. The video system of claim 1, wherein the video system is a slot-type device.

6. The video system of claim 5, wherein a slot for receiving a date media is positioned on a side of the door.

7. The video system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless transmitter.

8. The video system of claim 1, wherein the hinge is a swivel-hinge.

9. The video system of claim 1, further comprising a port for connecting to an external device.

10. A video system comprising:

a display mounted to a headrest of a vehicle seat, wherein the display is pivotally coupled to a headrest support element, the headrest support element being disposed inside and outside of the headrest.

11. A video system comprising:

a base portion positioned in a headrest of a vehicle seat, wherein the base portion accommodates a media player comprising at least one of a DVD player, an MPEG player or a video game player and a display pivotally connected to the base portion.

12. A docking station adapted to secure a portable video system including a media player comprising it least one of a DVD player, an MPEG player or a video game player, the docking station comprising:

a means for securing the docking station to a headrest support structure located within a headrest of a vehicle seat, wherein at least a portion of the docking station is disposed within the headrest;

a means for securing the portable video system to the docking station; and

a pin array for providing power to a secured portable video system.

13. The docking station of claim 12, wherein the pin army carries a signal between the secured removable video unit and an external device.

14. The docking station of claim 13, wherein the signal is one of an audio signal and a video signal.

15. The base unit of claim 12, wherein a cover is secured to the docking station in the absence of the portable video system.

16. A video system comprising:

a base unit coupled to a headrest support structure located within a headrest of a vehicle seat, wherein the base unit comprises a media player comprising at least one of a DVD player, an MPEG player or a video game player; and

a display mounted in a door pivotally connected to the base unit by a hinge and in a closed position concealing the media player.

17. The video system of claim 16, further comprising a docking station disposed between the base unit and the headrest support structure, for selectively coupling the video system to the headrest support structure, wherein:

the video system can be selectively un-coupled from the base unit; and

at least a portion of the docking station is disposed within the headrest and is directly coupled to the headrest support structure.

18. The video system of claim 17, further comprising a power source coupled to the docking station, the docking station providing power to a coupled video system.

19. The video system of claim 17, wherein the video system is coupled to an external device through the docking station, wherein the docking station and the video system are coupled by a pin array.

20. The video system of claim 16, wherein the video system is a clamshell-type device.

21. The video system of claim 16, wherein the hinge is a swivel-hinge.

22. The video system of claim 16, further comprising a wireless transmitter positioned on the door.

23. The video system of claim 16, further comprising a port for connecting to an external device.