Headrest mounted video display

• US 7,290,833 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2005
• Issued: 11/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Savv Corporation
• Original Assignee: Savv Corporation
• Inventors: Park, Eric, Son, Jung Ho
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown; Peter R.
• Application Number:
  US11/315,351
• Publication Number:
  US 20060097551A1
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• Field of Search: 297/217.3, 297/188.04, 297/188.05, 297/217.1, 348/837, 348/838
• US Class Current: 297/217.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/809 vertically slidable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/847 with stepwise positioning
• 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 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0017 Head-rests

Abstract

An embodiment of the invention has a headrest restraint incorporating a remote-controlled, video monitor with a monitor safety cover and concealed video input and power supply cable. It can serve as an OEM headrest or as an after-market headrest replacement. This embodiment of the invention maintains headrest safety requirements and meets vehicle manufacturers'"'"' specifications, unlike headrests specially modified to incorporate a rearward facing video monitor. The monitor safety cover protects rear seat occupants from impact with the monitor. The abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Claims

1. A seat headrest comprising:

a headrest pillow;

a video display device attaching to the headrest pillow;

a frame including a headrest support within the headrest pillow for supporting the headrest pillow and two pillars attached to the headrest support, the headrest support having an adjustment mechanism between the two pillars for positioning at least the headrest pillow in one of a plurality of tilting positions relative to a seat, at least one of the two pillars being hollow and the hollow pillar including a first opening at one end thereof within the headrest pillow and a second opening at another end thereof; and

a cable extended through the at least one hollow pillar via the first and second openings to a connector that is separate from the at least one hollow pillar to provide at least one of a power and video input to the video display device, wherein the headrest support is configured to have a shape such that the cable does not pass through the headrest support and extends around the headrest support from the first opening to the video display device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tilting positions includes forward titling positions relative to the seat.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a ratcheting mechanism for locking into at least one of the plurality of tilting positions.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a cover for covering the headrest pillow.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the connector is a multi-pin connector.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the frame is removably attached to the seat.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a video display housing within the headrest pillow for receiving the video display device.

8. A seat headrest comprising:

a headrest pillow;

a video display device attaching to the headrest pillow;

a headrest support within the headrest pillow for supporting the headrest pillow;

two pillars spaced apart from the headrest support, at least one of the two pillars being hollow and the hollow pillar including a first opening at one end thereof within the headrest pillow and outside of the headrest support, and a second opening at another end thereof;

an adjustment mechanism in a lower portion of the headrest support between the two pillars for positioning the headrest support in one of a plurality of tilting positions relative to a seat; and

a cable extended through the at least one hollow pillar via the first and second openings to the video display device, wherein the headrest support is configured to have a shape such that the cable does not pass through the headrest support and extends around the headrest support from the first opening to the video display device.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising a video display housing within the headrest pillow for receiving the video display device.