Headrest/head restraint having an integrated video screen

• US 7,597,393 B1
• Filed: 04/05/2004
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shanna Murphy
• Original Assignee: Shanna Murphy
• Inventors: Molo, Jon A., Murphy, Robert, Barrese, Frank, Espina, Roel C., Haack, Ernesto R., Tuccinardi, Eugene M., Zoetemelk, Theo
• Primary Examiner(s): MCPARTLIN, SARAH BURNHAM
• Application Number:
  US10/819,341
• Time in Patent Office: 2,010 Days
• Field of Search: 297/217.3, 297/188.4, 297/188.07
• US Class Current: 297/217.3
• 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 2011/0017 Head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/008 Adjustable or movable supports

Abstract

A seat back video display assembly adapted to be positioned in the back of a vehicle seat having an outer skin cover. In one aspect, the assembly may comprise a receptacle member having sidewalls and a back wall so as to define an opening wherein the receptacle member is adapted to be positioned in the back of the vehicle seat. In addition, the assembly may further comprise a carrier member having sidewalls and a back wall so as to define an opening, wherein the carrier member includes at least one fastener that extends from the back wall of the carrier member and engages with the back wall of the receptacle member to secure the carrier member into the receptacle member. Moreover, the assembly may still further comprise a video display unit that is sized so as to be positioned secured within the opening in the carrier member, wherein the video display unit provides video signals.

Claims

1. A media assembly adapted to be installed into a seat back of a vehicle, the assembly comprising:

a mounting structure that is coupled to the seat back of the vehicle wherein the seat back defines a first outer surface visible to a viewer sitting in a back seat of the vehicle;

a display that displays media to a viewer sitting within the vehicle;

a media player having an input opening into which a user can position a media storage device wherein the media player provides signals to the display to thereby induce the display to visually display the contents of the media storage device;

a housing defining a recess having a first opening that receives both the display and the media player such that the display is positioned proximate the first opening of the recess with the media player positioned inward in the recess from the first opening such that the media player does not impede visual access to the display wherein the housing is structured to permit selective access to the input opening of the media player to permit user positioning of the media storage device within the player and wherein the housing is adapted to be coupled to the mounting structure within the seat back of the vehicle to thereby retain the housing within the seat back such that the display is positioned adjacent the outer surface of the seat back;

wherein the housing defines a second opening and the media player is positioned within the recess such that the input opening of the media player is accessible through the second opening of the housing.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing is pivotally mounted with respect to the mounting structure such that the display screen can be adjusted for improved visibility to the viewer.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the housing comprises a ball and the mounting structure comprises a socket such that the ball is positioned within the socket to permit adjustment of the housing with respect to the mounting structure in two separate directions.

4. A media assembly adapted to be installed into a seat back of a vehicle the assembly comprising:

a mounting structure that is coupled to the seat back of the vehicle wherein the seat back defines a first outer surface visible to a viewer sitting in a back seat of the vehicle;

a display that displays media to a viewer sitting within the vehicle;

a media player having an input opening into which a user can position a media storage device wherein the media player provides signals to the display to thereby induce the display to visually display the contents of the media storage device;

a housing defining a recess having a first opening that receives both the display and the media player such that the display is positioned proximate the first opening of the recess with the media player positioned inward in the recess from the first opening such that the media player does not impede visual access to the display wherein the housing is structured to permit selective access to the input opening of the media player to permit user positioning of the media storage device within the player and wherein the housing is adapted to be coupled to the mounting structure within the seat back of the vehicle to thereby retain the housing within the seat back such that the display is positioned adjacent the outer surface of the seat back;

wherein the housing is pivotally attached to the mounting structure so as to be rotatable between a recessed position wherein the display is positioned substantially flush with the first outer surface of the seat and the input opening of the media player is hidden from view within the seat and an extended position wherein the input opening of the media player is exposed from the seat so as to be accessible to the viewer.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the mounting structure comprises a retainer that defines a recess having two opposed side walls positioned within the seat and wherein the housing is pivotally attached to the retainer at the two opposed side walls to facilitate movement between the recessed position and the extended position.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the retainer defines two opposed side walls and an opposed upper and lower wall and wherein the housing is pivotally attached to the two opposed side walls adjacent the lower wall of the retainer such that the input opening of the media player is positioned proximate the upper wall of the retainer when the housing is in the recessed position.

7. An electronic assembly mounted to a head restraint of a vehicle seat, comprising:

a media player that retrieves information stored on a media storage device, processes the information, and outputs a signal corresponding to the information;

a panel display device that receives the signal from the media player and displays a visual representation of the signal, wherein the signal includes an audio component;

a housing assembly that houses the media player and the panel display device as a substantially single unit, wherein the housing assembly facilitates mounting of the substantially single unit to the head restraint;

a shell member that allows mounting of the media player and the panel display thereto; and

a carrier member dimensioned to receive the shell member therein such that the carrier member can be preassembled with the shell member having the media player and the panel display mounted thereto;

wherein the shell member is pivotally mounted to the carrier member so as to allow the shell member to pivot with respect to the carrier member; and

wherein the pivoting of the shell member allows pivoting of the media player for insertion or removal of a media storage device to or from the media player.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the media player comprises a digital video disc player that plays a digital video disc.

9. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the media player includes a hard disc storage and plays digital information stored thereon.

10. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the media player reads and plays digital information stored on a memory chip.

11. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the panel display device comprises a flat panel display.

12. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the panel display device comprises a flexible panel display.

13. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the pivoting of the shell member allows adjust of viewing angle of the panel display.

14. The assembly of claim 7, further comprising an external interface that allows interfacing of the electronic assembly with an external electronic component.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the external interface comprises a jack that allows connection with the external electronic component so as to allow the external electronic component to send an external signal to be displayed on the panel display device.