Vehicle entertainment system with attachment mechanism

• US 7,604,274 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2006
• Issued: 10/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Audiovox Corporation (VOXX International Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Audiovox Corporation (VOXX International Corporation)
• Inventors: Vitito, Christopher J.
• Primary Examiner(s): LYJAK, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US11/453,237
• Publication Number:
  US 20060288381A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,223 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.8, 224/311, 248/917, 248/918, 248/919, 248/920, 248/921, 248/922, 248/923, 248/924, 348/837, 361/681
• US Class Current: 296/37.8
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/143 Touch sensitive input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/917 Video display screen support

Abstract

A vehicle includes a ceiling, a cradle secured within the ceiling of the vehicle, the cradle including a first end and a second end, and a video system selectively secured to the cradle, the video system including a base having a first end and a second end. Electronic connections for coupling the video system with the cradle are provided in the base of the video system. An attachment mechanism selectively secures the video system to the cradle. The attachment mechanism including a first attachment structure at the first end of the base, the first attachment structure of the base being shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with a first attachment structure at the first end of the cradle, and a second attachment structure at the second end of the base, the second attachment structure of the base being shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with the second attachment structure at the second end of the cradle. An inner edge of the first attachment structure of the base is approximately ⅛ inch to approximately 7 inches from an outer edge of the electrical connections and an inner edge of the second attachment structure of the base is approximately ⅛ inch to approximately 7 inches from an outer edge of the electrical connections and the second attachment structure of the base.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a ceiling;

a cradle secured within the ceiling of the vehicle, the cradle including a first end and a second end;

a video system selectively secured to the cradle, the video system including a base having a first end and a second end, wherein electronic connections for coupling the video system with the cradle are provided in the base of the video system;

an attachment mechanism for selectively securing the video system to the cradle, the attachment mechanism including a first attachment structure at the first end of the base, the first attachment structure of the base being shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with a first attachment structure at the first end of the cradle and a second attachment structure at the second end of the base, the second attachment structure of the base being shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with the second attachment structure at the second end of the cradle;

wherein an inner edge of the first attachment structure of the base is approximately ⅛

inch to approximately 7 inches from a first outer edge of the electrical connections and an inner edge of the second attachment structure of the base is approximately ⅛

inch to approximately 7 inches from a second outer edge of the electrical connections and the second attachment structure of the base;

wherein the first attachment structure of the base includes a first projecting attachment member, the second attachment structure of the base includes a second projecting attachment member, the first attachment structure of the cradle includes a first aperture and the second attachment structure of the cradle includes a second aperture, the first projecting attachment member being shaped and dimensioned to engage the first aperture of the cradle and the second projecting attachment member being shaped and dimensioned to engage the second aperture of the cradle; and

wherein the first projecting attachment member includes an upwardly extending post with a latch formed thereon and the second projecting attachment member includes an upwardly extending post with a latch formed thereon, wherein the latches of the respective first and second projecting attachment members are shaped and dimensioned to selectively pass through the first and second apertures.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the inner edge of the first attachment structure of the base is approximately 2 inches to approximately 4 inches from the first outer edge of the electrical connections and the inner edge of the second attachment structure of the base is approximately 2 inches to approximately 7 inches from the second outer edge of the electrical connections.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the first attachment structure of the base also includes an eccentric shaped first locking member, the second attachment structure of the base also includes an eccentric shaped second locking member, the first attachment structure of the cradle also includes an eccentric shaped first locking aperture and the second attachment structure of the cradle also includes an eccentric shaped second locking aperture, wherein the first and second locking members respectively engage the first and second locking apertures formed in the cradle.

4. A vehicle, comprising:

a ceiling;

a cradle secured within the ceiling of the vehicle, the cradle including a first end and a second end;

a video system selectively secured to the cradle, the video system including a base having a first end and a second end, wherein electronic connections for coupling the video system with the cradle are provided in the base of the video system;

an attachment mechanism for selectively securing the video system to the cradle, the attachment mechanism including a first attachment structure at the first end of the base, the first attachment structure of the base being shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with a first attachment structure at the first end of the cradle and a second attachment structure at the second end of the base, the second attachment structure of the base being shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with the second attachment structure at the second end of the cradle;

wherein an inner edge of the first attachment structure of the base is approximately ⅛

inch to approximately 7 inches from a first outer edge of the electrical connections and an inner edge of the second attachment structure of the base is approximately ⅛

inch to approximately 7 inches from a second outer edge of the electrical connections and the second attachment structure of the base; and

wherein the first attachment structure of the base includes an eccentric shaped first locking member, the second attachment structure of the base includes an eccentric shaped second locking member, the first attachment structure of the cradle includes an eccentric shaped first locking aperture and the second attachment structure of the cradle includes an eccentric shaped second locking aperture, wherein the first and second locking members respectively engage the first and second locking apertures formed in the cradle.

5. The vehicle according to claim 4, further including a safety mechanism that controls release of the attachment mechanism.

6. The vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the video system includes a video source and a video monitor.

7. A vehicle, comprising:

a ceiling;

a cradle secured within the ceiling of the vehicle, the cradle including a first end and a second end;

a video system selectively secured to the cradle, the video system including a base having a first end and a second end, wherein electronic connections for coupling the video system with the cradle are provided in the base of the video system;

an attachment mechanism for selectively securing the video system to the cradle, the attachment mechanism including a first attachment structure at the first end of the base, the first attachment structure of the base being shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with a first attachment structure at the first end of the cradle and a second attachment structure at the second end of the base, the second attachment structure of the base being shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with the second attachment structure at the second end of the cradle;

wherein an inner edge of the first attachment structure of the base is approximately ⅛

inch to approximately 7 inches from a first outer edge of the electrical connections and an inner edge of the second attachment structure of the base is approximately ⅛

inch to approximately 7 inches from a second outer edge of the electrical connections and the second attachment structure of the base; and

wherein the video system includes a housing in which a video monitor and video source are housed, the housing depending from the base shaped and dimensioned for selective attachment to the cradle.

8. The vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the cradle is substantially flush with a headliner of the vehicle.

9. An entertainment system for a vehicle, comprising:

a cradle shaped and dimensioned for securing within a ceiling of the vehicle, the cradle including a first end and a second end;

a video system selectively secured to the cradle, the video system including a base having a first end and a second end, wherein electronic connections for coupling the video system with the cradle are provided in the base of the video system;

an attachment mechanism for selectively securing the video system to the cradle, the attachment mechanism including a first attachment structure at the first end of the base, the first attachment structure of the base being shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with a first attachment structure at the first end of the cradle and a second attachment structure at the second end of the base, the second attachment structure of the base being shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with the second attachment structure at the second end of the cradle;

wherein an inner edge of the first attachment structure of the base is approximately ⅛

inch to approximately 7 inches from a first outer edge of the electrical connections and an inner edge of the second attachment structure of the base is approximately ⅛

inch to approximately 7 inches from a second outer edge of the electrical connections and the second attachment structure of the base;

wherein the first attachment structure of the base includes a first projecting attachment member, the second attachment structure of the base includes a second projecting attachment member, the first attachment structure of the cradle includes a first aperture and the second attachment structure of the cradle includes a second aperture, the first projecting attachment member being shaped and dimensioned to engage the first aperture of the cradle and the second projecting attachment member being shaped and dimensioned to engage the second aperture of the cradle; and

wherein the first projecting attachment member includes an upwardly extending post with a latch formed thereon and the second projecting attachment member includes an upwardly extending post with a latch formed thereon, wherein the latches of the respective first and second projecting attachment members are shaped and dimensioned to selectively pass through the first and second apertures.

10. The entertainment system according to claim 9, wherein the inner edge of the first attachment structure of the base is approximately 2 inches to approximately 4 inches from the first outer edge of the electrical connections and the inner edge of the second attachment structure of the base is approximately 2 inches to approximately 7 inches from the second outer edge of the electrical connections.

11. The entertainment system according to claim 9, wherein the first attachment structure of the base also includes an eccentric shaped first locking member, the second attachment structure of the base also includes an eccentric shaped second locking member, the first attachment structure of the cradle also includes an eccentric shaped first locking aperture and the second attachment structure of the cradle also includes an eccentric shaped second locking aperture, wherein the first and second locking members respectively engage the first and second locking apertures formed in the cradle.

12. An entertainment system for a vehicle, comprising:

a cradle shaped and dimensioned for securing within a ceiling of the vehicle, the cradle including a first end and a second end;

a video system selectively secured to the cradle, the video system including a base having a first end and a second end, wherein electronic connections for coupling the video system with the cradle are provided in the base of the video system;

an attachment mechanism for selectively securing the video system to the cradle, the attachment mechanism including a first attachment structure at the first end of the base, the first attachment structure of the base being shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with a first attachment structure at the first end of the cradle and a second attachment structure at the second end of the base, the second attachment structure of the base being shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with the second attachment structure at the second end of the cradle;

wherein an inner edge of the first attachment structure of the base is approximately ⅛

inch to approximately 7 inches from a first outer edge of the electrical connections and an inner edge of the second attachment structure of the base is approximately ⅛

inch to approximately 7 inches from a second outer edge of the electrical connections and the second attachment structure of the base; and

wherein the first attachment structure of the base includes an eccentric shaped first locking member, the second attachment structure of the base includes an eccentric shaped second locking member, the first attachment structure of the cradle includes an eccentric shaped first locking aperture and the second attachment structure of the cradle includes an eccentric shaped second locking aperture, wherein the first and second locking members respectively engage the first and second locking apertures formed in the cradle.

13. The entertainment system according to claim 12, further including a safety mechanism that controls release of the attachment mechanism.

14. The entertainment system according to claim 12, wherein the video system includes a video source and a video monitor.

15. An entertainment system for a vehicle, comprising:

a cradle shaped and dimensioned for securing within a ceiling of the vehicle, the cradle including a first end and a second end;

a video system selectively secured to the cradle, the video system including a base having a first end and a second end, wherein electronic connections for coupling the video system with the cradle are provided in the base of the video system;

an attachment mechanism for selectively securing the video system to the cradle, the attachment mechanism including a first attachment structure at the first end of the base, the first attachment structure of the base being shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with a first attachment structure at the first end of the cradle and a second attachment structure at the second end of the base, the second attachment structure of the base being shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with the second attachment structure at the second end of the cradle;

wherein an inner edge of the first attachment structure of the base is approximately ⅛

inch to approximately 7 inches from a first outer edge of the electrical connections and an inner edge of the second attachment structure of the base is approximately ⅛

inch to approximately 7 inches from a second outer edge of the electrical connections and the second attachment structure of the base; and

wherein the video system includes a housing in which a video monitor and video source are housed, the housing depending from the base shaped and dimensioned for selective attachment to the cradle.

16. The entertainment system according to claim 15, wherein the cradle is substantially flush with a headliner of the vehicle.