Vehicle entertainment system with a portable docking station

• US 7,686,366 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2006
• Issued: 03/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Original Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Inventors: Vitito, Christopher J.
• Primary Examiner(s): LYJAK, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US11/453,240
• Publication Number:
  US 20060288384A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,384 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.8, 224/311, 248917-924, 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

An entertainment system for a vehicle includes 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. An attachment mechanism selectively secures the video system to the cradle. The attachment mechanism consists essentially of 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. The system further includes a portable docking station having a cradle shaped and dimensioned for receiving the video system.

Claims

1. An entertainment system for a vehicle, comprising:

a ceiling 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;

an attachment mechanism for selectively securing the video system to the cradle, the attachment mechanism consisting essentially of 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; and

a portable docking station including a docking station cradle shaped and dimensioned for receiving the video system, wherein the docking station includes a housing having a handle for carrying the video system when it is secured thereto.

2. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein the docking station includes inputs for connection to a power source and a/v sources.

9. The entertainment system according to claim 1, further including a safety mechanism that controls release of the attachment mechanism.

10. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein the video system includes a video source and a video monitor.

3. An entertainment system for a vehicle, comprising:

a ceiling 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;

an attachment mechanism for selectively securing the video system to the cradle, the attachment mechanism consisting essentially of 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; and

a portable docking station including a docking station cradle shaped and dimensioned for receiving the video system, wherein the docking station includes a battery.

4. An entertainment system for a vehicle, comprising:

a ceiling 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;

an attachment mechanism for selectively securing the video system to the cradle, the attachment mechanism consisting essentially of 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; and

a portable docking station including a docking station cradle shaped and dimensioned for receiving the video system, wherein the docking station includes Internet capability, speakers, cable input and an integrated satellite receiver.

5. An entertainment system for a vehicle, comprising:

a ceiling 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;

an attachment mechanism for selectively securing the video system to the ceiling cradle, the attachment mechanism consisting essentially of 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 ceiling 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 ceiling cradle;

a portable docking station including a docking station cradle shaped and dimensioned for receiving the video system; and

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 ceiling cradle includes a first aperture and the second attachment structure of the ceiling cradle includes a second aperture, the first projecting attachment member being shaped and dimensioned to engage the first aperture of the ceiling cradle and the second projecting attachment member being shaped and dimensioned to engage the second aperture of the ceiling cradle.

6. The entertainment system according to claim 5, 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.

7. The entertainment system according to claim 6, 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 ceiling cradle also includes an eccentric shaped first locking aperture and the second attachment structure of the ceiling 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 ceiling cradle.

8. An entertainment system for a vehicle, comprising:

a ceiling cradle shaped and dimensioned for securing within a ceiling of the vehicle, the ceiling 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;

an attachment mechanism for selectively securing the video system to the ceiling cradle, the attachment mechanism consisting essentially of 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 ceiling 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 ceiling cradle;

a portable docking station including a docking station cradle shaped and dimensioned for receiving the video system; 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 ceiling cradle includes an eccentric shaped first locking aperture and the second attachment structure of the ceiling 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 ceiling cradle.

11. An entertainment system for a vehicle, comprising:

a ceiling 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;

an attachment mechanism for selectively securing the video system to the ceiling cradle, the attachment mechanism consisting essentially of 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 ceiling 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 ceiling cradle;

a portable docking station including a docking station cradle shaped and dimensioned for receiving the video system; 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 selectively attachment to the ceiling cradle.

12. The entertainment system according to claim 11, wherein the base includes a means for pivoting the video monitor.

13. The entertainment system according to claim 11, wherein the ceiling cradle is substantially flush with a headliner of the vehicle.