Vehicle mounted printer station

• US 7,874,612 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2009
• Issued: 01/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LEM Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: LEM Solutions, LLC
• Inventors: Cottrell, William D., Wiseman, Kenneth B. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn; David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Allred; David E
• Application Number:
  US12/653,064
• Publication Number:
  US 20100090508A1
• Time in Patent Office: 413 Days
• Field of Search: 297/129, 297/391, 297/217.3, 297/463.2
• US Class Current: 297/129
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/045 Fastening means for paper sheet; Paper trays; Accessories for typists, e.g. line indicators
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 83/00 Combinations comprising two or more pieces of furniture of different kinds
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 85/04 Tables convertible into chairs
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 13/00 Convertible chairs, stools or benches step-stools requiring conversion between the step and seat functions A47C12/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/72 Adaptations for incorporating lamps, radio sets, bars, telephones, ventilation, heating or cooling arrangements or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/06 Special supports, platforms or trolleys for supporting machines on tables
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/445 Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/882 detachable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/90 Details or parts not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/905 the head-rest or seat used as an anchorage point, for an object not covered by groups in B60N, e.g. for a canvas
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/043 mounted on or under a seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/08 Disposition of racks, clips , holders, containers or the like for supporting specific articles B60R7/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 1/00 Devices for securing together, or preventing relative movement between, constructional elements or machine parts
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/81 Use of a material of the hooks-and-loops type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A vehicle mounted printer station is made up of a printer secured to a support surface tray that includes an adapter capable of attaching the tray and printer to the top of a vehicle seat. The support surface is preferably a rectangular shaped plate with front, back and side edges along with top and bottom surfaces. The bottom surface is attached to the adapter, the adapter includes at least one attachment rod for securing the support surface to the vehicle seat. The attachment rods are sized to be received into receptacles provided in the top of a vehicle seat designed for the vehicle headrest.

Claims

1. In combination with a front passenger seat of a motor vehicle, the front passenger seat defining at least one headrest mounting rod receptacle, a printer station comprising:

a station adapter comprising a printer support structure and at least one elongated mounting rod connected to a bottom of the printer support structure, the elongate mounting rod received within the headrest mounting rod receptacle of said front passenger seat;

a printer located within said printer support structure in a forward-facing condition, and said printer support structure comprising a plurality of walls surrounding said printer and defining an unobstructed paper discharge space for discharging printed paper forwardly into a front interior cabin space of the motor vehicle, whereby said printer resides directly vertically adjacent a top of the front passenger seat, thereby minimizing obtrusiveness of the printer station within the front interior cabin space of the motor vehicle wherein the printer support structure comprises a support surface that is elongate in a lateral direction generally perpendicular to a direction of travel of the motor vehicle, the support surface being generally horizontal, the plurality of walls comprises a first upstanding lateral wall at a first end of the support surface, a second upstanding lateral wall at a second end of the support surface, a front wall on a front side of the support surface, and a rear wall on a rear side of the support surface, wherein the first lateral wall, the second lateral wall, the front wall, and the rear wall are configured to secure the printer against lateral, fore, and aft forces experienced in the vehicle; and

wherein at least a portion of the front wall extends to a lower height than a height of the first lateral wall and a height of a second lateral wall, the portion at least partially defining the unobstructed paper discharge space.

2. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said printer support structure covers substantially the entire top of said front passenger seat.

3. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said elongated mounting rod is pivotably attached to said printer support structure, and is movable between a folded stowed position and an extended deployed position.

4. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said printer support structure comprises a first fastener adapted for releasably attaching to a complementary second fastener secured to said printer.

5. A combination according to claim 4, wherein said first and second fasteners comprise complementary hook and loop fasteners.

6. A combination according to claim 1, and comprising at least one electrical cable routed adjacent said front passenger seat, and having a terminal end extending from said passenger seat proximate said headrest mounting rod receptacle.

7. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said printer resides vertically adjacent the top of said front passenger seat entirely separate and independent of a padded vehicle headrest.

8. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said printer support structure comprises a printer tray.

9. A printer station adapted for mounting on a front passenger seat of a motor vehicle, the front passenger seat defining at least one headrest mounting rod receptacle, said printer station comprising:

a station adapter comprising a printer support structure and at least one elongated mounting rod connected to a bottom of the printer support structure, the elongate mounting rod adapted for being received within the headrest mounting rod receptacle of the front passenger seat;

a printer located within said printer support structure in a forward-facing condition, and said printer support structure comprising a plurality of walls surrounding said printer and defining an unobstructed paper discharge space for discharging printed paper forwardly into a front interior cabin space of the motor vehicle, whereby said printer resides directly vertically adjacent a top of the front passenger seat, thereby minimizing obtrusiveness of the printer station within the front interior cabin space of the motor vehicle wherein the printer support structure comprises a support surface that is elongate in a lateral direction generally perpendicular to a direction of travel of the motor vehicle, the support surface being generally horizontal, the plurality of walls comprises a first upstanding lateral wall at a first end of the support surface, a second upstanding lateral wall at a second end of the support surface, a front wall on a front side of the support surface, and a rear wall on a rear side of the support surface, wherein the first lateral wall, the second lateral wall, the front wall, and the rear wall are configured to secure the printer against lateral, fore, and aft forces experienced in the vehicle; and

wherein at least a portion of the front wall extends to a lower height than a height of the first lateral wall and a height of a second lateral wall, the portion at least partially defining the unobstructed paper discharge space.

10. A printer station according to claim 9, wherein said printer support structure is designed to cover substantially the entire top of the front passenger seat.

11. A printer station according to claim 9, wherein said elongated mounting rod is pivotably attached to said printer support structure, and is movable between a folded stowed position and an extended deployed position.

12. A printer station according to claim 9, wherein said printer support structure comprises a first fastener adapted for releasably attaching to a complementary second fastener secured to said printer.

13. A printer station according to claim 12, wherein said first and second fasteners comprise complementary hook and loop fasteners.

14. A printer station according to claim 9, and comprising at least one electrical cable attached to said printer and adapted for routing adjacent the front passenger seat.

15. A printer station according to claim 9, wherein said printer is adapted to reside vertically adjacent the top of the front passenger seat entirely separate and independent of a padded vehicle headrest.

16. A printer station according to claim 9, wherein said printer support structure comprises a printer tray.

17. A printer station adapted for mounting on a front passenger seat of a motor vehicle, the front passenger seat defining at least one headrest mounting rod receptacle, said printer station comprising:

a station adapter comprising a printer support structure and at least one elongated mounting rod connected to a bottom of the printer support structure, the elongate mounting rod adapted for being received within the headrest mounting rod receptacle of the front passenger seat; and

a printer located within said printer support structure, and said printer support structure comprising a plurality of walls surrounding said printer and defining an unobstructed paper discharge space for discharging printed paper into an interior cabin space of the motor vehicle, whereby said printer resides adjacent a top of the front passenger seat, thereby minimizing obtrusiveness of the printer station within the interior cabin space of the motor vehicle wherein the printer support structure comprises a support surface that is elongate in a lateral direction generally perpendicular to a direction of travel of the motor vehicle, the support surface being generally horizontal, the plurality of walls comprises a first upstanding lateral wall at a first end of the support surface, a second upstanding lateral wall at a second end of the support surface, a front wall on a front side of the support surface, and a rear wall on a rear side of the support surface, wherein the first lateral wall, the second lateral wall, the front wall, and the rear wall are configured to secure the printer against lateral, fore, and aft forces experienced in the vehicle; and

wherein at least a portion of the front wall extends to a lower height than a height of the first lateral wall and a height of a second lateral wall, the portion at least partially defining the unobstructed paper discharge space.

18. A printer station according to claim 17, wherein said printer is adapted to reside vertically adjacent the top of the front passenger seat entirely separate and independent of a padded vehicle headrest.

19. A printer station according to claim 17, wherein said printer support structure comprises a printer tray.

20. A printer station according to claim 17, wherein said printer support structure comprises a fastener adapted for releasably attaching to said printer.