Rear seat entertainment system for a vehicle having an active headrest

• US 8,730,413 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2008
• Issued: 05/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Original Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Inventors: Tranchina, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Czekaj, Dave
• Assistant Examiner(s): Beck, Leron
• Application Number:
  US11/969,627
• Publication Number:
  US 20080165293A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,328 Days
• Field of Search: 348148-149, 348/837
• US Class Current: 348/837
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0015 Back-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0052 using screws, bolts, rivets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space

Abstract

An entertainment system for a vehicle seat comprises a support structure mounted to a frame of the vehicle seat, and a media unit mounted to the support structure, wherein the support structure includes a frame positioned behind and spaced apart from a headrest of the vehicle seat. The support structure frame includes a plurality of bends to position the support structure frame away from the headrest.

Claims

1. An entertainment system for a vehicle seat, comprising:

a support structure mounted to a frame of the vehicle seat; and

a media unit mounted to the support structure, wherein the support structure includes a frame positioned behind and spaced apart from a headrest of the vehicle seat, wherein the support structure frame extends through a top surface of the vehicle seat from inside to outside of the vehicle seat without contacting a post supporting the headrest on the vehicle seat, the support structure frame including a first segment extending away from the seat, a second segment extending from the first segment at an obtuse angle less than 180 degrees with respect to the first segment, and a third segment extending from the second segment at an obtuse angle less than 180 degrees with respect to the second segment, wherein the first, second and third segments are disposed outside the vehicle seat and first and second edges of the media unit are covered by the third segment.

2. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the support structure frame includes a plurality of bends to position the support structure frame away from the headrest, wherein a first bend is the obtuse angle with respect to the first segment, and a second bend is the obtuse angle with respect to the second segment.

3. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the support structure frame is formed in a substantial U-shape.

4. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the support structure includes a plate mounted to the support structure frame.

5. The entertainment system of claim 4, wherein a housing of the media unit is mounted to the plate.

6. The entertainment system of claim 5, wherein the plate includes a plurality of holes corresponding to a plurality of holes in the housing of the media unit for receiving fixing devices therethrough.

7. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the support structure includes a mounting bracket mounted to the support structure frame, and wherein the mounting bracket includes a plurality of stepped flange portions to receive respective portions of the support structure frame.

8. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the support structure includes a clamp mounted thereto and the clamp includes a plurality of protrusions extending from the clamp to pass through and engage holes in the frame of the vehicle seat.

9. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the support structure includes a clamp mounted thereto and the clamp includes a first plurality of holes corresponding to a second plurality of holes in the frame of the seat, wherein a fixing device is received through each of the plurality of first and second holes to secure the clamp to the frame of the seat.

10. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the support structure includes a mounting bracket mounted to the support structure frame and a mounting bracket clamp coupled to the mounting bracket, wherein the mounting bracket clamp engages the frame of the seat to couple the support structure to the frame of the seat.

11. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the headrest automatically moves through a predetermined range of motion without contacting the support structure frame.

12. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the media unit includes a screen for displaying video.

13. An entertainment system for a vehicle seat, comprising:

a support structure mounted to a frame of the vehicle seat, wherein the support structure is positioned behind and spaced apart from a headrest of the vehicle; and

a media unit mounted to the support structure, wherein the support structure extends through a top surface of the vehicle seat from inside to outside of the vehicle seat without contacting a post supporting the headrest on the vehicle seat, wherein the support structure includes a frame and the media unit is mounted to the frame, the support structure frame including a first segment extending away from the seat, a second segment extending from the first segment at an obtuse angle less than 180 degrees with respect to the first segment, and a third segment extending from the second segment at an obtuse angle less than 180 degrees with respect to the second segment, wherein the first, second and third segments are disposed outside the vehicle seat and a back-side of the media unit is entirely overlapped by the third segment.

14. The entertainment system of claim 13, wherein the support structure frame is formed in a substantial U-shape and the media unit is positioned between opposing sides of the substantial U-shape.

15. The entertainment system of claim 13, wherein the support structure frame includes a plurality of bends to position the support structure frame away from the headrest, wherein a first bend is the obtuse angle with respect to the first segment, and a second bend is the obtuse angle with respect to the second segment.

16. The entertainment system of claim 13, wherein the support structure includes a plate mounted to the support structure frame.

17. The entertainment system of claim 16, wherein a housing of the media unit is mounted to the plate.

18. The entertainment system of claim 13, wherein the support structure includes a clamp mounted thereto and the clamp includes a plurality of protrusions extending from the clamp to pass through and engage holes in the frame of the vehicle seat.

19. The entertainment system of claim 13, wherein the support structure includes a clamp mounted thereto and the clamp includes a first plurality of holes corresponding to a second plurality of holes in the frame of the seat, wherein a fixing device is received through each of the plurality of first and second holes to secure the clamp to the frame of the seat.

20. The entertainment system of claim 13, wherein the headrest automatically moves through a predetermined range of motion without contacting the support structure frame.

21. The entertainment system of claim 13, wherein the media unit includes a screen for displaying video.