Headrest-mounted entertainment systems

• US 9,004,588 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2013
• Issued: 04/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Original Assignee: Johnson Safety Incorporated
• Inventors: Chang, Chung Lung
• Primary Examiner(s): CRANMER, LAURIE K
• Application Number:
  US13/874,673
• Publication Number:
  US 20130307303A1
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 297/217.1, 297/217.3, 297/188.04, 297/188.05, 348/837, 348/838
• US Class Current: 297/217.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/80 Head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0229 for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0247 for microphones or earphones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0017 Head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0078 Quick-disconnect two-parts mounting means

Abstract

In certain embodiments, a mobile entertainment system includes a screen assembly with a display and a signal generating device. A housing pivotally coupled to the screen assembly can have a lower portion, an upper portion, and a housing cavity sized and shaped to receive the screen assembly. The upper portion can receive at least a portion of the signal generating device. At least a portion of the screen assembly can rotate through an opening in the lower portion. A shell can receive the housing.

Claims

1. An entertainment system for a vehicle headrest having a front and a rear, the entertainment system comprising:

a screen assembly comprising a display, a signal generating device, and a casing having a rear portion and a front portion, wherein the display is at least partially within the rear portion of the casing and the signal generating device is at least partially within the front portion of the casing;

a housing comprising a lower portion, an upper portion, and a housing cavity defined by the lower and upper portion of the housing, the housing cavity being sized and shaped to receive the screen assembly, the screen assembly being pivotally coupled to the housing such that the screen assembly can rotate relative to the housing, the lower portion comprising an opening that is sized and shaped to allow at least a portion of the screen assembly to rotate through the opening;

a shell substantially fixed to a headrest in a vehicle, the shell comprising a lower portion, an upper portion, and a shell cavity defined by the upper and lower portions of the shell, the shell cavity being sized and shaped to receive the housing, the upper portion of the shell being sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the upper portion of the housing, the lower portion of the shell being sized and shaped to receive substantially the lower portion of the housing, the shell being coupled with the housing and substantially fixed to the housing.

2. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the housing is sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the signal generating device.

3. The entertainment system of claim 2, wherein an upper edge of the display is below the upper portion of the housing.

4. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the housing is substantially shaped as a parallelepiped.

5. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the housing is substantially shaped as a parallelepiped.

6. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the screen assembly comprises first and second venting structures.

7. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein a back wall of the housing defines a series of openings configured to receive extensions of the shell.

8. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises one or more projections, at least a portion of one or more of the projections being sized and shaped to fit snugly within one or more recesses defined by the shell.

9. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a rim that extends about a periphery of sidewalls of the housing.

10. The entertainment system of claim 1, further comprising one or more pads and a covering over the one or more pads, wherein a portion of the covering is configured to be positioned between the shell and the housing such that the covering substantially hides the shell from view in an assembled entertainment system.

11. The entertainment system of claim 10, wherein a front cover of the screen assembly is shaped substantially as a parallelepiped.

12. The entertainment system of claim 10, wherein the lower portion of the shell is shaped substantially as a parallelepiped.

13. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the shell further comprises one or more extensions for mounting upholstery.