Vehicle mounted printer station

• US 9,073,464 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2012
• Issued: 07/07/2015
• 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): Allred, David E
• Application Number:
  US13/724,160
• Publication Number:
  US 20130119714A1
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 297/129, 297/391, 297/217.3, 297/463.2, 297/217.14, 297/217.5, 297/217.1, 297/119, 297/120, 297/188.06, 224/275
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 adaptor 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 adaptor, the adaptor 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 first and second spaced-apart headrest mounting rod receptacles, an equipment station comprising:

a station adaptor comprising an equipment support structure, wherein substantially the entire equipment support structure resides directly vertically adjacent a top of a seatback of the front passenger seat, thereby minimizing obtrusiveness of the station adaptor within an interior cabin space of the motor vehicle, and said station adaptor having first and second spaced-apart elongated mounting rods attached to said equipment support structure and received within the headrest mounting rod receptacles, and wherein said equipment support structure extends at least linearly between said first and second mounting rods; and

electronic equipment secured to said equipment support structure in substitution of a vehicle headrest such that the station adaptor and everything at or vertically above and supported on the station adapter is devoid of vehicle safety headrest padding.

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

3. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said first and second elongated mounting rods are pivotably attached to said equipment support structure, and are movable between a folded stowed position and an extended deployed position.

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

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, wherein said equipment support structure comprises an equipment tray.

7. An equipment station adapted for mounting on a front passenger seat of a motor vehicle, the front passenger seat defining first and second spaced-apart headrest mounting rod receptacles, said equipment station comprising:

a station adaptor comprising an equipment support structure, wherein substantially the entire equipment support structure resides directly vertically adjacent a top of a seatback of the front passenger seat, thereby minimizing obtrusiveness of the station adaptor within an interior cabin space of the motor vehicle, and said station adaptor having first and second spaced-apart elongated mounting rods attached to said equipment support structure and adapted to be received within the headrest mounting rod receptacles, and wherein said equipment support structure extends at least linearly between said first and second mounting rods; and

electronic equipment secured to said equipment support structure in substitution of a vehicle headrest such that the station adaptor and everything at or vertically above and supported on the station adapter is devoid of vehicle safety headrest padding.

8. An equipment station according to claim 7, wherein said equipment support structure is designed to cover substantially an entire top of the seatback of the front passenger seat.

9. An equipment station according to claim 7, wherein said first and second elongated mounting rods are pivotably attached to said equipment support structure, and are movable between a folded stowed position and an extended deployed position.

10. An equipment station according to claim 7, wherein said equipment support structure comprises a first fastener adapted for releasably attaching to a complementary second fastener secured to said equipment.

11. An equipment station according to claim 10, wherein said first and second fasteners comprise complementary hook and loop fasteners.

12. An equipment station according to claim 7, and comprising at least one electrical cable attached to said equipment and adapted for routing adjacent the front passenger seat.

13. An equipment station according to claim 7, wherein said equipment support structure comprises an equipment tray.