Vehicle entertainment system incorporated within the armrest/console of a vehicle with a swivel monitor mounting structure

• US 20060242671A1
• Filed: 08/10/2005
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Original Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Inventors: Vitito, Christopher J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,604,291 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/75
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/202 the game platform being a DVD player
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 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 11/0211 for record carriers apparatus, e.g. video recorders, tape players or CD players
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0007 Mid-console
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0014 Arm-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/008 Adjustable or movable supports
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0089 around three axes, i.e. universally mounted

Abstract

A vehicle entertainment system includes a video system mounted within an automobile armrest/console, the armrest/console including an upper support surface. The video system includes an integrated housing supporting a video monitor and a video source.

Claims

1. A vehicle entertainment system, comprising:

a video system mounted within an automobile armrest/console, the armrest/console including an upper support surface;

the video system including an integrated housing supporting a video monitor, wherein the video monitor is mounted upon the housing for rotation relative thereto.

2. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein the video system includes a video source which is a DVD player or hard drive.

3. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein the upper support surface is an armrest module.

4. The entertainment system according to claim 3, wherein the armrest module is selectively removable from the armrest/console.

5. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a first surface upon which the video monitor is mounted, and the video monitor selectively rotates about an axis substantially perpendicular to the surface.

6. The entertainment system according to claim 5, wherein RCA ports are located on the first surface of the housing.

7. The entertainment system according to claim 6, wherein the video monitor swivels between a use first position and a storage second position, and the RCA ports are only visible when the video monitor is in its use first position.

8. The entertainment system according to claim 5, wherein control buttons are located on the first surface of the housing.

9. The entertainment system according to claim 8, wherein the video monitor swivels between a use first position and a storage second position, and the control buttons are only visible when the video monitor is in its use first position.

10. The entertainment system according to claim 5, wherein a swivel couples the video monitor to the housing.

11. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a storage compartment and a video source is housed within the storage compartment.

12. An armrest/console incorporating a vehicle entertainment system, comprising:

an upper support surface with a video system mounted therein;

the video system including an integrated housing supporting a video monitor, wherein the video monitor is mounted upon the housing for rotation relative thereto.

13. The armrest/console according to claim 12, wherein the video system includes a video source which is a DVD player or hard drive.

14. The armrest/console according to claim 13, wherein the upper support surface is an armrest module.

15. The armrest/console according to claim 14, wherein the armrest module is selectively removable from the armrest/console.

16. The armrest/console according to claim 12, wherein the housing includes a first surface upon which the video monitor is mounted, and the video monitor selectively rotates about an axis substantially perpendicular to the surface.

17. The armrest/console according to claim 16, wherein RCA ports are located on the first surface of the housing.

18. The armrest/console according to claim 17, wherein the video monitor swivels between a use first position and a storage second position, and the RCA ports are only visible when the video monitor is in its use first position.

19. The armrest/console according to claim 16, wherein control buttons are located on the first surface of the housing.

20. The armrest/console according to claim 19, wherein the video monitor swivels between a use first position and a storage second position, and the control buttons ate only visible when the video monitor is in its use first position.

21. The armrest/console according to claim 16, wherein a swivel couples the video monitor to the housing.

22. The armrest/console according to claim 12, wherein the housing includes a storage compartment and a video source is housed within the storage compartment.