Automotive seating system featuring a television set

• US 4,982,996 A
• Filed: 02/14/1990
• Issued: 01/08/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fiat Auto S.p.A.
• Original Assignee: Fiat Auto S.p.A.
• Inventors: Vottero-Fin, Alberto, Prato, Luigi
• Primary Examiner(s): Aschenbrenner, Peter A.
• Application Number:
  US07/479,960
• Time in Patent Office: 328 Days
• Field of Search: 297/194, 297/411, 297/417, 296/21, 248/917, 248/918
• US Class Current: 297/217.3
• 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: A47C 7/723 with display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0211 for record carriers apparatus, e.g. video recorders, tape players or CD players
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0229 for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0007 Mid-console
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0012 Seats or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0014 Arm-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0036 Luggage compartment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0276 for rear passenger use
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/917 Video display screen support

Abstract

A seating system consisting of two side by side front seats and at least a rear seat, all housed inside the passenger compartment of an automobile; characterized by the fact that it presents at least a television set built permanently into a lift-up armrest between the two front seats, so that the television screen defines at least part of the front side of the rear wall of the armrest. The seating system may also comprise a video tape reader/recorder housed underneath the rear seat or inside the luggage compartment of the vehicle, so as to form a complete television system. (FIG. 1).

Claims

1. An automotive seating system comprising two side by side front seats with an armrest in between, and at least a rear seat;

characterized by the fact that it comprises a television set built permanently inside said armrest so that the television screen defines at least part of the front side of the rear wall of said armrest.

2. A seating system as claimed in claim 1, characterized by the fact that said front side of said rear wall of said armrest is defined partly by said screen and partly by the control panel of said television set.

3. A seating system as claimed in claim 1, characterized by the fact that said armrest comprises a padded housing designed to accommodate and the open rear end of which is closed off by said television set;

said housing being provided laterally with at least a ventilation grill.

4. A seating system as claimed in claim 1,

characterized by the fact that said armrest is supported between said two front seats so as to swing between an idle position, wherein it is arranged substantially parallel to and to the side of the respective seatbacks of said front seats, with said screen facing the floor of the vehicle, and an operating position wherein said armrest is arranged with said screen facing said rear seat, and with its upper surface arranged between the respective seat portions of said front seats.

5. A seating system as claimed in claim 4, characterized by the fact that, with said armrest in said operating position, said screen faces slightly upwards to enable troublefree viewing from said rear seat.

6. A setting system as claimed in claim 1,

characterized by the fact that it also comprises a video tape reader/recorder connected to said television set and located close to said rear seat.