Dockable connection assembly

• US 6,942,489 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2003
• Issued: 09/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Tiesler, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, P. Austin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Harvey, James R.
• Application Number:
  US10/730,294
• Publication Number:
  US 20050124178A1
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 439/8, 439/34, 439/36, 248/917, 248/921, 248/923, 248/343, 348/837
• US Class Current: 439/34
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6275 Latching arms not integral with the housing H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/921 Plural angular

Abstract

A dockable connection assembly attached to the ceiling of a motor vehicle so that passengers can enjoy watching a display monitor at desired and comfortable angles while still being able to access the electrical components of the display screen and its counterparts in video technology. This structure allows for the screen to move at all angles, whether it be up, down, clockwise, or counterclockwise. The structure also has a safety feature that will allow for disengagement in case of emergency situations. This dockable connection assembly comprises a retainer assembly, a connector assembly, and a harness assembly. The retainer assembly provides the support for the entirety of the dockable connection assembly by holding the connector assembly and the display monitor onto the ceiling. The connector assembly provides for the electric connection a point of contact and allows for the rotation of the display monitor.

Claims

1. In a motor vehicle having a ceiling and a passenger seating area, a dockable connection assembly for a display screen comprising:

a retainer assembly;

a connector assembly adapted for pivotal and rotational attachment of the display screen and to disengage from the display screen during emergency situations; and

a harness assembly adapted for establishing an electrical connection with the display screen, said harness assembly extending through said connector assembly;

wherein said retainer assembly includes a tube connector and said connector assembly includes a snap nut threadably attached to said tube connector, wherein said harness assembly runs through said retainer assembly and said connector assembly, wherein said harness assembly is adapted to establish the electrical connection with the display screen as said snap nut is threaded onto said tube connector, and is also adapted to disengage from said electrical connection with the display screen when said snap nut is unscrewed from said tube connector.

2. The dockable connection assembly of claim 1, wherein said dockable connection assembly is generally forward of said passenger seating area.

3. The dockable connection assembly of claim 1, wherein said dockable connection assembly is mounted to said ceiling.

4. The dockable connection assembly of claim 1, wherein said retainer assembly further comprises an upper retainer mounted to th ceiling of said motor vehicle, a tube connector with an index, and a lower retainer;

said connection assembly further comprises a snap ball joint installed into a male connector by a receiving hole of said snap ball joint, said male connector properly orientated with a female connector, a lock ring slipped onto a snap nut fitted over said male connector properly oriented with said female connector, and a case fitted over said snap ball joint.

5. The dockable connector assembly of claim 4, wherein said tube connector is threaded on the outer portion of said tube connector.

6. The dockable connection assembly of claim 4, wherein said connection assembly is pressed into said tube connector by said female connector of said connection assembly and held firmly into said tube connector by tightening said snap nut of said connection assembly around said tube connector.

7. The dockable connection assembly of claim 4, wherein said tube connector utilizes said index to correct positioning of said connection assembly within said retainer assembly.

8. The dockable connection assembly of claim 4 wherein said snap ball joint is molded and snapped into said display monitor and said case around said snap ball joint allows said display screen to swivel.

9. The dockable connection assembly of claim 8, wherein said case can have features to restrict swiveling motion of said display screen.

10. The dockable connection assembly of claim 1, wherein said harness assembly comprises a wire.

11. The dockable connection assembly of claim 1, wherein said harness assembly runs through said retainer assembly and said harness assembly includes at least one of a male connector and a female connector disposed within said connection assembly.