Video display system

• US 7,149,078 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2003
• Issued: 12/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Original Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Inventors: Schedivy, George C.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHANG, YEAN HSI
• Application Number:
  US10/749,443
• Publication Number:
  US 20040227861A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,077 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679, 361/681, 361/686
• US Class Current: 348/827
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/64 Back-rests or cushions B60N2/2222 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/879 with additional features not related to head-rest positioning, e.g. heating or cooling devices or loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• 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 11/0258 for navigation systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0225 self supporting head liners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/025 Pillars; Roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0275 comprising removable or hinged parts for accessing storage compartments B60R7/04; for airbag deployment B60R21/215
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0015 Back-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0017 Head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0073 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories

Abstract

A video display system comprises a base portion, a first hinge coupled to the base portion, and an arm including a first end coupled to the first hinge, wherein the arm is movable about the first hinge. The video display system further comprises a second hinge coupled to a second end of the arm, and a display panel coupled to the second hinge, wherein the display is movable about the second hinge, the display panel comprising a display.

Claims

1. A video display system mounted in a headrest in a vehicle, comprising:

a media player;

a base portion positioned substantially within the headrest;

a first hinge coupled to the base portion;

an arm including a first end coupled to the first hinge, wherein the arm is movable about the first hinge;

a second hinge coupled to a second end of the arm; and

a display panel coupled to the second hinge, the display panel comprising a display, wherein;

the display panel is movable about the second hinge;

the base portion includes the media player; and

the media player receives a media comprising data to be displayed by the display.

2. The video display system of claim 1, wherein the display panel is latchable to the base portion, preventing movement of the display and arm.

3. The video display system of claim 1, wherein the display faces towards the base portion in a latched position.

4. The video display system of claim 1, wherein the display faces away from the base portion in a latched position.

5. The video display system of claim 1, further comprising a docking station for securing the base portion.

6. The video display system of claim 5, wherein the docking station comprises a control for releasing the display from a latched position.

7. The video display system of claim 5, wherein the docking station comprises a control for releasing the base portion from the docking station.

8. The video display system of claim 5, wherein the docking station further comprises a door hinged along a side of the docking station for selectively concealing the video display system.

9. The video display system of claim 1, wherein the first hinge is positioned along an edge of the base portion and the second hinge is positioned at a point between two opposing edges of the display panel.

10. The video display system of claim 1, wherein the base portion is mounted to an internal portion of the headrest.

11. The video display system of claim 1, wherein the arm sits flat on a back side of the display panel when the display panel is in a stowed configuration.

12. The video display system of claim 1, wherein the second hinge is a ball and socket type hinge.

13. The video display system of claim 1, wherein the display panel conceals a media loading point of the media player when the display panel is in a stowed configuration.

14. A video display system comprising:

a base portion comprising a media player;

a display panel comprising a display, wherein the display panel is simultaneously moveable on an arc about a first point of the base portion and a plurality of second points defined along the arc, wherein the arc is on a plane perpendicular to the base portion; and

a docking station for securing the base portion substantially within a vehicle head rest.

15. The video display system of claim 14, wherein the docking station comprises a door for concealing the video display system.

16. The video display system of claim 14, wherein the docking station is mounted to an internal portion of the headrest.

17. A video display system mounted in a headrest in a vehicle, comprising:

a media player;

a base portion positioned substantially within the headrest;

a first hinge coupled to the base portion;

an arm including a first end coupled to the first hinge, wherein the arm is movable about the first hinge;

a second hinge coupled to a second end of the arm, wherein the second hinge is a ball and socket type hinge; and

a display panel coupled to the second hinge, wherein the display panel is movable about the second hinge, the display panel comprising a display.