Vehicle entertainment system with rotation control mechanism

• US 7,575,265 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2006
• Issued: 08/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Original Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Inventors: Vitito, Christopher J.
• Primary Examiner(s): LYJAK, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US11/453,239
• Publication Number:
  US 20060288383A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,160 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.8, 224/311, 248/917, 248/918, 248/919, 248/920, 248/921, 248/922, 248/923, 248/924, 348/837, 361/681, 361/679.06
• US Class Current: 296/37.8
• 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 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/917 Video display screen support

Abstract

A vehicle includes a ceiling with a headliner, a cradle secured within the ceiling of the vehicle and a video system selectively secured to the cradle for movement between a use position and a storage position. The video system includes a base with a first hinge permitting movement between the use position and the storage position. A rotation control mechanism is associated with the first hinge for adjustably controlling the use position and the storage position of the video system.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a ceiling with a headliner;

a cradle secured within the ceiling of the vehicle;

a video system selectively secured to the cradle for movement between a use position and a storage position, the video system including a base with a first hinge permitting movement between the use position and the storage position; and

a rotation control mechanism associated with the first hinge for adjustably controlling the use position and the storage position of the video system, wherein the rotation control mechanism includes a first detent adjustment wheel shaped and dimensioned for limiting positioning of the video system as it is moved to its use position.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, further including a first detent notch associated with the first detent adjustment wheel, the first detent notch is shaped and dimensioned to interact with a first detent extending laterally a housing of the video system such that when the housing of the video system is rotated about the first hinge toward its downward its use position, the first detent will ultimately contact the first detent notch, seat therein and substantially prevent further movement of the housing.

3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the first detent is spring biased.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the rotation control mechanism includes a second detent adjustment wheel shaped and dimensioned for limiting the position of the video system as it is moved to its storage position.

5. The vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the first detent adjustment wheel and the second detent adjustment wheel are in alignment with the first hinge.

6. A vehicle, comprising:

a ceiling with a headliner;

a cradle secured within the ceiling of the vehicle;

a video system selectively secured to the cradle for movement between a use position and a storage position, the video system including a base with a first hinge permitting movement between the use position and the storage position; and

a rotation control mechanism associated with the first hinge for adjustable controlling the use position and the storage position of the video system, wherein the rotation control mechanism includes a second detent adjustment wheel shaped and dimensioned for limiting the position of the video system as it is moved to its storage position.

7. The vehicle according to claim 6, further including a second detent notch associated with the second detent adjustment wheel, the second detent notch is shaped and dimensioned to interact with a second detent extending laterally a housing of the video system such that when the housing of the video system is rotated about the first hinge toward its downward its storage position, the second detent will ultimately contact the second detent notch, seat therein and substantially prevent further movement of the housing.

8. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the second detent is spring biased.

9. The vehicle according to claim 6, further including a retaining mechanism maintaining the video system adjacent the headliner and the cradle when it is in its storage position.

10. An entertainment system for a vehicle, comprising:

a cradle shaped and dimensioned for securing within a ceiling of the vehicle;

a video system selectively secured to the cradle for movement between a use position and a storage position, the video system including a base with a first hinge permitting movement between the use position and the storage position; and

a rotation control mechanism associated with the first hinge for adjustable controlling the use position and the storage position of the video system, wherein the rotation control mechanism includes a first detent adjustment wheel shaped and dimensioned for limiting positioning of the video system as it is moved to its use position.

11. The entertainment system according to claim 10, further including a first detent notch associated with the first detent adjustment wheel, the first detent notch is shaped and dimensioned to interact with a first detent extending laterally a housing of the video system such that when the housing of the video system is rotated about the first hinge toward its downward its use position, the first detent will ultimately contact the first detent notch, seat therein and substantially prevent further movement of the housing.

12. The entertainment system according to claim 11, wherein the first detent is spring biased.

13. The entertainment system according to claim 10, wherein the rotation control mechanism includes a second detent adjustment wheel shaped and dimensioned for limiting the position of the video system as it is moved to its storage position.

14. The entertainment system according to claim 13, wherein the first detent adjustment wheel and the second detent adjustment wheel are in alignment with the first hinge.

15. An entertainment system for a vehicle, comprising:

a cradle shaped and dimensioned for securing within a ceiling of the vehicle;

a video system selectively secured to the cradle for movement between a use position and a storage position, the video system including a base with a first hinge permitting movement between the use position and the storage position; and

a rotation control mechanism associated with the first hinge for adjustably controlling the use position and the storage position of the video system, wherein the rotation control mechanism includes a second detent adjustment wheel shaped and dimensioned for limiting the position of the video system as it is moved to its storage position.

16. The entertainment system according to claim 15, further including a second detent notch associated with the second detent adjustment wheel, the second detent notch is shaped and dimensioned to interact with a second detent extending laterally a housing of the video system such that when the housing of the video system is rotated about the first hinge toward its downward its storage position, the second detent will ultimately contact the second detent notch, seat therein and substantially prevent further movement of the housing.

17. The entertainment system according to claim 15, wherein the second detent is spring biased.

18. The entertainment system according to claim 15, further including a retaining mechanism maintaining the video system adjacent the headliner and the cradle when it is in its storage position.