Headrest mounted entertainment system

• US 7,591,508 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2006
• Issued: 09/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Original Assignee: Chung Lung Chang
• Inventors: Chang, Chung Lung
• Primary Examiner(s): Cranmer; Laurie K
• Application Number:
  US11/475,735
• Publication Number:
  US 20070096518A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,184 Days
• Field of Search: 297/217.3, 297/217.4, 297/217.5
• US Class Current: 297/217.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0017 Head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0078 Quick-disconnect two-parts mounting means

Abstract

In certain embodiments, a headrest entertainment system is provided that includes a frame, a DVD player, a monitor, and a cover. The frame is configured to be positioned within a vehicle headrest. The DVD player has a slot through which a digital video disc (“DVD”) can be inserted. The DVD player is coupled with the frame such that the slot is adjacent an upper surface of the headrest when the frame is positioned within the headrest. The monitor is coupled with the frame and configured to reproduce at least a video portion of the DVD. The cover has a first position in which the access aperture is exposed such that the DVD can be inserted through the slot and a second position in which the slot is blocked.

Claims

1. A mobile video system comprising:

a motorized land vehicle comprising a passenger compartment and a seat having a headrest, the seat positioned in the passenger compartment; and

an entertainment system, comprising;

a component mounting frame configured to be positioned in the headrest;

a signal source having an access aperture through which a non-volatile storage medium can be inserted, the signal source capable of generating a signal based on data stored in the non-volatile storage medium, the signal source being coupled with the component mounting frame such that when the component mounting frame is positioned in the headrest, the access aperture is located adjacent an upper surface of the headrest;

a video monitor configured to reproduce at least a portion of the signal; and

a cover pivotably mounted to the component mounting frame, said cover being pivotable with respect to the monitor and having a first position in which the access aperture is exposed such that the non-volatile storage medium can be inserted therethrough and a second position in which the cover blocks the access aperture.

2. The mobile video system of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises means for venting heat generated by the system.

3. The mobile video system of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of holes that vent heat generated by the system.

4. The mobile video system of claim 1, wherein the component mounting frame comprises a cover mounting portion that extends to a location adjacent to the access aperture.

5. The mobile video system of claim 1, wherein the component mounting frame is configured such that when positioned in the cavity, at least a portion of the cover is positioned below a top surface of the headrest.

6. The mobile video system of claim 1, further comprising a hinge coupled with the component mounting frame and with the cover, the hinge enabling the cover to pivot between the first and second positions.

7. A headrest entertainment assembly, comprising:

a headrest having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a cavity; and

an entertainment system comprising;

a component mounting frame configured to be positioned within the cavity of the headrest;

a signal source having an access aperture through which a non-volatile storage medium can be inserted, the signal source capable of generating a signal based on data stored in the non-volatile storage medium, the signal source being coupled with the component mounting frame such that the access aperture is adjacent the upper surface of the headrest when the component mounting frame is positioned in the cavity;

a monitor coupled with the component mounting frame, the monitor configured to reproduce at least a portion of the signal; and

a cover coupled with the mounting frame, the cover being separate from the monitor and having a first position in which the access aperture is exposed such that the non-volatile storage medium can be inserted through the access aperture and a second position in which the cover blocks the access aperture.

8. The headrest entertainment assembly of claim 7, wherein the cover comprises means for venting heat generated by the system.

9. The headrest entertainment assembly of claim 7, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of holes that vent heat generated by the system.

10. The headrest entertainment assembly of claim 7, wherein the component mounting frame comprises a cover mounting portion that extends to a location adjacent to the access aperture.

11. The headrest entertainment assembly of claim 7, wherein the component mounting frame is configured such that when positioned in the cavity, at least a portion of the cover is positioned below a top surface of the headrest.

12. The headrest entertainment assembly of claim 7, further comprising a hinge coupled with the component mounting frame and with the cover, the hinge enabling the cover to pivot between the first and second positions.

13. The headrest entertainment assembly of claim 7, wherein the component mounting frame comprises a recess configured to receive at least a portion of the monitor.

14. The headrest entertainment assembly of claim 13, wherein the recess includes a floor portion and the monitor has a retracted position in which the monitor is adjacent the floor portion and an installation position in which the monitor exposes the floor portion.

15. The headrest entertainment assembly of claim 7, further comprising a monitor hinge coupled with the monitor and with the component mounting frame, the monitor hinge enabling the monitor to move between a retracted position and an installation position, the retracted position being closer to the component mounting frame than the installation position.

16. The headrest entertainment assembly of claim 15, further comprising a motion limiter device configured to define at least one of the retracted and the installation positions.

17. The headrest entertainment assembly of claim 16, wherein the motion limiter device is coupled with the monitor and with the component mounting frame.

18. The headrest entertainment assembly of claim 17, wherein the motion limiter device is coupled with a recess formed in the component mounting frame and to a rear surface of the monitor.

19. The headrest entertainment assembly of claim 7, wherein the headrest further comprises a seat mounting aperture, and further comprising:

a mounting system, comprising;

a pillow mounting bracket configured to be inserted through the seat mounting aperture and to be coupled with a seat; and

at least one elongate post that extends between the pillow mounting bracket and the component mounting frame, whereby the entertainment system can be coupled with the pillow mounting bracket.

20. The headrest entertainment assembly of claim 19, wherein the mounting system further comprises:

a seat post that extends below a lower side of the pillow mounting bracket and through the seat mounting aperture to be coupled with a seat; and

an entertainment system mounting bracket configured to couple with the component mounting frame and with the pillow mounting bracket.

21. A headrest entertainment system, comprising:

a frame configured to be positioned within a vehicle headrest;

a DVD player having a slot through which a digital video disc (“

DVD”

) can be inserted, the DVD player being coupled with the frame such that the slot is adjacent an upper surface of the headrest when the frame is positioned within the headrest;

a monitor coupled with the frame and configured to reproduce at least a video portion of the DVD; and

a cover being separate from the monitor and having a first position in which the access aperture is exposed such that the DVD can be inserted through the slot and a second position in which the cover blocks the slot.