Vehicle entertainment system with retaining mechanism

• US 7,699,376 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2006
• Issued: 04/20/2010
• 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:
  US11/453,238
• Publication Number:
  US 20060288382A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,405 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
• 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. A retaining mechanism is provided maintaining the video system adjacent the headliner and the cradle when the video system is in its storage position.

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; and

a retaining mechanism maintaining the video system adjacent the headliner and the cradle when the video system is in its storage position, wherein edges of the video system are exposed with no surrounding structure when in its storage position.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the video system includes a video source and a video monitor.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the video system includes a base that includes means for pivoting the video monitor.

4. The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the base includes means for pivoting the video monitor about multiple axes.

5. An entertainment system for a vehicle having a ceiling with a headliner, comprising:

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

a video system selectively secured to the cradle for movement between a use position and a storage position;

a retaining mechanism maintaining the video system adjacent the headliner and the cradle when the video system is in its storage position, wherein edges of the video system are exposed with no surrounding structure when in its storage position.

6. The entertainment system according to claim 5, wherein the video system includes a video source and a video monitor.

7. The entertainment system according to claim 5, wherein the video system includes a base that includes means for pivoting the video monitor.

8. The entertainment system according to claim 7, wherein the base includes means for pivoting the video monitor about multiple axes.