Automobile entertainment system

• US 8,162,395 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2005
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Original Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Inventors: Vitito, Christopher J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Peter R.
• Application Number:
  US11/272,002
• Publication Number:
  US 20060128473A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,353 Days
• Field of Search: 297/217.3, 348/61, 348/148, 348/837, 381/86
• US Class Current: 297/217.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/143 Touch sensitive input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/1438 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: B60N 2/879 with additional features not related to head-rest positioning, e.g. heating or cooling devices or loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0211 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 2011/0017 Head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0045 with visible part, e.g. flush mounted
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0059 using clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0061 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/008 Adjustable or movable supports
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0096 Theft prevention of articles
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 17/05 specially adapted for discs not contained within cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/64 Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers furniture aspects of television cabinets A47B81/06

Abstract

An automobile entertainment system includes a video system having a video monitor and a video source, and a cradle secured within an automobile. The cradle is shaped and dimensioned for selectively receiving and securely holding the video system.

Claims

1. A vehicle entertainment system, comprising:

a headrest docking station formed within a headrest in a vehicle, wherein the headrest docking station includes a first auxiliary cradle, and is defined by a rear surface formed within the headrest, first and second opposing sidewalls formed within the headrest, a bottom surface formed within the headrest and between the first and second opposing sidewalls, and an opening formed in a top surface of the headrest opposing the bottom surface and extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall;

a video system configured to be detachably mounted within the headrest docking station comprising a display, a media player and a protruding electrical connector protruding from an exterior surface of the video system; and

a remote docking station located remote from the headrest,

wherein the first auxiliary cradle is shaped and dimensioned to receive the protruding electrical connector, and includes a first connecting mechanism configured to securely hold the video system in the headrest docking station, and a first electrical connection configured to provide power to the video system and transmit audio signals and video signals to or from the video system, and

the remote docking station includes a second auxiliary cradle shaped and dimensioned to receive the protruding electrical connector, and the second auxiliary cradle includes a second connecting mechanism configured to securely hold the video system in the remote docking station, and a second electrical connection configured to provide power to the video system and transmit the audio signals and the video signals to or from the video system.

2. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the media player is a DVD player.

3. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 2, wherein a receiving slot of the DVD player is disposed in a portion of the video system corresponding to the opening formed in the top surface of the headrest.

4. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the video system further comprises a wireless transmitter.

5. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the video system further comprises an expansion slot configured to connect to an external device.

6. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 1, further comprising:

a latch member disposed on the rear surface of the headrest docking station, configured to attach the video system to the headrest docking station; and

a release button disposed on the headrest, configured to rotate the latch member and release the video system from the headrest docking station.

7. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 6, wherein the release button is disposed adjacent to the opening opposing the bottom surface formed within the headrest.

8. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the remote docking station is formed within a dash in the vehicle.

9. The vehicle entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the remote docking station is formed within a ceiling in the vehicle.