Vehicle mounted printer station

• US 8,336,959 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2011
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LEM Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: LEM Solutions, LLC
• Inventors: Cottrell, William D., Wiseman, Kenneth B. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Allred, David E
• Application Number:
  US12/931,121
• Publication Number:
  US 20110114685A1
• Time in Patent Office: 700 Days
• Field of Search: 297/129, 297/391, 297/217.3, 297/463.2
• US Class Current: 297/217.3
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/045 Fastening means for paper sheet; Paper trays; Accessories for typists, e.g. line indicators
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 83/00 Combinations comprising two or more pieces of furniture of different kinds
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 85/04 Tables convertible into chairs
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 13/00 Convertible chairs, stools or benches step-stools requiring conversion between the step and seat functions A47C12/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/72 Adaptations for incorporating lamps, radio sets, bars, telephones, ventilation, heating or cooling arrangements or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/06 Special supports, platforms or trolleys for supporting machines on tables
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/445 Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/882 detachable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/90 Details or parts not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/905 the head-rest or seat used as an anchorage point, for an object not covered by groups in B60N, e.g. for a canvas
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/043 mounted on or under a seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/08 Disposition of racks, clips , holders, containers or the like for supporting specific articles B60R7/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 1/00 Devices for securing together, or preventing relative movement between, constructional elements or machine parts
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/81 Use of a material of the hooks-and-loops type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A vehicle mounted printer station is made up of a printer secured to a support surface tray that includes an adaptor capable of attaching the tray and printer to the top of a vehicle seat. The support surface is preferably a rectangular shaped plate with front, back and side edges along with top and bottom surfaces. The bottom surface is attached to the adaptor, the adaptor includes at least one attachment rod for securing the support surface to the vehicle seat. The attachment rods are sized to be received into receptacles provided in the top of a vehicle seat designed for the vehicle headrest.

Claims

1. In combination with a front passenger seat of a motor vehicle, the front passenger seat defining at least one headrest mounting rod receptacle, a printer station comprising:

a station adaptor comprising a printer support structure, wherein substantially the entire printer support structure resides directly vertically adjacent a top of a seatback of the front passenger seat, thereby minimizing obtrusiveness of the station adaptor within an interior cabin space of the motor vehicle, and said station adaptor having at least one elongated mounting rod received within the headrest mounting rod receptacle; and

a printer carried by said printer support structure in substitution of a vehicle headrest such that the station adapter is devoid of vehicle safety headrest padding.

2. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said printer support structure covers substantially an entire top of the seatback of said front passenger seat.

3. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said elongated mounting rod is pivotably attached to said printer support structure, and is movable between a folded stowed position and an extended deployed position.

4. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said printer support structure comprises a first fastener adapted for releasably attaching to a complementary second fastener secured to said printer.

5. A combination according to claim 4, wherein said first and second fasteners comprise complementary hook and loop fasteners.

6. A combination according to claim 1, wherein said printer support structure comprises a printer tray.

7. A printer station adapted for mounting on a front passenger seat of a motor vehicle, the front passenger seat defining at least one headrest mounting rod receptacle, said printer station comprising:

a station adaptor comprising a printer support structure, wherein substantially the entire printer support structure resides directly vertically adjacent a top of a seatback of the front passenger seat, thereby minimizing obtrusiveness of the station adaptor within an interior cabin space of the motor vehicle, and said station adaptor having at least one elongated mounting rod received within the headrest mounting rod receptacle; and

a printer carried by said printer support structure in substitution of a vehicle headrest such that the station adaptor is devoid of vehicle safety headrest padding.

8. A printer station according to claim 7, wherein said printer support structure is designed to cover substantially an entire top of the seatback of the front passenger seat.

9. A printer station according to claim 7, wherein said elongated mounting rod is pivotably attached to said printer support structure, and is movable between a folded stowed position and an extended deployed position.

10. A printer station according to claim 7, wherein said printer support structure comprises a first fastener adapted for releasably attaching to a complementary second fastener secured to said printer.

11. A printer station according to claim 10, wherein said first and second fasteners comprise complementary hook and loop fasteners.

12. A printer station according to claim 7, and comprising at least one electrical cable attached to said printer and adapted for routing adjacent the front passenger seat.

13. A printer station according to claim 7, wherein said printer support structure comprises a printer tray.

14. A method for locating a printer station within a cabin of a motor vehicle, said method comprising mounting a printer support structure and a printer directly vertically adjacent a top of a seatback of a front passenger seat of the vehicle wherein no portion of the printer and no portion of the support structure extend substantially beyond a front side of the seatback and no portion of the printer and no portion of the support structure extend substantially beyond a back side of the seatback of the front passenger seat;

and wherein mounting the support structure and the printer is devoid of locating a vehicle safety headrest padding above the seatback.

15. A method according to claim 14, and comprising orienting the printer such that printed paper is discharged within a front cabin space for ready access by a driver of the motor vehicle.

16. A method according to claim 14, wherein the step of mounting the printer comprises inserting at least one vertical mounting rod within a complementary headrest mounting rod receptacle formed with the front passenger seat.