Entertainment apparatus

• US 9,348,368 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2014
• Issued: 05/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Original Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Inventors: Mitchell, Ciaran
• Primary Examiner(s): Dang, Hung
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wendmagegn, Girumsew
• Application Number:
  US14/152,289
• Publication Number:
  US 20140193142A1
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 386/362
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0211 for record carriers apparatus, e.g. video recorders, tape players or CD players
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1633 Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203

Abstract

An entertainment apparatus for a passenger of a vehicle is provided with a casing having a top edge region, a bottom edge region and two respective side edge regions interconnecting the top and bottom edge regions. The four such edge regions frame and define a front side of the entertainment apparatus, the front side being provided with a monitor screen. The apparatus plays optically-readable discs, and is provided with an opening in the bottom edge region of its casing for receiving and ejecting optically-readable discs in a generally vertical plane. The apparatus is adapted to be mounted to a more forward seat of a vehicle for use by a passenger when seated behind the more forward seat of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An entertainment apparatus, comprising:

a casing having a top edge region, a bottom edge region and two side edge regions interconnecting the top and bottom edge regions; and

a frictional disc holder associated with an opening, wherein the frictional disc holder comprises two members adapted to receive an optically-readable disc therebetween and to apply friction to the optically-readable disc when received,

wherein the friction is sufficient to prevent the optically-readable disc from falling out of the opening under the effect of gravity, and is insufficient to cause damage to the optically-readable disc or to prevent the optically-readable disc from being manually pushed past the two members either for receipt in a disc playing mechanism mounted within the casing or to remove the optically-readable disc from the entertainment apparatus upon ejection,

wherein the top edge region, the bottom edge region, and the two side edge regions frame and define a front side of the entertainment apparatus, and the front side comprises a monitor screen,

wherein the entertainment apparatus is adapted to play the optically-readable disc, and comprises the opening in the bottom edge region of the casing for receiving and ejecting the optically-readable disc in a substantially vertical plane,

wherein the entertainment apparatus is adapted to be mounted to a more forward seat of a vehicle for use by a passenger when seated behind the more forward seat of the vehicle.

2. The entertainment apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the two members is cut from a sheet of flexible material.

3. The entertainment apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of the two members is stamped from a sheet of natural rubber, a substitute therefor, a thermoplastic elastomer, or from a sheet of foamed latex.

4. The entertainment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the two members comprise shaped elastomeric members made from injection moulded thermoplastics.

5. The entertainment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the two members comprise a pair of wheels.

6. The entertainment apparatus of claim 5, wherein the wheels are made from injection moulded thermoplastic elastomer or coated therewith.

7. The entertainment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the two members are spring loaded against each other.

8. The entertainment apparatus of claim 5, wherein at least one of the wheels is mounted on a spring arm, and the wheels are positioned on either side of the opening within the entertainment apparatus.

9. The entertainment apparatus of claim 1, further comprising speakers.

10. The entertainment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the entertainment apparatus is coupled by cable or wirelessly to external speakers mounted in the vehicle.

11. The entertainment apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a headphones connection.

12. The entertainment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the casing comprises a control panel configured to operate the entertainment apparatus.

13. The entertainment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the monitor screen comprises a touchscreen configured to operate the entertainment apparatus.

14. The entertainment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the entertainment apparatus is configured to be controlled from a remote control operated by the passenger or remote control buttons provided in the passenger'"'"'s seat, and the remote control and the remote control buttons communicate with the entertainment apparatus via a cable or a wireless connection.

15. The entertainment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the disc playing mechanism is supported within the casing by a frame.

16. The entertainment apparatus of claim 15, wherein the frame forms part of a fitting assembly adapted to fit the entertainment apparatus as a whole to a back of the more forward seat of the vehicle or a headrest of the more forward seat of the vehicle, thereby providing an enhanced vibration proof mounting for the entertainment apparatus.

17. The entertainment apparatus of claim 15, wherein the frame is manufactured from folded steel.

18. The entertainment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the entertainment apparatus adopts a slim profile with the disc playing mechanism located immediately behind the monitor screen, and the entertainment apparatus is mounted flat against a seat back or a headrest back of the more forward seat, or partially inset into the seat back or the headrest back, and the monitor screen and the opening are exposed.

19. The entertainment apparatus of claim 18, wherein the monitor screen comprises a flat LED, OLED or LCD screen.