US007044546B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Chang
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,044,546 B2
`May 16, 2006
`
`(54) HEADREST-MOUNTED MONITOR
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Chung L. Chang, Diamond Bar, CA
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Johnson Safety, Inc., San Bemardino,
`CA (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`D247,234 S
`4,079,987 A
`4,100,372 A
`4,101,159 A
`
`2/1978 Stewart
`3/1978 Bumgardener
`7/1978 Hypolite
`7/1978 Stewart
`
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`
`4118711 A1
`
`10/1992
`
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/762,630
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jan. 20, 2004
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2004/0212745 A1
`
`Oct. 28, 2004
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/219,987,
`filed on Aug. 14, 2002.
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/451,232, filed on Feb.
`28, 2003.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`A47C 7/62
`(2006.01)
`H04N 5/64
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`.................................. .. 297/217.3; 348/837
`(58) Field of Classification Search ........... .. 297/217.1,
`297/217.3, 410; 312/7.2; 248/917, 919,
`248/920, 923; 348/837
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
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`Request for Inter Partes Reexamination of U.S. Patent No.
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`Audiovox Corp.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner—Peter M. Cuomo
`Assistant Examiner—Joe Edell
`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Knobbe, Martens, Olson &
`Bear, LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A monitor adapted for mounting in an automobile headrest
`is provided. A screen structure of the monitor is pivotable
`about an upper edge thereof, such that the monitor occupies
`little volume within the headrest. A viewing angle of the
`screen structure is independently adjustable by a viewer,
`such that the viewer can continuously select the optimum
`viewing angle with changing conditions inside the automo-
`bile. The screen structure automatically retracts into a hous-
`ing when struck. Thus, the monitor poses little risk of injury
`to passengers. The housing of the monitor is attachable to the
`headrest with screws, which provides a very sturdy connec-
`tion and reduces the chances of the housing becoming
`detached from the headrest during a vehicle collision. The
`hinged connection between the screen structure and the
`housing is preferably constructed of interconnected compo-
`nents made from sturdy materials, such as metals. Hinge
`components are optionally secured with metal fastening
`members and fastening apertures made of metal and strong
`plastics. The hinges are thus unlikely to break during a
`vehicle collision.
`
`15 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets
`
`/2 /4
`
`
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2007
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2007
`
`

`

`US 7,044,546 B2
`Page 2
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`DE
`DE
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`37213377 A1
`10/1992
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`3/2001
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2007
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2007
`
`

`

`US 7,044,546 B2
`Page 3
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`GB
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`SE
`SE
`SE
`WO
`
`2276059 A
`1-94048
`
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`4/1989
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`9_224202
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`63872
`63912
`63913
`W0 02/074577
`
`7/1992
`3/1993
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`
`Office Action mailed Aug. 7, 2003 for U.S. Appl. No.
`10/361,897, now U.S. Patent No. 6,871,356.
`(1)£’13c6e:11:1;t71on maI1JleSd Ilieb. 216} 2(g0:71fo3r5;J.S. Appl. No.
`’
`3 now .
`'
`' mm 0'
`’
`’
`'
`Office Action mailed Aug. 23, 2004 for U.S. Appl. No.
`I0/361,897, HOW U.S. Patent NO. 6,871,356.
`Order Granting Request for Inter Partes Reexamination U.S.
`Patent No. 6,871,356, mailed Sep. 29, 2005.
`Action Closing Prosecution for Inter Partes Reexamination
`U.S. Patent No. 6,871,356, mailed Sep. 29, 2005.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2007
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`
`May 16,2006
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`1
`HEADREST-MOUNTED MONITOR
`
`RELATED APPLICATION
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of application
`Ser. No. 10/219,987, filed on Aug. 14, 2002, and claims the
`benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/451,232, filed
`Feb. 28, 2003, the entire contents of both which are hereby
`expressly incorporated by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to visual display units for
`use in vehicles, such as automobiles and aircraft. More
`specifically, the present monitor is adapted to be mounted in
`a headrest of a vehicle seat.
`
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Monitors for displaying visual images have been com-
`monplace aboard commercial aircraft and motor coaches for
`quite some time. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,775 to
`Nguyen, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,556 to Dixon disclose
`monitors that are adapted to be mounted in a seat back of an
`aircraft seat. Neither of these monitors is adapted for use in
`an automobile.
`
`Disadvantageously, each of these monitors pivots auto-
`matically with the seat back. A viewer carmot adjust a
`viewing angle of either monitor independently of a recline
`angle of the seat back. This limitation prevents a viewer
`from adjusting the monitor to minimize glare. In an auto-
`mobile a position and orientation of the vehicle relative to
`the sun is constantly changing. The movement creates glare
`at certain times, and viewers prefer to be able to adjust the
`screen to eliminate the glare. Thus, any monitor for use in an
`automobile is preferably adjustable so that viewers can
`minimize glare.
`The Nguyen monitor pivots about a lower edge, and
`pivots into the seat back when a passenger reclines the seat
`back. Thus, the Nguyen monitor occupies a relatively large
`depth of the seat back. This configuration is not suitable for
`use in an automobile headrest, where space is very limited.
`The Dixon monitor pivots about an axis located in the
`upper half of the housing. The axis is spaced downward and
`inward from the upper outer edge of the monitor (see FIGS.
`3—5). The Dixon monitor pivots away from the seat back
`when a passenger reclines the seat back. However, because
`of the location of the pivot axis, an upper rear edge of the
`Dixon monitor moves toward the seat back when the moni-
`
`this configuration
`tor pivots. Like the Nguyen monitor,
`occupies a relatively large depth of the seat back and is not
`well-adapted for use in an automobile headrest, where space
`is very limited. Further, when the seat of Dixon is in a
`reclined position, and the monitor is in a position such that
`a lower edge thereof protrudes from the seat back, tension in
`a cable within the seat back holds the monitor in position.
`Thus, if a passenger strikes the monitor in this position, he
`or she could be injured because the monitor will not retract
`into the seat back. This configuration is also not appropriate
`for use in an automobile headrest, where during emergency
`braking passengers are frequently thrown forward.
`Monitors have recently become more popular in private
`passenger vehicles where space is more limited than in
`aircraft and motor coaches. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
`5,842,715 to Jones, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,250,976 to Chu
`disclose monitors that are adapted to be mounted in a head
`rest of an automobile seat. The Jones and Chu monitors are
`
`US 7,044,546 B2
`
`2
`
`adapted to be mounted in an automobile headrest. However,
`neither of these monitors is adjustable independently of the
`headrest.
`
`Unfortunately, none of these patents teaches a monitor
`that is adapted to be mounted within an automobile headrest,
`and is independently adjustable by a viewer to provide an
`optimum viewing angle and to reduce glare.
`Several monitors for use in private passenger vehicles
`include a plastic housing that is mounted to the vehicle
`headrest. The housing is glued into a cavity within the
`headrest, and the screen structure is securable within the
`housing using a variety of different attachment methods. For
`example, the housing may include tabs that snap into slots
`on the screen structure. Unfortunately,
`the connections
`between these screen structures and their respective hous-
`ings are not very sturdy. Furthermore, the glued connections
`between the housings and their respective headrests are not
`very sturdy. Thus, during a vehicle collision,
`the screen
`structures tend to detach from their housings, and the
`housings tend to detach from their headrests. The loose
`screen structures and housings drifting about the passenger
`compartment pose a threat to the passenger’s safety.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The preferred embodiments of the headrest-mounted
`monitor have several features, no single one of which is
`solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without
`limiting the scope of this headrest-mounted monitor as
`expressed by the claims that follow,
`its more prominent
`features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this
`discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled
`“Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments,” one
`will understand how the features of the preferred embodi-
`ments provide advantages, which include adaptability to
`mounting in an automobile headrest, independent adjust-
`ability, sturdy connection between housing and headrest,
`sturdy connection between monitor and housing, and low
`risk of injury to passengers.
`One preferred embodiment of the present monitor com-
`prises a housing defining a first hinge portion. The housing
`is mounted to a headrest of a vehicle seat. The monitor
`
`further comprises a screen structure defining a second hinge
`portion. The second hinge portion cooperates with the first
`hinge portion to pivotably secure the screen structure to the
`housing.
`Another preferred embodiment of the present monitor is
`adapted to be mounted to a headrest of a vehicle seat. The
`monitor comprises a housing defining a storage cavity and a
`first hinge portion adjacent an upper edge thereof. The
`monitor further comprises a screen structure defining a
`second hinge portion adjacent an upper edge thereof. The
`second hinge portion cooperates with the first hinge portion
`to pivotably secure the screen structure to the housing. The
`screen structure is adapted to fit substantially within the
`storage cavity when the screen structure is in a storage
`configuration. An angular orientation of the screen structure
`relative to the housing is adjustable without moving the
`headrest or the seat.
`
`Another preferred embodiment of the present monitor is
`adapted to be mounted to a headrest of a vehicle seat. The
`monitor comprises a housing defining a storage cavity and a
`first hinge portion adjacent an upper edge. The monitor
`further comprises a screen structure defining a second hinge
`portion adjacent an upper edge. The second hinge portion
`cooperates with the first hinge portion to pivotably secure
`the screen structure to the housing. The screen structure is
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
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`

`US 7,044,546 B2
`
`3
`adapted to fit substantially within the storage cavity when
`the screen structure is in a storage configuration. When the
`screen structure is in a viewing configuration, a lower edge
`of the screen structure protrudes from the housing. When the
`screen structure is in the viewing configuration, a pushing
`force applied to a front face of the screen structure adjacent
`a lower edge thereof pivots the screen structure to a position
`toward the storage configuration. Upon removal of the force,
`the screen structure remains in said position.
`Another preferred embodiment of the present monitor is
`adapted to be mounted to a headrest of a vehicle seat. The
`monitor comprises a housing having a first hinge portion and
`having a pivot aperture attached to a floor thereof. The
`monitor further comprises a screen structure having a second
`hinge portion and a channel in a rear surface. The second
`hinge portion cooperates with the first hinge portion to
`pivotably secure the screen structure to the housing. The
`monitor further comprises a bracket having a first end
`pivotably retained within the pivot aperture and a second
`end slidably retained within the channel.
`Another preferred embodiment of the present monitor is
`adapted to be mounted to a headrest of a vehicle seat. The
`monitor comprises a screen structure defining first and
`second hinge portions adjacent an upper edge thereof. The
`monitor further comprises a housing defining a storage
`cavity adapted to receive the screen structure, and a surface
`adjacent an upper edge thereof for receiving the first hinge
`portion. A fastening member secures the first hinge portion
`to the housing surface. The first and second hinge portions
`cooperate to pivotably secure the screen structure to the
`housing.
`Another preferred embodiment of the present monitor is
`adapted to be mounted to a headrest of a vehicle seat. The
`monitor comprises a screen structure defining first and
`second hinge portions, and a housing defining a surface for
`receiving the first hinge portion. The housing is mounted to
`a headrest of a vehicle seat. The first hinge portion is secured
`to the housing surface, such that the second hinge portion
`cooperates with the first hinge portion to pivotably secure
`the screen structure to the housing, and the screen structure
`is pivotable ninety-degrees with respect to the housing.
`Another preferred embodiment of the present monitor is
`adapted to be mounted to a headrest of a vehicle seat. The
`monitor comprises a screen structure defining a post and a
`first hinge portion pivotably connected thereto. The post is
`secured adjacent an upper edge of the screen structure. The
`monitor further comprises a housing defining a storage
`cavity adapted to receive the screen structure, and a surface
`adjacent an upper edge thereof for receiving the first hinge
`portion. The first hinge portion pivotably secures the screen
`structure to the housing. The post and the first hinge portion
`are constructed of a sturdy material designed to resist
`separation of the screen structure and housing.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The preferred embodiments of the headrest-mounted
`monitor, illustrating its features, will now be discussed in
`detail. These embodiments depict the novel and non-obvious
`headrest-mounted monitor shown in the accompanying
`drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only. These
`drawings include the following figures, in which like numer-
`als indicate like parts:
`FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a preferred embodiment
`of the headrest-mounted monitor according to the present
`invention, illustrating the monitor installed in a headrest of
`a vehicle seat;
`
`4
`FIG. 1A is a front elevation view of the headrest-mounted
`monitor of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 2A is a left side elevation view of the screen structure
`of the headrest-mounted monitor of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 2B is a rear elevation view of the screen structure of
`FIG. 2A;
`FIG. 3A is a front elevation view of the housing of the
`headrest-mounted monitor of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3B is a left side elevation view of the housing of FIG.
`3A;
`FIG. 3C is a detail view of the second hinge portion of the
`housing of FIG. 3A;
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the headrest-mounted
`monitor of FIG. 1, illustrating the screen structure pivoted
`outward from the housing;
`FIG. 5A is a left side section view of the headrest-
`
`mounted monitor of FIG. 1, illustrating the screen structure
`in a storage position;
`FIG. 5B is a left side section view of the headrest-
`
`mounted monitor of FIG. 1, illustrating the screen structure
`pivoted outward from the housing;
`FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bracket of the
`headrest-mounted monitor of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 7A is a left side elevation view of the headrest-
`
`mounted monitor and headrest of FIG. 1, illustrating the
`screen structure in a storage position;
`FIG. 7B is a left side elevation view of the headrest-
`
`mounted monitor and headrest of FIG. 1, illustrating the
`screen structure pivoted outward from the housing; and
`FIG. 8 is a left side elevation view of another preferred
`embodiment of the screen structure of the headrest-mounted
`monitor of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of another preferred
`embodiment of the housing of the headrest-mounted monitor
`of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 10 is a left side elevation view of the housing of FIG.
`
`9;
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`FIG. 11 is a detail view of the second hinge portion of the
`housing of FIG. 9;
`FIG. 12 is a left side elevation view of the headrest-
`
`40
`
`including the
`mounted monitor and headrest of FIG. 1,
`screen structure of FIG. 8, illustrating the screen structure in
`a storage position; and
`FIG. 13 is a left side elevation view of the headrest-
`
`including the
`mounted monitor and headrest of FIG. 1,
`screen structure of FIG. 8, illustrating the screen structure
`pivoted outward from the housing.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a monitor 10
`disposed within a headrest 12. The headrest 12 is mounted
`to a vehicle seatback 14, and 12 is movable independently
`of the seatback 14 toward and away from the seatback 14.
`The monitor 10 preferably faces a rear of the vehicle so that
`images displayed on the monitor 10 are visible to passengers
`seated behind the seatback 14. Features of the monitor 10,
`which are described in detail below, reduce the risk of injury
`to passengers presented by the monitor 10, and enable the
`monitor 10 to be mounted in the very limited space available
`within a typical vehicle headrest 12.
`As shown in FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B, the monitor 10 includes
`a screen structure 16 that is pivotably attached to a housing
`18. Both the housing 18 and an outer casing of the screen
`structure 16 are preferably constructed of a high-strength
`plastic, so that the monitor 10 is lightweight and durable. As
`
`45
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`50
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`60
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`65
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`Patent Owner Exhibit 2007
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2007
`
`

`

`US 7,044,546 B2
`
`5
`will be appreciated by those of skill in the art from the
`description and figures, the plastic housing 18 and outer
`casing of the screen structure 16 are molded. The housing
`18, which is embedded in the headrest 12 as shown in FIGS.
`1, 7A and 7B, includes a cavity 20 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 5B)
`defining a storage space for the screen structure 16. The
`cavity 20 is substantially the same size and shape as the
`screen structure 16, such that when the screen structure 16
`is in the storage position of FIGS. 5A and 7A, a front face
`22 of the screen structure 16 is substantially flush with an
`outer surface 24 of the housing 18, which is in mm sub-
`stantially flush with a surface 25 of the headrest 12 (FIG.
`7A). The monitor 10 thus preferably protrudes only mim-
`mally or not at all from the headrest 12.
`In the illustrated embodiment,
`the screen structure 16
`includes a front portion 26 (FIGS. 2A and 2B) that is a
`substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and a rear portion
`28 that tapers inward from the front portion 26 toward a rear
`face 30. Each of the left and right faces 32, 34 of the screen
`structure 16 includes a first hinge portion 36 adjacent a top
`face 38 of the screen structure 16. Each hinge portion 36
`comprises a substantially flat bar 40 defining a plane that is
`parallel to a side face 32, 34 of the screen structure 16. The
`bar 40 is pivotably secured at a first end 42 to the side face
`32, 34 of the screen structure 16, such that the bar 40 is
`pivotable in the plane defined by the bar 40. The first hinge
`portions 36 cooperate with second hinge portions 44 (FIGS.
`3A—3C) on the housing 18 to pivotably secure the screen
`structure 16 to the housing 18, as described in detail below.
`The illustrated first hinge portions 36 are preferred, because
`they simplify the assembly of the monitor 10, as explained
`below. However, those of skill in the art will appreciate that
`a variety of alternate hinge constructions could be used and
`still achieve a number of advantages of the present monitor
`10.
`
`The front surface 22 of the screen structure 16 (FIG. 1A)
`includes a viewing screen 46 that displays images to pas-
`sengers. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the screen structure
`16 includes an input cable 48 for receiving an input signal
`to control the images displayed on the viewing screen 46. A
`first end 50 of the cable preferably includes a multi-pin
`connector 52 that enables a variety of input devices to
`selectively communicate with the monitor 10.
`The monitor 10 further includes a plurality of controls for
`determining characteristics of the displayed images. For
`example, one control preferably enables power to be selec-
`tively applied to the monitor 10. Other controls preferably
`enable a viewer to select between various input sources for
`the monitor 10, such as a television tuner, a DVD player, a
`video game system, etc. Other controls preferably enable
`adjustment of qualities of the screen images, such as bright-
`ness, sharpness, contrast, etc.
`In the illustrated embodiment, a first cluster of manual
`controls 54 is located on the front face 22 of the screen
`structure 16, and a second cluster of manual controls 56 is
`located on the outer surface 24 of the housing 18 adjacent
`the screen structure 16. The front face 22 of the screen
`structure 16 further includes an infrared sensor 58 for
`
`receiving signals from a handheld wireless remote control
`unit (not shown). Those of skill in the art will appreciate that
`all controls may be located on the screen structure 16, or all
`controls may be located on the housing 18. Alternatively, the
`monitor 10 may include no integrated manual controls, such
`that the monitor 10 is controllable using only a handheld
`wired or wireless remote control unit.
`
`An interior of the screen structure 16 preferably includes
`at least one speaker 59 that produces audible sounds that
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`6
`accompany the images displayed on the screen 46. At least
`one of the controls 54, 56 on the monitor 10 or on an
`optional remote control unit preferably enables adjustment
`of a volume level produced by the at least one speaker 59.
`The rear face 30 of the screen structure 16, shown in FIG.
`2B, includes apertures 60 that enable sounds produced by
`the speaker 59 to be heard clearly by passengers. Those of
`skill in the art will appreciate that the apertures 60 are not
`necessary to achieve many advantages of the present mom-
`tor 10.
`
`in the art will also appreciate that the
`Those of skill
`monitor 10 need not include a speaker 59. The monitor 10
`could, for example, be connected to the vehicle’s sound
`system such that sounds from the monitor 10 are produced
`by speakers mounted in the vehicle’s interior. However,
`front seat passengers, who are not in a position to view the
`images on the monitor 10, may wish to listen to,
`for
`example, a radio broadcast through the vehicle’s sound
`system. Therefore, providing at least one speaker 59 in the
`monitor 10 enables rear seat passengers to listen to sounds
`produced by the monitor 10, and front seat passengers to
`listen to sounds produced by the vehicle’s sound system. To
`eliminate any dissonance created by two sources of different
`sounds, the monitor 10 could also include a headphone jack
`so that only backseat passengers wearing headphones can
`hear sounds produced by the monitor 10.
`As shown in FIGS. 3A—3C, 5A and 5B, front edges of the
`housing 18 extend outward and backward, thus creating a
`rim 62 around the cavity 20 having a front face 64 and side
`faces 66, 68, 70, 72 that are substantially parallel to side
`faces of the cavity 20. The rim 62 increases the rigidity of
`the housing 18 without substantially increasing its weight or
`volume. In the illustrated embodiment, a portion of the front
`face 64 of the rim 62 adjacent a lower right edge 68 of the
`housing 18 includes a plurality of apertures 74. The aper-
`tures 74 are adapted to house controls, such as buttons or
`knobs, for adjusting various aspects of the monitor 10, as
`described above. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that
`the apertures 74 are not necessary to achieve all the advan-
`tages of the monitor 10, since controls may be mounted on
`the screen structure 16 or on a remote control unit.
`
`A floor 76 of the cavity 20 preferably includes a plurality
`of apertures 78 (FIG. 3A) that cooperate with mounting
`hardware, such as screws, to secure the housing 18 to the
`headrest 12. The floor 76 preferably also includes an aper-
`ture 80 of sufficient size to allow the input cable 48 to pass
`through the floor 76 without interference. A top surface 82,
`bottom surface 84 and opposing side surfaces 86 extend
`upward from the floor 76. The floor 76 protects the monitor
`10 and the headrest 12 during use.
`Adjacent the top surface 82, each side surface 86 of the
`cavity 20 includes a second hinge portion 44 (FIGS. 3A—3C)
`that cooperates with one of the first hinge portions 36 on the
`screen structure 16 to pivotably secure the screen structure
`16 to the housing 18. Each second hinge portion 44 com-
`prises a slot having a width substantially equal to a thickness
`of the bar 40 of the first hinge portion 36. The bar 40 is thus
`slidable within the slot. With the bar 40 disposed within the
`slot, a position and orientation of the bar 40 is fixed relative
`to the housing 18. However, because the bar 40 is rotatable
`with respect to the screen structure 16, the screen structure
`16 is pivotable with respect to the housing 18.
`A tab 88 within the slot cooperates with an aperture 90
`(FIG. 2A) on the bar 40 to lock the bar 40 within the slot.
`The tab 88 is cantilevered and attached to a side edge 92 of
`the floor 76 of the cavity 20. The tab 88 includes a forward
`facing tapered portion 94 (FIG. 3C) that terminates in a
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2007
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2007
`
`

`

`US 7,044,546 B2
`
`7
`ledge 96 that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tab
`88 and faces away from the rim 62. As the bar 40 is inserted
`within the slot, the bar 40 slides along the outside of the tab
`88, and the bar 40 urges the tab 88 inward due to interen-
`gagement of the bar 40 with the tapered surface 94. As a
`leading edge 98 (FIG. 2A) of the bar 40 reaches a rear end
`of the slot, the tab 88 snaps into position within the aperture
`90 of the bar 40. The ledge 96 abuts an edge of the aperture
`90, thus locking the bar 40 within the slot and securing the
`screen structure 16 to the housing 18. The present monitor
`10 is thus easy to assemble. The bars 40 are simply inserted
`into the slots until the tabs 88 lock into place within the
`apertures 90.
`While the illustrated second hinge portions 44 are pre-
`ferred for their ease of assembly together with the illustrated
`first hinge portions 36, those of skill in the art will appreciate
`that the illustrated second hinge portions 44 are merely
`exemplary. A variety of alternate hinge constructions could
`be used to achieve many advantages of the present monitor
`10.
`
`Preferably, the first and second hinge portions 36, 44 are
`located near an upper edge 38, 82 of the screen structure 16
`and housing 18, respectively. The upper edge 38 of the
`screen structure 16 thus remains substantially fixed with
`respect to the housing 18, while a lower edge 100 of the
`screen structure 16 is capable of protruding substantially
`from the front face 24 of the housing 18, as shown in FIG.
`SB. Preferably, a finger catch 102 (FIGS. 2A, 2B, SA and
`SB) extends downward from the lowe