PCT
`
`WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION
`International Bureau
`
`
`
`INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`(51) International Patent Classification 7 :
`
`(11) International Publication Number:
`
`WO 00/38951
`
`B60R 11/02
`
`(43) International Publication Date:
`
`6 July 2000 (06.07.00)
`
`(21) International Application Number:
`
`PCT/US99/30993
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`
`28 December 1999 (28.12.99)
`
`(81) Designated States: BR, JP, US, European patent (AT, BE, CH,
`CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL,
`PT, SE).
`
`Published
`
`With international search report.
`Before the expiration of the time limit for amending the
`claims and to be republished in the event of the receipt of
`amendments.
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`60/113,876
`
`28 December 1998 (28.12.98)
`
`US
`
`JOHN-
`(71) Applicant (for all designated States except US):
`SON CONTROLS INTERIORS TECHNOLOGY CORP.
`[US/US]; One Prince Center, Holland, MI 49423 (US).
`
`(72) Inventors; and
`(75) Inventors/Applicants (for US only): MATHIAS, Larry, E.
`[US/US]; 2653 Byron Station Dr., S.W., Byron Center,
`MI 49315 (US). HURLEY, Paul, D.
`[US/US];
`178 S.
`168th Ave., Holland, MI 49424 (US). LEEKA, L., Matthew
`[US/US]; 6488 Castle Ave., Holland, MI 49423 (US).
`
`(74) Agents: STEPHENSON, James, E. et al.; Harness, Dickey &
`Pierce, p.l.c, P.O. Box 828, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303
`(US).
`
`(54) Title: VIDEO DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE
`
`(57) Abstract
`
`A video display system (30) is provided. The video display system includes a housing (80) and a screen console (38) having a screen
`(40) moveably connected to the housing. A digital video disc player (32) is integrally positioned within either the housing or the screen
`console. The screen console is removably attached to the housing.
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`FOR THE PURPOSES OF INFORMATION ONLY
`
`Codes used to identify States party to the PCT on the front pages of pamphlets publishing international applications under the PCT.
`
`SI
`SK
`SN
`SZ
`TD
`TG
`TJ
`TM
`TR
`TT
`UA
`UG
`US
`UZ
`VN
`YU
`ZW
`
`Slovenia
`Slovakia
`Senegal
`Swaziland
`Chad
`Togo
`Tajikistan
`Turkmenistan
`Turkey
`Trinidad and Tobago
`Ukraine
`Uganda
`United States of America
`Uzbekistan
`Viet Nam
`Yugoslavia
`Zimbabwe
`
`LS
`LT
`LU
`LV
`MC
`MD
`MG
`MK
`
`ML
`MN
`MR
`MW
`MX
`NE
`NL
`NO
`NZ
`PL
`PT
`R0
`RU
`SD
`SE
`SG
`
`Lesotho
`Lithuania
`Luxembourg
`Latvia
`Monaco
`Republic of Moldova
`Madagascar
`The former Yugoslav
`Republic of Macedonia
`Mali
`Mongolia
`Mauritania
`Malawi
`Mexico
`Niger
`Netherlands
`Norway
`New Zealand
`Poland
`Portugal
`Romania
`Russian Federation
`Sudan
`Sweden
`Singapore
`
`
`
`AL
`AM
`AT
`AU
`AZ
`BA
`BB
`BE
`BF
`BG
`13.]
`BR
`BY
`CA
`CF
`CG
`CH
`CI
`CM
`CN
`CU
`CZ
`DE
`DK
`EE
`
`Albania
`Annenia
`Austria
`Australia
`Azerbaijan
`Bosnia and Herzegovina
`Barbados
`Belgium
`Burkina Faso
`Bulgaria
`Benin
`Brazil
`Belams
`Canada
`Central African Republic
`Congo
`Switzerland
`Cote d’Ivoire
`Cameroon
`China
`Cuba
`Czech Republic
`Germany
`Denmark
`Estonia
`
`ES
`FI
`FR
`GA
`GB
`GE
`GH
`GN
`GR
`HU
`IE
`IL
`IS
`IT
`JP
`KE
`KG
`KP
`
`KR
`KZ
`LC
`LI
`LK
`LR
`
`.
`
`Spain
`Finland
`France
`Gabon
`United Kingdom
`Georgia
`Ghana
`Guinea
`Greece
`Hungary
`Ireland
`Israel
`Icela.nd
`Italy
`Japan
`Kenya
`Kyrgyzstan
`Democratic People’s
`Republic of Korea
`Republic of Korea
`Kazakstan
`Saint Lucia
`Liechtenstein
`Sri Lanka
`Liberia
`
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`VIDEO DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1.
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`The present
`
`invention relates generally to a video display system, and, more
`
`particularly, to a video display system which is mountable in a vehicle and also removable
`
`for use outside the vehicle.
`
`2.
`
`Discussion of the Related Art
`
`10
`
`15
`
`Televisions and video cassette players have recently become quite popular in motor
`
`vehicles as a means of providing entertainment for both children and adults. Such devices,
`
`for the most part, however, have been limited to use in larger vehicles such as sport utility
`
`vehicles, mini-vans, and full size vans due to the space requirements for conventional
`
`televisions and video cassette players. Such systems have often been mounted in a console
`
`on the floor of a vehicle, as well as to the headliner of a vehicle.
`
`In either mounting, such
`
`systems require a significant amount of space. Also, such systems have typically not been
`
`removable easily from the vehicle for use outside the Vehicle with an AC power source.
`
`More recently advances in Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panels have significantly
`
`improved the picture and contrast afforded by these types of displays, making them suitable
`
`20
`
`for use in a wide variety of applications. LCDs are much thinner than conventional cathode
`
`ray tubes (CRTs) and therefore require significantly less space than a conventional television
`
`employing a CRT as a picture tube. LCDs are also much lighter in weight than CRTs,
`
`therefore making them readily portable, as evidence by the popularity of laptop computers.
`
`The lightweight and compact configuration of an LCD panel would therefore enable it to
`
`l
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`easily be mounted in various interior areas of a motor vehicle such as a sport utility vehicle,
`
`truck, van, or car, where the mounting of a video screen having a CRT would not be possible
`
`because of space constraints.
`
`Even more recently, Digital Video Disc (DVD) players have become increasingly
`
`popular. DVD players are significantly more compact than video cassette players, lighter in
`
`weight, generate less heat and offer significantly enhanced picture and sound quality over a
`
`VHS format videocassette.
`
`The extremely compact dimension of a DVD, which is
`
`essentially the same as a compact disc, further enables the dimensions of the DVD player to
`
`be kept very compact. DVD players are not limited to playing video discs, but can also play
`
`10
`
`compact discs as well.
`
`In view of the foregoing performance and compact size advantages offered by LCD
`
`panels and DVD players, it would be highly desirable to incorporate both such devices into
`
`an integrated LCD/DVD unit which could be easily mounted within a motor vehicle such as
`
`a car, sport utility vehicle, van, mini-van, or truck. More preferably, it would be highly
`
`15
`
`desirable to incorporate an integrated LCD/DVD unit into a console in such a manner that
`
`the LCD/DVD unit can be quickly and easily moved into a viewable position, such as
`
`flipped down from a headliner mounted console, and also easily moved into a stowed
`
`position so that it is out of the way when not in use.
`
`It would further be highly desirable to provide an LCD/DVD player which can be
`
`20
`
`quickly and easily removed from its associated console so that the entire unit can be used
`
`outside of the vehicle with an alternate AC or DC power source.
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to an integrated visual display/digital media player in
`
`the form of an integrated LCD/DVD unit or video display system and a docking member
`
`which is movably mounted within a console. The video display system can be used to watch
`
`material contained on digital video discs or to play compact discs, provided speakers are
`
`coupled to the video display system.
`
`In one preferred embodiment, the video includes a housing and a screen console
`
`having a screen. The screen console is moveable between a first position and a second
`
`position. A digital video disc player is simultaneously integrally positioned within one of
`
`10
`
`the housing and the screen console and operably connected to the screen.
`
`In another preferred embodiment the video display system is releasably coupled to
`
`the docking member. The docking member is in turn movably coupled to the console. The
`
`console may be mounted at many places within the vehicle, but in the preferred embodiment
`
`is mounted to the headliner of the vehicle. A latch on the back of the docking member
`
`15
`
`automatically holds it in a retracted or "stowed" position when the unit is inserted into the
`
`docking member and then folded up into the console. Latch assemblies on the video display
`
`system releasably secure it to the docking member yet permit the unit to be easily uncoupled
`
`fiom the docking member and removed for use outside of the vehicle.
`
`The present invention requires only a small portion of the space required by a
`
`20
`
`television having a cathode ray tube and a video cassette player. When in the stowed
`
`position,
`
`the video display system is held within its associated console and forms an
`
`unobtrusive system which does not interfere appreciably with the driver's vision out of the
`
`rear of the vehicle, when mounted in the headliner. The system, however, is compact
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`enough to readily permit mounting in outer areas, such as the rear of the two front seats or on
`
`a floor mounted console.
`
`In addition, the smaller packaging and footprint of the present invention make the
`
`video display system easier to incorporate into various styles and types of vehicles.
`
`In addition, the video display system of the present invention can be removed from
`
`the docking station which is located in the headliner and placed in another docking station
`
`which is located remote from the vehicle. This enables the video display system to be used
`
`for entertainment when at a location outside the vehicle. Further, the video display system
`
`may also incorporate a television tuner and/or cable adapter so as to allow the video display
`
`10
`
`system to display television programs.
`
`Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to
`
`those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference
`
`to the following drawings.
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`15
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The various advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one
`
`skilled in the art upon reading the following specification and by reference to the
`
`drawings in which:
`
`FIGURE 1
`
`is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment made in
`
`20
`
`accordance with the teaching of the present invention;
`
`FIGURE 2 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1
`
`made in accordance with the present invention;
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`FIGURE 3 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment shown in FIGURE 1
`
`made in accordance with the present invention;
`
`FIGURE 4 is a front perspective view of an alternative preferred embodiment
`
`made in accordance with the present invention;
`
`FIGURE 5 is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 4 made in
`
`accordance with the present invention;
`
`FIGURES 6a and 6b are alternative embodiments of the housing of the
`
`embodiment shown in FIGURE 4 made in accordance with the present invention;
`
`FIGURES 7a-7c are side views of the latch mechanism of the embodiment shown
`
`10
`
`in FIGURE 4 made in accordance with the present invention;
`
`FIGURE 8a is a front view of a stand operable with the embodiment shown in
`
`FIGURE 4 made in accordance with the present invention;
`
`FIGURE 8b is a side view of the stand shown in FIGURE 8a made in accordance
`
`with the present invention;
`
`15
`
`FIGURE 9 is a front perspective view of a tuner stand operable with the
`
`embodiment shown in FIGURE 4 made in accordance with the present invention;
`
`FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present
`
`invention shown in FIGURE 4 made in accordance with the present invention;
`
`FIGURE 11 is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 10 made
`
`20
`
`in accordance with the present invention;
`
`FIGURE 12 is a front perspective view of the housing of the embodiment shown
`
`in FIGURE 10 made in accordance with the present invention;
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`FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 10 made
`
`in accordance with the present invention;
`
`FIGURE 14 is a perspective View of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 10 made
`
`in accordance with the present invention;
`
`5
`
`FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 10;
`
`FIGURE 16 is a front perspective View of an alternative preferred embodiment
`
`made in accordance with the present invention; and
`
`FIGURE 17 is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 4 made in
`
`accordance with the present invention.
`
`10
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in
`
`nature, and are in no way intended to limit the invention or its application or uses.
`
`Moreover, while the detailed description discloses a specific vehicle interior trim
`
`15
`
`component embodiment, one skilled in the art will recognize that any vehicle interior trim
`
`component could incorporate the present invention.
`
`Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, a video display system 30 is shown. The video
`
`display system 30 includes a digital video disc (DVD) player 32 that is integrated in a
`
`housing 34. The housing 34 also includes a plurality of controls 36 that allow a user to
`
`20
`
`operate the DVD player 32. A screen console 38 having a screen portion 40 is rotatably
`
`mounted to the housing 34. Releasing a latch mechanism 42 allows the screen console 38
`
`to rotate from a first or closed position 44 to a second or open position 46. The latch
`
`mechanism 42 is positioned substantially on the screen console 38 engageable with a
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`portion of the housing 34. Alternatively, the latch mechanism 42 can be positioned
`
`substantially on the housing 34 engageable with a portion of the screen console 38. A
`
`plurality of audio connectors 48 is also integrated with the housing extending from the
`
`housing such that a user could connect speakers, headphones, or other conventionally
`
`known listening devices to the video display system 30.
`
`Although the video display system 30 is depicted in FIGURES l and 2 as being
`
`mounted to a headliner of a motor vehicle interior,
`
`it will be appreciated by one of
`
`ordinary skill in the art that the video display system 30 could be mounted in several areas
`
`of a vehicle, including, but not limited to, a seat back, a floor console, a center armrest
`
`console, etc. Additionally, the video display system 30 is not limited to automotive
`
`applications.
`
`The video display system could easily be incorporated into similar
`
`components within the cabin of a boat, aircraft, etc.
`
`Referring to FIGURE 3,
`
`the components of the video display system 30 are
`
`shown. The housing 34 includes a retainer portion 52 and a bezel portion 54, with a
`
`vehicle interface wiring harness 56 extending through the retainer portion 52 and the
`
`bezel portion 54 including a pluralitygof apertures 55. The plurality of apertures 55 are
`
`positioned accordingly on the bezel portion 54 in order to accommodate digital video
`
`discs and the plurality of controls 36. Several components are integrated in the bezel
`
`10
`
`15
`
`portion 54 and the retainer portion 52 of the housing 34. These components include the
`
`20
`
`DVD player 32, a disk wiper assembly 58, and a power supply 60. Additionally, printed
`
`circuit boards 62 are integrated into the housing 34 providing, among other things, a user
`
`input and output interface with the audio connectors 48 and the plurality of controls 36.
`
`Each of the components are fixedly secured within the housing.
`
`In a preferred
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`embodiment, threaded fasteners 64 are used for this purpose. However, one of ordinary
`
`skill in the art will appreciate that other types of fasteners could be used with equal results
`
`and, therefore, are within the scope of this disclosure. Additionally, each component is
`
`operatively associated with the other components in any known conventional manner
`
`such that the DVD player functions as it is intended and, therefore, is also within the
`
`scope of one of ordinary skill in the art.
`
`In FIGURE 3, the first latch mechanism 42 includes a latch portion 66 and a latch
`
`spring 68 operatively associated with the bezel portion 54 of the housing 34 in order to
`
`retain the screen console 38 in a first or closed position 44. Alternatively, the first latch
`
`mechanism 42 could be positioned within the screen console 38 and operatively
`
`associated with the housing 34 in order to releasably retain the screen console 38 within
`
`the housing 34.
`
`The screen console 38 includes a screen 40, preferably a liquid crystal display,
`
`positioned within a rear cover 70 of the screen console and a front cover 72 of the screen
`
`console 38. The screen console 38 is moveably associated with the housing 34.
`
`In a
`
`preferred embodiment, the screen console 38 is rotatably or pivotally associated with the
`
`housing 34 through the use of a torque hinge 74. The torque hinge 74 provides a smooth,
`
`constant, and controlled rotation of the screen console 38 from the first or closed position
`
`l0
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`15
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`44 to the second or open position 46 after the latch mechanism 42 is actuated by a user.
`
`20
`
`One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various types of hinge mechanisms can
`
`be used with equal results. Additionally, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
`
`that the screen console 38 and screen 40 could be movably associated with the housing 34
`
`such that the screen console moved from the first or closed position 44 to the second or
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`open position 46 along an axial path after the latch mechanism 42 had been actuated.
`
`This type of movement would include, but is not limited to sliding in an upwardly or
`
`downwardly facing direction.
`
`The screen 40 is also operatively associated with the components integrated in the
`
`housing 34 such that the DVD player 32 functions as intended in any conventionally
`
`known manner. Connecting the screen 40 in this manner is also within the skill of one of
`
`ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, conventionally known fasteners 64 are used to
`
`attach the torque hinge 74 to the housing 34 and the screen console 38. Conventionally
`
`known fasteners 64 are also used to attach the front cover 72 to the rear cover 70 thereby
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`l0
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`retaining the screen 40 within the screen console 38.
`
`Also positioned on the screen console 38 is an infrared transmitter/receiver 76.
`
`Alternatively, the infrared transmitter/receiver 76 could be positioned on the housing 34
`
`with equal results. The infrared transmitter/receiver 76 is operable to receive control
`
`signals from a remote control device 78 actuated by the user and operable to send audio
`
`signals to remote locations including, but not
`
`limited to,
`
`infrared headphones and
`
`speakers.
`
`In an alternative preferred embodiment, the video display system 30 components
`
`can be operably arranged and integrated into the screen console 38 forming a self
`
`contained video player unit 79 that is detachable from the housing 34. This alternative
`
`preferred embodiment will now be described in greater detail with features corresponding
`
`to the features of the above—described embodiment being referenced using the same
`
`reference numbers and reference signs.
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`15
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`20
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`Referring to FIGURE 4, the video display system 30 of an alternative preferred
`
`embodiment is shown. The video display system 30 includes a DVD player 32 and a
`
`screen 40 integrated in a screen console 38 forming a video player unit 79 releasably
`
`attached to a housing panel 80. The housing panel 80 is moveably attached to the
`
`housing 34 and is operable to move between a first or closed position 44 and a second or
`
`open position 46, as previously described with reference to FIGURES l — 3. The housing
`
`panel 80 also incorporates a first latch mechanism 42 that releasably retains the screen
`
`console 38 and the housing panel 80 in the first or closed position 44 and, when actuated
`
`by a user, allows the screen console 38 and the housing panel 80 to be released and
`
`moved to the second or open position 46.
`
`In this embodiment, the screen 40 is a liquid
`
`crystal display.
`
`Referring to FIGURE 5,
`
`the screen console 38 is shown detached from the
`
`housing panel 80.
`
`The screen console 38 includes a second latch mechanism 82
`
`operatively associated with the panel housing 80 to releasably connect the screen console
`
`38 to the housing panel 80.
`
`In this embodiment, the screen console 38 also includes an
`
`infrared transmitter/receiver 76 operable to receive control signals from a remote control
`
`device 78 and operable to send audio signals to remote locations including, but not
`
`limited to, infrared headphones and speakers. Additionally, the screen console includes a
`
`10
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`15
`
`plurality of controls 36 that allow the user to operate the DVD player and a slot 81
`
`20
`
`allowing insertion and removal of the digital video disc. The screen console 38 also
`
`incorporates an audio connector 86 and a corresponding audio control switch 88. One of
`
`ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the audio connector 86 is operable to receive a
`
`connector from headphones or speakers.
`
`10
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`The screen console 38 in this embodiment also includes an auxiliary power
`
`connector 90. Again, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that this connector is
`
`operable to receive power from various types of remote sources including, but not limited
`
`to an alternating current power source (e.g. a conventionally known power outlet in a
`
`home), and a direct current power source (e.g. a automobile battery, a conventionally
`
`known battery, etc.). Additionally, a rechargeable battery can be integrated in the screen
`
`console 38 providing power to the video player unit 79 when the video player unit 79 is
`
`detached from the housing panel 80 and being used in a portable capacity.
`
`The
`
`rechargeable battery recharges using the vehicle’s electric power supply when the video
`
`display unit 79 is attached to the housing panel 80. As can be seen in FIGURE 5, the
`
`housing panel 80 also includes a wiring harness connector 92 operable to engage a
`
`corresponding wire harness connector 93, as shown in FIGURES 7a-7c, positioned on a
`
`rear side of the screen console 38.
`
`Although this embodiment is shown mounted to a headliner 50 of an automobile,
`
`it is within the scope of this disclosure that this video display system 30 could also be
`
`mounted to other interior components located within the automobile, including, but not
`
`limited to, seat backs, center consoles, etc.
`
`Referring to FIGURE l7, the components of the video display system 30 of the
`
`l0
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`15
`
`alternative preferred embodiment shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 are shown. The housing
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`20
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`34 includes a retainer portion 52 attached to a bezel portion 54 using threaded fasteners
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`64. The housing 34 is attached to an interior trim component of a vehicle using at least
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`one attachment clip 180. Although threaded fasteners 64 are used in this embodiment, it
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`is specifically contemplated and, therefore, within the scope of this disclosure, that the
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`retainer portion 52 and the bezel portion 54 can be attached together through any
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`conventionally known means including, but not limited to, other types of fasteners and
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`attachment brackets molded into the retainer portion and/or the bezel portion 54.
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`The housing panel 80 includes a display carrier portion 182 and a display carrier
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`trim portion 184 fastened to each other using the means previously described. The
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`housing panel 80 is moveably associated with the housing 34.
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`In this preferred
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`embodiment, the housing panel 80 is rotatably or pivotally attached to the housing 34
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`through the use of a torque hinge 74. The torque hinge 74 provides a smooth, constant,
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`and controlled rotation of the housing panel 80 from the first or closed position 44 to the
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`second or open position 46 after the latch mechanism 42 is actuated by a user. One of
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`ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various types of hinge mechanisms can be
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`used with equal results.
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`In this embodiment, the first latch mechanism 42 including a
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`latch portion 66 and a spring latch 68 is positioned substantially on the housing panel 80
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`and operatively associated with the bezel portion 54 of the housing 34 in order to retain
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`the screen console 38 in a first or closed position 34.
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`The screen console 38 includes a screen 40 and a DVD player 32 positioned
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`substantially within a front cover 72 and a rear cover 70. The DVD player 32 and the
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`screen 40 are positioned parallel to one another, and as both are integrated into the single
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`unit screen console 38, pivot or rotate through the same are or motion as the housing
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`panel 80 moves from the first or closed position 44 to the second or open position 46.
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`Additional components are also positioned substantially within the rear cover 70
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`and the front cover 72 of the screen console 38. All of the components in this
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`embodiment are operatively associated with each other in order to allow the DVD player
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`to function as intended. These components include a plurality of printed circuit boards 62
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`providing input and output interfaces with a plurality of controls 36, audio connectors 86,
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`power connectors 82, etc. A disc wiper assembly 58 and a screen inverter 186 are also
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`provided within the
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`screen console
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`38.
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`In this
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`embodiment,
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`the
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`infrared
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`transmitter/receiver 76 and the infrared lens 192 are positioned on the front cover 72
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`while the second latch mechanism 82 and the wiring harness connector 93 are positioned
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`on the rear cover 70. The latch mechanism includes a latch portion 188 and a spring
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`portion 190. The wiring harness connector 93 corresponds to a wiring harness connector
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`92 positioned substantially within the housing panel 80.
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`The alternative embodiment described in FIGURES 4, 5, and 17 may also be
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`provided in a manner such that the screen console 38 is not removable from the housing
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`panel 80, as shown in FIGURE 16.
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`In this embodiment,
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`the positioning of the
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`components of the video display system 30 is substantially similar to the positioning of
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`the components shown in FIGURE 17, the only difference being that the housing panel
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`80 and the screen console 38 are provided as a single unit without the screen console
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`release feature described above.
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`Referring to FIGURES 6a and 6b, a front portion 94 of the bezel portion 54 of the
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`housing 34 may incorporate additional comfort features, including, but not limited to at
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`least one interior lighting system 96 and at least one interior climate control system 98.
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`Additionally, the front portion 94 of the bezel portion 54 may include the integration of a
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`rear seat entertainment module 99 and/or other types of radio station selection control and
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`volume control.
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`Referring to FIGURES 7a—7c,
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`the second latch mechanism 82 will now be
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`described in further detail.
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`In FIGURE 7a, the latch mechanism 82 includes a latch arm
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`100 rotatably mounted to the screen console 38 and integrally formed with a button
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`portion 102 and an engagement portion 104. The engagement portion 104 is operably
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`associated with a detent 106 positioned in the housing panel 80. When pressure is applied
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`to the button portion 102, the latch arm rotates removing the engagement portion 104
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`from the detent 106 releasing the second latch mechanism 82 from the panel housing 80.
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`The latch mechanism 82 also includes a retaining slot 108 integrally formed in the screen
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`console 38. The retaining slot 108 is engageable with a corresponding retaining finger
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`110 integrally formed in the panel housing 80. When the engagement portion 104 of the
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`latch arm 100 has been removed from the detent 106, the retaining slot 108 of the screen
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`console 38 can be disengaged from the retaining finger 110, as shown in FIGURE 7b.
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`This facilitates removal of the screen console 38 as shown in FIGURE 7c.
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`One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that several variations of this latch
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`mechanism 82 can be used with equal success and, therefore, are within the scope of this
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`disclosure.
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`These include, but are not
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`limited to, positioning the latch arm 100
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`horizontally with the engagement portion 104 engaging a detent 106 correspondingly
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`positioned in the housing panel 80, and forming the latch mechanism 82 with the latch
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`10
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`15
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`arm 100, the button portion 102, and engagement portion 104 such that an angle is
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`20
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`formed with respect to the positioning of the rotatably mounted latch arm 100 and the
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`engagement portion 104.
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`Referring to FIGURES 8a and 8b, a stand 112 is shown. The video display
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`system 30 of the present invention can be removed from the housing 34 and operably
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`positioned within the stand 112. The stand 112 may include at least one speaker 114 and
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`a power switch 116. The video display system 30 is releasably retained using the second
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`latch mechanism 82 in the same manner as described above. The stand 112 includes a
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`rear leg 118 rotatably attached to the stand 112, thereby providing support so that the
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`video display system can be substantially vertically positioned for viewing. The stand
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`112 has a wiring harness connector 92 engageable with a wiring harness connector 93
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`positioned in the screen console 38 as described above providing the required power,
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`audio, etc., connections necessary for operation.
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`10
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`15
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`Referring to FIGURE 9, the screen console 38 can also be positioned on a tuner
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`120 and operated either as a DVD player or as a screen for conventionally known TV and
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`cable TV. The tuner also includes connectors for cable, audio, video, and power
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`hookups, shown generally at 122. Additionally, the tuner includes speakers and audio
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`and channel controls shown at 124 and 126.
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`Referring to Figure 10, there is shown a video display system 130 in accordance with
`
`an alternative embodiment of the present
`
`invention.
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`The video display system 130
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`comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen 132 and a digital video disc (DVD) player
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`134 integrated in a single housing, referred to hereinafter as the LCD/DVD unit 136. The
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`LCD/DVD unit 136 is removably coupled to a docking member 140, which is in turn
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`pivotably connected to a console 142. The console 142 may be mounted in a number of
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`20
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`different areas but in this example is mounted to a headliner 144 of a motor vehicle interior
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`146. It will be appreciated immediately, however, that the apparatus 130 could just as easily
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`be mounted to a floor console of the Vehicle or even on the back of one of the front seats of
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`the vehicle. The apparatus 130 is not limited to automotive applications, and could easily be
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`used within the cabin of a boat or aircraft if desired.
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`The LCD/DVD unit 136 includes a plurality of controls including a play switch 148,
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`a rewind or search backward switch 150, a fast forward or search forward switch 152 and a
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`pause or still switch 154. A menu control switch assembly 156 enables menu functions to be
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`selected on the display 132.
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`10
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`15
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`The compactness of the LCD/DVD unit 136 allows the unit to be readily mounted in
`
`a wide variety of areas of a vehicle where a television incorporating a conventional cathode
`
`ray tube (CRT) and associated video cassette player would be much to bulky to mount. The
`
`entire apparatus 130 is also much lighter in weight, making to easier to secure in overhead
`
`areas of a vehicle interior, where a CRT might require significant modifications to th