US008585140B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Chang
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,585,140 B2
`Nov. 19, 2013
`
`(54) HEADREST-MOUNTED MONITOR
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor:
`
`Chung L. Chang, Diamond Bar, 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.
`
`(21) Appl.No.: 12/475,332
`
`(22)
`
`(65)
`
`Filed:
`
`May 29, 2009
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2009/0235513 A1
`
`Sep. 24, 2009
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 11/777,936, filed on
`Jul. 13, 2007, now abandoned, which is a continuation
`of application No. 11/401,475, filed on Apr. 10, 2006,
`now Pat. No. 7,267,402, which is a continuation of
`application No. 10/762,630, filed on Jan. 20, 2004,
`now
`Pat.
`No.
`7,044,546,
`which
`is
`a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 10/219,987,
`filed on Aug. 14, 2002, now Pat. No. 7,036,879.
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/451,232, filed on Feb.
`28, 2003.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`B60R 11/02
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`USPC ...................................... .. 297/217.3; 348/837
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC ................ .. 297/217.1, 217.3; 725/75, 76, 77;
`348/837, 838
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
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`
`(Continued)
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`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
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`Unsolicited letter from Trakker Technologies, Inc., dated Sep. 20,
`2005.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner — Peter Brown
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Knobbe, Martens, Olson &
`Bear LLP
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`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 automobile. The
`screen structure automatically retracts into a housing when
`struck. Thus, the monitor poses little risk of injury to passen-
`gers. The housing of the monitor is attachable to the headrest
`with screws, which provides a very sturdy connection and
`reduces the chances of the housing becoming detached from
`the headrest during a vehicle collision. The hinged connec-
`tion between the screen structure and the housing is prefer-
`ably constructed of interconnected components made from
`sturdy materials, such as metals. Hinge components are
`optionally secured with metal fastening members and fasten-
`ing apertures made of metal and strong plastics. The hinges
`are thus unlikely to break during a vehicle collision.
`
`3,019,050 A
`
`1/1962 Spielman
`
`1 Claim, 11 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
`
`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
`
`

`
`US 8,585,140 B2
`Page 2
`
`(56)
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`US 8,585,140 B2
`Page 4
`
`2009/0013357 A1
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`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`DE
`DE
`EP
`FR
`FR
`GB
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`SE
`SE
`SE
`W0
`W0
`W0
`W0
`W0
`W0
`
`3721377
`4118711
`19943696
`0 784 400
`2817812
`2829980
`2276059 A
`58-128942 A
`61-161151 U
`1-94048
`2-17777 U
`2-144242
`2-158437
`3-10476 A
`3-8513 Y
`3-189620
`3-45875 Y
`3-122482 U
`4-5142
`4-201639
`5-38981
`5-50883
`5-97098
`6-57251 U
`7-8680 B
`9-224202
`10-75389 U
`2001-047921
`2001-256768 A
`2001-354074
`2004-25949 A
`2004-81385 A
`2004-231158 A
`2004-231159 A
`2004-529688 A
`2005-503904 A
`2005-525856 A
`2005-532224 A
`63872
`63912
`63913
`WO 00/38951
`W0 02/074577
`W0 03/001885
`W0 03/029050 A1
`WO 2004/005077
`WO 2005/038628
`
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`12/1992
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`7/1997
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`1/1992
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`2/1993
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`HR7DDPKG Installation Manual, Audiovox Electronics Corp.,
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`
`HR9000PKG Installation Manual, Audiovox Electronics Corp.,
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`Order Granting Request for Reexamination of U.S. Patent No.
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`29, 2005
`(U.S. Reexamination No.
`95/000,103).
`
`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
`
`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
`
`

`
`US 8,585,140 B2
`Page 5
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
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`29,
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`(U.S. Reexamination No.
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`Examiner’s Answer during appeal of Reexamination of U.S. Patent
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`95/000,103).
`Decision on Appeal of Reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 6,871,356
`dated Jun. 25, 2009 (U.S. Reexamination No. 95/000,103).
`Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 10/361,897, now U.S. Patent No.
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`dated 2002.
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/985,262, filed Nov. 10, 2004, titled Mobile Video
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`filed Aug. 1, 2005.
`U.S. Reexamination No. 95/000,007 of U.S. Patent No. 6,339,455,
`filed on Dec. 16,2002.
`
`titled Headrest
`
`LS Appl. No. 11/475,735, filed Jun. 26, 2006, titled Headrest
`Mounted Entertainment System.
`L.S. Appl. No. 12/103638, filed Apr. 15, 2008, titled Headrest-
`Mounted Entertainment Systems.
`L.S. Appl. No. 12/103651, filed Apr. 15, 2008, titled Headrest-
`Mounted Entertainment Systems.
`L.S. Appl. No. 11/777,936, filed Jul. 13, 2007,
`Mounted Monitor.
`L .S. Appl. No. 12/614,364, filed Nov. 6, 2009, titled Mobile Video
`System.
`L.S. Appl. \Io. 12/124,082, filed May 20, 2008, titled Flat Thin
`Screen TV/Monitor Automotive Roof Mount.
`L.S. Appl. \Io. 12/103,618, filed Apr. 15, 2008, titled Headrest-
`Vlounted Entertainment Systems.
`L.S. Appl. \Io. 12/103,638, filed Apr. 15, 2008, titled Headrest-
`Vlounted Entertainment Systems.
`L.S. Appl.
`\Io. 11/475,734, filed Jun. 26, 2006, titled Headrest
`Vlounted Entertainment System.
`L.S. Appl.
`\Io. 11/475,729, filed Jun. 26, 2006, titled Headrest
`Vlounted Entertainment System.
`Reissue U.S. Appl. No. 10/430,713 of U.S. Appl. No. 09/474,582,
`filed on May 5, 2003.
`LS Appl. \Io. 12/103,651, filed Apr. 15, 2008, titled Headrest-
`Vlounted Entertainment Systems.
`L.S. Appl. \Io. 12/252,026, filed Oct. 15, 2008, titled Headrest-
`Vlounted Monitor.
`L.S. Appl. No. 12/830,223, filed Jul. 2, 2010,
`Vlounted Entertainment Systems.
`
`titled Headrest-
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
`
`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 19, 2013
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`Sheet 1 of 11
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`US 8,585,140 B2
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`FIG. I
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`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
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`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 19, 2013
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`Sheet 2 of 11
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`US 8,585,140 B2
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`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
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`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 19, 2013
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`Sheet 3 of 11
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`US 8,585,140 B2
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`mI:1.w
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`"I7!"
`
`I?
`
`/02
`
`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
`
`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 19, 2013
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`Sheet 4 of 11
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`US 8,585,140 B2
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`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
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`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 19, 2013
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`Sheet 5 of 11
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`US 8,585,140 B2
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`FIG.4
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`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
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`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 19, 2013
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`Sheet 6 of 11
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`US 8,585,140 B2
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`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
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`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
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`
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 19, 2013
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`90
`3
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`/05
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`/75
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`/24
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`//4
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`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
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`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 19, 2013
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`Sheet 8 of 11
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`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 19, 2013
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`Sheet 9 of 11
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`US 8,585,140 B2
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`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 19, 2013
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`FIG.1]
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`/40
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`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
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`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 19, 2013
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`Sheet 11 of 11
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`US 8,585,140 B2
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`FIG.13
`
`FIG.12
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`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
`
`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
`
`

`
`US 8,585,140 B2
`
`1
`HEADREST-MOUNTED MONITOR
`
`RELATED APPLICATION
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
`No. 11/777,936, filed Jul. 13, 2007, which is a continuation of
`U.S. application Ser. No. 11/401,475, filed Apr. 10, 2006,
`now U.S. Pat. No. 7,267,402, which is a continuation ofU.S.
`application Ser. No. 10/762,630, filed Jan. 20, 2004, now U.S.
`Pat. No. 7,044,546, which (1) is a continuation-in-part ofU.S.
`application Ser. No. 10/219,987, filed onAug. 14, 2002, now
`U.S. Pat. No. 7,036,879 and (2) claims the benefit of U.S.
`Provisional Application No. 60/451,232, filed Feb. 28, 2003.
`The entire contents of each of the foregoing applications 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 specifi-
`cally, 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 common-
`place 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 ofthese monitors is adapted for use in an automobile.
`Disadvantageously, each of these monitors pivots auto-
`matically with the seat back. A viewer cannot adjust a viewing
`angle of either monitor independently of a recline angle ofthe
`seat back. This limitation prevents a viewer from adjusting
`the monitor to minimize glare. In an automobile 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 prefer-
`ably 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 monitor pivots.
`Like the Nguyen monitor, this configuration occupies a rela-
`tively 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 air-
`craft and motor coaches. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,
`
`2
`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 adapted to
`be mounted in an automobile headrest. However, neither of
`these monitors is adjustable independently of the headrest.
`Unfortunately, none ofthese patents teaches a monitor that
`is adapted to be mounted within an automobile headrest, and
`is independently adjustable by a viewer to provide an opti-
`mum viewing angle and to reduce glare.
`Several monitors for use in private passenger vehicles
`include a plastic housing that is mounted to the vehicle head-
`rest. 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 housings are not very
`sturdy. Furthermore, the glued connections between the hous-
`ings 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 ofwhich 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 par-
`ticularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Descrip-
`tion of the Preferred Embodiments,” one will understand how
`the features of the preferred embodiments provide advan-
`tages, which include adaptability to mounting in an automo-
`bile headrest, independent adjustability, 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 moni-
`tor 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 piv-
`otably 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 fur-
`ther 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
`adapted to fit substantially within the storage cavity when the
`
`5
`
`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
`
`40
`
`45
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`50
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`55
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`60
`
`65
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`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
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`Voxx International Corp. Exhibit 1001
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`

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`US 8,585,140 B2
`
`3
`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 moni-
`tor 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 fur-
`ther 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 cooper-
`ates 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 thereoffor 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 ofthe 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 draw-
`ings, which are for illustrative purposes only. These drawings
`include the following figures, in which like numerals 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;
`FIG. 1A is a front elevation view of the headrest-mounted
`monitor of FIG. 1;
`
`4
`FIG. 2A is a left side elevation view of the screen structure
`of the headrest-mounted mo