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`P.O. Box 2327
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`Arlington, VA 22202
`ATTENTION: BOX PATENT APPLICATION
`
`Sir:
`
`Transmitted herew1th for filing is the patent application of
`
`Inventor: Chung L. Chang
`
`For: HEADREST-MOUNTED MONITOR
`
`Enclosed are:
`
`(X)
`
`(X)
`
`8 sheets of informal drawmgs.
`
`Return prepald postcard.
`
` CLAIMS AS FILED
`
`
`FOR
`NUMBER
`NUMBER
`RATE
`FEE
`FILED
`EXTRA
`
`
`
`FILING FEE TO BE PAID AT A LATER DATE
`
`$832
`
`(X)
`
`Please use Customer No. 20,995 for the correspondence address.
`
`WE
`
`dward A. Schlatter
`
`Registration No. 32,297
`Attorney of Record
`Customer No. 20,995
`
`H:\DOCS\SLM\SLM—340l DOC sb 081302
`
`/
`
`Page 1 of 27
`
`PATENT OWNER'S EXHIBIT 20
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`Total Claims
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`Page 1 of 27
`
`PATENT OWNER'S EXHIBIT 2001
`
`

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`Tel 949-760-0404
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`www.kmob.com
`
`BOX PATENT APPLICATION
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`P.O. Box 2327
`
`Arlington, VA 22202
`
`CERTIFICATE OF MAILING BY "EXPRESS MAIL"
`
`Attorney Docket No.
`
`Applicant
`
`For
`
`Attorney
`
`"Express Mail"
`Mailing Label No.
`
`Date of Deposit
`
`:
`
`:
`
`:
`
`:
`
`:
`
`:
`
`IAPML.028A
`
`Chung L. Chang
`
`HEADREST—MOUNTED MONITOR
`
`Edward A. Schlatter
`
`EV 075 304 080 US
`
`August 13, 2002
`
`I hereby certify that thc accompanying
`
`Transmittal letter; specification in 17 pages; 8 sheets of drawings; Return Prepaid
`Postcard
`
`are being deposited with the United States Postal Service "Express Mail Post Office to
`Addressee" service under 37 CFR 1.10 on the date indicated above and are addressed to the
`
`United States Patent and Trademark Office, PO. Box 2327, Arlington, VA 22202.
`
`Wei/«<2
`
`H:\DOCS\SLM\SI,M734O3 DOC sb 081302
`
`San Diego
`619-235-8550
`Page 2 of 27
`
`San Francisco
`415-954-4114
`
`Riverside
`Los Angeles
`909-781-9231
`310-551-3450
`PATENT OWNER'S EXHIBIT 2001
`
`
`
`Page 2 of 27
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`PATENT OWNER'S EXHIBIT 2001
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`

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`PATENT
`
`HEADREST—MOUNTED MONITOR
`
`Background of the Invention
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`[0001]
`
`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.
`
`Description of the Related Art
`
`[0002]
`
`Monitors for displaying visual images have been commonplace aboard
`
`commercial aircraft and motor coaches for quite some time. For example, US. Patent No.
`
`5,267,775 to Nguyen, and US. Patent 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.
`
`[0003]
`
`Disadvantageously, each of these monitors pivots automatically with the
`
`seat back. A viewer cannot 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 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 preferably adjustable so that viewers can minimize glare.
`
`[0004]
`
`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.
`
`[0005]
`
`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 relatively large depth of the seat back and is not well—
`
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`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.
`
`[0006]
`
`Monitors have recently become more popular in private passenger vehicles
`
`where space is more limited than in aircraft and motor coaches. For example, US. Patent
`
`No. 5,842,715 to Jones, and US. Patent 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.
`
`[0007]
`
`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.
`
`Summary of the Invention
`
`[0008]
`
`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 embodiments provide
`
`advantages, which include adaptability to mounting in an automobile headrest, independent
`
`adjustability, and low risk of injury to passengers.
`
`[0009]
`
`One preferred embodiment of the present monitor comprises 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
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`hinge portion cooperates with the first hinge portion to pivotably secure the screen structure
`
`to the housing.
`
`[0010]
`
`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.
`
`[0011]
`
`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 c00perates 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. 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. Uponoremoval of the force, the screen structure remains in said
`
`position.
`
`[0012]
`
`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
`
`Page 5 0f 27
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`PATENT OWNER'S EXHIBIT 2001
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`

`

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`pivotably retained within the pivot aperture and a second end slidably retained within the
`
`channel.
`
`Brief Description of the Drawings
`
`[0013]
`
`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
`
`numerals indicate like parts:
`
`[0014]
`
`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;
`
`[0015]
`
`FIG. 1A is a front elevation view of the headrest-mounted monitor of FIG.
`
`1;
`
`[0016]
`
`FIG. 2A is a left side elevation view of the screen structure of the headrest—
`
`mounted monitor of FIG. 1;
`
`[0017]
`
`FIG. 2B is a rear elevation View of the screen structure of FIG. 2A;
`
`[0018]
`
`FIG. 3A is a front elevation view of the housing of the headrest-mounted
`
`monitor of FIG. 1;
`
`[0019]
`
`FIG. 3B is a left side elevation view of the housing of FIG. 3A;
`
`[0020]
`
`FIG. 3C is a detail view of the second hinge portion of the housing of FIG.
`
`3A;
`
`[0021]
`
`FIG. 4 is a perspective View of the headrest—mounted monitor of FIG. 1,
`
`illustrating the screen structure pivoted outward from the housing;
`
`[0022]
`
`FIG. 5A is a left side section view of the headrest-mounted monitor of
`
`FIG. 1, illustrating the screen structure in a storage position;
`
`[0023]
`
`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;
`
`[0024]
`
`FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bracket of the headrest-mounted
`
`monitor of FIG. 1;
`
`Page 6 of 27
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`

`[0025]
`
`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; and
`
`[0026]
`
`FIG. 7B is a left side elevation View ofthe headrest-mounted monitor and
`
`headrest of FIG. 1, illustrating the screen structure pivoted outward from the housing.
`
`Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
`
`[0027]
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a monitor 10 disposed within
`
`a headrest 12. The headrest 12 is mounted to a vehicle seatbaek 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.
`
`[0028]
`
`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. 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 turn substantially
`
`flush with a surface 25 of the headrest 12 (FIG. 7A). The monitor 10 thus preferably
`
`protrudes only minimally or not at all from the headrest 12.
`
`[0029]
`
`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
`
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`

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`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 (FIGURES 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.
`
`[0030]
`
`The front surface 22 of the screen structure 16 (FIG. 1A) includes a
`
`viewing screen 46 that displays images to passengers. 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.
`
`[0031]
`
`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 selectively 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 brightness, sharpness, contrast, etc.
`
`[0032]
`
`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.
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`N 4.3: 1::
`
`it: as
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`
`[0033]
`
`An interior of the screen structure 16 preferably includes at least one
`
`speaker 59 that produces audible sounds that 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 monitor 10.
`
`[0034]
`
`Those of skill in the art will also appreciate that the 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.
`
`[0035]
`
`As shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, 5A and SB, 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
`
`apertures 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 advantages of the monitor 10, since
`
`controls may be mounted on the screen structure 16 or on a remote control unit.
`
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`
`[0036]
`
`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 aperture 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.
`
`[0037]
`
`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 comprises 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
`
`Islot. 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.
`
`[0038]
`
`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 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
`
`interengagement 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.
`
`[0039]
`
`While the illustrated second hinge portions 44 are preferred for their ease
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`of assembly together with the illustrated first hinge portions 36, those of skill in the art will
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`appreciate that the illustrated second hinge portions 44 are merely exemplary. A variety of
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`alternate hinge constructions could be used to achieve many advantages of the present
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`monitor 10.
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`’
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`[0040]
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`Preferably, the first and second hinge portions 36, 44 are located near an
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`upper edge 38, 82 of the screen structure 16 and housing 18, respectively. The upper edge 38
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`of the screen structure 16 thus remains substantially fixed with respect to the housing 18,
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`while a lower edge 100 of the screen structure 16 is capable of protruding substantially from
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`the front face 24 of the housing 18, as shown in FIG. 5B. Preferably, a finger catch 102
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`(FIGS. 2A, 2B, 5A and 5B) extends downward from the lower edge 100 of the screen
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`structure 16. The finger catch 102 provides a convenient surface against which a viewer may
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`place his or her fingers to rotate the screen structure 16 with respect to the housing 18.
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`Preferably, the lower edge 70 of the housing includes a cut out portion 104 (FIGS. 3A and 4)
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`so that a viewer can reach behind the finger catch 102 to pull the screen structure 16 outward
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`from the stowed position of FIG. 5A.
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`[0041]
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`Advantageously, as the screen structure 16 pivots from the stowed position
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`of FIG. 5A to the position of FIG. SB, no portion of the rear face 30 of the screen structure 16
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`moves toward the floor 76 of the cavity 20. The floor 76 thus defines a limit for the monitor
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`10. No portion of the monitor 10, including the screen structure 16, extends beyond the floor
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`76 into the headrest 12. Thus, the overall monitor 10 occupies relatively little depth of the
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`headrest 12, because the depth occupied by the monitor 10 corresponds roughly to the
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`thickness of the screen structure 16.
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`[0042]
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`With prior art monitors, such as the monitors disclosed in US. Patent Nos.
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`5,267,775 to Nguyen, 5,507,556 to Dixon, and 5,842,715 to Jones, additional depth beyond
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`the thickness of the screen structure would be required within a headrest to accommodate
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`these monitors. As the screen structures of these monitors pivot from the stowed position to
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`a viewing position, an upper edge of the screen structure would move backward into the
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`headrest. This configuration is disadvantageous because limited space is available within a
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`headrest.
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`[0043]
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`The function of a headrest is to provide padding for comfort and safety.
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`Thus, a headrest must comprise at least a minimum amount of padding. When a monitor is
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`added to a headrest, padding is displaced. The padding may be eliminated entirely, but such
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`elimination makes the headrest less comfortable and less safe. Alternatively, the padding
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`may be retained but moved elsewhere within the headrest. Disadvantageously, this option
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`makes the headrest larger.
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`If the headrest is made wider, the extra width obstructs a larger
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`portion of the driver’s view. If instead the headrest is made deeper, (extends farther into rear
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`passenger area) the portion of the headrest that protrudes into the rear passenger area presents
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`an obstacle to rear seat passengers.
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`Therefore, a headrest—mounted monitor desirably
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`occupies minimal space.
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`[0044]
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`Besides defining a thickness of the present monitor 10, the housing 18 also
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`provides a self-contained casing for the monitor 10. The housing 18 thus protects the
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`monitor 10 from impacts, for example. The housing 18 also facilitates installation and
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`removal of the monitor 10. To exchange one monitor 10 for another, for example if the first
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`monitor 10 is defective, the housing 18 and all of the components within the housing are
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`easily removed from the headrest 12. A new monitor 10 is then easily installed by inserting
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`the housing 18 of the new monitor 10 into the headrest 12.
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`[0045]
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`As shown in FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B, the monitor 10 includes a bracket 106
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`that limits a range of pivot of the screen structure 16 relative to the housing 18. The shape of
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`the bracket 106, illustrated in FIG. 6, preferably resembles a straight wire 108 with an
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`attached pair of L-shaped wires 110. Of course, the bracket 106 may be produced by many
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`different processes such that the straight wire 108 and L—shaped wires 110 comprise one
`piece, or separate pieces attached to one another.
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`[0046]
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`All three wires 108, 110, 110 are coplanar, and both L—shaped wires 110
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`extend from the straight wire 108 in the same direction. The upright portion 1 12 of each L—
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`shaped wire 110 is substantially perpendicular to the straight wire 108, and the base portion
`114 of each L—shaped wire 1 10 is substantially parallel to the straight wire 108. Further, the
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`base portions 114 of each L—shaped wire 110 extend toward each other, and include a small
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`gap 116 between their ends. The upright portions 112 of the L—shaped wires 1 10 are attached
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`to the straight wire 108 such that opposite end portions of the straight wire 108, comprising
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`pegs118,exuauibeyondtheafladnnentponnsofthelfshapedxvnes110.
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`[0047]
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`The base portions 1 14 of the L—shaped wires 1 10, which define a first end
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`124 of the bracket 106, are pivotably retained within a tube 120' (FIGS. 3A, 4 and SA—SR) on
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`the floor 76 of the cavity 20. The tube 120 defines a first pivot opening and a second pivot
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`opening. The posts 118 of the straight wire 108, which define a second end 126 of the
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`bracket 106, are slidably retained within a channel 122 on the rear face 30 of the screen
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`structure 16, as shown in FIGS. 2B, 5A and 5B.
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`In the stowed position shown in FIG. 5A,
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`the bracket 106 is substantially parallel to the rear face 30 of the screen structure 16. As the
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`screen structure 16 pivots outward from the cavity 20, the base portions 114 of the L-shaped
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`wires 110 pivot within the tube 120 and the posts 118 slide downward within the channel
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`122. As FIG. 5B illustrates, the posts 118 eventually reach a lower end of the channel 122,
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`defining a maximum angle of the screen structure 16 relative to the housing 18.
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`[0048]
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`Preferably, the hinges 36, 44 that pivotably connect the screen structure 16
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`to the housing 18 are self tensioning. Thus, the hinges 36, 44 retain the screen structure 16 in
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`the position of FIG. 5B, and in any position in between the positions of FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B.
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`A viewer can thus position the screen structure 16 anywhere between the limits of rotation to
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`enjoy the optimum viewing angle. For example, the optimum viewing angle often depends
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`upon the position of the sun. Glare from sunlight interferes with the viewer’s ability to see
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`images on the screen. Thus, the viewer can orient the screen structure 16 such that glare from
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`sunlight is minimized. Furthermore, as the vehicle travels, its position and orientation with
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`‘
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`respect to the sun are continuously changing. At one moment, there may be little or no glare
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`on the screen 46, and the next moment the vehicle may round a corner and suddenly there is a
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`substantial glare on the screen 46. Because the present monitor 10 is positionable in a wide
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`range of viewing angles, the monitor 10 enables the viewer to continuously adjust the angle
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`of the screen structure 16 to avoid sun glare occasioned by variations in the vehicle’s position
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`and/or orientation with respect to the sun.
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`[0049]
`
`The present monitor 10 advantageously collapses toward the storage
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`position (FIGS. 5A and 7A) when a force F is applied to the front surface 22 of the screen
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`structure 16 as shown in FIGS. SB and 7B. This feature is especially advantageous when a
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`vehicle in which the monitor 10 is installed collides with another vehicle or brakes suddenly,
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`for example.
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`In these situations, a passenger seated behind the monitor 10 is often thrown
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`forward, and may collide with the monitor 10.
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`If the monitor 10 does not quickly collapse
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`upon contact, the monitor 10 could injure the passenger.
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`[0050]
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`As shown in FIG. 5B, the bracket 106 limits the rotation of the screen
`
`structure 16 relative to the housing 18. The length of the bracket 106 is fixed, and the first
`
`end 124 of the bracket 106 is constrained against translation. Therefore, a maximum angle
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`that the screen structure 16 can be rotated from the stowed position of FIG. 5A coincides with
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`a configuration wherein a longitudinal axis of the bracket 106 is perpendicular to the rear face
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`30 of the screen structure 16.
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`In such a configuration, a force applied perpendicularly to the
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`front face of the screen structure 16, such as the force F in FIG. 5B, would not have a
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`component that acts on the bracket second end 126 in a direction parallel to the channel 122
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`and perpendicular to the bracket 106. Instead, the entire magnitude of the force would act in
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`a direction parallel to the bracket 106, and would not cause the bracket second end 126 to
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`slide upward within the channel 122, thus rotating the bracket 106 about its first end. In such
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`a configuration, the bracket 106 would prevent the screen structure 16 from rotating back
`
`toward the storage configuration of FIG. 5A. The screen structure 16 would thus pose a
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`danger to a passenger colliding with it, as in a crash or a sudden stop.
`
`[0051]
`
`However, as explained above and illustrated in FIG. SE, a lower end of the
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`channel 122 in the rear face 30 of the screen structure 16 limits the travel of the bracket 106
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`within the channel 122 and prevents the bracket 106 from reaching the configuration wherein
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`the bracket 106 is perpendicular to the rear face 30 of the screen structure 16. As shown in
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`FIG. 5B, the maximum angle a between the bracket 106 and the rear face 30 of the screen
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`structure 16 is preferably about 80°, and more preferably about 75°. In this configuration, the
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`force F applied perpendicularly to the front face 22 of the screen structure 16 has a
`