USOO7036879B2
`
`(12)
`
`United States Patent
`
`US 7,036,879 B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`Chang
`(45) Date of Patent:
`May 2, 2006
`
`
`(54) HEADREST—MOUNTED MONITOR
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Chung L. Chang, Diamond Bar, CA
`(US)
`
`-
`.
`-
`(73) A551gnee. éfimsgn Safety, Inc., San Bemardmo,
`(U )
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`( * ) Notlce:
`Subject. to any (11501211111613.1116 term ofthis
`patent 15 extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 455 days.
`
`D280,312 S
`D282,251 S
`D2825733 S
`4,584,603 A
`D285,684 S
`4,630,821 A
`4,635,110 A
`4,647,980 A
`4,669,694 A *
`4,681,366 A
`4,758,047 A
`4,792,183 A
`
`8/1985 Simeri et a1.
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`4/1986 Harrison
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`12/1986 Greenwald
`“1987 Weinblatt
`3/1987 Steventon et a1.
`6/1987 Mal' k ..................... .. 248/397
`7/1987 Lobifnofle
`7/1988 Hemingon
`12/1988 Townsend, III
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/219,987
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`(65)
`
`Aug. 14, 2002
`_
`_
`_
`Prior Publication Data
`
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3721377 A1
`6/1989
`
`US 2004/0032543 A1
`
`Feb. 19, 2004
`
`(Continued)
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`A4 7C 7/62
`(2006.01)
`H04N 5/64
`(52) US. Cl.
`.................................. .. 297/217.3; 348/837
`(58) Field of Classification Search ........... .. 297/2171,
`297/2173, 410; 312/72; 248/917, 918,
`.
`248/920’ 9233 348/837
`.
`See appllcat1on file for complete search h1story.
`References Cited
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`.
`(Commued)
`Primary Examinerfipeter M. Cuomo
`Assistant Examineriloe Edell
`(74) Attorney] Agent] or FirmiKnObbe, Martens, Olson &
`Bear’ LLP
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A monitor adapted for mounting in an automobile headrest
`is provided. A screen structure of the monitor is pivotable
`about an upper edge thereof, such that the monitor occupies
`little volume within the headrest. A viewing angle of the
`screen structure is independently adjustable by a viewer,
`such that the viewer can continuously select the optimum
`viewing angle with changing conditions inside the automo-
`bile. The screen structure automatically retracts into a hous-
`ing when struck. Thus, the monitor poses little risk of injury
`to passengers.
`
`19 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`
`M
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`12
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`US 7,036,879 B2
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`Page 2
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`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`133% :
`4:824:159 A
`4,843,477 A
`4,867,498 A
`
`4,982,996 A
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`D320,587 S
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`D3385003 S
`133405016 S
`53675775 A
`A
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`
`*
`*
`
`5469398 A
`5507556 A
`5521638 A
`55295265 A
`D371357 S
`55475248 A
`5555466 A
`5583735 A
`5,636,891 A
`5705360 A
`5709360 A
`D390,219 S
`5713533 A
`D394,432 S
`5,775,762 A
`5,811,791 A
`D399,200 S
`5,822,023 A
`5,823,599 A
`5,842,715 A
`5,847,685 A
`D410,458 S
`D410,464 S
`5,910,882 A
`5,927,784 A
`5,940,120 A
`5,946,055 A
`D413,856 S
`5,982,429 A
`5,984,347 A
`5,996,954 A
`5,997,091 A
`6,007,036 A
`6,055,478 A
`6,059,255 A *
`6,092,705 A
`6,097,448 A
`6,115,086 A
`2
`6,157,418 A
`6,179,263 131
`6,181,387 B1
`D437,837 S
`6,186,459 B1
`6,199,810 B1
`6,216,927 B1
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`12/1993 Nguyen
`Young et al.
`5/1994 Berry et31~
`8/1994 Young etal
`10/1994 JMboret31~
`
`11/1995 SEMI“ et 31~
`“996 Dlxon
`“996 1331005“ *4
`“996 5mm“
`7/1996 Nakamum
`8/1996 Mafechal
`9/1996 Scnbner et31~
`12/1996 Pease etal
`“997 VA“ Order et 31~
`“1998 th et *4
`“1998 Rose“
`2/1998 Rosen ..................... .. DI4/I32
`“998 Lu
`5/1998 Rosen ..................... .. D14/132
`7/ 1998 Vitito
`9/1998 Portman
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`10/1998 Suman et a1.
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`.............. .. 292/140
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`6,246,449 B1
`6,250,967 B1
`6,256,837 B1
`6,267,428 B1
`D446507 S
`6,292,236 Bl
`
`D450567 S
`6,339,455 B1
`6,339,696 B1
`6,361,012 B1
`D456,371 S
`6,364,390 B1
`6,394,551 B1
`6,409,242 B1*
`6,412,848 B1
`6,446,925 B1*
`6,466,278 B1
`D465,492 S
`D467,234 S
`
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`6,669,285 B1
`6,678,892 B1
`
`6/2001 Rosen
`6/2001 Chu
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`8/2001 Rose“ et 31'
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`
`11/2001 Scribner
`l/2002 Allan et al.
`1/2002 Chan et a1.
`3/2002 Chang
`4/2002 Lavelle etal.
`4/2002 Finneman
`5/2002 Beukema
`6/2002 Chang ..................... .. 296/37.7
`7/2002 Ceccanese et a1.
`9/2002 Wada .................... .. 248/286.1
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`12/2002 Scribner
`Rosen
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`2003/0036357 A1
`2003/0137584 A1
`2004/0032543 A1
`2004/0085718 A1*
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`2004/0227861 A1>1<
`2005/0099548 A1*
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`.......... .. 297/188.04
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`
`11/2004 Schedjvy N
`348/837
`5/2005 Vitito ....................... .. 348/837
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`DE
`GB
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`SE
`SE
`SE
`W0
`
`10/1992
`4118711 A1
`19943696 A1 * “001
`2276059 A
`“994
`1'94048
`“989
`2458437
`“990
`3489620
`8/1991
`4401639
`7/1992
`5'50883
`“993
`9424202
`8/1997
`2001'047921
`200‘“
`2001—354074
`12/2001
`63872
`“999
`63912
`“999
`63913
`“999
`W0 02/074577
`990”
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Action Closing Prosecution for Inter Partes Reexamination
`of US. patent No. 6,871,356, mailed Sep. 293 2005.
`Request for Inter Partes Reexamination of U.S. Patent No.
`6,871,356, filed Jul. 28, 2005 by Frank Chau on behalf of
`Audiovox Corp
`Office Action mailed Aug. 7, 2003 for U.S. Appl. No.
`110W
`Patent NO.
`Office Action mailed Feb. 26, 2004 for U.S. Appl. No.
`lO/36l,897, now U.S. Patent No. 6,871,356.
`Office Action mailed Aug. 23, 2004 for U.S. Appl. No.
`10/361,897, now U.S. Patent No. 6,871,356.
`
`* cited by examiner
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`1
`HEADREST—MOUNTED MONITOR
`
`2
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`US 7,036,879 B2
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to Visual display units for
`use in vehicles, such as automobiles and aircraft. More
`specifically, the present monitor is adapted to be mounted in
`a headrest of a vehicle seat.
`
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Monitors for displaying visual images have been com-
`monplace aboard commercial aircraft and motor coaches for
`quite some time. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,775 to
`Nguyen, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,556 to Dixon disclose
`monitors that are adapted to be mounted in a seat back of an
`aircraft seat. Neither of these monitors is adapted for use in
`an automobile.
`
`Disadvantageously, each of these monitors pivots auto-
`matically with the seat back. A viewer 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 auto-
`mobile a position and orientation of the vehicle relative to
`the sun is constantly changing. The movement creates glare
`at certain times, and viewers prefer to be able to adjust the
`screen to eliminate the glare. Thus, any monitor for use in an
`automobile is preferably adjustable so that viewers can
`minimize glare.
`The Nguyen monitor pivots about a lower edge, and
`pivots into the seat back when a passenger reclines the seat
`back. Thus, the Nguyen monitor occupies a relatively large
`depth of the seat back. This configuration is not suitable for
`use in an automobile headrest, where space is very limited.
`The Dixon monitor pivots about an axis located in the
`upper half of the housing. The axis is spaced downward and
`inward from the upper outer edge of the monitor (see FIGS.
`375). The Dixon monitor pivots away from the seat back
`when a passenger reclines the seat back. However, because
`of the location of the pivot axis, an upper rear edge of the
`Dixon monitor moves toward the seat back when the moni-
`
`this configuration
`tor pivots. Like the Nguyen monitor,
`occupies a relatively large depth of the seat back and is not
`well-adapted for use in an automobile headrest, where space
`is very limited. Further, when the seat of Dixon is in a
`reclined position, and the monitor is in a position such that
`a lower edge thereof protrudes from the seat back, tension in
`a cable within the seat back holds the monitor in position.
`Thus, if a passenger strikes the monitor in this position, he
`or she could be injured because the monitor will not retract
`into the seat back. This configuration is also not appropriate
`for use in an automobile headrest, where during emergency
`braking passengers are frequently thrown forward.
`Monitors have recently become more popular in private
`passenger vehicles where space is more limited than in
`aircraft and motor coaches. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
`5,842,715 to Jones, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,250,976 to Chu
`disclose monitors that are adapted to be mounted in a head
`rest of an automobile seat. The Jones and Chu monitors are
`
`adapted to be mounted in an automobile headrest. However,
`neither of these monitors is adjustable independently of the
`headrest.
`
`Unfortunately, none of these patents teaches a monitor
`that is adapted to be mounted within an automobile headrest,
`and is independently adjustable by a viewer to provide an
`optimum viewing angle and to reduce glare.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
`
`The preferred embodiments of the headrest-mounted
`monitor have several features, no single one of which is
`solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without
`limiting the scope of this headrest-mounted monitor as
`expressed by the claims that follow,
`its more prominent
`features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this
`discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled
`“Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments,” one
`will understand how the features of the preferred embodi-
`ments provide advantages, which include adaptability to
`mounting in an automobile headrest, independent adjust-
`ability, and low risk of injury to passengers.
`One preferred embodiment of the present monitor com-
`prises a housing defining a first hinge portion. The housing
`is mounted to a headrest of a vehicle seat. The monitor
`
`further comprises a screen structure defining a second hinge
`portion. The second hinge portion cooperates with the first
`hinge portion to pivotably secure the screen structure to the
`housing.
`Another preferred embodiment of the present monitor is
`adapted to be mounted to a headrest of a vehicle seat. The
`monitor comprises a housing defining a storage cavity and a
`first hinge portion adjacent an upper edge thereof. The
`monitor further comprises a screen structure defining a
`second hinge portion adjacent an upper edge thereof. The
`second hinge portion cooperates with the first hinge portion
`to pivotably secure the screen structure to the housing. The
`screen structure is adapted to fit substantially within the
`storage cavity when the screen structure is in a storage
`configuration. An angular orientation of the screen structure
`relative to the housing is adjustable without moving the
`headrest or the seat.
`
`Another preferred embodiment of the present monitor is
`adapted to be mounted to a headrest of a vehicle seat. The
`monitor comprises a housing defining a storage cavity and a
`first hinge portion adjacent an upper edge. The monitor
`further comprises a screen structure defining a second hinge
`portion adjacent an upper edge. The second hinge portion
`cooperates with the first hinge portion to pivotably secure
`the screen structure to the housing. The screen structure is
`adapted to fit substantially within the storage cavity when
`the screen structure is in a storage configuration. When the
`screen structure is in a viewing configuration, a lower edge
`of the screen structure protrudes from the housing. When the
`screen structure is in the viewing configuration, a pushing
`force applied to a front face of the screen structure adjacent
`a lower edge thereof pivots the screen structure to a position
`toward the storage configuration. Upon removal of the force,
`the screen structure remains in said position.
`Another preferred embodiment of the present monitor is
`adapted to be mounted to a headrest of a vehicle seat. The
`monitor comprises a housing having a first hinge portion and
`having a pivot aperture attached to a floor thereof. The
`monitor further comprises a screen structure having a second
`hinge portion and a channel in a rear surface. The second
`hinge portion cooperates with the first hinge portion to
`pivotably secure the screen structure to the housing. The
`monitor further comprises a bracket having a first end
`pivotably retained within the pivot aperture and a second
`end slidably retained within the channel.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The preferred embodiments of the headrest-mounted
`monitor, illustrating its features, will now be discussed in
`
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`US 7,036,879 B2
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`3
`detail. These embodiments depict the novel and non-obvious
`headrest-mounted monitor shown in the accompanying
`drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only. These
`drawings include the following figures, in which like numer-
`als indicate like parts:
`FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a preferred embodiment
`of the headrest-mounted monitor according to the present
`invention, illustrating the monitor installed in a headrest of
`a vehicle seat;
`FIG. 1A is a front elevation view of the headrest-mounted
`monitor of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 2A is a left side elevation view of the screen structure
`of the headrest-mounted monitor of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 2B is a rear elevation view of the screen structure of
`FIG. 2A;
`FIG. 3A is a front elevation view of the housing of the
`headrest-mounted monitor of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3B is a left side elevation view of the housing of FIG.
`3A;
`FIG. 3C is a detail view of the second hinge portion of the
`housing of FIG. 3A;
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the headrest-mounted
`monitor of FIG. 1, illustrating the screen structure pivoted
`outward from the housing;
`FIG. 5A is a left side section view of the headrest-
`
`mounted monitor of FIG. 1, illustrating the screen structure
`in a storage position;
`FIG. 5B is a left side section view of the headrest-
`
`mounted monitor of FIG. 1, illustrating the screen structure
`pivoted outward from the housing;
`FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bracket of the
`headrest-mounted monitor of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 7A is a left side elevation view of the headrest-
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`mounted monitor and headrest of FIG. 1, illustrating the
`screen structure in a storage position; and
`FIG. 7B is a left side elevation view of the headrest-
`
`35
`
`mounted monitor and headrest of FIG. 1, illustrating the
`screen structure pivoted outward from the housing.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a monitor 10
`disposed within a headrest 12. The headrest 12 is mounted
`to a vehicle seatback 14, and 12 is movable independently
`of the seatback 14 toward and away from the seatback 14.
`The monitor 10 preferably faces a rear of the vehicle so that
`images displayed on the monitor 10 are visible to passengers
`seated behind the seatback 14. Features of the monitor 10,
`which are described in detail below, reduce the risk of injury
`to passengers presented by the monitor 10, and enable the
`monitor 10 to be mounted in the very limited space available
`within a typical vehicle headrest 12.
`As shown in FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B, the monitor 10 includes
`a screen structure 16 that is pivotably attached to a housing
`18. Both the housing 18 and an outer casing of the screen
`structure 16 are preferably constructed of a high-strength
`plastic, so that the monitor 10 is lightweight and durable.
`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. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art from
`the description and figures, the housing defines an envelope
`of space which defines the storage cavity 20. 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
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`45
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`50
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`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.
`
`the screen structure 16
`In the illustrated embodiment,
`includes a front portion 26 (FIGS. 2A and 2B) that is a
`substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and a rear portion
`28 that tapers inward from the front portion 26 toward a rear
`face 30. Each of the left and right faces 32, 34 of the screen
`structure 16 includes a first hinge portion 36 adjacent a top
`face 38 of the screen structure 16. Each hinge portion 36
`comprises a substantially flat bar 40 defining a plane that is
`parallel to a side face 32, 34 of the screen structure 16. The
`bar 40 is pivotably secured at a first end 42 to the side face
`32, 34 of the screen structure 16, such that the bar 40 is
`pivotable in the plane defined by the bar 40. The first hinge
`portions 36 cooperate with second hinge portions 44 (FIGS.
`3A73C) on the housing 18 to pivotably secure the screen
`structure 16 to the housing 18, as described in detail below.
`The illustrated first hinge portions 36 are preferred, because
`they simplify the assembly of the monitor 10, as explained
`below. However, those of skill in the art will appreciate that
`a variety of alternate hinge constructions could be used and
`still achieve a number of advantages of the present monitor
`10.
`
`The front surface 22 of the screen structure 16 (FIG. 1A)
`includes a viewing screen 46 that displays images to pas-
`sengers. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the screen structure
`16 includes an input cable 48 for receiving an input signal
`to control the images displayed on the viewing screen 46. A
`first end 50 of the cable preferably includes a multi-pin
`connector 52 that enables a variety of input devices to
`selectively communicate with the monitor 10.
`The monitor 10 further includes a plurality of controls for
`determining characteristics of the displayed images. For
`example, one control preferably enables power to be selec-
`tively applied to the monitor 10. Other controls preferably
`enable a viewer to select between various input sources for
`the monitor 10, such as a television tuner, a DVD player, a
`video game system, etc. Other controls preferably enable
`adjustment of qualities of the screen images, such as bright-
`ness, sharpness, contrast, etc.
`In the illustrated embodiment, a first cluster of manual
`controls 54 is located on the front face 22 of the screen
`structure 16, and a second cluster of manual controls 56 is
`located on the outer surface 24 of the housing 18 adjacent
`the screen structure 16. The front face 22 of the screen
`structure 16 further includes an infrared sensor 58 for
`
`receiving signals from a handheld wireless remote control
`unit (not shown). Those of skill in the art will appreciate that
`all controls may be located on the screen structure 16, or all
`controls may be located on the housing 18. Alternatively, the
`monitor 10 may include no integrated manual controls, such
`that the monitor 10 is controllable using only a handheld
`wired or wireless remote control unit.
`
`An interior of the screen structure 16 preferably includes
`at least one speaker 59 that produces audible sounds that
`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
`
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`US 7,036,879 B2
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`5
`skill in the art will appreciate that the apertures 60 are not
`necessary to achieve many advantages of the present moni-
`tor 10.
`
`in the art will also appreciate that the
`Those of skill
`monitor 10 need not include a speaker 59. The monitor 10
`could, for example, be connected to the vehicle’s sound
`system such that sounds from the monitor 10 are produced
`by speakers mounted in the vehicle’s interior. However,
`front seat passengers, who are not in a position to view the
`images on the monitor 10, may wish to listen to,
`for
`example, a radio broadcast through the vehicle’s sound
`system. Therefore, providing at least one speaker 59 in the
`monitor 10 enables rear seat passengers to listen to sounds
`produced by the monitor 10, and front seat passengers to
`listen to sounds produced by the vehicle’s sound system. To
`eliminate any dissonance created by two sources of different
`sounds, the monitor 10 could also include a headphone jack
`so that only backseat passengers wearing headphones can
`hear sounds produced by the monitor 10.
`As shown in FIGS. 3A73C, 5A and 5B, front edges of the
`housing 18 extend outward and backward, thus creating a
`rim 62 around the cavity 20 having a front face 64 and side
`faces 66, 68, 70, 72 that are substantially parallel to side
`faces of the cavity 20. The rim 62 increases the rigidity of
`the housing 18 without substantially increasing its weight or
`volume. In the illustrated embodiment, a portion of the front
`face 64 of the rim 62 adjacent a lower right edge 68 of the
`housing 18 includes a plurality of apertures 74. The aper-
`tures 74 are adapted to house controls, such as buttons or
`knobs, for adjusting various aspects of the monitor 10, as
`described above. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that
`the apertures 74 are not necessary to achieve all the advan-
`tages of the monitor 10, since controls may be mounted on
`the screen structure 16 or on a remote control unit.
`
`A floor 76 of the cavity 20 preferably includes a plurality
`of apertures 78 (FIG. 3A) that cooperate with mounting
`hardware, such as screws, to secure the housing 18 to the
`headrest 12. The floor 76 preferably also includes an aper-
`ture 80 of sufficient size to allow the input cable 48 to pass
`through the floor 76 without interference. A top surface 82,
`bottom surface 84 and opposing side surfaces 86 extend
`upward from the floor 76. The floor 76 protects the monitor
`10 and the headrest 12 during use.
`Adjacent the top surface 82, each side surface 86 of the
`cavity 20 includes a second hinge portion 44 (FIGS. 3A73C)
`that cooperates with one of the first hinge portions 36 on the
`screen structure 16 to pivotably secure the screen structure
`16 to the housing 18. Each second hinge portion 44 com-
`prises a slot having a width substantially equal to a thickness
`of the bar 40 of the first hinge portion 36. The bar 40 is thus
`slidable within the slot. With the bar 40 disposed within the
`slot, a position and orientation of the bar 40 is fixed relative
`to the housing 18. However, because the bar 40 is rotatable
`with respect to the screen structure 16, the screen structure
`16 is pivotable with respect to the housing 18.
`A tab 88 within the slot cooperates with an aperture 90
`(FIG. 2A) on the bar 40 to lock the bar 40 within the slot.
`The tab 88 is cantilevered and attached to a side edge 92 of
`the floor 76 of the cavity 20. The tab 88 includes a forward
`facing tapered portion 94 (FIG. 3C) that terminates in a
`ledge 96 that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tab
`88 and faces away from the rim 62. As the bar 40 is inserted
`within the slot, the bar 40 slides along the outside of the tab
`88, and the bar 40 urges the tab 88 inward due to interen-
`gagement of the bar 40 with the tapered surface 94. As a
`leading edge 98 (FIG. 2A) of the bar 40 reaches a rear end
`of the slot, the tab 88 snaps into position within the aperture
`
`6
`90 of the bar 40. The ledge 96 abuts an edge of the aperture
`90, thus locking the bar 40 within the slot and securing the
`screen structure 16 to the housing 18. The present monitor
`10 is thus easy to assemble. The bars 40 are simply inserted
`into the slots until the tabs 88 lock into place within the
`apertures 90.
`While the illustrated second hinge portions 44 are pre-
`ferred for their ease of assembly together with the illustrated
`first hinge portions 36, those of skill in the art will appreciate
`that the illustrated second hinge portions 44 are merely
`exemplary. A variety of alternate hinge constructions could
`be used to achieve many advantages of the present monitor
`10.
`
`Preferably, the first and second hinge portions 36, 44 are
`located near an upper edge 38, 82 of the screen structure 16
`and housing 18, respectively. The upper edge 38 of the
`screen structure 16 thus remains substantially fixed with
`respect to the housing 18, while a lower edge 100 of the
`screen structure 16 is capable of protruding substantially
`from the front face 24 of the housing 18, as shown in FIG.
`5B. Preferably, a finger catch 102 (FIGS. 2A, 2B, 5A and
`5B) extends downward from the lower edge 100 of the
`screen structure 16. The finger catch 102 provides a conve-
`nient surface against which a viewer may place his or her
`fingers to rotate the screen structure 16 with respect to the
`housing 18. Preferably, the lower edge 70 of the housing
`includes a cut out portion 104 (FIGS. 3A and 4) so that a
`viewer can reach behind the finger catch 102 to pull the
`screen structure 16 outward from the stowed position of
`FIG. 5A.
`
`Advantageously, as the screen structure 16 pivots from the
`stowed position of FIG. 5A to the position of FIG. 5B, no
`portion of the rear face 30 of the screen structure 16 moves
`toward the floor 76 of the cavity 20. The floor 76 thus defines
`a limit for the monitor 10. No portion of the monitor 10,
`including the screen structure 16, extends beyond the floor
`76 into the headrest 12. Thus,
`the overall monitor 10
`occupies relatively little depth of the headrest 12, because
`the depth occupied by the monitor 10 corresponds roughly
`to the thickness of the screen structure 16.
`
`With prior art monitors, such as the monitors disclosed in
`US. Pat. No. 5,267,775 to Nguyen, US. Pat. No. 5,507,556
`to Dixon, and US. Pat. No. 5,842,715 to Jones, additional
`depth beyond the thickness of the screen structure would be
`required within a headrest to accommodate these monitors.
`As the screen structures of these monitors pivot from the
`stowed position to a viewing position, an upper edge of the
`screen structure would move backward into the headrest.
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`This configuration is disadvantageous because limited space
`is available within a headrest.
`
`is to provide padding for
`The function of a headrest
`comfort and safety. Thus, a headrest must comprise at least
`a minimum amount of padding. When a monitor is added to
`a headrest, padding is displaced. The padding may be
`eliminated entirely, but such elimination makes the headrest
`less comfortable and less safe. Alternatively, the padding
`may be retained but moved elsewhere within the headrest.
`Disadvantageously, this option makes the headrest larger. If
`the headrest is made wider, the extra width obstructs a larger
`portion of the driver’s view. If instead the headrest is made
`deeper, (extends farther into rear passenger area) the portion
`of the headrest that protrudes into the rear passenger area
`presents an obstacle to rear seat passengers. Therefore, a
`headrest-mounted monitor desirably occupies minimal
`space.
`Besides defining a thickness of the present monitor 10, the
`housing 18 also provides a self-contained casing for the
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`US 7,036,879 B2
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`7
`monitor 10. The housing 18 thus protects the monitor 10
`from impacts, for example. The housing 18 also facilitates
`installation and removal of the monitor 10. To exchange one
`monitor 10 for another, for example if the first monitor 10 is
`defective, the housing 18 and all of the components within
`the housing are easily removed from the headrest 12. A new
`monitor 10 is then easily installed by inserting the housing
`18 of the new monitor 10 into the headrest 12.
`
`As shown in FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B, the monitor 10 includes
`a bracket 106 that limits a range of pivot of the screen
`structure 16 relative to the housing 18. The shape of the
`bracket 106, illustrated in FIG. 6, preferably resembles a
`straight wire 108 with an attached pair of L-shaped wires
`110. Of course, the bracket 106 may be produced by many
`different processes such that
`the straight wire 108 and
`L-shaped wires 110 comprise one piece, or separate pieces
`attached to one another.
`
`All three wires 108, 110, 110 are coplanar, and both
`L-shaped wires 110 extend from the straight wire 108 in the
`same direction. The upright portion 112 of each L-shaped
`wire 110 is substantially perpendicular to the straight wire
`108, and the base portion 114 of each L-shaped wire 110 is
`substantially parallel to the straight wire 108. Further, the
`base portions 114 of each L-shaped wire 110 extend toward
`each other, and include a small gap 116 between their ends.
`The upright portions 112 of the L-shaped wires 110 are
`attached to the straight wire 108 such that opposite end
`portions of the straight wire 108, comprising posts 118,
`extend beyond the attachment points of the L-shaped wires
`110.
`
`The base portions 114 of the L-shaped wires 110, which
`define a first end 124 of the bracket 106, are pivotably
`retained within a tube 120 (FIGS. 3A, 4 and 5A75B) on the
`floor 76 of the cavity 20. The tube 120 defines a first pivot
`opening and a second pivot opening. The posts 118 of the
`straight wire 108, which define a second end 126 of the
`bracket 106, are slidably retained within a channel 122 on
`the rear face 30 of the screen structure 16, as shown in FIGS.
`2B, 5A and 5B. In the stowed position shown in FIG. 5A, the
`bracket 106 is substantially parallel to the rear face 30 of the
`screen structure 16. As the screen structure 16 pivots out-
`ward from the cavity 20,
`the base portions 114 of the
`L-shaped wires 110 pivot withi