IP Library Granted Patent US 7,566,083
Granted Patent B2
US 7,566,083 · App. 11/453,235 · Granted Jul 28, 2009

Vehicle entertainment system with safety for attachment mechanism

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,566,083
App. No.
11/453,235
Granted
Jul 28, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle includes a ceiling, a cradle secured within the ceiling of the vehicle, the cradle including a first end and a second end, and a video system selectively secured to the cradle, the video system including a base having a first end and a second end. The vehicle further includes an attachment mechanism for selectively securing the video system to the cradle and a safety mechanism associated with the attachment mechanism for controlling release of the video system from the cradle.

Claims (40)

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a ceiling;

a cradle secured within the ceiling of the vehicle, the cradle includes a first end and a second end;

a video system selectively secured to the cradle, the video system including a base having a first end and a second end;

an attachment mechanism for selectively securing the video system to the cradle;

a safety mechanism associated with the attachment mechanism for controlling release of the video system from the cradle; and

wherein the attachment mechanism consisting essentially of a first attachment structure at the first end of the base, the first attachment structure of the base being shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with a first attachment structure at the first end of the cradle, and a second attachment structure at the second end of the base, the second attachment structure of the base being shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with the second attachment structure at the second end of a cradle.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the safety mechanism selectively prevents release of the first attachment structure of the base from the first attachment structure of the cradle and release of the second attachment structure of the base from the second attachment structure of the cradle.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the first attachment structure of the base includes a first projecting attachment member, the second attachment structure of the base includes a second projecting attachment member, the first attachment structure of the cradle includes a first aperture and the second attachment structure of the cradle includes a second aperture, the first projecting attachment member being shaped and dimensioned to engage the first aperture of the cradle and the second projecting attachment member being shaped and dimensioned to engage the second aperture of the cradle.

4. The vehicle according to claim 3 , wherein the first projecting attachment member includes an upwardly extending post with a latch formed thereon and the second projecting attachment member includes an upwardly extending post with a latch formed thereon, wherein the latches of the respective first and second projecting attachment members are shaped and dimensioned to selectively pass through the first and second apertures.

5. The vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein the safety mechanism selectively prevents release of the first and second projecting attachment members from the first and second apertures.

6. The vehicle according to claim 4 , wherein the first attachment structure of the base also includes an eccentric shaped first locking member, the second attachment structure of the base also includes an eccentric shaped second locking member, the first attachment structure of the cradle also includes an eccentric shaped first locking aperture and the second attachment structure of the cradle also includes an eccentric shaped second locking aperture, wherein the first and second locking members respectively engage the first and second locking apertures formed in the cradle.

7. The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the first attachment structure of the base includes an eccentric shaped first locking member, the second attachment structure of the base includes an eccentric shaped second locking member, the first attachment structure of the cradle includes an eccentric shaped first locking aperture and the second attachment structure of the cradle includes an eccentric shaped second locking aperture, wherein the first and second locking members respectively engage the first and second locking apertures formed in the cradle.

8. The vehicle according to claim 7 , wherein the safety mechanism selectively prevents release of the first and second locking members from the first and second locking apertures.

9. A vehicle, comprising:

a ceiling;

a cradle secured within the ceiling of the vehicle, the cradle includes a first end and a second end;

a video system selectively secured to the cradle, the video system including a base having a first end and a second end;

an attachment mechanism for selectively securing the video system to the cradle;

a safety mechanism associated with the attachment mechanism for controlling release of the video system from the cradle; and

wherein the video system includes a housing in which a video monitor and video source are housed, the housing depending from the base shaped and dimensioned for selectively attachment to the cradle, and the base includes a means for pivoting the video monitor.

10. A entertainment system for a vehicle, comprising:

a cradle shaped and dimensioned for securing within a ceiling of the vehicle, the cradle includes a first end and a second end;

a video system selectively secured to the cradle, the video system including a base having a first end and a second end;

an attachment mechanism for selectively securing the video system to the cradle;

a safety mechanism associated with the attachment mechanism for controlling release of the video system from the cradle; and

wherein the attachment mechanism consisting essentially of a first attachment structure at the first end of the base, the first attachment structure of the base being shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with a first attachment structure at the first end of the cradle, and a second attachment structure at the second end of the base, the second attachment structure of the base being shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with the second attachment structure at the second end of a cradle.

11. The entertainment system according to claim 10 , wherein the safety mechanism selectively prevents release of the first attachment structure of the base from the first attachment structure of the cradle and release of the second attachment structure of the base from the second attachment structure of the cradle.

12. The entertainment system according to claim 10 , wherein the first attachment structure of the base includes a first projecting attachment member, the second attachment structure of the base includes a second projecting attachment member, the first attachment structure of the cradle includes a first aperture and the second attachment structure of the cradle includes a second aperture, the first projecting attachment member being shaped and dimensioned to engage the first aperture of the cradle and the second projecting attachment member being shaped and dimensioned to engage the second aperture of the cradle.

13. The entertainment system according to claim 12 , wherein the first projecting attachment member includes an upwardly extending post with a latch formed thereon and the second projecting attachment member includes an upwardly extending post with a latch formed thereon, wherein the latches of the respective first and second projecting attachment members are shaped and dimensioned to selectively pass through the first and second apertures.

14. The entertainment system according to claim 13 , wherein the safety mechanism selectively prevents release of the first and second projecting attachment members from the first and second apertures.

15. The entertainment system according to claim 13 , wherein the first attachment structure of the base also includes an eccentric shaped first locking member, the second attachment structure of the base also includes an eccentric shaped second locking member, the first attachment structure of the cradle also includes an eccentric shaped first locking aperture and the second attachment structure of the cradle also includes an eccentric shaped second locking aperture, wherein the first and second locking members respectively engage the first and second locking apertures formed in the cradle.

16. The entertainment system according to claim 10 , wherein the first attachment structure of the base includes an eccentric shaped first locking member, the second attachment structure of the base includes an eccentric shaped second locking member, the first attachment structure of the cradle includes an eccentric shaped first locking aperture and the second attachment structure of the cradle includes an eccentric shaped second locking aperture, wherein the first and second locking members respectively engage the first and second locking apertures formed in the cradle.

17. The entertainment system according to claim 16 , wherein the safety mechanism selectively prevents release of the first and second locking members from the first and second locking apertures.

18. A entertainment system for a vehicle, comprising:

a cradle shaped and dimensioned for securing within a ceiling of the vehicle, the cradle includes a first end and a second end;

a video system selectively secured to the cradle, the video system including a base having a first end and a second end;

an attachment mechanism for selectively securing the video system to the cradle;

a safety mechanism associated with the attachment mechanism for controlling release of the video system from the cradle; and

wherein the video system includes a housing in which a video monitor and video source are housed, the housing depending from the base shaped and dimensioned for selectively attachment to the cradle, and the base includes a means for pivoting the video monitor.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT R/F 027890/0319 Recorded Apr 3, 2025
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: VOXX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 070739/0831 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 20, 2012
From: VOXX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
To: WELLS FAGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 027890/0319 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 15, 2012
From: SUNTRUST BANK
To: VITITO, CHRISTOPHER J.
Reel/Frame 027867/0015 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 22, 2010
From: VITITO, CHRISTOPHER J
To: AUDIOVOX CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 024114/0833 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 31, 2006
From: VITITO, CHRISTOPHER J.
To: SUNTRUST BANK
Reel/Frame 018193/0722 →