IP Library Granted Patent US 8,730,413
Granted Patent B2
US 8,730,413 · App. 11/969,627 · Granted May 20, 2014

Rear seat entertainment system for a vehicle having an active headrest

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,730,413
App. No.
11/969,627
Granted
May 20, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

An entertainment system for a vehicle seat comprises a support structure mounted to a frame of the vehicle seat, and a media unit mounted to the support structure, wherein the support structure includes a frame positioned behind and spaced apart from a headrest of the vehicle seat. The support structure frame includes a plurality of bends to position the support structure frame away from the headrest.

Claims (25)

1. An entertainment system for a vehicle seat, comprising:

a support structure mounted to a frame of the vehicle seat; and

a media unit mounted to the support structure, wherein the support structure includes a frame positioned behind and spaced apart from a headrest of the vehicle seat, wherein the support structure frame extends through a top surface of the vehicle seat from inside to outside of the vehicle seat without contacting a post supporting the headrest on the vehicle seat, the support structure frame including a first segment extending away from the seat, a second segment extending from the first segment at an obtuse angle less than 180 degrees with respect to the first segment, and a third segment extending from the second segment at an obtuse angle less than 180 degrees with respect to the second segment, wherein the first, second and third segments are disposed outside the vehicle seat and first and second edges of the media unit are covered by the third segment.

2. The entertainment system of claim 1 , wherein the support structure frame includes a plurality of bends to position the support structure frame away from the headrest, wherein a first bend is the obtuse angle with respect to the first segment, and a second bend is the obtuse angle with respect to the second segment.

3. The entertainment system of claim 1 , wherein the support structure frame is formed in a substantial U-shape.

4. The entertainment system of claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes a plate mounted to the support structure frame.

5. The entertainment system of claim 4 , wherein a housing of the media unit is mounted to the plate.

6. The entertainment system of claim 5 , wherein the plate includes a plurality of holes corresponding to a plurality of holes in the housing of the media unit for receiving fixing devices therethrough.

7. The entertainment system of claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes a mounting bracket mounted to the support structure frame, and wherein the mounting bracket includes a plurality of stepped flange portions to receive respective portions of the support structure frame.

8. The entertainment system of claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes a clamp mounted thereto and the clamp includes a plurality of protrusions extending from the clamp to pass through and engage holes in the frame of the vehicle seat.

9. The entertainment system of claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes a clamp mounted thereto and the clamp includes a first plurality of holes corresponding to a second plurality of holes in the frame of the seat, wherein a fixing device is received through each of the plurality of first and second holes to secure the clamp to the frame of the seat.

10. The entertainment system of claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes a mounting bracket mounted to the support structure frame and a mounting bracket clamp coupled to the mounting bracket, wherein the mounting bracket clamp engages the frame of the seat to couple the support structure to the frame of the seat.

11. The entertainment system of claim 1 , wherein the headrest automatically moves through a predetermined range of motion without contacting the support structure frame.

12. The entertainment system of claim 1 , wherein the media unit includes a screen for displaying video.

13. An entertainment system for a vehicle seat, comprising:

a support structure mounted to a frame of the vehicle seat, wherein the support structure is positioned behind and spaced apart from a headrest of the vehicle; and

a media unit mounted to the support structure, wherein the support structure extends through a top surface of the vehicle seat from inside to outside of the vehicle seat without contacting a post supporting the headrest on the vehicle seat, wherein the support structure includes a frame and the media unit is mounted to the frame, the support structure frame including a first segment extending away from the seat, a second segment extending from the first segment at an obtuse angle less than 180 degrees with respect to the first segment, and a third segment extending from the second segment at an obtuse angle less than 180 degrees with respect to the second segment, wherein the first, second and third segments are disposed outside the vehicle seat and a back-side of the media unit is entirely overlapped by the third segment.

14. The entertainment system of claim 13 , wherein the support structure frame is formed in a substantial U-shape and the media unit is positioned between opposing sides of the substantial U-shape.

15. The entertainment system of claim 13 , wherein the support structure frame includes a plurality of bends to position the support structure frame away from the headrest, wherein a first bend is the obtuse angle with respect to the first segment, and a second bend is the obtuse angle with respect to the second segment.

16. The entertainment system of claim 13 , wherein the support structure includes a plate mounted to the support structure frame.

17. The entertainment system of claim 16 , wherein a housing of the media unit is mounted to the plate.

18. The entertainment system of claim 13 , wherein the support structure includes a clamp mounted thereto and the clamp includes a plurality of protrusions extending from the clamp to pass through and engage holes in the frame of the vehicle seat.

19. The entertainment system of claim 13 , wherein the support structure includes a clamp mounted thereto and the clamp includes a first plurality of holes corresponding to a second plurality of holes in the frame of the seat, wherein a fixing device is received through each of the plurality of first and second holes to secure the clamp to the frame of the seat.

20. The entertainment system of claim 13 , wherein the headrest automatically moves through a predetermined range of motion without contacting the support structure frame.

21. The entertainment system of claim 13 , wherein the media unit includes a screen for displaying video.

Assignments (6)
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 →
MERGER Recorded Apr 3, 2014
From: AUDIOVOX CORPORATION
To: VOXX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 032592/0343 →
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 14, 2012
From: WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC
To: VOXX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; AUDIOVOX ELECTRONICS CORPORATION; CODE SYSTEMS, INC.; KLIPSH GROUP INC.; TECHNUITY, INC.
Reel/Frame 027864/0905 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 7, 2011
From: AUDIOVOX CORPORATION; AUDIOVOX ELECTRONICS CORPORATION; CODE SYSTEMS, INC.; KLIPSCH GROUP, INC.; TECHNUITY, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO CAPITAL FINANCE, LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 026587/0906 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 18, 2008
From: TRANCHINA, JAMES R.
To: AUDIOVOX CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 020669/0120 →