Extendable automotive video display console assembly

[0001] The present invention relates generally to an automotive video display console assembly and more specifically to an automotive video display console assembly with extendable display features.

[0002] Modern automotive vehicle designs incorporate an ever-increasing array of amenities and features. Where once the interior of a vehicle was largely utilitarian, it is presently being filled with a proliferation of multi-media devices intended to provide passengers with both information as well as entertainment. Central to many of these devices, such as maps, internet access, movies, and video games, is the use of a video display. The video display can interact with these features, as well as a wide variety of other features, to provide a central multi-media access point for passengers.

[0003] Issues arise, however, as a video display must coexist with a plurality of other features within the often space-restricted environment of the automotive interior. Video displays often represent non-insubstantially sized components that must be mounted within the interior without interfering with other automotive components. Furthermore, the nature of video displays is such that they must be positioned a comfortable distance from the viewer to allow easy viewing. If positioned too far from a viewer, a video display may be unreadable or may result in eye strain. Positioned too close to a viewer and a video display may equally result in viewer discomfort. Adding to these concerns, passengers do not come in a universal size or proportion and therefore present a variety of preferable positions for the video display.

[0004] Modern automotive video displays, however, provide little adjustment to accommodate these varying scenarios. Adjustment of the video screen, when present, commonly represents the ability to angle or rotate the screen. These adjustment features to not accommodate the concept of comfortable viewing distance. Furthermore, when the video display is mounted on the headliner, features such as sunroofs often effect its position. The mounting base for the video display, in these scenarios, can be positioned rearward in a vehicle to the point that the screen is positioned too close to rear passengers for comfortable viewing without strain. Present video display configurations place installation at odds with features such as sun roofs and can force customers to choose between equally desirable luxury options.

[0005] It would therefore be highly desirable to have an automotive video display console assembly with improved adjustment features that accommodated comfortable viewing distance adjustment. It would further be highly desirable to develop an automotive video display console assembly with expanded placement options within the automotive interior such that it is easily integrated with existing automotive options.

[0006] It is therefore an object to the present invention to provide an automotive video display console assembly with improved adjustment features. It is further object to the present invention to provide an automotive video display console assembly with expanded placement capabilities.

[0007] In accordance with the objects of the present invention an automotive video display console assembly for installation in a vehicle is provided. The automotive video display console assembly includes a console housing. The automotive video display console further includes a horizontal support element including a first end engaging the console housing and a second end. The second end is movable between a support stowage position and a horizontally extended position horizontally distanced from the support stowage position. A video display element is pivotably mounted to the second end such that the video display can be moved between a display stowage position and a display active position when the second end is in the support stowage position. The video display can be further moved to a display extended position when the second end is positioned in the horizontally extended position.

[0008] Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description and preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and claims.

[0017] Referring now to FIG. 1, which is an illustration of an automotive vehicle 10 for use with the present invention. It should be understood that the style, format, and configuration of the illustrated automotive vehicle 10 are illustrative only and are not intended as limitations on the present invention. Modern convenience packages often make optimum placement and usage of multi-media devices difficult. Convenience features 12 such as the illustrated sunroof 12 make positioning difficult for installation as well as viewing.

[0018] Often such installation, in light of features such as the sunroof 12, must be placed in less than optimum locations such as on the header 14. Placement of multi-media devices in these locations can make viewing from the rear seating 16 positions difficult. Often a combination of improper viewing angle or insufficient viewing distance can make use and enjoyment of the multi-media device sub-optimum. It should be understood that although a single incidence of limited multi-media placement has been described in detail, a variety of placement scenarios are contemplated wherein conventional designs do not accommodate desirable viewing distance of a multi-media component.

[0019] The present invention addresses these concerns by providing an automotive video display console assembly 18 with improved adjustment features. The automotive video display console assembly 18 is illustrated mounted to the header 14 behind the sunroof 12. The automotive video display console assembly 18, however, can be installed in a variety of location throughout the vehicle. The automotive video display console assembly 18 includes a console housing 20. The console housing 20 can include a variety of control elements 22 (such as a dvd-player, video game console, and corresponding control buttons) in addition to incorporating traditional automotive features such as a dome light 24 or reading lights. Central to the automotive video display console assembly 18 is a video display 26 with improved adjustment features.

[0020] The video display 26 may be formed in a wide variety of particular embodiments including, but not limited to, liquid crystal displays and plasma displays. The video display 26 is movable between a display stowage position 28 and a display active position 30. In the display stowage position 28, the video display 26 is preferably flush with the console housing 20 such that line-of-sight through the vehicle 10 is not impeded. In this light, the console housing 20 may include a recess 27 (see FIG. 3) formulated to receive the video display 26 when in the display stowage position 28. The video display 26, however, is also rotatable into the display active position 30 such that it can be adjusted and viewed by passengers. As mentioned, however, placement of the console housing 20 within the vehicle 10 interior can make viewing from the display active position 30 sub-optimum. The present invention, therefore, further includes the ability to move the display into a display extended position 32 wherein the video display 26 is extended in a horizontal direction from the console housing 20 in order to improve or adjust the viewing distance for passengers. In the scenario illustrated in FIG. 2, the video display 26 can be moved forward in the vehicle 10 in order to improve the viewing distance of passengers in the rear seats 16.

[0021] Although it is contemplated the ability to move the video display 26 into the display extended position 32 may be accomplished in a variety of fashions, one embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 3. The automotive video display console assembly 18 includes a horizontal support element 34 in communication with the console housing 20. The horizontal support element 34 includes a first end 36 and a second cnd 38. The first end 36 is mounted to the console housing 20. Although the first end 36 can be mounted to the console housing 20 in a variety of fashions, one embodiment contemplates the use of a bracket assembly 40 to which the first end 36 may be movably engaged. The second end 38 is movable between a support stowage position 42 and a horizontally extended position 44 horizontally distanced from the support stowage position 42. The video display 26 is pivorably attached to the second end 38 such that the video display 26 can be moved from the display active position 30 to the display extended position 32. The video display 26 is pivorably attached such that the screen 46 can be additionally adjusted into a variety of viewing angles.

[0022] Although a variety of embodiments of the horizontal support element 34 are contemplated, one embodiment contemplates the horizontal support element 34 including a base shell 48 and at least one telescoping member 50. The base shell 48 is preferably fixedly mounted to the console housing 20 via the bracket assembly 40. The telescoping member 50 is positioned substantially within the base shell 48 when the second end 38 is in the support stowage position 42. When the second end 38 is moved into the horizontally extended position 44, the telescoping member 50 moves out to be horizontally distanced from the support stowage position 42. This allows the viewing distance of the video display 26 to be adjusted by users after installation. It is contemplated that a friction liner 52, such as delrin (acetal), may be positioned between the base shell 48 and the telescoping member 50 in order to produce smooth, reduced friction motion when adjusting the horizontal position of the video display 26 (see FIG. 4). The friction liner 52 is preferably mounted to the inner surface 54 of the base shell 48.

[0023] Although a single horizontal support element 34 may be utilized to support the video display 26, in alternate embodiments such as the one illustrated in FIG. 5 multiple horizontal support elements 34 may be utilized. In this embodiment the horizontal support element 34 includes a first horizontal support element 56 and a second horizontal support element 58. Similarly, the configuration of the base shell 48 and telescoping member(s) 50 can be modified. The base shell 48 and telescoping member 50 can be formed using an I-channel member 60 supported by two t-members 62 engaging the I-channel member 60 (see FIG. 6). A friction liner 52 may be positioned between the I-channel member 60 and the t-members 62 to improve easy of motion.

[0024] Although the horizontal support element 56 has thus far been described in terms of a telescoping arrangement, it should be understood that additional embodiments are contemplated that allow the second end 38 to be moved into the horizontally extended position 44. One such embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. This embodiment illustrates a single piece horizontal support element 56. The first end 36 is slidably mounted to the console housing 20 by way of the mounting bracket assembly 40. A plurality of gear elements 64 mounted to the first end 36 engage a gear path 66 formed in the mounting bracket assembly 40 such that the second end 38 can be pulled horizontally outwards from the support stowage position 42 to the horizontally extended position 44. A plurality of detents 68 may be utilized, such as the close detent 70 and open detent 72, such that the user is given a tactile feel when the range of motion of the horizontal support element 56 has been reached.

[0025] While the invention has been described in connection with one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that the specific mechanisms and techniques which have been described are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, numerous modifications may be made to the methods and apparatus described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.