Abstract: A display monitor system for mounting in an automobile, the automobile having an interior and a vehicle status indicator with a changeable state, is provided. The display monitor system comprises a monitor, a motor drivingly coupled to the monitor, and a controller operatively connected to the motor for controlling the motor. The monitor has a screen with a viewing surface, and is configured to be movably coupled to the interior of the automobile such that it is movable between a deployed position, in which the viewing surface is visible to the viewer, and a stowed position. The motor is drivingly coupled to the monitor to move the monitor between the stowed position and the deployed position. The controller is adapted to detect a change in the state of the vehicle status indicator and to signal the motor to move the monitor to a predetermined position corresponding to the detected change in the state.

Abstract: An adjustable multi-positional display monitor for accommodating varied viewing positions. The display unit includes a swivel portion, a pivot portion and a screen. The swivel portion is rotatable relative to a reference surface about a first axis, which extends through the reference surface. The pivot portion has a proximal and distal region, the proximal region pivotally coupled to the swivel portion to accommodate pivot of the pivot portion relative to the swivel portion about a second axis which is normal to the first axis. The distal region is associated with a screen which is rotatable about a third axis which extends though a planar viewing surface of the screen so that the screen can be positioned for viewing from an upright, inverted and recumbent position regardless of the orientation of the reference surface.

Abstract: An automobile audio system, including a transmitter configured for installation within an automobile and further configured to wirelessly transmit modulated carrier data associated with at least two audio signals so that the modulated carrier data is receivable within the automobile. The automobile audio system may also include a receiver configured for use within the automobile, where the receiver is selectively tunable to obtain a recovered audio signal from the modulated carrier data and output the recovered audio signal, the recovered audio signal being an at least approximate reproduction of a user-desired one of the audio signals.

Abstract: A display system is provided, such display system including a display with a generally horizontal display surface, and a reflecting element with an opaque reflective surface configured to reflect an image presented by the display for viewing by the vehicle occupant. The display system is configured to be mounted adjacent the front console, typically with the display embedded in the front console and the reflecting element mounted above the display at an angle relative thereto.

Abstract: A video display system comprising a utility structure having a top and a free edge with a slot recessed into that free edge. The system includes at least one guide rail configured to attach to the utility structure, typically within the slot. A movable carrier is configured to slide within the slot along the guide rail coplanar to the top surface. A display screen with a viewing surface is mounted on the carrier and is sized to fit within the slot. Typically, the display screen is pivotally mounted on the movable carrier to provide for deployment of the screen. First, the screen is deployed by translation of the screen and carrier along the guide rail between a stowed position and an intermediate position. Then, the display screen is pivoted about a first axis, typically parallel to an edge of the display screen, from the intermediate position to a deployed position wherein the viewing surface is presented above the horizontal surface for viewing in a generally vertical orientation.

Abstract: A plug is disclosed that provides for electrically connecting an electronic device, such as a television, to a signal port providing power, ground, audio/video, control and status-reporting signals to and from the device. The signal port is connected to terminals in a receptacle and the plug includes joining structure that can be inserted in or otherwise coupled to the receptacle to mechanically support the plug and the device. The joining structure is provided with retractable contacts to make the electrical connections with the terminals in the receptacle. The retractable contacts avoid damage when the joining structure is inserted into a receptacle that is fouled with debris because the contacts retract on contact with the debris rather than being bent or pushed out of place.

Abstract: A stowable support system having an arm and an attachment member pivotal through a plurality of angular positions relative to the arm. The arm includes a follower assembly with a surface portion of a first contour, with the attachment member including a surface portion of a second contour that is cooperative to the first contour. A rest position is defined by at least one of the plurality of angular positions, in which the surface portions of the follower assembly and attachment member are in mating contact. The follower assembly and attachment member are biased toward engagement with each other, with at least one of the attachment member and the follower assembly being configured to be resiliently deformed when the attachment member is pivoted out of the rest position.

Abstract: A ceiling-mountable display monitor system for the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The display monitor system includes a display monitor coupled to a housing assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the housing assembly is selectively adjustable for mounting in different vehicles having different ceiling configurations. In another exemplary embodiment, an upper portion of the housing assembly is mountable above the vehicle headliner, while a lower portion of the housing assembly is mountable below the headliner. Optionally, the upper and lower portions of the housing assembly clamp onto the headliner. The upper and/or the lower portions may be adjustable for mounting in different vehicles.

Abstract: The invention provides a ceiling-mountable display monitor system with an improved monitor retention system. The display monitor system includes a display monitor that is mounted on the ceiling portion of a vehicle by a mounting assembly. The monitor system includes a display surface and a retention system adapted to selectively engage a catch on the display monitor to retain the monitor in a stowed configuration proximate the ceiling portion of the vehicle. Upon actuation by the user, the retention system releases the monitor for pivotal or other movement away from the ceiling portion of the vehicle to a viewing configuration. In the viewing configuration, the viewing surface is oriented to viewing by passengers of the vehicle. The retention system includes a retainer pivotally mounted about a pivot axis and an actuator with a user-manipulable element adapted to selectively pivot the retainer relative to its pivot axis.

Abstract: A monitor lift apparatus is provided which includes a frame and a carriage-mounted monitor configured for travel between a stowed position and a presented position along a flexible track. The carriage typically includes a rotary drive element which traverses the flexible track to effect travel of the carriage and monitor between the stowed and presented positions. The flexible track may take the form of a chain, belt, or cable, and typically extends between upper and lower ends of the frame so as to provide for vertical deployment/stowage of the monitor. The monitor may be secured in position using a latch pin which is mounted on the carriage to selectively engage the frame. Correspondingly, the frame may define a one or more detents for receipt of the latch pin.

Abstract: An articulable projecting plug is disclosed that provides for interchangeable mechanical connection between one of several electronic-signal ports such as video-signal ports, and housing/support structure associated with an electronic device such as a flat-screen television. The plug also accommodates video communication between a video-signal source and such television. The plug includes joining structure constructed to bring the plug into contact with the port and hold them both in such joined relationship. The joining structure includes an outer surface and holder structure for holding the first end of an elongate conductor so that joinder of the plug with the port will also result in contact between such first end and the port. The plug also includes an elongate projecting member terminating with first and second ends, with the first end being operatively connected to the joining structure so that the projecting elongate member extends from it and away from the port.

Abstract: A ceiling-mounted monitor system is provide, the monitor system including a housing mounted on a ceiling of a vehicle, a video display monitor mounted on the housing, and a video source mounted in side-by-side relation with the video display monitor.

Abstract: An adjustable multi-positional display monitor unit for accommodating varied viewing positions. The display unit includes a swivel portion, a pivot portion and a screen. The swivel portion is rotatable relative to a reference surface about a first axis, which extends through the reference surface. The pivot portion has a proximal and distal region, the proximal region pivotally coupled to the swivel portion to accommodate pivot of the pivot portion relative to the swivel portion about a second axis which is normal to the first axis. The distal region is associated with a screen which is rotatable about a third axis which extends though a planar viewing surface of the screen so that the screen can be positioned for viewing from an upright, inverted and recumbent position regardless of the orientation of the reference surface.

Abstract: An articulable projecting plug is disclosed that provides for interchangeable mechanical connection between one of several electronic-signal ports such as video-signal ports, and housing/support structure associated with an electronic device such as a flat-screen television. The plug also accommodates video communication between a video-signal source and such television. The plug includes joining structure constructed to bring the plug into contact with the port and hold them both in such joined relationship. The joining structure includes an outer surface and holder structure for holding the first end of an elongate conductor so that joiner of the plug with the port will also result in contact between such first end and the port. The plug also includes an elongate projecting member terminating with first and second ends, with the first end being operatively connected to the joining structure so that the projecting elongate member extends from it and away from the port.

Abstract: A ceiling-mounted automotive display unit mounted in the ceiling of an automobile above the front passenger seat. The unit includes a screen with a viewing surface, the screen being mounted for movement between a stowed position wherein the screen is generally parallel to the plane of the ceiling and facing downward to reveal the viewing surface to a reclined front seat passenger, and a deployed position wherein the screen projects downward from the ceiling and faces rearward to reveal the viewing surface to a rear seat passenger.

Abstract: A display unit is provided, the display unit including a housing configured for mounting in an interior region of a vehicle, and a screen mounted on the housing for movement between a stowed position wherein the screen is at least partially contained within the housing and a deployed position wherein the screen projects from the housing to reveal a viewing surface of the screen The display unit further includes a lock mechanism adapted to selectively retain the screen in the stowed position. Upon release of the lock mechanism, however, the screen is free to be pivoted away from the stowed position, and in one embodiment, is automatically pivoted at least partially away from the stowed position.