GB2537426A

GB2537426A - Adjustable in-car entertainment rack

Info

Publication number: GB2537426A
Application number: GB1506592.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Theobald Andrew
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-04-17
Filing date: 2015-04-17
Publication date: 2016-10-19
Also published as: GB201506592D0

Abstract

An entertainment device holder comprises an extendable bar and a tray. The extendable bar can be removably attached to the headrest supports of the front seat of a car. The tray can be removably attached to the extendable bar by way of a mounting bracket with a screw threaded locking knob. The tray is hinged and can rotate between a vertical and a horizontal position. In the vertical alignment it features a sliding bar and slot to which a smart phone or similar device can be fitted. In the horizontal position a DVD player or similar device is attached by way of slots in the tray, a sliding restraining bar and an adjustable strap. The device may feature flexible support rods to stabilise it against the rear of the front seats. The device may alternatively be fitted with a non-folding vertical panel in place of the rotating tray.

Description

Adjustable In-Car Entertainment Rack

Description Background

This invention relates to an adjustable rack to enable a variety of entertainment devices to be used conveniently by the passengers in the rear seats of a car.

During long car journeys, many passengers use entertainment devices such as 'tablets,' notebooks,' or portable DVD players. However, mounting such a device in the back of the vehicle so that it can be viewed by all passengers can be a problem. If someone holds it on their lap it is difficult for others to view the screen, and can be uncomfortable for the person holding it. Trying to wedge the device between the front seats can result in it slipping out and being damaged, or flying forward if the vehicle brakes suddenly.

Statement of Invention

To overcome this, the present invention proposes a plastic 'rack' featuring an adjustable bar that fits between the front seats of the vehicle, attached to which is a folding tray system, or vertical plate, on which can be mounted a variety of entertainment devices.

Advantages The device enables a variety of entertainment devices to be viewed safely and conveniently by the passengers in the rear seats of a car.

The sliding 'arms' of the adjustable bar enable the present invention to be fitted quickly and easily between the seats of a wide range of vehicles without the use of tools.

The folding tray enables devices of different dimensions such as notebook computers and portable DVD players to be mounted safely and securely, held in position by an adjustable strap and a sliding 'restraining bar.' Tablet devices or phones can also be mounted on the present invention with the tray in either the 'folded down' or 'folded up' positions. The tray also features two recesses which can be used as cup holders when the vehicle is stationary. Alternative versions of the invention eliminate the folding tray from the design and feature a vertical panel only, suitable for mounting tablet devices or mobile phones.

Introduction to Drawings

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: * Figure 1 shows the present invention fitted between the front seats of a car and used to mount a portable DVD player.

* Figure 2 shows the three principal component parts of the present invention: 2a) Adjustable mounting bar, that fits between the front seats of the vehicle.

2b) Mounting bracket, that clamps onto the adjustable mounting bar.

2c) Folding tray system, that attaches to the mounting bracket.

* Figure 3 shows the complete assembly.

* Figure 4 details the adjustable mounting bar.

* Figure 5 details the mounting bracket.

* Figure 6 details the folding tray system.

* Figures 7-8 show the stages involved in fitting the present invention between the front seats of a vehicle and using it to mount a portable DVD player.

* Figure 9 shows how the present invention can be used to mount a 'tablet' device, with the tray in the folded-down position.

* Figure 10 shows how the present invention can be used to mount a tablet, with the tray in the folded-up position.

* Figure 11 shows a simpler alternative design which retains the adjustable mounting bar and mounting bracket but replaces the folding tray with a vertical non-folding panel, adjustable for height and suitable for mounting tablet devices or mobile phones only.

* Figure 12 shows an even simpler alternative design which eliminates the mounting bracket completely and replaces the folding tray with a non-adjustable vertical panel, suitable for mounting a tablet or mobile phone, which attaches directly onto the adjustable mounting bar.

Detailed Description

A plastic adjustable mounting bar (Figure 4) features a central box-section unit (4a) which houses two extendable 'arms' (4b) that can slide in and out These arms have slots in them (4c) that fit around the struts of a car seat headrest By extending the arms to the required width and hooking the slots around the innermost headrest struts of the two front seats, the unit can be quickly and easily fitted to different vehicles with varying gaps between the front seats (Figures 1,7 and 8). Small lugs (4d) prevent the extendable arms from completely sliding out of the central box section. Deliberate points of weakness (4e) have been incorporated into the design so that the bar would break relatively easily if subjected to an impact such as a passenger being thrown against it in a crash, reducing the likelihood of injury.

The mounting bracket (Figure 5) slots onto the central box-section of the adjustable mounting bar and is secured by tightening the locicing knob (5a). A flanged plate on the back of the mounting bracket (5b) enables the folding tray system (Figure 6) to slide onto it. The height of the tray unit can be adjusted by means of two spring-loaded catches on the mounting bracket (Sc) which, when depressed simultaneously, withdraw pins from holes in the tray unit (6a) and enable it to be raised or lowered. When not in use, the tray can be secured in the folded-up position by means of a sliding bar (6b) that clips over the front edge of the tray. This bar is moulded from slightly springy plastic and fits tightly onto the rails along which it slides (6c), so it can only be raised or lowered by applying even pressure on both sides simultaneously. Alternatively, spring-loaded catches could be fitted to each side of the bar, which would have to be pressed-in simultaneously in order to raise or lower the bar. To lower the folding tray ready for use, the sliding bar is moved upwards and the tray folds down by means of a hinge (6d). For simplicity and economy, the hinge consists of two long bolts secured by nuts (6e), however, a 'gas hinge' could alternatively be used to enable the folding tray to be lowered more slowly and gracefully. The folding tray has two recesses (60 which serve as cup holders, and four small rubber domes (6g) which serve to keep a D'VD player or notebook computer slightly elevated above the tray to prevent overheating. A large slot in the tray (6h) is lined with compressible foam rubber to grip a tablet device or up to two mobile phones; a smaller slot (6i) is designed to accommodate a single phone. A second sliding bar and slot system (6j) on the underside of the folding tray enables a tablet device or mobile phone to be fitted when the tray is in the folded-up position (see Figure 7d and 9b). Two brackets moulded onto the back of the folding tray unit (6k) are for the attachment of the adjustable retaining strap (see Figure 8).

Figures 7 and 8 show the stages involved in fitting the invention between the seats of a vehicle and using it to mount a portable DVD player or small 'notebook' type computer. The catches on the mounting bracket are depressed and the flanged plate on the bracket is inserted into the slots on the back of the folding tray unit (7a) When the catches are released, two pins engage in holes in the slots, securing the tray at the desired height (7b). The adjustable mounting bar is fitted between the front seats of the vehicle by sliding the 'arms' to the correct position (7c). The mounting bracket (with folding tray unit attached) is slotted onto the central box section of the adjustable mounting bar and secured by tightening the locking knob (7d); if required, the flexible support rods are fitted to prevent the unit from swinging. The sliding bar is moved upwards, allowing the tray to fold down (8a and 8b). The device (with screen open) is placed on the tray, the sliding bar is moved downwards until it fits over the top of the notebook/DVD player screen, and the restraining strap is clipped around the device and tightened (Sc).

Figure 9 shows how the present invention can be used to mount a tablet device or smart phone. The sliding bar is moved upwards; the bottom of the tablet or phone is inserted into the appropriate slot in the tray; the sliding bar is moved down so that it fits over and restrains the top edge of the tablet or phone; the adjustable restraining strap is clipped around the bottom of the tablet and tightened (9a). Alternatively, a second slot-and-sliding bar system on the underside of the tray enables a tablet or smart phone to be mounted on the invention with the tray in the folded-up position (9b).

If the front seats of the vehicle are reclined significantly from the vertical position, the invention may have a tendency to swing forwards and downwards. To counter this problem, a pair of flexible support rods can be fitted which bend forward to rest against the front seats, keeping the invention in the correct position and preventing it from swinging (9c).

The present invention has been designed to enable a wide range of popular entertainment devices (with the exception of a full-size laptop computer) to be fitted onto the folding tray system. However, with the increasing popularity and versatility of tablets and smart phones (and corresponding decrease in the use of portable DVD players and notebook computers), it is likely that many users may not require the folding tray. Two alternative designs are shown in Figures 10 and 11. Figure 10 shows a design which replaces the folding tray with a vertical plate that fits onto the mounting bracket and can be adjusted for height using the spring-loaded catches described previously. The vertical plate features a projecting ridge with a slot in it (10a) and a sliding restraining bar (10b) to enable phones or a tablet to be fitted. Figure 11 shows an even simpler design in which the vertical plate slots directly onto a projecting flange moulded onto the centre of the mounting bar (11a), dispensing with the mounting bracket completely. This design does not permit any vertical or horizontal adjustment but would be considerably cheaper and easier to manufacture.

With the exception of any nuts/bolts/screws/pins/hinges, all parts for the invention are made from hollow, injection-moulded dark grey plastic. The central box section of the adjustable mounting bar features thin sections which act as deliberate areas of weakness so that, in the event of an accident in which a passenger is thrown against the invention, it will break relatively easily, reducing the likelihood of serious injury.