Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
  • B60R11/02—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
  • B60R11/0229—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes
  • B60R11/0235—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof for displays, e.g. cathodic tubes of flat type, e.g. LCD
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
  • B60R11/02—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
  • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
  • B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
  • B64D11/0015—Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television
  • B64D11/00151—Permanently mounted seat back monitors
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
  • F16M13/00—Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles
  • F16M13/02—Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
  • F16M13/022—Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle repositionable
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
  • B60R2011/0001—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position
  • B60R2011/0003—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position inside the vehicle
  • B60R2011/0012—Seats or parts thereof
  • B60R2011/0015—Back-rests
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
  • B60R2011/0042—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means
  • B60R2011/008—Adjustable or movable supports
  • B60R2011/0082—Adjustable or movable supports collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
  • B60R2011/0042—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means
  • B60R2011/008—Adjustable or movable supports
  • B60R2011/0092—Adjustable or movable supports with motorization
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
  • B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
  • B64D11/00—Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a mount for a display screen.
• the invention relates to a switch for operating a display screen mounted in a seat back and especially for use in automobile seat backs.
• display screens such as audio visual display screens and touch screen displays
• These display screens can be mounted directly to the backrest, or headrest, of a vehicle seat, in a fixed fashion or in which a user (viewer) may adjust the viewing angle of the display by pushing or pulling the display screen about a rotational axis.
• a display screen In some vehicles, such as aircraft and other passenger carrying vehicles, it is known to mount a display screen to an interior surface of the vehicle such as the interior roof surface, and the display screen may be in a fixed position, or mounted such that it may be electrically stowed and rotated from the stowed position into a viewable position as and when required.
• the screen In certain vehicles, such as automobiles, it is preferred to mount the screen in a housing in the back of the seat, such that it is out of sight and protected by the housing.
• a particularly advantageous arrangement has the screen housed flat against the back of the seat, in a housing, from which it extends axially (upwards) out of the housing, into a viewing position.
• the position and orientation of the seat in which the screen is displayed is adjustable, it is useful to be able to adjust the viewing angle ofthe screen.
• US2009/0085383 discloses an example of such a mount, in which the display extends axially from a mount to a deployed position and is pivotally mounted from its top to the top of the support, so that the plane of the display is movable relative to the plane of the display support.
• Embodiments of the present invention have been made in consideration of these problems, with a view to mitigating or alleviating them. Summary of the Invention
• an electrically adjustable display screen mount comprising a control mechanism operable by a user to select between a first automatic operation for stowing and deployment of the display screen, and a second, user adjustable operation for user adjustment of the deployed position of the display screen; wherein the first automatic deployment operation effects movement between the stowed position and the last used deployment position.
• the control mechanism may be a switch mechanism, the switch having a deployment memory position in which activation of the switch activates the first automatic operation to effect movement between the stowed position and a last used deployment position.
• the switch may have an adjustment mode position which activates the second user adjustable operation so that a user may adjust the deployment position of the display screen.
• the adjustment mode position may include two separate functions, one which enables a user to adjust the deployment position of the screen in one direction and another in the opposite direction.
• the deployment memory position may include two functions, one which is activated to deploy the display screen in a last used deployment position and the other which is activated to move the display screen to the stowed position.
• the switch may comprise a stowing position, a detent corresponding to the adjustment mode position, and a deployment memory position.
• the switch may be moved through the detent position into to the deployment memory position in order to deploy the display screen.
• the switch may be moved to the detent position in order for a user to adjust the required deployment position of the display screen by way of the second user adjustable operation.
• the detent may have two functions, a first function in which the detent position effects movement towards the display screen stowing position, and a second function in which the detent effects movement towards the deployment memory position.
• the switch may be moveable in at least two directions, and the stowing position and deployment memory position of the switch may be effected by opposite movement of the switch.
• The, user adjustable operation may enable rotation of the display screen up to
• the switch may further comprise a neutral position, to which the switch is urged in absence of any user input.
• the first automatic operation may cause the screen to move faster than the second user adjustable operation (to allow for fine adjustment).
• a seat may be provided, comprising an electrically adjustable display screen mount as set out above, wherein user adjustment of the deployed position of the screen changes the viewing angle such that the base of a display screen mounted on the display screen mount moves longitudinally away from the back of the seat and/or the top of a display screen mounted on the display screen support moves
• Movement of the adjustable display screen mount in the retraction direction may be associated with a corresponding movement of the base of the screen towards the back of the seat, and/or movement of the top of the screen away from the headrest.
• the present invention also provides a seat comprising a display screen mount as set out above, mounted in the seat back, for viewing by a passenger in the seat behind.
• a vehicle comprising such a seat is also provided.
• the vehicle may be an automobile.
• Figure 1 shows a cross sectional view of a seat including a display screen mounted on a display screen mount according to the invention, in a stowed position;
• Figure 2 shows a cross sectional view of the seat of figure 1 with the display screen mount in a deployed position, set at a forward tilt;
• Figure 3 shows a cross sectional view of the seat of figures 1 and 2 with the display screen mount in a deployed position, set at a neutral tilt;
• Figure 4 shows a cross sectional view of the seat of figures 1 to 3 with the display screen mount in a deployed position, set at a backward tilt;
• Figure 5 shows a cross sectional view of the seat of figures 1 to 4 with the
• Figure 6 shows a rear view of the display screen of attached to the screen mount of figures 1-5;
• Figure 7 A illustrates a side view of a switch mechanism for the display screen mount of figures 1-6, in a neutral position;
• Figure 7B illustrates the switch mechanism in a deployment memory position
• Figure 7C illustrates the switch mechanism in a reclining adjustment position
• Figure 7D illustrates the switch in an inclining adjustment position.
• a seat 1 of an automobile (not shown) has a main body portion 2, a headrest 3 and a housing 4 at the rear.
• the housing 4 has a slot 5 in its upper surface, through which a display screen 6 can move between a stowed position (shown in figure 1), within the housing 4, to a deployed position outside the housing 4 (shown in figures 2-5).
• the display screen 6 is attached to a display screen support 7 e.g. by fastenings 8, e.g. nuts/bolts.
• the display screen support 7 is pivotally mounted to a first slide 201, via a hinge 9 and fixedly attached to a second slide 202.
• the first slide 201 is slidably mounted at its lower end to a first track 203 e.g. by wheels (not shown), although with suitable materials/ lubrication wheels may not be necessary.
• the first track 203 is linear and extends generally along the axis of the body of the seat 1, parallel to the main plane of the housing 4 which defines the seat back.
• the first slide 201 is drivably mounted, for example by a rack and pinion mechanism, or a spindle drive. Indeed, in an alternative embodiment, the first slide 201 could include a rack mechanism, or the spindle and the separate track 203 could be eliminated. Accordingly, when the first slide 201 is driven, it follows the linear path defined by the first track 203.
• the first slide 201 could even, for example, be the rod of an (e.g. hydraulic) actuator (such as a ram), with the cylinder defining the first track 203.
• the second slide 202 is also slidably mounted (e.g. by wheels) at its lower end, this time to a second track 204.
• the second track 204 is non-linear and is shaped to guide the display screen support 7 as it moves between the deployed and stowed positions.
• the non-linear second track 204 In its lower region, the non-linear second track 204 has a linear portion 205.
• the linear portion 205 runs parallel to the linear path defined by the first track 203.
• the second track 204 In an upper region, best seen in figures 2-4, the second track 204 has a non-linear portion 206, which deviates from the linear path defined by the linear portion 205 in the lower region; the non-linear portion 206 curves away from axis of the linear path, longitudinally, towards the housing 4 and away from the axis of the body 2 of the seat 1.
• the non-linear portion 206 then straightens up to continue to define a straight path 207, which will be followed by the slide 102, upwards and away from the body 2 of the seat 1. Although it is straight, the path 207 is considered to be non-linear as it does not continue the linear path defined by the linear portion 205 of the second track 204 in its lower region.
• an electric switch 60 shown in figures 7 A to 7D is actuated. This causes the first slide 201 to be driven along the linear path defined by the first track 203. The non-driven second slide 202 is thus caused to follow a linear path along the linear portion 205 of the non-linear second track 204. This linear path is followed as the display screen 6 emerges from the slot 5 in the housing 4.
• the lower end of the second slide 202 which is slidably connected to the second track 204 reaches the non-linear portion 206.
• the first slide 201 continues to follow a linear motion, driving the display 6 upwards.
• the lower end of the second slide 202 follows a non-linear path, curving away from the axis of the body 2 of the seat 1.
• the display support 7 is pivotally mounted to the first slide 201 and fixedly mounted to the second slide 202, this movement causes the support 7 to it pivots about the hinge 9, with the result that the base of the display support 7 (and the display 6) moves longitudinally away from the axis of the body 2 of the seat 1.
• the top of the display tilts towards the axis of the body 2, and towards the headrest.
• Figure 2 shows the configuration of the display screen 6 and its mount when this tilting action has just begun, with the lower end having travelled round the curved region of the non-linear portion 206 onto the start of the straight path 207.
• the display screen In this position, where the second slide has not travelled far along the straight path 207 making up part of the non-linear portion 206, the display screen is almost parallel withthe axis ofthe linear first track 203. Since the axis of the body 2 of the seat 1 is leaning backwards, the top of the screen is tilted backwards with respect to the seat 1, or at a forward tilt, with respect to the user.
• the lower end of the second slide 202 continues up the straight path 207 in the non-linear portion 206 of the second track 204, it eventually reaches the end of the path 207 at its uppermost and longitudinally furthest from the body 2 of the seat 1 (closest to the housing 4) as shown in figure 4.
• the second slide 202 is at its greatest angle with respect to the first slide 201 and therefore, the display 6 is angled backward, with its top closest to the headrest and its base further from the axis of the body 2 of the seat 1, towards the user.
• a neutral position can be defined, e.g. half way along the straight path, in which the angle of the display is roughly in line with the axis of the headrest, and most likely to be at a suitable viewing angle to an average sized rear-seat passenger, if the seat 1 is occupied by an average sized occupant in an ordinary position (e.g. height and orientation of the seat body.
• Backrests of seats are normally rotatably mounted at their base. Accordingly, leaning back the seat body 2 lowers the height of the slot 5 through which the display screen 6 exits the housing 4. On the other hand, leaning forward towards a straight upright position raises the height of the slot.
• the display screen 6 exits the slot in a plane parallel to the axis of the seat body 2. Therefore, it too is leant backward with respect to the seat i.e. tilted forward with respect to the viewer. Accordingly, when the seat 1 is leant back, the user (viewer) is likely to wish to tilt the display screen 6 backwards (that is to say, to lean the top of the screen in the direction of the back of the screen, away from the viewer). This is achieved by extending the first slide 201 as far as possible, which also raises the height, therefore both bringing about the correct angle and adjusting towards a better height.
• a user wishing to deploy the screen 6 from the stowed position as shown in Figure 1, to a deployed position as shown in Figures 2 to 5 may manipulate a switch 60 as shown in Figures 7 A-7D in order to activate the electric drive.
• the first slide 201 is driven upwards along the linear path defined by the first track 203, which causes the second slide 202 to be driven along the second track 204.
• the display screen 6 is moved upwards and follows the path described above, as the second slide 202 reaches the non-linear portion of the second track 204.
• the support 7 and hence display screen 6 may be provided with a default deployment memory position, this may be the neutral position as shown in Figure 3, in which it is expected that the seat 1 is upright and the height of the passenger behind the seat is such that the screen is at eye level.
• the position of the display screen 6 may not be optimal, especially if the body 2 of the seat 1 is moved to a different position, e.g an especially upright, or unusually laid back position, in which case, for an average height viewer, the orientation of the display screen 6 would need to be reclined towards the "forward tilt” and inclined towards the "backward tilt” positions shown in Figures 2 and 4 respectively.
• the seat 1, or another part of the vehicle (not shown), e.g. an armrest (not shown) is provided with a switch 60 which enables adjustment of the deployment position of the display 6 by a user.
• the switch 60 is a rocker switch having five positions 66a, 66b, 66c, 66d, 66e, corresponding to the stowing position 66a, a inclining detent 66b, a neutral position 66c, a reclining detent 66d and a deployment memory position 66e.
• the switch 60 is manipulated by a user, who can move the switch between all of the positions.
• the switch 60 In use the switch 60 is urged to the neutral position 66c shown in Figure 7 A, unless a user manipulates the switch 60.
• a user may move the switch 60 in one direction, through the reclining detent 66d to the deployment memory position 66e as shown in Figure 7B.
• a user may also move the switch 60 through the inclining detent 66b to the stowing position 66a in the opposite direction.
• a user may also move the switch 60 to the reclining detent 66d, as shown in Figure 7C, in order to adjust the deployment position of the display 6 in one direction, and to the inclining detent 60b, to move the display position in the opposite direction as shown in Figure 7D.
• the deployment memory position 66e when activated, effects the default position of the deployment of display 6 as shown in Figure 3, and the stowing position 66a when activated, effects the stowed position of display 6 as shown in Figure 1, the display being entirely situated beneath the slot 5 in the housing 4 of the seat 1.
• the inclining and reclining detents 66b, 66d between the stowing position and deployment memory position have respective functions, the reclining detent 66d enables the user to adjust the position of the display 6 in a forward (and downward) direction towards user in the position shown in Figure 2, and the inclining detent 66b enables a user to adjust the position of the display in a backward (and upward) direction towards the position shown in Figure 4 away from the user.
• a user may activate either detent 66b, 66d of the switch 60, which activates the electric drive to drive the first slide 201 in the required direction, in order to adjust the position of the display screen 6 relative to the seat 9 and the user.
• a user may release the switch 60 which moves back to the neutral position 66c, so that the display screen 6 remains in the desired position.
• suitable electronic means may store the data of the new display screen deployment position, and seat position as the new default deployment memory position.
• a user may then stow the display screen 6 when required, by moving the switch 60 to the stowing position 66a.
• moving the switch 60 to the deployment memory position 66e will automatically move the display screen 6 to the last known deployment memory position and user may adjust the display screen 6 again as necessary.
• the display screen 6 When the switch is moved to the deployment memory position 66e, or the stowing position 66a, the display screen 6 is caused to move at a first, relatively fast, speed, on the other hand, when the switch is moved to the inclining detent 66b, or the reclining detent 66d, the display screen 6 is caused to move at a second, relatively slow, speed, in order to achieve fine adjustment.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chair Legs, Seat Parts, And Backrests (AREA)
• Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
• Passenger Equipment (AREA)

Priority Applications (4)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=52013078

Family Applications (2)

Family Applications After (1)

Country Status (6)

Families Citing this family (17)

Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (23)

• 2014
  • 2014-10-16 GB GB1418364.4A patent/GB2524132B/en active Active
  • 2014-10-17 GB GB1418415.4A patent/GB2521720B/en active Active
• 2015
  • 2015-10-12 JP JP2017517256A patent/JP6647291B2/ja active Active
  • 2015-10-12 US US15/516,302 patent/US10543791B2/en active Active
  • 2015-10-12 CN CN201580055438.2A patent/CN107074157B/zh active Active
  • 2015-10-12 JP JP2017520333A patent/JP6637042B2/ja active Active
  • 2015-10-12 WO PCT/GB2015/052991 patent/WO2016059387A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2015-10-12 WO PCT/GB2015/052987 patent/WO2016059386A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2015-10-12 US US15/512,731 patent/US10647265B2/en active Active
  • 2015-10-12 EP EP15794221.0A patent/EP3206951B1/en active Active
  • 2015-10-12 EP EP15794222.8A patent/EP3206913B1/en active Active
  • 2015-10-12 CN CN201590001028.5U patent/CN208881707U/zh not_active Expired - Lifetime

Patent Citations (3)

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