Dynamic information storage or retrieval – With particular cabinet structure
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-28
2001-08-21
Miller, Brian E. (Department: 2652)
Dynamic information storage or retrieval
With particular cabinet structure
C296S037800
Reexamination Certificate
active
06278676
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a media player system for a vehicle and in particular to a system in which a media player, such as a video cassette player, is releasably mounted in a vehicle so that the player can be removed for use separate from the vehicle.
Media players, such as a video players, are becoming increasingly popular in vehicles. Video players are used in conjunction with a conventional television or other display to present images for viewing within the vehicle. It is becoming increasingly popular to provide a vehicle with one or more displays conveniently located within the vehicle for viewing by vehicle occupants. The displays may be at various locations in a vehicle such as a vehicle headliner, the rear surface of a seat back or headrest, a center floor console or elsewhere in a vehicle. Such systems often utilize a video player which is located remotely from the display and speakers and is coupled thereto by electrical cables within the vehicle.
A limitation with presently available systems is that the player is typically permanently installed in the motor vehicle and thus dedicated for use within that vehicle. It is an object of the present invention to provide greater utility in such a system by providing a media player and a mounting for the player that allows the player to be removed from the vehicle for use within a home, office, hotel room, etc.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a removable player that can be securely and conveniently mounted in the vehicle in a single step operation by moving the player onto a mounting base in which the player is both automatically retained on the base and the necessary power and signal connections to and from the player are automatically made.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The media player system of the present invention consists of a media player having a case, an attachment device fixed to the case and a terminal fixed to the case; a base which is adapted to be fixed in a vehicle; a connector on the base which is complementary to the terminal on the media player for establishing a connection with the terminal when mated thereto; a coupling device on the base which engages the attachment device to releasably mount the player to the base; and a guide for aligning the player with the base to facilitate engagement of the attachment and coupling devices and to facilitate mating of the terminal with the connector.
The invention can also be characterized as a mounting system for releasably mounting a media player in the vehicle in which the player has attachment device and the terminal. The mounting system includes a base adapted to be fixed to the vehicle; a connector on the base complementary to the terminal for establishing a connection when mated with the terminal; a coupling device mounted to the base for engagement with the attachment device of the player to releasably mount the player to the base; and a guide for aligning the player with the base to facilitate engagement of the attachment device of the player with the coupling device and to facilitate mating of the terminal with the connector. Such a mounting system can also be used to attach other devices to a vehicle besides a media player when the media player is not being utilized. A removable console can be used with the mounting system.
In one embodiment of the invention, the mounting base may be a console having a compartment which at least partially receives the media player therein. If the compartment is sized to completely receive the media player therein, a cover may also be provided to close the compartment and conceal the media player.
In another embodiment of the invention, the media player includes a case having at least one wall with first and second recesses in the wall and first and second striker pins mounted to the case and extending across the first and second recesses respectively. A terminal is also fixed to the case wall. A connector is provided on the base that is complementary to the terminal for establishing a connection when mated with the terminal. First and second stanchions are mounted on the base and each includes a guide slot having an open end for reception of the first and second striker pins therein to align the case with the base and to facilitate mating of the terminal with the connector as the player is moved in a single direction onto the base to a latched position in which the first and second stanchions are received in the first and second recesses respectively. First and second primary latch members are movable to latch positions closing the open ends of the guide slots to entrap the first and second striker pins therein to retain the player on the base. A release handle is operatively associated with the first and second primary latch members and is actuatable in a single motion to move the first and second primary latch members to release positions withdrawn from the guide slots to release the striker pins from the slots and thereby release the player from the base.
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Anderson Rick A.
Bellora Val A.
Castro Angel
Foley & Lardner
Miller Brian E.
Prince Technology Corporation
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