no]
`United States Patent
`
`Riday
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Jan. 5, 1993
`
`[11]
`
`Patent Number:
`
`5,177,616
`
`lllllllllllllllll|||l|||l|l|l||llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
`USOOS177616/X
`
`[54] STOWABLE VIDEO DISPLAY ASSEMBLY
`[75]
`Inventor:
`Richard B. Riday, Kirkland. Wash.
`[73] Assignee: Matsushita Avionics Systems.
`Bothell. Wash.
`.: 801.803
`
`2
`.
`l 1] APP] NO
`Dec» 2- 199]
`[7-zl Flledi
`[51]
`Int. Cl.‘ ............................................. .. H04_\‘ 5/64
`[S2] U.S. CI. .................................. .. 358/254; 358/229:
`358/248: 358/249; 248/917: 248/919: 248/921;
`24g/933; 397/217
`[58] Field of Search ............. .. 358/229. 248. 249. 254;
`248/917. 918. 919. 920. 921. 922. 923. 924. 278;
`297/194. 145
`
`»
`
`[56]
`
`Assistant Examiner—Fan Lee
`::lb::::gi'nAge’”' or Fmn_AmSter' Rolhslem &
`5
`ABSTRACT
`l- 7]
`A video display assembly. suitable for use in an airplane
`.'
`.
`.
`seat. includes a video display and a chamber configured
`and dimensioned to receive the display when the dis-
`Pia)’ i? diSP°§ed hi 8 hrs‘ S“h5Ie"‘iel1>' Veriieei Plane-
`The ehspieb‘ is eehheeieei *0 the Chamber by an arm
`havirig a pair of end portions and "<3 Shank portion inter-
`mediate the end portions. a proximal one of the end
`portions being secured to the chamber and a distal other
`of the end portions being secured to the display. The
`proximal one arm end portion is pivotable in the first
`substantially vertical plane relative to the ‘chamber to
`move the display between a stow orientation wherein
`the display is stowed in the chamber and an intermedi-
`ate orientation wherein the display is outside of the
`chamber. The shank portion is pivotable in a substan-
`tiallv horizontal plane relative to the proximal one arm
`end ‘portion to move the display between the intermedi-
`.
`.
`f
`.
`.
`.
`ate orientation and a generally vertical use orientation
`wherein the display is in a second plane. The distal
`other arm end portion is pivotable relative to the shank
`portion to tilt the display between the generally vertical
`use orientation and a tilted use orientation wherein the
`display is tilted relative to the second plane for ease of
`Viewing.
`'
`
`References Cited
`U S PATENT DOCUMENTS
`~
`-
`3_43s,2x(,
`3/1959 Pesto ................................ .. 248/278
`3.o(iz«.I()1
`9/1971 Czmro et ail.
`.... .. 299/317
`4-5h3-'l33 13/1935 Bm“'h ------ --
`353/354
`4‘5’l'i'°03
`4/1986 H“”l“°“ """"" "
`358/25”‘
`4.047.980
`3/1987 Stevenlon ei al.
`358./254
`4 7% ‘,8 7/10“ L.,nmh‘mkcr
`128/,“
`. _
`'
`'
`' ‘ ' ‘ ' ' ’ '
`5',]q§§ Enmnm
`’ _ ._ fig,/5,7
`9/1939 Dayton ...................... .. 297/194
`4.x<»s.xsx
`I/1991
`\'mtero-Fiii et al.
`........ .. 297/194
`4.9z42.99o
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`9()90lS3l.t~’
`I/1990 Eiiropeziii Pat. Off.
`.
`2-0()lz~’()
`2/1990 Japzin .
`
`
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`Pri’i7iary E.x'ain1'ncr—Ed\\'ard L. Coles. Sr.
`
`25 Claims, 15 Drawing Sheets
`
`SpaceCo
`Exhibit 1008
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 5, 1993
`
`Sheet 1 of 15
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`5,177,616
`
`

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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 5, 1993
`
`Sheet 3 of 15
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`5,177,616
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 5, 1993
`
`Sheet 5 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 5, 1993
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`Sheet 7 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 5, 1993
`
`Sheet 8 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 5, 1993
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`Sheet 9 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 5, 1993
`
`Sheet 10 of 15
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`Jan. 5, 1993
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 5, 1993
`
`Sheet 12 of 15
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`5,177,616
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`5,177,616
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 5, 1993
`
`Sheet 14 of 15
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`5,177,616
`
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`1
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`5,177,616
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`STOWABLE VIDEO DISPLAY ASSEMBLY
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE ll\‘\/ENTIO.-\"
`
`The present invention relates to a video display as-
`sembly and more particularly to such an assembly
`wherein the video display may be stowed within an
`armrest of a seat on an aircraft or other vehicle.
`
`European Patent Application 9090283l.8 filed Feb. 7.
`1990. and published as O 411 149 Al. and PCT Applica-
`tion Serial No. PCT/JP90/99180 filed Feb. 14. 1990.
`
`'1:
`
`l0
`
`20
`
`30
`
`and published as W090/10403 are both directed to as-
`semblies enabling a television receiver or video display
`to be stowed (i.e.. stored when not in use) within an
`armrest of a seat on an airplane or other vehicle. but
`easily removed therefrom to a viewing location. In each
`case. the video display is pivoted in a vertical plane
`about a horizontal axis from its stowed location within
`the armrest upwardly and forwardly (towards the seat
`in the row ahead). the video display then being pivoted
`in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis passing
`through the video display.
`One disadvantage in common of such prior art assem-
`blies is that the video display is disposed relatively low.
`the bottom of the video display barely clearing the top
`of the armrest. so that the viewer of average height has
`to bend his/her head downwardly at a sharp angle for
`viewing. A further disadvantage is that the video dis-
`play is not centered in front ofthe viewer. but rather has
`at
`least a portion thereof vertically aligned with the
`armrest so that
`the viewer.
`in addition to bending
`his/her head downwardly at a sharp angle. must also
`twist his/her head toward the side of that armrest for
`1'
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`viewing. Needless to say. even short-term viewing of ‘D
`the video display of such prior art systems is uncomfort-
`able for the average size viewer. and prolonged viewing
`can lead to severe neck discomfort. Thus.
`the need
`remains for a video display which can be stowed within
`the armrest ofa seat. yet in its use orientation is disposed
`generally centrally in front ofthe viewer and at a con-
`venient height for the average viewer. thereby to make
`viewing more comfortable and pleasurable.
`In addition to the prior art systems described above
`failing to make any attempt to provide the video display
`at a comfortable location for viewing. they fail to pro-
`vide mechanisms enabling the video display to be tilted
`back and forth relative to a vertical plane by pivoting
`about a horizontal axis. thereby to further accommo-
`date not only the height of the average viewer, but also
`the individual heights of particular viewers (for exam-
`ple. taller viewers preferring a greater degree oftilt, and
`average viewers preferring a lesser degree of tilt).
`Because the prior art systems described above posi-
`tion the video display in use closely adjacent the arm-
`rest and relatively remote from a central
`location in
`front of the viewer. the video display does not substan-
`tially limit the ability of the passenger in the seat in an
`emergency to bend over and assume the usually recom-
`mended crash position or to leave his/her seat swiftly
`without taking any special action to remove the video
`display from his/her way. Clearly, a system which cen-
`trally locates the video display in front of the viewer
`would for safety reasons necessarily enable the passen-
`ger to easily and rapidly displace the video display out
`of the way as the passenger during an emergency at-
`tempted to assume the crash position or to leave his/her
`
`40
`
`45
`
`u- U»
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`seat. preferably without any particular attention being
`paid to the need to displace the video display.
`Accordingly. it is the object of the present invention
`to provide a video display assembly wherein the display
`is movable between a stowed position within the arm-
`rest of the vehicle seat and a use position permitting
`comfortable viewing thereof from such seat by an aver-
`age viewer.
`to provide such an assembly
`is
`Another object
`wherein the video display may be tilted from a gener-
`ally vertical plane in order to accommodate the particu-
`lar height of the viewer.
`A further object
`is to provide such an assembly
`wherein the video display may be forcibly displaced
`from a use position in the event of an emergency to
`permit the viewer to take appropriate emergency mea-
`sures.
`
`It is also an object ofthe present invention to provide
`such an assembly which is simple and economical to
`manufacture. use and maintain.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It has now been found that the above and related
`objects ofthe present invention are obtained in a novel
`video display assembly. The novel video display assem-
`bly comprises a video display and a chamber configured
`and dimensioned to receive the display when the dis-
`play is disposed in a first substantially vertical plane.
`The display is connected to the chamber by an arm
`having a pair of end portions and a shank portion inter-
`mediate the end portions. a proximal one of the end
`portions being secured to the chamber and a distal other
`of the end portions being secured to the display. The
`proximal one arm end portion is pivotable in the first
`substantially vertical plane relative to the chamber to
`move the display between a stow orientation wherein
`the display is stowed in the chamber and an intermedi-
`ate orientation wherein the display is outside of the
`chamber. The shank portion is pivotable in a substan-
`tially horizontal plane relative to the proximal one arm
`end portion to move the display between the intermedi-
`ate orientation and a generally vertical use orientation
`wherein the display is in a second plane. The distal
`other arm end portion is pivotable relative to the shank
`portion to tilt the display between the generally vertical
`use orientation and a tilted use orientation wherein the
`display is tilted relative to the second plane for ease of
`viewing.
`In a preferred embodiment. the stowable video dis-
`play is part of an airplane seat. The proximal one arm
`end portion is pivotable about a first substantially hori-
`zontal axis. the shank portion is pivotable about a gener-
`ally vertical axis, and the distal other arm end portion is
`pivotable about a second substantially horizontal axis.
`The second plane is a generally vertical plane substan-
`tially perpendicular to the first substantially vertical
`plane. The shank portion is pivotable relative to the
`proximal one arm end through an angle of at least 90°.
`and the digital other arm end portion is pivotable rela-
`tive to the shank portion through an angle of not more
`than about 30°. The assembly includes means to limit
`the angle through which the proximal one arm end
`portion. the shank portion and the distal other arm end
`portion may pivot. The display is forcibly pivotable
`from either of the tilted and vertical use orientations
`into a breakaway orientation wherein the display is
`disposed outside of and entirely below the chamber.
`
`

`
`5,177,616
`
`4
`FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view. par-
`tially in cross-sectioii, taken along the line 5——5 of FIG.
`4:
`
`FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along
`the line 6-6 of FIG. 5:
`
`FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along
`the line 7-7 of FIG. 6:
`
`FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along
`the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;
`,
`FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along
`the line 9-9 of FIG. 8:
`
`FIG. 10 is fragmentary a sectional assembly view. to
`an enlarged scale. of apparatus according to the first
`embodiment;
`.
`~
`FIG. 11 is a fragmentary exploded isometric view of
`the pivot arm:
`FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along
`the line 12-12 of FIG. 4:
`FIG. 13 is a fragmentary top plan view. partially in
`section. taken along the line 13-13 of FIG. 12:
`FIG. 14 is a top plan View of the console:
`FIG. 15 is a side elevational view taken along the line
`15-15 of FIG. 14:
`
`l0
`
`I5
`
`3
`Preferably. the assembly additionally includes means
`precluding movement of the display to the stowed ori-
`entation except from the intermediate orientation. To
`this end. the assembly includes a pillow block stationary
`relative to the chamber and an indexing plate disposed
`intermediate the pillow block and the proximal one arm
`end portion. The indexing plate is stationary relative to
`the pillow block under normal use conditions. the one
`arm end portion being secured to the indexing plate for
`rotation therewith when the display is not in the inter-
`mediate orientation. The indexing plate is forcibly rotat-
`able relative to the pillow block. although means coop-
`eratively defined by the pillow block and the indexing
`plate frictionally resist relative rotation thereof.
`Means are provided for independently setting the
`frictional
`resistance to relative rotation between the
`proximal one arm end portion and the chamber. be-
`tween the shank portion atid the one arm end portion.
`and between the distal other arm end portion and the
`shank portion.
`In one specific embodiment. the assembly is part ofa
`seat. and the chamber has an open top enabling passage
`of the display therethrough and includes an armrest
`cover removably covering the chamber open top. The
`cover is movable between a first position closing the
`chamber open top and a second position exposing the
`chamber open top to permit passage of the display
`through the chamber open top. The proximal one arm
`end portion is pivotable relative to the chamber through 30
`an angle of about 100‘. The shank portion~is typically of
`substantial length. preferably at least 6 inches in length.
`In another specific embodiment. the assembly is part
`of a seat. and the chamber has an open end enabling
`passage of the display iherethrough. The proximal one
`arm end portion is pivotable relative to the chamber
`through an angle of about 228‘.
`
`FIGS. 16 and 17 are isometric views from opposite
`5 sides of the display having a soft cap thereon.
`FIG. 18 is a side elevational view. similar to FIG. 1.
`but illustrating apparatus according to the second eni-
`bodiment:
`
`FIG. 19 is a fragmentary isometric view of a seat
`illustrating the second embodiment in a use orientation:
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`Referring now to the drawing. and in particular FIG.
`1 thereof. therein illustrated is a video display assembly.
`generally designated by the reference numeral 10. ac-
`cording to a first preferred embodiment of the present
`invention. The video display assembly 10 is part of a
`seat generally designated 12. having a bottom 14. a back
`16. and at least one armrest 18. The back 16 of the seat
`12 may optionally be movable between an upright posi-
`tion (as illustrated) and a tilted or reclining position. As
`a frame of reference. a superimposed male FIG. 20 and
`female FIG. 22 are illustrated in a seated position (in
`phantom line). with the same figures being illustrated in
`a bent-over position (in dash line). as might be assumed
`by the passenger in the event of an emergency accord-
`ing to instructions by the vehicle operator. The seat 12
`is illustrated as supported on the floor 24 of the vehicle
`by conventional braces and supports 26. which may
`include an adjustable footrest 28. Although the present
`invention will be described hereinafter with reference
`to a vehicle seat, and in particular an airplane seat (al-
`though similar seats may be employed on trains. and the
`like). it should be appreciated that the floor 24 may be
`any floor, whether ofa vehicle or not. As illustrated in
`FIG. 2. a plurality of seats 12a. 12b may be disposed to
`form a row, with seat 12b at the right of FIG. 2 being
`identical to seat 120 at the left thereof except that the
`armrest 18 is disposed on the opposite side thereof, the
`particular side being selected to accommodate the seat-
`ing arrangement in the row. A control panel 25 (see
`FIG. 3). pockets and the like may optionally be dis-
`posed on the exterior surface of armrest 18 as well.
`Referring still to FIG. 1 in particular. as a brief over-
`view ofthe operation ofthe present invention. the video
`display assembly unit 10 includes a video display 30
`which is typically a conventional small television set.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`
`The above and related objects. features and advaii-
`tages ofthe present invention will be more fully under-
`stood by reference to the following detailed description
`of the presently preferred. albeit
`illustrative. embodi-
`ments ofthe present invention when taken in conjecture
`with the accompanying drawing wherein:
`FIG.
`1 is a side elevational view of an assembly ac-
`cording to a first embodiment of the present invention
`mounted in a seat. with the display being illustrated in
`the stowed orientation (in dash line). an intermediate
`orientation (in dash line). three raised viewing orienta-
`tions (a generally vertical one in solid line and two tilted
`ones in phantom line). and a lowered breakaway orien-
`tation (in solid line). a large man and small woman being
`illustrated as a frame of reference. both seated (in phan-
`tom line) and bent over (in dash line):
`FIG. 2 is a fragmentary isometric view of a row of
`airplane seats illustrating the first embodiment in vari-
`ous orientations:
`FIG. 3 is a fragmentary isometric view of an armrest
`‘ according to the first embodiment of the present inven-
`tion. with the armrest cover being illustrated in an open
`position and the display being illustrated in an interme-
`diate position:
`FIG. 4 is a side elevational view. similar to FIG. 3 but
`with the armrest cover returned to its normal closed
`
`position and the display being illustrated in a viewing
`orientation:
`'
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
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`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`

`
`5,177,616
`
`5
`such as a five inch diagonal liquid crystal display (LCD)
`unit. The video display 30 in its stowed orientation is
`disposed in a chamber 32 configured and dimensioned
`to receive the display 30 when the display is disposed in
`a first substantially vertical plane (as indicated in dashed
`line). As best seen in FIG. 3. the chamber 32 has an open
`top 34 enabling passage of the display 30 therethrough
`and includes an armrest cover 36 which is pivotable. as
`indicated by the double headed arrow 37, between a
`chamber opening orientation. wherein passage of the
`display 30 through the chamber open top 34 is enabled
`(as illustrated in FIG. 3). and a chamber closing orienta-
`tion. wherein the cover 36 covers and thereby closes the
`chamber open top 34 and serves as an armrest cover
`upon which the passenger may rest his arm or elbow.
`regardless of whether or not the display 30 is within or
`without the chamber 32 (as illustrated in FIGS. 1. 2 and
`4).
`
`10
`
`I5
`
`30
`
`35
`
`6
`tilt the display 30 from the second plane to the degree
`necessary to accommodate normal variations in the
`height of the viewer (about 15° in either direction)
`Viewed another way.
`in order to view the display.
`the armrest cover 36 is opened (see arrow 37 of FIG. 4).
`Then the proximal arm end portion 42 is pivoted about
`a first substantially horizontal axis (the axis being de-
`fined by the horizontally disposed pivot pin 50) to en-
`able the display 30 to be brought out of the compart-
`ment 32 wherein it is normally stowed (see arrow 51 of
`FIG. 3). Then the shank portion 46 is pivoted about a
`generally vertical axis (defined by the proximal arm end
`portion 42) in order to swing the display 30 from a
`generally vertical plane transverse to the viewer (and
`aligned with the plane of chamber 32) into a generally
`vertical plane parallel to and in front of the viewer (see
`arrow 52 of FIG. 4). Because the shank portion 46 is of
`substantial length and is at least partially offset from the
`axis of the proximal arm end portion 42. the pivoting of
`the shank portion 46 relative to the proximal arm end
`portion 42 brings the display 30 not merely generally
`parallel to the passenger. but also into a position which
`is laterally centered relative to the seat (and hence the
`seated passenger). This permits the passenger to look
`ahead at the display 30 without having to turn his head
`laterally in the direction of the compartment 32. Fi-
`nally. the distal arm end portion 44 is pivoted about a
`second substantially horizontal axis (defined by the
`adjacent portion of the shank portion 46) in order to
`permit the display 30 to be tilted relative to the gener-
`ally vertical plane (see arrow 54 of FIG. 1). This tilting
`of the display 30 enables the plane of its viewing face or
`screen to be brought generally into a parallel disposition
`with the main plane of the passengers face. thereby to
`facilitate viewing of the display 30 despite some varia-
`tion in the height of the passenger.
`Completing the description of the basic operation of
`the arm 40. in the event of an emergency or in order to
`enable passengers to take precautions in anticipation of
`an emergency. the display 30 can be quickly and easily
`displaced from either the generally vertical use orienta-
`tion or the tilted use orientation (and in fact even from
`the intermediate orientation) into the breakaway or
`breakover orientation (illustrated in FIG. 1 in solid line
`adjacent the bottom of the seat 12). as indicated by
`double headed arrow 55. thereby to allow the passenger
`20. 22 (illustrated upright in phantom line) to assume the
`bent-over emergency position (illustrated in dash line).
`Further, the passenger 20. 22 can easily leave his seat
`since the display 30, moved into the breakover orienta-
`tion from the intermediate orientation, does not block
`the passenger from rising to his/her feet, and the display
`30, moved into the breakover position from the gener-
`ally vertical or tilted use orientations, may initially ex-
`tend across the feet of the passenger, but is easily re-ori-
`ented (using either the hand or foot) into a non-blocking
`orientation (wherein the display 30 is in the same sub-
`stantially vertical plane as the display 30 in the stowed
`orientation).
`Referring now to FIGS. 5-11, the proximal end por-
`tion 42 of the pivot arm 40 is pivotably mounted on
`main pivot pin 50. The proximal end portion 42 of the
`pivot arm 40 is commonly referred to as a pivot housing
`60. as it enables the arm 40 to pivot about to the main
`pivot pin 50. Also mounted on the main pivot pin 50 is
`a pillow block 62. the pillow block being made a fixed
`(i.e.. non-pivotable) part ofthe seat 12 by a screw 63. An
`indexing plate 64 is also mounted on the main pivot pin
`
`20
`
`The display 30 is secured to the seat 12. and more
`particularly to the chamber 32, by means of an elbow or
`pivot arm generally designated 40 and curved substan-
`tially in the form ofa right angle. The pivot arm 40 has
`a pair of linear end portions 42. 44 and a curved shank
`or bight portion 46 intermediate and connecting the end
`portions 42.44. The proximal end portion 42 is pivotally -
`secured relative to the chamber 32. and the distal end
`portion 44 is secured to the display 30.
`Referring now in particular to FIG. 3. the proximal
`arm end portion 42 is pivotable in a first substantially
`vertical plane relative to the chamber 32. as illustrated
`by the double headed arrow 51. to move the display 30
`between a stowed orientation wherein the display 30 is
`stowed in the chamber 32 (as illustrated in FIG. 5 and in
`dash line in FIG. 1) and a generally vertical intermedi-
`ate orientation wherein the display 30 is disposed out-
`side ofthe chamber 32 (as illustrated in dash line in FIG.
`1. in phantom line in FIG. 5. and on seat 12a of FIG. 2).
`The pivot pin 50. about which the arm 40 pivots.
`is
`disposed in the upper front corner of the chamber 32.
`Referring now also to FIG. 4. the shank portion 46 of 40
`the pivot arm 40 is pivotable in a substantially horizon-
`tal plane relative to the proximal arm end portion 42. as
`indicated by double headed arrow 54. between the
`aforementioned intermediate orientation and a vertical
`use orientation wherein the display 30 is in a second
`plane (as illustrated in FIG. 4. in FIG. 2 attached to seat
`120. and in FIG. 1 by dash lines above the chamber 32).
`Referring back to FIG. 1 especially, the distal arm end
`portion 44 adjacent display 30 is pivotable relative to
`the shank portion 46. as indicated by double headed
`arrow 54. to tilt the display 30 between the aforemen-
`tioned generally vertical use orientation and a tilted use
`orientation wherein the display is tilted relative to the
`second plane for ease of viewing. (In FIG. 1. the ex-
`treme tilted positions of the display 30 are indicated at
`one extreme in solid line and in the other extreme in
`phantom line.)
`Preferably. the proximal arm end portion 42 is pivot-
`able relative to the chamber through an angle of about
`100° so that. when it has been moved from the stowed
`orientation to the intermediate orientation. it is inclined
`to the vertical by only about 10'‘. Further. the shank
`portion 46 is pivotable relative to the proximal arm end
`portion 42 through an angle of about 90°. this being
`adequate to bring the display 30 so that it faces the
`seated passenger. Finally. the distal arm end portion 44
`is pivotable relative to the shank portion 46 through an
`angle of not more than about 30°. this being adequate to
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`

`
`5,177,616
`
`8
`
`7
`50 intermediate the pillow block 62 and pivot housing
`60 via an internal coaxial washer 65. e.g.. made of Del-
`rin. The pillow block 62 is under compression. and the
`threaded Portion of the main pivot pin 50 extending
`through the internally threaded aperture of the pivot
`housing 60 is in tension. with the coaxial friction washer
`65 being used as a friction surface between the pillow
`block 62 and the pivot housing 60. A torque or lock nut
`66 on main pivot pin 50. adjacent
`the surface of the
`pillow block 62 remote from the indexing plate 64.
`is
`used to adjust the degree of friction between the pillow
`block 62 and pivot housing 60.
`In order to limit the motion of the pivot arm 40 so
`that under normal circumstances it moves the display 30
`only between the stowed orientation and the intermedi-
`ate orientation. the indexing plate 64 defines an arcuate
`slot 70 which receives a non-retractable pin 72 from the
`pivot housing 60. such that the pin 72 can traverse an
`angle of about 100‘. thereby allowing the pivot housing
`60 to rotate I00‘ relative to the indexing plate 64. as
`necessary to move the video display 30 between its
`stowed orientation within chamber 32 and its generally
`vertical intermediate orientation outside of chamber 32.
`The indexing plate 64 additionally defines an arcuate
`breakover slot 74 which receives therethrough a bolt 76
`extending from the pillow block 62. A nut 78 is fastened
`to the protruding end ofthe bolt 76 and is tightened so
`that the traverse ofthe bolt 78 along the breakover slot
`74 is characterized by added friction between the adja-
`cent surfaces of the nut 78 and the indexing plate 64
`about the breakover slot 74. The breakover slot 74 per-
`mits movement of the bolt 76 over an angle of 135°.
`thereby enabling the display 30 to be moved from its
`generally vertical or tilted use orientation downwardly
`to its breakover orientation when sufficient force is .
`exerted by the passenger to overcome the additional
`friction involved in movement ofthe bolt 76 relative to
`the breakover slot 74. thus enabling the indexing plate
`64 to move relative to the pillow block 62. The ability to
`move the display 30 to the breakover orientation further
`reduces the possibility of damage either to the display
`30 itself or to the passenger in the event
`that under
`turbulent conditions the passenger (and particularly the
`passengers head) strikes the display 30. It will be appre-
`ciated that the indexing plate 64. while stationary rela-
`tive to the pillow block 62 under normal use conditions.
`is pivotable relative thereto through a predetermined
`angle (preferably I35‘) under breakover conditions
`where additional force is used over that used during
`normal deployment of the pivot arm 40.
`Referring now to FIGS. 6-7 and 10-11 in particular,
`the shank portion 56 of pivot arm 40 is preferably at
`least 6 inches in length (along its curved center axis) and
`defines a sleeve 79 adjacent its functional abutment with
`the pillow block 60 for partial receipt therein ofa cylin-
`der generally designated 80. The cylinder 80 defines a
`cylindrical proximal portion 82. an intermediate shoul-
`der portion 83 of enlarged diameter. and a gently ta-
`pered distal portion 85 adapted to be at least partially
`disposed within the sleeve 79. The cylinder 80 is pivota-
`bly mounted on a threaded shaft 90 integral with the
`pivot housing 60 and extending outwardly therefrom at
`a right angle to the main pivot pin 50. A torque or
`locking nut 92 secured to the end of shaft 90 maintains
`the cylinder 80 on shaft 90. In order to maintain the
`tapered distal portion 85 ofcylinder 80 within the sleeve
`79 of the shaft portion 46 of the pivot arm 40. an inter-
`nally threaded slip ring 86 is threaded onto the exter-
`
`55
`
`60
`
`l0
`
`15
`
`30
`
`40
`
`nally threaded end of the sleeve 79. with the radially
`outwardly extending shoulder 83 of the cylinder 80
`becoming trapped between a radially inwardly extend-
`ing shoulder 87 of the slip ring 86 and the end of the
`shaft portion 46. It will be appreciated that the slip ring
`86 can be rotated in one direction to draw the shaft
`portion 46 and the cylinder 80 together or reversely
`rotated in order to separate the two elements and
`thereby expose the torque or lock nut 92 for adjustment.
`A key 81 is partially disposed both in a key slot of cylin-
`der distal portion 85 and in a key slot ofthe sleeve 79 to
`provide a link between the sleeve 79 and cylinder 80
`which precludes relative pivoting of the sleeve and
`cylinder. thereby ensuring that. as the pivot arm shank
`portion 46 is rotated, the cylinder 80 is rotated there-
`with.
`'
`
`An unthreaded pawl ring 88 defines a radially extend-
`ing pawl 84 and mates with the cylindrical proximal
`portion 82 of cylinder 80. One of the opposing surfaces
`defining a key 95a. and the other of the opposing sur-
`faces defining a keyway 95b. so that the pawl ring 88
`and cylinder 80 are joined for rotation together as a
`unit. As best illustrated in FIG. 11. the distal surface of
`the pawl ring 88 defines a pair of keys 95a and the proxi-
`mal surface of the cylinder 80 defines the keyway 95b
`which engagingly receives the keys of the pawl ring 88.
`Accordingly. rotation of the shaft portion 46 is trans-
`mitted (via the key 81) to the cylinder 80 and hence the
`pawl ring 88. The pawl ring 88 is disposed within a
`recess (see FIG. 6) on the distal end ofthe pivot housing
`60 coaxially with the shaft 90. As best seen in FIG. 9.
`the arcuate channel 89 limits rotation ofthe pa\vl 84 and
`hence the shank portion 46 (via the pawl ring 88. cylin-
`der 80. and key 81) to a predetermined angle of at least
`90‘. and preferably 90°—135°.
`It will be appreciated that while the ability of the
`pivot arm shank portion 46 to pivot relative to the pivot
`housing 60 plays an important role in enabling the dis-
`play 30 to be brought into a convenient viewing por-
`tion. it also introduces a problem in that the shank por-
`tion 46 must be returned to its original position if the
`display 30 is to be properly aligned with the open top of
`the compartment 32. as necessary to enable the display
`30 to be subsequently moved to its stowed orientation.
`As a solution to this problem. means are provided for
`precluding stowing of the display 30 (or even pivoting
`ofthe pivot housing 60 relative to the main pivot pin 50)
`under normal conditions until the shank portion 46 has
`been returned to its original orientation. Referring now
`also to FIGS. 8 and 9, a retractable pin 100 is biased by
`a spring 102 to project outwardly from the pivot hous-
`ing 60 into the aperture 104 of indexing plate 64. as
`illustrated in FIG. 8. Since indexing plate 64 is station-
`ary during normal use,
`the pivot housing 60 is thus
`precluded from rotation about the main pivot pin 50.
`However, as the shank portion 46 (and hence the cylin-
`der 80 and pawl ring 88) is rotated so that the display 30
`enters the proper orientation for being stowed within
`the chamber 32, the radially outwardly extending pawl
`84 of pawl ring 88 traveling in arcuate channel 89
`contacts and eventually displaces a lever 106 which is
`pivotably secured at 108 to the retractable pin 100. As
`the lever 106 is pivoted about its pivot point 110 by the
`pawl 84. it withdraws the retractable pin 100 from aper-
`ture 104 ofthe indexing plate 64. thus enabling the pivot
`housing 60 to rotate relative to the main pivot pin 50 as
`necessary for stowing ofthe display 30 within the cham-
`ber 32.
`
`

`
`9
`It will be understood that while th