Patent ID: 6246449
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: B60K,B60R,F16M,G06F,H04N

Abstract:
In an automobile having a generally planar ceiling, with windows and a passenger seating area through which a driver has a view of an interior and exterior of the automobile, a ceiling-mounted automobile display unit comprising:a mounting frame structure embedded in the ceiling in a central location overhead and generally forward of the passenger seating area in the automobile;a hinge;a direct-view screen structure hinged to the mounting frame structure via the hinge for reversibly swaying the screen structure in an upright plane which extends through the passenger seating area, the screen structure being configured to pivot between a stowed position wherein the screen structure parallels the ceiling and a deployed position wherein the screen structure projects downwardly from the ceiling with a viewing surface in a disposition which is overhead-viewable by a passenger seated in the passenger seating area; anda video control module configured to direct operation of the direct-view screen structure the video control module being electrically connected to the screen structure, mounted adjacent the screen structure and supported by the frame structure at a fixed location separate from the screen structure and above the lower surface of the ceiling.