Abstract:
A detachable universal display mount to be used for front or rear seat viewing of displays or other information management devices while in a vehicle. The mount has unique telescoping and pivot features that allow for perfect straight-on viewing of the devices on the mount without excessive sun glare. The pivot feature further enables storage of the mount in either a horizontal or vertical position. The mount can be used on a free-standing base or attached to a wall of the vehicle and is completely detachable so that the mounted device may be removed and stored out of sight.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a detachable display mount for use in connection with a motor vehicle The detachable universal mount has particular utility in connection with the front or rear seat viewing of flat displays, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), or other information management devices in a motor vehicle by uniquely telescoping in and out for a perfect viewing height and pivoting to allow for a direct in front view and storage at a vertical or horizontal position while also having a bracket that makes the mount detachable so that a display may be removed from the vehicle with ease at any time. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Detachable universal display mounts are desirable for both front and rear seat in-vehicle viewing of mobile LCD displays, laptop computers, PDA&#39;s and GPS receivers and other electronic portable devices. 
     The use of an apparatus for attaching a display monitor to a seat is known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,511 to Shichijo, et al., discloses a display that is attached to a reclining seat back by an arm pivotally fixed at an end to the seat back. However, the Shichijo &#39;511 patent does not allow for a free-standing mount or attachment to the wall of a vehicle and requires that the display attachment is affixed to the seat, and has further drawbacks of requiring storage in the recesses of the seats when not in use rather than laying flat for storage. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,104 to Moore and Kirk discloses an armrest with a video deployment system that describes an armrest that has a deployment arm for extending a video device from inside the armrest to its viewing position. However, the Moore &#39;104 patent does not permit easy detachment from its in-use position, and additionally does not function independently as an LCD device display unit that can be used with the existing seating arrangement, but instead requires the installation of an entirely new armrest for its use. 
     Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,972 to Omberg discloses a rear seat automobile sun-visor mirror assembly that allows sun-shade protection or rear viewing for a rear seat automobile passenger. However, the Omberg &#39;972 patent does not provide for front seat use, and can not function as a mobile LCD or other information management device display. 
     Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,705,274 to Lubeck discloses a retractable seat for attachment to gaming devices. However, the Lubeck &#39;274 patent fails to telescope and pivot in order to achieve a perfect viewing height and further could not be used in both the front and rear seat compartments of a vehicle. Additionally, incorporation of the device as a component of the seat creates heat in the seat. 
     Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,668, 570 to Ditzik discloses a desktop computer/workstation with an adjustable flat panel screen provides an ergonomic man to machine interface while using an information communication network on a desk or table top. However, the Ditzik &#39;570 patent is a desktop unit and does not attach to the front and rear seat areas of an automobile, and has the additional deficiency of not providing a telescoping feature that allows to establish a perfect viewing height. 
     While the above-described devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a detachable universal display mount that allows for front or rear viewing of a variety of displays or other information management devices in a motor vehicle by uniquely telescoping in and out for a perfect viewing height and pivoting to allow for a direct in front view and storage at a vertical or horizontal position while also having a bracket that makes the mount detachable so that a display device may be removed from the vehicle with ease at any time. The prior art patents and other devices commonly known in the art make no provision for being detachable and having a telescoping and pivoting features so that the mount may establish a perfect viewing height, nor does the prior art allow for both front and rear seat usage. 
     Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved detachable universal display mount that can be used for the front or rear viewing of a variety of displays or other information management devices in a motor vehicle by uniquely telescoping in and out for a perfect viewing height and pivoting to allow for a direct in front view and storage at a vertical or horizontal position while also having a bracket that makes the mount detachable so that a display device may be removed from the vehicle with ease at any time. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. In this respect, the detachable universal display mount according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of the front or rear viewing of a variety of displays or other information management devices in a motor vehicle by uniquely telescoping in and out for a perfect viewing height and pivoting to allow for a direct in front view and storage at a vertical or horizontal position while also having a bracket that makes the mount detachable so that a display device may be removed from the vehicle with ease at any time. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of display device mounts now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved detachable universal display mount, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved detachable universal display mount and method of providing for the front or rear viewing of a variety of displays or other information management devices in a motor vehicle by uniquely telescoping in and out for a perfect viewing height and pivoting to allow for a direct in front view and storage at a vertical or horizontal position while also having a bracket that makes the mount detachable so that a display device may be removed from the vehicle with ease at any time which has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a detachable universal display mount which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a hollow telescoping tube support of up to three sections affixed to a height and width adjustable hinged mounting plate and bracket assembly, wherein the hollow telescoping tube support is attached with a pivot ball joint to a self-supporting base or a wall mount unit, allowing the invention to be used in the front or rear compartment of a vehicle. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
     The invention may also include a self-supporting base or a wall mount for attaching the display device to the interior compartment of a vehicle. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached. 
     Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved detachable universal display mount that has all of the advantages of the prior art display mount devices and none of the disadvantages. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved detachable universal display mount that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved detachable universal display mount that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such detachable universal display mount economically available to the buying public. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new detachable universal display mount that provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a detachable universal display mount for the front or rear viewing of a variety of displays or other information management devices in a motor vehicle by uniquely telescoping in and out and pivoting to allow for a direct in front view and storage at a vertical or horizontal position with a lock-down clip while also having a bracket that makes the mount detachable so that a display device may be removed from the vehicle with ease at any time. 
     This allows for a perfect viewing height by providing a direct in front view for a front-seat occupant who is using the invention to view a display. 
     The detachable universal display mount also provides for a self-supporting base mount or a wall mount for affixing the detachable universal display mount to a vehicle. 
     Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved method of viewing a mobile display mount in both the front and rear compartments of a vehicle by using a display device that telescopes towards or away from the viewer to allow for a perfect viewing height without requiring any tilting and also pivoting to allow for storage of the mount in either a horizontal or vertical position with a lock-down clip. 
    
    
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated current embodiments of the invention. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the current embodiment of the detachable universal LCD mount with a self-supporting base constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the detachable universal display mount of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the detachable universal display mount with a wall-mount of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the detachable universal display mount with a wall-mount of the present invention. 
    
    
     The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-4, a current embodiment of the detachable universal LCD mount of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . 
     In FIG. 1, a new and improved detachable universal display mount  10  of the present invention for the front or rear viewing of a variety of displays, such as LCDs, or other information management devices in a motor vehicle by uniquely telescoping in and out for a perfect viewing height and pivoting to allow for a direct in front view and storage at a vertical or horizontal position while also having a bracket that makes the mount detachable so that a display device may be removed from the vehicle with ease at any time is illustrated and will be described. The current embodiment depicts the use of the detachable universal display mount in the front seat of a vehicle. More particularly, the detachable universal display mount  10  has a hollow and adjustable three-section telescoping tube support  12  that is attached to a self-supporting base  14 . The hollow adjustable three-section telescoping tube support  12  telescopes in and out to provide for a perfect viewing height. Furthermore, the hollow adjustable three-section telescoping tube support  12  is affixed at its distal end to the hollow self-supporting base  14  and at its proximate end to a frame  16  that has a first frame piece  18 , a second frame piece  20 , a third frame piece  22  and a fourth frame piece  24 . Each frame piece has at least two holes  26 . The fourth piece has a post  28  on its outer sides that allow it to be attached to hollow adjustable three-section  12 . The frame  16  is that are width and height adjustable to secure a mobile display device  30  that measures 4 inches to 12 inches horizontally to 3 inches to 8 inches vertically. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a front elevation view of the new and improved detachable universal LCD mount wherein the rotatable base  14  is affixed to the hollow adjustable three-section telescoping tube support  12  with an LCD display cable  32  running to the universal display  30  through the hollow adjustable three-section telescoping tube support  12  and the rotatable base  14 . As shown, the hollow adjustable three-section telescoping tube support  12  is affixed at its distal end to the hollow self-supporting base  14  and at its proximate end to the fourth piece  24  of the frame  16  by a post  28 . A universal display  30  is mounted on the frame  16  and secured in place by screws  34  on the first frame piece  18 , the second frame piece  20 , the third frame piece  22  and the fourth frame piece  24  that comprise the frame  16 . The first frame piece  18 , second frame piece  20 , third frame piece  22  and fourth frame piece  24  are angular, width, and height adjustable to secure the universal display device  30  that measures 4 inches to 12 inches horizontally to 3 inches to 8 inches vertically while providing a straight-on, in-front view of the universal display device  30 . 
     Another current embodiment is shown in FIG.  3 . In this embodiment, a wall mount  36  is provided to affix the detachable universal mount to a wall of a vehicle. The wall mount is attached to a ball-joint pivot unit  38  that allows for a straight-on, in-front view of the universal display device  30  and further permits the detachable universal LCD mount to be stored in either a horizontal position as shown or a vertical position wherein the frame  16  is attached to the proximate end of the hollow adjustable three-section telescoping tube support also having a distal end in its vertical position. The ball-joint pivot unit  38  is affixed to the hollow adjustable three-section telescoping tube support  12  that is attached to the fourth frame piece  24  by a post  28  incorporated onto the fourth frame. The frame  16  is angular, width, and height adjustable for secure a universal display device  30  that measures 4 inches to 12 inches horizontally to 3 inches to 8 inches vertically while providing a straight-on, in-front view of the universal display device  30 . The universal display  30  is mounted on the frame  16  and secured in place by screws  34  that support the display on the first frame piece  18 , the second frame piece  20 , the third frame piece  22  and the fourth frame piece  24  that comprise the frame  16 . 
     A side cross-sectional view of the embodiment is shown in FIG.  4 . The wall mount  36  is attached to a ball-joint pivot unit  38  that allows for a straight-on, in-front view of the universal display and further permits the invention to be stored in either a vertical or horizontal position. The ball-joint pivot unit  38  is affixed to the distal end of the hollow adjustable three-section telescoping tube support  12 . The hollow adjustable three-section telescoping tube support  12  that is further attached at its proximate end to the fourth frame piece  24  by a post  28  incorporated onto the fourth frame piece. The frame  16  is angular, width, and height adjustable for secure a universal display device  30  which is mounted on the frame  16  and secured in place by screws  34  that support the display on the first frame piece  18 , the second frame piece  20 , the third frame piece  22  and the fourth frame piece  24  that comprise the frame  16 . The ball-joint pivot unit  38  is able to rotate on an axis  42  in order to adjust the display unit to a perfect height and angle for viewing and to allow for storage in either a vertical or horizontal position. 
     In use, it can now be understood that the detachable universal display mount would fulfill the need for a useful in-vehicle mount for using mobile LCD displays or other portable electronic devices in motor vehicles. The appealing features of the detachable universal display mount would be its all-metal construction combined with the selected positioning height and base plate configuration that would offer the operator of a motor vehicle a stable platform for using a selected portable electronic device while not having to take his or her eyes off of the road. 
     While a current embodiment of the detachable universal display mount has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. For example, any suitable sturdy, but lightweight material such as a metal, plastic, or a variety of wood or combination thereof may be used instead of the all-metal construction described. Also, the telescoping metal arm may also be made of a suitable sturdy, lightweight material such as metal, heavy-duty plastic, wood, or similar material and may be comprised of two or three telescoping pieces. And although a display mount has been described, it should be appreciated that the display holder described herein is also suitable for mounting a variety of portable electronic devices including, but not limited to, video cassette recorders, DVDs, electronic games, and navigation systems and also useable in an array of vehicles including but not limited to boats and airplanes. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.