Abstract:
A console-stored video display unit is provided that can be extended to a viewing position wherein the video display unit is adjustable both about a vertical pivot axis as well as a horizontal pivot axis to allow tilting and other reorientation of the video display unit to provide for optimal viewing results by occupants of the passenger compartment of a vehicle. In addition, the video display unit, when extended to the viewing position, can be vertically adjusted to place the video display unit in an optimal viewing height for whatever the ergonomic considerations happen to be for occupants of the vehicle interior. The display unit also includes a console interface portion forming a smooth, aesthetically-pleasing surface for the console when the display unit is positioned in a retracted position within the console.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/161,866, filed on Oct. 27, 1999. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a console for a passenger compartment of a vehicle having an adjustably-mounted video display unit mounted thereto. In one embodiment, the video display unit can be extended from the interior of the console and positioned in a variety of orientations for viewing by passengers residing in the vehicle interior. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Passenger vehicles are including an increasing number of amenities to increase an operator&#39;s and his/her passenger&#39;s use and enjoyment of a passenger vehicle. Passenger vehicles such as minivans are even including television-type video display units for viewing while riding in the passenger vehicle. These video display units are often interconnected to recording and playback devices, such as video cassette recorders and digital video disc (DVD) units, so that occupants of the passenger vehicle may enjoy movies and other prerecorded programs as well as live television broadcasts, such as through the use of a conventional antenna or satellite-dish device. 
     The size of these video display units is important to provide as large a picture as possible for the occupants of the passenger vehicle while minimizing the storage space required therefor. In order to economize storage space as well as provide an optimum video display unit diagonal viewing size, several attempts have been made to mount a video display unit within a passenger compartment of a vehicle. 
     One of these attempts has involved mounting a video display unit to a “headliner” portion of the roof of the passenger compartment of the vehicle in an overhead console. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,822,023 to Suman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,784 to Vitito, U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,762 Vitito disclose an overhead console for a passenger vehicle including a liquid crystal display (LCD) unit mounted in the overhead console. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,940,120 to Frankhouse et al. discloses a video display unit mounted within a vanity console located in a flip-down visor in a vehicle passenger compartment. These overhead console locations have prompted ergonomic-related complaints from occupants of passenger vehicles due to an undesirable viewing angle toward the roof of the passenger compartment of the vehicle, higher manufacturing and installation costs due to the mounting to an overhead console, sun roofs are extremely difficult if not impossible to install due to obstruction by the LCD unit, harnessing wires and routing cabling to the overhead console is difficult, and this type of video display unit often blocks the rearview mirror sight line. 
     Other attempts to locate a video display unit within a passenger compartment of a vehicle have attempted to locate the video display unit within a rear panel of one or both of the front seats of the vehicle passenger compartment. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,715 to Jones discloses a vehicular entertainment system wherein a video display unit is mounted to a front seat by straps wrapped around the seat. This type of mounting is often undesirable due to complaints from occupants of the rear seats of the vehicle who are seated laterally from the video display unit and must either strain to view the video display unit screen panel or accept an undesirable line of sight often resulting in undesirable viewing of the video display unit. Further, to the extent the passenger vehicle comprises a typical minivan which has multiple rows of rear seats, those located in the rearwardmost row of seats in the minivan are often unable to view the video display unit mounted to the rear of one of the forwardmost seats in the vehicle. 
     Other attempts to optimally locate a video display unit within a passenger compartment of a vehicle interior have resulted in the retractable mounting of the video display unit within a console typically mounted between a pair of front seats in the passenger compartment of the vehicle interior. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,302 to Berry et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,081 to Young et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,160 to Landry disclose vehicle consoles having video display units mounted thereto. Often, passengers of these types of vehicles complain of these console-mounted video display units because the vertical height of the video display unit is too low. It has been found that viewers who are seated in rear seats of a passenger compartment of a vehicle and who often restrict their line of vision to an angularly downward direction often are susceptible to motion sickness in the rear seats of a vehicle. Further, these types of console-mounted video display units are often very difficult to be viewed by passengers in the front seats of the passenger compartment of a vehicle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Thus, it is believed that the current invention overcomes limitations of the prior art by providing a console-stored video display unit which can be extended to a viewing position wherein the video display unit is adjustable both about a vertical pivot axis as well as a horizontal pivot axis to allow tilting and other reorientation of the video display unit to provide for optimal viewing results by occupants of the passenger compartment of a vehicle interior. In addition, the video display unit, when extended to the viewing position, can be vertically adjusted to place the video display unit in an optimal viewing height for whatever the ergonomic considerations happen to be for occupants of the vehicle interior. The display unit also includes a console interface portion forming a smooth, aesthetically-pleasing surface for the console when the display unit is positioned in a retracted position within the console. 
     In one aspect, the invention relates to a console adapted to be mounted within a passenger compartment in a vehicle comprising a body having an outer surface and defining at least one storage compartment with an opening in the outer surface, a first cover pivotally mounted to the body between a closed position and an open position, the cover being in register with the opening in the closed position and forming a flush outer appearance with the outer surface. The body further has a recess formed in the outer surface adjacent the storage compartment opening. A bracket is movably mounted within the recess between a retracted position wherein the bracket is stowed within the recess and an extended position wherein the bracket extends beyond the outer surface. A video display unit is mounted to the bracket for movement with the bracket, wherein at least one of the bracket and the video display unit includes a console interface portion forming a flush outer appearance with the outer surface when the bracket is in the retracted position. The video display unit being positioned ergonomically for viewing by occupants of the vehicle when the bracket is located in the extended position. A video signal source is operably interconnected to the video display unit. 
     The bracket can include a seat having a detent arm actuatable by a release button. The video display unit can be removably mounted to the bracket by the detent arm when the release button is pressed. The video source can comprise a playback device mounted within the console. The video display unit can be interconnected to the video source by a cable. The video display unit can include a receiver and the video source can include a transmitter adapted to transmit a multimedia signal to the video display unit receiver. A wireless interconnection is thereby formed between the video source transmitter and the video display unit receiver. 
     A push-push mechanism can be formed between the bracket and the body. An occupant of the vehicle can thereby depress and release the console interface portion to move the video display unit between the retracted and extended positions via the bracket. The video display unit can be pivotally mounted to the bracket for rotation between a range of ergonomic viewing angles. A detent mechanism can be formed between the bracket and the video display unit for retaining the video display unit in a particular preselected discrete rotational position relative to the bracket. 
     The console can include at least one jack operably interconnected to the video display unit for receiving a signal from an alternate video source. The alternate video source can be a videocassette player, a gaming unit or a television signal, for example. 
    
    
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a console with an adjustably-mounted video display unit according to the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the console of FIG. 1 with a cover of the console open to a first position exposing a video display unit mounted to an underside portion of the cover; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective of the console of FIGS. 1-2 showing the video display unit pivoted to an upward viewing position for occupants of the vehicle passenger compartment rearward of the console; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the console according to the invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the console of FIG. 4 showing a cover on the console opened to expose a recording/playback device mounted within the console and an adjustably-mounted video display unit extended therefrom; 
     FIG. 6 is a third embodiment of the console according to the invention showing a video display unit pivotally mounted to the console and having a slidable portion located on the video display unit so that a screen therefor can be further adjusted; 
     FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the video display unit for the console of FIG. 6 showing a mounting assembly on the video display unit for maintaining the video display unit in an adjusted position relative to the console; 
     FIG. 8 is a fourth embodiment of the console according to the invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the console of FIG. 8 showing a video display unit pivotally mounted thereto in a viewing position; 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  10 — 10  of FIG. 9 showing components internal to the video display unit for maintaining the video display unit in a retracted position; 
     FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  11 — 11  of FIG. 9 showing the video display unit and the internal components for maintaining the video display unit in an extended position; 
     FIG. 12 is a fifth embodiment of the console according to the invention showing a cover therefor pivoted to an open position and a video display unit having a vertically-adjustable mounting assembly thereon; 
     FIG. 13 is a fragmentary top plan view taken along lines  13 — 13  of FIG. 12 showing a user&#39;s hand pinching a spring clip located on the video display unit which aligns a detent located on a distal end of the spring clip within several indentations to maintain a video display unit in a vertically adjusted position; 
     FIG. 14 shows a sixth embodiment of the console according to the invention; 
     FIG. 15 shows a cover for the console of FIG. 14 pivoted to an open position and containing a bracket with a slidably-inserted video display unit interconnected to the recording/playback device located on the console by a retractable cable; 
     FIG. 16 shows the bracket and video display unit assembly mounted to a rearward portion of a headrest for a passenger seat for a vehicle interior wherein the cable has been extended from the console and interconnects the video display unit to the recording/playback device on the console; 
     FIG. 17 is a seventh embodiment of the console according to the invention showing a video display unit pivotally mounted thereto and contained within the interior of the console according to the invention; 
     FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the console of FIG. 17 showing several covers pivoted to open positions revealing a recording/playback device, the video unit pivoted to a viewing position, a writing pad, and a drawer/container holder which are accessible to occupants of the vehicle interior; 
     FIG. 19 is an eighth embodiment of a console according to the invention; 
     FIG. 20 is a schematic view of the console of FIG. 19 showing a video display unit pivotal between a first position stored within the console and a second position viewable by occupants of the vehicle interior; 
     FIG. 21 shows the video display unit pivoted outwardly from a slot located within the console of FIG.  19  and vertically adjustable along a shaft and pivotally adjustable about a joint to provide optimal viewing adjustments for occupants of the vehicle interior; 
     FIG. 22 is a ninth embodiment of the console according to the invention showing a video display unit pivotal with respect to the console, a cover revealing a recording/playback device, a cover functioning as both a conceal for the video display unit as well as a cellular telephone or remote control holder located on the underside of the cover, wherein the console also has conventional container holder and drawer devices as well; 
     FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a tenth embodiment of a console with an adjustably-mounted video display unit according to the invention; 
     FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the console of FIG. 23 with a rearwardly-facing cover of the console open to a first position exposing a video display unit mounted to an underside portion of the cover; 
     FIG. 25 is a perspective of the console of FIGS. 23-24 showing the video display unit pivoted to an upward viewing position for occupants of the vehicle passenger compartment rearward of the console; 
     FIG. 26 is a perspective view of an eleventh embodiment of a console with an adjustably-mounted video display unit according to the invention; 
     FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the console of FIG. 26 wherein a video display unit having an aesthetically-pleasing trim piece mounted thereto has been moved from a retracted position within the console to an extended position located a spaced vertical distance from the console; 
     FIG. 28 is a side view of a housing for any of the consoles of the preceding embodiments of FIGS. 1-27 having the adjustably-mounted display unit mounted therein for movement between a retracted position within the housing and an extended position vertically-spaced from an upper edge of the housing; 
     FIG. 29 is a front elevational view of the housing and adjustable display unit of FIG. 28; 
     FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  30 — 30  of FIG. 29; 
     FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view taken along a vertical center plane of an alternative embodiment of the console shown in FIGS. 27-28 having the housing with the adjustable display unit shown in FIGS. 28-30; and 
     FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view taken along a vertical center plane of another embodiment of the console shown in FIGS. 27-28 having the housing with the adjustable display unit shown in FIGS.  28 - 30 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Several embodiments of a console  10  having a stored video display unit  12  therein according to the invention are shown in the drawings. It will be understood that, with respect to all embodiments of the invention described herein and all reasonable equivalents thereof, the console  10  according to the invention includes an inventive adjustably-mounted video display unit  12  as well as many optional features. 
     For example, the console  10  can be removably mounted within the vehicle interior so that the video display unit and any optional recording/playback devices (shown by example by reference numeral  14  in the drawings) can be taken with the occupants of the vehicle interior when leaving the vehicle. The console  10  can include electrical interconnections preferably located around the base portion of the console  10  for optionally interconnecting electrical, networking, data, video signal, or cellular telephone signals to appropriately-wired circuits located within the console  10 . 
     A front and/or rear control panel (shown by example by reference numeral  16  in the drawings) can be provided on the console  10  for operating the recording/playback device  16 , other controls for the video display unit  12 , etc. The console  10  can also be provided with a storage chamber  18  as is conventionally provided in vehicle passenger compartment consoles known in the art. Further, the console  10  can be provided with a cellular telephone mounting portion (shown by reference numeral  20  in the drawings) adapted to support a cellular telephone  22 . The console  10  can also be provided with one or more container holders  24  which are conventionally known for supporting a beverage container in a stable manner during operation of the vehicle. Other features of the console  10  can include a writing pad  26  as is also well known in the art. 
     The console  10  with the adjustably-mounted video display unit  12  is a modular console system which incorporates high-quality electronic components, stores the components in a minimal amount of space, and provides important ergonomic benefits to occupants of the vehicle interior by adjustably mounting the video display unit  12  about several pivot axes as well as in a vertically-adjustable manner to allow the height, angle, and pivot of the video display unit  12  to be easily adjusted by occupants of the vehicle interior without regard to the location of the user in the front and/or rear seats as well as the age, height, or vision ability of the occupants. 
     Various embodiments for adjustably mounting and deploying the video display unit  12  within the console  10  will now be described with respect to the drawings. It will be understood that reference numerals  10 - 26  are used commonly across all embodiments of FIGS. 1-32 to describe components which can be used in all embodiments shown in these drawings. Further, it will be understood that components  14 - 26  are optional components which can be used with any/or all of these embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention which relates to the adjustable mounting of the video display unit  12  within the console  10 . 
     A first embodiment of the console  10  according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 1-3 and comprises a console body  28  having at least one pivotal cover  30  located along an upper surface thereof. FIG. 1 shows the cover  30  located in a first closed position and FIGS. 2-3 show the cover  30  pivoted to a second, open position wherein the internal storage chamber  18  of the console is revealed. An underside portion of the cover  30  is provided with a video display unit  12  pivotally mounted to the underside of the cover  30  by a pivot joint  32 . The pivot joint  32  is mounted at a first portion to the video display unit  12  and at a second portion to the underside of the cover  30  and acts as a damped hinge to allow the video display unit  12  to be pivoted from a first stored position against the underside of the cover  30  (FIG. 2) to a second viewing position pivoted upwardly about the arrow shown as “A” (FIG.  3 ). 
     It is contemplated that the video display unit  12  can include video driver software as is conventionally known in the art to maintain a vertically upright image on the video display unit screen regardless of whether the video display unit  12  is positioned in the first stored position as shown in FIG. 2 or the second upwardly inverted position shown in FIG.  3 . Thus, whether occupants of the vehicle interior are located forwardly, rearwardly or laterally of the console  10 , the image displayed on the video display unit  12  is always oriented correctly. These types of video drivers typically operate by including a sensor (not shown) located within the video display unit which senses the orientation of the video display  12  and adjusts the signal to the screen of the video display unit corresponding thereto. 
     A second embodiment of the console  10  according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 4-5. The console  10  shown in FIG. 4 comprises at least a console body  34  including at least one pivotally-mounted cover  36  adjacent an upper portion of the console  10 . Additional covers  38  and/or drawers  40  can be provided as is conventional with vehicle consoles for passenger compartments. The video display unit  12  is mounted within the storage chamber  18  of the console  10  and is provided with first and second adjustment assemblies  42  and  44 , respectively. A first adjustment assembly  42  comprises a telescoping shaft formed by a cylinder  46  mounted to the console  10  having an axially extendable piston  48  located therein which mounts the video display unit at a distal of the piston  48 . Axial movement of the piston  48  relative to the cylinder  46  adjusts the vertical position of the video display unit  12  relative to the console  10 . The second adjustment assembly  44  is located at a distal end of the piston  48  and comprises a pivot joint  50  which allows the video display unit to pivot with respect to the first adjustment assembly. Thus, the first and second adjustment assemblies  42  and  44  provide at least two degrees of adjustability in a vertically-movable and pivotal sense to allow greater adjustments of the video display unit  12  with respect to the console  10 . Further, the cylinder  46  and piston  48  can be rotatably mounted to one another so that a third degree of freedom can be imparted to the video display unit to further provide adjustment capabilities thereto. The video display unit  12  can be interconnected in a conventional manner to a recording/playback device  14  located within the console. Opening the cover  36  on the console  10  exposes the control panel  16  for the recording/playback device  14  so that it may be actuated by an occupant of the passenger compartment of the vehicle interior. 
     A third embodiment of the console  10  according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 6-7. It will be understood that the console  10  shown in FIG. 6 has at least one pivotally mounted cover  36  for accessing the storage chamber  18  as in the previous two embodiments. The video display unit  12  is slidably mounted within a housing  52  mounted to the console  10  for continuous adjustment between a stored position wherein the video display unit  12  is located within the housing  52  and a fully extended position wherein the video display  12  is axially extended from the housing  52 . 
     FIG. 7 shows examples of the components for vertically adjusting the video display unit  12  with respect to the housing  52 . For example, a push-push mechanism  54  is located adjacent a base portion of the housing  52  which cooperates with a flange  56  on the video display unit  12  to selectively lock and unlock the video display unit  12  from engagement with the housing  52 . Typically, these push-push mechanisms  54  operate to allow a user to simply depress the video display unit  12  with respect to the housing  52  which disengages the flange  56  from the push-push mechanism  54  and cooperates with a spring (not shown) disposed between the video display unit  12  and the housing  52  which thereby extends the video display unit  12  with respect to the housing  52 . 
     The third embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-7 also includes a second example of the vertically adjustable nature of the video display  12  with respect to the console  10 . For example, a rotatable gear  58  is provided on the video display unit  12  which cooperates with an elongated rack gear  60  located on the housing  52  whereby the extension of the video display unit with respect to the housing  52  can be controlled by the interengagement of teeth on the gear  58  with teeth on the rack  60 . Because the housing  52  is preferably pivotally mounted to the console  10 , the video display unit is vertically adjustable with respect to the console  10  to a vertically adjustable mounting to the housing  52 . 
     A fourth embodiment of the console  10  according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 8-11. The console  10  shown in FIG. 8 preferably includes at least one pivotally mounted cover  62  wherein the video display unit  12  is mounted to the console  10  via a housing  64 . The cover  62  and housing  64  are preferably mounted to the console  10  as in the third embodiment discussed above. FIGS. 10-11 show an alternate arrangement of vertically and adjustably mounting the video display unit  12  with respect to the housing  64 . A push-push mechanism  66  is mounted to the video display unit  12  which interacts with a flange  68  in the same manner as in the previous embodiment. Further, a constant force retractable spring  70  is mounted between the video display unit  12  and the housing  64  whereby, in the stored position shown in FIG. 10, the spring  70  is held in an extended and tensioned position by the engagement of the push-push mechanism  66  on the video display unit  12  with the flange  68  located on the housing  64 . When the push-push mechanism  66  is disengaged, the spring  70  retracts and extends the video display unit  12  from the housing  64 . A viscously-damped gear  72  can also be provided on the video display unit  12  which preferably coacts with rails (not shown) on the housing  64  to control the velocity with which the video display unit  12  is extended from the housing  64 . The video display unit  12  can be returned within the housing  64  by depressing the video display unit so that it is withdrawn within the housing  64  until the push-push mechanism  66  engages the flange  68 . The video display unit  12  is thereby returned with the console  10  by pivoting the cover  62  to the closed position as shown in FIG.  8 . 
     A fifth embodiment of the console  10  according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 12-13. The console  10 , as in the previous embodiments, includes at least one pivotal cover  74  which exposes the storage chamber  18  of the console  10 . The video display unit  12  is pivotally mounted upon an elongated shaft  76  by a pivot joint  78  between a stored position located within the storage chamber  18  and a use position as shown in FIG. 12 wherein the shaft  76  is extended beyond the storage chamber  18  to a generally upright position. 
     The shaft  76  includes a series of indentations  80  which cooperate to receive a spring clip  82  located on the video display unit  12 . The video display unit  12  also preferably includes an elongated recess  84  which is adapted to slidably receive the shaft  76  wherein the spring clip  82  includes a detent  86  on an inner face  88  thereof whereby the detent  86  is located within one of the series of indentations  80  to selectively mount the video display unit  12  in a vertically adjusted position along the shaft  76  in any of several locations. The spring clip  82  is preferably pivotally mounted at  90  and biased so that the detent  86  is urged within one of the series of indentations  80  by a spring (not shown). A user  92  can thereby grip the spring clip as shown in FIG. 13 to pivot the detent  86  away from the series of indentations  80  to further vertically adjust the video display unit  12  along the shaft  76 . 
     FIGS. 14-16 show a sixth embodiment of the console  10  according to the invention including at least one pivotal cover  94  according to the invention which mounts a housing  96  which is adapted to receive the video display unit  12  in a slidable mounting fashion. The housing  96  includes a gap  98  which is aligned with a cable  100  interconnecting the video display unit with the recording/playback device  14  located within the interior of the console  10 . The cable  100  is preferably mounted to a retractable, slack-withdrawing housing which winds excess of the cable  100  within a spool (not shown) within the interior of the console  10 . 
     Thus, the video display unit  12  can be slidably removed from the bracket  96  all the while withdrawing the cable  100  from within the housing  12 . In this embodiment, the video display unit  12  is detachable from the housing  96  and can be hung via a handle strap  102  provided on the video display unit  12  so that the handle/strap  102  can be provided around a headrest  104  on a vehicle seat  106  to mount the unit  12  to the vehicle seat  106 . The video display unit  12  can be returned to the console  10  by merely detaching the handle/strap  102  from the vehicle seat  106 , returning the video display unit  12  to register with the housing  96 , inserting the video display unit  12  into the housing  96  and returning the cover  94  to its closed position shown in FIG.  14 . 
     A seventh embodiment of the console  10  according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 17-18 wherein the video display unit  12  is mounted upon a shaft  108  and, in turn, to the console  10  by a pivot joint  110 . In this embodiment, the video display unit  12  and its attached shaft  108  and joint  110  occupy a vertical planar portion of the storage chamber  18  of the console  10 , leaving an opposite chamber  112  available for storage. As shown in FIG. 18, the shaft  108  mounted to the video display unit  12  can be pivoted about the pivot joint  110  to an extended position after pivoting a cover  114  to an open position. The shaft  108  can be rotatably mounted between the pivot joint  110  into the video display unit  12  to provide for additional adjustability. 
     An eighth embodiment of the console  10  according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 19-21. In this embodiment, the console  10  includes a first cover  116  concealing the recording/playback device  14  and its control panel  16  and a second cover  118  which conceals the video display unit  12  mounted within the storage chamber  18  of the console  10 . In this embodiment, the video display unit  12 , as shown in FIGS. 20-21, is mounted to the console  10  by a shaft  120  via a universal pivot joint  122 . Further, at the opposite end of the shaft  120 , the video display unit  12  is mounted thereto by a second pivot joint  124 . Further, a push-push mechanism (not shown) is mounted to the video display unit  12  via the shaft  120  whereby the video display unit  12  is stored in the console  10  by the push-push mechanism and released therefrom by the push-push mechanism. The first and second pivots  122  and  124  allow several degrees of adjustability for the video display unit  12  with respect to the console  10 . Further, the shaft  120  can be provided with a telescoping portion (not shown) which allows for vertical adjustment of the video display unit  12  with respect to the console  10 . This telescoping portion can comprise a similar cylinder-piston arrangement as discussed with respect to the previous embodiment above. 
     A ninth embodiment of the console  10  according to the invention is shown in FIG.  22 . The console  10  includes at least one pivotally-mounted cover  126  which conceals the video display unit  12 . The video display unit  12  is pivotally mounted to the console  10  upon a pair of support rails  128  such as by a gas-assist pivot joint (not shown) located at lower ends of the support rails  128 . The gas-assist pivot joint allows for a controlled and damped movement of the video display unit  12  between the stored and extended positions. The support rails  128  also serve to vertically and adjustably mount the video display unit  12  to the console  10  as the support rails  128  are received within suitable apertures in a housing  130  for the video display unit  12  so that a desirable degree of vertical adjustability can be achieved by vertically urging the video display unit  12  upwardly or downwardly with respect to the console  10  along the support rails  128 . 
     A tenth embodiment of the console  10  according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 23-25 and comprises a console body  28  having at least one pivotal cover  30  located along a rearwardly-facing surface thereof. FIG. 23 shows the cover  30  located in a first closed position and FIGS. 24-25 show the cover  30  pivoted to a second, open position wherein the recording/playback device  14  and its associated control panel  16  of the console  10  are revealed. The recording/playback device  14  can be a top-load DVD player and the control panel  16  can be any suitable control panel, such as a series of touch buttons, a removable remote control, etc. An underside portion of the cover  30  is provided with a video display unit  12  pivotally mounted to the underside of the cover  30  by a pivot joint  32 . The pivot joint  32  is mounted at a first portion to the video display unit  12  and at a second portion to the underside of the cover  30  and can act as a damped hinge to allow the video display unit  12  to be pivoted from a first stored position against the underside of the cover  30  (FIG. 24) to a second viewing position pivoted upwardly about the arrow shown as “A” (FIG.  25 ). A recess  140  can be provided in the underside of the cover  30  to provide a storage location for the video display unit  12  so that the video display unit  12  does not occupy an undue amount of space within the console  10 . 
     An eleventh embodiment of the console with an adjustably-mounted video display unit is shown in FIGS. 26 and 27. The console  10  includes a body  28  having a display unit cover  30  which conceals a display unit  12  telescopingly-mounted within the console  10  by a push-push mechanism whereby a user presses the video display unit cover  30  in a downward fashion relative to the console  10  to release the video display unit  12  in an upward fashion so that it assumes the extended position shown in FIG.  27 . The console  10  also includes other covers  38  which conceal other storage areas within the console  10  as is well known in the art. In addition, stereo jacks  220  can be provided on a rear surface of the console  10  as shown in FIGS. 26-27 for interconnecting an alternate video source than the recording/playback device  14  such as a video game unit, video cassette recorder, and the like. 
     FIGS. 28-30 disclose an adjustably-mounted video display unit  12  within a housing  142  mounted for movement between a retracted position wherein the video display unit  12  is substantially within the housing  142  and an extended position wherein the video display unit  12  is positioned in a vertically-spaced relationship with respect to the housing  142 . It is contemplated that the housing  142  is positioned within any of the embodiments of the console  10  described herein so that the housing  142  and the video display unit  12  can be extended from the console  10  such as in the eleventh embodiment shown in FIGS. 26-27 and in the previous embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-25. It will be understood that the adjustably-mounted video display unit  12  and the housing  142  are shown as an example of a way by which a video display unit  12  can be positioned vertically with respect to a console  10  and that the assembly shown in FIGS. 28-30 is an example of the way by which the video display unit  12  can be vertically and movably mounted to a console  10 . 
     The housing  142  comprises a generally vertical and rectangular housing having an open interior  144  adapted to receive the video display unit  12  and an associated bracket  146  therefor. The housing  142  has a forward wall  148 , a rearward wall  150  and sidewalls  152 . The forward wall  148  has a first guide groove  154  extending generally along a vertical midline of the forward wall  148 . The rearward wall  150  has a push-push mechanism defined in part by a release groove  156  located adjacent one side of the vertical midline of the rearward wall  150  and a return groove  158  in an opposed relationship to the vertical midline of rearward wall  150 . An angular transfer groove  160  interconnects an upper end of the release groove  156  with an upper end of the return groove  158  and a sinuous retainer portion  162  interconnects the lower ends of the release groove  156  and the return groove  158 . Lateral brackets  164  are positioned within the open interior  144  of the housing  142  and spaced in generally parallel relationship to the sidewalls  152  which define vertically-extending second guide grooves  166  therein. A pair of leaf springs  168  are mounted on bearings  170  positioned on the forward wall  148  of the housing  142 . 
     The bracket  146  comprises an elongated member  172  having an upper end  174  adapted to pivotally mount a bracket  176  holding the video display unit  12 . It should be noted that an upper portion of the bracket  176  is provided with the cover  30  which preferably has an upper surface corresponding to an upper surface of the console  10  and its associated other covers  38  so that the upper surface of the console  10  has a generally smooth and flush outer appearance when the cover  30  and the other covers  38  are in a closed position. 
     The bracket  176  comprises a seat  178  provided with a spring-biased detent arm  180  that is actuated by a button  182  operably mounted to the detent arm  180  so that, when the button  182  is depressed, the detent arm  180  moves with the button  182 . 
     A cam flange  184  extends downwardly from an underside of the bracket  176  and has an outer rounded cam surface  186  thereon and a pivotal mounting  188  which is pivotally mounted to the upper end  174  of the elongated member  172  so that the cam flange  184 , and particularly the cam surface  186  thereof, abuts a cam  190  located on the upper end  174  of the elongated member  172 . 
     Thus, when the pivotal mounting  188  interconnects the bracket  176  to the upper end  174  of the elongated member  172 , the cam surface  186  of the cam flange  184  abuts the cam  190  so that pivotal movement of the bracket  176  follows the abutment path defined by the interaction between the cam surface  186  and the cam  190 . A stop  192  can be defined on the cam flange  184  as a protrusion  192  which prevents further rotation of the bracket  176  relative to the upper end  174  of the elongated member  172 . Further, several indentations  194  can be provided on the cam surface  186  to provide several discrete rotational stopping locations for angular positioning of the bracket  176 , and necessarily for the attached video display unit  12 , relative to the upper end  174  of the elongated member  172 . 
     It will be understood that the video display unit  12  includes suitable apertures (not shown) on a lower surface thereof which, upon the angular insertion of the video display unit  12  into the seat  178  defined by the bracket  176 , allow the video display unit  12  to be removably mounted within the seat  178  and thereby attached to the bracket  176 . The video display unit  12  can be released by depressing the button  182  which moves the detent arm  180  out of engagement with the apertures on the lower surface of the video display unit  12  allowing the removal of the video display unit  12  from attachment to the bracket  176 . In this manner, the video display unit  12  can be used as a hand-held unit within the vehicle in which the console  10  resides. 
     The video display unit  12 , when used in this manner, can be interconnected to the video signal source as described with respect to the previous embodiments by a cable  100  such as that shown in FIGS. 15-16, but preferably is a wireless unit including a wireless receiver in the video display unit  12  and an associated transmitter located within the console  10  which is attached to a video source such as the recording/playback unit  14  or another video source such as a television antenna attached to the vehicle, a satellite transmitter and the like. The video display unit  12  can thereby be attached, removed and reattached by engagement of the apertures in the lower surface of the video display unit  12  with the detent arms  180  on the bracket  176 . 
     A lower end  196  of the elongated member  172  of the bracket  146  includes the main features necessary for guiding the movement of the bracket  146  between the retracted and extended positions relative to the housing  142  and biasing the movement thereof towards the extended position while also forming a retainer via the push-push mechanism defined by the return and release grooves  156  and  158 , the angular transfer groove  160  and the retainer portion  162  in the rearward wall  150  of the housing  142 . Along these lines, the lower end  196  of the elongated member  172  includes a forwardly-extending flange  198  reinforced in the forward direction by a brace  200 . A forward end of the flange  198  includes a roller  202  aligned generally with the vertical midline of the bracket  146 . A pair of side flanges  204  extend laterally from the lower end  196  of the elongated member  172  and are adapted to be received in the second guide grooves  166  of the housing  142 . A pin  206  is provided in a rearward direction extending from a rearward surface of the lower end  196  of the elongated member  172  and is in register with push-push grooves  156 - 162 . 
     In assembly, the bracket  146  is mounted to the housing  142  by positioning the roller  202  on the bracket  146  within the first groove  154  on the forward wall  148  of the housing  142 . The side flanges  204  of the bracket  146  are positioned within the second guide grooves  166  of the lateral brackets  164  of the housing  142 . The pin  206  is positioned within the push-push mechanism defined by the grooves  156 - 162 . The leaf springs  168  mounted to the housing  142  by the bearings  170  have an outer distal end attached to a forward portion of the flange  198  of the bracket  146  whereby the leaf springs  168  bias the bracket  146  in an upward direction with respect to the housing  142  while the engagement of the roller  202  and side flanges  204  with the guide grooves  154  and  166 , respectively, the movement of the bracket  146  relative to the housing  142  is thereby maintained in a vertical direction. 
     The grooves  156 - 162  define the extension of the bracket  146  relative to the housing  142 . The pin  106  of the bracket  146  is biased within the retainer portion  162  (by the leaf springs  168 ) at the lower end of the rearward wall  150  of the housing  142  when the bracket  146  is stored in the retracted position within the open interior  144  of the housing  142 . When a user depresses the cover  30  or the bracket  176  of the bracket  146  relative to the housing  142 , the pin  206  of the bracket  146  extends into the release groove  156  and travels therealong until it passes through the angular transfer groove  160  and into the upper end of the return groove  158  where it is biased there against by the leaf springs  168 . When a user depresses the cover  30 , video display unit  12  or bracket  176  relative to the housing  142 , the pin  206  rides along the return groove  158  until it reaches the retainer portion  162  whereby the release of the downward pressure by the user returns the pin  206  to its lodgment within the retainer portion  162  and thereby returns the bracket  146  to the retracted position within the housing  142 . 
     FIGS. 31 and 32 show schematic cross-sectional views of alternative embodiments of the console  10  according to the invention having an adjustably-mounted video display unit  12  mounted therein such as with the bracket  146  and housing  142  assembly discussed with respect to FIGS. 28-30. As shown in these figures, the reporting/playback device  14  comprises a top-load DVD player mounted within the body  28  of the console  10  so that a loading slot of the recording/playback device can be accessed through the exterior surface of the console  10 . As also can be seen, the control panel  16  for the recording/playback device  14  is mounted adjacent a rearward surface of the console  10  for access by occupants of the vehicle in which the console  10  is mounted. A transmitter  222  is operably interconnected to the recording/playback device  14  via the control panel  16  and thereby sends signals from the recording/playback device  14  (or signals from any other video source interconnected to the control panel  16 ) to the video display unit  12  mounted atop the bracket  146  or released therefrom by depressing the display unit release button  182  on the bracket  146 . The consoles  10  shown in FIGS. 31 and 32 also include other storage areas  18  concealed by a cover  38 , a container holder  24  retractably mounted in an other area of the console  10 , as well as an optional item like a beverage cooler  224  operably interconnected to a vehicle power source (not shown). Further, the console  10  can also include an air register vent  226  interconnected to the vehicular heating and air conditioning system in a known fashion. 
     Thus, it can be clearly seen that the various embodiments of consoles  10  according to the invention are full-scale entertainment units which have an adjustably-mounted video display unit  12  mounted therein which can be concealed beneath a cover  30  for the console  10  and other entertainment items, such as a recording/playback device  14  and an associated control panel  16  which can be operably connected to the video display unit  12  either by a cable  100  or by a wireless transmitter  222 . The embodiments of the console  10  described herein also include a great deal of storage as evidenced by the storage area  18  as concealed by a cover  38  which can contain a beverage cooler  224  and such convenience items as a container holder  24 . The console  10  is interconnected to the vehicular power system by a conventional electrical interconnection and can also be interconnected to the vehicular heating and air conditioning system as evidenced by the vent  226 . 
     In all of the above-described embodiments, the mounting of the video display unit  12  within the console  10  accomplishes several important objectives. First, the higher manufacturing cost and complexities of mounting the video display unit  12  to an overhead console are eliminated by storing the video display unit within a seat-level console. The video display unit  12  is vertically adjustable with respect to the console  10  as well as adjustable within several degrees of freedom via various pivot joints so that users located in front and rear seats of all ages and sizes can position the video display unit for optimum viewing. 
     While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.