Entertainment Partition System and Method for a Luxury Vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to vehicle partitions for privacy from a driver. In particular, the present invention relates to a divider that can be installed in current model SUVs and sedans without expensive modification to the body of the vehicle and taking advantage of the placement of air conditioning controls that are already installed for rear passengers.

Claims

1. An entertainment partition system for a motor vehicle comprising: a left top portion 2, a middle top portion 3, a right top portion 4, a left bottom portion 5, an air conditioner console space 7, a divider 8, and a right bottom portion 6; wherein the left top portion 2 and right top portion 4 house TV monitors 9; wherein the left bottom portion 5 and right bottom portion 6 house a footrest 10; and wherein the middle top portion 3 houses a window 11.

2. The entertainment partition system of claim 1 wherein the divider 8 separates the left top portion 2, the middle top portion 3, and the right top portion 4 from the left bottom portion 5, the air conditioner console space 7 and the right bottom portion 6.

3. The entertainment partition system of claim 1 wherein the partition 1 is deployed and retracted from the top of the vehicle to the bottom of the vehicle.

4. The entertainment partition system of claim 1 wherein the partition 1 is deployed and retracted from one side of the vehicle to the other side of the vehicle.

5. The entertainment system of claim 1 wherein the air conditioner console space 7 is large enough to accommodate the air conditioner console so that back seat passengers can access the air conditioner console when the partition 1 is deployed.

6. The entertainment partition system of claim 1 wherein the partition 1 can be deployed to a closed position to form a physical and sound barrier between the driver and front seat passenger and the back seat passengers, and retracted to an open position to allow free communication between the driver and front seat passenger and the back seat passengers.

7. The entertainment partition system of claim 1 wherein the left bottom portion 5 and right bottom portion 6 bend at a non-90 degree angle towards the front of a motor vehicle.

8. The entertainment partition system of claim 7 wherein the non-90 degree angle ranges between 10 degrees and 70 degrees as measured from the vertical plane.

9. The entertainment partition system of claim 1 wherein the back seats of the motor vehicle are moved backwards to accommodate the partition 1.

10. The entertainment partition system of claim 9 wherein the back seats of the motor vehicle are moved backwards 2-12 inches to accommodate the partition 1.

11. The entertainment partition system of claim 1 wherein the partition 1 is comprised of metal, polymer, ceramic, wood, or combinations thereof.

12. An entertainment partition system for a motor vehicle comprising: a left top portion 2, a middle top portion 3, a right top portion 4, a left bottom portion 5, an air conditioner console space 7, a divider 8, and a right bottom portion 6.

13. The entertainment partition system of claim 12 wherein the divider 8 separates the left top portion 2, the middle top portion 3, and the right top portion 4 from the left bottom portion 5, the air conditioner console space 7 and the right bottom portion 6.

14. The entertainment partition system of claim 12 wherein the left bottom portion 5 and the right bottom portion 6 bend at a non 90-degree angle toward the front of the motor vehicle.

15. The entertainment partition system of claim 14 wherein the non 90-degree angle ranges between 10 degrees and 70 degrees as measured from the vertical plane.

16. The entertainment partition system of claim 12 wherein the back seats of the motor vehicle are moved backwards 2-12 inches to accommodate the partition 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of an entertainment partition system, installable in a sport utility vehicle (SUV) and as seen by back seat passengers.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of an entertainment partition system as seen from the front passenger side of the vehicle.

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of an entertainment partition system as seen from the driver side of the vehicle.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of an entertainment partition system as seen from the top and front portion of the vehicle.

[0031] FIG. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of an entertainment partition system as seen from the top and rear portion of the vehicle.

[0032] FIG. 6 shows a preferred embodiment of an entertainment partition system as seen from the driver and front passenger side of the vehicle.

[0033] FIG. 7 shows a preferred embodiment of an entertainment partition system for installation into an SUV as seen from a frontal perspective view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention and not for purposes of limiting the same.

[0035] A first embodiment of the invention is a partition 1 adapted for insertion into a vehicle. The partition 1 may be made of various materials comprising metal, polymer, and wood to achieve a strong, light weight, and sturdy support for a monitor in a vehicle. The dimensions are given with respect to accommodate two 25-30 inch TV monitors 9 in a Cadillac Escalade.

[0036] FIG. 1 shows the partition 1 as seen if a vehicle's back seat passengers are looking directly at it. As the partition 1 is deployed, either from the top to the bottom of the vehicle or from one side to the other side of the vehicle, there are six distinct portions. The left top portion 2 is located behind the driver and houses one TV monitor 9. The middle top portion 3 houses a window 11 that allows the front seat passengers to see the back of the vehicle. The right top portion 4 is located behind the front passenger and houses one TV monitor 9. The left bottom portion 5 is located behind the driver and has one footrest 10. The right bottom portion 6 is located behind the front passenger and houses a footrest 10. The air conditioner console space 7 is an empty space that can accommodate an air conditioner console operable by back seat passengers, standard in SUVs such as the Cadillac Escalade. The divider 8 separates the left top portion 2, middle top portion 3, and right top portion 4 from the left bottom portion 5, air conditioner console space 7, and right bottom portion 6. To accommodate the partition 1, the back seats behind the driver and front passenger seats must be moved back two to twelve inches. In the fully deployed position, the partition 1 blocks off communication between the back seat and front seat passengers. The back seat passengers also have access to the TV monitors 9. The window 11 can be lowered so that the front seat and back seat passengers can communicate with each other as in a taxi cab. When the partition 1 is not deployed, or in the retracted state, there is open space between the back seat and front seat passengers, allowing the back seat and front seat passengers to communicate freely without physical obstruction. The partition 1 is operable via an electric motor to be deployed and retracted depending on a back seat passenger's preference. The back seat passenger also controls the deployment and retraction of the footrest 10. The window 10 can be transparent or any other opaque material. While in a preferred embodiment the window moves in a vertical up and down motion, it is possible to have the window 10 move in a sliding manner to the left or right or both.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the partition 1 as seen from the front passenger side of the vehicle. Once fully deployed, the right top portion 4 and the right bottom portion 6 create a non-90 degree angle at the divider 8. In a preferred embodiment, the angle from the divider 8 serving as the vertex can range from 10 degrees to 70 degrees as measured from the vertical plane towards the driver. However, it should be noted that the divider 8 vertex angle could also extend towards the passenger portion to serve as an integrated footrest and even provide hidden storage for a rear seat passenger.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the partition 1 as seen from the driver side of the vehicle. Once deployed, the left top portion 2 and the left bottom portion 5 form a non-90 degree angle at the divider 8. The angle between the left top portion 2 and the left bottom portion 5 ranges from 10 degrees to 70 degrees as measured from the vertical plane.

[0039] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a preferred embodiment of the partition 1 as seen from the top of the vehicle. FIG. 4 is from the perspective of someone hovering over the front of the vehicle with his head pointing toward the rear of the vehicle. FIG. 5 is from the perspective of someone hovering over the rear of the vehicle with his head pointing toward the front of the vehicle. In FIG. 4, the footsteps are retracted, while in FIG. 5, the footsteps are deployed.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a preferred embodiment of the partition 1 as seen from the front of the vehicle as if one is standing and facing the vehicle. The TV monitors 9 and footrests 10 are not visible, since they are only visible and accessible by the back seat passengers. Those in the driver and front passenger seats can communicate verbally with the back seat passengers when the window 11 is in the open position. When the window 11 is closed, the front seat passenger and driver are restricted in their interaction with the back seat passengers, affording the back seat passengers the luxury of privacy.

[0041] FIG. 7 is a preferred embodiment of the partition 1 from a frontal view. As the partition 1 is deployed, both the left bottom portion 5 and right bottom portion 6 bend from 10 degrees to 70 degrees towards the front of the vehicle. If the left bottom portion 5 and right bottom portion 6 came straight down upon deployment of the partition 1, the back seat passengers would not have nearly as much legroom as possible. The angling of the left bottom portion 5 and right bottom portion 6 allows the back seat passengers to have extra legroom and a more comfortable ride.

[0042] The foregoing description is, at present, considered to be the preferred embodiment of the present discovery. However, it is contemplated that various changes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art, may be made without departing from the present discovery. Therefore, the foregoing description is intended to cover all such changes and modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the present discovery, including all equivalent aspects. Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention may also be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the particular combination of parts described and illustrated herein is intended to represent only one embodiment of the invention, and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative devices within the spirit and scope of the invention.