Headrest/head restraint having an integrated video screen

A media assembly adapted to be installed into a seat back of a vehicle the assembly comprising:

• a mounting structure that is coupled to the seat back of the vehicle wherein the seat back defines a first outer surface visible to a viewer sitting in a back seat of the vehicle;
• a display that displays media to a viewer sitting within the vehicle;
• a media player having an input opening into which a user can position a media storage device wherein the media player provides signals to the display to thereby induce the display to visually display the contents of the media storage device;
• a housing defining a recess having a first opening that receives both the display and the media player such that the display is positioned proximate the first opening of the recess with the media player positioned inward in the recess from the first opening such that the media player does not impede visual access to the display wherein the housing is structured to permit selective access to the input opening of the media player to permit user positioning of the media storage device within the player and wherein the housing is adapted to be coupled to the mounting structure within the seat back of the vehicle to thereby retain the housing within the seat back such that the display is positioned adjacent the outer surface of the seat back;
• wherein the housing is pivotally attached to the mounting structure so as to be rotatable between a recessed position wherein the display is positioned substantially flush with the first outer surface of the seat and the input opening of the media player is hidden from view within the seat and an extended position wherein the input opening of the media player is exposed from the seat so as to be accessible to the viewer.

An electronic assembly mounted to a head restraint of a vehicle seat, comprising:

• a media player that retrieves information stored on a media storage device, processes the information, and outputs a signal corresponding to the information;
• a panel display device that receives the signal from the media player and displays a visual representation of the signal, wherein the signal includes an audio component;
• a housing assembly that houses the media player and the panel display device as a substantially single unit, wherein the housing assembly facilitates mounting of the substantially single unit to the head restraint;
• a shell member that allows mounting of the media player and the panel display thereto;
• and
• a carrier member dimensioned to receive the shell member therein such that the carrier member can be preassembled with the shell member having the media player and the panel display mounted thereto;
• wherein the shell member is pivotally mounted to the carrier member so as to allow the shell member to pivot with respect to the carrier member;
• and
• wherein the pivoting of the shell member allows pivoting of the media player for insertion or removal of a media storage device to or from the media player.