# US 8,336,959 B2 · Vehicle mounted printer station > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,336,959 B2 - Document ID: US8336959B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/931,121 - Filed: 2011-01-25 - Published: 2011-05-19 - Granted: 2012-12-25 - Earliest claimed: 2004-01-02 - Assignees: LEM Solutions, LLC - Inventors: William D. Cottrell; Kenneth B. Wiseman, Jr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8336959B2 ## CPC - B60N 2/882: detachable - A47B 21/045: {Fastening means for paper sheet; Paper trays; Accessories for typists, e.g. line indicators} - A47B 83/00: Combinations comprising two or more pieces of furniture of different kinds - A47B 85/04: Tables convertible into chairs - A47C 7/72: Adaptations for incorporating lamps, radio sets, bars, telephones, ventilation, heating or cooling arrangements or the like - A47C 13/00: Convertible chairs, stools or benches (step-stools requiring conversion between the step and seat functions A47C12/02) - B41J 3/445: {Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras} - B41J 29/06: Special supports, platforms or trolleys for supporting machines on tables - B60N 2/90: Details or parts not otherwise provided for - B60R 7/043: {mounted on or under a seat} - B60R 7/08: Disposition of racks, clips {, holders, containers} or the like {for supporting specific articles (B60R7/005 takes precedence)} - B60R 11/02: for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof - F16B 1/00: Devices for securing together, or preventing relative movement between, constructional elements or machine parts - B60N 2002/905: {the head-rest or seat used as an anchorage point, for an object not covered by groups in B60N, e.g. for a canvas} - F16B 2200/81: Use of a material of the hooks-and-loops type - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - A47B: TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE (furniture jointing F16B) - A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A vehicle mounted printer station is made up of a printer secured to a support surface tray that includes an adaptor capable of attaching the tray and printer to the top of a vehicle seat. The support surface is preferably a rectangular shaped plate with front, back and side edges along with top and bottom surfaces. The bottom surface is attached to the adaptor, the adaptor includes at least one attachment rod for securing the support surface to the vehicle seat. The attachment rods are sized to be received into receptacles provided in the top of a vehicle seat designed for the vehicle headrest. ## Claims ### Claim 1 In combination with a front passenger seat of a motor vehicle, the front passenger seat defining at least one headrest mounting rod receptacle, a printer station comprising: a station adaptor comprising a printer support structure, wherein substantially the entire printer support structure resides directly vertically adjacent a top of a seatback of the front passenger seat, thereby minimizing obtrusiveness of the station adaptor within an interior cabin space of the motor vehicle, and said station adaptor having at least one elongated mounting rod received within the headrest mounting rod receptacle; and a printer carried by said printer support structure in substitution of a vehicle headrest such that the station adapter is devoid of vehicle safety headrest padding. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A combination according to claim 1, wherein said printer support structure covers substantially an entire top of the seatback of said front passenger seat. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A combination according to claim 1, wherein said elongated mounting rod is pivotably attached to said printer support structure, and is movable between a folded stowed position and an extended deployed position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A combination according to claim 1, wherein said printer support structure comprises a first fastener adapted for releasably attaching to a complementary second fastener secured to said printer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A combination according to claim 4, wherein said first and second fasteners comprise complementary hook and loop fasteners. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A combination according to claim 1, wherein said printer support structure comprises a printer tray. ### Claim 7 A printer station adapted for mounting on a front passenger seat of a motor vehicle, the front passenger seat defining at least one headrest mounting rod receptacle, said printer station comprising: a station adaptor comprising a printer support structure, wherein substantially the entire printer support structure resides directly vertically adjacent a top of a seatback of the front passenger seat, thereby minimizing obtrusiveness of the station adaptor within an interior cabin space of the motor vehicle, and said station adaptor having at least one elongated mounting rod received within the headrest mounting rod receptacle; and a printer carried by said printer support structure in substitution of a vehicle headrest such that the station adaptor is devoid of vehicle safety headrest padding. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A printer station according to claim 7, wherein said printer support structure is designed to cover substantially an entire top of the seatback of the front passenger seat. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) A printer station according to claim 7, wherein said elongated mounting rod is pivotably attached to said printer support structure, and is movable between a folded stowed position and an extended deployed position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) A printer station according to claim 7, wherein said printer support structure comprises a first fastener adapted for releasably attaching to a complementary second fastener secured to said printer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A printer station according to claim 10, wherein said first and second fasteners comprise complementary hook and loop fasteners. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) A printer station according to claim 7, and comprising at least one electrical cable attached to said printer and adapted for routing adjacent the front passenger seat. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) A printer station according to claim 7, wherein said printer support structure comprises a printer tray. ### Claim 14 A method for locating a printer station within a cabin of a motor vehicle, said method comprising mounting a printer support structure and a printer directly vertically adjacent a top of a seatback of a front passenger seat of the vehicle wherein no portion of the printer and no portion of the support structure extend substantially beyond a front side of the seatback and no portion of the printer and no portion of the support structure extend substantially beyond a back side of the seatback of the front passenger seat; and wherein mounting the support structure and the printer is devoid of locating a vehicle safety headrest padding above the seatback. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A method according to claim 14, and comprising orienting the printer such that printed paper is discharged within a front cabin space for ready access by a driver of the motor vehicle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) A method according to claim 14, wherein the step of mounting the printer comprises inserting at least one vertical mounting rod within a complementary headrest mounting rod receptacle formed with the front passenger seat.