A display retract mechanism for moving a display between a retracted
position and a deployed position is disclosed and explained. The display
retract mechanism is useful, for example, in mounting a liquid crystal
display within the cabin of a passenger vehicle, such as an aircraft or
bus. A geared chain drive supplies torque necessary for rotating a pivot
shaft on which the display is attached. The display is biased toward a
retracted position by a gas spring with a substantially linear force
curve between the retracted position and the deployed position. Also
disclosed are an infrared sensor for detecting when the display is in the
deployed position, a solenoid latch for holding the display in the
retracted position, and an electromechanical clutch for maintaining the
display in a particular position.