TELEVISION STAND AND METHOD OF USING SAME

Abstract

A television stand and a method of using it according to certain embodiments of the invention include a cabinet having a top for supporting a television set from below and for storing at least one electronic component therein. A moveable panel or opening permits access for cabling or recabling the television set and one or more electronic components without having to move the television set or the stand.

Description

RELATED APPILICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application, entitled TELEVISION STAND WITH A FLIPTOP, application Ser. No. TBD, filed Jan. 12, 2007

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a television stand and a method of using it. It more particularly relates to a television stand and a method of using it to facilitate connecting electrically a television set and at least one electronic component.

BACKGROUND ART

This section describes the background of the disclosed embodiment of the present invention. There is no intention, either express or implied, that the background art discussed in this section legally constitutes prior art.

Television sets have become larger in size and heavier in weight, and likewise the entertainment centers or other supports that hold them have gotten proportionally larger and heavier as well. The entertainment center is typically located against a wall providing little or no access from the back for cabling or recabling. The television set is stored within the entertainment center and many or all of the electronic components related to the television set, such as a cable box, antenna receiver, DVD player, VCR, audio equipment, speakers, and others, may be located within or on the entertainment center, thereby making the overall combination even heavier to move. To connect the television set to these components may be quite difficult or awkward due to the size and weight of the television set and the entertainment center housing the components. The television set and/or the large bulky entertainment center may have to be temporarily moved to facilitate permitting access to the rear of the center for making these connections. Many times it takes more than one person to move this equipment, and in so doing, the television set may be placed in an undesirable position, where the television set may sustain costly damage by falling or tipping over.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become apparent, and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of certain embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a television stand, which is constructed according to an embodiment of the present invention and which is illustrated with certain of its doors and panels shown opened for illustration purposes;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the damping device associated with a fliptop panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the television stand of FIG. 1, illustrating the doors and panels closed and a television set shown in broken lines on top thereof;

FIG. 4 is a partially broken away right side view of the television stand of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the television stand of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top, plan view of the television stand of FIG. 1 with a portion of the top being broken away for illustration purposes;

FIG. 7 is a back view of the television stand of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the speaker grill of the television stand of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9. is a pictorial view of another television stand with a fliptop similar to the fliptop of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a pictorial view of another television stand according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a pictorial view of a further television stand according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a pictorial view of a still further television stand according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a pictorial view of yet another television stand according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a pictorial view of still a further television stand according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a pictorial view of another television stand according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a pictorial view of yet another television stand according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a pictorial view of a still further television stand according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 18 is a pictorial view of still another television stand according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system, components and method of the present invention, as represented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of the embodiments of the invention.

A television stand and a method of using it according to certain embodiments of the invention include a cabinet having a top for supporting a television set from below and for storing at least one electronic component therein. A moveable panel or opening permits access for cabling or recabling the television set and one or more electronic components without having to move the television set or the stand.

According to certain embodiments of the invention, there is provided a television stand and a method of using it for holding a television set and at least one associated electronic component. The television stand may include a cabinet portion for containing the at least one electronic component, and a top portion for placing the television set. The top portion may include a flat stationary section and a movable section disposed along the back of the top portion. The movable section may be adapted to be moved between a first position substantially inline with the flat stationary section and a second position slightly greater than perpendicular with the flat stationary section providing access into the interior of the back of the cabinet from above the television stand. The movable section may include a cutout for cables or wires from extending from the television set into the cabinet.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a television stand for holding a television set and at least one associated electronic component. The television stand may include a cabinet portion having a front section, a back section, and two side sections defining an interior section for holding the associated electronic component. A top may be disposed upon the cabinet portion for holding the television set and include a movable panel disposed adjacent the back section of the cabinet portion to permit access to the interior section of the cabinet portion to facilitate electrically connecting the television set and the associated electronic component. The movable panel may include an opening for routing cables from the television set to the interior of the cabinet portion.

According to still another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a television stand for holding a television set and at least one associated electronic component. The television stand may include a cabinet portion having a front section, a back section, and two side sections defining an interior section for holding the associated electronic component. A top may be disposed upon the cabinet portion for holding the television set and include a slidable portion to permit access to the interior section of the cabinet portion to facilitate electrically connecting the television set and the associated electronic component. The top may also include an opening for routing cables from the television set to the interior of the cabinet portion.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a television stand for holding a television set and at least one associated electronic component. The television stand may include a cabinet portion having a front section, a back section, and two side sections defining an interior section for holding the associated electronic component. A top may be disposed upon the cabinet portion for holding the television set and include at least one vent opening to permit access to the interior section of the cabinet portion adjacent the back section of the cabinet portion to facilitate electrically connecting the television set and the associated electronic component and for routing cables from the television set to the interior of the cabinet portion.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a television stand for holding a television set and at least one associated electronic component. The television stand may include a cabinet portion having a front section, a back section, and two side sections defining an interior section for holding the associated electronic component. A top may be disposed upon the cabinet portion for holding the television set. At least one of the side sections including a the cabinet portion to facilitate electrically connecting the television set and the associated electronic component. The top including an opening for routing cables from the television set to the interior of the cabinet portion.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a television stand for holding a television set and at least one associated electronic component. The television stand may include a cabinet portion having a front section, a back section, and two side sections defining an interior section for holding the associated electronic component. A top may be disposed upon the cabinet portion for holding the television set and include a movable panel disposed adjacent the one of the side sections of the cabinet portion to permit access to the interior section of the cabinet portion to facilitate electrically connecting the television set and the associated electronic component. The top may further include an opening for routing cables from the television set to the interior of the cabinet portion.

Referring now to the FIGS. 1 and 3-8, there is shown a television stand 10 for facilitating the power connections of a television set 11 (FIG. 3) and associated electronic components (not shown) located within the television stand 10 and the connections between the television set and the associated electronic components. The television stand 10 may include a fliptop 12 located at a rear portion of a top 14 of the television stand 10 to provide access to make the power connections for the television set and the associated electronic components and to make the connections between the television set the associated electronic components.

The television stand 10 may be generally a cabinet 16 having a top 14 and a pair of side walls 18 and 21. The front of the cabinet 16 may include a removable speaker grill 23 and a media drawer 25 located in the center, and a doors 27, 29 located on each side of the front of the cabinet 16. The doors may be solid or include a glass insert. The back of the cabinet may be open behind in the area behind a speaker (not shown) in the center, and include panels 32, 34, and 36 covering the other portions of the back of the cabinet 16. Panels 34 and 36 may include slots 38, 41, 43, and 45 for providing access out of the back of cabinet 16. out of the bottom of the cabinet 16.

The design of the speaker grill may vary, such as shown by a speaker grill 24 in FIG. 8 for example. As shown in FIG. 6, the media drawer may include dividers 105, 107 to permit for orderly organization of audio and video media (not shown), such as DVD's, CD's, video tapes, audio tapes, and the like.

The interior of the cabinet 16 may include a pair of adjustable shelves 89 and 92 located behind doors 27 and 29, respectively, for supporting at least some of the associated electronic components (not shown), and a shelf 94 having a vertical backstop 96 behind the speaker grill 23. Additional shelves (not shown) may be included due to the number and/or size of the associated electronic components or to accommodate other accessories.

A power strip 98 may be located on the shelf 94 behind the backstop 96 and may include a plurality of outlets 101 for providing power to the television set and the associated electronic equipment and a power cord 103 capable of being extended outside the cabinet 16 to an electrical outlet in the room the cabinet 16 is located.

The top 14 of cabinet 16 may include a substantially flat stationary portion 47 covering over half of the forward part of the top 14. The fliptop 12 may be located at the rear part of the top 14. The fliptop 12 may be moved from a first position substantially inline with the flat stationary portion 47 of the top 14 to a second position slightly greater than perpendicular to the flat stationary portion 47 of the top.

The fliptop 12 may including movable lid portion 49 attached to panels 34 and 36 of the back of the cabinet 16 using hinges 52, 54, 56, and 58. The hinges 52, 54, 56, and 58 may allow the lid portion 49 to be moved between the first position and the second position. The lid portion may include a cutout 61 located at the front center edge of the lid portion 49 to facilitate the routing of wires or cables from television set located on the top 14 of the stand 10 to the interior of the cabinet 16.

In the first position the lid portion 49 may be disposed to cover the part of the opening in the rear portion of the top 14 and be substantially inline with the flat stationary portion 47 of the top 14. From the first position the lid portion 49 may be rotated using the hinges to the second position that is slightly greater than perpendicular to the flat stationary portion 47 of the top 14.

A pair of damper devices 63, 65 may be utilized to limit the movement of the lid portion 49 to slightly greater than perpendicular in the second position and prevent the rapid closing of the lid portion 49 into the first position. The damper devices 63, 65 may each be attached to one end of the lid portion and to one of the side walls 18 and 21, respectively.

As shown in more detail in FIG. 2, the damper device may include a rod 67 attached at a first end 69 to the lid portion 49 using a screw 72 or other appropriate attachment device, and a tubular housing 74 attached at a first end 76 to the side wall 18 via a universal joint 78 or other appropriate joint. The universal joint 78 may allow the tubular housing 74 to rotate in respect to the side wall 18 and may be attached to the side wall 18 using a screw 81 or other appropriate attachment device. A second end 83 of rod 67 may extend into a second end 85 of tubular housing 74. More or less of rod 67 may be disposed within the tubular housing 74 depending on the position of the lid portion 49. With the lid portion 49 in the first position, a significant portion of the rod 67 may be disposed within the tubular housing 74. With the lid portion 49 in the second position, only a small portion of the rod 67 near the second end 83 may be disposed with the tubular housing 74.

A spring 87 or other suitable damping device may be located within tubular housing 74 with one end attached to the second end 83 of rod 67 and the other end attached to the first end 76 of the tubular housing. With the lid portion 49 in the second position, the spring 87 may be allowed to extend to its normal condition. When the lid portion 49 is being moved from the second position to the first position, the spring may be compacted and may damp the movement of the lid portion 49 to prevent the lid portion 49 from slamming shut.

In use, the television stand may be moved near the spot of its desired location. The power cord of the power strip may then be routed through the appropriate slot in the back or bottom of the cabinet for the desired electrical outlet in the room. Any other wires or cables from external devices desired to be connect to the television set and/or any of the associated electronic devices may then be routed into the cabinet through the appropriate slot in the back or bottom of the cabinet. When all the desired wires or cables are routed into or out of the cabinet through the slots, the television stand may be moved into its desired location, typically against a wall.

With the television stand in its desired position against a wall the television set may be placed on top of the television stand, but not on the fliptop, and the associated electronic components may be placed into the cabinet into their desired locations. Some of the associated electronic components may be placed into the cabinet with their associated cables or wires connected and extending toward the back of the cabinet.

Once some or all of the television and associated electronic components are in place, the fliptop may be moved up to the second position providing access from the top of the television stand into the interior of the rear portion of the cabinet. Through the opening provided by the fliptop, the power cords from the television set and each of the associated electronic components may be plugged into the outlets of the power strip, and the appropriate cables or wires connected between the television set, the associated electronic components located within the cabinet, and any external devices located outside the cabinet.

With all desired connections accomplished within the cabinet, the cables or wires extending from the television set and into the cabinet may be group together and held in a location corresponding to the cutout in the lid portion of the fliptop. The fliptop may then be moved from the second position down to the first position completing the top of the television cabinet with the cables or wires from the television set disposed in the cutout of the fliptop.

Referring now to FIG. 9, another embodiment of a television stand is shown and generally referenced as 100. The television stand 100 may be similar to the television stand 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, except that it may not have a center section in the front between doors 109 and 112. The top 101 of the television stand 100 may include a fliptop 103 having a cutout 105 for routing the cables or wires from a television set (not shown) dispose upon the top 101 to the interior of the televisions stand 100. The fliptop 103 may be rotated upwardly toward the back of the television stand 100 to provide an opening 107 in the top 101 to permit access to the interior of the television stand 100 for connecting the cables or wires from the television set to power or electronic components (not shown) located within the television stand 100 or connecting other cables or wires of the electronic components located within the television stand 100. Similar hinges and dampers as used for television stand 10 may be utilized for the fliptop 103 of the television stand 100.

Referring now to FIG. 10, still another embodiment of a television stand is shown and generally referenced as 120. The top 121 of the television stand 120 may include a fliptop 123 having a cutout 125 for routing the cables or wires from a television set (not shown) dispose upon the top 121 to the interior of the television stand 120. The fliptop 123 may be rotated upwardly toward the front of the television stand 120 to provide an opening 127 in the top 121 to permit access to the interior of the television stand 120 for connecting the cables or wires from the television set to power or electronic components (not shown) located within the television stand 120 or connecting other cables or wires of the electronic components located within the television stand 120. Similar hinges and dampers as used for television stand 10 may be utilized for the fliptop 123 of the television stand 120.

Referring now to FIG. 11, yet another embodiment of a television stand is shown and generally referenced as 140. The top 141 of the television stand 140 may include an access hole or opening 152 for routing the cables or wires from a television set (not shown) disposed on top 141 to the interior of the television stand 140 and a pair of swingable top panels 143 and 145. The swingable top panels may both be rotated upwardly toward the front of the television stand 140 as shown by the swingable top panel 143, may both be rotated upwardly toward the back of the television stand 140 as shown by the swingable top panel 145, or may be rotated in different directions as shown in FIG. 6. The swingable top portions 143 and 145 provide openings 147 and 149, respectively, in the top 141 to permit access to the interior of the television stand 140 for connecting the cables or wires from the television set to power or electronic components (not shown) located within the television stand 140 or connecting other cables or wires of the electronic components located within the television stand 140. Similar hinges and dampers as used for television stand 10 may be utilized for the pair of swingable top panels 143 and 145 of the television stand 140.

Referring now to FIG. 12, still another embodiment of a television stand is shown and generally referenced as 160. The top 161 of the television stand 160 may include a pair of swingable top panels 163 and 165, which may be rotated upwardly toward the center of the television stand 160 to provide openings 167 and 169, respectively, in the top 161 to permit access to the interior of the television stand 160 for connecting the cables or wires from the television set to power or electronic components (not shown) located within the television stand 160 or connecting other cables or wires of the electronic components located within the television stand 160. An access hole (hidden by swingable top panel 163) may be included in the top 161 for routing the cables or wires from a television set (not shown) disposed on top 161 to the interior of the television stand 160. Similar hinges and dampers as used for television stand 10 may be utilized for the pair of swingable top panels 163 and 165 of the television stand 160.

Referring now to FIG. 13, another embodiment of a television stand is shown and generally referenced as 180. The top 181 of the television stand 180 may include a removable panel 183 having a cutout 185 for routing the cables or wires from a television set (not shown) dispose upon the top 181 to the interior of the television stand 180. The removable panel 103 may be removed from the television stand 180 to provide an opening 187 in the top 181 to permit access to the interior of the television stand 180 for connecting the cables or wires from the television set to power or electronic components (not shown) located within the television stand 180 or connecting other cables or wires of the electronic components located within the television stand 180.

Referring now to FIG. 14, yet another embodiment of a television stand is shown and generally referenced as 200. The top 201 of the television stand 200 may be slideable and include a cutout 205 for routing the cables or wires from a television set (not shown) dispose upon the top 201 to the interior of the television stand 200. The top may be moved from a normal position to an access position as shown in FIG. 9 to provide an opening 203 to permit access to the interior of the television stand 200 for connecting the cables or wires from the television set to power or electronic components (not shown) located within the television stand 200 or connecting other cables or wires of the electronic components located within the television stand 200.

Referring now to FIG. 15, still another embodiment of a television stand is shown and generally referenced as 220. The top 221 of the television stand 220 may include a center panel 223 having a cutoff 229 for routing the cables or wires from a television set (not shown) disposed on the top 221 to the interior of the television stand 220 and a pair of slideable top panels 225 and 227. The slideable top panels 225 and 227 may be slid toward the front of the television stand 220 to provide openings 232 and 234, respectively, in the top 221 to permit access to the interior of the television stand 220 for connecting the cables or wires from the television set to power or electronic components (not shown) located within the television stand 220 or connecting other cables or wires of the electronic components located within the television stand 220.

Referring now to FIG. 16, another embodiment of a television stand is shown and generally referenced as 240. The top 241 of the television stand 240 may include a pair of vent openings 243 and 245 having vent grates 247 and 249, respectively. Cables or wires from a television set (not shown) dispose upon the top 241 of the television stand may be routed through either of the vent grates 247, 249 into the interior of the television stand 240. The vent openings 243, 245 may be of a dimension to permit access by a user with the vent grates 247, 249 removed to the interior of the television stand 240 for connecting the cables or wires from the television set to power or electronic components (not shown) located within the television stand 240 or connecting other cables or wires of the electronic components located within the television stand 240.

Referring now to FIG. 17, still another embodiment of a television stand is shown and generally referenced as 260. The side 261 of the television stand 260 may include a swingable side access door 263 to permit access to the interior of the television stand 260 for connecting the cables or wires from the television set to power or electronic components (not shown) located within the television stand 260 or connecting other cables or wires of the electronic components located within the television stand 260. An access hole may be included in the top 267 for routing the cables or wires from a television set (not shown) disposed on top 267 to the interior of the television stand 260. Similar hinges as used for television stand 10 may be utilized for the swingable side access panels 263 of the television stand 260. A similar swingable side access door may be included in the opposite side of the television stand 260.

Referring now to FIG. 18, yet another embodiment of a television stand is shown and generally referenced as 280. The side 281 of the television stand 280 may include a slideable side access door 283 to permit access to the interior of the television stand 280 for connecting the cables or wires from the television set to power or electronic components (not shown) located within the television stand 280 or connecting other cables or wires of the electronic components located within the television stand 280. An access hole may be included in the top 287 for routing the cables or wires from a television set (not shown) disposed on top 287 to the interior of the television stand 280. A similar slideable side access door may be included in the opposite side of the television stand 280.

Each of these television stands shown in FIGS. 9-18 may be utilized as described above for the television stand of FIG. 1. Furthermore, the television stands of FIGS. 9-18 may also include many of the features of the television stand of FIG. 1.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it is to be understood that various different embodiments are possible and are contemplated within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims. There is no intention, therefore, of limitations to the exact abstract or disclosure herein presented.

Claims

1. A television stand for holding a television set and at least one associated electronic component, comprising:

a cabinet portion having a front section, a back section, and two side sections defining an interior section for holding the associated electronic component;

a substantially flat top disposed upon the cabinet portion for holding the television set;

the top including a movable panel disposed adjacent the back section of the cabinet portion to permit access to the interior section of the cabinet portion to facilitate electrically connecting the television set and the associated electronic component; and

the movable panel including an opening for routing cables from the television set to the interior of the cabinet portion.

2. The television stand according to claim 1, wherein the movable panel is swingable toward the back section of the cabinet portion.

3. The television stand according to claim 1, wherein the movable panel is swingable toward the front section of the cabinet portion.

4. The television stand according to claim 1, wherein the movable panel is removable.

5. The television stand according to claim 1, wherein the movable panel is slidable.

6. The television stand according to claim 1, wherein the movable panel includes at least two separate movable pieces.

7. The television stand according to claim 1, wherein the width of the movable panel is at least three inches.

8. The television stand according to claim 1, wherein the width of the movable panel is substantially one half of the width of the top.

9. The television stand according to claim 1, further including a plurality of hinges attaching the movable panel to the cabinet portion and allowing the movable panel to open slightly greater than perpendicular.

10. The television stand according to claim 1, further including a least one damper device for preventing the movable panel from slamming shut.

11. The television stand according to claim 1, wherein the interior section of the cabinet portion includes a plurality of shelves for holding the electronic components.

12. The television stand according to claim 1, wherein the cabinet portion includes a compartment for holding a speaker.

13. The television stand according to claim 1, wherein the cabinet portion includes a drawer.

14. The television stand according to claim 1, further including at least one power strip disposed within the interior section of the cabinet portion.

15. A television stand for holding a television set and at least one associated electronic component, comprising:

a cabinet portion having a front section, a back section, and two side sections defining an interior section for holding the associated electronic component;

a top disposed upon the cabinet portion for holding the television set;

the top including a slidable portion to permit access to the interior section of the cabinet portion to facilitate electrically connecting the television set and the associated electronic component; and

the top including an opening for routing cables from the television set to the interior of the cabinet portion.

16. The television stand according to claim 15, wherein the slidable portion includes a center section of the top.

17. The television stand according to claim 15, wherein the slidable portion includes the entire top.

18. The television stand according to claim 15, wherein the slidable portion includes at least one side section of the top.

19. The television stand according to claim 15, wherein the slidable portion is adapted to slide away from the back section providing an opening having a width of at least three inches.

20. A television stand for holding a television set and at least one associated electronic component, comprising:

a cabinet portion having a front section, a back section, and two side sections defining an interior section for holding the associated electronic component;

a top disposed upon the cabinet portion for holding the television set;

the top including at least one vent opening to permit access to the interior section of the cabinet portion adjacent the back section of the cabinet portion to facilitate electrically connecting the television set and the associated electronic component and for routing cables from the television set to the interior of the cabinet portion.

21. The television stand according to claim 20, wherein the width of the vent opening is at least three inches.

22. A television stand for holding a television set and at least one associated electronic component, comprising:

a cabinet portion having a front section, a back section, and two side sections defining an interior section for holding the associated electronic component;

a top disposed upon the cabinet portion for holding the television set;

at least one of the side sections including a movable panel adjacent the back section to permit access to the interior section of the cabinet portion to facilitate electrically connecting the television set and the associated electronic component; and

the top including an opening for routing cables from the television set to the interior of the cabinet portion.

23. The television stand according to claim 22, wherein the movable panel is swingable toward the back section of the cabinet portion.

24. The television stand according to claim 22, wherein the movable panel is swingable toward the front section of the cabinet portion.

25. The television stand according to claim 22, wherein the movable panel is removable.

26. The television stand according to claim 22, wherein the movable panel is slidable.

27. The television stand according to claim 22, wherein the movable panel includes at least two separate movable pieces.

28. The television stand according to claim 22, wherein the width of the movable panel is at least three inches.

29. A television stand for holding a television set and at least one associated electronic component, comprising:

a cabinet portion having a front section, a back section, and two side sections defining an interior section for holding the associated electronic component;

a top disposed upon the cabinet portion for holding the television set;

the top including a movable panel disposed adjacent the one of the side sections of the cabinet portion to permit access to the interior section of the cabinet portion to facilitate electrically connecting the television set and the associated electronic component; and

the top including an opening for routing cables from the television set to the interior of the cabinet portion.

30. The television stand according to claim 29, wherein the top further includes another movable panel disposed adjacent the other of the side sections of the cabinet portion to permit access to the interior section of the cabinet portion.

31. The television stand according to claim 30, wherein the movable panels are swingable toward the center of the top.

32. A method of using a television stand for a television set and at least one electronic component, comprising:

using a television stand having a cabinet with a substantially flat top;

supporting from below the television set on the flat top;

storing the at least one electronic component within the hollow interior of the cabinet;

extending electrical cables through an opening in the cabinet to electrically connect the television set and the at least one electronic component; and

moving a back panel of the top of the cabinet to permit access to the at least one electronic component stored within the cabinet.