Method and Device for Protecting an Outdoor Electronic Screen
An outdoor electronic screen protection device includes a nonhermetically sealed housing. A mounting system attaches the nonhermetically sealed housing to a wall of a structure. An access port is provided in the nonhermetically sealed housing. A non-transparent front cover is attached to the housing. A locking mechanism is attached to the nonhermetically sealed housing. The protection device does not include any active environmental control systems. When the user wishes to view the electronic screen the front cover is opened. As a result, the user does not have to look through an additional window to view the electronic screen, which causes glare. Since the housing is not hermetically sealed, it is considerably less expensive to build than previous devices.
It has become quite common for people to place electronic screens, including televisions in outdoor living areas. If the electronic screen is not protected it is subject to driving rain, wind, humidity, blowing sand, dust, dirt, insects, birds, and UV exposure. A number of devices have been proposed to protect electronic screens from these elements. Most of these previous devices provide a watertight or hermetically sealed housing for the electronic screen. As a result, the electronic screen is viewed through a clear cover. This adds additional glare and reduces the clarity of the image. Many of the previous devices also have elaborate systems for cooling the housing and even removing the humidity from the housing. Some of these environmental controls are active. These elaborate environment controls significantly increase the cost of these devices.
Thus there exists a need for a protection device for an electronic screen that is inexpensive and does not create an additional layer between the viewer and the screen while being used.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTIONAn outdoor electronic screen protection device that overcomes these and other problems includes a nonhermetically sealed housing. A mounting system attaches the nonhermetically sealed housing to a wall of a structure. An access port is provided in the nonhermetically sealed housing. A non-transparent front cover is attached to the housing. A locking mechanism is attached to the nonhermetically sealed housing. The protection device does not include any active environmental control systems. When the user wishes to view the electronic screen the front cover is opened. As a result, the user does not have to look through an additional window to view the electronic screen. It is highly unlikely that a user is going to want to view the outdoor electronic screen when the weather is so inclement that a cover is needed to protect the electronic screen. Since the housing is not hermetically sealed, it is considerably less expensive to build than previous devices.
An outdoor electronic screen protection device includes a nonhermetically sealed housing. A mounting system attaches the nonhermetically sealed housing to a wall of a structure. An access port is provided in the nonhermetically sealed housing. A non-transparent front cover is attached to the housing. A locking mechanism is attached to the nonhermetically sealed housing. The protection device does not include any active environmental control systems. When the user wishes to view the electronic screen the front cover is opened. As a result, the user does not have to look through an additional window to view the electronic screen. It is highly unlikely that a user is going to want to view the outdoor electronic screen when the weather is so inclement that a cover is needed to protect the electronic screen. Since the housing is not hermetically sealed, it is considerably less expensive to build than previous devices.
Thus there has been described a protection device for an electronic screen that is inexpensive and does not create an additional layer between the viewer and the screen while being used.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alterations, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A method of protecting an outdoor electronic screen, comprising the steps of:
- locating a vertical wall under an overhang;
- attaching a housing on the vertical wall;
- opening a front cover;
- placing an electronic screen in the housing; and
- if the electronic screen is not in use, locking the front cover.
2. The method of claim 1, further including the step of:
- if the electronic screen is in use, lifting the front cover.
3. The method of claim 2, further including the step of:
- locking the front cover in an upright position.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of locking the front cover includes placing a brace between the housing and the front cover.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of locking the front cover includes pivoting and translating the front cover so a portion sits adjacent to a top cover of the housing.
6. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of lifting the front cover includes the step selecting a hydraulic lift.
7. An outdoor electronic screen protection device, comprising:
- a nonhermetically sealed housing;
- a mounting system for attaching the nonhermetically housing to a wall of a structure;
- an access port in the nonhermetically sealed housing;
- a non-transparent front cover attached to the nonhermetically housing; and
- a locking mechanism attached to the nonhermetically sealed housing, wherein the protection device does not include any active environmental control systems.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein a wall of the nonhermetically sealed housing is made of fabric.
9. The device of claim 7, wherein a wall of the nonhermetically sealed housing is made of plastic.
10. The device of claim 7, wherein a wall of the nonhermetically sealed housing is made of a flexible material, with a rigid frame.
11. The device of claim 7, wherein the non-transparent front cover of the nonhermetically sealed housing is a roll top structure.
12. The device of claim 7, wherein the locking mechanism locks the non-transparent front cover to the nonhermetically sealed housing.
13. The device of claim 7, wherein the locking mechanism locks electronic screen to a wall of the nonhermetically sealed housing.
14. An outdoor electronic screen protection device, comprising:
- a housing;
- a roll top front cover attached to the housing;
- a latching mechanism for holding the housing to the roll top front cover; and
- a mounting mechanism attached to the housing for mounting the housing to a wall.
15. The device of claim 14, wherein the roll top front cover is made of a flexible material.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein the flexible material is a cloth.
17. The device of claim 15, wherein the flexible material is a plastic.
18. The device of claim 14, further including a locking mechanism attached to the housing.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 30, 2010
Publication Date: May 31, 2012
Inventor: Henry Armistead Coats, III (Piperton, TN)
Application Number: 12/956,098