Weatherproof retractable multi-media entertainment center

Abstract

A weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment center that includes a housing having a retracted position and an activated position, a weatherproof entertainment system, and a retracting means mounted within the housing. The weatherproof entertainment system may be mounted within the housing so that the retracting means can move the weatherproof entertainment system from the retracted position within the housing to the activated position outside the housing when the weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment center is activated.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates in general to a multi-media entertainment system and more particularly to a weatherproof retractable multi-media entertainment center.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Multi-media entertainment plays a major part of the socializing done in one's home and therefore the components used to entertain also play an important part. Most households around the world have a variety of entertainment devices from televisions, VCRs, DVD players to stereo systems, radios and the like. Since the initial development of these entertainment devices, there have been numerous improvements not only on the devices themselves but also on the individual components that are incorporated into the device itself. In some instances new combinations of these components have been invented to address the ever-increasing need for advanced entertainment systems.

[0003] Prior art multi-media entertainment systems and components have been devised to address some of the needs addressed above. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,321,760 issued on Jun. 14, 1994 to Gray relates to a retractable speaker assembly for an automobile, which includes a housing containing at least one loudspeaker, a first actuator for selectively moving the housing between a retracted position and an extended position, and a second actuator for rotating the housing sideways so that the speaker can be directed toward the left or right side of the automobile interior.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,939,912 issued on Jul. 10, 1990 Leonovich, Jr. and relates to a portable food and beverage cooler with an integral audio receiver, preferably and AM/FM radio receiver. The audio receiver includes a plurality of components including the receiver unit, one or more speakers, a power source battery, receptacle for earphones, jack separately mounted in compartments provided in one or more of the walls, with components in the wiring means connecting the audio insulation layer. Protective screens and waterproof sealing means are provided for keeping sand and moisture out of the speakers to improve quality of sound. Insulation of cooler also insulate components from sand, heat and moisture.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,386 issued on Aug. 14, 1990 to Hill and relates to a waterproof ground audio speaker apparatus has a speaker housing having a cylindrical sidewall, one open end and a closed end. A rigid domed supporting cover extends over the opening of the speaker housing and a filter membrane cover covers the open end of the speaker housing to protect the inside of the speaker enclosure.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,179 issued on Feb. 5, 2002 to Wiegers et al. and relates to a combined marine entertainment system and depth sounder that more efficiently utilizes limited marine instrument panel space, that is more convenient and simple to operate, and that shares certain components.

[0007] The prior art devices described above address a variety of improvements but do not overcome the challenges of operating all of these systems and components outdoors under extreme weather conditions, simultaneously, and having them be retractable. Thus a multi-media entertainment system that can operate in the outdoors through a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions, includes a wide variety of entertainment devices including but not limited to televisions, stereo systems, DVD players, VCRs, radios and the like, and is retractable is desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved multi-media entertainment center that is both retractable into a cabinet and is weatherproof so that it can operate in a wide variety of weather conditions.

[0009] In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention there is provided a weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment center that includes a housing having a retracted position and an activated position, a weatherproof entertainment system, and a retracting means mounted within the housing. The weatherproof entertainment system may also be mounted within the housing so that the retracting means can move the weatherproof entertainment system from the retracted position within the housing to the activated position outside the housing when the weatherproof retractable. multimedia entertainment center is activated.

[0010] Conveniently, the housing may be a cabinet having a movable top portion that encloses the weatherproof entertainment system in the retracted position and moves with the weatherproof entertainment system when the multi-media entertainment center is activated. The housing may also include a platform on which the weatherproof entertainment system may rest.

[0011] Preferably, the weatherproof entertainment system may include devices such as a television, VCR, DVD player, AM/FM radio, CD player, speaker system, remote satellite/cable signal receiver, telephone, bar, refrigerator, lighting, and towel warmer, all able to withstand a large range of temperatures and reside in the outdoors. The retracting means may be a lifting mechanism activated electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically or the like.

[0012] Advantages of the present invention include a self-contained entertainment center that can reside outside and withstand a wide range of weather temperature and conditions while containing a television, VCR, DVD player, AM/FM radio, CD player, speaker system, remote satellite/cable signal receiver, telephone, bar, refrigerator, lighting, and towel warmer. Furthermore, the self-contained entertainment center may be retractable so that the system can move from a retracted position to an activated position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] A detailed description of the preferred embodiments are provided herein below by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the housing of the preferred embodiment of the weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment center an activated position.

[0015] FIG. 2 -is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a retracted position.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a partial front elevational view of the weatherproof entertainment system.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a back elevational view of the housing of the preferred embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a wiring diagram for the weatherproof entertainment system components.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a wiring diagram for the retracting means.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the weatherproof entertainment center in an activated position.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the weatherproof entertainment center in an activated position.

[0023] FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the weatherproof entertainment center in a retracted position.

[0024] In the drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustration and as an aid to understanding, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Referring to the FIGS. 1-5 and 8-10, there is illustrated a weatherproof retractable multi-media entertainment center 10 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment center 10 includes a housing 12 as shown in FIG. 5 having a retracted position and an activated position, a weatherproof entertainment system 14 as shown in FIG. 4, and a retracting means 16 (not shown) mounted within the housing 12 and to the weatherproof entertainment system 14.

[0026] The weatherproof entertainment system 14 is mounted within the housing 12 so that when the retracting means 16 is engaged, the weatherproof entertainment system 14 moves from the retracted position within the housing 12 to the activated position outside of the housing 12 as shown in FIGS. 8-10.

[0027] The housing 12 may be a cabinet 18 with a removable top portion 20. Referring to FIG. 3, the cabinet 18 encloses or conceals the weatherproof entertainment system 14 when the weatherproof retractable multi-media entertainment center 10 is in the retracted position, while the removable top portion 20 of the housing 12 registers with the weatherproof entertainment system 14. When the weatherproof retractable multi-media entertainment center 10 is activated, the retracting means 16 engages and moves the weatherproof entertainment system 14 with the top portion 20 of the cabinet 18 to the activated position.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 2, the housing 12 may also include a platform 22 on which the weatherproof entertainment system 14 rests. Furthermore, the retracting means 16 may be mounted to the platform 22, so that when the retracting means 16 is engaged, the retracting means 16 moves both the platform 22 with the weatherproof entertainment system 14 and the top portion 20 of the cabinet 18 to the activated position. The housing 12 may be constructed from a variety of materials such as wood, composites, or plastics by way of example.

[0029] The weatherproof entertainment system 14 may include a wide variety of devices or components, such as but not limited to, televisions, VCRs, DVD players, AM/FM radios, CD players, speaker systems, remote satellite/cable signal receivers, telephones, bars, refrigerators, lighting, and towel warmers. All of the components of the weatherproof entertainment system 14 are able to withstand a large range of temperatures and reside in the outdoors. An example of the circuitry that could control the weatherproof entertainment system 14 may be found in FIG. 6.

[0030] Generally, the weatherproof entertainment system 14 may operate in temperatures ranging from −30° to +50° Celsius. Specifically, the weatherproof entertainment system 14 can operate in a variety of weather conditions such as rain, snow and sun. The components of the weatherproof entertainment system 14 may be arranged in any combination according to the desire of the user in an inner cabinet 23 (not shown) or on the platform 22. The inner cabinet 23 not only houses the weatherproof entertainment system 14 but also registers with the top portion 20 of the cabinet 18 so that in the retracted position, the inner cabinet 23 and the platform 22 are concealed within the cabinet 18 and only the top portion 20 is visible.

[0031] The retracting means 16 may be a lifting mechanism 24 (not shown) activated a wide variety of ways such as electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically or the like. Specifically the lifting mechanism 24 is able to raise and lower the weight of the weatherproof entertainment system 14 in a smooth motion without any extraneous movement such as shaking or wobbling. In general, the retracting means 16 may lift the weatherproof entertainment system 14 1.0 to 1.25″ per second and securely hold the weatherproof entertainment system 14 in the activated position upon it reaching complete extension.

[0032] The retracting means 16 may be activated to move the weatherproof entertainment system 14 by a remote control or other similar activation mechanism. An example of the retracting means 16 circuitry can be found in FIG. 7.

[0033] Other variations and modifications of the invention are possible. All such modifications or variations are believed to be within the sphere and scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment system comprising:

a) a housing having a retracted position and an activated position;

b) a weatherproof entertainment system; and

c) a retracting means mounted within said housing, wherein said retracting means moves said weatherproof entertainment system from said retracted position within said housing to said activated position outside said housing when activated.

2. A weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said housing further comprises a cabinet having a movable top portion that registers with said cabinet in said retracted position.

3. A weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said cabinet conceals said weatherproof entertainment system when said weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment system is in said retracted position.

4. A weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said movable top portion is mounted to said weatherproof entertainment system so as to conceal said weatherproof entertainment system in said retracted position and move with said weatherproof entertainment system in said activated position.

5. A weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said weatherproof entertainment system further comprises a series of components selected from the group comprising of televisions, VCRs, DVD players, AM/FM radios, CD players, speaker systems, remote satellite/cable signal receivers, telephones, bars, refrigerators, lighting, and towel warmers.

6. A weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said series of components are weatherproof.

7. A weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said series of components operate in temperatures ranging from −30° to +50° Celsius.

8. A weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said cabinet further comprises a platform that holds said series of components and is mounted to said retracting means.

9. A weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said cabinet further comprises an inner cabinet that holds said series of components. and is mounted to said retracting means.

10. A weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said retracting means is a lifting mechanism.

11. A weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said lifting mechanism lifts said weatherproof entertainment system at a range of 1.0 to 1.25″ per second.

12. A weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said cabinet is constructed from wood, composites or plastics.

13. A weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said weatherproof entertainment system operates in a variety of weather conditions.

14. A weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment system as claimed in 13 wherein said weather conditions are snow, rain or sun.

15. A weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said lifting mechanism is activated by a remote control mechanism

16. A weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said lifting mechanism has a contracted position and an extended position.

17. A weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment system as claimed in claim 15 wherein said lifting mechanism securely holds said weatherproof entertainment system in said extended position.

18. A weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment system as claimed in 5 wherein said series of components are televisions, VCRs, DVD players, AM/FM radios, CD players, speaker systems, and remote satellite/cable signal receivers.

19. A weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment system as claimed in 10 wherein said lifting mechanism operates electrically, hydraulically or pneumatically.

20. A weatherproof retractable multimedia entertainment system as claimed in 5 wherein said housing maintains a weatherproof seal for said weatherproof entertainment system and said retracting means.