Modular sub-cabinet for motion furniture
The present invention is a sub-cabinet readily insertable and removable from a larger decorative cabinet. The invention is comprised of a box-like structure having at least three panels perpendicularly disposed with respect to a floor panel and attached thereto, a lift vertically disposed within the box-like structure and fastened thereto, and a control module disposed within the box-like structure and fastened thereto. The control module receives commands from a limit switch so as to stop the lift motion when fully retracted or extended. Furthermore, the control module regulates electrical power to a display device fastened to the lift based upon the direction of travel of the support unit. The control module receives function commands from either a wireless remote or a switch. An alternate embodiment of the present invention further comprises a safety strip attached about an edge along one or more panels adjacent to a movable lid hinged to a decorative cabinet. The safety strip communicates with the control module so as to reverse the direction of the lift when contacted. Another embodiment of the present invention further comprises one or more storage areas within the box-like structure.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a mechanically and electrically integrated sub-cabinet for use within a larger decorative cabinet. Specifically, the invention is a box-like structure having a motorized lift, a control module and a safety strip mechanically integrated therein and electrically connected so as to control operation of the lift.
2. Description of the Related Art
Television designs are focused on low-profile devices including but not limited to plasma screens and LCD panels. Low-profile televisions maximize viewing area and minimize unit depth. However, designs are inherently less decorative, less physically stable, and heavier than tube-based televisions.
Aesthetic and stability deficiencies of low-profile televisions are addressed by housing the television within a cabinet. In such applications, the low-profile television is extended from and retracted into a cabinet via a lift. The application of a lift within a cabinet, desk, mirror, or picture frame is referred to herein as motion furniture.
Lift devices increase the complexity and cost of furniture manufacture and thereby limit their application to the high-end market. Conventional furniture design for the mass market is generally limited to wood and plastic construction with a decorative finish and minimal moving parts. Electrically powered mechanisms are generally not offered in conventional furniture since most manufacturers are neither facilitized nor staffed for the installation of wiring, couplings, and electrical components.
Lift devices also decrease the reliability of furniture via the introduction of electrically powered and mechanically movable components. As such, component repair and replacement increases the cost of ownership and reduces affordability.
What is required is a modular unit both mechanically and electrically integrated so as to provide a slide-in solution for decorative furniture thereby reducing the manufacturing costs and complexities associated with the integration of lift technology into furniture for the mass market.
What is required is a modular unit both mechanically and electrically integrated so as to facilitate the rapid and low-cost repair and/or replacement of electrically powered and mechanically movable components thereby improving the affordability of lift technology in furniture for the mass market.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn object of the present invention is to provide a modular sub-cabinet that is both mechanically and electrically integrated so as to provide a slide-in solution for lift technology applicable to decorative furniture.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a modular sub-cabinet that is both mechanically and electrically integrated so as to facilitate the rapid and low-cost repair and/or replacement of electrically powered and mechanically movable lift technology.
The present invention is a sub-cabinet insertable and removable from a larger decorative cabinet. The invention is comprised of a box-like structure having at least three panels perpendicularly disposed with respect to a floor panel and attached thereto, a lift vertically disposed within the box-like structure and fastened to one panel, and a control module disposed within the box-like structure and fastened thereto. The control module receives commands from a limit switch so as to stop the motion of the lift when fully extended or retracted. Furthermore, the control module terminates electrical power to a television fastened to the lift when retracting into the box-like structure. The control module receives function commands from either a wireless remote or a manual switch.
An alternate embodiment of the present invention further comprises a safety strip attached about an edge along one or more panels adjacent to a movable lid hinged to a decorative cabinet. The safety strip communicates with the control module so as to reverse the direction of the lift when contacted. While various types of safety strip devices are applicable to the present invention, preferred embodiments include a pressure sensitive device.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, one or more storage areas are provided within the box-like structure.
Two advantages are offered by the present invention. The invention reduces the cost and complexity associated with the assembly of motion furniture by providing a single, fully functional slide-in component capable of extending and retracting a television from decorative furniture or a computer display from office furniture. The invention increases the affordability of motion furniture within the mass market via a modular design that allows for the rapid removal and replacement of a defective unit.
The present invention is applicable to a variety of uses. For example, the invention may be used to extend and retract a television, computer display or other electronic component from a decorative cabinet at the foot of a bed, a decorative cabinet against a wall, a decorative cabinet built into the foot of a bed, a picture frame, a mirror, a night stand, or a desk.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- 1 Lift
- 2 Base unit
- 3 Support unit
- 4 Vertical support element
- 5 Horizontal support element
- 6 Bracket
- 7 Motor
- 8 Drive screw
- 9 Coupler
- 10 Rail
- 11 Base plate
- 12 End plate
- 13 Stiffener
- 14 Elevator element
- 15 Limit switch
- 16 Stop
- 17 Fastener
- 18 Washer
- 19 Horizontal rest
- 20 Fastener
- 21 Nut
- 22 Elevator plate
- 23 T-shaped guide
- 24 Fastener
- 25 Power cord
- 26 Fastener
- 27 Rod
- 28 Controller/transformer
- 29 Remote control receiver
- 30 Fastener
- 31 Mounting hole
- 32 Bracket
- 33 Nut
- 34 Upper end
- 35 Lower end
- 36 Mounting cap
- 37 Flange
- 38 Washer
- 100 Sub-cabinet
- 101 Left panel
- 102 Right panel
- 103 Back panel
- 104 Floor panel
- 105 Television
- 106 Control module
- 107 Mounting hole
- 108 Opening
- 109 Handle opening
- 110 Decorative cabinet
- 111 Lid
- 112 Storage area
- 113 Door
- 114 Front panel
- 115 Safety strip
- 116 Shelf
- 117 Component storage area
- 118 Component storage area
- 119 Bracket
- 120 Bracket
- 121 Closer
- 122 Pin
- 123 Pin
- 124 Wall
- 125 Socket
- 126 Switch
- 127 Fastener
- 128 Shelf
- 129 Cabinet front
- 130 Edge
Referring to
The box-like structure is constructed of a left panel 101, a right panel 102, a back panel 103, and a floor panel 104. Panel elements are planar shaped and composed of wood, preferably plywood or particle board. Panels are fastened into the desired shape via assembly techniques understood in the art. For example, left panel 101 and right panel 102 are secured to opposite ends of back panel 103 and floor panel 104 via flat head screws or recessed bolts. Thereafter, back panel 103 is secured to floor panel 104 via the fasteners described. Overlapping joints between panel elements are further strengthened via a wood glue. In some applications, dowels are inserted into mutually opposed holes along the joint between two panels. In other applications, it may be desired to further strengthen joints via the inclusion of molding nailed or screwed to the panels along the joint.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring now to
While a variety of mechanical lifts known within the art are applicable to the present invention, preferred embodiments are comprised of the device shown and described below. Referring now to
Referring again to
Referring again to
Referring now to
Referring again to
Referring now to
An optional pair of washers 18a-18b is disposed about the base plate 11 for each fastener 17a-17c so as to prevent direct contact between motor 7 and base plate 11. It is preferred that washers 18a-18b be composed of a vibration damping material, examples including but not limited to elastomers, polymers, and lead. A rotating shaft extending from the motor 7 is directly coupled to the drive screw 8 via a coupler 9. The coupler 9 is a metal cylinder having a cavity conforming to the end of both rotating shaft and drive screw 8. The drive screw 8 extends above the coupler 9 passing through the elevator element 14, as shown in
Referring again to
Referring now to
The T-shaped guides 23a, 23c prevent contact between vertical support elements 4a-4b and rails 10a-10d, as well as between elevator plate 22 and rails 10a-10d. Furthermore, the pair of T-shaped guides 23a, 23c constrain travel of the support unit 3 lengthwise along the paired rails 10a-10b and 10c-10d. As such, it is preferred that the T-shaped guides 23a, 23c be comprised of a low-friction material preferably a polymer, one example being polytetrafluorethylene, also known to as PTFE.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring again to
Referring now to
Referring now to
A control module 106 is comprised of a controller/transformer 28 and an optional remote control receiver 29 electrically connected thereto. The controller/transformer 28 is further electrically connected to a safety strip 115 attached to the sub-cabinet 100, a limit switch 15 and a motor 7 within the lift 1, an optional switch 126 also attached to the exterior of the sub-cabinet 100, and a socket 125 within the sub-cabinet 100.
Lift 1 function is initiated by a remote control receiver 29 and/or a switch 126. The remote control receiver 29 is an electrical component understood in the art capable of receiving wireless commands, via either an RF or an IR signal, as to the transmission of power from the controller/transformer 28 to the motor 7. A mechanical button or toggle type device, both understood in the art, is applicable to the switch 126 and provides for the ON and OFF transmission of power from the controller/transformer 28 to the motor 7. The controller/transformed 28, also a component understood in the art, receives AC power via a power cord 25 thereafter converting it to DC before communicating it to the motor 7 in a controlled fashion. Contact between elevator plate 22 and stop 16a moves the rod 27 downward thereby mechanically tripping the limit switch 15 and sending an electrical command to the controller/transformer 28 to terminate power to the motor 7. Likewise, contact between elevator plate 22 and stop 16b moves the rod 27 upward thereby mechanically tripping the limit switch 15 and sending an electrical command to the controller/transformer 28 to terminate power to the motor 7. In either event, rotation of the drive screw 8 ceases thereby stopping travel of support unit 3. Additionally, the rotational direction of the motor 7 is reversed for a subsequent reactivation of the motor 7.
The safety strip 115 is a contact sensitive device understood in the art that communicates the occurrence of a physical contact between an object and the safety strip 115 to the controller/transformer 28. An exemplary safety strip 115 includes the pressure sensitive device described and claimed by Burgess in U.S. Pat. No. 6,329,617. Upon receipt of a contact by the safety strip 115, the controller/transformer 28 reverses the direction of the support unit 3 so as to open the lid 111 thereby preventing damage or injury to the object.
The socket 125 is a device understood in the art that facilitates an electrical connection between the controller/transformer 28 and the television 105. The controller/transformer 28 regulated power to the socket 125 so that the television 105 is ON when the support unit 3 is extended and OFF when the support unit 3 is retracted.
The description above indicates that a great degree of flexibility is offered in terms of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.
Claims
1-9. (canceled)
10. A method of large-scale and rapid conversion of an existing article of furniture to a furniture system having a lift comprising the steps of:
- modifying said existing article of furniture to receive a pre-assembled modular cabinet comprising: a box-like structure having at least three panels perpendicularly disposed about a floor panel and attached thereto, a lift vertically disposed within said box-like structure and fastened to one of said panels; and a control module disposed within said box-like structure and fastened thereto, said control module receiving commands so as to direct motion of said lift; and
- inserting said pre-assembled modular sub-cabinet into said article of furniture.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising a step of cutting an opening in said pre-existing article of furniture.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising a step of installing a safety strip adapted to reverse the direction of said lift when contacted.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising a step of installing a safety strip about an edge along one or more said at least three panels adjacent to a movable lid.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 8, 2005
Publication Date: Nov 10, 2005
Inventor: Wieslaw Bober (New York, NY)
Application Number: 11/178,016