Entertainment System Component Enclosure

Abstract

An entertainment system component enclosure includes a frame, including first and second frame members and first and second side frame members. The first and second frame members together with the first and second side frame members define a rectangular shape having an internally positioned aperture. First and second walls each extend transversely from one of the first and second side frame members. A third wall extends transversely from the first frame member and is oriented parallel to the first frame member and transverse to the first and second side walls. A two-way mirror is fixedly positioned in the aperture. The walls and frame enclose an entertainment component while the two-way mirror allows viewing the component.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/851,782, filed on Oct. 13, 2006. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to audio and video component display and enclosure devices.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

With the advent of surround sound systems, advanced video game systems, and Internet television equipment, manufacturers of video display storage devices have developed entertainment centers to allow consumers to cluster this equipment together in a central location where it may be used by several persons in a large viewing space. In keeping with this trend, many of the entertainment centers presently manufactured are large units, tailored specifically to the storage and use of the entertainment equipment.

To prevent the video display from becoming the focal point of the room decor when it is not in use, many known entertainment centers utilize retracting or sliding doors to conceal a video display or components used to support the video display. This strategy, however, has several drawbacks including increased costs for hardware and construction and decreased convenience to the user of the entertainment center due to the need to open and close the doors prior to and after using the video display. In addition, the growing use of flat screen and plasma screen devices has prompted the use of brackets and support structure directly connected to wall structure, limiting the easy movement of the devices, and limiting the capability of cabinetry to be used in the area of the display screens.

The above noted problems are more apparent when the size of the room is relatively small and not used for the sole purpose of entertainment. Entertainment centers are typically not integrated satisfactorily into multi-purpose rooms such as dens, home offices and bedrooms where additional flexibility is required. Examples of such flexibility include the ability to alter the height or orientation of the equipment to enable the occupants of the room to view and operate the equipment from the desired viewing location or angle. One solution has been the use of a 2-way mirror incorporated in a furniture member which presents a mirror face when the equipment is not operating, and shows the picture through the mirror when the equipment is operating. A 2-way mirror system has been previously disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,551 to Annas. A drawback of the '551 patent remained in the inability to adapt to large screen televisions, and particularly to adapt to flat screen and plasma screen televisions while allowing ease of movement of the televisions.

Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for an improved component enclosure which at least partially encloses entertainment equipment both when and when not in use, which is aesthetically pleasing, and which does not require opening any doors of the component enclosure or moving a large piece of cabinetry to move the equipment. There also remains a need for an entertainment component enclosure which is compatible with the decor of a large range of furniture members.

SUMMARY

According to several embodiments of an entertainment system component enclosure of the present disclosure, an entertainment system component enclosure includes a frame having first and second frame members and first and second side frame members. The first and second frame members together with the first and second side frame members define a rectangular shape having an internally positioned aperture. First and second walls each extend transversely from one of the first and second side frame members. A third wall extends transversely from the first frame member and is oriented parallel to the first frame member and transverse to the first and second side walls. A two-way mirror is fixedly positioned in the aperture.

According to further embodiments, an entertainment system component enclosure system includes a frame having first and second frame members and first and second side frame members. The first and second frame members together with the first and second side frame members define a rectangular shape having an internally positioned aperture. First and second walls each extend transversely from one of the first and second side frame members. A third wall extends transversely from the first frame member and is oriented parallel to the first frame member and transverse to the first and second side walls. The third wall, the first and second walls, and the frame members together define a frame depth. An entertainment component includes a depth smaller than the frame depth. The frame is positionable to substantially enclose the entertainment component.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an entertainment system component enclosure of the present disclosure supported by a cabinet member;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the component enclosure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the component enclosure taken at section 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the component enclosure taken at section 4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the component enclosure taken at section 5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view showing the cross-sectional side elevational view of the component enclosure of FIG. 5 in position for installation over an entertainment component;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view further showing the component enclosure of FIG. 5 in an installed position over the entertainment component;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 7 with the entertainment component removed for clarity;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the component enclosure similar to FIG. 5, further showing a rear enclosure cover; and

FIG. 10 is rear perspective view of the component enclosure showing the rear enclosure cover of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

With reference to FIG. 1, an entertainment system component enclosure of the present disclosure is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. Component enclosure 10 is similar in appearance to a scaled-up picture or mirror frame. Component enclosure 10 includes a frame 12, which is adapted to internally receive and substantially enclose an entertainment component 14 such as a flat screen monitor or plasma screen television. A two-way mirror 16 is positioned on the outward facing side of component 14 as will be further described herein. It will be evident to a person of skill in the art that additional components (not shown) such as but not limited to projection screens, computer monitors, and other display devices can also be used for component 14. In several embodiments, component enclosure 10 can be positioned on an upper surface 18 of a cabinet member top 20 of a cabinet member 22 such as a dresser, armoire, video display cabinet, or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 2, component enclosure 10 includes each of a first frame member 24, a second frame member 26 oriented substantially parallel to first frame member 24, a first side frame member 28 positioned substantially perpendicular to first and second frame members 24, 26, and a second side frame member 30 oriented substantially parallel to first side frame member 28. According to several embodiments, frame members 24 through 30 can be constructed of wood, polymeric material, or a composite material which can be finished or stained to approximate a finish of a corresponding furniture member. An internal cavity or window 32 is defined by frame members 24 through 30. Two-way mirror 16 is positioned within window 32 as will be shown and described in reference to later figures.

Frame 12 has a total frame width “A”, and a total frame height “B”. It will be evident to a person of skill in the art that width “A” and height “B” can be varied by the manufacturer to suit a plurality of different size entertainment components 14. Frame 12 also includes a window width “C” and a window height “D” that define the exposed area of two-way mirror 16. A portion of each of the frame members 24 through 30 extends partially over two-way mirror 16 such that a total mirror width “E” and a total mirror height “F” extending beyond window width “C” and window height “D” define portions of frame 12 in contact with and supporting two-way mirror 16.

Referring now generally to FIG. 3, each of the frame members 24 through 30 can include a fascia 34 providing a furniture or picture frame appearance. First and second side frame members 28, 30 further include a first side wall 36 and a second side wall 38 respectively extending substantially perpendicular to an orientation of the first and second side frame members 28, 30. The first and second side frame members 28, 30 and first and second side walls 36, 38 together define the frame depth “G”. Frame depth “G” can be varied by the designer to accommodate a plurality of depths of entertainment components 14. A corner brace 40, 40′ can also be positioned at the junction of first and second side walls 36, 38 with each of first and second side frame members 28, 30. Corner braces 40, 40′ provide additional stiffness for frame 12 and can be attached using for example fasteners, adhesives, or the like.

As best seen in reference to FIG. 4, each of the frame members 24 through 30, including first and second frame members 24, 26 shown, include a counter bore 42 on an interior face 44 of the frame members. Counter bore 42 defines a mirror engagement surface 46. A complete perimeter of two-way mirror 16 is received within counter bore 42. It is also noted that the outer extremities of counter bore 42 are defined by mirror width “E” and mirror height “F” defined in reference to FIG. 2. Each of the first and second side frame members 28, 30 include an elongated aperture 48 created in the first and second side walls 36, 38 respectively (only first side wall 36 is shown in this view). A cloth or fiber material such as opaque acoustic cover 50 can be applied over elongated apertures 48. Opaque acoustic cover 50 can be a fire retardant material and permits sound to escape frame 12 while also providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance. An upper wall 52 is also shown connected to and extending substantially perpendicularly from first frame member 24. A length of upper wall 52 is substantially equal to a length of each of first and second side walls 36, 38 to maintain frame depth “G” defined in reference to FIG. 3. By applying a construction tolerance two-way mirror 16 fits within counter bore 42 with limited clearance for two-way mirror 16 to move in any direction.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the installation of two-way mirror 16 is depicted. Two-way mirror 16 is disposed within counter bore 42 and abuts mirror engagement surface 46. To retain two-way mirror 16 in counter bore 42, a mirror support frame 54 is brought into contact with a portion 56 of interior face 44 of frame members 24 through 30. Support frame 54 is retained in position using for example a plurality of fasteners 58 such as brads, nails, or screws. Fasteners 58 can also be eliminated and support frame 54 can be held in position using an adhesive material. Two-way mirror 16 is oriented such that light striking two-way mirror 16 from an external light path “H” is reflected in a generally opposite direction to external light path “H”. An open cavity 60 internally created in mirror support frame 54 provides for a light path identified as internal light path “J” for images from the entertainment component 14 to be directed through two-way mirror 16 for observation.

Referring now generally to FIG. 6, component enclosure 10 is shown in position prior to positioning about entertainment component 14. A bottom surface 61 of second frame member 26 can be in contact with upper surface 18 of cabinet member top 20. From the position shown, component enclosure 10 can be moved in an installation direction “K” to substantially enclose entertainment component 14. A rear face 62 of cabinet member 22 can be butted against an outer face 64 of a wall 66 or spaced therefrom. Entertainment component 14 can be supported by upper surface 18 of cabinet member top 20 and can also be butted against or spaced from outer face 64. A screen 68 of entertainment component 14 is oriented facing away from wall 66 and toward an inner facing surface of two-way mirror 16.

As best seen in reference to FIG. 7, an installed position of component enclosure 10 is shown. In the installed position, an end face 70 of upper wall 52 and an end face 70′ of each of first and second side walls 36, 38 can be positioned in contact with, or spaced from outer face 64 of wall 66. This provides a substantially completely enclosed condition of entertainment component 14 using a portion of cabinet member top 20 as a lower wall of component enclosure 10. Frame depth “G” is predetermined so that in the installed position of component enclosure 10 a clearance can exist between screen 68 of entertainment component 14 and each of two-way mirror 16 and mirror support frame 54. Component enclosure 10 can also be positively engaged with outer face 64 of wall 66 for example using an L-shaped bracket 72 attached to each of upper wall 52 and wall 66 using for example a plurality of fasteners 74. In many circumstances however, it is desirable to maintain component enclosure 10 as a free-standing enclosure of entertainment component 14 which allows easy movement of both component enclosure 10 and entertainment component 14 as desired.

In the installed position, component enclosure 10 “substantially encloses” entertainment component 14 defined as enclosing portions of the entertainment component 14 otherwise visible to a person in a room with entertainment component 14. The entertainment component 14 is further enclosed in embodiments having the entertainment component 14 in contact with or spaced from a wall of the room and when supported from a surface of a furniture member such as cabinet member 22 described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 8, by varying frame depth “G” to accommodate a plurality of different sized entertainment components 14, a clearance spacing “L” can be varied between interior faces 44, 44′ and outer face 64 of wall 66. As evident in FIG. 8, in several embodiments a counterpart to upper wall 52 is specifically omitted from the lower portion of component enclosure 10, allowing component enclosure 10 to be slidably fit about entertainment component 14 when entertainment component 14 is directly supported on a surface such as cabinet member top 20.

The sizes of each of elongated apertures 48, 48′ created in first and second side walls 36, 38 can be varied at the discretion of the designer to vary the acoustic performance or heat transfer from entertainment component 14. For additional removal of heat generated by entertainment component 14, in several embodiments an elongated aperture 76 can also be located in upper wall 52, allowing a direct upward flow of heated air for cooling entertainment component 14. For aesthetic purposes elongated aperture 76 if used can also be covered using an opaque acoustic cover similar to opaque acoustic cover 50. Although FIG. 8 shows component enclosure 10 as well as cabinet member 22 directly abutted against outer face 64 of wall 66, any of the items including component enclosure 10, entertainment component 14, and/or cabinet member 22 can also be spatially separated from outer face 64. This will permit a through-path for items such as electrical cabling, power wires, and the like. Additional apertures (not shown) can also be disposed in either of first and second side walls 36, 38 for the purpose of allowing passage of wires and/or cableways.

Referring to FIG. 9, a rear enclosure cover 78 is positioned to completely cover a rear facing side of component enclosure 10. Rear enclosure cover 78 can be a cloth material, a polymeric woven or formed material, or the like. Rear enclosure cover 78 can be selected from a plurality of colors, with darker shades such as black being selectable to minimize the entry of light from the rear of the component enclosure 10 in installations where the rear face of the component enclosure 10 does not directly abut a surface such as a wall and a light source could undesirably “back-light” the two-way mirror 16. An upper portion of rear enclosure cover 78 can be fixedly connected to upper wall 52 using a plurality of fasteners 80 such as tacks, brads, staples, or the like.

Referring to FIG. 10, rear enclosure cover 78 can be releasably connected to each of the first and second side walls 36 and 38 using for example a hook and loop fastening system. In the embodiment shown, a portion of rear enclosure cover 78 is shown folded upward. Individual hook strips 82 are fixedly connected to a rear facing side of both first and second side walls 36, 38 (the hook strip 82 connected to first side wall 36 is not shown). A corresponding loop strip 84 is fixedly connected to both outward edges of rear enclosure 78 which are positioned to engage individual ones of the hook strips 82. Additional connecting methods substituted for hook and loop strips 82, 84 can also be used, such as but not limited to releasable fasteners, hook and eyelet connections, magnetic strips, and the like. An overlap joint 86 is created by overlapping a portion of the material of rear enclosure cover 78 at approximately a mid-point between first and second side walls 36, 38.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 7, and 10, the overlap joint 86 allows for an entertainment component positioned within component enclosure 10 to be deeper than the frame depth “G” by providing additional rear cover material capable of extending rearwardly and outwardly beyond first and second side walls 36, 38 without releasing the releasable connections defined by hook strips 82 with loop strips 84. A light shield function of rear enclosure cover 78 is therefore maintained preventing light from entering component enclosure 10 from the back past the fixed connection defined at the end face 70 of upper wall 52 and the releasable connections at end face 70′ of each of first and second side walls 36, 38. A cavity 88 is therefore created between the first and second side walls 36, 38 and upper wall 52 and the interior face 44 of the frame members which is partially closed by the rear enclosure 78.

A component enclosure of the present disclosure offers several advantages. By configuring the component enclosure with the appearance of a mirror or picture frame, component enclosure 10 when installed provides the outward appearance of a furniture or decorative item while at the same time providing the capability to easily move component enclosure 10 and/or the entertainment component disposed therein. By positioning a two-way mirror 16 in a window opening of the component enclosure, when the entertainment component 14 is not in use, the component enclosure provides the user with a mirror function as well as adding a reflective surface to the room within which the component enclosure is positioned. By providing top and sides but not a bottom wall for the component enclosure, the component enclosure can enclose an entertainment component when the entertainment component is supported from a furniture member such as a cabinet.

Claims

1. An entertainment system component enclosure, comprising:

a frame, including: first and second frame members; first and second side frame members, the first and second frame members together with the first and second side frame members defining a rectangular shape having an internally positioned aperture; first and second walls each extending transversely from one of the first and second side frame members; and a third wall extending transversely from the first frame member and oriented parallel to the first frame member and transverse to the first and second side walls; and

a two-way mirror fixedly positioned in the aperture.

2. The component enclosure of claim 1, further comprising a counter bore created in each of the frame members adapted to receive the two-way mirror.

3. The component enclosure of claim 2, further comprising a mirror support frame fixedly connected to an interior face of each of the frame members and adapted to retain the mirror in the counter bore.

4. The component enclosure of claim 3, further comprising an open cavity internally created in the mirror support frame operable to provide a light path from an entertainment component substantially enclosed by the component enclosure to exit through the two-way mirror.

5. The component enclosure of claim 1, further comprising an elongated aperture created in at least one of the first and second side frame members.

6. The component enclosure of claim 5, further comprising a cover of an opaque acoustically transparent material disposed in the elongated aperture.

7. The component enclosure of claim 1, further comprising a predetermined frame depth defined by the frame members, the first and second walls, and the third wall, the frame depth operable to permit the component enclosure to partially enclose an entertainment component, with light generated by the entertainment component transmissible through a light path through the two-way mirror.

8. An entertainment component enclosure system, comprising:

a frame, including: first and second frame members; first and second side frame members, the first and second frame members together with the first and second side frame members defining a rectangular shape having an internally positioned aperture; first and second walls each extending transversely from one of the first and second side frame members; and a third wall extending transversely from the first frame member and oriented parallel to the first frame member and transverse to the first and second side walls, the third wall, the first and second walls and the frame members together defining a frame depth; and

an entertainment component having a depth smaller than the frame depth;

wherein the frame is positionable to substantially enclose the entertainment component with the entertainment component abutting a wall surface and the first, second and third walls in contact with the wall surface.

9. The component enclosure system of claim 7, further comprising a bottom surface of the second frame member operable to contact a surface of a cabinet member.

10. The component enclosure system of claim 9, further comprising at least one L-shaped bracket operably fastenable to both the first frame member and a wall surface when the second frame member is in contact with the surface of the cabinet member to releasably secure the frame to the wall surface.

11. The component enclosure system of claim 8, further comprising a two-way mirror fixedly positioned in the aperture, the two way mirror adapted to permit light operably generated by the entertainment system when energized to pass through, and to permit ambient light from an area outside of the frame to be reflected back to the area when the entertainment component is de-energized.

12. The component enclosure system of claim 8, further comprising a fascia defining an outward facing side of each of the first and second frame members and the first and second side frame members.

13. An entertainment component enclosure system, comprising:

a component enclosure including: a rectangular shaped frame defining a window, the frame having a counter bore on an interior face of the frame surrounding the window; a two-way mirror positioned within the counter bore; and first and second side walls and an upper wall each extending transversely from the frame; and

an opening defined at a lower portion of the component enclosure permitting the component enclosure to be slidably fit about an entertainment component when the entertainment component is directly supported on a surface of a furniture member.

14. The entertainment component enclosure system of claim 13, further comprising a mirror support frame fixedly connected to the interior face and adapted to retain the two-way mirror in the counter bore.

15. The entertainment component enclosure system of claim 14, further comprising an open cavity internally created in the mirror support frame operable to provide a light path from the entertainment component to exit through the two-way mirror.

16. The entertainment component enclosure system of claim 15, wherein when the entertainment component abuts a wall surface and each of the first and second side walls and the upper wall abut the wall surface to partially enclose the entertainment component, the light path from the entertainment component is limited to only a path through the two-way mirror.

17. The entertainment component enclosure system of claim 13, wherein the furniture member comprises a cabinet.

18. The entertainment component enclosure system of claim 13, further comprising an elongated aperture located in upper wall allowing a direct upward flow of heated air through the component enclosure for cooling the entertainment component.

19. An entertainment component enclosure system, comprising:

a component enclosure including: a rectangular shaped frame defining a window; first and second side walls and an upper wall each extending transversely from the frame, the upper wall positioned transverse to and connected with both the first and second side walls;

a two-way mirror fixed to the frame spanning an opening defined by the frame; and

a rear cover of a flexible material connected to an end face of the upper wall and to an end face of each of first and second side walls.

20. The entertainment component enclosure system of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of fasteners operable to connect the rear cover to the end face of the upper wall.

21. The entertainment component enclosure system of claim 20, further comprising:

a hook strip connected to one of the rear cover and the end face of each of the first and second side walls; and

a loop strip connected to the other one of the rear cover and the end face of each of the first and second side walls, the hook strip and the loop strip engageable to define a releasable connection between the rear cover and the component enclosure.

22. The entertainment component enclosure system of claim 21, wherein the rear cover includes an overlap joint allowing the rear cover to extend outwardly of the component enclosure without release of the releasable connection between the rear cover and the component enclosure.

23. The entertainment component enclosure system of claim 19, further comprising an opening defined at a lower portion of the component enclosure permitting the component enclosure to be slidably fit about an entertainment component when the entertainment component is directly supported on a surface of a furniture member and located within an enclosure defined by the two-way mirror, the first and second side walls, the upper wall, and the rear cover.