Television or Video Monitors and Cabinets Therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to the so-called flat-screen television sets and video monitors and to cabinets therefor. Flat screen television sets and video monitors presently come in two different forms, namely those with a plasma screens on the one hand, and those with LCD screens on the other. In modem home design, in any living room in which a television or video monitor is positioned, the seating is generally angled, so that people can readily view the screen of such. Such an arrangement causes difficulties in that a television set or video monitor is a focus of the room, even when not in use. Other problems exist in that the flat-screen display is not generally considered as an aesthetically pleasing design. Furthermore, having an expensive or moderately expensive item of electrical equipment on permanent display within a room can pose a security risk. The present invention provides an apparatus for use with a flat-screen display, the apparatus comprising: a fireplace surround, adapted to stand against a wall, in the form of a fireplace surround, comprising a mechanism operable to support a flat screen television in first and second positions, wherein the flat-screen display can be viewed above the fireplace surround in an operating position. The fireplace surround provides a natural focal point of the room.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the so-called flat-screen television sets and video monitors and to cabinets therefor.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Flat screen television sets and video monitors presently come in two different forms, namely those with a plasma screen on the one hand, and those with an LCD screen on the other, relying upon different technologies, the details of which are of little importance, so far as the present invention is concerned.

Broadly speaking, plasma television technology is derived from that of the fluorescent tube. The screen is generally divided into individual cells, each comprising an inert gas, usually a neon-xenon mixture, sealed between glass panels. When the gas is electrically charged, the charged gas molecules strike red, green or blue phosphors. To create a television image, comprised of many pixel elements, each group of the three red, green and blue phosphors forms a pixel element of the screen. In contrast, LCD screens are generally formed of layers of transparent material which are polarised, one layer generally being coated with a polymer that holds individual liquid crystals. Current applied to the crystals passes or blocks light from a light source behind the transparent layers to create an image.

However, as noted above, the details of the respective technologies are not of importance as far as the present invention is concerned. There are relative advantages and disadvantages as between plasma screens, and LCD screens. At the date of filing this patent application, it was still relatively difficult to manufacture large size “one metre or more in width” LCD screens to acceptable quality, so that they are very much more expensive in corresponding sized plasma television screens; but continuing advances are being made in the development of these and other forms of flat-screen television and video monitor screens (hereinafter to be referred to as flat-screen displays). The present invention is applicable to flat-screen displays utilising any technology. So far as the present invention is concerned, the particular technology employed for the flat-screen implementation need not be further described.

Generally, these new forms of television screen are relatively thin, as compared with the conventional cathode ray tube based apparatus; they lend themselves to mounting upon a wall. However, such screens complete with housing and mounting fixtures are typically greater than one metre in overall width. This can pose a problem for those considering the purchase of a flat-screen display, when considering how to arrange a flat-screen display, as an item of furniture, within their homes. The mounting of a flat-screen display upon the wall of a conventional living room will result in the presence of a large grey area being present when the display screen is not in use, which said large grey area can easily dominate such a room.

Furthermore, because such flat-screen displays are comparatively expensive, it is not uncommon for such flat-screen displays to be the main object of a theft: As is known, electrical goods can be disposed of at a fraction of their open market value to those who do not wish to have a receipt for purchase.

A still further problem encountered with flat screen displays is that the wiring for connection to loudspeakers, aerials and power for the screen are either attached singly or within a trunking arrangement to a wall or are otherwise hidden from view in an expensive and relatively permanent arrangement. Such cables therefore look quite unsightly or are expensively buried, with little choice for rearranging the layout of a room once the cables have been encased.

As a result, a variety of different kinds of furniture in the form of chests or cabinets have been designed for concealing flat-screen displays. For example, the type of cabinet could be a blanket box, which could be placed at the foot of a bed. Lifting mechanisms are known, which come in a number of forms, and are used to vertically raise a flat-screen display hidden within the furniture, when required to be viewed. For the remaining time, it can be hidden within the furniture.

In modern home design, in any living room in which a television or video monitor is positioned, the seating is generally angled so that people can readily view the screen of such a television. When a flat-screen arrangement is hidden from view and is stored within an item of furniture as described above, then the resultant room arrangement may appear to be strange upon initial view and an observer may question the arrangement of seats in that they would be directed toward a blanket box. Indeed, there are many similarities with the layout of a room where a non-movable traditional screen television set is enclosed within a cupboard-like enclosure, the focal point being what would not, ordinarily, be the focus of a room.

An alternative solution to the problem discussed above, has been to mount the flat-screen display upon the wall of a dedicated television or video room, analogous to an in-house cinema—which is not readily feasible in most homes.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to the problems addressed above.

The present invention seeks to provide an aesthetically pleasing television or video monitor cabinet and further seeks to provide a relatively secure enclosure for an expensive item of electrical apparatus.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for use with a flat-screen display, the apparatus comprising: a fireplace surround adapted to stand against a wall, and comprising a mechanism which can support a flat screen display in a first position such that the flat-screen display remains entirely within the cabinet, hidden from view, and in a second position such that the flat-screen display is raised above the fireplace surround and a flat-screen display can be viewed by an onlooker, the mechanism being operable to move a flat-screen display between the first and the second positions.

Conveniently, the fireplace surround comprises a grate or fireplace, a hearth and a mantelshelf; the grate may comprise an electric fireplace conveniently with a flame effect arrangement, equally, the grate may comprise a gas fireplace also conveniently with a flame effect arrangement.

Nonetheless, it may be that there is no requirement for an actual heating device to be present: the fireplace surround may indeed comprise a faux-fireplace. For example, the fireplace may look as if it may be used on a regular basis but may, in fact, not be used at all—there is no electric, gas or other type of heating device. Alternatively, the fireplace surround may comprise a screen, decorated or otherwise, which is permanently on view to give the impression that there is a fireplace, but such is not used or infrequently used, when there is in fact no grate or fireplace. In another alternative, a flower display, potted plants or other types of objet d'art may be present, to “hide” a non-existent or little used fireplace. It will be appreciated that there are many fireplaces, especially in older homes, where the fireplace surround looks pretty, or even interesting, yet the fireplace or grate is black and unsightly, and may also allow a draught: a screen or draught excluder may appear to be appropriate and little thought will be directed to the apparent primary use of the fireplace surround.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operating a cabinet operable to enclose a flat-screen display when not in use within a cabinet, the cabinet comprising a fireplace surround adapted to stand against a wall, with a mechanism which can support a flat screen display in a first and second positions, the mechanism being operable to move the flat-screen display between the first and the second positions; fireplace surround provided with a fireplace in which a gas fire, electric fire or faux fire is mounted; in a first mode the method comprising the steps of operating the mechanism, such that, if initially the flat-screen display is in view, then the mechanism lowers the flat-screen display within the fireplace surround whereby to maintain the fireplace as a focal point of a room and, in another mode, the method comprises the step of raising the flat-screen display from within the fireplace surround such that the flat-screen display is visible.

In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fireplace comprising a flame effect gas or electric fire, a fireplace surround, a hearth and a mantel and a flat-screen display; at least part of the fireplace surround, conveniently a mantel shelf, being displaceable to allow the display screen, otherwise hidden from view, to be raised for viewing.

When the flame effect fire is in actual fact a gas fire, then provision can be made for the ducting of gases for combustion and exhaust behind the fire, through a flue that is conveniently fan assisted, such ducting being arranged so that it does not affect the mechanism for raising and lowering of the screen.

The raising mechanism may comprise a screw drive or a rack and pinion mechanism, wherein an electric motor provides drive. Alternatively an hydraulic mechanism or a pneumatic system is employed. Part or all of the mantel shelf may be raised together with the screen and may be attached to the upper edge of the display screen or to its raising mechanism for this purpose. Alternatively, part or all of the mantel shelf may be hingedly mounted to the remainder of the cabinet, allowing it to be rotated on operation of the mechanism to a position allowing the display screen to be raised. In a further alternative, part or all of the mantel shelf may be slid out of the way, or withdrawn within the cabinet, to allow the screen to be raised.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the Figures as shown in the accompanying drawing sheets, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a cabinet for a flat-screen television, in a schematic front elevation view;

FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view through the cabinet of FIG. 1 taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1, and showing a flat-screen within the cabinet;

FIG. 3 shows a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the flat-screen raised;

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a scrap sectional view showing a modification;

FIG. 6 a similar scrap sectional view showing a further modification;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first example of lifting mechanism useful in an apparatus as depicted in FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative example of lifting mechanism as seen from the front;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the lifting mechanism shown in FIG. 8 as seen from the rear;

FIG. 10 is a view generally similar to FIG. 2 for an alternative embodiment, and;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of FIG. 10, taken along the line XI-XI.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

There will now be described, by way of example only, the best mode contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the present invention. In the following description, numerous specific details are set out in order to provide a complete understanding to the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that the present invention may be put into practice with variations of the specific.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings, with a flat-screen display 1 is shown mounted within a cabinet 2 in FIGS. 1 and 2 and raised from the cabinet in FIGS. 3 and 4 for the screen to be viewed. The display screen 1 is mounted on a mounting and lifting mechanism 3 to allow the screen to be raised and lowered as required, suitably under remote-control of a viewer seated in front of the screen. In order that the screen can be raised, a portion 4 of the top 5 of the cabinet is either raised with the screen and lifting mechanism, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, or rotated about a hinge axis 6 out of the way, to allow the screen to be raised, as shown in the alternative scrap view of the FIG. 5. In a further alternative arrangement, part or all of the top 5 of the cabinet may be slideable, for example, to the dotted line position shown in the scrap view of FIG. 6, to allow the lifting mechanism to raise the screen. Part or all of the top 5 may also simply be withdrawn into the cabinet. In these alternative arrangements, the display support part of top 5 may be moved by hand, by engagement with the lifting mechanism or by mechanical or electromechanical means specific to top 5, as would be apparent to one skilled.

A number of different mounting and lifting mechanisms are commercially available, such as those illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, and described in more detailed below. Wiring for the screen may be hidden within the cabinet. The cabinet is suitably disposed against a wall (not shown in Figures), and the lifting mechanism 3 is mounted to the cabinet, to the floor, and/or to the wall. It will be appreciated that if connected to the wall, there may be beneficial security implications with regard to theft of the lifting apparatus and flat-screen display.

Thus far, the apparatus described above is entirely conventional. What differs in the illustrated embodiment is the form of the cabinet 2. Here, rather than being provided in the form of furniture such as a chest, it takes the form of a fireplace surround 7 which surrounds a fireplace or grate 8, providing a space for a fire and a hearth 9, which extends forwardly of the fireplace surround. The top 5 of the fireplace surround serves as a mantel shelf or mantel piece. Within the fire space 8 is mounted an electric flame effect fire 10. As can be seen from the sectional view of FIG. 2, the screen 1 and lifting mechanism are located behind the fire 10 and fire space 8. For clarity and ease of illustration, the respective wiring for the television 1, the lifting mechanism and for the flame effect fire 10 have been omitted from the above drawings. It will be understood, however, that such wiring can readily be hidden within the cabinet. It will also be appreciated that peripheral electrical equipment such as DVD players “home-cinema” equipment, antenna signal boost equipment, the so-called “digi-boxes” and other equipment can conveniently be placed inside the fireplace surround or within an aperture or orifice defined within the fireplace surround, suitably placed behind a cover or door, if required. The fireplace surround can conveniently be formed from a wide range of materials, with due regard to considerations such as combustibility, taking into account whether or not and what type of fire is to be employed.

Conveniently, the fireplace surround comprises a grate, a hearth and a mantel shelf, the grate may comprise an electric or gas fireplace conveniently with a flame effect arrangement. There may, indeed, be no requirement for an actual heater or fire to be present and the fireplace may comprise a faux-fireplace. In other words the fireplace may look as if it is used on a regular basis but in fact does not comprise a chimney or fire or heating device. Alternatively, the fireplace comprises a screen, which can be decorated, which is permanently on view to give the impression that there is a fire that is not used or infrequently used, when there is in fact no grate or fireplace. Furthermore this effect mimics those fireplaces, especially in older homes, where the fire has been blocked off but the fireplace surround looks pretty, or even interesting, yet the fireplace or grate is black and unsightly, and may also allow a draught: a screen or draught excluder may appear to be appropriate. Equally, Flowers, pot plants or objets d'art may be placed instead of a screen.

Cabinet 2 may be fashioned in any appropriate fireplace style, such as, but not restricted to, mediaeval stonework, wooden Adam-style, Victorian tile, Art Deco, metalwork, modern polished stone or glass. Stone, plaster (moulded or otherwise), wood, medium density fibreboard, plastics, fibreglass are examples (but not an exhaustive list)of suitable materials from which the fireplace surround can be formed.

FIG. 7 shows a typical lifting mechanism. A lift platform 11, generally of box girder form, is supported from respective side panels 12, 13. A motor, not illustrated in FIG. 7, is mounted within the box girder platform 11 and drives a pair of inter-meshed spur gears 14 at either longitudinal end of the platform 11, The side panels 12, 13, are generally C-shaped in profile, and each support a pair of longitudinal tack gears 15 along their inwardly directed edges, the racks facing each other and co-operate with spur gears 14. Depending on which direction the motor is driven, the above described rack-and-pinion arrangement would serve to raise or lower the platform as a whole. Top and bottom limits of travel are determined by adjustably positionable abutment stops which engage a limit switch 18 mounted on the rear of the platform 11. Power to the lifting mechanism is provided electric power cable 19 and a control box 20, which may be mounted so that switches 21 are manually accessible through the side of the cabinet 2. Alternatively, control box 20 may be coupled to a radio or ultrasonic sensor controllable by a corresponding remote-controller operated by a viewer of the display screen seated in front of the cabinet. INCA of Gardena, Calif., USA, Wihelm GmbH of Steinbach-Hallenberg, Germany and Lift-Tech of Valencia, Calif., USA provide known lifting mechanisms.

The INCA system employs a motor that is housed within the platform that is raised and lowered. The Wilhelm arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 provides an alternative arrangement in which a motor 22 is mounted within a housing 23 at the base of the lifting mechanism. The Wilhelm lifting mechanism also incorporates a back panel 24 and side panels 25, 26, which, together with the housing 23, are fixedly mounted within the fireplace surround. A movable structure, generally indicated 27 and shown in dotted line in its upper position and in solid line in lower position in FIG. 8, is movable in a generally vertical direction, relative to the above described fixed structure to raise and lower any flat-screen display unit. Movable structure 27 comprises a pair of uprights 28, 29 from which are mounted two generally horizontal supports 30, (omitted from view in FIG. 9) adapted to support the rear of a flat-screen display, and two forwardly extending struts 31 adapted to support the lower edge of a flat screen display or shelf support. As best seen in the rear view of FIG. 9, the uprights 28, 29 are coupled together at their lower ends by a carriage 32, the coupling between the carriage 32 and the respective upright, passing through longitudinally extending slots 25a (not shown), and 26a in the respective side panels 25, 26. Carriage 32 mounts a captive nut 33 that co-operates with a vertically extending screw shaft 34 mounted in bearings in the lower portion of housing 23 and top 35 of the panel 24. Screw shaft 34, rotated by motor 22, causes captive nut 33 to move parallel with the axis of the shaft, dependent upon the direction of rotation, taking the carriage 32 and the remainder of the movable structure 27 with it. As can be seen from the FIG. 9, a rod 36 also connects housing 23 and top 35 of the panel 24, passing through a wide aperture 37 in carriage 32. Rod 36 mounts one or more stops such as fingers or collets, such as collet 38, adapted to trip a limit switch 39 and connected to a control circuit for motor 22 so as to set maximum and minimum limits of travel.

It will be appreciated that other forms of lifting mechanisms can readily be employed in place of the electromechanical arrangement described above. For example, an hydraulic or a pneumatic system employing piston and cylinder arrangements at opposite ends of a longitudinal horizontal platform could be employed.

In the above described embodiments of the apparatus, the fire is shown as a flame effect electric fire. However, as an alternative, many existing models of flame effect gas fire can be employed in the apparatus according to the present invention. It will be appreciated that with a typical gas fire the heat produced is largely convected or radiated forwardly. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a flame effect gas fire 40, is mounted within the fire space 8 in place of the flame effect electric fire 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A gas supply pipe 41 is coupled to a suitable source of mains supply gas or to bottled gas. Exhaust combustion fumes from fire 40 are drawn through ducting 42 to a fan-powered flue—with an alternative flue 43 shown in dotted lines—although the fan arrangement is not shown. As shown, ducting 42 passes to one side of lifting mechanism 3 below the flat-screen display 1. Where an auxiliary air supply is required either to augment air within the room or in the case of a flame effect gas fire sealed from the room air, additional air ducting (not shown) is provided to draw in art from outside the building. Gas fire 40 is designed to have a limited depth, so that the rear of the fire, which is suitably insulated by a fireproof barrier 45 for additional protection, is appropriately spaced apart from the flat-screen display 1, as shown in FIG. 10. With the fireplace surround 7 mounted against an external wall, the various pipes and ducts or auxiliary air supply associated with fire 40 may readily be accommodated within the mantel cabinet.

Part or all of the mantel shelf may be raised together with the screen and may be attached to the upper edge of the display screen or to its raising mechanism for this purpose. Alternatively, part or all of the mantel shelf may be hingedly mounted to the remainder of the cabinet, allowing it to be rotated on operation of the mechanism to a position allowing the display screen to be raised. In a further alternative, part or all of the mantel shelf may be slid out of the way, or withdrawn within the cabinet, to allow the screen to be raised.

With any of the above lifting mechanisms housed within a fireplace surround of the kind described above, a seating arrangement within a room in which the fireplace surround is located is angled towards the fireplace as a natural focus of the room. The seating arrangement will appear to be natural without regard to the particular function of the room.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. An apparatus for use with a flat-screen display, the apparatus comprising: a fireplace surround adapted to stand against a wall and comprising a mechanism which can support a flat screen display in a first position such that the flat-screen display remains entirely within the fireplace surround, hidden from view, and in a second position such that the flat-screen display is raised above the fireplace surround and the flat-screen display into an operating position, the mechanism being operable to move the flat-screen display between the first and the second positions.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the fireplace surround comprises a fireplace, a hearth and a mantel shelf.

15. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the fireplace surround comprises a fireplace, a hearth and a mantel shelf and wherein the fireplace comprises an electric fireplace or a gas fireplace.

16. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the fireplace surround comprises a fireplace, a hearth and a mantel shelf and wherein the fireplace comprises an electric fireplace or a gas fireplace which fireplace can provide a flame effect arrangement.

17. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the fireplace surround comprises a faux fireplace, having a screen or other type of decoration in place of a grate.

18. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a mantel shelf is displaceable to allow the display screen, otherwise hidden from view within the fireplace surround, to be raised for viewing.

19. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a mantel shelf is displaceable to allow the display screen, otherwise hidden from view within the fireplace surround, to be raised for viewing, wherein part or all of the mantel shelf is arranged to be raised together with the screen and is attached to the upper edge of the display screen for this purpose.

20. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a mantel shelf is displaceable to allow the display screen, otherwise hidden from view within the fireplace surround, to be raised for viewing, wherein part or all of the mantel shelf is arranged be raised together with the screen and is attached to its raising mechanism for this purpose.

21. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a mantel shelf is displaceable to allow the display screen, otherwise hidden from view within the fireplace surround, to be raised for viewing, wherein part or all of the mantel shelf is hingedly mounted to the remainder of the fireplace surround, allowing it to be rotated on operation of the mechanism to a position allowing the display screen to be raised.

22. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a mantel shelf is displaceable to allow the display screen, otherwise hidden from view within the fireplace surround, to be raised for viewing, wherein part or all of the mantel shelf can be slid out of the way, or withdrawn within the fireplace surround, to allow the screen to be raised.

23. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the fireplace surround comprises a fireplace, a hearth and a mantel shelf and wherein the fireplace comprises a gas fireplace and there is provided a ducting arrangement to enable the ducting of gases for combustion and exhaust behind the fireplace surround, through a flue, such ducting being arranged so that it does not affect the mechanism for raising and lowering of the screen.

24. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the raising mechanism comprises one of a screw drive, a rack and pinion mechanism, an hydraulic mechanism or a pneumatic mechanism.

25. A method of operating a cabinet operable to enclose a fiat-screen display when not in use within a cabinet, the cabinet comprising a fireplace surround

24. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the raising mechanism comprises one of a screw drive, a rack and pinion mechanism, an hydraulic mechanism or a pneumatic mechanism.

25. A method of operating a cabinet operable to enclose a flat-screen display when not in use within a cabinet, the cabinet comprising a fireplace surround adapted to stand against a wall, with a mechanism which can support a flat screen display in a first and second positions, the mechanism being operable to move the flat-screen display between the first and the second positions; fireplace surround provided with a fireplace in which a gas fire, electric fire or faux fire is mounted;

in a first mode the method comprising the steps of operating the mechanism, such that, if initially the flat-screen display is in view, then the mechanism lowers the flat-screen display within the fireplace surround whereby to maintain the fireplace as a focal point of a room; and,

in another mode, the method comprises the step of raising the flat-screen display from within the fireplace surround such that the flat-screen display is in an operating position.