Feng shui screen for hiding a wall mounted display monitor

Abstract

A Feng Shui screen for hiding a wall mounted display monitor is disclosed. The Feng Shui screen includes a decorative frame such a picture frame and an opaque, often decorative, screen secured into the frame. The frame and screen are sized to conceal a wall mounted display monitor such as a television monitor. At least one and often two brackets are secured onto the wall in a location near opposing sides of the display monitor. The brackets slidably mount the frame to the wall such that the frame is operable on the brackets to slide between a first position covering and concealing the display monitor to a second position in which the front on the monitor is uncovered for viewing.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application having Ser. No. 60/774,846 filed Feb. 17, 2006 entitled “Feng Shui hide-a-screen”, having a common applicant herewith.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to screens and devices adapted to decoratively conceal a display monitor and, more particularly to a moveable screen or device adapted to decoratively conceal from view a wall mounted display monitor such as a television or computer monitor.

BACKGROUND

Pronounced “fung shway”, Feng Shui has continued to become a popular influence on home design. The words Feng Shui in Chinese translate to “Wind and Water”. In Asia, it is popularly called Geomancy and a Feng Shui practitioner is known as a Geomancer. Geomancy encompass not only Feng Shui but also the various other Chinese divinity methods.

The Chinese have long observed that some surroundings are better than others, and for centuries they have used geomancy to change surroundings to improve the quality of life. Feng Shui has been applied to enhance human well-being through the modification of layout and orientation of work-places and homes. The aim of Feng Shui is a complete harmony and a deep sensitivity with the natural order. Many aspects of Feng Shui are based on intuition (sixth sense) and commonsense. Feng shui is an ancient Asian interior design philosophy, which keeps the positive energy or “chi” flowing through your home. According to Feng Shui, if the energy in your home becomes blocked, it can affect your entire life in a negative way.

Some common sense aspects of Feng Shui include choosing colors that are relaxing as well as removing or hiding items that could over-stimulate and draw attention. The practice of Feng Shui makes the environment more comfortable and even more enticing, aiding relaxation and ease.

Therefore, a Feng Shui screen adapted for selectively concealing a wall mount display monitor would be useful and beneficial.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Accordingly, embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein comprise various embodiments of a Feng Shui screen configured and adapted for selectively and decoratively concealing a wall mount display monitor such as a television monitor or a computer monitor from view.

In one or more embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein, the Feng Shui screen for hiding a wall mounted display monitor includes a decorative frame such as a picture frame. An opaque screen is secured into the frame. The frame and screen are sized to conceal the monitor in the wall. At least one bracket is secured onto the wall in a location near the display monitor. The bracket or brackets slidably mount the frame to the wall such that the frame is operable on the bracket to slide between a first position covering and concealing the display monitor to a second position in which the front on the monitor is uncovered for viewing content such as commercial programming or images.

In one or more embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein, the opaque screen in the Feng Shui screen is a mirror for reflecting images and light.

In one or more embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein, the opaque screen in the Feng Shui screen is a piece of artwork such as a photograph, a painting, or an artistic print.

In one or more embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein, the Feng Shui screen includes an electric drive mechanism configured to mechanically move the Feng Shui frame and screen parallel to the wall between the viewing and concealing positions.

In one or more embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein, the Feng Shui screen includes a receiver module having control circuitry configured and adapted to command the movement of the electric drive mechanism. The receiver module is electrically interfaced to the drive mechanism to command movement of the drive mechanism and therefore move the Feng Shui. Also included is a wireless remote control unit. The remote control is adapted and configured to wirelessly command the receiver unit to selectively move the frame between the viewing and concealing positions.

In one or more embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein, the Feng Shui screen includes a remote control unit provided with functionality to replace the use of a television remote control such that all or nearly all media controls are integrated into one remote control unit.

In one or more embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein, the Feng Shui screen includes a wall mounted electrical switch interfaced to the drive unit. The wall mounted switch is selectively operable to command the drive unit to move the frame between the viewing and concealing positions.

The bracket and Feng Shui screen may be arranged on a wall such that the Feng Shui screen exposes the display monitor by moving vertically, either up or down. Additionally, the Feng Shui screen may be arranged on a wall such that the Feng Shui screen exposes the display monitor by moving horizontally, for example to the left or right of the display monitor.

These and other objects of the invention made herein will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and associated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings show a form of the invention that is presently preferred; however, the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 presents a front view of a Feng Shui screen for hiding a wall mounted display monitor in which the screen is a mirror for reflecting images and light in accordance with the inventive disclosures herein.

FIG. 2 presents a front view of a Feng Shui screen for hiding a wall mounted display monitor in which the screen is a picture or decorative print in accordance with the inventive disclosures herein.

FIG. 3 presents a front view of a Feng Shui screen slidably secured to two brackets and selectively operable to decoratively conceal a wall mounted television monitor/receiver in the wall in accordance with the inventive disclosures herein.

FIG. 4 presents a schematic view depicting the remote control unit in communication with the receiver and drive mechanism in accordance with the inventive disclosures herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In preparation for explaining the details of the present inventive disclosure, it is to be understood by the reader that the invention is not limited to the presented details of the construction, materials and embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, as the invention concepts are clearly capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and realized in various ways by applying the disclosure presented herein.

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of an exemplary Feng Shui screen 10 for hiding a wall mounted display monitor in which the opaque screen is a mirror 12 for reflecting images and light. The mirror 12 is secured within a frame 14 such as might be used to frame a mirror or picture.

FIG. 2 depicts a front view of a Feng Shui screen 10 for hiding a wall mounted display monitor in which the opaque screen is a picture or decorative print 16 in accordance with the inventive disclosures herein.

FIG. 3 presents a front view of a Feng Shui screen 10 slidably secured to two brackets 18 which are secured to a wall 20 and selectively operable to decoratively conceal a wall mounted television monitor/receiver 22. The two brackets 18 are secured onto the wall 20 in a spaced parallel arrangement about opposing sides of the television monitor 22. The brackets 18 slidably mounted the frame 14 to the wall such that the frame is operable on the brackets 18 to slide vertically 24 between a first position covering and concealing the display monitor (see FIG. 1) to a second position (illustrated in FIG. 3) in which the front on the monitor 22 is uncovered for viewing commercial programming or images displayed on the monitor 22.

FIG. 4 presents a schematic view depicting the remote control unit 24 in wireless communication with the receiver 28 and drive mechanism 32 in accordance with the inventive disclosures herein. The wireless remote control unit may incorporate functionality to replace a television and media remote control unit such that a single remote control is operable to operate all media devices as well as the Feng Shui screen drive unit 32. The Feng Shui screen is commanded to move by the selective operation of the screen position control 34 on the remote control unit 24. The remote control unit 24 wirelessly forwards 26 screen movement commands from the user to the receiver 28. The receiver 28 is electrically integrated 30 with the drive mechanism 32, the drive mechanism is operable to slidably move the Feng Shui screen 10 between a first position covering and concealing the display monitor 22 to a second position in which the front on the monitor 22 is uncovered for viewing commercial programming or images displayed on the monitor 22.

The discussed construction, illustrations and sequence of operation is for one embodiment of the invention, but is in no way limiting to other embodiments. The operating modes may be changed and enhanced without deviating from the intention of this inventive disclosure.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments and certain variants thereof have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical, material, and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A Feng Shui screen for concealing a wall mounted display monitor, comprising:

a frame;

an opaque screen secured into said frame, said frame and screen sized to conceal said monitor in said wall; and

at least one bracket secured to said wall proximate to said monitor, said bracket slidably mounting said frame to said wall, wherein said frame is operable on said bracket to slide between a first concealing position and a second viewing position, said concealing position concealing said display monitor, said viewing position removing said frame from a front of said display monitor wherein said monitor front is exposed for viewing.

2. The Feng Shui screen according to claim 1, wherein said opaque screen is a mirror adapted to reflect images and light.

3. The Feng Shui screen according to claim 1, wherein said opaque screen is a piece of artwork.

4. The Feng Shui screen according to claim 3, wherein said artwork is selected from the group consisting of: photograph, painting, and artistic print.

5. The Feng Shui screen according to claim 1, further comprising:

an electric drive mechanism operable to move said frame between said viewing and concealing positions.

6. The Feng Shui screen according to claim 5, further comprising:

a receiver module having control circuitry configured to command movement of said electric drive mechanism, said receiver module electrically interfaced to said drive mechanism; and

a wireless remote control unit, said remote control adapted and configured to wirelessly command said receiver unit to selectively move said frame between said viewing and concealing positions.

7. The Feng Shui screen according to claim 5, wherein the remote control unit includes functionality to replace the use of a television remote control such that media controls are integrated into one remote control unit.

8. The Feng Shui screen according to claim 5, further comprising:

a wall mounted electrical switch interfaced to said drive unit, said switch selectively operable to command said drive unit to move said frame between said viewing and concealing positions.

9. The Feng Shui screen according to claim 1, wherein said display monitor is a television monitor.

10. The Feng Shui screen according to claim 1, wherein said display monitor is a computer monitor.

11. The Feng Shui screen according to claim 1, wherein said frame is a decorative frame.

12. The Feng Shui screen according to claim 1, wherein said frame is a decorative wooden frame.

13. A Feng Shui screen for hiding a wall mounted television, comprising:

a decorative frame;

an opaque screen secured into said frame, said frame and screen sized to conceal said television on said wall;

two brackets secured to said wall is a spaced parallel arrangement, said brackets proximate to said television, said bracket slidably mounting said frame to said wall, wherein said frame is operable on said bracket to slide between a first concealing position and a second viewing position, said concealing position concealing said television, said viewing position removing said frame from a front of said television wherein said television front is exposed for viewing;

an electric drive mechanism operable to move said frame between said viewing and concealing positions.

a receiver module having control circuitry configured to command movement of said electric drive means, said receiver module electrically interfaced to said drive mechanism;

a wireless remote control unit, said remote control adapted and configured to wirelessly command said receiver unit to selectively move said frame between said viewing and said concealing positions.

14. The Feng Shui screen according to claim 13, wherein said opaque screen is a mirror adapted to reflect images and light.

15. The Feng Shui screen according to claim 13, wherein said opaque screen is a piece of artwork.

16. The Feng Shui screen according to claim 15, wherein said artwork is selected from the group consisting of: photograph, painting, and artistic print.

17. The Feng Shui screen according to claim 13, wherein the remote control unit includes functionality to replace the use of a television remote control such that media controls are integrated into one remote control unit.