Patent Application
20060017356
The present invention relates to a device and method for covering and exposing an object. Embodiments of the present invention are useful for selectively covering and exposing flat objects, such as a flat panel display device, attached to or recessed in a wall.
Some individuals invest a significant amount of effort and investment in decorating their home in a particular style, including furniture, artwork, wall coverings, fixtures, and so forth. Some businesses and retail stores similarly invest in a particular decor that meets the needs or desires of their owners and customers. However, homes and businesses employ a wide variety of devices, fixtures, and structures that may be inconsistent with a desired decor or style. Examples of such items include electrical control panels, television sets, wall safes, medicine cabinets, valuable items of artwork, access openings, mechanical systems, structural components and the like. When such items interfere with a desired decor, then it has been necessary to disguise or conceal them in some fashion, or endure an item that is unappealing as compared to the general decor of a room or space. However, concealment can be problematic in that it can interfere with access when needed. It can also be cumbersome to reveal and conceal such items from time to time. Conventional coverings have been used for such concealment. A hinged painting in front of a wall safe is one example. However such an approach is only useful when access is necessary for a short period of time, because the painting is unappealing when left in the “open” position.
Flat panel display devices for displaying electronically stored information of all kinds are often used today in public locations, such as in transportation stations, airports, and museums, in business premises, and in private rooms. The distribution of such flat panel display devices has been increasing rapidly. Flat panel display devices of this type provide a favorable picture quality and are lightweight and can easily be mounted on a wall or another portable means. In a sales room or exhibition room, such as a gallery or a museum, with a large amount of customers or visitors, such flat panel display devices provide more meaningful and up-to-date information and leave a more permanent impression than printed information material does. Freeze images, video clips or computer animations also enable a dynamic marketing and visual messages whose effect is by far superior to a presentation of mere printed matter.
In conferences or meetings, the flat panel display devices provide a presentation with a professional touch. A flat panel display device can be mounted to almost any audiovisual device within a few seconds, for example, to a laptop computer or a DVD player.
The high resolution monitors usually have standard width-to-height ratios of 16:9, wherein the diagonal varies, e.g. from 82 cm to 127 cm. Such flat monitors may be hung on a wall either in landscape format or in portrait format, or they may be placed at other desired positions. The size of these devices can vary. Custom flat panel display devices may have sizes of several square meters. Commercially available models have sizes similar to those of other objects that can be displayed on a wall, including, for example, oil paintings, graphics, maps, and tapestries.
Such flat panel display devices have a disadvantage. There are situations in which electronic messages are not be shown on the display devices. Time periods frequently occur during which the electronic screen is not used or does not fit in with the decor of a particular function. Flat panel display devices that are increasingly used for multimedia purposes in a gallery or a museum do not fit the environment when not in use, for example, when displayed next to oil paintings or other pieces of art. During these “dead times” these flat panel display devices are often disturbing and they do not match with the overall decor, aesthetics, or atmosphere. Flat panel display devices also occupy space on the wall even in times they are not used and they are normally not dismounted. This wall surface therefore lies idle. In such public places, it is not economical or efficient to have unused surface or an unused display device. A flexible use of the wall surface is not possible. The space on public walls, in galleries and museums, as well as on the walls in private homes, is often limited. A flat panel display device or wall cover or cover such as a wall picture, a painting, photo, poster, or hangings of different materials such as fabric, paper, glass wood, plastics, or stone, needs a certain surface that could also be used by other wall claddings and therefore competes with alternative hangings and wall covers.
A convention approach to managing the look of flat panel display devices is to retract or hide the display device when not in use. For example, a cover unit for a flat panel video display has been used to deploy a flexible cover over the display. This device is similar to a window shade that is lowered and raised in front of a television screen. While such an approach may be effective at covering a television, it lacks a degree of elegance that is often desired in a refined decor environment. Thus, there is a need a device and method for covering and exposing an object in a convenient, decorative manner.
Thus, it is desirable to provide a device and method for selectively covering and exposing an object, such as a flat panel display device, that allows flexible use of wall space.
The present invention provides embodiments of a device and method for covering and exposing an object. In an embodiment, the device includes a support structure movably attached to a display surface adjacent an object displayed on the display surface, such as a wall. A cover is attached to the support structure. The device includes a means for moving the support structure and cover for selectively covering and exposing the object.
In one embodiment, the support structure includes a U-shaped holder having a base leg, a carrier leg, and a connector leg extending between and connecting the base leg and the carrier leg. The base leg is movably attached to the display surface, and the cover is movably attached to the carrier leg. The base leg is movably supported on the display surface by connector elements, and the cover is movably supported on the carrier leg by connector elements. The device may include two or more movable support structures and a connector between the two movable support structures.
In another embodiment, the support structure can include an inner frame having a guide element along each side of the inner frame. An outer frame has a guide element along each side of the outer frame, and each outer frame guide element is movably engagable with one of the inner frame guide elements. The cover is attached to the outer frame. An electric motor is attached to the inner frame and adapted to move the outer frame and cover relative to the inner frame. In an embodiment, the electric motor includes a toothed gear. The outer frame guide element adjacent the toothed gear includes a toothed rack engaged with the toothed gear. Movement of the outer frame relative to the inner frame is effected by movement of the toothed rack by the electric motor and toothed gear. In an embodiment, the device includes a cable attached to the electric motor and to the outer frame. The cable is windable and unwindable by the electric motor such that movement of the outer frame relative to the inner frame is effected by winding and unwinding the cable by the electric motor.
In another embodiment, the cover comprises a piece of furniture, the object comprises a flat panel display device, and the flat panel display device is movable out of and into the furniture. The flat panel display device can be moved out of and into the furniture by means of rotating a threaded rod operably connected to the flat panel display device. Alternatively, the flat panel display device can be moved out of and into the furniture by a telescopic means.
The displayed object can be recessed into the display surface. The object can be a flat panel display device, a picture, an air conditioning system component, or other object desired to displayed on a display surface for which it is desirable to cover and expose.
In an embodiment, the means for moving the support structure and cover can be manually operable. Alternatively, the means for moving the support structure and cover can include an electric motor. The means for moving the support structure and cover can be operated by a remote control device.
Features of a device and method for covering and exposing an object of the present invention may be accomplished singularly, or in combination, in one or more of the embodiments of the present invention. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the present invention has wide utility in a number of applications as illustrated by the variety of features and advantages discussed below.
Embodiments of a device and method for covering and exposing an object of the present invention advantageously provide a means for conveniently covering an object displayed on a wall when the object is not in use or not desired to be exposed.
Another advantage is that the present invention provides flexible use of wall space.
Another advantage is that the present invention provides a device and method for covering and exposing multiple objects in a defined space in which a pre-determined pattern of covers can be arranged for a particular aesthetic effect.
As will be realized by those of skill in the art, many different embodiments of a device and method for covering and exposing an object according to the present invention are possible. Additional uses, objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention are set forth in the detailed description that follows and will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or by practice of the invention.
The present invention provides embodiments of a device and method for covering and exposing an object. In an illustrative embodiment, the device includes a support structure movably attached to a display surface adjacent an object displayed on the display surface, such as a wall. A cover is attached to the support structure. The device includes a means for moving the support structure and cover for selectively covering and exposing the object.
In one embodiment, the support structure includes a U-shaped holder having a base leg, a carrier leg, and a connector leg extending between and connecting the base leg and the carrier leg. The base leg is movably attached to the display surface, and the cover is movably attached to the carrier leg. The base leg is movably supported on the display surface by connector elements, and the cover is movably supported on the carrier leg by connector elements. The connector elements can be rollers or a slide rail. In an embodiment, the holder further includes a first hinge between the base leg and the connector leg and a second hinge between the connector leg and the carrier leg, and each hinge is rotatable to a desired angle for foldably moving the holder away from the displayed object. The device may include two or more movable support structures and a connector between the two movable support structures.
In another illustrative embodiment, the support structure can include an inner frame having a guide element along each side of the inner frame. An outer frame has a guide element along each side of the outer frame, and each outer frame guide element is movably engagable with one of the inner frame guide elements. The cover is attached to the outer frame. An electric motor is attached to the inner frame and adapted to move the outer frame and cover relative to the inner frame. In an embodiment, the electric motor includes a toothed gear. The outer frame guide element adjacent the toothed gear includes a toothed rack engaged with the toothed gear. Movement of the outer frame relative to the inner frame is effected by movement of the toothed rack by the electric motor and toothed gear. In an embodiment, the device includes a cable attached to the electric motor and to the outer frame. The cable is windable and unwindable by the electric motor such that movement of the outer frame relative to the inner frame is effected by winding and unwinding the cable by the electric motor.
In another illustrative embodiment, the cover comprises a piece of furniture, the object comprises a flat panel display device, and the flat panel display device is movable out of and into the furniture. The flat panel display device can be moved out of and into the furniture by means of rotating a threaded rod operably connected to the flat panel display device. Alternatively, the flat panel display device can be moved out of and into the furniture by a telescopic means.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the displayed object can be recessed into the display surface. The object can be a flat panel display device, a picture, an air conditioning system component, or other object desired to displayed on a display surface for which it is desirable to cover and expose.
In an embodiment, the cover can be removably attached to the support structure. The cover can be a rigid material or a flexible material. In embodiments, the cover comprises a picture. In a particular embodiment, the object can be a first picture and the cover can be a second picture such that the second picture is movable to selectively cover and expose the first picture. The cover may be moved in a plurality of directions relative to the object.
In an embodiment, the means for moving the support structure and cover can be manually operable. Alternatively, the means for moving the support structure and cover can include an electric motor. The means for moving the support structure and cover can be operated by a remote control device.
As shown in
In the embodiment shown in
As shown in
The cover 17 can be a flexible material, such as a tapestry or other decorative fabric. Alternatively, the cover 17 can be a rigid material, such as a picture or painting in a frame or a mirror. Preferably, the cover 17 provides a desired aesthetic effect and can add decorative value to an environment. The flat panel display device 30 and cover 17 can provide a complementary aesthetic or decorative effect. For example, a displacement of the cover 17 downwards, for example, may lead to an observer's impression that the cover 17 also forms a support column for the flat panel display device 30, which may increase the aesthetic effect of the flat panel display device 30 itself.
The movement of the holder 11 for covering and exposing an object may be implemented either totally mechanically, such as by manual movement, or in an electronically controlled manner. For example, the device 10 may be equipped with an electric motor that can provide a slow, smooth back and forth movement of the holder 11 and cover 17. Such a motor may be directly connected to the holder 11 or it may be integrated into the connector elements 18, 21. In an alternative embodiment, an automated means for moving the holder 11 and cover 17 may include a hydraulic drive. An electric motor may generate the required hydraulic pressure, either instantly when used or for delayed use by storing a hydraulic charge in a hydraulic storage unit. Such a means is particularly useful for heavy and/or large covers 17. In an embodiment, the automated, electronically-controlled movement of the holder 11 and cover 17 can be actuated by a remote control device, as shown in
In an embodiment, as shown in
In an embodiment, as shown in
In another embodiment, as shown in
In embodiments, the device 10 can be attached to the display surface 16 before the cover 17 is attached to the holder 11. Depending on the type and structural design of the cover 17, the cover 17 may be movably attached to the holder 11 at various contact points between the cover 17 and the holder 11. As described herein, electric and/or hydraulic components may be mounted to the device 10. The dimensions of the cover 17 are sufficient to cover a desired object, such as the flat panel display device 30 attached to the display surface 16, as well as the holder 11 and all other components of the device 10. As shown in
In an embodiment of the present invention, the device 10 allows selective covering and exposing of relatively flat objects, such as a flat panel display device 30. In situations in which it is desirable for one or more objects displayed on a display surface to not been seen, such a device 10 allows for one or more of the objects to be covered. The device 10 may be movably attached to a planar wall 16, and may alternatively be movably attached to other display surfaces, such as a column or room divider. The device 10, and in particular, the holder 11 and cover 17, may be varied in length, width, depth, and geometry. The cover 17 can be different materials or objects, depending on the desired look of the display surface 16 when the object(s) is covered. Cover 17 designs can give a room, hall, office, or other environment a completely different look or theme than if the uncovered object is viewable. In addition, such a relatively flat object covered by the device can be uncovered for viewing and/or other use at desired times. Such uncovering can provide a dramatic or other effect for impact to observers. In this manner, embodiments of the present invention provide flexible use of a display surface 16, as well as a multiplied use of available space on a wall or other display surface 16.
In an embodiment of the present invention, an object to be covered can be recessed into the display surface 16 or wall. The display object preferably rests within the recessed area such that the object does not project beyond the plane of the recess opening. In such an embodiment, the cover 17 may need to be moved only a relatively small distance to selectively cover and expose the recess and the object positioned therein. The object to be covered, which is installed in the wall 16, may be a flat panel display device 30. Other objects, such as air conditioning system components, which may or may not be recessed in a wall 16, may be covered by such a device 10 of the present invention. In embodiments in which the object to be covered is recessed into the wall 16, an observer may be unable to recognize that the object is covered by the cover 17.
In the embodiment shown in
Actuation of the electric motor 53 to move the outer frame 47 (and attached cover 17, not shown) to cover and expose the flat panel display device 30 can be achieved by means of a sending a signal from a remote control transmitter 60 to a remote control receiver 61 operably connected to the electric motor 53. The remote control transmitter 60 can include various control buttons for controlling movement of the outer frame 47 or other movable support structure. For example, the button 62 can be used to actuate movement of the outer frame 47 (and cover 17, not shown) to cover the flat panel display device 30. The button 63 can be used to actuate movement of the outer frame 47 (and cover 17, not shown) from in front of the flat panel display device 30 to expose it. The button 64 can be used to turn on and off the flat panel display device 30. In another embodiment, movement of the outer frame 47 (and cover 17, not shown) can be actuated by a wall switch. The remote control signal can be a radio signal or an infrared signal. Remote control operation of the device 10 can be programmed into the same signal that turns a flat panel display device 30 on and off. For example, the signal that remotely turns on the display device 30 can be programmed to automatically move the support structure and cover 17 to expose the display device 30. The signal that turns off the display device 30 can be programmed to automatically move the support structure and cover 17 to cover the display device 30.
In
In an embodiment, the cable 54 can be a transparent material such that when the cover 17 moves, such movement may have the appearance that the cover 17 is moving independently of other structures. Alternatively, the cable 54 may comprise a metallic material that a “technical” aesthetic impression.
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In the embodiment shown in
Such embodiments, particularly those as shown in
In operation, a user starts the electric motor 53 to activate the drive roller 77 in one direction in order to advance the second belt 78. And in turn, the idler roller 76 is driven by the conveying second belt 78. Further, one threaded rod 71 is driven by the idler roller 76 to rotate. Such rotation is in synchronism with that of the other threaded rod 71. In combination, the rotations are then converted into an upward movement 79 of the transverse bar 72. Accordingly, the flat panel display device 30 is lifted from the device 10. The lifting will stop if the flat panel display device 30 has fully projected above the surface of the furniture 70 with the transverse bar 72 stopped by a limit switch (not shown).
When the user wishes to remove the flat panel display device 30 from the top of the furniture 70 or to hide the presence of the flat panel display device 30, the user may start the motor 53 in the opposite direction of rotation to activate the drive roller 77 in order to rotate the second belt 78. And in turn, the idler roller 76 is driven by the conveying second belt 78. Further, one threaded rod 71 is driven by the idler roller 77 to rotate. Such rotation is in synchronism with that of the other threaded rod 71. In combination, the rotations are then converted into a downward movement 80 of the transverse bar 72. Accordingly, the flat panel display device 30 is lowered into the furniture 70. The lowering will stop if the flat panel display device 30 has been fully covered under the surface of the furniture 70 with the transverse bar 72 stopped by the limit switch (not shown).
Such a device 10 can include other means for moving the flat panel display device 30 out of and into a piece of furniture 70. For example, a telescoping means can be attached to the furniture 70 and activated by the electric motor 53 to move the flat panel display device 30 upward 79 out of the furniture 70 to uncover the display device 30 and downward 80 into the furniture 70 to cover the display device 30.
When moved out of the furniture 70, the flat panel display device 30 can be rotated and inclined to provide an optimal viewing angle. Such rotating and inclining movements can be achieved by moving the flat panel display device 30 about the ball-and-socket joint 73.
In an embodiment, movement of the flat panel display device 30 out of the furniture 70 can be automatically actuated by switching on the flat panel display device 30. Movement of the flat panel display device 30 into the furniture 70 can be automatically actuated by switching off the flat panel display device 30.
In an embodiment, the movable support structure can be attached to the flat panel display device 30 by the manufacturer of the display device 30. For example, pre-mounted guide rails, such as inner frame guide rails 51 as shown in
An embodiment of the present invention includes a method for selectively covering and exposing an object displayed on a display surface, such as a wall 16. In such a method, a support structure is attached to the display surface 16 adjacent the object 30. The support structure is movable relative to the display surface 16. A cover 17 is fixedly or removably attached to the support structure. The support structure and cover 17 can be moved to selectively cover and expose the object 30. In one embodiment, as shown in
In embodiments of such methods, the object can comprise a flat panel display device 30, a picture, an air conditioning system component, or other relatively flat object attached to a display surface 16 desired to be covered. The cover 17 can be a flexible material, such as a tapestry or other decorative fabric. In other embodiments, the cover 17 can comprise a rigid material. For example, the cover 17 may be a picture or a mirror. In an embodiment of a method, the object comprises a first picture and the cover 17 comprises a second picture. The support structure and second picture can be moved to selectively cover and expose the first picture.
In an embodiment of a method, the support structure and cover 17 can be moved in a plurality of directions relative to the object. The support structure and cover 17 can be moved by means of an electric motor 53. In such an embodiment, movement of the support structure and cover 17 can be actuated by means of a remote control device 60, 61. In another embodiment, the support structure and cover 17 can be moved manually.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it should be recognized that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a device and method for covering and exposing an object of the present invention may be constructed and implemented in other ways and embodiments. Accordingly, the description herein should not be read as limiting the present invention, as other embodiments also fall within the scope of the present invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00649 / 04 | Apr 2004 | CH | national |
This application is a Continuation-in-Part application of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/547,851, filed on Sep. 1, 2005, which is a National Stage application of International Application No. PCT/EP2005/003261, filed Mar. 29, 2005, which claims priority to Swiss Patent Application No. 00649/04, file Apr. 14, 2004, each of which prior applications is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10547851 | US | |
| Child | 11234659 | Sep 2005 | US |
