Lift for LCD

Abstract

A parallelepiped lifting device mounted under a computer desk in a storage position is disclosed. Prior to using a computer, the device is activated by starting a motor in a clockwise rotation to lift an LCD of the computer from under the desk by means of a mechanism comprising chains, sprockets, and a bar. A lowering of the device into the desk is performed by starting the motor in a counterclockwise rotation by means of the same mechanism. The invention can save desk space for other purposes in the storage position.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to arrangement of LCD (liquid crystal display) and more particularly to a device for lifting an LCD from under, for example, a computer desk for use or lowering the same to be covered under the desk in a storage position for saving desk space for other purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is understood that space left on a computer desk is limited since computer, monitor, keyboard, and one or more peripherals have already occupied a substantial portion of the desk. This is particularly true for a CRT (cathode ray tube) monitor. For decreasing size of the bulky CRT monitor, LCDs have been developed. The LCD is advantageous over the CRT monitor in many fields such as lightweight, compact, less power consumption, etc. It is envisaged that the CRT monitors will be phased out gradually as more people like the LCDs.

[0003] However, both the prior art suffered from a disadvantage. In detailed, the CRT monitor or the LCD is still placed on the desk when the computer is not in use. Hence, precious desk space is still wasted. Hence, a need exists for a device for lifting the LCD from under a desk for use or lowering the same to be covered under the desk in a storage position for saving desk space for other purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a parallelepiped lifting device mounted under an element in a storage position, comprising four first sprocket wheels at four corners respectively; two second sprocket wheels at two bottom corners respectively wherein each of the second sprocket wheels is formed integrally with the corresponding first sprocket wheel through a shaft so as to be capable of rotating in synchronism; an electric motor capable of rotating clockwise or counterclockwise, the motor being rotatably coupled to one of the second sprocket wheels; two vertically disposed first chains each fitted over two of the first sprocket wheels at the same side; a horizontally disposed second chain fitted over the second sprocket wheels; a transverse bar interconnecting the first chains, the transverse bar being moveable along the first chains as they advance; a ball-and-socket joint at about the center of the transverse bar; an LCD coupled to the ball-and-socket joint, the LCD being covered in the storage position; a post behind the LCD; an upper dust cover pivotably coupled to the top of the post; and a lower L-shaped foot pivotably coupled to the bottom of the post, wherein in a lifting operation of the LCD, the motor is started in the clockwise rotation for rotating the coupled second sprocket wheel in order to simultaneously advance the second chain and one of the first chains both coupled to the second sprocket wheel, the other first chain is driven by the conveying second chain in synchronism, the synchronous advances of the first chains are then converted into an upward movement of the transverse bar for lifting the LCD from the lifting device until a predetermined maximum lifting distance is reached, and in a lowering operation of the LCD, the motor is started in the counterclockwise rotation for rotating the coupled second sprocket wheel in order to simultaneously advance the second chain and one of the first chains, the other first chain is driven by the conveying second chain in synchronism, the synchronous advances of the first chains are converted into a downward movement of the transverse bar for lowering the LCD into the lifting device until a predetermined maximum lowering distance is reached.

[0005] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a computer desk where both an LCD and a lifting device therefor according to a preferred embodiment of the invention are covered by an access cover;

[0007] FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the computer desk and the lifting device where the access cover is removed;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lifting device;

[0009] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the LCD, ball-and-socket joint, and transverse bar;

[0010] FIG. 4 is a side view in part section showing different tilt angles of the LCD about the transverse bar;

[0011] FIG. 5A is a side view where the LCD is covered by the access cover under the desk;

[0012] FIG. 5B is a front view of FIG. 5A;

[0013] FIG. 6A is a side view where the LCD is about to rise as the access cover is pivoted to an upright position;

[0014] FIG. 6B is a front view of the lifting device where the LCD has been fully lifted;

[0015] FIG. 6C is a perspective view showing the fully lifted LCD on the desk;

[0016] FIG. 7 is a side view where the LCD is about to lower to be covered by the access cover; and

[0017] FIG. 8 is an environmental view of the invention which is associated with a liquid crystal TV screen shown in phantom lines in a living room.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, there is shown a lifting device 2 in accordance with the invention. The lifting device 2 is associated with a computer A and is installed under a computer desk 1. In a storage position, the lifting device 2 is covered by an access cover 11 A which is releasably positioned on a rectangular opening 11 on the desk 1. The lifting device 2 is a parallelepiped frame and comprises four first sprocket wheels 21 at four corners respectively, two second sprocket wheels 23 at two bottom corners respectively in which each of the second sprocket wheels 23 is formed integrally with the corresponding first sprocket wheel 21 through a shaft so as to be capable of rotating in synchronism, and one of the second sprocket wheels 23 is further rotatably coupled to an electric motor 231, two vertically disposed first chains 22 each fitted over two first sprocket wheels 21 at the same side, a horizontally disposed second chain 24 fitted over the second sprocket wheels 23, a transverse bar 25 interconnecting the first chains 22, the transverse bar 25 being moveable along the first chains 22 as they advance, a ball-and-socket joint 26 at about the center of the transverse bar 25, an LCD 3 of the computer A coupled to the ball-and-socket joint 26, a post 28 behind the LCD 3, an upper dust cover 29 pivotably coupled to the top of the post 28, and a lower L-shaped foot 27 pivotably coupled to the bottom of the post 28.

[0019] Operations of the invention will now be described in detail below. For using the computer A, a user first has to remove the access cover 11A from the desk 1. Next, starts the electric motor 231 in a clockwise rotation for rotating the coupled second sprocket wheel 23 in order to advance both of the coupled second chain 24 and one of the first chains 22 simultaneously. And in turn, the other first-chain 22 is driven by the conveying second chain 24. Advances of both first chains 22 are thus in synchronism. The advances are then converted into an upward movement of the transverse bar 25. At the same time, the L-shaped foot 27 is pivoted to lower the post 28. In response, the dust cover 29 is pivoted upward about the post 28 for exposing the LCD 3. Hence, the LCD 3 is slowly lifting from the lifting device 2 as the dust cover 29 is fully opened. The lifting will stop if the LCD 3 has fully projected above the surface of the desk 1 with the transverse bar 25 stopped by a limit switch (not shown).

[0020] When the user does not want to use the computer A for a relatively long period of time for saving desk space for other purposes, the user may first start the motor 231 in a counterclockwise rotation for rotating the coupled second sprocket wheel 23 in order to advance both of the coupled second chain 24 and one of the first chains 22 simultaneously. And in turn, the other first chain 22 is driven by the conveying second chain 24. Advances of both first chains 22 are thus in synchronism. The advances are then converted into a downward movement of the transverse bar 25. Hence, the LCD 3 is slowly lowering into the lifting device 2 as the dust cover 29 is fully closed. The lowering will stop if the LCD 3 has been fully covered under the surface of the desk 1 with the transverse bar 25 stopped by the limit switch.

[0021] For obtaining a better viewing angle, the user can tilt the LCD 3 about the ball-and-socket joint 26 a limited angle (see FIG. 4). Referring to FIG. 8, in another preferred embodiment the lifting device is associated with a liquid crystal TV screen 4 in a living room. The operations of the lifting device in this embodiment are the same as above. Thus a detailed description thereof is omitted herein for the sake of brevity.

[0022] While the invention has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A parallelepiped lifting device mounted under an element in a storage position, comprising: four first sprocket wheels at four corners respectively; two second sprocket wheels at two bottom corners respectively wherein each of the second sprocket wheels is formed integrally with the corresponding first sprocket wheel through a shaft so as to be capable of rotating in synchronism; an electric motor capable of rotating clockwise or counterclockwise, the motor being rotatably coupled to one of the second sprocket wheels; two vertically disposed first chains each fitted over two of the first sprocket wheels at the same side; a horizontally disposed second chain fitted over the second sprocket wheels; a transverse bar interconnecting the first chains, the transverse bar being moveable along the first chains as they advance; a ball-and-socket joint at about the center of the transverse bar; an LCD coupled to the ball-and-socket joint, the LCD being covered in the storage position; a post behind the LCD; an upper dust cover pivotably coupled to the top of the post; and a lower L-shaped foot pivotably coupled to the bottom of the post, wherein in a lifting operation of the LCD, the motor is started in the clockwise rotation for rotating the coupled second sprocket wheel in order to simultaneously advance the second chain and one of the first chains both coupled to the second sprocket wheel, the other first chain is driven by the conveying second chain in synchronism, the synchronous advances of the first chains are then converted into an upward movement of the transverse bar for lifting the LCD from the lifting device until a predetermined maximum lifting distance is reached, and in a lowering operation of the LCD, the motor is started in the counterclockwise rotation for rotating the coupled second sprocket wheel in order to simultaneously advance the second chain and one of the first chains, the other first chain is driven by the conveying second chain in synchronism, the synchronous advances of the first chains are converted into a downward movement of the transverse bar for lowering the LCD into the lifting device until a predetermined maximum lowering distance is reached.

2. The lifting device of claim 1, wherein the element is a computer desk, the computer desk having an access cover which is removed prior to the lifting operation of the LCD.

3. The lifting device of claim 1, wherein the LCD is an LCD of a computer.

4. The lifting device of claim 1, wherein the LCD is an LCD of a television.