Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Sliding panels system for hiding a flat screen TV
5FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates generally to sliding panels but more
particularly to sliding panels system for hiding a flat screen TV.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Flat screen TVs are quite common but their huge sizes are not always
appreciated in some home decor. There has to be a practical way of
hiding the screens. There does not seem to be readily available screen
hiding devices in the marketplace.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[003] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices
now present in the prior art, the present invention, which will be
described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and
advantages which are:
[004] To provide for a convenient means for hiding a large flat screen TV.
[005] In order to do so, the invention consists of a sliding panels system for
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hiding a flat screen television having a frame structure consisting of a
wall attachment panel adapted to be securely attached to a wall
member, a pair of post members spaced from one another and attached
to the wall attachment panel, Upper and lower rail assemblies are
extendable, spaced apart, and parallel to one another and attached
between the post members. A first side support bracket assembly
connected between the upper and lower rail assemblies on first ends
thereof, and a second side support bracket assembly connected
between the upper and lower rail assemblies on second ends thereof,
such that the space between the first and second support bracket
assemblies can be adjusted by the extendable upper and lower rail
assemblies; and first and second panel members respectively attached
to the first and second support bracket assemblies, such that the first
and second panel members can be moved between an open position
wherein the panel members are spaced apart and a closed position
wherein the panel members are abutting one another.
[006] The sliding panels system is preferably comprised of a looped
cable forming an upper loop portion and a lower loop portion, the upper
loop portion attached at one point to a first portion of the extendable
upper rail assembly via a first connector, and the lower loop portion
attached at a second point to a second portion of the extendable upper
rail assembly that is movable from the first portion of the upper rail
assembly via a second connector. When the looped cable is rotated in
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one direction, the extendable upper and lower rail members extend
outwards and move the first and second panel members away from one
another, and when the looped cable is rotated in the opposite direction,
the extendable upper and lower rail members retract inwards and move
the first and second panel members towards one another.
[007] The sliding panels system has the extendable upper rail
assembly include an elongated bracket member extending a length
upon the upper rail assembly that is greater than a maximum width of
the space between the first and second panel members when the upper
rail assembly is fully extended; and wherein the elongated bracket
member includes a pulley member on each opposite end portion
thereof, such that the looped cable is wrapped around both pulleys
forming a taught elongated loop.
[008] In a preferred embodiment, the sliding panels system has the
upper rail assembly bracket member include an electric motor assembly
located on an end portion thereof adjacent one of the pulley members>
The electric motor assembly includes an electric motor, a motor wheel,
a motor cable, and a transmission adapted to allow the motor wheel to
turn in forward and reverse directions, wherein the motor cable is
adapted to be connected between the motor wheel and the one of the
pulley members, such that the electric motor assembly is adapted to
mechanically open and close the first and second panel members.
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[009] The sliding panels system has the upper and lower rail
assemblies each formed from two respective telescoping inner and
outer rail members, such that the first connector is connected to a first
telescoping part of the upper rail assembly, and the second connector is
connected to a second telescoping part of the upper rail assembly.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the sliding panels system has the
sliding panels are opened and closed by way of a remote control
device.
[0011] The sliding panels work in combination with a flat screen
television.
[0012] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof
that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional
features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will
form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
[0013] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements
of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in
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the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of
being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are
for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
5[0014] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,
upon
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that
the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0015] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the
various
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference
should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter
which contains illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Figs. la-d Isometric rear view and isometric detail views of the
invention
and its main components.
5[0017] Fig. 2 Isometric front view of the invention with panels closed.
[0018] Figs. 3a-c Isometric rear view with panels opened and isometric details
of components.
[0019] Figs 4a-b Top and front views with panels closed.
[0020] Figs 5a-b Top and front views with panels opened.
10[0021] Fig. 6 Rear view of the invention.
[0022] Fig. 7 Side view of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] A sliding panels system (10) for hiding a flat screen TV (12) has a
frame
structure comprised of a wall attachment panel (15) attached to a wall
15 (11) on one
side and connected to a pair of generally vertical post
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members (26) on the other side. The vertical post members (26) hold
upper and lower rail assemblies (14, 14') perpendicularly therefrom. The
rail assemblies (14, 14') are telescopic in nature, meaning that there is
an inner rail members (13) sliding out from outer rail members (17). The
rail assemblies are connected by way of support brackets (18) to panels
(28).
[0024] A looped cable (20) is what pulls on the rail assemblies (14, 14')
either
apart or together so as to move the panels (28). The cable (20) is
arranged in a "clothes line" fashion with a first connector (30) attached to
the part of the looped cable (20) that runs top part of the cable (20) and a
second connector (30') attached to the part of the cable (20) running on
the bottom. The cable (20) is part of an assembly comprised of pulleys
(22) and at least one electric motor assembly (24).
[0025] The motor assembly (24) is comprised of an electric motor (not shown),
a
transmission (not shown) and a motor wheel (32) as is known in the art
and held in place by way of a motor assembly bracket (25).
[0026] Typically, a remote control device comprised of a remote unit (30) and
an
an associated signal receiver (not shown) control the opening and
closing of the sliding panels system (10). Alternatively, or a wall switch
(not shown) can also control the opening and closing.
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[0027] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the
present invention, the same should be apparent from the above
description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of
usage and operation will be provided.
5[0028] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that
the
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner
of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and
obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are
intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
[0029] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to
limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents
may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
