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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         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.