Surround entertainment system for a fireplace

Abstract

A surround entertainment system configured for use with a heating appliance such as a fireplace includes a decorative surround, a display monitor coupled to the surround, a sound system positioned at least partially within the surround, and a signal module positioned at least partially within the surround and configured to provide a video signal to the display monitor and an audio signal to the sound system. The surround may include several recessed portions sized to receive the display monitor, sound system, and signal module.

1 . A surround entertainment system configured for use with a fireplace, the system comprising: 
 a decorative surround;    a display monitor coupled to the surround; and    a sound system positioned at least partially within the surround.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a signal module positioned at least partially within the surround and configured to provide a video signal to the display monitor and an audio signal to the sound system.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the display monitor is movable between a display position wherein a display screen of the display monitor is viewable, and a retracted position wherein the display screen is not viewable.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the surround defines a first cavity sized to receive the sound system.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the surround further includes an access panel sized to cover the at least one cavity to conceal the sound system.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal module is a digital video device.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the display monitor includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sound system includes at least one speaker device.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the display monitor is movable in a vertically upward direction between a generally horizontal retracted position and a generally vertical display position.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the display monitor is movable in a vertically downward direction between a generally horizontal retracted position and a generally vertical display position.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the surround includes a mantel member that extends generally horizontally across a width of the surround, and the display monitor is mounted to the mantel.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the surround defines a cavity sized to enclose the signal module.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the surround further includes an access panel configured to cover the cavity to conceal the signal module.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the display monitor, the sound system, and the signal module are configured for control from a remote location.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the surround includes a top horizontal member and first and second vertical side members, and the display monitor and signal module are mounted in the top member and the sound system is mounted in at least one of the side members.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the display monitor is coupled to the surround with a mounting assembly, the mounting assembly including at one pair of linkage members and a biasing member.  
   
   
       17 . A fireplace mantle assembly, comprising: 
 a mantle defining first and second recessed portions;    a display monitor positioned at least partially within the first recessed portion; and    a video device coupled positioned at least partially within the second recess.    
   
   
       18 . The mantle assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the display monitor is coupled to the mantle and movable between a retracted position at least partially within the first recessed portion and a display position removed from the recessed portion.  
   
   
       19 . The mantle assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising an access panel coupled to the mantle and configured to cover the second recessed portion to conceal the video device.  
   
   
       20 . The mantle assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the mantle includes a top surface facing generally upward having the first recessed portion formed therein, and the display monitor is movable between a retracted position at least partially within the first recessed portion, and a second position extending vertically upward from the top surface.  
   
   
       21 . The mantle assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the mantle includes a bottom surface facing generally downward and having the first recessed portion formed therein, and the display monitor is movable between a retracted position at least partially within the first recessed portion, and a second position extending vertically downward from the bottom surface.  
   
   
       22 . An audio and video entertainment module, comprising: 
 a decorative surround for a heating appliance;    a display screen coupled to the surround and configured to provide a video display in response to a video signal; and    a sound system positioned at least partially within a recessed portion of the surround and configured to provide sound in response to an audio signal.    
   
   
       23 . The entertainment module of  claim 22 , wherein the surround includes at least one access panel configured to conceal at portion of the sound system from view.  
   
   
       24 . The entertainment module of  claim 22 , wherein the display screen is movable between a display position and a concealed position.  
   
   
       25 . The entertainment module of  claim 22 , wherein the sound system includes first and second speakers, and the surround defines first and second cavities sized to enclose the first and second speakers.  
   
   
       26 . A method of assembling a surround entertainment system configured for use with a heating appliance, the system comprising a surround, a display monitor, a sound system, an a signal module, the method comprising the steps of: 
 forming first and second recessed portions in the surround;    positioning the signal module in at least a portion of the first recessed portion;    positioning the sound system in at least a portion of the second recessed portion; and    coupling the display monitor to the surround.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein coupling the display monitor includes adjustably mounting the display monitor so that the display monitor is movable between a display position wherein display monitor is viewable, and a retracted position wherein the display monitor is not viewable.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the system include a first access panel coupled to the surround and configured to at least partially conceal the signal module from view, and a second access panel coupled to the surround and configured to at least partially conceal the sound system.  
   
   
       29 . A decorative surround for a heating appliance, the surround comprising: 
 a first recessed portion configured to receive at least a portion of a display monitor;    a second recessed portion configured to receive at least a portion of a signal module; and    a third recessed portion configured to receive at least a portion of a sound system.