Device and method for covering and exposing an object

Abstract

A device for covering and exposing an object, such as a flat panel display device, can include a support structure movably attached to a display surface adjacent the object displayed on the display surface. 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. The means for moving the support structure and cover may be manually or electronically controlled, either directly or by remote control.

1 . A device, comprising: 
 a support structure movably attached to a display surface adjacent an object displayed on the display surface;    a cover attached to the support structure; and    a means for moving the support structure and cover for selectively covering and exposing the object.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a U-shaped holder having a base leg having a back side facing toward the display surface, a carrier leg having a front side facing away from the display surface, and a connector leg extending between and connecting the base leg and the carrier leg, wherein the back side of the base leg is movably attached to the display surface and the cover is movably attached to the front side of the carrier leg.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein 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.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the connector elements comprise rollers or a slide rail.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the holder further comprises a first hinge between the base leg and the connector leg and a second hinge between the connector leg and the carrier leg, wherein each hinge is rotatable to a desired angle.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the hinges are controllable by an electric motor and wherein the angle of rotation of each hinge is limited by mechanical or photoelectric limit switches.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises at least two movable support structures, further comprising a connector between the at least two movable support structures.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises: 
 an inner frame having a guide element along each side of the inner frame;    an outer frame having a guide element along each side of the outer frame, each outer frame guide element movably engagable with one of the inner frame guide elements, wherein the cover is attached to the outer frame; and    an electric motor attached to the inner frame and adapted to move the outer frame and cover relative to the inner frame.    
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the electric motor comprises a toothed gear, the outer frame guide element adjacent the toothed gear comprises a toothed rack engaged with the toothed gear, and 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.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a cable attached to the electric motor and to the outer frame, wherein the cable is windable and unwindable by the electric motor and wherein movement of the outer frame relative to the inner frame is effected by winding and unwinding the cable by the electric motor.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein 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.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the flat panel display device is movable out of and into the furniture by means of rotating a threaded rod operably connected to the flat panel display device.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the flat panel display device is movable out of and into the furniture by a telescopic means.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein, when moved out of the furniture, the flat panel display device is rotatable and inclinable to provide an optimal viewing angle.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein movement of the flat panel display device out of the furniture is automatically actuated by switching on the flat panel display device and moving the flat panel display device into the furniture is automatically actuated by switching off the flat panel display device.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the display surface comprises a wall.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the object is recessed into the display surface.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the object comprises a flat panel display device, a picture, or an air conditioning system component.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is removably attached to the support structure.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a rigid material.  
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a picture.  
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the object comprises a first picture and the cover comprises a second picture such that the second picture is movable to selectively cover and expose the first picture.  
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is movable in a plurality of directions relative to the object.  
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is integrated with the object.  
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is removably attached to the object.  
   
   
       26 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the means for moving the support structure and cover is manually operable.  
   
   
       27 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the means for moving the support structure and cover comprises an electric motor.  
   
   
       28 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the means for moving the support structure and cover further comprises a rope or cable windable and unwindable by the electric motor.  
   
   
       29 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the means for moving the support structure and cover is operable by a remote control device.  
   
   
       30 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the means for moving the support structure and cover comprises hydraulic means.  
   
   
       31 . A device, comprising: 
 an inner frame attached to a wall adjacent an object displayed on the wall and having a guide element along each side of the inner frame;    an outer frame having a guide element on each side of the outer frame, each outer frame guide element movably engagable with one of the inner frame guide elements;    a rigid cover attached to the outer frame; and    an electric motor attached to the inner frame and adapted to move the outer frame and cover relative to the inner frame to selectively cover and expose the object.    
   
   
       32 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the electric motor comprises a toothed gear, the outer frame guide element adjacent the toothed gear comprises a toothed rack engaged with the toothed gear, and 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.  
   
   
       33 . The device of  claim 31 , further comprising a cable attached to the electric motor and to the outer frame, wherein the cable is windable and unwindable by the electric motor and wherein movement of the outer frame relative to the inner frame is effected by winding and unwinding the cable by the electric motor.  
   
   
       34 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the object is recessed into the wall.  
   
   
       35 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the cover is removably attached to the outer frame.  
   
   
       36 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the object comprises a flat panel display device, a picture, or an air conditioning system component.  
   
   
       37 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the cover comprises a picture.  
   
   
       38 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the object comprises a first picture and the cover comprises a second picture such that the second picture is movable to selectively cover and expose the first picture.  
   
   
       39 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the electric motor is operable by a remote control device.  
   
   
       40 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a rail carriage attached to the display surface, a rail movably engaged with the rail carriage, and a threaded rod attached to the rail and operably engaged with the rail carriage, and wherein the cover is attached to and movable with the rail.  
   
   
       41 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein the means for moving the support structure and cover comprises an electric motor connected to the threaded rod for moving the threaded rod, the rail, and the cover relative to the rail carriage.  
   
   
       42 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein the rail carriage further comprises a rod guide channel for guiding movement of the threaded rod relative to the rail carriage and a rail guide channel for guiding movement of the rail relative to the rail carriage.  
   
   
       43 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein the cover is removably attached to the rail.  
   
   
       44 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein the means for moving the support structure and cover is operable by a remote control device.  
   
   
       45 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein the object comprises a flat panel display device, a picture, or an air conditioning system component.  
   
   
       46 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a rail carriage attached to the display surface, a rail movably engaged with the rail carriage, and a notched belt operably engaged with the rail and with the rail carriage, and wherein the cover is attached to and movable with the rail.  
   
   
       47 . The device of  claim 46 , wherein the means for moving the support structure and cover comprises an electric motor connected to the notched belt for moving the notched belt, the rail, and the cover relative to the rail carriage.  
   
   
       48 . The device of  claim 46 , wherein the rail carriage further comprises a belt guide channel for guiding movement of the notched belt relative to the rail carriage and a rail guide channel for guiding movement of the rail relative to the rail carriage.  
   
   
       49 . The device of  claim 46 , wherein the cover is removably attached to the rail.  
   
   
       50 . The device of  claim 47 , wherein the means for moving the support structure and cover is operable by a remote control device.  
   
   
       51 . The device of  claim 46 , wherein the object comprises a flat panel display device, a picture, or an air conditioning system component.  
   
   
       52 . A method for selectively covering and exposing an object displayed on a display surface, comprising: 
 attaching a support structure to the display surface adjacent the object, the support structure movable relative to the display surface;    attaching a cover to the support structure; and    moving the support structure and cover to selectively cover and expose the object.    
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the support structure comprises a U-shaped holder having a base leg movably attached to the display surface, a carrier leg for movably attaching the cover, and a connector leg extending between and connecting the base leg and the carrier leg.  
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the support structure comprises: 
 an inner frame having a guide element along each side of the inner frame;    an outer frame having a guide element along each side of the outer frame, each outer frame guide element movably engagable with one of the inner frame guide elements, wherein the cover is attached to the outer frame; and    an electric motor attached to the inner frame and adapted to move the outer frame and cover relative to the inner frame.    
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the display surface comprises a wall.  
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the object is recessed into the display surface.  
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the object comprises a flat panel display device, a picture, or an air conditioning system component.  
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein attaching a cover to the support structure comprises removably attaching the cover to the support structure.  
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the cover comprises a rigid material.  
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the cover comprises a picture.  
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the object comprises a first picture and the cover comprises a second picture, and wherein moving the support structure and cover comprises moving the second picture to selectively cover and expose the first picture.  
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein moving the support structure and cover comprises moving the support structure and cover in a plurality of directions relative to the object.  
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein moving the support structure and cover comprises manually moving the support structure and cover.  
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein moving the support structure and cover comprises moving the support structure and cover by means of an electric motor.  
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein moving the support structure and cover comprises moving the support structure and cover by means of a remote control device.  
   
   
       66 . A method, comprising: 
 providing a rail carriage attached to a display surface adjacent an object, a rail movably engaged with the rail carriage, and a threaded rod attached to the rail and operably engaged with the rail carriage;    attaching a cover to the rail; and    moving the threaded rod, the rail, and the cover relative to the rail carriage to selectively cover and expose the object.    
   
   
       67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein moving the threaded rod, the rail, and the cover comprises moving the threaded rod, the rail, and the cover by means of an electric motor connected to the threaded rod.  
   
   
       68 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein moving the threaded rod, the rail, and the cover comprises moving the threaded rod, the rail, and the cover by means of a remote control device.  
   
   
       69 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein attaching the cover to the rail comprises removably attaching the cover to the rail.  
   
   
       70 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the object comprises a flat panel display device, a picture, or an air conditioning system component.  
   
   
       71 . A method, comprising: 
 providing a rail carriage attached to a display surface adjacent an object, a rail movably engaged with the rail carriage, and a notched belt operably engaged with the rail and with the rail carriage;    attaching a cover to the rail; and    moving the notched belt, the rail, and the cover relative to the rail carriage to selectively cover and expose the object.    
   
   
       72 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein moving the notched belt, the rail, and the cover comprises moving the notched belt, the rail, and the cover by means of an electric motor connected to the notched belt.  
   
   
       73 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein moving the notched belt, the rail, and the cover comprises moving the notched belt, the rail, and the cover by means of a remote control device.  
   
   
       74 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein attaching the cover to the rail comprises removably attaching the cover to the rail.  
   
   
       75 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the object comprises a flat panel display device, a picture, or an air conditioning system component.