Frame for mounting a lift device for a video display in an article of furniture

Abstract

A frame for mounting a lift apparatus for a video display in an article of furniture. The frame includes an elongate upper member, an elongate lower member, an elongate connecting member, and lift mounting elements. The elongate upper member has opposite ends and a substantial mid-region. The elongate lower member extends substantially parallel to the upper elongate member and has opposite ends and a substantial mid-region. The elongate connecting member has opposite end portions affixed to the upper and lower elongate members at regions offset from the substantial mid-regions thereof. The lift mounting elements are provided on the upper and lower elongate members at the substantial mid-regions thereof for mounting a lift apparatus to the upper and lower elongate members at the substantial mid-regions thereof. The upper and lower elongate members are spaced from each other a distance sufficient to enable a lift apparatus to be passed from one side of the frame to the other and the connecting member is spaced from the substantial mid-region of the upper and lower members a distance sufficient to enable a lift apparatus to be mounted to the upper and lower elongate members at their substantial mid-regions. Other embodiments of the invention include a subassembly forming a component to be incorporated into an article of furniture containing lift apparatus for a video display and a kit for mounting a lift apparatus for a video display in an article of furniture.

1 . A frame for mounting a lift apparatus for a video display in an article of furniture, comprising: 
 an elongate upper member having opposite ends and a substantial mid-region;    an elongate lower member extending substantially parallel to said upper elongate member and having opposite ends and a substantial mid-region;    an elongate connecting member having opposite end portions affixed to said upper and lower elongate members at regions offset from said substantial mid-regions thereof;    lift mounting elements provided on said upper and lower elongate members at said substantial mid-regions thereof for mounting a lift apparatus to said upper and lower elongate members at said substantial mid-regions thereof;    said upper and lower elongate members being spaced from each other a distance sufficient to enable a lift apparatus to be passed from one side of the frame to the other; and    said connecting member being spaced from said substantial mid-region of said upper and lower members a distance sufficient to enable a lift apparatus to be mounted to said upper and lower elongate members at their substantial mid-regions.    
   
   
       2 . The frame of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 controller mounting elements provided on said connecting member for mounting a controller for controlling the operation of a lift.    
   
   
       3 . The frame of  claim 1 , 
 wherein said distance between said upper and lower members requires a lift to be inserted at an angle when being passed from one side of the lift to the other.    
   
   
       4 . The frame of  claim 1 , 
 wherein said distance that said upper and lower elongate members are spaced from each other is in the range of between about 20 to 45 inches.    
   
   
       5 . The frame of  claim 1 , 
 wherein said upper and lower elongate members are substantially equal in length.    
   
   
       6 . The frame of  claim 5 , 
 wherein the length of said upper and lower elongate members is in the range of between about 40 to 64 inches.    
   
   
       7 . The frame of  claim 1 , 
 wherein said distance that said upper and lower elongate members are spaced from each other is about 33 inches and the length of said upper and lower elongate members is about 52 inches.    
   
   
       8 . The frame of  claim 1 , 
 wherein said elongate upper, lower and connecting members are formed of metallic material.    
   
   
       9 . The frame of  claim 8 , 
 wherein an elongate member formed of wood is connected to said upper elongate member for connecting a top panel of said article of furniture thereto.    
   
   
       10 . The frame of  claim 8 , 
 wherein said upper elongate member has a rectangular-cross section.    
   
   
       11 . The frame of  claim 1 , 
 wherein brackets are affixed to the opposite ends of each of said upper and lower elongate members for connecting said members to side panels of the article of furniture.    
   
   
       12 . A subassembly forming a component to be incorporated into an article of furniture containing lift apparatus for a video display, comprising: 
 a pair of side panels having spaced opposed inner side surfaces situated in substantially parallel planes, said planes having substantially parallel rear edges defining a rear plane;    an upper elongate member having opposed ends and a substantial mid-region, each of said opposed ends affixed to an inner side surface of a respective one of said side panels, said upper elongate member having a rear surface situated proximate said rear plane;    a lower elongate member situated vertically below said uhaving opposed ends and a substantial mid-region, each of said opposed ends affixed to an inner side surface of a respective one of said side panels;    an elongate connecting member having opposite end portions affixed to said upper and lower members at regions offset from said substantial mid-region thereof;    lift mounting elements provided on said upper and lower elongate members at said substantial mid-regions thereof for mounting lift apparatus to said upper and lower members at said substantial mid-regions thereof;    said upper and lower elongate members being spaced from each other, and said connecting member being spaced from said substantial mid-regions of said upper and lower members, distances sufficient to enable a lift apparatus to be passed between said upper and lower members for mounting to said substantial mid-regions of said upper and lower members.    
   
   
       13 . The subassembly of  claim 12 , 
 wherein said side panels comprise the sides of said article of furniture.    
   
   
       14 . The subassembly of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 a bottom panel comprising the bottom of said article of furniture.    
   
   
       15 . The subassembly of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 a front panel comprising the front of said article of furniture.    
   
   
       16 . The subassembly of  claim 12 , 
 wherein said side panels comprise the sides of said article of furniture and wherein said subassembly further comprises a bottom panel comprising the bottom of said article of furniture and wherein said subassembly further comprises a front panel comprising the front panel of said article of furniture.    
   
   
       17 . The subassembly of  claim 16 , 
 wherein said side panels have substantially parallel upper edges defining an upper plane and said upper elongate member has an upper edge surface situated proximate to said upper plane.    
   
   
       18 . The subassembly of  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 a temporary back panel situated substantially in said rear plane structured and arranged to be disconnected from said sub-assembly.    
   
   
       19 . A kit for a frame for mounting a lift apparatus for a video display in an article of furniture, comprising: 
 an elongate upper member having opposite ends and a substantial mid-region;    an elongate lower member having opposite ends and a substantial mid-region;    an elongate connecting member having opposite end portions; and    lift mounting elements provided on said upper and lower elongate members at said substantial mid-regions thereof for mounting a lift apparatus to said upper and lower elongate members at said substantial mid-regions thereof.    
   
   
       20 . The kit of  claim 19 , 
 further comprising an elongate member formed of wood.    
   
   
       21 . The kit of  claim 19 , 
 further comprising brackets to be affixed to the opposite ends of each of said upper and lower elongate members for connecting said members to side panels of the article of furniture.    
   
   
       22 . A method of manufacturing a plurality of articles of furniture each having a lift, comprising the steps of: 
 pre-assembling a plurality of modular frames having the same standardized dimensions, said frames each comprising: 
 an elongate upper member having opposite ends and a substantial mid-region;  
 an elongate lower member extending substantially parallel to said upper elongate member and having opposite ends and a substantial mid-region;  
 an elongate connecting member having opposite end portions affixed to said upper and lower elongate members at regions offset from said substantial mid-regions thereof;  
 lift mounting elements provided on said upper and lower elongate members at said substantial mid-regions thereof for mounting a lift apparatus to said upper and lower elongate members at said substantial mid-regions thereof;  
 said upper and lower elongate members being spaced from each other a distance sufficient to enable a lift apparatus to be passed from one side of the frame to the other; and  
 said connecting member being spaced from said substantial mid-region of said upper and lower members a distance sufficient to enable a lift apparatus to be mounted to said upper and lower elongate members at their substantial mid-regions;  
   wherein the dimensions of each pre-assembled frame are the same as the dimensions of the other pre-assembled frames;    providing a plurality of articles of furniture with cavities structured and arranged to receive modular frames of said standardized dimensions;    fastening said pre-assembled modular frames within said articles of furniture; and    mounting lifts on said frames, thereby forming the articles of furniture having a lift.