Apparatus for moving a cover of furniture

Abstract

The invention is an apparatus for moving a cover of an article of furniture in which a lift device is installed. The cover overlies an object to be raised by the lift device. The lift device includes a movable frame for raising and lowering the object. The apparatus includes a retracting mechanism, a cam mechanism, and a reverse motion mechanism. The retracting mechanism is coupled to a rear edge of the cover by a hinge means and includes at least one guide structured and arranged to guide the hinge means in a vertical plane. The cam mechanism includes at least one cam member fixed to the movable frame of the lift unit. The reverse motion mechanism includes a driver fixed to the movable frame of the lift device. The driver is operatively coupled to the retracting mechanism.

1 . An apparatus for moving a cover of an article of furniture in which a lift device is installed, said cover overlying an object to be raised by said lift device, said lift device including a movable frame for raising and lowering the object, comprising: 
 a retracting mechanism coupled to a rear edge of said cover by hinge means, said retracting mechanism including at least one guide structured and arranged to guide said hinge means in a vertical plane;    a cam mechanism including at least one cam member fixed to said movable frame of said lift unit; and    a reverse motion mechanism including a driver fixed to said movable frame of said lift device, said driver operatively coupled to said retracting mechanism.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one cam member includes an upper portion having curved surface extending away from said hinge and a lower rectilinear portion extending in a vertical direction.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said cam mechanism further comprises: 
 at least one pivotally mounted rocker arm, structured and arranged to be pivoted by engagement with a respective one of said cam members;    a rocker follower fixed to each respective rocker arm, each rocker follower following a respective one of said cam members; and    a roll fixed to each respective rocker arm which engages said cover to controllably pivot said cover between a closed horizontal position and a vertical position upon raising the object on said lift.    
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said at least one cam member structured and arranged so that said upper curved portion of said at least one cam member controllably pivots said cover between its vertical and horizontal positions and said rectilinear portion of said at least one cam member guides said cover when said cover is in the vertical position.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said at least one cam member has a felt surface.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said reverse motion mechanism comprises: 
 at least two pulleys;    a cable disposed about said at least two pulleys having first and second runs;    a plate clamp secured to said first run of said cable;    a driver fixed to said movable frame of said lift device structured and arranged to engage said plate clamp upon lowering the object on said lift to move said cable; and    wherein said retracting mechanism is operatively coupled to said second run of said cable.    
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said retracting mechanism is coupled to said second run by a gas spring.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said retracting mechanism is coupled to said second run by at least one tension spring.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one support unit for the cover fixed below the upper edge of said article of furniture a distance greater than or equal to the width of said cover.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to the  claim 1 , wherein said at least on guide includes rectilinear ball bearings.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to the  claim 1 , wherein said lift device is spaced from the back of said article of furniture a distance slightly greater than the width of said cover.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said retracting mechanism includes at least two guides and further comprises a horizontal beam connecting said guides such that said beam is raised and lowered with said guides.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the upper position of said beam is limited when said cover is in the closed position by a stopper which is fixed above said beam.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said reverse motion mechanism is coupled to said beam via a gas spring.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said beam is fixed to an upper portion of said guides.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said rear edge of said cover is hinged to said beam.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , having three guides, two of said guides are disposed on opposite sides of said article of furniture and are arranged so that the guides face each other; the third guide is substantially aligned with the center of said lift device.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said rear edge of said cover is hinged to the upper vertical end of at least one of said guides.