Apparatus for supporting an audio/video system which includes a thin screen video display unit

Abstract

Apparatus for supporting an audio/video system, the system including a thin screen video display unit, video components operatively coupled to the display unit for generating video signals displayable by the unit, and audio components for generating audio signals, includes an elevator mechanism for the display unit and an exterior housing. The exterior housing includes a top opening sized to permit upward and downward movement of the display unit through the opening. The video and audio components are fixedly mounted to, the housing. The elevator mechanism extends upwardly within the housing and comprises an elevator platform adapted to carry the display unit between a lower position where the display unit when carried by the platform is retracted into the mechanism and an upper position where the display unit when carried by the platform is deployed above both the elevator mechanism and the exterior housing. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus includes a swivel mounting for supporting the display unit and permitting rotational movement thereof with respect to the platform when the platform is in its upper position.

1 . Apparatus for supporting an audio/video system, said system including a thin screen video display unit ( 90 ), video components operatively connected to said display unit for generating displayable video signals and audio components including at least one speaker for generating audio signals, said apparatus comprising:
 (a) a free-standing exterior housing ( 10 ) comprising a front panel ( 12 ), a rear panel ( 14 ), and opposed side panels ( 16 ,  18 ) extending between said front and rear panels and upwardly from a base ( 20 ) of said housing to a top ( 22 ) of said housing, said top including a narrow, elongated opening ( 30 ) sized to permit upward and downward movement of said display unit through said opening, said video components and said audio components being fixedly mounted to said housing; and,   (b) an elevator mechanism ( 100 ) for said display unit, said mechanism fully contained by and extending upwardly within said exterior housing, said mechanism comprising:
 (i) an elevator platform ( 150 ) adapted to carry said display unit; and, 
 (ii) means ( 120 ,  130 ) for moving said platform between a lower position where said display unit when carried by said platform is retracted into said mechanism and an upper position where said display unit when carried by said platform is deployed above said mechanism and said exterior housing. 
   
   
   
       2 . Apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said platform ( 150 ) has opposed ends, each end being carried by an associated drive belt ( 120 ) drivable by an associated motor ( 130 ) for moving said platform between said upper and lower positions. 
   
   
       3 . Apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , further including a swivel mounting ( 160 ,  161 ) for supporting said display unit ( 90 ) and permitting rotational movement thereof with respect to said platform ( 150 ) when said platform is in said upper position. 
   
   
       4 . Apparatus as defined in  claim 2 , further including a swivel mounting ( 160 ,  161 ) for supporting said display unit ( 90 ) and permitting rotational movement thereof with respect to said platform ( 150 ) when said platform is in said upper position. 
   
   
       5 . Apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said front panel ( 12 ) is attached to said base ( 20 ) and wherein said rear panel ( 14 ), said side panels ( 16 ,  18 ) and said top ( 22 ) are formed as a single unit which is removably connectable with said base. 
   
   
       6 . Apparatus as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said front panel ( 12 ) is attached to said base ( 20 ) and wherein said rear panel ( 14 ), said side panels ( 16 ,  18 ) and said top ( 22 ) are formed as a single unit which is removably connectable with said base. 
   
   
       7 . Apparatus as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said front panel ( 12 ) is attached to said base ( 20 ) and wherein said rear panel ( 14 ), said side panels ( 16 ,  18 ) and said top ( 22 ) are formed as a single unit which is removably connectable with said base. 
   
   
       8 . Apparatus as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said front panel ( 12 ) is attached to said base ( 20 ) and wherein said rear panel ( 14 ), said side panels ( 16 ,  18 ) and said top ( 22 ) are formed as a single unit which is removably connectable with said base. 
   
   
       9 . An audio/video system, said system comprising:
 (a) a thin screen video display unit ( 90 ), video components operatively connected to said display unit for generating displayable video signals and audio components including at least one speaker for generating audio signals;   (b) a free-standing exterior housing ( 10 ) comprising a front panel ( 12 ), a rear panel ( 14 ), and opposed side panels ( 16 ,  18 )) extending between said front and rear panels and upwardly from a base ( 20 ) of said housing to a top ( 22 ) of said housing, said top including a narrow, elongated opening sized to permit upward and downward movement of said display unit through said opening, said video components and said audio components being mounted to said housing; and,   (c) an elevator mechanism ( 100 ) for said display unit, said mechanism fully contained by and extending upwardly within said exterior housing, said mechanism comprising:
 (i) an elevator platform ( 150 ) carrying said display unit; and, 
 (ii) means ( 120 ,  130 ) for moving said platform between a lower position where said display unit is retracted into said mechanism and an upper position where said display unit is deployed above said mechanism and said exterior housing. 
   
   
   
       10 . A system as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said platform ( 150 ) has opposed ends, each end being carried by an associated drive belt ( 120 ) drivable by an associated motor ( 130 ) for moving said platform between said upper and lower positions. 
   
   
       11 . A system as defined in  claim 9 , further including a swivel mounting ( 160 ,  161 ) for supporting said display unit ( 90 ) and for permitting rotational movement thereof with respect to said platform ( 150 ) when said platform is in said upper position. 
   
   
       12 . A system as defined in  claim 10 , further including a swivel mounting ( 160 ,  161 ) for supporting said display unit ( 90 ) and for permitting rotational movement thereof with respect to said platform ( 150 ) when said platform is in said upper position. 
   
   
       13 . A system as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said front panel ( 12 ) is attached to said base ( 20 ) and wherein said rear panel ( 14 ), said side panels ( 16 ,  18 ) and said top ( 22 ) are formed as a single unit which is removably connectable with said base. 
   
   
       14 . A system as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said front panel ( 12 ) is attached to said base ( 20 ) and wherein said rear panel ( 14 ), said side panels ( 16 ,  18 ) and said top ( 22 ) are formed as a single unit which is removably connectable with said base. 
   
   
       15 . A system as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said front panel ( 12 ) is attached to said base ( 20 ) and wherein said rear panel ( 14 ), said side panels ( 16 ,  18 ) and said top ( 22 ) are formed as a single unit which is removably connectable with said base. 
   
   
       16 . A system as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said front panel ( 12 ) is attached to said base ( 20 ) and wherein said rear panel ( 14 ), said side panels ( 16 ,  18 ) and said top ( 22 ) are formed as a single unit which is removably connectable with said base.