WO2012007751A1

WO2012007751A1 - Lid operating system

Info

Publication number: WO2012007751A1
Application number: PCT/GB2011/051311
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael David Munden; James Ambrose Yardley
Original assignee: Tv Bed Limited
Priority date: 2010-07-12
Filing date: 2011-07-13
Publication date: 2012-01-19

Abstract

A lid operating system comprises a housing (120) for locating a television (200) therein, the housing comprising an opening (204). A lid portion (104) is provided and is operably coupled to the housing (120) and translatable from an open position to a closed position in order to change between exposing and closing the opening. The system also comprises a bracket apparatus (304) comprising a support portion (400, 402) arranged for coupling to the television (200); and a guide surface (406) arranged to provide an abutment surface for controlled operation of the lid portion. The guide surface (406) is integrally formed with the support portion (400, 402); and a stopper (314) is provided for abutting the guide surface, the stopper (314) being coupled to the lid portion (104). The guide surface (406) and the stopper (314) are arranged to support magnetic attraction therebetween.

Description

LID OPERATING SYSTEM

[0001] The present invention relates to a lid operating system of the type that, for example, supports a media apparatus, such as a television, that is concealed within a housing and is translatable from a stowed state to a deployed state.

[0002] A so-called "television bed" is a bed having a television disposed in a footboard of the bed, the footboard being constructed such that, in a stowed state, the television can be concealed within the footboard and, in a deployed state, a viewable area of the television is above a top surface of the footboard so that the television can be viewed. Consequently, the concealment of the television when in the stowed state results in an otherwise technically enhanced item appearing as a normal item of furniture. Additionally, the ability to conceal the television within the bed results in the integrated television and bed having a tidier appearance and a bedroom in which the television bed is located having an uncluttered overall appearance.

[0003] In order to stow and deploy the television from the footboard of the bed, the footboard of the bed is known to comprise an opening and a hinged lid to close the opening when the television is in the stowed state. In this respect, when the television is being deployed, the lid opens to allow the television to pass through the opening in order to assume the deployed state. When the television is being stowed, the lid closes once the television is within the footboard in order to substantially conceal the opening and provide the top surface of the footboard with a pleasant appearance.

[0004] Additionally, an electromechanical lift mechanism is provided within the footboard of the bed in order to execute the deployment and stowage of the television. The lift mechanism therefore similarly has a retracted or lowered state and an extended or raised state corresponding to the stowed and deployed states of the television. The retraction and extension of the television is controlled by a control unit activatable by a switch, usually provided in the side of the base of the bed within easy reach of a user when lying on the bed. It is known for the television to be coupled to the lift mechanism by a bracket or frame, the bracket being coupled to a translatable base portion of the lift mechanism and the television being secured to the bracket by fixing screws or bolts.

[0005] In order to open and close the lid, a guide bar is coupled to the frame supporting the television and a buffer or stopper is coupled to an underside of the lid. The guide bar has an arcuate portion and the stopper is disposed on the lid at a location such that when the television is raised by the lift mechanism, the guide bar carried by the rising frame is brought into abutment with the stopper and, as the frame continues to rise, the stopper rides over the guide bar and the lid, to which the stopper is coupled, is urged away from a closed state to an open state. [0006] However, the use of the guide bar in combination with the stopper has a number of drawbacks. Firstly, in terms of construction efficiency, the guide bar is a separate piece part that needs to be attached to the frame during manufacture and so has an associated manufacturing step and has a corresponding time and financial cost. Also, with the advent of so-called Light Emitting Diode (LED) televisions, for example televisions comprising a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) that is "back-lit" by LEDs, the bracket currently employed is unsuitable due to the depth of the LED televisions being considerably shallower than LCD televisions and so the stability of the LED television is inferior as compared with an LCD television held by the same design of bracket.

[0007] Additionally, the distance of a headboard-facing edge of the lid from a pivoting edge of the lid is such that the stopper cannot be correctly located when using shallower television formats than those of LCD televisions; the lid is, for some part of the deployment process, urged open without interaction with the stopper. [0008] Furthermore, when the lift mechanism is lowered in order to stow the television, the stopper is expected to lie against the guide bar and follow the guide bar as the guide bar lowers with the television, thereby affecting smooth closure of the lid after the television. However, the guide bar has an arcuate portion and the ability of the stopper to lie on the guide bar as the guide bar lowers and the arcuate portion thereof is reached depends, in part, upon the surface upon which the bed is disposed. In particular, gravity is relied upon in order to ensure that the buffer remains in contact with the surface of the guide bar. In this respect, due to some unavoidable friction in the hinges attaching the lid to the footboard, if the floor of a room is not level, the television can lower without the lid following the guide bar, the guide bar moving downwardly away from the stopper and lid. The lid can therefore, in some circumstances, remain in a suspended state over the opening through which the television travels. [0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a lid operating system, the system comprising: a housing for locating a television therein, the housing comprising an opening; a lid portion operably coupled to the housing and translatable from an open position to a closed position in order to change between exposing and closing the opening; a bracket apparatus comprising: a support portion arranged for coupling to a television; and a guide portion arranged to provide a guide surface for controlled operation of the lid portion; wherein the guide portion is integrally formed with the support portion; and a stopper for abutting the abutment surface, the stopper being coupled to the lid portion; wherein at least one of the guide portion and the stopper comprises a magnet.

[0010] The support portion may be arranged to be coupled, when in use, to a part of a lift mechanism. [0011] The housing may be a footboard. [0012] The guide portion extends away from the support portion; and the guide surface is an abutment surface and is distal from the support portion.

[0013] The guide portion may be a wall portion. The guide portion may extend substantially perpendicularly from the support portion.

[0014] The guide portion may extend sufficiently to enable use of the stopper with the guide surface for televisions having a depth of less than about 90mm, for example less than about 40mm, such between about 5mm and 35mm.

[0015] The support portion and the guide portion may have a footprint for abutting a moving part of a lift mechanism; the footprint may be arranged to provide stability for the television during translation of the television. [0016] The footprint may be substantially T-shaped.

[0017] The guide surface may be magnetic.

[0018] The guide surface may be formed by a ferromagnetic material or a paramagnetic material.

[0019] The guide surface may be formed from a metal.

[0020] The system may further comprise: a translatable lift base carrying the bracket apparatus.

[0021] The stopper may comprise a recess; the magnet may be disposed within the recess. [0022] The stopper may comprise an abutment surface, the magnet being disposed so as to be recessed behind the abutment surface. [0023] The abutment surface may be substantially hemispherical.

[0024] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a bracket apparatus for coupling to a television, the apparatus comprising: a support portion arranged for coupling to a television; and a guide surface arranged to provide an abutment surface for controlled operation of a part of a housing for the television; wherein the guide surface is integrally formed with the support portion.

[0025] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a lift mechanism apparatus comprising a translatable lift base; and a bracket apparatus as set forth above in relation to the second aspect of the invention; wherein the bracket apparatus is coupled to the lift base.

[0026] It is thus possible to provide a bracket apparatus and a lift mechanism apparatus that are capable of supporting a television of reduced depth as compared with LCD televisions, for example an LED television, while providing a guiding surface capable of interacting with a stopper on a lid to open the lid and close the lid as appropriate. Additionally, the bracket apparatus obviates the need for an additional piece part and so simplifies assembly of a footboard of a bed or other item of furniture as well as reducing the cost of manufacture. It is also possible to provide a lid operating system capable of encouraging a lid to close when the lid attached to a piece of furniture, for example a bed, is disposed on an uneven surface. [0027] At least one embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a television bed comprising a lid operating system constituting an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a television of the television bed of Figure 1 when in a deployed state; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a footboard of the bed of Figure 1 housing a bracket apparatus and a stopper; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the bracket apparatus;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a stopper of Figure 3 in greater detail; and

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the stopper of Figure 5.

[0028] Throughout the following description identical reference numerals will be used to identify like parts.

[0029] Referring to Figure 1 , a television bed 100 comprises a footboard 102 having a lid portion 104. The lid 104 is coupled to the bed and hinged at one side thereof. The footboard 102 constitutes a housing for a television 200 (Figure 2) and defines a cavity therein (not shown in Figure 1 ). In this respect, the television 200, when in a stowed state, is located within the footboard 102. An upper surface 106 of the footboard 102 comprises an opening 204 therein, the opening 204 being covered by the lid 104 when the lid 104 is in a closed state. When in an open state, the opening 204 provides a port through which the television 200 can pass.

[0030] In the stowed state (Figure 1 ), the television 200 is concealed within the footboard 102 of the bed 100, whereas when the television 200 is in a deployed state (Figure 2), a viewable area 206 of the television 200 is located beyond the upper surface 106 of the footboard 102.

[0031] Referring back to Figure 1 , a control unit (not shown) is coupled to a switch 108 disposed at a side of the bed 100, the control unit also being coupled to a lift mechanism (not shown in Figure 1 ) for controlling deployment and stowage of the television 200. [0032] Turning to Figure 3, the lift mechanism comprises a lift base 300, which is part of a lift mechanism, located within the cavity 302 of the footboard. A bracket apparatus 304 is coupled to the lift base 300 in order to provide a frame on to which the television 200, for example a so-called "LED television", can be secured. In this respect, a rear-face of the television 200 is coupled to the bracket apparatus 304, for example by securement using screws or bolts. Likewise, the bracket apparatus 304 is secured to the lift base 300 by screws or bolts. Consequently, the bracket apparatus 304 serves, in this example, as part of the lift mechanism and couples the television 200 to the lift base 300. In this example, the housing, the lid 104 and the bracket apparatus 304 constitute a lid operating system.

[0033] A first, rear, wall 306 of the footboard 102 comprises a pair of hinges 308 coupled, in spaced relation, at an upper end 310 thereof, the hinges 308 also being coupled to the lid 104. In this example, an underside 312 of the lid 104 carries a buffer 314 or stopper.

[0034] Referring also to Figure 4, the bracket apparatus 304 comprises a base portion 400 for coupling to a part of the lift mechanism, for example the lift base 300 when not integrally formed with the lift base 300, and a support portion 402 for coupling to the television 200. Additionally, the bracket apparatus 304 comprises a guide portion 404 comprising a guide surface 406. The guide surface 406 serves as a surface for abutment for controlled operation of the lid 104. In this example, the base portion 400 is substantially perpendicular to the support portion 402. Similarly, the guide portion 404 is substantially perpendicular to the support portion 402, as well as in this example being integrally formed with the support portion 402. The guide portion 404 therefore extends away from the support portion 402. The guide surface 406 is therefore distal from the support portion 402. The guide portion 404 is a wall portion and has, in this example, a substantially arcuate upper portion 408 and a substantially vertical portion 410. The guide portion 404 extends sufficiently to enable use of the stopper 314 with the guide surface 406 for televisions having a depth of less than about 90mnn, for example less than about 40mm, such between about 5mm and 35mm.

[0035] Referring to Figure 5, the buffer or stopper 314 has, in this example, a substantially hemispherical abutment surface 500 and a blind bore 502 (Figure 6) constituting a recess. Of course, in other embodiments, the stopper 314 can have a differently shaped abutment surface, for example a substantially convex abutment surface. In this example, the stopper 314 has a planar base for abutment with an underside of the lid 104 and a peak opposite the planar base. The blind bore 502 is formed, in this example, at the peak of the hemisphere and follows a radial axis of the hemisphere to a desired depth. The recess is arranged to receive a magnet 508 therein, the recess being sufficiently deep to provide a recess space 504 between an exposed surface 506 (Figure 6) of the magnet 508 and the abutment surface 500, i.e. the magnet is recessed behind the abutment surface 500. The recess is sized such that the magnet 508, when disposed within the recess, is sufficiently recessed from the abutment surface 500 to avoid contact with and, for example, scratching the guide surface 406, whilst being sufficiently close to the abutment surface 500 for attraction to take place between the guide surface 406 and the magnet 508 when in use. In this example, the depth of the recess space 504 is less than about 2mm, for example less than about 1 mm, such as less than about 0.5mm. In this example, the magnet is an N35 rated neodymium magnet. It should be appreciated that the amount the exposed surface of the magnet 508 needs to be recessed from the abutment surface 500 of the stopper 314 is dependent upon (or a function of) the strength of the magnet 508. Of course, in other embodiments, the magnet 508 need not be recessed. In this example, the magnet 508 is a neodymium magnet and the guide surface 406 is formed by any suitable ferromagnetic material or a paramagnetic material, for example a suitable metal. Of course, in an alternative configuration, the guide surface 406 can be magnetic and the buffer 314 can hold a piece of ferromagnetic material or a paramagnetic material, for example a suitable metal. [0036] In operation, the television 200 is in the stowed state, for example, and therefore concealed within the footboard 102 of the bed 100. Upon actuation of the switch 108 by a user, the control unit responds by controlledly raising the lift base 300 to which the television 200 is coupled via the bracket apparatus 304. In this respect, as the lift base 300 rises under the power of an electric motor (not shown), the bracket apparatus 304 and hence the guide surface 406 also rises. While in the closed state, the buffer 314 depends downwardly from the underside 312 of the lid 104. When the guide surface 406 reaches the abutment surface 500 of the buffer 314, the guide surface 406 abuts the abutment surface 500 of the buffer 314. As the bracket apparatus 304 and the guide surface 406 continue to rise, the abutment surface 500 of the buffer 314 continues to ride over the guide surface 406 and urges the buffer 314 and the lid 304 upwards. Due to the existence of the arcuate portion 408 of the guide portion 404 and hence the guide surface 406, the lid 104 is urged upwardly and sideward so as to cause the lid 104 to open pivotally about the hinges 308. Furthermore, the lid 104 is opened so as to be clear of the television 200.

[0037] Once the abutment surface 500 of the buffer 314 reaches the substantially vertical portion 410 of the guide surface 406, the lid 104 is in a fully opened state. Thereafter, the lift base 300 continues to rise until the television 200 reaches a completely deployed state, whereupon the control unit ceases to raise the lift base 300. In this state, the abutment surface 500 of the buffer 314 remains resting against the guide surface 406. The control unit then awaits actuation of the switch 108, which serves as an instruction to stow the television 200.

[0038] Consequently, when the switch 108 is actuated again by the user, the control unit responds to the actuation of the switch 108 by powering the electric motor of the lift mechanism so as to lower the lift base 300 in order to stow the television 200. The lift base 300 therefore lowers, causing the bracket apparatus 304 and hence the guide surface 406 to lower. As the arcuate portion 408 of the guide surface 406 is reached, the presence of the recessed magnet 508 in the buffer 314 causes the buffer 314 and hence the lid 104 to be attracted to the guide surface 406 and therefore to follow the guide surface 406. In this respect, even if the bed 100 is not disposed on a faithfully horizontal surface, the presence of the magnet ensures that the lid is pulled over as the guide surface 406 lowers until the force of gravity is sufficient to ensure that the lid 104 continues to close after the bracket apparatus 304 as the bracket apparatus 304 and the television 200 are lowered into the footboard 102. Eventually, the television 200 reaches the completely stowed state, whereupon the lid 104 is in a completely closed state so as to reinstate the appearance of a normal bed. [0039] As can be seen, throughout deployment and stowage of the television, the guide portion 404 and the support portion 402 form, in plan view, a footprint that provides stability for the television during translation of the television. The footprint is, in this example, substantially T-shaped. [0040] Although the above examples have been described in the context of a television bed, the skilled person should appreciate that the above-described bracket apparatus can be employed in respect of other housings, for example items of furniture, such as cupboards or desks, where it is desirable to conceal a television or any other suitable media apparatus therein.

Claims

Claims:

1 . A lid operating system, the system comprising:

a housing for locating a television therein, the housing comprising an opening;

a lid portion operably coupled to the housing and translatable from an open position to a closed position in order to change between exposing and closing the opening;

a bracket apparatus comprising:

a support portion arranged for coupling to a television; and a guide portion arranged to provide a guide surface for controlled operation of the lid portion; wherein

the guide portion is integrally formed with the support portion; and a stopper for abutting the abutment surface, the stopper being coupled to the lid portion; wherein

at least one of the guide portion and the stopper comprises a magnet.

2. A system as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the support portion is arranged to be coupled, when in use, to a part of a lift mechanism.

3. A system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the housing is a footboard.

4. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein:

the guide portion extends away from the support portion; and

the guide surface is an abutment surface and is distal from the support portion.

5. A system as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the guide portion is a wall portion.

6. A system as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the guide portion extends substantially perpendicularly from the support portion.

7. A system as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6, wherein the support portion and the guide portion have a footprint for abutting a moving part of a lift mechanism, the footprint being arranged to provide stability for the television during translation of the television.

8. A system as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the footprint is substantially T- shaped.

9. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide surface is magnetic.

10. A system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the guide surface is formed from a ferromagnetic material or a paramagnetic material.

1 1 . A system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the guide surface is formed from a metal.

12. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a translatable lift base carrying the bracket apparatus.

13. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stopper comprises a recess, the magnet being disposed within the recess.

14. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stopper comprises an abutment surface, the magnet being disposed so as to be recessed behind the abutment surface.

15. A system as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the abutment surface is substantially hemispherical.