View and glow seating

• US 20060087848A1
• Filed: 10/25/2004
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethos Design LLC
• Original Assignee: Ethos Design LLC
• Inventors: Gharabegian, Armen Sevada
• Granted Patent: US 7,080,919 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/282
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/725 for illumination, e.g. lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/503 of light sources cooling arrangements structurally associated with gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps H01J61/52; cooling arrangements structurally associated with electric incandescent lamps H01K1/58; cooling arrangements structurally associated with light-emitting diodes H01L33/64
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0012 Furniture hospital beds F21V33/0072

Abstract

Seating structures having (1) an internal image projector for projecting images on the exterior surface of such seating structures and (2) an internal source of illumination with color changing capability, the effect of which is visible on the exterior surface of the seating structures are disclosed. The image projection technology is powered by a standard AC outlet and operated by remote control. The illumination technology is powered by either an AC outlet or battery and is operated by remote control. An internal or external DVD or other data source may be incorporated for image projection. The housing of the projection source provides maximum image throw and quality. The internal construction of the seating structure achieves high-quality projected images and maintains comfortable sitting conditions. The housing of the internal light source achieves a high-impact lighting effect. Mini-coolant fans mounted in the seating structure maintain a low temperature within the seating structures.

Claims

1. A system for internal image projection and illumination, comprising:

a seating structure having a light penetrable outer surface;

a chamber housed within the seating structure;

a projection mechanism housed within the chamber that generates images;

at least one light source housed within the chamber;

at least one fan mounted in a back or bottom panel of the seating structure;

a ventilation area; and

a reflective surface within the seating structure that captures images from the projection mechanism and projects such images to a desired surface of the seating structure.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the seating structure is one of a sofa, sofa bed, chair, ottoman, chaise longue, and a recliner.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the light penetrable surface captures projection output from the projection mechanism.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the light penetrable surface captures illumination from the at least one light source.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the light penetrable surface is formed from one of the group of acrylic, plastic, and fabric.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the light penetrable surface is formed from one of the group of translucent foam, translucent rubber, and inflatables.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the projection mechanism is one of an image source and one or more projectors.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the image source is a mirror.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the image source is a prism.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the projection mechanism is mounted to the seating structure with a bracket to allow for angle adjustment.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source is from one of the group of fluorescent lights, incandescent lights, white light emitting diodes, colored light emitting diodes, light emitting diodes with color changing capability, xenon lights, fiber optics, strobe lights, and phosphorous tubes of light.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one fan is a mini-coolant fan employed to maintain a low temperature within the interior of the seating structure and to generate air circulation.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the ventilation area enables the air circulation generated by the at least one mini-coolant fan.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface aids in magnification and correction of images and is one of a mirror, prism, clear acetate, and reflective acetate.

15. A seating structure of internal illumination, comprising:

a light penetrable outer surface to capture illumination;

one or more light sources housed within a chamber of the seating structure;

one or more fans mounted in a back or bottom panel of the seating structure; and

a ventilation area.

16. The seating structure of internal illumination of claim 15, wherein the seating structure is one of a sofa, sofa bed, chair, ottoman, chaise longue, and a recliner.

17. The seating structure of internal illumination of claim 15, wherein the light penetrable surface captures illumination from the one or more light sources and is comprised of one of the group of foam, rubber, neoprene, lexan, vinyl, polypropylene, polyurethane, latex, acrylic, fiber glass, and injection molded plastics.

18. The seating structure of internal illumination of claim 15, wherein the one or more light sources are from one of the group of fluorescent lights, incandescent lights, white light emitting diodes, colored light emitting diodes, light emitting diodes with color changing capability, tube lights, xenon lights, fiber optics, strobe lights, and phosphorous tubes of light.

19. The seating structure of internal illumination of claim 18, wherein the one or more light sources are battery powered.

20. The seating structure of internal illumination of claim 18, wherein the one or more light sources are powered through an electrical alternating current outlet via a retractable cable.

21. The seating structure of internal illumination of claim 18, wherein the one or more light sources are operated by remote control.

22. The seating structure of internal illumination of claim 15, wherein the one or more fans are utilized to maintain a low temperature with the interior of the seating structure and to generate air circulation.

23. The seating structure of internal illumination of claim 22, wherein the ventilation area enables the air circulation generated by the one or more fans.

24. A seating structure of internal image projection, comprising:

a light penetrable outer surface to capture projection output;

at least one projection mechanism housed within a chamber of the seating structure to generate images;

at least one fan mounted in the seating structure;

a ventilation area; and

a reflective surface within the seating structure that captures images from the at least one projection mechanism and projects such images to a desired surface of the seating structure.

25. The seating structure of internal image projection of claim 24, wherein the seating structure is one of a sofa, sofa bed, chair, ottoman, chaise longue, and recliner.

26. The seating structure of internal image projection of claim 24, wherein the light penetrable surface captures projection output from the at least one projection mechanism and is comprised of one of the group of acrylic, plastic, and fabric.

27. The seating structure of internal image projection of claim 24, wherein the at least one projection mechanism is an image source.

28. The seating structure of internal image projection of claim 27, wherein the image source is one of a mirror and a prism.

29. The seating structure of internal image projection of claim 24, wherein the at least one projection mechanism is a projector.

30. The seating structure of internal image projection of claim 24, wherein the projection mechanism is mounted to the seating structure with a bracket to allow for angle adjustment.

31. The seating structure of internal image projection of claim 24, wherein the at least one projection mechanism is powered through an electrical alternating current outlet via a retractable cable.

32. The seating structure of internal image projection of claim 31, wherein the at least one projection mechanism is operated by remote control.

33. The seating structure of internal image projection of claim 24, wherein the at least one fan maintains a low temperature within the seating structure and generates air circulation.

34. The seating structure of internal image projection of claim 33, wherein the ventilation area enables the air circulation generated by the at least one fan.

35. The seating structure of internal image projection of claim 24, wherein the reflective surface aids in magnification and correction of images.

36. The seating structure of internal image projection of claim 35, wherein the reflective surface is one of a mirror, prism, clear acetate, and reflective acetate.