Compact projection television system

• US 4,281,352 A
• Filed: 03/23/1979
• Issued: 07/28/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Andrew E. Hoffman
• Original Assignee: Andrew E. Hoffman
• Inventors: Hoffman, Andrew E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin, John C.
• Application Number:
  US06/023,182
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 358/237-239, 358/60, 358/254, 352/34, 352/35, 352/242, 353/79
• US Class Current: 348/788
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3141 Constructional details thereof details not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14

Abstract

A compact projection television system is disclosed which includes an enclosure having a movable front portion hingedly attached to a fixed rear portion so as to be movable between an open and a closed position. When the movable portion is in the closed position a large viewing screen, projection optics and a television receiver are hidden from sight within the enclosure. When the movable portion is rotated to the open position, the viewing screen elevates and the projection optics unfold to ready the projection television system for use. The raising of the screen and the unfolding of the optics are caused by linkages connecting those members between the fixed and movable portions of the enclosure.

Claims

1. A compact projection television system comprising:

enclosure means including

a fixed portion having a substantially horizontal first surface, and

a movable portion coupled to said fixed portion and having a second surface, said movable portion being movable between a closed position in which said first surface and said second surface are substantially perpendicular and an open position in which said first surface and said second surface are substantially parallel;

television receiver means supported by said first surface and occupying a first volume of space;

screen means coupled to said fixed portion so as to be movable between a raised position and a lowered position, said screen means including

a screen support slidably coupled to said fixed portion so as to be vertically movable between said raised postion and said lowered position,

a screen, and

an adjustable bracket means for attaching said screen to said screen support;

first linkage means coupling said screen means to said movable portion so that when said movable portion is in said closed position said screen means is in said lowered position and when said movable portion is in said open position said screen means is in said raised position;

mirror means coupled to said movable portion for reflecting a picture image produced by said television receiver means onto said screen means when said movable portion is in said open position and

lens means disposed along an optical path between said television receiver means and said mirror means when said movable closure portion is in said open position.

2. A compact projection television system as recited in claim 1 wherein lens means includes

a lens,

a lens support holding said lens, and

coupling means coupling said lens support to said enclosure means.

3. A compact projection television system as recited in claim 2 wherein said coupling means includes

second linkage means attaching said lens support to said movable portion, and

third linkage means attaching said lens support to said fixed portion,

whereby interaction between said second linkage means and said third linkage means as said movable portion is moved from said open position to said closed position causes said lens support to move so as not to enter said first volume of space.

4. A compact projection television system as recited in claim 3 wherein

said second linkage means is a hinge, and

said third linkage means is an elongated linkage arm having one end pivotally attached to said fixed portion and the other end pivotally attached to said lens support.

5. A compact projection television system as recited in claim 3 wherein

said second linkage means is a first elongated linkage arm having one end pivotally attached to said movable portion and having the other end pivotally attached to said lens support, and

said third linkage means is a second elongated linkage arm having one end pivotally attached to said fixed portion and the other end pivotally attached to said lens support.

6. A compact projection television system as recited in claim 3 wherein

said second linkage means is a track means attached to said movable portion and a track follower means attached to said lens support, and

said third linkage means is an elongated linkage arm having one end pivotally attached to said fixed portion and the other end pivotally attached to said lens support.

7. A compact projection television system as recited in claim 3 wherein

said second linkage means is an elongated linkage arm having one end pivotally attached to said movable portion and having the other end pivotally attached to said lens support, and

said third linkage means includes at least one guide arm attached at one end to said lens support and slidably coupled to said fixed portion.

8. A compact projection television system as recited in claim 2 wherein

said lens support is rigidly attached to said movable portion.

9. A compact projection television system as recited in claim 1 wherein

said screen means includes a rear-projection type viewing screen, and

said mirror means includes two reflective surfaces adapted to reflect an image from said television receiver means to a rear surface of said viewing screen.

10. A compact projection television system as recited in claim 1 wherein said first linkage means includes

pulley means coupled to said fixed portion, and

cable means trained around said pulley means and having one end attached to said screen support and the other end attached to said movable portion.

11. A compact projection television system as recited in claim 1 further comprising

first shroud means attached to said screen support to inhibit ambient light from striking said screen.

12. A compact projection television system as recited in claim 11 further comprising

second shroud means coupled between said fixed portion and said movable portion to shade said lens means and said television receiver.

13. A compact projection television system cabinet for use with a television receiver comprising:

enclosure means includine

a fixed portion, and

a movable portion coupled to said fixed portion and movable between an open and a closed position;

screen means coupled to said fixed portion;

linkage means coupling said screen means to said movable portion so that said screen means is in a lowered position when said movable portion is in said closed position and is in a raised position when said movable portion is in said open position;

a lens means for projecting a magnified image upon said screen means from the C.R.T. of a television supported by said fixed portion; and

linkage means coupling said lens means to both said movable portion and said fixed portion so that when said movable portion is in said closed position said lens means is moved so as not to contact said television receiver.