Display screen enclosure

• US 6,366,451 B1
• Filed: 03/13/2000
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Franklin Smock, Randall Shoemaker
• Original Assignee: Franklin Smock, Randall Shoemaker
• Inventors: Shoemaker, Randall, Smock, Franklin
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US09/523,715
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 361/681, 361/682, 349/58, 312/223.1, 312/7.2, 312/223.2, 312/223.3, 248/917-924, D14/138, 348/837
• US Class Current: 361/679.22
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 81/065 rotationally
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/918 Ancillary device support associated with a video display screen
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/921 Plural angular

Abstract

A secure enclosure for a flat panel display screen which is positioned within a ceiling grid structure. An enclosing plenum includes operating means so that the display screen may be readily lowered to several different display angles. The apparatus and method may be applied to video or other display screens used, for example, in conference rooms. The overall system provides security for the expensive display screen and space saving when the screen is not in use.

Claims

1. A securing and operating system for a flat panel display screen(10) having a lower cover element(12) attached thereto,

said flat panel display screen(10), when in an up or secure position, being located within a plenum chamber(30) above a ceiling grid(15),

operating means for moving said flat panel display screen(10) to one of several lower viewing positions, said operating means comprising a shaft(20) which is driven by a chain and sprocket assembly(25,22),

said chain and sprocket assembly being driven by a gear motor(40) and operated by an electronic control box(50),

said control box(50) being remotely operated via switch means(70),

system operating means whereby said flat panel display screen(10) may be lowered to a first viewing position(10a), to a second viewing position(10b) or to a third viewing position(10c) and returned to an upper secure position.

2. The securing and operating system of claim 1 and further including line means(55) extending between said shaft(20) and said control box(50) to feed back the shaft position to said control box and control the position of the display screen.

3. The securing and operating system of claim 2 wherein a limit switch(60) means is mounted on said display screen and is attached to the control box(50) via a line(65) to shut off power to the unit when the display screen is moved back to the up and secured position within the plenum(30).

4. The securing and operating system of claim 3 and further including speaker means(11) mounted upon the flat display panel(10) for movement therewith.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said gear motor(40) and said control box(50) are located within said plenum chamber(30).