U.S. patent application number 10/007799 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-04 for armoire or entertainment center.
Invention is credited to Miller, Joseph E..
Application Number | 20020084727 10/007799 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26677391 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020084727 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miller, Joseph E. |
July 4, 2002 |
Armoire or entertainment center
Abstract
Disclosed is an entertainment center having a moveable front and
shelves to hold a television, electronic entertainment components,
and other household items. The front has an open area through which
the television, or another desired item, is exposed and accessible
when the front is in a closed position. Thus, the contents of the
entertainment center, except for the television or other item, are
concealed when the front is closed.
Inventors: |
Miller, Joseph E.; (Naples,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard L. Byrne
WEBB ZIESENHEIM LOGSDON ORKIN & HANSON, P.C.
700 Koppers Building
436 Seventh Avenue
Pittsburgh
PA
15219-1818
US
|
Family ID: |
26677391 |
Appl. No.: |
10/007799 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60248161 |
Nov 13, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
312/205 ;
312/139.2; 312/223.6; 312/349; 312/7.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 96/00 20130101;
A47B 81/061 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/205 ;
312/139.2; 312/7.2; 312/349; 312/223.6 |
International
Class: |
A47B 005/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An armoire, comprising: a housing; a front moveably connected to
the housing, wherein when the front is in a closed position, the
front has an open area within the periphery of the front and the
front and the housing define an interior space; and at least one
shelf located within the interior space, wherein when an item is
placed on the at least one shelf, the item is visible through the
open area.
2. The armoire according to claim 1, wherein: the front includes at
least one door, the at least one door defining the open area.
3. The armoire according to claim 1, further including: at least
one interior panel perpendicular to the at least one shelf.
4. The armoire according to claim 1, wherein the open area is
generally rectangular.
5. The armoire according to claim 1, wherein the front includes two
C-shaped doors, and when the front is in the closed position, legs
of the C-shaped doors abut to define the open area.
6. The armoire according to claim 1, wherein the at least one shelf
is laterally moveable.
7. The armoire according to claim 1, wherein the at least one shelf
is vertically adjustable.
8. The armoire according to claim 1, further including at least one
opening in a back of the housing, wherein the opening is configured
to accept at least one electrical cord therethrough.
9. An entertainment center, comprising: a back panel; a top panel;
a bottom panel opposed to the top panel; a first side panel; a
second side panel opposed to the first side panel; a moveable
front, wherein when the front is in a closed position, the front is
opposed to the back panel and has an open area within the periphery
of the front; and at least one shelf, wherein the back panel, the
top panel, the bottom panel, the first side panel, the second side
panel, and the front define an interior space,and the at least one
shelf is configured to be supported in the interior space such that
when an item is placed on the at least one shelf, the item is
visible through the open area in the front.
10. The entertainment center according to claim 9, wherein the at
least one shelf is laterally moveable.
11. The entertainment center according to claim 9, wherein the at
least one shelf is vertically adjustable.
12. The entertainment center according to claim 9, further
including at least two interior side panels located in the interior
space parallel to the first and the second side panels, wherein the
at least one shelf is configured to be supported by two of the
interior side panels.
13. The entertainment center according to claim 9, wherein the item
is a television.
14. The entertainment center according to claim 9, wherein the open
area in the front is generally rectangular.
15. The entertainment center according to claim 9, wherein the
interior space is generally rectangular.
16. The entertainment center according to claim 9, wherein: the
front includes a first door and a second door; and when the front
is in a closed position, the doors are positioned to define the
open area in the front.
17. The entertainment center according to claim 16, wherein each
door is generally C-shaped such that when the front is in the
closed position, the doors are positioned to be substantially
mirror images of each other in parallel abutment with legs of the
C-shapes facing each other defining the open area in the front.
18. The entertainment center according to claim 9, further
including track hardware attached to the top panel, the bottom
panel, and the front to enable movement of the front.
19. The entertainment center according to claim 9, further
including at least one opening in the back panel, wherein the
opening is configured to accept at least one electrical cord
therethrough.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention is directed to furniture and, more
particularly, to an entertainment center.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Entertainment centers currently are available in a variety
of styles, shapes, and sizes. One style of entertainment center
houses a television along with several other pieces of electronic
entertainment components, such as a VCR, a receiver, a CD player, a
DVD player, and speakers. Additionally, the entertainment center
may have storage space, such as shelves or drawers, for videos,
CDs, DVDs, remote controls, television guides, books, etc.
[0005] Some entertainment centers are completely open on the front.
Some have doors or drawers concealing some or all of the components
and/or other household items. Several types of centers have a
combination of open areas, doors, and drawers.
[0006] Given the size of a typical entertainment center, the area
around the television may become filled with items, for example,
many components, remote controls, television guides, videos, and/or
other household items. When doors are present to conceal the
television (and hide the other items), in order to watch the
television, the doors must be opened. In many instances, the doors
are placed out of the way of the television--either swung out wide
or retracted into the unit. The doors must remain open to watch the
television. Thus, items that were once hidden by the doors are now
revealed. Many people do not want to see the other items when
watching the television, especially when entertaining guests. Some
people never want to see items around the television.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
entertainment center that permits access to the television while
concealing other entertainment components and household items.
[0008] Accordingly, I have invented an entertainment center having
doors that, when closed in a parallel abutting manner, conceal the
contents of the entertainment center except for the television.
[0009] The entertainment center has two front doors that slide
laterally. The doors are C-shaped and positioned as mirror images
of each other (i.e., with the legs of each C facing each other),
such that when the doors are closed in a parallel abutting manner,
a rectangular open area is provided in the front of the
entertainment center. Shelves are provided within the entertainment
center to hold a television, other electronic entertainment
components, and/or other household items. One shelf is
strategically placed so that the television, or other desired item,
for example, a computer monitor, is visible through the open area
in the front of the entertainment center. Thus, the contents of the
entertainment center, except for the television or other desired
item, are concealed when the doors are closed. All contents are
accessible when the doors are open.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an entertainment
center according to the present invention with doors opened;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the entertainment
center shown in FIG. 1 with doors closed in a parallel abutting
manner;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front view of the entertainment center shown in
FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a top view of the entertainment center shown in
FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view taken along line V-V
of the entertainment center shown in FIG. 3;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the entertainment
center shown in FIG. 1 in use;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of
an entertainment center according to the present invention with
doors opened;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a front view of the entertainment center shown in
FIG. 7; and
[0018] FIG. 9 is a top view of the entertainment center shown in
FIG. 7.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] A complete understanding of the invention will be obtained
from the following description when taken in connection with the
accompanying drawing figures wherein like reference characters
identify like parts throughout.
[0020] For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms
"upper", "lower", "right", "left", "vertical", "horizontal", "top",
"bottom", and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as
it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be
understood that the invention may assume various alternative
variations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is
also to be understood that the specific devices illustrated in the
attached drawings, and described in the following specification,
are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific
dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the
embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as
limiting.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, an entertainment center 10 according
to the present invention includes a back panel 12, a top panel 14,
a bottom panel 16, a right side panel 18, a left side panel 19, and
a front 20 defining a generally rectangular interior space 22.
[0022] The front 20 includes a right hand door 24 and a left hand
door 26 positioned such that they are in parallel abutment when in
a closed or shut position. The doors 24, 26 are moveably mounted to
the top panel 14 and the bottom panel 16 such that they may move
away and towards each other to open and close the entertainment
center 10 (i.e., reveal and conceal the interior space).
[0023] The right hand door 24 may be moved independently of the
left hand door 26, and vice versa. Preferably, the doors 24, 26
open and close by sliding laterally. In this case, wheel and track
hardware 28 may be mounted to a top surface 30 of the top panel 14
and a bottom surface 32 of the bottom panel 16 to facilitate
sliding of the doors 24, 26, or in any other location to facilitate
sliding.
[0024] Alternatively, any conventional method to open and close the
doors 24, 26 may be utilized, such as by rotating or pivoting the
doors 24, 26. In these cases, appropriate hardware is utilized to
achieve the desired movement. Also, a system may be installed to
operate the movement of the doors 24, 26 electronically or by
remote control.
[0025] Preferably, the left hand door 26 is generally C-shaped. The
right hand door 24 is substantially the mirror image of the left
hand door 26 (i.e., a backwards C-shape). The doors 24, 26 are
positioned such that when they are in the closed position (i.e., in
parallel abutment with the legs of each C aligned and facing each
other), a generally rectangular open area 62 is provided within the
front 20 by the mirror image C-shapes. The C-shapes may be
configured such that the open area 62 is at any desired location on
the front 20.
[0026] In another embodiment of the present invention, the front 20
includes only one door (not shown) with a rectangular cutout that
forms the open area 62. In other embodiments, the front 20 may be
any combination of doors, panels, etc. that define the open area
62, and the doors 24, 26 may not be mirror images as long as the
open area 62 is defined when the doors 24, 26 are closed.
[0027] At least one shelf 34 is located within the interior space
22 of the entertainment center 10 forming at least two cavities 36.
Preferably, the entertainment center 10 has multiple shelves 34
that form multiple cavities 36. The shelves 34 are configured to
fit within the shape defined by the back panel 12, the side panels
18, 19, and the front 20 and lie parallel to the bottom panel 16.
The shelves 34 may be installed within the interior space 22 in any
conventional manner to be stationary, laterally moveable, and/or
vertically adjustable.
[0028] Preferably, each side panel 18, 19 has a multiplicity of
openings 38 on surfaces 40 facing the interior space 22. The
openings 38 are sized and shaped to receive dowels (not shown). The
openings 38 on each side panel 18, 19 align with the openings 38 on
the opposed panel 18, 19 so that when dowels are placed in the
openings 38 at desired locations, the shelves 34 rest level on the
dowels. By placing the dowels in different openings 38, the shelves
34 may be positioned and repositioned at will, which allows the
sizes of the cavities 36 to be adjusted as desired.
[0029] The doors 24, 26 may include handles (not shown) to assist
with opening and closing. A lock assembly (not shown) may be
provided to prohibit entry to the entertainment center 10 when the
doors 24, 26 are closed. Stops (not shown) may be provided to
ensure that the doors 24, 26 open and/or close to an appropriate
location. Detents (not shown), or other means, may be provided to
hold the doors 24, 26 in an opened and/or closed position. At least
one light (not shown) may be present in the interior space 22 of
the entertainment center 10. The at least one light may turn on
when the doors 24, 26 are opened and turn off when closed. There
may be at least two lights--one to turn on and off corresponding to
movement of the right hand door 24 and one corresponding to the
left hand door 26.
[0030] In use, a television 42 sits on one shelf 34. Additional
components 44 or household items 46 may sit on other shelves 34
positioned in the interior space 22 above and/or below the shelf 34
for the television 42. The one shelf 34 for holding the television
42 is positioned in the interior space 22 of the entertainment
center 10 so that when the doors 24, 26 are closed, a screen 64 of
the television 42 is visible within the open area 62. The C-shapes
of the doors 24, 26 are configured such that the open area 62
allows controls (not shown) of the television to be accessible
through the open area 62 and the television 42 to be controlled by
a remote control (not shown).
[0031] The C-shaped configuration of the doors 24, 26 may be
different sizes and shapes to permit the open area 62 to
accommodate different sizes and types of televisions 42, for
example, 27", 32", 36", and 40" screens, flat screens, rear
projection televisions, etc. Alternatively, an item other than the
television 42, for example, a computer monitor (not shown), may be
positioned on the one shelf 34 so that when the doors 24, 26 are
closed, the item is visible within and accessible through the open
area 62.
[0032] The back panel 12 of the entertainment center 10 has at
least one opening 66. When the television 42 and other components
44 are placed in the entertainment center 10, the cords (not shown)
of the television 42 and other components 44 may be inserted
through the opening 66 such that the electrical plugs (not shown)
are available on the exterior of the entertainment center to plug
into one or more electrical outlets (not shown). The back panel 12
may have several openings 66 to accommodate cords from multiple
components 44 in the interior space 22.
[0033] In another embodiment of the present invention shown in
FIGS. 7-9, the entertainment center 10 may also include a right
interior panel 68 and a left interior panel 70. The right interior
panel 68 is located in the interior space 22 spaced apart from and
parallel to the right side panel 18. The left interior panel 70 is
located in the interior space 22 spaced apart from and parallel to
the left side panel 19. The interior panels 68, 70 may be
stationary, laterally moveable, and/or vertically adjustable. With
this configuration, spaces 72 are defined between the right panel
18 and the right interior panel 68, the left panel 19 and the left
interior panel 70, and the right interior panel 68 and the left
interior panel 70.
[0034] At least one shelf 34 is located within the space 72 defined
by the right interior panel 68 and the left interior panel 70 to
hold the television 42, or other desired item, to be visible within
and accessible through the open area 62. Preferably, a multiplicity
of shelves 34 are in the spaces 72 defining multiple cavities 36.
The shelves 34 are configured to fit into the spaces 72 so that the
shelves 34 lie parallel to the bottom panel 16. Similar to the
embodiment above, surfaces 74 of the interior panels 68, 70 may
include a multiplicity of openings 38 to receive dowels for
positioning shelves 34 thereon. In this embodiment, when the
television 42 is placed in the entertainment center 10, cavities 36
are present on either side of the television 42. These cavities 36
are concealed when the doors 24, 26 are closed and revealed when
opened.
[0035] While specific configurations are described above, various
configurations of interior panels 68, 70 and shelves 34 may be used
to create countless configurations within the interior space
22.
[0036] Any material suitable for furniture may be used to construct
the entertainment center 10 according to the present invention.
Additionally, decorative accoutrements, for example, trim molding,
kick plates, legs, and/or paint, may be added to the entertainment
center 10 as desired. The entertainment center 10 may be fashioned
in any furniture style, for example, Shaker, Victorian, modem, or
traditional.
[0037] The entertainment center 10 may be used as part of a home
entertainment system, a home computing center, an armoire
configuration, a wall unit, or a video conferencing system for home
and/or office applications. Furthermore, the entertainment center
10 may be used for purposes other than housing a television and
other entertainment components, for example, for housing a computer
system, clothing, dishes, knickknacks, collectibles, liquor and bar
accessories, electrical items, etc.
[0038] The present invention eliminates having a collection of
entertainment components 44, videos, CDs, books, knickknacks,
and/or other household items 46 displayed while watching television
42. The items generally kept near the television 42 may still be
kept there, but without having to see them all the time. Access to
these items is easily obtained by opening the doors 24, 26 of the
entertainment center 10.
[0039] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that while
the foregoing description sets forth in detail preferred
embodiments of the present invention, modifications, additions, and
changes might be made thereto without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention.
* * * * *