U.S. patent application number 11/306322 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-28 for remotely operable television turntable.
Invention is credited to Novica Todorovic.
Application Number | 20070144410 11/306322 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38192111 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070144410 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Todorovic; Novica |
June 28, 2007 |
Remotely Operable Television Turntable
Abstract
A remotely operable turntable for supporting thereon and
rotating a television or other appliance includes a mounting plate
for supporting the television and which is rotatably interconnected
to a stationary base through a central bearing assembly with the
mounting plate including at its periphery a motor, a drive shaft
and a rubber wheel. The rubber wheel is mounted to the drive shaft
so that the wheel is in resistive contact with the periphery of the
base whereby turning of the rubber wheel by the drive shaft causes
the rubber wheel to continuously engage and travel along the
periphery of the base resulting in the concomitant rotation of the
mounting plate and the television or other appliance placed
thereupon. The turntable can be battery powered or electrically
powered from a standard wall outlet and operated from a specially
adapted remote control unit or a modified standard television
remote control unit.
Inventors: |
Todorovic; Novica;
(Riverside, MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE INVENTORS NETWORK, INC.
332 ACADEMY STREET
CARNEGIE
PA
15106
US
|
Family ID: |
38192111 |
Appl. No.: |
11/306322 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 11/18 20130101;
F16M 11/22 20130101; F16M 2200/08 20130101; F16M 11/08 20130101;
A47B 81/065 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/094 |
International
Class: |
A47B 57/00 20060101
A47B057/00 |
Claims
1. A remotely operable turntable for rotatably adjusting a
television supported thereon, comprising: a circular base; a
mounting plate rotatably interconnected to the base for supporting
the television; a motor disposed on the mounting plate; a wheel
interconnected to the motor for selective rotation by the motor; a
rubber edging secured to the base; and whereupon engagement of the
wheel by the motor causes the wheel to resistively contact and
rotate against the edging so that the wheel travels about the base
which results in the rotation of the mounting plate and the
television supported on the mounting plate for adjusting the
television to a desired viewing orientation.
2. The remotely operable turntable of claim 1 wherein the base
includes a central base aperture, a lower surface, an opposite
upper interior surface and a periphery to which the rubber edging
is secured.
3. The remotely operable turntable of claim 2 wherein the base
includes a circular bearing support mounted to the upper interior
surface and circumjacent the central base aperture.
4. The remotely operable turntable of claim 3 wherein the circular
bearing support includes an annular groove.
5. The remotely operable turntable of claim 4 wherein the mounting
plate includes a mounting plate aperture, an upper supporting
surface upon which the television is placed for rotatable
adjustment, an opposite lower interior surface and an outer
peripheral border.
6. The remotely operable turntable of claim 5 wherein the mounting
plate includes a skirt that is secured to the outer peripheral
border and covers the base when the television is placed upon the
upper supporting surface.
7. The remotely operable turntable of claim 6 further comprising a
central bearing assembly that extends through the central base
aperture of the base and the mounting plate aperture of the
mounting plate for rotatably interconnecting the mounting plate to
the base.
8. The remotely operable turntable of claim 7 wherein the mounting
plate includes an annular bearing guide secured to the lower
interior surface and aligned with the circular bearing support of
the base for rotation therealong when the mounting plate is rotated
with respect to the base.
9. The remotely operable turntable of claim 8 further comprising a
plurality of primary bearing disposed within the annular groove of
the circular bearing support of the base and enclosed by the
annular bearing guide of the mounting plate and the circular
bearing support of the base to facilitate the rotation of the
mounting plate on the base.
10. The remotely operable turntable of claim 9 further comprising a
portable, hand held remote control unit for controlling the
operation and engagement of the motor and the rotational adjustment
of the television supported on the mounting plate.
11. A remotely operable turntable for rotatably adjusting a
television or an appliance placed thereon, comprising: a circular
and stationary base having a lower surface, an opposite upper
interior surface, a central base aperture, and an outer periphery;
a rubber edging secured to the outer periphery of the base; a
mounting plate interconnected to the base for rotation thereon, the
mounting plate including an upper supporting surface upon which the
television or appliance is placed, an opposite lower interior
surface, a mounting plate aperture aligned with the central base
aperture and an outer peripheral border; a motor secured to the
outer peripheral border of the mounting plate; a rubber wheel
mounted to the motor for selective rotation by the motor, the
rubber wheel in resistive contact with the rubber edging; and
whereupon engagement of the rubber wheel by the motor causes the
rubber wheel to resistively turn against the rubber edging and thus
travel along the rubber edging thereby resulting in the rotation of
the mounting plate relative to the stationary base so that the
television or appliance supported on the mounting plate can be
rotatably adjusted for obtaining an optimal viewing orientation or
optimal orientation for use.
12. The remotely operable turntable of claim 11 wherein the base
includes a circular bearing support that is mounted to the upper
interior surface and circumjacent the central base aperture.
13. The remotely operable turntable of claim 12 wherein the
circular bearing support includes an annular groove that is
commensurate with the circular bearing support.
14. The remotely operable turntable of claim 13 wherein the
mounting plate includes an annular bearing guide that is secured to
the lower interior surface of the mounting plate and is aligned
with the circular bearing support of the base.
15. The remotely operable turntable of claim 14 further comprising
a plurality of primary support bearing enclosed between the annular
bearing guide and the circular bearing support for facilitating the
rotation of the mounting plate on the base.
16. A remotely operable turntable for rotatably adjusting a
television supported thereon in order to obtain an optimal line of
sight and viewing orientation, comprising: a stationary circular
base having a lower surface, an opposite upper interior surface, a
central base aperture, and an outer periphery; a rubber edging
secured to the outer periphery of the base; a mounting plate
interconnected to the base for rotation thereon, the mounting plate
including an upper supporting surface upon which the television is
placed, an opposite lower interior surface, a mounting plate
aperture aligned with the central base aperture, and an outer
peripheral border; motive means for rotating the mounting plate
located at the outer peripheral border of the mounting plate; a
rubber wheel attached to the motive means for selective rotation
thereby, the rubber wheel being in resistive contact with the
rubber edging of the base; and whereupon engagement of the rubber
wheel by the motive means causes the rubber wheel to resistively
turn against the rubber edging and thus travel along the rubber
edging in continuous contact therewith resulting in the rotation of
the mounting plate relative to the stationary base so that the
television supported upon the mounting plate is rotatably adjusted
for obtaining the optimal line of sight and viewing
orientation.
17. The remotely operable turntable of claim 16 wherein the motive
means includes a low power motor.
18. The remotely operable turntable of claim 16 wherein the motive
means includes a plurality of batteries.
19. The remotely operable turntable of claim 16 further comprising
a portable hand held remote control unit for controlling the
engagement of the motive means and the rotational adjustment of the
mounting plate.
20. The remotely operable turntable of claim 19 wherein the
turntable is capable of clockwise and counterclockwise rotation
ranging from 180 degrees to 360 degrees.
Description
[0001] The present invention pertains to swivel assemblies and
devices for supporting and rotating appliances, and more
particularly pertains to a remotely operable turntable for rotating
televisions and other appliances resting thereon.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Swivel assemblies and turntables of various types date to at
least the age of Thomas Jefferson, and have both labor saving and
utilitarian aspects. Their primary purpose is to allow anyone to
easily rotate any item placed and resting thereon, with such items
ranging from ordinary household items, appliances, computer
monitors, and televisions. Such swivel assemblies and turntables
are especially advantageous for adjusting and achieving optimal
viewing of the television by one or more television viewing
individuals. For example, it often occurs that a television set is
located in a room but the chairs, sofas, recliners, and couches are
scattered about the room--and none of which are in a direct line of
sight with the television. Thus, the television must be adjusted or
turned so that the viewer obtains an optimal view of the
television. Oftentimes, groups of individuals gather to watch a
program, such as a Sunday football game, and this usually requires
a number of adjustments of the television so that all the viewers
have the best possible view of the television. With the development
of micro circuitry and held-held remote control devices, automated
or mechanical swivels are available to lessen the inconvenience for
elderly and handicapped individuals that cannot get up from and
easily move back and forth from their couch to the television in
order to adjust their television. Thus, the prior art discloses a
number of devices and assemblies for adjusting and rotating
televisions and other items or appliances set thereupon.
[0003] For example, the Doughty patent (U.S. design Pat. No.
266,121) discloses a support stand for a turntable.
[0004] The Sammons patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,894) discloses a
multi-purpose furniture swivel assembly that includes a stationary
race base to which a ball bearing assembly is rotatably attached,
and the ball bearing assembly includes ball bearings mounted in a
bearing retainer, and a swiveling platform mounted to the ball
bearing assembly.
[0005] The Harashima patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,778) discloses a
television turntable that includes a base member, a rotatable
member supported on the base member by a shaft, and a plate member
sandwiched between the base member and rotatable member with the
plate member supporting rollers that are radially disposed about
the shaft to facilitate the smooth rotation of the rotatable member
relative to the stationary base member.
[0006] The Turner patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,304) discloses a
television stand that includes a rotatable turntable mounted to a
pedestal base and that is rotated by a drive shaft and a motor
drive assembly.
[0007] The Wohiford patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,657 B1) discloses
an assembly kit for an audiovisual storage base and a television
turntable that includes a turntable supported above a base by
pillars, with a rotating member attached to the underside of the
base so that the base and turntable can rotate together.
[0008] The Knighton et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,530,550 B1)
discloses a wireless turntable that includes an upper unit
rotatably mounted to a base with the base including a drive
mechanism for rotating the upper unit and the drive mechanism
controllable by a processor within the base.
[0009] Nonetheless, despite the ingenuity of the above devices,
there remains a need for a remotely operable turntable that is
inexpensive, easy to set up, adaptable for television sets and
appliances of various sizes and dimensions, and is both battery
powered and powered from a standard electrical outlet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention comprehends a remotely operable
television turntable for rotating clockwise and counterclockwise
any item, such as a television, crt monitor or appliance (microwave
oven, radio, etc.) placed thereon. The remotely operable turntable
is a labor saving device that allows the user to rotate the
television to obtain the optimum viewing angle while remaining
seated upon the couch, sofa, recliner or other seat. The present
invention is especially useful for elderly and handicapped
individuals that cannot readily or easily get up and down to move,
position, and reposition by careful rotations the television--or
other appliance--as desired to obtain maximal viewing or use.
[0011] The remotely operable turntable includes a stationary and
circular base to which a mounting plate is mounted for rotation
thereon. The television or other appliance is placed upon the upper
supporting surface of the mounting plate. A central bearing
assembly interconnects the mounting plate to the base plate. The
base plate includes a periphery, and mounted to the periphery is a
rubber edging with the height of the rubber edging being equal to
that of the base plate. Sandwiched between the upper interior
surface of the base and the lower interior surface of the mounting
plate is an annular bearing track that is coaxial to the central
bearing assembly. The mounting plate includes an outer peripheral
border, and a motor compartment is located at the outer peripheral
border for enclosing therein a low power motor. A drive shaft
downwardly extends from the motor and secured to the distal end of
the drive shaft is a rubber wheel. The rubber wheel resistively
engages the rubber edging and is rotated by the motor through the
drive shaft. In effect the rubber wheel is interconnected to the
mounting plate, and the rotation of the rubber wheel against the
rubber edging causes the rubber wheel to rotate along the rubber
edging resulting in the concomitant rotation of the mounting plate
upon the central bearing assembly relative to the stationary base
plate. Rotation of the mounting plate turns or rotates the item,
such as the television, resting thereon so that an optimal viewing
angle or vantage is obtained.
[0012] The remotely operable turntable can be battery powered, and
a battery compartment would be provided within the mounting plate
adjacent the motor housing of the motor, or the turntable can be
run off of standard house current. A cord and plug would be
included for plugging the turntable into a standard wall outlet. In
addition, to remotely operate the device a handheld remote control
unit can be used, or the television remote control unit can be
programmed to operate the turntable.
[0013] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a
remotely operable turntable for televisions and other appliances
that is lightweight, durable, inexpensive and can be sized to
support thereon and rotate televisions and other appliances of
various models, dimensions, and sizes.
[0014] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
a remotely operable turntable for televisions and other appliances
that is operable by a standard television remote control unit.
[0015] It is yet another objective of the present invention to
provide a remotely operable turntable for televisions and other
appliances that can be factory attached to the television or which
can be separate from the television for placement of the television
thereon.
[0016] It is still yet another objective of the present invention
to provide a remotely operable turntable for televisions and other
appliances that is capable of 180-degree rotations clockwise and
counterclockwise or capable of a full 360-degree rotation for
providing the television viewer with the maximum unobstructed
viewing ability.
[0017] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide
a remotely operable turntable for televisions and other appliances
that is a useful convenience and physical effort-reducing device
for elderly and handicapped individuals.
[0018] Yet still another objective of the present invention is to
provide a remotely operable turntable for televisions and other
appliances that doesn't add appreciable weight to the stand the
television is resting upon when interposed between the television
and the stand for rotatably supporting the television thereon.
[0019] Yet still a further objective of the present invention is to
provide a remotely operable turntable for televisions and other
appliances that is reversible so that either side of the turntable
can either set upon the stand or counter with the other side
supporting the television or other appliance.
[0020] Still a further objective of the present invention is to
provide a remotely operable turntable for televisions and other
appliances that is easy to install and can be manufactured from
plastic, aluminum, metal or wood.
[0021] These and other objects, features, and advantages will
become apparent to those skilled in art upon a perusal of the
following detailed description read in conjunction with
accompanying drawing figures and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the remotely operable
turntable of the present invention showing the turntable supporting
a television upon the mounting plate of the turntable;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the remotely operable
turntable of the present invention showing the turntable in its
non-use disposition;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a sectioned elevational view of the remotely
operable turntable of the present invention illustrating the
disposition of the rotatable mounting plate and the interconnection
of the mounting plate to the base by the central bearing assembly
and the rubber wheel that resistively engages the periphery of the
base for rotating the mounting plate;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the remotely operable
turntable of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a remote control unit
adapted for operating the turntable and for rotating the turntable
in the left/right directions or the clockwise/counterclockwise
directions;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a sectioned elevational view of the remotely
operable turntable of the present invention illustrating an
alternative embodiment for the central bearing assembly;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the remotely operable
turntable of the present invention illustrating a representative
sequence of operational steps for rotating the turntable in one
direction or the opposite direction;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a sectioned elevational view of the remotely
operable turntable of the present invention illustrating the
reversal of the turntable so that the television can be placed on
the base and rotated thereon; and
[0030] FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the remotely operable
turntable of the present invention illustrating a battery
compartment and batteries for providing power to the motor for
turning the rubber wheel against the base and thereby rotating the
mounting plate.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0031] Illustrated in FIGS. 1-9 is a remotely operable turntable 10
for turning or rotating various items that are placed thereupon,
with such items being household appliances or televisions such as
the television 12 shown in FIG. 1. The remotely operable turntable
10 can be sized to accommodate appliances and televisions of
various dimensions, and it is a lightweight, durable, portable
accessory preferably manufactured from aluminum, wood, metal, or
plastic. In addition, the turntable 10 can be set up to rotate 180
degrees in either the left/right or clockwise/counterclockwise
directions, or the turntable 10 can rotate a full 360 degrees for
obtaining an optimal viewing angle or viewing line of sight for the
individual or individuals watching the television 12. Although the
remotely operable turntable 10 has a preferred orientation, it is
reversible so that either surface can support the appliance or
television 12 thereon for rotation. Moreover, the remotely operable
turntable 10 is easy to set up and install, and doesn't add any
appreciable weight to the stand or counter on which it may be
positioned. The turntable 10 can be factory affixed to the bottom
of the appliance or television 12; although the turntable 10 used
as a freestanding accessory provides for more flexibility of use.
The turntable 10 can also be used to slowly rotate, when
interconnected to an electrical timer, a store display such as a
Halloween decoration, a Christmas tree, or a seasonal figurine.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1-9, the remotely operable turntable 10
includes a generally circular-shaped base 14 defining an outer
periphery 16 and a central base aperture 18. The base 14 includes a
lower surface 20 that generally contacts the surface of the stand
or counter upon which the turntable 10 is placed, and an opposite
upper interior surface 22. Mounted to the upper interior surface 22
is a circular bearing support 24 that is circumjacent the central
base aperture 18, and the circular bearing support 24 includes an
annular groove 26 commensurate with the circular bearing support
24. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9, secured to the periphery 16
of the base 14 is a cylindrical rubber edging 28 that provides a
resistive surface for a structural element hereinafter further
described.
[0033] Disposed within the central base aperture 18 of the base 14,
and projecting upwardly therefrom when the base 14 is placed upon a
counter or stand, is a central bearing assembly 30. The central
bearing assembly 30 includes a center shaft 32 and a bearing case
or enclosure 34 that encompasses the center shaft 32. The bearing
case or enclosure 34 includes a plurality of stacked bearing
channels 36, and each bearing channel 36 contains therein center
bearings 38 that engage the center shaft 32 and facilitate the
smooth rotation of a structural element hereinafter further
described. The central bearing assembly 30 also helps to ease the
side burden or load produced by the television 12 or other
appliance sitting on the turntable 10.
[0034] Illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, 6, 8 and 9 is a mounting plate 40
that is mounted to the central bearing assembly 30 for rotation
thereon. More specifically, with reference to FIG. 3, the mounting
plate 40 is mounted on the bearing enclosure 34 and rotates
concomitant with the rotation of the bearing enclosure 34 about the
center shaft 32. The mounting plate 40 is generally
rectangular-shaped and is larger than the base 14, and, as shown in
FIGS. 4 and 9, actually surrounds and encloses the base 14. The
mounting plate 40 includes a mounting plate aperture 42 that is
aligned with the central base aperture 18 for receiving the central
bearing assembly 30. The mounting plate 40 includes an upper
supporting surface 44, an opposite lower interior surface 46 and an
outer peripheral border 48. Secured to the outer peripheral border
48, and commensurate therewith, is a skirt 50 that extends downward
and completely conceals the base 14 when the base 14 of the
turntable 10 is placed upon a counter or stand. In the typical use
of the turntable 10, the television 12 or other appliance is placed
upon the upper supporting surface 44 of the mounting plate 42 for
rotation with the mounting plate 40. The lower interior surface 46
of the mounting plate 40 opposes the upper interior surface 22 of
the base 14. Secured to the lower interior surface 46 is an annular
bearing guide 52 that encircles the central bearing assembly 30 and
is aligned with the circular bearing support 24 of the base 14. The
circular bearing guide 52 includes a guide race 54, and as shown in
FIGS. 3 and 8, the circular bearing support 24 of the base 14 is
aligned with and received within the circular bearing guide 52 for
enclosing the guide race 54. When the base 14 is placed upon and in
contact with the counter or stand, the circular bearing guide 52
rotates along the circular bearing support 24, and disposed within
the guide race 54 and annular groove 26, and enclosed by the
circular bearing support 24 and the annular bearing guide 52 are a
plurality of primary support bearings 56 that facilitate the
rotation of the mounting plate 40 relative to the base 14. The
television 12 or other appliance is placed upon the upper
supporting surface 44 of the mounting plate 40 for rotatable
adjustment thereon by the rotation of the mounting plate 40
relative to the stationary base 14. The circular bearing support 24
of the base 14 and the annular bearing guide 52 of the mounting
plate 40 cooperate to provide, in effect, an annular bearing track
58 for the primary support bearings 56.
[0035] Illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and 6-9 is a motive means for
providing the power to the turntable 10 for rotating and adjusting
the television 12 or other appliance resting thereon. The motive
means includes a low power motor 60 contained within a motor
housing 62 that is located at the outer peripheral border 48
thereof. Downwardly extending from the motor 60 is a drive shaft 64
and secured to the drive shaft 64 for rotation thereby is a rubber
wheel 66. The rubber wheel 66 is positioned so that the rubber
wheel 66 resistively engages and contacts the rubber edging 28
about the base 14. The rubber edging 28 acts as a frictional
gripping surface that maintains continuous contact with the rubber
wheel 66 during adjustable rotation of the mounting place 40 or the
base 14, as shall be hereinafter described, for optimally aligning
the viewing of the television. When the motor 60 is engaged, the
rubber wheel 66 travels along the periphery 16 of the base 14 in
continuous contact with the edging 28 in the left/right or
clockwise/counterclockwise direction.
[0036] The power provided to the motor 60 can be from several
sources. In FIGS. 1-4 the power is electrically provided from a
standard electrical outlet or household receptacle via a plug 68
and power cord 70 connected to the base 14 and in electrical
interconnection with the motor 60. To allow for greater flexibility
of use, the motor 60 of the turntable 10 can be powered from
batteries, such as a pair of 6V batteries 72 contained within a
battery compartment 74 as shown in FIG. 9. The motor 60 can be a
low power motor because the rotation of the turntable 10 occurs
slowly to allow for both a safe and incrementally exact adjustment
of any item placed thereon. Moreover, the turntable 10 can be
adapted to run off of the 12V battery of an automotive vehicle
thereby providing even greater flexibility of use. The turntable 10
also includes an infrared receiver 76 that is in electrical
interconnection with the motor 60 and which receives various
command signals to initiate the desired rotation of the turntable
10 and the item, such as the television 12, resting thereon and
requiring adjustment for achieving the optimal viewing angle or
sight line.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 5, the turntable 10 includes a portable,
handheld remote control unit 78 for operating--rotating--the
turntable 10. The remote control unit 78 includes two rotation
direction buttons 80 that for convenience and with the orientation
of the individual standing or sitting in front of the television 12
or other appliance initiate the rotation of the turntable 10 in the
left and right directions or the clockwise and counterclockwise
directions as indicated by the directional arrows 82 in FIGS. 4 and
9. The remote control unit 78 and the turntable 10 can be set up
and programmed so that the turntable 10 rotates 180 degrees in the
left/right or clockwise/counterclockwise directions thereby
providing for maximum rotational adjustment; or the remote control
unit 78 and the turntable 10 can be set up and programmed to rotate
the turntable 10 a full 360 degrees in either the left/right or the
clockwise/counterclockwise directions. Nevertheless, both
programming and set up procedures allow the individual to
completely rotate the turntable 10 and the television 12 resting
thereon while the individual can remain seated, which is especially
useful for elderly and handicapped individuals. The remote control
unit 78 includes standard electrical circuitry and an infrared
transmitter 84 that sends the signals at the predetermined
frequency to the infrared receiver 76 on the turntable 10, which in
turn initiates the engagement of the motor 60 for rotating the
turntable 10. In addition, a standard television remote control
could be preprogrammed with these additional functions and
features.
[0038] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment for the central
bearing assembly 30 shown in figures shown in FIGS. 3 and 9. In
FIG. 6 the center shaft 86 is integrally attached to the upper
interior surface 22 of the base 14. The bearing case or enclosure
88 is rotatably mounted upon the center shaft 86 and is shorter
than the bearing case 34 of FIGS. 3 and 8. Also, the bearing
channels 90 and bearings 92 are less in number in this embodiment.
The mounting plate 40 is mounted to the bearing case 88 so that
engagement of the motor 60 causes the rubber wheel 66 to engage and
turn against the rubber edging 28 thereby rotating the mounting
plate 40, the bearing case 88 and the television 12 or other
appliance sitting on the upper supporting surface 44 of the
mounting plate 40. This embodiment also allows for the
reversibility of the device 10 in so far as the base 14 can be used
to support the television 12, and the engagement of the motor 60
would cause the center shaft 86 to rotate in the central bearing
assembly 30 and the base 14 to rotate coincident with the rotation
of the center shaft 86. The mounting plate 40 would then be the
non-rotating element in this use of the turntable.
[0039] In operation, as shown in the schematic of FIG. 7, the
individual would hold the remote control unit 78 in his or her
hand, and seated on a couch or recliner, press the left/right
rotate or clockwise/counterclockwise rotate directional button 80.
A signal would be immediately sent from the infrared transmitter 84
to the infrared receiver 76 initiating the motor 60 to engage the
drive shaft 64 for the selected rotation. The drive shaft 64 would
turn the rubber wheel 66 to commence rotation against the rubber
edging 28, and as the wheel 66 rotates against the rubber edging
28, the wheel 66 in effect walks or travels along the periphery 16
of the base 14. Because the wheel 66 is interconnected to the
mounting plate 40, and the mounting plate 40 is rotatably
interconnected to the central bearing assembly 30, the mounting
plate 40 and the television 12 rotates or turns as a result of the
resistive or frictional turning of the wheel 66 against the rubber
edging 28. The rotation of the mounting plate 40 is slow to allow
for the incremental rotational adjustment, in either direction or
orientation, of the television 12 relative to the seated
individual. When the television 12 has been turned to the optimal
viewing angle or line of sight, the individual can release his or
her grip on the directional button 80, and immediately halt the
motor 60 and the rotation of the mounting plate 40. The weight of
the television 12 pressing down upon the base 14 also assists in
maintaining the stationary disposition of the base 14. FIG. 8 shows
the turntable 10 reversed or turned upside down so that the
mounting plate 40 is disposed upon the counter or stand, and is
stationary thereupon, and the base 14 is now supporting the
television 12 and is the rotating element. In this reversed
orientation, the wheel 66 would turn against the edging 28 while
remaining in the same position, and this resistive contact would
cause the base 14 to slowly rotate and turn the television 12, now
sitting upon the lower surface 20 of the base 14, to the desired
viewing angle or line of sight.
[0040] The foregoing specification has described a specific and
preferred embodiment of the invention, and it will be evident to
those skilled in the art that numerous modifications, alterations,
and variations will be possible and practicable without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the
appended claims, and that the specification and drawings are
therefore to be regarded as illustrative of the broad principles of
the invention rather than describing the invention in a restrictive
sense.
* * * * *