Abstract:
A modular webbing support is provided that is capable of suspending entertainment equipment or other devices either alone or in combination with other equipment from the ceiling. Various configurations of the modular webbing support are contemplated to support various pieces of equipment in which the webbing support for one piece of equipment may be added to the webbing support of another piece of equipment.

Description:
[0001]    This invention claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/387,777, entitled “Support System For Entertainment And Electronics Equipment”, filed Jun. 10, 2002, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates to a modular device for suspending entertainment equipment for the ceiling.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Entertainment centers, shelves, and other furniture or devices have been in existence for many years to support or house various entertainment equipment such as, for example, a television, VCR, DVD, video game equipment, stereo equipment, speakers, and computer equipment. In particular, entertainment centers have become popular as they house any one or some combination of entertainment equipment.  
           [0004]    One problem with current entertainment centers or systems is that they take up a great deal of floor space. Therefore, such entertainment centers may be placed in a location in a room that may not be optimal for viewing. Additionally, it is difficult particularly in smaller homes to place a television in a location that can be viewed without having people walk past or in front of the television, thus, interrupting the viewer. Furthermore, many prior art centers and systems do not prevent small children from access to the television or other entertainment equipment that may result in damage to the equipment or injury or harm to the child.  
           [0005]    Another problem with current systems is that they are of limited size and shape and are not adaptable to support additional equipment or to support equipment that does not fit within the dimensions of the entertainment center or shelf or support. To some extent such problems have been addressed by the use of rigid arms or brackets mounted to walls or ceilings to suspend television sets. However, such systems are difficult to set-up, expensive, unsightly, and limited in their ability to support other components of an entertainment center.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The present invention overcomes the problems in the prior art by providing a novel modular web support capable of suspending entertainment equipment either alone or in combination with other equipment from the ceiling.  
           [0007]    The present invention provides a simple and economical ceiling mounted support system for a television, VCR, stereo, computer, or other entertainment either alone or in combination. The support system may also be removeably mounted to a ceiling. The webbing support includes a MESA™ fishing web wrapped around the bottom, sides, and back of the equipment leaving an unobstructed front opening either for a television screen or for access to controls for other equipment. The webbing support is then suspended from an anchor attached to the ceiling.  
           [0008]    Various configurations of webbing support are contemplated to support various pieces of equipment in which the webbing support for one piece of equipment may be added to the webbing support of another piece of equipment simply by hooking, interweaving or knotting together the webbing support components.  
           [0009]    These and other embodiments are described in more detail in the following detailed descriptions and the figures. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is front view of one possible embodiment of webbing support with a television and VCR.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a front view of the webbing support with a television and additional entertainment equipment during installation.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing complete installation.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is a side view of the installation shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 is a front view showing additional components.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 7 is a front side view similar to FIG. 6 showing the television tilted downward.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 8 is front side view similar to FIG. 7 with different components.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 9 is a front view showing another configuration of the invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 10 is back view of another configuration of the invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 11 is a front view of yet another configuration of the invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 12 is a front view of still another configuration of the invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 13 is an illustration of a type of knot that may be used with the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]    As seen in FIG. 1, a television  10  and VCR  12  are supported from a ceiling by a flexible support  14  that may comprise a webbing material  16  suspended from an anchor  18  by a snap link  20 . Preferably the-webbing support is made of a flexible and adjustable material. The webbing material  16  is preferably a 4-inch MESA™ fishing web. However, other thin flexible materials of sufficient strength could be used including sheets of fabric of natural or synthetic origin. Further, the materials can be arranged not only in sheet or web form but in any other form that creates a component for wrapping around one or more pieces of entertainment equipment so as to enable support and suspension of the equipment. The description discusses use with a television or VCR, but any other entertainment equipment could also be used with the present invention including stereo systems and components, thereof. Various methods of wrapping the equipment may be used. The following description of wrapping the television  10  describes one wrapping method that may be used to wrap any or all of the equipment.  
         [0024]    The webbing material  16  is wrapped around the bottom and sides of the television  10  and the free edges of the webbing material  16  are then tied together with a line (not seen) of the same material as the webbing material  16 . The television  10  is wrapped tightly and tied with knots to prevent slippage because the webbing material  16  tends to stretch a little. Preferably, the line is first secured to the webbing material  16  with a double becket bend knot, an example of which is shown at  22  in FIG. 13. The line is then used to connect the edges of the webbing material  16  with a slip-free knot, such as a single becket knot, along the edges. The line is finally secured with another double becket bend knot. Although the preferred method of connecting the edges of the webbing material  16  is to tie them together with a line, as described above, this invention contemplates any connecting device such as, for example, zippers, an array of buttons or snaps, hooks, or Velcro™.  
         [0025]    A pucker line  24  is then run through all the eyes around the front side of the webbing material  16  and around the television picture screen and tied so that the webbing material  16  catches the inside comers of the screen. The knot used to secure the pucker line  24  is preferably a slip-proof knot. The back of the television  10  is then wrapped the same way. The combination of webbing material and pucker line is adapted so as to leave the screen of the television and/or controls of other entertainment equipment unobstructed. In addition to the pucker line, other means of cinching the webbing around the equipment are also contemplated, such as an elastic cord in combination with the webbing.  
         [0026]    The anchor  18  is connected to the ceiling preferably in the form of, for example, a {fraction (5/16)} by 4-inch bolt eye lag or other known anchoring means. The snap lock  20  such as, for example, a 3-inch link snap lock, is snapped into the eye of the bolt lag  18 . The webbing material  16  is suspended from the link snap lock  20 . The television and/or other equipment is then held in the webbing material  16  and suspended from the ceiling. The television or other device may be twisted in any direction. Although only one bolt lag and anchor is shown, it is within the scope of the present invention to use two or more bolt lags and two or more anchors.  
         [0027]    The webbing material  16  may be of various colors and sizes suitable to suspend almost any consumer electronics component, including a TV, VCR, or Playstation. If desired, multiple components could be combined into a vertical net or web. The same wrapping method may be used to wrap the other equipment.  
         [0028]    The system of the present invention advantageously provides modularity. For example, individually wrapped equipment components can be added by utilizing a line and knotting method described above but could be connected by other methods. For example, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a VCR wrapped in webbing material  26  is directly connected to the webbing material  16  of the television  10 . FIGS. 3 and 4 show additional equipment  28  wrapped with webbing  30  and directly connected to the assembly. FIGS.  5 - 8  show equipment  32  connected or suspended from the television/VCR assembly by a snap link  34  or other connector device. FIGS.  9 - 12  show alternative arrangements and assemblies of equipment suspended by the webbing support of the present invention. Alternately, the webbing material could be hung horizontally across a wall. The webbing material is preferably rated at 260 pounds, over twice the weight of standard wall mounts (which is 110 pounds).  
         [0029]    To install the webbing support, there would first need to be support means in the ceiling. For example, a 2 by 4 stud or larger stud running through the ceiling should be sufficient to support most entertainment equipment. First, the user would drill a {fraction (13/64)} inch pilot hole in the center of the stud at a 4 to 7 degree angle (the off angle increases the strength of the mount). Next, a screwdriver would be used to screw a {fraction (5/16)} by 4-inch eyebolt lag into the hole (all the way in until it stops, making sure not to over-tighten).  
         [0030]    Next, the user would take the {fraction (5/16)} by 3¼-inch snap lock and two or three bunches of web material in the top center of the television, about 8 inches from the front of the television. The television should then be lifted to see if it the tilt is as desired. Then, it would be lifted to the ceiling, and the user would snap the lock into the eye of the eyebolt in the ceiling to complete the installation.  
         [0031]    The television and/or other equipment can be operated by a remote control from any point in the room. If desired, the space below the webbing support could be filled with an entertainment center or other electronic components.  
         [0032]    In another contemplated embodiment, a track is first installed in the ceiling and the entertainment center has an anchor that slideably fits within the track. Accordingly, the user can adjust the position of the suspended equipment along the track.  
         [0033]    The webbing support would also be very handy for holding a computer monitor. As the number of peripherals has increased, including the printer, keyboard, mouse, scanner, CD burner, etc., the desktop has become evermore crowded. With the webbing support, the monitor could be held suspended over the desk, clearing more space.  
         [0034]    The foregoing embodiments and features are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be limiting, persons skilled in the art being capable of appreciating other embodiments from the scope and spirit of the foregoing teachings.