Abstract:
A raisable pedestal includes an enclosed housing fixed to a ground surface; guide rods mounted within the housing; an inner shell mounted for movement along the guide rods between a retracted position entirely within the housing and an extended position extending out from the housing, the inner shell including an arrangement for supporting electronic components in a manner to render the electronic components accessible when the inner shell extends out from the housing; a piston for moving the inner shell along the guide rods between the retracted and extended positions; a rain sensor mounted on an upper end of the housing for detecting precipitation; and a control connected with the sensor for controlling the piston to move the inner shell to the retracted position when the sensor detects precipitation.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to electronic control devices for use in the outdoors, and more particularly, is directed to a raisable pedestal containing electronic components and a water sensor for automatically lowering the same in the presence of precipitation. 
   Conventionally, electronic control devices used in the outdoors are exposed to the elements. For this reason, these devices are generally protected from the elements by covers and the like. However, these covers must generally be manually closed by a person to protect the same from the elements. 
   Rain sensors are also known, for example, for use with sprinkler systems, automobile windshield wipers, etc. In other words, when rain is sensed, the sprinkler system is automatically turned off or the windshield wipers are activated. 
   However, it would be desirable to provide an electronic control device used in the outdoors which can be automatically protected when rain or other precipitation is sensed. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a raisable pedestal containing electronic components that can be used outdoors, that overcomes the problems with the aforementioned prior art. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a raisable pedestal containing electronic components that can be used outdoors, and includes a water sensor for automatically lowering the same in the presence of precipitation. 
   It is still another object of the present invention to provide raisable pedestal containing electronic components that can be used outdoors, which is sealed and/or non-accessible in its lowered position. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a raisable pedestal containing electronic components that can be used outdoors, which has a safety arrangement to prevent crushing a person&#39;s hand during a lowering operation. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a raisable pedestal containing electronic components that can be used outdoors, in which all electronics are safely hidden in the lowered position. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a raisable pedestal containing electronic components that can be used outdoors, that is easy and economical to use and manufacture. 
   In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a raisable pedestal includes an enclosed housing fixed to a ground surface and a guide arrangement mounted within the housing. An inner support is mounted for movement along the guide arrangement between a retracted position entirely within the housing and an extended position extending out from the housing. The inner support includes an arrangement for supporting electronic components in a manner to render the electronic components accessible when the inner support extends out from the housing. A driving arrangement moves the inner support along the guide arrangement between the retracted and extended positions. A control is connected with the driving arrangement for controlling the driving arrangement to move the inner support between the retracted and extended positions. 
   The guide arrangement includes a plurality of guide rods extending upwardly relative to the ground surface. 
   The inner support includes a shell slidably along the guide rods. Specifically, the shell includes side walls and at least one opening in a front wall thereof for receiving the electronic components, and the arrangement for supporting the electronic components includes a rack connected to at least one side wall of the shell adjacent the at least one opening. The shell also includes a top plate which closes off an upper end of the enclosed housing when the inner support is in the retracted position, with a seal therearound for providing a seal between the top plate and the upper end of the enclosed housing. 
   In one embodiment, the driving arrangement is movable with the inner support along the guide arrangement, and further includes a spring arrangement positioned below the inner shell for providing a counter-balance to the inner support to prevent crushing of an item placed between the inner support and the housing when the inner support is moved to the retracted position. 
   There is also at least one switch for controlling the driving arrangement to move the inner support between the retracted and extended positions. 
   Preferably, the driving arrangement includes a piston having an extensible and retractable rod having a free end connected with the inner shell for moving the inner shell along the guide rods between the retracted and extended positions. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a raisable pedestal includes an enclosed housing fixed to a ground surface and a guide arrangement mounted within the housing. An inner support is mounted for movement along the guide arrangement between a retracted position entirely within the housing and an extended position extending out from the housing. The inner support includes an arrangement for supporting electronic components in a manner to render the electronic components accessible when the inner support extends out from the housing. A driving arrangement moves the inner support along the guide arrangement between the retracted and extended positions. A precipitation sensor is mounted on either the housing or the inner support, for detecting precipitation; and a control is connected with the sensor and the driving arrangement for controlling the driving arrangement to move the inner support between the retracted and extended positions, when said sensor detects precipitation. 
   Preferably, the precipitation sensor is mounted to the upper end of the housing and covered by the top plate when the inner support is in the retracted position. 
   In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a raisable pedestal includes an enclosed housing fixed to a ground surface; and a plurality of guide rods extending upwardly relative to the ground surface and mounted within the housing. An inner support is mounted for movement along the guide arrangement between a retracted position entirely within the housing and an extended position extending out from the housing. The inner support includes side walls, at least one opening in a front wall thereof for receiving electronic components, a rack connected to at least one side wall adjacent the at least one opening, in a manner to render the electronic components accessible when the inner support extends out from the housing, and a top plate which closes off an upper end of the enclosed housing when the inner support is in the retracted position. A driving arrangement moves the inner support along the guide arrangement between the retracted and extended positions. A precipitation sensor is mounted on either the housing or inner support, for detecting precipitation; and a control is connected with the sensor and the driving arrangement for controlling the driving arrangement to move the inner support to the retracted position when the sensor detects precipitation. 
   In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a raisable pedestal includes an enclosed housing fixed to a ground surface; and a plurality of guide rods extending upwardly relative to the ground surface and mounted within the housing; an inner support mounted for movement along the guide arrangement between a retracted position entirely within the housing and an extended position extending out from the housing. The inner support includes a shell having side walls and at least one opening in a front wall thereof for receiving electronic components, a rack connected to at least one side wall adjacent the at least one opening, in a manner to render the electronic components accessible when the inner support extends out from the housing, a top plate which closes off an upper end of the enclosed housing when the inner support is in the retracted position, and a seal at an underside of the top plate for providing a seal between the top plate and the upper end of the enclosed housing. A driving arrangement moves the inner support along the guide arrangement between the retracted and extended positions, the driving arrangement including a piston having an extensible and retractable rod having a free end connected with the inner shell for moving the inner shell along the guide rods between the retracted and extended positions. A precipitation sensor is mounted to an upper end of the housing for detecting precipitation and is covered by the top plate when the inner support is in the retracted position; and a control is connected with the sensor and the driving arrangement for controlling the driving arrangement to move the inner support to the retracted position when the sensor detects precipitation. There is also at least one switch for controlling the driving arrangement to move the inner support between the retracted and extended positions. 
   The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description thereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a raisable pedestal containing electronic components in its lowered, protective position; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a raisable pedestal containing electronic components in its raised, operative protective position; 
       FIG. 3  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the raisable pedestal of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portion of the raisable pedestal; and 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of the electrical connections of the raisable pedestal. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to the drawings in detail, a raisable pedestal  10  according to the present invention includes a flat securing ring  12 , preferably made of a metal material, and having four equiangularly spaced openings  14  for fixing securing ring  12  to a hard ground surface, such as a concrete area, by bolts  16 . Four guide rods  18  have their lower ends fixed to the upper surface of securing ring  12  and extend upwardly therefrom in parallel, equiangularly spaced relation. Although four guide rods  18  are shown, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to this number of guide rods  18 . A vertically oriented cross plate  20  is slidably mounted between two diametrically opposite guide rods  18 , the purpose for which will be made apparent from the discussion hereafter. 
   As best shown in  FIG. 4 , raisable pedestal  10  includes a raisable inner support  22  in the form of a part-cylindrical shell  24  that extends for an angle in the range of approximately 180 degrees to 270 degrees, so as to present an open side  26  thereof. Shell  24  is closed at its upper end by a part-circular top wall  28  of the same angular dimensions as shell  24 . An annular ring  30  having an inner diameter equal to the outer diameter of shell  24 , is secured to the lower end of shell  24  by any suitable means, such as welding. Annular ring  30  has four equiangularly spaced openings  32  that slidably receive guide rods  18  in order to permit vertical sliding movement of inner support  22  along guide rods  18 . To further reinforce this sliding movement, a further annular ring  34  is secured to the outer surface of shell  24  by any suitable means, such as welding. Annular ring  34  has four equiangularly spaced openings  36  that slidably receive guide rods  18  in order to permit vertical sliding movement of inner support  22  along guide rods  18 . 
   The upper ends of guide rods  18  are fixed to a circular upper plate  38  having a central opening  40  of the same outer dimensions as shell  24  and through which inner support  22  can be raised so as to extend thereabove. 
   A circular top plate  42  is mounted on part-circular top wall  28  and can include a domed top  44  so that precipitation does not remain on the upper surface thereof. In this manner, when circular top plate  42  is positioned on upper plate  38 , the downward travel of raisable inner support  22  is limited. In this regard, it will be appreciated that the position shown in  FIG. 4  would never be achieved except during initial manufacture, and is only shown for illustration purposes. The underside of top plate  42 , at the periphery thereof, includes a gasket  46  that seals against the upper surface of upper plate  38  to prevent precipitation from entering into raisable pedestal in the closed position shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , in order to raise and lower inner support  22  along guide rods  18 , a piston  48  is mounted on cross plate  20 . Specifically, piston  48  includes a cylinder  50  mounted on cross plate  20 , and a reciprocable rod  52  extending vertically upwards therefrom, with the upper end of rod  52  mounted within a boss  54  at the underside of part-circular top wall  28 . In this manner, as rod  52  is extended upwardly, inner support  22  is raised from the position shown in  FIG. 1  to the position shown in  FIG. 2 , and when retracted, is returned to the position shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   Of course, it will be appreciated that any other suitable arrangement can be used in place of piston  48 , such as a solenoid, a screw drive, etc. 
   In order to prevent crushing of a person&#39;s hand or any article placed between upper plate  38  and circular top plate  42  during retraction of inner support  22 , coil springs  56  are positioned around the other two diametrically opposite guide rods  18  that are not connected by cross plate  20 , at a position between securing ring  12  and annular ring  30 . In this manner, when inner support  22  is lowered to its retracted position, coil springs  56  will compress. However, if there is a person&#39;s hand or other article between upper plate  38  and circular top plate  42 , coil springs  56  will provide sufficient counter-balance to prevent crushing of the same. Specifically, in such case, coil springs  56  will provide a counter-balance to the weight of the entire assembly of cross plate  20 , inner shell  22 , piston  48  and electronic components  64 . It will be appreciated that this embodiment will be particularly used at an individual&#39;s residence to prevent injury to a person, but that a commercial model at a business will eliminate coil springs  56 , and have cross plate  20  fixed relative to guide rods  18  to prevent mischievous tampering with the same. 
   The stationary portion of raisable pedestal, that is, guide rods  18  and upper plate  38  are surrounded by a cylindrical outer shell housing  58  to prevent access to inner support  22  in the retracted position. Outer shell housing  58  is secured to flat securing ring  12  at its lower end and to upper plate  38  at its upper end by any suitable means, such as welding or the like. 
   The front face of inner support  22  at open side  26  is closed off by a face plate  60  having various openings  62  therein for receiving electronic components  64  therethrough. Electronic components  64  are held by any suitable means therein. For example, shelves or racks  66  can be secured to the inner sides of shell  24  adjacent open side  26 . Preferably, electronic components  64  are secured by bolts or other means to face plate  60  in a manner to prevent mischievous removal thereof. 
   Electronic components  64  can be any suitable components for outdoor use, such as stereo equipment, lighting controls, pool controls, and which are used to control external elements  68 . For example, with respect to stereo equipment, electronic components  64  would be connected to loudspeakers as the external elements  68 . For lighting controls, the external elements  68  would be outdoor or indoor lights. For pool controls, the external elements  68  could include pool lights, a pool heater, etc. 
   Power is supplied to electronic components  64  by a power line  70  that extends in a winding manner through the inside of raised pedestal  10  and exits through the central opening in flat securing ring  12 , so as to be connected to an external power supply  72 . External power supply  72  is also connected to a motor  74  that controls raising and lowering of piston  48 . For example, motor  74  would supply fluid to the respective opening in the upper end or lower end of cylinder  48  to move a piston head (not shown) therein so as to lower or raise rod  52  in a manner well known. Motor  74  is preferably positioned in raisable pedestal  10 , for example, to one side of cross plate  20 . 
   In order to raise and lower inner support  22 , UP/DOWN switches  76  are provided. Specifically, there is an UP button  78  at the side of circular top plate  42 , and a DOWN button  80  at the side of circular top plate  42 . When UP button  78  is pressed, a relay on a relay board  84  is connected to control motor  74  to raise rod  52  of piston  48 , and when DOWN button  80  is pressed, a relay on a relay board  82  is connected to control motor  74  to lower rod  52  of piston  48 . In addition to, or alternatively thereto, a key switch  82  can be provided for receiving a key, which when turned, toggles motor  74  to provide a reverse operation. For example, if inner support  22  is raised, turning of the key will lower inner support  22 , and vice versa. Key switch  82  would preferably be used in a commercial establishment to prevent mischievous tampering. 
   Thus, with the present invention described above, raisable pedestal  10  allows for electronic devices to be positioned outside and to be retracted by the user when not used, for example, during nighttime or inclement weather. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a rain sensor  86  is mounted flush with the upper surface of upper plate  38 , and is therefore sealed when inner support  22  is lowered. When inner support  22  is raised, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , rain sensor  86  detects the presence of precipitation. If precipitation is detected, rain sensor  86  activates a relay on relay board  84  to control motor  74  to automatically lower inner support  22  and thereby protect electronic components  64 . Of course, it will be appreciated that rain sensor  86  could alternatively be mounted on inner support  22 . 
   Having described a specific preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to that precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention defined by the appended claims.