Abstract:
An article of furniture for storing and powering electronic equipment including a seating area, at least one concealable compartment located within the seating area, and a power source located within the compartment. The power source having a power cable that is attached to the interior frame of the article of furniture and concealed until it is needed. The power source includes power cables that protrude from the article of furniture for connection with a building&#39;s power supply. The compartment holds and conceals power supply components for electrical devices within the interior frame of the article of furniture to allow access and ease of use without having to mange a number of power cords.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This applications claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/460,375 filed Jul. 17, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    Keeping a neat appearance in a home can be a challenging task. This is particularly true with proliferation of electronic media equipment available. Laptop computers, cell phones, mp3 players, and personal digital assistants (PDAs) now compete for space with the usual various and numerous remote controls, books, magazines, DVDs and CDS. Additionally, many homes also have wireless Internet routers, broadband modems, and game consoles also competing for space, as well as for power outlets. As such, keeping a living area free from clutter, wires and all the various power adaptors for each of the personal electronic devices is nearly impossible. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]    Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an article of seating furniture that includes at least one compartment for storing and powering electrical equipment, such as audio/video components, portable audio/video devices, personal electronic devices, computing devices, or game consoles. 
         [0004]    To attain the above object, according to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an article of furniture including a seating area, at least one concealable compartment, the compartment contains at least one power outlet wherein the power outlet is affixed to the internal framework of the seating furniture in a manner accessible to a user. The power outlet receives power via an electrical cable that connects to a building&#39;s power supply. 
         [0005]    In an embodiment, the article of seating furniture has an outer layer opening to the facilitate the passage of the electrical cable. In an embodiment, the electrical cable is capable of being powered by a building&#39;s electrical system by engaging a power receptacle of the building. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, the power outlet is accessible to the user via a concealable compartment having a flexible material covering. The flexible material covering may be comprise of fabric, plastic, vinyl, leather or other pliable material. The compartment may comprise a zippered, buttonable, hook and look fastener or other closure means. 
         [0007]    In still another embodiment, the power outlet compartment is accessible via a louvered opening. The louvered opening comprises wood, plastic, vinyl, metal or pliable material. In still another embodiment, the power outlet is accessible to the user via a concealable compartment having a slidable or hinged door opening. The sidable door or hinged door opening may comprise wood, plastic, vinyl, metal or other pliable material. 
         [0008]    The power source preferably includes a plurality of power outlets. 
         [0009]    Preferably, the article of furniture further includes an opening in the seating area to permit the passage of at least one wire between the compartment and the seating area. The opening in the seating area is preferably closeable by a hook and loop fastener, buttons or a zipper. 
         [0010]    In an embodiment, the compartment is openable from either a front surface of the article of furniture or a side surface of the article of furniture. 
         [0011]    In an embodiment, the article of seating furniture capable of providing power to electrical equipment, comprising a seating area and an compartment. The compartment containing at least one power source including at least one power outlet, wherein the power outlet is affixed to the structure of the seating furniture in a manner accessible to a user and concealable via the compartment. The power outlet having a concealed power cable mounted to the interior structure of the seating furniture, wherein the power cable connects to a building&#39;s electrical system to provide power to the power outlets. 
         [0012]    In an embodiment, the the concealed power cable is attached to the internal structure of the article of seating furningture in a manner to prevent crimping of the power cable and to allow a connector end of the power cable to emerge from the rear of the article of seating furniture so that the power cable can connect to the building&#39;s electrical system. 
         [0013]    These and other exemplary features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0014]    The foregoing and other exemplary purposes, aspects and advantages will be better understood from the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention with compartments containing a power outlet in an opened position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the invention with a power outlet and power cable mounted in a compartment with a concealable flap within the article of seating furniture. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrating a concealable compartment for accessing a power outlet within the article of seating furniture. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrating electrical device power cables emerging from the concealed power outlet compartment to the exterior of the article of furniture. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrating a power outlet strip attached to the internal structure of the article of seating furniture. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]    Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIGS. 1-5 , there are shown exemplary embodiments of the apparatus according to the present invention. 
         [0021]      FIGS. 1-2  show an exemplary embodiment of the article of seating furniture  10  that includes at least one compartment  12  for storing and powering electrical equipment. The seating furniture may be any known type, such as a sofa, loveseat, chair, chaise lounge, divan, canapé, or ottoman. The electrical equipment may also be of any known type, such as audio/video components, portable audio/video devices, personal electronic devices, computing devices, communication devices, and/or game consoles. It should be understood that the electrical equipment may include any electrical or electronic device that may be plugged into a power outlet. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the compartment  12  is maybe situated anywhere within the article of seating furniture that is conveniently accessible to the user. In an embodiment, the compartment  12  is located along the front surface of the furniture  10  beneath the seating area, along a rear panel compartment or disposed in an arm rest for easy access. However, it should be understood that the compartment  12  may be located on any accessible side of the furniture  10  to suit the functional or aesthetic design of the furniture  10 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the compartment  12  may be located on a side surface of the furniture  10 . 
         [0023]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2 , the compartment  12  for media storage includes a power source  14  located within the compartment  12 . The power source  14  preferably includes a power strip  14  and/or a plurality of power outlets in order to accommodate more than one item of electrical equipment. The power source may include one or more standard power outlets, universal serial bus power ports, IEEE 1394 serial bus power ports, or thunderbolt power port. The power source may also be comprised of a wireless inductive coupling power transmission pad, built into a surface of the furniture. Alternatively other electrical ports may be disposed within the compartment  12 , including video graphics array (VGA), high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), Display Port, Mini-Display port, as well as other ports for video and sound for connection to both internal and external devices. 
         [0024]    In an embodiment, the power source  14  may be fully integrated into the compartment, fixedly attached to the interior structure of the furniture, and/or removable. Additionally, the power source  14  may be situated in any interior compartment of the furniture such as in a drawer  12  or arm rest  12 . The compartment is concealed behind a panel  13 . The panel  13  may be made of fabric, wood, plastic, vinyl, metal, or a combination thereof. The panel  13  may also be rigid, flexible and/or louvered. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 3-4  illustrate how the wires  17  from the power source  14  and wires  31  from the electrical devices  32  may be routed through the seating furniture  10 . In  FIG. 3 , the power outlet  14  is found in a drawer type compartment  12 . A power cable  17  from the power outlet  14  is routed from the compartment  12  and out the rear of the article of seating furniture  10  as described in  FIG. 4  below. Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the furniture  10  further includes an opening  24  on the seating surface  26 , for example, beneath the cushions  28 , to allow passage of a wire  31  or wires  31  from the drawer  12  to the seating area of the furniture  10  in order to permit users to simultaneously use and power their electrical devices  32  while seated on the furniture  10 . Preferably, the opening  24  comprises a slit that is closeable, for example, by a zipper, buttons and/or a hook and loop fastener or zipper. The opening may also be provided in an arm rest, along a back edge of the furniture or along any surface of the furniture that allows both easy access and concealment of the power outlets. 
         [0026]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the seating furniture  10  may include one or more outlets  18  to facilitate the passage of wires  17  from the interior to the exterior of the article of furniture. For example, the seating furniture  10  may include a hole outlet  18  through at least one of its exterior surfaces to facilitate passage of the wires  17  and cables  17  outside of the furniture. However, as noted above, it should be understood that the opening may be of any suitable shape or size that permits that passage of wires and/or cables associated with the power source  14  and/or electrical equipment  32 . In an embodiment, cable management wraps and reels  33  are mounted on an interior frame near the outlets  18  for storing excecess cable power cables  17 . In another embodiment, the power cable  17  is stored in a retractable reel  33  such that it automatically stores itself on the reel when it it is not in use. 
         [0027]    Preferably, any wires that pass from the compartment  12  to the exterior of the furniture  10  are fixedly attached to the interior structure  21  or frame  21  of the furniture  10  with enough slack provided to any such wires to permit opening of the compartment  12 . In this manner, tangling of wires may be prevented. Further illustrated in  FIG. 4  the compartment  12  further routes the power cable  17  from the the electrical power outlets  14  by attaching the power cable to the internal structure  21  of the furniture  10  in a manner that conceals the power cable from view. The power cable outlet opening  18  for the power cable  17  may include a means for storing the power cable  17  and concealing it behind a cover. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  illustrates, the compartment  12  may include an outlet opening  18  on its rearward wall  19  to facilitate the passage of any wires  17  or cables  17  associated with the power source  14  and the exterior of the furniture  10 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the opening  18  may be a slot  18   a  and/or a hole  18  in the rearward wall  19  of the compartment  12 . However, it should be understood that the opening  18  may be of any suitable shape or size that permits that passage of wires  17  and/or cables  17  associated with the power source  14  and/or electrical equipment. 
         [0029]    The visible front panel  13  of the compartment  12  may be of any suitable design to comport with the design of the article of furniture  10 . Alternatively, the front panel of the compartment may be louvered to improve the circulation of air to cool any electrical equipment that may be located within the compartment  12 . The front panel may also comprise a slideable or hingedly mounted door, allowing easy access to the power outlet compartment. These front panels  13  may be made of fabric, wood, plastic, vinyl, metal, etc. The cover may be rigid or flexible. 
         [0030]    Preferably, when the furniture  10  includes multiple compartments  12 , the furniture  10  includes a support brace  15  running between the compartment  12 . The support brace  15  provides support for the compartment  12 , as well as additional support for users sitting on the furniture  12  to prevent contact and interference with power cables from the power outlets within the compartments  12 . 
         [0031]    Preferably, the furniture  10  also includes a suspension system to provide additional comfort to users, while preventing contact and interference with the compartments containing the power outlets within or beneath the seating area when a user is seated. Preferably, the suspension system incorporates no sag springs, as opposed to coil springs that may protrude and interfere with the operation of the power outlet compartment. 
         [0032]    While the embodiments herein have been described in terms of storing and powering electrical equipment, it should be understood that the compartments  12  may provide storage for any other items whether powered or not, such as remote controls, DVDs, CDs, books, magazines, blankets, etc. 
         [0033]    While the invention has been described in terms of several exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 
         [0034]    Further, it is noted that, Applicant&#39;s intent is to encompass equivalents of all claim elements, even if amended later during prosecution.