Patent Publication Number: US-6039419-A

Title: Foldable ready-to-use entertainment stand

Description:
This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/754,887 filed on Nov. 22, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,514, and application Ser. No. 08/885,296 filed on Jun. 27, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,098, both applications being incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a preassembled foldable, ready to use entertainment stand, and more particularly, to a stand for entertainment equipment and the like such as a television, monitor, or stereo equipment wherein the stand may be folded for shipment or storage and may be readily unfolded to a sturdy, erect configuration without need of assembly or other further effort. 
     Heretofore, desks and stands for computer and entertainment equipment have been provided which are shipped unassembled and must be assembled by the purchaser. The assembly has required much time and effort, and often produces frustration since the parts and their assembly are numerous. Such desks and stands are not readily useable when purchased due to the time and effort required for assembly, nor may they be readily taken apart or folded for storage. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,099,809 discloses a collapsible work station which comprises a rear support wall having a plurality of shelves of varying sizes. The shelves are hinged to the back support wall to assume various positions with respect to the support wall. Two side support walls fold over the shelves in a storing position. While this device provides a collapsible configuration for a work station there may be attached to partition walls and the like, the construction is not suitable for a general purpose stand wherein a closed top is desired. U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,401 discloses a collapsible cabinet, U.S. Pat. No. 2,764,462 discloses a portable collapsible bar, U.S. Pat. No. 3,346,317 discloses a foldable stand, U.S. Pat. No. 4,151,803 discloses a knock down floor display, and U.S. Pat. No. 835,902 discloses a knockdown wardrobe being of only general interest to the present invention. 
     Various entertainment tables include U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,682 which discloses a entertainment table having a top and portable legs. The legs fold up against the underneath of the top with the flexible strips gathering between the legs and top. U.S. Pat. No. 3,854,828 discloses a table with yet another arrangement of folding legs wherein a pivot includes first and second sections having threaded bores whereby the leg is locked in position by threading an end of the leg into both bores. 
     Computer desks are also known in various forms and combinations such as those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,403,082 and 5,290,099. 
     While the above arrangements are suitable for their various applications, the provision of a ready to use entertainment stand which may be easily set up and taken down while accommodating the various equipment used with television, computer, stereo equipment, and like equipment is a problem to which considerable attention need be given. 
     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a preassembled, foldable, ready to use entertainment stand for entertainment equipment and the like which may be readily folded for shipment or storage, and may be readily unfolded to a sturdy erect position for use. 
     Yet another important object of the present invention is to provide an entertainment stand having a folded configuration wherein various panels of the stand are folded about displaced pivots to provide a compact folded configuration. 
     Still another important object of the present invention is the provision of a preassembled, foldable entertainment stand having a top panel for supporting entertainment equipment, side panels, at least one interior shelf, and a pair of front doors, all of which may be folded into a compact, generally flat configuration for storage or transport, yet may be quickly unfolded and erected to an operational position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above objectives are accomplished according to the present invention by a preassembled, foldable ready to use entertainment stand having a folded and unfolded configuration comprising a back panel having a front and rear surface. A top panel is pivotally carried by the back panel by means of top panel displacement hinges having a displaced pivot axis which allows folding flat against the rear surface of the back panel. The top panel has a generally vertical position disposed near the rear surface of the back panel when the stand is in a folded configuration, and a generally horizontal position near the top of the back panel when the stand is in an erect configuration. At least one lower shelf panel is pivotally carried by the back panel having a generally vertical position near the front surface of the back panel when the stand is folded, and a generally horizontal position when the stand is erect. A first side panel is carried by the back panel by means of first side panel hinges having a displaced pivot axis displaced a distance from the front surface of the back panel. In this manner, the first side panel may fold about the shelf panel when in the folded configuration. A second side panel is pivotally carried by the back panel by means of second side panel hinges having a displaced pivot axis so that the second side panel also folds inwardly about the shelf panels. 
     Preferably, a utility shelf panel is also carried by the back panel between the top panel and a bottom shelf panel. The utility shelf panel also has a vertical position near the front surface of the back panel when the stand is folded with the first and second side panels folded over the shelf panel. 
     Advantageously, the side panel displacement hinges are vertically spaced so that the opposing side edges of the shelf panels fit between the panel hinges when the shelf panels are in the vertical positions and the stand is folded. First and second front doors are carried by said respective first and second side panels enclosing an interior space of the stand. First and second flush hinge means are provided for pivotally carrying said first and second front doors so that said front doors open and pivot rearwardly to a generally flush position with respect to said first and second side panels when in said folded configuration. Advantageously, each flush hinge means includes a first hinge part carried by each of the first and second side panels, a second hinge part carried by each front door, a slot formed in each front door, and an intermediate hinge part received in the slot interconnecting said first and second hinge part. The first and second front doors having upper edges terminate generally below a support surface of the utility shelf whereby the utility shelf is open with the doors closed. 
     A removable vertical post is carried between the bottom and utility shelf when in said unfolded configuration, and connector means is provided for removably interconnecting said vertical post and the shelves so that said post may be removed and the shelves moved to the folded configuration. 
     A first and second latch are carried between the first and second side panels and the top panel for latching the first and second side panels and top panel together when erected. The first and second side panels extend in a generally perpendicularly way from the front surface of the back panel. The first and second latches include latch finger elements carried by an upper edge of the first and second side panels, and cooperating latch elements carried by the top panel for latching with the first latch elements. 
     Advantageously, a compact configuration is provided by the top panel having a width generally equal to or greater than the width of the back panel, and the shelf panels having a width which is less than the width of the back panel. The side panels are spaced a distance less than or equal to the width of the back panel when the stand is erect. The thickness of the side panels plus the width of the shelf panels is less than or equal to the width of the back panel. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The construction designed to carry out the invention will hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof. 
     The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a preassembled, foldable entertainment stand for use with associated entertainment equipment; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the entertainment stand constructed according to the present invention having a folded and unfolded, erect configuration wherein the stand is in a partially folded condition; 
     FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C show interlocking features of several components of the stand of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the entertainment stand of the present invention partially folded; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a preassembled, foldable entertainment stand of the invention in a folded configuration; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevation of a preassembled, foldable entertainment stand according to the invention shown in a folded configuration; 
     FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the entertainment stand of the present invention showing the side panel displaced pivot hinge in a folded configuration; and 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of the entertainment stand of the present invention in a folded configuration showing the top displacement pivot hinges. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now in more detail to the drawings, a preassembled, foldable entertainment stand for a television and the like, designated generally as A, is illustrated. For example, the preassembled, foldable entertainment stand may be utilized to support a television 10, or a stereo or similar equipment. Entertainment stand A includes a back panel 16 having a front surface 16a and a back surface 16b. A top panel 18 is pivotally carried by back panel 16 by at least one top panel hinge 20 having a displaced pivot 22 which is displaced a distance from the rear surface of back panel 16 (FIG. 7). Preferably there are two such hinges 20 carried in a spaced apart manner by back panel 16. There is at least one lower shelf panel 24, and preferably an intermediate shelf panel 26 pivotally carried by back wall 16. Shelf panels 24 and 26 are carried by conventional panel hinges 28. Preferably, a utility space 29 is provided atop shelf 26 for auxiliary entertainment equipment such as a VCR. A first front door 12 and a second front door 14 enclose an interior space 15 between shelves 24 and 26, while leaving auxiliary space 29 open. A center post 17 braces between the two shelves. 
     A first side panel 30 and a second side panel 32 are pivotally carried by back panel 16. There is at least a first side panel hinge 34 having a displaced pivot axis 36 (FIG. 6) carried by the back panel which pivotally attaches each side panel to the back. Preferably, there are two such side panel hinges 34 which are vertically spaced on each side of the back panel to secure the side panels. Each hinge has a displaced pivot axis 36 which is displaced a distance from front surface 16a of the back panel so that the side panels may fold about the shelf panels when the stand is in a folded configuration to define a storage space 37 for shelves 26 and 24. 
     It will be noted that pivot 36a of hinge 34a is displaced a greater distance from back panel 16 than in pivot 36b of hinge 34b. This allows storage space 37 to be sufficiently deep to allow for second side panel 32 and second front door 14 to be folded inside first side panel 30. 
     Front doors 12 and 14 are hinged to side panels 30 and 32 by means of flush mount hinges 39 having a first hinge part 39a mounted to an associated side panel, a second hinge part 39b mounted to a respective door, and a displaced pivot 39c. Second hinge part 39b connects to the pivot by means of a slot 12a, 14a found in the respective front doors 12 and 14. The flush mount hinges allow the doors to fold back flush against its associated side panel. 
     As noted above, entertainment stand A has a folded configuration (FIGS. 4, 5) and an unfolded, erect configuration (FIG. 1). The folded configuration is for storage and the unfolded configuration is for use. Top panel 18 has a generally vertical position disposed near rear surface 16b of back panel 16 when the stand is in the folded configuration, and top panel 18 has a generally horizontal position overlying the top edges of side panels 30, 32 and back panel 16 in the unfolded, erect configuration. Lower shelf panels 24, 26 have a generally vertical position near the front surface of back panel 16 when the stand is in the folded configuration, and a generally horizontal, cantilevered position when the stand is unfolded and erect. Side panel 32 is folded about the folded shelf panels with door 14 lying flush against the side panel when the stand is in the folded configuration. Side panel 30 is folded over side panel 32 and door 14, with its associated door 12 lying flush. As can best be seen in top plan view FIG. 4 and side elevation view FIG. 5, a compact configuration is provided for the entertainment stand by the construction of the present invention for storage, transportation, and shipping. 
     A first latch 38 is carried between side panels 30 and 32 and top panel 18 for latching the side panels and top panel together in the unfolded configuration wherein the side panels extends generally perpendicularly away from the back panel. Latch 38 may be any suitable latch such as a cam lock latch having a first latch element 38a in the form of a projection carried by an upper edge of the side panels. The projecting first latch elements are received in a cooperating receptacle latch elements 38b carried recessed underneath top panel 18 (FIGS. 2 and 2A). The latches secure the stand in a sturdy erect configuration. Conventional snap connectors 41 secure post 17 and shelves 24, 26. 
     As can best be seen in FIG. 3, in order to facilitate folding to a compact configuration, hinges 34 (34a, 34b) are located outside the edges of shelf panels 24, 26 in order to facilitate folding of the shelf panels flush with the back panel. Top panel 18 has a width generally equal to greater than the width of back panel 16 and shelf panels 24 and 26 have a width which is less than the width of the back panel as can best be seen in FIG. 4. The outside exterior of side panels are spaced a distance apart less than or equal to the width of back panel 16 when the stand is erect in its unfolded configuration. The thickness of side panels 32 and 30, plus the width of shelf panels 24 and 26 is generally equal to the width of the back panel 16. Side panels 32 and 24 terminate in floor engaging support, 30a and 32a, by which top panel 18 is supported above the floor in the unfolded configuration. 
     To support shelf panels 24 and 26 in the unfolded configuration, shelf supports 50 are carried by side panels 30 and 32, which may be conventional screws or shelf supports. 
     While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.