Patent Document

NON-PROVISIONAL APPLICATION  
       CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    None.  
         FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    None.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0004]    The present invention generally relates to a mechanically and electrically integrated sub-cabinet for use within a larger decorative cabinet. Specifically, the invention is a box-like structure having a motorized lilt, a control module and a safety strip mechanically integrated therein and electrically connected so as to control operation of the lift.  
           [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0006]    Television designs are focused on low-profile devices including but not limited to plasma screens and LCD panels. Low-profile televisions maximize viewing area and minimize unit depth. However, designs are inherently less decorative, less physically stable, and heavier than tube-based televisions.  
           [0007]    Aesthetic and stability deficiencies of low-profile televisions are addressed by housing the television within a cabinet. In such applications, the low-profile television is extended from and retracted into a cabinet via a lift. The application of a lift within a cabinet, desk, mirror, or picture frame is referred to herein as motion furniture.  
           [0008]    Lift devices increase the complexity and cost of furniture manufacture and thereby limit their application to the high-end market. Conventional furniture design for the mass market is generally limited to wood and plastic construction with a decorative finish and minimal moving parts. Electrically powered mechanisms are generally not offered in conventional furniture since most manufacturers are neither facilitized nor staffed for the installation of wiring, couplings, and electrical components.  
           [0009]    Lift devices also decrease the reliability of furniture via the introduction of electrically powered and mechanically movable components. As such, component repair and replacement increases the cost of ownership and reduces affordability.  
           [0010]    What is required is a modular unit both mechanically and electrically integrated so as to provide a slide-in solution for decorative furniture thereby reducing the manufacturing costs and complexities associated with the integration of lift technology into furniture for the mass market.  
           [0011]    What is required is a modular unit both mechanically and electrically integrated so as to facilitate the rapid and low-cost repair and/or replacement of electrically powered and mechanically movable components thereby improving the affordability of lift technology in furniture for the mass market.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0012]    An object of the present invention is to provide a modular sub-cabinet that is both mechanically and electrically integrated so as to provide a slide-in solution for lift technology applicable to decorative furniture.  
           [0013]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a modular sub-cabinet that is both mechanically and electrically integrated so as to facilitate the rapid and low-cost repair and/or replacement of electrically powered and mechanically movable lift technology.  
           [0014]    The present invention is a sub-cabinet insertable and removable from a larger decorative cabinet. The invention is comprised of a box-like structure having at least three panels perpendicularly disposed with respect to a floor panel and attached thereto, a lift vertically disposed within the box-like structure and fastened to one panel, and a control module disposed within the box-like structure and fastened thereto. The control module receives commands from a limit switch so as to stop the motion of the lift when fully extended or retracted. Furthermore, the control module terminates electrical power to a television fastened to the lift when retracting into the box-like structure. The control module receives function commands from either a wireless remote or a manual switch.  
           [0015]    An alternate embodiment of the present invention further comprises a safety strip attached about an edge along one or more panels adjacent to a movable lid hinged to a decorative cabinet. The safety strip communicates with the control module so as to reverse the direction of the lift when contacted. While various types of safety strip devices are applicable to the present invention, preferred embodiments include a pressure sensitive device.  
           [0016]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention, one or more storage areas are provided within the box-like structure.  
           [0017]    Two advantages are offered by the present invention. The invention reduces the cost and complexity associated with the assembly of motion furniture by providing a single, fully functional slide-in component capable of extending and retracting a television from decorative furniture or a computer display from office furniture. The invention increases the affordability of motion furniture within the mass market via a modular design that allows for the rapid removal and replacement of a defective unit.  
           [0018]    The present invention is applicable to a variety of uses. For example, the invention may be used to extend and retract a television, computer display or other electronic component from a decorative cabinet at the foot of a bed, a decorative cabinet against a wall, a decorative cabinet built into the footboard of a bed, a picture frame, a mirror, a night stand, or a desk. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the present invention showing television, lift and control module within sub-cabinet.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the present invention showing lift extended and television above sub-cabinet.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 is a top elevation view of the present invention showing television, lift and control module within sub-cabinet structure.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the present invention showing opening allowing access to lift and control module.  
         [0024]    FIGS.  5 - 6  are side elevation views of the present invention showing handle opening and mounting holes.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of an exemplary decorative cabinet.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 8 is a section view of the exemplary decorative cabinet with television retracted into sub-cabinet.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 9 is a section view of the exemplary decorative cabinet with television extended from sub-cabinet.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 10 is a top elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention having a storage area adjacent to the television.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 11 is a section view of the decorative cabinet with sub-cabinet having several shelves within the storage area.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 12 is a top elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention having a front panel and a safety strip disposed along the upper edge of the cabinet.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 13 is a section view showing safety strip secured along the upper edge.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of the alternate embodiment described in FIG. 12.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 15 is a front elevation view of an alternate embodiment having a shelf separating television from component storage areas.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 16 is an interior view of decorative cabinet showing closer device attached between lid and cabinet wall.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an exemplary lift device with support unit retracted.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the exemplary lift device with support unit extended.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 19 is an elevation view of the rear of the exemplary lift showing screw, motor, limit switch, and elevator element.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 20 is an enlarged view showing motor attached to base plate and directly coupled to drive screw.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 21 is a section view of elevator element showing coupling of elevator plate to rails via T-shaped guides.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 22 is a section view showing drive screw coupled to elevator element via a nut.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 23 is a partial section view of end plate showing attachment of screw and limit switch rod thereto.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 24 is a section view showing attachment of horizontal support element to vertical support element.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 25 is a section view showing T-shaped guide slidably disposed between rails and fastened to vertical support elements.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 26 is a block diagram of motion control circuit for an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS  
       [0045]    [0045] 1  Lift  
         [0046]    [0046] 2  Base unit  
         [0047]    [0047] 3  Support unit  
         [0048]    [0048] 4  Vertical support element  
         [0049]    [0049] 5  Horizontal support element  
         [0050]    [0050] 6  Bracket  
         [0051]    [0051] 7  Motor  
         [0052]    [0052] 8  Drive screw  
         [0053]    [0053] 9  Coupler  
         [0054]    [0054] 10  Rail  
         [0055]    [0055] 11  Base plate  
         [0056]    [0056] 12  End plate  
         [0057]    [0057] 13  Stiffener  
         [0058]    [0058] 14  Elevator element  
         [0059]    [0059] 15  Limit switch  
         [0060]    [0060] 16  Stop  
         [0061]    [0061] 17  Fastener  
         [0062]    [0062] 18  Washer  
         [0063]    [0063] 19  Horizontal rest  
         [0064]    [0064] 20  Fastener  
         [0065]    [0065] 21  Nut  
         [0066]    [0066] 22  Elevator plate  
         [0067]    [0067] 23  T-shaped guide  
         [0068]    [0068] 24  Fastener  
         [0069]    [0069] 25  Power cord  
         [0070]    [0070] 26  Fastener  
         [0071]    [0071] 27  Rod  
         [0072]    [0072] 28  Controller/transformer  
         [0073]    [0073] 29  Remote control receiver  
         [0074]    [0074] 30  Fastener  
         [0075]    [0075] 31  Mounting hole  
         [0076]    [0076] 32  Bracket  
         [0077]    [0077] 33  Nut  
         [0078]    [0078] 34  Upper end  
         [0079]    [0079] 35  Lower end  
         [0080]    [0080] 36  Mounting cap  
         [0081]    [0081] 37  Flange  
         [0082]    [0082] 38  Washer  
         [0083]    [0083] 100  Sub-cabinet  
         [0084]    [0084] 101  Left panel  
         [0085]    [0085] 102  Right panel  
         [0086]    [0086] 103  Back panel  
         [0087]    [0087] 104  Floor panel  
         [0088]    [0088] 105  Television  
         [0089]    [0089] 106  Control module  
         [0090]    [0090] 107  Mounting hole  
         [0091]    [0091] 108  Opening  
         [0092]    [0092] 109  Handle opening  
         [0093]    [0093] 110  Decorative cabinet  
         [0094]    [0094] 111  Lid  
         [0095]    [0095] 112  Storage area  
         [0096]    [0096] 113  Door  
         [0097]    [0097] 114  Front panel  
         [0098]    [0098] 115  Safety strip  
         [0099]    [0099] 116  Shelf  
         [0100]    [0100] 117  Component storage area  
         [0101]    [0101] 118  Component storage area  
         [0102]    [0102] 119  Bracket  
         [0103]    [0103] 120  Bracket  
         [0104]    [0104] 121  Closer  
         [0105]    [0105] 122  Pin  
         [0106]    [0106] 123  Pin  
         [0107]    [0107] 124  Wall  
         [0108]    [0108] 125  Socket  
         [0109]    [0109] 126  Switch  
         [0110]    [0110] 127  Fastener  
         [0111]    [0111] 128  Shelf  
         [0112]    [0112] 129  Cabinet front  
         [0113]    [0113] 130  Edge  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0114]    Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention, herein a sub-cabinet  100 , is shown comprised of a box-like structure within which is secured a lift  1  and a control module  106 . FIG. 2 shows the embodiment described in FIG. 1 whereby the lift  1  is extended so that the television  105  attached to the lift  1  resides above the sub-cabinet  100 .  
         [0115]    The box-like structure is constructed of a left panel  101 , a right panel  102 , a back panel  103 , and a floor panel  104 . Panel elements are planar shaped and composed of wood, preferably plywood or particle board. Panels are fastened into the desired shape via assembly techniques understood in the art. For example, left panel  101  and right panel  102  are secured to opposite ends of back panel  103  and floor panel  104  via flat head screws or recessed bolts. Thereafter, back panel  103  is secured to floor panel  104  via the fasteners described. Overlapping joints between panel elements are further strengthened via a wood glue. In some applications, dowels are inserted into mutually opposed holes along the joint between two panels. In other applications, it may be desired to further strengthen joints via the inclusion of molding nailed or screwed to the panels along the joint.  
         [0116]    Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, left panel  101  and right panel  102  each have a handle opening  109   a  and  109   b , respectively. Handle openings  109   a ,  109   b  facilitate movement of the sub-cabinet  100  as well as provide a hand grip during insertion and removal of the sub-cabinet  100  from a cabinet. Left panel  101 , right panel  102 , and back panel  103  may also include one or more mounting holes  107 , see  107   a  and  107   b  in FIG. 4, 107 c  and  107   d  in FIG. 5, and  107   e  and  107   f  in FIG. 6. Mounting holes  107   a - 107   f  should be of sufficient diameter for the passage of a screw or bolt for the attachment of the sub-cabinet  100  to a larger cabinet.  
         [0117]    Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the lift  1  is fastened to the back panel  103  via a pair of fasteners  127   a ,  127   b , preferably flat head screws or bolts recessed within the back panel  103 . The lift  1  is vertically disposed within the sub-cabinet  100  and perpendicular to the floor panel  104 . An opening  108  is provided along one end of the back panel  103  adjacent to the floor panel  104  so as to allow access to motor  7 , drive screw  8  and control module  106 . The control module  106  is fastened to the floor panel  104  at a location so as to avoid interference with the operation of the lift  1 .  
         [0118]    [0118]FIG. 7 shows an exemplary decorative cabinet  110  having an interior cavity of sufficient physical dimensions so as to accommodate the insertion of a sub-cabinet  100 . Referring now to FIG. 8, the interior of the decorative cabinet  110  is shown having a sub-cabinet  100  positioned along a wall  124  of the decorative cabinet  110  and fastened thereto via bolts or screws passing through the mounting holes  107   a  and  107   b  described above. In this embodiment, the sub-cabinet  100  occupies a portion of the total interior volume of the decorative cabinet  110 .  
         [0119]    Referring now to FIG. 9, the lift  1  is shown extended so that the television  105  is visibly displayed. During the extension of the lift  1 , contact is achieved between lift  1  and a lid  111  hinged to the decorative cabinet  110 . The lid  111  is freely movable thereby allowing the unimpeded movement of the lift  1 . During retraction of the lift  1  and television  105  into the sub-cabinet  100 , the weight of the lid  111  ensures movement to its original closed position shown in FIG. 8.  
         [0120]    Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown wherein the sub-cabinet  100  occupies the entire interior volume of the decorative cabinet  110 . A storage area  112  is provided in front of the television  105 . While a variety of configurations are possible for the storage area  112 , an exemplary embodiment may include one or more shelves  128   a - 128   c  horizontally disposed between and fastened, via techniques described above, to left panel  101  and right panel  102 . A single horizontally hinged door  113 , as shown in FIG. 11, or a pair of vertically hinged elements are provided along the cabinet front  129  to provide access to the storage area  1   12 . The described door  113  should be of sufficient dimensional extent so as to allow insertion and removal of sub-cabinet  100  from decorative cabinet  110 .  
         [0121]    Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 14, an additional embodiment of the present invention is shown having a front panel  114  parallel to the back panel  103  and fastened to left panel  101  and right panel  102 , via construction techniques described above. The front panel  114  may completely shield the interior of the sub-cabinet  100  or partially shield the interior as represented in FIG. 14. The front panel  114  may function as a protective cover preventing damage to the television  105  when stored within the decorative cabinet  1   10 . Also, the front panel  1   14  may be desired to further stiffen the structure of the sub-cabinet  100 .  
         [0122]    Referring to FIG. 12, an optional safety strip  115  is shown attached along one end of the panels comprising the sub-cabinet  100 . It is equally possible for the safety strip  115  to be placed along a portion of the exposed edge  130 . FIG. 13 shows an exemplary safety strip  115  as it might appear along the edge  130  of the sub-cabinet  100  adjacent to the lid  1   1   1 . While a variety of attachment techniques are possible including but not limited to mechanical fasteners, it is preferred to adhesively bond the safety strip  115  to the edge  130 .  
         [0123]    Referring to FIG. 15, a further embodiment is shown having a shelf  116  horizontally disposed and below the television  105 . The shelf  116  may be attached to and moved by the lift  1 . The shelf  116  prevents the intrusion of wires and cables within the sub-cabinet  100  into component storage areas  117  and  118  to either side of the lift  1 . Component storage areas  117  and  118  should be sufficiently voluminous so as to accommodate a VCR, DVD, receiver unit or other device commonly found within an entertainment center.  
         [0124]    Referring now to FIG. 16, a spring or gas-filled closer  121 , commonly known within the art, is shown rotatably disposed within the sub-cabinet  100 . The closer  121  is attached at one end via a pin  123  to a bracket  119  thereafter fastened to the lid  111  and at the other end via a pin  122  to a bracket  120  thereafter fastened to the back panel  103 . The closer  121  provides for a more controlled opening and closing of the hinged lid  11   1  during extension and retraction of the lift  1 .  
         [0125]    While a variety of mechanical lifts known within the art are applicable to the present invention, preferred embodiments are comprised of the device shown and described below. Referring now to FIG. 17, a preferred lift  1  is shown in its retracted state wherein a support unit  3  is telescoped about a base unit  2 . Whereas, FIG. 18 shows the same lift  1  having the support unit  3  extended above the base unit  2 .  
         [0126]    Referring again to FIG. 18, the base unit  2  is comprised of a base plate  11 , four rails  10   a - 10   d , an end plate  12 , and a stiffener  13 . The base plate  11  is a U-shaped element fabricated from sheet metal, preferably steel. Rails  10   a-   10   d  are either solid or hollow in construction, preferably having a square or rectangular cross section. Rails  10   a - 10   d  are arranged in pairs,  10   a - 10   b  and  10   c  - 10   d , to either side of of the U-shaped base plate  11  so that one end of each rail  10   a - 10   d  contacts the base plate  11  adjacent to the lower end  35 , as described in FIG. 19. Rails  10   a - 10   d  are welded or fastened to the base plate  11 , via techniques understood in the art, so as to be upwardly disposed and perpendicular to the base plate  11 . Rails  10   a - 10   b  and  10   c - 10   d  are arranged so as to be physically separated by a uniform gap. The spacing between pairs of rails l 0   a -l 0   b , l 0   c -l 0   d  enables T-shape guides  23   a - 23   d  to slide along the rails  10   a - 10   d . An end plate  12  of sheet metal construction is welded or fastened to the end of rails  10   a - 10   d  at the upper end  34 , as described in FIG. 19. A stiffener  13  of sheet metal construction is welded to the frontmost rails  10   b - 10   c  or backmost rails  10   a - 10   d  so as to minimize flexure of the base unit  2  during operation. Optional brackets  32  are welded or fastened to the base plate  12  to further stiffen the base unit  2 , as shown in FIG. 20.  
         [0127]    Referring again to FIG. 18, the support unit  3  is comprised of a pair of separately disposed and parallel vertical support elements  4   a - 4   b  thereby fastened to a pair of likewise separately disposed and parallel horizontal support elements  5   a - 5   b . A pair of separately disposed and parallel horizontal rests  19   a - 19   b  are secured by fasteners  24   a - 24   b  to one end of the vertical support elements  4   a - 4   b , as shown in FIG. 18. Horizontal support elements  5   a- 5   b, vertical support elements  4   a - 4   b , and horizontal rests  19   a - 19   b  are fabricated from metal, preferably steel or aluminum, having a solid or hollow cross section. Mounting holes  31   a - 31   d  are provided along horizontal support elements  5   a - 5   b  so as to accommodate hardware to secure the low-profile television  105  to the support unit  3 .  
         [0128]    Referring now to FIG. 24, horizontal support elements  5   a - 5   b  are secured to vertical support elements  4   a - 4   b  via brackets  6   a - 6   d  and fasteners  30   a - 30   d  so to provide adjustability for various mounting requirements. Brackets  6   a - 6   d  have a hollow cross section so as to facilitate sliding movement along the vertical support elements  4   a - 4   b . Brackets  6   a - 6   d  are locked in place by tightening a fastener  30   a - 30   d  into the vertical support element  4   a - 4   b . Brackets  6   a - 6   d  are fixed to the horizontal support elements  5   a - 5   b via flanges  37   a - 37   b . Flanges  37   a - 37   d  are welded, via techniques understood in the art, to horizontal support elements  5   a - 5   b  and brackets  6   a - 6   d . Brackets  6   a - 6   d  and flanges  37   a - 37   d  are fabricated from metal, preferably steel or aluminum.  
         [0129]    Referring again to FIG. 19, motor  7  and drive screw  8  are shown parallel and equidistant from rails  10   a - 10   b  and rails  10   c - 10   d  . A representative drive screw  8  is a threaded rod of linear extent fabricated from a metal, preferably steel. Also shown in FIG. 19 is a limit switch  15  having a rod  27  projecting from one end so as to span the distance between base plate  11  and end plate  12 . Stops  16   a - 16   b  composed of a metal cylinder with set screw are secured to the rod  27  adjacent to base plate  11  and end plate  12 .  
         [0130]    Referring now to FIG. 20, the motor  7  is secured to the base plate  12  via fasteners  17   a - 17   c . While various motor  7  types are applicable to the present invention, preferred embodiments were reversible and DC powered. One specific example being a  24 V motor, model number 403.979 manufactured by Valeo Auto-Electric Wischer und Motoren GmbH (Motors and Actuators Division) with an office at Stuttgarter Strasse 119 D-74321 Bietigheim, Germany.  
         [0131]    An optional pair of washers  18   a - 18   b  is disposed about the base plate  11  for each fastener  17   a - 17   c  so as to prevent direct contact between motor  7  and base plate  11 . It is preferred that washers  18   a - 18   b  be composed of a vibration damping material, examples including but not limited to elastomers, polymers, and lead. A rotating shaft extending from the motor  7  is directly coupled to the drive screw  8  via a coupler  9 . The coupler  9  is a metal cylinder having a cavity conforming to the end of both rotating shaft and drive screw  8 . The drive screw  8  extends above the coupler  9  passing through the elevator element  14 , as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, and secured to the end plate  12 , as shown in FIG. 23.  
         [0132]    Referring again to FIG. 20, the limit switch  15  is fastened to the base plate  12  via nuts  33   a - 33   b . The rod  27  extends above the base plate  12  passing through a hole in the elevator plate  22 , as shown in FIG. 21, and secured to the end plate  12 , as shown in FIG. 23. The rod  27  is freely movable along its length so that contact between elevator plate  22  and stops  16   a  or  16   b  move the rod  27  thereby communicating a STOP command to the motor  7  from the limit switch  15 . While limit switches  15  are known within the art, preferred embodiments of the present invention were composed of a mechanically activated two position electrical device.  
         [0133]    Referring now to FIG. 21, the elevator element  14  is shown comprised of an elevator plate  22 , a pair of T-shaped guides  23   a ,  23   c , and a nut  21 . The preferred elevator plate  22  is shaped as shown in FIG. 21 approximately 1-inch thick and composed of a metal having a cavity centrally located along its planar extent to accommodate the nut  21 . One T-shaped guide  23   c  of comparable thickness to the elevator plate  22  is positioned so that it partially occupies the space between two rails  10   c - 10   d . A second T-shaped guide  23   a  is positioned so as to contact two rails  10   a - 10   b  on the opposite side of the base unit  2 . A fastener  24   b  passes through horizontal rest  19   b , vertical support element  4   b , and T-shaped guide  23   c  and thereafter threaded into a cavity within the elevator plate  22  so as to secure components to each other and to the rails  10   c - 10   d . A likewise arrangement secures T-shaped guide  23   b , vertical support element  4   a , and horizontal rest  19  to the opposite end of the elevator plate  22 .  
         [0134]    The T-shaped guides  23   a ,  23   c  prevent contact between vertical support elements  4   a - 4   b  and rails l 0   a -l 0   d , as well as between elevator plate  22  and rails l 0   a -l 0   d . Furthermore, the pair of T-shaped guides  23   a ,  23   c constrain travel of the support unit  3  lengthwise along the paired rails  10   a - 10   b  and  10   c - 10   d . As such, it is preferred that the T-shaped guides  23   a ,  23   c  be comprised of a low-friction material preferably a polymer, one example being polytetrafluorethylene, also known to as PTFE.  
         [0135]    Referring now to FIG. 22, the nut  21  extends through the elevator plate  22 . The profile of the nut  21  shown in FIG. 22 communicates loading exerted by the drive screw  8  onto the nut  21  into the elevator plate  22  and facilitates attachment of nut  21  to the elevator plate  22  via fasteners  20   a ,  20   b . The nut  21  has a hole through its thickness with a thread pattern matching that of the drive screw  8 . It is preferred that the nut  21  be constructed of a material minimizing friction with the drive screw  8 . Therefore, preferred embodiments are comprised of a low-friction polymer, preferably PTFE.  
         [0136]    Referring now to FIG. 23, the attachment of drive screw  8  and rod  27  to the end plate  12  is shown. The drive screw  8  passes through a hole in the end plate  12  so as to prevent lateral movement of the drive screw  8  but allowing rotational movement. Friction is minimized via a washer  38  composed of a low friction polymer, preferably PTFE, placed between end plate  12  and drive screw  8 .  
         [0137]    Referring again to FIG. 23, the rod  27  is secured within a cavity along a mounting cap  36  composed of a low-friction polymer and attached to the end plate  12  via a fastener  26 . It is desired that the rod  27  be freely movable lengthwise into and out of the mounting cap  36  so as to enable function of limit switch  15 .  
         [0138]    Referring now to FIG. 25, a second pair of T-shaped guides  23   b ,  23   d  are shown attached via fasteners  24   c ,  24   d  to the vertical support elements  4   a - 4   b . One T-shaped guide  23   b  is slidably disposed between rails  10   a  and  10   b . Whereas, a second T-shaped guide  23   d  is slidably disposed between rails  10   c  and  10   d . The paired arrangement of T-shaped guides  23   a - 23   b  and  23   e - 23   d  along vertical support elements  4   a  and  4   b , respectively, prevents rotational movement of the support unit  3  transverse to the travel axis of the lift  1 .  
         [0139]    Referring now to FIG. 26, a block diagram describes the control function of the motor  7  and hence the motion of the support unit  3  within the sub-cabinet  100 .  
         [0140]    A control module  106  is comprised of a controller/transformer  28  and an optional remote control receiver  29  electrically connected thereto. The controller/transformer  28  is further electrically connected to a safety strip  115  attached to the sub-cabinet  100 , a limit switch  15  and a motor  7  within the lift  1 , an optional switch  126  also attached to the exterior of the sub-cabinet  100 , and a socket  125  within the sub-cabinet  100 .  
         [0141]    Lift  1  function is initiated by a remote control receiver  29  and/or a switch  126 . The remote control receiver  29  is an electrical component understood in the art capable of receiving wireless commands, via either an RF or an IR signal, as to the transmission of power from the controller/transformer  28  to the motor  7 . A mechanical button or toggle type device, both understood in the art, is applicable to the switch  126  and provides for the ON and OFF transmission of power from the controller/transformer  28  to the motor  7 .  
         [0142]    The controller/transformed  28 , also a component understood in the art, receives AC power via a power cord  25  thereafter converting it to DC before communicating it to the motor  7  in a controlled fashion. Contact between elevator plate  22  and stop  16   a  moves the rod  27  downward thereby mechanically tripping the limit switch  15  and sending an electrical command to the controller/transformer  28  to terminate power to the motor  7 . Likewise, contact between elevator plate  22  and stop  16   b  moves the rod  27  upward thereby mechanically tripping the limit switch  15  and sending an electrical command to the controller/transformer  28  to terminate power to the motor  7 . In either event, rotation of the drive screw  8  ceases thereby stopping travel of support unit  3 . Additionally, the rotational direction of the motor  7  is reversed for a subsequent reactivation of the motor  7 .  
         [0143]    The safety strip  115  is a contact sensitive device understood in the art that communicates the occurrence of a physical contact between an object and the safety strip  115  to the controller/transformer  28 . An exemplary safety strip  115  includes the pressure sensitive device described and claimed by Burgess in U.S. Pat. No. 6,329,617. Upon receipt of a contact by the safety strip  115 , the controller/transformer  28  reverses the direction of the support unit  3  so as to open the lid  111  thereby preventing damage or injury to the object.  
         [0144]    The socket  125  is a device understood in the art that facilitates an electrical connection between the controller/transformer  28  and the television  105 . The controller/transformer  28  regulated power to the socket  125  so that the television  105  is ON when the support unit  3  is extended and OFF when the support unit  3  is retracted.  
         [0145]    The description above indicates that a great degree of flexibility is offered in terms of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

Technology Category: h