Television lift device for a spa or other indoor or outdoor applications

Abstract

A lift device for mounting a TV to a spa or other indoor and outdoor applications. The TV is lifted to a viewing position when in use, and lowered into a retracted position when not in use. The lift device includes an upper housing for housing a flat panel TV, a lower case, a linear actuator and a pair of linear guides mounted on the lower case to provide up and down movements of the TV. The TV and the upper housing are attached to sliding members of the linear guides by a lower mounting bracket. The TV is also attached to the linear actuator by an upper mounting bracket. In one embodiment, the lift device is disposed within a housing attached to the outside of the spa; in another embodiment, the lift device is disposed within a cavity of the shell of the spa.

1 . A television lift device comprising: 
 an upper housing having a clear screen for housing a television panel;    a lower case;    a linear actuator mounted vertically on the lower case, the linear actuator including a motor, a body and a shaft that extends from or retracts into the body, wherein an upper end of the shaft is adapted for attaching to the television panel;    one or more linear guides each including a vertical stationary bar mounted on the lower case and a sliding member engaged with and vertically slideable along the stationary bar; and    a mounting bracket having a first portion attached to the sliding members of the linear guides and a second portion adapted for attaching to the television panel.    
   
   
       2 . The television lift device of  claim 1 , further comprising an outer housing adapted for attaching to an outside surface of an outdoor or indoor application, wherein the lower case is disposed within the outer housing.  
   
   
       3 . The television lift device of  claim 1 , wherein the upper housing has a plastic body, wherein the clear screen is sealed to the plastic body by a water resistant double-sided tape around its periphery, and wherein a border is formed on the screen to conceal the tape.  
   
   
       4 . The television lift device of  claim 1 , wherein the upper housing has an overhanging top lid with a drip lip at its lower perimeter.  
   
   
       5 . The television lift device of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket further has a third portion attached to the upper housing.  
   
   
       6 . A television lift device for a spa, comprising: 
 an upper housing having a clear screen for housing a television panel;    a lower case adapted to be fitted within a cavity of a shell of the spa;    a linear actuator mounted vertically on the lower case, the linear actuator including a motor, a body and a shaft that extends from or retracts into the body, wherein an upper end of the shaft is adapted for attaching to the television panel;    one or more linear guides each including a vertical stationary bar mounted on the lower case and a sliding member engaged with and vertically slideable along the stationary bar; and    a mounting bracket having a first portion attached to the sliding members of the linear guides and a second portion adapted for attaching to the television panel.    
   
   
       7 . A television lift device comprising: 
 an outer housing adapted for attaching to an outside surface of an outdoor or indoor application;    a lower case disposed within the outer housing;    an upper housing having a clear screen for housing a television panel; and    a motor-driven lift structure mounted on the lower case and adapted for attaching to the television panel.