sliding TV base?

5135 Views 33 Replies 14 Participants Last post by Herb Stoops, May 4, 2018

sunnybob

Discussion Starter · May 1, 2018

Anyone ever made a base for a Tv that slides in and out of a cupboard by remote operation?

I have built in wardrobes to the ceiling in my bedroom, and am thinking of fitting the top cupboards with a smallish TV (maybe 32"), but the mechanism would need to slide a platform out pushing the doors open as it goes and then close the doors again when it was retracted.
I dont even know the name of what I'm looking for.

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1 - 20 of 34 Posts

cerdal

· #2 · May 1, 2018

Perhaps you could start by dismantling a cuckoo-clock? :grin:

tomp913

· #3 · May 1, 2018

Sounds like the perfect project for Oliver (@Gaffboat)...................

sunnybob

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 1, 2018

It would be a bit difficult following a program while the TV is bouncing up and down on the end of a spring, so for that idea.... NO.

Yeah, its definitely Oliver territory.
I can do all the work but I have no idea (in terms of descriptions) what I need to order.

And then theres the hydraulic / geared/ cable operated debate to await.

Nickp

· #5 · May 1, 2018

...I would call it a "first generation inner-outer TV sliderator version 1.3" with optional "bi-directional door handling gizmo"...

I would use a couple of drawer slides, a platform between them, with rounded front corners (capped with some kind of poly edging) to slide the doors open.

You can probably use an old convertible motor and actuators, something like an old Chevy...that will slide the TV in and out with plenty of power. I'm sure there are other mechanisms better suited.

The doors should be on a spring hinge so they can close when the TV slides back in...

I would add an automatic timer that sounds a "cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo" on the hour... (thanks to Cerdal for the idea)

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sunnybob

Discussion Starter · #6 · May 1, 2018

Not too many chevy breakers around here.
Next.
(lol)

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Gaffboat

· #7 · May 1, 2018

I think there are a lot of “what ifs” involved, Bob. Some fundamental questions would include how much space you have to work with, and a how far out the TV needs to move. There needs to be room behind or under the TV for the push/pull mechanism, and the space required for it will depend on how it is made.

Sliding in and out could be done merely with a platform attached to drawer slides or, more difficultly, with a rail system. You could probably use something like this 3D printer rail set which has rails, a lead screw, and stepper motor to move the TV platform. The cost would be under $40 US, so it isn’t a significant investment. The weight to be shifted may be an issue, and I have no idea about what type of controller device is needed.

The automatic opening and closing of the doors will be the easiest problem to solve.

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tomp913

· #8 · May 1, 2018

With a flat screen TV, you're probably only looking at a couple of inches needed to move the TV out of the cabinet - I'd consider something like the mechanism of a scissor jack, the lead screw can have stops for fully open/fully retracted. Opening the doors could be accomplished by using a gas spring lift, the hinged end mounted to the back of the door and the moving end fixed to the extending mechanism so that moving the TV in and out would automatically open and close the doors. No need for springs on the doors as they would move with the TV. You would have to lay out the lifts so that you get enough movement to open the doors within the travel of the TV. Now, if you wanted the TV to swivel too..................

Nickp

· #9 · May 1, 2018

@sunnybob

This sounds like a fun project...I have an idea...

A contest is held, prototypes are made, winner is chosen...Sunnybob provides an all expense paid vacation in Cyprus, on his motorcycle...

Reactions: 2

DaninVan

· #10 · May 1, 2018

It's all been done...
https://www.accuride.com/en-us/products/1234
https://www.accuride.com/en-us/search?query=CB3620-258TV:+TV+Swivel
That sort of hardware is often found in conference rooms etc.

Reactions: 1

sunnybob

Discussion Starter · #11 · May 1, 2018

Oliver, nice idea but I would have to buy a printer and disassemble it, Parts like that are just not avaiiable on my tiny island paradise.

Tom, cant see me winding the scissor jack in and out every night (lol)

Nick, only two problems with that idea...
1/ If I was rich enough to afford to supply that holiday I would be rich enough to pay some high class company to make this for me.
2/ i really should update that pic. it must be 15 years old now. That bike went 6 years ago and my last bike went 4 years ago due to my arthritic hands, but lets face it, I'd rather look at that pic than a current one of me.
But I'll happily buy a few beers for any body who's here on holiday. That, my pension will stretch to.

Dan, those are made for lifting the TV vertically. i know i could adapt it for sliding in and out, but thats silly money there that I dont need to pay for. £400 plus shipping and taxes to get it to me.

There is a lot of room in the top cupboards. I really only need to make a carriage that slides 6 or 8 inches, but operated from a remote control. Counter balance is not a problem. The doors can be fixed to the carriage or just opened with rollers and closed with springs.
Its all about how to move the carriage with the least amount of money spent.

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MEBCWD

· #12 · May 1, 2018 (Edited)

Does the TV actually have to move? I could sit 0.25 to 0.50 inch behind the doors or door.

I'm thinking power tambour door raised to a pocket above the TV.

Something like this https://www.tambortech.com.au/range/electric-doors/

Reactions: 2

sunnybob

Discussion Starter · #13 · May 1, 2018

No good, its a wall to wall floor to ceiling range of built in wardrobes with cupboards above. Cant change out a couple doors in the middle.
I'm confined to using the existing hinged pair of doors.
The ceiling is 3 metres (10ft) the lower shelf of the cupboard is well over 6 ft above the floor so yes, the TV would have to slide forwards enough to clear the lower lip of the cupboard or we would not see the lower half of the screen.

DaninVan

· #14 · May 1, 2018

"Dan, those are made for lifting the TV vertically. i know i could adapt it for sliding in and out, but thats silly money there that I dont need to pay for. £400 plus shipping and taxes to get it to me."

Bob; I didn't see it on my first go-around but I know they make them for horizontal applications as well, along with lazy susan type rotating tables.
Try 'Blum'.

sunnybob

Discussion Starter · #15 · May 1, 2018

Every time I see the word "Blum" my bank manager texts me to consider alternatives.

The ideal would be a window motor from an old scrap car, but Then I cant run cables around the walls of the bedroom.
the brain will continue to cogitate and ruminate.

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MEBCWD

· #16 · May 1, 2018

Got pictures Bob?

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MEBCWD

· #17 · May 1, 2018 (Edited)

Get the window motor from an old scrap car like you said and use this or similar remote. They would both use 12v so that they can use the same power source.

https://www.amazon.com/Solidremote-...2201&sr=8-44&keywords=automatic+window+opener

Or go with this https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Co...rd_wg=S2oMq&psc=1&refRID=EC8ANSKBBN1Z48NNE7S0

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TenGees

· #18 · May 1, 2018

Maybe something like this?

Motorized Openers for Windows, Skylights, Vents

JOAT

· #19 · May 1, 2018 (Edited)

I'm thinking keep it simple, and just open the doors. But, if you say it needs to come out a few inches, so you can see the bottom of the screen, I'm thinking raise the TV a bit, perhaps even tilt it a bit forward. Open the doors by hand, before going to bed, close them when you get up. A TV remote would then be all the fancy you would need. And that way would would make it a whole lot simpler to change out the TV if it dies.

Just struck me. If you decide you want the TV to come out a few inches, no problem, put it on a platform you pull out by hand. Push it back in. Simple, inexpensive, and nothing to go out of whack.

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honesttjohn

· #20 · May 1, 2018

A pair of drawer slides, a platform, and maybe a nice piece of trim (optional).

Pull it out - push it in.

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