5.11.11 | CHICAGO | Bretford Manufacturing, Inc., manufacturer of furniture for both classroom and work environments, today introduced a new family of affordable, UL-approved Flat Panel Multimedia Carts. Ideal for K-12 and higher education environments where kids are present, the new FP42 and FP60 basic flat panel carts and multimedia flat panel carts with a laptop/tablet shelf are streamlined to be affordable and constructed with the highest level of safety available in a flat panel cart. The new carts will be shown for the first time in Bretford’s EduComm (#200) and InfoComm (#2259) booths, June 13-17, in Orlando, FL and ISTE (#2725), June 27-29, in Philadelphia PA.

Dave Smith, product manager for Bretford Manufacturing, Inc. explained that when children are present there is the potential to move or interact with the AV carts inappropriately, thus creating greater possibility for injury. At the same time, the cost of flat panels has dropped dramatically over the past few years so the cart costs must adjust appropriately. “Bretford is taking the choice of safety features versus price out of the equation by offering both at a very competitive price point. There are still very few UL-approved flat panel carts on the market and the new carts offer a certifiably safer solution. They are much more sensitive to today’s economic conditions while keeping the safety features intact.”

Bretford’s new flat panel multimedia carts are UL certified to standard 1667 for tall institutional carts for the highest level of safety yet are priced in line with competitive non-UL listed carts. All 12 models are designed to meet all the safety specifications and quality construction that Bretford is known for wrapped into a simplified design that is safe for schools.

The new carts can be placed anywhere a flat panel monitor is being used in a school environment for video or multimedia presentation viewing. They include the option of adding a pull-out laptop/tablet tray that makes it easier to use the carts as an interactive learning tool, not just a simple video stand. This feature is ideal for today’s K-12 learning environments that rely heavily on laptops, iPads and other mobile technologies for learning in the classroom.

The carts use five-inch swivel casters instead of standard four-inch size. The larger casters make it easy to move over thresholds while the ability for all the casters to swivel improves maneuverability around the classroom or into a storage closet or other area when not in use. Additionally, the new carts feature Bretford’s easy-to-control top shelf handle as a standard offering.

The new carts are stability and load tested for safe use with a 26-inch to a 52-inch flat panel monitor up to 100 pounds, depending on the cart model, and safely support an additional 150 lbs on the shelves. They feature a universal mounting bracket that is adjustable to fit the unique VESA mounting hole pattern on the back of almost all monitors that are up to 850 mm wide by 400 mm tall.

Made entirely in the USA, all of the new carts are constructed from “prime” steel that has 25 to 35 percent post-consumer recycled content, and is 100 percent recyclable at the end of the product life cycle. They are backed by Bretford’s 12-year standard warranty and one-year electrical warranty

Pricing and Availability

The new FP42 and FP60 basic flat panel carts and multimedia flat panel carts with a laptop/tablet shelf are available for order, starting June 1 and will begin shipping later in the month at a list price that begins at $500.