HK1113046B - Mounting system with adjustable moving capabilities - Google Patents

Abstract

A mounting system for providing horizontal adjustment to a device mounted on the mounting system. At least one first articulating arm is rotatably connected to a carriage assembly, where the carriage assembly is slidably engaged with groove guide of a wall plate. The wall plate is mounted to a wall or other similar surface, while at lease one second articulating arm is also rotatably connected to the at least one first articulating arm at one end. At the other end, the at least one second articulating arm is operatively connected to a tilt assembly for tilting a device connected to the tilt assembly. The mounting system provides easy horizontal adjustment via sliding the carriage assembly along the groove guide(s) and via rotating the at least first and second articulating arms.

Description

Mounting system with adjustable motion capability

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to mounting systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mounting system for a flat panel television having an articulated arm in which the horizontal position of the television can be adjusted after mounting.

Background

This section is intended to provide a background or context to the invention that is recited in the claims. The description herein may include concepts that could be pursued, but are not necessarily ones that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, what is described in this section is not prior art to the description and claims in this application and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

In recent years, flat panel televisions have become increasingly popular in business and residential areas. As the price of plasma and liquid crystal display ("LCD") flat panel displays continues to decrease and the quality of these devices increases, more and more businesses and individuals have been able to purchase such devices for home and business purposes.

One advantage of flat panel display devices that has been particularly found by consumers is their relatively small thickness. Because conventional "tube" televisions have a relatively large depth, the options for placing such devices are very limited. In a home, most users require a television cabinet or a large entertainment center to house the television. Such cabinets or entertainment centers may occupy a very large floor space, which is generally undesirable. In commercial or educational applications, users often install large overhead mounting systems that can accommodate televisions. However, these systems often require professional installation and once the television is secured to the mounting system, it is often difficult to access and adjust due to its height. On the other hand, for flat panel televisions, users need more new options: the television is mounted directly to a mounting surface such as a wall. By mounting the television to a wall, the user can no longer use potentially valuable floor space.

Although the introduction of large-scale flat panel display devices has presented new opportunities to residential and commercial consumers, new challenges have arisen. In particular, although flat panel display devices have significantly less depth or profile than conventional "tube" televisions, flat panel display devices are heavier. The weight of large flat panel display devices can make proper wall mounting particularly challenging or even unavailable to residential users without the aid of professional assistance. With a significant weight, it is important that the user be able to easily, safely and securely mount the device without significant adjustment. Furthermore, it is very important to correctly mount the device at one time in view of safety issues and the cost of such a display device. If the device is not installed correctly for the first time, there is a high risk of damage to the device and damage to the installer.

In view of the above problems, attempts have been made to develop various mounting systems to solve the problems. In addition to flat wall mounting, articulated arm mounting has been produced. This type typically allows the flat panel display to lie flat against the wall, or move straight away from the wall to change distance (satellite mounting), as well as swing left and right, which is limited only by the distance of the television from the wall. These articulated mounting greatly increases the angle at which the flat panel television is viewed, including looking straight or any angle deviating from straight to the left or right up to 90 degrees. The mounting may also receive the flat tv in a frame (with the knuckle mount) flush with the outer wall surface. The articulating mount then allows the television to be moved off the frame and pivoted left or right to provide any other viewing angle.

Flat panel televisions are getting larger in size and as they become cheaper, consumers are often able to buy the largest televisions they can afford. Flat panel televisions also conveniently provide twice the screen size of a "tube" unit, resulting in a more pleasing viewing experience. Consumers strive to install the largest flat panel televisions in limited spaces: for example on a mantel or in a corner against a ceiling. These examples require very fine adjustment of the vertical position of the television to achieve perfect mounting effect, by also keeping the television capable of rotating left and right.

Some recent flat panel television mounting devices also include an articulated arm that allows the television to be moved away from a wall or other surface. One such single closing wall mounting device is designed to hold primarily large flat panel television units. Such mounting devices typically include welded wall brackets that are attached to the wall using fasteners such as wood screws. The wall bracket is connected to a set of articulated arms via metal tubes. The articulating arm is connected to a set of components that allow the flat panel television mounted to the mounting device to tilt, roll, and rotate relative to a wall or other mounting surface. This type of mounting device is not only used on walls, but often in recessed openings cut into the build from the wall or mounting surface. In applications where the mounting device is positioned on a surface without a recess, the end user or installer may need to adjust the horizontal positioning of the television to obtain a preferred viewing position. In the case of a mounting device in a recessed opening, the installer may need to adjust the horizontal position to allow any change in the original position of the mounting device relative to the opening, or any movement of the mounting device itself.

Disclosure of Invention

Various embodiments of the present invention provide horizontally adjustable mounting systems for various devices, particularly display devices such as flat panel televisions. In various embodiments of the present invention, a single or multiple articulated arms are used to provide the leveling mechanism. In addition, a carriage assembly that slides into a guide slot formed on a wall plate for mounting the mounting system to a wall or similar surface may be used. The system of screws and flanged nuts on the left and right sides of the slider allows the slider (and the mounting device mounted by it) to be locked in the desired position along the wall plate. The friction in the pivot point of the articulated arm can be controlled by a grub screw torque. As the screw is tightened, the flat washer is used to press against the sliding bushing with the flange in contact with the key arm, thereby creating the required pressure on the contact surface. Further, a self-balancing mechanism based tilt assembly can provide adjustment for a device mounted to the mounting system.

Various embodiments of the present invention provide a convenient method for an installer of a mounting system to adjust the mounting system. The arrangement of the single or multiple closing arms results in an easily adjustable position. Further, the configuration of the single or multiple articulated arms can more easily support devices mounted on the mounting system.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like or similar elements have like or similar reference numerals throughout the drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1a is a front view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention in a folded state;

FIG. 1b is a first perspective view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention in a folded state;

FIG. 1c is a second perspective view of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention in a folded condition;

FIG. 1d is a third perspective view of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention in a folded condition;

FIG. 1e is a fourth perspective view of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention in a folded condition;

FIG. 1f is a bottom view of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention in a folded state;

FIG. 1g is a first side view in a folded state of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1h is a top plan view of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention in a folded state;

FIG. 1i is a second side view in a folded state of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1j is a cross-sectional view of a carriage assembly used in various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 1k is a perspective view of a carriage assembly used in various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2a is a front view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 2b is a first perspective view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 2c is a second perspective view of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 2d is a third perspective view of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 2e is a fourth perspective view of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 2f is a bottom view of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 2g is a first side view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 2h is a top plan view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 2i is a second side view of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 3a is a front elevational view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention in a folded condition;

FIG. 3b is a first perspective view of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention in a folded state;

FIG. 3c is a second perspective view of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention in a folded condition;

FIG. 3d is a third perspective view of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention in a folded condition;

FIG. 3e is a fourth perspective view of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention in a folded state;

FIG. 3f is a bottom view of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention in a folded state;

FIG. 3g is a first side view in a folded state of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3h is a top plan view of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention in a folded state;

FIG. 3i is a second side view in a folded state of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4a is a front view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 4b is a first perspective view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 4c is a second perspective view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 4d is a third perspective view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 4e is a fourth perspective view of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 4f is a bottom view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 4g is a first side view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 4h is a top plan view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 4i is a second side view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 5a is a front elevational view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention in a folded condition;

FIG. 5b is a first perspective view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention in a folded state;

FIG. 5c is a second perspective view of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention in a folded condition;

FIG. 5d is a third perspective view of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention in a folded condition;

FIG. 5e is a fourth perspective view of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention in a folded state;

FIG. 5f is a bottom view of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention in a folded state;

FIG. 5g is a first side view in a folded state of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5h is a top plan view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention in a folded state;

FIG. 5i is a second side view in a folded state of the mounting system constructed in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6a is a front view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 6b is a first perspective view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 6c is a second perspective view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 6d is a third perspective view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 6e is a fourth perspective view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 6f is a bottom view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 6g is a first side view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention in an expanded state;

FIG. 6h is a top plan view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention in an expanded state; and

figure 6i is a second side view of a mounting system constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention in an expanded state.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1a-2i illustrate a mounting system 100 constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. The mounting system 100 includes a carriage assembly 102, the carriage assembly 102 including a slide 104 and a wall plate 106. The runner 104 has a wedge-shaped portion 105, the wedge-shaped portion 105 slidably engaging a guide slot 107 of the wedge-shaped profile formed in the wall plate 106, allowing the runner 104 to move horizontally along the guide slot 107 of the wedge-shaped profile. Wall plate 106 may be secured to a wall or other desired surface via a plurality of slots (not shown) for receiving bolts, screws, or other fastening devices. It should be noted that in various embodiments of the invention, the plurality of slots are substantially horizontally spaced apart for safety purposes, commensurate with standard stud spacing. Further, in various embodiments of the present invention, each of the plurality of slots is a substantially horizontally elongated slot to allow for variation according to standard stud spacing.

The slider 104 also includes a plurality of screw assemblies 120 located on the left and right sides of the slider 104, each screw assembly 120 including a screw and various flanged nuts or screws. The screw assembly 120 allows the slide 104 to be locked after the slide 120 has been slid along the wedge-shaped profile guide slot 107 of the wall plate 106 to a desired position. The slider 104 also includes two shafts 108, each held in place by screws 116, allowing a wall arm 122 to be rotatably secured to the slider 104. The wall arm 122 includes a substantially hollow portion 128 for receiving the shaft 108, the hollow portion 128 and the shaft 108 being the axis about which the wall arm 122 rotates. In addition, at least two channels 118 are formed in the slider 104, the channels 118 providing space to allow the substantially hollow portion 128 to rotate freely. In addition, the channel 118 allows the wall arm 122 to be positioned proximate to the wall or surface of the carriage assembly 102 and/or the mounting carriage assembly 102. It should be noted that the range of motion of the wall arm 122 shown in the embodiment of fig. 1a-2i is limited to 180 degrees, i.e., from the left side of the slider 102 completely to the right side, since the wall plate 106 and slider 104 are likely to be mounted in substantially one plane, e.g., the wall plane. However, a greater degree of rotation can be achieved if the wall plate is configured, for example, to enclose a corner portion of the wall.

As described above, at the first end, the wall arms 122 are connected to the slider 104 via their respective substantially hollow portions 128. At a second end distal to the first end, the wall arm 122 is connected via another shaft 126. The shaft 126 is used to rotatably connect the first arm 130 to the wall arms 122 and between the wall arms 122. The first arm 130 is in turn connected to a tilt assembly 140, the tilt assembly 140 being capable of being connected directly or indirectly (e.g., via an adapter plate (not shown)) to a display device (not shown). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mounting system 100 is capable of supporting a flat panel television. However, other types of devices can be mounted on the mounting system 100. It should be noted that positioning the first arm 130 between the wall arms 122 provides a more secure and stable mounting system 100. The weight of the display device is distributed between the two wall arms 122 so that there is less stress on either arm.

For the adapter plate, a quick disconnect/connect mechanism is established between the adapter plate and the tilt assembly 140. A "mushroom" head (not shown) is used on the back of the adapter plate where it slides into a small external cradle of the tilt assembly 140. Specifically, the mushroom head is slid through the U-shaped slot and locked in the desired position by a slide at the top of the outer bracket. Furthermore, the standardized arrangement formed by the threaded sockets is typically located on the rear side of the flat panel display device. The adapter plate may include a plurality of protrusions, such as screws, for mating with the threaded sockets so that the adapter plate may be secured to the flat panel display device. The adapter board and flat panel display device may then be mounted to the tilt assembly 140, as described above. Further, the flat display device may be positioned in a character or landscape mode depending on how the adapter plate is mounted to the tilt assembly 140 or by adjusting the positioning of the flat display device relative to the adapter plate. When adjusting the positioning of the flat panel display device relative to the adapter plate, one embodiment of the present invention allows only some of the screws to be removed, then the flat panel display device to be repositioned, and then the removed screws to be screwed in. This provides a more efficient method of repositioning than completely removing the adapter plate from the back side of the flat panel display device.

It should be noted that the pivot/pivot joints described above use friction to maintain the rotational, horizontal, and vertical (described below) positions of the slider 104, the wall arm 122, the first arm 130, and the tilt assembly 140 relative to one another. This can be seen in fig. 2a-2i, where the mounting system 100 is in a fully deployed state. For example, as described above, the slide block 104 uses the screw assembly 120 to lock itself in a desired position along the wall plate 106. In the case of the wall arms 122, grub screws are used in the screw assembly 120, and tightening the grub screws forces a substantially flat double-section washer (double washer) against a sliding sleeve having a flange in contact with one of the wall arms 122. This creates pressure on the contact surface to maintain the position of the wall arm 122 relative to the slider 104.

With respect to the tilt assembly 140, in one embodiment of the present invention, the tilt assembly 140 includes two brackets 154, each of the two brackets 154 having at least two substantially straight slots 158. In this embodiment, the tilt assembly 140 includes two rods 152, each passing through a substantially straight slot 158 of each of the two brackets 154, and as a result, operatively connecting the two brackets 154 in substantially parallel alignment. In addition, the tilting assembly 140 includes at least one friction groove 160 formed in each of the two brackets 154, through which a screw (not shown) passes. The screw is held in place in the friction slot 160 by a floating nut 162 at one of the two brackets 154 and an adjustable knob 150 at the other of the two brackets 154. As described above, flat and/or flanged bushings are used between the moving parts of the tilt assembly 140 as spacers and provide the necessary friction needed to maintain the desired tilt position.

It should be noted that various embodiments of the present invention use a cable management system that includes a plurality of covers that snap into and/or slide within slots formed in the wall arm 122 and the first arm 130. Such a configuration allows the cables from the display device to be almost completely hidden in the mounting system 100. Although various embodiments of the present invention use cast aluminum and low carbon steel alloys to form the various components of mounting system 100, other suitable materials may be used. Although various embodiments of the present invention use screw assemblies to achieve the proper installation and frictional adjustment of various components of mounting system 100, suitable assemblies such as locking fasteners, pins, brackets, or other similar components may be used to achieve the same effect.

Fig. 3a-4i show various folded and unfolded views of a second embodiment of the invention, wherein wall panel 306 is configured to be larger than wall panel 106 shown in fig. 1a-2 i. This allows for a greater range of horizontal movement of the carriage assembly 104. However, similar to wall plate 106, a plurality of elongated slots 308 are formed in wall plate 306 for allowing mounting system 300 to a wall or other surface, the plurality of slots 308 being substantially horizontally spaced and commensurate with standard stud spacing. As shown in fig. 4a, more than one screw per slot 308 may be used to mount the wall plate 306 to a wall or surface. The use of more than one screw per slot 308 increases the security of the retention mounting system 300 mounted to a wall or surface. The slider 104, the wall arm 122, the first arm 130, and the tilt assembly 140 are identical to those corresponding components of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in fig. 1a-2 i.

Fig. 5a-6i show a third embodiment of the invention, in which a first device 502 comprising a wall arm 122 and a first arm 130 and a second device 504 comprising two further wall arms 122 and one further first arm 130 are operatively connected to a slider 506. To achieve this configuration, two sets of shafts 508 and 510 are used to operatively connect the two sets of arms 502 and 504 to the slider 506. The operation and adjustment of the mounting system 500 is substantially the same as the single arm embodiment of the present invention described above, except that the degree of left and right movement about the pivot point of the slider 506 may be somewhat impeded by the second set of arms. However, by using two sets of arms 502 and 504, more weight can be supported by the mounting system 500. Further, because the weight of the display device mounted to the mounting system 500 is distributed over both sets of arms 502 and 504, the mounting system 500 can be adjusted more easily.

The level adjustment mechanism of the present invention provides an extremely easy to operate location for an installer where the level of a flat screen television or other device being installed can be adjusted. In various embodiments of the invention, since the level adjustment mechanism is located behind the display device, the installer has a very easy adjustment point, which requires only a very simple tool, such as a conventional hex wrench.

The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims (14)

1. A mounting system, comprising:

wall plates;

a carriage assembly slidably engaged with the wall plate;

first and second arms rotatably connected at their respective first ends to the carriage assembly, wherein the first and second arms are connected at their respective second ends distal to the first ends by a first shaft;

a third arm rotatably connected at a first end thereof to the first shaft, wherein the third arm is positioned to allow rotation of the third arm relative to the respective second ends of the first and second arms; and

a device mounting assembly operably connected to a second end of the third arm distal to the first end of the third arm,

wherein rotation of the first, second and third arms relative to the first shaft and the carriage assembly causes the first shaft to make a first linear adjustment in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axis defined by the first shaft, and sliding of the carriage assembly causes the carriage assembly to make a second linear adjustment in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis defined by the first shaft.

2. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the wall plate is fixedly attached to a surface.

3. The mounting system of claim 2, wherein the carriage assembly includes a protrusion for slidably engaging a mating guide slot formed on a wall plate surface opposite a wall plate surface fixedly connected to the surface.

4. The mounting system of claim 3, wherein the carriage assembly is lockable in a desired position along the mating guide slot using a friction assembly.

5. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the first and second arms are rotatably connected to the carriage assembly via a pair of shafts, each of the pair of shafts being inserted into the hollow portions of the first and second arms, respectively, at the respective first ends of the first and second arms.

6. The mounting system of claim 5, wherein the first ends of the first and second arms each establish a set of pivot points about which the first and second arms are rotatable about 180 degrees relative to an axis defined by the first shaft.

7. The mounting system of claim 6, wherein the first and second arms are lockable in a desired position relative to each other and to the carriage assembly using a friction screw assembly at the set of pivot points.

8. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the second ends of the first and second arms each establish a pivot point that allows the third arm to rotate approximately 360 degrees relative to the first axis.

9. The mounting system of claim 8, wherein the third arm is lockable in a desired position relative to the first and second arms using a friction assembly at the pivot point.

10. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the device mounting assembly comprises at least two brackets oriented substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the device mounting plate.

11. The mounting system of claim 10, wherein the device mounting assembly is adjustable allowing the device mounting plate to tilt up or down about an axis defined by the first shaft.

12. The mounting system of claim 1, further comprising fourth and fifth arms rotatably connected to the carriage assembly at their respective first ends, wherein the fourth and fifth arms are connected by a second shaft at their respective second ends distal to the first ends.

13. The mounting system of claim 12, further comprising a sixth arm rotatably connected at a first end thereof to the second shaft, wherein the sixth arm is positioned to allow rotation relative to the respective second ends of the first and second arms.

14. The mounting system of claim 13, wherein the fourth, fifth, and sixth arms are positioned substantially parallel to the first, second, and third arms, the third and sixth arms being operably connected to the device mounting assembly.