HK1123439B - Resilient mounting system with tilt capabilities - Google Patents

Abstract

A mounting system for providing resilient mounting of a display device at a defined tilt angle. A surface mounting bracket configured to be attached to a mounting surface includes an engagement member and an engagement lip which are in communication with at least one engagement feature disposed on a display device bracket configured to be attached to a display device such as a flat panel television. The engagement feature, engagement lip, and engagement member are configured such that communication among these features results in an assembly that is resilient to inadvertent physical contact with the display device. The display device bracket is tiltable with respect to the surface mounting bracket, providing a defined tilt angle of the display device. Provision of a plurality of engagement features disposed on the display device bracket offers alternative assembly configurations, each capable of having defined tilt angles.

Description

Tiltable resilient mounting system

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to mounting systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to mounting systems for flat panel displays.

Background

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.

Furthermore, the elasticity of the mounted display device with respect to accidental contact is also important. Because the flat panel is very large and may be located where users frequently pass but people may be unaccustomed to, resulting in hitting the television, the display device is mounted so that it is not misplaced by inadvertent (but sometimes very heavy) physical contact from a safety standpoint. Therefore, the display device should be mounted in a recoverable manner so that the chance of the display device being detached from the mounting surface is reduced.

Another aspect considered for flat panel display devices is the viewing angle. The angle at which some flat panel display devices are satisfactory (the angle at which the devices can be satisfactorily viewed) is narrow. Thus, the mounting system should allow the tilt angle of the display to be adjusted to meet specific viewing environments and specific viewing needs of the user.

Another aspect that needs to be considered for flat panel display devices is the relative complexity of mounting the mounting system and mounting the display to the mounting system. Conventional mounting systems typically require an excessive amount of hardware for mounting and mounting the device. Although there are also some less complex mounting systems, these systems are often not sufficiently strong or have poor rake adjustability, so that such mounting systems cannot replace the more elaborate but cumbersome systems. As flat panel displays become more prevalent among consumers, there is a need to provide consumers with an installable but rugged mounting system that can be installed by the user himself or easily by a professional display installer.

In view of the above, there is therefore a need for an improved mounting system that allows a user to efficiently and resiliently mount a flat panel display at a defined tilt angle.

Disclosure of Invention

Various embodiments of the present invention comprise improved systems for mounting a display device to a mounting surface, such as a wall. The system comprises: a mounting surface bracket secured to the mounting surface and having an engagement portion; and one or more display device brackets secured to the display device. The display device bracket includes one or more engagement portions that are connected to the engagement portions of the mounting surface bracket. The display device bracket may be tiltable relative to the mounting surface bracket, thereby allowing the display device to achieve different tilt angles. The mounting system securely mounts the display device to the mounting surface such that the assembly can be reinstated upon inadvertent physical contact with the display device, reducing the likelihood of displacement of the display device from the mounting surface.

The interface of the system may be arranged on the display device bracket such that, when mounted, the display is at a defined tilt angle. By providing a plurality of joints arranged along the length of the display device carrier, a variety of alternative assembly configurations may be provided for the user. Each assembly is capable of providing a defined tilt angle for the display device that can be selected by a user. Thus, by selecting the appropriate engagement portion to engage the mounting surface bracket, the user can obtain the desired tilt angle. Further, each engagement portion may achieve a plurality of tilt angles when used in conjunction with a restraining bracket disposed on a portion of the display device bracket and configured to make contact with the mounting surface. Specifically, a tilt bracket connected to the display device bracket may be installed to establish a configuration having a zero tilt angle. Thereby, an efficient but flexible mounting system is provided which allows a defined tilt angle to be selected for viewing the display device.

These and other 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 elements have like numerals throughout the several drawings described below.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention showing a mounting surface bracket and two display brackets engaged with the mounting surface bracket;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the mounting system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the mounting system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the mounting system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A is a detailed cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the engagement of a mounting surface bracket with a display device bracket;

FIG. 5B is a detailed cross-sectional view of the engagement portion of the mounting surface bracket of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a detailed cross-sectional view of the engagement portion of the mounting surface bracket of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the mounting system positioned at a zero degree tilt angle;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the mounting system of FIG. 6, showing the mounting system positioned at an angle of inclination of 5 degrees;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the mounting system of FIG. 7, showing the mounting system positioned at a tilt angle of 10 degrees;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a process for installing a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process for disassembling a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

FIG. 1 illustrates a mounting system 100 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Mounting system 100 includes a mounting surface bracket 110 secured to a mounting surface in a generally horizontal orientation and one or more display device brackets 140 securely engaged to mounting surface bracket 110 by one or more engagement features 420.

In one embodiment of the invention, the mounting surface bracket 110 comprises an elongated three-sided member including a wall plate 112 configured to be connected to a mounting surface, a base plate 116 abutting the wall plate 112 at a first edge 117, and an engagement plate 120 abutting the base plate 116 at a second edge 118. In this embodiment, the wall plate 112, the joint plate 120, and the mounting surface are substantially parallel. As shown in fig. 5B, the engagement plate 120 further includes an engagement lip 122 that extends from the inner surface 121 of the engagement plate 120. The engagement region 125 is formed in a space generally defined by the bottom panel 116, the inner surface 121, and the engagement lip 122, wherein an engagement portion 420 disposed on the display device bracket 140 engages the mounting surface bracket 110.

The mounting surface bracket 110 may further include one or more end plates 109 to provide additional structural stability to the mounting surface bracket 110 and further act as a horizontal movement stop for the display device bracket 140. It should be understood that the mounting surface bracket 110 may be provided in a variety of configurations to accommodate the size and weight of various sized display devices. Further, the mounting surface bracket 110 may comprise a plurality of mounting surface brackets 110 secured collinearly to the mounting surface.

As shown in fig. 3, the wall plate 112 of the mounting surface bracket 110 may be configured to be secured to a mounting surface (e.g., a wall or other desired surface) via a plurality of slots 310 or holes for receiving bolts, screws, or other securing devices. It should be noted that in various embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of slots 310 are generally horizontally spaced and match standard stud spacing for convenient and secure installation. Further, in various embodiments of the present invention, each of the plurality of slots 310 is a generally horizontally elongated slot to allow for various variations in standard stud spacing to be accepted.

As shown in the embodiment of fig. 1, one or more display device brackets 140 are engaged on the mounting surface bracket 110. The display device is secured to one or more display device brackets 140. As shown in FIG. 3, one embodiment of the system uses two display device brackets 140 that are horizontally spaced apart from each other to transfer the weight of the display devices to the mounting surface bracket 110 in a substantially balanced manner. The mounting surface bracket 110 may be configured to provide lateral variation in the engagement position of the display device bracket 140, allowing for easy assembly and horizontal adjustment of the display device mounting position.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 3, the display mounting surface 330 of the display device bracket 140 faces the rear surface of the display device. The display device bracket 140 may be configured to be secured to the display device via a plurality of slots 320 for receiving bolts, screws, or other securing devices. The slots 320 may be vertically spaced and matched to the usual mounting location on the display device. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may be configured such that the slot 320 corresponds to a standardized pattern consisting of a threaded insert, which is typically located on the rear side of the flat panel display device.

In addition, the display device bracket 140 may be configured to be connectable to a display device adapter plate (not shown) or other component that is ultimately mounted to a display device. The adapter plate may, for example, contain a plurality of protrusions, such as screws, for mating with a threaded insert of the display device, thereby allowing the adapter plate to be fastened to the display device. The adapter plate or other assembly and display device may then be mounted to the display device bracket 140, as described above. Further, depending on whether the adapter plate is mounted to the display device bracket 140 or by the positioning of the display device relative to the display device bracket 140, the display device may be positioned in a portrait or landscape mode.

As shown in fig. 2 and 4, the display device bracket 140 is also configured with one or more engagement portions 420. In one embodiment of the system, the display device bracket 140 is an elongated member that includes a mounting surface 330 and a pair of generally parallel flanges 410, the flanges 410 extending substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface 330 and having a length in a direction of the length of the display device bracket 140. The engaging portions 420 (hooks in one embodiment of the present invention) are disposed on respective flanges 340 on the display device bracket 140, thereby forming a pair of engaging portions that are connected to the mounting surface bracket 110. It should be understood that the display bracket 140 may be provided in various configurations to accommodate the size and weight of various sizes of displays and various tilt angles.

As best shown in fig. 5C, in one embodiment, engagement portion 420 comprises an engagement head 510, engagement head 510 having a lower edge 530, an inner edge 540, an upper edge 550, and an undercut region 520. When the system 100 is assembled, as shown in fig. 5A, the joint 420 is partially located in the joint region 125 of the mounting surface bracket, wherein the lower edge 530 of the joint head 510 can engage the bottom plate 116 of the mounting surface bracket 110, and the inner edge 540 of the joint head 510 can contact the inner surface 121 of the mounting surface bracket 110, thereby securely joining the display device bracket 140 to the mounting surface bracket 110.

The dimensions of the engagement region 125, the engagement head 510, and the undercut region 520 are such that, when assembled, inadvertent vertical movement of the mounted display device is prevented by contact of the engagement lip 122 with the upper edge 550 of the display device bracket 140. The dimensions of the engagement region 125, the engagement head 510, and the undercut region 520 also enable the display device bracket 140 to be tiltably positioned in the engagement region 125 relative to the mounting surface bracket 110. As shown in fig. 7 and 8, the tilt angle 700 of the display device may be achieved by tilting the display device bracket 140 (moving the upper portion 141 of the display device bracket generally away from the mounting surface). However, unwanted tilting in the opposite direction (movement of the upper portion 141 of the display device bracket generally closer to the wall) is prevented by contact of the engagement lip 122 with the upper edge 550, contact of the bottom panel 116 with the lower edge 530, and contact of the inner edge 540 with the engagement plate 120, thereby preventing tilting of the display device beyond an orientation generally parallel to the mounting surface. Thereby, vertical movement and unwanted tilting of the display device are prevented, thereby providing the display device with mounting elasticity for inadvertent physical contact with the display device.

The mounting system 100 is configured to tilt the display device to an inclination angle 700 for optimal viewing. The tilt angle 700 is achieved by allowing the display device bracket 140 to tilt about a generally horizontal axis relative to the mounting surface bracket 110 under the weight of the mounted display device, as shown in the embodiment of fig. 7 and 8. The engagement portion 420 and the mounting surface bracket 110 are configured to allow relative tilting to reach the tilt angle 700 without interfering with the prevention of inadvertent vertical movement or the prevention of tilting of the lower portion of the display device away from the mounting surface. The display device bracket 140 may contact the mounting surface at a lower inner portion 335 disposed on the display device bracket 140. A flexible pad 337 may be secured to the lower inner portion 335 to mitigate damage to the mounting surface due to contact of the display device bracket 140 with the mounting surface.

The tilt angle 700 may be limited by including a tilt bracket 180 that can be attached to the display device bracket 140. As shown in the embodiment of fig. 6, a zero degree tilt angle 700 may be achieved by engaging first engagement portion 420 with mounting surface bracket 110 and deploying tilt bracket 180, wherein tilt bracket 180 is configured such that its contact with the mounting surface results in a substantially zero degree tilt angle. The tilt bracket 180 also includes a flexible pad 184 mounted to the inner surface 182 of the tilt bracket 180 to mitigate damage to the mounting surface due to contact of the tilt bracket 180 with the mounting surface.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the display device bracket 140 may be configured with a plurality of engaging portions 420 arranged longitudinally along the flange 410. The plurality of engaging portions 420 may further be provided as a plurality of pairs of engaging portions, as described above. As shown in fig. 4, the display device bracket 140 includes a second engaging portion 440 disposed on the flange 410 and below the engaging portion 420. A plurality of joints 420 may be provided along the display device bracket 140 to provide a plurality of tilt angles 700, the magnitude of the plurality of tilt angles 700 being variable by selective assembly of the joints with the surface mount bracket, as shown in fig. 6-8.

It should be appreciated that the tilt angle 700 is generally a function of the vertical distance defined as the approximate vertical distance between the mounting surface and the inner surface 121 of the mounting surface bracket 110 and the longitudinal distance defined as the approximate distance between the upper edge 550 and the lower inner edge 720 disposed on the display device bracket 140. In the embodiment shown in fig. 7, assembly with the joint 420 defines an inclination angle 700 of approximately 5 degrees. In another embodiment, assembly with the second engagement portion 440 defines an angle of inclination 700 of about 10 degrees. The foregoing embodiments are merely possible examples of the tilt angle 700. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, in the context of the above-described features, alternative embodiments having a series of inclinations 700 may be provided. Further, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that some variation in the tilt angle 700 may result from installation of the compliant pad 337, ordinary manufacturing variations, and installation conditions.

Referring to fig. 9, a flow chart describing a process of installing the installation system 100 of the present invention is provided. When an installer desires to mount a display device to a wall or other mounting surface, the mounting surface brackets 110 are secured to the mounting surface (900) and a desired number of display device brackets 140 are secured to the display device or adapter plate or adapter assembly (910). At 920, the installer selects the tilt angle 700, the selected tilt angle 700 will provide the best viewing angle among the defined tilt angles 700, and selects the corresponding joint 420 to achieve the tilt angle 700. If the tilt angle 700 is selected to be substantially zero, the tilt bracket 180 is mounted on the display device bracket 140. Alternatively, the user may be provided with the system 100 pre-installed with the tilt bracket 180, and the installer may remove the tilt bracket 180 if the tilt angle 700 is desired to be greater than approximately zero degrees. In various embodiments, the order of 900, 910, and 920 may be changed.

At 930, the installer lifts the display device with the display device bracket 140 mounted thereon above the mounting surface bracket 110 such that the lower edge 530 of the selected engagement portion 420 is slightly above the engagement lip 122 of the mounting surface bracket 110. Also at 930, the installer moves the display device toward the mounting surface such that the inner edge 540 of the engagement portion 420 passes around the engagement lip 122. At 940, the installer lowers the display device until the lower edge 530 contacts the lower plate 116 of the mounting surface bracket 110, and the installer moves the display device in a direction away from the mounting surface until the inner edge 540 contacts the inner surface 121 of the mounting surface bracket 110. At 950, with the tilt angle greater than approximately zero degrees, the installer allows the lower portion of the display device to be tilted slowly toward the mounting surface until the lower inner portion 335 of the display device bracket 140 or flexible mat 337 (if mounted) contacts the mounting surface. At 950, with the tilt angle substantially zero degrees, the installer allows the lower portion of the display device to be slowly tilted toward the mounting surface until the tilt bracket 180 or the inner surface 182 of the flexible pad 184 (if mounted) contacts the mounting surface.

The flow chart of fig. 10 describes a process of detaching the display device from the mounting surface for changing the tilt angle 700 or other purposes. In the case where the tilt angle 700 is greater than approximately zero degrees, the process begins at 1000, where the user slowly tilts the lower portion of the display device away from the mounting surface until the tilt angle 700 is approximately zero degrees. When the display device has a tilt angle of substantially zero degrees, at 1010, the user moves the top of the display device toward the mounting surface until movement is prevented. At 1020, the user lifts the display device such that the lower surface 530 of the engagement portion 420 is above the engagement lip 122 of the mounting surface bracket 110. The display device is then removed from the mounting surface bracket. The display device may then be reinstalled, if desired, in the same or a new orientation or at a different tilt angle 700 than the previously described tilt angle 700, as described above and in the process shown in FIG. 9.

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 (17)

1. A mounting system, comprising:

a mounting surface bracket configured to be mounted to a mounting surface, the mounting surface bracket including a wall plate connectable to the mounting surface, a base plate, an engagement member spaced a distance from the mounting surface, and an engagement lip projecting in a direction generally toward the mounting surface;

at least one display device bracket configured to be operably connected to a display device, the display device bracket comprising at least one engagement portion configured to engage with the engagement member and the engagement lip, the engagement portion comprising an undercut region and an engagement head, the engagement head having a lower edge, an inner edge, and an upper edge;

wherein the connection between the engaging portion of the at least one display device bracket and the engaging member and the engaging lip enables the display device to be elastically assembled onto the mounting surface such that unwanted tilting of the display device is prevented due to contact of the engaging lip with the upper edge, contact of the bottom plate with the lower edge, and contact of the inner edge with the engaging member.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the display device is tiltable at an inclination angle relative to the mounting surface bracket.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the display device bracket is configured such that a lower portion of the display device bracket contacts the mounting surface.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the tilt angle is about 0 degrees to about 10 degrees.

5. The system of claim 2, further comprising at least one tilt bracket connectable to the at least one display device bracket, wherein the tilt bracket is configured to limit the tilt angle through contact with a mounting surface.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the tilt angle is limited to approximately 0 degrees.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the display device bracket comprises a pair of engagement portions including a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion, the pair of engagement portions being disposed on the display device bracket such that the first engagement portion or the second engagement portion is connected to the engagement member and the engagement lip.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein a plurality of pairs of engagement portions are arranged along a length of the display device bracket, thereby providing a plurality of pairs of selectable engagement portions to achieve a corresponding plurality of selectable assembly positions.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of selectable assembly positions comprises a defined tilt angle.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein a defined angle of inclination of about 5 degrees is achieved by the first assembly position and a defined angle of inclination of about 10 degrees is achieved by the second assembly position.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one display device bracket comprises two display device brackets, the first pair of engagement portions and the second pair of engagement portions being disposed on each of the two display device brackets.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the engagement portion comprises a hook.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one display bracket is configured to be operably coupled to an assembly and the assembly is configured to be operably coupled to a display.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the mounting surface bracket comprises a plurality of mounting surface brackets positioned collinearly on a mounting surface.

15. A method for mounting a display device, comprising:

mounting a mounting surface bracket configured to be mounted to a mounting surface, the mounting surface bracket including an engagement member spaced a distance from the mounting surface and having an engagement lip projecting in a direction generally toward the mounting surface;

operably connecting at least one display device bracket configured to be connectable to a display device, the display device bracket including at least one engagement portion configured to engage with an engagement member and an engagement lip;

selecting a rake angle and a corresponding joint to achieve the rake angle;

raising the display device until the respective engagement portion is above the mounting surface bracket;

moving the display device toward the mounting surface until the engagement portion bypasses the engagement lip;

lowering the display device until the engagement portion is coupled to the mounting surface bracket;

moving the display device in a direction generally away from the mounting surface until the engagement portion engages the engagement member;

allowing the display device to tilt to the tilt angle relative to the mounting surface bracket;

wherein the connection of the engagement portion of the at least one display device bracket with the engagement member and the engagement lip enables the display device to be resiliently assembled to the mounting surface.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising deploying a tilt bracket connectable to the display device bracket and configured such that connection of the tilt bracket to a mounting surface limits the tilt angle.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the engagement portion comprises a hook.