U.S. patent application number 10/692113 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-28 for method and apparatus for mounting flat screen television on vertically oriented surface.
Invention is credited to Rabenius, John A..
Application Number | 20050087661 10/692113 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34522025 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050087661 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rabenius, John A. |
April 28, 2005 |
Method and apparatus for mounting flat screen television on
vertically oriented surface
Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided for mounting a flat screen
television on a vertically oriented surface. The apparatus includes
a mounting assembly that attaches to the back of the television and
is lifted and slidably inserted in position on a wall mount
assembly. The mounting assembly adapts to different sized mounting
screws, permits the orientation of the television to be adjusted to
square the television with the ceiling, and permits the television
to be tilted about horizontal and vertical axes.
Inventors: |
Rabenius, John A.;
(Chandler, AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TOD R. NISSLE, P.C.
P.O. Box 55630
Phoenix
AZ
85078
US
|
Family ID: |
34522025 |
Appl. No.: |
10/692113 |
Filed: |
October 23, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/309.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 13/02 20130101;
F16M 11/10 20130101; F16M 11/2028 20130101; F16M 11/043 20130101;
F16M 11/2085 20130101; F16M 11/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/309.1 |
International
Class: |
A47F 005/00 |
Claims
Having set forth my invention and the presently preferred
embodiments and uses thereof, I claim:
1. In combination with a flat screen television, the television
including a front, and a back, the improvements mounting the
television on a vertically oriented wall, said improvements
including (a) at least one mounting member mounted on said wall and
including at least one slot; (b) at least one horizontally oriented
structural support member including an intermediate portion
slidably inserted in said slot; (c) at least a pair of vertically
oriented spaced apart structural support members connected to said
horizontally oriented structural support member; (d) a plurality of
connector members mounted on said vertically oriented structural
support members and connected to the back of the television.
2. In combination with a flat screen television, the television
including a front, and a back, the improvements mounting the
television on a vertically oriented wall, said improvements
including (a) at least one mounting member mounted on said wall;
(b) at least one connector member mounted on said mounting member;
(c) at least one horizontally oriented support member mounted in
said connector member for lateral and rotational movement therein
to permit the position of the television on the wall to be
laterally and pivotally adjusted; (d) at least a pair of vertically
oriented spaced apart structural support members connected to said
horizontally oriented structural support member; (e) a plurality of
connector members mounted on said vertically oriented structural
support members and connected to the back of the television.
3. In combination with a flat screen television, the television
including a front, and a back, the improvements mounting the
television on a vertically oriented wall, said improvements
including (a) at least one mounting member mounted on said wall;
(b) at least one horizontally oriented structural support member
including an intermediate portion mounted on said mounting member;
(c) at least a pair of vertically oriented spaced apart structural
support members connected to said horizontally oriented structural
support member; (d) a plurality of connector units mounted on said
vertically oriented structural support members and connected to the
back of the television, each of said connector units including a
vibration absorbing spacer.
4. In combination with a flat screen television, the television
including a front, and a back having a contour, the improvements
mounting the television on a vertically oriented wall, said
improvements including (a) at least one mounting member mounted on
said wall; (b) at least one horizontally oriented support member
mounted on said mounting member; (c) at least a pair of vertically
oriented spaced apart structural support members connected to said
horizontally oriented structural support member; (d) a plurality of
connector members (i) pivotally mounted on said vertically oriented
structural support members to permit said connector members to be
pivoted on said vertically oriented structural support members to
register with the contour of the back of the television, and (ii)
connected to the back of the television.
5. In combination with a flat screen television, the television
including a front, and a back, the improvements mounting the
television on a vertically oriented wall, said improvements
including (a) at least one mounting member mounted on said wall;
(b) at least one horizontally oriented support member mounted on
said mounting member; (c) at least a pair of vertically oriented
spaced apart structural support members connected to said
horizontally oriented structural support member; (e) a plurality of
connector members mounted on said vertically oriented structural
support members and connected to the back of the television, the
orientation of said connector members on said vertically oriented
support members being adjustable to alter the location of the
television on the wall.
6. A method for mounting a flat screen television on a vertically
oriented wall, the television including a front and a back, the
method comprising the steps of (a) providing (i) at least one
mounting member to be mounted on the wall; (ii) at least one
horizontally oriented structural support member including an
intermediate portion shaped and dimensioned to be mounted on said
mounting member; (iii) at least a pair of vertically oriented
spaced apart structural support members connected to said
horizontally oriented structural support member; (iv) a plurality
of connector members mounted on said vertically oriented structural
support members to be connected to the back of the television; (b)
mounting said mounting member on the wall; (c) connecting said
connector member to the back of the television; and, (d) mounting
said horizontally oriented member on said mounting member.
Description
[0001] This invention pertains to an apparatus and method for
mounting an article on a surface.
[0002] More particularly, the invention pertains to a method and
apparatus for mounting a flat screen television on a vertically
oriented wall.
[0003] Conventional televisions have long utilized, and in many
cases still utilize, cathode ray tubes. Such a conventional CRT
television has an arcuate screen surface and typically is elevated
by setting the television on a stand or shelf. The stand or shelf
has a horizontally oriented surface that supports the
television.
[0004] Flat screen televisions are replacing conventional CRT
televisions in the marketplace. Flat screen televisions include
plasma televisions and other televisions that have a flat, instead
of a curved, screen surface. Flat screen televisions often are not
as long from front to back as conventional CRT televisions. The
advent of flat screen televisions, along with the minimal
front-to-back length associated with flat screen televisions, has
made it attractive to mount flat screen televisions on a wall
suspended above the floor. While mounting a television on a wall
seems, at first blush, to be a fairly straightforward matter, the
are problems associated with such an endeavor.
[0005] First, flat screen televisions--and in particular plasma
televisions--can be quite heavy. A mounting system for a flat
screen televisions must therefore be structurally sound to minimize
the risk that the television will fall to the floor and injure a
child or other individual located beneath the television.
[0006] Second, mounting a flat screen television such that it is
"square" and perfectly oriented with respect to an adjacent ceiling
and walls is a difficult proposition. After a flat screen
television is mounted on a wall or ceiling in a position suspended
above the floor, the television typically will appear to be
slightly skewed such that the top of the television is not parallel
to the ceiling and the sides of the television are not parallel to
side walls. Having to alter a mounting system to adjust the
orientation of the television so the television appears properly
oriented with respect to the ceiling and walls has the capacity of
being a time-consuming proposition.
[0007] Third, once a flat screen television is mounted, it is
desirable that the television have the ability, if desired, to be
pivoted up and down, to be pivoted from side-to-side, to be moved
laterally from side to side in directions parallel to the
television screen, or to be moved up and down in directions
parallel to the television screen--this to facilitate viewing by
individuals from different selected areas in a room.
[0008] Fourth, television mountings systems of the type described
herein normally are mounted on studs or other strong structural
members in the wall of a building. The construction of a wall can
vary from room to room or building to building. For example, the
wood or metal studs in a wall may be twelve inches on center,
sixteen inches on center, twenty-four inches on center, or may be
spaced apart an unconventional distance. A system used to mount a
flat screen television preferably can adapt to at least some
variations in construction.
[0009] Fifth, many mounting systems undoubtedly can, after being
assembled, be adjusted to alter the orientation or position of a
flat screen television supported by the mounting system. Sometimes
such adjustments are, along with the initial installation of the
mounting system, complicated. A mounting system for a flat screen
television preferably enables simple, ready adjustment of the
system and of the orientation of a television supported by the
mounting system.
[0010] Sixth, flat screen televisions and other electronic
equipment are susceptible to damage when subjected to vibrations.
Eliminating or minimizing such vibrations is an important objective
of a mounting system.
[0011] Seventh, different brands of flat screen televisions utilize
mounting screws having varying diameters and thread sizes. A
mounting system preferably can be readily used to mount a flat
screen television regardless of the dimensions of the mounting
screws.
[0012] Eighth, different brands of flat screen televisions have
varying contours on the back of the televisions. One brand of flat
screen television may have a back that has a flat contour and that
is parallel to the television screen. Another brand of flat screen
television may have a curved back or have a back that is canted
with respect to the television screen. A mounting system for flat
screen televisions should have the ability to be adapted to varying
contours on the back of a television.
[0013] Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide an
improved mounting system for flat screen televisions and other
articles, which system would address the problems set forth
above.
[0014] Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to
provide an improved mounting system for flat screen televisions and
other articles.
[0015] Another object of the invention is to provide a flat screen
television mounting system that is structurally sound; that permits
"squaring" of the television with respect to the ceiling and nearby
walls of a room; that (once the television is mounted and is
"squared" with respect to the ceiling) permits the television to be
titled about horizontal and vertical axes, and, to be moved from
side-to-side and up-and-down in directions generally parallel to
said horizontal and vertical axes; that is readily adapted to
varying wall constructions in buildings; that is readily adjusted
after assembly; that compensates for vibrations; that is readily
adapted to the various sizes of mounting screws found in different
television brands; and, that is readily adaptable to differing
surface contours found on the back of various brands of
television.
[0016] These and other, further and more specific objects and
advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in
the art from the following detailed description thereof, taken in
conjunction with the drawings, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the mounting assembly
of the invention illustrating the H-frame of the assembly removably
slidably inserted in slots in a pair of associated mounting
brackets, the mounting brackets being secured to a wall (not shown)
or other vertically oriented surface;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the mounting assembly of
FIG. 1 illustrating further construction details thereof;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a front view of the mounting assembly of FIG.
1;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a rear view illustrating the mounting assembly of
FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a rear view of a flat screen television
illustrating the attachment of a portion of the mounting assembly
of FIG. 1 to the back of the television;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a rear view illustrating the wall mounting
brackets of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a side view further illustrating the wall mounting
bracket of FIG. 6;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a perspective view further illustrating the wall
mounting bracket of FIG. 6;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating one of the
mounting pads of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a top view further illustrating the mounting pad
of FIG. 9;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a front view illustrating the mounting pad of
FIG. 9;
[0028] FIG. 12 is a side view further illustrating the mounting pad
of FIG. 9;
[0029] FIG. 13 is a top view illustrating the bottom portion of one
of the rod connectors of FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 14 is a side view further illustrating the bottom
portion of FIG. 13;
[0031] FIG. 15 is a top perspective view illustrating the top
portion of one of the rod connectors of FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view further illustrating
the top portion of one of the rod connectors of FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 17 is a section view of the bottom portion of FIG. 13
taken along section line 17-17 and illustrating further
construction details thereof;
[0034] FIG. 18 is a section view of the bottom portion of FIG. 13
taken along section line 18-18 and illustrating further
construction details thereof;
[0035] FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating one of the pucks
of FIG. 1;
[0036] FIG. 20 is a top view further illustrating the puck of FIG.
19;
[0037] FIG. 21 is a side view illustrating the puck of FIG. 20;
[0038] FIG. 22 is a section view of the puck of FIG. 20 taken along
section line 22 and further illustrating construction details
thereof;
[0039] FIG. 23 is a front view of a flat screen television
illustrating a procedure for adjusting the orientation of the
television using the mounting assembly of the invention;
[0040] FIG. 24 is a perspective view illustrating a rotating
multi-apertured washer using in the puck of FIG. 19;
[0041] FIG. 25 is a perspective view illustrating a washer utilize
intermediate the puck of FIG. 19 and the back of a flat screen
television set to absorb vibrations traveling between the
television and the mounting assembly of the invention;
[0042] FIG. 26 is a perspective view illustrating a cantilever
mounting bracket used in one embodiment of the invention; and,
[0043] FIG. 27 is a perspective view illustrating a horizontally
oriented mounting rod in the mounting assembly of FIG. 1.
[0044] Briefly, in accordance with the invention, I provide
improvements in combination with a flat screen television. The
television includes a front and a back. The improvements mount the
television on a vertically oriented wall and include at least one
mounting member mounted on the wall and including at least one
slot; at least one horizontally oriented structural support member
including an intermediate portion slidably inserted in the slot; at
least a pair of vertically oriented spaced apart structural support
members connected to the horizontally oriented structural support
member; and, a plurality of connector members mounted on the
vertically oriented structural support members and connected to the
back of the television.
[0045] In another embodiment of the invention, I provide
improvements in combination with a flat screen television. The
television includes a front and a back. The improvements mount the
television on a vertically oriented wall and include at least one
mounting member mounted on the wall; at least one connector member
mounted on the mounting member; at least one horizontally oriented
support member mounted on the connector member for lateral and
rotational movement thereon to permit the position of the
television on the wall to be laterally and pivotally adjusted; at
least a pair of vertically oriented spaced apart structural support
members connected to the horizontally oriented structural support
member; and, a plurality of connector members mounted on the
vertically oriented structural support members and connected to the
back of the television.
[0046] In a further embodiment of the invention, I provide
improvements in combination with a flat screen television. The
television includes a front and a back. The improvements mount the
television on a vertically oriented wall and include at least one
mounting member mounted on the wall; at least one horizontally
oriented structural support member including an intermediate
portion mounted on the mounting member; at least a pair of
vertically oriented spaced apart structural support members
connected to the horizontally oriented structural support member;
and, a plurality of connector units mounted on the vertically
oriented structural support members and connected to the back of
the television, each of the connector units including a vibration
absorbing spacer.
[0047] In still another embodiment of the invention, I provide
improvements In combination with a flat screen television. The
television includes a front and a back having a contour. The
improvements mount the television on a vertically oriented wall and
include at least one mounting member mounted on the wall; at least
one horizontally oriented support member mounted on the mounting
member; at least a pair of vertically oriented spaced apart
structural support members connected to the horizontally oriented
structural support member; and, a plurality of connector members.
The connector members are pivotally mounted on the vertically
oriented structural support members to permit the connector members
to be pivoted on the vertically oriented structural support members
to register with the contour of the back of the television, and are
connected to the back of the television.
[0048] In still a further embodiment of the invention, I provide
improvements in combination with a flat screen television. The
television includes a front and a back having a contour. The
improvements mount the television on a vertically oriented wall and
include at least one mounting member mounted on the wall; at least
one horizontally oriented support member mounted on the mounting
member; at least a pair of vertically oriented spaced apart
structural support members connected to the horizontally oriented
structural support member; and, a plurality of connector members
mounted on the vertically oriented structural support members and
connected to the back of the television, the orientation of the
connector members on the vertically oriented support members being
adjustable to alter the location of the television on the wall.
[0049] In yet another embodiment of my invention, I provide an
improved method for mounting a flat screen television on a
vertically oriented wall. The television includes a front and a
back. The improved method comprises the step of providing at least
one mounting member to be mounted on the wall; at least one
horizontally oriented structural support member including an
intermediate portion shaped and dimensioned to be mounted on the
mounting member; at least a pair of vertically oriented spaced
apart structural support members connected to the horizontally
oriented structural support member; and, a plurality of connector
members mounted on the vertically oriented structural support
members to be connected to the back of the television. The method
also includes the steps of mounting the mounting member on the
wall; connecting the connector member to the back of the
television; and, mounting the horizontally oriented member on the
mounting member.
[0050] Turning now to the drawings, which depict the presently
preferred embodiments of the invention for the purpose of
illustrating the practice thereof and not by way of limitation of
the scope of the invention and in which like reference characters
refer to corresponding elements throughout the several views, FIGS.
1 to 4 illustrate a mounting assembly generally indicated by
reference character 10. Mounting assembly 10 includes cylindrical
horizontally oriented rods or support members 11, and cylindrical
vertically oriented rods or support members 13 and 14. If desired,
more than one horizontally oriented rod 11 can be utilized to span
the distance between and interconnect members 13 and 14. The shape
and dimension of members 11, 13, 14 can vary as desired, as can the
shape and dimension of other components of the mounting apparatus
described herein, provided the desired function is achieved.
[0051] Mounting pad or member 15 has a shape and dimension that is
equivalent to mounting pad or member 16. Mounting pad 16 is
illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 12 and includes cylindrical aperture 16A
shaped and dimensioned to slidably receive rod 11. Member 16
includes spaced apart fingers 29 and 30. Aperture 28 extends
through finger 29 finger 30. Screw 27 is turned into aperture 28
and extends from finger 29 to finger 30 so that screw 27 can be
used to squeeze fingers 29, 30 together, or, can be used to loosen
fingers 29, 30 to adjust the "grip" of member 16 on rod 11. Since
the structure of member 15 is identical to that of member 16, the
grip of member 15 on rod 11 can be similarly loosened or
tightened.
[0052] Alternatively, screw 27 (or the equivalent screw found in
member 15) can be used to tighten fingers 29, 30 sufficiently to
generally hold member 11 in place in pad 16 (or pad 15) but to also
permit rod 11 to be rotated in pad 16 (or pad 15) in the directions
indicated by arrows A by manually grasping rods 13 and 14 and
pulling or pushing them in the directions indicated by arrows J, H
and K, I, respectively (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The grip of fingers 29
and 30 (or of the equivalent fingers in pad 15) on rod 11 can also
be loosened sufficiently to permit pad 16 (or pad 15) to slide
along rod 11 in the directions indicated by arrows B and C (FIG.
1).
[0053] Rod connectors 19 and 20 are identical in shape and
dimension. Rod connector 20 is illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 18 and
includes top portion 20A and bottom portion 20B. Top portion 20A
includes cylindrical aperture 80 formed therethrough, includes
semi-cylindrical aperture 81A formed therethough, and includes
screw holes 20C formed therethrough. Bottom portion 20B includes
semi-cylindrical aperture 81B formed therethrough and includes
screw holes 20D that each are in registration with one of holes
20C. Four screws (not shown) are provided. Each screw is turned
into a registered pair of apertures 20C, 20D to fasten together
portions 20A and 20B such that aperture 81A and 81 B are in
registration and receive rod 11. The four screws can be adjustably
tightened to securely mount connector 20 (or 19) on rods 11, 13
such that rod 11 can not be rotated in connector 20, or, the screws
can be tightened such that rod 11 can be rotated in connector 20.
Rod 13 (and 14) can not be rotated in connector 20 because an
arcuate notch 13B formed in rod 13 conforms to, interlocks with,
and contacts rod 11 via opening 20E formed in the top portion 20A
of connector 20. The shape and dimension of rod 14 is equivalent to
that of rod 13. However, rods 13 and 14 can, if desired, be
cylindrical, can not include a plurality of notches 13A and 13B,
can not interlock with rod 11, and can rotate in the generally
cylindrical aperture collectively formed by semi-cylindrical
apertures 81A and 81 B.
[0054] One end of horizontal cylindrical rod 11 extends into and/or
through the generally cylindrical opening formed by
semi-cylindrical apertures 81A and 81 B in rod connector 20. The
other end of rod 11 extends into and/or through an equivalent
cylindrical opening in the equivalent rod connector 19.
[0055] The intermediate portion of rod 13 extends through
cylindrical aperture 80 in rod connector 20. The intermediate
portion of rod 14 extends through an equivalent cylindrical
aperture in rod connector 19.
[0056] Connector or puck 31 is illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 22 and is
equivalent in shape and dimension to the other connectors or pucks
32 to 34. Puck 31 is removably adjustably slidably mounted or
loosened and tightened on the upper end of rod 13 with a mounting
screw 36 that passes through aperture 94. The mounting screw (not
shown) associated with connector 32 similarly is used to adjustably
slidably mount or loosen and tighten puck 32 on the lower end of
rod 13. The mountings screws (not shown) associated with connectors
33 and 34 similarly are used to adjustably slidably mount or loosen
and tighten pucks 33 and 34 on rod 14. The mounting screw 36
associated with puck 31 (or the mounting screw associated with puck
32) can be loosened to permit puck 31 (or to permit puck 32) to be
slid up and down rod 11 in the directions indicated by arrows S and
T (FIG. 3), and can be pivoted about rod 11 in the directions
indicated by arrows R and Q (FIG. 1). The ability to pivot
connector 31 in the directions indicated by arrows Q and R
facilitates adapting the position of connector 31 to varying
contours on the back of a television 50.
[0057] A wheel 39 is illustrated in FIG. 24 and is, as indicated in
FIGS. 5 and 24, mounted in circular inset or recess 46 of each puck
31 to 34 with a screw 40 for rotation in the directions indicated
by arrows. Screw 40 extends through central aperture 80 formed in
each puck 31 to 34. Screw 40 maintains wheel 39 in recess 46 but
also functions like an axle, permitting a wheel 39 to rotate about
screw 40 in the directions indicated by arrows U. A plurality of
different sized openings 41, 42 is formed through wheel 39. For
example, the diameter of opening 41 is greater than the diameter of
opening 42. Opening 41 has the greatest diameter of the openings
formed through wheel 39.
[0058] An aperture 94 is formed through puck 31 (as well as each of
the other identical pucks 31 to 34). The diameter of aperture 94 is
equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of opening 41. Wheel
39 is turned or rotated in the directions indicated by arrow U to
move a desired one of the openings 41, 42 on wheel 39 into
registration with aperture 35. The diameters of the openings 41, 42
formed through wheel 39 correspond to the diameters of various
sized mounting screws 36 found on different brands of flat screen
televisions. Accordingly, the different sized openings 41, 42 on
wheel 39 permit members 31 to 34 to be utilized in combination with
a variety of different sized mounting screws 36 that have a
diameter corresponding or similar to the diameter of one of the
openings 41, 42 formed in wheel 39. The threaded end of a mounting
screw 36 passes through the opening 41, 42 that is in registration
with aperture 94, passes completely through aperture 94, passes
completely through an opening 38 formed in a spacer 37 (if a spacer
is used), and passes into an internally threaded opening formed in
the back 51 (FIG. 5) of a flat screen television 50or other
article.
[0059] A spacer 37 of some shape and dimension is preferably
utilized in combination with each member 31 to 34 (FIG. 2) because
the spacer functions to absorb vibrations that can be harmful to a
television mounted with the apparatus of the invention. The
vibrations can originate in the television itself, but more
typically emanate from the building structure in which the
television is mounted. In one embodiment of the invention, each
spacer 37 is constructed of a relatively hard rubber or other
polymer that may have, by way of example and not limitation, a
durometer of ninety. The durometer can vary as desired. In another
embodiment of the invention, spacer 37 is constructed of a polymer
having a lower durometer, say forty, and spacer is also elastic so
that the spacer can act like a shock absorber in a vehicle and
absorb movements or vibrations before such movements or vibrations
are detrimental to the television.
[0060] As noted, when members 13 and 14 are cylindrical rods and do
not include notches 13A and 13B, and when connectors 19 and 20 are
formed such that aperture 80 is spaced apart from the aperture
collectively formed by apertures 81A and 81B (as illustrated in
FIG. 16, in the currently preferred embodiment of the invention
aperture 80 is not spaced apart from the aperture formed by
apertures 81A and 81 B, but instead intersects aperture 81A via
opening 20E), then members 13 and 14 can be rotated in members
20-22,19-21, respectively, in the manner indicated by arrows F in
FIG. 3. As earlier noted, however, in the current embodiment of the
invention, a plurality of arcuate notches 13A and 13B are formed in
each rod 13, 14. Each notch 13A, 13B conforms to the outer surface
of cylindrical rod 11 and, when a notch 43 to 45 is maintained in
contact with the outer cylindrical surface of rod 11, a rod 13, 14
is not rotatable in the directions indicated by arrow F. Each notch
13A, 13B functions to lock its associated rod 13, 14 in engagement
with rod 11.
[0061] FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate a wall mount 60 that can be utilized
with the mounting assembly of FIG. 1. Wall mount 60 is identical in
shape and dimension to wall mount 61. The pair of mounting slots 67
in mount 60 is equivalent in shape and dimension to a like pair of
mounting slots 65 formed in mount 61. Wall mount 60 includes an
aperture 64 that receives a screw 64A (FIG. 1) that turns into a
wood or metal stud 53 in the wall of a building structure.
Similarly, wall mount 61 includes an aperture 63 that receives a
screw 64A that turns into a wood or metal stud 53 in the wall of a
building structure. As would be appreciated by those of skill in
the art, any desired fasteners or means can be utilized to secure
wall mounts 60, 61 or any other desired mounting
mechanism--including the cantilever in FIG. 26--to a vertically
oriented wall or other surface in a building structure.
[0062] Mount 60 includes, in addition to the pair of upwardly
opening spaced apart slots 67, outwardly projecting arcuate surface
90 (FIG. 8). Mount 61 includes, in addition to the pair of upwardly
opening spaced apart slots 65, outwardly projecting arcuate surface
91 (FIG. 1)
[0063] When rod 11 is being lifted and displaced toward studs 53,
54 to position slidably rod 11 in slots 65 and 67, surfaces 90 and
91 serve as guides because when rod 11 contacts and slides over
surface 90 and 91, the installer(s) knows the approximate location
of rod 11, i.e., he or she knows rod 11 is positioned just above
slots 65 and 67. As is illustrated in FIG. 1, rod 11 slidably seats
in slots 65 and 67. Further, when rod 11 seats in slots 65 and 67,
member 16 is positioned between slots 65 and is positioned against
or near the inner back surface 92 of mount 61 (FIG. 3). Surface 92
prevents member 16 from rotating in mount 61. Similarly, when rod
11 seats in slots 65 and 67, member 15 is positioned between slots
67 and is positioned against or near the inner back surface 93 of
mount 60. Surface 93 prevents member 15 from rotating in mount
60.
[0064] In FIG. 3, the paneling or sheet rock that normally would
cover studs 53, 54 is omitted for the sake of clarity.
[0065] FIG. 23 illustrates how the orientation of a flat screen
television 50 can, after the television is mounted on the assembly
of FIG. 1 and rod 11 is seated in slots 65 and 67, be adjusted to
"square" the television 50 such that the top edge of the television
is, or appears to be, parallel to the ceiling or other surface in a
room. As will be described further below, after rod 11 is seated in
slots 65 and 67, screws 36 loosely secure each puck 31 to 34 to the
back 52 of a television 50. Assuming the upper left corner of the
television as seen in FIG. 3 needs to be moved slightly down, the
television 50 is pivoted in the direction of arrow L about the
upper right hand puck 31. The television 50 ordinarily can be
pivoted through an angle of about two to three degrees because the
openings 41 and 42, aperture 35, and/or the opening 96 in each puck
31 to 34 through which a cylindrical rod 13 or 14 extends, are
slightly larger than screw 36 or than rod 13, 14, as the case may
be. These differences in size, although not great, provide
sufficient "play" or "slop" to permit the orientation of the
television to be adjusted before mounting screws 36 are used to
fully tighten the pucks 31 to 34 in position on rods 13, 14 and
against the back 52 of television 50. After the television 50 is
pivoted to the desired location indicated by dashed line 50A in
FIG. 3, mounting screws 36 are tightened to secure pucks 32 to 34
and rods 13, 14 in fixed position.
[0066] In FIG. 54, the front-to-back length of a flat screen
television or other article is indicated by arrows W that are
normal to the television screen. The mounting system of the
invention is preferably utilized on flat screen televisions having
a front-to-back length that at its greatest dimension is eight
inches or less. When the back of a flat screen television is at at
least some points not flat, or is flat and not parallel to the flat
screen, then the front-to-back length will vary, and will be
greatest at some point on the back of the television.
[0067] FIG. 26 illustrates a cantilever mount that can be used in
combination with the mounting assembly of FIG. 1. The cantilever
mount is generally indicated by reference character 70 and includes
a rectangular plate that is mounted against a vertically oriented
wall by turning screws through apertures 71, 72 into the wall,
preferably into wood or metal studs or other strong structural
members in the wall.
[0068] Arm 73 pivots in the direction of arrows M, N and about
hinges 74, 75. Arm 76 pivots in the direction of arrows O, P and
about hinge 77. After cantilever mount 70 is secured to a wall, the
mounting assembly of FIG. 1 (with the television attached) is
mounted on the cantilever mount by sliding rod 11 in slots 65A and
67A in the same manner that rod 11 is slid into slots 65 and 67 in
FIG. 1.
[0069] In use, a flat screen television or other article is
provided. A location for mounting the television is selected on a
vertically oriented wall in a building structure. Mounting members
60 and 61 (or cantilever 70 or some other mounting system) is
provided. The location in the wall of studs 53 and 54 is
determined. The shortest horizontal distance between the center
points of the studs is determined. The screw 27 in each mounting
pad 15, 16 is loosened (FIGS. 1, 3, 9), and members 15 and 16 are
slid along rod 11 to positions in which they are a distance apart
on center that is equivalent to the shortest horizontal distance
between the center points of studs 53 and 54. The distance between
members 15 and 16 is important because members 15 and 16 must nest
in and between slot pairs 65 and 67, respectively, when rod 11 is
seated in slots 65 to 68 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 1 and
2. Mounting members 60 and 61 are secured to studs 53 and 54,
respectively. When members 60 and 61 are secured to studs 53 and
54, an effort is made to insure that slots 65 and 67 are in
alignment and lie along a common horizontal line or axis. This to
insure that rod 11 will be horizontally oriented when rod 11 is
subsequently seated in slots 65 and 67.
[0070] Four mounting holes (not visible) on the back 51 (FIG. 4) of
the television 50 are located. The distance between the top two
holes is determined. Member 19 and/or 20 is loosened on cylindrical
rod 11 and is slid along rod 11 in a direction parallel to rod 11
such that apertures 94 of pucks 31 and 34 are in registration with
the top two mounting holes on the back of the television. Once
apertures 94 in pucks 31 and 34 are in registration, member 19
and/or 20 is tightened in position on member 11. If necessary, each
puck 31, 34 is loosened on its cylindrical rod 13, 14,
respectively, and is slid in the direction of arrows S and T or is
pivoted in the direction of arrows R and Q (especially when the
back of the television is not flat and parallel to the television
screen) to facilitate registration of the aperture 94 in the puck
with its associated mounting hole in the back of the television.
After each aperture 94 is in alignment with its corresponding
internally threaded mounting hole on the back 52 of television 50,
washer 39 is turned in the direction of arrow U to align a selected
aperture 41 or 42 with aperture 94, and a mounting screw 36 is
inserted through an aperture 41 or 42 and 94 and is turned into an
internally threaded mounting aperture in the back 52 of television
50 to secure loosely each puck 31 and 34 in position on rod 13 or
14, as the case may be.
[0071] Consequently, the mounting screw 36 associated with each
puck is turned through an aperture 41, 42 in wheel 39, through
aperture 35 (that is in registration with the selected aperture 41,
42), through a spacer 37 (if used), and into one of the internally
threaded mounting holes on the back 52 of the television 50 to
loosely secure each puck 31 and 34 to the back of the television in
the manner illustrated in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, only pucks 31 to 34
and rods 13 and 14 of the mounting assembly are, for sake of
clarity, illustrated.
[0072] The distance between the bottom two mounting holes and the
top two mounting holes on the back 51 (FIG. 4) of television 50 is
determined. Pucks 32 and 33 are, if necessary, loosened on
cylindrical rods 13 and 14 and are slid upwardly and downwardly
therealong in directions indicated by arrows G (FIG. 2) until the
aperture 94 in each puck is in registration with an internally
threaded mounting aperture in the back of the television. Once
apertures 94 in pucks 32 and 33 are each in registration with one
of the bottom mounting apertures on the back of the television,
pucks 32, 33 can be loosely tightened in position on rods 13, 14,
respectively. If necessary, each puck 32, 33 is pivoted in the
direction of arrows R and Q (especially when the back of the
television is not flat and parallel to the television screen) to
facilitate registration of the aperture 94 in the puck with its
associated internally threaded mounting hole in the back of the
television. In order to tighten loosely each pucks 32 and 33 in
position on its member 13, 14 and in position on the back 52 of
television 50, the mounting screw 36 associated with each puck is
turned through a selected aperture 41, 42 in wheel 39, through
aperture 94, through a spacer 37 (if used), and into the associated
internally threaded mounting holes on the back of the
television.
[0073] The television and attached mounting assembly of FIG. 1 are
lifted and member 11 is slid into and seated in slots 65 to 68 of
the mounting members 60 and 61 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2.
The television 50 is not, for sake of clarity, shown in FIGS. 1 to
4.
[0074] The television is examined to determined if it is "square"
with key surfaces in the room, i.e., to determine if the top edge,
or some portion, of the television appears parallel to or in
alignment with the ceiling, a selected side wall, or other surfaces
in the room. The television normally will not be square, and some
minor adjustment will have to be undertaken. Such an adjustment was
described earlier with reference to FIG. 23, and will not again be
described in detail here. Once the television is maneuvered into
what appears to be a square orientation, the pucks 31 to 34 are
secured in the positions on the back 52 of the television 50
illustrated in FIG. 4. The pucks 31 to 34 are secured by tightening
mounting screws 36. In the television 50 illustrated in FIG. 5, the
back 52 is parallel to the front 51 of the television 50.
[0075] As illustrated in FIG. 3, an electrical junction box 100
associated with the television or with a sound system or other
system associated with the television can be installed in a wall
adjacent a stud 53. The junction box 100 can also, if desired, be
installed on sheet rock or paneling between or adjacent a mounting
member 60, 61.
* * * * *