U.S. patent application number 11/927249 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-20 for video monitor mount.
Invention is credited to Andy Davis, Rob Mossman.
Application Number | 20080067298 11/927249 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39187544 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080067298 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mossman; Rob ; et
al. |
March 20, 2008 |
VIDEO MONITOR MOUNT
Abstract
A video monitor mount includes a first piece adapted to be
fastened to a wall and a second piece adapted to be fastened to a
video monitor. The first piece includes a bubble level and a first
mating component and the second piece includes a second mating
component. The first piece or the second piece comprises an
extension arm having a rotation joint that comprises a brass
bushing.
Inventors: |
Mossman; Rob; (Boulder,
CO) ; Davis; Andy; (Arlington Heights, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARDINAL LAW GROUP
Suite 2000
1603 Orrington Avenue
Evanston
IL
60201
US
|
Family ID: |
39187544 |
Appl. No.: |
11/927249 |
Filed: |
October 29, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11378995 |
Mar 17, 2006 |
|
|
|
11927249 |
Oct 29, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/125.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 2200/024 20130101;
F16M 11/2014 20130101; F16M 13/02 20130101; F16M 11/10
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/125.9 |
International
Class: |
A47F 5/00 20060101
A47F005/00 |
Claims
1. A video monitor mount comprising: a monitor piece including a
c-channel, the c-channel including a top length and a bottom
length, the top length not equal to the bottom length, and the
c-channel defining a vertical axis, the monitor piece including at
least one brace for connection with a monitor; and a wall piece
having an integral bubble level, the wall piece sized to fit within
the c-channel.
2. The mount of claim 1 further comprising means for supporting a
monitor.
3. The mount of claim 1 wherein the integral bubble level defines
an axis perpendicular to the vertical axis.
4. The mount of claim 1 wherein the wall piece further includes an
integral audible spring click retainer to releaseably lock together
the wall piece and monitor piece.
5. The mount of claim 1 wherein the wall piece further includes an
integral cord management hook.
6. The mount of claim 1 wherein the wall piece further includes an
integral cord management hook and an integral audible spring click
retainer to releaseably lock together the wall piece and monitor
piece.
7. The mount of claim 6 wherein the audible spring click retainer
is opposite the integral cord management hook.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/378,995 as a divisional application.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application
No. 60/663,031, titled Video Monitor Mount, filed Mar. 18, 2005,
the entirety of which is incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to a mount for a video
monitor. More specifically, the invention is directed to a wall
mount for mounting a flat panel television or video monitor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Current video monitor technology is moving rapidly to flat
screens. LCD and plasma screens are popular flat screen products.
These flat screens can be mounted in a traditional manner on a
horizontal surface by placement on a stand. It is also now popular
to mount flat screens on a wall. Problems with mounting flat
screens onto a wall include making sure that the screen is level.
Also, a cord or cords that are connected to the back of the flat
screen monitor can give a messy appearance. Further, rotating
support arms can be "sticky" and prevent easy rotation of the
mounted monitor. Finally, the installation process itself can be
difficult or frustrating. An installer may never know if the mount
is actually, properly placed together. If improperly assembled,
then there is a possible situation of an unstable mounting
relationship.
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a wall
mount that overcomes these and other disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present video monitor mount includes a combination of
features directed to mounts for flat screen monitors for
television, video, and computer applications. The mounts include
one or more of an integral bubble level, a cord management hook, an
audible click installation spring and a brass bushing/stainless
steel rotating joint. These features simplify and organize the
mounting process.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of
the present mount.
[0007] FIG. 2-5 are perspective, side, elevation, top elevation and
rear views, respectively, of a second embodiment of a mount
described herein.
[0008] FIG. 6-9 are perspective, side elevation, top elevation and
rear views, respectively, of another embodiment of a mount as
described herein.
[0009] FIG. 10 is a perspective, exploded view of a fourth
embodiment of a mount as described herein.
[0010] FIGS. 11 and 12 are exploded, perspective views of mounts
like those shown in FIGS. 2-9.
[0011] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a
mount as described herein.
[0012] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the mount shown
in FIG. 13.
[0013] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a portion of the mount
shown in FIG. 13 focusing on the cord management hook feature of
the mount.
[0014] FIGS. 16A and 16B are rear elevation views of the mount
shown in FIG. 13.
[0015] FIGS. 17A to 17C are side elevation views of the mount shown
having a flat screen monitor mounted on it in various tilt
positions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] The attached figures are alternative examples of mounts in
accordance with the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view
of a simple, wall-flush mount 10. FIGS. 2 through 5 are
perspective, right side elevation, top, and rear perspective views
of an alternative embodiment of the present mount having two
extension arms. FIGS. 6 through 9 are perspective, right side
elevation, top, and rear perspective views of a still further
embodiment of the present mount having a single extension arm. FIG.
10 is a perspective view of a third alternative embodiment of the
mount. FIGS. 11 and 12 are exploded views that display some of the
working components of the support arms. FIGS. 13-17 show various
view of a still further embodiment of the mount described herein.
Of course, other variations and configurations of the present mount
may be developed that include one or more of the distinctive
features of the present invention.
[0017] In FIG. 1, the mount 10 includes a two piece system having a
wall piece 11 and a monitor piece 12. The wall piece 11 is adapted
to be mounted on a wall or other vertical surface. The wall piece
11 includes a bubble level 20 to ensure that the wall piece is
mounted in a vertical fashion. The wall piece 11 also includes a
cord management hook 35 adapted to organize and retain the cords
that feed into and out of the back of the monitor. At the top of
the wall piece 11 is a spring lock 31. In FIG. 1, the wall piece 11
embodies a male mounting component. When the monitor piece 12 is
mounted in a sliding fashion over the wall piece 11, the spring
retainer 31 will give an audible snap to let an installer know that
the mounting piece 12 has been fully and properly engaged over the
wall piece 11. The spring retainer 31 releaseably locks the monitor
piece 12 in place on the wall piece 11. The shape of the wall piece
11 enables it to be a male mating component and is more narrow at
the top and diverges at least partly so that the middle or base of
the wall piece is wider than the top. The mounting piece 12
includes a sleeve that is a female mating component 30
corresponding to the shape of the wall piece 11 and is matingly
received thereon. The female component 30 slides down over and
around the wall piece 11. As a friction fit, the female component
30 will press against the retaining clip 31 until it has slid
completely over the wall piece 11. The mounting piece 12 also
includes an "X" component 25 that is used to attach to the back of
a video monitor. There are included multiple holes 26 that
correspond to a broad range of monitor products and make it
attachable to the back of the monitor.
[0018] FIGS. 2 through 5 illustrate an alternative embodiment of
the mount 1 10. In this embodiment of a mount 110 there is also a
wall piece 111 that includes a bubble level (not shown) a spring
clip 131 and a cord management hook 135. This wall piece 111 is
functionally identical to the wall piece 11 described earlier.
Likewise, the female piece 112 includes a female component 130 that
mounts over the wall piece 111 in a fashion similar to the monitor
piece 12 described earlier. There is shown an "X" component 125
having holes 126 for fastening to the back monitor. The additional;
features of this mount 110 include the extension arms 140 and 141
that are rotatably connected to each other. There is a further knob
142 that allows the "X" component 125 to be swiveled or rotated
upwardly or downwardly to direct the face of a connected monitor in
a desirable direction.
[0019] FIGS. 6 through 9 illustrate a still further embodiment of a
mount 210. This mount includes the wall piece 211 having an
integral bubble level (not shown). There is also a cord management
hook 235 and a mounting spring clip 231. The female piece 212
includes a female component 230 that functions similarly to that
female component 30 described in connection with FIG. 1. There is
also an "X" component 225 that is adapted to fasten to the back of
the monitor. Holes 226 are provided to fasten the mount to the back
of the monitor. In this embodiment 210, a single extension arm 240
is rotatably connected to the mount piece 212. Similarly, there is
a screw knob 242 to allow for up and down rotation similar to the
knob 142 described in connection with FIGS. 2 through 5.
[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates a third embodiment of a mount 310. This
mount includes the wall piece 311 having an integral bubble level
320. There is also a mounting spring clip 331. The wall piece 311
further includes a female mating component 330 attached to it. The
monitor piece 312 includes a male mating component 313 fixed to it.
The male component 313 is adapted to be received in the female
component 330. The female component 330 is wider at its top than at
its base to thereby receive and hold secure the male component 313.
Once the male component 313 is fully inserted within the female
component 330, the mounting spring clip 331 will lock the mounting
component 312 in place. The monitor component 312 further includes
braces 325 which are adapted to be fastened to the back of a
monitor. The braces 325 are at least partially rotatably connected
to the monitor piece 312 so that a monitor may be titled forward or
back with respect of the mount.
[0021] The video monitor that is supported by the present mounting
system can be quite heavy. Accordingly, for any system which
includes the rotation joints shown, for instance, in the mounts of
FIGS. 2-9, the movement of the extension arms must be made smooth
and simple to make the mount effective. If the joints have a high
level of friction between them, then the rotation feature becomes
difficult to exercise if possible at all. A "sticky" or "jerky"
movement may risk a failure of the whole system if a user tries to
force the movement of the monitor. Turning now to FIGS. 11 and 12,
there is shown the use of a brass bushing 450 and 550 to facilitate
the smooth and easy rotation of those joints. Specifically with
reference to FIG. 11, the mounting apparatus 400 includes a support
arm 440. This support arm 440 supports the ultimate bracket 445
that ultimately carries the mounting support for a monitor. Support
arm 440 includes a vertical aperture 442 in which is mounted a
round bushing 450. The bracket 445 includes a male rod 446 that is
received inside the cylindrical aperture inside the bushing 450. A
bolt 451 passes through a washer 454 and through the male post 446
where it is secured to a nut 452 that is seated in an aperture 453
of the bracket 454. Once tightened, the bracket 445 is able to be
rotated about on independent of the arm 440. This rotation is
simplified by the brass bushing 450 coupled with the stainless
steel bolt 451 and the other metal components 446 and 442 that come
in contact with the brass bushing. The softness and durability of
the brass bushing 450 facilitate easy rotation yet durability for a
mounting apparatus.
[0022] FIG. 12 is another view showing the use of a brass bushing
550 in connection with a dual support arm 540 and 541 system. The
support arms 540 and 541 are rotatably connected through use of a
post component 546 of support arm 540 that is received in the
cylindrical aperture in the middle of the brass bushing 550. The
brass bushing 550 is received in the circular aperture 542 of the
second support arm 541. A stainless steel bolt 551 passes through a
washer 554 and is threaded into a nut 552 that is seated within the
aperture 553. As described in connection with FIG. 11, the soft
nature of the brass bushing in connection with the remaining steel
parts of the support arm provide for smooth and easy rotation of
the support arms with respect to each other.
[0023] As shown, but not further described in the drawings, other
brass bushings may be used in connection with each rotating joint
to ensure that the entire rotating function and swivel function of
the mount is made simple and smooth.
[0024] In each of the embodiments of the mounts described herein,
there is both a male mating component and a female mating
component. Each of the mounts is a two piece or two component
system where the male component embodies or is a part of and fixed
to one piece and the female component is a part of or embodies the
other piece. In this two component system, the wall mount component
is able to be fixed on a wall in a level fashion using the integral
bubble level. The male/female pieces are then engineered so that
they fit the male piece within the female piece to likewise be
oriented in a level manner. The audible click of the spring clip in
each case allows a user to have confidence with respect to the
proper installation of the female component about the male
component or vice versa. The respective clips also provide the
extra insurance that the mount will not allow the monitor which it
is supporting to slide out of place.
[0025] The material used to manufacture all of the components of
the present invention must be rigid and durable enough to support
the weight of a video monitor. Different polymers and composites
may be acceptable. Also, metal pieces including aluminum or steel
may be used to accomplish the present purpose. With respect to the
cord management hooks 35, 135, and 235, this is a hook provided at
the bottom of the respective wall piece that allows for cables
going into and out of the monitor to be collected and stored
together. In each case, the spring clip 31, 131, and 231 must be
made of a resilient material that provides an audible snap action
once the mount is correctly assembled. This snap will provide an
audible confirmation to an installer that the mounting assembly is
correctly pieced together.
[0026] FIGS. 13-17 illustrate a still further embodiment of a mount
in accordance with the present invention. The mount 600 includes a
wall piece 610 having an integral bubble level 612. The wall piece
610 further includes a pair of cradles 614. The monitor piece 620
includes a pair of vertical braces 624 that are adapted to be
fashioned to the back of the monitor. The brackets 624 are
rotatably mounted to a support bar 622. The support bar 622 rests
in and is carried by the cradle 614 of the wall piece 610. The
monitor piece further includes a cord management hook 626. The
pitch of the brackets 624 may be varied by tilt bar 616 that can be
adjusted through using knob 618. The tilt bar 616 and knob 618 are
attached to the cradle 614 portion of the wall piece 610. FIGS. 13
and 14 shown the assembled and exploded views of the mount 600 as
described. FIG. 15 is directed primarily to the cord management
hook 626 that is adapted to be hung from the support bar 622. It
may be slid to various locations along that support bar 622. The
hook 626 is fabricated of a durable but flexible plastic
material.
[0027] FIGS. 16A to 17C demonstrate the variability of the mount
600. In FIGS. 16A and 16B, the mount 600 is shown with bracket 624
in a tight or narrow configuration on the support bar 622 (FIG.
16A) and also in the wide or spread position on the support bar
(FIG. 16B). FIGS. 16A to 16B illustrate that the mount may be used
in connection with a broad range of monitors having different
points of attachment along their lateral length on the back of the
monitor. FIGS. 17A to 17C demonstrate how the monitor 630 may be
mounted at variable pitches. The knob 618 will turn the tilt bar
616 in such degrees as to tilt monitor upwardly, parallel to a wall
or downwardly. The cord management hook 626 is shown as being able
to be flexibly manipulated to allow for all of the different pitch
courses for the mount.
[0028] Other variations and combinations of features will be
apparent to those with skill in the art. Those variations are
included within the disclosure herein.
* * * * *