U.S. patent application number 12/319483 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-16 for low-profile flat panel display mount.
This patent application is currently assigned to Imation Corp.. Invention is credited to Arne B. Boberg.
Application Number | 20090179128 12/319483 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40849820 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090179128 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boberg; Arne B. |
July 16, 2009 |
Low-profile flat panel display mount
Abstract
A display mounting device includes a wall mount assembly
attachable to a surface, and a panel mount assembly coupled to the
wall mount assembly and attachable to a display. The panel mount
assembly is movable relative to the wall mount assembly, and
movement of the panel mount assembly relative to the wall mount
assembly includes movement of at least one shaft subject to a
differential braking torque.
Inventors: |
Boberg; Arne B.; (Shoreview,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Eric D. Levinson;Imation Corp.
Legal Affairs, P.O. Box 64898
St. Paul
MN
55164-0898
US
|
Assignee: |
Imation Corp.
|
Family ID: |
40849820 |
Appl. No.: |
12/319483 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61011022 |
Jan 14, 2008 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/278.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 11/10 20130101;
G09F 7/20 20130101; F16M 13/02 20130101; F16M 11/2014 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/278.1 |
International
Class: |
A47B 97/00 20060101
A47B097/00 |
Claims
1. A display mounting device comprising: a wall mount assembly
attachable to a surface; and a panel mount assembly coupled to the
wall mount assembly and attachable to a display, the panel mount
assembly movable relative to the wall mount assembly; wherein
movement of the panel mount assembly relative to the wall mount
assembly comprises movement of at least one shaft subject to a
differential braking torque.
2. The display mounting device of claim 1, wherein the panel mount
assembly is movable relative to the wall mount assembly through at
least four degrees of freedom including tilt, swing, pan, and
telescope degrees of freedom.
3. The display mounting device of claim 1, wherein the panel mount
assembly is retractable against the wall mount assembly to a stowed
position in which the panel mount assembly extends from the surface
by less than about 3.0 inches.
4. The display mounting device of claim 3, wherein the panel mount
assembly extends from the surface by less than about 2.0
inches.
5. The display mounting device of claim 1, wherein rotational
movement of the panel mount assembly relative to the wall mount
assembly is subject to a differential braking torque.
6. The display mounting device of claim 5, wherein the differential
braking torque comprises a clockwise braking torque that is about
30% less than a counter-clockwise braking torque.
7. The display mounting device of claim 1, wherein translational
movement of the panel mount assembly relative to the wall mount
assembly is subject to a differential braking torque.
8. A display mounting device comprising: a wall mount assembly
attachable to a surface; a panel mount assembly attachable to a
display, the panel mount assembly comprising a tilting shaft
configured to tilt the display; and a link arm assembly coupled
between the wall mount assembly and the panel mount assembly;
wherein the panel mount assembly is movable relative to the wall
mount assembly through at least four degrees of freedom including
tilt, swing, pan, and telescope degrees of freedom.
9. The display mounting device of claim 8, wherein at least
movement of the tilting shaft is dampened by differential braking
torque.
10. The display mounting device of claim 9, wherein the panel mount
assembly comprises two spaced apart panel brackets, each panel
bracket coupled to an opposing end portion of the tilting
shaft.
11. The display mounting device of claim 8, wherein the link arm
assembly configures the panel mount assembly to stow against the
wall mount assembly at a distance from the surface of between about
1-2 inches.
12. The display mounting device of claim 8, wherein the link arm
assembly comprises a first link arm panel pivotably coupled to the
wall mount assembly and a second link arm panel pivotably coupled
to the panel mount assembly.
13. The display mounting device of claim 12, wherein the first link
arm panel is pivotably coupled to the second link arm panel by a
first shaft configured for differential braking torque.
14. The display mounting device of claim 13, wherein the first
shaft configures the panel mount assembly for translational
movement and rotational movement relative to the wall mount
assembly.
15. The display mounting device of claim 12, wherein the second
link arm panel is pivotably coupled to the panel mount assembly by
a second shaft configured for differential braking torque.
16. The display mounting device of claim 8, wherein the panel mount
assembly comprises a tilting bracket coupled to the link arm
assembly and the tilting shaft is coupled to the tilting bracket,
the tilting bracket comprising a base terminating in a curved pad,
an outside diameter of the tilting shaft mated to the curved pad,
and the tilting shaft forced against the curved pad by a strap
secured to the base and contacting a portion of the tilting
shaft.
17. A display mounting device comprising: a wall mount assembly
attachable to a surface; a panel mount assembly comprising a tilt
shaft and at least one bracket coupled to the tilt shaft and
attachable to a display; and a link arm assembly coupled between
the wall mount assembly and the panel mount assembly; wherein the
at least one bracket comprises a strap that applies a differential
braking torque to the tilt shaft when the tilt shaft is
rotated.
18. The display mounting device of claim 17, wherein the strap
applies a brake force to the tilt shaft when the tilt shaft is at
rest.
19. The display mounting device of claim 17, wherein the at least
one bracket comprises a base terminating in a curved pad, the strap
secured around a portion of the tilt shaft and forcing an outside
diameter of the tilt shaft into mating contact with the curved
pad.
20. The display mounting device of claim 17, wherein the
differential braking torque comprises a clockwise braking torque
that is about 30% different than a counter-clockwise braking
torque.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This Non-Provisional Patent Application claims the benefit
of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
61/011,022 filed Jan. 14, 2008, entitled "LOW-PROFILE FLAT PANEL
DISPLAY MOUNT."
BACKGROUND
[0002] Panel displays include a display and a display mounting
device configured to secure the display to a surface. Displays
include information panels, televisions, and/or monitors. Recently,
flat panel displays have been developed having a space-saving depth
of only a few inches and designed to be attractively mounted on a
wall in a home or an office. The known display mounting devices
employed to mount these flat panel displays are inconsistent with
the space-saving design, and often have a thickness that is greater
than the thickness of the flat panel display. In addition, to the
limited degree that the conventional display mounting devices are
adjustable, the adjustability is achieved at the expense of bulky
mechanisms that further increase the thickness of the mounting
devices.
[0003] For these and other reasons, there is a need for the present
invention.
SUMMARY
[0004] One aspect provides a display mounting device including a
wall mount assembly attachable to a surface, and a panel mount
assembly coupled to the wall mount assembly and attachable to a
display. The panel mount assembly is movable relative to the wall
mount assembly, and movement of the panel mount assembly relative
to the wall mount assembly includes movement of at least one shaft
subject to a differential braking torque.
[0005] One aspect provides a display mounting device including a
wall mount assembly attachable to a surface, a panel mount assembly
attachable to a display, the panel mount assembly including a
tilting shaft configured to tilt the display, and a link arm
assembly coupled between the wall mount assembly and the panel
mount assembly. The panel mount assembly is movable relative to the
wall mount assembly through at least four degrees of freedom
including tilt, swing, pan, and telescope degrees of freedom.
[0006] One aspect provides a display mounting device including a
wall mount assembly attachable to a surface, a panel mount assembly
including a tilt shaft and at least one bracket coupled to the tilt
shaft, the bracket attachable to a display, and a link arm assembly
coupled between the wall mount assembly and the panel mount
assembly. The bracket includes a strap that applies a differential
braking torque to the tilt shaft when the tilt shaft is
rotated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of embodiments and are incorporated in and constitute
a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments
and, together with the description, serve to explain principles of
embodiments. Other embodiments and many of the intended advantages
of embodiments will be readily appreciated as they become better
understood by reference to the following detailed description. The
elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to
each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar
parts.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display mounting device
attached to a flat panel display according to one embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the display mounting device
shown in FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are top cross-sectional views of a two
embodiments of shafts employed with a link arm assembly of the
display mounting device shown in FIG. 2.
[0011] FIG. 3C is a perspective view and FIG. 3D is a side view of
a tilting shaft of the display mounting device configured for
differential braking torque according to one embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side view of the flat panel display shown in
FIG. 1 tilted relative to a wall.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a side view of the display mounting device shown
in FIG. 1 stowed in a low-profile manner against a wall.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of another display
mounting device according to one embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the display mounting
device shown in FIG. 6 in an extended state.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a side view of the display mounting device shown
in FIG. 6 attached to a display and collapsed in a low-profile
manner against a wall.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which
is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the
invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional
terminology, such as "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "leading,"
"trailing," etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the
Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments can be
positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional
terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way
limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be
utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without
departing from the scope of the present invention. The following
detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting
sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the
appended claims.
[0018] It is to be understood that the features of the various
exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined with each
other, unless specifically noted otherwise.
[0019] In this specification, the phrase "degrees of freedom" means
the set of independent displacements and/or rotations that specify
the displacement or position or orientation of a body. A body that
moves in three-dimensional space may have three translational
degrees of freedom and three rotational degrees of freedom for a
total of six degrees of freedom. Translation is movement without
rotation, while rotation is angular motion about an axis.
[0020] The following definitions are taken relative to a wall
defining an X-Y plane, with the X-axis oriented horizontally and
the Y-axis oriented vertically, with a Z-axis extending out of the
X-Y plane away from the wall:
[0021] In this specification, tilt means rotational movement about
the X-axis. Tilt has the same meaning as pitch in
nautical/mechanical terms.
[0022] In this specification, pan means rotational movement about
the Y-axis. Pan has the same meaning as yaw in nautical/mechanical
terms.
[0023] Tilt and pan are rotational movements.
[0024] In this specification, swing means movement along the X-axis
(e.g., movement left and right). Swing has the same meaning as sway
in nautical/mechanical terms.
[0025] In this specification, telescope means movement along the
Z-axis (e.g., movement forward and backward). Telescope has the
same meaning as surge in nautical/mechanical terms.
[0026] Swing and telescope are translational movements.
[0027] In this specification, torque means a force employed to
rotate an object. Torque is analogous to the force employed to
twist a shaft.
[0028] In this specification, braking torque means a resistance
force impeding rotation of an object.
[0029] In this specification, differential braking torque is
defined to be a non-zero difference between the braking torque for
an object rotating in a first direction relative to the braking
torque for the object rotating in a second direction. For example,
differential braking torque means that the braking torque for a
shaft rotating clockwise is different than the braking torque for
the shaft when it is rotating counter-clockwise.
[0030] In this specification, full range of motion for a display
mounting device is defined to include at least four degrees of
freedom including tilt, swing, pan, and telescope degrees of
freedom.
[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display assembly 10
according to one embodiment. Display assembly 10 includes a display
12 coupled to a display mounting device 14, where the display
mounting device 14 is configured for attachment to surface, such as
a wall W, for example, by any form of suitable connectors 16.
[0032] The display mounting device 14 includes shafts connected
between panels that combine to enable the display 12 to be moved
away from and be tilted/extended from the wall W at nearly any
desired orientation, for example, through a combination of
movements about (or relative to) shafts 28 and a tilting shaft 42.
In one embodiment, at least one of the shafts 28, 42 is subject to
a differential braking torque that allows even large and heavy
displays 12 to be selectively positioned in a desired orientation
relative to wall W.
[0033] The display 12 includes electronic displays and
non-electronic displays, such as photographs, paintings, and
artwork. In one embodiment, the display 12 is an electronic
display, such as a television, a computer monitor, or other
information display. In one embodiment, the display 12 is a 50 inch
Pro-101FD flat panel display that is about 9 mm thick and available
from Pioneer Electronics, Tokyo, Japan. In general, larger displays
will be heavier. The display mounting device 14 enables the
controlled movement and placement of heavy/large displays away from
walls to which the displays are attached.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the display mounting device
14 according to one embodiment. The display mounting device 14
includes a wall mounting assembly 20 that is attachable to a wall
or other surface by connectors 16, a panel mount assembly 22
configured to couple to the display 12 (FIG. 1), and a link arm
assembly 24 coupled between the wall mounting assembly 20 and the
panel mount assembly 22. Movement of the panel mount assembly 22
relative to the wall mounting assembly 20 is facilitated by at
least one of the shafts 28, 42 being subjected to a differential
braking torque.
[0035] In one embodiment, the wall mounting assembly 20 includes a
wall bracket 30 and an add-on bracket 32 that is coupleable to the
wall bracket 30. In one embodiment, the wall bracket 30 and the
add-on bracket 32 are generally planar members coupled together and
attached to a wall that thus defines an X-Y plane. As described
herein, the X-axis is oriented horizontally and the Y-axis is
oriented vertically, with a Z-axis extending out of the X-Y plane
away from the wall.
[0036] The wall bracket 30 is configured to be attached to a
predetermined (measured) location on wall or other surface by the
connector 16, and the add-on bracket 32 is attachable to the wall
bracket 30 by any suitable fastening mechanism. In one embodiment,
the wall bracket 30 is attached to a wall by connector 16, and a
consumer or technician connects the add-on bracket 32 to the wall
bracket 30 in a desired location along the X-Y plane.
[0037] In one embodiment, the panel mount assembly 22 includes a
tilting bracket 40 coupled to the link arm assembly 24, a tilting
shaft 42 coupled to the tilting bracket 40 by a hinge 54a, and
panel brackets 44, 46 coupled to the tilting shaft 42. It is to be
understood that although two panel brackets 44, 46 are illustrated,
the display mounting device 14 can include a single panel bracket
44 or multiple panel brackets.
[0038] In one embodiment, at least the tilting shaft 42 is
selectively dampened by an appropriate strap/bracket assembly
described below that imparts a differential braking torque to the
tilting shaft 42. In one embodiment, the differential braking
torque necessitates more force when turning the tilting shaft 42 in
the counter-clockwise direction (e.g., when tilting the display 12
of FIG. 1 downward for viewing), and a proportionally lower force
when turning the tilting shaft 42 in the clockwise direction (e.g.,
when tilting the display 12 of FIG. 1 upward against the wall W).
For example, the weight of the display 12 is countered or offset by
the increased torque imparted to the tilting shaft 42 when rotating
the shaft 42 in the counter-clockwise direction to tilt the display
downward from the wall W toward a seated observer; and when the
display is returned to its stowed position against the wall W by
tilting the display upward, less force is needed to turn the
tilting shaft 42 back in the clockwise direction. The differential
braking torque applied to the tilting shaft 42 accounts for the
weight of the display 12 as the display 12 is tilted down, and thus
has the effect providing equally balanced downward/upward movement
of the display 12. In this manner, the differential braking torque
applied to the tilting shaft 42 provides the user with a pleasant
user-interface.
[0039] In one embodiment, the panel mount assembly 22 is movable
relative to the wall mount assembly 30 through at least four
degrees of freedom including tilt, swing, pan, and telescope
degrees of freedom. At least the tilt degree of freedom is dampened
by a differential braking torque applied to tilting shaft 42. In
one embodiment, all of the degrees of freedom are dampened by a
differential braking torque applied to shafts 28 and to tilting
shaft 42.
[0040] In one embodiment, the link arm assembly 24 includes a first
link arm panel 50 pivotably coupled to a second link arm panel 52
by hinge 54b secured to shaft 28b, a second hinge 54c coupled
between first link arm panel 50 and add-on bracket 32 and secured
to shaft 28c, and a third hinge 54d coupled between the second link
arm panel 52 and the tilting bracket 40 and secured to shaft
28d.
[0041] The hinges 54a, 54b, 54c, 54d enable display mounting device
14 to move through multiple degrees of freedom. For example,
display mounting device 14 moves relative to the X-Y plane such
that the link arm assembly 24 telescopes away from the wall mount
assembly 30, brackets 44, 46 sway along the X-axis, brackets 44, 46
tilt around the X-axis, and brackets 44, 46 yaw in an arc around
the Y-axis.
[0042] The link arm assembly 24 telescopes away from the wall
mounting assembly 20 along the Z-axis and is configured to collapse
or fold in a nested manner such that the panel mount assembly 22
folds flat against the X-Y plane of the wall mounting assembly 20.
In this manner, the display mounting device 14 is configured to
mount the display 12 to a wall or any other suitable surface where
the display mounting device 14 includes pan, tilt, swivel,
swing/sway, and telescoping ranges of motions.
[0043] In one embodiment, the display mounting device 14 includes a
dual-nested panel asymmetrical design that is characterized by the
tilting bracket 40 nesting with the second link arm panel 52, which
folds flat against the first link arm panel 54 such that the panel
mount assembly 22 nests against/into the wall mounting assembly 20.
In addition, the display mounting device 14 has a low profile in
which the panel brackets 44, 46 retract to a stowed position that
extends from the wall W (FIG. 1) by less than 3.4 inches,
preferably by less than 2.4 inches away from the wall, and more
preferably by about 1 inch away from the wall W.
[0044] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are cross-sectional views of two
embodiments of attachment mechanisms for shaft 28b. In one
embodiment, shaft 28b is dampened by friction but does not include
the differential braking torque provided to tilting shaft 42. The
cross-sectional views are taken through the link arm panel 50.
[0045] In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3A, a U-shaped member
60 frictionally fits around shaft 28b and is coupled to the link
arm panel 50. The U-shaped member 60 includes opposing flanges 62,
64 that are configured to be fastened to the link arm panel 50 in a
manner that squeezes U-shaped member 60 against shaft 28b. In one
embodiment, the U-shaped member 60 defines an inside height H and
the shaft 28b defines an outside diameter D, where the height H of
U-shaped member 60 is less than the diameter D of the shaft 28b. In
this manner, when the U-shaped member 60 is attached to the shaft
28b, for example, via a lock screw, the shaft 28b is tensioned or
damped by the U-shaped member 60. The shaft 28b is
tension-adjustable by selectively adjusting the attachment force of
connectors attached between flanges 62, 64 and the link arm panel
50. The tension-adjustable link arm assembly 24 (FIG. 2) enables
translation and rotation of the panel mount assembly 22 and the
display 12 (FIG. 1).
[0046] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
the link arm panel 50 including a hook end 66 that frictionally
fits around the shaft 28b. The hook end 66 includes an end portion
68 that is adapted to be selectively tightened against panel 50 to
adjust a level of tension for the shaft 28b.
[0047] FIG. 3C is a perspective view and FIG. 3D is a side view of
hinge 54a including tilting shaft 42 selectively tensioned with a
differential braking torque. It is to be understood that the hinge
54a is generally compatible with any of the panels 40, 50, 52, and
any of the panels 40, 50, 52 can be formed to provide differential
torque to a respective one of the shafts 28b, 28c, 28d, or 42 (FIG.
2).
[0048] In one embodiment, the tilting bracket 40 (or panel 40)
includes a base 70 that terminates in a curved pad 72, and the
hinge 54a includes a strap 74 that secures tilting shaft 42 to the
curved pad 72. In one embodiment, the tilting shaft 42 defines an
outside diameter (OD), and curved pad 72 is formed to be
substantially semicircular to have a curvature that is
complementary to the OD of tilting shaft 42.
[0049] Hinge 54a is configured such that strap 74 and curved pad 72
combine to provide controlled torque that is delivered to tilting
shaft 42 as panel 40 is moved. Hinge 54a has low inertia such that
movement of the panel 40 is accomplished with a moderately low
force that need not overcome the weight of the conventional massive
tilting mechanisms.
[0050] Strap 74 is coupled to base 70 by an adjustment mechanism
76. The strap 74 is configured to be tightened or loosened by
adjustment mechanism 76 to selectively adjust a level of braking
torque delivered between curved pad 72 and strap 74 to the shaft
28. In one embodiment, adjustment mechanism 76 includes a screw 77
and a nut 78 that threads onto the screw 77 to tighten/loosen strap
74 around a portion of shaft 28. Suitable materials for strap 74
include metals in general. In one embodiment, strap 74 is
fabricated from 301 stainless steel. It is also acceptable to
fabricate strap from 302 stainless steel or from Austenitic
non-hardenable chromium nickel steel. In other embodiments, strap
74 is fabricated from heat treated steel or spring steel.
[0051] FIG. 3D illustrates an optional liner 80 provided between
shaft 42 and curved pad 72. The optional liner 80 provides a
sacrificial bearing that offers some lubricity between the two
contacting metals of shaft 42 and strap 74 to minimize or eliminate
galling between the metal strap 74 and the metal shaft 42. Suitable
materials for the liner 80 include polymers such as nylon, Teflon,
or polyester or metal bushings such as brass, bronze, or stainless
steel.
[0052] In one embodiment, the braking torque delivered to the shaft
42 by the curved pad 72 and the strap 74 is a differential braking
torque in which the rotational resistance delivered to the shaft 42
is different between the clockwise and the counter-clockwise
directions. For example, in one embodiment, shaft 42 is provided
with differential braking torque having a clockwise braking torque
T1 that is about 30% less than a counter-clockwise braking torque
T2 (e.g., T1 is about 0.7T2). In one embodiment, the clockwise
braking torque T1 has a value between 0 to 1200 pounds force-inch
(lbs.sub.f-in) and the counter-clockwise braking torque T2 has a
value between -3900 to 0 lbs.sub.f-in (the negative value by
convention represents counter-clockwise movement). Although it is
desired that the clockwise braking torque T1 be less than the
counter-clockwise braking torque T2, it is to be understood that
for other applications the counter-clockwise braking torque T2 can
be less than the clockwise braking torque T1.
[0053] In one embodiment, strap 74 is configured to be
self-tightening in the counter-clockwise direction, such that
torsional rotation in the counter-clockwise direction is met with a
greater braking force than torsional movements in the clockwise
direction.
[0054] In one embodiment, the strap 74 applies a brake force to the
tilting shaft 42 to hold/maintain the tilting shaft at rest so the
display 12 stays where it has been positioned.
[0055] In one embodiment, only the tilting shaft 42 and its hinge
54a is provided with the differential braking torque. In another
embodiment, each of the hinges 54a, 54b, 54c, 54d provides
differential braking torque to its respective shaft 42, 28b, 28c,
28d.
[0056] In one embodiment, the panels 40, 50, 52 are provided in a
"clamshell" construction having two halves that move independently
along a shaft. In one embodiment, a multi-piece clamshell panel as
illustrated in FIG. 2 is formed that enables friction-damped link
arm assembly 24 to extend and sway relative to wall mounting
assembly 20 and panel mount assembly 22. In addition, the clamshell
structure enables display mounting device 14 to fold flat against a
wall (e.g., the stowed position) at a profile distance of less than
2 inches, and preferably at a distance less than about 1 inch.
[0057] FIG. 4 is a side view of the display assembly 10. The
display mounting device 14 is connected to the wall W by the
connector 16. The display 12 is connected to the panel brackets 44,
46 (one shown) and is configured to telescope/extend away from the
wall bracket 30, tilt up/down relative to the wall W, swing
left/right relative to the wall W, and translate/pan left and right
along an arc.
[0058] The display 12 has been tilted down relative to the wall W
on the axis of the tilting shaft 42 (the tilting shaft 42 has been
rotated in the counter-clockwise direction). In one embodiment, the
tilting shaft 42 is subject to differential braking torque that is
characterized by more force being called for to rotate the shaft 42
in the counter-clockwise direction (compared to the clockwise
direction). The greater differential braking torque in the
counter-clockwise direction is overcome by the weight of the
display 12. Consequently, the user has the sensation that it is
equally easy to tilt the display 12 down as it is to tilt the
display 12 back up.
[0059] FIG. 5 is a side view of the display assembly 10
illustrating the display mounting device 14 in a stowed position
folded against the wall W. The display mounting device 14 provides
a low-profile mount for the flat panel display 12. In one
embodiment, the display mounting device 14 is collapsible against
the wall W such that the display 12 projects a small distance L
away from the wall W. In one embodiment, the distance L is less
than 3.5 inches, preferably the distance L is less than 2.5 inches,
more preferably the distance L is less than 1.5 inches. In one
embodiment, the distance L between the display 12 and the wall W is
between about 0.5-1.5 inches.
[0060] FIGS. 6-8 provide views of another embodiment of a display
mounting device 114.
[0061] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the display mounting
device 114, FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the display
mounting device 114 shown in an extended state, and FIG. 8 is a
side view of the display mounting device 114 shown in a stowed,
low-profile state according to various embodiments. The display
mounting device 114 includes a wall mounting assembly 120 that is
attachable to a wall or other surface by connectors, a panel mount
assembly 122 including the tilting shaft 42 and the hinge 54a (as
described above) coupled to panel 140, and a link arm assembly 124
coupled between the wall mounting assembly 120 and the panel mount
assembly 122.
[0062] In reference to FIG. 7, in one embodiment the link arm
assembly 124 includes a first link arm panel 150, a second link arm
panel 152 pivotably coupled to the first link arm panel 150 by
hinge 154, a second hinge 156 coupled between first link arm panel
150 and the wall mounting assembly 120, and a third hinge 158
coupled between the second link arm panel 152 and the panel 140 of
the panel mount assembly 122. The first and second link arm panels
150, 152 are configured to nest together when the display mounting
device 114 is folded flat.
[0063] In one embodiment, at least the tilting shaft 42 is
configured to include a differential braking torque. In general,
the link arm panel 152 is movable relative to the wall mounting
assembly 120 through at least four degrees of freedom including
tilt, swing, pan, and telescope degrees of freedom, and at least
the tilt degree of freedom about the tilting shaft 42 is dampened
by a differential braking torque.
[0064] In one embodiment, the display mounting device 114 includes
a single-nested panel asymmetrical design that is characterized by
the second link arm panel 152 folding flat against the first link
arm panel 150 such that the panel mount assembly 22 nests against
the wall mounting assembly 120.
[0065] Embodiments provide a display mounting device configured to
mount a display to a wall where movement of the display relative to
the wall includes movement of at least one shaft subject to a
differential braking torque.
[0066] Embodiments provide a display mounting device that is
movable relative to a wall to which it is attached through at least
four degrees of freedom including tilt, swing, pan, and telescope
degrees of freedom. At least the tilt degree of freedom is dampened
by a differential braking torque.
[0067] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill
in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent
implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments
shown and described without departing from the scope of the present
invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or
variations of a display mounting device configured to mount a
display to a wall as discussed herein.
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