Flat Screen TV Bracket For A Vehicle
In one preferred embodiment, a mounting bracket is described for a thin profile media display. The mounting bracket includes a wall mounting plate which supports a pivotable, jointed arm that is connected to a a display (e.g., an LCD TV). The jointed arm can be selectively locked in place with user adjustable knobs that rotate on a joint-forming pin to lock or unlock the joint from movement. Further, the arm includes a spring biased locking pin that locks the bracket into a folded or retracted position. In this respect, the position retaining mechanisms of the bracket for repositioning of a display, as well as maintain the position of the display during travel.
Latest Patents:
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/821,105 filed Aug. 1, 2006 entitled Flat Screen TV Bracket For A Vehicle which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThin profile media displays such as televisions or computer monitors utilizing LCD or plasma technologies for example, are becoming increasingly common as prices fall for manufacturing this technology. Due to the thin nature of these screens, mounting brackets have become a particularly desirable method of fixing these media screens to the walls and other structures within the home.
Examples of such mounting brackets include U.S. Application Number 2005/0087661, 2004/0045224, 2003/0080268 and 2002/0079415; the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
While these brackets are ideal for home use, they are less than desirable for use in RV's, trailers, boats, airplanes and other vehicles.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the invention to provide a mounting bracket for a thin profile media display better suited for use within a vehicle.
It is an object of the invention to provide a mounting bracket for thin profile media displays that can be moved to a non-viewing storage position.
It is an object of the invention to provide a mounting bracket for thin profile media displays that can be locked in various positions.
In one preferred embodiment according to the present invention, a mounting bracket is described for a thin profile media display. The mounting bracket includes a wall mounting plate which supports a pivotable, jointed arm. The jointed arm is ultimately connected to a display mounting plate that connects to a display (e.g., an LCD TV). The jointed arm can be selectively locked in place with user adjustable knobs that rotate on a joint-forming pin to create or relieve pressure against the arm. Further, the arm includes a spring biased locking pin that locks the bracket into a folded or retracted position. In this respect, the locking or position retaining mechanisms of the bracket allow a user to not only reposition a display, but maintain the position of the display during travel.
Wall mounting plate 118 is mounted to a wall or similar surface to secure the bracket 100 in place. The bracket 100 includes a first arm 114 connected to the wall mounting plate 118 by joint 120. The opposite end of the first arm 114 connects via joint 116 to the third arm 104 and fourth arm 106. The third and fourth arms 104 and 106 in turn connect via hinge 122 to the media screen mounting plate 102.
Preferably, the media screen mounting plate 102, as well as the other components of the bracket 100 (and other embodiments described in this specification) are designed for compliance with a known mounting standard such as the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) standards. However, it should be understood that almost any mounting or connection mechanism between the bracket 100 and the display can be used.
Since a vehicle may expose its contents to numerous forces including acceleration and jarring, a media screen should be securely mounted and at least prevented from moving when the vehicle is in motion. Failure to secure the displays may result in damage to both the display and the interior of the vehicle. In this regard, the bracket 100 includes a locking pin 112 within arm 106 that moves into an aperture (not shown) in the bottom of arm 114 when the bracket 100 is moved to a folded or retracted position. Preferably, a hollow cylinder member 108 is fixed around the pin 112 and contains a spring biasing the pin in an upwards position (i.e., into the aperture of arm 114). A pull ring 110 assists the user in pulling the pin 112 downwards, out of the aperture of the arm 114 to unlock the bracket 100.
The joints 116 and 122 also include locking or position restricting mechanisms in the form of hand adjustable knobs 117A and 117B which are threaded onto a central pin of the joints 116 or 122. As each adjustable knob 117A and 117B rotate, they move along the thread of the joint pin to increase or decrease pressure on the joint, thereby restricting the joint from moving or releasing the joint to allow free movement. Thus, the user may rotate these knobs 117A or 117B to selectively restrict movement of the joints 116 and 122.
In this respect, the bracket 100 and media screen can be moved between a locked position for travel or a freely movable unlocked position when the vehicle is stationary via the locking pin 112 and knobs 117A and 117B.
The bracket 151 also includes a locking slide plate 154 disposed between the lips 150A of the wall mounting plate 150. The slide plate 154 preferably includes top and bottom rollers 162 which are positioned to contact a portion of the lips 151A perpendicular to the main mounting portion while the inwardly positioned portion of the lips 151A retain the rollers 162 and therefore the slide plate 154 against the wall mounting plate. In this respect, the slide plate 154 and slide along the length of the mounting plate 150 until an end of the slide plate 154 contacts one of the slide stops 152.
A bottom surface of the slide plate 150 includes a plurality of holes (not shown) which accept a spring biased locking pin 158 (connected to pull ring 160). In this respect, the locking pin 158 is biased into the hole in the slide plate 150 immediately above it, locking the plate 150 from horizontal movement. Thus the user can selectively lock the position of the sliding plate 150.
The sliding plate 150 can directly mount a thin media display or can include additional positioning mechanisms such as the bracket 100 (previously seen in
Referring to
As best seen in the exploded view of
As seen in
The bracket 200 includes two locking mechanisms: a rotational locking mechanism and an arm locking mechanism. The rotational locking mechanism includes a spring biased locking pin 218 within a hollow cylinder 214 on the pivot bracket 210. The locking pin 218 is biased through an unseen aperture in the bracket 210 and into an aperture 219 in the ceiling mounting plate 208. In the present example, the mounting plate 208 has four apertures that the locking pin 218 can pass through. Thus, the locking pin 208 prevents the pivot bracket 210 from rotating. When the user wishes to change the rotational orientation of the media screen, the locking pin 218 can be pulled against the bias with pull ring 216.
The second locking mechanism locks the arm 204 in an extended or folded position by laterally moving a spring biased locking pin 224. The locking pin 224 includes locking member 222 which is small enough to pass into notched area 204B, but too large to pass through curved slot 204A. A spring 220 biases the locking pin 224 sideways so that if the arm 204 is moved so that the locking member 222 is aligned with the notched area 204B, it will pass into that area. However, the large size of the locking member 222 prevents it from moving into the curved slot 204A. Thus, the arm 204 is locked in place. If the user desires to unlock the arm 204, locking pin 224 can be pulled by grasping one end and pulling the pin 224 sideways to remove the locking member 222 from the notched area 204B.
In the present example, only two notched areas 204B are present, one locking the arm 204 in an extended position as shown in
Turing to
A second mounting panel 304 is mounted to the wall or similar vertical surface of the vehicle so that angled portions 304A and 304B are angled away from the wall. As best seen in
The second panel 304 also includes a locking mechanism 308, including a locking handle 310 that is pivotally mounted on the second panel 304 and partially positioned through a slot in the lower portion 304B of the second panel 304, as best seen in
The locking handle 310 is biased by spring 312 into a substantially perpendicular position. As the first panel 302 is slid against the second panel 204, a locking pin 306 on the first panel 302 moves against the top angled portion of the locking handle 301, pushing the handle 310 away from the spring 312. Once the first panel 302 and thus the locking pin have moved low enough, the locking pin 306 fits within notched area 310A of the handle 310, allowing the handle 310 to regain its previous vertical position. In this respect, the handle 310 locks the first panel 302 to the second panel 304, preventing vertical movement caused, for example, by bumps or other jarring common to a vehicle.
When the user wishes to remove the media display and therefore the first panel 302 from the second panel 304, the user moves the handle 310 so that the notched area 310A moves away from the spring 312, releasing the locking pin 306 and allowing the first panel 302 to move vertically.
As best seen in the exploded view of
The vertical position of the intermediate member 404 can be locked or restricted by tightening knob 412 onto a screw positioned through slot 404A and an aperture in the joint portion 402A. Thus, the user can tighten or loosen the knob 412 to press against the area of the intermediate member 404 around slot 404A to maintain the vertical position of the intermediate member 404. Similarly, the knob 412 can be loosened to allow the intermediate member 404 to pivot on pin 410 as the screw of the knob 412 moves within the slot 404A.
The mounting bracket 400 also includes a display mounting plate 406 with joint plate 406A. The joint plate 406A includes an aperture through which pin 408 of the intermediate member 404 passes, thereby pivotally mounting the mounting plate 406 so as to pivot horizontally. A second knob 414 on the intermediate member 404 includes a screw that passes through slot 406B on joint plate 406A and through an aperture in the intermediate member 404. In this respect, the user can rotate the second knob 414 to restrict horizontal pivoting of the display mounting plate 406.
The user initially mounts the bracket 400 (e.g., with screws) via wall mounting plate 402 in any desired orientation, such as from a wall in the positions seen in
It should be understood that different elements of the previously described embodiments may be combine or otherwise incorporated together. For example, the locking slide bracket 151 may be used with any of the previously described embodiments. In another example, different locking mechanisms may be used on the previously described embodiments, such as a locking pin, a notch engaging mechanism or a locking knob.
Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.
Claims
1. A media display screen bracket for a vehicle comprising:
- a first mounting portion connectable with a media display screen;
- a first arm pivotally connected to said first mounting portion;
- a second arm pivotally connected to said first arm;
- a second mounting portion pivotally connected to said second arm; and
- a lock for maintaining a position of said first arm relative to said second arm.
2. The media display screen bracket of claim 1, further comprising a first pivot joint between said first arm and said second arm, said first pivot joint comprising a first adjustment member for limiting motion of said joint.
3. The media display screen bracket of claim 2, further comprising a second pivot joint between said first mounting portion and said first arm, said second pivot joint comprising a second adjustment member for limiting motion of said joint.
4. The media display screen of claim 1, wherein said lock is a spring biased pin lock.
5. The media display screen of claim 4, wherein a portion of said lock engages an aperture in said second mounting arm.
6. The medial display screen of claim 1, further comprising a slide plate, disposed to slide within a framework; said second mounting portion coupled to said slide plate.
7. The media display screen of claim 6, further comprising a lock disposed on said framework to engage said slide plate and thereby prevent horizontal movement of said slide plate.
8. A bracket for supporting a display screen in a vehicle comprising:
- a first mounting plate for securing to a surface;
- a first bracket member coupled to said first mounting plate for rotation about an axis;
- a second bracket member coupled to said first bracket member by a first hinge; said second bracket member having at least a first position and a second position;
- a second mounting plate coupled to said second bracket member by a second hinge and shaped to support a media display screen.
9. The bracket of claim 8, wherein said first hinge releasably locks said second bracket member in said first position and said second position.
10. The bracket of claim 9, wherein a length of said second bracket member in said first position is in line with said axis and said length of said second bracket member in said second position is not aligned with said axis.
11. The bracket of claim 8, further comprising a first lock disposed on said first bracket member to engage said first mounting plate and thereby prevent rotation of said first bracket member relative to said mounting plate.
12. The bracket of claim 11, wherein said first lock is a spring biased pin lock positioned to engage on of a plurality of apertures disposed in said first mounting plate.
13. The bracket of claim 12, wherein said first hinge comprises a second lock comprising: an elongated tube biased in a first direction; and an aperture on said second bracket member.
14. The bracket of claim 8, wherein said first mounting plate is mounted to a ceiling.
15. A media display screen bracket for a vehicle comprising:
- a first bracket member including an arm region, a mounting region for mounting on a surface and a first aperture in said arm region;
- a second bracket member coupled to said arm region to pivot in a first direction; and
- a third bracket member coupled to said second bracket member to pivot to pivot in a second direction, about perpendicular to said first direction; said third bracket member including a mounting region for mounting a media display screen.
16. The media display screen bracket of claim 15, further comprising a locking member located within a first aperture of said first bracket member and within a second elongated aperture of said second bracket member; said locking member selectively locking said first bracket member with said second bracket member.
17. The media display screen bracket of claim 16, further comprising a second locking member located within a third aperture of said second bracket member and within a fourth elongated aperture of said third bracket member; said second locking member selectively locking said second bracket member with said third bracket member.
18. The media display screen bracket of claim 17, wherein said first locking member and said second locking member each comprise a threaded bolt engaged with a hand-actuable nut.
19. The media display screen bracket of claim 18, wherein said second elongated aperture defines a range of pivot motion of said second bracket member relative to said first bracket member.
20. The media display screen bracket of claim 18, wherein said fourth elongated aperture defines a range of pivot motion of said third bracket member relative to said second bracket member.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 11, 2007
Publication Date: Feb 7, 2008
Applicant:
Inventors: Tibor Olah (Covina, CA), John Pervorse (Corona, CA), Chris Departe (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
Application Number: 11/761,226
International Classification: A47F 5/00 (20060101);