WALL MOUNT SUPPORTING APPARATUS OF FLAT PANEL DISPLAY DEVICE

Abstract

A wall mount supporting apparatus of a flat panel display device includes a plurality of link assemblies which are provided between a display and a wall to rotatably support the display with respect to the wall, and a stationary bracket which is provided between the wall and the link assemblies, and includes a first side which is coupled to the wall, and a second side which is selectively coupled with at least one of the plurality of link assemblies to allow a coupling position to be moved.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0106247, filed on Oct. 22, 2007 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present general inventive concept relates to a wall mount supporting apparatus of a flat panel display device.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, a wall mount supporting apparatus of a display device supports the display device formed with an image unit against a selected wall.

Also, recently, since a display uses a display element such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), etc. to form the image unit, the area of the image unit is widened, and the thickness thereof relatively decreases so that the display can be easily mounted on the wall.

Accordingly, a supporting apparatus disposing a display against a wall is disclosed inconventional structures. Such a conventional supporting apparatus includes a pair of arms coupled to freely rotate in an up-and-down direction to support a display, a locking device provided between the pair of arms to prevent the pair of arms from rotating each other, and a gas damper, a wire, etc. preventing the display from forwardly falling down by means of a self weight thereof when the locking device is released.

Accordingly, the conventional wall mount supporting apparatus can tilt an upper side of the display by a predetermined angle from the wall.

However, in the conventional wall mount supporting apparatus, the gas damper, the wire, etc. are provided to complicate the configuration. Also, since only the tilting, that is, rotating of the upper side of the display with respect to the wall is available, it is impossible to rotate the display in various directions, and have a viewing angle of various directions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general inventive concept provides a wall mount supporting apparatus of a flat panel display device having a simple configuration, and adjusting a display viewing angle in various directions such as a horizontal, a vertical direction, etc.

Additional aspects of the present general inventive concept will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the present general inventive concept.

The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present general inventive concept can be achieved by providing a wall mount supporting apparatus of a flat panel display device, including a plurality of link assemblies which are provided between a display and a wall to rotatably support the display with respect to the wall and a stationary bracket which is provided between the wall and the link assemblies, and comprises a first side which is coupled to the wall, and a second side which has a coupling position to which at least one of the plurality of link assemblies is coupled, the coupling position being movable to be selected along the second side.

The plurality of link assemblies may be distanced in a horizontal direction, and each link assembly may include a base bracket which is coupled with respect to the stationary bracket, a first link, a first side of the first link which is rotatably coupled to the base bracket about an axis in a vertical direction, a second link, a first side of the second link which is rotatably coupled to a second side of the first link about an axis in a vertical direction, and a supporting bracket which has a first side coupled to the display, and a second side rotatably coupled to a second side of the second link about an axis in a vertical direction.

The wall mount supporting apparatus of the flat panel display device may further include an engagement member which includes a first side coupled to the supporting bracket, and a second side coupled to a rear side of the display.

The first side of the engagement member may be formed with an engagement protrusion, and the first side of the supporting bracket is formed with an engagement member supporting part which supports the engagement protrusion.

The first side of the supporting bracket may be provided with an insertion part which is bigger than the engagement member supporting part so that the engagement protrusion can be inserted.

The supporting bracket may be provided with a separation preventing means which prevents the engagement protrusion accommodated to the engagement member supporting part from being separated through the insertion part.

The engagement member may be movably coupled to the supporting bracket with a predetermined angle.

The wall mount supporting apparatus of the flat panel display device may further include a first link coupling part which rotatably couples the base bracket and the first side of the first link, and a linkage coupling part which rotatably couples the second side of the first link and the first side of the second link, wherein at least one of the first link coupling part and the linkage coupling part is coupled to generate a predetermined rotation resisting force in rotating.

The wall mount supporting apparatus of the flat panel display device may further include a second link coupling part which rotatably couples the second side of the second link and the supporting bracket, wherein the second link coupling part is freely rotatably coupled.

The wall mount supporting apparatus of the flat panel display device may further include a locking means which prevents the first link and the second link from being separated from the base bracket while the first link and the second link are folded to the base bracket.

The locking means may support the weight of the display while the first link and the second link are folded to the base bracket.

The locking means may include a locking protrusion which is provided to one of the base bracket and the second link, and a locking protrusion accommodating part which is provided to the other of the base bracket and the second link so that the locking protrusion can be inserted thereto.

The plurality of link assemblies may be provided in a pair, and the stationary bracket may be provided with a transverse direction length adjusting means which adjusts a coupling position of the pair of link assemblies which are distanced in a right-and-left direction in the right-and-left direction.

The horizontal length adjusting means may include a link assembly coupling part which includes at least one of an elongated hole which is formed to the stationary bracket in the horizontal direction, and a coupling hole which is provided in plural to the stationary bracket to be distanced in the horizontal direction.

The stationary bracket may include an upper stationary bracket which supports the pair of link assemblies provided to the upper side, and a lower stationary bracket which supports the pair of link assemblies provided to the lower side.

The wall mount supporting apparatus of the flat panel display device may further include a vertical length adjusting means which adjusts a vertical distance between the link assemblies which are distanced in the vertical direction.

The vertical direction length adjusting means may comprise at least one middle bracket which is provided between the upper stationary bracket and the lower stationary bracket to adjust the distance between the upper stationary bracket and the lower stationary bracket.

The vertical direction length adjusting means may further include at least one sub bracket which is provided between the upper stationary bracket and the lower stationary bracket to adjust the distance between the upper stationary bracket and the lower stationary bracket.

The base bracket is coupled with respect to the wall.

The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing an apparatus for mounting a panel display device to a reference surface, the apparatus including a stationary bracket to be coupled to the reference surface and a plurality of link assemblies to be coupled to opposite ends of the stationary bracket and to be coupled to the panel display device, and independently movable with respect to the stationary bracket according to an angle between the panel display device and the stationary bracket.

The apparatus may provide each link assembly so as to include a base bracket fixedly coupled to the stationary bracket at a correspondingly opposite end, and a plurality of links coupled between the base bracket and the panel display device and foldable and unfoldable to an angle independently from other links according to the angle between the panel display device and the stationary bracket.

The apparatus may provide the plurality of link assemblies so as to be distanced in a substantially horizontal direction, and each link assembly includes a base bracket which is coupled with respect to the stationary bracket, a first link, a first side of the first link which is rotatably coupled to the base bracket about a vertical direction, a second link, a first side of the second link which is rotatably coupled to a second side of the first link about a vertical direction; and a supporting bracket which has a first side coupled to the display, and a second side rotatably coupled to a second side of the second link about a substantially horizontal direction.

The apparatus may include a locking unit which prevents the first link and the second link from being separated from the base bracket while the first link and the second link are folded to the base bracket.

The apparatus may provide the locking unit so as to support the weight of the display while the first link and the second link are folded to the base bracket.

The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing an apparatus for mounting a panel display device on a reference surface, the apparatus including a stationary bracket fixedly secured to the reference surface, the bracket presenting a horizontal axis and including a sleeve oriented along the horizontal axis and at least one link assembly disposed between the panel display device and the reference surface, portions of the assembly reversibly fixed to the panel display device such that the at least one assembly is reversibly shiftable within the sleeve, along the horizontal axis.

The plurality of link assemblies may be provided in an upper side pair and a lower side pair, and the stationary bracket may be provided with a horizontal length adjusting unit which reversibly adjusts a coupling position of one pair of link assemblies which are distanced horizontally.

The apparatus may also include an upper stationary bracket which supports the upper side pair of link assemblies, and a lower stationary bracket which supports the lower side pair of link assemblies provided to the lower side.

The apparatus may also include a horizontal length adjusting unit which adjusts horizontal distance between the link assemblies which are horizontally displaced.

The foregoing and/or other aspects and utilities of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing an apparatus for mounting a panel display device on a reference surface, the apparatus including a stationary bracket fixedly secured to the reference surface, and a plurality of link assemblies disposed between the panel display device and the reference surface, portions of each of the assemblies reversibly coupled to the display device and including coupled links, extendable from the reference surface, the reversibly coupled assembly portions including structure for engaging a hinging structure, to allow swiveling movement of the display device about the hinging structure, such that when at least one link is extended out from the wall, a viewing angle for the display device is improved, at least in part by swiveling action of the display device about the hinging structure.

The apparatus may provide four link assemblies.

The apparatus may provide some of the plurality of link assemblies spaced in a horizontal direction, and each link assembly including a base bracket which is coupled with respect to the stationary bracket, a first link, a first side of the first link which is rotatably coupled to the base bracket about a vertical axis, a second link, a first side of the second link which is rotatably coupled to a second side of the first link about an axis in the vertical direction and a supporting bracket which has a first side coupled to the panel display device, and a second side rotatably coupled to a second side of the second link, about a vertical axis.

The apparatus may include an engagement member which has a first side coupled to the supporting bracket, and a second side coupled to a rear side of the display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects of the present general inventive concept will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the display device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an engagement member of the display device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a folded state of a link assembly of the display device of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 5 is an operating perspective view illustrating tilting of the display of the display device of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 6 is an operating perspective view illustrating swiveling of the display of the display device of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 7 is a plane view illustrating the display mounted in a transverse direction to the display device of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 8 is a plane view illustrating the display mounted in a perpendicular direction to the display device of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept; and

FIG. 9 is a plane view illustrating two middle brackets and a single sub bracket mounted to the display device of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present general inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The exemplary embodiments are described below so as to explain the present general inventive concept by referring to the figures.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a wall mount supporting apparatus 1 of a display device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept is provided between the display 100 and a reference surface, for example, a wall 90 to rotatably support the display 100 against the wall 90.

The supporting apparatus 1 includes a plurality of link assemblies 30 respectively provided to opposite sides thereof. Also, the supporting apparatus 1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept further includes a stationary bracket 10 disposed at least partially between the wall 90 and the link assemblies 30, and having a first side 36a coupled to the wall 90 and a second side 36b coupled with the link assemblies 30 (see FIG. 1).

An image unit 103 having a flat display panel such as a liquid crystal display, a plasma display panel, etc., is provided to a front side of the display 100, and a plurality of engagement member coupling parts 105 coupled with an engagement member bolt 89 through with an engagement member 80 is provided to a rear side thereof, as seen in FIG. 3. In the figures except FIG. 3, the display 100 is omitted or illustrated in a dotted line for ease of illustration of the supporting apparatus 1.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the plurality of engagement member coupling parts 105 are four to correspond to four link assemblies 30, but the present general inventive concept is not restricted thereto. Alternatively, the plurality of engagement member coupling parts 105 may be variously provided depending on the number of the link assemblies 30. The distance between the plurality of engagement member coupling parts 105 may be formed depending on a video electronic standard association (VESA) standard, and may be variously determined depending on the size of the display 100, etc. In the present exemplary embodiment, a horizontal distance of a horizontal direction between the plurality of engagement member coupling parts 105 may be approximately 400 mm, 600 mm or 800 mm, and a vertical distance of a vertical direction therebetween may be approximately 400 mm, 600 mm or 800 mm. Here, the horizontal direction may correspond to a transverse direction and the vertical direction may correspond to a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction.

In the present exemplary embodiment, a surface to which the supporting apparatus 1 is disposed refers to the wall 90. However, the wall 90 is not restricted to a vertical surface connecting a bottom and a ceiling. Alternatively, the wall 90 may be a surface which is not vertical and connects a bottom and a ceiling, and may include all surfaces to which the display 100 is capable of being disposed such as a ceiling, a column, etc.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the plurality of link assemblies 30 is four. That is, a pair of link assemblies 30 is provided to an upper side to have a predetermined distance to correspond to two engagement member coupling parts 105 provided to the rear side of the display 100, and a pair of link assemblies 30 are provided to a lower side to have a predetermined distance corresponding to the remaining two engagement member coupling parts 105. Alternatively, the plurality of link assemblies 30 may be variously provided in two, three or more than five to correspond to the engagement member coupling part 105 of the display 100.

The link assembly 30 includes a base bracket 31 coupled against the wall 90, a first link 41 rotatably coupled to the base bracket 31 about an axis in the vertical direction, a second link 45 rotatably coupled to the second link 45 about an axis in the vertical direction, and a supporting bracket 60 rotatably coupled to the second link 45 about an axis in the vertical direction. The link assembly 30 is formed of material having such a strength as to support the display 100. In the present exemplary embodiment, the link assembly 30 is formed of a metal material. Alternatively, the link assembly 30 may be formed of various materials such as plastic, etc. having such a strength as to support the display 100.

A first side 31a of the base bracket 31 is coupled to the stationary bracket 10, and a second side 31b of the base bracket 31 is rotatably coupled with the first link 41. Alternatively, the base bracket 31 may be directly coupled to the wall 90 without the separate stationary bracket 10. The first side 31a of the base bracket 31 has a planar shape to contact to the stationary bracket 10, and upper and lower sides of a surface of the second side 31b of the base bracket 31 are bent forwardly to have a reverse-U sectional shape. A bracket coupling part 32 is provided to the first side 31a of the base bracket 31 to be coupled with the stationary bracket 10, and a first link coupling part 33 is provided to the second side 31b of the base bracket 31 to be rotatably coupled with the first link 41.

The bracket coupling part 32 is formed in plural through a surface of the first side 31a of the base bracket 31 to be coupled by means of a coupling screw 19.

The first link coupling part 33 is also provided to a first side 41a of the first link 41. A coupling bolt 51 is inserted to the first link coupling part 33 in the vertical direction to be coupled by means of a coupling nut 55 so that the base bracket 31 and the first side 41a of the first link 41 can be rotatably coupled about an axis in the vertical direction. In the present exemplary embodiment, the coupling bolt 51 coupled to the first link coupling part 33 is provided with at least one washer 53, and is coupled to have a predetermined strength by means of the coupling nut 55. Accordingly, the first link 41 can rotate to have a predetermined rotation resisting force with respect to the base bracket 31. Also, a user overcomes this predetermined rotation resisting force to forwardly pull or backwardly push the display 100, thereby rotating the first link 41 with respect to the base bracket 31. This predetermined rotation resisting force may be appropriately determined so that the user can simply move the display 100 without applying undue force.

The first side 41a of the first link 41 is rotatably coupled to the base bracket 31, and a second side 41b of the first link 41 is rotatably coupled with the second link 45. The first link coupling part 33 is provided to the first side 41a of the first link 41, and a linkage coupling part 43 is provided to the second side 41b of the first link 41. The first link 41 has a planar shape to contact to a surface of the base bracket 31, and upper and lower sides of a surface thereof are bent forwardly to have a reverse-U sectional shape.

A first side 45a of the second link 45 is rotatably coupled to the first link 41, and a second side 45b of the second link 45 is rotatably coupled with the supporting bracket 60. The linkage coupling part 43 is provided to the first side 45a of the second link 45, and a second link coupling part 61 is provided to the second side 45b of the second link 45. The second link 45 has a planar shape to contact to a surface of the first link 41, and upper and lower sides of a surface thereof are bent forwardly to have a reverse-U sectional shape.

The linkage coupling part 43 is provided to the second side 41b of the first link 41 and the first side 45a of the second link 45. The coupling bolt 51 is inserted to the linkage coupling part 43 in the vertical direction to be coupled by means of the coupling nut 55 so that the second link 45 can be rotatably coupled with respect to the first link 41 about an axis in the vertical direction. In the present exemplary embodiment, the coupling bolt 51 coupled to the link coupling part 43 is provided with at least one washer 53 to be coupled by means of the coupling nut 55. Accordingly, in the present exemplary embodiment, the second link 45 can freely rotate with respect to the first link 41. That is, the second link 45 can rotate with respect to the first link 41 with scarcely receiving any rotation resisting force. Alternatively, the second link 45 may be provided to have a predetermined rotation resisting force with respect to the first link 41, and this case may be similar to the first link coupling part 33 described above.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the first link 41 and the second link 45 are provided to rotate about an axis of the vertical direction. In this case, since the weight of the display 100 is not applied to the first link coupling part 33, the linkage coupling part 43 and the second link coupling part 61 rotatably connecting the first link 41 and the second link 45, it is unnecessary to provide a separate elastic member, etc. for supporting the weight of the display 100 to these coupling parts 33, 43, 61, thereby simplifying the configuration thereof, and elongating the lifespan of the coupling parts.

The link assembly 30 further includes a locking means for preventing the first link 41 and the second link 45 from being separated from the base bracket 31 when the first link 41 and the second link 45 are folded to the base bracket 31. The locking means may support the weight of the display 100 when the first link 41 and the second link 45 are folded to the base bracket 31.

The locking means includes a locking protrusion 47 provided to one of the base bracket 31 and the second link 45, and a locking protrusion accommodating part 35 provided to the other of the base bracket 31 and the second link 45 so that the locking protrusion 47 can be inserted therein.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the locking protrusion 47 is provided to the second link 45. In more detail, the locking protrusion 47 is formed to the second side 45b of the second link 45 to be prevented from interfering with the first link 41. In the present exemplary embodiment, the locking protrusion 47 is provided in a tetragonal shape, and protrudes from the second side 45b of the second link 45 toward the base bracket 31. However, the locking protrusion 47 is not restricted to the tetragonal shape, and alternatively, may be provided in various shapes such as a circular, etc.

The locking protrusion accommodating part 35 is exemplarily provided to the base bracket 31. In more detail, the locking protrusion accommodating part 35 is formed through a surface to accommodate the locking protrusion 47 formed to the second side 45b of the second link 45. The locking protrusion accommodating part 35 is formed so that the locking protrusion 47 can be forcedly inserted therein by means of a predetermined force. To insert the locking protrusion 47 formed to the second link 45 to the locking protrusion accommodating part 35 formed to the base bracket 31, a user pushes the display 100 with a predetermined force. Accordingly, the locking protrusion 47 is forcedly inserted to the locking protrusion accommodating part 35 to prevent the first link 41 and the second link 45 from being arbitrarily separated from the base bracket 31. Also, the user just pulls the display 100 with a predetermined force to separate the locking protrusion 47 from the locking protrusion accommodating part 35.

The locking protrusion accommodating part 35 is formed to contact to a lower surface of the locking protrusion 47 if the locking protrusion 47 is inserted. Accordingly, since the locking protrusion 47 is formed to the second link 45, the weights of the display 100, etc. applied to the second link 45 can be supported by the locking protrusion accommodating part 35 through the locking protrusion 47. Accordingly, if the first link 41 and the second link 45 are folded to the base bracket 31, the weight of the display 100 is not applied to the first link 41 and the second link 45, and is supported by means of the locking member, thereby lengthening the lifespan of the first link 41 and the second link 45.

A first side 60a of the supporting bracket 60 is coupled with the engagement member 80 coupled to the display 100, and a second side 60b of the supporting bracket 60 is rotatably coupled with the second link 45. The first side 60a of the supporting bracket 60 is provided with an engagement member supporting part 63 accommodating and supporting the engagement member 80, and the second side 60b of the supporting bracket 60 is provided with the second link coupling part 61. The first side 60a of the supporting bracket 60 has a planar shape to be formed with the engagement member supporting part 63, and upper and lower sides of a surface of the second side 60b of the supporting bracket 60 are bent backwardly to have a reverse-U sectional shape so that the second link coupling part 61 can be formed.

The second link coupling part 61 is provided to the second side 45b of the second link 45, and the second side 60b of the supporting bracket 60. The coupling bolt 51 is inserted to the second link coupling part 61 in the vertical direction to be coupled by means of the coupling nut 55 so that the supporting bracket 60 can rotatably coupled with respect to the second link 45 about an axis of the vertical direction. In the present exemplary embodiment, the coupling bolt 51 coupled to the second link coupling part 61 is provided with at least one washer 53 to be coupled by means of the coupling nut 55. Accordingly, in the present exemplary embodiment, the supporting bracket 60 can freely rotate with respect to the second link 45. That is, the supporting bracket 60 can rotate with respect to the second link 45 with scarcely receiving any rotation resisting force. Alternatively, the supporting bracket 60 may be provided to have a predetermined rotation resisting force with respect to the second link 45, and this case may be similar to the first link coupling part 33 described above.

The engagement member supporting part 63 is formed through the first side 60a of the supporting bracket 60 to support an engagement protrusion 81 of the engagement member 80. The engagement member supporting part 63 is formed to be smaller than a diameter of the engagement protrusion 81 to prevent the engagement protrusion 81 from being forwardly separated.

The first side 60a of the supporting bracket 60 is provided with an insertion part 65 formed to be bigger than the engagement member supporting part 63 so that the engagement protrusion 81 can be inserted, and communicating with the engagement member supporting part 63.

The insertion part 65 is formed through to have a circular shape to correspond to the shape of the engagement protrusion 81. Alternatively, the insertion part 65 may have various shapes so that the engagement protrusion 81 can be inserted. In the present exemplary embodiment, the insertion part 65 is positioned to an upper side of the engagement member supporting part 63. Alternatively, the insertion part 65 may be formed to a left side or a right side.

The supporting bracket 60 is provided with a separation preventing unit preventing the engagement protrusion 81 supported to the engagement member supporting part 63 from being separated through the insertion part 65.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the separation preventing unit includes a pin insertion hole 69 formed to the supporting bracket 60, and a safety pin 67 inserted to the pin insertion hole 69 to prevent the engagement protrusion 81 accommodated to the engagement member supporting part 63 from being separated through the insertion part 65. However, the separation preventing means is not defined thereto. Alternatively, the separation preventing means may have various configurations such as a locking apparatus preventing the engagement protrusion 81 accommodated to the engagement member supporting part 63 from being separated through the insertion part 65.

The supporting apparatus 1 further includes the engagement member 80 having a first side coupled to the supporting bracket 60, and a second side coupled to the rear side of the display 100.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the engagement member 80 has a circular shape, and a first side thereof is provided with the engagement protrusion 81 protruding in a radial direction. A second side of the engagement member 80 is formed with an insertion preventing part 85 further protruding than the engagement protrusion 81. An engagement part 83 accommodated and supported to the engagement member supporting part 63 is provided between the engagement protrusion 81 and the insertion preventing part 85. The engagement member 80 is provided with a bolt coupling part 87 to be coupled to the engagement member coupling part 105 of the display 100 by means of the engagement member bolt 89.

The engagement protrusion 81 has a diameter smaller than the insertion part 65, and bigger than the engagement member supporting part 63 to be inserted to the insertion part 65. The insertion preventing part 85 has a diameter bigger than the insertion part 65 to be prevented from being inserted to the insertion part 65. The engagement part 83 has a diameter smaller than the engagement member supporting part 63 to be accommodated to the engagement member supporting part 63. The bolt coupling part 87 is formed through in a lengthwise direction in a center of the engagement member 80 so that the engagement member bolt 89 can be inserted.

The engagement member 80 may be inserted and coupled to the supporting bracket 60 to move with a predetermined angle. That is, in the present exemplary embodiment, the engagement part 83 of the engagement member 80 has a diameter smaller than the engagement member supporting part 63 to move with the predetermined angle when being accommodated to the engagement member supporting part 63. Accordingly, although the display 100 rotates with the predetermined angle with respect to the link assembly 30, the engagement member 80 can perform a hinge function. A range of this predetermined angle may be approximately a range of a tilting angle or a swiveling angle of the display 100, or may be approximately 0 degrees to 30 degrees.

Hereinafter, a process of coupling the engagement member 80 to the supporting bracket 60 will be described.

At first, a user couples the engagement member 80 to the engagement member coupling part 105 of the display 100. Then, after inserting the engagement protrusion 81 of the engagement member 80 to the insertion part 65 of the supporting bracket 60, the engagement part 83 of the engagement member 80 is accommodated to the engagement member supporting part 63 of the supporting bracket 60. Accordingly, the engagement protrusion 81 is engaged to the engagement member supporting part 63 to prevent the engagement member 80 from being separated. Also, the insertion preventing part 85 is provided to the engagement member 80 to prevent the engagement protrusion 81 from being excessively inserted to the insertion part 65, and to easily accommodate the engagement part 83 to the engagement member supporting part 63.

Hereinafter, tilting and swiveling processes of the display 100 in the wall mount supporting apparatus 1 of the flat panel display device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described by referring to FIGS. 4 to 6.

At first, a tilting process of the display 100 about an axis A in a horizontal direction will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the first link 41 and the second link 45 of the link assembly 30 are folded to the base bracket 31. In this state, the user pulls an upper side of the display 100 with such a force as to separate the locking protrusion 47 provided to the pair of link assemblies 30 provided to the upper side from the locking protrusion accommodating part 35. Then, the first link 41 and the second link 45 of the pair of link assemblies 30 provided to the upper side are separated, i.e. extend out, from the base bracket 31. Also, the user further pulls the upper side of the display 100 with such a force as to overcome the rotation resisting force formed to the first link coupling part 33. Then, the first link 41 and the second link 45 of the pair of link assemblies 30 provided to the upper side rotate from the base bracket 31 as shown in FIG. 5.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the range of the tilting angle of the display 100 is approximately 0 degrees to 20 degrees. However, the range of the tilting angle is not defined thereto, and alternatively, may be bigger than 0 degrees to 20 degrees.

Accordingly, the display 100 tilts about the horizontal axis A with the upper side thereof protruding forwardly. Alternatively, the display 100 may tilt with the lower side thereof protruding forwardly.

Hereinafter, a swiveling process of the display 100 in a vertical axis B will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, if the first link 41 and the second link 45 of the link assembly 30 are folded to the base bracket 31, the user pulls a right side of the display with such a force as to separate the locking protrusion 47 provided to the pair of link assemblies 30 provided to a right side from the locking protrusion accommodating part 35. Then, the first link 41 and the second link 45 of the pair of link assemblies 30 provided to the right side are separated from the base bracket 31. Also, the user further pulls the right side of the display with such a force as to overcome the rotation resisting force formed to the first link coupling part 33. Then, the first link 41 and the second link 45 of the pair of link assemblies 30 provided to the right side extend from the base bracket 31 as shown in FIG. 6.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the range of the swiveling angle of the display 100 is approximately 0 degrees to 10 degrees. However, the range of the swiveling angle is not defined thereto, and alternatively, may be bigger than 0 degrees to 10 degrees.

Accordingly, the display 100 can swivel about the axis B in the vertical direction with the right side thereof protruding forwardly. Alternatively, the display 100 may swivel with a left side thereof protruding forwardly.

Accordingly, the display device according to the present exemplary embodiment can easily tilt and swivel the display 100, thereby adjusting the viewing angle in various directions. Also, the configurations such as the gas damper, the wire, etc. provided to the conventional supporting apparatus are unnecessary, thereby simplifying the configuration.

A few points about terminology should be made. It is accurate to say that any time first link 41 and second link 45 are displaced from base bracket 31, rotation is involved. However, the term “extend” may also be used to describe the displacement of supporting bracket 60 away from base bracket 31, if such displacement is substantially orthogonal to the plane of the wall 90, i.e. “directly” away from the wall. If supporting bracket 60 is displaced from the wall at some oblique angle, then “rotation” is the more suitable term for the movement. Likewise, “tilt” and “swivel” are both used to describe angular movement (as opposed to linear movement). Actually two kinds of motion are being described: one is the angular movement of display device 100 about axis A or axis B, respectively illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The second is the angular movement of display device 100 utilizing the small maneuvering room between engagement part 83 and engagement member supporting part 63, which allows the hinging action described above. The actual swiveling or tilting of display device 100 may often employ both kinds of angular motion just described, as well as the extension and rotation motions earlier described with respect to supporting bracket 60.

The stationary bracket 10 is provided between the wall 90 and the link assembly 30. The first side 36a of the stationary bracket 10 is coupled to the wall 90, and the second side 36b of the stationary bracket 10 is selectively coupled with at least one of the plurality of link assemblies 30 to allow a coupling position thereof to be moved (see FIG. 1).

The stationary bracket 10 has a planar shape. First side 36a of the stationary bracket 10 is provided with a stationary bracket coupling part 13 contacting to the wall 90 to be coupled by means of the coupling screw 19, and a second side thereof is provided with a link assembly coupling part 15 coupled with the base bracket 31 of the link assembly 30 by means of the coupling screw 19. The stationary bracket 10 is provided with a transverse direction length adjusting means to adjust a transverse direction distance between the pair of link assemblies 30 distanced in the horizontal direction. The stationary bracket 10 includes an upper stationary bracket 11 supporting the pair of link assemblies 30 provided to the upper side, and a lower stationary bracket 17 supporting the pair of link assemblies 30 provided to the lower side.

The horizontal direction length adjusting means includes the link assembly coupling part 15. In the present exemplary embodiment, the link assembly coupling part 15 has an elongated hole shape formed to the stationary bracket 10 in the transverse direction, and a coupling hole shape provided in plural to the stationary bracket 10 to be distanced from one after another in the transverse direction so that the base bracket 31 can be moved in the horizontal direction to be coupled to the stationary bracket 10. Alternatively, the link assembly coupling part 15 may have a single elongated hole shape, or a coupling hole shape provided in plural to be distanced from one after another.

The link assembly coupling part 15 is determined by means of a horizontal distance between the plurality of engagement member coupling parts 105 provided to the rear side of the display 100. In the present exemplary embodiment, the link assembly coupling part 15 may be formed to correspond to the horizontal distance between the plurality of engagement member coupling parts 105 formed to the rear side of the display 100, which is approximately 400 mm, 600 mm and 800 mm. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates the case that the horizontal distance between the engagement member coupling parts 105 is approximately 600 mm, and FIG. 8 illustrates the case that the horizontal distance between the engagement member coupling parts 105 is approximately 400 mm.

Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the distance between the pair of link assemblies 30 provided to the upper stationary bracket 11 or the lower stationary bracket 17 can be easily adjusted.

A vertical length adjusting means is provided to adjust an vertical distance between the link assemblies 30 distanced in the vertical direction by means of the upper stationary bracket 11 and the lower stationary bracket 17.

The perpendicular direction length adjusting means includes at least one middle bracket 21 provided between the upper stationary bracket 11 and the lower stationary bracket 17 to adjust the distance between the upper stationary bracket 11 and the lower stationary bracket 17. The middle bracket 21 is coupled to the upper stationary bracket 11 and the lower stationary bracket 17 by means of the coupling screw 19.

The vertical direction length adjusting means further includes at least one sub bracket 25 provided between the upper stationary bracket 11 and the lower stationary bracket 17 to adjust the distance between the upper stationary bracket 11 and the lower stationary bracket 17. That is, to increase the distance between the upper stationary bracket 11 and the lower stationary bracket 17, the middle bracket 21 or the sub bracket 25 having a predetermined distance is positioned between the middle bracket 21 and the lower stationary bracket 17 to be coupled by means of the coupling screw 19 after the lower stationary bracket 17 is separated from the middle bracket 21. Also, to further increase the distance between the upper stationary bracket 11 and the lower stationary bracket 17, the middle bracket 21 or the sub bracket 25 having a predetermined distance is additionally positioned between the middle bracket 21 and the lower stationary bracket 17 to be coupled by means of the coupling screw 19 after the lower stationary bracket 17 is separated from the middle bracket 21. Also, to reduce the increased distance between the upper stationary bracket 11 and the lower stationary bracket 17, the middle bracket 21 or the sub bracket 25 coupled between the middle bracket 21 and the lower stationary bracket 17 is removed, and the lower stationary bracket 17 is coupled to the middle bracket 21. Alternatively, the added middle bracket 21 or sub bracket 25 may be coupled between the upper stationary bracket 11 and the middle bracket 21.

The lengths of the middle bracket 21 and the sub bracket 25 are determined by means of the perpendicular distance between the plurality of engagement member coupling parts 105 provided to the rear side of the display 100. In the present exemplary embodiment, the sub bracket 25 is shorter than the middle bracket 21. Alternatively, the sub bracket 25 may be longer than the middle bracket 21.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the lengths of the middle bracket 21 and the sub bracket 25 are determined to correspond to the perpendicular direction distance between the plurality of engagement member coupling parts 105 of the display 100, which is approximately 400 mm, 600 mm or 800 mm. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the perpendicular direction distance between the plurality of engagement member coupling parts 105 may be approximately 400 mm, and a single middle bracket 21 may be disposed. As shown in FIG. 8, the perpendicular direction distance between the plurality of engagement member coupling parts 105 may be approximately 600 mm, and a single middle bracket 21 and a single sub bracket 25 may be disposed. As shown in FIG. 9, the perpendicular direction distance between the plurality of engagement member coupling parts 105 may be approximately 800 mm, and two middle brackets 21 and a single sub bracket 25 may be disposed. However, the middle bracket 21 and the sub bracket 25 are not defined thereto. Alternatively, the middle bracket 21 and the sub bracket 25 may have various lengths and numbers.

Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the distance between the upper stationary bracket 11 and the lower stationary bracket 17 can be easily adjusted.

With this configuration, in the display device according to the present exemplary embodiment, the display 100 pivots about an axis in a front-and-rear direction to be easily mounted to the supporting apparatus 1 in a horizontal direction, or a vertical direction. For example, in case of FIG. 7, the display 100 is disposed in the horizontal direction. Also, in case of disposing the display 100 in the perpendicular direction, the supporting apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 7 is changed as shown in FIG. 8. That is, the distance can be easily adjusted by using the horizontal adjusting means and the vertical adjusting means.

As described above, the present invention provides a wall mount supporting apparatus of a flat panel display device having a simple configuration, and adjusting a display viewing angle in various directions such as a horizontal direction, a vertical direction, etc.

Although a few exemplary embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these exemplary embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A wall mount supporting apparatus of a flat panel display device, comprising:

a plurality of link assemblies which are provided between a display and a wall to rotatably support the display with respect to the wall; and

a stationary bracket which is provided between the wall and the link assemblies, and comprises a first side which is coupled to the wall, and a second side which has a coupling position to which at least one of the plurality of link assemblies is coupled, the coupling position being movable to be selected along the second side.

2. The wall mount supporting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of link assemblies are distanced in a right-and-left direction, and each link assembly comprises:

a base bracket which is coupled with respect to the stationary bracket; a first link, a first side of the first link which is rotatably coupled to the base bracket about an axis in an up-and-down direction; a second link, a first side of the second link which is rotatably coupled to a second side of the first link about an axis in an up-and-down direction; and a supporting bracket which has a first side coupled to the display, and a second side rotatably coupled to a second side of the second link about an axis in an up-and-down direction.

3. The wall mount supporting apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

an engagement member which comprises a first side coupled to the supporting bracket, and a second side coupled to a rear side of the display.

4. The wall mount supporting apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first side of the engagement member is formed with an engagement protrusion, and the first side of the supporting bracket is formed with an engagement member supporting part which supports the engagement protrusion.

5. The wall mount supporting apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first side of the supporting bracket is provided with an insertion part which is bigger than the engagement member supporting part so that the engagement protrusion can be inserted.

6. The wall mount supporting apparatus of claim 5, wherein the supporting bracket is provided with a separation preventing means which prevents the engagement protrusion accommodated to the engagement member supporting part from being separated through the insertion part.

7. The wall mount supporting apparatus of claim 5, wherein the engagement member is movably coupled to the supporting bracket with a predetermined angle.

8. The wall mount supporting apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a first link coupling part which rotatably couples the base bracket and the first side of the first link; and

a linkage coupling part which rotatably couples the second side of the first link and the first side of the second link,

wherein at least one of the first link coupling part and the linkage coupling part is coupled to generate a predetermined rotation resisting force in rotating.

9. The wall mount supporting apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a second link coupling part which rotatably couples the second side of the second link and the supporting bracket,

wherein the second link coupling part is freely rotatably coupled.

10. The wall mount supporting apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a locking unit which prevents the first link and the second link from being separated from the base bracket while the first link and the second link are folded to the base bracket.

11. The wall mount supporting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the locking unit supports the weight of the display while the first link and the second link are folded to the base bracket.

12. The wall mount supporting apparatus of claim 11, wherein the locking means comprises a locking protrusion which is provided to one of the base bracket and the second link, and a locking protrusion accommodating part which is provided to the other of the base bracket and the second link so that the locking protrusion can be inserted thereto.

13. The wall mount supporting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of link assemblies are provided in a pair, and

the stationary bracket is provided with a transverse direction length adjusting unit which adjusts a coupling position of the pair of link assemblies which are distanced in the right-and-left direction.

14. The wall mount supporting apparatus of claim 13, wherein the transverse direction length adjusting means comprises a link assembly coupling part which comprises at least one of an elongated hole which is formed to the stationary bracket in the right-and-left direction, and a coupling hole which is provided in plural to the stationary bracket to be distanced in the right-and-left direction.

15. The wall mount supporting apparatus of claim 13, wherein the stationary bracket comprises an upper stationary bracket which supports the pair of link assemblies provided to the upper side, and a lower stationary bracket which supports the pair of link assemblies provided to the lower side.

16. The wall mount supporting apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

a perpendicular direction length adjusting unit which adjusts an up-and-down direction distance between the link assemblies which are distanced in the up-and-down direction.

17. The wall mount supporting apparatus of claim 16, wherein the perpendicular direction length adjusting unit comprises at least one middle bracket which is provided between the upper stationary bracket and the lower stationary bracket to adjust the distance between the upper stationary bracket and the lower stationary bracket.

18. The wall mount supporting apparatus of claim 17, wherein the perpendicular direction length adjusting unit further comprises at least one sub bracket which is provided between the upper stationary bracket and the lower stationary bracket to adjust the distance between the upper stationary bracket and the lower stationary bracket.

19. An apparatus for mounting a panel display device on a reference surface, the apparatus comprising:

a stationary bracket fixedly secured to the reference surface, the stationary bracket presenting a horizontal axis and including a sleeve oriented along the horizontal axis; and

at least one link assembly disposed between the panel display device and the reference surface, portions of the link assembly reversibly fixed to the panel display device;

such that the at least one link assembly is reversibly shiftable within the sleeve, along the horizontal axis.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the plurality of link assemblies are provided in an upper side pair and a lower side pair, and the stationary bracket is provided with a horizontal length adjusting unit which reversibly adjusts a coupling position of one pair of link assemblies which are distanced horizontally.

21. An apparatus for mounting a panel display device on a reference surface, the apparatus comprising:

a stationary bracket fixedly secured to the reference surface; and

a plurality of link assemblies disposed between the panel display device and the reference surface, portions of each of the assemblies reversibly coupled to the display device and including coupled links, extendable from the reference surface, the reversibly coupled assembly portions including structure for engaging a hinging structure, to allow swiveling movement of the display device about the hinging structure; such that when at least one link is extended out from the wall, a viewing angle for the display device is improved, at least in part by swiveling action of the display device about the hinging structure.