Universal wall mount bracket for displays
A universal display bracket suitable for mounting one of a variety of displays on a surface. The display bracket comprises a plurality of bracket portions slidable relative to one another permitting adjustment of the bracket in both horizontal and vertical directions. The bracket portions are lockable so as to maintain fixed relative positions. The bracket is adapted to mount using suitable fasteners upon a surface and each of the bracket portions are dimensioned to support the display to be mounted. The bracket may be provided with capture locks to prevent accidental dislodgement of the display, and the bracket may be further provided with a tilt assembly allowing a display to be tilted up to 15° from vertical.
This invention relates generally to the field of mounting brackets for mounting plasma or LCD display technologies onto walls or other appropriate receiving or supporting surfaces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPlasma and Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) display technologies have become very popular for both commercial and residential use. These technologies offer a low-profile configuration that has the particular advantage of occupying minimal space, this being particularly desirable in space restricted locations. Generally, these display units are mounted on a wall, a display stand or within a display cabinet. As such, suitable mounting brackets are necessary to securely mount these display units to a receiving or supporting surface.
A variety of mounting brackets for mounting plasma and LCD displays are known. Examples include U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0141425 to Obdeijn, U.S. Patent Application No. 2004/0262474 to Boks et al, and U.S. Patent Application No. 2005/0092890. While a number of the available products are deemed universal, meaning they are usable with a variety of plasma and LCD display technologies from different manufacturers, these products are limited to mounting formats known at the time of manufacture. With an increase in the number of manufacturers that are providing plasma and LCD technologies, compatibility problems of a particular manufacturer with a particular display bracket may arise. New models may also exhibit variations in the mounting holes from previous models, possibly rendering obsolete a bracket relying on multiple hole patterns for known mounting formats.
In view of the above, there is clearly a need for a truly universal mounting bracket that is infinitely adjustable in two dimensions to securely accommodate without difficulty plasma and LCD displays.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to a universal display bracket suitable for mounting one of a variety of displays on a surface. The displays suitable for use with this bracket are generally thin-profile displays, as encountered in the plasma and LCD technologies. The present invention provides a low-profile mount that provides a clean, professional look. The present invention also provides an option to lock the display on the bracket, so as to provide added security. The bracket may also be attached to a tilt assembly to allow the display to be tilted up to 15° from vertical.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, provided is a universal display bracket suitable for mounting one of a variety of displays on a surface, said bracket comprising a plurality of bracket portions slidable relative to one another permitting adjustment of said bracket in both horizontal and vertical directions, said bracket portions being lockable so as to maintain fixed relative positions, said bracket being adapted to mount using suitable fasteners upon a surface, and wherein said bracket portions are dimensioned to support said display.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, provided is a universal display bracket suitable for mounting one of a variety of displays on a surface, said bracket comprising a plurality of bracket portions slidable relative to one another permitting adjustment of said bracket to accommodate a display of a particular size, said bracket portions being lockable so as to maintain a preselected relative position, said bracket being adapted to mount using suitable fasteners upon a surface, and wherein said bracket portions are dimensioned to support said display.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various aspects of the present invention are described in detail where it is appreciated that the principles may find application for use in mounting plasma and LCD display technologies to a receiving or supporting surface such as a wall or a display stand/cabinet. It is preferable to be able to mount a plasma or LCD display closely to a wall or other receiving or supporting structure, thereby taking advantage of the low-profile configuration these technologies offer. This minimizes the room occupied by the display and offers a professional, clean look to the mounted product.
The present invention provides a universal, infinitely adjustable mounting bracket for use with plasma or LCD technologies. As shown in
To slidably affix the third and fourth bracket portions 40, 42, first and second bracket portions 12, 14 are each configured with slots dimensioned to allow the third and fourth bracket portions 40, 42 to slide in the vertical direction relative to the first and second bracket portions 12, 14. As shown in
To fasten the bracket to a wall or other suitable receiving or supporting surface, each of the bracket portions is provided with an offset portion comprising a mounting slot, through which suitable fasteners may be positioned, depending on the nature of the receiving or supporting surface. First and second bracket portions 12, 14 have offset portions 68, 70, each being sufficiently offset so as to allow the offset portions to sit flat upon a wall without interference from the sliding mechanism permitting horizontal adjustment. Similarly, third and fourth bracket portions 40, 42 each have offset portions 72, 74, each again being sufficiently offset so as to allow the offset portions to sit flat upon a wall without interference from the sliding mechanism permitting vertical adjustment. To ensure vertical alignment with the receiving or supporting surface (i.e. wall), offset portions 68, 70, 72, 74 are coplanar, thus ensuring that each of the mounting slots 76, 78, 80, 82, respectively, are coplanar, as shown in
As shown in
To provide added security and to prevent accidental dislodgement of the mounted display, at least one of the offset portions (68, 70, 72, 74) may be configured with a capture lock. The capture lock ensures retainment of the mounting button 94 by the complementary U-shaped cutout 92. While a variety of locks may be implemented,
In use, the mounting bracket is first loosened by releasing the locks 24, 26, 60 (see
In an alternate embodiment, the offset mounting means is provided with a single cutout, or possibly a plurality of cutouts for receiving the mounting buttons. In a further embodiment, the cutout may be shaped to prevent accidental disengagement. For example, the slot may be L-shaped, S-shaped or Z-shaped.
In an alternate embodiment, first bracket portion 12 and second bracket portion 14 are configured with keyhole slots that accord to the VESA 100/200 mounting standard, as shown in
In a further alternate embodiment, the universal mounting bracket 10 is configured with a tilting assembly 142 that allows the mounting bracket 10 to tilt from the vertical position (see
The other end 177 of the traction spring 166 is pivotally mounted between tabs 178, 180 of vertical anchor plates 182, 184, respectively, using suitable fasteners 185a/b. Vertical anchor plates 182, 184 are affixed to mounting plate 152 using suitable fasteners 186a/b. Mounting plate 152 is generally configured with mounting slots 188, 190, 192, 194 to allow the mounting plate 152 to be securely fastened to a wall or other suitable support surface. The mounting plate 152 provides towards each end of the plate tabs 196 (far tab not shown) to allow pivotal mounting of pivot assembly 144 attached to mounting slots 80, 82 on mounting bracket 10. As shown, pivot assembly 144 comprises tabs 198, 200 at each end of the structure. These tabs 198, 200 of the pivot assembly 144 are positioned between the corresponding tabs 196 (far tab not shown), with a suitable bushing 202 (i.e. urethane, bronze, etc . . . ) being placed between adjacent tabs (i.e. between tab 196 of the mounting plate 152 and tab 198 of pivot assembly 144). A suitable fastener 204 is positioned through the adjacent tabs to maintain the aforementioned pivotal relationship.
To facilitate the tilt action of the tilting assembly 142, as mentioned above, a slow-speed lockable gas traction spring 166 is used. In the embodiment shown in
As detailed above, the mounting bracket is adjustable in both the horizontal and vertical directions, so as to accommodate a variety of display sizes. The pivot assembly 144 and gas spring assembly 148 are configured to affix to the mounting bracket 10 over a wide range of selected horizontal configurations (widths) due to attachment via mounting slots 76, 78, 80, 82. To accommodate the variety of available vertical configurations, vertical anchor plates 182, 184 are configured with vertical slots 206, 208 so as to permit proper placement of the pivot point defined between tabs 178, 180 of vertical anchor plates 182, 184, respectively. As can be appreciated, the placement of this pivot point is dependent upon the vertical configuration of the mounting bracket 10. Once positioned, fasteners 186a/b are used to maintain this configuration.
In use, the mounting bracket with tilting assembly, as shown assembled in
It can be appreciated that while the tilt assembly discussed above can be provided integrated into the mount bracket, it is preferable to provide the tilt assembly as a kit or option available for addition to the mount bracket 10.
In an alternate embodiment, the bracket portions may incorporate curved or angled edging to provide increased structural rigidity to the overall mounting bracket.
In an alternate embodiment, one or more of the offset mounting means are configured to support said display without capturing a mounting button or similar structure. It can be appreciated that one or more of the offset mounting means may provide a ledge or similar structure to provide support to the mounted display.
It can be appreciated that while the current invention has been discussed with respect to plasma and LCD technologies, the invention may find further application for mounting artwork, conference-room presentation boards, advertisement signs, etc. In essence, the invention may be used in any application where an infinitely adjustable low profile bracket mechanism is required.
Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, those of skill in the art will appreciate that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
Claims
1. A universal display bracket suitable for mounting one of a variety of displays on a surface, said bracket comprising a plurality of bracket portions slidable relative to one another permitting adjustment of said bracket in both horizontal and vertical directions, said bracket portions being lockable so as to maintain fixed relative positions, said bracket being adapted to mount using suitable fasteners upon a surface, and wherein said bracket portions are dimensioned to support said display.
2. The universal display bracket according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of bracket portions comprises a first and second bracket portion slidable and lockable relative to one another in the horizontal direction, and wherein also provided are third and fourth bracket portions, said third bracket portion being slidable and lockable in the vertical direction relative to said second bracket portion, and wherein said fourth bracket portion is slidable and lockable in the vertical direction relative to said first bracket portion.
3. The universal display bracket according to claim 2, wherein said first, second, third and fourth bracket portions each comprise mounting slots for mounting said bracket to a receiving or supporting surface.
4. The universal display bracket according to claim 3, wherein said first, second, third and fourth bracket portions each comprise an offset mount for mounting a display.
5. The universal display bracket according to claim 4, wherein said offset mount on each of said first, second, third and fourth bracket portions comprises at least one U-shaped cutout for receiving a mounting button installed on the rear of a display to be mounted.
6. The universal display bracket according to claim 5, wherein at least one of said offset mount comprises a capture lock to prevent removal of said display from said bracket.
7. The universal display bracket according to claim 6, wherein said capture lock comprises a rotatable bridge lock that rotates from a first open position, allowing said mounting button to be inserted into said U-shaped cutout, to a second locked position, wherein said bridge lock in the second locked position presents an obstruction that prevents removal of said mounting button from said U-shaped cutout.
8. The universal display bracket according to claim 6, wherein said capture lock comprises an insertable pin lock that obstructs removal of said mounting button from said U-shaped cutout on said offset mount.
9. The universal display bracket according to claim 2, wherein said first and second bracket portions are configured with keyhole slots that conform to VESA mounting standards.
10. The universal display bracket according to claim 1, wherein further provided is a tilting assembly, said tilting assembly comprising a mounting plate for attaching said tilting assembly to a surface, a pivot assembly to allow said bracket to pivot relative to said mounting plate, and a gas spring assembly extending between said mounting plate and said bracket to effect a tilt action about said pivot assembly, thereby allowing said bracket to be tilted through a range of angles between a first vertical position and a second tilted position.
11. The universal display bracket according to claim 10, wherein said second tilted position is approximately 15° from vertical.
12. The universal display bracket according to claim 10, wherein said gas spring assembly comprises a slow-speed lockable gas traction spring to facilitate and effect a tilting and lock action to the tilt assembly.
13. The universal display bracket according to claim 10, wherein said pas spring assembly is hand actuated.
14. The universal display bracket according to claim 10, wherein said tilt assembly is provided as a separate kit and wherein mounting slots provided on said bracket are used to affix said bracket to said tilt assembly.
15. A universal display bracket suitable for mounting one of a variety of displays on a surface, said bracket comprising a plurality of bracket portions slidable relative to one another permitting adjustment of said bracket to accommodate a display of a particular size, said bracket portions being lockable so as to maintain a preselected relative position, said bracket being adapted to mount using suitable fasteners upon a surface, and wherein said bracket portions are dimensioned to support said display.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 20, 2005
Publication Date: Jan 25, 2007
Inventor: Theodor Calinescu (Toronto)
Application Number: 11/185,095
International Classification: A47K 1/00 (20060101);