CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is related to a prior U.S. provisional patent application filed on Mar. 3, 2008 by the same inventors herein, which was given a U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/337,574 and has the following title, “Universal Flat Panel TV Accessory Mounting Bracket and Enclosure”. All appropriate domestic priority benefit resulting from the applicants' above-referenced U.S. provisional patent application is herein requested for the present invention.
BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of decorative TV frames and other TV accessories for flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions, specifically to a mounting system that utilizes latches and bracket bars to ensure secure and precise mounting of a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory to a myriad of VESA-compliant and non-VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions. When the term VESA is used herein, it will refer to the VESA mounting standards set by the Video Electronics Standards Association. The system works in three parts. The first part comprises bracket bars that are attached securely with screws to the back of the flat panel LCD/Plasma television, either independently or between the flat panel LCD/Plasma television and an independent third party wall mounting bracket. The second part comprises a preferably wooden enclosure that acts as an inner frame extending around the sides of a flat panel LCD/Plasma television and can be used as scaffolding for attachment of a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory. The third part comprises a latching system that mates the first and second parts together. When used herein, the term “other TV accessories” can include but is not limited to external speakers and/or shelving that one may want to place in close association with a flat panel LCD/Plasma television. In addition, although the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a system for mounting decorative frames and other accessories to flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions, other applications of the present invention mounting system may also include aesthetic enhancement of other objects independently mounted to a wall or other vertically-extending surface, such as but not limited to shelving, speakers, mirrors, clocks, paintings, and/or awards or certificates. Furthermore, the present invention can be configured for use in both landscape and portrait modes, as needed for the intended application. It should be noted however, that although other applications of the present invention herein are contemplated, the ensuing discussion will be primarily focused on applications involving flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Currently, flat panel TV frames and other TV accessories have no uniformly accepted method of attachment to a wall or ceiling. The two methods most commonly used involve the use of straps with hook-and-loop fasteners or buckles, and direct bolting of the frames or accessories to a wall. A major disadvantage for the strap and buckle method is a lack of security and theft prevention capability. In addition, the very nature of straps does not impart the peace of mind associated with rigid and precision steel parts. Furthermore, straps and buckles cannot control the placement or orientation of the frame or accessory on the flat panel LCD/Plasma television. Thus, with the strap and buckle mounting method, a frame or accessory is no more attached to a television than a pair of trousers is attached to a person with a belt.
Direct wall mounting of a frame or accessory positioned around a flat panel LCD/Plasma television involves skilled labor and incurs an expensive price tag. Also, precision must be used to place a frame or accessory directly against a wall, or its misplacement will be evident and likely to become a distraction to viewers as the mismatched orientation of the decorative TV frame or other TV accessory repeatedly undergoes visual comparisons to the differing orientation of the flat panel LCD/Plasma television directly adjacent to it. A recessed enclosure built into the wall avoids this problem but incurs greater expense regarding labor and construction. The direct-to-the-wall mounting method for televisions has the advantage of providing an acceptable level of security for them, but it also has the disadvantage of elevating the cost of any television maintenance or service. Furthermore, removal of direct-to-the-wall mounted frames generally requires skilled labor, with skilled labor also being required for their replacement when the service or maintenance on the associated television is complete.
In addition, when viewed macroscopically, the strap and buckle and the direct-to-the-wall mounting methods for TV frames and other TV accessories mentioned above in relation to flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions, each represents an extreme case of simplicity or precision. The strap and buckle method is extremely simple, but provides little in the way of security and precision. Conversely, the direct-to-the-wall mounting method is extremely secure, but extremely expensive and extremely difficult to accomplish, and it is just as difficult and costly to remove as it is to install.
The present invention overcomes these disadvantages by the use of several innovations. The first innovation is its bracket bars. They attach to the back of a flat panel LCD/Plasma television and provide a rigid surface that a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory supported upon a present invention enclosure can be directly mounted to. Because the bracket bars are rigid, they provide an alternative to direct-to-the-wall mounting. The bracket bars give all of the benefits of the security offered by a direct-to-the-wall mount, and because they are made from steel, the bracket bars can be pre-engineered to provide the precision necessary to mount a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory to a flat panel LCD/Plasma television without the difficult and labor intensive steps of the direct-to-the-wall mounting method. Furthermore, because the present invention bracket bars are mounted to the back of the flat panel TV with screws, they eliminate the necessity of skilled labor, thus reducing installation cost.
In addition, the second innovation of the present invention is its latching system which includes upper latches that when properly mated to the upper slots of the bracket bars, allow an individual to simply click a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory into place around a flat panel LCD/Plasma television, attaching it in only seconds. The present invention latching system also has lower latches that when properly mated to the lower slot of a bracket bar, also assists in securing a TV frame or other TV accessory to the enclosure. When the latching system is fully in place and all fasteners are tightened, the flat panel LCD/Plasma television and the mounted TV frame or other TV accessory become one unit, allowing the flat panel LCD/Plasma television to tilt or articulate on its wall mount, with the decorative TV frame or other TV accessory associated with it concurrently performing the same movements. Additionally, the use of a special keyed set of screws as a part of the present invention mounting system can offer a high level of theft prevention when the flat panel LCD/Plasma television and an associated decorative TV frame or other TV accessory are in a public area.
The third innovation of the present invention is the use of an enclosure that surrounds the flat panel LCD/Plasma television and to which the bracket bars are connected using the present invention latching system. The enclosure can comprise many forms and includes a first embodiment wherein pre-routed top and bottom inside surface configurations allow the bracket bars to rapidly line up with mounting points on a myriad of different VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions. However, the present invention is not limited to the first preferred embodiment disclosed hereinabove, and it also may comprise other enclosure embodiments that can be used to associate a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory with a flat panel LCD/Plasma television, such as but not limited to custom-fabricated enclosures that are pre-routed for mounting only to flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions in compliance with one VESA standard, custom-fabricated enclosures that are pre-routed for mounting to flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions not in compliance with any VESA standard, an enclosure or other frame mount rearwardly-depending from a decorative frame intended for association with a flat panel LCD/Plasma television, and other enclosure embodiments that are able to easily accommodate non-VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions, such as but not limited to those enclosures that include fixed mounting blocks, or a combination of movable mounting blocks and rails, to offer substantially similar mounting capability to that of the pre-routed enclosure of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, but which can be used with any VESA-compliant or non-VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma television. Although the enclosure embodiments having fixed and mounting blocks can be used for mounting a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory to a VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma television, installation would typically not be as rapid as when the pre-routed enclosure in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is used. Two contemplated embodiments showing the use of mounting blocks are shown in the accompanying illustrations, one with rails and one not associated with rails, and both are discussed further in the Detailed Description below.
The bracket bars, latching systems, and enclosures of the present invention offer a cost-effective solution to the problem of mounting decorative TV frames and other TV accessories to a flat panel LCD/Plasma television, with a very high level of security and precision, and without sacrificing simplicity. No system or method is known having the same structural features and advantages of the present invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The primary objective of this invention is to provide a mounting system for TV frames and other TV accessories that utilizes latches, enclosures, and bracket bars to ensure secure and precise mounting of the TV frames and other TV accessories to a myriad of VESA-compliant and non-VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions.
It is also an objective of this invention to provide a secure and precise system of mounting TV frames and other TV accessories to a flat panel LCD/Plasma television in a simple-to-use but cost-effective way.
It is also an objective of this invention to provide a design for a system of mounting decorative TV frames and other TV accessories to flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions that allows mass production of parts, keeping costs down.
It is also an objective of this invention to provide an assembly with materials and design that allow individuals to safely, simply, and securely mount decorative TV frames or other TV accessories to their flat panel televisions.
The present invention, when properly made and used, provides a mounting system for decorative TV frames and other TV accessories that utilizes a combination of latches, enclosures, and bracket bars to provide secure, precise, rapid, and easy mounting of the TV frames and other TV accessories to a myriad of VESA-compliant and non-VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions. The system comprises three major parts. The first part of the present invention is the bracket bars that attach securely with screws to the back of a flat panel LCD/Plasma television, either independently or between the flat panel LCD/Plasma television and an independent third party wall mounting bracket and/or mounting plate. The bracket bars provide a rigid and precisely machined surface to which a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory in association with a present invention enclosure would be mounted. The second part of the present invention is a preferably wooden enclosure that acts as an inner frame to enclose the sides of a flat panel LCD/Plasma television and thereafter acts as scaffolding to which a decorative TV frame (with or without a rearwardly-depending frame mount) or other TV accessory can be attached. The third part of the present invention is a latching system that mates the first and second parts together.
The description herein provides preferred embodiments of the present invention but should not be construed as limiting its scope. Variations, other than those shown and described herein, such as but not limited to those required for VESA-compliant and non-VESA-compliant televisions, may also be incorporated into the present invention. Thus, the scope of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than being limited to the examples given.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention for securing a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory to a VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma television, with two bracket bars, an enclosure with a pre-routed inside surface configuration, and the components of a latching system used for connecting the bracket bars to the enclosure, all located in relative proximity to their intended positions of use.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a flat panel LCD/Plasma television, two independent third party wall mounting brackets and a wall mounting plate, and present invention components that in combination can be used for securing a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory to VESA-compliant and non-VESA-compliant televisions, showing left-to-right a decorative TV frame, a frame mount that can be independent from or rearwardly-depending from the decorative TV frame, the present invention enclosure with multiple pre-routed inside surface configurations used for flush positioning of latch mounting plates and used mainly with VESA-compliant televisions, the latching system of the present invention poised for connection between the enclosure or frame mount and the present invention bracket bars, a flat panel LCD/Plasma television, two vertically extending present invention bracket bars, two independent third party mounting brackets, and an independent third party mounting plate, with the mounting blocks and rails used with the frame mount and shown in FIGS. 13-15 being omitted from FIG. 2.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention previously shown in FIG. 1, with its enclosure, latching system, and two bracket bars positioned for connection to the back of a VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma television.
FIG. 4a is a front view of four slotted bracket bars, each having a different length dimension, that may be alternatively used in most preferred embodiments of the present invention to mount a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory to different sizes of flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions.
FIG. 4b is a front view of four perforated bracket bars, each having a different length dimension, that may be substituted for one another, or for one of the slotted bracket bars in FIG. 4a, in most preferred embodiments of the present invention to mount a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory to different sizes of flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions.
FIG. 5a is a side view of a horizontal enclosure piece (HEP) used as a part of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention and intended to become the top or bottom member of a present invention enclosure, wherein the pre-routed top surface shown is configured to accommodate recessed positioning of present invention latching system components and would be oriented as a top or bottom inside surface facing the VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma television intended for association with a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory.
FIG. 5b is a top view of the present invention HEP shown in FIG. 5b.
FIG. 6a is a front view of a vertical enclosure piece (VEP) in a first preferred embodiment of the present invention intended to become one of the side members of a present invention enclosure, with broken lines showing preferred fastener positioning used to secure each of its ends to a different HEP member so that a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory can be mounted on a VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma television.
FIG. 6b is a side view of the VEP shown in FIG. 6a.
FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the enclosure in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention for mounting a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory to a VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma television, with two horizontal enclosure pieces (HEP), and two vertical enclosure pieces (VEP) ready for connection end-to-end via the use of multiple fasteners.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the upper latch used as a part of the latching system in many preferred embodiments of the present invention for mounting a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory to VESA-compliant and non-VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the upper latch mounting plate used as a part of the latching system in many preferred embodiments of the present invention for mounting a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory to VESA-compliant and non-VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the lower latch used as a part of the latching system in many preferred embodiments of the present invention for mounting a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory to VESA-compliant and non-VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the lower latch mounting plate used as a part of the latching system in many preferred embodiments of the present invention for mounting a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory to VESA-compliant and non-VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the bracket bars used in many preferred embodiments of the present invention secured to the horizontal enclosure pieces (HEP) of a present invention enclosure via the latches and latch mounting plates shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11, and fasteners shown in FIG. 16, for mounting a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory mainly to VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of one bracket bar in a second preferred embodiment of the present invention secured to a frame mount (typically associated with a decorative TV frame but not limited thereto) via the latches and latch mounting plates shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11, and a plurality of fasteners also shown in FIG. 16, and the further addition of four mounting plate blocks.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of one bracket bar in a third preferred embodiment of the present invention secured to a frame mount (typically associated with a decorative TV frame but not limited thereto) via the latches and latch mounting plates shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11, and a plurality of fasteners also shown in FIG. 16, four mounting plate blocks, and the further addition of opposing top and bottom latch plate mounting rails, with the mounting plate blocks and rails secured to one another via additional fasteners also shown in FIG. 16.
FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the third preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 14.
FIG. 16 provides top and side views for each of six preferred fasteners usable with different embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION When the present invention mounting system is used, it would provide to manufacturers of flat panel TV frames and flat panel other TV accessories (such as but not limited to the decorative frame/accessory 8 shown in FIG. 2) a means of easily and securely mounting their TV frame or other TV accessory (8) on a flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16. The present invention mounting system utilizes latches (such as but not limited to 2, 3, 4, 5), an enclosure or frame mount (such as but not limited to 6/7 or 12/13), and bracket bars 1 (such as but not limited to those shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b) that provide secure and precise mounting of decorative TV frames and other TV accessories (such as but not limited to decorative frame/accessory 8) to a myriad of VESA-compliant and non-VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions 16. When used herein, any reference to VESA mounting standards will relate to those set by the Video Electronics Standards Association. The present invention system has three major parts. The first and the third parts (respectively its bracket bars and latching system components) are preferably made from rigid, stamped steel. The bracket bars 1 shown respectively in FIGS. 4a and 4b, comprise the first major part of the present invention, and they attached securely with fasteners A (such as those shown in FIG. 2) to the back of a flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16, either alone or in combination with an independent third party wall mounting bracket 15 (an example of which is shown in FIG. 2) that engages an independent third party wall mounting plate 14 (an example of which is also shown in FIG. 2). The second part of the present invention mounting system is a preferably wooden enclosure. For VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions 16, the present invention enclosure could comprise horizontal enclosure pieces 6 (HEP) and vertical enclosure pieces 7 (VEP), and shown in FIGS. 1, 5a-7, and 12. Pre-routed surfaces on each HEP 6 are configured specifically for fast alignment with the mounting points on any flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 adopting VESA standards. In the alternative, another enclosure could be used, such as but not limited to the frame mount typically associated with a TV frame and made from two vertical side skirts 13 (VSS) and two horizontal side skirts 12 (HSS), with one HSS 12 providing the top of the frame mount and the other HSS 12 providing the bottom of the frame mount. The enclosure used (including 6/7 and 12/13) would provide an inner frame that encloses a flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 and acts as scaffolding to which decorative flat panel TV frames or other flat panel TV accessories (such as TV frame/accessory 8) can be attached. As a point of clarification, in some applications a frame mount can be secured to another enclosure, such as the enclosure 6/7 having pre-routed surfaces on each HEP 6 and used with VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions 16. The third major part of the present invention mounting system is its latching system (including components 2, 3, 4, and 5 shown in FIGS. 8-11) that mates the first and second parts together.
The preferred bracket bars 1 in the first part of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4a, 4b, 12, 13, 14, and 15. They typically extend above and below the flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 to which they are secured and remain in a vertically extending orientation during their use. They are preferably made from rigid stamped steel, but not limited thereto, and can be made from any strong and long-enduring material that can safely and securely fulfill their intended function. In the alternative, and as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, preferred bracket bars 1 can have closed slots or mounting holes pre-drilled through them that allow the bracket bar 1 to adjust its position relative to a flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16. However, the number, positioning, spaced-apart distance from one another, and size of the holes and closed slots centrally through bracket bars 1 can vary from that shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, and it should be understood that bracket bars 1 are not simply limited to the configurations and relative sizes shown therein. At least two fasteners (such as but not limited to the bracket mounting machine screw A shown in FIG. 16) are positioned to extend through the centrally-located closed slots or holes in bracket bars 1 (such as but not limited to those shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b) and secure bracket bars 1 to the back of a flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16. For VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions 16, two bracket bars 1 would be used. In most non-VESA-compliant television 16 applications, two bracket bars 1 would also be used. However, there could be applications where more than two bracket bars 1 would be preferred to satisfy security and/or safety concerns. In the first preferred embodiment of the present invention mounting system it is contemplated for each bracket bar 1 to have two open slots 1a on its top end configured to engage the hooks 2a on an upper latch 2 (such as but not limited to those shown in FIG. 8), and a single open slot 1b on its bottom end configured for insertion of the main body of a lower latch 4 (such as but not limited to that shown in FIG. 10). However, if the configurations of upper latch 2 and lower latch 4 are different from that shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the configurations of the top and bottom ends of bracket bars 1 would be adapted according to provide a secure engagement respectively therebetween. FIGS. 4a and 4b each show four bracket bars 1, which from left to right have increasing length dimension. It is contemplated for all eight of the brackets bars 1 shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b to be used in the alternative to accommodate many differing sizes of VESA-compliant and non-VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions 16. The bracket bars 1 shown in FIG. 4a each have a slotted configuration, while the bracket bars 1 in FIG. 4b each have a plurality of spaced-apart pre-drilled holes.
The enclosure comprising the second major part of the present invention is shown in whole or in part in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7, 12, 13, 14, and 15. The enclosure (6/7) used as a part of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, and mainly for VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions 16, is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7, and 12, while an alternative enclosure (12/13) that is shown in FIGS. 2 and 13-15 can be an independent enclosure or a frame mount rearwardly depending from a TV frame or other TV accessory 8, and used mainly for non-VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions 16. Other enclosures not shown in the accompanying illustrations, which can be defined within the scope of the appended claims herein, can also be used as a part of the present invention for mounting decorative TV frames or other TV accessories 8 to VESA-compliant and non-VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions 16. The enclosure used as a part of the first preferred embodiment of a present invention with VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions 16 can be seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7, and 12, and is made from two horizontal enclosure pieces 6 (HEP) and two vertical enclosure pieces 7 (VEP), each preferably made from wood. As shown in FIG. 7, the two horizontal enclosure pieces 6 (HEP) and the two vertical enclosure pieces 7 (VEP) are connected to one another end-to-end in perpendicular orientation to form an enclosure with a substantially rectangular configuration, preferably being secured with the wood screws E shown in FIGS. 7 and 16, although not limited thereto. This enclosure (6/7) forms the base to which a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory 8 (such as that shown in FIG. 2), or the frame mount 12/13 also shown in FIG. 2, can be attached. Each HEP 6 is pre-routed along its length on one of its wider surfaces so that the upper latch mounting plates 3 and the lower latch mounting plates 5 of the present invention latching system will sit flush with (or slightly recessed in relation to) the highest remaining part of the pre-routed surface when secured to HEP 6 by fasteners (such as but not limited to the wood screw B shown in FIG. 16). It is contemplated for the pre-routed surfaces in each HEP 6 to face a flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 during the use of HEP 6 as a part of the enclosure (6/7). Then, as a result of the flush or slightly recessed attachment of the upper latch mounting plates 3 and the lower latch mounting plates 5 used, neither will be able to come into contact with (or otherwise interfere with) flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 during the attachment of the enclosure (while it supports a TV frame/accessory 8) to the bracket bars 1 that have already been connected to the back of a flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 via several fasteners A. As shown in FIG. 5a, each HEP 6 has multi-level routing and is also further pre-routed so that the upper latches 2 each slide between the pre-routed surface of HEP 6 and an upper latch mounting plate 3 secured to the pre-routed surface of the upper HEP 6 and also pre-routed so that the lower latches 4 each slide between the pre-routed surface of HEP 6 and a lower latch mounting plate 5 secured to the pre-routed surface of the lower HEP 6. It is this attachment of latches 2 and 4 away from the bracket bars 1 secured to the back of a flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 that allow for each exchange of one decorative TV frame or other TV accessory without having to remove the associated flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 from its wall-mounted or other position of use. The dimensions of the pre-routed areas reflect the VESA guidelines set by the Video Electronics Standards Association so that any flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 adopting VESA standards will have mounting points that match one of the pre-routed areas on each HEP 6. Although the configuration of the pre-routed surfaces of the horizontal enclosure pieces 6 (HEP) shown in 5a and 5b are preferred, different embodiments of the present invention may have pre-routed configurations for HEP 6 other than those illustrated therein.
The latching system is the third part of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention and secures two bracket bars 1 to the enclosure made from two horizontal enclosure pieces 6 (HEP) and two vertical enclosure pieces 7 (VEP), as shown in FIG. 12. The preferred latching system used in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, in whole or in part, is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, and includes latches (such as 2 and 4 in FIG. 1), screws (such as B and D in FIG. 1), and mounting plates (such as 3 and 5 in FIG. 1). The upper latch 2 is preferably made from rigid stamped steel and is also preferably designed with two mounting hooks 2a each configured to engage one of the open slots on the top end of bracket bar 1. Its length allows it to be drawn out or pushed into its usable position, as needed to account for the varying depth dimensions of different flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions 16. FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of the most preferred upper latch 2. The lower latch 4 is also preferably made from rigid stamped steel and is centrally slotted (at least one closed slot is used) to allow its travel in and out relative to the enclosure (6/7, 12/13, or other), accounting for the varying depth dimensions of different televisions 16, as well as to allow a needed set screw (see set screw D in FIG. 16 as an example) to function. The preferred lower latch 4 is also widened on one of its ends, making it generally T-shaped, with the enlarged portion having a configuration that allows it to function as a bracket bar catch, to retain the associated bracket bar 1 in its vertically-extending usable position behind a flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16. FIG. 10 shows an enlarged view of the most preferred lower latch 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper latch mounting plate 3 is used to secure the upper latch 2 against the upper HEP 6, and is also preferably made from rigid steel. As can be seen in FIG. 1, as well as in the enlarged view of upper latch mounting plate 3 shown in FIG. 9, upper latch mounting plate 3 preferably has a generally rectangular perimeter configuration and a mounting hole near each of its comers, with the mounting holes each being configured for receiving one screw B (see FIG. 16 for a preferred configuration of screw B). However, as can also be seen in FIGS. 1 and 9, upper latch mounting plate 3 also preferably has three centrally located and aligned threaded holes each configured to receive one set screw D (see FIG. 16 for a preferred configuration of screw D). Although four mounting holes (for screw B) and three threaded holes (for set screws D) are shown, the number of each used can be different from that shown. As shown in FIG. 1, the lower latch mounting plate 5 is used to secure the lower latch 4 against the pre-routed inside surface of the lower HEP 6 in enclosure 6/7, and is also preferably made from rigid steel. As can be seen in FIG. 1, and in the enlarged view of lower latch mounting plate 5 shown in FIG. 11, the lower latch mounting plate 5 preferably has a generally rectangular perimeter configuration and a mounting hole near each of its corners, with the mounting holes each being configured for receiving one screw B (see FIG. 16 for a preferred configuration of screw B). However, as can also be seen in FIGS. 1 and 9, lower latch mounting plate 5 preferably has a mounting tab 5a extending outwardly beyond one of its edges and a threaded hole configured to receive a set screw C (see FIG. 16 for a preferred configuration of screw C).
Additionally, FIG. 13 and FIGS. 14-15 show two additional embodiments of the present invention. Both embodiments can be used to accommodate VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions 16, and those that do not follow the VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) standard. However, it is to be understood that use of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention with VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions 16 typically provides a faster on-site installation of a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory 8 than the additional embodiments shown in FIGS. 13-15. FIG. 13 shows the second preferred embodiment configured primarily to accommodate flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions 16 that do not follow the VESA standard. In place of the fully assembled enclosure made from two horizontal enclosure pieces 6 (HEP) and two vertical enclosure pieces 7 (VEP) that is used in the first preferred embodiment, the second preferred embodiment of the present invention uses a substantially rectangular frame mount 12/13 that can be independent and replace enclosure 6/7, or an enclosure that rearwardly depends from a TV frame 8 that is used independently around a flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 or become associated with an enclosure 6/7. Use of the term “frame mount” will refer to both types of enclosures, those that are independent and those depending rearwardly from a TV frame or other TV accessory 8. The frame mount 12/13 in the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is made from two vertical side skirts 13 (VSS) and two horizontal side skirts 12 (HSS). Furthermore, two latch plate mounting blocks 9 (LPMB) are used as a part of the latching system to anchor each bracket bars 1 into a fixed position relative to the frame mount 12/13 that will align each bracket bar 1 with mounting points on the back of an associated flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions 16. The latch plate mounting blocks 9 (LPMB) are each pre-routed to provide a flush or slightly recessed positioning for the latch mounting plates 3 and 5 when they are secured to latch plate mounting blocks 9 (LPMB), as well as allow the latch mounting plates 3 and 5, and the latches 2 and 4, to fulfill their intended functions. The latch plate mounting blocks 9 (LPMB) also have vertically extending pre-drilled holes in their upper comers to allow insertion of fasteners (such as the wood screws E shown in FIG. 16) used to secure each latch plate mounting block 9 (LPMB) directly to the inside surface of one of the horizontal side skirts 12 (HSS) of the frame mount (12/13). The placement of the LPMB 9 is determined by the spaced-apart width of the mounting points on the back of any non-VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16. The two latch plate mounting blocks 9 (LPMB) replace the pre-routed configuration formed into the inside surfaces of the horizontal enclosure pieces 6 (HEP), allowing variable placement of each LPMB 9 relative to the associated horizontal side skirt 12. Other components in the second preferred embodiment of the present invention function exactly the same as in the previously described most preferred embodiment of the present invention and need no additional explanation.
The third preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 and provides enhanced adjustability for bracket bar 1 alignment with the mounting points on any VESA-compliant or non-VESA-compliant flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16. It is similar to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, however in place of the fixed latch plate mounting blocks 9 (LPMB) it uses movable latch plate mounting blocks 10 (MLPMB), each having a bottom surface pre-routed for prompt and easy MLPM 10 movement along a rail 11 that is preferably made from steel. FIG. 14 shows one vertically extending bracket bar 1 secured between two horizontal side skirts 12 (HSS) via the use of two movable latch plate mounting blocks 10 (MLPMB), while FIG. 15 shows the same components in an exploded view. Each MLPMB 10 has the same pre-routed top surface as an LPMB 9 that provides a flush or slightly recessed positioning for the latch mounting plates 3 and 5 when they are secured to latch plate mounting blocks 9, as well as allow the latch mounting plates 3 and 5, and the latches 2 and 4, to fulfill their intended functions. Each MLPMB 10 additionally has a routed slot on its bottom surface that allows it to slide along the steel rail 11, as well as horizontally oriented pre-drilled holes extending through one of its side surfaces that allow for placement of fasteners (such as the set screws F shown in FIG. 16) perpendicular to the steel rail 11 associated with it. The steel rails 11 are installed directly to the inside surface of one of the horizontal side skirts 12 (HSS) of the frame mount (12/13). Each MLPMB 10 is then mounted onto one of the opposed steel rails 11. Once the separation of the two movable latch plate mounting blocks 10 (MLPMB) is determined according to the model of flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 intended for attachment of a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory 8, each MLPMB 10 is then secured with a fastener (such as the set screw F shown in FIG. 16). Other components in the third preferred embodiment of the present invention function exactly the same as in the previously described embodiments of the present invention, and need no additional explanation. FIG. 14 shows one bracket bar 1, an enclosure, and a latching system with opposing steel rails 11 functioning together. Such components have been designed to be modular and allow a simple substitution of one part for another to provide a needed dimension change so that the present invention may be used with many more of the flat panel and plasma televisions 16 currently available without a substantial increase in cost. Thus, to accommodate televisions 16 of different dimensions, one would only need to change the size of some of the parts (such as selecting longer or shorter bracket bars 1) to be able to use the third embodiment of the present invention to mount a larger or smaller television 16.
Assembly of the present invention can occur in the following manner, using FIG. 2 as a general guide. Although the immediately following two steps may be reversed, the enclosure (6/7 or other) that will eventually hang from bracket bars 1 can be made first using the wood screws E shown in FIGS. 2 and 16, followed by a step of mounting the bracket bars 1 to the back of a flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 using the four machine screws A shown in FIGS. 2 and 16. Even though not shown in FIG. 2 or any of the other accompanying illustrations, after the enclosure (6/7 or other) is assembled, it is then secured within the frame mount 12/13 that rearwardly depends from a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory 8, or is otherwise associated with the decorative TV frame or other TV accessory 8 that is to be mounted around a flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 via the use of fasteners, adhesives, and/or other bonding agents,. Thereafter, the upper mounting plates 3 and the lower mounting plates 5 are attached to the enclosure with fasteners (such as the wood screws B shown in FIGS. 2 and 16). The end of each upper latch 2 that is remote from its hooks 2a is then inserted between a different one of the upper mounting plates 3 and the routed configuration of an upper HEP 6, an LPMB 9, or a MLPMB 10. Each upper latch 2 is then secured into its usable position via at least one set screw (such as the set screw D shown in FIGS. 2 and 16). Thereafter, the hooks 2a on each upper latch 2 are engaged with the slots 1a on the top end of a different one of the bracket bars 1, which as a result of gravity then causes the upper mounting plates 3, the upper latches 2, and the bracket bars 1 to now hold the enclosure (6/7 or other), as well as any frame mount 12/13 or decorative TV frame or other TV accessory 8 associated therewith, in a proper position over the flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16. The end of each lower latch 4 remote from its widened end is then inserted through the lower slot 1b on a different bracket bar 1, with the non-widened end of each lower latch 4 then being inserted between a different lower latch mounting plate 5 and the routed configuration of a lower HEP 6, an LPMB 9, or a MLPMB 10. A fastener (such as the set screw C shown in FIGS. 2 and 16) is then inserted through the vertically extending threaded hole in the mounting tab 5b of the lower latch mounting plate 5 and also through the closed slot of the lower latch 4 to firmly secure lower latch 4 to lower latch mounting plate 5 and the lower end of the adjacent bracket bar 1. When latch plate mounting blocks LPMB 9 or movable latch plate mounting blocks MLPMB 10 and rails 11 are employed to mount a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory 8 to a flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16, the latch plate mounting blocks LPMB 9 or movable latch plate mounting blocks MLPMB 10 and rails 11 are attached early on to the enclosure, in positions that will allow the bracket bars 1 used therewith to become aligned with the mounting points on the back of the flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16. The latch mounting plates 3 and 5 are then connected to the latch plate mounting blocks LPMB 9 or movable latch plate mounting blocks MLPMB 10 using wood screws B (or other fasteners), instead of being secured directly to the enclosure. The other assembly steps mentioned hereinabove and relating to the latching system components and the bracket bars 1, and their engagement to one another, are substantially the same. See FIG. 12 for an illustration of the three major parts of the present invention functioning together in its first preferred embodiment. In the alternative, FIG. 13 shows the three major parts of the present invention functioning together in a second preferred embodiment that is distinctive from the first preferred embodiment as a result of the addition of latch plate mounting blocks 9 (LPMB), while FIGS. 14-15 show the three major parts of the present invention functioning together in a third preferred embodiment that is distinctive from the first and second preferred embodiments as a result of the addition of movable latch plate mounting blocks 10 (MLPMB) and steel rails 11. Should wall-mounting be desired for a flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 intended for use with a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory 8, an independent third party wall mounting bracket 15 (such as but not limited to that shown in FIG. 2) can be mounted directly to each bracket bar 1. Then, after an independent third party wall mount plate 14 is securely fastened to a wall, the flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 can be mounted via its bracket bars 1 and the independent third party wall mounting brackets 15 to the wall by simple engagement of the independent third party wall mount brackets 15 with the independent third party wall mount plate 14 on the wall. Connection of the independent third party wall mounting brackets 15 to bracket bars 1 further enhances the ease of installing a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory 8 to a wall-mounted flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16, since the flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 can first be lifted by itself and mounted on a wall or other vertically extending surface, with the decorative TV frame or other TV accessory 8 and enclosure combination lifted being separately and the hooks 2a on its attached upper latches 2 thereafter being easily and quickly engaged with the smaller slots 1a on the top end of the bracket bars 1 (whereby as a result of gravity the enclosure and its associated TV frame or other TV accessory 8 become held by the bracket bars 1 in a proper position over the flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16), followed by the quick and easy engagement of widened ends of each lower latch 4 with the larger slots 1b the bottom end of a different bracket bar 1. Thus, the flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 and the decorative TV frame or other TV accessory 8 do not have to be lifted together, as is required by some prior art mounting means.
Although much information about the major parts of the present invention, its alternative embodiments, and its functions have been disclosed hereinabove, FIGS. 1-16 will each now be described in further detail to avoid any confusion as to their content. FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention showing two vertically extending bracket bars 1 each having two small open-ended slots 1a on its top end and one enlarged open-ended slot 1b on its bottom end. It is contemplated for the two small open slots 1a on the top end of each bracket bar 1 to engage the two hooks 2a on a different one of the upper latches 2. As further shown in FIG. 1, the opposing ends of each upper latch 2 is to be inserted between one of the upper mounting plates 3 and the adjacent HEP 6 to which it is secured, in a pre-routed space between them. FIG. 1 also shows each upper latch 2 secured with one set screw D that is to be inserted through a selected one of the centrally located holes vertically extending through the adjacent upper mounting plate 3. Upper mounting plates 3 in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention are secured to the adjacent HEP 6 using four wood screws B. Similarly, FIG. 1 shows the large open slot 1b at the bottom of each bracket bar 1 positioned for engagement with the widened end of a different one of the lower latches 4. In addition, FIG. 1 shows the opposing ends of each lower latch 4 oriented for insertion between one of the lower mounting plates 5 and the adjacent HEP 6 to which it is secured, in a pre-routed space between them. Lower latch 4 is fixed in position relative to the adjacent lower mounting plate 5 via one set screw C that is inserted through the closed slot in main body of lower latch 4 and also through the vertically extending hole in the mounting tab 5a outwardly projecting from one side of the associated lower mounting plate 5. FIG. 1 also shows lower mounting plates 5 secured to the adjacent HEP 6 via one wood screw B inserted through each of its four corners. The machine screws A that are preferably used to secure bracket bars 1 to a flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 are not shown in FIG. 16. The enclosure 6/7 to which a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory 8 is attached in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is also shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows the enclosure 6/7 in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention having two vertical enclosure pieces 7 (VEP) and two horizontal enclosure pieces 6 (HEP). It is the enclosure 6/7 in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention that is held around a flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 via a connection between bracket bars 1 and latching system components. Although not shown, adhesives, fasteners, and/or other bonding means can be used to secure a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory to enclosure 6/7. The upper mounting plates 3 and lower mounting plates 5 are attached to enclosure 6/7 in preferred locations of use according to the size of the flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 and the spaced-apart distance needed between the two bracket bars 1 to achieve a connection with the pre-established mounting points on the back of the flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16. As shown in FIG. 1, where the upper latch mounting plates 3 and the lower latch mounting plates 5 are connected to an enclosure without latch plate mounting blocks 9 (LPMB) or movable latch plate mounting blocks 10 (MLPMB), latch mounting plates 3 and 5 must be installed in selected sets of pre-routed slots in the adjacent HEP 6 having appropriate separation from one another to align the bracket bars 1 with the mounting points (not shown) on the back of the flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16. With latch mounting plates 3 and 5 so installed, flush or slightly recessed positioning of the latch mounting plates 3 and 5 is achieved relative to highest non-routed portions of the associated HEP 6, thus preventing any potentially damaging contact or other interference of latch mounting plates 3 and 5 with flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of left-to-right showing a decorative TV frame 8, a frame mount 12/13, an enclosure 6/7, the present invention latching system, a flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16, two bracket bars 1, two independent third party wall mounting brackets 15, and an independent third party wall mounting plate 14. Although not shown in FIG. 2, frame mount 12/13 can be associated with decorative TV frame 8 so that it rearwardly depends from decorative TV frame 8. Various fasteners (A-E) are also shown in FIG. 2. The latch plate mounting blocks 9 (LPMB), movable latch plate mounting blocks 10 (MLPMB), and rails 11 that can be used with frame mount 12/13 (and which are shown in FIGS. 13-15) are not included in FIG. 2. Once the height of the flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 to be used is determined, bracket bars 1 of appropriate length are selected and secured to the back of flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 via machine screws A. One machine screw A in FIG. 2 that is to be used in the attachment of bracket bars 1 to flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 appears to be located to the right of the independent third party wall mounting plate 14. However, such positioning is only the result of placing a 3-dimensional view on a 2-dimensional sheet, and it should not be interpreted as providing any association between the rightmost machine screw A and the independent third party wall mounting plate 14. Should wall mounting of flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 be desired, machine screws A can be used to attach each independent third party wall mounting bracket 15 shown in FIG. 2 to a different bracket bar 1. Thus, any time after bracket bars 1 are connected to the mounting points (visible but unnumbered in FIG. 2) that are close to the top and bottom perimeter edges of the back surface of a flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16, independent third party wall mounting brackets 15 can be quickly and easily mated with independent third party wall mounting plate 14 to secure the flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 to a wall or other vertically extending surface. For insertion of the machine screws A or other fasteners through the closed slots or perforation in bracket bars 1 and also engage the mounting points that are close to the top and bottom perimeter edges of the back surface of a flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16, the bracket bars 1 selected for use need to have a length dimension greater than the height dimension of the flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16. Should the bracket bars 1 be used to mount a TV accessory 8 instead of a decorative frame 8, such as shelving or external speakers (not shown) that would be expected to extend above or below the flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16, the bracket bars 1 used would have to be even longer. After wall mounting of flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 via bracket bars 1, the latches 2 and 4 secured to enclosure 6/7 can be quickly and easily connected respectively to the slots 1a and 1b in the top and bottom ends of bracket bars 1 to install enclosure 6/7 (and any decorative TV frame or other TV accessory 8 associated with enclosure 6/7) in a preferred position of use around the already wall-mounted flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16. Such installation is faster and safer for an installer, as the combined weight of the flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 and the decorative TV frame or other TV accessory 8 does not have to be lifted at once when wall-mounted installations are desired. Once the depth of the flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 to be used with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is determined, and the latch mounting plates 3 and 5 are secured to enclosure 6/7 in the needed positions of use to become aligned with the brackets bars 1 already attached to pre-selected mounting points on the back of flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16, the combination of a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory 8 and enclosure 6/7 (hereinafter referred to as the “enhanced enclosure 6/7/8” to provide more concise and less confusing descriptive language) is then ready to be held in a position of use around flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 by bracket bars 1 via the following preferred steps. The hooks 2a of each upper latch 2 are inserted through the small slots 1a in the top end of a different bracket bar 1. Then, after tilting enhanced enclosure 6/7/8, the opposed non-hooked ends of the upper latches 2 can be secured between each upper latch mounting plate 3 and the pre-routed surface of the upper HEP 6 of enhanced enclosure 6/7/8. With both upper latches 2 secured into their preferred positions of use, gravity will cause the enhanced enclosure 6/7/8 held by bracket bars 1 to become positioned completely around the flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16. Once enhanced enclosure 6/7/8 is fully seated against the flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16, the lower latches 4 are each inserted through the large slot 1b in the bottom end of a different bracket bar 1 so that its widened end engages slot 1b, after which the opposed non-widened end of each lower latch 4 in inserted into the pre-routed space between the lower latch mounting plate 5 and the pre-routed surface of the lower HEP 7 of enhanced enclosure 6/7/8. Once the lower latch 4 is fully seated in a preferred position of use that accommodates the depth of flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16, a set screw C is inserted through the closed slot of the lower latch 4 and the threaded hole vertically extending through the mounting tab 5a depending from one edge of the lower latch mounting plate 5, and tightened. Now the enhanced enclosure 6/7/8 is securely fastened over the flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16, able to move and tilt with flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16, should an independent third party wall mount be used for flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 that would allow it to tilt and/or articulate. Additionally, although not shown, present invention mounting of a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory 8 to a flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 could also include a special keyed set of screws to offer a higher level of theft prevention.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention already shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows one vertically extending bracket bar 1 to the right, and an enclosure 6/7 to the left. Components of the present invention latching system are placed between bracket bar 1 and enclosure 6/7. Since FIG. 3 shows a side view, additional present invention components (such as a second bracket bar 1, a second lower latch 4, or more fasteners B) may be hidden behind those that are visible. The machine screws A used to connect bracket bars 1 to mounting points on the back of a flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16 are not shown in FIG. 3. Furthermore, although the location of the smaller upper slots 1a and the larger lower slot 1b on the visible bracket bar 1 are numerically marked, no detail about them is revealed as a result of the side view presentation. In addition in FIG. 3, an upper latch 2 is shown with its hooks 2a facing the top end of bracket bar 1, and a lower latch 4 is shown with its unmarked widened end facing the bottom end of bracket bar 1. FIG. 3 also shows the preferred corner positioning of wood screws E that are used to joint the horizontal enclosure pieces 6 (HEP) and vertical enclosure pieces 7 (VEP) together end-to-end to form the substantially rectangular enclosure. Since the upper latch mounting plate 3 and a pre-routed surface on the upper HEP 6 form a space into which the non-hooked end of upper latch 2 can be inserted, upper latch mounting plate 3 is shown in a position below the non-hooked end of upper latch 2. Similarly, since the lower latch mounting plate 5 and a pre-routed surface on the lower HEP 6 form a space into which the non-widened end of lower latch 4 can be inserted, lower latch mounting plate 5 is shown in a position above the non-widened end of lower latch 4. The set screw D that securely fixes the upper latch 2 between upper latch mounting plate 3 and the upper HEP 6 is also shown in FIG. 3 in a position below upper latch mounting plate 3, while the set screw C that securely fixes the lower latch 4 between lower latch mounting plate 5 and the lower HEP 6 (connecting lower latch 4 directly to mounting tab 5a on lower latch mounting plate 5) is shown in FIG. 3 below lower latch 4. Finally, multiple wood screws B that secure upper latch mounting plate 3 to the upper HEP 6 and the lower latch mounting plate 5 to the lower HEP 6 are shown in FIG. 3 between upper latch mounting plate 3 and lower latch mounting plate 5.
FIGS. 4a and 4b each show four bracket bars 1 that can be used alternatively as a part of the present invention. The bracket bars in FIG. 4a have closed slots therethrough for use in securing them to mounting points on the back of a flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16, while the bracket bars 1 in FIG. 4b have a row of aligned perforations instead of closed slots. The brackets bars in FIGS. 4a and 4b do not represent the full complement of bracket bars 1 that can be used as a part of the present invention. Furthermore, it is contemplated for the longer bracket bars 1 to be used with larger flat panel LCD/Plasma televisions 16, whether they are VESA-compliant or not, and in applications where the mounting of a TV accessory 8 is expected to extend a significant distance beyond a flat panel LCD/Plasma television 16.
FIGS. 5a-7 show the enclosure 6/7 that is a part of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 5a providing a side view of a horizontal enclosure piece 6 (HEP) and 5b showing a top view of the pre-routed surface of HEP 6. FIGS. 5a and 5b each reveal eight different places where a latch mounting plate 3 or 5 can be secured to achieve flush (or slightly recessed) positioning relative to the tallest remaining non-routed portions of HEP 6. Compare FIGS. 5a and 5b to FIG. 1 where the HEP 6 shown has only six different places where a latch mounting plate 3 or 5 can be secured to achieve flush (or slightly recessed) positioning relative to the tallest remaining non-routed portions of HEP 6. The eight pre-routed patterns shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b each have a central area that is most deeply cut, which provides the space between the upper HEP 6 and an upper latch mounting plate 3 for the insertion of the non-hooked end of upper latch 2, or in the alternative the space between the lower HEP 6 and a lower latch mounting plate 5 for the insertion of the non-widened end of lower latch 4. The areas between the deepest central cut and the tallest remaining portions of each HEP 6 shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b provide the areas where a latch mounting plate 3 or 5 is to be secured. At each end of the HEP 6 in both FIGS. 5a and 5b, unmarked holes are shown for use in attaching the HEP 6 end-to-end in perpendicular orientation to two vertical enclosure pieces 7 (VEP). Although two such attachment holes in each HEP are sufficient in most applications to create a sturdy enclosure to which a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory 8 could be attached, the use of only two such attachment holes in each HEP (as shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b) should not be considered as limiting. FIGS. 6a and 6b respectively show front and side views of the VEP 7 used as a part of the enclosure 6/7 in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The combination of FIGS. 6a and 6b show no surface of VEP 7 being pre-routed, which would not be needed as not part of the present invention latching system is connected to VEP 7. One should note that if an application of the present invention required enclosure 6/7 to in a portrait orientation instead of a landscape orientation, it could not simply be rotated 90-degrees without any adaptation, as each new and shorter HEP 6 would require routed means to accommodate connection of latch mounting plates 3 and 5, as well as accommodate the upper and lower latches 2 and 4. FIGS. 6a and 6b also each have broken lines to designate preferred positioning for the two wood screws E shown in FIG. 7 at both ends of each HEP 6. As further shown in FIG. 7, it is preferred for the end of an HEP 6 to overlap the end of a VEP 7, and for the pre-routed surface of each HEP 6 to become an inside surface of the enclosure 6/7 formed by the two horizontal enclosure pieces 6 (HEP) and the two vertical enclosure pieces 7 (VEP).
FIGS. 8-11 show the four latching system components used in all three of the preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, while FIG. 12 shows the same four latching components securing two bracket bars 1 to an enclosure 6/7. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an upper latch 2 having two hooks 2a on one of its ends. Should the number of small slots 1a on the top end of a bracket bar 1 be increased, the number hooks 2a on upper latch 4 could also be increased to provide a secure connection therebetween. The configuration and relative size of hooks 2a can also be varied from that shown in FIG. 8, as can the length and thickness of the opposing non-hook end of upper latch 2, as long as it remains capable of providing a secure and trustworthy connection between the top end of bracket bar 1 and enclosure 6/7. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the upper latch mounting plate 3 having four corner holes each sized and configured for use with a wood screw B and three centrally located and aligned and vertically extending threaded holes each sized and configured for use with a set screw D. The configuration, number, spacing and relative size holes and threaded holes through upper latch mounting plate 3 can be varied from that shown in FIG. 9, as can its thickness dimension, as long as it remains capable of fulfilling its intended function of providing a secure and trustworthy connection between upper latch 2 and enclosure 6/7. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a lower latch 4 having a longitudinally directed closed slot extending much of its length, and a widened end that makes it appear T-shaped. The configuration and relative size of the longitudinally directed closed slot may differ from that shown in FIG. 10, as can its length and thickness dimensions, as long as it remains capable of providing a secure and trustworthy connection between the bottom end of bracket bar 1 and enclosure 6/7. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the lower latch mounting plate 5 having four corner holes each sized and configured for use with a wood screw B and a mounting tab 5a extending beyond one of its edges with a threaded hole that is sized and configured for use with a set screw C. The configuration, number, spacing and relative size holes through lower latch mounting plate 5, the thickness dimension of lower latch mounting plate 5 and its mounting tab 5a, as well as the configuration and size of mounting tab 5a and its threaded hole, can be varied from that shown in FIG. 11, as long as lower latch mounting plate 5 remains capable of fulfilling its intended function of providing a secure and trustworthy connection between lower latch 4 and enclosure 6/7.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the two bracket bars 1 in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention secured to the horizontal enclosure pieces 6 (HEP) of a present invention enclosure 6/7 via the latches (2, 4) and the latch mounting plates (3, 5) shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11. While the set screws C that secure lower latches 4 in a pre-routed space between lower latch mounting plate 5 and HEP 6 are shown in FIG. 12, other fasteners (such as wood screws B and E) are shown, but remain unmarked. In contrast, FIGS. 13 and 14-15 respectively show second and third preferred embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, although two bracket bars 1 would be used as a part of the second preferred embodiment with the frame mount 12/13 shown in FIG. 13, only one bracket bar is shown secured in a position of use, leaving the other lower latch plate mounting block 9 (LPMB) visible so that its means of connection to horizontal side skirt 12 (HSS) can be clearly seen. The unmarked elliptical markings visible in FIG. 13 on the inside surfaces of one vertical side skirt 13 (VSS) and one horizontal side skirt 12 (HSS) represent holes where pocket screws (not shown) can be inserted to connect a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory 8 to HSS 12 or VSS 13. Glue and/or combinations of other secure fastening means can also be used to connect frame mount 12/13 to a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory 8, unless frame mount 12/13 is already connected to a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory 8. The holes in HSS 12 or VSS 13 look elliptical because they are drilled at an angle. However, the elliptical-appearing holes are not the sole means of connecting side skirts 12 and 13 to a decorative TV frame or other TV accessory 8, as mentioned above. FIGS. 14 and 15 also show only one bracket bar in its position of use, although two bracket bars 1 would be used with the frame mount 12/13 shown therein as a part of the third preferred embodiment of the present invention, leaving the other moving latch plate mounting blocks 10 (MLPMB) visible so that its means of connection to steel rail 11 can be clearly seen. Furthermore, although no fastener is used to show a connection of steel rail 11 to horizontal side skirt 12, it is preferred for wood screws to be used that are similar in size and configuration to the woods screws B used to secure latch mounting plates 3 and 5 to an HEP 6. FIG. 16 provides top and side views for each of six preferred fasteners usable with different embodiments of the present invention, although other fasteners can also be used as long as they fulfill the intended function. Additionally, although not shown, the use of a special keyed set of screws as a part of the present invention can offer a high level of theft prevention for a flat panel LCD/Plasma television and the decorative TV frame or other TV accessory secured to it when they are placed in a public area.
