APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING A FLAT SCREEN ON A SURFACE
The invention regards an apparatus for mounting a flat screen on a surface wherein the flat screen comprises at least two fixtures. The apparatus comprises, two mounting members adapted to be attached to the fixtures on the flat screen and a wire with one end connected to one of the mounting members and the other end connected to the other mounting member. The mounting members comprise an axle adapted for the wire to be coiled around for changing the length of free wire between the mounting members and retaining means at a radially greater distance from the wire coiled around the axle, adapted to retain the wire hereby preventing uncoiling of the wire.
The invention relates to an apparatus for mounting a flat screen on a surface, such as a wall.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONFlat screens, also known as flat panel displays, are often mounted on a surface, such as a wall. Examples of flat screens are TV's or monitors using LCD, plasma or LED technology. Conventionally, they have a number of screw holes for attaching a wall mount with a bolt. Flat screens have different sizes and therefore the screw holes for mounting are positioned differently for each flat screen size. Nearly all flat screen producers use the “VESA Mounting Interface Standard” when deciding the pattern for the screw holes on the flat screen. The standard dictates a rectangular pattern where the producer can choose different distances between the screw holes. Normally a larger flat screen has a larger distance between the screw holes than smaller screens; which is why the different wall mounts have to be designed for the different sizes of flat screens to be mounted on the wall.
Among the prior art apparatuses, for mounting a flat screen, is a wire with a specific length and mounting members to be fixed to the flat screen. When attaching them to the top screw holes, the flat screen can be hanged on a wall mount such as a screw or a hook. The length of the wire is fixed; hence, it can only be used for a specific distance between the screw holes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONConsidering the prior art described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for mounting a flat screen with various distances between the screw holes for mounting the screen on a surface, such as a wall. Further, it is desired to ensure that the apparatus for mounting the flat screen is covered by the flat screen.
The object can be achieved by means of an apparatus for mounting a flat screen on a surface wherein the flat screen comprises at least two fixtures, the apparatus comprises, two mounting members, adapted to be attached to the fixtures on the flat screen, and a wire with one end connected to one of the mounting members and the other end connected to the other mounting member, wherein the mounting members comprise, an axle adapted for the wire to be coiled around it for changing the length of free wire between the mounting members, and retaining means at a radially greater distance, from the wire coiled around the axle, than the axle, and adapted to retain the wire hereby preventing uncoiling of the wire.
Thus, it is possible to alter the length of the free wire between the two mounting members, enabling it to be used to mount flat screens with different pattern size on a surface. In other words, the present invention provides a single wall mount which can be used to mount a plurality of different sizes of flat screens to a wall. The present invention can be adapted do be used for mounting a flat screen with mounting screw holes which do not comply with the VESA Mounting Interface Standard.
The present invention can alter the length of the free wire between the mounting members by winding it around the axle to the desired length. The wire is then secured in the retaining means, which hinders that the wire unwinds from the axle and that the free wire between the mounting members stays the same length. By free wire is meant; the section of the wire between the retaining means of the two mounting members.
It is to be understood, that a wire can be a rope, a metal wire, string any other flexible long and thin object.
The fixtures can be screw holes as dictated by the VESA Mounting Interface Standard.
Preferably, the mounting members are circular. They can then be made symmetrically which simplifies the production.
In an embodiment, the retaining means comprise at least one groove for retaining the wire. Preferably, the groove has a T-shape. When positioning the wire in a groove, the wire is hindered in moving in any direction, except for exiting the groove. Preferably, the groove is an oblong groove in the axial direction of axle. The wire is then prevented from uncoiling when positioned in the groove. If the oblong groove is enlarged with an additional groove perpendicular to the oblong groove, this can be a T-shape; the wire is retained even better as the wire is prevented from moving in the axial direction of the axle.
When a flat screen is mounted on a surface by the present invention it can have an inclination, deliberately or unintentional, which can expose the wire retained in the retaining means to a force in the axial direction, this can result in the wire falling out of the retaining means. However, this can be prevented by using retaining means comprising a groove with a T-shape.
In an embodiment, the axle is enclosed between two walls adapted to retain the wire on the axle. Preferably, one of the walls is extended wherein the retaining means comprise the extended wall. This ensures that the section of the wire coiled around the axle, is kept on the axle. This aids in retaining the wire in the retaining means and ensures that the wire does not accidentally slip off the axle. Preferably, one of the walls is extended wherein the retaining means comprise the extended wall. This enhances the retaining means as the wire cannot be freed from the retaining means in the direction of the extended wall.
In an embodiment, the mounting members comprise a circular disc with a first side, a second side and an edge portion, wherein the axle is formed as a substantially circular recess in the first side, preferably the recess has an L-shape. Mounting members, according to this embodiment, are simple to produce and have the desired form, which secures that the wire, coiled up on the axle, is kept there. The L-shape is made as a recess in the first side and then angled inwards to the centre of the mounting members, forming an axle at the end of the angled part of the groove. Advantageously, the retaining means are shaped as a groove in the edge portion of the circular disc. This ensures an enhanced performance of the retaining means. The retaining means can be made as a groove in the radial direction from the outer edge to the recess in the first side and open to the first side so it is possible to insert the wire in the groove.
In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises distance members adapted to be attached to the flat screen to change the inclination of the flat screen when mounted on the surface. This ensures the correct inclination of the flat screen. The distance members can be mounted in the lower screw holes of a flat screen complying with the VESA Mounting Interface Standard. Preferably, the distance members comprise a first part adapted to be pivotally mounted on the flat screen and a second part mounted on the first part and resting against the surface. This makes the mounting of the flat screen with the apparatus, according to the present invention, simpler as the distance members can be extended to the desired length after the flat screen is hung on the surface, and thereby make the positioning of the free wire on a screw or hook in the wall easier.
Advantageously, the apparatus further comprises a circular member adapted to be attached to the surface whereon the free wire between the mounting members can rest when the flat screen is mounted on the surface. This makes the mounting of the flat screen on the surface easier and it distributes the strain to a larger part of the wire compared to using a screw or a hook, hereby preventing a ruptured wire.
The invention will in the following be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings:
The wire 4 is attached to the end of one mounting member 2 and the other end of the wire 4 is attached to the other mounting member 3. In
The retaining means 5 on the edge portion 9 are shaped as a groove with a T-shape. When the wire 4 is retained herein, mounted on a flat screen and hung on a wall, the wire will be positioned in one of the side grooves of the T-shaped retaining means 5. In other words, the T-shape ensures that the wire remains locked in the retaining means 5 by use of the weight of the flat screen.
It is preferred to use two distance members 15 fixed at a lower position than the mounting members 2, 3. If the flat screen complies with the VESA Mounting Interface Standard it has four screw holes. The mounting members 2, 3 are attached in the upper two and the distance members 15 are fixed in the lower two.
The wire 4 can have markings indicating the length needed for the different width of screw holes according to the VESA Mounting Interface Standard.
REFERENCE LIST1 wall mount
2 mounting member
3 mounting member
4 wire
5 retaining means
6 circular member
7 cover part
8 main part
9 edge portion
10 axle
11 recess
12 inner axle
13 first wall portion
14 second wall portion
15 distance members
16 first part
17 second part
18 hole
19 two recesses
20 flat screen
21 bolt
Claims
1. Apparatus for mounting a flat screen on a surface wherein the flat screen comprises at least two fixtures, the apparatus comprising,
- two mounting members, adapted to be attached to the fixtures on the flat screen, and
- a wire with one end connected to one of the mounting members and the other end connected to the other mounting member,
- wherein the mounting members comprise,
- an axle adapted for the wire to be coiled around it for changing the length of free wire between the mounting members, and
- a retainer disposed at a radially greater distance, from the wire coiled around the axle, than the axle, and adapted to retain the wire thereby preventing uncoiling of the wire.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mounting members are circular.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the retainer comprises at least one groove for retaining the wire.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the at least one groove has a T-shape.
5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the axle is enclosed between two walls adapted to retain the wire on the axle.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein one of the walls is extended wherein the retaining means comprise the extended wall.
7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mounting members comprise a circular disc with a first side, a second side and an edge portion, wherein the axle is formed as a substantially circular recess in the first side, wherein optionally, the recess has an L-shape.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the retainer is shaped as a groove in the edge portion of the circular disc.
9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one distance members adapted member which is configured to be attached to the flat screen to change the inclination of the flat screen when mounted on the surface.
10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the at least one distance member comprises a first part adapted to be mounted on the flat screen and a second part pivotally mounted on the first part and resting against the surface.
11. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a circular member adapted to be attached to the surface whereon the free wire between the mounting members can rest when the flat screen is mounted on the surface.
Type: Application
Filed: May 22, 2013
Publication Date: May 14, 2015
Applicant: Selek Holding A/S (Aalborg Ost)
Inventors: Claus Petersson (Aalborg), Prasit Sakwilawan (Khon Kaen)
Application Number: 14/400,396
International Classification: A47B 97/00 (20060101); A47G 1/24 (20060101); A47G 1/16 (20060101);