WO2008085905A1

WO2008085905A1 - Flat panel display mount with safety latch

Info

Publication number: WO2008085905A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/000142
Authority: WO
Inventors: Greg Rupp; Jay Dittmer
Original assignee: Milestone Av Technologies, Inc.
Priority date: 2007-01-05
Filing date: 2008-01-04
Publication date: 2008-07-17

Abstract

A no-tools-required latch for securing a flat panel electronic display device to a mount. When the flat panel display is automatically locked in place by the safety latch, the individual performing the operation of mounting the flat panel display to the mount receives audible feedback that the flat panel display has been locked to the mount.

Description

FLAT PANEL DISPLAY MOUNT WITH SAFETY LATCH

RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.

60/883,612, entitled SAFETY LATCH WITH AUDIBLE ENGAGEMENT FEATURE, filed January 5, 2007, which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to mounting devices for flat panel displays, and more particularly to securing a flat panel display to a mounting device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Flat panel electronic displays have become very popular due to their compact size, desirable aesthetics, and superior performance. The inherent form factor and weight advantages of these displays have made large screen sizes economically and practically feasible, leading to rapidly increasing demand for these large screens.

A drawback of large flat panel displays, however, is that even with their reduced weight and bulkiness relative to tube or rear-projection devices, they still are somewhat awkward and heavy to handle for an individual alone or even multiple persons acting in concert. A particular challenge occurs in attaching the flat panel display device to a mounting device on a wall or other structure. Existing mounting devices typically have some arrangement of mechanical structures that are engaged when the screen is attached to the mount. These mechanical structures often require manipulation during the mounting and/or demounting process, thereby adding difficulty when the user may already be struggling with the bulk and weight of the display. Moreover, it is typically difficult for the user to determine when the structures are in fact properly engaged, since they usually are not visible to an individual handling the display during mounting. Previous attempts have been made to alleviate some of these difficulties with structure emitting an audible click or other sound upon proper engagement. While such devices provide feedback to the user, however, they still typically require manual manipulation during the mounting process to latch the display in place. There is a still a need in the industry for a mounting device that provides both audible feedback and automatic locking of the flat panel display to the mount.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The safety latch according to embodiments of the present invention substantially meets the aforementioned needs of the industry. The safety latch is essentially a no-tools-required means of securing a flat panel display to the mount. Additionally, when the flat panel display is automatically locked in place by the safety latch, the individual performing the operation of mounting the flat panel display to the mount receives audible feedback that the flat panel display has been locked to the mount.

Advantages of the safety latch of embodiments of the present invention include the fact that safety locking is automatic. This makes for simpler installation as no manual locking is required after mounting of the flat panel display to the mount is accomplished. Manual locks require an operation distinct from the mounting of the flat panel display and may be easily overlooked by the person effecting the installation. A further advantage of the safety latch of the present invention may be that it speeds installation in that mounting and locking of the flat panel display to the mount is a single operation. Further, there is audible feedback to the individual mounting the flat panel display that indeed the flat panel display is locked to the mount.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of first embodiment of the safety latch in the latched disposition;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the safety latch of Fig. 1 in the unlatched disposition; Fig. 3 is an elevational depiction of the safety latch of Fig. 1 and a full mount; Fig. 4 is an elevational view of a second embodiment of the safety latch of the present invention in the locked disposition;

Fig. 5 is an elevational depiction of the safety latch of Fig. 4 in the unlatched disposition; Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of the safety latch of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the safety latch of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the safety latch of Fig. 6 with a full mount; Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of a fourth embodiment of the safety latch of the present invention;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the safety latch of Fig. 9 in the unlatched disposition; Fig. 1 1 is a perspective view of the safety latch of Fig. 9 in the unlatched disposition and a full mount;

Fig. 12 is a side view of an embodiment of a flat panel display and mount; and Fig. 13 is a rear view of an embodiment of a flat panel display;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As depicted in the figures, several embodiments of a flat panel electronic display mounting device 10 according to the invention are disclosed. Each of the various mounts 10 has a mount plate 1 1 and an edge lip 12 disposed at a right angle to the mount plate 1 1 at the edge margins of the mount plate 1 1. Such features of the mount plate 10 are depicted in Fig. 1 as well as in other figures.

Each of the mounts 10 includes a plurality of mounting slots 13. Preferably, the lower mounting slots 13 have a keyhole shape 14 while the upper mounting slots 13 have a funnel shape 16. A mounting slot 13 of funnel shape 16 is depicted in Fig. 1 and a mounting slot 13 of keyhole shape 14 is depicted in Fig. 7. As can be seen in Fig. 3, both funnel shape 16 mounting slots 13 and keyhole shape 14 mounting slots 13 can include a neck portion 15.

As shown in Fig. 12, a flat panel display 19 can be mounted to a wall 21 with mount 10.

Flat panel display 19 can be mounted to mount 10 by means of one or more mounting buttons 18 associated with each of the respective mounting slots 13. Mounting buttons 18 can be fixedly mounted to a rear surface 23 of flat panel display 19, as shown in Fig. 13. Referring to Fig. 6, the mounting button 18 has three major subcomponents; head 20, waist 22, and base 24.

The head 20 has a flat circular outer margin 26. A beveled surface 28 connects the outer margin 26 to the cylindrical side margin 30. A flat inner margin 32 is disposed orthogonally with respect to the side margin 30. The waist 22 has a cylindrical margin 24. The height dimension of the waist 22 is defined between the inner margin 32 of the head 20 and the inner margin 36 of the base 24. Preferably, the heighth of the waist 22 is somewhat greater than the depth dimension of the mount plate 1 1, so that a portion of the mount plate 1 1 may be captured in the waist 22.

The base 24 has a beveled surface 38 extending outward from the inner margin 36. The beveled surface 38 connects the inner margin 36 to the side margin 40. A mounting surface 42 is disposed orthogonally with respect to the side margin 40. The mounting surface 42 is preferably received flush against a surface of the flat panel display 19. As depicted in Fig. 3, a mounting screw 44 that passes through an axial bore 46 (shown in Fig. 7) defined in the mounting button 18 affixes the mounting button 18 to the flat panel display 19. The safety latch of the present invention is depicted generally at 50 in the Figures. A first embodiment of the safety latch 50 is depicted in Figs. 1-3 and may be referred to a "press-in" type safety latch 50. The press-in safety latch 50 includes a mounting portion 52 that includes a mounting bore 54. Preferably, the safety latch 50 is rotatably mounted to the mount 10 by means of a screw disposed in the mounting bore 54 and threaded into a bore defined in the mount 10. Waist 56 has a reduced lateral dimension with respect to both the mounting portion 52 and a receiver portion 58.

The receiver portion 58 includes a tab 60 that may be a readily graspable plastic over- molding on the receiver portion 58. A keyhole slot 62 is defined in the receiver portion 58. The keyhole slot 62 has an arched upper margin 64 that is coupled to parallel sides 66. A circular receiver 68 is connected to the sides 66. The circular receiver 68 has a greater diameter than the distance between the sides 66.

In operation, the safety latch 50 is retained pressed against the mount plate 1 1 by the screw disposed in the mounting bore 54. When the flat panel display is desired to be mounted to the mount 10, it is advanced toward the opposite side of the mount 10 from that depicted in Fig. 1. The beveled surface 28 is centered between the sides 66. The individual effecting the mounting presses the mounting button 18 against the safety latch 50, pushing the safety latch 50 away from the mounting plate 1 1. The flat panel display is then slid downward with the waist 22 of the mounting button 18 residing in the funnel shape 16 of the mounting slot 13. As the mounting button 18 slides downward in the mounting slot 13, the circular receiver 68 slides over the head 20 of the mounting button 18 and the safety latch 50 then snaps back into place against the mounting plate 1 1. Such action emits an audible clicking noise indicating to the individual that is mounting the flat panel display that the flat panel display is in the latched disposition.

To remove the flat panel display from the mount 10, the tab 60 is grasped and pushed away from the mount plate 1 1, as depicted in Fig. 2. When the circular receiver 68 is clear of the head 20 of the mounting button 18, safety latch 50 may be rotated slightly and rested on the edge lip 12 of the mount 10. In such disposition, the safety latch 50 is free and clear of the mounting button 18 and the flat panel display may be raised and disengaged from the mount 10.

A second embodiment of the safety latch 50 is depicted in Figs. 4 and 5. A difference between the safety latch 50 of Figs. 1-3 and the safety latch 50 of Figs. 4 and 5 is that the mounting bore 54 has been replaced with an elongate mounting slot 54a. The safety latch 50 is compressably held in engagement with the mount plate 1 1 by means of a stud 7 threaded into a bore defined in the mount plate 1 1 and a nut 72 and washer 74. The nut 72 is tightened sufficiently to hold the safety latch 50 in engagement with the mounting plate 1 1 but yet loose enough to allow the safety latch 50 to slide relative to the stud 70 as indicated by the arrow 75.

In operation, the mounting button 18 is advanced against the bias exerted by safety latch 50 as depicted in Fig. 5. The beveled surface 28 centers between the opposed sides 66. The tab 60 of the safety latch 50 may then be grasped and the safety latch 50 pulled up as indicated by the arrow 75. The circular receiver 68 then snaps over the head 20 of mounting button 18 giving an audible indication that the safety latch 50 is in the engaged disposition and the mounting button 18 is captured by the safety latch 50.

A third embodiment of the safety latch 50 is depicted in Figs. 6-8. In distinction with respect to the first two embodiments described above, the third embodiment does not require opposing a bias exerted by the safety latch 50 when the mounting button 18 is first advanced into the mounting slot 13.

The mounting portion 52 of the safety latch 50 includes two mounting bores 54. The mounting bores 54 are brought into registry with bores 76 defined in the mount plate 1 1. Short bolts may be inserted through the respective bores 54, 76 to affix the safety latch 50 to the mount 10. An elongate receiver portion 58 extends downward from the mounting portion 52. The receiver portion 58 has an elongate keyhole slot 62. Additionally, the receiver portion 68 is elevated with respect to the mounting portion 52 by means of a step 78. The step 78 is connected to a generally flat transverse portion 80. As depicted in Fig. 6, the transverse portion 80 is spaced apart from the flat circular outer margin 26 of the mounting button 18 when the mounting button 18 is advanced into the mounting slot 13 as depicted in Fig. 6. The transverse portion 80 is connected to a ramped portion 82 which in turn is connected to a contact portion 84. The contact portion 84 is held in contact with the mount plate 1 1 by action of the short bolts coupling the safety latch 50 of the mount 10. In operation, the flat panel display is advanced toward the mount 10 and a mounting button 18 is advanced into the mounting slot 13. At this point, the safety latch 50 offers no resistance to the advancement of the mounting button 18. The mounting button 18 and flat panel display are then slid downward in the keyhole shape 14 of the mounting slot 13. As the mounting button 18 is slid downward, the head 20 engages the underside of the ramped portion 82 forcing the contact portion 84 out of contact with the mount plate 1 1. Further descent of the mounting button 18 with respect to the mount 10 results in the circular receiver 68 sliding over the head 20 and snapping back into contact with the mount plate 1 1. Such action both locks the mounting button 18 in place and emits an audible snapping sound to the individual that is mounting the flat panel display to the mount 10. To disengage the flat panel display from the mount 10, the tab 60 is grasped and pulled forward toward the observer of Fig. 7. In such disposition, the circular receiver 68 is clear of the mounting button 18 and mounting button 18 may be elevated into the ramped portion and transversed portion and then withdrawn from the mounting slot 13 to complete the disengagement of the flat panel display from the mount 10. The fourth embodiment of the safety latch 50 of the present invention is depicted in Figs.

9-1 1. The fourth embodiment is a variation on the third embodiment. A distinction with respect to the third embodiment is that there is a single mounting bore 54 through which a short bolt may be inserted to affix the safety latch 50 to the mount 10. With a single point of attachment, the safety latch 50 may be rotated relative to the mount 10. The safety latch 50 operates in a manner similar to that of the previously described third embodiment. Accordingly, the mounting button 18 is advanced into the mounting slot 13. No resistance to such advancement is offered by the safety latch 50. The mounting button 18 is then lowered as indicated by arrow 86. The head 20 of the mounting button 18 bears against the underside of the ramped portion 82, thereby forcing the contact portion 84 out of contact with the surface of the mounting plate 1 1. Further descent of the mounting button 18 to the expanded diameter circular receiver 68 results in the circular receiver 68 snapping over the head 20 of the mounting button 18. Such action brings the contact portion 84 forcibly into contact with the surface of the mounting plate 1 1 , thereby locking the mounting button 18 into engagement with the mount plate 1 1 and admitting the audible snapping noise. To disengage the mounting button 18, the tab 60 of the safety latch 50 is grasped and the safety latch 50 is elevated with respect to the mount 10 and rotated slightly such that tab 60 bears upon the edge lip 12. In such condition, the safety latch 50 is free and clear of the mounting button 18 and the mounting button 18 can be advanced upward in the keyhole shape 14 of the mounting slot 13 and disengaged from the mount 10. The embodiments above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Additional embodiments are encompassed within the scope of the claims. Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For purposes of interpreting the claims for the present invention, it is expressly intended that the provisions of Section 1 12, sixth paragraph of 35 U.S.C. are not to be invoked unless the specific terms "means for" or "step for" are recited in a claim.

Claims

1. A device for mounting a flat panel display to a surface, comprising: a mount plate; a plurality of mounting slots each including a neck portion; a mounting button associated with each mounting slot, each mounting button configured to be fixedly attached to a surface of the flat panel display and including a head, a waist, and a tail, wherein the waist is narrower than the neck portion of the mounting slot and the head, and the head is wider than the neck portion; and a safety latch associated with each mounting slot, each safety latch comprising: a receiver portion including a keyhole slot connected to a receiver, wherein the receiver is wider than both the keyhole slot and the head of the mounting button; and a mounting portion including at least one mounting aperture for connecting the safety latch to the mount; wherein each safety latch is configured to receive one of the mounting buttons by displacing the safety latch relative to the mount plate from a first position to a second position, disposing the waist of the mounting button in the neck portion of the mounting slot, moving the mounting button and the receiver relative to each other such that the receiver is disposed over the head of the mounting button, and returning the safety latch back to the first position thereby locking the mounting button within the mounting slot, and wherein when the safety latch moves from the second position to the first position an audible indicator sound is made.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one safety latch is generally planar and is mounted to the mount plate such that a bias holds the receiver portion against the mount plate, and wherein the safety latch is moved from the first position to the second position by pressing the mounting button against the safety latch and the safety latch is returned to the first position by the bias once the receiver passes over the head.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the safety latch is rotatable about the mounting aperture relative to the mount.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the safety latch is vertically displaceable relative to the mount.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one safety latch includes: a step connecting the mounting portion to the receiver portion that elevates a transverse portion of the receiver portion extending from the step relative to the mount plate; a ramp portion of the receiver portion extending at an angle from the transverse portion downwardly towards the mount plate; a contact portion extending from ramp portion that rests flush with mount plate, the contact portion including the receiver; and wherein the safety latch is displaced from the first position to the second position by inserting the head of the mounting button into an opening defined between the mount plate and the transverse portion and sliding the head downwardly across ramp portion thereby elevating contact portion relative to mount plate, and wherein the safety latch returns to the first position when head is slid through receiver in contact portion.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the at least one safety latch is rotatable relative to the mount plate.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the safety latch further includes tab configured to aid in displacing the safety latch.

8. A display system comprising: a flat panel electronic display; and a mount onto which the flat panel electronic display is mounted, comprising: a mount plate; a plurality of mounting slots each including a neck portion; a mounting button associated with each mounting slot, each mounting button fixedly attached to a surface of the flat panel electronic display and including a head, a waist, and a tail, wherein the waist is narrower than the neck portion of the mounting slot and the head, and the head is wider than the neck portion; and a safety latch associated with each mounting slot, each safety latch comprising: a receiver portion including a keyhole slot connected to a receiver, wherein the receiver is wider than both the keyhole slot and the head of the mounting button; and a mounting portion including at least one mounting aperture for connecting the safety latch to the mount; wherein each safety latch is configured to receive one of the mounting buttons by displacing the safety latch relative to the mount plate from a first position to a second position, disposing the waist of the mounting button in the neck portion of the mounting slot, moving the mounting button and the receiver relative to each other such that the receiver is disposed over the head of the mounting button, and returning the safety latch back to the first position thereby locking the mounting button within the mounting slot, and wherein when the safety latch moves from the second position to the first position an audible indicator sound is made.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein at least one safety latch is generally planar and is mounted to the mount plate such that a bias holds the receiver portion against the mount plate, and wherein the safety latch is moved from the first position to the second position by pressing the mounting button against the safety latch and the safety latch is returned to the first position by the bias once the receiver passes over the head.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the safety latch is rotatable about the mounting aperture relative to the mount.

1 1. The device of claim 9, wherein the safety latch is vertically displaceable relative to the mount.

12. The device of claim 8, wherein at least one safety latch includes: a step connecting the mounting portion to the receiver portion that elevates a transverse portion of the receiver portion extending from the step relative to the mount plate; a ramp portion of the receiver portion extending at an angle from the transverse portion downwardly towards the mount plate; a contact portion extending from ramp portion that rests flush with mount plate, the contact portion including the receiver; and wherein the safety latch is displaced from the first position to the second position by inserting the head of the mounting button into an opening defined between the mount plate and the transverse portion and sliding the head downwardly across ramp portion thereby elevating contact portion relative to mount plate, and wherein the safety latch returns to the first position when head is slid through receiver in contact portion.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the at least one safety latch is rotatable relative to the mount plate.

14. The device of claim 8, wherein the safety latch further includes tab configured to aid in displacing the safety latch.

15. A device for mounting a flat panel display to a surface, comprising: a mount plate; a plurality of mounting slots; a mounting button associated with each mounting slot, each mounting button configured to be fixedly attached to a surface of the flat panel display; and a means for locking the mounting buttons within the mounting slots.

16. A display system comprising: a flat panel electronic display; and a mount onto which the flat panel electronic display is mounted, comprising: a mount plate; a plurality of mounting slots; a mounting button associated with each mounting slot, each mounting button fixedly attached to a surface of the flat panel electronic display; and a means for locking the mounting buttons within the mounting slots.