AU2021282514A1 - A mounting system for mounting an object to a surface - Google Patents

Abstract

A mounting assembly for mounting an object to a surface, the assembly including a frame for securing the object directly or indirectly thereto; a mount for mounting the frame to the surface, the mount including at least one aperture for receiving a 5 mounting fastener to mount the mount to the surface; a connector for securing the mount to the frame; the frame including a connector receiving portion for receiving and securing the connector to the frame; the connector being connectable to the mount with a threaded connector fastener receivable in a threaded receiving bore in the mount; with orientation of the threaded connector fastener relative to the 10 connector being adjustable by way of an adjustable joint between the threaded connector fastener and the connector; and a plurality of orientation retainers for retaining the threaded connector fastener in a desired orientation relative to the connector, each orientation retainer being adjustably connected to one of the connector and the mount for abutting contact with the other of the connector and 15 mount, with an effective length of each orientation retainer between the connector and mount being adjustable. <filename> 771J

Description

771J

A MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR MOUNTING AN OBJECT TO A SURFACE

Introduction The present invention relates to mounting an object to a surface. The invention is particularly useful in the context of mounting LED tile screens, monitors, televisions, picture frames, billboards and the like to an upstanding surface such as a wall, and so will hereinafter be described generally in this context. However, it is to be appreciated that the invention is not limited to being mounted to upstanding surfaces, nor is it limited to mounting the above referred items to the surface.

Background to the Invention An increasingly desirable way of mounting LED tile screens, monitors, televisions, picture frames, billboards and the like (hereinafter collectively referred to as "devices") is to affix them to a wall surface, such that they obviate the need for a floor stand. Mounting such devices on a wall surface rather than on a floor stand can free up valuable floor space, and reduces the likelihood of the device being knocked and damaged. It also provides the possibility of the device being mounted at any practical height on the surface. This is potentially important in crowded settings, as the device can be mounted at a suitable height for multiple individuals to view the device at the one time.

One issue with mounting a device to a wall surface using conventionally available mounting arrangements is that an uneven or inconsistent wall surface, particularly in the location where the device is to be mounted, can result in the device not being mounted in the desired (usually parallel) orientation relative to the overall plane of the wall surface.

This issue often becomes more pronounced when an array of adjacent devices is to be mounted to an uneven or inconsistent wall surface. This is because at least some of the edges of adjacent devices don't sit in a common vertical plane, which detracts visually form the overall appearance of the array. This can result in customer dissatisfaction with the installation, when in fact the issue has little, if anything to do with the quality of the installation itself; and is instead due to the fact that the devices are mounted to a wall surface that isn't perfectly smooth. Conventional device mounting arrangements can use packers to account for any wall unevenness, although the use of packers can be fiddly and time consuming for the installer.

Another potential issue of conventional mounting arrangements is that the device being mounted is often limited to one specific mounting orientation. Thus, the user is limited to having the object installed in a given orientation relative to the surface, regardless of whether a different orientation may be preferred. In some instances, it may be desirable for the device to be mounted in a non-parallel orientation with the overall wall surface, although conventional mounting arrangements don't allow for this.

It would therefore be desirable to address the above limitations with existing device mounting arrangements.

Summary of the Invention According to a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mounting assembly for mounting an object to a surface. The assembly includes a frame for securing the object directly or indirectly thereto, and a mount for mounting the frame to the surface. The mount includes at least one aperture for receiving a mounting fastener to mount the mount to the surface. The assembly further includes a connector for securing the mount to the frame. The frame includes a connector receiving portion for receiving and securing the connector to the frame, the connector being connectable to the mount with a threaded connector fastener receivable in a threaded receiving bore in the mount. Orientation of the threaded connector fastener relative to the connector is adjustable by way of an adjustable joint between the threaded connector fastener and the connector. The assembly also includes a plurality of orientation retainers for retaining the threaded connector fastener in a desired orientation relative to the connector, with each orientation retainer being adjustably connected to one of the connector and the mount for abutting contact with the other of the connector and mount, with an effective length of each orientation retainer between the connector and mount being adjustable.

An advantage of the applicant's mounting assembly is that it the assembly allows for any unevenness and inconsistencies inherent in the surface to which the object is to be mounted. This is been found to be particularly useful when the assembly is used to mount objects such an LED tile screen, television screen, monitor, picture frame or billboard to an upstanding surface such as a wall surface.

In one preferred form, the threaded connector fastener includes a fastener head, with the fastener head comprising a ball of a ball and socket connection. The ball is rotatably receivable in a socket of the connector.

Preferably, the socket includes a backing plate, with the backing plate being threadably fastened to a body of the connector, and with the ball receivable in the socket. In such a configuration, the threaded connector fastener extends through an aperture in the body of the connector.

The adjustable connection between each orientation retainer and connector or mount is preferably a threaded connection.

Each orientation retainer may be threadably connected to the connector, for abutting contact with the mount. Further, a distal end of each orientation retainer may be received in a respective locating depression provided in a surface of the mount.

It is envisaged that four orientation retainers may be connected to the connector, with the four orientation retainers extending from the connector in a configuration at least generally surrounding the threaded connector fastener.

In a preferred form, the connector receiving portion of the frame includes a connector receiving slot, with the slot extending along each side of the frame.

It is envisaged that the frame may, in a preferred form, be a four-sided frame, comprised of four frame sections. The four-sided frame would, thus, have four corners, with a respective connector mounted at or proximate each corner of the frame, and each connector being connected to a respective mount.

It is worth noting that the frame shape may depend, at least in part, on the shape of the object to be supported. Thus, other frame shapes, besides four-sided shapes are also contemplated.

Each connector may be mounted to a pair of adjacent frame sections of the frame at respective a corner of the frame. In such an arrangement, the connector may be slidaby receivable in both adjacent frame sections.

It is envisaged by the applicant that each frame section is an extruded frame section, although the applicant also notes other frame section constructions may be utilised. Preferably, the assembly includes an additional mounting bracket (or a plurality of additional mounting brackets) connected to the frame. The additional mounting bracket is provided to mount the object to the frame. That is, the object is mounted to the additional mounting bracket which, in turn is then mounted to the frame. The additional mounting bracket may be connected to the frame, and connectable to a frame of at least one additional assembly. In this way, multiple objects may be mounted to the surface in and adjacent configuration. In the case of the objects being LED tile screens, television screens or monitors, an array of screens/monitors may be mounted to the wall or other surface. Moreover, the screens/monitors can be mounted to the wall (or other surface) in a substantially planar arrangement, which is possible by virtue of the present invention providing a means of independently adjusting the precise orientation of each screen/monitor to account for any unevenness of the wall surface.

A frame cross-member may extend across the frame between a first frame location and a second frame location. It is envisaged that the frame cross-member may be mounted to the frame at the first frame location with a first right-angled bracket (or pair of first right-angled brackets), and the frame cross-member may be mounted to the frame at the second frame location with a second right angled bracket (or pair of second right angled brackets). This would advantageously assist in providing a right angled frame (in the case of a four sided frame). Suitably configured threaded fasteners may be used to mount the right-angled brackets in place. The cross member may extend substantially horizontally, substantially vertically, or at some other suitable angle relative to the frame.

Brief Description of the Drawings It will be convenient to hereinafter describe a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing. The particularity of the drawing is to be understood as not limiting the preceding broad description of the invention.

Figure 1 is a front view of a mounting assembly according to a first aspect of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of an upper portion of the mounting assembly shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective front view of an upper corner of the mounting assembly shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a front view of the upper corner of the mounting assembly shown in Figure 3, but in a partially assembled state.

Figure 5 is a perspective front view of a portion of the mounting assembly shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of components of the mounting assembly shown in Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of another component of the mounting assembly shown in Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a perspective front view of a mounting assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of other components of the mounting assembly shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Drawings Referring to Figures 1 to 7, there is shown a mounting assembly 10 for mounting an object (such as a device in the form of an LED tile screen, monitor, television, picture frame or billboard) to a surface. The mounting assembly 10 has been specifically (but not exclusively) designed for mounting an object to an upstanding surface such as a wall surface.

An object isn't shown in Figures 1 to 7, although it's location relative to the mounting assembly 10 would be adjacent to and immediately in front of the mounting assembly 12 from the point of reference shown in Figure 1.

The mounting assembly 10 isn't shown mounted to a wall surface, although the reader is to envisage that the horizontal bench B surface upon which the illustrated mounting assembly 10 of Figures 1 to 7 rests is a substantially vertical wall surface to which the mounting assembly 10 is (or at least may be) mounted to. Likewise, the reader is to envisage that the mounting assembly 10, which is shown lying in a horizontal plane, would lie in a substantially vertical plane.

The mounting assembly 10 includes a four-sided frame 12 for securing the object thereto. The frame 12 includes two vertically extending frame sections 14, 16 and two horizontally extending frame sections 18, 20. Each of the frame sections is manufactured from an extruded aluminium alloy, such as 6061 aluminium alloy. The precise length of each of the various frame sections 14, 16, 18, 20 and the overall shape of the frame 12 may be selected to suit a specific application. It is contemplated that the frame 12 need not be limited to a four-sided shape.

As shown in Figure 1, the mounting assembly 10 includes four separate mounts in the form of mounting plates 22a, b, c, d for mounting the frame 12 to the surface B. In this regard, a separate mounting plate 22a, b, c, d is provided at/adjacent each corner of the frame 12. A close up of a mounting plate is shown in Figure 4. Each mounting plate 22a, b, c, d include a plurality of fastener receiving apertures 24a, b, c, d, e, f for mounting the mounting plate 22a, b, c, d, to the wall surface. It is to be appreciated that not all of the fastener receiving apertures 24 a, b, c, d, e, f need be used to secure each mounting plate to the wall surface. In the illustrated embodiment, each mounting plate 22a, b, c, d is manufactured from an aluminium alloy, such as 6061 aluminium alloy.

As shown in Figure 1, the mounting assembly 10 includes a separate connector in the form of a connector plate 26a, b, c, d for securing each respective mounting plate 22a, b, c, d to the frame 12. A close-up view of a connector plate 26a, b, c, d is shown in Figures 3 to 5. Each connector plate 26a, b, c, d is manufactured from an aluminium alloy, such as 6061 aluminium alloy.

Each of the frame sections 14, 16, 18, 20 includes a connector plate receiving slot 28, and each connector plate 26a, b, c, d includes a pair of slots engaging tabs 30, 32 provided along a pair of adjacent sides 34, 36 of the connector plate 26a, b, c, d. The slot engaging tab 30 of each connector plate 26a, b, c, d extends at right-angles to the tab 32. This is important because it provides a simple yet effective way of accurately assembling together the four frame sections 14, 16, 18, 20 and four connector plates 26a, b, c, d such that each corner of the frame 12 at least substantially defines a right-angle, without the need for carefully aligning the frame sections and connector plates 26a, b, c, d prior to connection together.

Each connector plate 26a, b, c, d is releasably connectable to its respective mounting plate 22a, b, c, d with a respective threaded connector fastener 38 receivable in a threaded receiving bore 40 provided in the mounting plate 22a, b, c, d. Orientation of each threaded connector fastener 38 relative to its associated connector plate 26a, b, c, d is adjustable by way of an adjustable joint 42 between the threaded connector fastener 38 and the connector plate 26a, b, c, d. It can be seen from the Figures that each threaded connector fastener 38 extends through the approximate mid-point of its associated connector plate 26a, b, c, d. It can also be seen that the threaded receiving bore 40 is provided at the approximate mid-point of each mounting plate 22a, b, c, d.

It can be seen, particularly from Figures 3 and 6, that each threaded connector fastener 38 includes a fastener head 44, with the fastener head 44 comprising a steel ball 46 of a ball and socket connection. The ball 46 is rotatably receivable in a steel socket 48 of the connector plate 26a, b, c, d.

Each socket 48 includes a respective backing plate 50, with the backing plate 50 being threadably fastened to a threaded boss 52. The boss 52 is integrally formed with and extends from a front side of the connector plate 26a, b, c, d. The provision of the ball and socket arrangement provides the installer with a degree of adjustment between the connector plates 26a, b, c, d and the mounting plates 22a, b, c, d. In turn, this desirably provides the installer with a degree of adjustment between the frame 12 (and object mounted to the frame 12) and the wall surface, thereby allowing (within practical limits) for any inconsistency in the wall surface. Further, each ball and socket arrangement is adjustable independently of the other three ball and socket arrangements provided at the other corners of the frame 12.

Each threaded connector fastener 38 may be screwed into the threaded receiving bore 40 in the associated mounting plate 22a, b, c, d to any practical length, in an effort to install the associated object (eg screen) flat relative to the wall (or at any other desired angle). Further adjustment is provided by way of the ball and socket arrangement provided on the end of each threaded connector fastener 38.

The applicant considers the use of the ball and socket arrangement of the mounting assembly 10 to be one unique and advantageous aspect of their invention not found in conventional mounting arrangements. Such an arrangement provides the advantage of accommodating any unevenness and inconsistencies inherent in the wall surface to which the object is to be mounted. Thus, the mounting assembly 10 addresses the issue of a bowed or otherwise uneven wall surface.

The mounting assembly 10 also includes four orientation retainers 54a, b, c, d associated with combination of connector plate 26a, b, c, d and mounting plate 22a, b, c, d, which are most clearly shown in Figures 1 to 5. It can be seen in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5 that the four orientation retainers 54a, b, c, d extend from the connector plate 26a, b, c, d in a configuration at least generally surrounding the threaded connector fastener 38. The provision of orientation retainers 54a, b, c, d is considered unique to the applicant's mounting assembly.

The orientation retainers 54a, b, c, d retain the associated threaded connector fastener 38 in a desired orientation relative to the connector plate 26a, b, c, d, with each orientation retainer 54a, b, c, d being threadbly connected to its associated connector plate 26a, b, c, d. Each orientation retainer 54a, b, c, d includes a hex-head or grub screw allowing for easy adjustment of the orientation retainer 54a, b, c, d relative to the associated connector plate 26a, b, c, d. Each orientation retainer 54a, b, c, d, may be wound in until it abuts a surface of the associated mounting plate 22a, b, c, d, to thereby retain the connector plate 26a, b, c, d and threaded connector fastener 38 in the desired orientation with the associated mounting plate 22a, b, c, d, and the wall surface.

As stated above, each orientation retainer 54a, b, c, d is designed to abut the associated mounting plate 22a, b, c, d. Each retainer has a substantially flat head 58a, b, c, d, and is configured to abut a respective locating depression 60a, b, c, d provided on the surface of the mounting plate 22a, b, c, d.

Installation of the mounting assembly 10 is a relatively straight forward and simple process. The connector plates 26a, b, c, d and frame sections 14, 16, 18, 20 are assembled together, and then secured together by way of crew threaded fasteners 62 inserted through the edge regions 34, 36 of the connector plates 26a, b, c, d, which engage with an outer surface of the respective frame sections 14, 16, 18, 20. In the illustrated embodiment, a cross-frame member 66 is also secured in position by brackets 68a, b, c, d. The brackets 68a, b, c, d have slot receiving portions (not clearly visible) that are receivable in the slots 28 provided in the frame sections 14, 16, 18, 20, and also in slots provided in the cross-frame member 66. Screw threaded fasteners (not clearly visible) secure the brackets 68a, b, c, d to the frame sections 14, 16, 18, 20, and also to the cross-frame member 66. This produces a square and rigid sub-assembly. The sub-assembly can then be placed in the desired position on a wall surface and a marker pen can be used to mark the position (on the wall surface) of the threaded receiving bore 40 provided in each the mounting plate 22a, b, c, d. Once these correct positions have been established, it is simply a matter of mounting each mounting plate 22a, b, c, d to the wall using appropriate screw-thread fasteners inserted through appropriate number fastener receiving apertures 24a, b, c, d, e, f provided in each mounting plate 22a, b, c, d.

With the mounting plates 22a, b, c, d mounted in position to the wall, and the orientation retainers 54a, b, c, d threadably fitted to the connector plate 26a, b, c, d, the sub-assembly containing the connector plates 26a, b, c, d, frame sections 14, 16, 18, 20 and cross-frame member 66 can be mounted to the wall by inserting each of the four threaded connector fastener 38 through the central aperture provided in the respective connector plate 26a, b, c, d and into threaded engagement with the threaded receiving bore 40 provided in the respective mounting plate 22a, b, c, d. The backing plate 50 of each socket 48 is then threadably fastened to the associated boss 52 provided on the connector plate 26a, b, c, d.

The orientation retainers 54a, b, c, d can then be threaded in or out relative to the mounting plates 22a, b, c, d to ensure the desired orientation of the frame 12 relative to the wall is achieved.

If not already mounted to the frame 12, the additional vertically extending mounting bracket 70 can then be secured in position to the front face of the frame 12 for receiving and securing to the rear side of object (such as a screen, monitor, picture frame, billboard or other device) thereon.

It is to be appreciated that, advantageously, a plurality of such mounting arrangements 10 may be mounted to the wall or other surface in order to provide a planar array of objects (such as screens, monitors, picture frames, billboards or other devices), largely regardless of any bowing or other imperfections inherent in the wall surface.

The various fasteners used with the mounting assembly 10 may be of any suitable type(s) and size(s), including hex head screws and grub screws.

As shown in Figure 1, a frame cross-member 80 extends between frame sections 14, 16, with the cross-member 80 mounted to the frame section 14 with a pair of first right-angled brackets 82, 84 (and associated fasteners 86 and grub screws 87). The cross-member 80 is also mounted to the frame section 16 with a pair of second right angled brackets 88, 90 (and associated fasteners 92 and grub screws 87). This advantageously assists in providing a right-angled frame 12.

Bracket 82 and its associated fasteners 86 and grub screws 87 are also shown in Figure 9. Each of the fasteners 86 engages with respective suitably shaped channel bracket (which may be manufactured from aluminium or other suitable material) located within the channel of frame section 14 or cross-member 80, thereby clamping the bracket 82 in position. The grub screws 87 may be utilized to engage with and optionally "bite" into the channel brackets to assist in providing an overall substantially right-angled mounting assembly 10.

Figure 8 shows another mounting assembly 110. The mounting assembly 110 of Figure 8 is similar in many respects to the mounting assembly 10 shown in Figures 1 to 7. One notable difference is that mounting assembly 110 includes two additional mounting plates 122e, f and associated connector plates 26e, f, which are mounted at the approximate midpoints of respective frame sections 118, 120.

Another key difference is that the mounting assembly 110 contains two vertically extending mounting brackets 170, 172 mounted to the front face of the frame 112 to secure the object, when compared to mounting assembly 10, which contains a single vertically extending bracket 70.

Various materials are discussed above in relation to the various components of the mounting assembly 10. The invention is not limited to these specific materials, and other suitable materials may be used for any one or more of the various components. Advantageously, the mounting assemblies 10, 110 provide a degree of installation adjustment, thereby enabling an installer to mount an LED tile screen, television screen, monitor, picture frame, billboard or other device to a wall (or other surface) in a substantially flat orientation, regardless of any bowing or other wall imperfections. Moreover, the invention can be used to relatively quickly and easily mount an array of such screens, monitors or other objects to a surface in a substantially planar arrangement, which is often relatively difficult and time consuming with conventional mounting assemblies. The present invention also obviates the need to use packers to accommodate an uneven wall surface, as often required with conventional mounting assemblies.

The mounting assembly 10/110 can also potentially be utilized to mount a device or array of devices in a non-planar arrangement, if such a non-planar arrangement is desired for any specific application.

The mounting assembly 10/110 can also be relatively quickly and easily removed from the wall and disassembled, in the event that it is no longer required.

It is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the construction and arrangement of the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of this invention.

Future patent applications may be filed in Australia or overseas on the basis of or claiming priority from the present application. It is to be understood that the following claims are not intended to limit the scope of what may be claimed in any such future application. Features may be added to or omitted from the claims at a later date so as to further define or re-define the invention or inventions.

Claims (16)

The Claims Defining the Invention are as follows:

1. A mounting assembly for mounting an object to a surface, the assembly including: -a frame for securing the object directly or indirectly thereto; -a mount for mounting the frame to the surface, the mount including at least one aperture for receiving a mounting fastener to mount the mount to the surface; -a connector for securing the mount to the frame; -the frame including a connector receiving portion for receiving and securing the connector to the frame; -the connector being connectable to the mount with a threaded connector fastener receivable in a threaded receiving bore in the mount; -with orientation of the threaded connector fastener relative to the connector being adjustable by way of an adjustable joint between the threaded connector fastener and the connector; and -a plurality of orientation retainers for retaining the threaded connector fastener in a desired orientation relative to the connector, each orientation retainer being adjustably connected to one of the connector and the mount for abutting contact with the other of the connector and mount, with an effective length of each orientation retainer between the connector and mount being adjustable.

2. A mounting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the threaded connector fastener includes a fastener head, the fastener head comprising a ball of a ball and socket connection, the ball being rotatably receivable in a socket of the connector.

3. A mounting assembly according to claim 2, wherein the socket includes a backing plate, the backing plate being threadably fastened to a body of the connector, with the ball receivable in the socket, and the threaded connector fastener extending through an aperture in the body of the connector.

4. A mounting assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjustable connection between each orientation retainer and connector or mount is a threaded connection.

5. A mounting assembly according to claim 5, wherein each orientation retainer is threadably connected to the connector, for abutting contact with the mount.

6. A mounting assembly according to claim 5, wherein a distal end of each orientation retainer is received in a respective locating depression provided in a surface of the mount.

7. A mounting assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein four orientation retainers are connected to the connector, and the four orientation retainers extend from the connector in a configuration at least generally surrounding the threaded connector fastener.

8. A mounting assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector receiving portion of the frame includes a connector receiving slot, with the slot extending along each side of the frame.

9. A mounting assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame is a four-sided frame.

10. A mounting assembly according to claim 9, wherein the frame is a four-sided frame comprised of four frame sections, the four-sided frame having four corners, with a respective connector mounted at or proximate each corner of the frame, and each connector being connected to a respective mount.

11. A mounting assembly according to claim 10, wherein each connector is mounted to a pair of adjacent frame sections of the frame at respective a corner of the frame, the connector being slidably receivable in the adjacent frame sections.

12. A mounting assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each frame section is an extruded frame section.

13. A mounting assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, including at least one additional mounting bracket connected to the frame.

14. A mounting assembly according to claim 13, wherein the additional mounting bracket is connected to the frame, and connectable to at least one of an object or frame of at least one additional assembly.

15. A mounting assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, including a frame cross-member extending across the frame between a first frame location and a second frame location, the frame cross-member mounted to the frame at the first frame location with a first right-angled bracket, and the frame cross-member mounted to the frame and the second frame location with a second right angled bracket.

16. A mounting assembly according to claim 15, the frame cross-member mounted to the frame at the first frame location with a pair of first right-angled brackets, and the frame cross-member mounted to the frame at the second frame location with a pair of second right angled brackets.