GB2446936A

GB2446936A - Flat-screen display decorative sliding mounting configuration

Info

Publication number: GB2446936A
Application number: GB0802887A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dominic Whittome
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-02-22
Filing date: 2008-02-18
Publication date: 2008-08-27
Anticipated expiration: 2028-02-18
Also published as: GB0703408D0; GB0802887D0; GB2446936B

Abstract

A flat-screen display mounting configuration 2 comprising; a display mount for a planar flat screen display 4, such as a plasma or LCD TV set, and a planar decoration face 6 in parallel arrangement so as to be relatively slideable in a sliding direction. The configuration 2 is adapted to be mountable to a wall surface 1 such that the planar decoration face 6 is in fixed relation to the wall 1 and the flat-screen display mount is positioned behind. The display mount is slideable at least in a vertical direction between a first position where the display 4 is hidden behind the decoration face 6 and a second position where the display 4 is spaced from the decoration face 6 and exposed to view. Preferably the display mount slides vertically downwards relative to the planar decoration face 6 via a powered lift mechanism (5), which may included a transverse drive means and a telescopic actuating arm.

Description

Ergonomic -Decorative Flat Screen Display Configuration The invention

relates to a flat screen display mounting configuration ("configuration") for hiding or camouflaging unsightly flat-screen displays ("displays") such as are used in a television set, computer or home entertainment system, which can be mounted up (" high level") above the floor. This high level corresponds to the height at which it becomes desirable to position a fixed wall decoration, such as a painting or a wall mirror (decoration') that one would normally position 1" m -2 m above the floor.

The technologies relating to liquid crystal and plasma screens are each over 25 years old and both technologies are now in relatively widespread domestic use, particularly as television display screens, and also as combination display screens including other home computinglhome entertainment applications.

The low profile aspect ratio of such screens has led them to come to be known as flat-screen displays. Since only limited depth in the third dimension is required for flat-screen displays, the display can be located against a wall with a much reduced floor foot print thereby offering a significant space saving. There is even the possibility of mounting the display on the wall itself, or otherwise supporting the display at a high level above the floor, to free up significant space within the room.

The perceived disadvantages of such an arrangement include that a wall mounted or otherwise high level mounted display might be considered unsightly when not in use and that a high viewing position is not necessarily comfortable or ergonomically desirable for people to watch when seated in the room.

It is an object of the invention to provide a display mounting configuration, a framework for such a mounting configuration, and a mounting method, which provide enhanced functionality and mitigate some or all of the above disadvantages.

Thus, in accordance with the invention in a first aspect there is provided a flat-screen display mounting configuration comprising a display mount for a planar flat screen display and a planar decoration face in parallel arrangement so as to be relatively slideable in a sliding direction, in that the configuration is adapted to be mountable to a wall surface such that the planar decoration face is in fixed relation to the wall and the flat-screen display mount is positioned behind and slideable relative thereto especially at least in a vertical direction from a first position whereat the display is camouflaged behind the decoration force and a second position whereat the display is spaced from the decoration face and exposed to view.

The display mount and decoration face are in parallel arrangement in that the display mount provides means for the mounting of a planar flat screen display in parallel with a planar decoration associated with the planar decoration face and for example includes a screen mounting formation for the selective mounting and demounting of a flat screen display prior to use and/ or includes a permanently mounted flat screen display.

The decoration face is fixed relative to the wall and the configuration preferably comprises wall mountings to mount the configuration to a wall in such manner that the decoration face is fixed relative to the wall when so mounted. The decoration face provides a mounting formation such as a surface on which a wall decoration of any suitable design, for example a painting, photograph, mirror or like decorative wall object, that can be mounted for aesthetic reasons and behind which the display may be hidden when not in use. The decoration face preferably includes decoration mounts for the engagement of a decoration as above described. For example, in one embodiment, the decoration face comprises decoration mounts for the selective mounting and demounting of one or more decorations. Alternatively, the decoration face comprises an integral decoration permanently fixed thereupon or composed as a part thereof.

The display mount is disposed so as to be moveable relative to the fixed decoration face and relative to the wall in use. The display mount preferably includes a display engagement formation for the engagement and for example for the selective mounting and demounting of a display.

Alternatively, the display mount comprises an integral display permanently fixed thereupon or composed as a part thereof.

In all cases the decoration face and display mount are so disposed that the decoration sits forward of and generally parallel to the display relative to the wall in use and hides the display when in a first, concealed, and for example "up" position. The relative lateral movement then allows the display to be moved relative to and out from under the decoration to a second, exposed and for example "down" position.

The display mount may be moved between its concealed position and exposed position by means of a suitable transfer mechanism acting mechanically on at least the display mount to effect relative movement between the display mount and the decoration face. The transfer mechanism is preferably a powered transfer mechanism such as a lift. The transfer mechanism acts to effect a relative sliding movement in a transverse direction, generally parallel to the wall when mounted, and preferably up and down when mounted, between the display mount and a fixed housing portion of the configuration, and in particular thereby between the display mount (and any display mounted thereon) and the decoration face behind which the display is thereby selectively hidden behind and revealed from underneath. The transfer mechanism will return the display to its concealed position behind the decoration face to conceal the display when not in use.

The transfer mechanism is preferably hidden from view by being enclosed within the configuration to lie behind a fixed decoration face and decoration when the configuration is in the concealed and for example up position. The display mount is preferably moved by the transfer mechanism relative to the flat decoration surface which enables the display to be moved up and down by the lift in a vertical plane.

The transfer mechanism preferably comprises a transverse drive means adapted to effect relative sliding movement of the display mount and a housing portion of the configuration fixed relative to the wall during use.

For example, the transfer mechanism comprises a housing attachment portion to engage the mechanism in fixed mechanical relationship with the housing, and for example to mount the mechanism thereon, or to mount the mechanism directly onto the wall, a display mount support portion to engage in fixed mechanical relationship with the display mount, and an actuation member therebetween actuatable to effect relative movement of the said two portions and vary the distance therebetween.

The actuation member conveniently comprises a linear drive means, at least to the extent that it serves selectively to deploy and undeploy to have a varying linear extent. Conveniently, the actuation member comprises an actuation arm formation extensible between an undeployed configuration of shorter length and a deployed configuration of longer length. Typically, the exposed position for the display will correspond to the deployed configuration of the actuation arm formation.

An actuation arm formation may be a single extending elongate arm, for example articulated or telescoping, or may comprise multiple elements articulated or otherwise arranged to effect movement between an undeployed configuration of shorter length and a deployed configuration of longer length. In one possible embodiment, the actuation arm formation comprises an elongate telescoping structure.

The actuation member comprises a linear drive system to effect its deployment, for example engaging mechanically under electrical power.

In one possible embodiment, the actuation member compnses a worm drive. In particular, a worm drive acts to effect deployment of an actuation arm formation comprising an elongate telescoping structure. This has the advantage of being low profile, thus minimising the degree of protrusion necessary between the wall and the concealing decoration, and also has the advantage of having fewer moving parts than alternative drives such as belt drives, gears or other systems.

In this preferred mode of operation the display is hidden by a decoration face and a decoration in mechanical association therewith (and for example attached to or composed as a part thereof) when it is in an up position and this position corresponds to the same picture rail height that is generally thought to be appropriate for a positioning on a wall a landscape-proportioned picture, mirror or other wall decoration which will typically be 1" m or higher above the floor level for example at 1.5 to 2m.

The display can be revealed when the transfer mechanism lowers the display mount with a display in mechanical association therewith (and for example attached to or composed as a part thereof) to the down position.

The down position can correspond to a desired height at which it is considered easier and ergonomically safer for seated viewers to watch, being for example a typical TV viewing height suitable for a seated viewer of 0.5 to 1.25m.

The downwards vertical stoke or distance moved by the display from its up position is vanable so that the display can be viewed at whatever ergonomic height above ground level is desired.

The display can thus be hidden from view behind a decoration at an aesthetically pleasing upper height when not in use, so that the display can be revealed at a lower height above the floor level and thus be easier and ergonomically safer for people to watch as they do not have to tilt their heads upwards which can induce muscular-skeletal injuries.

The up and down positions of the configuration correspond respectively to the desired hidden picture location position and exposed ergonomic position of the decoration and this co-incidence is only possible by the principle of vertically lowering the display relative to the decoration face.

The invention is thus in the preferred embodiment an integral housing unit that can be mounted onto the surface of a wall, to which an aesthetic masking board is mounted, and to this in turn a decoration can then be mounted (or mounted in place of the masking board itself). This housing unit also integrates a TV panel and TV lift, which may thus be hidden from view.

A width of the mounting configuration in a direction protruding from a wall in use, and for example a distance between a wall mounting and the decoration face, is preferably adjustable to accommodate TV panels of different thickness.

In a preferred arrangement, the mounting configuration can also accommodate TV Panels of difterent width as it neither connects with the wall nor does it connect with any part of its own anatomy immediately below the drop path of the TV Panel, which is moved up and down by the Integrated lift means.

In order to obscure the display with the configuration in the concealed position, the decoration should preferably be at least generally coextensive with the display area. The decoration face is preferably at least generally coextensive with the display area, or extends across a greater area, so as to entirely obscure it in the concealed position.

In use, the lift means causes the display to move from an up position whereat the screen is at least partly obscured behind the decoration face (and preferably behind a decorative object mounted thereon, with the decorative object displayed to the room) to a down position where the display screen itself is displayed for viewing.

The configuration is adapted to be attached directly to a wall so as to sit on a planar surlace thereof (that is, without requiring recessing or rebating) in the manner of a conventional wall bracket. This has a perceived advantage in that the configuration is relatively easy to install.

Installing and operating the configuration will not involve significantly interference to the wall itself, such as building a special rebate into the wall into which the display can be positioned. A common solution for hiding flat-screen displays is to introduce a decorative object in front of a display that is situated flush to the wall so that a rebate, greater or equal to the size of the display, must be especially built into the wall. The configuration avoids the need for a rebate because it is the display that moves up and down in a vertical plane relative to the fixed decoration. Consequently, the configuration can be attached directly to the wall and it will protrude from this wall as a result.

The configuration is adapted to be mountable directly to a wall in such manner that a decoration face is held in fixed relationship to the wall, and a display mount is slideable relative thereto from a concealed to an exposed position. In essence this can be achieved in two alternative arrangements. In a first arrangement, the configuration is fixed to the wall, and a transfer mechanism is fixed directly to the configuration to act upon the display mount and cause it to move between its concealed position and its exposed position. In an alternative arrangement, both a housing portion of the configuration and a mount for a transfer mechanism are directly and separately fixedly attached to a wall. The transfer mechanism is in mechanical relationship with and is thus again enabled to move a display mount relative to the housing which remains fixed to the wall.

The configuration may define a substantially closed enclosure in the form of a rectangular box-like design ("actual box"). To its front face, a decoration is preferably fitted to complete the aesthetic camouflaging effect. The front lace of the box is thus the decoration face. Inside the actual box is the lift and display and mounted on the actual box is the decoration.

Alternatively, the configuration may comprise an open-frame structure with a forward face comprising a decoration face adapted for mounting of a decoration of sufficient extent as to conceal the lift and display when in the up position as a forward face to complete substantial closure of the enclosure when so mounted. The configuration thus effectively constitutes a virtual box-like design ("virtual box') in which case the decoration is situated in front of the display in order to achieve the same camouflaging effect as in the actual example.

The invention should solve two problems therefore: by providing convincing and effective camouflage for an unsightly display that would otherwise dominate a living room or drawing room if it were permanently on show and also by providing for the display to be revealed at a lower and safer height above the floor for easier and ergonomic viewing.

At its most general, the invention comprises a flat-screen display mounting configuration as above described with a display mount for a planar flat screen display and a planar decoration face for mounting a planar decoration in parallel arrangement therewith. In a more complete embodiment, the configuration comprises a display in fixed mechanical association with the display mount (and for example attached to or composed as a part thereof) and! or a decoration in fixed mechanical association with the decoration face (and for example attached to or composed as a part thereof).

The display is for example a TV set. The display is for example a rear projecting or LCD or plasma screen. The decoration is for example a painting, photograph, mirror or like decorative wall object In accordance with the invention in a further aspect there is provided a flat-screen display mounting configuration as above described mounted in position on a wall and especially on an internal wall of a domestic dwelling.

Preferably, the configuration is mounted on a planar, unrecessed and unrebated wall surface to project outwardly therefrom.

Preferably the flat-screen display mounting configuration is mounted to present the decoration face at a height of 1.5 to 2m and to present the display in the exposed position at a height of 0.5 to 1.25m.

In accordance with the invention in a further aspect there is provided a method of mounting a flat-screen display in such a manner as to allow the display to be hidden from view behind a decoration in a first mounted position and revealed at a lower height in a second mounted position, the method comprising the mounting of a configuration in accordance with the foregoing on a wall and its operation as above described.

In particular, the method comprises mounting on a wall a flat-screen display mounting configuration comprising a display mount for a flat-screed display and a planar decoration face in parallel arrangement, such that the planar decoration face is In fixed relation to the wall and the flat-screen display mount is positioned behind and slideable relative thereto especially at least in a vertical direction; mounting a flat-screen display on the display mount and a decoration on the decoration face; selectively sliding the display between a first position whereat the display is camouflaged behind the decoration face and a second position whereat the display is faced from the decoration face and exposed to view.

Preferably, the configuration comprises a transfer mechanism that acts to effect a relative sliding movement in a transverse direction, generally parallel to the wall and in particular up and down, between the display and a fixed housing portion of the configuration. The method comprises operating this transfer mechanism. The transfer mechanism is preferably powered.

It will be understood that although steps of mounting a flat-screen display on the display mount and a decoration on the decoration face are separately identified, the method of the invention encompasses the use of a mounting configuration comprising an integral display andl or an integral decoration.

Other preferred features of the method may be understood from the foregoing.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 to 3 illustrate an embodiment in which an enclosure comprises an actual box; Figures 4 to 6 illustrate an embodiment in which an enclosure comprises a virtual box; Figure 7 illustrates an ergonomically convenient height for a seated viewer; Figure 8 illustrates a specific "inter-locking bracket" arrangement for a housing.

Two possible designs of the configuration will be described. The beneficial effect on the viewer in terms of an improved ergonomic position will also be described. The examples show the configuration as an actual box and a virtual box design.

The actual box example is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. In Figure 1, the configuration (2) is fixed directly to the waIl (1), which causes a protrusion from the wall (3). The configuration contains a lift (5) which receives a display (4). Figure 2 is identical to Figure 1 except that it includes the introduction of the decoration (6) which is positioned in front of the configuration to complete the aesthetic camouflaging effect. In this up position, the display is hidden from view. Figure 3 shows the exposed position of the display once the lift has moved into the down position and the display can be viewed at a more desirable ergonomic viewing position.

The virtual box example is shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6. In Figure 4, the configuration consists of a lift that fixes directly to the wall and protruding wall pins (7) can attach to the decoration (6) to resemble a virtual box design as shown in Figure 5. Figure 6 shows the display in its exposed position after the lift has moved the display to its down position where it can viewed at a more desirable ergonomic viewing position.

Figure 7 shows how the seated viewer, at head height (8), benefits from a perceivably improved ergonomic line-of-vision (9) once the display is in its exposed and down position at roughly head height of the seated viewer, which might be considered to be around " m -114 m above the level of the floor (10).

The decoration can be connected securely to the wall using a configuration of two pairs of [-shaped brackets; one pair on each side of the decoration. As these bracket overlap and this degree of overlap can be varied, the decoration's protrusion from the wall can be varied and minimised subject to the thickness of the TV panel.

The TV Panel is attached to the TV Lift via the TV lift arm which doubles as universal fixing-plate into which many popular TV brands can be fitted, via the four holes normally machined into the rear of the TV to accept screws of different thickness and at different spacing apart. This technique is already in use in the industry As an alternative to mounting the TV Panel to the TV Lift via screws that fit laterally into the holes to the rear of the TV Panel, instead the TV Panel is supported from underneath by an arm attached to the TV Lift. This holster' design avoids the risk of metal fatigue developing in the laterally-fitting screws, which would otherwise be subject to forces transverse to the up and down direction of motion.

The TV Lift that is used is in the form of an actuator' or worm drive', akin to the design of older telescopic' car aerials. This firstly has the advantage of being low profile, thus minimising the degree of protrusion between the wall and the decoration and secondly has the advantage of having fewer moving parts than in the form of a conventional system, which may use belt drive, gears or other systems which may have greater long-term reliability problems.

The TV Lift, in this configuration in the form of an actuator', is attached to the wall by a special wall-bracket which dissipates the load or combined weight of the TV Lift and TV panels across a wide cross-section and/or length of wall space in order to minimise the stress on its screws or pins which fix it to the wall. This wall-bracket consists of a wide and long T-bar which distributes the weight over a wide area but which holds the actuator' securely in a position which is just proud of the wall in order to prevent the actuator's downwards and its (retracting) upwards movement making contact with the wall.

Figure 8 shows in more detail a more sophisticated "inter-locking Bracket" arrangement, two sets of [] or L..]' that enable the Configuration to adjust the degree of overlap depending on the TV panel thicknesses i.e. to change the degree of protrusion from the wall and minimise the protrusion gap for each different TV panel used.

An integrated multiple rear-hole (i.e. universal) fixing-plate (11) which will be familiar is provided to accept a flat-screen display, including (optional) lower support that also supports the flat-screen display from beneath.

This provides a support for a flat-screen display 12.

The basis of the lift is an integral lifting device 13 e.g. an actuator, and an integral lifting device wall-bracket 14, which makes up part of the housing unit. An Integral cable-management device 15 incorporates an elastic-based or other wire-retraction mechanism to retrieve power and signal cables so they are not exposed once the flat-screen display is moved back up.

An aesthetic Reception Board 18 is provided to conceal the display when in an up position. This can either receive a decoration or be substituted by a decoration. In the embodiment an exchangeable decoration 16 is shown in position.

The configuration includes a housing composed of paired (inner and outer) overlapping wall brackets. An Inner Overlapping Wall Bracket 19, which may be attached to the integral lifting-device bracket connects with an Outer Overlapping Bracket 20 which receives the Aesthetic Reception Board.

It will be appreciated that the configuration can work perfectly well without the aesthetic reception board. It can be considered aesthetically advantageous to complete' the system, and give an integrated look, but could be dispensed with to produce a more "virtual box" structure as above described, with the decoration itself completing the closure.

Also, different TV sets will have different panel widths, and it is envisaged that to offer flexibility in a practical system consumers may simply disregard a supplied but optionally detachable aesthetic reception board and have maximum panel width flexibility by moving the two brackets as close together as possible in order to achieve the closest fit possible.

In this case, the decoration may be attached directly to the brackets, for example by any suitable attachment means. For example the brackets can have counter-sunk screw-holes already drilled into them e.g. to accommodate heavier wooden pictures, and supplied sticky-back strips, which can be affixed over the exposed length and screw-holes along the bracket face to give an attachment choice.

Claims

1. A flat-screen display mounting configuration comprising a display mount for a planar flat screen display and a planar decoration face in parallel arrangement so as to be relatively slideable in a sliding direction, in that the configuration is adapted to be mountable to a wall surface such that the planar decoration face is in fixed relation to the wall and the flat-screen display mount is positioned behind and slideable relative thereto especially at least in a vertical direction from a first position whereat the display is camouflaged behind the decoration force and a second position whereat the display is spaced from the decoration face and exposed to view.

2. A configuration in accordance with claim 1 wherein the decoration face decoration mounts for the engagement of a planar decoration on the decoration face.

3. A configuration in accordance with claim 1 wherein the decoration face comprises an integral planar decoration.

4. A configuration in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the display mount includes a display engagement formation for the selective mounting and demounting of a display.

5. A configuration in accordance with one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the display mount comprises an integral display.

6. A configuration in accordance with any preceding claim comprising a transfer mechanism configured to act mechanically on at least the display mount to effect relative movement between the display mount and the decoration face.

7. A configuration in accordance with claim 6 wherein the transfer mechanism is a powered lift mechanism

8. A configuration in accordance with claim 6 or 7 wherein the transfer mechanism is enclosed within the configuration such as to lie behind the fixed decoration face and decoration when the configuration is in the concealed position.

9. A configuration in accordance with one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the transfer mechanism comprises a transverse drive means adapted to effect relative sliding movement of the display mount and a housing portion of the configuration adapted to be fixed relative to the wall during use.

10. A configuration in accordance with one of claims 6 to 9 wherein the transfer mechanism comprises a housing attachment portion to engage the mechanism in fixed mechanical relationship with the housing, a display mount support portion to engage in fixed mechanical relationship with the display mount, and an actuation member actuatable to effect relative movement therebetween.

11. A configuration in accordance with one of claims 610 10 wherein the actuation member comprises a linear drive system in the form of a worm drive.

12. A configuration in accordance with claim 11 wherein the actuation member comprises an actuation arm formation extensible between an undeployed configuration of shorter length and a deployed configuration of longer length.

13. A configuration in accordance with claim 12 wherein the actuation arm formation comprises an elongate telescoping structure.

14. A configuration in accordance with any preceding claim defining a substantially closed enclosure in the form of a rectangular box adapted to incorporate a decoration onto its front face.

15. A configuration in accordance with one of claims 1 to 13 defining a partially closed enclosure in the form of a rectangular box adapted for the mounting of a decoration as a forward face to complete substantial closure of the enclosure when so mounted.

16. A configuration in accordance with any preceding claim including a housing composed of paired (inner and outer) overlapping brackets.

17. A configuration in accordance with any preceding claim further comprising a display in fixed mechanical association with the display mount (and for example attached to or composed as a part thereof) and/ or a decoration in fixed mechanical association with the decoration face (and for example attached to or composed as a part thereof).

18. A configuration in accordance with claim 16 wherein the display is a rear projecting or LCD or plasma screen TV set.

19. A configuration in accordance with claim 17 or 18 wherein the decoration is a painting, photograph, mirror or like decorative wall object.

20. A mounted flat-screen display mounting configuration in accordance with any preceding claim mounted in position on a planar, unrecessed and unrebated wall surface of an internal wall of a domestic dwelling to project outwardly therefrom.

21. A mounted configuration in accordance with claim 20 mounted to present the decoration face at a height of 1.5 to 2m and to present the display in the exposed position at a height of 0.5 to 1.25m.

22. A method of mounting a flat-screen display in such a manner as to allow the display to be hidden from view behind a decoration in a first mounted position and revealed at a lower height In a second mounted position, the method comprising the mounting of a configuration in accordance with one of claims 1 to 19 on a planar, unrecessed and unrebated wall surface of an internal wall of a domestic dwelling to project outwardly therefrom..

23. The method of claim 22 comprising the steps of mounting on a wall a flat-screen display mounting configuration comprising a display mount for a flat-screed display and a planar decoration face in parallel arrangement, such that the planar decoration face is in fixed relation to the wall and the flat-screen display mount is positioned behind and slideable relative thereto especially at least in a vertical direction; mounting a flat-screen display on the display mount and a decoration on the decoration face; selectively sliding the display between a first position whereat the display is camouflaged behind the decoration face and a second position whereat the display is faced from the decoration face and exposed to view.