GB2505500A

GB2505500A - Assembly for mounting television and supporting items

Info

Publication number: GB2505500A
Application number: GB1215653.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gary Littlewood
Original assignee: GLOBEMARKET Ltd
Current assignee: GLOBEMARKET Ltd
Priority date: 2012-09-01
Filing date: 2012-09-01
Publication date: 2014-03-05
Also published as: GB201215653D0

Abstract

A shelf assembly 10 is provided for mounting on a flat screen television (12 see fig 1). The assembly 10 comprises a pair of spaced brackets 14 which support a shelf 16, 34. A plurality of openings (28 see fig 5) in the brackets 14 are mountable to existing mounting holes on the rear of the television (12). The invention is provided with suitable mounting means such as fastener holes, keyholes, shelf projections for mounting part engagement and slots. A pair of slidably mounted brackets may be provided to accommodate different configurations at the back of televisions. The shelf 16, 34 may be adjustable relative to the television mounting and it may also comprise upwardly extending edges 38, 40. The invention enables an item such as an ornament or a controller to be deposited adjacent to a television.

Description

Support Assembly This invention concerns a support assembly, and particularly but not exclusively a support assembly in the form of a shelf assembly mountable to a flat screen television.

Until recently televisions generally included cathode ray tubes, and consequently were relatively bulky items. Televisions often form the or a focus in a room, and particularly a living room in a house. Often a number of items such as photographs, clocks, ornaments, game receivers or sensor bars are located on a television.

There is currently a significant switch to "flat screen" televisions which may for instance be of the LED, LCD or plasma type. Such televisions are significantly less bulky which can be advantageous, but the useful area on top of a television for locating items as described above, is not provided with such televisions.

Flat screen televisions are also well suited to be wall mounted. Again though with such a mounting, storage areas which would have been available with previous bulkier televisions are not present.

According to the present invention there is provided a support assembly, the assembly including a mounting arrangement, mountable to the rear of a television, and a support part for supporting items, such that the items are located adjacent the television.

The mounting arrangement may include a mounting part mountable to the rear of a television.

The support part may include a shelf. The shelf may have a rear edge which extends upwardly, and which may also extend rearwardly.

The shelf may have an upwardly extending front edge and/or a downwardly extending front edge.

The mounting part may include a bracket for supporting the support part.

In one arrangement the bracket is mountable to locating holes provided on the rear of the television.

In a further arrangement a mounting member may be provided which is mountable to locating holes provided on the rear of the television, with the bracket mountable to the mounting member.

The mounting member may be elongate and extendable transversely across the rear of the television.

A plurality of openings may be provided along the length of the mounting member to permit mounting to televisions with different spacings of locating holes. The openings may be in the form of slots, which slots may extend transversely.

A pair of mounting members may be provided. The mounting members may be mountable to the rear of the television one spaced above the other.

The mounting part may include a pair of brackets locatable so as to support the support part at spaced locations.

The mounting part may include formations to permit the relative location of the support part to be adjusted.

In one embodiment the mounting part may include a pair of brackets which are slidably mountable to the or each mounting member, with locking means to retain the brackets in a required position relative to the mounting member or members.

One or more openings may be provided on the bracket or brackets to receive a fastening means extending into a locating hole in the television or a mounting member.

A plurality of openings may be provided on the bracket or brackets, and the openings may be vertically spaced. The openings may have a keyhole shape, or alternatively may be slots.

One or more projections may be provided on the underside of the support part engageable with the mounting part. The projection or projections may be threaded to be engageable with a threaded fastening member.

The projections may be engageable with a respective opening on the mounting part, and the opening or openings may be in the form of slots which may extend front to back relative to the television, or may extend sideways relative to the television.

The bracket or brackets may be generally L-shaped, with one limb locatable parallel to the rear of a television, and the other limb engageable against the underside of the support part.

In one embodiment the mounting part includes at least two brackets with an elongate member extending therebetween and mountable thereto, with the support part mountable to the elongate member.

A plurality of openings may be provided along the length of the elongate member to accommodate different bracket spacings. The elongate member openings are alignable with openings in the brackets, and the bracket openings may be in the form of slots exiending sideways relative to the television.

Recesses may be provided in the brackets which receive the elongate member.

In a first aspect of the invention the assembly is configured such that the support part is located adjacent the top of a television.

The mounting arrangement may be configured to locate the support part immediately below and behind the top of a television.

The support part may include a shelf The shelf may have an upwardly and forwardly inclined front edge.

According to a second aspect of the invention the assembly is configured such that the support part is located below the screen of a television.

The support part may include a shelf The shelf may have an upwardly extending rear edge, such that when the assembly is mounted to a television the shelf can support items located beneath the screen of the television, and the rear edge can extend behind the screen of the television.

An opening may be provided in the rear edge to permit cables to extend therethrough.

In a further embodiment the support assembly is in the form of an at least generally L shaped shelf, and the mounting arrangement includes one or more openings in an in use vertical limb of the shelf, through which openings a fastening means which mounts the television to a mounting bracket, can extend.

An opening may be provided in the vertical limb of the shelf to permit cables to extend therethrough.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic rear perspective view of a first support assembly according to the invention mounted on a television; Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the television and assembly of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic rear perspective view of the assembly of Fig.1; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic end view of the assembly of Fig. 1; Fig: 5 is a similar view to Fig. 3 but diagrammatically indicating further components of the assembly; Fig. 6 is a rear perspective view of a component of the assembly of Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a rear view of a component of the assembly of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic end view of an alternative arrangement of the first support assembly according to the invention; Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic rear perspective view of a second support assembly according to the invention mounted on a television; Fig. 10 is a front perspective view of the television and assembly of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic rear perspective view of the assembly of Fig. 9; Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic end view of the assembly of Fig. 9; Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic front view of the assembly of Fig. 9; Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic rear view of the assembly of Fig. 9; Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view from beneath of the assembly of Fig. 9; Figs. 16 to 18 are similar views to Figs. 1 to 3 respectively, but of a third support assembly according to the invention; Figs. 19 to 21 are similar views respectively to Figs. 1 to a but of a fourth support assembly according to the invention; Fig. 22 is a diagrammatic front perspective view of a fifth support assembly according to the invention; Fig. 23 is a similar view to Fig. 22 including a further component; and Fig. 24 is a similar view to Fig. 22 but of a sixth support assembly according to the invention.

Figs. 1 to 8 of the drawings show a first support assembly in the form of a shelf assembly 10 for mounting on a flat screen television 12 asis shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The assembly 10 comprises a mounting part in the form of a pair of spaced brackets 14, which brackets support a shell 16. The brackets 14 are provided as a left hand and right hand brackets 18, 20 (as viewed from the front of the television).

Each bracket 18, 20 has a generally L-shaped configuration with a vertical limb 22 locatable against the rear of the television 12. A horizontal limb 24 is also provided which supports the shelf assembly 10. A strenghening web 26 is provided extending between the limbs 22, 24 on the outer side thereof.

A plurality of openings are provided through each vertical limb 22. In Fig. 5 these are shown as three spaced circular openings 28. In Fig. 6 six equispaced inverted keyhole shaped openings 30 are provided. A slot 32 is provided extending for most of the length of the horizontal limb 24.

The shelf assembly 16 comprises a shelf 34 which extends between and beyond each of the brackets 18, 20. A pair of downwardly extending studs 36 are provided which are locatable extending through the respective slots 32. A wing nut or other fastening means can engage with the studs 36 to retain the shelf 34 in a required position on the brackets 18, 20.

An upstanding front edge 38 is provided on the shelf 34, which front edge is inclined upwardly and forwards. In use the front edge 38 can be located adjacent and generally parallel to the conventional rearwardly sloping upper part of a flat screen television.

A rear edge 40 is also provided on the shelf 34. As illustrated for instance in Figs. 3 and 4, the rear edge 40 may extend perpendicularly relative to the remainder of the shelf 34. In an alternative arrangement as shown in Fig. 8, the rear edge 42 on a shelf 34 may extend upwardly and rearwardly.

In use, the brackets 18, 20 can be mounted at a required height using respective openings to the rear of the television 12, with bolts or screws extending into conventional mounting holes on the television, which mounting holes can conventionally be used with wall mounting brackets.

The shelf 34 can be located with the studs 36 extending through the slots 32. The shelf 34 can be slid so as to be adjacent the rear of the television 12, with the front edge 38 adjacent to or contacting the rear of the television, and being at least generally parallel thereto. Once the shelf 34 is in a required position, wing nuts or other fasteners can be tightened on the studs 36 to retain the shelf 34 in a required position.

There is thus described a shelf assembly which can be mounted to the rear of a television so as to be substantially invisible in normal use, yet is able tO support objects so these can be essentially mounted on top of the television. The various holes on the brackets enable mounting at a required height, and using appropriate mounting holes as may be provided on different televisions.

The slots on the horizontal limbs of the brackets, enable the shelf to be mounted in a required position, to be adjacent or abutting the rear of the television, to prevent articles falling therebetween. The rear edge of the shelf substantially prevents articles falling behind the television. The edges on the shelf provide increased rigidity thereto.

Figs. 9 to 15 show a second support assembly 50 for mounting on a flat screen television 52 for supporting articles beneath the screen of the television 52. The assembly 50 is generally for use with wall mounted televisions. The assembly 50 again comprises a mounting part in the form of a pair of spaced brackets 54 which support a shelf 56. The brackets 54 are again L shaped with a vertical limb 58 locatable against the rear of the television 52. A horizontal limb 60 extends forwards beneath the television 52 and supports the shelf 56.

A plurality of openings 62 are provided along the length of beneath the vertical limb 58 to permit mounting with an appropriate fastening means to a corresponding hole or holes on the rear of the television 52.

The horizontal limbs 60 include a recess 64 in their top surface, and a mounting slot 66 is provided in the base of the recess 64. An elongate mounting member 68 is locatable in the recesses 64 to extend between the brackets 54 and therebeyond in each direction. A plurality of openings 70 are provided in the mounting member 68 to accommodate different spacings of the brackets 54.

In use, the brackets 54 will be mounted to the television 52, with the mounting member 68 located in the recesses 64 and mounted to the brackets 54 by fastening means extending through corresponding ones of the openings and the slots 66.

The shelf 56 has downwardly extending threaded projections or other fastening arrangements engageable with others of the openings 70, to permit the shelf 56 to be mounted by appropriate fastening means to the mounting member 68 and hence to the brackets 54.

The shelf 56 has a main planar portion 72 and an upwardly extending rear edge 74. The extent of the rear edge 74 is such that when mounted on the television 52, the rear edge 74 extends above and behind the bottom of the television screen. The shelf 56 also includes a downwardly turned front edge 76, which therefore covers the brackets 54 providing a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

The assembly 50 therefore provides a shelf beneath the television 52 which can accept ornaments, television controllers, parts of computer games or otherwise. The assembly 50 provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance whilst being readily mountable to a wide range of different televisions.

It is to be realised that different shelves could be used, for instance without an upwardly extending rear edge, or a rear edge of reduced height.

The downwardly extending front edge could be omitted, and/or an upwardly extending front edge could be provided.

Figs. 16 to 18 show a third support assembly 100 mounted in Figs. 16 and 17 on a flat screen television 102 which has a support base 104. In this instance two elongate mounting members 106 are provided mounted to the rear of the television 102. The mounting members 106 comprise lengths of channel section with a plurality of spaced slots 108 in the base of the channel.

The mounting members 106 are mounted by appropriate fastening means to conventional fixing holes on the rear of the television 102, with the base of the channel spaced by the side walls from the rear of the television 102.

The number of slots 108 permits mounting of the mounting members 106 to televisions with different locations or spacings of mounting holes. The mounting members 106 are mounted extending transversely one spaced above the other.

A pair of generally L shaped brackets 110 are provided. On each of the vertical limbs 102 of the L a transverse web 104 is provided with a plurality of mounting holes 116. The mounting holes 116 permit mounting of the brackets 110 to the mounting members 106. The mounting holes 116 have an inverted key hole shape to enable them to be dropped onto screw heads extending through the mounting members 106.

The horizontal limbs of the brackets 110 support a shelf 118 with upwardly extending front and rear edges. A transverse web may be provided on the horizontal limbs with one or more holes therethrough to permit the shelf 118 to be fixed to the brackets 110.

The assembly 100 can therefore be readily fitted to the rear of a wide range of different televisions with different mounting holes, with a shelf at a required height. It is to be realised that a wide range of different shelves as outlined above or otherwise could be used with the assembly 100.

Figs. 19 to 21 show a fourth support assembly 150 for mounting a shelf 152 immediately below the screen of a television 154, which television 154 may be wall mounted. Two mounting members 156 which are similar to the mounting members 106 and will not therefore be described in further detail, are again mounted to the rear of the television 154.

Two generally L shaped brackets 155 are mounted to the mounting members 156. Transverse webs 162 with mounting holes 164 are provided on vertical limbs 160 of the L shape to permit mounting with appropriate fastening means to the mounting members 156.

Lower horizontal limbs 166 of the L shape of the brackets 158 locate beneath the shelf 152, with transverse webs 168 with a mounting hole 170 to permitting fixing of the shelf thereto.

S

The assembly 150 again permits mounting of a desired type of shelf at a required height below a wide range of different televisions with different mounting hole locations and spacings.

Figs. 22 and 23 show a fifth support assembly 180 for mounting a shelf 182 immediately above a television (not shown). The assembly 180 shows a single mounting member 184 mountable to the rear of the television.

The mounting member 184 comprises a length of channel section with the interior facing towards the television, and an upturned lip 186 provided on the lower edge of the channel section. A plurality of mounting holes 188 are provided in the channel section base of the mounting member 184 to permit mounting to different hole configurations and spacings on the rear of a television.

A pair of vertically aligned openings 190 are provided adjacent each end of the mounting member 184 through the side limbs 192 of the channel section. Two generally inverse forward pointing L shape brackets 194 are slidably mounted to the aligned openings 190 with a square section limb 196 of the brackets slidably extending through the aligned openings 190.

A grub screw 198 with an enlarged head is provided extending through the lip 186 adjacent each of the aligned openings 190, to enable locking of the brackets 194 at a required height relative to the mounting member 184 such that a shelf 182 as shown in Fig. 23 mounted on the brackets 194, can extend at a required height relative to a television. The grub screws 198 provide for ready adjustment of the height of the shelf 182 without the requirement for any specialist tools. In some instances, and for example to ensure that a correct or greater tightness is achieved, a screw which requires tightening with a tool such as for instance an Allen key may be used.

Fig. 24 shows a sixth support assembly 200 which is the same as the assembly 108 except that rather than the mounting holes provided in the mounting member 202, a series of transverse slots 204 are provided locatable in alignment with respective mounting holes in the rear of the television. This provides for significant flexibility in mounting to televisions with different hole mounting arrangements on the rear.

In further embodiments of the invention, a generally L shaped shelf is provided with a horizontal limb extending beneath a television, and the vertical limb extending up behind the rear of the television. One or more openings is provided towards the top end of the vertical limb to permit fastening means to extend thereto to locate the vertical limb between the television and for instance a wall mounting bracket.

It is to be realised that various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance the brackets may take a different form. Slots rather than openings could be provided on the vertical bracket limb to permit adjustment relative to the television, and also use with different televisions.

The shelf could be mounted to the brackets by a different arrangement.

Different edges could be provided for the shelves, or in some instances one or both edges could perhaps be omitted. Any of the above features may be combined in an assembly. One or more holes may be provided in the shelf to permit cables to pass therethrough for connection to the television.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims 1. A support assembly, the assembly including a mounting arrangement, mountable to the rear of a television, and a support part for supporting items, such that the items are located adjacent the television.
2. An assembly according to claim 1, in which the support part includes a shelf.
3. An assembly according to claim 2, in which the shelf has a rear edge which extends upwardly.
4. An assembly according to claim 3, in which the shelf rear edge also extends rearwardly.
5. An assembly according to any of claims 2 to 4 in which, the shelf has an upwardly extending front edge.
6. An assembly according to claim 5, in which the shelf has a downwardly extending front edge.
7. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the mounting arrangement includes a mounting part mountable to the rear of a television.
8. An assembly according to claim 7, in which the mounting part includes a bracket for supporting the support part.
9. An assembly according to claim 8, in which the bracket is mountable to locating holes provided on the rear of the television.
10. An assembly according to claim 7, in which a mounting member is provided which is mountable to locating holes provided on the rear of the television, with the bracket mountable to the mounting member.
11. An assembly according to claim 10, in which the mounting member is elongate and extendable transversely across the rear of the television.
12. An assembly according to claim 11, in which a plurality of openings is provided along the length of the mounting member to permit mounting to televisions with different spacings of locating holes.
13. An assembly according to claim 12, in which the openings are in the form of slots.
14. An assembly according to claim 13, in which the slots extend transversely.
15. An assembly according to any of claims 10 to 14, in which a pair of mounting members is provided.
16. An assembly according to claim 15, in which the mounting members are mountable to the rear of the television one spaced above the other.
17. An assembly according to any of claims 8 to 16 in which the mounting part includes a pair of brackets locatable so as to support the support part at spaced locations.
18. An assembly according to any of claims 8 to 17, in which the mounting part includes formations to permit the relative location of the support part to be adjusted.
19. An assembly according to claim 18, in which the mounting part includes a pair of brackets which are slidably mountable to the or each mounting member, with locking means to retain the brackets in a required position relative to the mounting member or members.
20. An assembly according to any of claims 8 to 19, in which one or more openings are provided on the bracket or brackets to receive a fastening means extending into a locating hole in the television or a mounting member.
21. An assembly according to claim 20, in which a plurality of openings are provided on the bracket or brackets.
22. An assembly according to claim 21, in which the openings in the bracket or brackets are vertically spaced.
23. An assembly according to claim 22, in which the openings in the bracket or brackets have a keyhole shape.
24. An assembly according to claim 22, in which the openings in the bracket or brackets are slots.
25. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which one or more projections are provided on the underside of the support part engageable with the mounting part.
26. An assembly according to claim 25, in which the projection or projections are threaded to be engageable with a threaded fastening member.
27. An assembly according to claim 26, in which the projections are engageable with a respective opening on the mounting part.
28. An assembly according to claim 27, in which the opening or openings S are in the form of slots which extend front to back relative to the television.
29. An assembly according to claim 27, in which the opening or openings are in the form of slots which extend sideways relative to the television.
30. An assembly according to claim 8 or any claim when dependent on claim 8, in which the bracket or brackets are generally L-shaped, with one limb locatable parallel to the rear of a television, and the other limb engageable against the underside of the support part.
31. An assembly according to claim 30, in which the mounting part includes at least two brackets with an elongate member extending therebetween and mountable thereto, with the support part mountable to the elongate member.
32. An assembly according to claim 31, in which a plurality of openings may be provided along the length of the elongate member to accommodate different bracket spacings.
33. An assembly according to claim 32, in which the elongate member openings are alignable with openings in the brackets.
34. An assembly according to claim 33, in which the bracket openings are in the form of slots extending sideways relative to the television.
35. An assembly according to any of claims 31 to 34, in which recesses are provided in the brackets which receive the elongate member.
36. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the support part is located adjacent the top of a television,
37. An assembly according to claim 36, in which the mounting arrangement is configured to locate the support part immediately below and behind the top of a television.
38. An assembly according to claim 37 when dependent on claim 2, in which the shelf has an upwardly and forwardly inclined front edge.
39. An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 35, in which the support part is located below the screen of a television.
40. An assembly according to claim 39 when dependent on claim 2, in which the shelf has an upwardly extending rear edge, such that when the assembly is mounted to a television the shelf can support items located beneath the screen of the television, and the rear edge can extend behind the screen of the television.
41. An assembly according to claim 40, in which an opening is provided in the rear edge to permit cables to extend therethrough.
42. An assembly according to claim 1, in which the support assembly is in the form of an at least generally L shaped shelf, and the mounting arrangement includes one or more openings in an in use vertical limb of the shelf, through which openings a fastening means which mounts the television to a mounting bracket, can extend.
43. An assembly according to claim 42, in which an opening is provided in the vertical limb of the shelf to permit cables to extend therethrough.
44. A support assembly substantially as hereinbetore described and with reference to Figs. 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.
45. A support assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figs. 9 to 15 of the accompanying drawings.
46. A support assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figs. 16 to 18 of the accompanying drawings.
47. A support assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figs. 19 to 21 of the accompanying drawings.
48. A support assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figs. 22 and 23 of the accompanying drawings.
49. A support assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Fig. 24 of the accompanying drawings.
50. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims