KR20120061743A - Integrated televison mount and audio system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An integrated type television mount and audio system is provided to arrange all components within one package and to integrate an external audio system. CONSTITUTION: An electronic device/sub-woofer enclosure(50) is connected to an important bracket in order to form an integration assembly. A center support unit is connected to the integration assembly. A center speaker assembly(56) is connected to the center support unit. A gripping bracket is connected to television.

Description

Integrated televison mount and audio system

The present invention relates to the field of audiovisual systems. In particular, the present invention includes a television mount incorporating an integrated audio system.

The nature of television has changed dramatically over the years. Water tube-based televisions are inherently bulky, and the depth of the device is similar to other dimensions. This made the devices visually unappealing, while the bulky cabinet provided sufficient volume to contain the integrated audio system. Water tube televisions having a rectangular front dimension of 40 inches (about 100 cm) typically had a cabinet depth of about 30 inches (about 75 cm).

With the advent of electronic devices and their space efficiency, many of the cabinet spaces that can be used in water pipe televisions have become empty. Thus, television manufacturers could easily incorporate relatively large audio speakers (about 4 inches by 6 inches) into the cabinet. Speakers of this size provided rich tonal quality for the sound produced.

The prior art has changed dramatically when tube-less designs have emerged. These are generally referred to as "flat screen" televisions. Examples are liquid crystal displays (“LCDs”) and plasma displays. Flat screen televisions are typically very thin. In fact, limiting the depth of flat screen televisions is a styling goal for most manufacturers. Flat screen televisions having a rectangular front dimension of 40 inches (about 100 cm) may have a depth of less than 2 inches (5 cm). The perimeter of the television is typically rather thinner. The perimeter is sometimes less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick.

The visual performance of today's flat-screen televisions is far superior to that of award-winning televisions. However, the limited space in the "cabinet" of the flat screen (to the extent that people can call such a thin structure) leaves too little space for audio components. This solution is increasingly using smaller audio converters.

Another styling goal was for the television display itself to occupy as much forward-facing surface as possible. The audio converters thus provided are often now in the lane direction; That is, speaker cones are directed to the side or even to the rear of the television, and the acoustic energy is not adjusted towards the user. As a result, the video performance of these devices has advanced significantly, while audio performance at best maintains identity and, in most situations, is deteriorating.

Customers who purchase high-performance flat screen televisions often require a "home theater" experience where sound quality is comparable to the capacity and range of sound they hear in a movie theater. Such customers will not be satisfied with the limited acoustic performance of current flat screen televisions. Such a customer would have to purchase additional components to solve this problem.

 Audio solutions for home theater systems vary widely and are complex. 1 illustrates one simple example. The flat screen television 10 is mounted on a wall using one of the commercially available mounting systems. Separate components are received in rack 24. (This rack can be anything from a simple electronics rack to elegant furniture specially designed to hide components.) The rack 24 is typically a cable decoder box, a DVD player, a video game console, and an amplifier 12. To accept. The amplifier can be a sophisticated PRO / LOGIC decoding system (such as that sold by Dolby Laboratories, San Francisco, Calif.), Which provides audio signals for at least four channels-typically left, center, right and Split into rear (often known as "subwoofer" channels).

Cables are connected between the rack 24 and the flat screen television 10. In this example, a two channel audio cable 14 leads from the television to the amplifier 12. In another example, a single HDMI cable can be connected from the cable box to the amplifier, while a second HDMI cable is leading from the amplifier to the television. These represent a hard-wired connection between the amplifier and the television.

Speakers are also connected to the amplifier. The left channel speaker 22 is connected via a speaker cable 26. The center channel speaker 16 is connected via its own cable (not shown in the figure). The right channel speaker 20 and the subwoofer 18 are also connected to the amplifier via the speaker cable 26.

The system shown in FIG. 1 produces quite good audio performance. However, the reader can easily recognize the paradox of this situation. In creating thinner flat screen televisions, manufacturers are creating an elegant and "clean" look for the visual appearance of home entertainment systems. In doing so, however, manufacturers have reduced the audio performance of the television itself to an unacceptably low level. An available remedy for this problem is the addition of various other components and cables, which completely destroys the visual aesthetics originally sought.

The present invention seeks to solve this dilemma by integrating an external audio system into the television mount. Modern television mounts are attached to the rear of the television or to the television base. The volume immediately after the television is not normally used.

2 shows a common wall mounting system for a television. In this example, the wall bracket 28 is attached to the wall by passing the bracket mounting bolts 36 through the bracket and into the wall stud or building. The uprights 32 on the TV bracket 30 are attached to the rear of the flat screen television by passing the TV mounting bolts 34 through the uprights and into the television. The TV bracket 30 is then slidably coupled with the wall bracket 28 (with the television attached).

There are many other mounting systems. In some of these other systems the TV bracket is attached to the wall bracket by pivoting in place rather than sliding. The general concept of having a first part attached to a wall and a second part attached to a television is used in almost all conventional mounting systems.

Normally there is a fairly large gap left behind the television and the wall itself. These gaps are mostly occupied by the mount itself. The present invention advantageously exploits this potentially available space by fabricating the mounting system and the integrated high-fidelity audio system in this space.

The present invention includes a television mount incorporating an integrated audio system. The mount attaches the television to the wall. As an alternative, the mount incorporates a pedestal so that the television and associated audio devices can lie flat. The main bracket and television bracket with proper design are included. As for the prior art, the main bracket can be attached to the wall and the television bracket can be attached to the television. The two components are well configured to easily join, allowing the user to hang the television on the wall without the need for complicated work.

The main bracket mounts the electronics / subwoofer enclosure. The enclosure houses audio amplifiers (which can be sophisticated frequency division devices such as PRO / LOGIC systems) and low-range speakers. The resonant chamber and bass port are contained within the electronics / subwoofer enclosure to allow low range speakers to accurately send the low frequency portion of the audio spectrum.

At least one external speaker support is preferably contained within the mount by attaching the support to the electronics / subwoofer enclosure. The speaker supports are preferably made adjustable so that the extent of extension from the mount can be adjusted by the user.

In a preferred embodiment individually adjustable supports are provided for the left speaker, center speaker, and right speaker. Suitable audio speakers are attached to the speaker support. The position of the speakers is then adjusted so that the speakers lie behind the perimeter of the television mounted on the mount. Speakers may be wired to electronics housed within the electronics / subwoofer enclosure. The signal directed to each speaker may also be transmitted wirelessly if necessary. The result is an integrated audio / video system where all components are placed together in one aesthetically pleasing package.

1 is a perspective view showing a home theater device of the prior art.
2 is a perspective view showing a television mount of the prior art;
3 is a perspective view showing a wall bracket made by the present invention.
4 is a perspective view illustrating attachment of the electronics / subwoofer enclosure, speaker supports, and speakers to the wall bracket.
5 is a perspective view showing the rear of a typical flat screen television.
6 is a perspective view showing a pair of TV brackets attached to the rear of a flat screen television.
7 is a perspective view showing the addition of a gripping bracket to each TV bracket.
8 is a perspective view illustrating attaching a flat screen television to the wall bracket.
9 is a perspective view showing a television attached to the present invention.
10 is an elevation view showing the components placed behind a television.
11 is an exploded perspective view showing an electronic / subwoofer enclosure.
12 is a perspective view of the interior of the electronics / subwoofer enclosure.
13 is a perspective view showing an optional suspended shelf.
14 is a perspective view showing an alternative embodiment with a center speaker disposed over the television;
15 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment in which a pedestal is provided.

The present invention incorporates flat screen televisions and external audio systems into integrated mounts. 3 shows an embodiment in which the integration component is the main bracket 38. This component includes an upper flange 40 and two lower flanges 42. The two lower flanges are separated by a central gap. Various mounting slots 46 are provided so that the user attaches screws or bolts through these slots and attaches the main bracket 38 to the wall (as known in the art as mounting brackets). These mounting slots 46 can also be used to attach the main bracket 38 to the pedestal so that the unit can lie on a flat surface.

Enclosure mounting holes 48 are provided so that the electronics enclosure can be attached to the main bracket 38. Preferably, one or more openings are provided through the main bracket so that audio and / or video cables can easily pass through the bracket. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a single large opening 44 is provided for this purpose.

In FIG. 4, an electronics / subwoofer enclosure 50 is attached to the main bracket 38. The electronics / subwoofer enclosure preferably houses an audio amplifier and an integrated bass speaker (which can also be mounted outside the enclosure). The combination of main bracket 38 and electronics / subwoofer enclosure 50 is referred to as an "integration assembly". The term is intended to include many ways in which an electronics enclosure can be integrated with the main bracket. As an example, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the main bracket may actually form part of the electronics enclosure (as the flat plate of the main bracket becomes the base of the enclosure).

The central support 62, the left support 58 and the right support 60 are all connected to the integrated assembly. In the embodiment shown, they are actually connected to the electronics / subwoofer enclosure 50. The supports can preferably be adjusted with respect to the extension. Supports can slide into and out of the electronics / subwoofer enclosure. The supports can preferably also be adjusted pivotally.

The left speaker assembly 52 is attached to the left support 58. The center speaker assembly 56 is attached to the center support 62. The right speaker assembly 54 is attached to the right support 60. The speaker assemblies can take any form desired. The illustrated embodiments include each of the three speakers in a linear arrangement.

It is desirable that the electronics / subwoofer enclosure can be attached to the main bracket before the main bracket is attached to the wall or pedestal. 4 illustrates such a modification. The reader should note that the electronics / subwoofer enclosure 50 does not interfere with the mounting slots 46 on the main bracket 38. Thus, the user can have the entire assembly shown in FIG. 4 and pass the entire assembly to the wall (or pedestal) by passing several bracket mounting bolts 36 into the mounting slots 46 in the main bracket 38. ) Can be attached. This can be done before or after the supports and associated speaker assemblies are installed.

Once the main bracket is in place, the user will want to attach a flat screen television. 5 shows a flat screen TV 10 viewed from the rear. The back of such a television typically includes four or more screw receivers 66. These are the strong mounting points provided for attaching the television to the support bracket.

The rear of the television also typically includes an A / V connection block 70 and a power connection 68. The power connection can be fitted with a power cord. A / V connecting blocks are usually provided for connecting various cables of various types; HDMI, DVI, component video, S-video, composite video, RGB / VGA, and digital optics. The mounting system must provide access to access A / V access blocks and power connections.

The physical connection made between the television and the main bracket can take a virtually infinite form. Thus, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 10 are suitably shown by way of example. In this embodiment, a pair of TV brackets 72 pass through the TV bolts 74 through the TV brackets and insert them into the screw receptacles 66 at the back of the TV to the rear of the flat screen television 10. Connected.

In FIG. 7, a gripping bracket 76 is shown attached to each of the TV brackets 72. Each gripping bracket pivots around locking screw 82, which passes through a hole through the gripping bracket and the TV bracket. The top of each TV bracket includes a pivot bracket 86 having a slot. The top of each gripping bracket 76 is secured by passing the locking screw 82 through the pivot bracket and through the hole in the top of the gripping bracket. The nuts 84 are engaged with the locking screws.

The reader will thereby recognize that each gripping bracket 76 can be pivoted relative to the connected TV bracket 72. The required pivot position can then be fixed by tightening the appropriate locking screw 82. The illustrated design allows the reader to adjust the tilt of the television after the television is attached to the main bracket, which will be described below.

The two gripping brackets 76 are equipped with features that allow them to secure the gripping brackets to the main bracket 38. The reader will note that the top of each gripping bracket has an extension extending toward the rear. The extension includes an upper notch 78. Similarly, the bottom of each gripping bracket includes a lower notch 80. The upper notches have a size and position to slide and engage with the upper flange 40 on the main bracket 38, while the lower notches have a size and position to slide and engage with the lower flange 44 on the main bracket 38. Has The notches preferably have a tapered inlet, fillet or other similar form to help the user engage the gripping brackets with the main brackets.

Turning now to FIG. 8, the reader can see that the main bracket 38 to which the electronics / subwoofer enclosure and speaker assemblies (an integrated assembly comprising speaker mounts and speakers) are attached is attached to the wall. Suitable mounting brackets (TV brackets and gripping brackets) are attached to the rear of the flat screen television 10. The user moves the flat screen TV towards the integrated assembly as shown by the arrows. The user slides the upper notches 78 over the upper flange 40 and the lower notches 80 over the lower flange 42 to attach the TV to the main bracket 38.

9 shows the assembly with flat screen television 10 in place. Speaker assemblies (left speaker assembly 52, right speaker assembly 54, and center speaker assembly 56) are arranged as desired by the user. Before installing the TV, the user typically extends the supports 58, 60, 62 to move the speakers so that they do not block the TV. Once the TV is in place and adjusted, the user can adjust the rotation of the speaker assemblies as needed by pushing the speaker assemblies to the periphery of the TV.

The supports 58, 60, 62 preferably include functional forms that allow for adjustment of these supports but allow them to remain in place if adjusted. 9 shows a TV tilted slightly forward. As an example of a typical adjustment, the user may tilt the left speaker assembly 52 and the right speaker assembly 54 to match the adjustment of the TV.

10 shows a side elevational view of the assembly mounted to the wall. The left speaker assembly 52 has been removed from this figure for visual clarity. The main bracket 38 is attached to the wall 88. The reader will understand how the notches of gripping brackets engage the upper and lower flanges of the main bracket 38. The reader will also understand how the tilt of the TV can be adjusted without being removed from the main bracket 38. The inclination can be adjusted by releasing the locking screws 82 by hand from the side, repositioning the TV and then tightening the locking screws.

FIG. 10 shows how the electronics / subwoofer enclosure 50 fits into the available space between the flat screen television 10 and the wall 88. A connection space can also be used if the installation type is a type that requires such a connection to connect the electronics / subwoofer enclosure 50 and the TV. In the example shown, the connector cable 90 connects electrical components in the electronics / subwoofer enclosure to the flat screen television 10.

The special design of the mounting bracket tree is not critical to the invention. Thus, the reader should bear in mind that the present invention includes various types of mounting structures that can be represented and implemented in various ways from the illustrated embodiment.

Similarly, the design of the electronics enclosure can take many forms. However, a detailed description of one embodiment will be provided to aid the reader in understanding. 11 shows an exploded view of an electronics / subwoofer enclosure 50. Chassis 94 houses the components. The chassis is covered with a cover 92, which can be snapped into place or screwed in. Such components may be made of fibre-reinforced thermoplastics, metals, or other suitable materials.

12 shows the chassis 94 with the cover completely removed. The chassis includes interior bulkheads surrounding the amplifier 116. Speaker 96 preferably serves as a "subwoofer", meaning that the subwoofer is designed to handle relatively low frequency sound. In the following it will also be referred to as a "bass speaker". The output of the bass speaker 96 is open toward the interior of the chassis. The interior forms a resonant chamber 98. The chassis also includes a port wall 102 and a base port 100 bounded by the port wall 104. The bass port is arranged to emit a relatively low frequency tone generated by the bass speaker 96.

The chassis likewise includes other forms. In the illustrated embodiment, the speaker supports (left support 58, right support 60 and center support 62) are all attached to the electronics / subwoofer enclosure. This does not always have to be the case where the supports can be attached directly to the main bracket 38 or other components directly. However, in the illustrated embodiment the left support 58 is slid and pivotally received within the left receptacle 102. The right support 60 is slidably and pivotally received within the right receptacle 108. The central support 62 is slidably and pivotally received within the central receptacle 110.

As mentioned above, the receptacles preferably have friction features, which allow the user to adjust the speaker assemblies once they release the speaker assemblies but tend to keep it in place. One example of a friction fit is to fabricate a speaker support into a tube to provide NYLON bushings to the receptacles that fit tightly around the tubes.

Other components can be housed within the chassis. The power supply 112 supplies power to the amplifier 116. The R / F module 114 may be provided to supply wireless output to some speakers or all speakers. The connections between the audio amplifier and the left, right and center speaker assemblies can be made in fixed wiring, wireless or a combination thereof.

The amplifier 116 can take many forms. In some examples, it may simply be a pass-through device that passes through channel-specific signals received from an external surround sound amplifier. In another example, it may be a sophisticated surround sound amplifier that receives an input signal from a cable or satellite transmission and divides the signal into suitable channels including left, right, center and back.

In some variations the amplifier can accept its input from a flat screen TV. In another variation, the amplifier can accept its input from an external cable or satellite decoder and there is no connection between the amplifier and the TV itself.

Other forms may be added to the integrated system. FIG. 13 illustrates embodiments in which a suspended shelf 118 is added below the center speaker assembly 56. The shelf may be attached at a suitable point, such as the center support 62 or the center speaker assembly itself. Another component, DVR 120, may be placed on a shelf. In some embodiments the electronic / subwoofer enclosure will include electrical connections for various other types of components, including DVR players and DVD players.

The particular speaker shapes and positions shown in the present invention should not be viewed as limiting. 14 illustrates another embodiment where the center speaker assembly 56 is positioned above the TV position. In this case the central support 62 extends outward from the top of the electronics / subwoofer enclosure and not from the bottom.

As mentioned above, the main bracket 38 may be configured to be mounted to a wall or pedestal. It may even provide a main bracket that can be optionally attached to another wall or pedestal. 15 shows an embodiment in which the main bracket is attached to the pedestal 122 and the entire assembly lies in the horizontal plane. In such a case the main bracket is not the same as the example shown in FIG. 3 but can take other forms instead.

The foregoing description contains significant details with regard to the novel aspect of the invention. It should not, however, be considered as limiting the scope of the invention but as providing an illustration of the preferred embodiments of the invention. As an example, the illustrated embodiments show a design in which the bass speaker is mounted in an electronics / subwoofer enclosure, but the bass speaker may actually be mounted adjacent to the electronics enclosure in a completely separate enclosure. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be defined by the following claims rather than by the examples given.

10: flat screen television 12: amplifier
14: Audio cable 16: Center channel speaker
18: Subwoofer 20: Right channel speaker
22: left channel speaker 24: rack
26: speaker cable 28: wall bracket
30: TV bracket 32: upright part
34: TV mounting bolt 36: Bracket mounting bolt
38: main bracket 40: upper flange
42: lower flange 44: opening
46: Slot for mounting 48: Hole for mounting the enclosure
50: electronics / subwoofer enclosure
52: left speaker assembly
54: right speaker assembly 56: center speaker assembly
58: left support 60: right support
62: center support 66: screw receiving portion
68: power connection 70: A / V connection block
72: TV bracket 74: TV bolt
76: gripping bracket 78: upper notch
80: lower notch 82: locking screw
84: nut 86: pivot bracket
88: wall 90: connector cable
92: cover 94: chassis
96: speaker 98: resonance chamber
100: base port 102: port wall
104: port wall 106: left receptacle
108: right accommodating part 110: central main part
112: power source 114: R / F module
116: amplifier 118: shelf
120: DVR

Claims (21)

As an integrated audiovisual entertainment system,
a. Main bracket;
b. An electronics / subwoofer enclosure connected to the main bracket to form an integrated assembly;
c. A central support connected to the integrated assembly;
d. A center speaker assembly coupled to the center support;
e. television;
f. A gripping bracket connected to said television and simultaneously releasably secured to said main bracket;
g. The electronics / subwoofer enclosure,
I. Bass speakers,
Ii. A resonance chamber fluidly connected to the bass speaker,
Iii. A base port fluidly connected to the resonance chamber,
Iv. An audio amplifier, and
h. The central speaker is connected to the audio amplifier, and the bass speaker is connected to the audio amplifier. The method of claim 1,
a. A left support connected to the integrated assembly;
b. A left speaker assembly connected to the left support;
c. A right support connected to the integrated assembly; And
d. And a right speaker assembly coupled to the right support. The method of claim 1,
Wherein said central support is slidably adjustable relative to said integrated assembly. The method of claim 1,
And the central support is pivotally adjustable relative to the integrated assembly. The method of claim 1,
Further comprising a shelf attached to the integrated assembly. The method of claim 2,
Wherein said central support, said left support and said right support are slidably adjustable relative to said integrated assembly. The method of claim 2,
And the left support and the right support are pivotally adjustable relative to the integrated assembly. As an integrated audiovisual entertainment system,
a. Main bracket;
b. An electronics / subwoofer enclosure connected to the main bracket;
c. A first support coupled to the electronics / subwoofer enclosure;
d. A first speaker assembly connected to the first support;
e. television;
f. A gripping bracket connected to said television and simultaneously releasably secured to said main bracket;
g. The electronics / subwoofer enclosure,
I. Bass speakers,
Ii. Including an audio amplifier,
h. And the first speaker assembly is coupled to the audio amplifier and the bass speaker is coupled to the audio amplifier. The method of claim 8,
a. A second support connected to the electronics / subwoofer enclosure;
b. A second speaker assembly connected to the second support;
c. A third support connected to the electronics / subwoofer enclosure; And
d. And a third speaker assembly coupled to the third support. The method of claim 8,
And the first support is slidably adjustable relative to the electronics / subwoofer enclosure. The method of claim 8,
And the first support is pivotally adjustable relative to the electronics / subwoofer enclosure. The method of claim 8,
Further comprising a shelf attached to the main bracket. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein said first support, said second support and said third support are slidably adjustable relative to said electronics / subwoofer enclosure. 10. The method of claim 9,
And the second support and the third support are pivotally adjustable relative to the electronics / subwoofer enclosure. As an integrated audiovisual entertainment system,
a. Main bracket;
b. An electronics enclosure connected to the main bracket to form an integrated assembly;
c. A first support coupled to the integrated assembly;
d. A first speaker assembly connected to the first support;
e. television;
f. A gripping bracket connected to the television and simultaneously releasably secured to the integrated assembly;
g. The electronics enclosure including an audio amplifier;
h. A bass speaker coupled to the integration assembly;
i. And the first speaker assembly is coupled to the audio amplifier and the bass speaker is coupled to the audio amplifier. 16. The method of claim 15,
a. A second support connected to the integrated assembly;
b. A second speaker assembly connected to the second support;
c. A third support coupled to the integrated assembly; And
d. And a third speaker assembly coupled to the third support. 16. The method of claim 15,
And the first support is slidably adjustable relative to the integrated assembly. 16. The method of claim 15,
And the first support is pivotally adjustable relative to the integrated assembly. 16. The method of claim 15,
Further comprising a shelf attached to the integrated assembly. The method of claim 16,
Wherein said first support, said second support and said third support are slidably adjustable relative to said integrated assembly. The method of claim 16,
And the second support and the third support are pivotally adjustable relative to the integrated assembly.

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