WO2003001798A1

WO2003001798A1 - Television screen units

Info

Publication number: WO2003001798A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/002944
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alastair Benn
Original assignee: Porter-Lancastrian Limited
Priority date: 2001-06-26
Filing date: 2002-06-26
Publication date: 2003-01-03
Also published as: GB2380630A; GB0115573D0; GB0219567D0

Abstract

There is disclosed a television screen unit comprising: a wall mountable chassis; a flat screen monitor; and a transparent face plate disposed over said monitor.

Description

TELEVISION SCREEN UNITS

This invention relates to television screen units, with particular reference to wall mountable television screen units, and walls incorporating same.

Traditionally, televisions have consisted of television "sets", which are rather bulky, stand-alone components. Typically, such sets are box like, and require a certain amount of storage space in a room. Additionally, such television sets are not water resistant, and, therefore, it is inadvisable to use such television sets in areas such as bathrooms in which water is commonly encountered.

The present invention addresses these issues, and provides a wall mountable, water resistant television unit.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a television screen unit comprising:

a wall mountable chassis; a flat screen monitor; and a transparent face plate disposed over said monitor.

The television screen unit may be tile like, further comprising decorative means for providing the face plate with substantially the appearance of a tile.

The present invention provides the possibility of installing television screens in areas such as bathrooms, toilets, spas and other places in which liquids are generally encountered, such as bars, public houses and nightclubs. The flat screen monitor is mounted in the chassis, typically in a recess in the chassis. The face place may be mounted in a recess in the chassis as well. The television screen units of the present invention are easily rendered water resistant, thus permitting safe usage. Furthermore, the television screen units are installed into a wall, which provides numerous advantages. Firstly, efficient use is made of space. Secondly, the appearance of the television screen unit is aesthetically very pleasing, particularly since the unit can be designed to have the general appearance of a tile, and thus can be designed to be compatible with the overall appearance of the tiled wall, although the invention is not limited to use with tiled walls. Thirdly, electrical connections are advantageously made at the back of the unit, and thus are hidden from view and physically concealed from the watcher, providing further safety advantages. For the avoidance of doubt, the term "wall" is understood to embrace ceilings and floors. Additionally, it should be understood that the term "wall" does not necessarily refer to the walls of a building, but might include, for example, a wall or panel of an installation such as a shower unit.

The wall mountable chassis may comprise a front flange portion. The face plate may be mounted in the front flange portion. The front flange portion can be substantially square or rectangular or any other desired shape.

The monitor may be disposed in or on a housing, and the housing may be mounted in the wall mountable chassis. The face plate may be disposed in or on the housing.

The face plate may be sealed to the housing with water resistant sealant, such as a silicone sealant or an epoxy resin.

The housing may be sealed to the wall mountable chassis with water resistant sealant. The television screen unit may be configured so that, when the television screen unit is mounted on a tiled wall, said unit is substantially flush with tiles mounted on said wall. The front face of the face plate may be substantially flush with said tiles.

The wall mountable chassis may comprise two or more brackets. The brackets may define a plane, and the front face of the face plate may lie above said plane so that, when the television screen unit is mounted on a wall, said front face of the face plate is substantially flush with tiles mounted on said wall. In this way a "seamless", aesthetically pleasing appearance is produced. The front of the face plate may lie less than 2 centimetres, preferably about 1 centimetre, above said plane.

The monitor may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen.

The decorative means may comprise a coating applied to the rear face of the face plate. The coating may be applied by a silk screening process or other suitable coating method. Alternatively, a suitable trim might be utilised.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a wall having a television screen unit according to the first aspect of the invention mounted thereon. The television screen unit may be substantially flush with said wall.

The wall may be tiled. Advantageously, the appearance of the television screen unit imparted by the decorative means matches the appearance of the tiles on the tiled wall. The television screen unit may be substantially flush with tiles mounted on said wall.

The television screen unit may be mounted in a cavity in the wall. According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of positioning a flat screen monitor comprising the steps of:

providing a television screen unit according to the first aspect of the invention; and

mounting said television screen unit in a cavity formed in a wall.

The television screen unit may be mounted so as to be substantially flush with said wall.

The wall may be tiled, and the television screen unit may be mounted so as to be substantially flush with tiles mounted on the wall.

Embodiments of television screen units in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a television screen unit;

Figure 2 is a side view of a wall mountable chassis;

Figure 3 is a plan view of a housing;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the chassis;

Figure 5 shows (a) a cross sectional and (b) a front view of a second embodiment of a television screen unit; Figure 6 shows (a) an exploded front perspective view and (b) an exploded rearward perspective view of a third embodiment of a television screen unit; and

Figure 7 is an exploded front view of a wall mountable chassis of the third embodiment.

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a tile like television screen unit, depicted generally at 10, comprising:

a wall mountable chassis 12;

a LCD flat screen monitor 14;

a transparent face plate 16 disposed over said monitor 14.

The face plate 16, which can comprise glass or plastic, has substantially the appearance of a tile owing to a silk screened coating on the rear face of the face plate 16.

It is possible to incorporate a logo and/or written disclosure if desired.

The chassis 12 comprises a substantially square or rectangular front flange portion 12a in which the monitor 14 and face plate 16 are mounted. The shape of the flange portion 12a is designed to be compatible with the tiles in the wall in which the unit 10 is to be mounted. In a non-limiting embodiment the height and width of flange portion 12a is of a standard tile size such as 300mm by 300mm. However, it should be noted that the dimensions of the flange portion might be different, for example to be compatible with a non-standard tile size. The front of the unit can be provided with a finish. This finish might match the appearance of a tile, or might provide any other desired decorative effect. For example, a mirror finish might be employed. Means such as a decorative bezel might be used to impart the finish.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the chassis 12. The chassis comprises two brackets 12b for mounting the chassis onto a wall. The two brackets 12b define a plane, (shown by a dotted line in Figure 2), and front flange portion 12a rises above this plane so that, when the unit 10 is mounted on a wall, the front face of the face plate is substantially flush with tiles mounted on said wall. In a non-limiting embodiment the front face of the face plate (and the uppermost portion of the front flange portion 12a) lies about 1cm above the plane defined by the two brackets 12b.

Referring again to Figure 1, the face plate 16 and monitor 14 are mounted in a housing 18 and the housing 18 is mounted in the chassis 12.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the housing 18. The housing 18 accommodates the face plate and the monitor.

The housing 18 comprises a base area 18a, a peripheral lip 18b upstanding from the base area 18a, and an aperture 18c through which the monitor is viewed. The face plate is positioned on the base 18a as viewed in Figure 3. The monitor is positioned on the other side of the housing 18, ie, from below the plane of the paper as viewed in Figure 3. It has been found that the heat given off by the monitor screen and its backlight prevents the unit from steaming up. In order to enjoy this effect optimally, the screen should either abut the face plate, or be in close proximity to the face plate, eg, less than 1cm from the face plate, preferably less than 5mm.

The face plate can be affixed to the housing 18 using an appropriate, and preferably water resistant, adhesive such as a silicone sealant. The bold lines in Figure 3 denote where the sealant can be positioned. Figure 4 shows in plan view the chassis 12. In addition to the front flange portion 12a and the brackets 12b can be seen an internal flange 12c upon which the housing is disposed. Inward of the internal flange 12c is an aperture, revealing the base 12d of the chassis 12. The housing can be fixed to the internal flange 12c using suitable means. In one embodiment, Velcro (RTM) strips 12e are adhered to the internal flange 12c. A suitable material which Velcro (RTM) will attach to is secured to the housing at the regions which the housing will contact the internal flange 12c. In one embodiment, neoprene strips are attached to the housing to render the housing water resistant. The mounting of the housing into the chassis is made further water resistant by sealing the joins between the two with a suitable sealant, such as a silicone sealant. Such sealants are commonly utilised in, for example, the glazing industry.

The television screen unit thus formed can be installed into a tiled wall. Preferably the dimensions of the front flange portion is equivalent to an integer number of tiles in the wall. Most preferably, the dimensions of the front flange portions is equal to the size of a single or double tile in the wall. A suitable cavity is required in order to accommodate the full depth of the television screen unit. The depth may as much as 45mm or greater, although smaller depths, around 20mm, are possible. In any event, such depths should not be considered to be limiting ones.

The chassis is fixed securely to the wall. It is recommended that at least four fixings of good quality are employed for this purpose: the fixings should be able to withstand a joint pull force of at least 100kg. The placement of the television screen unit in the wall is finished by grouting.

In one embodiment, the entire television system comprises, as separate components, the television screen unit, a control panel therefor, an input source and one or more loudspeakers. The control panel can be supplied in a "one gang" format, and can incorporate a volume control, an on/off switch and other desired controls. It is possible to include a timer facility which will automatically turn the television off after a fixed period of time has elapsed or at a predetermined time. Remote control of the monitor can be utilised, Typically, an LR transmitting window is provided by way of a suitable hole in the screen print on the face plate.

The input source can be a stand alone tuner. In another embodiment, the television screen unit can be installed in a hotel room, in which instance the input source can be the scart connector on the rear of the hotel bedroom television set, thereby permitting the use of interactive TV.

The loudspeaker might be mounted in the ceiling, or any other convenient location. It may be possible to incorporate some or all of these components within the television screen unit itself.

Typically electrical connections to the television screen unit comprise:

connection to the loudspeaker or loudspeakers

a co-axial cable from the input source to the flat screen, and a single screened audio cable from the input source to a control box.

a cable between the flat screen and the volume control

a suitable high voltage switched spur (240V in the UK)

a cable between the spur and the volume control .

In the instance in which the television screen unit is connected to a scart input, an additional audio/video connector plate is required. It is possible to produce television screen units which permit access either from the front or the rear thereof. Figure 5(a) and (b) depict a rear access design. The unit is positioned in a suitable cavity in a wall 50. The unit comprises a wall mountable chassis 52 having fixings 54 which mount onto the rear of the wall ("rear" being defined with respect to a watcher of the unit). The unit further comprises a housing 56, monitor 58, face plate 60 and a decorative trim bezel 62. It is possible to provide a chassis and/or housing which is substantially the same size as the monitor, providing the appearance depicted in Figure 5 (b).

Figure 6 depicts a third embodiment of a television screen unit, shown generally at 70, comprising a wall mountable chassis 72, a flat screen monitor 74 and a transparent face plate 76. The television screen unit 70 further comprises a housing 78 disposed between the monitor 74 and face plate 76. The face plate 76 is mounted on one side of the housing 78 and the monitor 74 is mounted on the other side of the housing 78. More specifically, the monitor 74 is equipped with a plurality of tabs 79 having holes therein, and the housing 78 is equipped with a plurality of pegs 80, on which the tabs 79 are mounted. Other ways of mounting the monitor 74 on or in the housing are within the scope of the invention, and would readily occur to the skilled reader.

The face plate 76 comprises a number of holes in which are mounted monitor control buttons 82. The housing 78 has a corresponding plurality of holes 84 which are in register with the holes formed in the face plate 76. The holes 84 in the housing 78 allow electrical connections 86 associated with the buttons 82 to extend into the interior of the chassis 72. When the television screen unit 70 is assembled, the electrical connections 86 mate with appropriate coupling portions of an electronic control board 88. - The electronic control board 88 is in connection with the monitor 74, and thus permits control of the monitor through the buttons 82. Functions such as ON/OFF, volume, contrast and channel selection may be controlled in this manner. Means can be provided to seal the housing 78 to the chassis 72. In one embodiment, one or more strips 90 are attached to the chassis 72, and one or more further strips 92 are attached to the back face of the housing 78. The nature of the strips 90, 92 is selected so that a good seal is provided. For example, one set of strips might be Velcro (RTM), whilst the other set of strips might be Velcro (RTM) also, or another material such as neoprene.

The chassis 72 is shown in more detail in Figure 7. Two brackets 94, 96 are attached to the main body 98 of the chassis 72 to enable the chassis 72 to be mounted on a wall. The main body 98 of the chassis 72 comprises a lip portion 100 which forms a front flange, and an internal flange 102. Inward of the internal flange 102 is an aperture. The housing 78 and face plate 76 reside within the region bounded by the lip portion 100 and internal flange 102 with the housing 78 abutting the internal flange 102. The monitor 74 extends into the aperture which is inward of the internal flange 102.

Claims

1. A television screen unit comprising:

a wall mountable chassis;

a flat screen monitor; and

a transparent face plate disposed over said monitor.

2. A tile like television screen unit further comprising decorative means for providing the face plate with substantially the appearance of a tile.

3. A television screen unit according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the wall mountable chassis comprises a front flange portion.

4. A television screen unit according to any of claims 1 to 3 in which the monitor is disposed in or on a housing, and the housing is mounted in the wall mountable chassis.

5. A television screen unit according to claim 4 in which the face plate is disposed in or on the housing.

6. A television screen unit according to claim 4 or claim 5 in which the face plate is sealed to the housing with water resistant sealant.

7. A television screen unit according to any of claims 4 to 6 in which the housing is sealed to the wall mountable chassis with water resistant sealant.

8. A television screen unit according to any previous claim configured so that, when the television screen unit is mounted on a tiled wall, said unit is substantially flush with the tiles mounted on said wall.

9. A television screen unit according to any previous claim in which the wall mountable chassis comprises two or more brackets.

10. A television screen unit according to claim 9 in which the brackets define a plane, and the front face of the face plate lies above said plane so that, when the television screen unit is mounted on a wall, said front face of the face plate is substantially flush with tiles mounted on the said wall.

11. A television screen unit according to claim 10 in which the front of the face plate lies less than 2 centimetres, preferably about 1 centimetre, above said plane.

12. A television screen unit according to any previous claim in which the monitor is a LCD screen.

13. A television screen unit according to any of claims 2 to 12 in which the decorative means comprises a coating or lamination applied to the rear face of the face plate.

14. A wall having a television screen unit according to any previous claim mounted thereon.

15. A wall according to claim 14 in which the television screen unit is substantially flush with said wall.

16. A tiled wall according to claim 14.

17. A tiled wall according to claim 16 in which the television screen unit is substantially flush with tiles mounted on said wall.

18. A wall accordmg to any of claims 14 to 17 in which the television screen unit is mounted in a cavity in the wall.

19. A method of positioning a flat screen monitor composing the steps of:

providing a television screen unit according to any of claims 1 to 13; and

mounting said television screen unit in a cavity formed in a wall.

20. A method according to claim 19 in which the television screen unit is mounted so as to be substantially flush with said wall.

21. A method according to claim 19 in which the wall is tiled, and the television screen unit is mounted so as to be substantially flush with tiles mounted on the wall.