WO2008054784A2

WO2008054784A2 - Secure mounting method and mount for electronic device

Info

Publication number: WO2008054784A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/022998
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jim Wohlford; Steven Durkee; Nathan Bohl
Original assignee: Csav, Inc.
Priority date: 2006-10-31
Filing date: 2007-10-31
Publication date: 2008-05-08
Also published as: WO2008054784A3

Abstract

An electronic device mount including a body presenting a plurality of apertures corresponding to a plurality of mounting projections of an electronic device, wherein the plurality of mounting projections are collectively coupleable with the plurality of apertures and movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position. The mount further including a locking member selectively engageable and disengageable with the body, such that when the plurality of projections are in the engaged position and the locking member is engaged with the body, the locking member inhibits movement of the plurality of projections from the engaged position to the disengaged position, thereby securing the electronic device relative to the mount.

Description

SECURE MOUNTING METHOD AND MOUNT FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE

RELATED APPLICATION The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.

60/855,630, filed October 31, 2006, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to electronic devices, such as flat-panel electronic displays. More particularly, the embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and mounts for securely mounting electronic devices, such as flat-panel electronic displays.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Due to superior image quality over cathode ray tube ("CRT") displays and rapidly declining prices, flat-panel electronic displays are used expansively in business and home environments. The prevalence of specialized mounting devices for attaching flat-panel electronic displays to walls and other structures has mirrored the displays themselves. Mounting devices including myriad different configurations of brackets and arms have been developed for the purpose. Examples of such devices are depicted in U.S. Patent Nos. D507,477, D496,367, D495,714, D495/713, D494,596, and D493,800.

Due to their relatively light weight and compact size, flat-panel display devices can be an attractive target for thieves. Existing mounting devices for flat-panel display devices often have no provisions for inhibiting removal of the display from the mount

There is therefore a need for improved methods and mounts for securely mounting electronic devices, such as flat-panel electronic displays, inhibiting unauthorized removal of the display from the mount.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the need for improved methods and mounts for securely mounting electronic devices, such as flat-panel electronic displays, inhibiting unauthorized removal of the display from the mount.

In an embodiment, a mount for an electronic device includes a body presenting a plurality of apertures corresponding to a plurality of mounting projections of an electronic device, each of the plurality of apertures comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the plurality of mounting projections are collectively coupleable with the plurality of apertures and movable between a disengaged position at the first portions and an engaged position at the second portions. The mount further includes a locking member selectively engageable and disengageable with said body, such that when said plurality of projections are in said engaged position and said locking member is engaged with said body, said locking member inhibits movement of said plurality of projections from said engaged position to said disengaged position, thereby securing the electronic device relative to said mount.

In an embodiment, a method for mounting and securing an electronic device includes providing an electronic device having mounting projections and a mount presenting apertures corresponding to the mounting projections, collectively coupling said projections with said apertures and effecting movement of said projections from an unengaged position to an engaged position, and engaging a locking member with said mount, such that said locking member impedes movement of said projections from said engaged position to said disengaged position, thereby securing the electronic device relative to said mount. In an embodiment, a method of providing a mount for an electronic display and instructions for inhibiting theft of the electronic display includes providing an electronic device having mounting projections and a mount presenting apertures corresponding to the mounting projections and providing instructions to collectively couple said projections with said apertures and effecting movement of said projections from an unengaged position to an engaged position and engage said locking member with said mount, such that said locking member impedes movement of said projections from said engaged position to said disengaged position, thereby securing the electronic device relative to said mount.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention can be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the following drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a display mounting system according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2 is a rear elevation view of the display mounting system of Fig. 1 depicting a locking bar and fastening buttons in alternate positions, wherein the locking bar and fastening buttons are depicted in solid lines in one of said alternate positions and phantom lines in the other of said alternate positions;

Fig. 3 is a first, side elevation view of the display mounting system of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a second, opposing side elevation view of the display mounting system of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a fastening button according to a first embodiment; Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of a display mounting system according to an embodiment depicted attached to a wall structure and with a display device coupled thereto, wherein a lock is depicted in phantom lines;

Fig. 7 is an opposing side elevation view from the view of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a front elevation view of the mounting system of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a front perspective view of a display mounting system according to a second embodiment; Fig. 10 is a front elevation view of the embodiment of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a fastening button according to a second embodiment; Fig. 12 is a front elevation view of a display mounting system according to a third embodiment; and

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a locking bar according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a mounting system 20 of a first embodiment generally includes a mount body 22 and locking bar 23. Body 22 generally includes planar portion 24 and one or more offset flanges 26, 28 presented therewith, such as at top 30 and bottom 32 edges of body 22, respectively. Flange 26 has connecting portion 34 connecting flange 26 and planar portion 24 of body 22 and flange 28 has connecting portion 36 connecting flange 28 and planar portion 24 of body 22, wherein each of connecting portions 34, 36 can be generally perpendicular with planar portion 24 and said flanges 26, 28. Locking bar 23 has a first end 23a presenting an aperture 23b therethrough and an opposing end 23c, which can present a flange

23d.

Planar portion 24 can include a plurality of apertures or slots 38 presented therewith, each for receiving a fastening button or mounting projection 40 operably attached to or formed with a flat-panel display 42, which can be any display device, such as a liquid crystal display ("LCD") or plasma display, or any other device, such as a speaker. Fastening buttons 40 and slots 38 function to operably couple flat-panel display 42 on mount 20, such as disclosed in U.S. Published Patent Application 2004/0232298, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In the embodiments depicted in Figs. 1-4 and 6-7, each slot 38 includes a pair of keyhole shaped portions merged together including an inner keyhole slot 44 and an outer keyhole slot 46.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that fastening buttons 40 can be arranged on flat- panel display 42 in a first pattern corresponding to the locations of inner keyhole slots 44 or in a second pattern corresponding to the locations of outer keyhole slots 46. These first and second patterns can correspond to industry standard mounting patterns and dimensions such as those promulgated by Video Electronics Standards Association ("VESA"). In embodiments, such as depicted in Fig. 9, single keyhole slots 48 can be disposed in any other desired pattern and using any desired dimensions. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the various VESA standard mounting patterns and dimensions can be incorporated into embodiments herein.

Referring to Fig. 5, fastening button 40 generally includes base portion 100, head portion 102, and throat portion 104.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 8, each of inner and outer keyhole portions 44, 46, has an enlarged upper portion 106, and a narrower lower portion 108. In a set of apertures or slots 38, upper portions 106 can be arranged along a first line L' and lower portions 108 can be arranged along a second line L". Enlarged upper portion 106 has a diameter larger than head portion 102, but smaller than base portion 100, while lower portion 108 has a diameter slightly larger than throat portion 104. In operation, head portion 102 of fastening button 40 is passed through upper portion 106 of the keyhole slot. The display 42 to which the fastening button 40 is attached can then be moved downwardly, engaging throat portion 104 in lower portion 108. Disengagement of display 42 from mounting system 20 can be accomplished by reversing this sequence of steps.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 8, flange 26 can include one or more apertures 50, such as round apertures, each for receiving a fastener 52 to fasten mounting system 20 to a structure 54, such as a gypsum wallboard covered wall 56. Referring to Figs. 2 and 8, flange 28 can include one or more arcuate slots 58, also for receiving a fastener 52, enabling adjustment of the levelness of mount.

Referring to Figs. 1-4 and 7-8, body portion 22 can include tabs 60, 60a on opposing sides. Each tab 60, 60a, includes one or more slots therein, such as an upper slot 62 and a lower slot 64, with upper slot 62 of tab 60 directly opposed from upper slot 62a of tab 60a, and lower slot 64 of tab 60 directly opposed from lower slot 64a of tab 60a.

As depicted in Fig. 2, with fastening buttons 40 coupled with a display 42 and with throat portions 104 engaged in lower portion 108 of keyhole slots 44, locking bar 23 can be inserted through lower slots 64, 64a of both tabs 60, 60a, until flange 23d engages tab 60 and end 23a with aperture 23b extends beyond and outward from tab 60a. In this position, locking bar 23 blocks the head portions 102 of the upper fastening buttons 40 from being moved upward into upper portions 106 of the keyhole slots, thereby inhibiting removal of display 42 from mounting system 20. Referring to Fig. 6, a padlock 70 or other securing device such as a zip lock tie can be passed through aperture 23b to inhibit locking bar 23 from being withdrawn by unauthorized persons.

As depicted in Fig. 2, locking bar 23 can alternatively be inserted through upper slots 62 to inhibit removal of a display 42 wherein fastening buttons 40 are engaged in outer keyhole slots 46. As depicted in Fig. 13, a slight bend 71 may be formed in locking bar 23 proximate opposing end 23c. When locking bar 23 is inserted through slots 60, 60a, or 64, 64a, and engaged in throat portion 104 of fastening button 40, bend 71 provides a slight spring bias tending to inhibit inadvertent withdrawal of locking bar 23 and providing a positive "click" sound and feel upon insertion.

There are mounting systems including a tilting display adjustment feature. For example, referring to Figs. 9 and 10, mounting system 20 generally includes wall interface bracket 76 and cooperating display interface bracket 78 pivotally coupled at pivot 80. Follower 82 is received in a guide slot 84. Follower 82 can be tightened or loosened to add or remove, respectively, frictional resistance to pivoting of display interface bracket 78 about pivot 80.

Display interface bracket 78 defines a first series 86 of keyhole slots 48 and a second series 88 of keyhole slots 48. Corresponding opposing upper slots 90 and lower slots 92 are defined in opposing sides 94, 96. Inserting locking bar 23 through upper slots 90 will inhibit disengagement of fastening buttons 40 engaged in first series 86 of keyhole slots 48 while inserting locking bar 23 through lower slots 92 will inhibit disengagement of fastening buttons 40 engaged in second series 88 of keyhole slots 48. Referring to Fig. 11, in a third embodiment, a fastening button 240 generally includes base portion 200, head portion 202, and throat portion 204. Throat portion comprises a locking bar aperture 206 presented therethrough that is slightly greater in dimension than locking bar. Referring to Fig. 12, a third set of slots 66, 66a can be included on tabs 60, 60a beyond first slots 62, 62a and second slots 64, 64a (first slots 62, 62a and second slots 64, 64a not depicted in Fig. 12), third set of slots 66, 66a being generally aligned with fastening buttons 240 when fastening buttons 240 are engaged with lower portions of slots 38. Alternatively, lower slots 64, 64a of tabs 60, 60a can be generally aligned with fastening buttons 240 when fastening buttons 240 are engaged with lower portions of slots 38. When fastening buttons 240 are engaged with lower portions of slots 38, locking bar 23 can be passed through 66 of tab 60, through locking bar apertures 206 on fastening buttons 240, and through slot 66a of tab 60a until flange 23d engages tab 60 and end 23a with aperture 23b extends beyond and outward from tab 60a. In this position, locking bar 23 is through the neck portions 204 of the upper fastening buttons 240, thereby inhibiting removal of display 42 from mounting system 20. A padlock or other securing device such as a zip lock tie can be passed through aperture 23b to inhibit locking bar 23 from being withdrawn by unauthorized persons. In an embodiment, a second locking bar can be positioned as depicted and described with respect to Fig. 2, such that the locking bar 23 blocks the head portions 202 of the upper fastening buttons 40 from being moved upward into upper portions 206 of the keyhole slots. It will be appreciated that other configurations of mounting system are contemplated, including varying numbers and arrangement of keyhole slots and corresponding positions for locking bar. It will be appreciated, for example, that any number of positions or configurations for locking bar can be provided. Also, the securing mounting mechanism according to embodiments herein can be incorporated into a number of device mounts, for example, mounts as included in U.S. Patent Nos. D507,477, D496,367, D495J14, D495,713, D494,596, and D493,800, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Also, those skilled in the art can appreciate that the system herein can be applied to a myriad of different mount configurations. Also, those skilled in the art can appreciate that a mount according to the embodiments can be made from any suitable material having suitable strength and durability properties such as metal or plastic.

The embodiments above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Additional embodiments are encompassed within the scope of the claims. Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For purposes of interpreting the claims for the present invention, it is expressly intended that the provisions of Section 112, sixth paragraph of 35 U.S. C. are not to be invoked unless the specific terms "means for" or "step for" are recited in a claim.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A mount for an electronic device, the electronic device having mounting projections, said mount comprising: a body presenting a plurality of apertures corresponding to a plurality of mounting projections of an electronic device, each of said plurality of apertures comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the plurality of mounting projections are collectively coupleable with said plurality of apertures and movable between a disengaged position at said first portions and an engaged position at said second portions; and a locking member selectively engageable and disengageable with said body, such that when said plurality of projections are in said engaged position and said locking member is engaged with said body, said locking member inhibits movement of said plurality of projections from said engaged position to said disengaged position, thereby securing the electronic device relative to said mount.

2. The mount of claim 1, further comprising a first tab presented at a first side of said body and a second tab presented at a second side of said body, said locking member selectively engageable and disengageable with said first and second tabs, wherein said first and second tabs are positioned such that when said locking member is engaged therewith, said locking member physically impedes movement of said plurality of projections from said engaged position to said disengaged position, thereby securing the electronic device relative to said mount.

3. The mount of claim 2, wherein said first and second tabs each present a slot, said locking member engageable with said slots.

4. The mount of claim 3, wherein said slots and said first positions of said plurality of apertures are substantially in alignment, such that when said locking member is engaged with said slots, said locking member is substantially in alignment with said slots and said first position of said plurality of apertures.

5. The mount of claim 4, wherein said second positions of said plurality of apertures is offset from said alignment of said slots and said first positions.

6. The mount of claim 3, wherein said slots and said first positions of said plurality of apertures are substantially in linear alignment along a first line.

7. The mount of claim 6, wherein said second positions of said plurality of apertures are substantially in linear alignment along a second line, wherein said first and second lines are substantially parallel.

8. The mount of claim 1, further comprising a first tab presented on a first side of said body and a second tab presented on a second side of said body, wherein said first and second tabs are positioned such that when said locking member is engaged with said first and second tabs, said locking member occupies a position adjacent said first portions of said apertures and impedes said plurality of projections from moving from said engaged position to said disengaged position by said locking member.

9. The mount of claim 1, wherein said locking member comprises a locking member aperture thereon configured for operably coupling a locking device thereto.

10. The mount of claim 1, wherein said mounting projections comprise a base with a throat portion extending therefrom and a head presented with said throat portion opposite said base portion, wherein said first portions of said apertures are larger than said head of said mounting projections and wherein said second portion of said apertures comprises a diameter larger than said throat portion and smaller than said head portion.

11. A method for mounting and securing an electronic device, said method comprising: providing an electronic device having mounting projections and a mount presenting apertures corresponding to the mounting projections; collectively coupling said projections with said apertures and effecting movement of said projections from an unengaged position to an engaged position; and engaging a locking member with said mount, such that said locking member impedes movement of said projections from said engaged position to said disengaged position, thereby securing the electronic device relative to said mount.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said mount comprises a first tab having a first slot presented on a first side thereof and a second tab having a second slot presented on a second side thereof, said method comprising effecting movement of said locking member through said first and second tabs after said movement of said projections from an unengaged position to an engaged position.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein each aperture comprises a first portion and a second portion, said method further comprising effecting movement of said projections from the unengaged position at said first portions to the engaged position at said second portions.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said mount comprises a first tab having a first slot presented on a first side thereof and a second tab having a second slot presented on a second side thereof, said slots and said first positions of said apertures being in substantially linear alignment along a line, said method further comprising effecting movement of said locking member through said first and second tabs after said movement of said projections from the unengaged position to the engaged position, such that said locking member is in substantial alignment with said line.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said locking member comprises a locking member aperture therethrough, said method further comprising operably coupling a locking device with said locking member aperture.

16. A method of providing a mount for an electronic display and instructions for inhibiting theft of the electronic display, said method comprising: providing an electronic device having mounting projections and a mount presenting apertures corresponding to the mounting projections; and providing instructions to: collectively couple said projections with said apertures and effecting movement of said projections from an unengaged position to an engaged position; and engage said locking member with said mount, such that said locking member impedes movement of said projections from said engaged position to said disengaged position, thereby securing the electronic device relative to said mount.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein each aperture comprises a first portion and a second portion, said method further comprising providing instructions to effect movement of said projections from the unengaged position at said first portions to the engaged position at said second portions.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said locking member comprises a locking member aperture therethrough, said method further comprising operably coupling a locking device with said locking member aperture.