WO2011003115A2

WO2011003115A2 - Collapsible display mount with combined latch and kickstand mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2011003115A2
Application number: PCT/US2010/041066
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Smith; Jeff Bremmon; Nathan Bohl
Original assignee: Milestone Av Technologies Llc
Priority date: 2009-07-03
Filing date: 2010-07-06
Publication date: 2011-01-06
Also published as: WO2011003115A3

Abstract

A wall mounting device for a flat panel display includes a wall interface and display interface brackets that hang from the wall interface. The wall interface is collapsible to enable the wall interface to be folded into a more compact shape to facilitate efficient shipping.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY MOUNT WITH COMBINED LATCH AND

KICKSTAND MECHANISM RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/222,983, entitled COLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY MOUNT WITH COMBINED LATCH AND KICKSTAND MECHANISM, and filed July 3, 2009, said application being hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to mounting apparatuses, methods for mounting electronic display devices to a fixed structure, and methods of packing and shipping display mounts to customers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Flat panel displays have now almost completely superceded CRT displays in the marketplace. An important advantage of flat panel displays is their very thin profile, which enables an aesthetically pleasing appearance when the display is mount on a wall. Accordingly, wall mounts for flat panel displays have become very popular.

Existing flat panel display mounts, however, have drawbacks. One common drawback is the relative difficulty of connecting wires to the display once it is mounted on the wall. When mounted very closely to the wall as is desirable, there is no room for a user to get a hand behind the display to connect or unplug wires such as video signal wires, speaker wires, and power cords from the display. Consequently, the display must be dismounted from the wall, which is sometimes a very labor intensive, time consuming, and physically difficult process, especially with very large heavy displays.

Another problem with existing mounts is that they tend to be bulky and unwieldy to package and ship. Particularly in the case of mounts for large displays, the large physical size of the mount itself requires a large and bulky shipping box. Such large packages can be expensive to ship and take up valuable warehouse and storage space.

What is needed is a flat panel display mount that addresses these needs of the industry for a mount that enables easier access to the display for connection of wires and cables when mounted, and that can be rendered more compact and easily packaged for shipping purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention address the needs of the industry by providing a mount that can be rendered more compact and easily packaged for shipping purposes, and that enables easier access to the display for connection of wires and cables when mounted. A wall mounting device for a flat panel display may include a wall interface and display interface brackets that hang from the wall interface. The wall interface is collapsible to enable the wall interface to be folded into a more compact shape to facilitate efficient shipping. The display interface brackets may include a top hook structure and a sliding latch mechanism. The top hook structure of the display interface brackets hooks over a top rail of the wall interface to hang the display on a wall. The sliding latch mechanism is shiftable between a first position in which a hook portion of the sliding latch mechanism engages with a bottom rail of the wall interface to retain the bracket on the wall interface and a second position in which the hook portion is clear of the bottom rail and the a portion of the sliding latch mechanism is shifted outward away from the remainder of the display interface bracket to serve as a "kickstand" for enabling access to the rear of the display for attaching cables and wires to the display.

According to an embodiment, a mount for attaching a flat panel electronic display to a wall includes a wall interface and at least one display interface bracket adapted to attach to the flat panel display. The at least one display interface bracket is selectively couplable to the wall interface. The wall interface is selectively collapsible from a first configuration in which the wall interface defines a first area footprint projected onto a plane defined by the wall interface, to a second configuration in which the wall interface occupies a second area footprint projected onto the plane defined by the wall interface, the second area footprint being smaller than the first area footprint.

In embodiments of the invention, the wall interface includes a top rail, a bottom rail, and a pair of spaced apart side connector portions extending between and spacing apart the top rail and the bottom rail. The side connector portions can include a hinge, wherein the wall interface is collapsible by folding about the hinges in the side connector portions. In other embodiments, the side connector portions can include a spring latch assembly, wherein the wall interface is collapsible by disengaging the spring latch assemblies in the side connector portions to separate the wall interface into two separate pieces. In further embodiments, each of the s ide connector portions can include an interlocking connection, wherein the wall interface is collapsible by disengaging the interlocking connections in the side connector portions to separate the wall interface into two separate pieces. This interlocking connection can be an interlocking tab assembly in some embodiments. In still further embodiments, each of the side connector portions can include a telescoping connection, wherein the wall interface is collapsible by telescoping the telescoping connections in the side connector portions. In any of these embodiments, the at least one display interface bracket may be entirely receivable within the second area footprint.

According to further embodiments, a method of providing an electronic display mount to a customer includes collapsing a wall interface from a first fully opened configuration to a second collapsed configuration, nesting at least one display interface bracket in the collapsed wall interface, and placing the wall interface and the at least one display interface bracket in a package for shipment to a customer. The method can further include placing at least one additional item in the package, wherein the at least one additional item can include installation instructions, a tool, fasteners, or other items associated with installation or use of the display mount.

In still further embodiments, a mount for attaching a flat panel electronic display to a wall includes a wall interface including a top rail, a bottom rail spaced apart from the top rail, and a pair of side connector portions extending between the top rail and the bottom rail. The wall interface is selectively collapsible from a first configuration in which the wall interface defines a first area footprint projected onto a plane defined by the wall interface, to a second configuration in which the wall interface occupies a second area footprint projected onto the plane defined by the wall interface, the second area footprint being smaller than the first area footprint.

In embodiments, the mount may further include a pair of display interface brackets, each display interface bracket selectively engagable with the top of the wall interface to hang an electronic display device from the wall interface. In some embodiments, each of the side connector portions includes a hinge, and the wall interface is collapsible by folding about the hinges in the side connector portions. The top rail may confront the bottom rail when the wall interface is collapsed. In other embodiments, the top rail and the bottom rail each include a hinge, and the wall interface is collapsible by folding about the hinges. In some embodiments, the wall interface is collapsed by separating into at least two separate pieces. Each side connector portion can include indicia for locating the mount on a wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may 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 perspective view of a display mount according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a hinge portion of the display mount of Fig.1;

Fig. 2a is a partial cut-away perspective view of a spring latch connection between two portions of the wall plate in an alternative embodiment of the mount of Fig. 1;

Fig. 2b is a perspective view of an interlocking tab connection between two portions of the wall plate in another alternative embodiment of the mount of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 2c is a front elevation view of the interlocking tab connection of Fig. 2b, depicting the two portions of the tab connection separated;

Fig. 2d is a perspective view of an interlocking connection between two portions of the wall plate in another alternative embodiment of the mount of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 2e is a perspective view of a telescoping connection between two portions of the wall plate in another alternative embodiment of the mount of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a display bracket of the mount of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the display mount of Fig. 1 showing the display bracket in an engaged position;

Fig. 5 is another perspective view of the display mount of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an opposite side elevation view of the display mount of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a front elevation view of the display mount of Fig. 5, depicting the display mount in a collapsed configuration for shipping; Fig. 8 is a front perspective view of the collapsible wall interface of the display mount of Fig. 5 depicting the wall interface attached to a wall;

Fig. 9 is a rear perspective view of a display with display interface brackets according to an embodiment of the invention attached thereto;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation view of the display mount, display, and a wall depicting a first step in hanging the display on the wall with the mount;

Fig. 11 is a side elevation view of the display mount, display, and a wall depicting a second step in hanging the display on the wall with the mount;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation view of the display mount, display, and a wall depicting a third step in hanging the display on the wall with the mount;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation view of the display mount, display, and a wall depicting a fourth step in hanging the display on the wall with the mount;

Fig. 14 is a front perspective view of display mount, display, and a wall, with the display depicted in phantom, depicting the display in a final mounted position; and

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a display mount according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

While the present invention is amendable 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 present 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 present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In Figs. 1 and 5, there is depicted a display mount 20 according to an embodiment of the invention. Display mount 20 generally includes wall interface 22 and display interface brackets 24. Wall interface 22 generally includes top rail 26, bottom rail 28, and side connector portions 30. Top rail 26 presents upwardly projecting lip 32 and bottom rail 28 presents downwardly projecting lip 34. Top and bottom rails 26, 28, define wall locating indicia 35. Each of side connector portions 30 generally includes intermediate hinge 36 and wall locating indicia 38. As depicted in Fig. 3, each display interface bracket 24 generally includes body portion 40 and sliding latch portion 42. Body portion 40 presents rearwardly facing top hook portions 44 with face portion 45 defining a plurality of display mounting apertures 46. Sliding latch portion 42 defines guide slots 48 and bottom hook 49. Sliding latch portion 42 is slidably disposed on body portion 40 with guide pins 50 extending through slots 48.

Display mount 20 can be collapsed for shipping or storage from the fully opened configuration as depicted in Fig. 5, to the collapsed configuration as depicted in Fig. 7. Wall interface 22 is folded about hinges 36 so that top rail 26 abuts bottom rail 28. It will be appreciated that when wall interface 22 is in the fully opened configuration depicted in Fig. 1, top rail 26, bottom rail 28, and side connector portions 30, lie generally in a single plane. The wall interface 22 can be considered to define an area "footprint" on this plane bounded by top rail 26, bottom rail 28, and side connector portions 30, the area being the width W multiplied by the height Y. When wall interface 22 is in the collapsed configuration of Fig. 7, the area "footprint" occupied by wall interface 22 on the plane is now bounded by the side connector portions 30, the confronting adjacent top 26 and bottom 28 rails on one side, and an imaginary line X extending between the folded side connector portions 30, the area being the width W multiplied by the collapsed height Y'. It will be appreciated that if hinge 36 in each side connector portion 30 is located equidistant from top rail 26 and bottom rail 28, the area footprint of the collapsed configuration will be about one-half of the area footprint of the fully opened configuration.

In embodiments of the invention, display interface brackets 24 can then be "nested" in wall interface 22 to form a flat, compact overall package for cost effective and efficient shipping and storage as depicted in Fig. 7. Other items such as a fastener and hardware package 29, installation tools 31, and installation instructions 33, can be included in the package and likewise nested in wall interface 22 to form an installation kit. All these components can be packaged in a single packaging container (not depicted) such as a corrugated paper box, shrink-wrap package, or other similar container.

Display mount 20 is installed by unfolding and mounting wall interface 22 on a wall 52 as depicted in Fig. 8. Wall locating indicia 35, 38, may be registered with vertical and horizontal axes 54, 56, respectively to ensure that display mount 20 is level and straight. Display interface brackets 24 are attached to the rear of a display 58 with fasteners through apertures 46, as depicted in Fig. 9.

Display 58 is then hung from wall interface 22 by hooking top hook portions 44 of each display interface bracket 24 over lip 32 as depicted in Fig. 10. Sliding latch portion 42 of each display interface bracket 24 is then slid downward as in Fig. 11, causing sliding latch portions 42 to also shift outward, away from display 58. Display 58 can then be rested against wall 52 as depicted in Fig. 12. The space defined between display 58 and wall 52 provided by the outwardly shifted sliding latch portions 42 enables the connection of any wires or cables to display 58. Mounting is then completed by shifting sliding latch portions 42 upward slightly, thereby allowing the bottom of the display to shift toward wall 52. Sliding latch portions 42 can then be shifted fully upward, engaging bottom hooks 49 under lip 34 as depicted in Fig. 13. Removal is the reverse of installation.

Fig. 2a depicts an alternative embodiment of the mount of Figure 1 in which hinge 36 is replaced with spring latch assembly 60. Spring latch assembly 60 generally includes spring latch 62 and keeper portion 64. Spring latch 62 generally includes body portion 66, latch elements 68, and biasing spring 70. Latch elements 68 are biased laterally outward from body portion 66 by biasing spring 70. Keeper portion 64 generally includes horizontal portion 72 defining aperture 74. Spring latch 62 may be carried on the upwardly extending portion 76 of each side connector portion 30 of lower portion 78 of wall interface 22, while keeper portion 64 is carried on downwardly extending portion 80 of each side connector portion 30 of upper portion 82 of wall interface 22.

In use, wall interface 22 may b e shipped as two separate components; lower portion 78 and upper portion 82. Prior to, or subsequent to, mounting of wall interface 22 on the structure wall, lower portion 78 and upper portion 82 may be joined by inserting each of body portions 66 though aperture 74 of the corresponding keeper portion 64. As latch elements 68 engage the edges of aperture 74, latch elements 68 are urged inwardly against the bias of biasing spring 70. Once points 84 of latch elements 68 clear the edges of aperture 74, biasing spring 70 urges latch elements 68 outwardly, thereby latching lower portion 78 to upper portion 82.

Another alternative embodiment wherein an interlocking tab assembly 86 is substituted for hinge 36 is depicted in Figs. 2b and 2c. Interlocking tab assembly 86 generally includes lower tab 88 on upwardly extending portion 76 of each side connector portion 30 of lower portion 78 of wall interface 22, and upper tab 90 on downwardly extending portion 80 of each side connector portion 30 of upper portion 82 of wall interface 22.

In use, wall interface 22 may be shipped as two separate components; lower portion 78 and upper portion 82. Prior to, or subsequent to, mounting of wall interface 22 on the structure wall, lower portion 78 and upper portion 82 may be joined by engaging each lower tab 88 with corresponding upper tab 90 in the direction of the arrows as depicted in Fig. 2c, thereby joining lower portion 78 to upper portion 82.

Yet another alternative embodiment wherein an interlocking connection 92 is substituted for hinge 36 is depicted in Fig. 2d. Interlocking connection 92 generally includes first crenellated portion 94 on upwardly extending portion 76 of each side connector portion 30 of lower portion 78 of wall interface 22, and second crenellated portion 96 on downwardly extending portion 80 of each side connector portion 30 of upper portion 82 of wall interface 22.

In use, wall interface 22 may be shipped as two separate components; lower portion 78 and upper portion 82. Prior to, or subsequent to, mounting of wall interface 22 on the structure wall, lower portion 78 and upper portion 82 may be joined by engaging first crenellated portion 94 with second with second crenellated portion 96 as depicted in Fig. 2d, thereby joining lower portion 78 to upper portion 82.

Still another alternative embodiment wherein an telescoping connection 98 is substituted for hinge 36 is depicted in Fig. 2e. Telescoping connection 98 generally includes linking band 100, which wraps around, and slidingly receives, upwardly extending portion 76 of each side connector portion 30 of lower portion 78 of wall interface 22, and downwardly extending portion 80 of each side connector portion 30 of upper portion 82 of wall interface 22. Upwardly extending portion 76 and downwardly extending portion 80 each have an outwardly extending stop 102.

In use, wall interface 22 is shipped as a single component, but with each of side connector portions 30 telescoped such that top and bottom rails 26, 28, are adjacently disposed. Upon installation, top and bottom rails 26, 28, are pulled away from each other, until each stop 102 contacts the edge of linking band 100, thereby fully expanding wall interface 22. In Fig. 15 there is depicted another alternative embodiment of display mount 20. Display mount 20 generally includes wall interface 22 and display interface brackets 24. Wall interface 22 generally includes top rail 26, bottom rail 28, and side connector portions 30. Top rail 26 presents upwardly projecting lip 32 and bottom rail 28 presents downwardly projecting lip 34. Top and bottom rails 26, 28, define wall locating indicia 35. Each of top rail 26 and bottom rail 28 generally includes intermediate hinge 36, such that wall interface 22 can be folded about a substantially vertical axis extending through both hinges 36.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that although several different embodiments of wall interface 22 have been described, other embodiments are possible and are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to any particular folding or coupling connection between portions of wall interface

22, and although the depicted embodiments include a wall interface 22 having two portions, it will be readily appreciated that wall interface 22 may be formed in two, three, or more portions, coupled or connected as described and/or depicted herein, or the equivalent.

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 attaching a flat panel electronic display to a wall, comprising:

a wall interface; and

at least one display interface bracket adapted to attach to the flat panel display, the at least one display interface bracket selectively couplable to the wall interface, the wall interface being selectively collapsible from a first configuration in which the wall interface defines a first area footprint projected onto a plane defined by the wall interface, to a second configuration in which the wall interface occupies a second area footprint projected onto the plane defined by the wall interface, the second area footprint being smaller than the first area footprint.

2. The mount of claim 1, wherein the wall interface comprises a top rail, a bottom rail, and a pair of spaced apart side connector portions.

3. The mount of claim 2, wherein each of the side connector portions extend between, and space apart, the top rail and the bottom rail.

4. The mount of claim 3, wherein each of the side connector portions includes a hinge, and wherein the wall interface is collapsible by folding about the hinges in the side connector portions.

5. The mount of claim 3, wherein each of the side connector portions includes a spring latch assembly, and wherein the wall interface is collapsible by disengaging the spring latch assemblies in the side connector portions to separate the wall interface into two separate pieces.

6. The mount of claim 3, wherein each of the side connector portions includes an interlocking connection, and wherein the wall interface is collapsible by disengaging the interlocking connections in the side connector portions to separate the wall interface into two separate pieces.

7. The mount of claim 6, wherein each of the interlocking connections comprises an interlocking tab assembly.

8. The mount of claim 3, wherein each of the side connector portions includes a telescoping connection, and wherein the wall interface is collapsible by telescoping the telescoping connections in the side connector portions.

9. The mount of claim 1 , wherein the at least one display interface bracket is entirely receivable within the second area footprint.

10. A method of providing an electronic display mount to a customer, the method comprising:

collapsing a wall interface from a first fully opened configuration to a second collapsed configuration;

nesting at least one display interface bracket in the collapsed wall interface; and

placing the wall interface and the at least one display interface bracket in a package for shipment to a customer.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising placing at least one additional item in the package.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one additional item comprises installation instructions.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one additional item comprises a tool, or a fastener for attaching the electronic display mount to a fixed structure.

14. A mount for attaching a flat panel electronic display to a wall, comprising a wall interface including a top rail, a bottom rail spaced apart from the top rail, and a pair of side connector portions extending between the top rail and the bottom rail, the wall interface being selectively collapsible from a first configuration in which the wall interface defines a first area footprint projected onto a plane defined by the wall interface, to a second configuration in which the wall interface occupies a second area footprint projected onto the plane defined by the wall interface, the second area footprint being smaller than the first area footprint.

15. The mount of claim 14, further comprising a pair of display interface brackets, each display interface bracket selectively engagable with the top of the wall interface to hang an electronic display device from the wall interface.

16. The mount of claim 14, wherein each of the side connector portions includes a hinge, and wherein the wall interface is collapsible by folding about the hinges in the side connector portions.

17. The mount of claim 16, wherein the top rail confronts the bottom rail when the wall interface is collapsed.

18. The mount of claim 14, wherein the top rail and the bottom rail each include a hinge, and wherein the wall interface is collapsible by folding about the hinges.

19. The mount of claim 14, wherein the wall interface is collapsed by separating into at least two separate pieces.

20. The mount of claim 14, wherein each side connector portion includes indicia for locating the mount on a wall.