WO2011088622A1

WO2011088622A1 - A tiltable flat panel display mount

Info

Publication number: WO2011088622A1
Application number: PCT/CN2010/070333
Authority: WO
Inventors: Israel Holby; Dingxiang Pan
Original assignee: Ningbo Cinemount Design And Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2010-01-22
Filing date: 2010-01-22
Publication date: 2011-07-28

Abstract

A tiltable flat panel display mount incorporates a minimum profile tilt mechanism operable to secure a display at any tilt angle throughout its range of motion. A display mount element(120) is attached to the flat panel display and is pivotally coupled to a wall mount component(110). The wall mount component(110) includes a tilt mechanism that links the upper portion of the display mount element(120) to a rod. The rod(410) translates through a hole in a jamming plate(450) which controllably cants so as to impinge the movement of the rod(410). The impingement of the jamming plate(450) on the rod(410) positively secures the flat panel display at any angle throughout the rod's range of motion.

Description

QUICK-TILT MECHANISM FOR FLAT PANEL DISPLAY MOUNTS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention.

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate, in general, to display mounts and more particularly to display mounts having an adjustable and locking tilt.

Relevant Background.

[0002] Many modern display screens and televisions, as a result of the use of plasma, LCD and LED technology, possess a significantly smaller profile than previous cathode ray tubes. As a result, flat panel displays are being used more frequently in a number of applications, including in the home, in corporate meeting rooms, in manufacturing facilities, in museums, in fitness centers, in public spaces, and in a variety of other uses. Due to the variances in panel sizes, more flexibility for mounting and installation is necessary. It is particularly advantageous to mount these flatter screens on the wall, either for home or business use, freeing up valuable floor space. Traditional mounting systems that accompany a TV allow for only static mounting on a wall or support member, limiting the versatility of the device. In a general sense, brackets or bolt-type fixtures are secured to a wall or a supporting member, and the flat panel screen TV is affixed to them via mateable recesses in the rear of the TV, or alternately, some type of hook or latch mechanism. Although flat wall mounts have been the most common mounting option for such screens, tiltable wall mounts are preferable, as this enables the screen to be placed higher than the desired eye level yet maintain the desired viewing angle. For example, a tiltable wall mount allows the screen to be located above shelves or a fireplace while maintaining an optimal viewing angle and avoids the need for a ceiling mount, which have been more commonly used with commercial display screens.

[0003] One disadvantage of many existing tiltable wall mounts known in the prior art is that they use a frictional locking mechanism, provided by a screw or lever, which has to be manually tightened against the tilting mechanism to hold the screen at the desired tilt angle. This can be difficult to use, particularly with heavy screens, as one hand would be needed to hold the screen in place, while the other is needed to tighten the locking mechanism. The frictional locking mechanism of the prior art controls tilting movement by decreasing (to allow movement) and increasing (to lock) pressure and friction between two parallel faces. This pressure change is typically accomplished by directly screwing or unscrewing a knob or bolt, etc. If the screen is particularly large, two people may be needed to make the adjustment. Moreover, such fnctional mechanisms are unreliable, especially with respect to heavier panels that may cause the factional mechanism to slip and be in need of constant adjustment.

[0004] Some mounts reduce the range of the sheer force on this lock by incorporating load balancing, inserting springs or dampers into the mechanism, but all are susceptible to unwanted movement if too much weight is applied. As factional locks are incapable of sustaining substantial loads, a series of levers or other mechanisms have also been devised to allow the device to tilt, yet minimize the frictional force needed to secure the device at a desired angle. This mechanism increases the mount's profile or distance between the back of the flat panel display and the wall.

[0005] Another weakness of these previous designs is the adjustment, in that tightening/untightening is accomplished by rotating the locking device many times, and is only as strong as the strength of the individual tightening the lock. Other tilt designs have slip-proof locks, but are much less convenient, requiring assembling additional parts to the mount, removing the display from the mount, or angling the mount at only predetermined increments. Again, these mechanism displace the flat panel display significantly from the wall, increasing the overall profile of an otherwise minimalistic device.

[0006] A need therefore exists for a tiltable flat panel mounting system that positively engages a locking mechanism resistant to slippage. Moreover, a need exists for a tiltable flat panel mounting system characterized as having a low profile enabling the tilt functionality to fit within a very narrow space. These and other needs of the prior art are addressed by one or more embodiments of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A tiltable flat panel display mount incorporates a minimum profile tilt mechanism operable to secure a display at any tilt angle throughout its range of motion. The present invention uses one or more jamming plates and rod configurations to positively secure the tilt angle of a flat panel display. A display mount element is attached to the flat panel display and is pivotally coupled to a wall mount component. The wall mount component includes a tilt mechanism that links the upper portion of the display mount element to a rod or pin. The rod or pin translates through a hole in a jamming plate which controllably cants so as to impinge the movement of the rod. The impingement of the jamming plate on the rod positively secures the flat panel display at any angle throughout the rod's range of motion. The wei ght of the display increases the impingement force acting to enhance the engagement of the rod and jamming plate, making movement to the tilt mechanism, once engaged, very unlikely.

[0008] The features and advantages described in this disclosure and in the following detailed description are not all-inclusive. Many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims hereof. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter; reference to the claims is necessary to determine such inventive subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The aforementioned and other features and objects of the present invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent, and the invention itself will be best understood, by reference to the following description of one or more embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0010] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a tiltable wall mount according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 2 is a front view of a tiltable wall mount according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 3 is a side view of a tiltable wall mount according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 4 is a cut side view of a tiltable wall mount according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 5 is an expanded bottom view of the tilt mechanism shown in Figure 4;

[0015] Figure 6 is a cut side view of another embodiments of a tiltable wall mount according to the present invention;

[0016] Figure 7 is an expanded bottom view of the tilt mechanism shown in Figure 6;

[0017] Figure 8 is an exploded view of a locking mechanism of the embodiment of a tiltable wall mount shown in Figures 6 and 7. [0018] The Figures depict embodiments of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention are hereafter described in detail with reference to the accompanying Figures. Although the invention has been and is hereafter described and illustrated with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the combination and arrangement of parts can be resorted to by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0020] At a high level, a flat panel display wall mount includes a wall mount component that attaches to a wall and a display mount element affixed to the flat panel display. Coupling the display mount to the wall mount results in a wall mounted flat panel display. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a tiltable flat panel wall mount according to one embodiment of the present invention. The wall mount component 110 includes, in one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of components which provide strength and rigidity to form a foundation on which the weight of the display mount element 120 and the display itself rests. According to one embodiment of the present invention the display mount element 130 includes a tilt mechanism that is angularly adjustable relative to the wall mount component 110.

[0021] While the invention is hereafter shown and described with reference to embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0022] Figure 2 is a front view of a tiltable flat panel display wall mount according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. The wall mount component 110 is mounted to a wall or similar vertical surface/structure via a plurality of mounting points 210. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, four mounting points 210 are fashioned into the wall mount component 110. The mounting points 210 are configured to enable the wall mount component 110 to be securely fashioned to the wall's vertical support structure (studs) so as to enhance the weight of which the flat panel wall mount can support. Moreover, the display mount elements 120 each include a plurality of holes and fixtures operable to affix the display mount elements 120 to the back of a flat panel display.

[0023] Figure 2 further shows an actuating rod 220 which links the two display mount elements 120 with each other so that the locking mechanism within the display elements move in unison. While Figure 2 shows the actuating rod 220 associated with the wall mount component 110, in other embodiments of the present invention the actuating rod operates independent of the wall mount. As is described below in greater detail, the actuating rod is rotatable and coupled to the tilt mechanism (described in detail below) as a means to engage and disengage the tilt locking feature of the present invention. While the two display mount elements 120 are coupled via the actuating arm 220, they are nonetheless freely movable along the horizontal elements of the wall mount component 110 so as to mate the mounting configuration of the flat panel display to that of the wall mount component 110. For example, while Figure 2 shows the display mount elements 120 symmetrically and centrally orientated with respect to the wall mount component 110, the present invention enables and contemplates that the display mount elements 120 may be offset to one side or the other to position the flat panel display for proper viewing, yet maintaining its structural integrity with the wall.

[0024] Figure 3 is a side view of a tiltable flat panel display mount according to one embodiment of the present invention. The display mount element 120 is pivotally coupled 350 to the tilt mechanism 130 housing 310. As can be appreciated by additional reference to Figures 1 and 2, the tilt mechanism housing 310 is affixed to the wall mount component 110 cross bars based on individual flat panel display configuration parameters. The display mount element 120 is further linked to the tilt mechanism housing 310 via an angle member 320. At the tilt mechanism housing 310, the angle member 320 is coupled via a pin 360 and slot 340 configuration that allows the angle member 320 at the point of interaction to translate vertically along the slot. As the display mount element 120 pivots at the pivot point 350 the angle member 320 rotates outward. To accommodate the outward movement, the pin 360 coupling the angle member 320 to the tilt mechanism housing 310 translates along the length of the slot 340. At its full extended, tilted, position, the pin 360 resides near the upper limit of the slot 340. At its fully retracted position, or when the display mount element 120 is vertically coincident with the tilt mechanism housing 310 of the wall mount component 110 (and its associated mounting surface), the pin 360 resides near the lower limit of the slot 340. In another embodiment of the present invention, the slot 340, shown in Figure 2 as substantially linear, includes a curvilinear deflection near the lower limit to facilitate a near vertical alignment of the display mount elements 120. In another embodiment of the present invention angle member 320 is prevented from achieving a pure vertical alignment with the tilt mechanism housing 310 as such an alignment may inhibit locking.

[0025] Figure 4 is a side cut-away view at section A-A of a tiltable flat panel display wall mount according to one embodiment of the present invention. As previously described with reference to Figure 3, Figure 4 shows the interaction between the tilt mechanism housing 310 and display mount element 120. As the display mount element 120 pivots about the lower pivot point 350, the angle member 320 and its associated coupling pin 360 translates through the slot 340 (not shown).

[0026] The coupling pin 360 is further linked to a rod 410 that translates through a jamming hole 415. As the display mount element 120 tilts away from the tilt mechanism housing 310, coupling pin 360 and rod 410 translate along the slot 340 and through the jamming hole 415. Located adjacent to the rod 410 at the coupling pin 360 juncture is a hold lever 435. The hold lever 435 is rotatably coupled to the tilt mechanism housing 310 via a rotation pin 440. The hold lever 435 includes a holding hole 420 operable to receive a holding pin 425. As the hold lever 435 rotates about the rotation pin 440, the holding pin 425 is received by the holding hole 420. Encompassing the holding pin 425 is a first bias spring 430 which exerts pressure on the hold lever 435.

[0027] The other end of the holding lever 435 interacts with a rotatable cam 470. The rotatable cam 470 is configured to receive the actuating arm 220. Upon rotation of the rotatable cam 470 by the actuating arm 220, the holding lever 435 rotates so as release a secondary locking pin 460, described below.

[0028] The rotatable cam 470 is in further contact to a jamming plate 450 which cants about a canting pin 458. The jamming plate 450 includes the jamming hole 415 through which the rod 410 translates. The jamming plate 450 is biased by a second bias spring 455 which forces the jamming plate 450 to cant about the canting pin 458 so as to engage the exterior of the rod 410. As with the holding hole 420, the diameter of the jamming hole 415 is slightly larger than the diameter of the rod 410. As the jamming plate 450 cants, the edges of the jamming hole 415 impinge on the rod 410. The weight of the flat panel display will exert a downward force on the display mount element 120 which is conveyed to the rod 410 via the angle member 320. The weight of the display thus acts to pull the rod 410 through the jamming hole 415. However, as the jamming hole 415 is canted, the weight increases the impinging force on the rod 410 by the edges of the jamming hole 415, making the tilt of the display secure.

[0029] To release the jamming plate 450 and thus release the rod 410 and display mount element 120 so that the tilt can be adjusted, the actuating arm 220 rotates the cam 470 which reverses the cant of the jamming plate 450 and compresses the second bias spring 455 so that the jamming hole 415 is aligned with the rod 410.

[0030] As the display mount element 120, the angle member 320 and the tilt mechanism housing 310 are aligned due to the vertical positioning of the display, the linear interaction of the rod 410 with respect to the jamming hole 415 approaches zero, making the impingement unreliable in effectively controlling the motion of the display mount element 120. To control the motion in this small angular range (less than approximately 4 degrees from vertical configuration), the second locking pin 460 is added.

[0031] As the display mount element 120 approaches vertical, the second locking pin 460 passes through a second jamming hole 465 in the exterior of the holding lever 435. Again, the second jamming hole 465 possesses a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the second locking pin 460. As the holding lever 435 rotates about the rotation pin 440, the jamming hole cants to engage the sides of the second locking pin 460 in the same manner that the rod 410 is engaged by the jamming hole 415. Note that the orientation of the second locking pin 460 and the rod 410 are substantially perpendicular to each other although in other embodiments this orientation may differ. As the effectiveness of the locking mechanism of the rod 410 and jamming hole 415 diminishes, the effectiveness of the second locking pin 460 and second jamming hole 465 increases. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second jamming hole 465 is an integral part of the jamming plate 450. In such an embodiment, the jamming plate includes a 90 degree bend exposing two surfaces. On one surface, the primary jamming hole 415 exists as it interacts with the rod 410, and on the second surface the secondary jamming hole 465 is positioned interacting with the second locking pin 460. As the cam 470 rotates, the jamming plate 450 allowing free movement of the rod 410, the second jamming hole 465 also rotates, removing its cant and releasing the second locking pin 460.

[0032] Figure 5 shows a bottom view of the tilt mechanism described above with reference to Figure 4. From this perspective the interaction between the rod 410 and the jamming plate 450 can be clearly seen. Moreover, the second bias spring 455 is shown coiled around the rod 410 pressing against the jamming plate 450. The holding lever 435 can be seen behind and to the right of the rod 410. Moreover, the holding pin 425 and its associated holding hole 420 components can be seen.

[0033] Figure 6 is a side cut-away view at section A-A of a tiltable flat panel display wall mount according to another embodiment of the present invention. This cut-away view shows the tilt mechanism and display mount element in a vertical or non-tilting configuration. As display mount element 120 tilts away from the tilt mechanism housing 310 the angle member 320 extends to a configuration consistent with that shown in Figure 4. According to one embodiment of the present invention the rod 410 translates along the slot 340 as the display mount element 120 pulls away from the tilt mechanism housing 310. As in the previous embodiments the rod interacts with a jamming plate 450 that when canted engages and impinges upon the rod 410. According to the embodiment shown in Figure 6 a holding plate 610 is separate from a jamming plate 650. The holding plate 610 is associated with a holding pin 425 and first bias spring 430. As with the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the holding plate includes a jamming hole (not shown) through which the secondary pin 460 translates. As the holding plate 610 pivots about a pin 615 the jamming hole cants and engages (impinges) upon the secondary pin 460. In one embodiment of the present invention the secondary pin is coupled to the display mount element 120 using a ball and socket joint so as to freely engage the jamming hole as the display mount element 120 arcs toward the tilt mechanism housing 310.

[0034] The cam 670, shown here in a lock position, rotates to independently engage the holding plate 610 and the jamming plate 650. As with the holding plate 610, the jamming plate is associated with a bias spring 655 and bias spring pin 660. The rotation of the cam 670 pivots the jamming plate 650 about a pin 665 so as to compress the spring 655. The spring 655 otherwise places a positive pressure on the jamming plate 650 to impinge on the rod 410 securing the display mount element 120 relative to the tilt mechanism housing 310.

[0035] Figure 7 is an expanded bottom view of the tilt mechanism shown in Figure 6. From this perspective the interaction between the jamming plate 650, rod 410 and holding plate can be seen. As previously described the jamming plate 650 is pivotally coupled to the tilt mechanism housing via a pin 665. The 90 degree facing of the jamming plate 650 includes the jamming hole which interacts with the rod 410. The compression of the spring 655 pivots the jamming hole to cant and impinge on the rod 410. [0036] Figure 8 is an exploded view of the tilt mechanism embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. The exploded depiction can aid one skilled in the art to appreciate the interaction of the rod 410 and the jamming plate 650, as well as how the actuating arm 220 turns the cam 670 to align the holes both in the jamming plate 650 and holding plate 610 to allow free movement of the display mount element 120 with respect to the tilt mechanism housing 310 and ultimately the wall mount component 110. As one skilled in the art will recognize the tile mechanism and tilt mechanism housing 310 can be associate with either the display mount element 120 of the wall mount component 110 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0037] According to another embodiment of the present invention, extending the jamming plate 650 laterally so that the second bias spring 655 is oriented similar to that of the holding pin 425 and first bias spring 430 adds an additional moment arm and enables the second bias spring 455 to be smaller and identical to the first bias spring 430, easing manufacturing costs and inventory. In another embodiment the jamming plate 650 an the holding plate 610 can be a unitary component making the release and engagement of the rod 410 and secondary pin 460 simultaneous.

[0038] As one skilled in the relevant art can appreciate, modification to the components illustrated in the Figures and described above can occur without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the rod and locking pins are illustrated as being straight, however, in other embodiments, the rods may possess angular surfaces to facilitate the unimpeded motion of tilting the display mount element. The slot through which the coupling pin translates may also be curvilinear to aid in the tilting of the display mount element.

[0039] In another embodiment of the present invention, the rod and second locking pin are engaged independent of one another. Rather than having the jamming plate have two holes which simultaneously engage both the rod and second locking pin, an additional locking/jamming plate can be added, making the engagement of both pins independent. By doing so, the locking mechanism is more robust and less prone to a single component failure.

[0040] Another embodiment uses only one of the two locking pin / jamming plate arrangements. In scenarios in which the flat panel display is relatively light, less locking force is required to maintain the display's tilted position. In such a situation, the tilt mechanism can eliminate the second locking pin assembly, saving weight and manufacturing cost.

[0041] While there have been described above the principles of the present invention in conjunction with a tiltable flat panel display mount, it is to be clearly understood that the foregoing description is made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the combination and arrangement of parts can be resorted to by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Particularly, it is recognized that the teachings of the foregoing disclosure will suggest other modifications to those persons skilled in the relevant art. Such modifications may involve other features that are already known per se, and which may be used instead of, or in addition to, features already described herein. Although claims have been formulated in this application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure herein also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed, either explicitly or implicitly, or any generalization or modification thereof which would be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art, whether or not such relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any claim, and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as confronted by the present invention. The Applicant hereby reserves the right to formulate new claims to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present application or of any further application derived therefrom.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A tiltable wall mount for a display, comprising:

a wall mount component operable to attach to a substantially vertical surface;

a display mounting element affixed to the display and operable to pivotally attach the display to the wall mount component; and

a tilt mechanism interconnecting the wall mount component and the display mounting element, said tilt mechanism comprising a locking device comprising a first pin and a first jam plate, wherein the first pin and first jam plate interact to continuously control angular movement between the wall mount component and the display mounting element, said locking device having means to release the first pin from the first jam plate to enable the display mount element to pivot freely relative to the wall mount component.

2. The tiltable wall mount of claim 1, wherein the first jam plate is disposed about the first pin.

3. The tiltable wall mount of claim 1, further comprising a bias spring that exerts a force against a portion of the first jam plate so as to cant the first jam plate to positively engage the first pin.

4. The tiltable wall mount of claim 1, wherein responsive to the first pin and the first jam plate being aligned, the first pin moves freely through the first jam plate allowing the display mounting element to pivot relative to the wall mount component.

5. The tiltable wall mount of claim 1, wherein the first pin and first jam plate are housed within the wall mount component and wherein the first pin is aligned with the substantially vertical surface.

6. The tiltable wall mount of claim 1, wherein the first pin and first jam plate are housed within the display mounting element and wherein the first pin is aligned with the substantially vertical surface.

7. The tiltable wall mount of claim 1, wherein vertical movement of the first pin relative to the first jam plate pivotally displaces the display mounting element from the wall mount component.

8. The tiltable wall mount of claim 1, further comprising a second pin and a second jam plate disposed about the second pin wherein the second pin is affixed to the display mounting element and the second jam plate is associated with the wall mount component, the second pin being substantially tangent to an arc of rotation of the display mounting element.

9. The tiltable wall mount of claim 8, responsive to the display mounting element pivoting away from the wall mount unit, the second pin cants positively engaging the second jam plate.

10. The tiltable wall mount of claim 9, wherein responsive to the second pin and second jam plate being aligned, the second pin moves freely through the second jam plate allowing the display mounting element to pivot relative to the wall mount component.

11. The tiltable wall mount of claim 9, wherein the first jam plate and the second jam plate are adjustably aligned with the first pin, and the second pin, respectively, by a cam.

12. A method for tilting a display using a tiltable wall mount, the method comprising: affixing a wall mount component to a substantially vertical surface;

attaching a display to a display mount element;

pivotally coupling the display mount element to the wall mount component, wherein the wall mount component includes a tilt mechanism operable to continuously control an angle formed between the wall mount component and the display mount element, wherein said tilt mechanism includes a first pin and a first jam plate that interact to control angular movement between the wall mount component and the display mounting element.

13. The method for tilting a display of claim 12, wherein the first pin and first jam plate are housed within the wall mount component.

14. The method for tilting a display of claim 12, wherein the first pin and first jam plate are housed within the display mount element.

15. The method for tilting a display of claim 12, wherein the first pin translates within the wall mount component and is coupled to a connecting arm linking the wall mount component to the display mount element.

16. The method for tilting a display of claim 15, further comprising releasing the first pin from the first jam plate allowing the first pin to freely translate and the display mount element to pivot freely relative to the wall mount component.

17. The method for tilting a display of claim 12, further comprising disposing the first jam plate about the first pin via an opening within the first jam plate.

18. The method for tilting a display of claim 17, further comprising canting the first jam plate so as to impinge on the first pin, inhibiting translation of the first pin within the wall mount component, thereby preventing the display mount element from tilting relative to the wall mount component.

19. The method for tilting a display of claim 12, wherein the tilt mechanism includes a second pin and a second jam plate, the second jam plate disposed about the second pin.

20. The method for tilting a display of claim 19, further comprising canting the second jam plate so as to impinge on the second pin inhibiting translation of the second pin, thereby preventing the display mount element from tilting relative to the wall mount component.

21. The method for tilting a display of claim 12, further comprising rotating a cam, thereby aligning the opening within the first jam plate allowing the first pin to freely translate within the wall mount component.

22. The method for tilting a display of claim 21, wherein rotating the cam aligns an opening in the second jam plate with that of the second pin allowing the second pin to freely translate through the second opening thereby allowing the display mount element to pivot freely relative to the wall mount component.