WO2013128172A1

WO2013128172A1 - A wall mount

Info

Publication number: WO2013128172A1
Application number: PCT/GB2013/050456
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael James BLACK
Original assignee: Sound Leisure Limited
Priority date: 2012-02-28
Filing date: 2013-02-25
Publication date: 2013-09-06
Also published as: GB2500868A; GB201203467D0

Abstract

A wall mount for a display comprising first and second spaced apart faces defining a receiving volume therebetween; the first face comprising wall connection means for connecting the wall mount to a wail; the second face comprising display connection means for connecting a display to the second face; and, a drawer received within the receiving volume and adapted to be displaced between open and closed positions; the second face comprising at least one connection port extending therethrough to enable an electrical connection between the display and an electrical device the receiving volume.

Description

A wall mount

The present invention relates to a wall mount. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a wall mount comprising first and second faces defining a receiving volume therebetween, the receiving volume containing a drawer adapted to be slid between open and closed positions and adapted to receive an electronic device, the second face comprising an aperture to enable an electrical connection between an electrical device within the drawer and a display connected to the front face.

It is often desired to hang a display such a plasma screen television in a public place, for example a pub, hotel reception or retail store. In some locations the television is simply connected to an aerial and a power supply. In other locations however the requirements can be more complex, !t can often be required to connect a video player, computer or games console to the television. In public places there is often a danger that such additional devices will be stolen or vandalised. In order to overcome this the additional devices are often located remote from the television, for example in a separate locked room. This can increase the cost and complexity of installation. Alternatively, equipment can be positioned in the void created by a false ceiling or a false wall. The television is hung from the false ceiling or wall. Again, this can increase the cost and complexity of installation. It can also make it difficult to access the additional devices.

The wall mount according to the invention seeks to overcome the problems of the prior art.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a wall mount for a display comprising first and second spaced apart faces defining a receiving volume therebetween; the first face comprising wall connection means for connecting the wall mount to a wall; the second face comprising display connection means for connecting a display to the second face; and, a drawer received within the receiving volume and adapted to be displaced between open and closed positions; the second face comprising at least one connection port extending therethrough to enable an electrical connection between the display and an electrical device within the receiving volume.

The additional electrical device can be stored in the drawer in the receiving volume between the first and second faces. From here it is a simple matter to connect the device to the display connected to the second face of the wall mount. There is no need to construct a second wall. Installation is therefore straightforward and inexpensive.

Preferably, the drawer is adapted to be slid between the open and closed positions.

Preferably, the drawer further comprises a lock to lock it in the closed position. This protects the equipment in the drawer from theft and from being vandalised.

The drawer can be adapted to be displaced from the side of the wall mount.

Preferably, the wall mount further comprises a flap adapted to be displaced between open and closed positions and when in the closed position covers the display connection means preventing access to said means and when in the open position does not cover said display connection means. The flap can be pivotally mounted.

Preferably, the flap engages with the drawer when the flap and drawer are each in their respective closed positions.

The drawer can contain a games console.

Preferably, the games console further comprises a motion sensor outside the drawer arranged to detect motion in front of the display.

The display can be a television, monitor or screen.

The connection port can be an aperture.

The present invention will now be described by way of example oniy and not in any limitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of wall mount according to the invention in side view;

Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of a wall mount according to the invention in side view; Figure 3 shows the embodiment of figure 1 in front view; and,

Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of a wail mount according to the invention in front view.

Shown in figure 1 is a wall mount 1 according to the invention in side view. The wall mount 1 comprises first and second faces 2,3. The faces 2,3 are spaced apart to define a receiving volume 4 therebetween. The faces 2,3 are held in the spaced apart relationship by support struts 5,6.

The first face 2 comprises wail connection means 7 for connecting it to a wall 8. In this embodiment the means 7 comprises apertures 7 extending through the first face 2. Extending through the apertures 7 are wall screws 9. In order to connect the wall mount 1 to the wall 8 the first face 2 is positioned at the correct spot on the wall 8. The screws 9 are then used to fix the first face 2 in position. The support struts 5,6 are then attached and then the second face 3 attached to the support struts 5,6.

The second face 3 comprises display connection means 10 for connecting a display (typically a television, monitor or screen) to the second face 3. In this embodiment the display connection means 10 comprises a lip 11 from which the display 12 is hung. It also comprises a plate 13 having apertures 14 therein. Screws 15 are passed through these apertures 14 and through corresponding apertures 16 in a plate 17 on the back of the display 12 to fix it in place.

Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of a wall mount 1 according to the invention in side view. In this embodiment the first face 2 is split into two halves. Such an embodiment is useful where the wall 8 is not flat. The apertures 7 for receiving the wall screws 9 are arranged above and below the support struts 5,6 as shown. This embodiment of the wall bracket 1 can be provided as a single prefabricated unit which can be attached to the wall 8 on site.

Figure 3 shows the embodiment of figure 1 viewed from the front. The wall mount 1 comprises a drawer 18 which can be slid on rails 19 from a closed position inside the receiving volume 4 to an open position outside the receiving volume 4 (shown). The drawer 18 comprises a plurality of shelves 20 for receiving electronic devices. The front 21 of the drawer 18 includes a lock 22 for locking the drawer 18 in the closed position. The lock 22 is typically a high security lock 22 so that the drawer 18 cannot be opened even if the lock 22 is drilled out.

Extending through the second face 3 is a plurality of connection ports 23 (in this case apertures), the function of which will become clear below. The second face 3 also includes a ventilation gri!l 24 for cooling the electronic devices in the drawer 18.

In use the drawer 18 is arranged in the open position. The required electronic devices 25 are arranged in the drawer 18. As a typical example the electronic device 25 is a games console. The drawer 18 includes a plurality of mains sockets (not shown). The games console 25 is plugged into one of these sockets so that it can be powered. Each of these sockets is connected to a socket (not shown) on an external wall of the drawer 18. A mains supply is provided to this socket on the external wall so the devices 25 inside the drawer 18 can be powered.

The games console 25 must be connected to the display 12. The lead from the games console 25 is fed through one of the apertures 23 in the second face 3 of the wall mount 1 and connected to the back of the display 12. The display 12 is then hung onto the second face 3 of the wall mount 1. The operator then sets the game console 25 as required and closes and locks the drawer 18. Because the receiving volume 4 is hidden behind the display 12 the public are unlikely to be aware of the presence of the games console 25 in the drawer 18. Even if they are aware of the games console 25 they would be unable to open the drawer 18 and access the console 25 without the drawer key.

The console 25 will have controls which are used by the public to play the games displayed on the display 12. Wireless controls can be used although again these have a tendency to be stolen. Accordingly, it is preferred to use a motion sensor which detects the motion of the player to piay the game. The wire from the motion sensor is passed through the second face 3 of the wall mount 1 to the games console 25.

Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of a wall mount 1 according to the invention in front view. This is similar to that of figure 3 except the wall mount 1 includes a flap 26. The flap 26 is pivotally mounted and can be pivoted between open and closed positions. When the flap 26 is in the closed position it covers the screws 15 connecting the display 12 to the wall mount 1. The flap 26 is dimensioned so that it can be pivoted into the closed position and the drawer 18 closed. When the drawer 18 is locked the flap 26 is locked to the drawer 18 so that the flap 26 cannot be opened without the key for the drawer 18. Locking the drawer 18 therefore prevents theft of both the contents of the drawer 18 and the display 12.

A further difference between the embodiment of figure 3 and figure 4 is that the connection ports 23 comprise electrical sockets 27, rather than simply apertures. The electrical cables from the rear of the display 12 are plugged into the electrical sockets 27. Cables (not shown) extend from the other side of the sockets 27 to the games console 25. The cables between the sockets 27 and the games console 25 are typically extension cables so that the drawer 18 can be slid open without having to detach the cables. The invention has been described with particular reference to games consoles 25. It is not limited to such applications. In an alternative application the drawer 18 contains a DVD player or a satellite receiver. In a further alternative embodiment the drawer 18 contains a jukebox connected to the flat pane! display 12.

Claims

1. A wall mount for a display comprising first and second spaced apart faces defining a receiving volume therebetween; the first face comprising wall connection means for connecting the wall mount to a wall; the second face comprising display connection means for connecting a display to the second face; and, a drawer received within the receiving volume and adapted to be displaced between open and closed positions; the second face comprising at least one connection port extending therethrough to enable an electrical connection between the display and an electrical device within the receiving volume.

2. A wall mount as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the drawer is adapted to be slid between the open and closed positions.

3. A wall mount as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the drawer further comprises a lock to lock it in the closed position.

4. A wall mount as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the drawer is adapted to be displaced from the side of the wall mount.

5. A wall mount as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a flap adapted to be displaced between open and closed positions and when in the closed position covers the display connection means preventing access to said means and when in the open position does not cover said display connection means.

6. A wall mount as claimed in claim 5 wherein the flap is pivotally mounted.

7. A wall mount as clamed in either of claims 5 or 6, wherein the flap engages with the drawer when the flap and drawer are each in their respective closed positions.

8. A wall mount as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the drawer contains a games console.

9. A wall mount as claimed in claim 8 wherein the games console further comprises a motion sensor outside the drawer arranged to detect motion in front of the display.

10. A wall mount as claimed in any one of clamsl to 9, wherein the display is a television, monitor or screen.

11. A wall mount as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the connection port is an aperture.