Abstract:
A support mount for a display screen such as a television or computer, comprises a length adjustable arm, which is recessed inside a wall. The system allows for the display screen to lay flatter and cleaner to the wall, and retract in and out. According to one embodiment, the arm includes a mounting element for the screen which allows for movement of the screen relative to the arm. According to a further embodiment, positioning of the screen may be electronically controlled.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a mounting device and method for mounting a display screen, such as an LCD TV and/or computer to a wall. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    There are various devices for mounting display screens such as LCD and Plasma flat panel television and/or computer. Such devices include various features which allow for flexibility in movement of the display screen, such as telescopic arms, and swivel and/or pivoting arm mechanisms. See for example Feldpausch et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,096, which discloses a vertically oriented support device having a telescopic arm. However, as most users are typically concerned with visual aesthetics, space management, and neatness; it is desirable to provide a mounting device which is both physically and visually unobtrusive and uncluttered. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present provides a support mount for a display screen such as a television or computer, comprising a length adjustable arm, which is recessed inside a wall. The system allows for the display screen to lay flatter and cleaner to the wall, and retract in and out. According to one embodiment, the arm allows for position adjustment of the screen which may be electronically controlled. According to a further embodiment, position adjustment may be electronically controlled. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a device and method for mounting a display screen to a wall, wherein the mounting element may be substantially hidden from view. 
         [0007]    It is another object of the present invention to provide such a device and method which enables the screen to optionally lie flat against the wall or extend away from the wall. 
         [0008]    It is another object of the present invention to provide such a device and method which enables the position of the screen to be adjusted on the mounting device. 
         [0009]    The foregoing objects are some of but a few of the goals sought to be attained by the present invention and are set forth for the purposes of example only and not those of limitation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a side sectional view of a mounting device, according to a first embodiment including a telescoping arm and a recessed housing which fits within a wall recess, for mounting a display screen. The arm is illustrated in an extended position. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates the device of  FIG. 1 , wherein the recessed housing is omitted, and the extended arm is directly mounted to the wall recess, according to an alternate embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates the device of  FIG. 1 , wherein the arm is retracted, and the screen fits within the housing recess. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates the device of  FIG. 1 , wherein the housing recess is smaller than the screen, and only the arm, but not the screen, fits within the recess. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates the device of  FIG. 1 , wherein the arm is mounted within a recess of a wall, according to an alternate embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a telescopic arm for the device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  illustrates the device of  FIG. 1 , wherein the arm comprises a series of pivotally connected bars. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1 , including an arm having a series of pivotally connected elements, in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9   a  is a side view of the device of  FIG. 1 , wherein arm includes pivotally connected links having an “X” configuration. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9   b  is a plan view of the device of  FIG. 9   a,  wherein the arm is folded into the housing. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10   a  is a side view of the device of  FIG. 1 , wherein arm includes pivotally connected links having a triangularly configured portion. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10   b  is a plan view of the device of  FIG. 10   a,  wherein the arm is folded into the housing. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0022]    The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the exemplary embodiments may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and/or operating the exemplary embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different exemplary methods are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention, and within the scope and judgment of the skilled person. 
         [0023]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the present invention provides a support mount device  100  for a display screen  102  such as a television or computer, which is ideally a flat display screen. The device comprises a length adjustable arm  104 , supported in a housing  110  having a central recess  112  comprising a flat surface  130  and surrounding walls  132  extending from the surface and generally perpendicular thereto. Additionally, there is a frame  106  around the recess, extending from the side walls  132 , generally perpendicular to the walls. 
         [0024]    The housing is mounted to a wall  108 . Assuming the thickness of the wall is less than the depth dimension  120  of the housing recess  112 , a window may be carved into the wall, and the frame  106  of the housing  110  attached to the wall by any conventional method such as cementing, bolting, nailing, etc. The housing  110  may be made of metal, wood, plastic, or other suitable material, and combinations of different materials. According to a preferred embodiment, the housing is made of metal which is plastic coated. The housing frame  106  may be minimized, with a sheet thin depth dimension to make its appearance inconspicuous, or may be thicker, so as to provide a decorative frame around the screen. 
         [0025]    in case where the wall is thick enough, a recess  118  may be carved within the wall, wherein the housing recess conforms to the wall recess  118 , or the arm  104  may be mounted directly to the wall recess  118 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0026]    The recess of the housing  110  and/or wall may be dimensioned to receive the screen  102 , such that the surrounding wall or housing surface  116  frames the screen. Additionally, the arm  104  may allow for retraction of the screen  102  back enough into the recess, such that the surface  116  may be substantially flush with the screen surface  114 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3  for a device having a housing  110 , or may be able to back even further into the wall depending on the depth dimension of the recess. 
         [0027]    Alternatively, the recess may be narrower than the screen, allowing the screen to lie flat against the wall or housing frame, but not insert into the recess, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0028]    The arm  104 , which is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , has a series of telescopically engaged elements, making it extendable/retractable. Its first end  124  may be integrally formed with or firmly mounted to the housing  110  and/or wall by any conventional means, including bolting, soldering, cementing, etc. depending on the material(s) of the device  100 . It is also possible to mount the arm  104  within a recess  122  of a wall  108  having sufficient depth, in order to provide extra support for the screen, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . According to this embodiment, the housing itself may include the recess  122 , or a bore may be made through the housing, and the arm may extend into the wall by itself. 
         [0029]    The second end  126  of the arm also includes a mounting element for attachment to the screen, or to a mounting element in the back of the screen. Instead of providing for a fixed mounting mechanism, mounting elements at either or both ends  124  and  126  may allow for movement such as swivel, pivotal, up and down, side-to-side, or combinations thereof. Additional mounting components, i.e. brackets, mounting adaptors, plates, etc., may be provided for attachment of the screen. 
         [0030]    A telescopic arm  200  is illustrated in  FIG. 6 , and includes a series of telescopically engageable cylindrical units  202 ,  204 , and  206 . Outwardly protruding rings  208 ,  210 ,  212  on each of the units provides length adjustable of each unit to the adjacent unit. 
         [0031]    Other examples of suitable arms which are extendable/retractable include a series of pivotally connected elements such as links or bars  129  supporting a mounting element  140  for a screen, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  9   a  and  b,  and  10   a  and  b.    
         [0032]    Also, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the device  100  includes a hole  132 , or cut out section, provided in the surface  116  of the housing  110 , for receiving the wires of the screen. A conduit may also be provided behind the hole to contain the wires. The frame  106  of the housing  110  includes slits  142  through which screws can be inserted for attachment to a wall. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 9   a  and  b  illustrate another embodiment for the extendable/retractable arm  900 , which comprises linking elements or links  902  and  903  having an “X” configuration. Link  902  is coupled to a base  904  which is coupled to the housing  110  via one or more bolts  905  and washers  910 , which pass through channels  906  in the base  904  and vertical proximate section  908  of the link  902 , to form a pivotal joint between the base and link  902 . As illustrated in the figure, section  908  comprises top and bottom segments extending towards one another with a gap in between, wherein the base fits within the gap. A c-clip  924  is positioned at the end of the bolt. Thus, link  902  may swivel with respect to the base. Though the figure illustrates a connection via one bolt inserted from the bottom, it is also possible to insert the bolt from the top, or use two bolts from the top and bottom. 
         [0034]    The vertical distal section  912  of link  902  is coupled to the vertical proximate section  913  of link  903  via an alternate link  914 . As with section  908 , sections  912  and  913  comprise top and bottom segments extending towards one another with a gap in-between, wherein link  914  fits within the gaps. Similarly, the links  902 ,  903 , and  914  are coupled via bolts  905  and washers  910 , which fit through channels  916  provided in each linking element, and the bolts are held with a c-clip  924 . Again, the bolt may be inserted from the top, instead of the bottom (shown in the figure) or two bolts may be used for each connection. 
         [0035]    Next, distal section  918  of link  903  is coupled to a mounting bracket  920  for the screen. As with sections  908 ,  912 , and  913 , section  918  comprise top and bottom segments extending towards one another with a gap in-between, wherein an extension  921  of bracket  920  fits within the gap. Similarly, the link and bracket are coupled via bolts  905  and washers  910 , engaged through channels  922 , and held by c-clip  924 . Again, the bolt may be inserted from the top, instead of the bottom (shown in the figure) or two bolts may be used for each connection. It should also be noted that any number of links may be used, depending on the desired length of the arm. Also, as illustrated in  FIG. 9   b , the device may fold flat into the housing  110 . 
         [0036]      FIGS. 10  a and b illustrates another embodiment for an extendable/retractable arm  1000 , which comprises links  1002 ,  1004 ,  1006  having triangularly configured portions. Each link comprises a horizontal leg  1040  having a first and second opposite ends, a second vertical leg  1042  having a first end extending from the second end of the first leg, and forming a right angle with the first leg, and a diagonal extending from the opposite second end of the second leg to a point between the first and second ends of said first leg, forming a right triangle. Additionally, the second leg is divided into top and bottom segment, which extend towards each other forming a gap  1041 , as shown in the figure. Thus, the first end of the leg  1040  of one link is rotationally coupled to a second link at the gap  1041  formed in the second leg of another link. 
         [0037]    In  FIG. 10 , link  1002  is coupled to base elements  1008 ,  1010 , which are coupled to the housing  110  via a bolt  1005  and washers  1012 , which pass through channels  1014  in the base elements and proximate section  1016  of the link  1002 , to form a pivotal joint between the base and link  1002 . A c-clip  1018  is positioned at the end of the bolt. Thus, link  1002  may swivel with respect to the base elements. Though the figure illustrates a connection via one bolt inserted from the bottom, it is also possible to insert the bolt from the top, or use two bolts from the top and bottom. 
         [0038]    The vertical distal section  1020  of link  1002  is directly coupled to link  1004  via a bolt  1005  and washers  1012 , which pass through channels  1022  in the section  1020  of the link  1002  and proximate section  1024  in the link  1004 , to form a pivotal joint between the links. A c-clip  1018  is positioned at the end of the bolt to hold the assembly in place. Also, it is preferable to provide a flat surface at the triangular pointed end  1026  of each end, to facilitate assembly. An alternate linking element is not needed between links  1002  and  1004 , due to the triangular configuration. Again, the bolt may be inserted from the top, instead of the bottom (shown in the figure) or two bolts may be used for each connection. 
         [0039]    Next, the distal end  1028  of link  1004 , is similarly coupled to proximate end  1030  of link  1006 , and a mounting bracket  1032  is similarly coupled to end  1034  of link  1006 . It should be noted that any number of links may be used for the arm  1000 , and that each of the links may be positioned with the triangular pointed end up or down. Additionally, as illustrated in  FIG. 10   b , the device may fold flat into the housing  110 . 
         [0040]    Additionally, the device  100  may be electronically controlled, and may also include remote control for adjusting the position of the screen, in order to avoid glare, change the viewing angle, etc. 
         [0041]    While the invention has been illustrated for flat panel display screen, it is contemplated for use with other types of display devices. 
         [0042]    In closing, it is to be understood that the exemplary embodiments described herein are illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Other modifications that may be employed are within the scope of the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation, alternative configurations may be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the description is illustrative and not meant to be a limitation thereof.