Adjustable wall mount for flat panel television

A flat panel television adjustable wall mount having a wall mounting plate, a center rack assembly attached to the flat panel television, an extendable frame, and a telescopic adjustment mechanism attached to first and second struts. The telescopic adjustment mechanism includes a telescopic guided slider and a telescopic drive. The upper end of the first strut is pivotally connected to the wall mounting plate while its lower end is rotationally installed at the lower end of the telescopic guided slider. The lower rolling mechanism end of the second strut is set on the wall mounting plate while its upper end is rotationally connected to the center rack assembly. The telescopic drive activates the first strut and the second strut, allowing the center rack assembly with the flat panel television to extend out or retract back to the wall mounting plate to achieve an optimum viewing distance.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention pertains to a flat panel television accessory, specifically; it pertains to an adjustable wall mount for flat panel televisions.

BACKGROUND

A flat panel television can be quickly mounted on the wall with a wall mount, because of its slim form, and minimum amount of space required, it is welcome by many people; particularly suitable for many areas such as living spaces at home, airport terminals, hotel lobbies, or hospital wards, etc. During the installation, the wall mount is first attached to the wall, and the flat panel television is then hung on the wall mount, securing the flat panel television to the wall. Since the flat panel television is attached to the wall mount that is fixed to the wall, the screen of the flat panel display remains immobile and cannot extend out or retract back to the wall, so the viewer cannot watch at an optimum viewing distance; it is also not possible to pan sideways or tilt up or down, therefore the viewer cannot watch at an optimum viewing angle, making it inconvenient to the user.

SUMMARY

The technical problems to be solved by the present invention is that, targeting the limitation of the current wall mount technology, to come up with an adjustable wall mount for the flat panel television, that allows the flat panel television to extend out or retract back, so that the user can view at an optimum distance.

This invention resolves the technical challenge with the following technical approach: to construct an adjustable wall mount for the flat panel television, including the wall mounting plate that is attached to the wall, the center rack assembly that the flat panel television is attached to, both the extendable frame and the telescopic adjustment mechanism with one end that is attached to the said wall mounting plate and the other end that is attached to the said center rack assembly; the said extendable frame includes the first strut and the second strut that are rotationally connected in the middle; the said telescopic adjustment mechanism includes the telescopic guided slider that travels up and down the said center rack assembly; the telescopic drive on the said center rack assembly that drives the said telescopic guided slider to glide relative to the center rack assembly; the upper end of the said first strut is connected to the wall mounting plate while its lower end is installed at the lower end of the said telescopic guided slider; the lower end of the said second strut is a rolling connection to the said wall mounting plate while its upper end is rotationally connected to the said center rack assembly.

In the adjustable wall mount of the present invention of the said flat panel television, the said center rack assembly includes the center frame that is rotationally connected to the upper end of the said second strut, the main shaft that is vertically and rotationally connected to the center frame; the said center frame is axially positioned on the upper end of the said main shaft, the said telescopic guided slider travels up and down the said main shaft and travels vertically relative to the center frame, the said telescopic drive is attached to the lower part of the center frame; the point of connection of the said flat panel television is attached to the said main shaft. The telescopic drive actuates the telescopic guided slider to travel up and down the main shaft, that is, same as traveling up and down relative to the center frame, thereby moving the extendable frame members to oppose or diverge, thereby the center frame and the main shaft moves away or closer to the wall mounting plate, enabling the flat panel television which is connected to the main shaft to extend out or retract in.

In the adjustable wall mount of the present invention of the said flat panel television, the said center rack assembly also includes the center post that is rotationally connected to the said main shaft and axially positioned at the lower end of the said center frame, the telescopic drive rack that is rotationally connected to the said main shaft and rotates in sync with the said center post; the said telescopic guided slider set within the said center post, the said telescopic drive is positioned on the said center post, and the said telescopic drive rack and the said telescopic guided slider both glides in synchronization along the main shaft. The center post is rotationally connected to the main shaft, and axially positioned at the lower end of the center frame, so that the center post can glide in sync with the center frame along the main shaft, at the same time the center post can rotate relative to the center frame, achieving independent telescopic control

In the adjustable wall mount of the present invention of the said flat panel television, there is the telescopic rack on the said telescopic drive rack, there is corresponding telescopic pinion (not shown in figure) to the said telescopic rack on the said telescopic drive, the said telescopic drive in combination with the telescopic rack and pinion drives the said telescopic drive rack to glide on the main shaft. So that while the center post rotates relative to the center frame, the telescopic drive rack can still actuate the telescopic guided slider to travel up and down the main shaft.

In the adjustable wall mount of the present invention of the said flat panel television, it includes a pan mechanism, the said pan mechanism includes the panning slot plate, the pan drive assembly, and the pan mount that is rotationally connected to the said main shaft; the said pan drive assembly, the pan mount, and the said center post all rotate in sync; the said pan drive assembly actuates the panning slot plate to glide relative to the pan drive assembly that is moving the pan drive assembly to rotate relative to the main shaft; the point of connection of the said flat panel television is on the said pan mount. The pan mount is rotationally connected to the main shaft. When the pan drive assembly activates the panning slot plate to glide relative to the center frame, the pan drive assembly also activates the pan mount and the center post to rotate in sync, thereby the flat panel television can rotate on the main shaft relative to the center frame, this will allow adjusting of the panning angle of the flat panel television, to get the best viewing angle. At the same time the center post can move in sync with the pan mount, realizing the pan and extension/retraction control separately, so that it is easier to set. Besides that, the weight of the flat panel television is supported by the main shaft through the pan mount, which means the pan drive only needs to output a small torque to activate the panning slot plate relative to the pan mount when controlling the panning motion.

In the adjustable wall mount of the present invention of the said flat panel television, there is the positioning convex post on the said center frame with its convex element towards the said panning slot plate; the said pan drive assembly includes the pan drive plate that is rotationally connected to the said main shaft and moves in sync with the said center post, the pan drive device that is attached to the said pan drive plate; the convex guide post on the said pan drive plate with its convex element towards the said panning slot plate, there is the main shaft slot that corresponds to the said main shaft on the said panning slot plate, the guided slot that matches to the said convex guide post, and the positioning slot that matches to the said positioning convex post.

In the adjustable wall mount of the present invention of the said flat panel television, there is the panning rack on the said panning slot plate, and the corresponding panning pinion to the said panning rack on the said pan drive device, when the said pan drive device actuates the panning rack and panning pinion together, the said panning slot plate in turn glides relative to the pan drive plate.

In the adjustable wall mount of the present invention of the said flat panel television, it includes the tilt adjustment mechanism, the said tilt adjustment mechanism includes the connecting plate assembly that is rotationally connected to the main shaft, the tilt guide frame with a sliding connection to the main shaft, the drive connecting rods have one end rotationally connected to the tilt guide frame and the other end rotationally connected to the connecting plate assembly, and the tilt drive device is attached to the said center post and actuates the said tilt guide frame to glide along the main shaft. The point of connection of the said flat panel television is on the said connecting plate assembly. The tilt guide frame actuates the drive connecting rods to glide along the main shaft; therefore the flat panel television that is connected to the connecting plate assembly also has an inclination change, thus allowing adjustment of the tilt angle of the flat panel television, to obtain an optimum viewing angle. As the tilt drive device is installed on the center post, the tilt guide frame and the telescopic guided slider are also independently connected on the main shaft, during the extension/retraction adjustment, the axial position of tilt guide frame will not change relative to the main shaft, that is the flat panel television tilt angle will not change; similarly during the tilt angle adjustment, the axial position of the telescopic guided slider will not change relative to the main shaft, that is there will not be any forward or backward movement of the flat panel television; realizing the goal of separating the tilt and extension system, so it is easier when adjustment is needed.

In the adjustable wall mount of the present invention of the said flat panel television, the upper positioning plate, upper connecting plate, mounting plate, lower connecting plate, and the lower positioning plate are successively rotationally connected to the said connecting plate assembly, the said upper positioning plate and the said lower positioning plate are rotationally connected to the main shaft and are axially positioned on the main shaft; one end of the said drive connecting rods are rotationally connected to the said tilt guide frame and the other end rotationally connected to the said mounting plate, the upper connecting plate, or the lower connecting plate; the said flat panel television is attached to the said mounting plate.

In the adjustable wall mount of the present invention of the said flat panel television, there is the tilt rack on the said tilt guide frame, there is corresponding tilt pinion that matches the said rack on the said tilt drive device, the said tilt drive device actuates the tilt guide frame to glide on the main shaft by the matching action of the tilt rack and tilt pinion.

In the embodiments of the adjustable wall mount of the said flat panel television, the advantages are as follows: When the telescopic drive actuates the telescopic guided slider to travel up or down relative to the center rack assembly, the lower end of the first strut and the upper end of the second strut will move towards or apart from each other; and because the first strut and the second strut are rotationally connected in the middle, therefore the upper end of the first strut and the lower end of the second strut will also move towards or apart from each other; as the upper end of the first strut is attached to the wall mounting plate and the lower end of the second strut has a rolling end in contact with the wall mounting plate, it allows the lower end of the second strut to roll up and down the wall mounting plate.

When the lower end of the first strut and the upper end of the second strut move towards each other, the lower end of the first strut and the upper end of the second strut will move away from the wall mounting plate on a level plane, therefore extending the flat panel television out; when the lower end of the first strut and the upper end of the second strut moves apart from each other, the lower end of the first strut and the upper end of the second strut will move towards the wall mounting plate on a level plane, therefore retracting the flat panel television back. This allows for an adjustable extension distance of the flat panel television, to achieve an optimum viewing distance; when the television is not in use, the flat panel television can collapse close to the wall, and when the television is in use or it is necessary to access the back for repair or for wiring purposes, the television can extend out, making it very convenient. Furthermore, as the flat panel television is attached to the center rack assembly and as the center rack assembly is attached to the wall mounting plate by the extendable frame, the weight of the flat panel television is supported by both the center rack assembly and the extendable frame; and when the telescopic adjustment mechanism is activated, it only needs to overcome the torque between the first strut and the second strut, the telescopic drive only needs to output a small torque to achieve this; and because the weight bearing and drive function are separated, the telescopic adjustment mechanism is more reliable, even if the telescopic adjustment mechanism fails, the flat panel television will remain secure to the wall mounting plate by the center rack assembly and the extendable frame, and not fall, ensuring it is safe to use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

AsFIGS. 1,2,3,4a,4b,4c, and4dshow, the embodiment of the adjustable wall mount of the flat panel television of this invention includes the wall mounting plate10for securing it to the wall, the center rack assembly100that is attached to the flat panel television1, both the extendable frame200and the telescopic adjustment mechanism300with one end attached to the wall mounting plate10and the other end attached to the center rack assembly100. The extendable frame200includes the first strut210and the second strut220which are pivotally connected in the middle; the telescopic adjustment mechanism300includes the telescopic guided slider310which travels up and down relative to the center rack assembly100and the telescopic drive320that is attached to the center rack assembly100and activates the telescopic guided slider310which travels up and down relative to the center rack assembly100; the upper end of the first strut211is pivotally connected to the wall mounting plate10while the lower end of the first strut212is rotationally installed at the lower end of the telescopic guided slider310; the lower end of the second strut222rolls along the wall mounting plate10while the upper end of the second strut221is rotationally connected to the center rack assembly100.

When the telescopic drive320actuates the telescopic guided slider310to travel up or down relative to the center rack assembly100, the lower end of the first strut212and the upper end of the second strut221will move towards or apart from each other; and because the first strut210and the second strut220are rotationally connected in the middle, therefore the upper end of the first strut211and the lower end of the second strut222will also move towards or apart from each other; as the upper end of the first strut211is attached to the wall mounting plate10and the lower end of the second strut222has a rolling end in contact with the wall mounting plate10, it allows the lower end of the second strut222to roll up and down the wall mounting plate10.

To ensure that the flat panel television does not sway or tilt during extension or retraction, preferably the length of the first strut210and second strut220is the same, and the rotational connection point is set at the same position proportionally, such as the middle point.

AsFIG. 4dshows, when the lower end of the first strut212and the upper end of the second strut221move towards each other, the lower end of the first strut212and the upper end of the second strut221will move away from the wall mounting plate10on a level plane, therefore extending the flat panel television out.

AsFIG. 4cshows, when the lower end of the first strut212and the upper end of the second strut221move apart from each other, the lower end of the first strut212and the upper end of the second strut221will move towards the wall mounting plate10on a level plane, therefore retracting the flat panel television back.

This allows the flat panel television's1extension distance to be adjustable, to achieve an optimum viewing distance; when the television is off the flat panel television can collapse close to the wall, when the television is on or there is a need to access the back for repair or for wiring purposes, the television can extend out, making it very convenient.

Furthermore, as the flat panel television is attached to the center rack assembly100, and as the center rack assembly100is attached to the wall mounting plate10by the extendable frame200, the weight of the flat panel television is supported by both the center rack assembly100and the extendable frame200; and when the telescopic adjustment mechanism300is activated, it only needs to overcome the torque between the first strut210and the second strut220, the telescopic drive320only needs to output a small torque to achieve this; and because the weight bearing and drive function are separated, the telescopic adjustment mechanism300is more reliable, even if the telescopic adjustment mechanism fails, the flat panel television will remain secure to the wall mounting plate10by the center rack assembly100and the extendable frame200, and not fall, ensuring it is safe to use.

In this embodiment, preferably the center rack assembly100includes the center rack110, and the main shaft120. The center frame110and the upper end of the second strut221is rotationally connected, the vertical rotational connection of the main shaft120is on the center frame110, and the shaft positioning member of the center frame110is on the upper end of main shaft120, this way the main shaft120will not move in the axial direction relative to the center frame110, thus the main shaft120is fixed vertically in position relative to the center frame110. The telescopic guided slider310glides on the main shaft120, that is the telescopic guided slider310follows the main shaft120and travels vertically up and down; the telescopic drive320is installed on the lower end of the center frame110, specifically, the telescopic drive320is installed at the lower end of the center frame110, this way the telescopic drive320and the center frame110is correspondingly positioned vertically; the point of connection on the flat panel television is mounted to the main shaft120. When the telescopic drive320actuates the telescopic guided slider310along the main shaft120, this then activates the extendable frame200, which then controls how far or close the center frame110and the main shaft120is from the wall mounting plate10, allowing the flat panel television that is connected to the main shaft120to extend out or retract back.

In this embodiment, it also includes the pan mechanism400and the tilt adjustment mechanism500. When considering installing the pan mechanism400and the tilt adjustment mechanism500, note that when the pan mechanism400or the tilt adjustment mechanism500is activated, it will not affect the extension/retraction control, therefore it is best to segregate telescopic adjustment mechanism300, the pan mechanism400, and the tilt adjustment mechanism500. Therefore, preferably the center rack assembly100will include the center post130and the telescopic drive rack140. In this, the center post130is rotationally connected to the main shaft120, the shaft positioning member is at the lower end of the center frame110, so that the center post130can rotate relative to the main shaft120but cannot move in the axial direction of the main shaft120. The telescopic drive rack140is similarly rotationally connected to the main shaft120and moves in synchronization with the center post130around the main shaft120, the telescopic drive rack140and the telescopic guided slider310can glide in synchronization along the main shaft120, specifically, the telescopic drive rack140can install over the telescopic guided slider310, and the top and bottom ends of both the telescopic drive rack140and the telescopic guided slider310can be positioned together, this will ensure that the telescopic drive rack140can rotate relative to the main shaft120and at the same time glide in sync with the telescopic guided slider310over the main shaft120. Otherwise, by installing the telescopic drive rack140and the telescopic guided slider310inside the center post130, it is possible to install corresponding rail and groove (not shown in figures), when the telescopic drive rack140actuates the telescopic guided slider310along the main shaft120up and down, the rail moves along the groove, when the center post130rotates on the main shaft120, the telescopic drive rack will also follow suit because of the rail and groove connection. By installing the telescopic drive320on the center post130, even if the center post130turns, the telescopic drive320can still actuate the telescopic guided slider310along the main shaft120up and down through the telescopic drive rack140, realizing the goal of controlling the extension system.

In this embodiment, preferably to install telescopic rack141on the telescopic drive rack140, to install the corresponding telescopic pinion (not shown in figure) to the telescopic rack141on the telescopic drive320, the telescopic drive320in combination with the telescopic rack141and pinion drives the telescopic drive rack140to glide on the main shaft120. This allows the center post130to still actuate the telescopic guided slider310to glide along the main shaft120by means of the telescopic drive rack140, while the center post rotates relative to the center frame110. Specifically, the telescopic drive320can be driven by a motor, by means of installing a drive circuit to control the motor, the control of the drive circuit can be done by remote control, this way the flat panel television1can be extended or refracted remotely, making it convenient for the user.

AsFIGS. 1,2,3,5,5a,5b,6,6a, and6bshow, in the adjustable wall mount of the flat panel television of this invention, it is possible to include a pan mechanism400, the pan mechanism400includes the panning slot plate410that is rotationally connected to the main shaft120, the pan drive assembly, and the pan mount420. In this, the pan drive assembly, the pan mount420, and the center post130all rotate in sync; the pan drive assembly activates the panning slot plate410to glide relative to the pan drive assembly, this then activates the pan drive assembly to rotate relative to the main shaft120; the point of connection of the flat panel television1is on the pan mount420.

As the pan mount420is rotationally connected to the main shaft120, and the point of connection of the flat panel television1is on the pan mount420, the flat panel television1is therefore connected to the main shaft120through the pan mount420. When the pan drive assembly activates the panning slot plate410to glide relative to the center frame110, the pan drive assembly also activates the pan mount420and the center post130to rotate in sync, thereby the flat panel television1can rotate on the main shaft120relative to the center frame110, this will allow adjusting of the panning angle of the flat panel television1, to get the best viewing angle. At the same time the center post130can move in sync with the pan mount420, realizing the pan and extension/retraction control separately, so that it is easier to set. Besides that, the weight of the flat panel television1is supported by the main shaft120through the pan mount420, which means the pan drive assembly only needs to output a small torque to activate the panning slot plate410relative to the pan mount420when controlling the panning motion.

In this embodiment, preferably the pan drive assembly also includes the pan drive plate430that is rotationally connected to the main shaft120and moves in sync with the center post130, the pan drive device440that is attached to the pan drive plate430; the convex guide post431with its convex element pointing towards the pan drive plate430, at the same time there is the positioning convex post111on the center frame110with its convex element pointing to the panning slot plate410; there is the main shaft slot413that corresponds to the main shaft120on the panning slot plate410, the guided slot411that matches to the convex guide post431, and the positioning slot412that matches to the positioning convex post111. Specifically, the panning rack414can be installed on the panning slot plate410, and the corresponding panning pinion441can be installed to the panning rack414on the pan drive device440, when the pan drive device440actuates the panning pinion441to rotate, the panning pinion441glides along the corresponding panning rack414, in turn the panning slot plate410glides relative to the pan drive plate430; within this assembly the pan drive device440can be a motor drive, similarly the control of the drive circuit can be done by remote control.

As the main shaft120glides in the main shaft slot413, the guided convex post431also glides in the guided slot411, but the distance from the guided convex post431to panning pinion441is not the same as the distance from the panning pinion441to the main shaft120, this allows the panning slot plate410to pan relative to the panning pinion441and at the same time rotates around the panning pinion441, resulting in relative rotation of the pan drive plate430; as the positioning convex post111on the center frame110glides in the positioning hole412, the center frame110is fixed in the level plane, resulting in the panning slot plate410to rotate around the main shaft120, that is the panning slot plate410moves from the three combination movements described above, so that the panning slot plate410in turn activates the pan drive plate430to rotate around the main shaft120, which in turn activates the pan mount420to rotate around the main shaft120, so that the flat panel television1can pan around main shaft120. In addition, when the center post130and the pan mount420rotates in sync around the main shaft120, the telescopic drive320can still extend or retract the flat panel television1, realizing the goal of separating the control of the panning and the extension system.

AsFIGS. 1,2,3,7,7a,7b, and7cshow, in this embodiment of the adjustable wall mount of the said flat panel television of this invention, it also includes the tilt adjustment mechanism500, the tilt adjustment mechanism500includes the connecting plate assembly510that is rotationally connected to the main shaft120, the tilt guide frame520has a sliding connection to the main shaft120, the drive connecting rods530have one end rotationally connected to the tilt guide frame520and the other end rotationally connected to the connecting plate assembly510, the tilt drive device540is attached to the center post130and actuates the tilt guide frame520to glide along the main shaft120. Furthermore, the point of connection of the flat panel television1is on the connecting plate assembly510, one end of the connecting plate assembly510can be attached to the pan mount420or the center post130, so that the flat panel television1is rotationally connected to the main shaft120by the connecting plate assembly510. The tilt guide frame520actuates the drive connecting rods530to glide along the main shaft120; therefore the flat panel television1that is connected to the connecting plate assembly510also has an inclination change, thus allowing adjustment of the tilt angle of the flat panel television1, to obtain an optimum viewing angle. As the tilt drive device540is installed on the center post130, the tilt guide frame520and the telescopic guided slider310are also independently connected on the main shaft120, during the extension/retraction adjustment, the axial position of tilt guide frame520will not change relative to the main shaft120, that is the flat panel television1tilt angle will not change; similarly during the tilt angle adjustment, the axial position of the telescopic guided slider310will not change relative to the main shaft120, that is there will not be any forward or backward movement of the flat panel television; realizing the goal of separating the tilt and extension system, so it is easier when adjustment is needed.

Specifically, preferably the upper positioning plate511, upper connecting plate512, mounting plate513, lower connecting plate514, and the lower positioning plate515are successively rotationally connected to the connecting plate assembly510; specifically, the connecting plate assembly510and all the above plates can be successively and rotationally connected with the shaft, all the shaft connections are on the same level setting, so that all the above plates rotate on the same vertical plane. In this, the upper positioning plate511and the lower positioning plate515are rotationally connected to the main shaft120and are axially positioned on the main shaft120, so that the whole connecting plate assembly510can spin around the main shaft120. One end of the drive connecting rods530have a movable connection to the tilt guide frame520and the other end connected to mounting plate513, the flat panel television1is attached to the mounting plate513, when the tilt guide frame520glides up and down, the distance between the mounting plate513and the main shaft120changes because of the drive connecting rods530, as both the ends of the mounting plate513is limited by the upper connecting plate512and the lower connecting plate514, so that the mounting plate513can only travel in the vertical plane, thereby adjusting the tilt angle of the flat panel television1, and realizing the goal of controlling the pitch.

In this embodiment, preferably the pan mount420works as the upper positioning plate511, that is the upper connecting plate512and the pan mount420is rotationally connected together; the upper connecting plate512, the pan mount420, and the center post130are all rotationally connected by the shaft, so that all three move in sync around the main shaft120, and the axial position is from the upper main shaft120to the lower end of the center frame110. Preferably the lower positioning plate515is rotationally connected to the lower end of the main shaft120, so that the lower positioning plate515is positioned at the lower end of the main shaft120.

In the adjustable wall mount of the said flat panel television of this invention, there is the tilt rack521on the tilt guide frame520, there is corresponding tilt pinion (not shown in figures) that matches the rack on the tilt drive device540, the tilt drive device540actuates the guide frame520to glide on the main shaft120by the matching action of the tilt rack521and tilt pinion, thus realizing the goal of controlling the pitch of the flat panel television1. Similarly the control of the drive circuit can be done by remote control.