Methods and apparatuses for mounting a flat panel video display

Mounting tools and methods for using mounting tools are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a mounting tool includes a template having a body configured to be releasably attachable to a support medium. The mounting tool further includes a projecting member configured to interface with the body. The projecting member is movable to project at an angle from the body for catching particulates. The projecting member can have several different configurations. For example, the projecting member can be integral with the body. Alternatively, the projecting member can be a discrete component with respect to the body.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is related to methods and apparatuses for mounting a video display to a wall or other structure. More particularly, several embodiments of the invention are directed to mounting tools and methods for using such mounting tools to install mounting devices for flat panel video displays.

BACKGROUND

Flat panel video displays, such as plasma televisions, LCD displays and the like, are becoming very popular. As a result, flat panel displays are used in a wide variety of viewing areas from family rooms to boardrooms. Many manufacturers are accordingly entering into this segment of the market with many different models of video displays that have different shapes and sizes. As such, there is also a vast array of different mounting devices and mounting techniques to secure flat panel video displays to walls or other structures.

Flat panel video displays are generally secured to a structure using floor stands, wall mounts, and/or ceiling brackets. Most traditional wall mounts require an installer to first locate and mark center locations for the studs closest to the desired video display placement area. Next, the installer determines the desired height for the display and levels an upper and/or lower edge of a mounting bracket. Based on the location of the studs and the marked edges of the mounting bracket, the installer marks and drills pilot holes into the wall. The installer then attaches the mounting bracket to the wall using lag bolts inserted into the pilot holes. After securing the mounting bracket to the wall, the installer attaches the video display to the mounting bracket.

Installing mounting brackets as described above is arduous and time-consuming. First, the mounting bracket must be securely attached to the structure to prevent inadvertent movement of the video display. To do this, the mounting bracket must be attached to studs because larger flat panel video displays can be quite heavy. If the mounting bracket is not installed properly, the video display could fall and be seriously damaged or injure someone. Second, the mounting bracket must be level or otherwise properly aligned for a professional installation. Therefore, there is a need to ensure that the mounting bracket is secured to studs in the wall in a desired position.

Installing mounting brackets is also messy because a number of holes are drilled into the wall. The dust and/or debris from the wall can contaminate and/or damage the area surrounding the mounting location. The cleanup after installation can also be time-consuming, and many installers may not clean up after installing a display. Accordingly, there is a need to improve the precision and efficiency of installing mounting brackets.

In addition to the difficulties associated with installation of the mounting brackets, another problem with conventional wall mounting techniques is that different models of flat panel video displays have different patterns of mounting holes and/or different mounting hardware. Thus, conventional mounting brackets are generally tailored for use with a specific model or brand of video displays.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure describes several embodiments of mounting tools and methods for using such mounting tools to install brackets or other mounting devices for holding flat panel video displays. Many specific details of certain embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following description and inFIGS. 1A-5to provide a thorough understanding of such embodiments. One skilled in the art, however, will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details explained in the following description. Moreover, although the following disclosure sets forth several embodiments of different aspects of the invention, several other embodiments of the invention can have different configurations or different components than those described in this section. As such, it should be understood that the invention may have other embodiments with additional elements or without several of the elements shown and described below with reference toFIGS. 1A-5.

Several aspects of the invention are directed to mounting tools. One embodiment of a mounting tool in accordance with the invention includes a template having a body configured to be releasably attachable to a support medium. The mounting tool further includes a projecting member configured to interface with the body. The projecting member is movable to project at an angle from the body for catching particulates. The projecting member can have several different configurations. For example, the projecting member can be integral with the body or it can be a discrete component separate from the body.

Another aspect of the invention is directed to a system for mounting a video display. The system comprises a mounting tool including a template having a body configured to be releasably attachable to a support medium. The template further includes a projecting member configured to interface with the body for catching particulates. The system further includes a mounting bracket for releasably supporting a video display on the support medium. In one embodiment, the mounting tool is an integral component of the packaging of the mounting bracket. In further embodiments, however, the mounting tool is separate from the package containing the mounting bracket.

A further aspect of the invention is directed to methods of installing a mounting device for supporting a video display. One embodiment of such a method includes releasably attaching a body of a mounting tool to a desired location on a support medium such that at least a portion of the body is aligned with a stud in the support medium. The method also includes drilling mounting holes for a mounting device in the support medium aligned with corresponding portions of the template. The method further includes collecting particulates in a projecting member of the mounting tool that projects from the body while drilling the mounting holes.

B. Embodiments of Mounting Tools for Installing Mounting Devices for Supporting Flat Panel Video Displays

FIGS. 1A and 1Bare top and bottom views, respectively, of a mounting tool100in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIGS. 1A and 1Btogether, the mounting tool100includes a template110having a thin body112with a front side114(FIG. 1A) and a backside116(FIG. 1B). In the illustrated embodiment, the body112of the mounting tool100is a generally planar piece of cardboard, plastic or other suitable material. The body112is generally sized to correspond with the dimensions of a mounting device (not shown) used to support a flat panel video display (not shown).

The body112in the illustrated embodiment is sized to correspond with a U3 universal tilt plasma mount, commercially available from OmniMount Systems of Phoenix, Ariz. The U3 universal tilt plasma mount, in conjunction with a variety of adapter plates also commercially available from OmniMount Systems, will work with most flat screen video displays presently on the market. One advantage of this feature is that the same mounting device and the same mounting tool100can be used regardless of the size or model of the video display. The body112of the mounting tool100may have different configurations in other embodiments. For example, the body112can be sized to correspond to a different mounting device, or the body112may be sized such that it corresponds to a number of different mounting devices.

The template110shown inFIG. 1Afurther includes a projecting member120having a tray portion122and a set of tabs124aand124b. The template110also has a set of corresponding slots126aand126bthat receive tabs124aand124brespectively. The tabs124aand124bare inserted into the slots126aand126bsuch that the tray portion122projects relative to the body112. In operation, the tray portion122collects particulates (e.g., dust and other small debris) generated by installing the mounting device as explained in more detail below.

The template110also includes alignment indicia140at the front side114of the body112to accurately align the mounting tool100with respect to a support medium before positioning and installing the mounting device (not shown). The support medium is typically a wall, but it can be posts or other suitable surfaces to which a flat panel video display can be mounted. In the illustrated embodiment, the alignment indicia140includes a center mark142, a plurality of stud locator lines144, mounting hole lines146aand146b, and instructions147for using the mounting tool100. In other embodiments, the template110may include additional indicia or certain indicia mentioned above may not be included. The center mark142is positioned at the center of the mounting tool100and includes a small hole142awhere a thumbtack, nail, or the like can be placed to temporarily hold the mounting tool100at a desired location on the support medium for attaching the mounting device (not shown).

The illustrated embodiment of the stud locator lines144on the template110are an array of parallel vertical lines. The locator lines144, for example, can indicate one-half inch increments on either side of the center mark142(i.e., the “zero” point). The lines144are used to align the mounting tool100with studs in the support medium, as described below with respect toFIG. 2. The lines144can be marked with a “0” at the centerline of the template, and with a “4,” “8,” and/or “12” on each side of the centerline, respectively, to provide a guide for sixteen inch or twenty-four inch stud spacing. In other embodiments, the stud locator lines144can have other configurations or the template110may not include stud locator lines144.

The illustrated embodiment of the mounting hole lines146aand146bare parallel horizontal lines extending across the template110from left to right. The mounting hole lines146aand146bare generally spaced apart from each other by a desired vertical distance between holes for attaching the mounting device (not shown) to a structure. The mounting hole lines146aand146bare used to align a plurality of holes to be drilled into the support medium and subsequently used to install the mounting device (not shown) on the support medium. In alternative embodiments, the mounting hole lines146aand146bcan have different configurations.

The template110further includes a plurality of view holes148(e.g., the illustrated embodiment includes four view holes148a-d) proximate to the center mark142. Without the view holes148a-d, the body112obscures marks on the support medium that identify where the center mark142should be located. The view holes148a-dallow an installer to more easily align the center mark142with the mounting location. The view holes148a-dcan be formed by stamping the template110at a desired location to remove a portion of the body112. In other embodiments, the view holes148are formed using different methods known to those of skill in the art. Moreover, the template110can have a different number of view holes148and/or configurations, or the template110may not include any view holes148.

The template110further includes a set of removable portions150corresponding to areas on the support medium where the electrical and audio-visual connections (i.e., “J-boxes”) for the flat panel video display will be located. The removable portions150include notches152to allow the installer to insert a cutting tool (e.g., knife or scissors) to cut out the removable portions150. The desired J-box locations can then be marked on the support medium using the perimeter151surrounding the removable portions150as a guide.

Referring toFIG. 1B, the mounting tool100further includes an adhesive portion160at the backside116of the body112of the template110. The adhesive portion160is used to temporarily attach the mounting tool100to the support medium during the installation process. This feature ensures that the mounting tool100does not inadvertently move or shift on the support medium. Also, it eliminates the need for the installer to manually tape or glue the mounting tool100to the support medium. In the illustrated embodiment, the adhesive portion160includes two strips160aand160bof adhesive material covered with a non-stick paper material. In other embodiments, however, the adhesive portion160on the mounting tool100can have different configurations and/or include different materials.

FIG. 1Cis an exploded isometric view of a portion of an assembled projecting member120of the mounting tool100ofFIG. 1A. Referring toFIGS. 1A and 1Ctogether, the projecting member120is assembled by folding the template110along perforated lines127,128, and129, respectively (arrows A, B, and C indicate the direction of the folds). Next, the tabs124aand124bare inserted into the corresponding slots126aand126bsuch that a notched portion125of the tabs124aand124bis secured within the slots126aand126b. When the tabs124aand124bare secured within the slots126aand126b, the tray portion122projects from the body112forming a receptacle130that catches particulates and/or debris generated during the installation process. In other embodiments, such as those described below with reference toFIGS. 4A and 4B, the projecting member120can have other configurations without tabs and/or slots. Furthermore, the projecting member120can also be a discrete component separate from the body112that is subsequently attached to the body112.

C. Methods of Using a Mounting Tool to Install a Mounting Device for a Flat Panel Video Display

FIGS. 2 and 3illustrate stages in a method of installing a mounting device for supporting a flat panel video display using the mounting tool100(FIGS. 1A-1C) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; like reference numbers accordingly refer to like components inFIGS. 1A-3.FIG. 2, more specifically, is an isometric view of the mounting tool100positioned at a desired location on a wall200. The projecting member120has been moved from a first position generally planar with the body112to a second position where the projecting member120projects transversely from the body112to form a receptacle130for catching particulates and/or small debris. The paper backing on the adhesive portion160(not shown) at the backside116of the template110has been removed and the center mark142of the mounting tool100is aligned with a predetermined mounting location202on the wall200. A thumbtack (not shown) is inserted through the center mark142of the mounting tool100and into the mounting location202on the wall200to temporarily hold the mounting tool100at the desired location.

The mounting tool100shown inFIG. 2is also level with respect to the floor and the wall. The mounting tool100is leveled by placing a level (not shown) on one of the mounting hole lines146aor146band rotating the mounting tool100either clockwise or counterclockwise about the center mark142until the level indicates that the mounting hole lines146aor146bare horizontal or otherwise properly positioned. The installer gently applies pressure to various portions of the front side114of the template110such that the adhesive portions160(not shown) at the backside116of the template110releasably adhere to the wall200.

The installer next uses a stud finder (not shown) to locate a first stud210(shown using hidden lines) in the wall200. After finding the first stud210, the stud locator lines144on the mounting tool100are used as a general guide for locating the second stud212(shown using hidden lines) in the wall200. For example, if the first stud210is located at the stud locator line144marked “8” on the left side of the template110(i.e., eight inches left of the center mark142), and if the studs210and212are sixteen inches apart, then the center of the second stud212should be located at the stud locator line marked “8” on the right side of the template110(i.e., eight inches right of the center mark142). The actual center of the second stud212is quickly found using a stud finder in conjunction with the mounting tool100, as opposed to using a stud finder alone to try and find both studs210and212. The stud locator lines144can extend over fifteen inches both left and right of the center mark142. Accordingly, the stud locator lines144on the mounting tool100can also be used in walls where the studs are spaced apart by twenty-four inches or more.

After finding and marking the locations of the studs210and212on the template110, holes230(shown inFIG. 2as holes230a-230d) are drilled on the mounting hole lines146aand146binto the corresponding studs210and212. The projecting member120on the mounting tool100catches particulates and/or small debris generated while drilling the holes230a-d. Accordingly, the debris does not fall to the floor or furniture adjacent to the wall200. After the holes230a-dare drilled, the mounting tool100is removed from the wall200and the mounting device is securely attached to the studs210and212. The debris in the receptacle130of the projecting member120can be discarded and the mounting tool100can be used for a subsequent installation or the mounting tool100itself can be discarded.

One feature of the mounting tool100of the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1A-2is that the projecting member120is positioned to catch particulates (e.g., dust and/or small debris) during installation of a mounting device. An advantage of this feature is that it eliminates cleanup and mitigates damage to the surrounding area caused by drilling holes into the wall. For example, an installer who is using the mounting tool100to install a flat panel video display in a bedroom of a home will not have to worry about dust and/or debris covering the floor and/or furniture in the room. Thus, the installer can quickly cleanup after installation, resulting in greater efficiency and allowing the installer to perform further installations in a shorter period of time.

Another feature of the mounting tool100in the illustrated embodiment is that the alignment indicia140on the template110provide for accurate placement of the mounting device on the support medium without the need for additional tools or cumbersome measuring and/or leveling processes. For example, the installer can quickly align the center mark142of the template110with the desired mounting location on the support medium. After using a stud finder to locate a first stud in the support medium, the installer can use the stud locator lines144to more accurately locate a center point on a second stud. Finally, the installer can drill pilot holes along the mounting hole lines146, ensuring that the pilot holes are positioned at the desired locations without the need for additional measurements and/or calculations.

FIG. 3is a partially schematic isometric view of a mounting device300for supporting a flat screen video display (not shown) attached to the wall200after the mounting tool100(FIG. 2) has been removed from the wall200. The mounting device300is mounted to the wall200using lag bolts310inserted into the corresponding holes230a-d. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting device300is the U3 universal plasma mount described above. A different mounting device may be used in other embodiments. After attaching the mounting device300to the wall200, a flat panel video display (not shown) is releasably secured to the mounting device300.

D. Additional Embodiments of Mounting Tools

FIGS. 4A and 4Billustrate several alternative configurations of projecting members for use with mounting tools. InFIGS. 4A and 4B, some of the features may be the same as those discussed above in connection with the mounting tool100inFIGS. 1A-1C. Accordingly, like reference numbers are used to refer to like components inFIGS. 1A-1CandFIGS. 4A-4B.

FIG. 4Ais an isometric view of a portion of a mounting tool400including a projecting member420in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The mounting tool400includes a template410having a body412with a front side414. The projecting member420has a tray portion422and tabs424(only one tab424is shown) operatively coupled to the body412of the template410. The primary difference between the mounting tool400inFIG. 4Aand the mounting tool100described above inFIGS. 1A-1Cis that the projecting member420does not include the tab/slot arrangement of the mounting tool100to hold the projecting member in place. Rather, the projecting member420includes a plurality of adhesive strips426for attaching the tabs424to a backside416of the body412. In the illustrated embodiment, two adhesive strips422are shown, but a different number of adhesive strips422may be used. In other embodiments, the strips422can secure the tabs424to the body412of the template410using different materials (e.g., VELCRO®).

FIG. 4Bis an isometric view of a portion of a mounting tool450including a projecting member470in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The mounting tool450includes a template460having a body462with a front side464. The primary difference between the mounting tool450inFIG. 4Band the mounting tools described previously is that the projecting member470is a discrete component separate from the body462that is attached to the body462in use. Accordingly, the tray portion472and the tabs474(only one tab474is shown) are not integral with the body462of the template460. Rather, the tray portion472and the tabs474are fastened to the body462of the template460using a plurality of adhesive strips490. The adhesive strips490are secured to a backside466of the body462to hold the projecting member470in place. In other embodiments, the projecting member470can have different configurations and/or be secured to the body462of the template460using different methods.

E. Embodiments of Systems for Mounting Video Displays

FIG. 5is a partially schematic isometric view of a system500for mounting a flat panel video display to a support medium in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The system500includes a mounting bracket510(shown schematically) and packaging505for the mounting bracket510. The system500further includes a mounting tool520(shown in broken lines). The mounting tool520can be generally similar to the mounting tool100described above with respect toFIGS. 1A-1C.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 5, the mounting tool520is integral with the packaging505of the mounting bracket510. After the mounting bracket510is removed from the packaging505, the mounting tool520is cut out from a wall507of the packaging505and used to install the mounting bracket510, as described above with respect toFIGS. 2-3. The mounting tool520, however, may be a discrete component separate from the packaging505in other embodiments. For example, the mounting tool520could be stored within the packaging505without being integral with the wall507of the packaging505. In either embodiment, the mounting tool520is generally planar before erecting the projecting member so that it occupies little to no space in the packaging. Furthermore, the mounting tool520may be provided separately from the mounting bracket510and packaging505. For example, the mounting tool520may be sold as a stand-alone component.