Mounting bracket

An improved mounting bracket that provides an indication to an installer when a mount is not correctly aligned. The mounting bracket comprises a mounting contact portion and at least one side portion integrally connected to the mounting contact portion, with the at least one side portion defining a receiving region for accepting one or more retaining portions of a mount. The at least one side portion includes a first ramped surface at least partially outside of the receiving region. The first ramped surface configured to contact a retaining portion when the retaining portion is misaligned with the receiving region, thereby informing an installer of the misalignment.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to mounting brackets. More particularly, the present invention relates to brackets that are used in conjunction with systems for mounting devices such as flat panel televisions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, flat-panel televisions have become enormously popular in both the commercial and the residential sectors. As the prices for plasma and liquid crystal display (LCD) flat panel displays have continued to fall, and as the quality for the same devices have improved, more and more business and individuals have purchased such devices both for business and home entertainment purposes.

One of the advantages of flat-panel television units that customers have found particular appealing is their relatively low thickness. Because conventional “tube” televisions have a relatively large depth, the display options for such devices are quite limited. In the residential setting, most users require a television stand or large entertainment center to store the television. Such stands or entertainment centers can take up significant floor space, which is often undesirable. In the commercial or educational setting, users will often install large overhead mounting systems that can contain the television. However, these systems usually require professional installation and, once the television is secured in the mount, it is often very difficult to access and adjust due to its height.

With flat-panel televisions, on the other hand, users are presented with a relatively new option: mounting the television directly to a wall. By mounting the television to a wall, a person can eliminate the need to take up potentially valuable floor space with a television stand or entertainment unit.

Although the introduction of flat-panel televisions on a wide scale has presented new opportunities to both residential and commercial customers, it has also presented new challenges. In particular, flat panel televisions, while usually having a significantly smaller depth or profile than conventional tube televisions, tend to be quite heavy. Particularly for flat panel televisions with large screens, this weight can become also prohibitively great. With such large weights involved, it is especially important that users can easily, safely, and securely mount the devices without having to make substantial adjustments. Furthermore, with such weights involved and the high costs of such devices, it is extremely important that the device be mounted correctly on the first attempt; if the device is not correctly mounted on the first try, there is a high risk of damaging the device and causing injury to those installing it.

With the above considerations in mind, there have been various attempts to develop mounting systems that address these concerns. However, each system still maintains serious drawbacks. A number of such systems involve the use of mounting brackets that are attached to either the television or to the wall. Prior artFIG. 1shows one such arrangement, where a prior art mounting bracket10, which is fixedly secured to a flat panel television12, must properly mate with first and second retaining portions14and16of a wall-attached mount. For a proper mating, an upper cavity18of the mounting bracket10captures the first retaining portion14, while a lower protrusion is positioned immediately below the second retaining portion16. However, and as depicted in prior artFIG. 2, if the user slightly misaligns the mounting bracket10such that the protrusion22is positioned above the second retaining portion16, then the upper cavity18will not receive the first retaining portion14due to the impeding of the second retaining portion16. During this process, the installer must essentially perform this mating while “blind” in that he or she cannot see the position of the first and second retaining portions14and16. As a result, he or she may not know that the upper cavity18has not captured the first retaining portion14and, if the user lets go of the flat panel television12, it is likely to fall, causing substantial damage to the flat panel television12and potential injury to the installer and/or bystanders. The same problem can occur if the mounting bracket10is attached to the wall and the mount is attached to the flat panel television12.

It would therefore be desirable to develop a system where an installer could quickly and easily determine whether the various mount components are correctly aligned during the installation process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for an improved mounting bracket which provides clear information to an installer when the mounting bracket and the remainder of the mount are not properly aligned. A system of the present invention includes one or more ramping surfaces extending away from the correct mounting positions on the mounting bracket. The ramping surface or surfaces may either be formed as part of the respective mounting brackets, or the ramping surfaces may comprise separate components that are attached to the mounting bracket. If the mounting bracket is positioned too high and/or too low relative to the rest of the mount, one of the mount's retaining portions will come into contact with a ramp. The contact of the ramp against the retaining portion will cause the mounting bracket to slide, providing a clear indication to the user that the mounting bracket is not properly aligned with the retaining portions.

With the present invention, the possibility of a mounting bracket being misaligned relative to the retaining portions is greatly reduced. As a result, the likelihood of a flat panel television falling and causing significant damage and/or bodily injury is also diminished.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 3-5show a mounting bracket100constructed according to one embodiment of the present invention. A mounting bracket100according to the present invention can take a variety of shapes. For example, the mounting bracket may be elongated, such as in the manner shown inFIGS. 3-7, or it may comprises a broader plate, as is shown inFIGS. 8-10. Each mounting bracket100of the present invention comprises a mounting contact portion102and one or more side portions104. The side portions104, in a particular embodiment of the invention, are substantially perpendicular to the mounting contact portion102. In other embodiments, it is also possible for the side portions104to be at a non-perpendicular angle to the mounting contact portion102. In one embodiment of the invention, the mounting contact portion102and the pair of side portions104are formed as a single piece of material, such as aluminum or steel. In other embodiments, it is also possible for the contact portion102and the side portions104to be formed as separate components which are later coupled together.

The mounting contact portion102includes a plurality of mounting slots106formed therein. The mounting slots106are used to couple the mounting bracket100to a flat panel display (not shown) in one embodiment of the invention. Alternatively, the mounting slots106may be used to couple the mounting bracket100to a wall or other surface in a different embodiment of the invention.

As shown inFIGS. 3-4, the mounting bracket100includes an upper hook108and a lower guiding portion110on each side portion104, which together define a receiving region112for first and second retaining portions14and16(shown inFIGS. 6(A) and 6(B)). It should be noted that the first and second retaining portions14and16can comprise separate bars, or they can simply constitutes different portions of the same component. The upper hook108defines an upper indentation118for receiving the first retaining portion14. The upper hook108is formed on each of the side portions104at substantially the same position. Each upper hook108and/or guiding portion110may be formed as one piece with the rest of the mounting bracket100or, alternatively, each upper hook108and/or guiding portion110may comprise a separate component which is coupled to the mounting bracket100in the appropriate position.

The guiding portion110, which is positioned below the upper hook108in one embodiment of the invention, includes a longitudinal surface120. The longitudinal surface120may comprise the same type of material as the rest of the mounting bracket100and may be welded to the pair of side portions104or fastened in other conventionally-known manners. The guiding portion110may also terminate at a slight indentation111sized for receiving a retaining portion, as is discussed below.

Both the upper hook108and the guiding portion110are spaced apart from each other at a distance such that the first and second retaining portions14and16of the type shown inFIGS. 1,2,6(a),6(b) and7can fit therebetween. More particularly, when properly mated, the first retaining portion14fits snugly within the upper hook108, while the second retaining portion16rests on the guiding portion110.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, for each side portion104, the upper hook108includes one or more upper ramping surfaces122on the outside thereof. Each upper ramping surface122is formed as part of the side portions104in one particular embodiment of the invention. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the upper ramping surface122is formed as one or more separate component, which are then coupled to the mounting bracket100at a desired location. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 3-7, the upper ramping surface122includes a gradual but noticeable curve as it approaches a lower profile, recessed portion124of the side portion104. However, it should also be noted that each upper ramping surface122can possess various levels of curvature, or it could have no curvature at all.

Similarly and according to one embodiment of the present invention, for each side portion104, one or more lower ramping surfaces126are positioned immediately below the guiding portion110. Each lower ramping surface126is formed as part of the side portions104in one particular embodiment of the invention. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, each upper ramping surface126is formed as one or more separate component, which are then coupled to the mounting bracket100at a desired location. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 3-7, each lower ramping surface126includes a gradual but noticeable curve as it approaches the lower profile, recessed portion124of the side portion104. However, it should also be noted that each lower ramping surface126can possess various levels of curvature, or each lower ramping surface126could have no curvature at all.

According to the present invention, each upper ramping surface122and each lower ramping surface126are angled such that, if a mount is incorrectly aligned either the first retaining portion14will contact an upper ramping surface122or the second retaining portion16will contact a lower ramping surface126.FIGS. 6(a) and6(b) show two such scenarios where misalignment occurs. InFIG. 6(b), the flat panel display and mounting bracket100or brackets are positioned too low relative to the mount. In this scenario, the receiving region112accepts the first retaining portion14therein. However, as the flat panel television or other device moves toward the mount, the second retaining portion16comes into direct contact with the lower ramping surfaces126. As a result of this contact, the flat panel television cannot be oriented substantially upright relative to the floor, and the lower ramping surfaces126will cause the mounting bracket100or brackets (and the attached flat panel television) to slide along the lower ramping surface126.

Therefore, the installer is provided with a clear indication that the flat panel television or other device is not correctly positioned for mounting. Because the installer's view of the mount and the mounting bracket100or brackets is blocked by the flat panel display, this feature provides the installer with valuable information which otherwise may not be available to him or her.

It should be noted that the term “ramping surface” as discussed herein should not be interpreted as requiring that the surface in question be angled by any specified amount relative to other components. Instead, this term should be understood as only requiring some form of offset that would inform a user of a misalignment as discussed herein.

FIG. 6(a) shows the scenario where the flat panel display and mounting bracket100or brackets are positioned too high relative to the mount. In this scenario, the receiving region112accepts the second retaining portion16therein. However, as the flat panel television or other device moves toward the mount, the first retaining portion14comes into direct contact with the upper ramping surfaces122. As a result of this contact, the flat panel television cannot be oriented substantially upright relative to the floor, and the upper ramping surface122will cause the mounting bracket100or brackets (and the attached flat panel television) to slide along the upper ramping surfaces122. Therefore, the installer once again is provided with a clear indication that the flat panel television or other device is not correctly positioned for mounting.

FIG. 7is a perspective view of a representative mounting system200where two mounting brackets constructed according to the present invention are correctly attached to the first and second retaining portions14and16. In the mounting system ofFIG. 7, two mounting brackets100are used and are configured to cooperatively support a flat panel television or display. However, it is also possible to use fewer or more mounting brackets100depending upon the size of the flat panel television being supported. It is additionally possible for the mounting brackets100to support devices other than flat panel televisions as necessary or desired. Still further, it is also possible for the mounting brackets100to be secured to a wall, while the remainder of the mounting system200is secured to the back of a device. It is also possible for the mounting bracket100or brackets comprise intermediate interface members which do not directly attach to the back of the device. For example, the mounting bracket100or brackets can attached to another interface member, which in turn couples direct to the back of a device.

In the mounting system200ofFIG. 7, the mounting brackets100have correctly accepted the first and second retaining portions14and16. The first and second retaining portions14and16are operatively connected to each other via a plurality of retaining portion plates202. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 7, two of the retaining portion plates202are rotatably connected to a base plate204via a plurality of rolling pins206. However, it should be noted that other components, such as gliders (not shown), may also be used to effectuate this connection. Furthermore, it is also possible for this connection to be fixed and not capable of any rotation at all. The base plate204can be coupled to a wall mounting plate (not shown) for securement to a wall or other mounting surface (not shown). Alternatively, the base plate204can be directly secured to the wall or other mounting surface.

FIG. 8shows a mounting bracket300constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The mounting bracket300ofFIG. 8is similar to the mounting bracket100ofFIGS. 3-7. However, the mounting bracket300ofFIG. 8includes a substantially larger mounting contact portion102than that shown inFIGS. 3-7. Additionally, it should be noted that the upper and lower ramping surfaces122and126are substantially straight in nature and include no substantial curvature.

FIG. 9shows a mounting bracket400constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. Unlike the embodiments shown inFIGS. 3-8, the mounting bracket400ofFIG. 9does not include any side portions whatsoever. Instead, the upper and lower ramping surfaces122and126are formed directly out of the top and bottom of the mounting contact portion102. It should be noted that the upper and lower ramping surfaces122and126can also be formed from separate components which are then coupled to the mounting contact portion102.

FIG. 10shows a mounting system500constructed according to still another embodiment of the present invention. the mounting system500ofFIG. 10includes a screen mounting plate502that is used to couple a display unit504to an interface assembly506. The interface assembly506includes upper ramps122and lower ramps126as discussed above, and is also configured to attach to a wall plate508which attaches to a wall (not shown). In this embodiment, retaining portions510are formed from the wall plate508.FIG. 11shows another mounting system600comprising a similar embodiment of the present invention.

The foregoing description of embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the present invention. For example, all of the individual items which together make up a mounting bracket100may be formed from a single piece of material, or they can be formed as different components which are subsequent coupled to each other using conventional processes. It is also possible for various components to be rotated by ninety degrees, i.e., so that the side portions104are located on the top and bottom of the mounting bracket100, for example. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the present invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.