Abstract:
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.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/901,177, filed Oct. 8, 2010 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/541,343, filed Sep. 29, 2006, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/727,105, filed Oct. 14, 2005. The contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     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 art  FIG. 1  shows one such arrangement, where a prior art mounting bracket  10 , which is fixedly secured to a flat panel television  12 , must properly mate with first and second retaining portions  14  and  16  of a wall-attached mount. For a proper mating, an upper cavity  18  of the mounting bracket  10  captures the first retaining portion  14 , while a lower protrusion is positioned immediately below the second retaining portion  16 . However, and as depicted in prior art  FIG. 2 , if the user slightly misaligns the mounting bracket  10  such that the protrusion  22  is positioned above the second retaining portion  16 , then the upper cavity  18  will not receive the first retaining portion  14  due to the impeding of the second retaining portion  16 . 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 portions  14  and  16 . As a result, he or she may not know that the upper cavity  18  has not captured the first retaining portion  14  and, if the user lets go of the flat panel television  12 , it is likely to fall, causing substantial damage to the flat panel television  12  and potential injury to the installer and/or bystanders. The same problem can occur if the mounting bracket  10  is attached to the wall and the mount is attached to the flat panel television  12 . 
     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&#39;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. 
     These and other advantages and features of the invention, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements have like numerals throughout the several drawings described below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a sectional side view showing the correct mating of a prior art mounting bracket with retaining portions of a mounting system; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional side view of the mounting arrangement of  FIG. 1 , where the prior art mounting bracket is incorrectly mated to the retaining portions; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a mounting bracket constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the mounting bracket of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the mounting bracket of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6(   a ) is a sectional side view showing the circumstances involved when a mounting bracket of the present invention is misaligned with the retaining portions of a mounting system in a first manner, and  FIG. 6(   b ) is a sectional side view showing the circumstances involved when a mounting bracket of the present invention is misaligned with the retaining portions of a mounting system in a second manner; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a pair of mounting brackets constructed according the principles of the present invention when correctly mated with the remainder of a mounting system; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing a mount bracket constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing a mount bracket constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view showing a mounting system including a mounting bracket constructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of a mounting system including a mounting bracket constructed in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 3-5  show a mounting bracket  100  constructed according to one embodiment of the present invention. A mounting bracket  100  according to the present invention can take a variety of shapes. For example, the mounting bracket may be elongated, such as in the manner shown in  FIGS. 3-7 , or it may comprises a broader plate, as is shown in  FIGS. 8-10 . Each mounting bracket  100  of the present invention comprises a mounting contact portion  102  and one or more side portions  104 . The side portions  104 , in a particular embodiment of the invention, are substantially perpendicular to the mounting contact portion  102 . In other embodiments, it is also possible for the side portions  104  to be at a non-perpendicular angle to the mounting contact portion  102 . In one embodiment of the invention, the mounting contact portion  102  and the pair of side portions  104  are formed as a single piece of material, such as aluminum or steel. In other embodiments, it is also possible for the contact portion  102  and the side portions  104  to be formed as separate components which are later coupled together. 
     The mounting contact portion  102  includes a plurality of mounting slots  106  formed therein. The mounting slots  106  are used to couple the mounting bracket  100  to a flat panel display (not shown) in one embodiment of the invention. Alternatively, the mounting slots  106  may be used to couple the mounting bracket  100  to a wall or other surface in a different embodiment of the invention. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , the mounting bracket  100  includes an upper hook  108  and a lower guiding portion  110  on each side portion  104 , which together define a receiving region  112  for first and second retaining portions  14  and  16  (shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B ). It should be noted that the first and second retaining portions  14  and  16  can comprise separate bars, or they can simply constitutes different portions of the same component. The upper hook  108  defines an upper indentation  118  for receiving the first retaining portion  14 . The upper hook  108  is formed on each of the side portions  104  at substantially the same position. Each upper hook  108  and/or guiding portion  110  may be formed as one piece with the rest of the mounting bracket  100  or, alternatively, each upper hook  108  and/or guiding portion  110  may comprise a separate component which is coupled to the mounting bracket  100  in the appropriate position. 
     The guiding portion  110 , which is positioned below the upper hook  108  in one embodiment of the invention, includes a longitudinal surface  120 . The longitudinal surface  120  may comprise the same type of material as the rest of the mounting bracket  100  and may be welded to the pair of side portions  104  or fastened in other conventionally-known manners. The guiding portion  110  may also terminate at a slight indentation  111  sized for receiving a retaining portion, as is discussed below. 
     Both the upper hook  108  and the guiding portion  110  are spaced apart from each other at a distance such that the first and second retaining portions  14  and  16  of the type shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  6 ( a ),  6 ( b ) and  7  can fit therebetween. More particularly, when properly mated, the first retaining portion  14  fits snugly within the upper hook  108 , while the second retaining portion  16  rests on the guiding portion  110 . 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, for each side portion  104 , the upper hook  108  includes one or more upper ramping surfaces  122  on the outside thereof. Each upper ramping surface  122  is formed as part of the side portions  104  in one particular embodiment of the invention. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the upper ramping surface  122  is formed as one or more separate component, which are then coupled to the mounting bracket  100  at a desired location. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3-7 , the upper ramping surface  122  includes a gradual but noticeable curve as it approaches a lower profile, recessed portion  124  of the side portion  104 . However, it should also be noted that each upper ramping surface  122  can 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 portion  104 , one or more lower ramping surfaces  126  are positioned immediately below the guiding portion  110 . Each lower ramping surface  126  is formed as part of the side portions  104  in one particular embodiment of the invention. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, each upper ramping surface  126  is formed as one or more separate component, which are then coupled to the mounting bracket  100  at a desired location. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3-7 , each lower ramping surface  126  includes a gradual but noticeable curve as it approaches the lower profile, recessed portion  124  of the side portion  104 . However, it should also be noted that each lower ramping surface  126  can possess various levels of curvature, or each lower ramping surface  126  could have no curvature at all. 
     According to the present invention, each upper ramping surface  122  and each lower ramping surface  126  are angled such that, if a mount is incorrectly aligned either the first retaining portion  14  will contact an upper ramping surface  122  or the second retaining portion  16  will contact a lower ramping surface  126 .  FIGS. 6(   a ) and  6 ( b ) show two such scenarios where misalignment occurs. In  FIG. 6(   b ), the flat panel display and mounting bracket  100  or brackets are positioned too low relative to the mount. In this scenario, the receiving region  112  accepts the first retaining portion  14  therein. However, as the flat panel television or other device moves toward the mount, the second retaining portion  16  comes into direct contact with the lower ramping surfaces  126 . As a result of this contact, the flat panel television cannot be oriented substantially upright relative to the floor, and the lower ramping surfaces  126  will cause the mounting bracket  100  or brackets (and the attached flat panel television) to slide along the lower ramping surface  126 . 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&#39;s view of the mount and the mounting bracket  100  or 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 bracket  100  or brackets are positioned too high relative to the mount. In this scenario, the receiving region  112  accepts the second retaining portion  16  therein. However, as the flat panel television or other device moves toward the mount, the first retaining portion  14  comes into direct contact with the upper ramping surfaces  122 . As a result of this contact, the flat panel television cannot be oriented substantially upright relative to the floor, and the upper ramping surface  122  will cause the mounting bracket  100  or brackets (and the attached flat panel television) to slide along the upper ramping surfaces  122 . 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. 7  is a perspective view of a representative mounting system  200  where two mounting brackets constructed according to the present invention are correctly attached to the first and second retaining portions  14  and  16 . In the mounting system of  FIG. 7 , two mounting brackets  100  are used and are configured to cooperatively support a flat panel television or display. However, it is also possible to use fewer or more mounting brackets  100  depending upon the size of the flat panel television being supported. It is additionally possible for the mounting brackets  100  to support devices other than flat panel televisions as necessary or desired. Still further, it is also possible for the mounting brackets  100  to be secured to a wall, while the remainder of the mounting system  200  is secured to the back of a device. It is also possible for the mounting bracket  100  or brackets comprise intermediate interface members which do not directly attach to the back of the device. For example, the mounting bracket  100  or brackets can attached to another interface member, which in turn couples direct to the back of a device. 
     In the mounting system  200  of  FIG. 7 , the mounting brackets  100  have correctly accepted the first and second retaining portions  14  and  16 . The first and second retaining portions  14  and  16  are operatively connected to each other via a plurality of retaining portion plates  202 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , two of the retaining portion plates  202  are rotatably connected to a base plate  204  via a plurality of rolling pins  206 . 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 plate  204  can be coupled to a wall mounting plate (not shown) for securement to a wall or other mounting surface (not shown). Alternatively, the base plate  204  can be directly secured to the wall or other mounting surface. 
       FIG. 8  shows a mounting bracket  300  constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The mounting bracket  300  of  FIG. 8  is similar to the mounting bracket  100  of  FIGS. 3-7 . However, the mounting bracket  300  of  FIG. 8  includes a substantially larger mounting contact portion  102  than that shown in  FIGS. 3-7 . Additionally, it should be noted that the upper and lower ramping surfaces  122  and  126  are substantially straight in nature and include no substantial curvature. 
       FIG. 9  shows a mounting bracket  400  constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. Unlike the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 3-8 , the mounting bracket  400  of  FIG. 9  does not include any side portions whatsoever. Instead, the upper and lower ramping surfaces  122  and  126  are formed directly out of the top and bottom of the mounting contact portion  102 . It should be noted that the upper and lower ramping surfaces  122  and  126  can also be formed from separate components which are then coupled to the mounting contact portion  102 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a mounting system  500  constructed according to still another embodiment of the present invention. The mounting system  500  of  FIG. 10  includes a screen mounting plate  502  that is used to couple a display unit  504  to an interface assembly  506 . The interface assembly  506  includes upper ramps  122  and lower ramps  126  as discussed above, and is also configured to attach to a wall plate  508  which attaches to a wall (not shown). In this embodiment, retaining portions  510  are formed from the wall plate  508 .  FIG. 11  shows another mounting system  600  comprising 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 bracket  100  may 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 portions  104  are located on the top and bottom of the mounting bracket  100 , 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.