Abstract:
A low-profile mount for a flat panel electronic display that is selectively shiftable between a wall-confronting position wherein the back of the flat panel electronic display is disposed parallel and proximate to the wall surface and a tilt position wherein the top of the display is tilted away from the wall surface. The mount is configured so that points spaced apart forwardly from display receiving surfaces of the mount are shifted along a substantially horizontal axis as the mount is shifted between the wall confronting position and the tilt position. Advantageously, the display can be attached to the mount so that the points are horizontally registered with a center of gravity of the display such that the display is self-balancing at any point along the travel between the wall confronting position and the tilt position.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/093,676, entitled LOW PROFILE MOUNT FOR FLAT-PANEL ELECTRONIC DISPLAY, filed Sep. 2, 2008, said application being hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to electronic displays and more specifically to mounts for electronic displays. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     An attribute of modern flat-panel electronic displays that makes them highly desirable to consumers is the aesthetic appeal of a very flat device that has the appearance of a framed photo or painting when hung from a wall. This same attribute is also desirable in that floor and interior space taken up under the display is minimal. 
     Mounting devices have been developed for flat-panel electronic displays that enable the display to be mounted very close to the wall. These prior mounting devices, however, have drawbacks. 
     One drawback of prior low-profile mounting devices is that they generally do not enable access to the rear of the display for the connection of cables and wires once the display is in place on the mount. Instead, the installer must wrestle with a sometimes heavy and awkward display device to connect the wires before mounting on the wall. Further, the wires may then interfere with attachment to the wall once connected. 
     Another drawback to prior low-profile display mounts is that they often do not provide secure attachment to the wall so as to prevent inadvertent detachment of the display. In one such prior mount, a simple hook arrangement is used at the top of the device, with a strip of hook- and loop material below to hold the device in place. If the bottom of the display is pulled away from the wall slightly, the hook-and-loop material disengages and enables disengagement of the top hook, leading to the display falling onto the floor. 
     A further drawback of many prior low-profile display mounting devices is that they are awkward and difficult to manipulate. An installer attempting to mount the display device may have to lift a heavy or large size display into an awkward position in order to attach the device to a wall mount, or may have to manipulate complicated catches or latching devices while simultaneously lifting. 
     Another drawback of previous low profile mounts is that they represent a compromise between closeness of the display to the wall surface and the range of tilting motion available for the display. If the mount has a very low profile, the tilt range of the mount is limited because the edge of the display contacts the wall when tilting. If the mount is made thicker to accommodate the tilt motion of the display, the desirable aesthetic of a display mounted close to the wall surface is lost. 
     Accordingly, what is still needed in the industry is a low-profile electronic display mounting device that overcomes these drawbacks. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a low-profile display mount that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art. According to embodiments of the invention, a display mount includes a wall interface plate, and one or more tilt assemblies. Each tilt assembly presents a display receiving surface for receiving the back side of the display thereon. The tilt assemblies are shiftable between a wall confronting position wherein the back side of the display is proximate and substantially parallel with the wall surface, and a tilt position wherein the top of the display is tilted away from the wall. The tilt assemblies are configured so that points spaced apart forwardly of the display receiving surfaces translate along a substantially horizontal axis as the tilt assemblies are shifted between the wall confronting position and the tilt position. Advantageously, the display can be attached to the mount so that the points are horizontally registered with a center of gravity of the display such that the display is self-balancing at any point along the travel between the wall confronting position and the tilt position. The mount may enable the back side of the display to be spaced apart between only about 0.25 to 0.50 inch, and preferably 0.30 inch, from the wall when in the wall confronting position, while still enabling tilt positioning of the display. 
     According to an embodiment, an electronic display system includes a flat panel electronic display and a mount for attaching the flat panel electronic display to a substantially vertical wall surface. The mount includes a wall interface adapted to attach to the wall surface and a pair of tilt assemblies. Each tilt assembly includes a hook bracket for engaging the wall interface, a display interface presenting a display receiving surface for receiving the flat panel electronic display, and a scissors assembly operably coupling the hook bracket and the display interface. The tilt assemblies are coupled to a rear side of the flat panel electronic display and are selectively shiftable between a wall confronting position wherein the rear side of the flat panel electronic display is substantially parallel and proximate to the wall, and a tilt position wherein the top of the flat panel electronic display is tilted away from the wall. The scissors assembly is configured so that a point forward of the display receiving surface and horizontally registered with a center of gravity of the flat panel electronic display translates substantially horizontally as the tilt assembly is shifted between the wall confronting position and the tilt position. In some embodiments, the scissors assembly includes a first arm assembly and a second arm assembly presenting a pair of opposing ends. The first arm assembly is pivotally coupled with the second arm assembly intermediate the opposing ends of the second arm assembly. The first arm assembly may include a pair of parallel rails and the second arm assembly may also include a pair of parallel rails. The first arm assembly may be pivotally coupled to the wall interface and slidably coupled to the display interface, and the second arm assembly may be pivotally coupled to the display interface and slidably coupled to the wall interface. In some embodiments, the pivotal coupling of the first arm assembly to the wall interface is disposed above the slidable coupling of the second arm assembly to the wall interface. Each tilt assembly may further include a kickstand assembly. If so equipped, the flat panel electronic display may be selectively shiftable to a third position enabling access to the back side of the flat panel electronic display wherein the top of the flat panel electronic display is proximate the wall surface and the bottom of the flat panel electronic display is spaced apart from the wall surface, the kickstand assembly including a kickstand for contacting the wall surface to maintain the flat panel electronic display in the third position. 
     In an embodiment, a mount for attaching a flat panel electronic display to a substantially vertical wall surface includes a wall interface adapted to attach to the wall surface and a pair of tilt assemblies. Each tilt assembly includes a hook bracket for engaging the wall interface, a display interface presenting a display mounting surface adapted to receive the flat panel electronic display thereon, and a scissors assembly operably coupling the hook bracket and the display interface. The tilt assemblies are selectively shiftable between a wall confronting position wherein the rear side of the flat panel electronic display is substantially parallel and proximate to the wall, and a tilt position wherein the top of the flat panel electronic display is tilted away from the wall. The scissors assembly may be configured so that a point spaced apart forwardly from the display receiving surface translates substantially horizontally as the tilt assembly is shifted between the wall confronting position and the tilt position. 
     In embodiments, the scissors assembly may include a first arm assembly and a second arm assembly presenting a pair of opposing ends, wherein the first arm assembly is pivotally coupled with the second arm assembly intermediate the opposing ends of the second arm assembly. The first arm assembly may include a pair of parallel rails and the second arm assembly may also include a pair of parallel rails. The first arm assembly is pivotally coupled to the wall interface and slidably coupled to the display interface, and the second arm assembly is pivotally coupled to the display interface and slidably coupled to the wall interface. In embodiments, the pivotal coupling of the first arm assembly to the wall interface is disposed above the slidable coupling of the second arm assembly to the wall interface. 
     In an embodiment, an electronic display system includes a flat panel electronic display and a mount for attaching the flat panel electronic display to a substantially vertical wall surface. The mount includes a wall interface adapted to attach to the wall surface and a pair of tilt assemblies. Each tilt assembly includes means for engaging the wall interface, means for receiving the flat panel electronic display presenting a display receiving surface, and means for operably coupling the means for engaging the wall interface and the means for receiving the flat panel electronic display. The tilt assemblies are coupled to a rear side of the flat panel electronic display and are selectively shiftable between a wall confronting position wherein the rear side of the flat panel electronic display is substantially parallel and proximate to the wall, and a tilt position wherein the top of the flat panel electronic display is tilted away from the wall. The means for operably coupling the means for engaging the wall interface and the means for receiving the flat panel electronic display are configured so that a point forward of the display receiving surface and horizontally registered with a center of gravity of the flat panel electronic display translates substantially horizontally as the tilt assembly is shifted between the wall confronting position and the tilt position. 
     In embodiments, the means for operably coupling the means for engaging the wall interface and the means for receiving the flat panel electronic display includes a scissors assembly. The scissors assembly may include a first arm assembly and a second arm assembly presenting a pair of opposing ends. The first arm assembly is pivotally coupled with the second arm assembly intermediate the opposing ends of the second arm assembly. 
     In embodiments, the means for engaging the wall interface may include a hook bracket, and the means for receiving the flat panel electronic display may include a display interface. The first arm is assembly pivotally coupled to the wall interface and slidably coupled to the display interface, and the second arm assembly is pivotally coupled to the display interface and slidably coupled to the wall interface. The pivotal coupling of the first arm assembly to the wall interface may be disposed above the slidable coupling of the second arm assembly to the wall interface. 
     In embodiments, each tilt assembly may further include a kickstand assembly. The flat panel electronic display may be selectively shiftable to a third position enabling access to the back side of the flat panel electronic display wherein the top of the flat panel electronic display is proximate the wall surface and the bottom of the flat panel electronic display is spaced apart from the wall surface. The kickstand assembly includes a kickstand for contacting the wall surface to maintain the flat panel electronic display in the third position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments of the present invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a flat panel electronic display mounted on a wall with a display mount according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the mount of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a partially exploded perspective view of the tilt-assembly portion of the mount of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a partially exploded view of the scissors assembly portion of the tilt-assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a partially exploded view of the latch assembly portion of the tilt-assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a partially exploded view of the kickstand assembly portion of the tilt-assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a fragmentary perspective view of the scissors assembly portion of the tilt-assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a fragmentary perspective view of the scissors assembly portion of the tilt-assembly of  FIG. 3  with the display interface and hook bracket portions depicted in phantom; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the kickstand portion of the tilt-assembly of  FIG. 3  with the kickstand extended; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial perspective view from the rear of the mount of  FIG. 2 , depicting engagement of the tilt-assembly with the wall interface; 
         FIG. 11  is a close-up view from the rear of engagement of the tilt-assembly with the wall interface; 
         FIG. 11  is another fragmentary exploded view of the display interface of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a side elevation view of the flat-panel display and mount of  FIG. 1  with the mount in a wall-confronting position; 
         FIG. 13  is a side elevation view of the flat-panel display and mount of  FIG. 1  with the mount in a tilted position; 
         FIG. 14  is a side elevation view of the flat-panel display and mount of  FIG. 1  with the mount in a cable access position; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view taken at section  15 - 15  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a front perspective view of the hook bracket portion of the tilt assembly of  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 17  is a rear perspective view of the display interface portion of the tilt assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     While the present invention is amendable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the present invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In an embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1-14 , display mount  20  generally includes wall interface plate  22  and tilt assemblies  24 . Wall interface plate  22  generally includes planar portion  26  having projecting upper horizontal lip  28  and projecting lower horizontal lip  30 . As depicted in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 15 , upper lip  28  includes generally horizontal portion  32  extending outwardly from planar portion  26  and vertical portion  34  extending from horizontal portion  32 . Lower lip  30  includes generally horizontal portion  36  extending outwardly from planar portion  26  and vertical portion  38  extending from horizontal portion  36 . 
     Each tilt assembly  24 , depicted in exploded view in  FIG. 3 , generally includes hook bracket  40 , latch assembly  42 , scissors assembly  44 , kickstand assembly  46 , and display interface  48 . As depicted in  FIG. 4 , scissors assembly  44  generally includes outer arm assembly  50 , inner arm assembly  52 , and pivot block  54 . Outer arm assembly  50  generally includes rails  56 ,  58 , bushing  60 , central pivot axle  62 , and lower axle assembly  64 . Pivot axle  62  extends through apertures in rails  56 ,  58 , and hollow bushing  60 , and is secured in place with a nut (not depicted) threaded on distal end  66 . Lower axle assembly  64  generally includes axle  68 , which extends through apertures in rails  56 ,  58 , and has rollers  70 ,  72 , retained on each end. Inner arm assembly  52  generally includes rails  74 ,  76 , which are coupled by braces  78 ,  80 , and axle assembly  82 . Bushing  60  extends through apertures in rails  74 ,  76 . Axle assembly  82  generally includes axle  84  with slide blocks  86 ,  88 , at each end. Inner arm assembly  52  is pivotally coupled to pivot block  54  with upper pivot axle  90 . Upper pivot axle  90  is retained in position with nut  92 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 16 , hook bracket  40  generally includes planar central portion  94  with inwardly projecting flanges  96 ,  98 , at each lateral margin. Hooks  100 ,  102 , are defined at the upper ends  104 ,  106 , of each flange  96 ,  98 , respectively. 
     Latch assembly  42 , as depicted in  FIG. 5 , generally includes body  108  and latch  110 . Latch  110  is pivotally attached to body  108  with pivot fastener  112  and nut  114 . Hook plate  116  extends between rails  118 ,  120 , of body  108  at the upper end thereof. 
     Kickstand assembly  46  generally includes kickstand  122 , axle  124 , and pull handle  126 . Loop  130  of pull handle  126  is received in notch  132  in inner end  134  of kickstand  122 . As depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , kickstand  122  is pivotally coupled at bottom end  136  of hook bracket  40 , with axle  124  extending through apertures  138 . Spacers  140  are disposed between lateral walls  142  of kickstand  122  and hook bracket  40 . Axle  124  is retained with nut  144 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , latch assembly  42  is attached to hook bracket  40  with fasteners  146 ,  148 , extending through apertures  150 ,  152 . Display interface catch  154  is attached to hook bracket  40  just below latch assembly  42  with fastener  156 . 
     Display interface  48 , as depicted in  FIG. 17 , generally includes planar central portion  158  with rearwardly projecting flanges  160 ,  162 , at each lateral margin. Track portion  163  is defined intermediate the ends of display interface  48  by flanges  164 ,  166 , extending inwardly from flanges  160 ,  162 , respectively. Central portion  158  defines a plurality of apertures  168  for receiving fasteners to attach a flat panel display to display receiving surface  170 . 
     Display interface  48  is coupled to hook bracket  40  with scissors assembly  44 . Outer arm assembly is pivotally attached to display interface  48  with fasteners  172 ,  174 , extending through apertures in display interface  48 . Pivot block  54  is attached to hook bracket  40  with fasteners  176  through apertures  178 . Rollers  70 ,  72 , are rollably received behind inwardly extending flanges  96 ,  98 , of hook bracket  40 , while slide blocks  86 ,  88 , are slidably received in track portion  163  of display interface  48  behind flanges  164 ,  166 . 
     In use, each of tilt assemblies  24  is attached to a rear side of flat panel display  180 , with fasteners (not depicted) through apertures  168 . It will be appreciated that the plurality of apertures  168  enables tilt assemblies  24  to be attached at any desired vertical position on display  180 . Further, tilt assemblies  180  may be spaced apart any distance W as desired, limited only by the location of fastener receiving locations on display  180 . 
     Wall interface plate  22  is attached to a wall  182  in a generally horizontal orientation as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Hooks  100 ,  102 , of hook brackets  40  are hooked over upper lip  28 , with hook plate  116  also extending behind upper lip  28 , as depicted in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . Latches  110  can then be pivoted about pivot fasteners  112  in the direction of the arrow as depicted in  FIG. 10 , so that latch ends  184  extend behind lower lip  30 , thereby securely latching tilt assemblies  24  to wall interface plate  22 . 
     With tilt assemblies  24  latched to wall interface plate  22 , display  180  is securely hung on wall  182 . An installer can then simply grasp the lower edge  186  of display  180  and pull outward to deploy kickstands  122 . As lower edge  186  is pulled outward, kickstands  122  fold out from hook bracket  40  by gravity and contact wall  182  such that the lower edge  186  of display  180  is held away from wall  182  as depicted in  FIG. 14 , thereby providing space for connecting wires and cables to display  180  while the display  180  is attached to wall  182 . Notably hooks  100 ,  102 , are relieved slightly to enable this pivoting of hook bracket  40  about upper lip  28  without binding. Hook plates  116  of latch assemblies  42  remains snugly engaged behind upper lip  28  to prevent inadvertent disengagement of tilt assemblies  42  from wall interface plate  22 . 
     Once the connection of wires and cables is complete, an installer may lift lower edge  186  of display  180  outward slightly, and pull downward on pull handles  126 , causing kickstands  122  to pivot upwards adjacent hook brackets  40 . Lower edge  186  of display  180  can then be allowed to swing inward adjacent wall  186  so that the mount and display are positioned in a vertical wall-confronting position as depicted in  FIG. 12 . Removal is the reverse of installation. 
     Advantageously, tilt assemblies  24  and wall interface plate  22  may be made with a very small total depth dimension, enabling very close mounting of the back side of display  180  to wall  182 . In preferred embodiments, the back of display  180  may be as close as 0.25 to 0.50 inch to wall  182  when in the wall confronting position. In some further preferred embodiments, back of display  180  may be about 0.30 inch from wall surface  180  when in the wall confronting position. 
     The scissors assembly  44  of each tilt assembly  24  functions to enable display  180  to be selectively tilted outward from wall  182  as desired. As upper edge  188  of display  180  is pulled outward away from wall  182 , outer arm assembly  50  pivots about fasteners  172 ,  174 , while inner arm assembly pivots on upper pivot axle  90 . Rollers  70  ride upward behind inwardly extending flanges  96 ,  98 , of hook bracket  40 , while slide blocks  86 ,  88 , are slide upward in track portion  163  of display interface  48  behind flanges  164 ,  166 . 
     Those of skill will appreciate that the geometry of scissors assemblies  44  may be configured, by adjusting the length of rails  56 ,  58 ,  74 ,  76 , and the positions of the pivots and slides, such that the lower edge  186  of display  180  shifts upward and away from wall  182  as the display  180  is tilted about a tilt axis T located forward of and below the display  180 , between the more vertical position depicted in  FIG. 12  and the tilted position depicted in  FIG. 13 . Further, a point disposed forwardly from display receiving surface  170 , and preferably horizontally registered with a center of gravity C.G. of display  180 , may translate substantially horizontally along an axis  190 . This enables the display  180  is to self-balance at any position along its travel from the wall confronting position of  FIG. 12  and the fully tilted position of  FIG. 13 , without the need to introduce further friction or retaining mechanisms into tilt assemblies  24 . Further details and configurations of wall avoiding self balancing display mounts are disclosed in PCT International Application No. PCT/US2008/000117, assigned to the owners of the present invention and hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     The embodiments above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Additional embodiments are encompassed within the scope of the claims. Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For purposes of interpreting the claims for the present invention, it is expressly intended that the provisions of Section  112 , sixth paragraph of 35 U.S.C. are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.