Abstract:
A fixture mounting assembly comprises a track; and a fixture mount on the track and configured to engage a fixture, the track being pivotable between a generally upright orientation and a generally horizontal orientation where engagement of the fixture mount and fixture is facilitated.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/801,862 to McCarthy et al. filed on Mar. 15, 2013, entitled “Fixture Mounting Assembly”, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD 
       [0002]    The subject disclosure relates to a fixture mounting assembly and a method of using the same. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Fixture mounting assemblies are well known and are used to mount fixtures such as display devices of various sizes on walls or other supporting structures within homes, office buildings, public venues etc. In use, the fixture mounting assemblies are typically installed on supporting structures at their desired positions and then once installed, fixtures are connected to the fixture mounting assemblies. When the fixtures are of a small format, connecting the fixtures to the installed fixture mounting assemblies can be readily performed. However, when the fixtures are of a large format, connecting the fixtures to the installed fixture mounting assemblies can be difficult and time consuming. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,196,760 to Gillespie discloses an adjustable mounting system for mounting a display on a fixture. First and second supports each include a bracket portion and a lateral arm portion. The bracket portion of the first support is operatively connectable to the fixture at a first location and the bracket portion of the second support is operatively connectable to the fixture at a second location. A cross support includes a first lateral adjustment arm, a second lateral adjustment arm, and an adapter arm. The first lateral adjustment arm is adjustably connected to the first lateral arm and the second lateral adjustment arm is adjustably connected to the second lateral arm. A display adapter is adjustably connected to the adapter arm and the display adapter includes an adapter support arm and an adapter bracket configured for operative connection to a display. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,655 to Bates discloses a mount that secures a projector or monitor to a ceiling or wall. The mount uses struts that form channels which support the projector/monitor and provide alternate channels for video and AC cabling to reduce interference. The mount includes a hook connector such that the projector or monitor can easily be detached from the ceiling or wall for installation and repair. A winch may be used to lower and raise the projector/monitor. Seismic cables may be added for extra support in case of earthquake. 
         [0006]    Although fixture mounting assemblies are known, improvements are desired. It is therefore an object to provide a novel fixture mounting assembly and method of using the same. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Accordingly, in one aspect there is provided a fixture mounting assembly comprising a track; and a fixture mount on the track and configured to engage a fixture, said track being pivotable between a generally upright orientation and a generally horizontal orientation where engagement of said fixture mount and fixture is facilitated. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the track comprises at least one rail. The fixture mount may be movevable along the rail. The track may further comprise at least one retainer configured to retain the track in the upright orientation. In one form, the retainer is configured to act between the track and an upright support surface. The retainer may comprise a component carried by each rail and a component mounted on the support surface with the components being engageable to retain the track in the upright condition and disengageable to permit pivoting of the track to the generally horizontal orientation. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the track further comprises a base mount pivotally coupled to each rail adjacent a bottom end thereof. The base mount may be configured for connection to at least one of the upright surface and a floor surface. The height of the base mount may be adjustable. The height of the base mount may be generally equal to the depth of the packaging of the fixture. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, the fixture mount comprises a locking mechanism to fix the position of the fixture mount on the rail. The fixture mount may be pivotably mounted on the track. 
         [0011]    According to another aspect there is provided a fixture installation method comprising connecting a fixture to a fixture mount on a track while the track is in a horizontal orientation; and pivoting the track and connected fixture to a generally upright orientation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fixture mounting assembly in an upright orientation and mounted to a wall surface; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  is an exploded perspective view of a retainer forming part of the fixture mounting assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the retainer of  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3A  is an exploded perspective view of a base mount forming part of the fixture mounting assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 3B and 3C  are perspective and front elevational views, respectively, of the base mount of  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 4 to 6  are perspective views of the fixture mounting assembly of  FIG. 1  in different orientations during connection of a display panel thereto and subsequent positioning of the display panel; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of an alternative retainer; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of an alternative base mount; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a base mount; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a base mount; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of yet another embodiment of a base mount; 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a base mount; 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of an alternative fixture mount; 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the fixture mounting assembly of  FIG. 1  mounted to laterally spaced uprights; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a fixture mounting assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    Turning now to  FIG. 1 , a fixture mounting assembly to support a fixture in the form of a display unit or panel, such as for example a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a plasma display panel or other display device, in an elevated position and in a generally upright orientation, is shown and is generally identified by reference numeral  10 . As can be seen, in this embodiment, the fixture mounting assembly  10  abuts against an upright surface such as a wall surface WS or the like. The fixture mounting assembly  10  comprises a track  12  and a fixture mount  14  moveable along the track  12  that is configured to connect to the display panel to be supported. The fixture mounting assembly  10  facilitates connection of the fixture mount  14  to the display panel and the subsequent positioning of the display panel at its desired elevation and orientation as will be described. 
         [0029]    In this embodiment, the track  12  comprises a pair of laterally spaced, upright, tubular lever rails  20 . A series of vertically spaced holes  22  is provided in each of the rails  20 . The bottom end of each rail  20  is received by a respective base mount  24  and the top end of each rail  20  is provided with a retainer  26 . Each retainer  26  is configured to engage the wall surface WS to retain the rail  20  in its upright orientation against the wall surface WS. 
         [0030]    One of the retainers  26  is shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . As can be seen, the retainer  26  comprises a top cap  30  that is press-fitted into the open top end of the rail  20  and a mount clip  32  that is secured to the wall surface WS. The top cap  30  and mount clip  32  have mating surface configurations that releasably engage when pushed together. The mount clip  32  comprises a generally cylindrical body  36  having diametric wings  38  thereon that extend outwardly from the body  36 . Each wing  38  has an elongate aperture  40  provided therein. Fasteners  42  in the form of screws pass through the apertures  40  and threadably engage the wall surface WS thereby to affix the mount clip  32  to the wall surface. 
         [0031]    Turning now to  FIGS. 3A to 3C , one of the base mounts  24  is shown. As can be seen, the base mount  24  comprises a generally rectangular body  50  having a bottom that rests on a floor surface, a back wall that abuts against the wall surface WS and a curved upper end. A recess  52  is formed in the upper end of the body  50  and is sized to accommodate the bottom end of the rail  20 . The recess  52  is bordered by three walls  52   a  to  52   c  of the body  50 . Aligned apertures  54  are provided in opposite walls  52   a  and  52   b  of the body. The apertures  54  align with an aperture  56  provided in the rail  20  adjacent its bottom end. A pivot pin  60  having a handle  62  at one end extends through the aligned apertures  54  and  56 . A hole  64  is provided adjacent the opposite end of the pivot pin  60  and receives a retaining pin  66  to inhibit the pivot pin  60  from being removed. A pair of spaced holes  68  is provided in the body wall  52   c . Fasteners  70  pass through the holes  68  and engage the wall surface WS thereby to secure the base mount  24  to the wall surface. During installation, each rail, base mount and retainer arrangement is typically positioned in alignment with a stud of the wall surface WS to ensure that the base mounts  24  and mount clips  32  are securely fastened to the wall surface WS. 
         [0032]    The base mounts  24  are also designed such that their weights provide significant inertia against undesired movement of the fixture mounting assembly  10 . Also, the height of the base mounts  24  is chosen to be approximately equal to the depth of a packaging box for the display panel to be supported, the reason for which will be explained. 
         [0033]    The fixture mount  14  comprises a pair of sleeves  80 , each sleeve  80  of which surrounds a respective one of the rails  20 . Generally horizontal, vertically spaced slider rails  82  span the sleeves  80  and pass through flanges  83  extending from the sleeves  80 . The slider rails  82  also pass through generally vertical mount rails  84 . The mount rails  84  are slideable along the slider rails  82  allowing the lateral spacing of the mount rails  84  to be adjusted. In this embodiment, the mount rails  84  conform to the Flat Fixture Mounting Interface (FDMI™) standard specified by Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA). Those of skill in the art will however appreciate that the format of the mount rails  84  may be adjusted to suit the type of display panel to be supported. A releasable locking pin  88  is associated with each sleeve  80  and passes through a hole in the sleeve that is in alignment with one of the holes  22  in the rail  20  that is surrounded by the sleeve  80 . In this manner, the position of the fixture mount  14  relative to the rails  20  can be fixed. When the locking pins  88  are released and removed from the aligned holes, the fixture mount  14  can be slid vertically along the rails  20  to its desired vertical position. Once at its desired position, the locking pins  88  can again be inserted into the aligned holes in the sleeves  80  and rails  20  to fix the fixture mount  14  in position. 
         [0034]    In this embodiment, all of the components of the fixture mounting assembly  10  are formed of metal, such as steel, ensuring that the fixture mounting assembly  10  is suitably rigid and structurally able to support the display panel. Of course, other suitable structural materials may be employed. 
         [0035]    As mentioned previously, the design of the fixture mounting assembly  10  facilitates both connection of a display panel thereto as well as positioning of the display panel to its desired location. The manner by which a display panel is connected to the fixture mounting apparatus  10  and then subsequently positioned at its desired location relative to the wall surface WS will now be described with particular reference to  FIGS. 4 to 6 . 
         [0036]    When it is desired to connect a display panel to the fixture mounting assembly  10 , the rails  20  are pulled outwardly away from the wall surface WS causing the mating surface configurations of the top caps  30  and mount clips  32  to disengage. Once the top caps  30  are released from the mount clips  32 , the rails  20  are pivoted downwardly about the pivot pins  60  of the base mounts  24  so that the rails  20  assume a generally horizontal orientation as shown in  FIG. 4 . The display panel  100  to be connected to the fixture mounting assembly  10 , face down and still in its packaging, is then positioned beneath the rails  20  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Of course, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the display panel  100  in its packaging can be positioned adjacent the fixture mounting assembly  10  before the rails  20  are moved to the generally horizontal orientation. Because the height of the base mounts  24  is chosen to be approximately equal to the depth of the display panel packaging, when the rails  20  are in the generally horizontal orientation, the fixture mount  14  is positioned in a plane that is substantially coincident with the back of the display panel  100 . As a result, the display panel  100  can be attached to the fixture mount  14  easily and without requiring significant manipulation of the display panel  100 . 
         [0037]    With the display panel  100  face down in its packaging positioned beneath the rails  20 , the display panel  100  and fixture mount  14  are brought into alignment either by sliding the display panel  100  and packaging along the floor surface, adjusting the position of the fixture mount  14  along the rails  20  by releasing the locking pins  88  as described above or by performing a combination of these actions. With the fixture mount  14  in alignment with the back of the display panel  100 , the mount rails  84  are slidably adjusted along the slider rails  82  to bring them into the proper locations for engagement with the back of the display panel  100  and the mount rails  84  are engaged with the back of the display panel in the known manner. 
         [0038]    With the back of the display panel  100  engaged with the mount rails  84 , the rails  20  are pivoted upwardly back to their generally upright orientation thereby to bring the rails  20  into abutment against the wall surface WS and so that the top caps  30  are pressed into the mount clips  32  to bring their mating surface configurations into engagement thereby to retain the rails  20  in the upright orientation as shown in  FIG. 6 . At this stage, if the display panel  100  is not at its desired position, the locking pins  88  are removed from aligned holes in the sleeves  80  and rails  20  allowing the fixture mount  14  and connected display panel  100  to be slid vertically along the rails  20  to the desired elevation. Once the fixture mount  14  and display panel  100  are at the desired position, the locking pins  88  are inserted into the aligned holes in the sleeves  80  and rails  20  thereby to fix the fixture mount  14  and display panel  100  in position. 
         [0039]    Although the retainers  26  are described as comprising top caps  30  that are press-fit into the open top ends of the rails  20 , those of skill in the art will appreciate that other configurations are possible. For example, the retainers  26  may be attached to the rails  20  in other suitable fashions or may be integrally formed with the rails  20 . 
         [0040]    Of course still other retainer configurations are possible. Turning now to  FIG. 7 , an alternative retainer is shown and is generally identified by reference numeral  126 . In this embodiment, the retainer  126  comprises a plate  130  that is affixed to the front surface of its respective rail  20  by a suitable fastener  130   a . A latch  130   b  is rotatably affixed to the plate  130 . A catch  132  is affixed to the wall surface WS to one side of the rail  20  and is configured to retain the latch  130   b  thereby to retain the rail  20  in the upright orientation. To release the rail  20 , the latch  130   b  simply needs to be rotated upwardly out of the catch  132 . 
         [0041]    In another embodiment, the rails  20  are retained against the wall surface WS via a safety spring or safety device such as that described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/01738671 to Auger et al., the relevant portions of the disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0042]    Although a particular base mount configuration has been described above, alternative base mount configurations are possible. For example, turning now to  FIG. 8  an alternative base mount  124  is shown. In this embodiment, the recess  152  formed in the body  150  is deeper than in the previous embodiment. Two vertically spaced holes  154  are provided in each of the body walls  152   a  and  152   b  bordering the recess  152 . Spaced holes  156  are also provided adjacent the bottom end of the rail  20  that is received by the recess  152 . The holes  156  are alignable with the holes  154  in the body walls  152   a  and  152   b . Each pair of aligned holes  154  is able to accommodate the pivot pin  60 . When the pivot pin  60  passes through the upper holes  154  in the body walls  152   a  and  152   b  and the upper hole  156  in the rail  20 , the rail  20  is inhibited from pivoting. Moving the pivot pin  60  such that it passes through the lower holes  154  in the body walls  152   a  and  152   b  and the lower hole  156  in the rail  20 , allows the rail  20  to pivot. As will be appreciated, if each set of aligned holes  154  and  156  accommodates a pivot pin  60 , the pivot pin  60  passing through the upper holes  154  in the body walls  152   a  and  152   b  and through the upper hole  156  in the rail  20  needs to be removed in order to pivot the rail. 
         [0043]      FIG. 9  shows another embodiment of a base mount  224  similar to that shown in  FIG. 8 . In this embodiment, the body  250  of the base mount  224  is mounted on a threaded post  253  extending upwardly from a plate  255  that is secured to the floor surface. Rotating the base mount  224  advances the body  250  along the threaded post  253 . Depending on the direction of rotation, the body  250  either advances towards or away from the floor surface allowing the height of the base mount  224  to be adjusted. 
         [0044]    In some embodiments described above, each base mount is secured to the wall surface WS by fasteners that pass through holes in a wall of the body that borders the recess. Other fastening configurations are however, possible. For example, turning to  FIG. 10  yet another embodiment of a base mount  324  is shown. As can be seen, base mount  324  is similar to that shown in  FIGS. 3A to 3C . Rather than including holes in the body wall through which fasteners pass to secure the base mount to the wall surface WS, in this embodiment flanges  357  extend outwardly from the sides of the body  350  at vertically spaced locations. Each flange  357  has a pair of laterally spaced holes  359  therein through which fasteners  341  pass to secure the base mount  324  to the wall surface WS. Although the base mount is shown as comprising four flanges  357 , those of skill in the art will appreciate that fewer or more flanges may be used. Also, each flange need not include two holes. A single hole or more than two holes configured to receive fasteners may be provided in the flanges  357 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 11  shows yet another embodiment of a base mount  224 ′ that is similar to the base mount shown in  FIG. 9 . In this embodiment, the curved top end of the body  250 ′ has a shallow notch  257  formed therein that is sized to receive a small post  221  extending outwardly from the side of the rail  20  thereby to assist in retaining the rail  20  in an upright orientation. When it is desired to move the rail  20  to the horizontal orientation, the configurations of the post  221  and notch  257  require that a significant outward force be applied to the rail  20  in order to dislodge the post  221  from the notch  257 . 
         [0046]    Rather than employing separate base mounts, each associated with a respective rail, a single base mount  424  can be employed as shown in  FIG. 12 . In this embodiment, the body  450  of the base mount  424  has two laterally spaced recesses  452  formed therein, each sized to accommodate a respective rail  20 . The recesses  452  as shown have a configuration similar to that shown in  FIG. 8  and are bordered by body walls, each having a pair of vertically spaced holes  454  therein. Those of skill in the art will however appreciate that the recesses  452  may have a configuration similar to that shown in  FIGS. 3A to 3C  and be bordered by body walls, each having a single hole therein. In this embodiment, the base mount  424  may be fastened to the wall surface WS by fasteners passing through holes  468  provided in the body walls or flanges may extend from the body  450  and accommodate fasteners. 
         [0047]    Although a particular fixture mount configuration is described above, those of skill in the art will appreciate that various configurations are possible. For example, if desired the fixture mount may be of a unitary fixed construction. Although such a construction may limit the type of display panel to which the fixture mount can be connected, such a construction does provide increased rigidity. 
         [0048]    Turning now to  FIG. 13 , another fixture mount to which display panel  100  is attached, is shown and is generally identified by reference numeral  514 . In this embodiment, each lower flange  583  is connected to its respective sleeve  580  via an elongate arm  591 . Each elongate arm  591  has an elongate slot therein  593  that receives a pin  595  extending from the side of its respective rail  20 . The slots  593  allow the arms  591  to slide relative to the sleeves  580  thereby to allow the fixture mount  14  to pivot relative to the rails  20  as shown. 
         [0049]    In the embodiments described above, the fixture mounting assembly  10  is described as abutting against a wall surface WS. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the fixture mounting assembly  10  may be connected to other structures. For example, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the fixture mounting assembly  10  is connected to a pair of laterally spaced uprights  500  such as for example, columns, posts, wall studs etc. rather than to the wall surface. In this case, each rail, base mount and retainer arrangement is aligned with a respective upright  500 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 15  shows yet another embodiment of a fixture mounting assembly  610 . In this embodiment, the track  612  of the fixture mounting assembly  610  comprises a single rail  620 , base mount  624  and retainer  626 . The rail  620  and base mount  624  have a configuration similar to those shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . The retainer  626  is of the type shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0051]    The fixture mount  614  comprises a sleeve  680  that surrounds the rail  620 . A pair of vertically spaced, generally horizontal arms  682  extends outwardly from opposite sides of the sleeve  680 . A generally vertical fixture mount  684  spans each pair of arms  682 . The fixture mounts  684  are configured to engage the back of a display panel  100 . 
         [0052]    If desired, the fixture mounting assembly can be installed substantially at the same time as the display panel is being engaged to the fixture mount. In this case, the track does not need to be pivoted downwardly from an upright orientation prior to connecting the display panel to the fixture mount. Rather, once the display panel has been connected to the fixture mount, the track is pivoted upwardly to the generally upright orientation. 
         [0053]    Although in some embodiments described above, the base mounts are described as being fastened a wall surface WS or upright, if desired, in these embodiments, the base mounts may alternatively be fastened to both the wall surface WS and the floor surface or only to the floor surface. Still alternatively, the base mounts may be designed such that their weights are sufficient to maintain the rails in position obviating the need for fasteners to secure the base mounts to the wall surface, uprights and/or floor surface. 
         [0054]    Although the display panel is described as being connected to the fixture mount while it is still in its packaging, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the display panel may be removed from its packaging prior to installation. Also if desired, the position of the fixture mount on the rails can be adjusted before the display panel is connected to the fixture mount obviating the need to adjust the fixture mount and connected display panel after the rails have been pivoted to their generally upright orientation. 
         [0055]    Although the fixture mounting assemblies are described as having a display panel connected thereto, those of skill in the art will appreciate that other types of fixtures can be connected to the fixture mounting assemblies. For example, rather than connecting a display panel to the fixture mount, an interactive board (IWB) or other fixture may be connected to the fixture mount. 
         [0056]    Although particular retainer configurations have been described, those of skill in the art will appreciate that many alternative configurations are possible. For example, the retainers may be formed as locks, clamps or other fastening mechanisms that allow the rails to be retained in their upright orientations. 
         [0057]    Although embodiments have been described above with reference to the figures, those of skill in the art will appreciate that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.