Abstract:
An adjustable, folding mount for attaching a flat panel display to a fixed structure. The mount includes a portion adapted to attach to an element of a fixed structure, and a swing arm operably coupled thereto. The swing arm is selectively positionable along a path of travel between a folded position proximate the fixed structure and an extended position wherein the swing arm depends downwardly from the fixed structure. A device interface portion operably couples the other end of the swing arm and the flat panel display. The mount includes friction means arranged to apply a first frictional resistance force opposing positioning of the swing arm toward the extended position, and a second frictional resistance force opposing positioning of the arm toward the folded position, the first frictional resistance force being greater than the second frictional resistance force.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/489,419, filed Jul. 23, 2003, entitled “UNDER-CABINET MOUNT FOR FLAT PANEL DISPLAYS”, and hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to display mounts. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mount for mounting a flat-panel display on a fixed structure such as underneath a cabinet or the like.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Mounting devices for electronic displays including flat panel display devices are generally known in the art. In some instances, such mounts are used in a restricted space and keep a surface free of obstruction while allowing a person to view the display positioned above the surface. Hughes discloses such an apparatus for mounting a television under a cabinet in U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,754. U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,113, U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,754, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,827 are also directed towards mounts for mounting various appliances on the underside of a cabinet.  
         [0004]     The advent of flat-panel displays provides an opportunity to save additional work-surface space in areas where space is restricted, such as a kitchen or office space. Because of the thin profile of flat-panel displays, they are particularly suitable for folding up underneath a cabinet or the like. Additionally, because flat-panel displays have a thinner profile, a user can fit a much larger screen in a restricted space than would be otherwise achievable by a traditional cathode ray tube television.  
         [0005]     It is typically desirable to position the flat panel display in at least a viewing position wherein the screen of the display is in a substantially vertical position for viewing, and a stowed position wherein the flat panel is display is folded up under the cabinet or other structure. Since flat panel displays may have a relatively small viewing angle, it is also sometimes desirable to position the display in an intermediate position to obtain the optimum viewing angle.  
         [0006]     Previous mounts for flat panel displays have not been entirely satisfactory. Some of these previous mounting devices including catches, latches or detent mechanisms for positioning the display are awkward, difficult to operate and may not provide the capability of positioning the display at desired viewing angles. Other previous mounting devices have included friction devices for positioning the display. These friction devices may enable positioning the display at any desired angle, but are sometimes difficult to position due to the relatively large amount of frictional force needed to hold the display in the stowed position. Such devices may stick and impart a jerky motion when the display is being positioned toward the stowed position, so that the weight of the display is not being supported by the friction device.  
         [0007]     What is needed in the industry is a relatively simple to operate, adjustable, folding mount for attaching a flat panel display to a horizontal element of a fixed structure, that provides easy and smooth adjustability of the display position.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The current invention meets the need of the industry for an adjustable, folding mount for attaching a flat panel display to a horizontal element of a fixed structure, that is relatively simple to operate and provides easy and smooth adjustability of the display position. According to an embodiment of the invention, the mount includes a mount portion adapted to attach to a horizontal element of a fixed structure, and a swing arm having one end operably coupled to the mount portion. The swing arm is selectively positionable along a path of travel between a folded position proximate the horizontal element of the fixed structure and an extended position wherein the swing arm depends downwardly from the horizontal element of the fixed structure. A device interface portion operably couples the other end of the swing arm and the flat panel display. Further, the mount includes friction means arranged to apply a first frictional resistance force opposing positioning of the swing arm toward the extended position, and a second frictional resistance force opposing positioned of the arm toward the folded position, the first frictional resistance force being greater than the second frictional resistance force.  
         [0009]     The friction means of the invention may be adjusted so that the magnitude of the first frictional resistance force is sufficient to hold the swing arm and attached flat panel display at any position along the path of travel, while the second frictional resistance force is maintained at a minimal level to enable easy and smooth positioning of the display toward the folded position. In one embodiment, this “one-way” friction means includes a hinge operably coupling the swing arm to the mount portion. The hinge may include a housing defining a bore and operably coupled to one of the mount portion and the swing arm. A hinge axle extends through the bore and is operably coupled to the other of the mount portion and the swing arm. The hinge axle has a portion with a friction surface, and a shaft portion. The friction surface slidingly confronts a friction bushing in the bore. A one-way bearing is provided on the shaft portion of the hinge axle, and the one-way bearing presents an outer surface also confronting the friction bushing. In this embodiment, the first frictional resistance force is substantially provided by the sliding motion of the outer surface of the one-way bearing together with the sliding motion of the friction surface of the hinge axle on the friction bushing when the swing arm is pivoted about the hinge toward the extended position, and the second frictional resistance force is substantially provided by the sliding motion of only the friction surface of the hinge axle on the friction bushing when the swing arm is pivoted about the hinge toward the folded position.  
         [0010]     In other embodiments of the invention, the mounting device includes multiple arms. For example, a linkage comprising a pair of arms may operably couple the mount portion, the device interface portion and the swing arm. Further, in some embodiments, the mount portion may include a turret base adapted to attach to the fixed structure, and a hinge body pivotally attached to the turret base and operably coupled to the swing arm for adjusting the azimuthal orientation of the swing arm. The device interface portion of the mount may include a plurality of apertures defined therein for receiving fasteners to attach the device interface portion to the flat panel display. These apertures may be positioned according to industry standard fastener locations in the flat panel display. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a flat-panel display mount according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the display mount depicted in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the display mount in a folded position;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the display mount in a folded position;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a rear elevation view of the display mount in a folded position;  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the display mount with an attached flat panel display depicting the mount being folded from an extended position to a folded position;  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the hinge axle of the mount depicted in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of the display mount and flat panel display attached to the underside of a cabinet and positioned in the extended position;  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is another perspective view of the hinge axle of the present invention with a friction washer thereon;  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a one-way bearing according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the hinge mechanism of an embodiment of the present invention depicted in a partially assembled condition;  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is a bottom perspective view of the hinge mechanism; and  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a side elevation view of the mount and flat panel display attached to the underside of a horizontal element of a fixed structure, depicting the moment force exerted on the swing arm of the mount by the weight of the flat panel display. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]     A flat-panel display mount  20  according to the present invention generally includes mount bracket assembly  22 , arm assembly  24 , and device interface bracket  26 . Mount bracket assembly  22  generally includes turret base  28 , hinge body  30 , and turret cover  32 . Turret base  28  has a generally planar body portion  34  with a downwardly projecting skirt  36  defining recess  38 . Threaded stud  40  projects from body portion  34  into recess  38 . Apertures  42  are provided in body portion  34  to receive fasteners (not depicted) for fastening mount  20  to a fixed structure, such as the underside  44  of a cabinet  46 . Wire notch  48  may be provided in skirt  36  to enable wires from the flat panel display  50 , such as video, sound and antenna wires, to be routed through mount  20 . Larger aperture  52  may also be provided in body portion  34  to enable such wires to be routed through the fixed structure if desired.  
         [0025]     Hinge body  30  is generally U-shaped with a central portion  54  and projecting side portions  56 ,  58 ,  60 . Complementary shield  61  may be provided to cover the end of the U-shaped channel defined by hinge body  30  and conceal the internal components and any wires from flat panel display  50  that may be therein. Threaded stud  40  extends through aperture  62  in central portion  54  and receives nut  64  and washer  66  to secure hinge body  30  to turret base  28 . Washer  68  may be provided between washer  66  and hinge body  30  and friction washer  70  may be provided between hinge body  30  and turret base  28  to enable hinge body  30  to be smoothly pivotable on turret base  28  about threaded stud  40 . Washers  68 ,  70 , may be made from any material suitable for joints in display mounts. In an embodiment of the invention, washer  68  is made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and washer  70  is made from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Side portions  56 ,  60 , have flanges  72  with internally threaded apertures  74 . Cover  32  is secured to hinge body  30  with threaded fasteners  76  received in apertures  74 .  
         [0026]     In an embodiment of the invention, hinge body  30  may be azimuthally pivotable in a 360 degree arc about threaded stud  40 . If desired, one or more projections  77  may be provided on hinge body  30 , which engage a complementary projection, such as removable pivot stop  79 , on turret base  28  to limit pivotal movement of hinge body  30  about threaded stud  40  to any desired arc of travel.  
         [0027]     Arm assembly  24  generally includes hinge assembly  78 , swing arm  80 , and linkage  82 . Hinge assembly  78  generally includes hinge clamp  84 , one-way bearing  86 , and hinge axle  88 . Hinge clamp  84  has generally cylindrical housing portion  90  with a gap  92 . Tabs  94 ,  96 , project from housing portion  90  on either side of gap  92 . Fastener  98  extends through aperture  100  in tab  94  and threads into tab  96  to enable adjustment of the diameter of bore  102  in housing portion  90  by closing or opening gap  92 . Fasteners  104  extend through apertures  106  in tab  96 , and are threaded into apertures  108  to secure hinge clamp  84  to swing arm  80 .  
         [0028]     One way bearing  86  is depicted in  FIG. 10 , and generally includes an outer cup  114  with outer surface  110 . A plurality of rollers  116  retained in cage  118  is contained in outer cup  114 . One way bearing  86  may be selected from any of a variety of commercially available one-way clutch bearings such as, for example, Torrington Part No. RC-081208 produced by The Timken Company of Camden, Ohio.  
         [0029]     Hinge axle  88  is depicted in  FIGS. 7 and 9  and has head portion  120 , intermediate step  122 , and shaft portion  124 . One way bearing  86  is received on shaft portion  124  with rollers  116  bearing on surface  126 . Outer surface  110  of one way bearing  86  aligns with surface  128  of intermediate step  122 . Hinge axle  88  and one way bearing  86  are received through bore  102  of hinge clamp  84  so that outer surface  110  and surface  128  confront friction bushing  112 . Friction bushing  112  may be made from any suitable material that enables relatively smooth frictional sliding movement of outer surface  110  as well as desirable wear characteristics, such as UHMWPE.  
         [0030]     Head portion  120  of hinge axle  88  has projection  130 , which is conformingly shaped with notch  132  in side  56  of hinge body  30 . Hinge axle  88  fits between sides  56 ,  58 , of hinge body  30  as depicted in  FIG. 12 , with projection  130  engaged in notch  132  so as to prevent rotation of hinge axle  88 . Fastener  134  extends through aperture  136  in side  58  and threads into threaded aperture  138 , while fastener  140  with washer  142  threads into threaded aperture  144  to secure hinge axle  88  in place between sides  56 ,  58 , so that swing arm  80  is pivotable about hinge axle  88 . Washer  146  may be provided between side  58  and side surface  148  of hinge clamp  84 , and washer  150  may be provided between inner surface  152  of head portion  120  and opposite side surface  154  of hinge clamp  84  to enable smooth sliding movement as swing arm  80  pivots on hinge axle  88 .  
         [0031]     One-way bearing  86  enables free rotation of outer cup  114  about hinge axle  88  when rotated in the direction of arrows A depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 10 . When rotated in the direction opposite arrows A, however, rollers  116  are pressed inward on shaft portion  124 , rotationally locking outer cup  114  with shaft portion  124 . As a result, when swing arm  80  is pivoted upward toward mount bracket assembly  22  from the extended position depicted in  FIG. 8  toward the folded position depicted in  FIG. 13 , one way bearing  86  freely rotates on hinge axle  88  so that outer surface  110  does not slide on friction bushing  112 . Surface  128  of hinge axle  88 , however, being rotationally fixed with hinge axle  88 , slides on friction bushing  112 , causing some frictional resistance to pivotal movement of swing arm  80  toward the folded position. When swing arm  80  is pivoted downward away from mount bracket assembly  22  from the folded position toward the extended position, one way bearing  86  locks to hinge axle  88  so that outer surface  110  slides on friction bushing  112 . This sliding motion of outer surface  110  on friction bushing  112  causes frictional resistance against movement of swing arm  80  toward the extended position, adding to the frictional resistance provided by surface  128  sliding on friction bushing  112 . Thus, one-way bearing  86  in combination with friction bushing  112  form a one-way friction element disposed between hinge body  30  and swing arm  80 .  
         [0032]     The magnitude or amount of frictional resistance provided by the sliding motion of surface  128  and outer surface  110  on friction bushing  112  is at least partially dependent on the amount of surface area in mutual contact. Because only the area of surface  128  slides on friction bushing  112  when swing arm  80  is pivoted upward toward the folded position, and the area of both surface  128  and outer surface  110  slides on friction bushing  112  when swing arm  80  is pivoted downward toward the extended position, the amount of frictional resistance to movement of upward pivoting of swing arm  80  is less that the amount of frictional resistance to downward pivoting of swing arm  80  in proportion to the surface area of surface  128  relative to the combined surface area of surface  128  and outer surface  110 .  
         [0033]     It will also be appreciated that the amount of frictional resistance provided by the sliding motion of surface  128  and outer surface  110  on friction bushing  112  is affected by the magnitude of force applied normal to the surfaces. As a result, the magnitude of frictional resistance applied to resist pivotal movement of swing arm  80  may be adjusted with hinge clamp  84 . As fastener  98  is tightened, tab  94  is pressed toward tab  96 , closing gap  92 . The diameter of bore  102  is reduced, causing friction bushing  112  to be pressed more tightly against surface  128  and outer surface  110 , thereby increasing the magnitude of frictional resistance against pivoting of swing arm  80  provided by each.  
         [0034]     With mount bracket assembly  22  attached to a horizontal fixed structure  155  and flat panel display  50  attached to swing arm  80  as depicted in  FIG. 13 , the weight W of flat panel display  50  acting through the center of gravity C.G. of the display  50  exerts a moment force M on swing arm  80  equal to W times L, where L is the horizontal distance from center of gravity C.G. to the pivot point of swing arm  80 . The magnitude of moment force M is greatest when display  50  is positioned at the limit of its upward travel as depicted in  FIG. 13 . It will be appreciated that if the amount of frictional resistance to downward pivotal movement of swing arm  80  is adjusted with hinge clamp  84  as described above so that the amount of frictional resistance is equal to or exceeds the maximum magnitude of moment force M, display  50  may be held in the folded position depicted in  FIG. 13 , and in any desired position where moment force M is less, such as the intermediate position depicted in  FIG. 1  or the extended position depicted in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0035]     In embodiments of the invention, it is effective if the area of surface  128  is between about one-fourth to about one-half of the combined area of surface  128  and outer surface  110 . In a particular embodiment of the invention, the area of surface  128  is about one-third of the combined area of surface  128  and outer surface  110 . In these embodiments, the amount of friction provided by sliding of surface  128  on friction bushing  112  when swing arm  80  is pivoted toward the folded position may be sufficient so as to hold swing arm  80  in a position slightly past vertical as depicted with solid lines in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0036]     Swing arm  80  has a U-shaped body formed by web portion  156  and flanges  158 ,  160 . Tabs  162  are provided at distal end  164  to secure device interface bracket  26  to swing arm  80  as further described hereinbelow. Cover shield  166  is provided at proximal end  168 , extending around hinge clamp  84  to lend the assembly a relatively uniform appearance from the front and when the mount  20  is in a stowed position. Wire management shield  170  secures to swing arm  80  between flanges  158 ,  160 , with fastener  172 , to enable wires from the flat panel display to be routed easily through swing arm  80 .  
         [0037]     Linkage  82  generally includes turret link  174  and device interface link  176 . End  176  of turret link  174  has threaded pivot stud  178  which extends through an aperture (not depicted) in hinge body  30 , and is secured with nut  180  to pivotally attach turret link  174  to hinge body  30 . Opposite end  182  of turret link  174  has aperture  184 , which receives pivot stud  186 . End  188  of device interface link  176  has aperture  190  which receives pivot stud  186  to pivotally couple turret link  174  and device interface link  176  together. Opposite end  192  of device interface link  176  has aperture  194 , which receives pivot stud  196  to pivotally couple device interface link  176  to device interface bracket  26 . Device interface link  176  also has intermediate pivot stud  198 , which is received in an aperture (not depicted) in swing arm  80  to pivotally couple device interface link  176  with swing arm  80 .  
         [0038]     Device interface bracket  26  generally includes planar body portion  200 , with a pair of projecting flanges  202 ,  204 , and a projecting tab  206 . Projecting flanges  202 ,  204 , each have a guide slot  208  defined therein. Fasteners  210  extend through guide slot  208  and are received in threaded apertures  212  in tabs  162  of swing arm  80  to pivotally secure device interface bracket  26  to swing arm  80 . Friction washers  214  may be provided between the heads of fasteners  210  and device interface bracket  26  and between device interface bracket  26  and swing arm  80  to enable smooth sliding and pivoting movement between these components. Tab  206  of device interface bracket  26  has aperture  216 , which receives pivot stud  196  to pivotally couple device interface link  176  to device interface bracket  26 .  
         [0039]     Apertures  218  are defined in planar body portion  200  to receive fasteners (not depicted) to device interface bracket  26  to a flat panel display  50 . Apertures  218  are sized and located to correspond with fastener locations on the flat panel display. The elongated shape of apertures  218  enables selective positional adjustment of flat panel display  50  relative to device interface bracket  26 . Preferably, apertures  218  are located to correspond with industry standard fastener locations, such as may be specified by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) Flat Panel Monitor Physical Mounting Interface (FPMPMI) standard for example. Flat panel display  50  may also be coupled to device interface bracket  26  by any other suitable means, such as for example fastening buttons as described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/486,503, and U.S. Utility Patent Application Serial No., entitled “DISPLAY MOUNTING DEVICE” filed on Jul. 12, 2004, each of which are commonly owned by the owners of the present invention and are hereby incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0040]     The operation of mount  20  may be understood with reference to  FIGS. 1, 6 , and  8 . Mount  20  is depicted in  FIG. 8  attached to the underside  44  of a cabinet  46 . Swing arm  80  is positioned depending downward from mount bracket  22  so that the screen of flat panel display  50  is positioned in a generally vertical orientation for viewing. From this extended position, a user may stow flat panel display proximate the underside  44  of cabinet  46  by pushing flat panel display  50  toward mount bracket  22 . As depicted in  FIG. 6 , swing arm  80  swings upward toward mount bracket assembly, pivoting on hinge axle  88 , while fasteners  210  simultaneously pivot and slide longitudinally in guide slots  208 . As flat panel display folds upward, linkage  82  lifts and maintains the orientation of the top of the display, until mount  20  and display  50  reach the folded or stowed position depicted in  FIGS. 3, 4 , and  5 . In this position, the flat panel display  50  is disposed proximate a horizontal plane extending through mount bracket assembly  22 , with the screen of the display positioned in a generally horizontal orientation. The flat panel display may be returned to the unfolded or extended position depicted in  FIG. 8  by the reverse of these steps.  
         [0041]     Moreover, the pivotal connection between turret base  28  and hinge body  30  enables pivoting of swing arm  80  and a connected flat panel display  50  to any desired azimuth within a 360 degree arc. This feature enables mount  20  to be used effectively in over-island cabinet applications and as a center-room ceiling mount if desired.  
         [0042]     As described above, the frictional resistance provided by the sliding motion of surface  128  and outer surface  110  of one way bearing  86  on friction bushing  112  when swing arm  80  is pivoted downward toward the extended position enables the mount  20  to be adjusted so that flat panel display  50  may be easily and quickly positioned in the folded position, the extended position, or in any intermediate position without the need to operate other mechanisms, catches, latches, or the like. The lesser amount of friction provided by the sliding motion of only surface  128  on friction bushing  112  when swing arm  80  is pivoted upward toward the folded position, enables swing arm  80  to be positioned in an extended position slightly past vertical, while still enabling the display to be moved to the stowed position with relatively little effort.  
         [0043]     Many other embodiments, in addition to those depicted, are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. For example, in some embodiments device interface bracket may be integral with a display device, or mount bracket assembly may be integral with the fixed structure. Further, other arm arrangements, including a single swing arm and any other arrangement of multiple swing arms, such as for example, a multi-element parallelogram swing arm, are contemplated. Multi-element parallelogram swing arm arrangements are well-known in the art and are depicted in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,743,503 and 6,409,134, hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. In such multiple arm arrangements, it will be appreciated that the one way friction element described herein may be effectively positioned at any location enabling the one-way friction element to impart frictional resistance to pivoting of the swing arm assembly. For example, in a parallelogram arm assembly, the one-way friction element may be positioned at the connection of either parallel arm with a mount bracket connected with the fixed structure, or at either connection of the parallel arms with a device interface.