Abstract:
An improved adjustable mounting system for mounting a flat panel display to a surface. A mounting bracket is configured to attach to the surface, while an adapter bracket is operatively connected to the mounting bracket and is configured to operatively connect to the flat panel display. At least one carrier mechanism operatively connects the mounting bracket and the adapter bracket, the first carrier mechanism positioned with a set of substantially straight guide paths or surfaces to couple the adapter bracket to the mounting bracket. When the flat panel display is operatively connected to the adapter bracket and the mounting bracket is attached to the surface, the flat panel display is generally selectively rotatably positionable about an axis substantially parallel to the surface as a result of the interaction of the first carrier mechanism with the set of substantially straight guide paths or surfaces.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/430,116, filed Mar. 26, 2012. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/430,116 is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/785,966, filed May 24, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,157,233, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/503,718, filed Jul. 15, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,332, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/357,348, filed Feb. 17, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,641,163, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/728,945, filed Oct. 21, 2005. The contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to mounting systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to adjustable mounting systems for mounting devices such as flat panel televisions and displays on a surface. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In recent years, flat-panel television units 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 businesses and individuals have purchased such devices both for business and home entertainment purposes. 
         [0004]    One of the advantages of flat-panel television units that customers have found particularly 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. 
         [0005]    With flat-panel televisions, on the other hand, users are presented with a relatively new option: mounting the television directly to a wall or similar surface. 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. Furthermore, individuals and entities can mount the television at a sufficiently low height to be able to adjust the television&#39;s orientation with little difficulty. 
         [0006]    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. Over the past few years, a number of wall mounting systems have been developed for use with flat panel televisions, but each has their own drawbacks. The products described in these disclosures rely upon the use of a set of curved slots to form a rotatable connection between a mounting bracket and a support bracket. Although moderately useful, a rolling connection among the slots is required for the smooth tilting movement of the mounting bracket relative to the support bracket. Unfortunately, the curved slots themselves can cause the mounting systems&#39; rolling pins to slip during the tilting process, which can lead to the mounting bracket, and therefore the attached television or display, to move in an abrupt, non-smooth fashion relative to the support bracket. Such movements can make it difficult for one to precisely position the television or display in the desired position. Additionally, gravity can, on occasion, cause the rolling pins to fall within the slots, which can cause the system to bind. In such a situation, it becomes more difficult to adjust the orientation of the flat panel display. Furthermore, with some newer plasma and LCD televisions being more sensitive and delicate than conventional tube televisions, such sudden slippage could also damage the devices. 
         [0007]    U.S. Application Publication No. 2004/0245420 discloses a mounting system where a plurality of arc-shaped glides are used in place of the rolling pins. However, such glides may be more expensive to manufacture than rolling pins, are more difficult to assemble into the curved slots than the rolling pins, and are prone to suffering wear to the frictional sliding of the glides against the sides of the slots. 
         [0008]    It therefore would be desirable to develop an improved rotatable connection for tilt mounting systems that addresses the above-identified shortcomings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention comprises a self-balancing flat panel television or display mounting system. The mounting system is tiltable through the use of a plurality of substantially straight guide paths or surfaces formed with a mounting bracket and an adapter bracket, where carrier mechanisms are used to effectuate a smooth, rolling connection between the mounting bracket and the adapter bracket. In this arrangement, the resultant forces on the carrier mechanisms are oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of the carrier mechanisms&#39; travel, balancing the forces created by the supported load. By using a plurality of sets of guide paths with each support plate/mounting bracket combination, the guide paths create a “scissoring” action which diminishes sliding and promotes the smooth movement of the carrier mechanisms with the guide paths, as well as helping to ensure that the carrier mechanisms do not slip when a user or installer lifts and removes the television from the remainder of the mount. 
         [0010]    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 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tilt mounting system constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the mounting system of  FIG. 1  when in a first position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a magnified view of the interaction among a carrier and a set of guide paths on the mounting bracket and support plate when in the position shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the mounting system of  FIG. 1  when in a second position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the mounting system of  FIG. 1  when in an intermediate position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a magnified view of the interaction among a carrier mechanism and a set of guide paths on the mounting bracket and support plate when in the position shown in  FIG. 5 ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a mounting system constructed according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]      FIGS. 1-6  show an adjustable mounting system  10  constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The mounting system  10  of  FIGS. 1-6  comprises a mounting bracket  12  which is configured to attach to a flat surface such as a wall. The mounting bracket includes a mounting bracket contact portion  11  and a pair of mounting bracket flanges  13  on each side thereof. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , a plurality of mounting bracket holes  18  are strategically placed and sized within the mounting bracket contact portion  11  to attach the mounting bracket  12  to the wall. It should also be noted, however, that the mounting bracket  12  can be part of a larger support system, and that the attachment of the mounting bracket  12  to the wall does not have to be direct. Instead, the mounting bracket  12  can be connected to the wall via a plurality of intermediate components, such as an articulating arm (not shown) or other brackets or plates. These various components can be used to translation an attached electronic device away from or towards the wall, to tilt the electronic device to the left or right, or for other purposes. 
         [0019]    In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , an adapter bracket  14  is rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket  12 . Like the mounting bracket  12 , the adapter bracket  14  includes an adapter bracket contact portion  15  bounded by a pair of adapter bracket flanges  17  on each side thereof in one embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , a display bracket  16  is secured to the adapter bracket contact portion  15  and is configured to attach to a flat panel display or other electronic device via a plurality of display bracket holes  20 . However, it should also be noted that, in other embodiments of the invention, the display bracket  16  is not necessary and the adapter bracket  14  can attached directly to the respective electronic device. 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , the mounting bracket  12  includes a plurality of mounting bracket guide paths  24 , and the adapter bracket  14  includes a plurality of adapter bracket guide paths  26 .  FIGS. 1-6  show and describe the mounting bracket guide paths  24  and adapter bracket guide paths  26  as slots that are formed completely within the mounting bracket  12  and adapter bracket  14 , respectively. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not strictly limited to the use of slots. Instead, guide paths for the mounting bracket  12  and the adapter bracket  14  can comprise items such as rails and outer surfaces that define a path of travel, as well as other structures that provide guide paths. The present invention should therefore not be strictly limited to the use of slots. 
         [0021]    The mounting bracket guide paths  24  are located on the mounting bracket flanges  13 , and the adapter bracket guide paths  26  are located on the adapter bracket flanges  17 . In one embodiment of the invention, each mounting bracket flange  13  includes two mounting bracket guide paths  24 , and each adapter bracket flange  17  includes two adapter bracket guide paths  26 , each of which are configured to align with a respective mounting bracket guide path  24 . 
         [0022]    Importantly, both the mounting bracket guide paths  24  and the adapter bracket guide paths  26  are substantially straight in nature. In particular, each individual mounting bracket guide path  24  and adapter bracket guide path  26  does not possess any discernable radius of curvature along the longer edges of the guide paths that are closer to where the electronic device is mounted. In a preferred embodiment, the longer inner and outer edges of both the mounting bracket guide paths  24  and the adapter bracket guide paths  26  are substantially straight and possess no discernable radius of curvature. Both the mounting bracket guide paths  24  and the adapter bracket guide paths  26  are sized to accept a carrier  22  therethrough.  FIGS. 1-6  show the carrier mechanisms  22  as comprising rolling pins. However, other types of carriers, such as gliders or other items, could also be used. In one particular embodiment of the invention, two rolling pins are used, with one rolling pin passing through the uppermost mounting bracket guide paths  24  and adapter bracket guide paths  26  on each of the respective flanges, and another rolling pin passing through the lowermost mounting bracket guide paths  24  and adapter bracket guide paths  26  on each of the respective flanges. 
         [0023]    The different positions of the mounting system  10  shown in  FIGS. 2-6  show the relative movement of the adapter bracket  14 , and therefore any attached electronic device, relative to the mounting bracket  12 .  FIGS. 2 and 3  show the adapter bracket  14  in a first position, where the adapter bracket  14  (and the electronic device) are angled upward to the greatest extent permitted by the mounting system  10 . Conversely,  FIG. 4  shows the adapter bracket  14  in a second position, where the adapter bracket  14  (and the electronic device) are angled downward to the greatest extent permitted by the mounting system  10 .  FIGS. 5 and 6  show the adapter bracket  14  in an intermediate position, about half way between the position shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  and the position shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0024]    In the position shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the carriers  22  are positioned at the top most regions of the respective adapter bracket guide paths  26  and the lower most regions of the respective mounting bracket guide paths  24 . In contrast, when the adapter bracket  14  is positioned as shown in  FIG. 4 , the carriers  22  are positioned at the lower most regions of the respective adapter bracket guide paths  26  and the top most regions of the respective mounting bracket guide paths  24 . At all times during the motion process, the adapter plate  14  and attached electronic device exert a normal force against the carrier  22  in the uppermost guide paths, with the force being normal to a major axis of the respective mounting bracket guide paths  24 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mounting bracket guide paths  24  on each mounting bracket flange  13  are oriented such that lines normal to the major axes of each mounting bracket guide path  24  will intersect at a point within the vicinity of the center of gravity of a flat panel display or television when properly secured to the adapter bracket  14 . As a result of this arrangement, the flat panel display or television does not tend to tilt on its own without the imposition of outside forces (typically imposed by a user who wants to change the orientation of the flat panel display.) 
         [0025]    During the process of adjusting the tilt of the adapter bracket  14  relative to the mounting bracket  12 , the position of the adapter bracket guide paths  26  is adjusted relative to the position of the corresponding mounting bracket guide paths  24 . This movement can be described as a “scissors style” movement, with the interaction of the guide paths resembling the interaction of two scissor blades during a cutting process. As a result of this scissors style relative motion, the forces that are exerted on the carriers  22  promotes the rolling of the carriers  22  within the respective guide paths and works to help prevent any sliding action of the carriers  22 . As any sliding of the carriers  22  within the guide paths can lead to an uneven and/or unbalanced movement of the adapter bracket  14  and electronic device relative to the mounting bracket  12 , the use of straight guide paths, and therefore the resultant scissors style movement, aids in permitting a smooth and consistent adjustment process. This makes it easier for the user to place the electronic device at a desired orientation. Additionally, the improved rolling action also prevents slippage and instability when a user attempts to remove the electronic device/adapter bracket  14  combination from the mounting bracket  12  when necessary or desired. 
         [0026]    In alternative embodiments of the present invention, it is not necessary for each mounting bracket guide path  24  to have a corresponding adapter bracket guide path  26 . For example, it is possible, instead of having adapter bracket guide paths  26  at all, the adapter can include a plurality of holes just large enough to permit the carrier  22  roll therein, with each hole corresponding to a mounting bracket guide path  24 . Alternatively, this arrangement can be reversed, where the mounting bracket flanges  13  each possess a hole that corresponds to a respective adapter bracket guide path  26 . 
         [0027]    The embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1-6  also includes a friction member  30  for adjusting the level of resistance that is met during the adjustment process. In one particular embodiment, the friction member  30  includes an adjustment screw that passes through both an adapter plate friction slot  28  and a hole (not shown) in the corresponding mounting plate flange  13 . It should be noted that the hole and slot can also be reversed, such that the friction slot appears on the mounting bracket  12 . A plurality of washers (not shown) may also be used along with the adjustment screw. In this embodiment of the invention, a clockwise rotation of the adjustment screw causes the respective adapter bracket flange  17  and mounting bracket flange  13  to come into closer contact with each other, which results in an increased level of friction when the user moves the flat panel display (and therefore the adapter bracket  14 ) relative to the mounting bracket  12 . A counterclockwise rotation of the adjustment screw correspondingly reduces the friction level between the mounting bracket  12  and the adapter bracket  14 . It should be understood that other types of friction devices may also be used, and that these friction devices may or may not include an adjustment screw of the type described herein. 
         [0028]      FIG. 7  shows an additional embodiment of the present invention, where the adapter bracket  14  includes a guide path  26  which is an open-back rolling surface instead of a slot. In this particular embodiment, if a user needs to perform an action under the television or display such as accessing cables, he or she can rotate the adapter bracket  14  relative to the mounting bracket  12  about an axis defined by the upper carrier mechanism  22 . This action provides a user with improved access to the back side of the device without having to completely remove the adapter bracket  14 . 
         [0029]    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. 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.